bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical complications, clinical findings, and educational outcomes in adults with Noonan syndrome
Authors: Smpokou Patroula , Tworog‐Dube Erica , Kucherlapati Raju S. , Roberts Amy E.
Published: November 2012

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a heterogeneous developmental disorder caused by missense mutations in genes involved in the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway, a major mediator of early and late developmental processes. The diagnosis of NS is made on clinical grounds with molecular confirmation of a mutation found in 63% of cases. Key clinical features include short stature, cardiac defects, developmental delay, lymphatic dysplasias, bleeding tendency, and a constellation of distinctive facial features and physical exam findings. The prevalence of medical issues or the development of new ones in adults with NS is not well‐studied. This cross‐sectional study reports on the prevalence of clinical conditions and their ages of onset in a cohort of 35 adolescents and adults with NS aged 16–68 years old (mean age 28 years). In this cohort, 34 of 35 subjects (97%) had had full PTPN11 sequencing; 37% were PTPN11 positive, 23% were SOS1 positive, and 3% were BRAF positive. Mean adult height in both men and women was at the 3rd–10th centile. The most prevalent clinical findings in this cohort included pulmonary valve stenosis (71%), easy bruising (63%), GERD (60%), constipation (51%), scoliosis (54%), chronic joint pain (54%), lymphedema (49%), depression (49%), anxiety (49%), Chiari malformation (20%), and osteopenia/osteoporosis (14%). In summary, adults with NS are affected by multi‐organ morbidity and require special medical management aimed towards the most prevalent and serious known medical complications. Larger studies characterizing the clinical conditions found in NS adults are needed to provide potential genotype–phenotype correlations that may aid in clinical management. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Digestive Efficiency Mediated by Serum Calcium Predicts Bone Mineral Density in the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: JARCHO MICHAEL R. , POWER MICHAEL L. , LAYNE‐COLON DONNA G. , TARDIF SUZETTE D.
Published: November 2012

Two health problems have plagued captive common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) colonies for nearly as long as those colonies have existed: marmoset wasting syndrome and metabolic bone disease. While marmoset wasting syndrome is explicitly linked to nutrient malabsorption, we propose metabolic bone disease is also linked to nutrient malabsorption, although indirectly. If animals experience negative nutrient balance chronically, critical nutrients may be taken from mineral stores such as the skeleton, thus leaving those stores depleted. We indirectly tested this prediction through an initial investigation of digestive efficiency, as measured by apparent energy digestibility, and serum parameters known to play a part in metabolic bone mineral density of captive common marmoset monkeys. In our initial study on 12 clinically healthy animals, we found a wide range of digestive efficiencies, and subjects with lower digestive efficiency had lower serum vitamin D despite having higher food intakes. A second experiment on 23 subjects including several with suspected bone disease was undertaken to measure digestive and serum parameters, with the addition of a measure of bone mineral density by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Bone mineral density was positively associated with apparent digestibility of energy, vitamin D, and serum calcium. Further, digestive efficiency was found to predict bone mineral density when mediated by serum calcium. These data indicate that a poor ability to digest and absorb nutrients leads to calcium and vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D absorption may be particularly critical for indoor‐housed animals, as opposed to animals in a more natural setting, because vitamin D that would otherwise be synthesized via exposure to sunlight must be absorbed from their diet. If malabsorption persists, metabolic bone disease is a possible consequence in common marmosets. These findings support our hypothesis that both wasting syndrome and metabolic bone disease in captive common marmosets are consequences of inefficient nutrient absorption. Am. J. Primatol. 75:153‐160, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Single‐blind randomized controlled trial of surfactant vs hypertonic saline irrigation following endoscopic endonasal surgery
Authors: Farag Alexander A. , Deal Allison M. , McKinney Kibwei A. , Thorp Brian D. , Senior Brent A. , Ebert Charles S. , Zanation Adam M.
Published: November 2012

Background

Recent discussion has revolved around formulations of irrigation in the postoperative functional endoscopic sinus surgery patient, specifically the efficacy of emulsion based nasal irrigations.

Methods

Forty adult candidates for endoscopic endonasal surgery with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) were prospectively randomized. The 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) and 31‐item Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measure (RSOM‐31) quality of life assessments, as well as a phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA) smell threshold test were obtained preoperatively and over 3 postoperative visits in a 4‐month period. Repeated measures analyses and Fisher's exact tests were used to assess statistical differences.

Results

Of the 40 patients enrolled, 33, 32, and 26 patients were seen at postoperative visits 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The surfactant (S) and hypertonic saline (HS) irrigation groups both showed significant decreases in scores for both the SNOT‐22 and RSOM‐31 over time (both p < 0.0001), but no difference was seen between the 2 groups (p = 0.09, p = 0.5). PEA thresholds showed overall improvement in both groups 3 to 4 months after surgery: 62% (8/13) of HS patients and 50% (6/12) of S patients, but did not differ between the groups (p = 0.3). The S group reported significantly more side effects (52% vs 6%, p = 0.002) and had more patients stop the solution (20% vs 0%) and fewer S patients finished the study compared to the HS group.

