bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of intraoperative cytological and final histological diagnoses: A retrospective 10‐year study of neurosurgical cases fromIbadan,Nigeria
Authors: Salami A. , Azeez A. , Malomo A. , Oluwasola A. , Adeleye A. , Ogun G. , Adeoye A. , Adeolu A. , Okolo C. , Eze U. , Abdullahi Y. , Lawan A. , Ogunbiyi J. , Akang E. , Shokunbi M.
Published: August 2014

Objective

Intraoperative cytology is a cost‐effective, rapid, and easy technique, and studies have shown good correlation between intraoperative cytology and histology. We undertook this study to compare the intraoperative cytology diagnoses of brain lesions made in our unit over a 10‐year period with the definitive histological diagnoses. The aim was to determine the degree of accuracy of this procedure.

Study design

This is a retrospective study of intraoperative neuropathology consultation cytology smears or imprints and histology of 69 cases obtained over a 10‐year period. Cytology smears were stained using both Papanicolaou and Giemsa. Histology sections were prepared from routine formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue and stained using H and E method. Each of the smears and histology samples were assessed by at least two pathologists. Cytological diagnosis was correlated with final histological diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity of cytological diagnosis was evaluated using final histological diagnosis as gold standard.

Results

Correlation was strongest with inflammatory lesions followed by low‐grade neoplasms. High‐grade neoplasms also showed good concordance, but the degree of correlation was lower than in the other categories. Misdiagnosis was commonest with benign tumors.

Conclusion

Intraoperative cytology is a relatively simple, reliable, and accurate diagnostic technique and should be more commonly used, particularly in low‐resource settings. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:195–201. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Onsite cytopathology evaluation and ancillary studies beneficial in EUS‐FNA of pancreatic, mediastinal, intra‐abdominal, and submucosal lesions
Authors: Mehmood Shafqat , Jahan Amna , Loya Asif , Yusuf Muhammed Aasim
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration cytology (EUS‐FNA) is considered to be a minimally invasive and safe technique, with low complication rates, for obtaining tissue samples from pancreatic lesions, and mediastinal and intra‐abdominal nodes. We retrospectively reviewed the diagnostic accuracy of this method at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Methods

The medical records of 393 consecutive patients referred to the gastroenterology service from August 2008 to September 2013 were reviewed in this retrospective study. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 51.2 years (range 6–89; 56.7% males). Major indications for referral were to establish a diagnosis in patients with a pancreatic mass or lymphadenopathy of unknown origin detected on CT scan or PET‐CT (n = 235), to exclude lymph node metastasis in those with a known primary tumor (n = 114), and to rule out relapse of lymphoma after treatment or during follow up (n = 44). Of 393 patients, 181 had mediastinal lymphadenopathy, 115 had pancreatic lesions; 79 had intra‐abdominal lymphadenopathy and 18 patients had miscellaneous lesions (gastric mass, splenic, retroperitoneal, esophageal, or adrenal lesions).

Results

A mean of 2.2 passes per patient were made; 85% of patients had ≤3 passes. The initial rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE) was positive in 363 of 393 (92.3%) patients, but on final cytopathological interpretation, 369 of 393 (93.9%) patients had an adequate specimen for diagnosis. Sufficient material for cytopathology was obtained in 369 patients (93.9%), whereas 24 patients (6.1%) had inadequate aspirate on EUS‐FNA as assessed by final cytopathological interpretation. The concordance between final cytopathological diagnoses and ROSE was 98.2%. Follow‐up data were available for 296 (75.3%) patients, whereas 97 patients were lost to follow up. Of these 296 patients, 283 of 296 patients were true positive, 9 of 296 were true negative, and 4 of 296 patients were false negative. The overall calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 98.6, 100, 100, and 69.2%, respectively. The major diagnoses that we obtained were granulomata (n = 114), adenocarcinoma (n = 104), reactive nodes (n = 35), metastatic carcinoma (n = 35), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL; n = 19) and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL; n = 11), neuroendocrine tumors (n = 11), spindle cell lesions (n = 7), benign lesions (n = 9), cystic neoplasms (n = 6), solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (n = 3), and miscellaneous (n = 15). Only 3 of 393 patients (0.7%) suffered a complication as a result of EUS‐FNA, and all three were successfully managed conservatively.

Conclusion

EUS‐FNA, combined with ROSE, is a safe and highly effective technique in experienced hands with excellent diagnostic accuracy and low complication rates. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:278–286. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lipids IN the brain: Crossing the “insurmountable” barrier for a fatty, happy life
Authors: De Fabiani Emma
Published: August 2014

