bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Enantiomeric Aminoalkylcarbamoylphosphonates and Their Evaluation as Dual‐Action Anticancer MMP and Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Authors: Veerendhar Ainelly , Cohen Shmuel , Frant Julia , Supuran Claudiu T. , Reich Reuven , Breuer Eli
Published: January 2015

Carbamoylphosphonates (CPOs) have recently been identified as extracellular in vivo active inhibitors of the cancer and metastasis‐promoting extracellular enzymes, carbonic anhydrases (CAs) IX and XII, and matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2). This article describes the stereoselective synthesis and the evaluation of the biological properties of a pair of enantiomeric aminoalkylcarbamoylphosphonates, which have been enantioselectively synthesized from l‐serine, using functional group‐transformations. The structures of the enantiomeric products have been determined by X‐ray crystallography. The enantiomeric purities of compounds have been confirmed by chiral shift reagent NMR experiments and by circular dichroism. In vitro evaluation of the CPOs synthesized revealed that they possess micromolar IC50 inhibitory action against CAIX and CAXII. The two enantiomers as well as the racemic or optically inactive ones do not differ by any significant extent from previously reported CPOs’ CA inhibitory values. On the other hand, MMPs inhibitory activities are rather weak; only MMP‐2 showed a notable IC50 value.
Soil moisture dynamics across landscape types in an arid inland river basin of Northwest China
Authors: Liu Hu , Zhao Wenzhi , He Zhibin , Liu Jintao
Published: January 2015

A combination of field measurements, continuous monitoring and numerical modelling was used to evaluate soil moisture regimes at four sites across a landscape gradient of the Heihe River Basin. Recorded data of precipitation, irrigation and floods were used to build the model, and an optimization technique was employed to calibrate the parameters. Based on the optimized parameters and estimates of future scenarios, the modelling structure was employed to predict the changes in the growing season soil moisture regimes due to climate change and intensive management. The results suggest that the upper‐reach Yeniugou and Xishui sites will become wetter because of alterations in the precipitation regime, and this trend could be strengthened by the expected amplified interannual variability. Precipitation features at middle‐reach Linze and lower‐reach Ejina, however, are not expected to change in the future. We assumed that a more water‐saving irrigation system will replace the current traditional one, and hence, the soil moisture probability density function at the Linze site would tend to be narrowed to ranges around either the wilting point or the point of incipient water stress, depending on how the intervention point and target level are settled. Ejina is expected to experience the most extreme ecological conversion effects in the future, and soil moisture would be more frequently recharged by water delivery. However, the soil moisture regime would not change much because of the poor water‐holding capacity and intensive evaporation. The revealed patterns and predicted shifts in soil moisture dynamics could provide a useful reference for identifying robust long‐term water resource management strategies for the Heihe River Basin. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Socio‐economic Status (SES) Affects Infants' Selective Exploration
Authors: Tacke Nicholas F. , Bailey Lillian S. , Clearfield Melissa W.
Published: January 2015

Infants change their behaviours in accordance with the objects they are exploring. They also tailor their exploratory actions to the physical context. This selectivity of exploratory actions represents a foundational cognitive skill that underlies higher‐level cognitive processes. The present study compared the development of selective exploratory behaviours in high and low socio‐economic status (SES) infants. Sixty‐one 6–8‐ and 10–12‐month‐old infants were presented with rigid and flexible cubes on a tray that was half rigid and half flexible. There were SES effects for each category of exploratory behaviours: object only, surface only and object–surface interactions. Low‐SES infants engaged in comparable amounts of exploratory behaviours with high‐SES infants, but they exhibited behaviours less conducive to information uptake, compared with high‐SES infants. The results suggest difficulty for low‐SES infants in transitioning to more mature exploration strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Colorimetric Detection of Small Molecules by a Frustrated Lewis Pair Containing a Phosphorus‐Functionalized CycloheptatrienylCyclopentadienyl Titanium Sandwich Complex
Authors: Theuergarten Eileen , Tagne Kuate Alain C. , Freytag Matthias , Tamm Matthias
Published: January 2015

The phosphorus‐functionalized cycloheptatrienylcyclopentadienyl (ChtCp) titanium sandwich complex [(η7‐C7H7)Ti(η5‐C5H4PtBu2)] (7) forms a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) in combination with the borane B(C6F5)3, and this FLP undergoes heterolytic cleavage of dihydrogen and fixation of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide with a noticeable colorimetric response, which is visible to the naked eye. In their UV/Vis spectra, the H2, CO2 and N2O fixation products exhibit a bathochromic shift of the absorption band that can be assigned to a HOMOLUMO excitation of the ChtCp titanium (troticene) moiety.
A Flexible Approach to Semantic Annotation Systems for Web Content
Authors: Fiorelli Manuel , Pazienza Maria Teresa , Stellato Armando
Published: January 2015

