bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of low‐level laser therapy on chemoradiotherapy‐induced oral mucositis and salivary inflammatory mediators in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Oton‐Leite Angélica F. , Silva Geisa Badauy L. , Morais Marília O. , Silva Tarcília A. , Leles Cláudio R. , Valadares Marize Campos , Pinezi Juliana Castro D. , Batista Aline C. , Mendonça Elismauro F.
Published: March 2015

Background and Objective

Oral mucositis (OM) is considered a painful and debilitating side effect in patients receiving head and neck cancer treatment. Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) proved to be effective to prevent and treat chemoradiotherapy‐induced OM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LLLT in the severity of OM in patients with head and neck cancer and on the release of salivary inflammatory mediators. Clinical (score of OM severity) and biochemical parameters (concentration of inflammatory mediators, growth factors, and enzymes in saliva) were used.

Materials and Methods

Thirty patients were randomized into two groups: control and laser. LLLT was performed three times a week in the laser group, while control group received sham irradiation. OM severity was assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) scales. Pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐10, TGF‐β), growth factors (EGF, FGF, VEGF), and metalloproteinases (MMP2/TIMP2, MMP9/TIMP2) concentrations were assessed using ELISA test. Saliva samples were collected on admission, and at the 7th, 21st, and 35th sessions of radiotherapy.

Results

The laser group showed a reduction in the severity of OM, which coursed with significantly diminished salivary concentration of EGF and VEGF in the 7th radiotherapy session and of IL‐6 and FGF in the 35th. There was a trend for reduced levels of IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐10, TGF‐β, MMP2/TIMP2, MMP9/TIMP2 in the laser group compared to the control, however, no statistically significant differences were found.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrated that LLLT was effective in reducing the severity of chemoradiotherapy‐induced OM and was associated with the reduction of inflammation and repair. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:296–305, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Baseline Features Influencing the Effectiveness of Retraining Therapy for Writer's Cramp
Authors: Bleton Jean‐Pierre , Touzé Emmanuel , Soulez‐la‐Rivière Laure , Baizabal‐Carvallo José Fidel , Guignier Françoise , Cambriel Claire , Sangla Sophie , Grabli David , Roze Emmanuel , Mesure Serge , Vidailhet Marie
Published: March 2015

Background: The effectiveness of retraining therapy (RT) for writer's cramp is difficult to predict and its determinants are unknown. Methods: We examined factors potentially predicting improved legibility after RT in patients with writer's cramp (WC). We reviewed the files of 693 WC patients treated with RT from 1995 to 2009. Standardized assessments were made both at baseline and after 2 months of RT in 305 patients. The effect of RT on legibility was evaluated by using the handwriting subscore of the Burke‐Fahn‐Marsden (BFM) disability scale. Initial and final handwriting samples were blindly scored in random order. Associations between WC patterns and changes in legibility were identified by uni‐ and multivariable analyses. Results: Legibility improved by ≥1 point in the BFM handwriting subscore in 93 patients (31%). WC patients who improved were more likely to have synergic dystonic patterns involving the wrist and forearm (60% vs. 40%; P = 0.03) and less likely to have flexion of fingers F3 to F5 (19% vs. 81%; P = 0.017). Outcome was not related to gender, age, or dystonia duration. Our results confirm that retraining therapy could improve legibility in patients with writer's cramp. Conclusions: The pattern of writer's cramp can help to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from retraining therapy, regardless of age, gender, and disease duration.
Microsurgical ear replantation—is venous repair necessary?—A systematic review
Authors: Momeni Arash , Liu Xiangxia , Januszyk Michael , Wan Derrick C. , Buncke Gregory M. , Buntic Rudolf F. , Parrett Brian M.
Published: April 2015

Background

A common postoperative observation after microsurgical ear replantation has been venous congestion necessitating alternate modes of decongestion, frequently in conjunction with blood transfusion. A comprehensive literature search was performed to assess the relationship between mode of vascular reconstruction and postoperative outcome as well as postoperative transfusion requirement after microsurgical ear replantation.

Methods

The search was limited to cases of microsurgical ear replantation following complete amputation. Only articles published in English and indexed in PubMed were included.

Results

The initial search retrieved 285 articles, which was narrowed down to 40 articles reporting on 60 cases that matched the aforementioned criteria. Reconstruction of the arterial and venous limb (Group 1) was performed in 63.3% of patients and artery‐only anastomosis (Group 2) was performed in 31.7%. Among measurable outcomes, only the duration of surgery was significantly different between groups (2.6 hours longer in Group 1 than Group 2; P = 0.0042).

Conclusion

In light of contemporary data demonstrating successful artery‐only ear replantation, replantation should not be abandoned when unable to establish venous outflow microsurgically. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:345–350, 2016.
Fibular motor nerve conduction studies: Investigating the mechanism for compound muscle action potential amplitude drop with proximal stimulation
Authors: Kamel Jordan T. , Knight‐Sadler Rory J. , Roberts Leslie J.
Published: April 2015