Cholesterol and fatty acid moieties are the most abundant lipid species in the brain. The blood brain barrier (BBB), formed by tightly juxtaposed endothelial cells, regulates the accessibility of circulating lipids to brain cells. In physiological conditions lipoprotein cholesterol cannot enter the BBB. Cholesterol necessary for myelination and other functions (for example, synthesis of oxysterols and neuroactive steroids) is synthesized in situ by astrocytes and oligodendrocytes (not shown). In contrast, 24‐hydroxycholesterol can cross the BBB, thus entering the systemic circulation. Fatty acids, the building blocks of many specialized lipids, derive from blood (albumin‐associated free fatty acids) or are synthesized in situ. Notably, in brain cells the fraction of fatty acids subject to b‐oxidation is rather small.
Hydrodynamic Modeling of the Roman Harbor of Portus in the Tiber Delta: The Impact of the North‐Eastern Channel on Current and Sediment Dynamics
Authors: Millet Bertrand , Tronchère Hervé , Goiran Jean‐Philippe
Published: August 2014

This study examines the hydrodynamics of the Roman harbor of Portus during the Trajanic period (second century A.D.). We have evaluated the impact of the north‐eastern channel on water circulation and sediment resuspension within the harbor in relation to the problem of sediment infilling. We used a 2D numerical model to compute the distribution of the depth‐averaged current velocity, bed shear stress, and kinetic energy induced by each of the four prevailing local winds. First, the results confirm the persistent conditions for sediment infilling over the entire western harbor basin, even when the north‐eastern channel is operational; these conditions being present for 61.3% (40.3%) of the summer period and up to 68% (44.2%) of the winter period in the south‐western harbor basin. Second, the results show that favorable conditions for navigation occur in the central basin, leading to the landing installations, under the S 180°, SE 135°, and NE 22° winds when the north‐eastern channel is operational; these conditions being present for 21% of the summer period and 51.3% of the winter period. Inversely, the access to the landing installations with both channels operating remains affected by sediment infilling, for 40.3% of the summer period and 16.7% of the winter period.
Use of Fossil Bryozoans in Sourcing Lithic Artifacts
Authors: Key Marcus M. , Jackson Patrick N. Wyse , Falvey Lauren W. , Roth Barbara J.
Published: August 2014

This study reviews the occurrence and potential of bryozoans within lithic artifacts and also sets out a methodology for their use in sourcing and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this approach. We present case studies from our own research and from the literature on using bryozoans in sourcing archaeological lithic artifacts. Fossil bryozoans of different ages and clades can be effectively used to determine the material source of lithic artifacts from a variety of prehistoric ages. The case studies included in this report span the stratigraphic range of bryozoans from the Ordovician to the Neogene. The bryozoans came from four different orders: trepostome, fenestrate, cyclostome, and cheilostome. The use of these lithic artifacts ranged back to 25 ka. Although the majority of the fossil bryozoans were incidental in the artifacts, the bryozoans were still useful for determining their original source rock. The improved searchable online paleontologic databases allow for more efficient use of fossil bryozoans to constrain the stratigraphic and paleogeographic distribution of source outcrops. Although generally underutilized in sourcing prehistoric lithic artifacts, it is clear that by analyzing bryozoans, an increased understanding of the lithologic nature of these materials could be gained by the archaeological community.
Analysis of U‐tube sampling data based on modeling of CO2 injection into CH4 saturated aquifers
Authors: Li Jun , Li Xiaochun
Published: August 2014

When CO2 is injected into aquifers in a hydrocarbon basin, either for CO2 geological storage or enhanced oil recovery (EOR), these aquifers are most likely saturated with CH4. Dissolving CO2 into the aqueous phase will cause CH4 to come out of the aqueous phase and partitioning into the CO2‐rich non‐aqueous phase under static conditions. It is not well understood how this process develops under flow conditions, which is the subject of this paper. Although CH4 solubility in brine is low under the subsurface conditions, the effects of CH4 dissolved in saline aquifers cannot be ignored for CO2 sequestration projects. This is due to the changes of the phase behavior, capillary pressure, and relative permeability which has already been recognized by previous studies. This work couples a recently developed thermodynamic model of CO2‐CH4‐brine system with an industrial reservoir simulator and applies it in the simulation of CO2 injection into a CH4 saturated aquifer. Simulation results are compared to field observations from U‐tube sampling and used to provide reasonable explanations. From the simulations, the compositions in U‐tube samples are influenced by U‐tube inlet position, perforation and the reservoir (geological) properties. With the explanations, the U‐tube observations of gas samples can be well matched by numerical simulation results.© 2014 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Chinese Multinational Firms in Asia and Africa: Relationships With Institutional Actors and Patterns ofHRMPractices
Authors: Cooke Fang Lee
Published: August 2014

Interest in the internationalization of Chinese firms has soared in recent years. However, studies that compare Chinese multinational corporations (MNCs) in different industries and their human resource management (HRM) remain limited. This study fills this research gap by examining theHRMpractices of ChineseMNCsand the extent to which these are shaped by the institutional factors that are specific to industries. It focuses on the Chinese operations in the South/Southeast Asian and African regions because Chinese firms tend to have various competitive advantages in these regions. The article draws on a number of theoretical perspectives, particularly the political economy and institutional perspectives, to make sense of the different contexts under which ChineseMNCsinvest and operate. It argues that in examining ChineseMNCs, it is important to contemplate the role of the government and a wider range of institutional actors in order to understand how the dynamic interactions of these actors may shape theHRMof these firms with broader economic and social impacts. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficacy and tolerability of minocycline augmentation therapy in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Oya Kazuto , Kishi Taro , Iwata Nakao
Published: August 2014

Objective

This study aimed to perform a comprehensive meta‐analysis of minocycline augmentation therapy in patients with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotic agents.