Conclusion

There were no significant differences in overall subjective symptoms related to sinonasal disease between S and HS irrigation, but tolerability appeared to be an issue. More patients reported side effects with S irrigation, and 20% receiving S irrigation stopped the solution, compared to none receiving HS irrigation.
Enhanced CO2 Adsorption over Polymeric Amines Supported on Heteroatom‐Incorporated SBA‐15 Silica: Impact of Heteroatom Type and Loading on Sorbent Structure and Adsorption Performance
Authors: Kuwahara Yasutaka , Kang Dun‐Yen , Copeland John R. , Bollini Praveen , Sievers Carsten , Kamegawa Takashi , Yamashita Hiromi , Jones Christopher W.
Published: November 2012

Silica supported amine materials are promising compositions that can be used to effectively remove CO2 from large stationary sources, such as flue gas generated from coal‐fired power plants (ca. 10 % CO2) and potentially from ambient air (ca. 400 ppm CO2). The CO2 adsorption characteristics of prototypical poly(ethyleneimine)–silica composite adsorbents can be significantly enhanced by altering the acid/base properties of the silica support by heteroatom incorporation into the silica matrix. In this study, an array of poly(ethyleneimine)‐impregnated mesoporous silica SBA‐15 materials containing heteroatoms (Al, Ti, Zr, and Ce) in their silica matrices are prepared and examined in adsorption experiments under conditions simulating flue gas (10 % CO2 in Ar) and ambient air (400 ppm CO2 in Ar) to assess the effects of heteroatom incorporation on the CO2 adsorption properties. The structure of the composite adsorbents, including local information concerning the state of the incorporated heteroatoms and the overall surface properties of the silicate supports, are investigated in detail to draw a relationship between the adsorbent structure and CO2 adsorption/desorption performance. The CO2 adsorption/desorption kinetics are assessed by thermogravimetric analysis and in situ FT‐IR measurements. These combined results, coupled with data on adsorbent regenerability, demonstrate a stabilizing effect of the heteroatoms on the poly(ethyleneimine), enhancing adsorbent capacity, adsorption kinetics, regenerability, and stability of the supported aminopolymers over continued cycling. It is suggested that the CO2 adsorption performance of silica–aminopolymer composites may be further enhanced in the future by more precisely tuning the acid/base properties of the support.
The role of resting frontal EEG asymmetry in psychopathology: Afferent or efferent filter?
Authors: Gatzke‐Kopp Lisa M. , Jetha Michelle K. , Segalowitz Sidney J.
Published: November 2012

Resting EEG asymmetry evident early in life is thought to bias affective behaviors and contribute to the development of psychopathology. However, it remains unclear at what stage of information processing this bias occurs. Asymmetry may serve as an afferent filter, modulating emotional reactivity to incoming stimuli; or as an efferent filter, modulating behavioral response tendencies under emotional conditions. This study examines 209 kindergarten children (M = 6.03 years old) to test predictions put forth by the two models. Resting asymmetry was examined in conjunction with electrodermal and cardiac measures of physiological reactivity to four emotion‐inducing film clips (fear, sad, happy, anger) and teacher ratings of psychopathology. Results confirm an association between increased right side cortical activation and internalizing symptom severity as well as left activation and externalizing symptom severity. Significant interactions between resting asymmetry and physiological reactivity to emotion indicate that physiological reactivity moderates the association between resting asymmetry and symptoms of psychopathology. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 73–85, 2014.
Evolution of reproductive isolation as a by‐product of divergent life‐history evolution in laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: M. Ghosh Shampa , Joshi Amitabh
Published: November 2012

We show that two complementary asymmetric isolating mechanisms, likely mediated by divergence in body size, underlie the evolution of incipient reproductive isolation between a set of Drosophila melanogaster populations selected for rapid development and their ancestral controls. Selection has led to great reduction in body size in the fast developing lines. Small males belonging to fast developing lines obtain few matings with large control females, both in presence and absence of large control line males, giving rise to unidirectional, premating isolation caused by sexual selection. Conversely, small selected line females suffer greatly increased mortality following mating with large control males, causing unidirectional postcopulatory prezygotic isolation. We discuss preliminary evidence for evolution of reduced male harm caused to females upon mating in the fast developing lines, and speculate that the females from these lines have coevolved reduced resistance to male harm such that they can no longer resist the harm caused by males from control lines. This potentially implicates differing levels of sexual conflict in creating reproductive barrier between the selected line females and the control males. We also show that a large difference in development time is not sufficient to cause postzygotic incompatibilities in the two sets of populations reaffirming the belief that prezygotic isolation can evolve much earlier than postzygotic isolation.
NERC matters: Sharing NERC compliance responsibilities risky to reliability
Authors: Carpentier Deborah
Published: November 2012

Each user, owner, and operator of the bulk power system (BPS) must register with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) if the entity performs any of the functions listed in the NERC‐defined functional categories.1 In registration, NERC must prevent duplication of responsibilities.2 Having multiple entities registered in the same functional category for the same BPS facility is antithetical to this fundamental requirement (e.g., two entities registered as the Generator Operator for the same generating facility).
Safety of SSRIs during pregnancy: a controlled study
Authors: Altamura AC. , De Gaspari IF. , Rovera C. , Colombo EM. , Mauri MC. , Fedele L.
Published: November 2012

Objective

The objective of our study was to analyze the efficacy and the safety of SSRIs during pregnancy.

