bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing a non-invasive indicator of pinniped health: Neonate behavior and growth in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)
Authors: Green D S , Young J K , Hernández-Camacho C J , Gerber L R 
Published: September 2012

Assessing the health of wildlife populations is critical to achieving conservation goals; however, proper assessments can be complicated when study sites are difficult to reach or when focal species are sensitive to human disturbance. Condition and growth of offspring may indicate population health, but obtaining such data generally relies on invasive techniques. Here, we examine the extent to which noninvasive observations of neonate behaviors could serve as a proxy for traditional approaches to estimating neonate body condition and growth of a wild pinniped, the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Generalized linear models and multiple linear regressions were used to examine the effect of sex, breeding island, year, and neonate behaviors (e.g., nursing, active) on body condition and growth rates. We found a strong correlation between individual growth rates and behaviors of male neonates. Males engaged in proportionally more active behaviors had lower growth rates (β = –0.0005), whereas males engaged in proportionally more nursing events had higher growth rates (β = 0.002). There was no relationship between neonate behavior and condition for either sex, nor between behavior and growth rates of female pups. These results provide insight into the possibility of using behavior as an indicator of individual status of males that could facilitate assessments of population status and illustrate the importance of using alternative approaches to measure animal condition for species conservation.
Deposition of Hexagonal Boron Nitride from N‐Trimethylborazine (TMB) for Continuous CVD Coating of SiBNC Fibers
Authors: Ye Yaping , Graupner Uta , Krüger Reinhard 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBonding strength between fibers and matrices of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) is of great importance for the fracture behavior and can be adjusted by appropriate fiber coatings. In this study, the continuous coating of SiBNC fibers with hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) by CVD from TMB in an atmospheric pressure reactor is presented. Prior to fiber coating, the effects of deposition parameters, e.g., deposition temperature, concentration of the precursor and ammonia addition, and gas‐flow rate are investigated on flat Si substrates, and the results are utilized for the fiber coating. Ammonia concentration has no influence on the deposition rate. A maximum deposition rate of 0.044 kg m−2 h−1 for static conditions and 0.040 kg m−2 h−1 for continuous conditions can be achieved, which is comparable to the literature. The depositions are characterized for their composition and structure. Smooth homogeneous coatings with a thickness of 180–250 nm are found on the fibers. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) of the coated SiBNC fibers reveals that the hexagonal BN with 5 nm basal planes is mainly randomly oriented.
Structure and Biosynthetic Assembly of Piscibactin, a Siderophore from Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, Predicted from Genome Analysis
Authors: Souto Alba , Montaos Marcos A. , Rivas Amable J. , Balado Miguel , Osorio Carlos R. , Rodríguez Jaime , Lemos Manuel L. , Jiménez Carlos 
Published: September 2012

AbstractFrom the cultures of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, the aetiological agent of fish pasteurellosis, a new siderophore named piscibactin (1), was isolated as its gallium and iron(III) complexes along with a possible intermediate of its biosynthesis, prepiscibactin (2). Analysis of the gene cluster involved in the siderophore biosynthesis allowed the partial prediction of the structures. Thus, an NRPS‐mediated mechanism similar to that for yersiniabactin was suggested by protein sequence comparisons. The final structures were solved by NMR and MS methods and by DFT molecular modeling. The results obtained in the structural and functional characterization of piscibactin enabled the proposal of a biosynthetic pathway.