Introduction

The compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude of extensor digitorum brevis can show a drop with proximal stimulation in normal fibular nerves. Methods: We assessed the contribution of the far‐field potential recorded by the reference electrode (R‐CMAP) to the fibular CMAP. Negative R‐CMAP amplitude, peak‐to‐peak amplitude, and negative area were measured and correlated with the amplitude decrease. Fibular motor nerves from 14 healthy participants were studied. Results: The mean CMAP amplitude drop with proximal stimulation was 14.0 ± 9.3%, including a >30% reduction in 1 study. All measured R‐CMAP parameters correlated with the degree of amplitude drop. Conclusions: A greater R‐CMAP contribution to the fibular CMAP leads to greater phase cancellation and temporal dispersion. The resulting amplitude drop seen in the proximal CMAP can be large enough to be classified incorrectly as “probable conduction block” by several different diagnostic criteria. Muscle Nerve 52: 993–996, 2015
Prevention, Use of Health Services, and Genes: Implications of Genetics for Policy Formation
Authors: Wehby George L. , Domingue Benjamin W. , Boardman Jason D.
Published: March 2015

We evaluate the hypothesis that genetic factors influence the use of health services and prevention behaviors in a national sample of adult twins in the United States. The analysis compares the correlation of these outcomes between identical twins, who share all their genes, to the correlation between nonidentical twins, who share, on average, only one‐half of their genes. Because the environmental similarities of twins are assumed to be the same for identical and nonidentical twin pairs, researchers can partition the variance in behavioral outcomes that are due to genetic and environmental factors. Using established methods in this field, we find evidence of significant genetic influences on preferences toward prevention, overall prevention effort, routine checkups, and prescription drug use. Use of curative services does not appear to be influenced by genes. Our findings offer several implications for policymakers and researchers and suggest that genetics could be informative for health services and policy research.
COMPARISON OF PREDICTIVE VALIDITY AND DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF SCREENING MEASURES OF READING SKILLS
Authors: Klingbeil David A. , McComas Jennifer J. , Burns Matthew K. , Helman Lori
Published: March 2015

Assessment data must be valid for the purpose for which educators use them. Establishing evidence of validity is an ongoing process that must be shared by test developers and test users. This study examined the predictive validity and the diagnostic accuracy of universal screening measures in reading. Scores on three different universal screening tools were compared for nearly 500 second‐ and third‐grade students attending four public schools in a large urban district. Hierarchical regression and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to examine the criterion‐related validity and diagnostic accuracy of students’ oral reading fluency (ORF), Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) scores, and fall scores from the Measures of Academic Progress for reading (MAP). Results indicated that a combination of all three measures accounted for 65% of the variance in spring MAP scores, whereas a reduced model of ORF and MAP scores predicted 60%. ORF and BAS scores did not meet standards for diagnostic accuracy. Combining the measures improved diagnostic accuracy, depending on how criterion scores were calculated. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Polymerizability of Exo‐methylene‐lactide toward vinyl addition and ring opening
Authors: Miyake Garret M. , Zhang Yuetao , Chen Eugene Y.‐X.
Published: April 2015

This work examines the stereochemical control and polymerizability of exo‐methylene‐lactide (MLA) or (6S)‐3‐methylene‐6‐methyl‐1,4‐dioxane‐2,5‐dione, a chiral monomer derived from l‐lactide, toward vinyl‐addition and ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) pathways, respectively. Currently, no information on the stereochemistry of the vinyl‐addition polymerization of MLA is known, and the possible ROP pathway is unexplored. Accordingly, this work first investigated the stereochemical control and other characteristics of the radical polymerization of MLA and its copolymerization with an analogous exo‐methylene‐lactone, γ‐methyl‐α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone (MMBL), and di‐methylene‐lactide (DMLA) or 3,6‐dimethylene‐1,4‐dioxane‐2,5‐dione. The MLA homopolymerization produced optically active, but atactic, vinyl‐type polymers having a specific rotation of [α]23D = −42 ± 4°, a high Tg from 229 to 254 °C, and a medium (Mw = 76.3 kg/mol, Đ = 1.16) to high (Mw = 358 kg/mol, Đ = 2.83) molecular weight, depending on the solvent. The copolymerization of MLA with MMBL afforded copolymers exhibiting enhanced thermal stability, while its copolymerization with DMLA led to cross‐linked polymers. The results obtained from the model reactions designed to probe the possible ROP indicate that the nonpolymerizability of MLA by initiators or catalysts comprising acidic, protic, and/or nucleophilic reagents is due to the high sensitivity of MLA toward such common ROP reagents that trigger decomposition or other types of transformations of MLA forming nonpolymerizable derivatives. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1523–1532
Solid‐state microcellular and nanocellular polysulfone foams
Authors: Guo Huimin , Nicolae Andrei , Kumar Vipin
Published: April 2015

In this article, we report on the process for creating microcellular and nanocellular polysulfone (PSU) foams. Microcellular foams with cell size up to 8 µm and nanocellular foams with cell size in the range of 20–30 nm were created. A range of CO2 concentration was achieved by varying saturation temperature, from 5% at 60 °C to 14.7% at −10 °C. The CO2 concentration has a strong influence on the cellular structure. There exists a critical concentration window, between 10.7% and 12.3%, within which cell nucleation densities increase rapidly and cell sizes drop from micrometer range to below 1 µm into the nanometer range. Nanofoams with cell nucleation densities exceeding 1015 cells/cm3 and void fraction of up to 48% are achieved. At the high CO2 concentration region, the change from closed nanocellular structure to bicontinuous nanoporous structure is observed. Also, nanostructures on the cell wall of microcells are observed and believed to be formed via stress‐induced nucleation/spinodal decomposition. The PSU nanofoams produced in this study present an opportunity to produce polymer nanofoams with a relatively high service temperature. The ability to create cells of different length scales provides an opportunity to study the effect of cell size on the foams properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 975–985
Preparation of Hydrophobic Viscose Fabric Using Nitrogen DBD and Copper Ions Sorption
Authors: Kramar Ana D. , Obradović Bratislav M. , Vesel Alenka , Kuraica Milorad M. , Kostić Mirjana M.
Published: March 2015