Methods

A group of 30 pregnant women affected by Major Depressive Disorder by SCID I interview (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Text Revision criteria) and treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) were included in the study. They were matched to a comparison group of 26 pregnant women.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in any of the pregnancy outcomes of interest between the treated women and comparison group. There was no statistically significant association in newborns of women treated with an SSRI and the control group in the first and fifth minute Apgar score, and no newborns were admitted to neonatal Intensive Care Units.

Conclusions

No definitive association between use of SSRIs during pregnancy and an increased risk of birth defects or other adverse outcomes could be found. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein phosphatase 1, regulatory subunit 15B is a survival factor for ERα‐positive breast cancer
Authors: Shahmoradgoli Maria , Riazalhosseini Yasser , Haag Daniel , Becker Natalia , Hovestadt Volker , Heck Stefanie , Sinn Hans‐Peter , Schneeweiss Andreas , Mannherz Otto , Sahin Özgür , Lichter Peter
Published: November 2012

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease at both the clinical and molecular levels. This heterogeneity may give rise to different therapy responses. Molecular profiling has facilitated identification of signatures for stratifying patients who would potentially benefit from given therapies. Previously, we reported on a subset of genes with the potential for predicting response of primary breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Herein, we report that patients with luminal (estrogen receptor α [ERα]‐expressing) breast cancer were enriched for nonresponders. To identify novel factors that contribute to the survival of breast cancer cells, a loss‐of‐function screen was performed with a subset of genes overexpressed in patients with disease resistant to chemotherapy. This approach led us to identify protein phosphatase 1, regulatory subunit 15B (PPP1R15B) as a factor with a potentially essential role in the survival of ERα‐positive breast cancer cells. Functional analyses showed that PPP1R15B depletion results in impaired proliferation due to unsuccessful transition of cells from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle, and apoptosis induction. Moreover, our data revealed a regulatory role for PPP1R15B in activating ERα. Furthermore, a high level of PPP1R15B mRNA expression was associated with poor outcome following tamoxifen‐based therapy. Accordingly, knockdown of PPP1R15B expression sensitized tamoxifen‐resistant MCF‐7 breast cancer cells to tamoxifen while reducing ERα abundance in these cells. Our findings reveal a novel role for PPP1R15B in the survival and therapy response of ERα‐positive breast cancer and may open new avenues for tumor subtype‐specific therapeutic strategies in the era of personalized medicine.
microRNA expression profile in a large series of bladder tumors: Identification of a 3‐miRNA signature associated with aggressiveness of muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Pignot Géraldine , Cizeron‐Clairac Geraldine , Vacher Sophie , Susini Aurelie , Tozlu Sengül , Vieillefond Annick , Zerbib Marc , Lidereau Rosette , Debre Bernard , Amsellem‐Ouazana Delphine , Bieche Ivan
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) in bladder tumors in order to identify miRNAs involved in bladder carcinogenesis with potential prognostic implications. Expression levels of miRNAs were assessed by quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR in 11 human normal bladder and 166 bladder tumor samples (86 non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and 80 muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)). The expression level of 804 miRNAs was initially measured in a well‐defined series of seven NMIBC, MIBC and normal bladder samples (screening set). The most strongly deregulated miRNAs in tumor samples compared to normal bladder tissue were then selected for RT‐PCR validation in a well‐characterized independent series of 152 bladder tumors (validation set), and in six bladder cancer cell lines. Expression levels of these miRNAs were tested for their association with clinical outcome. A robust group of 15 miRNAs was found to be significantly deregulated in bladder cancer. Except for two miRNAs, miR‐146b and miR‐9, which were specifically upregulated in MIBC, the majority of miRNAs (n = 13) were deregulated in the same way in the two types of bladder tumors, irrespective of pathological stage : three miRNAs were upregulated (miR‐200b, miR‐182 and miR‐138) and the other 10 miRNAs were downregulated (miR‐1, miR‐133a, miR‐133b, miR‐145, miR‐143, miR‐204, miR‐921,
miR‐1281, miR‐199a and miR‐199b). A 3‐miRNA signature (miR‐9, miR‐182 and miR‐200b) was found to be related to MIBC tumor aggressiveness and was associated with both recurrence‐free and overall survival in univariate analysis with a trend to significance in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.05). Our results suggested a promising individual prognostic value of these new markers.
The triterpenoid cucurbitacin B augments the antiproliferative activity of chemotherapy in human breast cancer
Authors: Aribi Ahmed , Gery Sigal , Lee Dhong Hyun , Thoennissen Nils H. , Thoennissen Gabriela B. , Alvarez Rocio , Ho Quoc , Lee Kunik , Doan Ngan B. , Chan Kin T. , Toh Melvin , Said Jonathan W. , Koeffler H. Phillip
Published: November 2012

