bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interhemispheric connections between the infralimbic and entorhinal cortices: The endopiriform nucleus has limbic connections that parallel the sensory and motor connections of the claustrum
Authors: Watson Glenn D.R. , Smith Jared B. , Alloway Kevin D.
Published: February 2016

We have previously shown that the claustrum is part of an interhemispheric circuit that interconnects somesthetic–motor and visual–motor cortical regions. The role of the claustrum in processing limbic information, however, is poorly understood. Some evidence suggests that the dorsal endopiriform nucleus (DEn), which lies immediately ventral to the claustrum, has connections with limbic cortical areas and should be considered part of a claustrum–DEn complex. To determine whether DEn has similar patterns of cortical connections as the claustrum, we used anterograde and retrograde tracing techniques to elucidate the connectivity of DEn. Following injections of retrograde tracers into DEn, labeled neurons appeared bilaterally in the infralimbic (IL) cortex and ipsilaterally in the entorhinal and piriform cortices. Anterograde tracer injections in DEn revealed labeled terminals in the same cortical regions, but only in the ipsilateral hemisphere. These tracer injections also revealed extensive longitudinal projections throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the nucleus. Dual retrograde tracer injections into IL and lateral entorhinal cortex (LEnt) revealed intermingling of labeled neurons in ipsilateral DEn, including many double‐labeled neurons. In other experiments, anterograde and retrograde tracers were separately injected into IL of each hemisphere of the same animal. This revealed an interhemispheric circuit in which IL projects bilaterally to DEn, with the densest terminal labeling appearing in the contralateral hemisphere around retrogradely labeled neurons that project to IL in that hemisphere. By showing that DEn and claustrum have parallel sets of connections, these results suggest that DEn and claustrum perform similar functions in processing limbic and sensorimotor information, respectively. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:1363–1380, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ascending Single‐Dose, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Safety Study of Noribogaine in Opioid‐Dependent Patients
Authors: Glue Paul , Cape Gavin , Tunnicliff Donna , Lockhart Michelle , Lam Fred , Hung Noelyn , Hung C. Tak , Harland Sarah , Devane Jane , Crockett R. S. , Howes John , Darpo Borje , Zhou Meijian , Weis Holger , Friedhoff Lawrence
Published: February 2016

Ibogaine is a psychoactive substance that may reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms. This was the first clinical trial of noribogaine, ibogaine's active metabolite, in patients established on methadone opioid substitution therapy (OST). In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled single ascending‐dose study, we evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of noribogaine in 27 patients seeking to discontinue methadone OST who had been switched to morphine during the previous week. Noribogaine doses were 60, 120, or 180 mg (n = 6/dose level) or matching placebo (n = 3/dose level). Noribogaine was well tolerated. The most frequent treatment‐emergent adverse events were noneuphoric changes in light perception ∼1 hour postdose, headache, and nausea. Noribogaine had dose‐linear increases for AUC and Cmax and was slowly eliminated (mean t1/2 range, 24–30 hours). There was a concentration‐dependent increase in QTcI (0.17 ms/ng/mL), with the largest observed mean effect of ∼16, 28, and 42 milliseconds in the 60‐, 120‐, and 180‐mg groups, respectively. Noribogaine showed a nonstatistically significant trend toward decreased total score in opioid withdrawal ratings, most notably at the 120‐mg dose; however, the study design may have confounded evaluations of time to resumption of OST. Future exposure‐controlled multiple‐dose noribogaine studies are planned that will address these safety and design issues.
Influence of image‐viewers and artifacts on implant length measurements in cone‐beam computed tomography: an in vitro study
Authors: Vazquez Lydia , Srinivasan Murali , Khouja Firas , Combescure Christophe , Carrel Jean‐Pierre
Published: February 2016

This preclinical in vitro study compared the accuracy of implant lengths measured in two different image‐viewers, and examined whether implant‐induced artifacts affected the implant length measurements on CBCT images. A resin edentulous mandibular model, with multiple adjacent implants in the posterior segments, was acquired with a CBCT machine. In two different image‐viewers, two observers independently measured the implant length. Vertical measurements on CBCT images were carried out twice at each session, and repeated one week later. The results demonstrated no significant differences between actual and measured implant lengths. The differences in the mean error for vertical measurements using the two different image‐viewers (cross‐sectional images: OsiriX viewer = −0.01 ± 0.03 mm, NewTom viewer = −0.05 ± 0.09 mm, p‐value = 0.056; sagittal images: OsiriX viewer = −0.03 ± 0.04 mm; NewTom viewer = −0.04 ± 0.10 mm, p‐value = 0.24) were not statistically significant. This in vitro investigation suggests that the accuracy of implant length measurements on CBCT images was not influenced by image‐viewers or by the presence of implant‐induced artifacts. The presence of multiple adjacent implants in the posterior segments of the mandible is not likely to impact the measurements made between the implant apex and vital structures on CBCT images.
Human mast cells costimulate T cells through a CD28‐independent interaction
Authors: Suurmond Jolien , Dorjée Annemarie L. , Huizinga Tom W. J. , Toes René E. M.
Published: February 2016