Plasma treatment of viscose cellulose fabric was performed using the atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in nitrogen. Samples were treated using nonthermal plasma, and change of sorption properties with plasma energy density was investigated. It was found that using low energy of discharge, modified viscose samples become less hydrophilic and their wettability is significantly reduced. The observed hydrophobic effect was investigated and confirmed throughout series of experiments, by measuring a change in wetting time and in the level of aqueous liquid repellency. Structural changes were monitored using SEM, AFM, and XPS. It was established that increase of roughness combined with removal of hydrophilic polar groups from the surface of cellulose using plasma represents a novel approach to impart hydrophobicity onto hydrophilic textile. An additional binding of copper ions to nitrogen DBD treated cellulose produces a cross‐linking effect, i.e., an occupation of remaining hydrophilic groups on the fabric surface and provides so called “petal effect” where drops of water stick to the fabric surface when the fabric is tilted for 180°. This novel procedure for obtaining hydrophobic cellulose could be used for a preparation of special protective textile materials with cost and time effective methods and chemicals.
Geographic variations in cystic fibrosis: An analysis of the U.S. CF Foundation Registry
Authors: Kopp Benjamin T. , Nicholson Lisa , Paul Grace , Tobias Joseph , Ramanathan Chandar , Hayes Don
Published: March 2015

Background

Emerging evidence suggests that the prevalence of pathogens common in cystic fibrosis (CF) may be unevenly distributed across the United States (U.S.). However, very little is known regarding the U.S. distribution of other CF modifiers such as medication usage and patient demographics. Therefore, we sought to determine if regional differences exist in the distribution of demographic variables and patient disease characteristics in the U.S. that may play a role in differential CF outcomes.

Methods

Data were analyzed from the 30,896 subjects in the U.S. CF Foundation Patient Registry during the years 2007–2012, via geographical grouping of states based upon the Nationwide Inpatient Sample classification.

Results

Significant differences in racial distribution were seen, including half of the total U.S. African–American CF population residing in the South. Both African–Americans and Hispanics had increased Medicaid usage (52.2%, 41.8%, respectively). Culture‐reported pathogens were markedly different across the U.S., with the highest percentage of patients with Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (41.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (71.2%), and non‐tuberculous mycobacterium (10.0%) in the South. The South region also had the lowest mean body mass index and forced expiratory volume in one second. Chronic medication usage such as inhaled tobramycin or macrolides followed P. aeruginosa distribution, while inhaled dornase alfa was most used in the West (84.7%). Co‐morbid conditions varied, with the highest percentage of depressed subjects in the Midwest (18.3%). Mean regional mortality rates were not statistically different among regions, although highest in each age grouping of the South.

Conclusions

The U.S. has significant regional variations in CF demographics, insurance, pathogens, medication usage, and co‐morbidities, without an overall impact on regional mortality. Regional variations in care practices should be studied further based on the findings. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:754–762. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Principles and mechanisms of regeneration in the mouse model for wound‐induced hair follicle neogenesis
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Hsi Tsai‐Ching , Guerrero‐Juarez Christian Fernando , Pham Kim , Cho Kevin , McCusker Catherine D. , Monuki Edwin S. , Cho Ken W.Y. , Gay Denise L. , Plikus Maksim V.
Published: March 2015

Wound‐induced hair follicle neogenesis (WIHN) describes a regenerative phenomenon in adult mammalian skin wherein fully functional hair follicles regenerate de novo in the center of large excisional wounds. Originally described in rats, rabbits, sheep, and humans in 1940−1960, the WIHN phenomenon was reinvestigated in mice only recently. The process of de novo hair regeneration largely duplicates the morphological and signaling features of normal embryonic hair development. Similar to hair development, WIHN critically depends on the activation of canonical WNT signaling. However, unlike hair development, WNT activation in WIHN is dependent on fibroblast growth factor 9 signaling generated by the immune system's γδ T cells. The cellular bases of WIHN remain to be fully characterized; however, the available evidence leaves open the possibility for a blastema‐like mechanism wherein epidermal and/or dermal wound cells undergo epigenetic reprogramming toward a more plastic, embryonic‐like state. De novo hair follicles do not regenerate from preexisting hair‐fated bulge stem cells. This suggests that hair neogenesis is not driven by preexisting lineage‐restricted progenitors, as is the case for amputation‐induced mouse digit tip regeneration, but rather may require a blastema‐like mechanism. The WIHN model is characterized by several intriguing features, which await further explanation. These include (1) the minimum wound size requirement for activating neogenesis, (2) the restriction of hair neogenesis to the wound's center, and (3) imperfect patterning outcomes, both in terms of neogenic hair positioning within the wound and in terms of their orientation. Future enquiries into the WIHN process, made possible by a wide array of available skin‐specific genetic tools, will undoubtedly expand our understanding of the regeneration mechanisms in adult mammals.
One Example of a Model Humanitarian Mission
Authors: Welling David R. , Rich Norman M. , Elster Eric
Published: March 2015

