bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of copy number alterations in a mouse model of fibrosis‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma reveals concordance with human disease
Authors: Chappell Grace , Silva Grace O. , Uehara Takeki , Pogribny Igor P. , Rusyn Ivan
Published: January 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent human cancer with rising incidence worldwide. Human HCC is frequently associated with chronic liver inflammation and cirrhosis, pathophysiological processes that are a consequence of chronic viral infection, disturbances in metabolism, or exposure to chemical toxicants. To better characterize the pathogenesis of HCC, we used a human disease‐relevant mouse model of fibrosis‐associated hepatocarcinogenesis. In this model, marked liver tumor response caused by the promutagenic chemical N‐nitrosodiethylamine in the presence of liver fibrosis was associated with epigenetic events indicative of genomic instability. Therefore, we hypothesized that DNA copy number alterations (CNAs), a feature of genomic instability and a common characteristic of cancer, are concordant between human HCC and mouse models of fibrosis‐associated hepatocarcinogenesis. We evaluated DNA CNAs and changes in gene expression in the mouse liver (normal, tumor, and nontumor fibrotic tissues). Additionally, we compared our findings to DNA CNAs in human HCC cases (tumor and nontumor cirrhotic/fibrotic tissues) using publicly available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We observed that while fibrotic liver tissue is largely devoid of DNA CNAs, highly frequently occurring DNA CNAs are found in mouse tumors, which is indicative of a profound increase in chromosomal instability in HCC. The cross‐species gene‐level comparison of CNAs identified shared regions of CNAs between human fibrosis‐ and cirrhosis‐associated liver tumors and mouse fibrosis‐associated HCC. Our results suggest that CNAs most commonly arise in neoplastic tissue rather than in fibrotic or cirrhotic liver, and demonstrate the utility of this mouse model in replicating the molecular features of human HCC.
Musashi2 as a novel predictive biomarker for liver metastasis and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zong Zhen , Zhou Taicheng , Rao Liangjun , Jiang Zhipeng , Li Yingru , Hou Zehui , Yang Bin , Han Fanghai , Chen Shuang
Published: January 2016

Aberrant expression of musashi2 (MSI‐2) has been detected in several malignancies. However, its role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. Our study was designed to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of MSI‐2 protein in patients with colorectal cancer. The expression of MSI‐2 was detected in 164 patients’ colorectal cancer and control specimens by the tissue microarray technique and immunohistochemical staining. The correlations between MSI‐2 expression and clinicopathological variables including overall survival were analyzed. The prognostic value of liver metastasis is evaluated by logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. MSI‐2 was highly expressed in 32.9% (54/164) of the colorectal cancer. Overexpression of MSI‐2 was associated with depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, liver metastasis, Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) clinical stage, and Carcinoembryonicantigen (CEA) level (P = 0.040, 0.014, <0.001, <0.001, 0.003, and 0.002, respectively). In the Cox multivariate test, MSI‐2 overexpression, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were found to be the independent prognostic factors (P = 0.027, 0.010, and 0.001, respectively). Further logistic regression suggested that TNM stage and MSI‐2 high expression were related to liver metastasis in colorectal cancer patients. Conclusively, our study indicates that MSI‐2 overexpression is associated with an unfavorable prognosis and may be a potential biomarker for liver metastasis in colorectal cancer patients.
Advantages of the Quadruple Screen over noninvasive prenatal testing
Authors: Keller Nathan A. , Rijshinghani Asha
Published: January 2016

Key Clinical Message

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is becoming increasingly popular with some offering it as a primary screen option in all patients in place of serum screening. Serum screening offers insight into placental function, which NIPT does not. Abnormal levels of analytes in the serum screen have been associated with pregnancy complications.
Sample‐size calculation for tests of homogeneity
Authors: Chen Jiahua , Li Pengfei , Liu Yukun
Published: January 2016

Mixture models are widely used to explain excessive variation in observations that is not captured by standard parametric models, and they lead to suggestive latent structures. The hypothetical latent structure often needs critical examination based on experimental data. It is therefore important to know the sample size needed to ensure a reasonable chance of success. We investigate this issue for the EM‐test and the test. They are shown to be asymptotically equivalent and have simple limiting distributions under two sets of local alternatives for commonly used mixture models. We obtain a simple sample‐size formula and an associated simulation‐based calibration procedure, and we demonstrate via data examples and simulation studies that they provide useful guidance for several common mixture models. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 44: 82–101; 2016 © 2016 Statistical Society of Canada
Localization of the M2 muscarinic cholinergic receptor in dendrites, cholinergic terminals, and noncholinergic terminals in the rat basolateral amygdala: An ultrastructural analysis
Authors: Muller Jay F. , Mascagni Franco , Zaric Violeta , Mott David D. , McDonald Alexander J.
Published: January 2016