Mast cells are innate immune cells usually residing in peripheral tissues, where they are likely to activate T‐cell responses. Similar to other myeloid immune cells, mast cells can function as antigen‐presenting cells. However, little is known about the capacity of human mast cells to costimulate CD4+ T cells. Here, we studied the T‐cell stimulatory potential of human mast cells. Peripheral blood derived mast cells were generated and cocultured with isolated CD4+ T cells. In the presence of T‐cell receptor triggering using anti‐CD3, mast cells promoted strong proliferation of T cells, which was two‐ to fivefold stronger than the “T‐cell promoting capacity” of monocytes. The interplay between mast cells and T cells was dependent on cell–cell contact, suggesting that costimulatory molecules on the mast cell surface are responsible for the effect. However, in contrast to monocytes, the T‐cell costimulation by mast cells was independent of the classical costimulatory molecule CD28, or that of OX40L, ICOSL, or LIGHT. Our data show that mast cells can costimulate human CD4+ T cells to induce strong T‐cell proliferation, but that therapies aiming at disrupting the interaction of CD28 and B7 molecules do not inhibit mast cell mediated T‐cell activation.
Structural characterization and profiling of lyso‐phospholipids in fresh and in thermally stressed mussels by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography—electrospray ionization—Fourier transform mass spectrometry
Authors: Facchini Laura , Losito Ilario , Cianci Costantina , Cataldi Tommaso R. I. , Palmisano Francesco
Published: February 2016

The separation efficiency of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and the high resolution/accuracy of electrospray ionization—Fourier transform MS were successfully applied to the detailed characterization of lyso‐phosphatidylcholines (LPCs) and lyso‐phosphatidylethanolamines (LPEs) contained in the lipid extracts of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mediterranean mussel). As a result, 57 LPCs, including regio‐ and positional isomers, and 45 LPEs, including acyl and plasma(e)nyl species, were identified. Four lyso‐phosphonocholines were also identified among mussel Lyso‐Phospholipids. To the best of our knowledge this represents the first characterization, at a molecular level, ever reported for LPEs in mussels. No significant variation was observed in the composition of both LPCs and LPEs when mussels were refrigerated at +4°C for up to 48 h, i.e. under conditions usually employed for seafood transportation and storage. Treatments mimicking more severe thermal stresses, namely eight day‐refrigeration at + 4°C, two week‐freezing at –15°C and 6 h‐storage at 25°C, resulted in a significant increase in the molar abundance of LPCs and LPEs (expressed with respect to that of their precursors, PCs and PEs, respectively) and was accompanied by the death of all or part of the molluscs. These results were interpreted invoking the generation of lyso‐phospholipids, mediated by endogenous phospholipases, as an intermediate process toward the partial replacement of side chains in phospholipids, perhaps functional to a better adaptation of mussels to adverse temperature conditions. Interestingly, the relative abundances of specific compounds belonging to the LPC and LPE classes were found to follow the seasonal variations of sea temperature.
Equivalent chemotherapy efficacy against leukemia in mice treated with topical vasoconstrictors to prevent cancer therapy side effects
Authors: Graul‐Conroy Amanda , Hicks Emily J. , Fahl William E.
Published: February 2016

Topically applied vasoconstrictor is a new strategy to prevent oral mucositis and alopecia, two complications of chemotherapy and stem‐cell transplant. We sought to determine whether mice treated with topical vasoconstrictor minutes before chemotherapy to suppress L1210 leukemia would develop a vasoconstrictor‐induced L1210 cell sanctuary, and with it, significantly worse survival outcomes. B6D2F1 mice received 104 mouse L1210 leukemia cells via retro‐orbital intravenous injection and were then divided into treatment groups, which included: (i) no further treatment, (ii) a single, sub‐curative, intraperitoneal dose of cyclophosphamide (90 µg/gm bw) 24 hr after L1210 cell inoculation, (iii) topical epinephrine (25–400 mM) to clipped dorsal backs 20 min before cyclophosphamide or (iv) orotopical phenylephrine (16–130 mM), epinephrine (10 mM) or norepinephrine (25 mM) 20 min before cyclophosphamide. All mice were then followed until day of death. Differences in median survival time and percent survival between mice receiving cyclophosphamide alone and mice treated with either orotopical phenylephrine, epinephrine or norepinephrine; or topical epinephrine before cyclophosphamide were not significantly different. A discernible leukemia sanctuary was not created by topical vasoconstrictor treatment prior to chemotherapy; there was no significant difference in leukemia progression between untreated mice and those treated with either orotopical or topical vasoconstrictor before chemotherapy. We have opened a Phase I/IIa dose escalation trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of orotopical phenylephrine in preventing oral mucositis in subjects undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant conditioning with cyclophosphamide plus total body irradiation. This could provide a cost‐effective and convenient method to prevent oral mucositis.
Application of Photovoltaic Pumping Technology for Growing Paddy Rice in China
Authors: Gao Zhanyi , Liu Jing
Published: February 2016