In this paper we propose a flexible approach that supports heterogeneous requirements on systems for the semantic annotation of web content. The flexibility of the approach originates from a model based on the definition of abstract events, which captures at the logical level the main interactions occurring in a system for combined management of ontologies and web content. Application‐specific semantics is then provided operationally as an assignment of handlers to these events. While the abstract events are rather coarse‐grained to reduce prior commitment, preconditions on the handlers express application‐specific distinctions based on contextual information associated with each specific event. Although the possibility to define completely new handlers guarantees the generality of our approach, we foster convention over configuration by providing a set of default handlers, which can be customized by filling their extension points. The use of customizable handlers, whether or not the default ones, reduces the development effort and guarantees consistent user experience despite evolving requirements. A comprehensive framework for semantic annotation of web content has been realized and will be hereafter introduced. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface topography, hardness, and frictional properties of GFRP for esthetic orthodontic wires
Authors: Inami Toshihiro , Tanimoto Yasuhiro , Yamaguchi Masaru , Shibata Yo , Nishiyama Norihiro , Kasai Kazutaka
Published: January 2015

In our previous study, glass‐fiber‐reinforced plastics (GFRPs) made from polycarbonate and glass fiber for esthetic orthodontic wires were prepared by using pultrusion. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the surface topography, hardness, and frictional properties of GFRPs. To investigate how fiber diameter affects surface properties, GFRP round wires with a diameter of 0.45 mm (0.018 in.) were prepared incorporating either 13 μm (GFRP‐13) or 7 μm (GFRP‐7) glass fibers. As controls, stainless steel (SS), cobalt‐chromium‐nickel alloy, β‐titanium (β‐Ti) alloy, and nickel‐titanium (NiTi) alloy were also evaluated. Under scanning electron microscopy and scanning probe microscopy, the β‐Ti samples exhibited greater surface roughness than the other metallic wires and the GFRP wires. The dynamic hardness and elastic modulus of GFRP wires obtained by the dynamic micro‐indentation method were much lower than those of metallic wires (p < 0.05). Frictional forces against the polymeric composite brackets of GFRP‐13 and GFRP‐7 were 3.45 ± 0.49 and 3.60 ± 0.38 N, respectively; frictional forces against the ceramic brackets of GFRP‐13 and GFRP‐7 were 3.39 ± 0.58 and 3.87 ± 0.48 N, respectively. For both bracket types, frictional forces of GFRP wires and NiTi wire were nearly half as low as those of SS, CoCr, and β‐Ti wires. In conclusion, there was no significant difference in surface properties between GFRP‐13 and GFRP‐7; presumably because both share the same polycarbonate matrix. We expect that GFRP wires will deliver superior sliding mechanics with low frictional resistance between the wire and bracket during orthodontic treatment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 88–95, 2016.
Deficits in Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture in Young Women With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Abdalrahaman Naiemh , McComb Christie , Foster John E , McLean John , Lindsay Robert S , McClure John , McMillan Martin , Drummond Russell , Gordon Derek , McKay Gerard A , Shaikh M Guftar , Perry Colin G , Ahmed S Faisal
Published: January 2015

The pathophysiological mechanism of increased fractures in young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is unclear. We conducted a case-control study of trabecular bone microarchitecture and vertebral marrow adiposity in young women with T1DM. Thirty women with T1DM with a median age (range) age of 22.0 years (16.9, 36.1) attending one outpatient clinic with a median age at diagnosis of 9.7 years (0.46, 14.8) were compared with 28 age-matched healthy women who acted as controls. Measurements included MRI-based assessment of proximal tibial bone volume/total volume (appBV/TV), trabecular separation (appTb.Sp), vertebral bone marrow adiposity (BMA), and abdominal adipose tissue and biochemical markers of GH/IGF-1 axis (IGF-1, IGFBP3, ALS) and bone turnover. Median appBV/TV in cases and controls was 0.3 (0.22, 0.37) and 0.33 (0.26, 0.4), respectively (p = 0.018) and median appTb.Sp in T1DM was 2.59 (2.24, 3.38) and 2.32 (2.03, 2.97), respectively (p = 0.012). The median appBV/TV was 0.28 (0.22, 0.33) in those cases with retinopathy (n = 15) compared with 0.33 (0.25, 0.37) in those without retinopathy (p = 0.02). Although median visceral adipose tissue in cases was higher than in controls at 5733 mm3 (2030, 11,144) and 3460 mm3 (1808, 6832), respectively (p = 0.012), there was no difference in median BMA, which was 31.1% (9.9, 59.9) and 26.3% (8.5, 49.8) in cases and controls, respectively (p = 0.2). Serum IGF-1 and ALS were also lower in cases, and the latter showed an inverse association to appTbSp (r = –0.30, p = 0.04). Detailed MRI studies in young women with childhood-onset T1DM have shown clear deficits in trabecular microarchitecture of the tibia. Underlying pathophysiological mechanisms may include a microvasculopathy. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
What do hospitalists think about inpatient mammography for hospitalized women who are overdue for their breast cancer screening?
Authors: Khaliq Waseem , Howell Eric E , Wright Scott M.
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

A recent study showed that many hospitalized women are nonadherent with breast cancer screening recommendations, and that a majority of these women would be amenable to inpatient screening if it were offered.