Activation of M2 muscarinic receptors (M2Rs) in the rat anterior basolateral nucleus (BLa) is critical for the consolidation of memories of emotionally arousing events. The present investigation used immunocytochemistry at the electron microscopic level to determine which structures in the BLa express M2Rs. In addition, dual localization of M2R and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter protein (VAChT), a marker for cholinergic axons, was performed to determine whether M2R is an autoreceptor in cholinergic axons innervating the BLa. M2R immunoreactivity (M2R‐ir) was absent from the perikarya of pyramidal neurons, with the exception of the Golgi complex, but was dense in the proximal dendrites and axon initial segments emanating from these neurons. Most perikarya of nonpyramidal neurons were also M2R–negative. About 95% of dendritic shafts and 60% of dendritic spines were M2 immunoreactive (M2R+). Some M2R+ dendrites had spines, suggesting that they belonged to pyramidal cells, whereas others had morphological features typical of nonpyramidal neurons. M2R‐ir was also seen in axon terminals, most of which formed asymmetrical synapses. The main targets of M2R+ terminals forming asymmetrical (putative excitatory) synapses were dendritic spines, most of which were M2R+. The main targets of M2R+ terminals forming symmetrical (putative inhibitory or neuromodulatory) synapses were unlabeled perikarya and M2R+ dendritic shafts. M2R‐ir was also seen in VAChT+ cholinergic terminals, indicating a possible autoreceptor role. These findings suggest that M2R‐mediated mechanisms in the BLa are very complex, involving postsynaptic effects in dendrites as well as regulating release of glutamate, γ‐aminobutyric acid, and acetylcholine from presynaptic axon terminals. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2400–2417, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Somatotopic map of the active electrosensory sense in the midbrain of the mormyrid Gnathonemus petersii
Authors: Hollmann Vanessa , Hofmann Volker , Engelmann Jacob
Published: January 2016

In many vertebrates parallel processing in topographically ordered maps is essential for efficient sensory processing. In the active electrosensory pathway of mormyrids afferent input is processed in two parallel somatotopically ordered hindbrain maps of the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL), the dorsolateral zone (DLZ), and the medial zone (MZ). Here phase and amplitude modulations of the self‐generated electric field were processed separately. Behavioral data indicates that this information must be merged for the sensory system to categorically distinguish capacitive and resistive properties of objects. While projections between both zones of the ELL have been found, the available physiological data suggests that this merging takes place in the midbrain torus semicircularis (TS). Previous anatomical data indicate that the detailed somatotopic representation present in the ELL is lost in the nucleus lateralis (NL) of the TS, while a rough rostrocaudal mapping is maintained. In our study we investigated the projections from the hindbrain to the midbrain in more detail, using tracer injections. Our data reveals that afferents from both maps of the ELL terminate in a detailed somatotopic manner within the midbrain NL. Furthermore, we provide data indicating that phase and amplitude information may indeed be processed jointly in the NL. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2479–2491, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synaptic circuitry of identified neurons in the antennal lobe of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Rybak Jürgen , Talarico Giovanni , Ruiz Santiago , Arnold Christopher , Cantera Rafael , Hansson Bill S.
Published: January 2016

In Drosophila melanogaster olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) establish synapses with projection neurons (PNs) and local interneurons within antennal lobe (AL) glomeruli. Substantial knowledge regarding this circuitry has been obtained by functional studies, whereas ultrastructural evidence of synaptic contacts is scarce. To fill this gap, we studied serial sections of three glomeruli using electron microscopy. Ectopic expression of a membrane‐bound peroxidase allowed us to map synaptic sites along PN dendrites. Our data prove for the first time that each of the three major types of AL neurons is both pre‐ and postsynaptic to the other two types, as previously indicated by functional studies. PN dendrites carry a large proportion of output synapses, with approximately one output per every three input synapses. Detailed reconstructions of PN dendrites showed that these synapses are distributed unevenly, with input and output sites partially segregated along a proximal–distal gradient and the thinnest branches carrying solely input synapses. Moreover, our data indicate synapse clustering, as we found evidence of dendritic tiling of PN dendrites. PN output synapses exhibited T‐shaped presynaptic densities, mostly arranged as tetrads. In contrast, output synapses from putative OSNs showed elongated presynaptic densities in which the T‐bar platform was supported by several pedestals and contacted as many as 20 postsynaptic profiles. We also discovered synaptic contacts between the putative OSNs. The average synaptic density in the glomerular neuropil was about two synapses/µm3. These results are discussed with regard to current models of olfactory glomerular microcircuits across species. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:1920–1956, 2016. © 2016 The Authors The Journal of Comparative Neurology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Highly Selective Oxidation of Carbohydrates in an Efficient Electrochemical Energy Converter: Cogenerating Organic Electrosynthesis
Authors: Holade Yaovi , Servat Karine , Napporn Teko W. , Morais Cláudia , Berjeaud Jean‐Marc , Kokoh Kouakou B.
Published: January 2016

