bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of CYP3A5 6986A > G and ABCB1 3435C > T Polymorphisms on Adverse Events Associated With Tacrolimus in Jordanian Pediatric Renal Transplant Patients
Authors: Sy Sherwin K.B. , Singh Rajendra P. , Shilbayeh Sireen , Zmeili Rawan , Conrado Daniela , Derendorf Hartmut 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe aim of the study is to investigate the influence of ABCB1(3435) and CYP3A5(6986) polymorphisms, tacrolimus troughs and clinical factors on the time of adverse events associated with tacrolimus in pediatric kidney transplant patients. Clinical data, adverse events, tacrolimus troughs, corresponding doses, ABCB1 3435C > T and CYP3A5 6986A > G genotypes were collected from 38 pediatric kidney transplant patients in a retrospective study for over 2 years post‐transplant. We used a marginal Cox proportional hazard model to evaluate the influence of clinical factors and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on tacrolimus‐associated adverse events. CYP3A5 genotype, the Bayesian predicted tacrolimus concentrations, hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume are significant risk factors of adverse events over a 2‐year‐period. CYP3A5*1 genotype was associated with 36% relative risk of CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype. In the 9‐month period, the additional factor, ABCB1 3435TT genotype, was shown to be associated with 38% relative risk of the CC and CT genotypes. For graft loss, acute and chronic rejection, only tacrolimus concentration and hematocrit, but not CYP3A5 or ABCB1 polymorphisms, are important factors influencing their occurrences.
Curcumin Regulates VSMC Phenotype Transition via Modulation of Notch and Wnt Signaling Pathways
Authors: Chen Jing , Xu Lin , Hu Xiaorong , Zhang Jing , Xu Changwu , Li Guoqing , Jiang Hong 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Preclinical Research

In the development of cardiovascular diseases, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo transition from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. Notch‐ and Wnt‐dependent signaling pathways play a critical role during this process. Curcumin has potential for clinical use including anti‐inflammatory and antitumor actions. However, the effect of curcumin on VSMC phenotype transition remains unclear. In VSMCs isolated from the thoracic aorta of Sprague Dawley rats, curcumin (5–20 μM) produced a concentration‐dependent inhibition of serum‐elicited VSMC migration. Furthermore, curcumin, at the dose of 20 μM, partially reversed the repression of VSMC markers induced by serum stimulation, an effect associated with attenuation of Jagged‐1 and Notch‐1 levels and downregulation of the downstream gene Hey‐1. Downregulation of Wnt‐4 was also observed after curcumin treatment in the presence of serum, which was followed by inhibition of nuclear β‐catenin translocation and cyclin D1 expression. These data suggest that curcumin is a potent regulator of VSMCs phenotype transition and may play a critical role in regulating these events after vascular injury.
Antihistamines or decongestants for otitis media with effusion—do they work?
Authors: Cohen Eyal 
Published: March 2013