This paper describes a model humanitarian mission to Guyana; it illustrates the value of excellent ongoing care in collaboration with local physicians and surgeons, cooperation with local government and medical officials, and frequent periodic follow‐up missions (always to the same hospital, working with the same staff). This effort has largely avoided the so‐called “Seven Sins of Humanitarian Medicine”.
The Effects of Metallurgical Factors on PWSCC Crack Growth Rates in TT Alloy 690 in Simulated PWR Primary Water
Authors: Yonezawa Toshio , Watanabe Masashi , Hashimoto Atsushi
Published: March 2015

Primary water stress corrosion cracking growth rates (PWSCCGRs) in highly cold-worked thermally treated (TT) Alloy 690 have been recently reported as exhibiting significant heat-to-heat variability. Authors hypothesized that these significant differences could be due to the metallurgical characteristics of each heat. In order to confirm this hypothesis, the effect of fundamental metallurgical characteristics on PWSCCGR measurements in cold-worked TT Alloy 690 has been investigated. The following new observations were made in this study: (1) Microcracks and voids were observed in or near eutectic crystals of grain boundary (GB) M23C6 carbides (primary carbides) after cold rolling, but were not observed before cold rolling. These primary carbides with microcracks and voids were observed in both lightly forged and as-cast and cold-rolled TT Alloy 690 (heat A) as well as in a cold-rolled TT Alloy 690 (heat Y) that simulated the chemical composition and carbide banded structure of the material previously tested by Paraventi and Moshier. However, this was not observed in precipitated (secondary) M23C6 GB carbides in heavily forged and cold-rolled TT Alloy 690 heat A and a cold-rolled commercial TT Alloy 690. (2) From microstructural analyses carried out on the various TT Alloy 690 test materials before and after cold rolling, the amount of eutectic crystals (primary carbides and nitrides) M23C6 and TiN depended on the chemical composition. In particular, the amount of M23C6 depended on the fabrication process. Microcracks and voids in or near the M23C6 and TiN precipitates were generated by the cold rolling process. (3) The PWSCCGRs observed in TT Alloy 690 were different for each heat and fabrication process. The PWSCCGR decreased with increasing Vickers hardness of each heat. However, for the same heats and fabrication processes, the PWSCCGR increased with increasing Vickers hardness due to cold work. Thus, the PWSCCGR must be affected not only by hardness (or equivalently the cold working ratio) but also by grain size, microcracks, and voids of primary M23C6 carbides, etc., which in turn depend on chemical composition and the fabrication process.
Singularity formation for the incompressible Hall-MHD equations without resistivity
Authors: Chae Dongho , Weng Shangkun
Published: March 2015

In this paper we show that the incompressible Hall-MHD system without resistivity is not globally in time well-posed in any Sobolev space

H^{m}(\mathbb{R}^{3})

for any

m > \frac{7}{2}

. Namely, either the system is locally ill-posed in

H^{m}(\mathbb{R}^{3})

, or it is locally well-posed, but there exists an initial data in

H^{m}(\mathbb{R}^{3})

, for which the

H^{m}(\mathbb{R}^{3})

norm of solution blows-up in finite time if

m > \frac{7}{2}

. In the latter case we choose an axisymmetric initial data

u_{0}(x) = u_{0r}(r,z)e_{r} + b_{0z}(r,z)e_{z}

and

B_{0}(x) = b_{0\theta }(r,z)e_{\theta }

, and reduce the system to the axisymmetric setting. If the convection term survives sufficiently long time, then the Hall term generates the singularity on the axis of symmetry and we have

\mathrm{\lim }⁡\mathrm{\sup }_{t\rightarrow t_{⁎}}⁡\mathrm{\sup }_{z \in \mathbb{R}}⁡|\partial _{z}\partial _{r}b_{\theta }(r = 0,z)| = \infty

for some

t_{⁎} > 0

, which will also induce a singularity in the velocity field.
Comparison of “Word” vs. “Picture” version of the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) in older adults
Authors: Zimmerman Molly E. , Katz Mindy J. , Wang Cuiling , Burns Leah C. , Berman Robert M. , Derby Carol A. , L'Italien Gilbert , Budd David , Lipton Richard B.
Published: April 2015

Background

This study examined the psychometric relationship between the Word and Picture versions of the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) and developed an equation for score conversion.

Methods

One hundred and eight‐seven participants were administered the FCSRT‐Picture and FCSRT‐Word on two visits using a randomized counterbalanced design.

Results

Participants had a mean age of 82.1 (standard deviation or SD = 5.4) and mean education of 14.5 (SD = 3.3) years. Mean FCSRT‐Picture Free Recall score (mean 33.0 years, range: 17–44 years) was 7.9 points higher than the Word score (mean 25.1 years, range: 3–43 years). The Picture and Word FCSRT correlations for Free Recall and Total Recall were r = 0.56,P < .01 and r = 0.46,P < .01, respectively.

Discussion

The Picture and Word versions of the FCSRT were moderately associated in a sample of cognitively normal older adults. The score mean differences and variability between FCSRT‐Picture and FCSRT‐Word indicate that their scores should not be considered equivalent.
Innovación en el sector cementero de Colombia: estudio de caso Cementos Tequendama
Authors: Peña Romero Jennifer Paola , Zilber Moisés Ari
Published: March 2015

El objetivo de este trabajo es interpretar el significado que el personal de la empresa de Cementos Tequendama le otorga a la innovación tomando como guía de investigación el Modelo de Innovación del autor Allan Afuah, mediante el estudio de caso y la entrevista en profundidad a informantes clave representados por personal seleccionado en la empresa. Los resultados demuestran que los principales factores que la empresa tiene en cuenta al desarrollar sus procesos de innovación son el análisis del entorno y los beneficios o lucros obtenidos. Los otros componentes, como el análisis de afectación y creación de valor para los diferentes grupos de interés, la protección de la innovación y el rol de los diferentes actores que participan del proceso, no están definidos, o se llevan a cabo de una forma rudimentaria.
Understanding Community-Level Disaster and Emergency Response Preparedness
Authors: Shannon Crystal
Published: March 2015

Objective

Community-level disaster readiness is a major component of community health promotion. However, many readiness programs are focused on the response of emergency and health care personnel and not on the preparedness levels of local citizens. This potentially leaves the public unready and unprepared for emergency event response.