The selective electrochemical conversion of highly functionalized organic molecules into electricity, heat, and added‐value chemicals for fine chemistry requires the development of highly selective, durable, and low‐cost catalysts. Here, we propose an approach to make catalysts that can convert carbohydrates into chemicals selectively and produce electrical power and recoverable heat. A 100 % Faradaic yield was achieved for the selective oxidation of the anomeric carbon of glucose and its related carbohydrates (C1‐position) without any function protection. Furthermore, the direct glucose fuel cell (DGFC) enables an open‐circuit voltage of 1.1 V in 0.5 m NaOH to be reached, a record. The optimized DGFC delivers an outstanding output power Pmax=2 mW cm−2 with the selective conversion of 0.3 m glucose, which is of great interest for cogeneration. The purified reaction product will serve as a raw material in various industries, which thereby reduces the cost of the whole sustainable process.
Graphene‐Encapsulated Nanosheet‐Assembled Zinc–Nickel–Cobalt Oxide Microspheres for Enhanced Lithium Storage
Authors: Zhang Qiaobao , Chen Huixin , Han Xiang , Cai Junjie , Yang Yong , Liu Meilin , Zhang Kaili
Published: January 2016

Invited for this month′s cover are the groups of Profs. Y. Yong (City University Hong Kong), M. Liu (Georgia Institute of Technology), and K. Zhang (Xiamen University). The image shows zinc–nickel–cobalt oxide microspheres coated with graphene nanosheets, which significantly enhances their cyclability when used in Li‐ion batteries. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201501151.
Reliability of fine‐needle aspiration and ultrasound‐based characteristics of thyroid nodules for diagnosing malignancy in Iranian patients
Authors: Akhavan Asghar , Jafari Seyyed Mehrdad , Khosravi Mohammad Hossein , Khajehpour Hojjatollah , Karimi‐Sari Hamidreza
Published: January 2016

Background

Sonography and fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNA‐B) have been approved as method of choice in diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules. Unnecessary FNA‐B not only is invasive and costly but also results in second biopsy or unnecessary surgery. So we aimed to determine the specificity and sensitivity of sonography and FNA‐B, without sonography guidance, in diagnosis of malignant and benign thyroid nodules.

Methods

Patients with thyroid nodule referred to Baqiyatallah Hospital in 2014–2015 and candidates for surgical nodule resection were selected using simple random sampling method. Patients were evaluated by sonography and FNA. Sonographic characteristics of nodule were described. All patients underwent surgical resection and gross samples were sent for pathological evaluation, the gold standard for measuring the specificity and sensitivity of sonographic findings and FNA in diagnosis of malignant nodules.

Results

Ninety patients with the mean age of 45.95 ± 12.3 years were evaluated (17 male and 73 female). Comparing the patients with correct and incorrect sonography‐based diagnosis showed significant differences in nodule's width, area, calcification, border, and cervical lymphadenopathy (P < 0.05). Comparing the patients with correct and incorrect FNA‐based diagnosis showed significant differences in patients' age and tall‐shape nodule (P < 0.05). The diagnosis of sonographist had 56.25% sensitivity and 95.9% specificity, and the FNA‐based diagnosis had 81.25% sensitivity and 93.7% specificity.

Conclusion

Among sonography findings, width and area of nodule, calcification, and nodule border have significant effect on malignancy diagnosis. Also FNA is necessary in nodules with calcification, border irregularity, and less width and area, especially in younger patients. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:269–273. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effects of habitat management on the species, phylogenetic and functional diversity of bees are modified by the environmental context
Authors: Sydenham Markus A. K. , Moe Stein R. , Stanescu‐Yadav Diana N. , Totland Ørjan , Eldegard Katrine
Published: January 2016

Anthropogenic landscape elements, such as roadsides, hedgerows, field edges, and power line clearings, can be managed to provide important habitats for wild bees. However, the effects of habitat improvement schemes in power line clearings on components of diversity are poorly studied. We conducted a large‐scale experiment to test the effects of different management practices on the species, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of wild bees in power line clearings (n = 19 sites across southeastern Norway) and explored whether any treatment effects were modified by the environmental context. At each site, we conducted the following treatments: (1) Cut: all trees cut and left to decay in the clearing; (2) Cut + Remove: all trees cut and removed from the plot; and (3) Uncut: uncleared. The site‐specific environmental context (i.e., elevation and floral diversity) influenced the species, phylogenetic, and functional diversity within bee species assemblages. The largest number of species was found in the Cut + Remove treatment in plots with a high forb species richness, indicating that the outcome of management practices depends on the environmental context. Clearing of treatment plots with many forb species also appeared to alter the phylogenetic composition of bee species assemblages, that is, more closely related species were found in the Cut and the Cut + Remove plots than in the Uncut plots. Synthesis and applications: Our experimental simulation of management practices in power line clearings influenced the species, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of bee species assemblages. Frequent clearing and removal of the woody debris at low elevations with a high forb species richness can increase the value of power line clearings for solitary bees. It is therefore important for managers to consider the environmental context when designing habitat improvement schemes for solitary bees.
A widely used spectrophotometric assay to quantify olive oil biophenols according to the health claim (EU Reg. 432/2012)
Authors: Reboredo‐Rodríguez Patricia , Valli Enrico , Bendini Alessandra , Di Lecce Giuseppe , Simal‐Gándara Jesus , Gallina Toschi Tullia
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this work was to find a simple, cheap, and suitable method, among the most widely employed, able to guarantee a proper determination and quantification of the phenolic content of extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs), in order to satisfy the requirements of the specific health claim (EU Reg. 432/2012). Total phenolic content by Folin–Ciocalteu (FC) was used and compared versus phenolic profile by HPLC‐UV, considering this latter as the most sensitive and specific method for evaluating the phenolic content. Both protocols were performed before and after an acid hydrolysis of the polar phenolic fraction that involves a break of the bound forms of hydroxytyrosol (HTyr) and tyrosol (Tyr), with a simplification of the phenolic profile, and quantification of their total free forms. Results of the phenolic compounds of twelve EVOOs, determined by the different analytical approaches, were statistically compared by means of two‐tailed paired t‐tests: data obtained by the FC assay (expressed as HTyr) before and/or after acid hydrolysis were statistically comparable with results obtained by acid hydrolysis‐HPLC (as sum of HTyr and Tyr).

