bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioinspired Electrocatalytic CO2Reduction by Bovine Serum Albumin‐Capped Silver Nanoclusters Mediated by [α‐SiW12O40]4−
Authors: Guo Si‐Xuan , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Zhang Jie
Published: December 2015

Silver nanoclusters capped with bovine serum albumin (AgNC@BSA) were synthesized and applied for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2. Inspired by the fact that many enzymes function only in the presence of coenzymes/cofactors that transfer electrons/protons or other groups, an electron transfer mediator was introduced to facilitate the electrical communication between the electrode and the strongly protected catalyst. The AgNC@BSA catalyst mediated by [α‐SiW12O40]4−anions showed high electrocatalytic activity for CO2reduction, which was not observed with either component on its own, in dimethylformamide containing 1 % (v/v) water. CO was the major product with excellent faradaic efficiency (>75 %). The onset potential for this catalytic CO2reduction process is about 400 mV more positive than that found at a bulk silver electrode. This mediator‐enhanced catalysis concept provides a general approach to investigate the electrocatalytic activities of nanoclusters, which remain largely unexplored.
High‐Performance Isocyanide Scavengers for Use in Low‐Waste Purification of Olefin Metathesis Products
Authors: Szczepaniak Grzegorz , Urbaniak Katarzyna , Wierzbicka Celina , Kosiński Krzysztof , Skowerski Krzysztof , Grela Karol
Published: December 2015

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Karol Grela (University of Warsaw) in collaboration with Apeiron Synthesis (based in the Wrocław Technology Park). The researchers created a new, bidentate isocyanide scavenger that is very effective at removing ruthenium residues from the products of olefin metathesis. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201500784.
Utility of hematology analyzer and flow cytometry in timely and correct detection of circulating plasma cells: Report of three cases
Authors: Gounari Evdoxia , Tsavdaridou Vasiliki , Koletsa Triantafyllia , Nikolaidou Androula , Kaiafa Georgia , Papaioannou Maria , Kostopoulos Ioannis , Skoura Lemonia
Published: December 2015

Background

Circulating neoplastic plasma cells (PCs) are a common feature between classical plasma cell myeloma (PCM) and its aggressive variant, plasma cell leukemia (PCL), with their early suspicion and detection being of clinical importance for prognostic and diagnostic purposes.

Methods

Morphological and flow cytometric enumeration and characterization of peripheral blood (PB) neoplastic PCs were performed in 3 PCM patients after complete blood count (CBC) evaluation.

Results

Early suspicion of circulating PCs by initial CBC scatter plots and monocytosis led to morphological enumeration of PCs, with low level of concordance between morphologists. Flow cytometric PB analysis permitted accurate quantification and characterization of circulating clonal PCs.

Conclusions

CBC findings can prompt early suspicion of circulating PCs in PCM patients leading to early and accurate flow cytometric analysis of clonal PCs in addition to morphological PB evaluation. The suggested combined approach proved to be most important in the PCL case with discordant morphological evaluations and marginal PC numbers according to current criteria. © 2016 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Novel schemes for interference‐resilient OFDM wireless communication
Authors: Javed Imran , Loan Asim , Mahmood Waqar
Published: December 2015

This research work introduces some novel techniques for interference‐resilient OFDM wireless communication. Firstly, novel schemes for spatial multiplexing and interference cancelation based on signal subspace estimation are proposed. Secondly, the OFDM system is designed such that it meets three main objectives simultaneously, namely, (i) interference‐resiliency, (ii) throughput maximization, and (iii) energy consumption minimization. Interference‐cancelation techniques in prior art mostly consider maximization of throughput without any focus on energy consumption. On the other hand, the literature in energy minimization is limited to interference‐free environments. Most of the previous techniques also have a drawback that they cannot operate in smart or dynamically changing interference environments. The focus here is on interference‐resilient communication with equal attention to both throughput and energy‐efficiency maximization in dynamic hostile environments. The optimization problem is formulated, and then optimal policies and switching thresholds are found for throughput and energy‐efficient interference‐resilient communication. Methodologies for estimating the channel and jammer conditions and then adapting the transmission strategies accordingly are proposed. Moreover, to have an effective defense against smart jamming scenario, a constant‐payoff scheme is also introduced. Simulation results are compared with previous techniques that demonstrate the efficacy of proposed research. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ectodermal Wnt controls nasal pit morphogenesis through modulation of the BMP/FGF/JNK signaling axis
Authors: Zhu Xiao‐Jing , Liu Yudong , Yuan Xueyan , Wang Min , Zhao Wanxin , Yang Xueqin , Zhang Xiaoyun , Hsu Wei , Qiu Mengsheng , Zhang Ze , Zhang Zunyi
Published: December 2015