Methods

Data published up to 2 June 2014 were obtained from the PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of patient data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing minocycline with placebo. Relative risk (RR), standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results

We included four RCTs. The total sample included 330 patients. Minocycline was superior to placebo for decreasing Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores (SMD = −0.70), PANSS negative subscale scores (SMD = −0.86), and PANSS general subscale scores (SMD = −0.50) but was not different from placebo for PANSS positive subscale scores (SMD = −0.26) and depressive symptoms (SMD = −0.28). Minocycline was equivalent to placebo for all‐cause discontinuation (RR = 1.10), discontinuation due to inefficacy (RR = 0.42), discontinuation due to adverse events (RR = 1.56), and discontinuation due to death (RR = 3.18). Minocycline was superior to placebo for extrapyramidal side‐effect scores (SMD = −0.32).

Conclusions

Minocycline may improve the psychopathology of schizophrenia, especially the negative symptoms, and seems to be well tolerated. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Total antioxidant capacity is significantly lower in cocaine‐dependent and methamphetamine‐dependent patients relative to normal controls: results from a preliminary study
Authors: Walker Jessica , Winhusen Theresa , Storkson Jayne M. , Lewis Daniel , Pariza Michael W. , Somoza Eugene , Somoza Veronika
Published: August 2014

Background

Oxidative stress can result in damage to the brain and other organs. To protect from oxidative damage, the human body possesses molecular defense systems, based on the activity of antioxidants, and enzymatic defense systems, including the enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px). Although pre‐clinical research has shown that stimulant use is associated with oxidative damage, oxidative stress and the antioxidant defense systems have not been evaluated in clinical samples of stimulant‐dependent patients.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the link between stimulant dependence and oxidative stress.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples from 174 methamphetamine (n = 48) and/or cocaine‐dependent (n = 126) participants as well as 30 normal control participants were analyzed for the enzyme activities of CAT, SOD, and GSH‐Px in the erythrocytes and the total antioxidant capacity and the malondialdehyde concentration in the plasma.

Results

We could show an association of stimulant dependence with a depletion of total antioxidant capacity to 54.6 ± 4.7%, which correlates with a reduced activity of the SOD to 71.3 ± 0.03% compared with healthy control participants (100%).

Conclusion

Stimulant‐dependent patients had significantly lower antioxidant capacity relative to controls, suggesting that they may be at greater risk for oxidative damage to the brain and other organs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk assessment considerations with regard to the potential impacts of pesticides on endangered species
Authors: Brain Richard A , Teed R Scott , Bang JiSu , Thorbek Pernille , Perine Jeff , Peranginangin Natalia , Kim Myoungwoo , Valenti Ted , Chen Wenlin , Breton Roger L , Rodney Sara I , Moore Dwayne RJ
Published: August 2014

Simple, deterministic screening-level assessments that are highly conservative by design facilitate a rapid initial screening to determine whether a pesticide active ingredient has the potential to adversely affect threatened or endangered species. If a worst-case estimate of pesticide exposure is below a very conservative effects metric (e.g., the no observed effects concentration of the most sensitive tested surrogate species) then the potential risks are considered de minimis and unlikely to jeopardize the existence of a threatened or endangered species. Thus by design, such compounded layers of conservatism are intended to minimize potential Type II errors (failure to reject a false null hypothesis of de minimus risk), but correspondingly increase Type I errors (falsely reject a null hypothesis of de minimus risk). Because of the conservatism inherent in screening-level risk assessments, higher-tier scientific information and analyses that provide additional environmental realism can be applied in cases where a potential risk has been identified. This information includes community-level effects data, environmental fate and exposure data, monitoring data, geospatial location and proximity data, species biology data, and probabilistic exposure and population models. Given that the definition of “risk” includes likelihood and magnitude of effect, higher-tier risk assessments should use probabilistic techniques that more accurately and realistically characterize risk. Moreover, where possible and appropriate, risk assessments should focus on effects at the population and community levels of organization rather than the more traditional focus on the organism level. This document provides a review of some types of higher-tier data and assessment refinements available to more accurately and realistically evaluate potential risks of pesticide use to threatened and endangered species. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:102–117. © 2014 SETAC

Key Points

Endangered species pesticide risk assessments typically employ screening-level evaluations to derive preliminary risk conclusions. Many methodological refinements s are available to more accurately and realistically quantify risks should progression to higher-tiers of risk assessment be necessary. Available higher-tier refinements take advantage of exposure, biological and toxicological data, use of spatially-explicit tools, development of more realistic exposure, risk and population models, and incorporation of probabilistic methods. Collectively, higher-tier refinements are designed to progress risk assessment from highly conservative and unrealistic towards more ecologically representative, realistic and relevant estimates.
Metformin use among type 2 diabetics and risk of pancreatic cancer in a clinic‐based case–control study
Authors: Walker Evan J. , Ko Andrew H. , Holly Elizabeth A. , Bracci Paige M.
Published: August 2014