Located in north‐east China, Hei Longjiang Province is the largest paddy rice‐growing province in China. It plays an important role in guaranteeing food security for the whole country. Irrigation is essential for growing rice in the area and a large area of paddy rice is irrigated with groundwater pumping. The province is blessed with long hours of sunshine and is rich in solar energy. Therefore, a solar photovoltaic (PV) pumping system is an ideal solution for groundwater pumping for growing paddy rice in the province. A PV pumping system can not only save fuel and electricity, but can also achieve green growth and sustainable development. A pilot study for application of photovoltaic pumping irrigation for paddy rice was carried out in Hong Wei Farm in Hei Longjiang Province in 2014. This paper summarizes the pilot study of the PV pumping system in its technical, economic and environmental aspects. The results show that the photovoltaic pumping system is a solution for groundwater pumping to grow paddy rice in the region. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of scaffold morphology on co‐cultures of human endothelial and adipose tissue‐derived stem cells
Authors: Arnal‐Pastor M. , Martínez‐Ramos C. , Vallés‐Lluch A. , Pradas M. Monleón
Published: February 2016

The interior of tissue engineering scaffolds must be vascularizable and allow adequate nutrients perfusion in order to ensure the viability of the cells colonizing them. The promotion of rapid vascularization of scaffolds is critical for thick artificial constructs. In the present study co‐cultures of human endothelial and adipose tissue‐derived stem cells have been performed in poly(ethyl acrylate) scaffolds with two different pore structures: grid‐like (PEA‐o) or sponge‐like (PEA‐s), in combination with a self‐assembling peptide gel filling the pores, which aims to mimic the physiological niche. After 2 and 7 culture days, cell adhesion, proliferation and migration, the expression of cell surface markers like CD31 and CD90 and the release of VEGF were assessed by means of immunocytochemistry, scanning electronic microscopy, flow cytometry and ELISA analyses. The study demonstrated that PEA‐s scaffolds promoted greater cell organization into tubular‐like structures than PEA‐o scaffolds, and this was enhanced by the presence of the peptide gel. Paracrine signaling from adipose cells significantly improved endothelial cell viability, proving the advantageous combination of this system for obtaining easily vascularizable tissue engineered grafts. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1523–1533, 2016.
Increase in Fracture Risk Following Unintentional Weight Loss in Postmenopausal Women: The Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women
Authors: Compston Juliet E , Wyman Allison , FitzGerald Gordon , Adachi Jonathan D , Chapurlat Roland D , Cooper Cyrus , Díez-Pérez Adolfo , Gehlbach Stephen H , Greenspan Susan L , Hooven Frederick H , LaCroix Andrea Z , March Lyn , Netelenbos J Coen , Nieves Jeri W , Pfeilschifter Johannes , Rossini Maurizio , Roux Christian , Saag Kenneth G , Siris Ethel S , Silverman Stuart , Watts Nelson B , Anderson Frederick A
Published: February 2016

Increased fracture risk has been associated with weight loss in postmenopausal women, but the time course over which this occurs has not been established. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of unintentional weight loss of ≥10 lb (4.5 kg) in postmenopausal women on fracture risk at multiple sites up to 5 years after weight loss. Using data from the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW), we analyzed the relationships between self-reported unintentional weight loss of ≥10 lb at baseline, year 2, or year 3 and incident clinical fracture in the years after weight loss. Complete data were available in 40,179 women (mean age ± SD 68 ± 8.3 years). Five-year cumulative fracture rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and adjusted hazard ratios for weight loss as a time-varying covariate were calculated from Cox multiple regression models. Unintentional weight loss at baseline was associated with a significantly increased risk of fracture of the clavicle, wrist, spine, rib, hip, and pelvis for up to 5 years after weight loss. Adjusted hazard ratios showed a significant association between unintentional weight loss and fracture of the hip, spine, and clavicle within 1 year of weight loss, and these associations were still present at 5 years. These findings demonstrate increased fracture risk at several sites after unintentional weight loss in postmenopausal women. This increase is found as early as 1 year after weight loss, emphasizing the need for prompt fracture risk assessment and appropriate management to reduce fracture risk in this population. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Ameliorative Effects of Curcumin on Fibrinogen‐Like Protein‐2 Gene Expression, Some Oxido‐Inflammatory and Apoptotic Markers in a Rat Model of l‐Arginine‐Induced Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Shafik Noha M. , Abou‐Fard Ghada M.
Published: February 2016

The aim of the study was to investigate the ameliorative effects of curcumin on fibrinogen like protein‐2 (fgl‐2), some oxido‐inflammatory and apoptotic markers in rat‐induced acute pancreatitis (AP). Seventy‐five albino rats were divided into control group, l‐arginine (l‐Arg)‐induced AP group, curcumin pre‐treated group before AP induction, curcumin post‐treated group after AP induction, and curcumin injected group only. AP group showed severe necrotizing pancreatitis confirmed by histopathological changes and elevations in serum amylase and lipase activities, levels of epithelial neutrophil‐activating peptide 78, tissue content of protein carbonyls, levels of tumor necrosis factor α, and caspase‐3 as well as myeloperoxidase activity. Significant elevation in pancreatic fgl‐2 mRNA expression was detected in AP group. Improvement of all parameters was detected with increase of caspase‐3 in both curcumin‐treated groups that confirmed curcumin ameliorative effects against AP through induction of apoptosis and inhibition of micro‐thrombosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Electroosmotic micropump for lab‐on‐a‐chip biomedical applications
Authors: Dehghan Manshadi Mohammad Karim , Khojasteh Danial , Mohammadi Mehdi , Kamali Reza
Published: February 2016

