bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic structure and demographic history ofLymantria dispar(Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in its area of origin and adjacent areas
Authors: Kang Tae Hwa , Han Sang Hoon , Lee Heung Sik
Published: September 2017

We analyzed the population genetic structure and demographic history of 20Lymantria disparpopulations from Far East Asia using microsatellite loci and mitochondrial genes. In the microsatellite analysis, the genetic distances based on pairwiseFSTvalues ranged from 0.0087 to 0.1171. A NeighborNet network based on pairwiseFSTgenetic distances showed that the 20 regional populations were divided into five groups. Bayesian clustering analysis (K = 3) demonstrated the same groupings. The populations in the Korean Peninsula and adjacent regions, in particular, showed a mixed genetic pattern. In the mitochondrial genetic analysis based on 98 haplotypes, the median‐joining network exhibited a star shape that was focused on three high‐frequency haplotypes (Haplotype 1: central Korea and adjacent regions, Group 1; Haplotype 37: southern Korea, Group 2; and Haplotype 90: Hokkaido area, Group 3) connected by low‐frequency haplotypes. The mismatch distribution dividing the three groups was unimodal. In the neutral test, Tajima's D and Fu's FS tests were negative. We can thus infer that the Far East Asian populations ofL. disparunderwent a sudden population expansion. Based on the age expansion parameter, the expansion time was inferred to be approximately 53,652 years before present (ybp) for Group 1, approximately 65,043 ybp for Group 2, and approximately 76,086 ybp for Group 3. We propose that the mixed genetic pattern of the inland populations of Far East Asia is due to these expansions and that the inland populations of the region should be treated as valid subspecies that are distinguishable from other subspecies by genetic traits.
Mechanistic Study of the Fluoride‐Induced Activation of a Kobayashi Precursor: Pseudo‐SN2 Pathway via a Pentacoordinated Silicon Ate Complex
Authors: Liu Song , Li Yang , Lan Yu
Published: September 2017

Density functional theory calculations were used to reveal the mechanistic pathway of benzyne formation from a Kobayashi precursor, for which two methods were employed: (1) direct geometry optimization in solvent; (2) single‐point energy calculations in solvent on the basis of the gas‐phase‐optimized geometries. The first method suggested that the overall process involved fluoride ion attack to afford a pentacoordinate silicon ate complex, aryl–Si bond cleavage, and consequent irreversible triflate dissociation to produce the benzyne intermediate. The rate‐determining step was found to be the addition of the fluoride ion to the trimethylsilyl group. However, this step was missing in the second method. Moreover, the mechanism and reactivity of this transformation were also studied by natural population charge analysis and the Hammett model.
A 14.7 Ka record of earth surface processes from the arid‐monsoon transitional zone of China
Authors: Liu Jianbao , Chen Jianhui , Kandasamy Selvaraj , Chen Shengqian , Xie Chengling , Chen Qiaomei , Lin Baozhi , Yu Kaifeng , Xu Qinghai , Velasco Victor M. , Chen Fahu
Published: September 2017

The stability of Earth's critical zone is intimately linked with erosion, weathering and vegetation type and density. Therefore, it affects global biogeochemical processes which in turn affect the global climate by absorbing and reflecting solar radiation, and by altering fluxes of heat, water vapour, carbon dioxide and other trace gases through various feedback mechanisms. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how Earth's critical zone processes have changed over time and their link with past monsoon variability, especially in Asia. The study of lake sediments, which contain a suite of inorganic elemental and isotopic proxies, may facilitate the understanding of the Earth's critical zone processes on millennial timescales. Here we reconstruct the history of erosion–weathering–vegetation interactions since ~14.7 ka using geochemical records from a radiocarbon‐dated sediment core from Lake Gonghai in the monsoon‐arid transitional zone of north China. Detrital (Al, Ti, K, Rb) and authigenic (Ca, Sr) elemental records reveal distinct, millennial‐scale, late deglacial‐Holocene erosion and weathering patterns and transitions with the former (latter) elements showing higher (lower) values in warm intervals and vice versa. Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) molar, a humidity proxy, suggests low humidity during the late deglacial ~11.5–14.7 ka, high humidity during the early‐mid Holocene ~11.5–3.2 ka, and intermediate humidity during the late Holocene interval since ~3.2 ka. The results of cross‐spectral analysis and comparison of our records with other climate reconstructions also suggest a pattern of orbitally‐phased humidity changes in north China. Overall, our results provide evidence for the solar‐forcing of Earth's surface processes in mid‐latitude China under natural climatic conditions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spectral signatures of mirror movements in the sensori‐motor connectivity in kallmann syndrome
Authors: Manara Renzo , Di Nardo Federica , Salvalaggio Alessandro , Sinisi Antonio Agostino , Bonanni Guglielmo , Palumbo Vincenzo , Cantone Elena , Brunetti Arturo , Di Salle Francesco , D'errico Arianna , Elefante Andrea , Esposito Fabrizio
Published: September 2017