A better understanding of the association between diabetes and pancreatic cancer (PC) may inform prevention and/or early detection strategies. Metformin has been associated with reduced risk of certain cancers, including PC, in some observational clinical studies. We assessed whether metformin use was associated with PC risk among those with type 2 diabetes (DM2), and whether metformin use modulated the association between DM2 and risk of PC. In total, 536 PC cases and 869 frequency‐matched controls were recruited predominantly from University of California San Francisco medical clinics from 2006 to 2011. Eligible participants completed direct interviews using a structured risk factor questionnaire. The association between metformin use and PC risk was assessed using propensity score‐weighted unconditional logistic regression methods in analyses restricted to diabetics and adjusted multivariable logistic models in the total study population. Ever use of metformin was not associated with PC risk in analyses restricted to DM2 (N = 170) participants (adjusted OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.61–1.68). In the total study population (N = 1,405) using nondiabetics as the referent group, PC risk was inversely associated with diabetes duration (ptrend < 0.001). Further, when DM2 participants were grouped by ever/never use of metformin and compared with nondiabetics, metformin use did not affect the association between DM2 and PC risk (never users: OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.78–2.67; ever users: OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.72–1.99). Results from our clinic‐based case–control study suggest that metformin use is not associated with PC risk among those with DM2 and does not alter the association between DM2 and PC risk.
The relationship between chemical‐induced kidney weight increases and kidney histopathology in rats
Authors: Craig Evisabel A. , Yan Zhongyu , Zhao Q. Jay
Published: August 2014

The kidney is a major site of chemical excretion, which results in its propensity to exhibit chemically‐induced toxicological effects at a higher rate than most other organs. Although the kidneys are often weighed in animal toxicity studies, the manner in which these kidney weight measurements are interpreted and the value of this information in predicting renal damage remains controversial. In this study we sought to determine whether a relationship exists between chemically‐induced kidney weight changes and renal histopathological alterations. We also examined the relative utility of absolute and relative (kidney‐to‐body weight ratio) kidney weight in the prediction of renal toxicity. For this, data extracted from oral chemical exposure studies in rats performed by the National Toxicology Program were qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated. Our analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between absolute, but not relative, kidney weight and renal histopathology in chemically‐treated rats. This positive correlation between absolute kidney weight and histopathology was observed even with compounds that statistically decreased terminal body weight. Also, changes in absolute kidney weight, which occurred at subchronic exposures, were able to predict the presence or absence of kidney histopathology at both subchronic and chronic exposures. Furthermore, most increases in absolute kidney weight reaching statistical significance (irrespective of the magnitude of change) were found to be relevant for the prediction of histopathological changes. Hence, our findings demonstrate that the evaluation of absolute kidney weight is a useful method for identifying potential renal toxicants. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma miR‐208 as a useful biomarker for drug‐induced cardiotoxicity in rats
Authors: Nishimura Yoko , Kondo Chiaki , Morikawa Yuji , Tonomura Yutaka , Torii Mikinori , Yamate Jyoji , Uehara Takeki
Published: August 2014

Cardiotoxicity is one of the major safety concerns in drug development. Therefore, detecting and monitoring cardiotoxicity throughout preclinical and clinical studies is important for pharmaceutical companies. The present study was conducted in order to explore a plasma miRNA biomarker for cardiotoxicity in rats. As organ specificity is an important factor for a biomarker, we analyzed the miRNA microarray dataset in 55 organs/tissues in normal male rats. Based on this analysis, 5 miRNAs consisting of miR‐208 (heart‐specific), miR‐1, miR‐133a, miR‐133b (heart and skeletal muscle‐specific) and miR‐206 (skeletal muscle‐specific) were selected. Next, we evaluated the usefulness of those 5 miRNAs as circulating biomarkers in rats administered with single‐dose isoproterenol or doxorubicin. Plasma miR‐208 was consistently increased through 24 h after dosing in rats administered with isoproterenol, whereas plasma concentrations of cardiac troponin (cTn) showed transient elevation. In contrast, the plasma levels of miR‐1, miR‐133a, miR‐133a and miR‐206 were elevated after treatment with doxorubicin, probably as a result of skeletal muscle toxicity. Additionally, the plasma miR‐208 level was elevated even after repeat‐dose administration (once daily for 7 days) of isoproterenol under which the pathological condition proceeded to the sub‐chronic phase such as fibrosis. Thus, our data suggest that miR‐208 is a promising plasma biomarker for cardiotoxicity in rats. Monitoring of plasma miR‐208 levels in rats may lead to more accurate evaluation of cardiotoxicity in preclinical studies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anabolic Bone Formation Via a Site-Specific Bone-Targeting Delivery System by Interfering With Semaphorin 4d Expression
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Wei Lingfei , Miron Richard J , Shi Bin , Bian Zhuan
Published: August 2014