OBJECTIVE

Explore hospitalists' views about the appropriateness of inpatient breast cancer screening and their concerns about related matters.

METHODS

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 4 hospitalist groups affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medical Institution. χ2 and t‐test statistics were used to identify hospitalist characteristics that were associated with being supportive of inpatient screening mammography.

RESULTS

The response rate was 92%. Sixty‐two percent of respondents believed that hospitalists should not be involved in breast cancer screening. In response to clinical scenarios describing hospitalized women who were overdue for screening, only one‐third of hospitalists said that they would order a screening mammogram. Lack of follow‐up on screening mammography results was cited as the most common concern related to ordering the test.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility and potential barriers associated with inpatient screening mammography. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:242–245. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Keep that magic going in 2015!
Authors: Venditti Ellen Grady
Published: January 2015

Greetings and welcome to ASHRM's 35th anniversary year! As I begin my term as president, I acknowledge and appreciate the richness and depth of our organization's history and value the wisdom of our many members and volunteers who have been actively involved in ASHRM from the beginning, as well as those of us who haven't been around that long!
Rebalancing risk management—Part 2: The Active Risk Control (ARC) Toolkit
Authors: Card Alan J. , Ward James R. , Clarkson P. John
Published: January 2015

The adoption of systems‐focused risk assessment techniques has not led to measurable improvement in the rate of patient harm. Why? In part, because these tools focus solely on understanding problems and provide no direct support for designing and managing solutions (ie, risk control). This second installment of a 2‐part series on rebalancing risk management describes a structured approach to bridging this gap: The Active Risk Control (ARC) Toolkit. A pilot study is presented to show how the ARC Toolkit can improve the quality of risk management practice.
Motion artifacts in MRI: A complex problem with many partial solutions
Authors: Zaitsev Maxim , Maclaren Julian , Herbst Michael
Published: January 2015

Subject motion during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been problematic since its introduction as a clinical imaging modality. While sensitivity to particle motion or blood flow can be used to provide useful image contrast, bulk motion presents a considerable problem in the majority of clinical applications. It is one of the most frequent sources of artifacts. Over 30 years of research have produced numerous methods to mitigate or correct for motion artifacts, but no single method can be applied in all imaging situations. Instead, a “toolbox” of methods exists, where each tool is suitable for some tasks, but not for others. This article reviews the origins of motion artifacts and presents current mitigation and correction methods. In some imaging situations, the currently available motion correction tools are highly effective; in other cases, appropriate tools still need to be developed. It seems likely that this multifaceted approach will be what eventually solves the motion sensitivity problem in MRI, rather than a single solution that is effective in all situations. This review places a strong emphasis on explaining the physics behind the occurrence of such artifacts, with the aim of aiding artifact detection and mitigation in particular clinical situations. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:887–901.
Tibiofemoral contact mechanics following a horizontal cleavage lesion in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus
Authors: Arno Sally , Bell Christopher P. , Uquillas Carlos , Borukhov Ilya , Walker Peter S.
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine if a horizontal cleavage lesion (HCL) of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus would result in changes to tibiofemoral contact mechanics, as measured by peak contact pressure and contact area, which can lead to cartilage degeneration. To study this, 10 cadaveric knees were tested in a rig where forces were applied (500 N Compression, 100 N shear, 2.5 Nm Torque) and the knee dynamically flexed from −5° to 135°, as peak contact pressure and contact area were recorded. After testing of the intact knee, a horizontal cleavage lesion was created arthroscopically and testing repeated. The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to determine if there were differences in peak contact pressure and contact area between the intact knee and that with the HCL. A statistically significant increase in peak contact pressure of 13%, on average, and a decrease in contact area of 6%, on average, was noted following the HCL. This suggests that a horizontal cleavage lesion will result in small but statistically significant changes in tibiofemoral contact mechanics which may lead to cartilage degeneration. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:584–590, 2015.
Collagen gel contraction as a measure of fibroblast function in an animal model of subsynovial connective tissue fibrosis
Authors: Yang Tai‐Hua , Thoreson Andrew R. , Gingery Anne , Larson Dirk R. , Passe Sandra M. , An Kai‐Nan , Zhao Chunfeng , Amadio Peter C.
Published: January 2015