Methods

A 20-item survey on general states of disaster preparedness was delivered to the residents of a midsized midwestern county. The residents were asked to share their knowledge of local hazards, emergency systems, and personal preparedness.

Results

A convenience sample of 423 residents responded to the survey. Fifty-seven percent (n=241) reported limited personal preparedness. Seventy-six percent (n=321) acknowledged little to no familiarity with residential emergency systems, and 52% (n=220) reported that they did not know how to gain information on public health emergencies, such as pandemic flu and evacuation response.

Conclusions

Local citizens should become educated on the methods to support personal disaster and emergency readiness. Health care and emergency management organizations are encouraged to include these concepts in routine community health promotion activities and to pay special attention to known areas of community vulnerability. Failure to do so creates a population unable to support themselves in the provision of basic health and safety measures. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:239-244)
Scaling of second- and higher-order structure functions in turbulent boundary layers
Authors: de Silva C. M. , Marusic I. , Woodcock J. D. , Meneveau C.
Published: March 2015

The statistical properties of wall turbulence in the logarithmic region are investigated using structure functions of the streamwise velocity. To this end, datasets that span several orders of magnitude of Reynolds numbers are used, up to$Re_{{\it\tau}}=O(10^{6})$, providing uniquely large scale separations for scrutinising previously proposed scaling laws. For the second-order structure functions strong support is found simultaneously for power-law scalings in the Kolmogorov inertial subrange and for logarithmic scaling at larger scales within the inertial range ($z<r\ll {\it\delta}$, where$z$is the distance from the wall,$r$the scale, and${\it\delta}$the boundary layer thickness). The observed scalings are shown to agree between the datasets, which include both temporal and spatial velocity signals and span from laboratory to atmospheric flows, showing a degree of universality in the results presented. An examination of higher even-order structure functions also shows support for logarithmic scaling behaviour for$z<r\ll {\it\delta}$, provided that the Reynolds number is sufficiently high. These findings are interpreted by generalising the work of Meneveau & Marusic (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 719, 2013) and introducing bridging relations between higher-order moments of velocity fluctuations and structure functions. Further, a physical model based on the attached-eddy hypothesis is utilised to derive various properties of the structure functions for the energy-containing scales of the logarithmic region. The descriptions derived from the model are shown to be supported by the experimental data.
Preferential concentration driven instability of sheared gas–solid suspensions
Authors: Kasbaoui M. Houssem , Koch Donald L. , Subramanian Ganesh , Desjardins Olivier
Published: March 2015

We examine the linear stability of a homogeneous gas–solid suspension of small Stokes number particles, with a moderate mass loading, subject to a simple shear flow. The modulation of the gravitational force exerted on the suspension, due to preferential concentration of particles in regions of low vorticity, in response to an imposed velocity perturbation, can lead to an algebraic instability. Since the fastest growing modes have wavelengths small compared with the characteristic length scale ($U_{g}/{\it\Gamma}$) and oscillate with frequencies large compared with ${\it\Gamma}$, $U_{g}$ being the settling velocity and ${\it\Gamma}$ the shear rate, we apply the WKB method, a multiple scale technique. This analysis reveals the existence of a number density mode which travels due to the settling of the particles and a momentum mode which travels due to the cross-streamline momentum transport caused by settling. These modes are coupled at a turning point which occurs when the wavevector is nearly horizontal and the most amplified perturbations are those in which a momentum wave upstream of the turning point creates a downstream number density wave. The particle number density perturbations reach a finite, but large amplitude that persists after the wave becomes aligned with the velocity gradient. The growth of the amplitude of particle concentration and fluid velocity disturbances is characterised as a function of the wavenumber and Reynolds number ($\mathit{Re}=U_{g}^{2}/{\it\Gamma}{\it\nu}$) using both asymptotic theory and a numerical solution of the linearised equations.
Multifocal extraparotid Warthin's tumours mimicking metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the upper neck
Authors: Mistry S G , Gouldesbrough D , Bem C
Published: March 2015

Background:

Warthin's tumours can show features of pseudo-neoplasia. They do not usually cause problems for diagnosis and management when present within the parotid gland. However, extraparotid Warthin's tumours that are associated with pseudo-neoplasia upon cytological analysis can mimic metastatic malignant disease. The case of a patient presenting with multifocal extraparotid Warthin's tumours is described.

Case report:

A 57-year-old male smoker presented with rapidly growing upper neck lumps. Fine needle aspiration cytology, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography findings were compatible with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma secondary to either an unknown primary upper aerodigestive or a parotid malignancy. The patient subsequently underwent total conservative parotidectomy and modified radical neck dissection. Final histology findings revealed multifocal benign Warthin's tumours with four extraparotid components.