Semaphorins have been recently targeted as new molecules directly implicated in the cell-cell communication that occurs between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Overexpression of certain semaphorins, such as semaphorin4D (sema4D), is found in an osteoporotic phenotype and plays a key role in osteoclast activity by suppressing osteoblast maturation, thus significantly altering the bone modeling cycle. In the present study, we fabricate a site-specific bone-targeting drug-delivery system from polymeric nanoparticles with the incorporation of siRNA interference molecule for sema4D and demonstrate their cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking within osteoclasts, thus preventing the suppression of osteoblast activity. We then demonstrate in an osteoporotic animal model induced by ovariectomy that weekly intravenous injections led to a significantly greater number of active osteoblasts at the bone surface, resulting in higher bone volume in compromised animals. The findings from the present study demonstrate a novel and promising site-specific therapeutic option for the treatment of osteoporosis via interference of the sema4D-plexin cell communication pathway between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Canalicular Network Morphology Is the Major Determinant of the Spatial Distribution of Mass Density in Human Bone Tissue: Evidence by Means of Synchrotron Radiation Phase-Contrast nano-CT
Authors: Hesse Bernhard , Varga Peter , Langer Max , Pacureanu Alexandra , Schrof Susanne , Männicke Nils , Suhonen Heikki , Maurer Peter , Cloetens Peter , Peyrin Francoise , Raum Kay
Published: August 2014

In bone remodeling, maturation of the newly formed osteonal tissue is associated with a rapid primary increase followed by a slower secondary increase of mineralization. This requires supply and precipitation of mineral into the bone matrix. Mineral delivery can occur only from the extracellular fluid via interfaces such as the Haversian system and the osteocyte pore network. We hypothesized that in mineralization, mineral exchange is achieved by the diffusion of mineral from the lacunar-canalicular network (LCN) to the bone matrix, resulting in a gradual change in tissue mineralization with respect to the distance from the pore-matrix interface. We expected to observe alterations in the mass density distribution with tissue age. We further hypothesized that mineral exchange occurs not only at the lacunar but also at the canalicular boundaries. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the spatial distribution of mass density in the perilacunar and pericanalicular bone matrix and to explore how these densities are influenced by tissue aging. This is achieved by analyzing human jawbone specimens originating from four healthy donors and four treated with high-dosage bisphosphonate using synchrotron radiation phase-contrast nano-CT with a 50-nm voxel size. Our results provide the first experimental evidence that mass density in the direct vicinity of both lacunae (p < 0.001) and canaliculi (p < 0.001) is different from the mean matrix mass density, resulting in gradients with respect to the distance from both pore-matrix interfaces, which diminish with increasing tissue age. Though limited by the sample size, these findings support our hypotheses. Moreover, the density gradients are more pronounced around the lacunae than around the canaliculi, which are explained by geometrical considerations in the LCN morphology. In addition, we speculate that mineral exchange occurs at all interfaces of the LCN, not only in mineralization but also in mineral homeostasis. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
An updated version of the computational package SIMPRE that uses the standard conventions for Stevens crystal field parameters
Authors: Baldoví José J. , Clemente‐Juan Juan M. , Coronado Eugenio , Gaita‐Ariño Alejandro , Palii Andrew
Published: August 2014

The crystal field approach used by SIMPRE is analyzed, verifying the exactness of the results concerning energy levels and magnetic properties calculated by the package. To coincide with the prevailing conventions, we reformulate the presentation of the crystal field parameters, so that the results are now, also from a formal point of view, strictly correct. New calculations are presented to test the influence of neglecting the excited J states, a common but critical approximation employed by SIMPRE. For that, we examine the case of Er(trensal) complex (H3trensal = 2,2′,2″‐tris(salicylideneimino)triethylamine) where the influence of this approximation is found to be minimal. A patched version of the code, SIMPRE 1.1, and an updated version of the user manual are now available. Finally, we comment on “Software package SIMPRE – revisited,” which apparently revisits a software package without inspecting or using the code. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Incorporating ruthenium into advanced drug delivery carriers – an innovative generation of chemotherapeutics
Authors: Blunden Bianca M. , Stenzel Martina H.
Published: August 2014

Ruthenium complexes have been shown to possess remarkable chemotherapeutic – both anticancer and antimetastatic – properties. Ruthenium possesses unique attributes that have led to the development of promising anticancer and antimetastatic therapeutics, for example, RAPTA‐C, KP1019 and NAMI‐A. The amplified benefit that can be gained by incorporating drugs into macromolecules has only recently been investigated for ruthenium agents. The advances in macromolecular chemistries has allowed for the incorporation and examination of some of these promising moieties within macromolecular matrices. Several nano‐sized delivery systems have also been developed for cancer treatment, for example, micelles, liposomes, peptide structures and hybrid moieties. The main findings of this novel body of work are presented here, highlighting the scope for further investigations. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Polymeric siRNA delivery vectors: knocking down cancers with polymeric‐based gene delivery systems
Authors: Ardana Aditya , Whittaker Andrew K. , McMillan Nigel A.J. , Thurecht Kristofer J.
Published: August 2014