Practical applications: The promising results obtained in this study show that the simple and cheap colorimetric assay based on the use of the FC reagent, commonly used for the evaluation of phenolic compounds in hydro‐alcoholic extracts of EVOO, can be also efficiently applied, without acid hydrolysis of extracts and HPLC analysis, to verify the compliance to the polyphenols health claim introduced by EU Reg. 432/2012. In fact, in order to preserve the positive image of EVOO due to its healthy properties, it is necessary i) to share an analytical protocol to determine the amount of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives having a demonstrated effect of protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress ii) to check by this protocol if EVOOs satisfy the EU requirement for including the specific health claim on the oil label.

The simple and cheap Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric assay, commonly used for the evaluation of phenolic compounds in hydro‐alcoholic extracts of EVOO, can also be efficiently applied to verify the compliance to the health claim introduced by EU Reg. 432/2012.
Acyl migration in enzymatic interesterification of triacylglycerols: Effects of lipases from Thermomyces lanuginosus and Rhizopus oryzae, support material, and water activity
Authors: Cao Xi , Mangas‐Sánchez Juan , Feng Fengqin , Adlercreutz Patrick
Published: January 2016

The enzymatic interesterification of a solvent‐free, equimolar mixture of trilaurin and 1,3‐palmitin‐2‐olein was studied using three immobilized lipase preparations as catalysts. Analysis of triacylglycerol (TAG) content and fatty acid (FA) distribution monitored the lipase‐catalyzed interesterification in sn‐1,3 positions and FA exchange in the sn‐2 position caused by acyl migration. Lipase from Rhizopus oryzae immobilized on polypropylene showed high sn‐1,3 regioselectivity, and minimal exchange in the sn‐2 position. With lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus on silica (Lipozyme® TL IM), completely randomized FA distribution was obtained in 24 h. T. lanuginosus lipase on polypropylene caused a moderate rate of FA exchange in the sn‐2 position. Thus, the T. lanuginosus lipase and silica promoted randomization of FA distribution, whereas the R. oryzae lipase and polypropylene did not. Higher water activity promoted hydrolysis and thereby increased concentrations of partial acylglycerols, but at the same time a decrease in the acyl migration rate of these intermediates was also observed. The net result was that at a certain degree of interesterification, there was no significant effect of water activity on the degree of exchange in the sn‐2 position. On the other hand, a low water activity had the major advantage of giving a high yield of TAG.

Practical applications: Both the type and the position of FA affect the properties of TAG. In TAG interesterification, there are thus different requirements for regiospecificity in FA exchange, depending on which product is desired. According to our results, lipase‐based catalysts can be used for TAG interesterification either to achieve unchanged FA composition in sn‐2 position or fast FA randomization in all positions. This helps to broaden the application of lipases in interesterification. The production of TAG can be tailor‐made for lipid mixtures with particular TAG composition and FA distribution using proper lipases, support materials, water activity, and reaction time.

The enzymatic LLL–POP model reaction was used to investigate effects of lipase, support material, and water activity on acyl migration. (Fig. A): effect of Lipozyme® TL IM, TLPP and ROPP at aw 0.26, (Fig. B): effect of aw between 0.15 and 0.80 using Lipozyme® TL IM as the example.
Recovery of indium from the etching solution of indium tin oxide by solvent extraction
Authors: Chou Wei‐Shan , Shen Yun‐Hwei , Yang Shien‐Jen , Hsiao Ting‐Che , Huang Lan‐Feng
Published: January 2016