Mirror movements (MM) might be observed in congenital and acquired neurodegenerative conditions but their anatomic‐functional underpinnings are still largely elusive.

This study investigated the spectral changes of resting‐state functional connectivity in Kallmann Syndrome (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with hypo/anosmia with or without congenital MM) searching for insights into the phenomenon of MM.

Forty‐four Kallmann syndrome patients (21 with MM) and 24 healthy control subjects underwent task (finger tapping) and resting‐state functional MRI. The spatial pattern of task‐related activations was used to mask regions and select putative motor networks in a spatially independent component analysis of resting‐state signals. For each resting‐state independent component time‐course power spectrum, we extracted the relative contribution of four separate bands: slow‐5 (0.01–0.027 Hz), slow‐4 (0.027–0.073 Hz), slow‐3 (0.073–0.198 Hz), slow‐2 (0.198–0.25 Hz), and analyzed the variance between groups.

For the sensorimotor network, the analysis revealed a significant group by frequency interaction (P = 0.002) pointing to a frequency shift in the spectral content among subgroups with lower slow‐5 band and higher slow‐3 band contribution in Kallmann patients with MM versus controls (P = 0.028) and with lower slow‐5 band contribution between patients with and without MM (P = 0.057). In specific regions, as obtained from hand motor activation task analysis, spectral analyses demonstrated a lower slow‐5 band contribution in Kallmann patients with MM versus both controls and patients without MM (P < 0.05).

In Kallmann syndrome, the peculiar phenomenon of bimanual synkinesis is associated at rest with regionally and spectrally selective functional connectivity changes pointing to a distinctive cortical and subcortical functional reorganization. Hum Brain Mapp 39:42–53, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increase in MST activity correlates with visual motion learning: A functional MRI study of perceptual learning
Authors: Larcombe Stephanie J. , Kennard Chris , Bridge Holly
Published: September 2017

Repeated practice of a specific task can improve visual performance, but the neural mechanisms underlying this improvement in performance are not yet well understood. Here we trained healthy participants on a visual motion task daily for 5 days in one visual hemifield. Before and after training, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure the change in neural activity. We also imaged a control group of participants on two occasions who did not receive any task training. While in the MRI scanner, all participants completed the motion task in the trained and untrained visual hemifields separately. Following training, participants improved their ability to discriminate motion direction in the trained hemifield and, to a lesser extent, in the untrained hemifield. The amount of task learning correlated positively with the change in activity in the medial superior temporal (MST) area. MST is the anterior portion of the human motion complex (hMT+). MST changes were localized to the hemisphere contralateral to the region of the visual field, where perceptual training was delivered. Visual areas V2 and V3a showed an increase in activity between the first and second scan in the training group, but this was not correlated with performance. The contralateral anterior hippocampus and bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and frontal pole showed changes in neural activity that also correlated with the amount of task learning. These findings emphasize the importance of MST in perceptual learning of a visual motion task. Hum Brain Mapp 39:145–156, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correlation between the pathology and clinical presentations in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the external auditory canal
Authors: Liu Hongyan , Zhang Yibo , Zhang Ting , Li Feitian , Dai Chunfu
Published: September 2017

Background

The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between the pathology and clinical presentations in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the external auditory canal.

Methods

Twenty‐nine patients with ACC of the external auditory canal who underwent surgery were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Fifty percent of patients with solid pattern disease had recurrences, followed by those with cribriform (33%) and tubular (0%) pattern. Perineural invasion was common (55%), and occurred most frequently in the solid subtype (67%). The rate of otalgia was less in patients with perineural invasion (31% vs 46%). Most tumors (59%) involved the parotid gland, but it was not seen on preoperative MRI (35%).