AbstractEco‐paediatrics is an occasional feature in Evidence‐Based Child Health: A Cochrane Review Journal. Our goal is to contribute to the worldwide discussion on reducing waste in health care. In each instalment, we will select a recent Cochrane review highlighting a practice, still in use, which the available evidence tells us should be discontinued.
Australasian sky islands act as a diversity pump facilitating peripheral speciation and complex reversal from narrow endemic to widespread ecological supertramp
Authors: Toussaint Emmanuel F. A. , Sagata Katayo , Surbakti Suriani , Hendrich Lars , Balke Michael 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe Australasian archipelago is biologically extremely diverse as a result of a highly puzzling geological and biological evolution. Unveiling the underlying mechanisms has never been more attainable as molecular phylogenetic and geological methods improve, and has become a research priority considering increasing human‐mediated loss of biodiversity. However, studies of finer scaled evolutionary patterns remain rare particularly for megadiverse Melanesian biota. While oceanic islands have received some attention in the region, likewise insular mountain blocks that serve as species pumps remain understudied, even though Australasia, for example, features some of the most spectacular tropical alpine habitats in the World. Here, we sequenced almost 2 kb of mitochondrialDNAfrom the widespread diving beetleRhantus suturalisfrom across Australasia and the Indomalayan Archipelago, including remote New Guinean highlands. Based on expert taxonomy with a multigene phylogenetic backbone study, and combining molecular phylogenetics, phylogeography, divergence time estimation, and historical demography, we recover comparably low geographic signal, but complex phylogenetic relationships and population structure withinR. suturalis. Four narrowly endemic New Guinea highland species are subordinated and two populations (New Guinea, New Zealand) seem to constitute cases of ongoing speciation. We reveal repeated colonization of remote mountain chains where haplotypes out of a core clade of very widespread haplotypes syntopically might occur with well‐isolated ones. These results are corroborated by a Pleistocene origin approximately 2.4 Ma ago, followed by a sudden demographic expansion 600,000 years ago that may have been initiated through climatic adaptations. This study is a snapshot of the early stages of lineage diversification by peripatric speciation in Australasia, and supports New Guinea sky islands as cradles of evolution, in line with geological evidence suggesting very recent origin of high altitudes in the region.
Bioaccumulation, toxicokinetics, and effects of copper from sediment spiked with aqueous Cu, nano-CuO, or micro-CuO in the deposit-feeding snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum
Authors: Pang Chengfang , Selck Henriette , Banta Gary T. , Misra Superb K. , Berhanu Deborah , Dybowska Agnieszka , Valsami-Jones Eugenia , Forbes Valery E. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

The present study examined the relative importance of copper (aqueous Cu and CuO particles of different sizes) added to sediment to determine the bioaccumulation, toxicokinetics, and effects in the deposit feeder Potamopyrgus antipodarum. In experiment 1, the bioaccumulation of Cu (240 µg Cu/g dry wt of sediment) added as aqueous Cu (CuCl2), nano- (6 nm, 100 nm), or micro- (&lt;5 µm) CuO particles in adult snails was measured. In experiment 2, a more comprehensive analysis of the toxicokinetics of Cu (aqueous Cu, 6 nm, or 100 nm) was conducted. In experiment 3, the effects of Cu form (aqueous Cu and 6 nm CuO) on juvenile growth and survival at 0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 µg Cu/g dry weight sediment were assessed. Snails took up less of the 5-µm CuO particles than nano-CuO or aqueous Cu. A substantial fraction of Cu taken up was associated with shell, and this was rapidly lost when snails were transferred to clean sediment. Net uptake rates from sediment amended with 6 nm CuO and aqueous Cu were significantly higher (∼40–50%) than from sediment amended with 100 nm CuO. During 2 wk of depuration, there were no significant differences in depuration rates (kd) among forms (aqueous Cu: kd = −0.12 wk−1; 6 nm CuO: kd = −0.22 wk−1; 100 nm CuO: kd = −0.2 wk−1). Average juvenile growth was reduced by 0.11 mm (41%) at measured exposure concentrations of 127.2 µg Cu/g dry weight sediment for aqueous Cu and 71.9 µg Cu/g dry weight sediment for 6 nm CuO compared with control; however, differences between forms were not statistically significant. Juvenile snails in the highest exposure concentrations (aqueous Cu and 6-nm CuO groups pooled) reduced their growth by 0.18 mm on average (67%) compared with the control group. Although we observed minor differences in toxicity among Cu forms, effects on juvenile snail growth occurred at bulk sediment concentrations lower than those in the Canadian interim sediment quality guidelines. Characterization of the CuO particles showed that particle size distributions of commercially prepared particles deviated substantially from the manufacturers' specifications and highlighted the importance of fully characterizing particles when using them in toxicity tests. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:1561–1573. © 2013 SETAC
Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy as primary treatment for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: May James T. , Rao Nikhil , Sabater Roberto D. , Boutrid Hinda , Caudell Jimmy J. , Merchant Faisal , Han Gang , Padhya Tapan A. , McCaffrey Judith C. , Tanvetyanon Tawee , Deconti Ronald , Kish Julie , McCaffrey Thomas V. , Trotti Andy 
Published: March 2013