Background: Mutations of WNT3, WNT5A, WNT9B, and WNT11 genes are associated with orofacial birth defects, including nonsyndromic cleft lip with cleft palate in humans. However, the source of Wnt ligands and their signaling effects on the orofacial morphogenetic process remain elusive. Results: Using Foxg1‐Cre to impair Wnt secretion through the inactivation of Gpr177/mWls, we investigate the relevant regulation of Wnt production and signaling in nasal–facial development. Ectodermal ablation of Gpr177 leads to severe facial deformities resulting from dramatically reduced cell proliferation and increased cell death due to a combined loss of WNT, FGF and BMP signaling in the developing facial prominence. In the invaginating nasal pit, the Gpr177 disruption also causes a detrimental effect on migration of the olfactory epithelial cells into the mesenchymal region. The blockage of Wnt secretion apparently impairs the olfactory epithelial cells through modulation of JNK signaling. Conclusions: Our study thus suggests the head ectoderm, including the facial ectoderm and the neuroectoderm, as the source of canonical as well as noncanonical Wnt ligands during early development of the nasal–facial prominence. Both β‐catenin–dependent and –independent signaling pathways are required for proper development of these morphogenetic processes. Developmental Dynamics 245:414–426, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Generation of an estrogen receptor beta‐iCre knock‐in mouse
Authors: Cacioppo Joseph A. , Koo Yongbum , Lin Po‐Ching Patrick , Osmulski Sarah A. , Ko Chunjoo D. , Ko CheMyong
Published: December 2015

A novel knock‐in mouse that expresses codon‐improved Cre recombinase (iCre) under regulation of the estrogen receptor beta (Esr2) promoter was developed for conditional deletion of genes and for the spatial and/or temporal localization ofEsr2expression. ESR2 is one of two classical nuclear estrogen receptors and displays a spatiotemporal expression pattern and functions that are different from the other estrogen receptor, ESR1. A cassette was constructed that contained iCre, a polyadenylation sequence, and a neomycin selection marker. This construct was used to insert iCre in front of the endogenous start codon of theEsr2gene of a C57BL/6J embryonic stem cell line via homologous recombination. Resulting Esr2‐iCre mice were bred with ROSA26‐lacZ and Ai9‐RFP reporter mice to visualize cells of functional iCre expression. Strong expression was observed in the ovary, the pituitary, the interstitium of the testes, the head and tail but not body of the epididymis, skeletal muscle, the coagulation gland (anterior prostate), the lung, and the preputial gland. Additional diffuse or patchy expression was observed in the cerebrum, the hypothalamus, the heart, the adrenal gland, the colon, the bladder, and the pads of the paws. Overall, Esr2‐iCre mice will serve as a novel line for conditionally ablating genes inEsr2‐expressing tissues, identifying novelEsr2‐expressing cells, and differentiating the functions of ESR2 and ESR1. genesis 54:38–52, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
When can stress facilitate divergence by altering time to flowering?
Authors: Jordan Crispin Y. , Ally Dilara , Hodgins Kathryn A.
Published: December 2015

Stressors and heterogeneity are ubiquitous features of natural environments, and theory suggests that when environmental qualities alter flowering schedules through phenotypic plasticity, assortative mating can result that promotes evolutionary divergence. Therefore, it is important to determine whether common ecological stressors induce similar changes in flowering time. We review previous studies to determine whether two important stressors, water restriction and herbivory, induce consistent flowering time responses among species; for example, how often do water restriction and herbivory both delay flowering? We focus on the direction of change in flowering time, which affects the potential for divergence in heterogeneous environments. We also tested whether these stressors influenced time to flowering and nonphenology traits usingMimulus guttatus. The literature review suggests that water restriction has variable effects on flowering time, whereas herbivory delays flowering with exceptional consistency. In theMimulusexperiment, low water and herbivory advanced and delayed flowering, respectively. Overall, our results temper theoretical predictions for evolutionary divergence due to habitat‐induced changes in flowering time; in particular, we discuss how accounting for variation in the direction of change in flowering time caneither increase or decreasethe potential for divergence. In addition, we caution against adaptive interpretations of stress‐induced phenology shifts.
High‐Energy‐Density Supercapacitors Based on Patronite/Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrids
Authors: Ratha Satyajit , Marri Subba R. , Behera J. N. , Rout Chandra Sekhar
Published: December 2015

The facile hydrothermal synthesis of a patronite VS4/single‐walled carbon nanotube/reduced graphene oxide hybrid is reported. Detailed electrochemical investigations of the hybrid revealed an exceptionally high energy density of ca. 174 W h/kg. A comparison of this value with those of other supercapacitor electrodes based on metal sulfides and also some with high energy‐density values revealed the potential of the patronite hybrid as a fitting candidate for possible application in energy‐storage devices. Charge–discharge stability measurements showed the excellent specific capacitance of the hybrid, which has a retention capability of ca. 97 % after 1000 continuous charge–discharge cycles.
The First 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole Based Dinuclear Iron(II) Complexes Showing Spin Crossover Behavior with Hysteresis
Authors: Köhler Christian , Rentschler Eva
Published: December 2015

Three new dinuclear complexes [FeII2(μ‐L)2]X4 (L is the bis‐tridentate ligand 2,5‐bis{[(2‐pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl}‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole and X = ClO4–, BF4– and CF3SO3–) have been synthesized and fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Upon cooling, a trapped [high‐spin–low‐spin] state of the iron(II) centres is detected. Depending on the counterion, a pronounced thermal hysteresis is found. In one case, it was possible to observe a space group change that accompanies the spin transition. This is the first system showing spin crossover based on an oxadiazole ligand.
Greener Paal–Knorr Pyrrole Synthesis by Mechanical Activation
Authors: Akelis Liudvikas , Rousseau Jolanta , Juskenas Robertas , Dodonova Jelena , Rousseau Cyril , Menuel Stéphane , Prevost Dominique , Tumkevičius Sigitas , Monflier Eric , Hapiot Frédéric
Published: December 2015