Electrodeposited Graphene and Silver Nanoparticles Modified Electrode for Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of Hemoglobin
Authors: Sun Wei , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Xiuzhen , Ju Xiaomei , Wang Dan , Wu Jie , Sun Zhenfan 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBy using a 1‐butylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate based carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) as the working electrode, graphene (GR) nanosheets and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were step by step electrodeposited on the surface of the CILE with potentiostatic method. The fabricated Ag/GR/CILE was used as a new platform for protein electrochemistry and hemoglobin (Hb) was immobilized on its surface with chitosan (CTS) as film forming material. In 0.1 mol/L phosphate buffer solution, a pair of well‐defined and quasi‐reversible redox peaks appeared on the CTS/Hb/Ag/GR/CILE with a formal peak potential of −0.202 V (vs. SCE) and a peak‐to‐peak separation (ΔEp) of 68 mV, which indicated that direct electrochemistry of Hb was realized on the modified electrode. The results could be attributed to the synergistic effects of Ag NPs and GR nanosheets on the electrode surface, which provided a specific three‐dimensional structure with high conductivity and good biocompatibility. The Hb modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalysis to the reduction of trichloroacetic acid in the concentration range from 0.8 to 22.0 mmol/L with a detection limit of 0.42 mmol/L (3σ). Moreover, the modified electrode exhibited favorable reproducibility, long term stability and accuracy, with potential applications in the third‐generation electrochemical biosensor.
Discriminating fine sediment sources and the application of sediment tracers in burned catchments: a review
Authors: Smith Hugh G. , Blake William H. , Owens Philip N. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractWildfire can cause substantial changes to runoff, erosion and downstream sediment delivery processes. In response to these disturbance effects, the main sources of sediment transported within burned catchments may also change. Sediment tracing offers an approach to determine the proportional contributions of fine sediment (typically <63 µm) from burned catchment sources. In this paper, we review the application of various sediment tracers to discriminate fine sediment sources following wildfire. Fallout radionuclides provide the most effective tracers for discriminating hillslope surface and sub‐surface (usually channel bank) sources. Previous tracer studies quantifying contributions from these sources after wildfire are based exclusively on radionuclides. The potential for fallout radionuclides to discriminate spatial sources defined according to burned and unburned areas depends on burn‐related changes in surface soil concentrations. Tracing of burned and unburned source areas will be problematic where most radionuclides in surface material are bound to ash rather than soil. Geochemical properties of surface soils are probably too susceptible to natural and burn‐related variability to consistently discriminate burn‐defined spatial sources. Mineral magnetic properties have shown potential for discriminating soil burned at different severities as well as unburned areas. More research is needed to assess the use of soil organic compounds as tracers of burned source areas. Linking fallout radionuclide‐based hillslope and channel source discrimination with process measurements and monitoring after fire can provide enhanced insight into fine sediment transfer and related water quality impacts. Adopting such integrated and multi‐scale approaches would contribute to improved understanding of hydrological and geomorphological responses to wildfire. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Overcoming erlotinib resistance with tailored treatment regimen in patient‐derived xenografts from naïve Asian NSCLC patients
Authors: Yang Mengmeng , Shan Baoen , Li Qiaoxia , Song Xiaoming , Cai Jie , Deng Jianyun , Zhang Likun , Du Zhenjian , Lu Junjie , Chen Taiping , Wery Jean‐Pierre , Chen Yiyou , Li Qixiang 
Published: September 2012

AbstractOverall benefits of EGFR‐TKIs are limited because these treatments are largely only for adenocarcinoma (ADC) with EGFR activating mutation. The treatments also usually lead to development of resistances. We have established a panel of patient‐derived xenografts (PDXs) from treatment naïve Asian NSCLC patients, including those containing “classic” EGFR activating mutations. Some of these EGFR‐mutated PDXs do not respond to erlotinib: LU1868 containing L858R/T790M mutations, and LU0858 having L858R mutation as well as c‐MET gene amplification, both squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Treatment of LU0858 with crizotinib, a small molecule inhibitor for ALK and c‐MET, inhibited tumor growth and c‐MET activity. Combination of erlotinib and crizotinib caused complete response, indicating the activation of both EGFR and c‐MET promote its growth/survival. LU2503 and LU1901, both with wild‐type EGFR and c‐MET gene amplification, showed complete response to crizotinib alone, suggesting that c‐MET gene amplification, not EGFR signaling, is the main oncogenic driver. Interestingly, LU1868 with the EGFR L858R/T790M, but without c‐met amplification, had a complete response to cetuximab. Our data offer novel practical approaches to overcome the two most common resistances to EGFR‐TKIs seen in the clinic using marketed target therapies.