Lab‐on‐a‐chip (LOC) integrated microfluidics has been a powerful tool for new developments in analytical chemistry. These microfluidic systems enable the miniaturization, integration and automation of complex biochemical assays through the reduction of reagent use and enabling portability. Electroosmotic micropumps could be employed as powerful tools to generate required flow in point of care (POC) devices. In the present study, parallel electroosmotic micropumps are investigated to improve the efficiency of simple micropumps. According to the results, parallel micropumps generate higher flow rate in comparison with conventional electroosmotic pump. In the last decade, a large variety of non‐Newtonian fluids have been utilized in biomedical application but requirements for a POC device such as high efficient driving flow, miniaturization and simple handling of POC devices remain unmet. As a consequence, in this study, power law model as non‐Newtonian fluids that flow through the parallel micropumps are investigated in order to enhance fluid pumping and decreasing voltage requirement.. It is found that as the power law index increases the mass flow rate decreases. Also, the flow rate is almost constant for the higher power law index. Obtained results, demonstrated that parallel micropump could enhance pumping of non‐Newtonian fluid (blood) up to 30%. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial distribution and temporal variation of reference evapotranspiration in the Three Gorges Reservoir area during 1960–2013
Authors: Lv Ming‐quan , Chen Ji‐Long , Mirza Zakaria A. , Chen Chun‐Di , Wen Zhao‐Fei , Jiang Yi , Ma Mao‐hua , Wu Sheng‐Jun
Published: February 2016

Monitoring the spatial distribution of reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and quantifying temporal variations offer valuable information about hydrology, irrigation water requirements and water resources management. Under climate warming and Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) impoundment conditions, it is critical to survey the ET0 variation in the Three Gorges Reservoir area (TGRA) China. Temporal and spatial patterns in ET0 over the TGRA were investigated for the period 1960–2013, based on daily data from 41 meteorological stations. The Mann–Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator were used to examine ET0 trend. The presence of abrupt changes was checked using the Pettitt test, moving t‐test (MTT) and cumulative sum (CUSUM) method. The spatial distribution of the mean annual ET0 in the TGRA for 1960–2013 shows an east–west gradient structure with low ET0 in the area south of the TGR (STGR) and high ET0 in the area downstream of TGR (DTGR). The spatial distribution for post‐dam period is similar to that for 1960–2013. Abrupt changes of annual ET0 over the TGRA occurred in 1982. These changes were mainly related to climate warming in TGRA during the 1980s. ET0 in the region exhibited an obvious decreasing trend until the early 1980s (1982), at a rate of −1.41 mm a−1. However, the downward trend reversed in 1982, followed by a rate of increase of 1.11 mm a−1. For the whole period of 1960–2013, the overall decreasing trend in TGRA was mainly due to downward trend in 1960–1982. During the post‐dam period, the upward trends are still more pronounced. The TGR may have some effects on ET0 at stations that lie in or near the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) in some cases. However, there is no evidence to indicate that the TGD would affect other locations. In general, ET0 variation is more related to climate change rather than dam‐related changes.
Urban heat island effects on growing seasons and heating and cooling degree days in Madison, Wisconsin USA
Authors: Schatz Jason , Kucharik Christopher J.
Published: February 2016

Urban areas tend to be warmer than their rural surroundings, a phenomenon known as the urban heat island (UHI) effect. UHIs are nearly always described in terms of temperature. However, UHIs can also be described using derived climate indices, including growing season length, growing degree days (GDDs), and heating and cooling degree days, which may have more direct ecological and economic significance than temperature alone. To characterize UHI effects on these basic climate parameters, we used over 3 years of continuously collected temperature data from up to 150 locations in and around Madison, Wisconsin, USA, an urban area of population 402 000 surrounded by lakes and a rural landscape of agriculture, forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Compared to rural areas, Madison's UHI extended the freeze‐free season by several weeks each year. However, it only shifted the onset of spring and fall (represented by 10‐day moving average temperature crossing seasonal thresholds) by 1 day or less in spring and by a few days to a week in fall. The different effects on freeze dates versus running‐mean temperatures were primarily because the UHI could affect temperatures during individual freeze events much more than it could influence regional seasonal temperature trends. Urban effects on the meteorological growing season were nearly always greater in fall than in spring. We hypothesize that this is due to seasonal differences in sub‐surface temperatures, with urban and rural areas presumably having more uniform sub‐surface temperatures in spring after being frozen throughout the winter, contributing to weaker UHI effects in spring than in fall. In terms of degree days, densely built urban areas averaged 14% (209) more GDDs, 25% (117) more cooling degree days, and 6% (284) fewer heating degree days than rural areas, indicating that the UHI could have significant impacts on energy consumption in Madison.
Impacts of shallow convection on the simulation of the tropical precipitation diurnal cycle
Authors: Cai Qiongqiong , Zhou Tianjun , Guo Zhun
Published: February 2016