A straightforward and solventless synthesis of pyrroles was developed by using mechanochemical activation and a biosourced organic acid as the catalyst. Relative to traditional Paal–Knorr methodologies, various N‐substituted pyrroles were obtained in very short reaction times. By reaction with unreactive diketones, desymmetrized aliphatic and aromatic compounds were also synthesized.
Corannulenecarbaldehyde: High‐­Yielding Synthesis by Rieche Form­ylation and Facile Access to a Variety of Corannulene Derivatives
Authors: Rajeshkumar Venkatachalam , Lee Yuan Theng , Stuparu Mihaiela C.
Published: December 2015

Rieche formylation of corannulene is shown to afford corannulenecarbaldehyde on a multi‐gram scale, in a single step, with an isolated yield of 95 %, and without the need of chromatographic purification. This compound allowed facile access to a wide range of corannulene structures. The developed synthetic routes are expected to facilitate the utility of the corannulene motif – known for its unique structural and electronic properties – in the arena of macromolecular and materials chemistry.
Lissodendrins A and B: 2‐Amino­imidazole Alkaloids from the Marine Sponge Lissodendoryx (Acanthodoryx) fibrosa
Authors: Mokhlesi Amin , Hartmann Rudolf , Achten Elisabeth , Chaidir  , Hartmann Thomas , Lin Wenhan , Daletos Georgios , Proksch Peter
Published: December 2015

Chemical investigatio n of the Indonesian sponge Lissodendoryx (Acanthodoryx) fibrosa yielded the new 2‐aminoimidazole alkaloids lissodendrins A (1) and B (2). Their structures were unambiguously determined by extensive NMR spectroscopic (1H, 13C, ROESY and long‐range HMBC) studies and mass spectrometric (HRESIMS/MS) data. Lissodendrins A (1) and B (2) possess unprecedented skeletons with the latter compound bearing a (p‐hydroxyphenyl)glyoxal moiety, which is rarely encountered in natural products. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for these new metabolites is proposed.
Synthesis of Fluorine‐Containing Exoalkylidene β‐Lactams
Authors: Nasr El Dine Assaad , Grée Danielle , Roisnel Thierry , Caytan Elsa , Hachem Ali , Grée René
Published: December 2015

The Kinugasa reaction, applied to propargylic gem‐difluorides, allows a very direct and efficient synthesis of new exoalkylidene β‐lactams with a fluorine in the vinylic position.
Electrochemical Detection of Lead Ion Based on a Peptide Modified Electrode
Authors: Lin Meng , Cho MiSuk , Choe Woo‐Seok , Lee Youngkwan
Published: December 2015

A novel biosensor harnessing a peptide layer which has specific affinity to lead ion proved to be highly effective for electrochemical analysis of lead ions. The peptide modified electrode was used for the electrochemical analysis of various trace metal ions by square wave voltammetry. Compared to the other ions investigated, the peptide modified electrode was found to be highly selective to Pb2+ in the range of 50–700 nM. Furthermore, the biosensor exhibited a high reusability and good spike recovery in the tap water containing various concentration of Pb2+.
Examination and Optimization of a Heating Circuit for Energy‐Efficient Buildings
Authors: Pöttgen Philipp , Ederer Thorsten , Altherr Lena , Lorenz Ulf , Pelz Peter F.
Published: December 2015

The conference center darmstadtium in Darmstadt is a prominent example of energy efficient buildings. Its heating system consists of different source and consumer circuits connected by a Zortström reservoir. Our goal was to reduce the energy costs of the system as much as possible. Therefore, we analyzed its supply circuits. The first step towards optimization is a complete examination of the system: 1) Compilation of an object list for the system, 2) collection of the characteristic curves of the components, and 3) measurement of the load profiles of the heat and volume‐flow demand. Instead of modifying the system manually and testing the solution by simulation, the second step was the creation of a global optimization program. The objective was to minimize the total energy costs for one year. We compare two different topologies and show opportunities for significant savings.
Numerical and experimental study of the performance of a single‐sided vibro‐impact track nonlinear energy sink
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Wierschem Nicholas , Spencer Billie F. , Lu Xilin
Published: December 2015

This paper proposes a single‐sided vibro‐impact track nonlinear energy sink (SSVI track NES) as an effective way to mitigate the effects of impulsive and seismic excitation on building structures. The SSVI track NES is a passive energy dissipation device, which consists of a mass moving along a track, the shape of which provides a nonlinear restoring force to the mass. Previous studies have analyzed the track NES, which considers the track shape to be smooth and symmetric. By introducing a discontinuity into the shape of the track (e.g., through impact), energy in the primary structure can be scattered to higher frequency responses where it can be dissipated at a faster rate. First, the SSVI track NES is analytically investigated and numerically optimized base on a two degree‐of‐freedom primary structure. The results of numerical simulations show that the SSVI track NES can be more efficient than both the track NES and tuned mass damper in reducing the response of the primary structure. Based on the analytical studies, the SSVI track NES is experimentally realized and investigated when subjected to both impulse‐like and seismic excitations, confirming the numerical predictions and validating the analytical model of the device. Finally, the robustness of the SSVI track NES is investigated numerically. The results of this investigation indicate that the SSVI track NES remains effective over a broad range of input excitation energy levels, as well as during significant changes in the stiffness of the primary structure. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of fruit ripening, altitude and harvest year on volatile compounds of virgin olive oil obtained from the Ayvalık variety
Authors: Toker Cem , Aksoy Uygun , Ertaş Hasan
Published: December 2015