Increasing prevalence rates of HPV attributable oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas in the Netherlands as assessed by a validated test algorithm
Authors: Rietbergen Michelle M. , Leemans C. René , Bloemena Elisabeth , Heideman Daniëlle A.M. , Braakhuis Boudewijn J.M. , Hesselink Albertus T. , Witte Birgit I. , de Jong Robert J. Baatenburg , Meijer Chris J.L.M. , Snijders Peter J.F. , Brakenhoff Ruud H. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been etiologically linked to oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The prevalence of HPV‐positive OPSCC varies between studies, ranging from 20 to 90%. This may be related to the lack of a standardized HPV detection assay as well as to the time period in which HPV prevalence is investigated, as rising incidence rates are reported over the last decades. Here, we validated our previously defined test algorithm for HPV detection in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tumor specimen consisting of p16INK4A immunostaining followed by high‐risk HPV DNA detection by GP5+/6+ PCR on the positive cases (Smeets et al., Int J Cancer 2007;121:2465–72). In addition, we analyzed HPV prevalence rates in OPSCCs in the years 1990–2010. The test algorithm was validated on a consecutive series of 86 OPSCCs collected during 2008–2011, of which both fresh frozen and FFPE samples were available. We performed HPV‐E6 RT‐PCR on the frozen samples as gold standard and applied the algorithm to the corresponding FFPE samples. The test algorithm showed an accuracy of 98%. Using the validated algorithm, we determined the presence of an oncogenic HPV infection in 240 OPSCCs of patients diagnosed in the years 1990–2010 at our center. A significant increase in the proportion of HPV‐positive samples was observed, from 5.1% in 1990 to 29.0% in 2010 (p = 0.001). In conclusion, we confirmed the accuracy of the test algorithm for HPV detection in FFPE tumor specimen and we found a significant increase in the prevalence of HPV in OPSCC over the last two decades at our center.
Clinical and Economic Evidence for Intravenous Acetaminophen
Authors: Yeh Yu‐Chen , Reddy Prabashni 
Published: September 2012

Intravenous acetaminophen received United States Food and Drug Administration approval in November 2010 for the management of mild‐to‐moderate pain, management of moderate‐to‐severe pain with adjunctive opioid analgesics, and reduction of fever. Although intravenous acetaminophen generally improved pain relief and demonstrated opioid‐sparing effects compared with placebo, it did not consistently reduce the frequency of opioid‐related adverse events (e.g., postoperative nausea and vomiting). The safety and efficacy of intravenous acetaminophen as an antipyretic agent have been documented in adults and children; however, its cost is several‐fold higher than that of the oral and rectal formulations. Although use of intravenous acetaminophen has reduced other postoperative resource utilization (e.g., hospital length of stay) in some studies outside the United States in patients undergoing abdominal surgery, a full economic evaluation in the United States has yet to be undertaken. In addition, its administration time (15‐min infusion) and packaging (glass, single‐use vial) have the potential to adversely affect patient flow in the postanesthesia care unit, create burden on patient care units, and lead to drug waste. Furthermore, 1 g of intravenous acetaminophen is formulated in 100 ml of solution, which may be an issue for patients with fluid restrictions. Given the clinical and economic evidence currently available, intravenous acetaminophen should not replace oral or rectal acetaminophen, but its use may be considered in a limited number of patients who cannot receive drugs orally and rectally and who cannot tolerate other parenteral nonopioid analgesic or antipyretic agents.
Safety and Cost‐Effectiveness of a Clinical Protocol Implemented to Standardize the Use of Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab Antivenom at an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Weant Kyle A. , Bowers Rebecca C. , Reed Janelle , Braun Kristopher A. , Dodd David M. , Baker Stephanie N. 