The etching waste solution from the indium‐consuming fabrication processes is considered as the viable resource for indium recovery. The extraction equilibrium of indium(III) from a hydrochloride acid solution using di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as an extractant and dissolved in kerosene by solvent extraction was studied. To optimize the extraction and separation of indium from etching waste solution, the effects of O/A ratio, pH, and extractant concentration on the distribution ratios of In(III) and selective precipitation of alumina, cerium, and iron from indium were also investigated in this work. The experimental results showed that satisfactory separation of alumina, cerium, and iron from indium was achieved with 0.3 M D2EHPA at room temperature and pH values ranging from 1 to 1.5. In this process, 92% of indium could be extracted from 0.74 to 8.62 g/L at an O/A ratio of 1:1. Quantitative stripping experiments of indium by HCl showed that the preferred O/A phase ratio was 1:2 or less at HCl concentration of 2.0 M to attain a high indium recovery and minimum iron coextraction. Where maximum purity is desired, the extraction is desirably carried out in three theoretical extraction stages. Based on these results, the aqueous and organic phase parameters can be easily manipulated to attain a high separation efficiency of indium(III) from commonly associated elements. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 758–763, 2016
Geomorphological control on boulder transport and coastal erosion before, during and after an extreme extra‐tropical cyclone
Authors: Naylor Larissa A. , Stephenson Wayne J. , Smith Helen C. M. , Way Oliver , Mendelssohn James , Cowley Andrew
Published: January 2016

Extreme wave events in coastal zones are principal drivers of geomorphic change. Evidence of boulder entrainment and erosional impact during storms is increasing. However, there is currently poor time coupling between pre‐ and post‐storm measurements of coastal boulder deposits. Importantly there are no data reporting shore platform erosion, boulder entrainment and/or boulder transport during storm events – rock coast dynamics during storm events are currently unexplored. Here, we use high‐resolution (daily) field data to measure and characterize coastal boulder transport before, during and after the extreme Northeast Atlantic extra‐tropical cyclone Johanna in March 2008. Forty‐eight limestone fine‐medium boulders (n = 46) and coarse cobbles (n = 2) were tracked daily over a 0.1 km2 intertidal area during this multi‐day storm. Boulders were repeatedly entrained, transported and deposited, and in some cases broken down (n = 1) or quarried (n = 3), during the most intense days of the storm. Eighty‐one percent (n = 39) of boulders were located at both the start and end of the storm. Of these, 92% were entrained where entrainment patterns were closely aligned to wave parameters. These data firmly demonstrate rock coasts are dynamic and vulnerable under storm conditions. No statistically significant relationship was found between boulder size (mass) and net transport distance. Graphical analyses suggest that boulder size limits the maximum longshore transport distance but that for the majority of boulders lying under this threshold, other factors influence transport distance. Paired analysis of 20 similar sized and shaped boulders in different morphogenic zones demonstrates that geomorphological control affects entrainment and transport distance – where net transport distances were up to 39 times less where geomorphological control was greatest. These results have important implications for understanding and for accurately measuring and modelling boulder entrainment and transport. Coastal managers require these data for assessing erosion risk. © 2016 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Effects of blanching, acidification, or addition of EDTA on vitamin C and β‐carotene stability during mango purée preparation
Authors: Guiamba Isabel R. F. , Svanberg Ulf
Published: January 2016

The impact of acidification with citric acid, addition of EDTA or water blanching at high temperature, and short time (HTST) conducted at 90°C for 4 min, on the retention of vitamin C (L‐AA and DHAA) and β‐carotene was studied in mango purée 30 min after crushing. HTST blanching prior to matrix disruption into purée resulted in complete inactivation of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and minor residual activity (8%) of ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO). The retention of total vitamin C was 100% in blanched purées and in purée with EDTA and about 90% in purées at pH 3.9 and 5.0. Acidification, blanching, and addition of EDTA preserved vitamin C mainly as L‐AA, while complete conversion into DHAA was observed in purée at pH 5.0. The retention of all‐trans‐β‐carotene was between 65 and 72%, with the highest value in purée with EDTA and the lowest value in purée of blanched mango. The ratio of 13‐cis‐β‐carotene in fresh mango was 8.2 ± 0.5% that increased significantly after blanching and in purée at pH 5.0.
Optimization of oil extraction from giant bushel gourd seeds using response surface methodology
Authors: Popoola Yetunde Yemisi , Akinoso Rahman , Raji Akeem Olayemi
Published: January 2016

Gourd seeds have been identified as a source of edible oil, but there is sparse literature on the effect of processing factors on the characteristics of oil extracted from any Lagenaria spp. Optimization of oil extraction with the aid of expeller was achieved by applying response surface methodology. The variables were roasting temperature (87.70–172.0°C) and roasting duration (7.93–22.07 min), while the responses were oil yield and oil quality (free fatty acid, color, specific gravity, saponification value, moisture, and refractive index). Data obtained were analyzed at P < 0.05. Roasting conditions significantly influenced all the responses at P < 0.05. The optimum roasting condition was 100°C for 20 min, which gave 27.62% oil yield with good quality attributes (free fatty acid: 0.61%, color: 3.47 abs, specific gravity: 0.90 g/mL, saponification value: 289.66 mL, and refractive index: 1.47).
Dynamic Transmission Economic Evaluation of Infectious Disease Interventions in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Drake Tom L. , Devine Angela , Yeung Shunmay , Day Nicholas P. J. , White Lisa J. , Lubell Yoel
Published: January 2016

