bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurodevelopmental delays and macrocephaly in 17p13.1 microduplication syndrome
Authors: Mooneyham Kathryn Anne , Holden Kenton R. , Cathey Sara , Dwivedi Alka , Dupont Barbara R. , Lyons Michael J. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractMicroduplication of chromosome 17p13.1 is a rarely reported chromosome abnormality associated with neurodevelopmental delays. We describe two unrelated patients with overlapping microduplications of chromosome 17p13.1. The first patient is a 2‐year‐old male who presented with neurodevelopmental delays and macrocephaly. He was found to have a de novo 788 kb copy gain of 17p13.2p13.1 and a de novo 134 kb copy gain of 17p13.1. These duplications include multiple candidate genes, including EFNB3, NLGN2, DLG4, GABARAP, and DULLARD, which may be responsible for neurodevelopmental delays in affected individuals. The second patient is a 29‐year‐old female with mild intellectual disability and relative macrocephaly. She was found to have a 62.5 kb copy gain of chromosome 17p13.1 that includes the DLG4, GABARAP, and DULLARD genes. The DLG4, GABARAP, and DULLARD genes included in the microduplications of both our patients appear to be candidate genes for neurodevelopmental delays and macrocephaly in individuals with 17p13.1 microduplication syndrome. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chronic rhinosinusitis patients have decreased lung function
Authors: Kariya Shin , Okano Mitsuhiro , Higaki Takaya , Noyama Yasuyuki , Haruna Takenori , Ishihara Hisashi , Makino Takuma , Onoda Tomoo , Nishizaki Kazunori 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundThe relationship between upper and lower airway diseases has been reported. However, the pulmonary function of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has not been fully examined.MethodsPulmonary function was measured in 273 patients with CRS and 100 age‐matched normal control subjects. No patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were included in this study. The patients with CRS were divided into 8 subgroups based on the presence of asthma, sensitization to common inhaled antigens, and nasal polyposis. The relationships between pulmonary function and clinical parameters, including radiographic severity of CRS according to the Lund‐Mackay computed tomography (CT) staging system, eosinophil count in the peripheral blood, and serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, were assessed.ResultsIn pulmonary function testing, the CRS patients had affected pulmonary function. The CRS patients without asthma showed latent obstructive pulmonary function changes when compared to normal controls. No significant correlations were observed between pulmonary function and any clinical parameters (Lund‐Mackay CT staging score, eosinophil count in the peripheral blood, and serum total IgE levels).ConclusionCRS patients had significant obstructive lung function changes regardless of the presence of asthma. The patients with CRS who had not been clinically diagnosed as having lower respiratory tract diseases might have had subclinical lower airway diseases. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of pulmonary function and lower lung diseases in patients with CRS.
Electrospun poly(acrylic acid)/lysine fibers and the interactive effects of moisture, heat, and cross‐link density on their behavior
Authors: Finn Niall , Carlinet Clemence , Maurdev George 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTPoly(acrylic acid) (PAA) is an important polymer frequently used as a superabsorbent in health and hygiene products. As a polyelectrolyte that swells with absorption of water it has potential application in other fields including drug delivery, tissue scaffolds, actuators, and desiccation and humidity control. To be useful in such applications the membrane's mechanical integrity must be maintained while optimizing its moisture absorption properties. In this work PAA membranes are electrospun with lysine as cross‐linking agent. The effects of varying the concentration of the lysine on the cross‐link density and consequently on the thermo‐ and hygro‐mechanical properties of the membranes are studied through electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Isothermal glass transitions are shown to occur with varying moisture content. The moisture content (or relative humidity) at which the transition occurs is reduced by increasing temperature and can be controlled by varying the cross‐link density. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41252.