Research was aimed at the determination of the fatty acid and volatile composition of oils made from Ayvalık olives grown in Turkey and the effects played by maturity and altitude on composition. Samples were obtained from five orchards located at 25, 74, 132, 202 and 250 m above sea level in Edremit (Balıkesir, Turkey). Olive samples were harvested at three maturity levels (green, semi‐black and black) in 2007 and 2008 to extract the oil. E‐2‐hexenal was found to be the main volatile compound in all samples and its concentration decreased as maturity progressed. Hexanal and E‐1‐pentene‐3‐one were also at high levels in all samples. Levels of all aroma compounds, except E‐2‐hexenol and hexylacetate, decreased with the degree of ripeness. Altitude plays an evident but less intense effect on the volatile composition. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insulin‐induced gene 2 expression correlates with colorectal cancer metastasis and disease outcome
Authors: Sun Shengjie , Zhang Guoqing , Sun Qiong , Wu Zhiyong , Shi Weiwei , Yang Bo , Li Ying
Published: December 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide accounting for ∼9% of cancer‐related deaths, 90% of which are due to metastasis resulting from resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Hence, it is imperative to develop novel biomarkers of CRC. Insulin‐induced gene 2 (INSIG2) has been previously reported to be a negative regulator of cholesterol synthesis and was recently identified as a putative‐positive prognostic biomarker for colon and pancreatic cancer prognosis. Even though it has been suggested as a colon cancer biomarker and as an inhibitor of Bax‐mediated apoptosis, the role of INSIG2 in CRC is elusive. We initially validated that INSIG2 is a gene with univariate‐negative prognostic capacity to discriminate human colon cancer survivorship and that if present along with adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutations further decrease overall survival. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies of INSIG2 showed that the gene product is responsible for inducing migration and invasion and maintenance of the mesenchymal phenotype in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Interestingly, loss of INSIG2 did not affect tumorigenic potential per se, but affected hepatic invasion in a xenograft assay. Our findings reinforce that INSIG2 is a novel colon cancer biomarker, and suggest, for the first time, an exclusive connection between INSIG2 and metastatic dissemination without any effect on tumorigenesis. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 68(1):65–71, 2016
Cell‐free scaffolds with different stiffness but same microstructure promote bone regeneration in rabbit large bone defect model
Authors: Chen Guobao , Yang Li , Lv Yonggang
Published: December 2015

To promote bone healing, bone repair biomaterials are increasingly designed to incorporate growth factors. However, the impact of matrix mechanics of cell‐free scaffold independent of microstructure on the osteogenic differentiation of endogenous osteoprogenitor cells orchestrating bone repair and regeneration remains not to be fully understood. In our recent study, three‐dimensional (3D) scaffolds with different stiffness but same microstructure have been successfully fabricated by coating decellularized bone with collagen/hydroxyapatite (HA) mixture with different collagen rations. It has been demonstrated that the scaffold with optimal stiffness can induce the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs in vitro and in the subcutaneous tissue. The present in vivo study further investigated the repair efficiency of these scaffolds in a rabbit radius with a critical‐sized segmental defect model and its potential mechanism. Micro‐computed tomography (μ‐CT), X‐ray and histological analysis were carried out to evaluate the repair capacity of these scaffolds. The results demonstrated that the cell‐free scaffold with optimal stiffness incorporation of endogenous osteoprogenitor cells significantly promoted the repair and reconstruction quality of mass bone defect. One of the crucial mechanisms was that hypoxia and stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α) mediated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) migration by which matrix mechanics exerted influence on bone fracture healing. These findings suggested that only modulating the matrix stiffness of cell‐free scaffold can be one of the most attractive strategies for promoting the progression of bone healing. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 833–841, 2016.
Convergence of macroscopic tongue anatomy in ruminants and scaling relationships with body mass or tongue length
Authors: Meier Andrea R. , Schmuck Ute , Meloro Carlo , Clauss Marcus , Hofmann Reinhold R.
Published: December 2015

Various morphological measures demonstrate convergent evolution in ruminants with their natural diet, in particular with respect to the browser/grazer dichotomy. Here, we report quantitative macroanatomical measures of the tongue (length and width of specific parts) of 65 ruminant species and relate them to either body mass (BM) or total tongue length, and to the percentage of grass in the natural diet (%grass). Models without and with accounting for the phylogenetic structures of the dataset were used, and models were ranked using Akaike's Information Criterion. Scaling relationships followed geometric principles, that is, length measures scaled with BM to the power of 0.33. Models that used tongue length rather than BM as a body size proxy were consistently ranked better, indicating that using size proxies that are less susceptible to a wider variety of factors (such as BM that fluctuates with body condition) should be attempted whenever possible. The proportion of the freely mobile tongue tip of the total tongue (and hence also the corpus length) was negatively correlated to %grass, in accordance with concepts that the feeding mechanism of browsers requires more mobile tongues. It should be noted that some nonbrowsers, such as cattle, use a peculiar mechanism for grazing that also requires long, mobile tongues, but they appear to be exceptions. A larger corpus width with increasing %grass corresponds to differences in snout shape with broader snouts in grazers. The Torus linguae is longer with increasing %grass, a finding that still warrants functional interpretation. This study shows that tongue measures covary with diet in ruminants. In contrast, the shape of the tongue (straight or “hourglass‐shaped” as measured by the ratio of the widest and smallest corpus width) is unrelated to diet and is influenced strongly by phylogeny. J. Morphol. 277:351–362, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comprehensive motion‐compensated highly accelerated 4D flow MRI with ferumoxytol enhancement for pediatric congenital heart disease
Authors: Cheng Joseph Y. , Hanneman Kate , Zhang Tao , Alley Marcus T. , Lai Peng , Tamir Jonathan I. , Uecker Martin , Pauly John M. , Lustig Michael , Vasanawala Shreyas S.
Published: December 2015