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a peripheral neuropathy characterized by non‐inflammatory fibrosis of the subsynovial connective tissues (SSCT). A rabbit model of CTS was developed to test the hypothesis that SSCT fibrosis causes the neuropathy. We used a cell‐seeded collagen‐gel contraction model to characterize the fibrosis in this model in terms of cellular mechanics, specifically to compare the ability of SSCT cells from the rabbit model and normal rabbits to contract the gel, and to assess the effect of transforming growth factor‐β1,which is upregulated in CTS, on these cells. SSCT fibrosis was induced in six retired breeder female rabbits which were sacrificed at 6 weeks (N = 3) and 12 weeks (n = 3). An additional two rabbits served as controls. SSCT was harvested according to a standard protocol. Gels seeded with SSCT cells from rabbits sacrificed at 6 weeks had significantly higher tensile strength (p < 0.001) and Young's modulus (p < 0.001) than gels seeded with cells from rabbits sacrificed at 12 weeks or control animals. TGF‐β1 significantly increased the decay time constant (p < 0.001), tensile strength (p < 0.001), and Young's modulus (p < 0.001) regardless of the cell source. This model may be useful in screening therapeutic agents that may block SSCT fibrosis, identifying possible candidates for CTS treatment. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:668–674, 2015.
Botulinum toxin is detrimental to repair of a chronic rotator cuff tear in a rabbit model
Authors: Gilotra Mohit , Nguyen Thao , Christian Matthew , Davis Derik , Henn R. Frank , Hasan Syed Ashfaq
Published: January 2015

Re‐tear continues to be a problem after rotator cuff repair. Intramuscular botulinum toxin (Botox) injection can help optimize tension at the repair site to promote healing but could have an adverse effect on the degenerated muscle in a chronic tear. We hypothesized that Botox injection would improve repair characteristics without adverse effect on the muscle in a chronic rotator cuff tear model. The supraspinatus tendon of both shoulders in 14 rabbits underwent delayed repair 12 weeks after transection. One shoulder was treated with intramuscular Botox injection and the other with a saline control injection. Six weeks after repair, outcomes were based on biomechanics, histology, and magnetic resonance imaging. Botox‐treated repairs were significantly weaker (2.64 N) than control repairs (5.51 N, p = 0.03). Eighty percent of Botox‐treated repairs and 40% of control repairs healed with some partial defect. Fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus was present in all shoulders (Goutallier Grade 3 or 4) but was increased in the setting of Botox. This study provides additional support for the rabbit supraspinatus model of chronic cuff tear, showing consistent fatty infiltration. Contrary to our hypothesis, Botox had a negative effect on repair strength and might increase fatty infiltration. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1152–1157, 2015.
Type III collagen modulates fracture callus bone formation and early remodeling
Authors: Miedel Emily L. , Brisson Becky K. , Hamilton Todd , Gleason Hadley , Swain Gary P. , Lopas Luke , Dopkin Derek , Perosky Joseph E. , Kozloff Kenneth M. , Hankenson Kurt D. , Volk Susan W.
Published: January 2015

Type III collagen (Col3) has been proposed to play a key role in tissue repair based upon its temporospatial expression during the healing process of many tissues, including bone. Given our previous finding that Col3 regulates the quality of cutaneous repair, as well as our recent data supporting its role in regulating osteoblast differentiation and trabecular bone quantity, we hypothesized that mice with diminished Col3 expression would exhibit altered long‐bone fracture healing. To determine the role of Col3 in bone repair, young adult wild‐type (Col3+/+) and haploinsufficent (Col3+/−) mice underwent bilateral tibial fractures. Healing was assessed 7, 14, 21, and 28 days following fracture utilizing microcomputed tomography (microCT), immunohistochemistry, and histomorphometry. MicroCT analysis revealed a small but significant increase in bone volume fraction in Col3+/− mice at day 21. However, histological analysis revealed that Col3+/− mice have less bone within the callus at days 21 and 28, which is consistent with the established role for Col3 in osteogenesis. Finally, a reduction in fracture callus osteoclastic activity in Col3+/− mice suggests Col3 also modulates callus remodeling. Although Col3 haploinsufficiency affected biological aspects of bone repair, it did not affect the regain of mechanical function in the young mice that were evaluated in this study. These findings provide evidence for a modulatory role for Col3 in fracture repair and support further investigations into its role in impaired bone healing. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:675–684, 2015.
Universal method for the determination of nonionic surfactant content in the presence of protein
Authors: Wei Ziping , Bilbulian Susanna , Li Jingning , Pandey Ratnesh , O'Connor Ellen , Casas‐Finet Jose , Cash Patricia W.
Published: January 2015

A new analytical method has been developed for the quantitative determination of ethylene glycol‐containing nonionic surfactants, such as polyethylene glycol 8000, polysorbate 80, and Pluronic F‐68. These surfactants are commonly used in pharmaceutical protein preparations, thus, testing in the presence of protein is required. This method is based on the capillary gas chromatographic analysis of ethylene glycol diacetate formed by hydrolysis and acetylation of surfactants that contain ethylene glycol. Protein samples containing free surfactants were hydrolyzed and acetylated with acetic anhydride in the presence of p‐toluene sulfonic acid. Acetylated ethylene glycol was extracted with dichloromethane and analyzed by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector. The amount of nonionic surfactant in the sample was determined by comparing the released ethylene glycol diacetate signal to that measured from calibration standards. The limits of quantitation of the method were 5.0 μg/mL for polyethylene glycol 8000 and Pluronic F‐68, and 50 μg/mL for polysorbate 80. This method can be applied to determine the polyethylene glycol content in PEGylated proteins or the final concentration of polysorbate 80 in a protein drug in a quality control environment.
Determination of thymopentin in beagle dog blood by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and its application to a preclinical pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Shi Meiyun , Yang Yan , Zhou Xiaotong , Cai Lanlan , Fang Chunxue , Wang Can , Sun Heping , Sun Yantong , Gao Yin , Gu Jingkai , Fawcett J. Paul
Published: January 2015