Despite recent advances in therapy, breast cancer remains the second most common cause of death from malignancy in women. Chemotherapy plays a major role in breast cancer management, and combining chemotherapeutic agents with nonchemotherapeutic agents is of considerable clinical interest. Cucurbitacins are triterpenes compounds found in plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, reported to have anticancer and anti‐inflammatory activities. Previously, we have shown antiproliferative activity of cucurbitacin B (CuB) in breast cancer, and we hypothesized that combining CuB with chemotherapeutic agents can augment their antitumor effect. Here, we show that a combination of CuB with either docetaxel (DOC) or gemcitabine (GEM) synergistically inhibited the proliferation of MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells in vitro. This antiproliferative effect was accompanied by an increase in apoptosis rates. Furthermore, in vivo treatment of human breast cancer orthotopic xenografts in immunodeficient mice with CuB at either low (0.5 mg/kg) or high (1 mg/kg) doses in combination with either DOC (20 mg/kg) or GEM (12.5mg/kg) significantly reduced tumor volume as compared with monotherapy of each drug. Importantly, no significant toxicity was noted with low‐dose CuB in combination with either DOC or GEM. In conclusion, combination of CuB at a relatively low concentration with either of the chemotherapeutic agents, DOC or GEM, shows prominent antiproliferative activity against breast cancer cells without increased toxicity. This promising combination should be examined in therapeutic trials of breast cancer.
Influence of cement stiffness and bone morphology on the compressive properties of bone–cement composites in simulated vertebroplasty
Authors: Helgason B. , Stirnimann P. , Widmer R. , Boger A. , Ferguson S. J.
Published: November 2012

Vertebroplasty is widely used to treat vertebral compression fractures. Little is known about the influence of morphological parameters of the bone on the properties of the bone–cement composite. Furthermore, although generic finite element (FE) models have been suggested as a way to compute the values of these properties, their accuracy has not been established. In the experimental part of this study, we tested bovine cancellous bone and three different polymethylmethacrylate bone cements and determined six quasi‐static uniaxial compressive properties of bone–cement composite specimens and 10 morphological parameters of the bone. For the FE work, we used two simulations, one being μFE and the other unit cell FE. In conclusion, we found that (1) for composite specimens, that relative contribution of the cement to the overall response of the composite increases with increasing cement stiffness; (2) the anisotropy ratio is the bone morphological property that exerts the most significant influence on the experimentally obtained compressive properties of the bone–cement composites determined; (3) the accuracy of the computed compressive properties of the composites ranged from low to high, depending on simulation method used. The largest errors, however, can partially be explained by difference in boundary conditions between the experimental testing and the simulation techniques. The lattermost finding points to the potential for simplified FE models being incorporated into automatic material mapping schemes in whole bone vertebra FE simulations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Mechanical and biocompatible characterizations of a readily available multilayer vascular graft
Authors: Madhavan Krishna , Elliott Winston H , Bonani Walter , Monnet Eric , Tan Wei
Published: November 2012

There is always a considerable clinical need for vascular grafts. Considering the availability, physical and mechanical properties, and regenerative potential, we have developed and characterized readily available, strong, and compliant multilayer grafts that support cell culture and ingrowth. The grafts were made from heterogeneous materials and structures, including a thin, dense, nanofibrous core composed of poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL), and a thick, porous, hydrogel sleeve composed of genipin‐crosslinked collagen–chitosan (GCC). Because the difference in physicochemical properties between PCL and GCC caused layer separation, the layer adhesion was identified as a determinant to graft property and integrity under physiological conditions. Thus, strategies to modify the layer interface, including increasing porosity of the PCL surface, decreasing hydrophobicity, and increasing interlayer crosslinking, were developed. Results from microscopic images showed that increasing PCL porosity was characterized by improved layer adhesion. The resultant graft was characterized by high compliance (4.5%), and desired permeability (528 mL/cm2/min), burst strength (695 mmHg), and suture strength (2.38 N) for readily grafting. Results also showed that PCL mainly contributed to the graft mechanical properties, whereas GCC reduced the water permeability. In addition to their complementary contributions to physical and mechanical properties, the distinct graft layers also provided layer‐specific structures for seeding and culture of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells in vitro. Acellular graft constructs were readily used to replace abdominal aorta of rabbits, resulting in rapid cell ingrowth and flow reperfusion. The multilayer constructs capable of sustaining physiological conditions and promoting cellular activities could serve as a platform for future development of regenerative vascular grafts. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Opportunity lost: End‐of‐life discussions in cancer patients who die in the hospital
Authors: Zaros Mark C. , Curtis J. Randall , Silveira Maria J. , Elmore Joann G.
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

End‐of‐life discussions are associated with decreased use of life‐sustaining treatments in patients dying of cancer in the outpatient setting, but little is known about discussions that take place during terminal hospitalizations.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the proportion of patients assessed by the clinical team to have decisional capacity on admission, how many of these patients participated or had a surrogate participate in a discussion about end‐of‐life care, and whether patient participation was associated with treatments received.