Purpose

To develop and evaluate motion‐compensation and compressed‐sensing techniques in 4D flow MRI for anatomical assessment in a comprehensive ferumoxytol‐enhanced congenital heart disease (CHD) exam.

Materials and Methods

A Cartesian 4D flow sequence was developed to enable intrinsic navigation and two variable‐density sampling schemes: VDPoisson and VDRad. Four compressed‐sensing methods were developed: A) VDPoisson scan reconstructed using spatial wavelets; B) added temporal total variation to A; C) VDRad scan using the same reconstruction as in B; and D) added motion compensation to C. With Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance, 23 consecutive patients (eight females, mean 6.3 years) referred for ferumoxytol‐enhanced CHD 3T MRI were recruited. Images were acquired and reconstructed using methods A–D. Two cardiovascular radiologists independently scored the images on a 5‐point scale. These readers performed a paired wall motion and functional assessment between method D and 2D balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) CINE for 16 cases.

Results

Method D had higher diagnostic image quality for most anatomical features (mean 3.8–4.8) compared to A (2.0–3.6), B (2.2–3.7), and C (2.9–3.9) with P < 0.05 with good interobserver agreement (κ ≥ 0.49). Method D had similar or better assessment of myocardial borders and cardiac motion compared to 2D bSSFP (P < 0.05, κ ≥ 0.77). All methods had good internal agreement in comparing aortic with pulmonic flow (BA mean < 0.02%, r > 0.85) and compared to method A (BA mean < 0.13%, r > 0.84) with P < 0.01.

Conclusion

Flow, functional, and anatomical assessment in CHD with ferumoxytol‐enhanced 4D flow is feasible and can be significantly improved using motion compensation and compressed sensing. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1355–1368.
Semiautomatic detection of myocardial contours in order to investigate normal values of the left ventricular trabeculated mass using MRI
Authors: Bricq Stéphanie , Frandon Julien , Bernard Monique , Guye Maxime , Finas Mathieu , Marcadet Laetitia , Miquerol Lucile , Kober Frank , Habib Gilbert , Fagret Daniel , Jacquier Alexis , Lalande Alain
Published: December 2015

Purpose

To propose, assess, and validate a semiautomatic method allowing rapid and reproducible measurement of trabeculated and compacted left ventricular (LV) masses from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and Methods

We developed a method to automatically detect noncompacted, endocardial, and epicardial contours. Papillary muscles were segmented using semiautomatic thresholding and were included in the compacted mass. Blood was removed from trabeculae using the same threshold tool. Trabeculated, compacted masses and ratio of noncompacted to compacted (NC:C) masses were computed. Preclinical validation was performed on four transgenic mice with hypertrabeculation of the LV (high‐resolution cine imaging, 11.75T). Then analysis was performed on normal cine‐MRI examinations (steady‐state free precession [SSFP] sequences, 1.5T or 3T) obtained from 60 healthy participants (mean age 49 ± 16 years) with 10 men and 10 women for each of the following age groups: [20,39], [40,59], and [60,79]. Interobserver and interexamination segmentation reproducibility was assessed by using Bland–Altman analysis and by computing the correlation coefficient.

Results

In normal participants, noncompacted and compacted masses were 6.29 ± 2.03 g/m2 and 62.17 ± 11.32 g/m2, respectively. The NC:C mass ratio was 10.26 ± 3.27%. Correlation between the two observers was from 0.85 for NC:C ratio to 0.99 for end‐diastolic volume (P < 10‐5). The bias between the two observers was –1.06 ± 1.02 g/m2 for trabeculated mass, –1.41 ± 2.78 g/m2 for compacted mass, and –1.51 ± 1.77% for NC:C ratio.

Conclusion

We propose a semiautomatic method based on region growing, active contours, and thresholding to calculate the NC:C mass ratio. This method is highly reproducible and might help in the diagnosis of LV noncompaction cardiomyopathy. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1398–1406.
Optimization‐based approach for scalable small‐signal and noise model extraction of GaN‐on‐SiC HEMTs
Authors: Colangeli Sergio , Ciccognani Walter , Cleriti Riccardo , Palomba Mirko , Limiti Ernesto
Published: December 2015

An optimization‐based method allowing a straightforward extraction of scalable small‐signal equivalent‐circuit models for high‐frequency active devices is proposed. The approach only requires a set of devices with a fixed number of fingers and scaling unit gate widths: no dummy structures or bias conditions potentially harmful for the devices are needed. The extraction method is then demonstrated by presenting in full a sample extraction, carried out on a 0.25 GaN‐on‐SiC HEMT technology provided by Selex‐ES. The example also includes the extraction of a noise model, by means of a well‐known noise‐temperature approach. Both the small‐signal and noise models agree well with the experimental data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Desmoid tumor patients carry an elevated risk of familial adenomatous polyposis
Authors: Koskenvuo Laura , Peltomäki Päivi , Renkonen‐Sinisalo Laura , Gylling Annette , Nieminen Taina T. , Ristimäki Ari , Lepistö Anna
Published: December 2015

Background

The prevalence of desmoid tumors among patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is at least 10%, and the prevalence of FAP among desmoid patients varies between 7.5–16%.