Conclusion:

Warthin's tumours may present outside the parotid gland, present with multifocal lesions and mimic metastatic disease. Frozen section examination prior to radical resection should be considered to guide management.
Vergleich männlicher und weiblicher Fachkräfte in der Frühpädagogik auf Basis einer standardisierten pädagogischen Situation – Ergebnisse der „Tandem-Studie“
Authors: Brandes Holger , Andrä Markus , Röseler Wenke , Schneider-Andrich Petra
Published: March 2015

Basierend auf einem alltagsnahen quasi-experimentellen Setting mit multiplem Material wird das Verhalten von weiblichen und männlichen Fachkräften der Frühpädagogik erfasst und verglichen. Die Untersuchung basiert auf einer Stichprobe von 41 weiblichen und 41 männlichen Fachkräften, die als Tandems jeweils zusammen in einer Kindergruppe arbeiten sowie 12 Frau/Frau-Tandems als Kontrollgruppe. Das Interaktionsverhalten der Fachkräfte wird videografiert und hinsichtlich fachlicher Standards eingeschätzt. Zusätzlich werden Materialgebrauch und die in der experimentellen Situation entstandenen Produkte analysiert. Dabei ergibt die vergleichende Analyse hinsichtlich fachlicher Standards keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen Männern und Frauen. Geschlechtsspezifische Differenzen zeigen sich aber hinsichtlich der Materialauswahl durch die Fachkräfte und in der Umsetzung der Themen von Jungen und Mädchen in ein Produkt. Außerdem zeigt sich, dass die Fachkräfte beiden Geschlechts sich in ähnlicher Weise unterschiedlich gegenüber Mädchen und Jungen verhalten, wobei dies auf Seiten der Frauen stärker ausgeprägt ist.
Arbeitsbedingungen, Arbeitszufriedenheit und das Auftreten von beruflichen Gratifikationskrisen bei Kita-Mitarbeiter/innen in Deutschland
Authors: Schreyer Inge , Krause Martin , Brandl-Knefz Marion , Nicko Oliver
Published: March 2015

Politische und gesellschaftliche Veränderungen im System der Kindertageseinrichtungen haben deutliche Auswirkungen auf die Arbeitsbedingungen von Fachkräften und stellen diese vor immer neue Aufgaben und Herausforderungen, welche oftmals als Belastung wahrgenommen werden. Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung ist es, Zusammenhänge zwischen den Arbeitsbedingungen und der Arbeitszufriedenheit des Kita-Personals aufzuzeigen. Des Weiteren wird das Auftreten beruflicher Gratifikationskrisen untersucht, welche entstehen, wenn die berufliche Anstrengung der Mitarbeiter/innen die wahrgenommene Belohnung übersteigt. Die hier berichteten Ergebnisse basieren auf Daten der AQUA-Studie („Arbeitsplatz und Qualität in Kitas“), einer bundesweiten, repräsentativen Fragebogenuntersuchung, für die N = 6.606 frühpädagogische Fachkräfte befragt wurden. Als Erhebungsinstrumente wurden u. a. das Verfahren zur Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI, Siegrist et al., 2004 ) und die Skalen zur Messung der Arbeitszufriedenheit von Neuberger & Allerbeck (1978) verwendet. Hinsichtlich der Arbeitsbedingungen wurde aus den Daten der befragten Fachkräfte ein Index erstellt, der es erlaubt, die Rahmenbedingungen in drei Gruppen (gut, mittel und schlecht) einzuteilen. Zudem wurden als besondere Rahmenbedingungen die Qualität und das Ausmaß der Unterstützung der Leitung durch den Träger der jeweiligen Einrichtung in den Blick genommen. Es zeigte sich, dass die Arbeitsbedingungen von den Kita-Mitarbeiter/innen im Allgemeinen eher als schlecht wahrgenommen werden. Bei einem Großteil (71,7 %) der befragten Fachkräfte tritt zudem eine berufliche Gratifikationskrise auf. Dieser Anteil ist bei den Kita-Leitungen deutlich höher als bei Fachkräften ohne Leitungsfunktion. Dennoch sind die meisten Fachkräfte mit ihrer Arbeit an sich relativ zufrieden. Gute Arbeitsbedingungen gehen mit höherer Arbeitszufriedenheit und einer geringeren Stressbelastung einher. Darüber hinaus ist die Unterstützung des Trägers eine bedeutende Ressource für die Leitungen.
A plug-and-play approach to antibody-based therapeutics via a chemoselective dual click strategy
Authors: Maruani Antoine , Smith Mark E.B. , Miranda Enrique , Chester Kerry A. , Chudasama Vijay , Caddick Stephen
Published: March 2015

Although recent methods for the engineering of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) have gone some way to addressing the challenging issues of ADC construction, significant hurdles still remain. There is clear demand for the construction of novel ADC platforms that offer greater stability, homogeneity and flexibility. Here we describe a significant step towards a platform for next-generation antibody-based therapeutics by providing constructs that combine site-specific modification, exceptional versatility and high stability, with retention of antibody binding and structure post-modification. The relevance of the work in a biological context is also demonstrated in a cytotoxicity assay and a cell internalization study with HER2-positive and -negative breast cancer cell lines.
Glycosylation of immunoglobulin G determines osteoclast differentiation and bone loss
Authors: Harre Ulrike , Lang Stefanie C. , Pfeifle René , Rombouts Yoann , Frühbeißer Sabine , Amara Khaled , Bang Holger , Lux Anja , Koeleman Carolien A. , Baum Wolfgang , Dietel Katharina , Gröhn Franziska , Malmström Vivianne , Klareskog Lars , Krönke Gerhard , Kocijan Roland , Nimmerjahn Falk , Toes René E. M. , Herrmann Martin , Scherer Hans Ulrich , Schett Georg
Published: March 2015