The pentapeptide thymopentin (Arg‐Lys‐Asp‐Val‐Tyr, RKDVY) corresponds to amino acids 32–36 of the 49 amino acid immunomodulatory polypeptide, thymopoietin, whose biological activity is partially reproduced. Thymopentin is widely used in the clinic and represents a promising target for drug design but bioanalytical and pharmacokinetic data are limited due to its enzymatic instability. This paper reports a rapid and sensitive method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of thymopentin in beagle dog blood. To inactivate peptidases and stabilize thymopentin, acetonitrile was added to blood samples immediately after collection followed by addition of stable isotope‐labeled thymopentin as internal standard and washing with dichloromethane. Chromatography was carried out on an Ascentis Express Peptide ES‐C18 column using gradient elution with methanol and aqueous 0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. Positive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with selected reaction monitoring achieved linearity in the range of 1.5–800 ng/mL with good accuracy/precision and minimal matrix effects. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in beagle dogs after intravenous administration of 0.2 mg/kg thymopentin.
Rapid extraction and analysis method for the simultaneous determination of 21 bioflavonoids in Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino
Authors: Yao Yaqi , Liang Xiao , Sun Xiaoqi , Yin Lina , He Hai , Guo Xingjie , Jiang Zhen
Published: January 2015

A novel and rapid microwave extraction and ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole‐linear ion trap mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of 21 bioflavonoids in Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino. The optimal conditions for the extraction of flavonoids from Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino involved the use of methanol as the extraction solvent, a microwave temperature of 70°C, an extraction time of 11 min, and a solvent‐to‐solid ratio of 40 mL/g. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column(100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) with a gradient mobile phase (A: 0.3% v/v aqueous formic acid and B: acetonitrile) at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r > 0.999) within the test ranges. The method developed was validated with acceptable sensitivity, intra‐ and interday precision, reproducibility, and extraction recoveries. The validated method was successfully applied to determine the contents of 21 bioflavonoids in Siegesbeckia pubescens Makino from different sources.
Ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of tetrandrine and fangchinoline in rat plasma after oral administration of Fangji Huangqi Tang and Stephania tetrandra S. Moore extracts
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Liu Xiao , Cai Hao , Pei Ke , Cao Gang , Xu Xiaoyan , Shi Fa , Cai Baochang
Published: January 2015

A rapid, sensitive, and reliable analytical method based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry has been developed for the simultaneous determination of fangchinoline and tetrandrine in rat plasma. Plasma samples were pretreated by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The analysis was performed on a C18 reversed‐phase ultra high performance liquid chromatography column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 3.5 μm, Agilent), and the flow rate was set at 0.4 mL/min. Under the experimental conditions, extraction recoveries from plasma were 68.1–72.8% for fangchinoline and 69.2–76.5% for tetrandrine. The plasma concentrations of tetrandrine and fangchinoline in rats at assigned time points were all successfully detected through exactly validated method. Good linearities were obtained in the range of 0.92–184 ng/mL for tetrandrine and in the range of 0.83–166 ng/mL for fangchinoline. The intra‐ and interday precisions for both analytes were within 11.1% and the accuracies were within the range of –10.7 to 11.3%. The developed method was then successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of these two alkaloids after oral administration of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore extracts and Fangji Huangqi Tang. The comparative results provided a meaningful basis for a better understanding of the practical value of the compatibility theory of traditional Chinese medicine in the clinic.
Development of erbium phosphate doped poly(glycidyl methacrylate/ethylene dimethacrylate) spin columns for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides
Authors: Güzel Yüksel , Rainer Matthias , Messner Christoph B. , Hussain Shah , Meischl Florian , Sasse Michael , Tessadri Richard , Bonn Günther K.
Published: January 2015

In this study, a novel method for the highly selective enrichment of phosphopeptides using erbium phosphate doped poly(glycidyl methacrylate/ethylene dimethacrylate) spin columns is presented. Erbium phosphate was synthesized by precipitation from boiling phosphoric acid and incubated overnight in erbium chloride solutions. The resulting powder was embedded in a monolithic poly(glycidyl methacrylate/ethylene dimethacrylate) polymer. The monolith was synthesized in a spin column by radical polymerization. Erbium phosphate demonstrated a high affinity and selectivity for phosphopeptides due to the strong interaction of trivalent erbium ions with the phosphate groups of phosphopeptides. The high selectivity and performance of the designed spin columns were demonstrated by successfully enriching phosphopeptides from tryptically digested protein mixtures containing the model phosphoproteins α‐ and β‐casein, bovine milk, and human saliva. By the implementation of several washing steps, unspecific components were removed and the enriched phosphopeptides were effectively eluted from the spin columns under alkaline conditions. The selective performance of the presented method was further demonstrated by the enrichment of two synthetic phosphopeptides, which were spiked in tryptically digested and dephosphorylated HeLa cell lysates at low ratios. Finally, the presented approach was compared to conventional phosphopeptide enrichment by titanium oxide and revealed higher recoveries for the erbium phosphate doped monoliths.
Training in the Implementation of Prolonged Exposure Therapy: Provider Correlates of Treatment Outcome
Authors: Eftekhari Afsoon , Crowley Jill J. , Ruzek Josef I. , Garvert Donn W. , Karlin Bradley E. , Rosen Craig S.
Published: January 2015