Methods

Data included 106 desmoid patients identified from the database of the Department of Pathology, Helsinki University Hospital, years 2000–2012. We evaluated the risk of FAP among patients by using endoscopy and we identified individuals with attenuated FAP by APC gene mutation test. We compared sporadic desmoid patients’ and FAP patients’ clinical characteristics.

Results

Ten of 106 patients already had FAP diagnosis before the desmoid. Eleven patients had had FAP screening already earlier due to desmoid and three of them were found to have FAP. Total of 52 patients participated into prospective screening of FAP. No new cases of FAP were found. The risk of FAP among desmoid tumor patients was 4.8%. In the FAP desmoid group, there were more males and patients were younger than in the sporadic group. Intra‐abdominal desmoids were more common in the FAP group.

Conclusions

Patients with desmoid carry an elevated risk of FAP and therefore screening is indicated. Asymptomatic patients with desmoid situated in extra truncal region may not need to be screened. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:209–212. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oncologic results of laparoscopic liver resection for malignant liver tumors
Authors: Akyuz Muhammet , Yazici Pinar , Yigitbas Hakan , Dural Cem , Okoh Alexis , Aliyev Shamil , Aucejo Federico , Quintini Cristiano , Fung John , Berber Eren
Published: December 2015

Background

There are scant data regarding oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). The aim of this study is to analyze the oncologic outcomes of LLR for malignant liver tumors (MLT).

Methods

This was a prospective IRB‐approved study of 123 patients with MLT undergoing LLR. Kaplan–Meier disease‐free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was calculated.

Results

Tumor type was colorectal in 61%, hepatocellular cancer in 21%, neuroendocrine in 5% and others in 13%. Mean tumor size was 3.2 ± 1.9 cm and number of tumors 1.6 ± 1.2. A wedge resection or segmentectomy was performed in 63.4%, bisegmentectomy in 24.4%, and hemihepatectomy in 12.2%. Procedures were totally laparoscopic in 67% and hand‐assisted in 33%. Operative time was 235.2 ± 94.3 min, and conversion rate 7.3%. An R0 resection was achieved in 90% of patients and 94% of tumors. Median hospital stay was 3 days. Morbidity was 22% and mortality 0.8%. For patients with colorectal liver metastasis, DFS and OS at 2 years was 47% and 88%, respectively.

Conclusions

This study shows that LLR is a safe and efficacious treatment for selected patients with MLT. Complete resection and margin recurrence rate are comparable to open series in the literature. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:127–129. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Partial nephrectomy after selective embolization of tumor vessels in a hybrid operating room: A new approach of zero ischemia in renal surgery
Authors: Bigot Pierre , Bouvier Antoine , Panayotopoulos Paul , Aubé Christophe , Azzouzi Abdel Rahmène
Published: December 2015

It is established that partial nephrectomy is the standard of care for tumors confined to the kidney. Achieving a partial nephrectomy without renal ischemia and limiting operative bleeding is the subject of numerous researches. Since 2010, hybrid operating rooms have been used to perform both interventional radiology and surgical procedures at the same place and time. We used this latest technology to treat 3 patients with localized kidney tumors. The tumors were of moderate complexity and all were treated after immediate hyperselective embolization by laparoscopic surgery without dissection and clamping of the renal pedicle. The embolization of tumor vessels could be performed using image‐stitching software. After embolization, operative time was 50, 70 and 80 minutes and blood loss was less than 100 ml for each case. Postoperative control 3D arteriography confirmed the respect of the vascularization of the healthy renal parenchyma. No postoperative complications occurred. Combined approach including hyperselective embolization and partial nephrectomy in the same time in a dedicated operating room is a new approach of zero ischemia during partial nephrectomy which reduces the difficulty of the surgery, limits injury to the kidney and increases patient safety. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:135–137. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Laparoscopic microwave thermosphere ablation of malignant liver tumors: An analysis of 53 cases
Authors: Zaidi Nisar , Okoh Alexis , Yigitbas Hakan , Yazici Pinar , Ali Noaman , Berber Eren
Published: December 2015

Background and Objectives

Microwave thermosphere ablation (MTA) is a new technology that is designed to create spherical zones of ablation using a single antenna. The aim of this study is to assess the results of MTA in a large series of patients.

Methods

This was a prospective study assessing the use of MTA in patients with malignant liver tumors. The procedures were done mostly laparoscopically and ablation zones created were assessed for completeness of tumor response, spherical geometry and recurrence on tri‐phasic CT scans done on follow‐up.