One of the most promising routes for cancer therapy that has evolved over the previous decade is the use of small‐interfering RNA (siRNA) as a means of switching off genes that are responsible for tumour development. However, while siRNA and gene/antisense therapies provide alternatives to conventional chemotherapies, significant hurdles related to the delivery and efficacy of treatment must still be overcome before this technology can be used as an effective treatment for cancer and other diseases. This review highlights the issues associated with siRNA therapy in vivo, and describes the various approaches that are being explored using polymers as delivery vectors. In particular, the review focuses on targeted delivery as a means of improving efficacy of the gene therapy. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Mode of action of dopamine in inducing hyperglycemia in the fresh water edible crab, Oziothelphusa senex senex
Authors: Swetha CH. , Sainath S. B. , Reddy P. Sreenivasula
Published: July 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the mode of action of dopamine in regulating hemolymph sugar level in the fresh water edible crab, Oziothelphusa senex senex. Injection of dopamine produced hyperglycemia in a dose‐dependent manner in intact crabs but not in eyestalkless crabs. Administration of dopamine resulted in a significant decrease in total carbohydrates and glycogen levels with a significant increase in glycogen phosphorylase activity levels in hepatopancreas and muscle of intact crabs, indicating dopamine‐induced glycogenolysis resulting in hyperglycemia. Bilateral eyestalk ablation resulted in significant increase in the total carbohydrates and glycogen levels with a significant decrease in the activity levels of phosphorylase in the hepatopancreas and muscle of the crabs. Eyestalk ablation resulted in significant decrease in hemolymph hyperglycemic hormone levels. The levels of hyperglycemic hormone in the hemolymph of dopamine injected crabs were significantly higher than in control crabs. However, no significant changes in the levels of hemolymph hyperglycemic hormone and sugar and tissue carbohydrate and phosphorylase activity were observed in dopamine injected eyestalk ablated crabs when compared with eyestalk ablated crabs. These results support an earlier hypothesis in crustaceans that dopamine acts as a neurotransmitter and induces hyperglycemia by triggering the release of hyperglycemic hormone in the crab, O. senex senex. J. Exp. Zool. 321A: 531–539, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphological properties of the last primaries, the tail feathers, and the alulae of Accipiter nisus, Columba livia, Falco peregrinus, and Falco tinnunculus
Authors: Schmitz Anke , Ponitz Benjamin , Brücker Christoph , Schmitz Helmut , Herweg Jan , Bleckmann Horst
Published: August 2014

We investigated the mechanical properties (Young's modulus, bending stiffness, barb separation forces) of the tenth primary of the wings, of the alulae and of the middle tail feathers of Falco peregrinus. For comparison, we also investigated the corresponding feathers in pigeons (Columba livia), kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), and sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus). In all four species, the Young's moduli of the feathers ranged from 5.9 to 8.4 GPa. The feather shafts of F. peregrinus had the largest cross‐sections and the highest specific bending stiffness. When normalized with respect to body mass, the specific bending stiffness of primary number 10 was highest in F. tinnunculus, while that of the alula was highest in A. nisus. In comparison, the specific bending stiffness, measured at the base of the tail feathers and in dorso‐ventral bending direction, was much higher in F. peregrinus than in the other three species. This seems to correlate with the flight styles of the birds: F. tinnunculus hovers and its primaries might therefore withstand large mechanical forces. A. nisus has often to change its flight directions during hunting and perhaps needs its alulae for this maneuvers, and in F. peregrinus, the base of the tail feathers might need a high stiffness during breaking after diving. J. Morphol. 276:33–46, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of Dobrava hantavirus RNA in Apodemus mice in Bulgaria
Authors: Christova Iva , Plyusnina Angelina , Gladnishka Teodora , Kalvatchev Nikolay , Trifonova Iva , Dimitrov Hristo , Mitkovska Vesela , Mohareb Emad , Plyusnin Alexander
Published: August 2014

Several Hantaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe: Dobrava‐Belgrade virus (DOBV), Puumala, Saaremaa, Sochi, and Seoul virus. Although HFRS is endemic in Bulgaria, genome sequences of hantaviruses have never been detected in wild rodents. To identify rodent reservoirs, a total of 691 rodents from three endemic regions were trapped in 2011–2012 and screened by TaqMan RT‐PCR for detection of hantaviral genomic RNA. Partial small (S) and/or large (L)‐segment sequences were recovered from six Apodemus mice: five of the species A. flavicollis and one A. agrarius. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all recovered sequences belonged to DOBV. On the phylogenetic trees, the novel Bulgarian hantavirus sequences clustered together with sequences of established previously DOBV variants recovered from Bulgarian HFRS patients and also with variants found in wild rodents trapped in Slovenia, Greece, and Slovakia. One of the novel Bulgarian DOBV S‐sequences from A. agrarius was related closely to DOBV sequences recovered from A. flavicollis, suggesting a spillover of DOBV from its natural host to A. agrarius mice. The results of this study confirmed the circulation of DOBV in wild rodents in Bulgaria. The complexity of the epidemiological situation in the Balkans requires further studies of hantaviruses in rodent hosts and human HFRS cases. J. Med. Virol. 87:263–268, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dairy matrix effect on the transference of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil compounds during cheese making
Authors: Moro Armando , Librán Celia M , Berruga M Isabel , Carmona Manuel , Zalacain Amaya
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

The use of aromatic plant extracts as ingredients may be compromised owing to low transference and activity lack in food matrixes compared with in vitro trials. Rosemary essential oil (REO) was added to sheep milk to study the transference of its compounds during the cheese‐making process and to determine how cheese antimicrobial activity is modified.