With the aim to examine the role of shallow convection in the simulation of the tropical precipitation diurnal cycle in boreal winter during 1998–2009, two simulations are carried out using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model Version 3.0 (NCAR CAM3.0) model: a control run using standard model settings and a sensitive run (no shallow convection run, NSC) in which the shallow convection is disabled below 700 hPa and between 20°S and 20°N. Evaluation of the mean state shows that the spatial pattern of precipitation amount, and the precipitation frequency and intensity are reasonably reproduced in the control run in comparison to that of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)‐3B42 data. However, the lack of shallow convection in the NSC run significantly affects precipitation distribution due to the changes of precipitation frequency. On diurnal scale, shallow convection affects the simulation of the mean state of tropical precipitation diurnal cycle in different ways over different underlying surfaces. The mechanisms dominating the changes in the precipitation diurnal cycle in two typical domains, the tropical western Pacific (10°S–10°N, 150°–180°E) and the tropical South America (20°S–10°N, 70°–40°W), are further investigated. The control run shows a better skill in representing the diurnal precipitation cycle over tropical South America, with an afternoon peak. Analysis of moist static energy (MSE) change shows that the amplitude of convection is weaker in the NSC run, because the changes of the solar radiation and diffusion disturbance tend to suppress the deep convection that follows a shallow convection. Over the tropical western Pacific, the simulated diurnal precipitation cycles with an early morning peak are associated with the recharge–discharge paradigm in both runs. Nonetheless, the amplitude of the diurnal cycle is too strong in the NSC run, because the change of solar radiation leads to a stronger contrast between radiative warming in the day and cooling at night without the shallow convection.
Hyperspectral volumetric coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering microscopy: quantitative volume determination and NaCl as non‐resonant standard
Authors: Karuna Arnica , Masia Francesco , Borri Paola , Langbein Wolfgang
Published: February 2016

In this work, we demonstrate quantitative volume determination of chemical components in three dimensions using hyperspectral coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering microscopy, phase‐corrected Kramers–Kronig retrieval of the coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering susceptibility and factorization into concentration of chemical components. We investigate the influence of the refractive index contrast between water and polymer beads (polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate), showing that it leads mainly to concentration errors, while the spectral error is less affected. The volume of polystyrene beads of sizes from 200 nm to 3 μm is determined with 10% relative error and 1% absolute error in the region of interest. We furthermore establish the use of sodium chloride as non‐resonant reference material free of Raman‐active vibrational resonances. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Raman Spectroscopy Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Significance of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and prognostic nutrition index as preoperative predictors of early mortality after liver resection for huge (≥10 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Goh Brian K.P. , Kam Juinn Huar , Lee Ser‐Yee , Chan Chung‐Yip , Allen John C. , Jeyaraj Premaraj , Cheow Peng‐Chung , Chow Pierce K.H. , Ooi London L.P.J. , Chung Alexander Y.F.
Published: February 2016

Background

This study aimed to determine preoperative predictors of early (<1 year) mortality from disease recurrence after liver resection (LR) for huge (≥10 cm) HCC, with special emphasis on the importance of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and prognostic nutrition index (PNI).

Methods

Between 2000 to 2013, 166 patients underwent LR for huge HCC. Optimal cut‐offs for alpha fetoprotein (AFP), NLR, PLR, and PNI were determined by plotting the receiver operator curves (ROC) in predicting early mortality and utilizing the Youden index.

Results

The 30‐day/in‐hospital postoperative mortality rate was 4.2%. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) and the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) was 43% and 24%, respectively. Early mortality from disease recurrence occurred in 35 of 159 (22%) patients. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that tumor rupture and high AFP (>1,085 ng/ml) were independent preoperative predictors of early mortality after LR for HCC, and both a low PNI (<41) and high AFP were independent predictors of early mortality for non‐ruptured HCC. In 51 patients who had none of these three factors, only four (7.8%) patients experienced early mortality from disease recurrence.

Conclusions

Spontaneous rupture, high AFP, and low PNI were predictors of early mortality from disease recurrence after LR for huge HCC.J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:621–627. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantum‐mechanical model for phase‐contrast imaging of non‐crystalline objects
Authors: Molodkin V. B. , Velikhovskii G. O. , Lizunova S. V. , Lizunov V. V. , Sheludchenko B. V. , Kislovskii E. M. , Vasilik Y. V. , Skakunova O. S. , Dmitriev S. V. , Fuzik K. V. , Lekhnyak R. V.
Published: February 2016