Results

There were a total of 53 patients with an average of 3 tumors measuring 1.5 cm. Ablations were performed laparoscopically in all but eight patients. Morbidity was 11.3% (n = 6), and mortality zero. On postoperative scans, there was 99.3% tumor destruction. Roundness indices A, B, and transverse were 1.1, 1.0, and 0.9, respectively. At a median follow‐up of 4.5 months, incomplete ablation was seen in 1 of 149 lesions treated (0.7%) and local tumor recurrence in 1 lesion (0.7%).

Conclusions

The results of this series confirm the safety and feasibility of MTA technology. The 99.3% rate of complete tumor ablation and low rate of local recurrence at short‐term follow up are promising. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:130–134. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A comparison of dexmedetomidine versus propofol during drug‐induced sleep endoscopy in sleep apnea patients
Authors: Yoon Byung‐Woo , Hong Jeong‐Min , Hong Sung‐Lyong , Koo Soo‐Kweon , Roh Hwan‐Jung , Cho Kyu‐Sup
Published: December 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

In this study, we compared the effects of propofol and dexmedetomidine on the upper airway collapse pattern and cardiopulmonary parameters of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) undergoing drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE).

Study Design

Prospective, single center, observational study

Materials and Methods

The 50 patients with OSA underwent 30 minutes of DISE on 2 different days, the first time with propofol target‐controlled infusion (TCI) and the second time with dexmedetomidine TCI. Both the characteristics of upper airway obstruction and cardiopulmonary parameters in response to the depth of sedation achieved with each drug were evaluated.

Results

The results obtained with propofol and dexmedetomidine DISE were in excellent agreement for all sites of obstruction irrespective of the depth of sedation. Although partial or total obstruction at all areas was consistently observed using both drugs, the degree of upper airway narrowing was slightly lower with dexmedetomidine than with propofol. However, the percentage of patients with a greater than 20% change in blood pressure and heart rate compared to baseline was significantly higher in response to propofol than to dexmedetomidine (P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively). Minimal oxygen saturation was significantly lower in DISE with propofol than with dexmedetomidine (P = 0.004). The percentage of patients with oxygen saturation less than 90% or 80% during DISE was significantly higher in response to propofol than to dexmedetomidine (P = 0.032 and P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

The DISE findings achieved with propofol and dexmedetomidine were in excellent agreement. However, during DISE, dexmedetomidine provided greater hemodynamic stability and less respiratory depression than propofol.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 126:763–767, 2016
Weak solutions for fractional differential equations in nonreflexive Banach spaces via Riemann‐Pettis integrals
Authors: Agarwal Ravi P. , Lupulescu Vasile , O'Regan Donal , Rahman Ghaus ur
Published: December 2015

The aim of this paper is to develop fractional calculus for vector‐valued functions using the weak Riemann integral. Also, we establish the existence of weak solutions for a class of fractional differential equations with fractional weak derivatives.
Mechanical Robust and Self‐Healable Supramolecular Hydrogel
Authors: Zheng Jing , Xiao Peng , Liu Wei , Zhang Jiawei , Huang Youju , Chen Tao
Published: December 2015

Development of self‐healing polymers with spontaneous self‐healing capability and good mechanical performance is highly desired and remains a great challenge. Here, mechanical robust and self‐healable supramolecular hydrogels have been fabricated by using poly(2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) brushes modified silica nanoparticles (SiO2@PDMAEMA) as multifunctional macrocrosslinkers in a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) network structure. The SiO2 nanoparticles serve as noncovalent crosslinkers, dissipating energy, whereas the electrostatic interactions between cationic PDMAEMA and anionic PAA render the hydrogel self‐healing property. This process provides a simple and broadly applicable strategy to produce mechanical strong and self‐healable materials.

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Forelimb muscle plasticity following unilateral cervical spinal cord injury
Authors: Gonzalez‐Rothi Elisa J. , Armstrong Gregory T. , Cerreta Anthony J. , Fitzpatrick Garrett M. , Reier Paul J. , Lane Michael A. , Judge Andrew R. , Fuller David D.
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Motor dysfunction and muscle atrophy are well documented in the lower extremity after spinal cord injury. However, the extent and time course of myoplastic changes in forelimb musculature is not clear.

Methods

Forelimb muscle morphology and fiber type were evaluated after high cervical hemilesion injury in rats.

Results

There was significant atrophy of the ipsilateral extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) muscle at 2 weeks postinjury, which was subsequently reversed at 8 weeks postinjury. The triceps muscle showed minimal evidence of atrophy after spinal injury. No significant changes in fiber type were observed.

Conclusions

These findings indicate a robust capacity for spontaneous myoplasticity after C2 hemisection injury but highlight differential capacity for plasticity within the forelimb muscles. Muscle Nerve 53: 475–478, 2016
The use of biomarkers in the diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder: Can we predict the patients who will be resistant to treatment?
Authors: Alkis Okan , Zumrutbas Ali Ersin , Toktas Cihan , Aybek Hulya , Aybek Zafer
Published: December 2015

Aims

The main objective of this study was to define urinary biomarkers that can predict the severity of overactive bladder and detect patients who would benefit most from treatment.

Methods

Patients with an OAB diagnosis and healthy controls were included in the study. A bladder diary and a validated OAB questionnaire were given to all patients. In the OAB group, solifenacin 5 mg daily was given for 1 month. Urine samples were taken before the treatment and after the first month of the treatment in both groups and urinary BDNF, NGF, GAG, and MCP‐1 levels were measured.