BackgroundOver the past decade, intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has gained widespread use in the treatment of head and neck cancer.MethodsAll patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx treated with primary IMRT with or without chemotherapy over a 5‐year period were reviewed. Outcomes and morbidity were analyzed and compared with previously published data.ResultsIn all, 170 patients were included in the analysis. The 3‐year local control, locoregional control, disease‐free survival, and overall survival rates were 92%, 91%, 80%, and 87%, respectively. Feeding tubes were present in 55% of patients during treatment, but remained in only 1% 2 years following treatment.ConclusionsThis study confirms that IMRT yields excellent treatment outcomes for oropharyngeal carcinoma. Although acute toxicity remains a problem, late toxicity rates are low and long‐term feeding tube dependence is rare compared with conventional radiation therapy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: 1796–1800, 2013
Catalyzing Inspirational Leadership: Aproaches and Metrics for Twenty‐First‐Century Executives
Authors: Seidman Dov 
Published: March 2013

AbstractSeidman believes that in order to become the most successful and inspirational, leaders must fundamentally change the way they operate. Strong values will both catalyze and support new behaviors among their followers, ultimately leading to the still‐rare status of organizational self‐governance. Seidman's company, LRN, developed the HOW Report, which analyzed how areas such as leadership, governance, and culture affected performance worldwide. Only 3 percent have reached self‐governance, where a company is “built on a purpose‐driven mission, guided by values and permeated with trust.” Besides these three areas, he suggests concentrating on rethinking fundamentals, being deliberate about culture change, and embracing transparency.
Lost and Found in a Brave New World
Authors: Wheatley Margaret (Meg) 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWheatley contends that as a global culture, we are essentially lost in an unsatisfying world of “hyper speed, hyper stress, and hyper irrationality.” Yet many may not recognize being lost, because they first deny it is happening. She suggests that leaders must create new maps, which first entails admitting that we are lost, in order to create something new and better. This leads to an ongoing process of experimentation, reflecting and learning, and taking in new information and diverse perspectives. The process “needs to be a collective recognition, not just an announcement by the leader.”
Estimation of single‐kidney glomerular filtration rate without exogenous contrast agent
Authors: He Xiang , Aghayev Ayaz , Gumus Serter , Bae K. Ty 
Published: March 2013