The quantum‐mechanical theoretical model for the quantitative description of phase contrast images from non‐crystalline objects with arbitrary shapes has been developed. It takes into account multiple scattering effects both in the object (particularly, refraction and phase change) and in the crystals of monochromator and analyzer. Presence of homogeneously and inhomogeneously distributed microdefects and macrodeformations in monochromator‐ and analyzer‐crystals, which influence significantly on the scattering pattern, has been taken into account.
Extraordinary synergy in the thermal and electric properties of polymer matrix reinforced with hybrid fillers
Authors: Perets Y. S. , Vovchenko L. L. , Matzui L. Y. , Zhuravkov A. , Trukhanov A. V. , Lazarenko O. A.
Published: February 2016

The effect of the incorporation of different combinations of electric conducting and non‐conducting nanofillers into epoxy resin on the thermal and electric conductivity was studied. Graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs), multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon fibers (CFs) were used as the conductive fillers. The non‐conductive ones were boron nitride (BN) or barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19). The content of nanocarbon in composite materials (CMs) was varied from 1.0 to 6.0 vol%, the content of dielectric filler in composite materials was equal to 15.0 vol% boron nitride and 8.0 vol% BaFe12O19, respectively. The combination of electroconductive nanocarbon and non‐conductive boron nitride particles showed an increase of the thermal conductivity (by a factor of 2 for hybrid composite materials boron nitride/graphite nanoplatelet/epoxy (4.5 vol% of nanocarbon) compared to the thermal conductivity of composite materials with single graphite nanoplatelets filler) and the electric conductivity, whereas the hybrid conductive fillers of various morphology (graphite nanoplatelets/carbon nanotubes or graphite nanoplatelets/carbon fibers) did not show an improvement. On the other hand, the use of graphite nanoplatelets/carbon nanotubes and graphite nanoplatelets/carbon fibers hybrid fillers lead to the anisotropy of the electric conductivity and a reversible change of the electric resistance after a compression up to 50 MPa due to improved elastic properties.
Characterization of T1 bias in skeletal muscle from fat in MOLLI and SASHA pulse sequences: Quantitative fat‐fraction imaging with T1 mapping
Authors: Larmour Sarah , Chow Kelvin , Kellman Peter , Thompson Richard B.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To characterize the effects of fat on commonly used T1 mapping sequences and evaluate a new method of quantitative fat fraction (FF) imaging for low fractions based on the modulation of T1 values by the fat pool.

Methods

Bloch equation simulations and phantom and in vivo (skeletal muscle) experiments were used to characterize the response of the modified Look–Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) and saturation recovery single‐shot acquisition (SASHA) T1 mapping sequences to fat–water systems with known FFs (0%–10%) at 1.5T. FFs were measured with single voxel spectroscopy and Dixon imaging methods. A new T1‐based FF imaging method was evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations and phantom and in vivo experiments.

Results

SASHA and MOLLI had similar T1 dependence on FF, with characteristic under‐ or overestimation of T1 values as a function of off‐resonance frequency (30–70 ms variation in native T1 per 1% FF). FF maps generated from the SASHA method yielded a low variability of ±0.25% for a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 150:1 in the nonsaturation image, with good agreement with spectroscopy and a performance that is superior to that of Dixon methods at low FFs.

Conclusion

Fat results in negative or positive shifts in native tissue T1 measured with MOLLI and SASHA over a narrow range of off‐resonance frequencies; T1 shifts from fat can be used to accurately quantify FF. Magn Reson Med 77:237–249, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of mechanical behaviour and internal stability of granular materials using discrete element method
Authors: Abdoulaye Hama N. , Ouahbi T. , Taibi S. , Souli H. , Fleureau J.M. , Pantet A.
Published: February 2016

Granular materials like sand are widely used in civil engineering. They are composed of different sizes of grains, which generate a complex behaviour, difficult to assess experimentally. Internal instability of a granular material is its inability to prevent the loss of its fine particles under flow effect. It is geometrically possible if the fine particles can migrate through the pores of the coarse soil matrix and results in a change in its mechanical properties. This paper uses the three‐dimensional Particle Flow Code (PFC3D/DEM) to study the stability/instability of granular materials and their mechanical behaviour after suffusion. Stability properties of widely graded materials are analysed by simulating the transport of smaller particles through the constrictions formed by the coarse particles under the effect of a downward flow with uniform pressure gradient. A sample made by an initially stable material according to the Kenney & Lau geometrical criterion was divided into five equal layers. The classification of these layers by this criterion before and after the test shows that even stable granular materials can lose fine particles and present local instability. The failure criterion of eroded samples, in which erosion is simulated by progressive removal of fine particles, evolves in an unexpected way. Internal friction angle increases with the initial porosity, the rate of lost fine particles and the average diameter D50. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depression and pain: a complex relationship
Authors: Correia João Calinas
Published: February 2016

Our commentaries from the Primary Care Neurology Society (P‐CNS) provide a primary care perspective on the neurology articles in Progress. Here, Dr Calinas Correia considers ‘Depression and pain: the need for a new screening tool’ (see p26).
Multiple episodes of NMS: overlap with malignant catatonia
Authors: Hardy Kate , Evans Robert
Published: February 2016