Immunglobulin G (IgG) sialylation represents a key checkpoint that determines the engagement of pro- or anti-inflammatory Fcγ receptors (FcγR) and the direction of the immune response. Whether IgG sialylation influences osteoclast differentiation and subsequently bone architecture has not been determined yet, but may represent an important link between immune activation and bone loss. Here we demonstrate that desialylated, but not sialylated, immune complexes enhance osteoclastogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we find that the Fc sialylation state of random IgG and specific IgG autoantibodies determines bone architecture in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In accordance with these findings, mice treated with the sialic acid precursor N-acetylmannosamine (ManNAc), which results in increased IgG sialylation, are less susceptible to inflammatory bone loss. Taken together, our findings provide a novel mechanism by which immune responses influence the human skeleton and an innovative treatment approach to inhibit immune-mediated bone loss.
Genomic signatures of human and animal disease in the zoonotic pathogen Streptococcus suis
Authors: Weinert Lucy A. , Chaudhuri Roy R. , Wang Jinhong , Peters Sarah E. , Corander Jukka , Jombart Thibaut , Baig Abiyad , Howell Kate J. , Vehkala Minna , Välimäki Niko , Harris David , Chieu Tran Thi Bich , Van Vinh Chau Nguyen , Campbell James , Schultsz Constance , Parkhill Julian , Bentley Stephen D. , Langford Paul R. , Rycroft Andrew N. , Wren Brendan W. , Farrar Jeremy , Baker Stephen , Hoa Ngo Thi , Holden Matthew T.G. , Tucker Alexander W. , Maskell Duncan J. ,   BRaDP1T Consortium, Bossé Janine T. , Li Yanwen , Maglennon Gareth A. , Matthews Dominic , Cuccui Jon , Terra Vanessa
Published: March 2015

Streptococcus suis causes disease in pigs worldwide and is increasingly implicated in zoonotic disease in East and South-East Asia. To understand the genetic basis of disease in S. suis, we study the genomes of 375 isolates with detailed clinical phenotypes from pigs and humans from the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Here, we show that isolates associated with disease contain substantially fewer genes than non-clinical isolates, but are more likely to encode virulence factors. Human disease isolates are limited to a single-virulent population, originating in the 1920, s when pig production was intensified, but no consistent genomic differences between pig and human isolates are observed. There is little geographical clustering of different S. suis subpopulations, and the bacterium undergoes high rates of recombination, implying that an increase in virulence anywhere in the world could have a global impact over a short timescale.
Reduced fronto–striatal white matter integrity in schizophrenia patients and unaffected siblings: a DTI study
Authors: de Leeuw Max , Bohlken Marc M , Mandl René C W , Kahn René S , Vink Matthijs
Published: March 2015

Background:

Schizophrenia is characterized by impairments in the fronto–striatal network. Underlying these impairments may be disruptions in anatomical pathways connecting frontal and striatal regions. However, the specifics of these disruptions remain unclear and whether these impairments are related to the genetic vulnerability of schizophrenia is not known.

Methods:

Here, we investigated fronto–striatal tract connections in 24 schizophrenia patients, 30 unaffected siblings, and 58 healthy controls using diffusion tensor imaging. Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) was calculated for tracts connecting the striatum with frontal cortex regions including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), medial orbital frontal cortex, and inferior frontal gyrus. Specifically, the striatum was divided into three subregions (caudate nucleus, putamen, and nucleus accumbens) and mean FA was computed for tracts originating from these striatal subregions.

Results:

We found no differences between patients, siblings, and controls in mean FA when taking the whole striatum as a seed region. However, subregion analyses showed reduced FA in the tract connecting the left nucleus accumbens and left DLPFC in both patients (P=0.0003) and siblings (P=0.0008) compared with controls.

Conclusions:

The result of reduced FA in the tract connecting the left nucleus accumbens and left DLPFC indicates a possible reduction of white matter integrity, commonly associated with schizophrenia. As both patients and unaffected siblings show reduced FA, this may represent a vulnerability factor for schizophrenia.
Quantifying Adhesion Mechanisms and Dynamics of Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells
Authors: Burk Alexandra S. , Monzel Cornelia , Yoshikawa Hiroshi Y. , Wuchter Patrick , Saffrich Rainer , Eckstein Volker , Tanaka Motomu , Ho Anthony D.
Published: March 2015

Using planar lipid membranes with precisely defined concentrations of specific ligands, we have determined the binding strength between human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and the bone marrow niche. The relative significance of HSC adhesion to the surrogate niche models via SDF1α-CXCR4 or N-cadherin axes was quantified by (a) the fraction of adherent cells, (b) the area of tight adhesion and (c) the critical pressure for cell detachment. We have demonstrated that the binding of HSC to the niche model is a cooperative process and the adhesion mediated by the CXCR4- SDF1α axis is stronger than that by homophilic N-cadherin binding. The statistical image analysis of stochastic morphological dynamics unraveled that HSC dissipated energy by undergoing oscillatory deformation. The combination of an in vitro niche model and novel physical tools has enabled us to quantitatively determine the relative significance of binding mechanisms between normal HSC versus leukemia blasts to the bone marrow niche.
Ultra-thin and smooth transparent electrode for flexible and leakage-free organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Ok Ki-Hun , Kim Jiwan , Park So-Ra , Kim Youngmin , Lee Chan-Jae , Hong Sung-Jei , Kwak Min-Gi , Kim Namsu , Han Chul Jong , Kim Jong-Woong
Published: March 2015

