bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous cardiac assist devices compared with surgical hemodynamic support alternatives
Authors: Maini Brijeshwar , Gregory David , Scotti Dennis J. , Buyantseva Larisa 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesThis study evaluates the cost‐effectiveness of percutaneous cardiac assist device (pVAD) therapy in the emergent setting compared with traditional surgical hemodynamic support alternatives. Background: Previous research has demonstrated the cost‐effectiveness of pVAD hemodynamic support for patients undergoing high‐risk percutaneous coronary intervention. For patients in cardiogenic shock (CS), use of pVAD therapy has been shown to reduce length of stay (LOS). Methods: National utilization and outcome data from the 2010–2011 MedPAR and state‐sponsored all‐payer databases were collected for patients with an acute myocardial infarction complicated by CS who were treated with either a pVAD (n = 883) or with traditional surgical hemodynamic support alternatives (ECMO and extracorporeal VAD) (n = 305). Results: Discharge survival was greater with pVADs than with surgical alternatives (56% vs. 42%, P < 0.001) and was achieved with a strong trend toward reduced LOS (13.2 and 17.9 days, respectively, P = 0.055) and a significantly lower cost of the index admission ($90,929 and $144,257, respectively, P < 0.001). Cost‐effectiveness analysis based on the national data demonstrated that pVAD achieved improved outcomes at lower cost. Data were also collected for similar patients who underwent protocol‐guided pVAD therapy (using Impella 2.5) at PinnacleHealth, between 2009 and 2011 (n = 30). At this site, the survival rate increased to 60%, length of hospitalization was shortened to 6 days, and admission costs were lowered to $53,850 relative to the surgical alternatives strategy. Conclusions: For patients in CS requiring emergent hemodynamic support, pVAD therapy offers a less invasive alternative that can be deployed sooner, resulting in better outcomes, shorter LOS, lower costs and with no incremental cost, and a survival benefit when compared with traditional surgical hemodynamic support alternatives. PVAD therapy (and Impella 2.5 in particular) is emerging as a dominant strategy for this challenging patient population. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Right heart catheterization using antecubital venous access: Feasibility, safety and adoption rate in a tertiary center
Authors: Shah Sachin , Boyd Graham , Pyne Christopher T. , Bilazarian Seth D. , Piemonte Thomas C. , Jeon Cathy , Waxman Sergio 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesTo determine feasibility, safety, and adoption rates of right heart catheterization (RHC) using antecubital venous access (AVA) as compared to using the traditional approach of proximal venous access (PVA).BackgroundRHC via PVA (i.e., internal jugular, femoral or subclavian) is generally a low risk procedure; however, complications may occur and are usually access site related. RHC via an antecubital approach has regained attention given the increase in transradial left heart catheterizations.MethodsPatients undergoing RHC for any indication at a single large academic medical center were identified over a 5‐year period (January 2008 to December 2012) from a database. Medical records were retrospectively analyzed for demographic, procedural and outcomes data.ResultsTwo hundred seventy‐two RHC procedures were included (106 AVA, 166 PVA). The adoption rate of AVA for RHC increased rapidly since its introduction in our laboratory in 2010 (100% PVA in 2008 and 2009, 85% AVA in 2012). All procedures were successful; however, 6% of procedures required additional, alternate access to the original site. Initial success rates were similar in the two groups (91 vs. 96% for AVA and PVA respectively, P = 0.12). Fluoroscopy time was shorter in the group of patients who underwent the procedure via AVA. The complication rate was 0% in the AVA group compared with 3% in the PVA group (P = 0.16).ConclusionRHC via the AVA is a feasible and safe alternative to PVA. Our experience and rapid adoption support the use AVA as the access site of choice for RHC in uncomplicated patients. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Atrazine Removal in Municipal Secondary Effluents by Fenton and Photo‐Fenton Treatments
Authors: De Luca A. , Dantas R. F. , Simões A. S. M. , Toscano I. A. S. , Lofrano G. , Cruz A. , Esplugas S. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAlternative water sources, including effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTP) are necessary to meet increasing water demand. Advanced oxidation processes based on the Fenton reaction were applied to remove atrazine from the secondary effluents of a MWTP that uses activated sludge. Fenton, UV‐A photo‐Fenton, and UV‐C photo‐Fenton treatments were tested. Atrazine removal percentages were around 20 % for Fenton, 60 % for UV‐A photo‐Fenton and 70 % for UV‐C photo‐Fenton treatments, respectively. Organic matter mineralization by Fenton treatment was monitored and no significant reduction was observed. However, organic matter oxidation in terms of COD reduction of around 30 and 40 % were achieved by Fenton and photo‐Fenton processes, respectively. The photo‐Fenton process with UV‐C is a useful technique for atrazine degradation, leading to higher degradation than with UV‐A while also being more attractive in an economic point of view.