There is ongoing debate in the literature as to whether neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) and malignant catatonia are distinct clinical entities or illnesses on the same spectrum. Here, Drs Hardy and Evans present a case which puts forward arguments for both sides of the debate and raises questions regarding further management of psychosis in patients who develop multiple episodes of NMS.
Strongly average‐case secure obfuscation: achieving input privacy and circuit obscurity
Authors: Zhang Mingwu , Mu Yi , Shen Jian , Huang Xinyi
Published: February 2016

A program obfuscator is a compiling algorithm that takes a program/circuit as input and generates a new garbled circuit to implement the same functionality as before while obtaining hard‐to‐understand in some sense, that is, infeasible to learn information from the garbled circuit. In order to obtain a practical application, an obfuscation should satisfy equivalent in functionality, polynomial slowdown in efficiency, and virtual black‐box in security. In this paper, we model a stronger cryptographic obfuscation that does not only achieves the obfuscated circuit obscurity but also supports input re‐key privacy. In order to implement the re‐encryption obfuscation, we at first propose a key‐privacy two‐level encryption mechanism that implicitly supports the transformation from level‐2 ciphertext into level‐1 one, which provides an efficient method to re‐encrypt the ciphertext without explicitly decryption procedure. Under the mechanism of two‐level encryption and function of re‐encryption, we construct an obfuscation of re‐encryption that takes as input a probabilistic (keys) circuit and outputs a transformed circuit. We also give the proof that the obfuscator achieves the average‐case security for the circuit family under the extended DBDH assumption and Decisional Linear assumption in the standard model. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Verifiable attribute‐based proxy re‐encryption for secure public cloud data sharing
Authors: Lin Suqing , Zhang Rui , Wang Mingsheng
Published: February 2016

For secure data sharing in the public cloud, attribute‐based encryption was introduced to simultaneously achieve data confidentiality and fine‐grained access control. In order to update access control of the attribute‐based encrypted data from delegation, attribute‐based proxy re‐encryption (AB‐PRE) was proposed accordingly. Most previous AB‐PRE schemes require that the proxy executes the re‐encryption honestly. However, the public cloud as a proxy may not meet the requirement because the encrypted data are delegated to the public cloud and out of control for data owners. In this paper, we introduce verifiability for AB‐PRE to check the correctness of the re‐encryption executed by the proxy. By introducing a commitment scheme and a key derivation function, we propose a generic construction of unidirectional single‐hop AB‐PRE with verifiable re‐encryption (AB‐VPRE) for both key‐policy and ciphertext‐policy settings, and the access structure can be monotonic and non‐monotonic. We prove the security and the verification soundness of our constructed AB‐VPRE scheme in the standard model and provide three instantiations. Compared with previous work on AB‐PRE, our proposed AB‐VPRE schemes require less computation and can efficiently detect the malicious behaviors of the proxy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of abnormal MR brains based on wavelet entropy and feature selection
Authors: Zhou Xing‐Xing , Zhang Yudong , Ji Genlin , Yang Jiquan , Dong Zhengchao , Wang Shuihua , Zhang Guangshuai , Phillips Preetha
Published: February 2016

An accurate diagnosis is important for the medical treatment of patients suffering from brain diseases. Magnetic resonance (MR) images are commonly used by technicians to assist preclinical diagnosis. The classification of MR images of normal and pathological brains poses a challenge from the technological point of view, since MR imaging generates a large information set that reflects the conditions of the brain. In this paper, we present a computer‐assisted diagnosis method based on wavelet entropy (WE) of the feature space approach and a feed‐forward neural network (FNN) classification method for improving the brain diagnosis accuracy by means of MR images. The most relevant image feature is selected as the WE, which is used to train an FNN classifier. The results using tenfold cross validation of 64 images show that the average accuracy attainable is 100.00%. It can be easily seen from the data that the proposed classifier can detect abnormal brains from normal controls with excellent performance, which can compete with the latest methods. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Heart valve regeneration: the need for systems approaches
Authors: Usprech Jenna , Chen Wen Li Kelly , Simmons Craig A.
Published: February 2016

Tissue‐engineered heart valves are promising alternatives to address the limitations of current valve replacements, particularly for growing children. Current heart valve tissue engineering strategies involve the selection of biomaterial scaffolds, cell types, and oftenin vitroculture conditions aimed at regenerating a valve for implantation and subsequent maturationin vivo. However, identifying optimal combinations of cell sources, biomaterials, and/or bioreactor conditions to produce functional, durable valve tissue remains a challenge. Despite some short‐term success in animal models, attempts to recapitulate aspects of the native heart valve environment based on ‘best guesses’ of a limited number of regulatory factors have not proven effective. Better outcomes for valve tissue regeneration will likely require a systems‐level understanding of the relationships between multiple interacting regulatory factors and their effects on cell function and tissue formation. Until recently, conventional culture methods have not allowed for multiple design parameters to be considered at once. Emerging microtechnologies are well suited to systematically probe multiple inputs, in combination, in high throughput and with great precision. When combined with statistical and network systems analyses, these microtechnologies have excellent potential to define multivariate signal–response relationships and reveal key regulatory pathways for robust functional tissue regeneration.WIREs Syst Biol Med2016, 8:169–182. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1329

This article is categorized under:

Biological Mechanisms > Cell Signaling

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organ, Tissue, and Physiological Models