The authors examined the degree to which provider characteristics, such as profession, treatment orientation, prior experience in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), prior experience with prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, and attitudes about PE, were related to the clinical outcomes of veterans receiving care from clinicians participating in the national Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) PE Training Program. Positive patient outcomes were achieved by providers of every profession, theoretical orientation, level of clinical experience treating PTSD, and prior PE training experience. With 1,105 providers and 32 predictors (13 provider variables), power was at least 90% power to detect an effect of β = .15. Profession was the only provider characteristic significantly related to outcomes, but the mean effect (a 2 point difference on the PTSD Checklist) was too small to be clinically meaningful. The results support the intensive training model used in the VA PE training program and demonstrate that clinicians of varying backgrounds can be trained using interactive training workshops followed by case consultation to deliver PE effectively.
The Role of Infrastructure Factors in Knowledge Management Implementation
Authors: Mojibi Toraj , Khojasteh Yacob , Khojasteh‐Ghamari Zohreh
Published: January 2015

This paper studies the role of infrastructure factors in implementing knowledge management in the National Iranian Copper Industries Company (NICICo). We evaluate the readiness level of the company for the implementation of knowledge management processes. Knowledge management readiness presents a measure of the degree to which an organization may be ready, prepared, or willing to obtain the benefits, which arise from implementation of knowledge management processes. We investigate the influence of three basic factors (information technology system, knowledge process, and organizational culture) in implementing knowledge management processes. Data were collected via a survey instrument. The results show that current conditions regarding the three factors are not appropriate for implementing knowledge management in NICICo. Alongside utilizing knowledge management tools and techniques and prior to implementing a new technology, it is necessary to realize these tools and merge them with human resources and with the organizational culture; this is because culture plays a key role in knowledge management implementation. The requirements for successful implementation of knowledge management include gaining a complete understanding of the relevant business culture through the different levels of the organizational hierarchy, as well as identifying vital factors for success. This has not yet been achieved in NICICo. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Ionic bis‐MPA and PAMAM Dendrimers: A Study of Their Biocompatibility and DNA‐Complexation
Authors: Movellan Julie , González‐Pastor Rebeca , Martín‐Duque Pilar , Sierra Teresa , de la Fuente Jesús M. , Serrano José Luis
Published: January 2015

Herein, the synthesis of five novel ionic dendrimers and their evaluation as biological carriers is reported. The compounds include an ionic bis‐MPA dendrimer and four PAMAM dendrimers of different generations decorated with negatively charged hydrophilic chains of 2‐[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]acetic acid as counter ions in order to increase their biocompatibility. The ionic dendrimers derived from bis‐MPA have a low cytotoxicity at 0.5 mg · mL−1 against U251MG and are even less toxic against mesenchymal stem cells; however, the PAMAM derivatives show high cytotoxicity at the same concentration. The five compounds are able to form complexes with plasmid DNA at different N/P ratios. The cytotoxicity and complexation ability of the new dendrimers were also compared with jetPEI, a linear polyethylenimine derivative commercially available as transfection reagent. The results indicate that the cytotoxicity of the ionic PAMAM dendrimers remains as an important drawback, whereas the ionic I‐bis‐MPA compound exhibits a high ability to complex pDNA and very low toxicity compared with jetPEI.
Injectable Hybrid Hydrogels of Hyaluronic Acid Crosslinked by Well‐Defined Synthetic Polycations: Preparation and Characterization In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Cross Daisy , Jiang Xiaoze , Ji Weihang , Han Wenqing , Wang Chun
Published: January 2015

An injectable hybrid hydrogel system was developed consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA) crosslinked by well‐defined block copolymers of the cationic poly(2‐aminoethyl methacrylate) (PAEM) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Robust, shear‐thinning hybrid hydrogel was produced by mixing HA and 4‐arm star PEG‐PAEM block copolymer at 1:1 charge ratio. The encapsulation and release of highly viable human mesenchymal stem cells in physiological media was demonstrated. After subcutaneous injection of the hybrid gel in mice, mild but resolvable inflammatory response was observed. This hybrid gel could serve as a model system for studying structure‐function relationship of polyelectrolyte hydrogels and as a practical injectable biomaterial for medical applications.
Isothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Poly (Ethylene 2,5‐Furandicarboxylate)
Authors: van Berkel Jesper G. , Guigo Nathanaël , Kolstad Jeffrey J. , Sipos Laszlo , Wang Bing , Dam Matheus A. , Sbirrazzuoli Nicolas
Published: January 2015

Poly(ethylene 2,5‐furandicarboxylate) (PEF) is a polyester from ethylene glycol and 2,5‐Furandicarboxylic acid which has gained increasing interest due to its excellent properties compared to chemically similar PET. This paper presents an estimation of the crystallization enthalpy, the crystalline and amorphous density and the crystallization kinetics of PEF. Using Avrami and the Hoffman‐Lauritzen theory, Hoffman‐Lauritzen parameters are proposed that relate crystal growth rate of catalyst‐free PEF to temperature and molecular weight. Characteristic is a higher activation energy for chain diffusion (U*) for PEF compared PET, which can be attributed to more restricted chain conformational changes. Finally, the crystallization rate of PEF is shown to be significantly affected by catalyst type.
Social Control in Online Communities of Consumption: A Framework for Community Management
Authors: Sibai Olivier , de Valck Kristine , Farrell Andrew M. , Rudd John M.
Published: January 2015

Online communities of consumption (OCCs) represent highly diverse groups of consumers whose interests are not always aligned. Social control in OCCs aims to effectively manage problems arising from this heterogeneity. Extant literature on social control in OCCs is fragmented as some studies focus on the principles of social control, while others focus on the implementation. Moreover, the domain is undertheorized. This article integrates the disparate literature on social control in OCCs providing a first unified conceptualization of the topic. The authors conceptualize social control as a system, or configuration, of moderation practices. Moderation practices are executed during interactions operating under different governance structures (market, hierarchy, and clan) and serving different purposes (interaction initiation, maintenance, and termination). From this conceptualization, important areas of future research emerge and research questions are developed. The framework also serves as a community management tool for OCC managers, enabling the diagnosis of social control problems and the elaboration of strategies and tactics to address them.
Motivational Drivers of Content Contribution to Company‐ Versus Consumer‐Hosted Online Communities
Authors: Teichmann Karin , Stokburger‐Sauer Nicola E. , Plank Andreas , Strobl Andreas
Published: January 2015

This research investigates the effect of the type of community host (consumer‐hosted versus company‐hosted communities) in the relationship between motivational drivers and content contribution to online communities. By presenting a typology of motivational drivers of content contribution and classifying prior research on motivational drivers accordingly, this article offers an integrated, in‐depth literature review. Four motivational self‐ versus other‐oriented and extrinsic versus intrinsic drivers were included in an empirical study of three online communities, with more than 800 community members. The results reveal that opinion leadership, self‐presentation, and enjoyment positively affect content contribution; altruism negatively affects content contribution. In company‐hosted online communities, the positive drivers are stronger than in consumer‐hosted online communities. To encourage members’ contribution, community managers should seek to attract opinion leaders, provide room for self‐presentation, and enhance members’ feelings of pleasure and comfort. A qualitativepost hocanalysis also explicates the negative effect of altruism. Overall, this study provides a fruitful basis for several important theoretical and managerial implications.
Brand Communication Success in Online Consumption Communities: An Experimental Analysis of the Effects of Communication Style and Brand Pictorial Representation
Authors: Steinmann Sascha , Mau Gunnar , Schramm‐Klein Hanna
Published: January 2015

Online communities are often focused on consumption‐related consumer interests and offer marketers the opportunity to actively engage and cooperate with consumers, foster customer relationships, and easily spread information about new products and services. In spite of this enormous potential, it is surprising that to date, little is known about how such communities can be designed to positively influence consumers’ evaluation of a brand and further marketing‐related outcome variables. Previous studies have shown that the success of online communities might depend on the communication style that is used to interact with the members as well as on the pictorial representation of the brand within an online community. To gain insights into these and further relationships, the authors conducted an online experiment in an online brand community on a social networking site and analyzed the effects of the communication style and the pictorial representation of the brand on the members’ attitudes toward the brand, their satisfaction with the community, brand recommendation, and brand purchase. The study was conducted over three months, and the participants were surveyed three times during this period. Hence, the present study further analyzed whether the proposed effects will change over time due to the member's participation in the community. The results show that communication style and brand pictorial representation in an online consumption community influence members’ evaluation of the brand as well as of the community and brand purchase.
miR‐204 is dysregulated in metastatic prostate cancer in vitro
Authors: Todorova Krassimira , Metodiev Metodi V. , Metodieva Gergana , Zasheva Diana , Mincheff Milcho , Hayrabedyan Soren
Published: January 2015