Supramolecular Hierarchy among Halogen‐Bond Donors
Authors: Aakeröy Christer B. , Baldrighi Michele , Desper John , Metrangolo Pierangelo , Resnati Giuseppe 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThrough a combination of structural chemistry, vibrational spectroscopy, and theory, we have systematically examined the relative structure‐directing importance of a series of ditopic halogen‐bond (XB) donors. The molecular electrostatic potential surfaces of six XB donors were evaluated, which allowed for a charge‐based ranking. Each molecule was then co‐crystallized with 21 XB acceptors and the results have made it possible to map out the supramolecular landscape describing the competition between I/Br–ethynyl donors, perfluorinated I/Br donors, and I/Br–phenyl based donors. The results offer practical guidelines for synthetic crystal engineering driven by robust and directional halogen bonds.
Dynamics of Palladium on Nanocarbon in the Direct Synthesis of H2O2
Authors: Arrigo Rosa , Schuster Manfred E. , Abate Salvatore , Wrabetz Sabine , Amakawa Kazuhiko , Teschner Detre , Freni Maria , Centi Gabriele , Perathoner Siglinda , Hävecker Michael , Schlögl Robert 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis work aims to clarify the nanostructural transformation accompanying the loss of activity and selectivity for the hydrogen peroxide synthesis of palladium and gold–palladium nanoparticles supported on N‐functionalized carbon nanotubes. High‐resolution X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) allows the discrimination of metallic palladium, electronically modified metallic palladium hosting impurities, and cationic palladium. This is paralleled by the morphological heterogeneity observed by high‐resolution TEM, in which nanoparticles with an average size of 2 nm coexisted with very small palladium clusters. The morphological distribution of palladium is modified after reaction through sintering and dissolution/redeposition pathways. The loss of selectivity is correlated to the extent to which these processes occur as a result of the instability of the particle at the carbon surface. We assign beneficial activity in the selective hydrogenation of oxygen to palladium clusters with a modified electronic structure compared with palladium metal or palladium oxides. These beneficial species are formed and stabilized on carbons modified with nitrogen atoms in substitutional positions. The formation of larger metallic palladium particles not only reduces the number of active sites for the synthesis, but also enhances the activity for deep hydrogenation to water. The structural instability of the active species is thus detrimental in a dual way. Minimizing the chance of sintering of palladium clusters by all means is thus the key to better performing catalysts.
Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production on α‐Fe2O3 (0001): Insights from Theory and Experiments
Authors: Baltrusaitis Jonas , Hu Yong‐Sheng , McFarland Eric W. , Hellman Anders 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe photoelectrochemical (PEC) decomposition of organic compounds in wastewater is investigated by using quantum chemical (DFT) methods to evaluate alternatives to water splitting for the production of renewable and sustainable hydrogen. Methanol is used as a model organic species for the theoretical evaluations of electrolysis on the surface of the widely available semiconductor hematite, α‐Fe2O3, a widely studied photocatalyst. Three different α‐Fe2O3 surface terminations were investigated, including the predominant surface found in aqueous electrolytes, (OH)3R. The PEC oxidation of methanol is energetically downhill, producing CO2 and protons. The protons are reduced to hydrogen on the cathode. Experimental PEC measurements were also performed for several polyalcoholic compounds, glycerol, erythritol, and xylitol, on α‐Fe2O3 as the photocatalyst and showed high incident‐photon‐to‐current‐efficiencies (IPCE) that were much greater than those of water splitting. Interestingly, high IPCEs were observed for hydrogen production from polyalcohols in the absence of any applied bias, which was not thought to be possible on hematite. These results support the potential application of PEC for hydrogen production by using widely available hematite for the PEC oxidation of selected components of organic wastewater present in large quantities from anthropogenic and industrial sources.