RESULTS

The volatile characterization of dairy samples was performed using headspace stir bar sorptive extraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS‐SBSE/GC/MS) so that fat matrix interferences were reduced. This method detected a decrease in volatile recovery concentration of 19.33% when REO was added to milk. A total recovery volatile yield of 62.51% was measured from the initial quantification of milk to cheese, with hydrocarbon volatiles being transferred in a higher ratio (64.88%) than oxygenated ones (58.74%). No effects were observed for REO in fortified cheese on the counts of native flora necessary for ripening processes, but the total inhibition of Clostridium spp. was provoked

CONCLUSION

The study of active compound transference during cheese elaboration was achieved. The antimicrobial results in fortified cheeses with REO showed a preventive effect in the case of clostridial species, which are responsible for late cheese blowing. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of setting temperature on glucono‐δ‐lactone‐induced gelation of silver carp surimi
Authors: Weng Wuyin , Zheng Wenxiang
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

Setting temperature is important for heat‐induced surimi gel formation. However, there is little information concerning setting temperature on the properties of glucono‐δ‐lactone (GDL)‐induced surimi gel, which is considered a new preparation technique.

RESULTS

The pH of surimi gel induced by 2% GDL was about 4.6, while the breaking force of GDL‐induced surimi gel preheated at a temperature range of 35–50 °C was higher than that of heat‐induced surimi gel. The breaking force, deformation and whiteness of GDL‐induced surimi gel were increased with increasing setting temperature from 30 to 45 °C, but water‐holding capacity was decreased. When setting temperature was further increased to 50 °C, the textural properties were decreased, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) was degraded slightly. The data of protein subunits solubilized in various solvents revealed that MHC participated in the formation of GDL‐induced surimi gel mainly through hydrophobic interactions. Furthermore, when GDL‐induced surimi gel was preheated at 45 °C, a compact and fine fiber microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy.

CONCLUSION

Setting treatment at the appropriate temperature could promote the formation of a fine, compact GDL‐induced surimi gel network, resulting in improved textural properties. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
18F‐Radiolabeling, Preliminary Evaluation of Folate‐pHPMA Conjugates via PET
Authors: Schieferstein Hanno , Kelsch Annette , Reibel Achim , Koynov Kaloian , Barz Matthias , Buchholz Hans‐Georg , Bausbacher Nicole , Thews Oliver , Zentel Rudolf , Ross Tobias L.
Published: August 2014

The synthesis of a 10.5 kDa and a 52.5 kDa polymer, based on pHPMA functionalized with tyramine for 18F‐labeling and a folate derivative as targeting moiety, is reported. FCS studies are conducted using Oregon Green‐labeled conjugates. No aggregation is observed for the 10.5 kDa conjugate, but strong aggregation for the 52.5 kDa conjugate. In vivo studies are conducted using Walker‐256 mammary carcinoma model to determine body distribution as function of size and especially targeting unit. These in vivo studies show a higher short time (2 h) accumulation for both conjugates in the tumor than for untargeted pHPMA, confirmed by blockade studies. The 10.5 kDa polymer accumulates with 0.46% ID g−1 and the 52.5 kDa polymer with 0.28% ID g−1 in the tumor after 2 h, demonstrating the potential of the folate‐targeting concept.
Hetero‐Stereocomplex Crystallization between Star‐Shaped 4‐Arm Poly(l‐2‐hydroxybutanoic acid) and Poly(d‐lactic acid) from the Melt
Authors: Tsuji Hideto , Suzuki Miho
Published: August 2014

Four‐arm poly(l‐2‐hydroxybutanoic acid) [P(L‐2HB)]/poly(d‐lactic acid) (PDLA) blends are phase‐separated to form P(L‐2HB)‐rich and PDLA‐rich domains. Hetero‐stereocomplex (HTSC) crystallization should occur at the interface of two types of domains. The crystallization temperature ranges, wherein HTSC crystallites, P(L‐2HB), and PDLA homocrystallites are crystallizable in the star‐shaped 4‐arm P(L‐2HB)/PDLA blends, are much narrower than those reported for linear 1‐arm P(L‐2HB)/PDLA blends, indicating that the star‐shaped architecture disturbs the isothermal crystallization of the blends. Exclusive HTSC crystallization is not observed for the star‐shaped 4‐arm blends during isothermal crystallization in marked contrast with the result reported for the linear 1‐arm blends.