During cancer progression, the genome instability incurred rearrangement could possibly turn some of the tumor suppressor micro‐RNAs into pro‐oncogenic ones. We aimed to investigate miR‐204 in the context of prostate cancer progression using a cell line model of different levels of genome instability (LNCaP, PC3, VCaP and NCI H660), as demonstrated by the availability of ERG fusion. We studied the effect of miR‐204 modulation on master transcription factors important for lineage development, cell differentiation and prostate cancer bone marrow metastasis. We followed c‐MYB, ETS1 and RUNX2 transcript and protein expression and the miR‐204 affected global proteome. We further investigated if these transcription factors exert an effect on miR‐204 expression (qPCR, luciferase reporter assay) by silencing them using esiRNA. We found dualistic miR‐204 effects, either acting as a tumor suppressor on c‐MYB, or as an oncomiR on ETS1. RUNX2 and ETS1 regulation by miR‐204 was ERG fusion dependent, demonstrating regulatory circuitry disruption in advanced metastatic models. miR‐204 also differentially affected mRNA splicing and protein stability. miR‐204 levels were found dependent on cancer hypermethylation and supported by positive feedback induced by all three transcription factors. In this regulatory circuitry among miR‐204, c‐MYB, RUNX2 and ETS1, the c‐MYB was found to induce all three other members, but its expression was differentially affected by the methylation status in lymph node vs. bone metastasis. We demonstrate that not only tumor suppressor micro‐RNA loss, but also significant genome rearrangement‐driven regulatory loop perturbations play a role in the advanced cancer progression, conferring better pro‐survival and metastatic potential. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Utility of “open‐Y” anastomosis technique in the use of superior thyroid artery as recipient vessel for head and neck reconstruction with free flap
Authors: Chen Yen‐Chou , Scaglioni Mario F. , Huang Eng‐Yen , Kuo Yur‐Ren
Published: January 2015

Background: The superior thyroid artery (STA) is the most commonly used recipient vessel in free tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction. Size discrepancy between recipient and donor vessels might affect the patency rate. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of the “open‐Y” technique in end‐to‐end anastomoses between the STA and donor arteries to those of conventional anastomoses to the STA. Patients and methods: A total of 337 patients with free tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction with the STA as the recipient artery were recruited between September 2011 and August 2013. The “open‐Y” technique of anastomosis was used in 72 cases, whereas the conventional technique was applied in 256 cases. The arterial anastomotic site‐related complications and size discrepancy rates of both groups were evaluated and compared. Results: The flap success rate was 98.6% (71/72) in the “open‐Y” group, which was similar to the conventional group [97.4% (245/252); P = 0.999]. Size discrepancy rate was higher in the “open‐Y” group [48/72(66.7%)] compared to that in the conventional group [31/265(11.7%), P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference regarding arterial anastomotic site‐related complications between the “open‐Y” and conventional groups (1.4% vs.4.2%; P = 0.473). Others complications, including re‐exploration, venous thrombosis, hematoma, fistula, infection, partial flap necrosis and total flap necrosis, had similar presentations. Conclusion: The utility of the “open‐Y” technique, applied to STA as a recipient vessel, appeared to be a reasonable option for head and neck reconstruction. This technique seems to be promising for cases with vessels size discrepancy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:391–396, 2016.
Identification and characterization of [6]‐shogaol from ginger as inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation
Authors: Liu Rongxia , Heiss Elke H. , Sider Nadine , Schinkovitz Andreas , Gröblacher Barbara , Guo Dean , Bucar Franz , Bauer Rudolf , Dirsch Verena M. , Atanasov Atanas G.
Published: January 2015

Scope

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, making the identification of new counteracting agents and their mechanisms of action relevant. Ginger and its constituents have been reported to improve cardiovascular health, but no studies exist addressing a potential interference with VSMC proliferation.

Methods and results

The dichloromethane extract of ginger inhibited VSMC proliferation when monitored by resazurin metabolic conversion (IC50 = 2.5 μg/mL). The examination of major constituents from ginger yielded [6]‐shogaol as the most active compound (IC50 = 2.7 μM). In the tested concentration range [6]‐shogaol did not exhibit cytotoxicity toward VSMC and did not interfere with endothelial cell proliferation. [6]‐shogaol inhibited DNA synthesis and induced accumulation of the VSMC in the G0/G1 cell‐cycle phase accompanied with activation of the nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)/HO‐1 pathway. Since [6]‐shogaol lost its antiproliferative activity in the presence of the heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) inhibitor tin protoporphyrin IX, HO‐1 induction appears to contribute to the antiproliferative effect.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates for the first time inhibitory potential of ginger constituents on VSMC proliferation. The presented data suggest that [6]‐shogaol exerts its antiproliferative effect through accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 cell‐cycle phase associated with activation of the Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway.
Perspectives in HRD — Logan Park Neighborhood Assistance - A Case of Analysis and Assessment
Authors: Williams Sandra L.
Published: January 2015

Workers, both paid employees and volunteers, contribute in multiple ways to an organization's output, its culture, and its internal environment. Employees also play a critical role in the organization's impact upon its community. Career development involves the full understanding of worker contributions to the organization, as well as their impact upon internal and external stakeholders. A full view of job content, including worker knowledge, skills and attitudes, as well as a perspective on job expectations, can provide a robust view of life within a workplace, and the contribution of employees at all levels. This short case presents an opportunity for planned assessment of an organizational worker situation with ramifications at various stakeholder levels. Job content, career development, organizational outcomes, and change readiness can be explored to provide a deeper understanding of human resource development from a practical perspective.