Tracking plasma cell differentiation and survival
Authors: Roth Katrin , Oehme Laura , Zehentmeier Sandra , Zhang Yang , Niesner Raluca , Hauser Anja E. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPlasma cells play a crucial role for the humoral immune response as they represent the body's factories for antibody production. The differentiation from a B cell into a plasma cell is controlled by a complex transcriptional network and happens within secondary lymphoid organs. Based on their lifetime, two types of antibody secreting cells can be distinguished: Short‐lived plasma cells are located in extrafollicular sites of secondary lymphoid organs such as lymph node medullary cords and the splenic red pulp. A fraction of plasmablasts migrate from secondary lymphoid organs to the bone marrow where they can become long‐lived plasma cells. Bone marrow plasma cells reside in special microanatomical environments termed survival niches, which provide factors promoting their longevity. Reticular stromal cells producing the chemokine CXCL12, which is known to attract plasmablasts to the bone marrow but also to promote plasma cell survival, play a crucial role in the maintenance of these niches. In addition, hematopoietic cells are contributing to the niches by providing other soluble survival factors. Here, we review the current knowledge on the factors involved in plasma cell differentiation, their localization and migration. We also give an overview on what is known regarding the maintenance of long lived plasma cells in survival niches of the bone marrow. © 2013 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Changes in insulin sensitivity in response to different modalities of exercise: a review of the evidence
Authors: Mann S. , Beedie C. , Balducci S. , Zanuso S. , Allgrove J. , Bertiato F. , Jimenez A. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryType 2 diabetes is an increasingly prevalent condition with complications including blindness and kidney failure. Evidence suggests that type 2 diabetes is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, with physical activity demonstrated to increase glucose uptake and improve glycaemic control. Proposed mechanisms for these effects include the maintenance and improvement of insulin sensitivity via increased glucose transporter type four production. The optimal mode, frequency, intensity and duration of exercise for the improvement of insulin sensitivity are however yet to be identified. We review the evidence from 34 published studies addressing the effects on glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity of aerobic exercise, resistance training and both combined. Effect sizes and confidence intervals are reported for each intervention and meta‐analysis presented. The quality of the evidence is tentatively graded, and recommendations for best practice proposed. © 2013 The Authors. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deflective and intimidating eyespots: a comparative study of eyespot size and position in Junonia butterflies
Authors: Kodandaramaiah Ullasa , Lindenfors Patrik , Tullberg Birgitta S. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractEyespots are conspicuous circular features found on the wings of several lepidopteran insects. Two prominent hypotheses have been put forth explaining their function in an antipredatory role. The deflection hypothesis posits that eyespots enhance survival in direct physical encounters with predators by deflecting attacks away from vital parts of the body, whereas the intimidation hypothesis posits that eyespots are advantageous by scaring away a potential predator before an attack. In the light of these two hypotheses, we investigated the evolution of eyespot size and its interaction with position and number within a phylogenetic context in a group of butterflies belonging to the genus Junonia. We found that larger eyespots tend to be found individually, rather than in serial dispositions. Larger size and conspicuousness make intimidating eyespots more effective, and thus, we suggest that our results support an intimidation function in some species of Junonia with solitary eyespots. Our results also show that smaller eyespots in Junonia are located closer to the wing margin, thus supporting predictions of the deflection hypothesis. The interplay between size, position, and arrangement of eyespots in relation to antipredation and possibly sexual selection, promises to be an interesting field of research in the future. Similarly, further comparative work on the evolution of absolute eyespot size in natural populations of other butterfly groups is needed.
Functional Linear Models for Association Analysis of Quantitative Traits
Authors: Fan Ruzong , Wang Yifan , Mills James L. , Wilson Alexander F. , Bailey‐Wilson Joan E. , Xiong Momiao 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTFunctional linear models are developed in this paper for testing associations between quantitative traits and genetic variants, which can be rare variants or common variants or the combination of the two. By treating multiple genetic variants of an individual in a human population as a realization of a stochastic process, the genome of an individual in a chromosome region is a continuum of sequence data rather than discrete observations. The genome of an individual is viewed as a stochastic function that contains both linkage and linkage disequilibrium (LD) information of the genetic markers. By using techniques of functional data analysis, both fixed and mixed effect functional linear models are built to test the association between quantitative traits and genetic variants adjusting for covariates. After extensive simulation analysis, it is shown that the F‐distributed tests of the proposed fixed effect functional linear models have higher power than that of sequence kernel association test (SKAT) and its optimal unified test (SKAT‐O) for three scenarios in most cases: (1) the causal variants are all rare, (2) the causal variants are both rare and common, and (3) the causal variants are common. The superior performance of the fixed effect functional linear models is most likely due to its optimal utilization of both genetic linkage and LD information of multiple genetic variants in a genome and similarity among different individuals, while SKAT and SKAT‐O only model the similarities and pairwise LD but do not model linkage and higher order LD information sufficiently. In addition, the proposed fixed effect models generate accurate type I error rates in simulation studies. We also show that the functional kernel score tests of the proposed mixed effect functional linear models are preferable in candidate gene analysis and small sample problems. The methods are applied to analyze three biochemical traits in data from the Trinity Students Study.
Efficient One‐Pot Synthesis of β‐Acetamido Carbonyl Compounds Using Fe3O4 Nanoparticles
Authors: Movassagh Barahman , Talebsereshki Farzaneh 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA new, one‐pot condensation of aldehydes, enolizable ketones and esters, AcCl, and MeCN, in the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (nano‐Fe3O4) as an efficient catalyst, for the preparation of β‐acetamido carbonyl compounds at room temperature is described.