PurposeMeasurement of single‐kidney filtration fraction and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) without exogenous contrast is clinically important to assess renal function and pathophysiology, especially for patients with comprised renal function. The objective of this study is to develop a novel MR‐based tool for noninvasive quantification of renal function using conventional MR arterial spin labeling water as endogenous tracer.Theory and MethodsThe regional differentiation of the arterial spin labeling water between the glomerular capsular space and the renal parenchyma was characterized and measured according to their MR relaxation properties (T1ρ or T2), and applied to the estimation of filtration fraction and single‐kidney GFR. The proposed approach was tested to quantify GFR in healthy volunteers at baseline and after a protein‐loading challenge.ResultsBiexponential decay of the cortical arterial spin labeling water MR signal was observed. The major component decays the same as parenchyma water; the minor component decays much slower as expected from glomerular ultra‐filtrates. The mean single‐kidney GFR was estimated to be 49 ± 9 mL/min at baseline and increased by 28% after a protein‐loading challenge.ConclusionWe developed an arterial spin labeling‐based MR imaging method that allows us to estimate renal filtration fraction and singe‐kidney GFR without use of exogenous contrast. Magn Reson Med 71:257–266, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of backbone moiety in epoxies on thermal conductivity of epoxy/alumina composite
Authors: Giang Thanhkieu , Park Jaeman , Cho Inhee , Ko Youngjun , Kim Jinhwan 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe chose two commercial epoxies, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) and 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethyl‐4,4′‐biphenol diglycidyl ether (TMBP), and synthesized one liquid crystalline epoxy (LCE), 4′4′‐bis(4‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐diaminophenylene diglycidyl ether (LCE‐DP) to investigate the effect of backbone moiety in epoxies on the thermal conductivity of epoxy/alumina composite. The DGEBA structure shows an amorphous state and the TMBP structure displays a crystal phase, whereas the LCE‐DP structure exhibits a liquid crystalline phase. The curing behaviors of them were examined employing 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) as a curing agent. The heat of curing of epoxy resin was measured with dynamic differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Alumina (Al2O3) of commercial source was applied as an inorganic filler. Thermal conductivity was measured by laser flash method and compared with value predicted by two theoretical models, Lewis‐Nielsen and Agari‐Uno. The results indicated that the thermal conductivity of the LCE‐DP structure was larger than that of the commercial epoxy resins such as TMBP and DGEBA and the experimental data fitted quite well in the values estimated by Agari‐Uno model. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Post curing effect of poly epoxy on visco‐elastic and mechanical properties of different sandwich structures
Authors: Khan Laraib Alam , Mahmood Ali Hasan , Khan Zaffar 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPoly epoxy is a high performance room temperature cured epoxy system which provides excellent physical and mechanical properties. However, the effects of post curing of this resin system on the properties of different sandwich structures are unknown. This study aims to evaluate the effect of post curing (at 70°C for 2 hr) on the edgewise compressive and flexural strengths of a sandwich structure, constructed with Styrofoam and honeycomb as core materials and a plain weave carbon fabric as face sheet. Tested factors evaluated from edgewise compressive tests were as follows: peak load, compressive strength, and crash energy absorption of sandwich structures while core shear stress and bending stress of sandwich structures were determined and compared with flexural tests. It was observed that post curing affects significantly on the bending and compressive strengths of the sandwich structures. However, the data obtained for crash energy absorption suggested that the effect of post curing on the core shear strength and the total deflection was statistically insignificant. The matrix polymer was also inspected using dynamic‐mechanical thermal analysis to assess the changes in glass transition temperature and degree of conversion due to post cure. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Clinical and Financial Impact of Pharmacy Services in the Intensive Care Unit: Pharmacist and Prescriber Perceptions
Authors: MacLaren Robert , Brett McQueen R. , Campbell Jon 
Published: March 2013

Study ObjectiveTo compare pharmacist and prescriber perceptions of the clinical and financial outcomes of pharmacy services in the intensive care unit (ICU).DesignICU pharmacists were invited to participate in the survey and were asked to invite two ICU prescriber colleagues to complete questionnaires.SettingICUs with clinical pharmacy services.MethodsThe questionnaires were designed to solicit frequency, efficiency, and perceptions about the clinical and financial impact (on a 10‐point scale) of pharmacy services including patient care (eight functions), education (three functions), administration (three functions), and scholarship (four functions). Basic services were defined as fundamental, and higher‐level services were categorized as desirable or optimal. Respondents were asked to suggest possible sources of funding and reimbursement for ICU pharmacy services.ResultsEighty packets containing one 26‐item pharmacy questionnaire and two 16‐item prescriber questionnaires were distributed to ICU pharmacists. Forty‐one pharmacists (51%) and 46 prescribers (29%) returned questionnaires. Pharmacists had worked in the ICU for 8.3 ± 6.4 years and devoted 50.3 ± 18.7% of their efforts to clinical practice. Prescribers generally rated the impact of pharmacy services more favorably than pharmacists. Fundamental services were provided more frequently and were rated more positively than desirable or optimal services across both groups. The percent efficiencies of providing services without the pharmacist ranged between 40% and 65%. Both groups indicated that salary support for the pharmacist should come from hospital departments of pharmacy or critical care or colleges of pharmacy. Prescribers were more likely to consider other sources of funding for pharmacist salaries. Both groups supported reimbursement of clinical pharmacy services.ConclusionCritical care pharmacy activities were associated with perceptions of beneficial clinical and financial outcomes. Prescribers valued most services more than pharmacists. Fundamental services were viewed more favorably than desirable or optimal services, possibly because they occurred more frequently or were required for safe patient care. Substantial inefficiencies may occur if pharmacy services disappeared. Considerable support existed for funding and reimbursement of critical care pharmacy services.
Nephrotoxicity in Patients with Vancomycin Trough Concentrations of 15–20 μg/ml in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Cies Jeffrey J. , Shankar Venkat 
Published: March 2013