Developmental Biology > Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration
Luciferase NanoLuc as a reporter for gene expression and protein levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Masser Anna E. , Kandasamy Ganapathi , Kaimal Jayasankar Mohanakrishnan , Andréasson Claes
Published: February 2016

Reporter proteins are essential tools in the study of biological processes and are employed to monitor changes in gene expression and protein levels. Luciferases are reporter proteins that enable rapid and highly sensitive detection with an outstanding dynamic range. Here we evaluated the usefulness of the 19 kDa luciferase NanoLuc (Nluc), derived from the deep sea shrimp Oplophorus gracilirostris, as a reporter protein in yeast. Cassettes with codon‐optimized genes expressing yeast Nluc (yNluc) or its destabilized derivative yNlucPEST have been assembled in the context of the dominant drug resistance marker kanMX. The reporter proteins do not impair the growth of yeast cells and exhibit half‐lives of 40 and 5 min, respectively. The commercial substrate Nano‐Glo® is compatible with detection of yNluc bioluminescence in < 50 cells. Using the unstable yNlucPEST to report on the rapid and transient expression of a heat‐shock promoter (PCYC1–HSE), we found a close match between the intensity of the bioluminescent signal and mRNA levels during both induction and decay. We demonstrated that the bioluminescence of yNluc fused to the C‐terminus of a temperature‐sensitive protein reports on its protein levels. In conclusion, yNluc and yNlucPEST are valuable new reporter proteins suitable for experiments with yeast using standard commercial substrate. © 2016 The Authors. Yeast published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Holocene tephra stratigraphy in four lakes in southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada, USA
Authors: Foit Franklin F. , Mehringer Peter J.
Published: February 2016

To better understand the regional tephra stratigraphy and chronology of northern Nevada and southern Oregon, tephras in archived cores, taken as part of the Steens Mountain Prehistory Project from four lakes, Diamond Pond, Fish and Wildhorse lakes in southeastern Oregon and Blue Lake in northwestern Nevada, were reexamined using more advanced electron microprobe analytical technology. The best preserved and most complete core from Fish Lake along with Wildhorse Lake hosted two tephras from Mt. Mazama (Llao Rock and the Climactic Mazama), a mid-Holocene basaltic tephra from Diamond Craters, Oregon, two Medicine Lake tephras and an unexpected late Holocene Chaos Crags (Mt. Lassen volcanic center) tephra which was also found in the other lakes. Blue Lake was the only lake that hosted a Devils Hill tephra from the Three Sisters volcano in west central Oregon. Another tephra from the Three Sisters Volcano previously reported in sediments of Twin Lakes in NE Oregon, has now been confirmed as Rock Mesa tephra. The Chaos Crags, Devils Hill and Rock Mesa tephras are important late Holocene stratigraphic markers for central and eastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada.
Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Decontamination in a Patient Room Using Feline Calicivirus and Murine Norovirus as Surrogate Markers for Human Norovirus
Authors: Holmdahl Torsten , Walder Mats , Uzcátegui Nathalie , Odenholt Inga , Lanbeck Peter , Medstrand Patrik , Widell Anders
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) could be used to decontaminate caliciviruses from surfaces in a patient room.

DESIGN

Feline calicivirus (FCV) and murine norovirus (MNV) were used as surrogate viability markers to mimic the noncultivable human norovirus. Cell culture supernatants of FCV and MNV were dried in triplicate 35-mm wells of 6-well plastic plates. These plates were placed in various positions in a nonoccupied patient room that was subsequently exposed to HPV. Control plates were positioned in a similar room but were never exposed to HPV.

METHODS

Virucidal activity was measured in cell culture by reduction in 50% tissue culture infective dose titer for FCV and by both 50% tissue culture infective dose titer and plaque reduction for MNV.

RESULTS

Neither viable FCV nor viable MNV could be detected in the test room after HPV treatment. At least 3.65 log reduction for FCV and at least 3.67 log reduction for MNV were found by 50% tissue culture infective dose. With plaque assay, measurable reduction for MNV was at least 2.85 log units.

CONCLUSIONS

The successful inactivation of both surrogate viruses indicates that HPV could be a useful tool for surface decontamination of a patient room contaminated by norovirus. Hence nosocomial spread to subsequent patients can be avoided.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:561–566
Washing wedges: capillary instability in a gradient of confinement
Authors: Keiser Ludovic , Herbaut Rémy , Bico José , Reyssat Etienne
Published: February 2016

We present experimental results on the extraction of oil trapped in the confined region of a wedge. Upon addition of a more wetting liquid, we observe that oil fingers develop into this extracting liquid. The fingers eventually pinch off and form droplets that are driven away from the apex of the wedge by surface tension along the gradient of confinement. During an experiment, we observe that the size of the expelled oil droplets decreases as the unstable front recedes towards the wedge. We show how this size can be predicted from a linear stability analysis reminiscent of the classical Saffman–Taylor instability. However, the standard balance of capillary and bulk viscous dissipation does not account for the dynamics found in our experiments, leaving as an open question the detailed theoretical description of the instability.