High tensile strength fiber of poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐(R)‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate] processed by two‐step drawing with intermediate annealing
Authors: Kabe Taizo , Hongo Chizuru , Tanaka Toshihisa , Hikima Takaaki , Takata Masaki , Iwata Tadahisa 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTHigh tensile strength fibers of poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐(R)‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate] [P(3HB‐co‐3HH)], a type of microbial polyesters, were processed by one‐step and two‐step cold‐drawn method with intermediate annealing. Thermal degradation behaviors were characterized by differential scanning calorimeter and gel permeation chromatography measurements. Thermal analyses were revealed that molecular weights decreased drastically within melting time at a few minute. One‐step cold‐drawn fiber with drawing ratio of 10 showed tensile strength of 281 MPa, while tensile strength of as‐spun fiber was 78 MPa. When two‐step drawing was applied for P(3HB‐co‐3HH) fibers, the tensile strength was led to 420 MPa. Furthermore, the optimization of intermediate annealing condition leads to enhance the tensile strength at 552 MPa of P(3HB‐co‐3HH) fiber. Wide‐angel X‐ray diffraction measurements of these fibers suggest that the fibers with high tensile strength include much amount of the planer‐zigzag conformation (β‐form) as molecular conformation together with 21 helix conformation (α‐form). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41258.
Selective reduction of aromatic nitro compounds over recyclable hollow fiber membrane‐supported Au nanoparticles
Authors: Ge Qianqian , Ran Jin , Wu Liang , Xu Tongwen 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTGuanidylated poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (GPPO) hollow fiber membrane (HFM) supported Au nanoparticles are prepared by a simple adsorption‐reduction of Au3+ with sodium borohydride as a reducing agent and polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a dispersant. The novel heterogeneous catalyst shows high catalytic activity for the reduction of various aromatic nitro compounds in an aqueous medium at room temperature and can be easily reused for several runs, for example, for the reduction of nitrobenzene, the yield reaches up to 92% even after 10 cycles, indicating the potential application of GPPO HFM as a catalysts support material for sustainable chemistry. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41268
Regional Service Delivery among Pacific Island Countries: An Assessment
Authors: Dornan Matthew , Newton Cain Tess 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPacific Island countries face a range of development challenges, including smallness, distance from major markets and capacity constraints. Regional service delivery, or pooling, has been advocated as a means of addressing these challenges. This article presents the findings from the first comprehensive study of pooling initiatives in the Pacific. It draws on a review of the literature pertaining to 20 pooling initiatives identified in the region and on interviews with stakeholders involved in many of those initiatives. The study finds that experience with pooling among Pacific Island countries has not met the optimistic expectations of advocates, including development partners. This is the result of the challenges inherent in voluntary regionalism, which are exacerbated by the diversity of Pacific Island states and political economy constraints. The article concludes that an incremental approach to expansion of regional service provision in the Pacific is both likely and appropriate given these factors.
Understanding fishing‐induced extinctions in the Amazon
Authors: Castello Leandro , Arantes Caroline Chaves , Mcgrath David Gibbs , Stewart Donald James , Sousa Fabio Sarmento De 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Science and policy worldwide are influenced by predictions from bioeconomic theory that fishing cannot lead fish populations to extinction because fishing effort inevitably moves away from depleted resources. Yet such predictions contradict evidence of fishing‐induced extinctions and in particular a model, called ‘fishing‐down’, that explains historical reductions in mean size of harvested species in tropical multispecies fisheries through the gradual depletion and extinction of large‐bodied species.
This study analysed data on fisheries for Arapaima spp., the most historically important and overexploited fishes of the Amazon Basin, to evaluate whether they supported bioeconomic or fishing‐down predictions. The evaluation was based on census data on arapaima populations and interview data from 182 fishers with respect to fishing practices and management regulations, which were collected in 81 fishing communities covering 1040 km2 of Amazonian floodplains.
Arapaima populations were found to be ‘depleted’ in 76% of the fishing communities, ‘overexploited’ in 17%, ‘well‐managed’ in 5%, and ‘unfished’ in only 2%. Population densities were zero (i.e. locally extinct) in 19% of the communities. Twenty-three per cent of the fishers in each community harvested arapaima regardless of population status. Similarly, the percentage of the catch in compliance with the size regulation did not vary with population status, but compliance with the season regulation in communities with ‘overexploited’ or ‘depleted’ populations (72%) was lower than in communities with ‘well‐managed’ or ‘unfished’ populations (97%).
These results support fishing‐down predictions that fishing pressure continues to occur even when fish populations are depleted. The fishing‐down process appeared to occur because of low gear selectivity and larger body‐size of target species as well as high species value and low fishing costs. These results and available data elsewhere suggest that fishing‐induced extinctions are more common than previously thought, endangering biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Such extinctions are probably going unnoticed because high levels of illegal fishing, geographic heterogeneity, and data scarcity make their identification difficult.
Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of a murine embryonic stem cell line that is sensitive to high glucose environment to model neural tube development in diabetic pregnancy
Authors: Sanders Kaitlyn , Jung Jin Hyuk , Loeken Mary R. 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundNeural tube defects (NTDs) are significantly increased by maternal diabetes. Embryonic stem cells (ESC) that can differentiate into neuroepithelium and can sense supraphysiological glucose concentrations would be very valuable to simulate the effects of maternal diabetes on molecular and cellular processes during neural tube formation.MethodsLG‐ESC, a recently established ESC line that expresses the glucose transporter, Scl2a2, and is sensitive to elevated glucose concentrations, were grown for up to 8 days in a three‐dimensional culture to form neural cysts. We tested whether high glucose media inhibits expression of Pax3, a gene that is required for neural tube closure and whose expression is inhibited in embryos of diabetic mice, and inhibits formation of neural cysts.ResultsPax3 expression was detected after 4 days of culture and increased with time. Pax3 expression was inhibited by high glucose media, but not if cells had been cultured in low glucose media for the first 4 days of culture. Pax7, which is also expressed in dorsal neural tube, was not detected. Pax6, which is expressed in the ventral neural tube, was detected only after 8 days of culture, but was not inhibited by high glucose. High glucose media did not inhibit formation of neural cysts.ConclusionLG‐ESC can be used as a model of embryonic exposure to a diabetic environment during neural tube development. While high glucose exposure inhibits expression of a gene required for neural tube closure, it may not inhibit all of the processes involved in formation of a neural tube‐like structure. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:584–591, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hospitalizations and associated costs in a population‐based study of children with Down Syndrome born in Florida
Authors: Dawson April L. , Cassell Cynthia H. , Oster Matthew E. , Olney Richard S. , Tanner Jean Paul , Kirby Russell S. , Correia Jane , Grosse Scott D. 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundOur objective was to examine differences in hospital resource usage for children with Down syndrome by age and the presence of other birth defects, particularly severe and nonsevere congenital heart defects (CHDs).MethodsThis was a retrospective, population‐based, statewide study of children with Down syndrome born 1998 to 2007, identified by the Florida Birth Defects Registry (FBDR) and linked to hospital discharge records for 1 to 10 years after birth. To evaluate hospital resource usage, descriptive statistics on number of hospitalized days and hospital costs were calculated. Results were stratified by isolated Down syndrome (no other coded major birth defect); presence of severe and nonsevere CHDs; and presence of major FBDR‐eligible birth defects without CHDs.ResultsFor 2552 children with Down syndrome, there were 6856 inpatient admissions, of which 68.9% occurred during the first year of life (infancy). Of the 2552 children, 31.7% (n = 808) had isolated Down syndrome, 24.0% (n = 612) had severe CHDs, 36.3% (n = 927) had nonsevere CHDs, and 8.0% (n = 205) had a major FBDR‐eligible birth defect in the absence of CHD. Infants in all three nonisolated DS groups had significantly higher hospital costs compared with those with isolated Down syndrome. From infancy through age 4, children with severe CHDs had the highest inpatient costs compared with children in the other sub‐groups.ConclusionResults support findings that for children with Down syndrome the presence of other anomalies influences hospital use and costs, and children with severe CHDs have greater hospital resource usage than children with other CHDs or major birth defects without CHDs. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:826–836, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid one‐step purification of single‐cells encapsulated in alginate microcapsules from oil to aqueous phase using a hydrophobic filter paper: Implications for single‐cell experiments
Authors: Lee Do‐Hyun , Jang Miran , Park Je‐Kyun 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBy virtue of the biocompatibility and physical properties of hydrogel, picoliter‐sized hydrogel microcapsules have been considered to be a biometric signature containing several features similar to that of encapsulated single cells, including phenotype, viability, and intracellular content. To maximize the experimental potential of encapsulating cells in hydrogel microcapsules, a method that enables efficient hydrogel microcapsule purification from oil is necessary. Current methods based on centrifugation for the conventional stepwise rinsing of oil, are slow and laborious and decrease the monodispersity and yield of the recovered hydrogel microcapsules. To remedy these shortcomings we have developed a simple one‐step method to purify alginate microcapsules, containing a single live cell, from oil to aqueous phase. This method employs oil impregnation using a commercially available hydrophobic filter paper without multistep centrifugal purification and complicated microchannel networks. The oil‐suspended alginate microcapsules encapsulating single cells from mammalian cancer cell lines (MCF–7, HepG2, and U937) and microorganisms (Chlorella vulgaris) were successfully exchanged to cell culture media by quick (∼10 min) depletion of the surrounding oil phase without coalescence of neighboring microcapsules. Cell proliferation and high integrity of the microcapsules were also demonstrated by long‐term incubation of microcapsules containing a single live cell. We expect that this method for the simple and rapid purification of encapsulated single‐cell microcapsules will attain widespread adoption, assisting cell biologists and clinicians in the development of single‐cell experiments.
Construction and evaluation of a genetic construct for specific detection and measurement of propionate by whole‐cell bacteria
Authors: Li Yueh‐Fen , Yu Zhongtang 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTAnaerobic digestion is a microbiological technology that converts biomass wastes into biogas, achieving both waste treatment and bioenergy production. Accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFA) during acidogenesis, particularly propionate, often causes upset or failure of digesters. Early detection and monitoring of propionate concentration in digesters allow for just‐in‐time interventions to prevent irreversible costly process breakdown. In an attempt to develop a rapid method of measuring propionate concentration and bioavailability, we constructed a genetic construct for specific detection of bioavailable propionate. The genetic construct was constructed by transcriptional fusion of the regulatory gene (prpR) and the promoter of the prp operon (PprpB) of Escherichia coli W3110 with the reporter gene cassette luxCDABE. When the genetic construct was carried on a plasmid and transformed into E. coli (referred to as plasmid‐based biosensor), it resulted in stronger emission of luminescence than when it was inserted into the chromosome of E. coli (referred to as chromosome‐based biosensor). The biosensor responded specifically to propionate. The luminescence signal increased linearly with increasing concentration of propionate from 1 to 10 mM. The utility of the biosensor was evaluated using samples collected from anaerobic digesters. Once instrumented in future studies, the whole‐cell bacterial biosensor developed in this study may provide an alternative technology for real‐time detection and measurement of propionate in digesters. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 280–287. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lymphaticovenular anastomosis to prevent cellulitis associated with lymphoedema
Authors: Mihara M , Hara H , Furniss D , Narushima M , Iida T , Kikuchi K , Ohtsu H , Gennaro P , Gabriele G , Murai N 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundOne of the complications of lymphoedema is recurrent cellulitis. The aim was to determine whether lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) was effective at reducing cellulitis in patients with lymphoedema.MethodsThis was a retrospective review of patients with arm/leg lymphoedema who underwent LVA. The frequency of cellulitis was compared before and after surgery. The diagnostic criteria for cellulitis were a fever of 38·5°C or higher, and warmth/redness in the affected limb(s).ResultsA total of 95 patients were included. The mean number of episodes of cellulitis in the year preceding surgery was 1·46, compared with 0·18 in the year after surgery (P &lt; 0·001).ConclusionLVA reduced the rate of cellulitis in these patients with lymphoedema.
Outcome of surgery for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms
Authors: Fischer L , Bergmann F , Schimmack S , Hinz U , Prieß S , Müller-Stich B P , Werner J , Hackert T , Büchler M W 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Background
The incidence of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNEN) is increasing. This study aimed to evaluate predictors of overall survival and the indication for surgery.

Methods
Data collected between October 2001 and December 2012 were analysed. Histological grading and staging was based on the classifications of the World Health Organization, the International Union Against Cancer and the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society.

Results
Some 310 patients (150 female, 48·4 per cent) underwent surgical resection. The final survival analysis included 291 patients. Five-year overall survival differed according to tumour grade (G): 91·0 per cent among 156 patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNET) G1, 70·8 per cent in 111 patients with pNET G2, and 20 per cent in 24 patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (pNEC) G3 (P &lt; 0·001). Tumours graded G3 (hazard ratio (HR) 6·96, 95 per cent confidence interval 3·67 to 13·21), the presence of distant metastasis (HR 2·41, 1·32 to 4·42) and lymph node metastasis (HR 2·10, 1·07 to 4·16) were independent predictors of worse survival (P &lt; 0·001, P = 0·004 and P = 0·032 respectively). Eight of 61 asymptomatic patients with pNEN smaller than 2 cm had tumours graded G2 or G3, and six of 51 patients had lymph node metastasis. Among patients with pNEC G3, the presence of distant metastasis had a significant impact on the 5-year overall survival rate: 0 per cent versus 43 per cent in those without distant metastasis (P = 0·036).

Conclusion
Neuroendocrine tumours graded G3, lymph node and distant metastasis are independent predictors of worse overall survival in patients with pNEN.
Implementation of an acute surgical admission ward
Authors: Eijsvoogel C F H , Peters R W , Budding A J , Ubbink D T , Vermeulen H , Schep N W L 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Background
The aim of the study was to assess the impact of an acute surgical admission ward on admission and discharge processes.

Methods
This prospective cohort study was conducted in a university tertiary referral centre. All acute surgical patients were clustered in the acute surgical unit (ASU) in February and March 2012, and discharged or transferred to specialized departments within 48 h. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes were impact on emergency department waiting times, discharge home within 48 h, incorrect ward admissions, readmissions and mortality. Outcomes of the study group were compared with those of a historical reference group admitted during the same interval the year before.

Results
Some 249 patients were admitted to the ASU during the study interval. The reference group consisted of 211 patients. The total LOS decreased significantly from a median of 4·0 to 2·0 days (P = 0·004). The percentage of patients who were discharged within 48 h increased from 30·3 to 43·4 per cent (P = 0·004). The rate of incorrect ward admission decreased from 9·5 to 0 per cent. Emergency department waiting time, readmission rate and 30-day mortality did not change.

Conclusion
Introduction of an acute surgical unit-shortened length of hospital stay without comprising readmission and mortality rates.
Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed CH Bond Activation: An Efficient Route toward Indenamines
Authors: Hung Chen‐Hsun , Gandeepan Parthasarathy , Cheng Chien‐Hong 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAn efficient and atom‐economical method for the synthesis of substituted indenamines from N‐tosylarylimines and alkynes via ruthenium(II)‐catalyzed CH bond activation and annulation is described. The catalytic reaction proceeds well with a broad substrate scope and in good yields. A possible mechanism is proposed that involves imine nitrogen chelation‐assisted ortho‐CH bond activation of the substrate, alkyne insertion, and intramolecular insertion of the CN Ts group into the CRu bond. Isotope‐labeling experiments are performed to understand the underlying mechanism of the reaction.