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Skin grafted latissimus dorsi flap for reconstruction of lateral aesthetic units of the face
Authors: Longo Benedetto , Laporta Rosaria , Pagnoni Marco , Campanale Antonella , Grippaudo Francesca Romana , Santanelli Di Pompeo Fabio
Published: August 2014

Reconstruction of large defects of the lateral region of the face is rather challenging due to the unique color, texture, and thickness of soft tissues in this area. Microsurgical free flaps represent the gold standard, providing superior functional and aesthetic restoration. Purpose of this study was to assess reliability of skin‐grafted latissimus dorsi (LD) flap, for a pleasant and symmetric reconstruction of the lateral aesthetic units of the face compared to a control group of patients addressed to perforator flaps. From November 2008 to June 2012, 5 patients underwent skin‐grafted LD flap reconstruction of defects involving the lateral aesthetic units of the face, with 8.1 ± 0.5 × 9.7 ± 1.3 cm mean size. A 1‐to‐4 Likert scale was used to assess skin color, texture, shape, and bulkiness. Using the Pressure‐Specified Sensory Device epicritic, proprioceptive, and protopathic sensitivities were tested. Outcomes were compared with those of a control group of 5 patients addressed to reconstruction with perforator flaps (3 anterolateral thigh flap, 2 vertical deep inferior perforator flap). At mean 21‐month follow‐up all flaps healed uneventfully without need for revisions, all developing more satisfactory results in terms of skin color (P = 0.028) and texture (P = 0.021) match, shape (P = 0.047) and bulkiness (P = 0.012) compared with perforator flaps. No differences in epicritic, proprioceptive, and protopathic sensitivities were observed (P > 0.05) between the two groups. Skin‐grafted LD flap may be a suitable option for reconstruction of wide defects of the lateral aesthetic units of the face. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:177–182, 2015.
Characterization of trabecular bone density with ultra‐short echo‐time MRI at 1.5, 3.0 and 7.0 T – comparison with micro‐computed tomography
Authors: Wurnig Moritz C. , Calcagni Maurizio , Kenkel David , Vich Magdalena , Weiger Markus , Andreisek Gustav , Wehrli Felix W. , Boss Andreas
Published: August 2014

The goal of this study was to test the potential of ultra‐short echo‐time (UTE) MRI at 1.5, 3.0 and 7.0 T for depiction of trabecular bone structure (of the wrist bones), to evaluate whether T2* relaxation times of bone water and parametric maps of T2* of trabecular bone could be obtained at all three field strengths, and to compare the T2* relaxation times with structural parameters obtained from micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) as a reference standard. Ex vivo carpal bones of six wrists were excised en bloc and underwent MRI at 1.5, 3.0 and 7.0 T in a whole‐body MR imager using the head coil. A three‐dimensional radial fat‐suppressed UTE sequence was applied with subsequent acquisitions, with six different echo times TE of 150, 300, 600, 1200, 3500 and 7000 µs. The T2* relaxation time and pixel‐wise computed T2* parametric maps were compared with a micro‐computed‐tomography reference standard providing trabecular bone structural parameters including porosity (defined as the bone‐free fraction within a region of interest), trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, trabecular number and fractal dimension (Dk). T2* relaxation curves and parametric maps could be computed from datasets acquired at all field strengths. Mean T2* relaxation times of trabecular bone were 4580 ± 1040 µs at 1.5 T, 2420 ± 560 µs at 3.0 T and 1220 ± 300 µs at 7.0 T, when averaged over all carpal bones. A positive correlation of T2* with trabecular bone porosity and trabecular separation, and a negative correlation of T2* relaxation time with trabecular thickness, trabecular number and fractal dimension, was detected (p < 0.01 for all field strengths and micro‐CT parameters). We conclude that UTE MRI may be useful to characterize the structure of trabecular bone, comparable to micro‐CT. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement of regional variation of GABA in the human brain by optimized point‐resolved spectroscopy at 7 T in vivo
Authors: Ganji Sandeep K. , An Zhongxu , Banerjee Abhishek , Madan Akshay , Hulsey Keith M. , Choi Changho
Published: August 2014

The 1H resonances of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the human brain in vivo are extensively overlapped with the neighboring abundant resonances of other metabolites and remain indiscernible in short‐TE MRS at 7 T. Here we report that the GABA resonance at 2.28 ppm can be fully resolved by means of echo time optimization of a point‐resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) scheme. Following numerical simulations and phantom validation, the subecho times of PRESS were optimized at (TE, TE2) = (31, 61) ms for detection of GABA, glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), and glutathione (GSH). The in vivo feasibility of the method was tested in several brain regions in nine healthy subjects. Spectra were acquired from the medial prefrontal, left frontal, medial occipital, and left occipital brain and analyzed with LCModel. Following the gray and white matter (GM and WM) segmentation of T1‐weighted images, linear regression of metabolite estimates was performed against the fractional GM contents. The GABA concentration was estimated to be about seven times higher in GM than in WM. GABA was overall higher in frontal than in occipital brain. Glu was about twice as high in GM as in WM in both frontal and occipital brain. Gln was significantly different between frontal GM and WM while being similar between occipital GM and WM. GSH did not show significant dependence on tissue content. The signals from N‐acetylaspartylglutamate were clearly resolved, giving the concentration more than 10 times higher in WM than in GM. Our data indicate that the PRESS TE = 92 ms method provides an effective means for measuring GABA and several challenging J‐coupled spin metabolites in human brain at 7 T. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.