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

SETTING

Inpatient.

PATIENTS

Adult patients with advanced cancer who died in the hospital between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2007.

RESULTS

Of the 145 inpatients meeting inclusion criteria, 115 patients (79%) were documented to have decisional capacity on admission. Among these patients, 46 (40%) were documented to lose decisional capacity prior to an end‐of‐life discussion and had the discussion held instead by a surrogate. Patients who had surrogate participation in the end‐of‐life discussions were more likely to receive mechanical ventilation (56.5% vs 23.2%, P < 0.01), artificial nutrition (45.7% vs 25.0%, P = 0.03), chemotherapy (39.1% vs 5.4%, P <0.01), and intensive care unit (ICU) treatment (56.5% vs 23.2%, P <0.01) compared to patients who participated in discussions. There was no difference between palliative treatments received.

CONCLUSION

The majority of patients with advanced cancer are considered to have decisional capacity at the time of their terminal hospitalization. Many lose decisional capacity before having an end‐of‐life discussion and have surrogate decision‐makers participate in these discussions. These patients received more aggressive life‐sustaining treatments prior to death and represent a missed opportunity to improve end‐of‐life care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:334–340 © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Expression changes of cytoskeletal associated proteins in proteomic profiling of neuroblastoma cells infected with different strains of rabies virus
Authors: Zandi Fatemeh , Eslami Naser , Torkashvand Fatemeh , Fayaz Ahmad , Khalaj Vahid , Vaziri Behrouz
Published: November 2012

Rabies virus invades the nervous system, induces neuronal dysfunction and causes death of the host. The disruption of the cytoskeletal integrity and synaptic structures of the neurons by rabies virus has been postulated as a possible basis for neuronal dysfunction. In the present study, a two‐dimensional electrophoresis/mass spectrometry proteomics analysis of neuroblastoma cells revealed a significant effect of a virulent strain of rabies virus on the host cytoskeleton related proteins which was quite different from that of an attenuated strain. Vimentin, actin cytoplasmic 1 isoform, profilin I, and Rho‐GDP dissociation inhibitor were host cell cytoskeletal related proteins changed by the virulent strain. The proteomics data indicated that the virulent strain of rabies virus induces significant expression changes in the vimentin and actin cytoskeleton networks of neurons which could be a strong clue for the relation of cytoskeletal integrity distraction and rabies virus pathogenesis. In addition, the expression alteration of other host proteins, particularly some structural and regulatory proteins may have potential roles in rabies virus pathogenesis. J. Med. Virol. 85:336–347, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of different cooking regimes on the microstructure and tenderness of duck breast muscle
Authors: Li Chao , Wang Daoying , Dong Han , Xu Weimin , Gao Feng , Zhou Guanghong , Zhang Muhan
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

Cooking has a great influence on meat tenderness, and we assumed that changes of tenderness in this process resulted from the liberation of actin and associated structural changes. Therefore, in this study, we investigated changes in the microstructure and tenderness when duck breast muscle were cooked to different internal endpoint temperatures (70, 80, 90, 95 °C) by three cooking regimes (conventional cooking, two‐stage cooking and three‐stage cooking).

RESULTS

When duck breast muscle was cooked to an internal endpoint temperature of 70 °C, the three‐stage cooking significantly decreased the Meullenet–Owens razor shear force (MORSF) value (P < 0.05) and resulted in a longer sarcomere length (P < 0.05) compared with the conventional cooking. However, further improvement of the tenderness and an increase in sarcomere length did not occur at higher internal endpoint temperatures. The two‐stage cooking regime, with a much longer cooking time below 55 °C, also resulted in a lower MORSF value (P > 0.05) and increased sarcomere length (P < 0.05) at an internal endpoint temperature of 70 °C compared with the conventional cooking. Significant liberation of actin was also observed in duck meat cooked between 50 and 60 °C.

CONCLUSION

The two‐ and three‐stage cooking regimes with initial temperatures of 50–60 °C and endpoint temperature of 70 °C could improve tenderness of duck breast meat, which might be related to the liberation of actin. Three‐stage cooking had the great advantages of improving meat tenderness and reducing cooking loss; therefore, this is to be recommended for further application and research.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the quality and bioactive compounds of Chinese cabbage (Brasicca rapa L. ssp. chinensis)
Authors: Mampholo Bevly Mmakatane , Sivakumar Dharini , Beukes Mervyn , van Rensburg Willem Jansen
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

The perishability of Brassica chinensis poses a major challenge to distribution and marketing. The aim of this work was to select a suitable modified atmosphere packaging to retain the overall quality and bioactive compounds during storage.

RESULTS

Four types of biorientated polypropylene packaging (BOPP) – BOPP03, BOPP04, BOPP05 and BOPP06 – with different perforations were evaluated regarding the maintenance of quality parameters (weight loss, leaf yellowing, colour L*, C*, h°), decay, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, bioactive compounds (carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total phenolic compounds), antioxidant scavenging activity, overall appearance and odour evaluation, at 10°C at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days. Leaves were packed in BOPP (two 2‐mm holes) and packed and unpacked leaves were included for comparison. The modified atmosphere created (2% O2 and 7% CO2) inside the BOPP05 reduced leaf yellowing (higher h°), improved the overall appearance with acceptable odour, moderately maintained chlorophyll a and b, bioactive compounds and antioxidant scavenging activity, and remained marketable for up to 10 days at 10°C. Gas composition within the packages influenced the retention of bioactive compounds and overall quality.

CONCLUSION

Application of BOPP05 is a promising method for extending the shelf life of B. chinensis leaves in order to promote its utilisation and commercialisation via urban fresh‐produce markets. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of l‐ascorbic acid by peroxomonophosphate in aqueous acid medium
Authors: Soni Narendra K. , Sailani Riya , Khandelwal C. L. , Sharma P. D.
Published: November 2012

The kinetics of oxidation of l‐ascorbic acid (H2A) by peroxomonophosphate in acid aqueous medium has been studied. The stoichiometry of the reaction corresponds to the reaction as represented by the equation

equation image

where A is dehydroascorbic acid. The reaction is second order versus first order with respect to each reactant. The rate is retarded by hydrogen ion concentration. A plausible reaction mechanism has been suggested. The derived rate law (2) from such a mechanism accounts for all experimental observations:

equation image

Such pH dependence is somewhat different from that observed in the case of metal ion oxidants. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 45: 41–16, 2013
Drug‐induced sleep endoscopy for upper airway evaluation in children with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Ulualp Seckin O. , Szmuk Peter
Published: November 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To evaluate sites and characteristics of upper airway obstruction, as detected with drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Material and Methods:

The medical records of children who underwent DISE were reviewed. Data pertaining to demographics, past medical history, body mass index, tonsil size, adenoid size, polysomnography, and DISE were obtained.

Results:

Eighty‐two children had DISE and severity of OSA was mild in four patients, moderate in 17, and severe in 61. DISE revealed obstruction at the level of velum in 67 patients, oropharynx/lateral walls in 72 patients, tongue in 10 patients, and epiglottis in 10 patients. Oropharynx/lateral walls were the most common single site of obstruction. The majority of children had obstruction at multiple sites. Combination of velum and oropharynx/lateral walls was the most common multiple sites of obstruction. Prevalence of complete obstruction at velum and oropharynx/lateral walls in children with severe or moderate OSA were greater than those of children with mild OSA. Complete obstruction at oropharynx/lateral walls was documented in 50% of children with grade I tonsils and 64% of children with grade II tonsils.

Conclusion:

The oropharynx/lateral walls are the most common site of obstruction in children with single site obstruction. Combined oropharynx/lateral walls and velum obstruction was the most common sites of obstruction in children with multiple site obstruction. Children with grade I and grade II tonsils may suffer from complete airway obstruction. DISE is a useful tool to identify upper airway obstruction sites in addition to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Laryngoscope, 2013
Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Changes on Organic Carbon Stocks in Mediterranean Soils (1956–2007)
Authors: Muñoz‐Rojas M. , Jordán A. , Zavala L. M. , De la Rosa D. , Abd‐Elmabod S. K. , Anaya‐Romero M.
Published: November 2012

During the last few decades, land use changes have largely affected the global warming process through emissions of CO2. However, C sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems could contribute to the decrease of atmospheric CO2 rates. Although Mediterranean areas show a high potential for C sequestration, only a few studies have been carried out in these systems. In this study, we propose a methodology to assess the impact of land use and land cover change dynamics on soil organic C stocks at different depths. Soil C sequestration rates are provided for different land cover changes and soil types in Andalusia (southern Spain). Our research is based on the analysis of detailed soil databases containing data from 1357 soil profiles, the Soil Map of Andalusia and the Land Use and Land Cover Map of Andalusia. Land use and land cover changes between 1956 and 2007 implied soil organic C losses in all soil groups, resulting in a total loss of 16·8 Tg (approximately 0·33 Tg y−1). Afforestation increased soil organic C mostly in the topsoil, and forest contributed to sequestration of 8·62 Mg ha−1 of soil organic C (25·4 per cent). Deforestation processes implied important C losses, particularly in Cambisols, Luvisols and Vertisols. The information generated in this study will be a useful basis for designing management strategies for stabilizing the increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations by preservation of C stocks and C sequestration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bacteriophages as Templates for Manufacturing Supramolecular Structures
Authors: Korkmaz Nuriye , Kim Young Jun , Nam Chang Hoon
Published: November 2012

SS phages are genetically enginnered by replacing 2 N‐terminal amino acids of the p8 coat protein of the fd phage. AGE and zeta potential measurements show that SS phages carry at least 1/4 less net negative surface charge than fd phages. Morphology and thickness of phages are studied at different counterion concentrations (10−3, 10−2 and 10−1 M) by AFM, SEM and immunofluorescence analyses. Bundles induced by CoCl2 and CaCl2 are either metallized by chemical reduction or biomineralized for apatite‐like material formation. EDX spectroscopy confirms the presence of Co, P and Ca peaks in mineralized samples. Such bottom‐up manufactured phage scaffolds might be applied in bioengineering studies.

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Evidence for possible non‐canonical pathway(s) driven early‐onset colorectal cancer in India
Authors: Raman Ratheesh , Kotapalli Viswakalyan , Adduri Raju , Gowrishankar Swarnalata , Bashyam Leena , Chaudhary Ajay , Vamsy Mohana , Patnaik Sujith , Srinivasulu Mukta , Sastry Regulagadda , Rao Subramanyeshwar , Vasala Anjayneyulu , Kalidindi NarasimhaRaju , Pollack Jonathan , Murthy Sudha , Bashyam Murali
Published: November 2012

Two genetic instability pathways viz. chromosomal instability, driven primarily by APC mutation induced deregulated Wnt signaling, and microsatellite instability (MSI) caused by mismatch repair (MMR) inactivation, together account for >90% of late‐onset colorectal cancer (CRC). Our understanding of early‐onset sporadic CRC is however comparatively limited. In addition, most seminal studies have been performed in the western population and analyses of tumorigenesis pathway(s) causing CRC in developing nations have been rare. We performed a comparative analysis of early and late‐onset CRC from India with respect to common genetic aberrations including Wnt, KRAS, and p53 (constituting the classical CRC progression sequence) in addition to MSI. Our results revealed the absence of Wnt and MSI in a significant proportion of early‐onset as against late‐onset CRC in India. In addition, KRAS mutation frequency was significantly lower in early‐onset CRC indicating that a significant proportion of CRC in India may follow tumorigenesis pathways distinct from the classical CRC progression sequence. Our study has therefore revealed the possible existence of non‐canonical tumorigenesis pathways in early‐onset CRC in India. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Theoretical limits on miniaturization of directional couplers designed as a connection of tightly coupled and uncoupled lines
Authors: Wincza Krzysztof , Gruszczynski Slawomir
Published: November 2012

The problem of miniaturization of coupled‐line directional couplers designed as a connection of tightly‐coupled and uncoupled sections has been comprehensively investigated for the first time.It has been proven that in such couplers the stronger coupling is available in the structure, the greater miniaturization is achieved. A novel approach allowing for theoretical analysis of such couplers has been proposed. Moreover, a special case has been considered, in which couplers are designed with the use of a single section of uncoupled lines placed in the middle of a tightly‐coupled section. The proposed approach has been utilized for derivation of theoretical limits describing the maximum achievable minimization of the overall electrical length of couplers designed as a connection of coupled and uncoupled lines. The theoretical analyses have been confirmed by the measurements of two different directional couplers designed with the use of the proposed approach. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:223–230, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27233
Design of silicon‐based fractal antennas
Authors: Ghaffar Farhan A. , Shamim Atif
Published: November 2012

This article presents Sierpinski carpet fractal antennas implemented in conventional low resistivity (ρ =10 Ω cm) as well as high resistivity (ρ =1500 Ω cm) silicon mediums. The fractal antenna is 36% smaller as compared with a typical patch antenna at 24 GHz and provides 13% bandwidth on high resistivity silicon, suitable for high data rate applications. For the first time, an on‐chip fractal antenna array is demonstrated in this work which provides double the gain of a single fractal element as well as enhanced bandwidth. A custom test fixture is utilized to measure the radiation pattern and gain of these probe‐fed antennas. In addition to gain and impedance characterization, measurements have also been made to study intrachip communication through these antennas. The comparison between the low resistivity and high resistivity antennas indicate that the former is not a suitable medium for array implementation and is only suitable for short range communication whereas the latter is appropriate for short and medium range wireless communication. The design is well‐suited for compact, high data rate System‐on‐Chip (SoC) applications as well as for intrachip communication such as wireless global clock distribution in synchronous systems. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:180–186, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27245
A fully integrated 40‐GB/S CDR with eight‐phase VCO for optical fiber communication
Authors: Chen Yingmei , Yan Shuangchao , Wang Zhigong , Zhang Li , Li Wei
Published: November 2012

This article presents a fully integrated 40‐Gb/s phase locked clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit with 1:4 demultiplexer (DEMUX) in International Business Machines (IBM) 90‐nm CMOS technology.The CDR circuit incorporates a novel eight‐phase CL ladder filtering voltage‐controlled oscillator and a quarter rate bang‐bang phase detector. The 40‐Gb/s input data are sampled with eight parallel differential master‐salve flip‐flops every 12.5 ps and the 40‐Gb/s data are demultiplexed into four 10‐Gb/s outputs when the CDR circuit is phase locked. The recovered and frequency divided 10‐GHz clock has a phase noise of −101.01 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset and a peak to peak jitter of 3.4 ps. The CDR and 1:4 DEMUX consumes 72 mW from a 1.2 V supply excluding out buffers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:170–173, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27248
Small monopole antenna with semicircular ground plane for UWB applications with variable band‐notch structure
Authors: Aghdam Sajjad Abazari , Varkiani Seyed Mohsen Hosseini
Published: November 2012

In this article a novel small microstrip monopole antenna with balloon‐shape radiation patch and two circular ground structure in the back plane with variable band‐notch structure is presented.Impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna is approximately 153% with S11 <−10 dB in the frequency range of 3.2–23 GHz over an ultra‐wideband frequency range with a variable center frequency band‐notch from 5.1 GHz to 8.2 GHz. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:12–14, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27255
WWAN printed monopole slot antenna with a parallel‐resonant slit for tablet computer application
Authors: Wong Kin‐Lu , Lin Wun‐Jian
Published: November 2012

The use of a parallel‐resonant (PR) slit for dual‐band bandwidth enhancement of a small‐size printed monopole slot antenna to achieve the wireless wide area network operation in the tablet computer is demonstrated. The antenna is easy to fabricate by printing on a thin FR4 substrate of size 10 × 45 mm2. The PR slit, mainly configured as a spiral shape to occupy a small area of about 6.5 × 6.5 mm2 on the FR4 substrate, generates two parallel resonances at about 1.2 and 2.5 GHz to, respectively, result in dual‐resonance excitation of the quarter‐wavelength and half‐wavelength modes of the monopole slot at about 0.9 and 1.9 GHz. In this case, two wide operating bands are obtained to, respectively, cover the 824–960 and 1710–2170 MHz bands. That is, with the dual‐band bandwidth enhancement contributed by the PR slit, the proposed antenna can cover the GSM850/900/1800/1900/UMTS bands with a small planar size. Details of the proposed antenna are described in the article. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:40–45, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27273
A penta‐band folded antenna for mobile phone application
Authors: Guo Qingxin , Mittra Raj , Lei Fang , Li Zengrui , Ju Jilong
Published: November 2012

A penta‐band folded antenna for mobile phone applications is presented.The antenna is comprised of two modified inverted‐L monopole radiators with a short grounded transmission line for impedance matching and includes a ground plane printed on FR‐4 substrate. The radiators are bonded onto a plastic carrier whose dimensions are 50 × 15 × 4 mm3. The antenna is designed and optimized to generate two separate bands, ranging from (i) 870 to 1010 MHz and (ii) 1710 to 2490 MHz with return loss for both better than 7.5 dB. Thus, the antenna covers five bands useful for mobile phone applications, namely, Global System for Mobile Communications/Digital Communication System/Personal Communication Services/Universal Mobile Telecommunications System/Bluetooth. The design strategy was such that the two separate widebands of interest can be controlled relatively independently. Design considerations for the constructed prototype are discussed. The effects of the ground plane, the mobile phone housing and the human hand on the return loss, and the efficiency of the proposed antenna are also investigated. It is found that the hand grip on the mobile phone has a significant effect on the performance of the antenna, especially its efficiency. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:34–40, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27274
Synthesis and characterization of a novel hydroxy terminated polydimethylsiloxane and its application in the waterborne polysiloxane–urethane dispersion for potential marine coatings
Authors: Naghash Hamid Javaherian , Mohammadidehcheshmeh Iman , Mehrnia Mohammadmilad
Published: November 2012

α‐Butyl ω‐N, N‐dihydroxyethyl aminopropylpolymethylhydrosiloxane (PDMS), a monotelechelic polydimethylsiloxane with a diol‐end group, which is used to prepare siloxane–urethane dispersion, was successfully synthesized. Then, novel silicone‐based polyurethane (PU)‐dispersion was prepared by the addition polymerization of hexamethylene diisocyanate, to PDMS, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dimethylol propionic acid. The goal of this study was to explore the potential use of polysiloxane–urethane in marine coatings in order to boost the flexibility, adhesion, erosion and foul‐release property with respect to PDMS/PEG ratio (PDMS wt%). The PDMS was characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance and carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques. The results showed that each step was successfully carried out and the targeted products were synthesized in all cases. The structural elucidation of the synthesized waterborne PU and waterborne polysiloxane–urethane (WBPSU) was carried out by FT‐IR spectroscopic technique. Thermal properties of the resins were studied by using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The antifouling property of the coatings was investigated by the immersion test under a marine environment for 90 days. The fouled area was calculated for all the samples, and the fouled area (%) decreased with increasing PDMS content. After 90 days, the lowest fouled area (6%) was observed in the sample using WBPSU2 (PDMS 4.48 wt%) among all of the samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.