Results

A total of 45 OAB patients and 45 healthy age‐matched controls were included. BDNF/Cre, NGF/Cre, MCP‐1/Cre, and GAG/Cre levels were significantly higher in the OAB group. The levels of these biomarkers significantly decreased after 1 month of solifenacin treatment. After treatment, 66.7% of patients OAB symptoms were relieved and 33.3% did not respond to the treatment. Although basal biomarker levels did not differ between responder and non‐responder groups, the ratio of decrease in biomarker levels was significantly higher in treatment‐sensitive patients. Postmenopausal women were more resistant to treatment when compared with the premenopausal group.

Conclusions

Urinary biomarkers have a role in the pathophysiology of OAB however they did not predict the patients who would benefit from the treatment and in whom antimuscarinics would be useless. Future studies with higher numbers of patients and different OAB subgroups are needed to investigate the exact role of these (and other) biomarkers.Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:390–393, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Macrophage and adipocyte IGF1 maintain adipose tissue homeostasis during metabolic stresses
Authors: Chang Hye Rim , Kim Hae Jin , Xu Xiaoyuan , Ferrante Anthony W.
Published: December 2015

Objective

Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF1) regulates differentiation and growth of tissues and reduces stress and injury. IGF1 also in a tissue‐specific manner modulates the differentiation and lipid storage capacity of adipocytes in vitro, but its roles in adipose tissue development and response to stress are not known.

Methods

To study IGF1 in vivo, the cellular sources of adipose tissue Igf1 expression were identified and mice were generated with targeted deletion in adipocytes and macrophages. The effects of adipocyte and macrophage deficiency of IGF1 on adipose tissue development and the response to chronic (high‐fat feeding) and acute (cold challenge) stress were studied.

Results

The expression of Igf1 by adipose tissue was derived from multiple cell types including adipocytes and macrophages. In lean animals, adipocytes were the primary source of IGF1, but in obesity expression by adipocytes was reduced and by macrophages increased, so as to maintain overall adipose tissue Igf1 expression. Genetic deletion studies revealed that adipocyte‐derived IGF1 regulated perigonadal but not subcutaneous adipose tissue mass during high‐fat feeding and the development of obesity. Conversely, macrophage‐derived IGF1 acutely modulated perigonadal adipose tissue mass during thermogenic challenges.

Conclusions

Local IGF1 is not required in lean adipose tissue development but is required to maintain homeostasis during both chronic and acute metabolic stresses.
Effects of size and shape of dispersed poly(butylene terephthalate) on isothermal crystallization kinetics and morphology of poly(lactic acid) blends
Authors: Samthong Chavakorn , Deetuam Chutimar , Yamaguchi Masayuki , Praserthdam Piyasan , Somwangthanaroj Anongnat
Published: December 2015

The isothermal crystallization kinetics and morphology of the poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends containing three different sizes of both spherical and fibrous poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) domains have been comparatively investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). The dynamic DSC measurement reveals that PBT domains significantly increase the degree of crystallinity of the PLA. Furthermore, the Avrami model is employed to evaluate the crystallization kinetics under isothermal conditions and it is found that PBT acts as nucleating agent, leading to a high overall crystallization rate constant k and shortened crystallization half time t1/2. Furthermore, the crystallization rate of PLA is promoted with the incorporation of PBT with a large specific surface area. The average Avrami index n of all samples lies within the range of 3.3 − 4.0, suggesting that morphologies of PBT do not affect the nucleation mechanism; however, the depression of equilibrium melting temperature in the blends ascribes the reductions of perfectness and size of the PLA crystallites. Besides, the nucleation of PLA crystallites around PBT fibers is probably faster than those around PBT spheres because the PBT chains oriented at the fiber surface as a result of flow‐induced crystallization during melt stretching may serve as the primary nuclei for PLA chains to drastically crystallize at the fiber surface. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:258–268, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Nanoscale reinforcement of polypropylene composites with carbon nanotubes and clay: Dispersion state, electromagnetic and nanomechanical properties
Authors: Petrova I. , Kotsilkova R. , Ivanov E. , Kuzhir P. , Bychanok D. , Kouravelou K. , Karachalios Th. , Soto Beobide A. , Voyiatzis G. , Codegoni D. , Somaini F. , Zanotti L.
Published: December 2015

In the present study, the bifiller system incorporating various amount of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and 3 wt% clay in polypropylene is investigated to obtain composites with multifunctional performance. The dispersion state of two nanofillers in the polypropylene matrix was characterized by applying TEM and Raman spectroscopy. Both composites demonstrate similar rheological behavior with a rheological percolation threshold of ϕp1 = 1.5 wt% for the monofiller (MWCNTs) and ϕp2 = 2 wt% for the bifiller systems (MWCNTs and 3% clay). The effect of two nanofillers on electromagnetic and nanomechanical properties was evaluated. Above rheological percolation both type composites show considerable electromagnetic shielding efficiency at small layer thickness due mostly to the addition of MWCNTs. The nanomechanical properties improvement is strongly dependent on the structure formed by MWCNTs in the polymer. The hardness and Young's modulus, measured by nanoindentation, is higher for the bifiller systems in comparison with the monofiller one above the rheological percolation threshold. This was attributed to the continuous network structure formed by interacted MWCNTs and infiltrated fine clay stacks. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:269–277, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers