bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical effectiveness of posaconazole versus fluconazole as antifungal prophylaxis in hematology–oncology patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kung Hsiang‐Chi , Johnson Melissa D. , Drew Richard H. , Saha‐Chaudhuri Paramita , Perfect John R. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn preventing invasive fungal disease (IFD) in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), clinical trials demonstrated efficacy of posaconazole over fluconazole and itraconazole. However, effectiveness of posaconazole has not been investigated in the United States in real‐world setting outside the environment of controlled clinical trial. We performed a single‐center, retrospective cohort study of 130 evaluable patients ≥18 years of age admitted to Duke University Hospital between 2004 and 2010 who received either posaconazole or fluconazole as prophylaxis during first induction or first reinduction chemotherapy for AML or MDS. The primary endpoint was possible, probable, or definite breakthrough IFD. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between groups, except that posaconazole recipients received reinduction chemotherapy and cytarabine more frequently. IFD occurred in 17/65 (27.0%) in the fluconazole group and in 6/65 (9.2%) in the posaconazole group (P = 0.012). Definite/probable IFDs occurred in 7 (10.8%) and 0 patients (0%), respectively (P = 0.0013). In multivariate analysis, fluconazole prophylaxis and duration of neutropenia were predictors of IFD. Mortality was similar between groups. This study demonstrates superior effectiveness of posaconazole over fluconazole as prophylaxis of IFD in AML and MDS patients. Such superiority did not translate to reductions in 100‐day all‐cause mortality.
Blended Learning – An Innovative Concept for Advanced Vocational Training in Chemical Technology
Authors: Jäger Kathrin , Moros Ralf , Geißler Anja , Gläser Roger 
Published: March 2014

AbstractDie ständig wachsenden und wechselnden Anforderungen des Arbeitsmarktes setzen die Bereitschaft von Fach‐ und Führungskräften zu einer stetigen und berufsbegleitenden Weiterbildung voraus. Zudem existiert von Seiten der Fachkräfte der Wunsch nach Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Familie. Vor diesem Hintergrund wurde ein auf der Grundlage des Blended Learning beruhendes Konzept für naturwissenschaftlich‐technische Weiterbildungsangebote erarbeitet. Exemplarisch wurde dieses Konzept für das Gebiet der Technischen Chemie anhand des Weiterbildungskurses „tc‐compactBL”︁ umgesetzt und erprobt.
The impact of pathologic staging on the long‐term oncologic outcomes of patients with clinically high‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Abern Michael R. , Terris Martha K. , Aronson William J. , Kane Christopher J. , Amling Christopher L. , Cooperberg Matthew R. , Freedland Stephen J. 
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUNDIn the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening era, approximately 15% of US men still present with clinically high‐risk prostate cancer (PC). However, high‐risk PC may be downgraded/downstaged at radical prostatectomy (RP), making additional therapy unnecessary. The authors tested the oncologic outcomes in men with clinically high‐risk disease stratified on RP pathology.METHODSA total of 611 men with high‐risk PC (PSA level > 20 ng/mL, biopsy Gleason sum [bGS] ≥ 8, or clinical classification of ≥ T3) underwent RP and pelvic lymphadenectomy between 1998 and 2011. Outcomes included biochemical disease recurrence (BCR), receipt of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), metastases, and PC‐specific and overall survival. RP pathology was classified as unfavorable (pathologic Gleason sum ≥ 8, pathologic classification of ≥ T3, or lymph node‐positive disease), or favorable (no unfavorable features). Multivariable analyses tested oncologic outcomes stratified by pathologic classification.RESULTSOverall, 527 men had complete pathologic data and were included in the current analysis. Of the cohort, 206 of 527 men (39%) had favorable pathology. This finding was more common in men with only 1 clinical high‐risk feature, and a lower body mass index, PSA level, bGS, and percentage positive biopsy cores. Favorable pathology was associated with decreased BCR (hazards ratio [HR], 0.34), metastases (HR, 0.17), and PC death (HR, 0.17). After a median follow‐up of 82 months (range, 49 months‐131 months), 193 of the 527 men (37%) received ADT, including only 35 of the 206 men with favorable pathology (17%). Unfavorable pathology was associated with early (≤ 5 years) but not late treatment with ADT.CONCLUSIONSIn a large cohort of men with high‐risk PC who were managed with RP, 39% had favorable pathology and superior oncologic outcomes. Cancer 2014;120:1656–1662. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Shared decision‐making and patient control in radiation oncology: Implications for patient satisfaction
Authors: Shabason Jacob E. , Mao Jun J. , Frankel Eitan S. , Vapiwala Neha 
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUNDShared decision‐making (SDM) has been linked to important health care quality outcomes. However, to the authors' knowledge, the value of SDM has not been thoroughly evaluated in the field of radiation oncology. The objective of the current study was to determine the association between SDM and patient satisfaction during radiotherapy (RT). The authors also explored patient desire for and perception of control during RT, and how these factors relate to patient satisfaction, anxiety, depression, and fatigue.METHODSA cross‐sectional survey of 305 patients undergoing definitive RT was conducted. Patients self‐reported measured variables during the last week of RT. Relationships between variables were evaluated using chi‐square analyses.RESULTSAmong study participants, 31.3% of patients experienced SDM, 32.3% perceived control in treatment decisions, and 76.2% reported feeling very satisfied with their care. Patient satisfaction was associated with perceived SDM (84.4% vs 71.4%; P < .02) and patient‐perceived control (89.7% vs 69.2%; P < .001). Furthermore, the perception of having control in treatment decisions was associated with increased satisfaction regardless of whether the patient desired control. Increased anxiety (44.0% vs 20.0%; P < .02), depression (44.0% vs 15.0%; P < .01), and fatigue (68.0% vs 32.9%; P < .01) were reported in patients who desired but did not perceive control over their treatments, compared with those who both desired and perceived control.CONCLUSIONSThe findings of the current study emphasize the value of SDM and patient‐perceived control during RT, particularly as it relates to patient satisfaction and psychological distress. Regardless of a patient's desire for control, it is important to engage patients in the decision‐making process. Cancer 2014;120:1863–1870. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Four‐Layer Tin–Carbon Nanotube Yolk–Shell Materials for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Chen Peng , Wu Fengdan , Wang Yong 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAll high‐capacity anodes for lithium‐ion (Li‐ion) batteries, such as those based on tin (Sn) and silicon (Si), suffer from large volume changes during cycling with lithium ions, and their high capacities can be only achieved in the first few cycles. We design and synthesize a unique four‐layer yolk–shell tin–carbon (Sn–C) nanotube array to address this problem. The shape and size of the exterior Sn nanotube@carbon core–shell layer, the encapsulated interior Sn nanowire@carbon nanotube core–shell layer, and the filling level of each layer can be all controlled by adjusting the experimental conditions. Such a nanostructure has not been reported for any metal or metal oxide‐based material. Owing to the special design of the electrode structure, the four‐layer hierarchical structure demonstrates excellent Li‐ion storage properties in terms of high capacity, long cycle life, and high rate performance.
Origin and development of the germ line in sea stars
Authors: Wessel Gary M. , Fresques Tara , Kiyomoto Masato , Yajima Mamiko , Zazueta Vanesa 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThis review summarizes and integrates our current understanding of how sea stars make gametes. Although little is known of the mechanism of germ line formation in these animals, recent results point to specific cells and to cohorts of molecules in the embryos and larvae that may lay the ground work for future research efforts. A coelomic outpocketing forms in the posterior of the gut in larvae, referred to as the posterior enterocoel (PE), that when removed, significantly reduces the number of germ cell later in larval growth. This same PE structure also selectively accumulates several germ‐line associated factors—vasa, nanos, piwi—and excludes factors involved in somatic cell fate. Since its formation is relatively late in development, these germ cells may form by inductive mechanisms. When integrated into the morphological observations of germ cells and gonad development in larvae, juveniles, and adults, the field of germ line determination appears to have a good model system to study inductive germ line determination to complement the recent work on the molecular mechanisms in mice. We hope this review will also guide investigators interested in germ line determination and regulation of the germ line into how these animals can help in this research field. The review is not intended to be comprehensive—sea star reproduction has been studied for over 100 years and many reviews are comprehensive in their coverage of, for example, seasonal growth of the gonads in response to light, nutrient, and temperature. Rather the intent of this review is to help the reader focus on new experimental results attached to the historical underpinnings of how the germ cell functions in sea stars with particular emphasis to clarify the important areas of priority for future research. genesis 52:367–377, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Delimiting cryptic pathogen species causing apple Valsa canker with multilocus data
Authors: Wang Xuli , Zang Rui , Yin Zhiyuan , Kang Zhensheng , Huang Lili 
Published: March 2014

AbstractFungal diseases are posing tremendous threats to global economy and food safety. Among them, Valsa canker, caused by fungi ofValsaand theirCytosporaanamorphs, has been a serious threat to fruit and forest trees and is one of the most destructive diseases of apple in East Asia, particularly. Accurate and robust delimitation of pathogen species is not only essential for the development of effective disease control programs, but also will advance our understanding of the emergence of plant diseases. However, species delimitation is especially difficult inValsabecause of the high variability of morphological traits and in many cases the lack of the teleomorph. In this study, we delimitated species boundary for pathogens causing apple Valsa canker with a multifaceted approach. Based on three independent loci, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS),β‐tubulin (Btu), and translation elongation factor‐1 alpha (EF1α), we inferred gene trees with both maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods, estimated species tree with Bayesian multispecies coalescent approaches, and validated species tree with Bayesian species delimitation. Through divergence time estimation and ancestral host reconstruction, we tested the possible underlying mechanisms for fungal speciation and host‐range change. Our results proved that two varieties of the former morphological speciesV. malirepresented two distinct species,V. maliandV. pyri, which diverged about 5 million years ago, much later than the divergence of their preferred hosts, excluding a scenario of fungi–host co‐speciation. The marked different thermal preferences and contrasting pathogenicity in cross‐inoculation suggest ecological divergences between the two species. Apple was the most likely ancestral host for bothV. maliandV. pyri. Host‐range expansion led to the occurrence ofV. pyrion both pear and apple. Our results also represent an example in whichITSdata might underestimate species diversity.
Altered T‐cell entry and egress in the absence of Coronin 1A attenuates murine acute graft versus host disease
Authors: Fulton LeShara M. , Taylor Nicholas A. , Coghill James M. , West Michelle L. , Föger Niko , Bear James E. , Baldwin Albert S. , Panoskaltsis‐Mortari Angela , Serody Jonathan S. 
Published: March 2014

Acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGvHD) is a major limitation to the use of allogeneic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of patients with relapsed malignant disease. Previous work using animals lacking secondary lymphoid tissue (SLT) suggested that activation of donor T cells in SLT is critically important for the pathogenesis of aGvHD. However, these studies did not determine if impaired migration into, and more importantly, out of SLT, would ameliorate aGvHD. Here, we show that T cells from mice lacking Coronin 1A (Coro 1A−/−), an actin‐associated protein shown to be important for thymocyte egress, do not mediate acute GvHD. The attenuation of aGvHD was associated with decreased expression of the critical trafficking proteins C‐C chemokines receptor type 7 (CCR7) and sphingosine 1 phosphate receptor on donor T cells. This was mediated in part by impaired activation of the canonical NF‐κB pathway in the absence of Coro 1A. As a result of these alterations, donor T cells from Coro 1A−/− mice were not able to initially traffic to SLT or exit SLT after BM transplantation. However, this alteration did not abrogate the graft‐versus‐leukemia response. Our data suggest that blocking T‐cell migration into and out of SLT is a valid approach to prevent aGvHD.
Mitochondrial response to nutrient availability and its role in metabolic disease
Authors: Gao Arwen W , Cantó Carles , Houtkooper Riekelt H 
Published: March 2014

AbstractMetabolic inflexibility is defined as an impaired capacity to switch between different energy substrates and is a hallmark of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hence, understanding the mechanisms underlying proper metabolic flexibility is key to prevent the development of metabolic disease and physiological deterioration. An important downstream player in the effects of metabolic flexibility is the mitochondrion. The objective of this review was to describe how mitochondrial metabolism adapts to limited nutrient situations or caloric excess by changes in mitochondrial function or biogenesis, as well as to define the mechanisms propelling these changes. Altogether, this should pinpoint key regulatory points by which metabolic flexibility might be ameliorated in situations of metabolic disease.
Vadose CO2 gas drives dissolution at water tables in eogenetic karst aquifers more than mixing dissolution
Authors: Gulley Jason , Martin Jonathan , Moore Paul 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTMost models of cave formation in limestone that remains near its depositional environment and has not been deeply buried (i.e. eogenetic limestone) invoke dissolution from mixing of waters that have different ionic strengths or have equilibrated with calcite at different pCO2 values. In eogenetic karst aquifers lacking saline water, mixing of vadose and phreatic waters is thought to form caves. We show here calcite dissolution in a cave in eogenetic limestone occurred due to increases in vadose CO2 gas concentrations and subsequent dissolution of CO2 into groundwater, not by mixing dissolution. We collected high‐resolution time series measurements (1 year) of specific conductivity (SpC), temperature, meteorological data, and synoptic water chemical composition from a water table cave in central Florida (Briar Cave). We found SpC, pCO2 and calcite undersaturation increased through late summer, when Briar Cave experienced little ventilation by outside air, and decreased through winter, when increased ventilation lowered cave CO2(g) concentrations. We hypothesize dissolution occurred when water flowed from aquifer regions with low pCO2 into the cave, which had elevated pCO2. Elevated pCO2 would be promoted by fractures connecting the soil to the water table. Simple geochemical models demonstrate that changes in pCO2 of less than 1% along flow paths are an order of magnitude more efficient at dissolving limestone than mixing of vadose and phreatic water. We conclude that spatially or temporally variable vadose CO2(g) concentrations are responsible for cave formation because mixing is too slow to generate observed cave sizes in the time available for formation. While this study emphasized dissolution, gas exchange between the atmosphere and karst aquifer vadose zones that is facilitated by conduits likely exerts important controls on other geochemical processes in limestone critical zones by transporting oxygen deep into vadose zones, creating redox boundaries that would not exist in the absence of caves. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pesticide residue evaluation in major staple food items of Ethiopia using the QuEChERS method: A case study from the Jimma Zone
Authors: Mekonen Seblework , Ambelu Argaw , Spanoghe Pieter 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Samples of maize, teff, red pepper, and coffee (green bean and coffee bean with pulp) were collected from a local market in the Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Samples were analyzed for the occurrence of cypermethrin, permethrin, deltamethrin, chlorpyrifos ethyl, DTT and its metabolites, and endosulfan (α, β). In the analytical procedure, the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) extraction methodology with dispersive solid phase extraction clean up (d-SPE) technique was applied. Validation of the QuEChERS method was satisfactory. Recovery percentages of most pesticides were in the range of 70% to 120%, with good repeatability (%relative standard deviation &lt; 20). The limit of detection and limit of quantification varied between 0.001 µg/g and 0.092 µg/g and between 0.002 µg/g and 0.307 µg/g, respectively. The main pesticides detected were DDT, endosulfan, cypermethrin, and permethrin. All of the pesticides analyzed were detected in red pepper and green coffee bean. Residues of DDT in coffee pulp significantly differed (p &lt; 0.01) from other food items except for red pepper. The concentration of pesticides in the food items varied from 0.011 mg/kg to 1.115 mg/kg. All food items contained 1 or more pesticides. Two-thirds of the samples had residues below corresponding maximum residue limits, and the remaining one-third of samples were above the maximum residue limits. These results indicate the need for a good pesticide monitoring program to evaluate consumer risk for the Ethiopian people. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1294–1302. © 2014 SETAC
Developmental impairment in eurasian dipper nestlings exposed to urban stream pollutants
Authors: Morrissey Christy A. , Stanton David W.G. , Tyler Charles R. , Pereira M. Glória , Newton Jason , Durance Isabelle , Ormerod Steve J. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Avian studies of endocrine disruption traditionally have focused on reproductive impairment, given that many environmental contaminants affect sex steroid hormones. There is also increasing interest in altered thyroid function, and associated early development, particularly in altricial species with extended developmental windows. Both types of effect are relevant under the complex pollutant conditions created in streams draining urban areas, but case studies are scarce. Therefore, the authors measured breeding performance, as well as nestling growth, condition, and plasma thyroid hormones, in 87 Eurasian dipper (Cinclus cinclus) nests on 36 urban and rural streams in south and mid-Wales (UK); invertebrate prey data were also collected. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether urban stream pollution or food scarcity might affect reproduction or development in this specialized aquatic songbird. Clutch sizes and egg fertility were similar on rural and urban streams, whereas nest success was actually higher at urban sites and food abundance was not significantly reduced. However, subtle but important differences were apparent. Urban nestlings were significantly lighter than rural nestlings for their body size (condition index), and brood sex ratios were increasingly male biased with increasing urbanization. The nestling thyroid hormone profile closely reflected urban land use, whereas depressed triiodothyronine (T3) hormones and poorer body condition were associated with higher exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) at urbanized sites. These data suggest that PCBs, PBDEs, and/or accompanying contaminants in urban streams could be affecting dipper nestling development, with potential consequences for the birds' fitness. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1315–1323. © 2014 SETAC
Development and application of a novel method for high-throughput determination of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in sediments
Authors: Aguilar Lissette , Williams E. Spencer , Brooks Bryan W. , Usenko Sascha 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

A selective pressurized liquid extraction technique was developed for the simultaneous extraction of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) from contaminated sediments. The final method incorporated cleanup adsorbents (Florisil, alumina, and silica) into the extraction cell in a 1:1 ratio of matrix to individual adsorbent (w/w). Sulfur, a common interference found in sediments, was successfully removed by placing activated copper in the extraction bottle prior to extraction. No additional postextraction cleanup was required, and sample throughput was reduced to 2.5 h per sample. Target analytes were quantified using high-resolution gas chromatography/electron-capture negative ionization mass spectrometry and verified by high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Though mean analyte recoveries (n = 3) of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were 84 ± 5.8% and 70 ± 8.4%, respectively, mean surrogate recoveries for all PCDD/Fs using this novel method were greatly improved compared with US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method 1613 (∼25–155%) and USEPA method 8290a (40–135%). After development, the method was used to examine surficial sediment samples from the San Jacinto River waste pits, a Superfund site in Houston, Texas, USA. In all samples, PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were detected, and the contaminant concentrations ranged over 5 orders of magnitude. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1529–1536. © 2014 SETAC
A mode split, Godunov‐type model for nonhydrostatic, free surface flow
Authors: Bradford Scott F. 
Published: March 2014

SUMMARYA previously developed model for nonhydrostatic, free surface flow is redesigned to improve computational efficiency without sacrificing accuracy. Both models solve the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations in a fractional step manner with the pressure split into hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic components. The hydrostatic equations are first solved with an approximate Riemann solver. The hydrostatic solution is then corrected by including the nonhydrostatic pressure and requiring the velocity field to obey the incompressibility constraint.The original model requires the solution of a Riemann problem at every cell face for each vertical layer of cells, which is computationally expensive. The redesigned model instead solves the shallow water (long wave) equations for the hydrostatic solution. Vertical shear is computed by subtracting the shallow water equations from the full three dimensional equations, which removes the hydrostatic thrust terms. Therefore, the required fluxes may be more efficiently computed with velocity based upwind differencing rather than solving a Riemann problem in each vertical layer of cells. This approach is termed mode splitting and has been used in hydrostatic coastal and ocean circulation models, but not surf zone models. Numerical predictions are compared with analytical solutions and experimental data to show that the mode split model is as accurate as the original model, but requires significantly less computational effort especially for large numbers of cell layers. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.