Economic evaluation using dynamic transmission models is important for capturing the indirect effects of infectious disease interventions. We examine the use of these methods in low‐ and middle‐income countries, where infectious diseases constitute a major burden. This review is comprised of two parts: (1) a summary of dynamic transmission economic evaluations across all disease areas published between 2011 and mid‐2014 and (2) an in‐depth review of mosquito‐borne disease studies focusing on health economic methods and reporting. Studies were identified through a systematic search of the MEDLINE database and supplemented by reference list screening. Fifty‐seven studies were eligible for inclusion in the all‐disease review. The most common subject disease was HIV/AIDS, followed by malaria. A diverse range of modelling methods, outcome metrics and sensitivity analyses were used, indicating little standardisation. Seventeen studies were included in the mosquito‐borne disease review. With notable exceptions, most studies did not employ economic evaluation methods beyond calculating a cost‐effectiveness ratio or net benefit. Many did not adhere to health care economic evaluations reporting guidelines, particularly with respect to full model reporting and uncertainty analysis. We present a summary of the state‐of‐the‐art and offer recommendations for improved implementation and reporting of health economic methods in this crossover discipline. © 2016 The Authors.Health Economicspublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Smoking Response to Health and Medical Spending Changes and the Role of Insurance
Authors: Marti Joachim , Richards Michael R.
Published: January 2016

Severe health shocks provide new information about one's personal health and have been shown to influence smoking behaviors. In this paper, we suggest that they may also convey information about the hard to predict financial consequences of illnesses. Relevant financial risk information is idiosyncratic and unavailable to the consumer preceding illness, and the information search costs are high. However, new and salient information about the health as well as financial consequences of smoking after a health shock may impact smoking responses. Using variation in the timing of health shocks and two features of the US health care system (uninsured spells and aging into the Medicare program at 65), we test for heterogeneity in the post‐shock smoking decision according to plausibly exogenous changes in financial risk exposure to medical spending. We also explore the relationship between smoking and the evolution of out‐of‐pocket costs. Individuals experiencing a cardiovascular health shock during an uninsured spell have more than twice the cessation effect of those receiving the illness while insured. For those uninsured prior to age 65 years, experiencing a cardiovascular shock post Medicare eligibility completely offsets the cessation effect. We also find that older adults' medical spending changes separate from health shocks influence their smoking behavior. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulation of Convective Heat Transfer of Gas–Liquid Bubble Train Flow in Wet Microtube
Authors: Samkhaniani Nima
Published: January 2016

In this paper, a direct numerical simulation of a two‐phase incompressible gas–liquid flow for simulation of bubble motion and convective heat transfer in a microtube is presented. The microtube radius is 10 μm. The interface between the two phases is tracked by the volume of fluid method with the continuous surface force model. Newtonian flows are solved using a finite volume scheme based on the PISO algorithm. Numerical simulation is done on an axisymmetric domain with a periodic boundary condition for different values of pressure gradient, void fraction, and bubble period. Mean pressure gradient is fixed for each simulation. The superficial Reynolds numbers of gas and liquid phases studied are 0.3 to 7 and 5 to 210, respectively. Numerical results are coincident with the Serizawa regime map, and there is a linear relation between the void fraction and gas flow ratio. Simulation shows local Nusselt number increases in the presence of a gas bubble.
Is the Unequal Treatment of Debtors in Natural Person Insolvency Law Justifiable?: A South African Exposition
Authors: Coetzee Hermie
Published: January 2016

The South African natural person insolvency system has remained largely creditor‐orientated and excludes many honest but unfortunate debtors from its ambit. This is despite the worldwide trend to accommodate all such debtors. Although the system does provide for three different statutory natural person debt relief procedures, the cumulative effect of these measures' entry requirements results in differentiation on financial grounds. This is as all statutory measures require the debtor to have some form of disposable assets or income available – thereby drawing a distinction between those debtors with and those without assets and or income (the so‐called no income no asset debtors). The main aim of this article is to measure the South African natural person insolvency system against the right to equality in terms of both the South African Constitution and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. The article may benefit legislatures and policymakers in constitutional jurisdictions that subscribe to the equality principle and that directly or indirectly exclude some debtors from debt relief while providing others therewith. Copyright © 2016 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Substrate stiffness modulates lung cancer cell migration but not epithelial to mesenchymal transition
Authors: Shukla V. C. , Higuita‐Castro N. , Nana‐Sinkam P. , Ghadiali S. N.
Published: January 2016

Biomechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment, including matrix/substrate stiffness, play a significant role in tumor evolution and metastasis. Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a fundamental biological process that is associated with increased cancer cell migration and invasion. The goal of this study was to investigate (1) how substrate stiffness modulates the migration behaviors of lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) and (2) if stiffness‐induced changes in cell migration correlate with biochemical markers of EMT. Collagen‐coated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates and an Ibidi migration assay were used to investigate how substrate stiffness alters the migration patterns of A549 cells. RT‐PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to investigate how substrate stiffness alters biochemical markers of EMT, that is, E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin, and the phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins. Increases in substrate stiffness led to slower, more directional migration but did not alter the biochemical markers of EMT. Interestingly, growth factor (i.e., Transforming Growth Factor‐β) stimulation resulted in similar levels of EMT regardless of substrate stiffness. We also observed decreased levels of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin on stiffer substrates which correlated with slower cell migration. These results indicate that substrate stiffness modulates lung cancer cell migration via focal adhesion signaling as opposed to EMT signaling. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1182–1193, 2016.
Effects of surface area to volume ratio of PLGA scaffolds with different architectures on scaffold degradation characteristics and drug release kinetics
Authors: Chew Sue Anne , Arriaga Marco A. , Hinojosa Victor A.
Published: January 2016

In this work, PLGA scaffolds with different architectures were fabricated to investigate the effects of surface area to volume ratio (SVR) (which resulted from the different architectures) on scaffold degradation characteristics and drug release kinetics with minocycline as the model drug. It was hypothesized that the thin strand scaffolds, which had the highest SVR, would degrade faster than the thick strand and globular scaffolds as the increase in surface area will allow more contact between water molecules and degradable ester groups in the polymer. However, it was found that globular scaffolds, which had the lowest SVR, resulted in the fastest degradation which demonstrated that the amount of degradation of the scaffolds does not only depend on the SVR but also on other factors such as the retention of acidic degradation byproducts in the scaffold and scaffold porosity. PLGA 50 : 50 globular scaffolds resulted in a biphasic release profile, with a burst release in the beginning and the middle of the release study which may be beneficial for some drug delivery applications. A clear correlation between SVR and release rates was not observed, indicating that besides the availability of more surface area for drug to diffuse out of the polymer matrix, other factors such as amount of scaffold degradation and scaffold porosity may play a role in determining drug release kinetics. Further studies, such as scanning electron microscopy, need to be performed in the future to further evaluate the porosity, morphology and structure of the scaffolds. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1202–1211, 2016.
Mechanical properties of commercially available nylon sutures in the United States
Authors: Callahan Travis L. , Lear William , Kruzic Jamie J. , Maughan Cory B.
Published: January 2016

Surgeons can choose from a wide selection of commercially available suture brands, which come at a range of prices. There is currently limited evidence in the literature to guide this selection process. This investigation examined the breaking force, stress, and elongation of a variety of commercially available nylon sutures compared to their relative prices. Seven 5‐0, nonabsorbable, nylon suture brands were tensile tested in straight, knotted and knot‐security configurations according to the procedures outlined by the United States Pharmacopeia for the tensile testing of sutures. Covidien, the cheapest brand tested, had the highest failure load of straight and knot‐security tests. Dafilon was found to have the highest breaking force and percent elongation of knot‐pull tests. J&J Ethicon and Supramid had the highest percent elongation to failure for straight‐pull and knot‐security tests, respectively. This study was limited to specific in vitro tensile properties of nylon suture. Other factors affecting suture quality and price, such as needle properties, were not investigated. The data presented in the study provide information for guiding the selection and purchase of sutures according to tensile properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 815–819, 2017.
Investigation on the Interaction of Norgestrel with Human Serum Albumin Using Spectroscopy and Molecular‐Docking Method
Authors: Ma Xiangling , Wang Qing , Wang Lili , Huang Yanmei , Liao Xiaoxiang , Li Hui
Published: January 2016

The interaction of norgestrel with human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by spectroscopy and molecular‐docking methods. Results of spectroscopy methods suggested that the quenching mechanism of norgestrel on HSA was static quenching and that the quenching process was spontaneous. Negative values of thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS) indicated that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces dominated the binding between norgestrel and HSA. Three‐dimensional fluorescence spectrum and circular dichroism spectrum showed that the HSA structure was slightly changed by norgestrel. Norgestrel mainly bound with Sudlow site I based on a probe study, as confirmed by molecular‐docking results. Competition among similar structures indicated that ethisterone and norethisterone affected the binding of norgestrel with HSA. CH3 in R1 had little effect on norgestrel binding with HSA. The surface hydrophobicity properties of HSA, investigated using 8‐anilino‐1‐naphthalenesulfonic acid, was changed with norgestrel addition.
Use of texture analysis based on contrast‐enhanced MRI to predict treatment response to chemoradiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Liu Jia , Mao Yu , Li Zhenjiang , Zhang Dakai , Zhang Zicheng , Hao Shengnan , Li Baosheng
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To explore the clinical potential of texture analysis using contrast‐enhanced 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting the therapeutic response of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) to chemoradiotherapy.

Materials and Methods

The dataset comprised pretreatment T1‐, T2‐, and diffusion‐weighted MR images from 53 eligible patients with newly diagnosed NPC. The patients were divided into two sets: the training set including 31 responders and 11 nonresponders and the testing set including eight responders and three nonresponders. The region of interest (ROI) was delineated by two radiologists for each sequence. Quantitative image parameters were extracted and statistically filtered to identify a subset of reproducible and nonredundant parameters that were used to construct the predictive model. The internal validation was performed using stratified 10‐fold cross‐validation in the training set and the external validation was performed in the testing set. McNemar's test was used to test the statistical difference between the performances of the extracted parameters in predicting the treatment response.

Results

All three parameter sets showed potential in predicting treatment response with high accuracy (T1: 0.952/0.939, T2: 0.904/0.905, diffusion‐weighted [DWI]: 0.881/0.929). Supervised learning models based on parameters extracted from the T1 sequence showed better classification performance than those extracted from the T2‐weighted (T2W) (artificial neural network [ANN]: P = 0.043, k‐nearest neighbors [kNN]: P = 0.033) and DWI (ANN: P = 0.032. kNN: P = 0.014). No statistical difference was observed in the performance of the two classifiers (P = 0.083).

Conclusion

Texture analysis based on T1W, T2W, and DWI could act as imaging biomarkers of tumor response to chemoradiotherapy in NPC patients and serve as a new radiological analysis tool for treatment prediction. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:445–455.
Dopamine D2 receptors are involved in the regulation of fyn and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 phosphorylation in the rat striatum in vivo
Authors: Mao Li‐Min , Wang John Q.
Published: January 2016

Fyn, a major Src family kinase (SFK) member that is densely expressed in striatal neurons, is actively involved in the regulation of cellular and synaptic activities in local neurons. This SFK member is likely regulated by dopamine signaling through a receptor mechanism involving dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs). This study characterizes the D2R‐dependent regulation of Fyn in the rat striatum in vivo. Moreover, we explore whether D2Rs regulate metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in its tyrosine phosphorylation and whether the D2R–SFK pathway modulates trafficking of mGluR5. We found that blockade of D2Rs by systemic administration of a D2R antagonist, eticlopride, substantially increased SFK phosphorylation in the striatum. This increase was a transient and reversible event. The eticlopride‐induced SFK phosphorylation occurred predominantly in immunopurified Fyn but not in another SFK member, Src. Eticlopride also elevated tyrosine phosphorylation of mGluR5. In parallel, eticlopride enhanced synaptic delivery of active Fyn and mGluR5. Pretreatment with an SFK inhibitor blocked the eticlopride‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation and synaptic trafficking of mGluR5. These results indicate that D2Rs inhibit SFK (mainly Fyn) phosphorylation in the striatum. D2Rs also inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation and synaptic recruitment of mGluR5 through a signaling mechanism likely involving Fyn. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Expression of a chitin deacetylase gene, up‐regulated in Cryptococcus laurentii strain RY1, under nitrogen limitation
Authors: Chakraborty Writachit , Sarkar Soumyadev , Chakravorty Somnath , Bhattacharya Semantee , Bhattacharya Debanjana , Gachhui Ratan
Published: January 2016

This study reports the identification of a chitin deacetylase gene in Cryptococcus laurentii strain RY1 over‐expressing under nitrogen limitation by differential display. The up‐regulation took place in robustly growing cells rather than in starving quiescent autophagic cells. Quantitative Real Time‐PCR, enzyme activity in cell lysate and cell wall analysis corroborated the up‐regulation of chitin deacetylase under nitrogen limitation. These results suggest chitin deacetylase might play a significant role in nitrogen limiting growth of Cryptococcus laurentii strain RY1.
Effect of a concomitant urologic procedure on outcomes following cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
Authors: Lyon Timothy D. , Turner II Robert M. , Nikonow Tara N. , Wang Li , Uy Jamie , Ramalingam Lekshmi , Holtzman Matthew P. , Pingpank James F. , Bartlett David L. , Davies Benjamin J.
Published: January 2016

Background and Objectives

To evaluate whether urologic procedures during cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS‐HIPEC) are associated with adverse postoperative outcomes.

Methods

We identified patients who underwent CRS‐HIPEC at our institution from 2001 to 2012 and compared outcomes between operations that did and did not include a urologic procedure.

Results

A total of 938 CRS‐HIPEC procedures were performed, 71 of which included a urologic intervention. Urologic interventions were associated with longer operative times (547 vs. 459 min, P < 0.001) and greater length of stay (15 vs. 12 days, P = 0.003). Major complications (Clavien III and IV) were more common in the urologic group (31% vs. 20%, P = 0.028). On multivariable analysis, urologic procedures were associated with a low anterior resection (OR: 2.25, 95%CI 1.07–4.74, P = 0.033) and a greater number of enteric anastomoses (OR: 1.83, 95%CI 1.31–2.56, P < 0.001). At a median follow up of 17 months (IQR 5.6–35 months), addition of a urologic procedure did not significantly impact overall survival for appendiceal or colorectal cancers.

Conclusion

Urologic surgery at the time of CRS‐HIPEC is associated with longer operative times, length of stay and increased risk of major complications, but not with decreased overall survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:218–222. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.