Enantioselective Synthesis of the Natural Product (S)‐Rugulactone
Authors: Nagaiah Burea , Narsaiah Akkirala Venkat 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA simple and efficient enantioselective synthesis of (6S)‐5,6‐dihydro‐6‐[(2E)‐4‐oxo‐6‐phenylhex‐2‐en‐1‐yl]‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one (=(S)‐rugulactone) has been accomplished. The synthesis started from commercially available propane‐1,3‐diol and ethyl 3‐phenylpropanoate and involve the HornerWadsworthEmmons (HWE) and Still's modified HWE olefinations, and Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation.
Recombinant Human Kallistatin Inhibits Angiogenesis by Blocking VEGF Signaling Pathway
Authors: Huang K.F. , Yang H.Y. , Xing Y.M. , Lin J.S. , Diao Y. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTKallistatin has been recognized as an endogenous angiogenic inhibitor. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. Taking it into account that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated in all aspects of normal and pathological vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether VEGF signaling pathway was impacted by the anti‐angiogenic effect of recombinant human kallistatin (rhKal). We found that the rhKal inhibited proliferation as well as induced apoptosis of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in both concentration‐ and time‐dependent manners. The rhKal also suppressed the VEGF‐induced migration and tube formation of HUVECs. Furthermore, our data revealed that the rhKal suppressed the VEGF165‐stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of VEGFR‐2 as well as its downstream signal molecular activation. The inhibition of receptor phosphorylation was correlated with a decrease in VEGF‐triggered phosphorylation of angiogenesis signal molecules AKT and ERK, but not stress‐related JNK. Taken together, these findings added the knowledge for us to understand the anti‐angiogenic mechanism of kallistatin, which suggested that the rhKal could be worth as a candidate compound for further development for the purpose of anti‐angiogenic therapies. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 575–584, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Osteopontin Has a Crucial Role in Osteoclast‐Like Multinucleated Giant Cell Formation
Authors: Oh Yukiko , Oh Iekuni , Morimoto Junko , Uede Toshimitsu , Morimoto Akira 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThe osteoclast (OC) is a major player in the pathogenic bone destruction of inflammatory bone diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Recently, it was shown that immature dendritic cells (iDC) fuse faster and more efficiently than monocytes in forming OC‐like multinucleated giant cells (MGCs), and that osteopontin (OPN) is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bone diseases. In this study, we hypothesized that OPN is a key factor for generation of OC‐like MGCs from iDCs. We used an in vitro culture system to differentiate iDCs, derived from monocytes obtained from the blood of healthy donors, into OC‐like MGCs. We evaluated OPN levels and expression of OPN receptors during the course of differentiation. OPN has an arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid (RGD) motif, and protease cleavage reveals a SVVYGLR motif. The concentrations of both full‐length and cleaved forms of OPN increased during the course of OC‐like MGC formation. Expression of OPN RGD‐ and SVVYGLR‐recognizing receptors also increased at later stages. We analyzed whether blocking OPN binding to its receptors affected OC‐like MGC formation. Monocytes treated with OPN siRNA were able to differentiate into iDCs effectively; however, differentiation of these iDCs into OC‐like MGCs was significantly reduced. The formation of OC‐like MGCs was not significantly reduced by RGD synthetic peptide. By contrast, SVVYGLR synthetic peptide caused a significant reduction. These data suggest that the cleaved form of OPN plays a critical role in driving iDC differentiation into OC‐like MGCs in the early phase of differentiation, in an autocrine and/or paracrine fashion. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 585–595, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Erdős–Pósa Property for Long Circuits
Authors: Meierling Dirk , Rautenbach Dieter , Sasse Thomas 
Published: October 2013

AbstractFor an integer ℓ at least 3, we prove that if G is a graph containing no two vertex‐disjoint circuits of length at least ℓ, then there is a set X of at most vertices that intersects all circuits of length at least ℓ. Our result improves the bound due to Birmelé, Bondy, and Reed (The Erdős–Pósa property for long circuits, Combinatorica 27 (2007), 135–145) who conjecture that ℓ vertices always suffice.
Offending Patterns of Serial Sex Offenders: Escalation, De‐escalation, and Consistency of Sexually Intrusive and Violent Behaviours
Authors: Hewitt Ashley , Beauregard Eric 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA series of stranger sexual assaults poses considerable obstacles for law enforcement officials. One such preoccupation is concerned with whether or not the offender will escalate in the severity of his behaviours with subsequent victims. The current study uses transition matrices to address whether or not the offending patterns of 72 serial stranger sex offenders change from one victim to the next as it pertains to their sexual acts and level of physical force used during the crime. Findings indicate that stability, specifically the offender's intrusive sexual acts and use of physical force, and versatility are present in this sample's offending patterns. To explain changes in offending patterns between victims, multinomial regression analyses indicate that situational factors and modus operandi strategies are important considerations. Implications for investigations are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.