A smooth, ultra-flexible and transparent electrode was developed from silver nanowires (AgNWs) embedded in a colorless polyimide (cPI) by utilizing an inverted film-processing method. The resulting AgNW-cPI composite electrode had a transparency of >80%, a low sheet resistance of 8 Ω/□ and ultra-smooth surfaces comparable to glass. Leveraging the robust mechanical properties and flexibility of cPI, the thickness of the composite film was reduced to less than 10 μm, which is conducive to extreme flexibility. This film exhibited mechanical durability, for both outward and inward bending tests, up to a bending radius of 30 μm, while maintaining its electrical performance under cyclic bending (bending radius: 500 μm) for 100,000 iterations. Phosphorescent, blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) were fabricated using these composites as bottom electrodes (anodes). Hole-injection was poor, because AgNWs were largely buried beneath the composite's surface. Thus, we used a simple plasma treatment to remove the thin cPI layer overlaying the nanowires without introducing other conductive materials. As a result, we were able to finely control the flexible OLEDs' electroluminescent properties using the enlarged conductive pathways. The fabricated flexible devices showed only slight performance reductions of <3% even after repeated foldings with a 30 μm bending radius.
Ancient inland human dispersals from Myanmar into interior East Asia since the Late Pleistocene
Authors: Li Yu-Chun , Wang Hua-Wei , Tian Jiao-Yang , Liu Li-Na , Yang Li-Qin , Zhu Chun-Ling , Wu Shi-Fang , Kong Qing-Peng , Zhang Ya-Ping
Published: March 2015

Given the existence of plenty of river valleys connecting Southeast and East Asia, it is possible that some inland route(s) might have been adopted by the initial settlers to migrate into the interior of East Asia. Here we analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) HVS variants of 845 newly collected individuals from 14 Myanmar populations and 5,907 published individuals from 115 populations from Myanmar and its surroundings. Enrichment of basal lineages with the highest genetic diversity in Myanmar suggests that Myanmar was likely one of the differentiation centers of the early modern humans. Intriguingly, some haplogroups were shared merely between Myanmar and southwestern China, hinting certain genetic connection between both regions. Further analyses revealed that such connection was in fact attributed to both recent gene flow and certain ancient dispersals from Myanmar to southwestern China during 25–10 kya, suggesting that, besides the coastal route, the early modern humans also adopted an inland dispersal route to populate the interior of East Asia.
Genome-wide circulating microRNA expression profiling indicates biomarkers for epilepsy
Authors: Wang Jun , Yu Jin-Tai , Tan Lin , Tian Yan , Ma Jing , Tan Chen-Chen , Wang Hui-Fu , Liu Ying , Tan Meng-Shan , Jiang Teng , Tan Lan
Published: March 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as biomarkers for cancer and other diseases due to their stability in serum. In epilepsy, miRNAs have almost been studied in brain tissues and in animals' circulation, but not in circulation of human. To date, a major challenge is to develop biomarkers to improve the current diagnosis of epilepsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether circulating miRNAs can be used as biomarkers for epilepsy. We measured the differences in serum miRNA levels between 30 epilepsy patients and 30 healthy controls in discovery and training phases using Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing followed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. The selected miRNAs were then validated in 117 epilepsy patients and 112 healthy controls by qRT-PCR. Let-7d-5p, miR-106b-5p, -130a-3p and -146a-5p were found up-regulated, whereas miR-15a-5p and -194-5p were down-regulated in epilepsy patients compared to controls (P < 0.0001). Among these miRNAs, miR-106b-5p had the best diagnostic value for epilepsy with 80.3% sensitivity and 81.2% specificity. Circulating miRNAs were differentially regulated in epilepsy patients as compared with controls. MiR-106b-5p may serve as a novel, noninvasive biomarker to improve the current diagnosis of epilepsy.
Synchronized cell attachment triggered by photo-activatable adhesive ligands allows QCM-based detection of early integrin binding
Authors: Iturri Jagoba , García-Fernández Luis , Reuning Ute , García Andrés J. , Campo Aránzazu del , Salierno Marcelo J.
Published: March 2015

The Quartz Crystal Microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) technique was applied to monitor and quantify integrin-RGD recognition during the early stages of cell adhesion. Using QCM-D crystals modified with a photo-activatable RGD peptide, the time point of presentation of adhesive ligand at the surface of the QCM-D crystal could be accurately controlled. This allowed temporal resolution of early integrin-RGD binding and the subsequent cell spreading process and their separate detection by QCM-D. The specificity of the integrin-RGD binding event was corroborated by performing the experiments in the presence of soluble cyclicRGD as a competitor and cytochalasin D as inhibitor of cell spreading. Larger frequency change in the QCM-D signal was observed for cells with larger spread area and for cells overexpressing integrin αvβ3 upon stable transfection. This strategy enables quantification of integrin activity which, in turn, may allow discrimination among different cell types displaying distinct integrin subtypes and expression levels thereof. On the basis of these findings, we believe the strategy can be extended to other photoactivatable ligands to characterize cell membrane receptors activity, a relevant issue for cancer diagnosis (and prognosis) as other several pathologies.