Published: September 2012

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and cost‐effectiveness of a clinical protocol adopted in June 2006 that included a comprehensive, objective assessment of snake bite envenomations and standardized the use of Crotalidae polyvalent immune Fab antivenom (FabAV).DesignRetrospective medical record review.SettingAcademic medical center that serves as the regional level I trauma center.PatientsSeventy‐five adults treated with FabAV for snake envenomations in the emergency department between June 1, 2003, and June 1, 2009; 30 patients received treatment according to the protocol (treatment group), and 45 patients received treatment that did not adhere to the protocol (control group).Measurements and Main ResultsDemographic and envenomation characteristics, as well as treatment details, were collected for all patients. In addition, information on quantity of FabAV vials required, length of hospital stay, and length of intensive care unit stay were compared between the treatment and control groups. In the treatment group, significantly fewer vials of FabAV were used (2.5 vs 4.727 vials, p=0.007). This decreased in usage correlated to a cost savings of approximately $2000/patient. Despite no significant difference in the severity of the envenomations between the two groups (p=0.379), the treatment group experienced a significantly shorter hospital length of stay (1.933 vs 2.791 days, p=0.030). No significant difference in the progression to fasciotomy or the development of allergic reactions was noted between the two groups.ConclusionUse of a clinical protocol related to snake envenomations resulted in approximately two fewer vials of FabAV required for each patient. In addition, the treatment group experienced a shorter hospital length of stay without a corresponding increase in adverse events or envenomation progression. Data show that use of the protocol was cost‐effective. The development of institution‐specific multidisciplinary protocols regarding snake bite envenomations is recommended. Clinical pharmacists can play a vital role in the protocol development to ensure that optimal care is provided for this distinct patient population.
Comparison of Prescription Drug Costs in the United States and the United Kingdom, Part 2: Proton Pump Inhibitors
Authors: Jick Hershel , Wilson Andrew , Wiggins Peter , Chamberlain Douglas P. 
Published: September 2012

Study ObjectiveTo compare the annual cost of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the United States and in the United Kingdom.DesignMatched‐cohort cost analysis.Data SourcesU.K. General Practice Research Database (GPRD) and MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounter Database, a large, U.S. self‐insured medical claims database.Study PopulationWe initially identified more than 1 million people in the GPRD who were younger than 65 years of age and who were prescribed at least one prescription drug in 2005. Each of these people was then matched by year of birth and sex to one person in the U.S. database. From the matched pool, we estimated that 280,000 people were aged 55–64 years from each country. Of these, an estimated 27,230 (9.7%) in the U.S. were prescribed a PPI compared with 22,560 (8.1%) in the U.K. After excluding patients who did not receive the PPI continuously or who switched PPIs during the year, there remained 11,292 people in the U.S. and 9923 in the U.K. who were prescribed a single PPI preparation continuously during 2005 (annual PPI users).Measurements and Main ResultsAnnual drug costs were determined by random sampling. The estimated annual cost/patient in the U.S. ranged from $901 for generic omeprazole to $1485 for lansoprazole. In the U.K., the annual costs were similar, approximately $400 for each PPI, irrespective of whether the agents were available in generic formulation. The total estimated annual cost of PPIs for 2005 in this study group was $14 million in the U.S. compared with $4.1 million in the U.K.ConclusionThe cost of continuous use of PPIs covered by private insurance companies in the U.S. in 2005 was more than 3 times the cost covered by the U.K. government. This result is consistent with the findings of an earlier study on relative costs of statins between the countries.