Study ObjectivesTo determine if a higher serum vancomycin (Vt) target trough concentration of 15–20 μg/ml or greater is associated with an increased rate of vancomycin‐induced nephrotoxicity in children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and to determine risk factors for developing vancomycin‐induced nephrotoxicity.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingA PICU within a freestanding tertiary care pediatric hospital.PatientsA total of 113 patients received vancomycin for at least 48 hours The high–trough cohort (H group [57 patients]) received vancomycin therapy between November 2008 and June 2009 for pneumonia, bacteremia, or meningitis that was managed by a clinical pharmacist who directed dosage adjustments driven by a novel algorithm to attain a target Vt concentration of 15–20 μg/ml or greater; the control group (C group [56 patients]) received vancomycin therapy during the preceding 10 months (between January and October 2008) for pneumonia or meningitis using standard dosing guidelines with lower target Vt concentrations of 5–15 μg/ml.Measurements and Main ResultsThe highest grade of renal dysfunction according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events criteria, v.4.0, was recorded. The mean ± SD Vt was 17.8 ± 3.1 and 8.4 ± 3.1 in the H and C groups, respectively (p<0.001). The rate of grade 1 nephrotoxicity was not significantly different between groups (8.8% in the H group vs 5.4% in the C group; p=0.72). No patient in either group developed a higher grade of renal dysfunction. In the univariable analysis, duration of vancomycin therapy (odds ratio [OR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.02, p=0.003), use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.13–1.75, p=0.003), and vasopressor use (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.11–1.37, p<0.001) were associated with nephrotoxicity. In the multivariable analysis, vasopressor use (OR 11.1, 95% CI 1.4–85, p=0.021) and duration of therapy were associated with nephrotoxicity (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04–1.37, p=0.011).ConclusionOur observations suggest that maintaining Vt concentrations 15 µg/ml or greater is not associated with an increased rate of nephrotoxicity in a PICU population.
Quantum phase transitions in heavy fermion metals and Kondo insulators
Authors: Si Qimiao , Paschen Silke 
Published: March 2013

AbstractStrongly correlated electron systems at the border of magnetism are of active current interest, particularly because the accompanying quantum criticality provides a route towards both strange‐metal non‐Fermi liquid behavior and unconventional superconductivity. Among the many important questions is whether the magnetism acts simply as a source of fluctuations in the textbook Landau framework, or instead serves as a proxy for some unexpected new physics. We put into this general context the recent developments on quantum phase transitions in antiferromagnetic (AF) heavy fermion metals. Among these are the extensive recent theoretical and experimental studies on the physics of Kondo destruction in a class of beyond‐Landau quantum critical points (QCPs). Also discussed are the theoretical basis for a global phase diagram of AF heavy fermion metals, and the recent surge of materials suitable for studying this phase diagram. Furthermore, we address the generalization of this global phase diagram to the case of Kondo insulators, and consider the future prospect to study the interplay among Kondo coherence, magnetism, and topological states. Finally, we touch upon related issues beyond the AF settings, arising in mixed valent, ferromagnetic, quadrupolar, or spin glass f‐electron systems, as well as some general issues on emergent phases near QCPs.
Structural, electronic and magnetic properties of quaternary half‐metallic Heusler alloy CoFeCrAl
Authors: Nehra Jagdish , Sudheesh V. D. , Lakshmi N. , Venugopalan K. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe have investigated the structural, electronic and magnetic properties in quaternary CoFeCrAl Heusler alloy. Rietveld refinement and Mössbauer spectroscopy of samples quenched from 973 K show absence of the A2 phase and presence of a highly ordered B2‐type structure. Full‐potential linearized augmented plane wave calculations using the experimental lattice constant show that there is an energy gap of 0.41 eV around the Fermi level in the bands for minority spin electrons. Partial substitution of Co by Fe in Co2CrAl thus brings excellent structural ordering while retaining the high Curie temperature, spontaneous magnetization and half‐metallicity necessary for application as spin valves. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)