Temperature Effects on the Biomechanics of Prey Capture in the Frog Rana pipiens
Authors: Sandusky Paula E. , Deban Stephen M. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractMovements of many animals are powered by a combination of active shortening of muscles and recoil of elastic structures. Movements that rely primarily on elastic recoil, such as the explosive locomotor and feeding movements of many ectotherms, have been shown to exhibit lower thermal dependence than muscle‐powered movements because elastically powered movements circumvent the effects of temperature on muscle contractile dynamics. To determine if elastic recoil contributes to the ballistic mouth opening and tongue projection of the frog Rana pipiens, we examined feeding kinematics and dynamics of tongue and jaw movements at three ambient temperatures (10, 15, and 25°C) using 6,000 Hz image sequences. We found that ballistic mouth opening exhibits high instantaneous power (up to 1,783 W kg−1 of muscle mass) and its dynamics have low thermal dependence (Q10 values of 1.02–1.37), indicating the contribution of elastic recoil. The dynamics of tongue projection are more thermally dependent (Q10 of 1.35–2.51) and likely involve muscle activity during the movement. Mouth opening during prey transport, as well as tongue retraction and mouth closing showed little evidence of elastic recoil and their dynamics show relatively high thermal dependence (Q10 of 1.38–1.89). R. pipiens shows lower thermal robustness and power of tongue projection than ballistic‐tongued Bufo terrestris which displays complete thermal independence, suggesting that in Rana tongue projection is not as tightly coupled to jaw depression as in toads. We propose that thermal experiments may be useful in probing for elastic mechanisms in other biomechanical systems. J. Exp. Zool. 317A:595–607, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Survival of patients operated for colorectal liver metastases and concomitant extra‐hepatic disease: External validation of a prognostic model
Authors: Mavros Michael N. , Hyder Omar , Pulitano Carlo , Aldrighetti Luca , Pawlik Timothy M. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe presence of extra‐hepatic disease (EHD) is no longer an absolute contraindication to surgery in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Recently, a novel prognostic model predicting overall survival in such patients was proposed using five risk factors (EHD other than isolated lung metastases, CEA ≥10 ng/ml, >5 liver metastases, right colon as the primary CRC location, and diagnosis of EHD concomitant to CRLM recurrence). A bi‐institutional database was used to perform an external validation of this model.MethodsNinety‐seven patients operated for CRLM and EHD between 1982 and 2011 in two institutions was analyzed. The proposed prognostic model was validated in this cohort using Cox proportional hazards models and the concordance index (c).ResultsOf the five proposed risk factors, only EHD other than isolated lung metastases was found to independently predict overall survival [Hazards Ratio (HR) = 2.10 (95% CI: 1.01–4.40)]. Although, the number of risk factors was marginally associated with overall survival in univariate analysis (P = 0.049), the performance of the proposed prognostic model was poor when applied to our cohort (c = 0.64).ConclusionThe examined prognostic model of survival in patients with CRLM and EHD had poor performance. Further research is warranted to delineate the subset of patients who will benefit from surgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:481–485. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A trial of drug‐induced sleep endoscopy in the surgical management of sleep‐disordered breathing
Authors: Gillespie M. Boyd , Reddy Ryan P. , White David R. , Discolo Christopher M. , Overdyk Frank J. , Nguyen Shaun A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To determine the reliability and validity of drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) for patients undergoing surgery for sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB).Study Design:Non‐randomized, prospective clinical trial.Methods:Patients with sleep‐disordered breathing were evaluated for multi‐level upper airway surgery by awake and drug‐induced sleep endoscopy to identify levels and degree of airway collapse. The reliability of a drug‐induced sleep endoscopy rating index was assessed by comparing scores of three blinded investigators. The validity was assessed by comparison of drug‐induced sleep endoscopy index scores from awake and drug‐induced sleep endoscopy; correlation between drug‐induced sleep endoscopy scores and Apnea‐Hypopnea Index; and determination whether drug‐induced sleep endoscopy affected the original surgical plan.Results:Thirty‐eight patients (22 M, 16 F) underwent preoperative assessment with awake and drug‐induced sleep endoscopy. Drug‐induced sleep endoscopy was successfully performed in all but one patient (97%) who became combative during propofol infusion. Using an internal airway grading scale, drug‐induced sleep endoscopy demonstrated more severity of collapse than awake endoscopy (P = 0.0001). The surgical plan was changed after drug‐induced sleep endoscopy in 23 (62%) cases and unchanged in 14 (38%). The majority (73%) had multi‐segmental airway collapse with fewer having single‐level palatal (16%) or tongue base (11%) collapse. Scoring of drug‐induced sleep endoscopy videos demonstrated good intrarater (κ 0.61) and interrater (κ 0.65) correlation.Conclusions:Drug‐induced sleep endoscopy provides more clinical information to assess airway function and collapse than awake endoscopy alone and assists in the surgical planning. Additional investigation is needed to standardize drug‐induced sleep endoscopy techniques, training, and interpretation. Laryngoscope, 2013