Conclusion

The solid subtype presents the worst prognosis, and is prone to perineural invasion. Despite frequently occurring in ACC of the external auditory canal, perineural invasion may not be associated with otalgia. In ACC of the external auditory canal, high rates of occult parotid involvement support adjunctive superficial parotidectomy.
Prognostic relevance of insulin resistance on disease‐free survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: Preliminary results
Authors: Avilés‐Jurado Francesc Xavier , Flores Joan Carles , Gumà Josep , Ceperuelo‐Mallafré Victoria , Casanova‐Marqués Raquel , Gómez David , Vendrell Joan Josep , León Xavier , Vilaseca Isabel , Terra Ximena
Published: September 2017

Background

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of pretreatment glycemic parameters in the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Plasma samples of 71 patients with untreated HNSCC were obtained at the time of diagnosis. The prognostic value of fasting insulin, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and the homeostatic model of risk assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) was evaluated toward disease‐free survival.

Results

High HOMA‐IR levels were associated with poor disease‐free survival in intermediate‐advanced stage tumors. Kaplan‐Meier curves showed lower disease‐free survival rates in patients with high HOMA‐IR than in patients with low levels. In patients with intermediate‐advanced stage tumors, multivariate analysis revealed that those with an HOMA‐IR >2.974 presented a 2.7 times higher risk of poor outcome (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.023‐7.341; P = .045).

Conclusion

The HOMA‐IR is independently associated with disease‐free survival in patients with HNSCC. We found an optimal HOMA‐IR cutoff value for disease‐free survival in patients with intermediate‐advanced HNSCC.
Surrogate for oropharyngeal cancer HPV status in cancer database studies
Authors: Megwalu Uchechukwu C. , Chen Michelle M. , Ma Yifei , Divi Vasu
Published: September 2017

Background

The utility of cancer databases for oropharyngeal cancer studies is limited by lack of information on human papillomavirus (HPV) status. The purpose of this study was to develop a surrogate that can be used to adjust for the effect of HPV status on survival.

Methods

The study cohort included 6419 patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between 2004 and 2012, identified in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). The HPV surrogate score was developed using a logistic regression model predicting HPV‐positive status.

Results

The HPV surrogate score was predictive of HPV status (area under the curve [AUC] 0.73; accuracy of 70.4%). Similar to HPV‐positive tumors, HPV surrogate positive tumors were associated with improved overall survival (OS; hazard ratio [HR] 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59‐0.91; P = .005), after adjusting for important covariates.

Conclusion

The HPV surrogate score is useful for adjusting for the effect of HPV status on survival in studies utilizing cancer databases.
“Airborne” suture tying technique: Simple steps to make it easy
Authors: Agko Mouchammed , Ciudad Pedro , Chen Hung‐Chi
Published: September 2017

A multitude of microsurgical suture techniques have been described. Although accurate apposition and eversion of the vessel ends is paramount for the patency of anastomosis, rapidity is usually of secondary importance. However, in situations in which either multiple anastomoses are required or timely revascularization is crucial, speed becomes a determinant factor for eventual success. “Airborne” suture tying is aimed at decreasing operative time by streamlining the microvascular anastomosis. Over the years, several considerations have emerged as key points for achieving mastery of this helpful maneuver. Herein, we simplify the technique by breaking the maneuver into 2 components: the “charioteer” loop and the “lasso” loop. Relevant literature, indications, and benefits are discussed followed by step‐by‐step descriptions. Both back table and in vivo video demonstrations are presented online.
Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in head and neck cancer and novel therapeutic targets: A systematic review
Authors: Lechien Jérôme R. , Nassri Amir , Kindt Nadege , Brown David N. , Journe Fabrice , Saussez Sven
Published: September 2017

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in systemic, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases, such as obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. For the 2 past decades, MIF has been reported to participate in carcinogenesis, disease prognosis, tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and tumor‐induced angiogenesis in many cancers. The purpose of this article is to review published experimental and clinical data for MIF and its involvement in upper aerodigestive tract cancers. Based on the current literature, we propose a biomolecular model describing the mechanisms underlying the involvement of MIF in the initiation, progression, apoptosis, and proliferation of head and neck tumor cells. In reference to this model, potential therapeutic approaches based on the use of MIF antagonists and neutralizing antibodies are described. It is concluded that MIF is a promising target for future therapeutic strategies, both with and without chemoradiation strategies.
Injury mechanisms and electromyographic changes after injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve: Experiments in a porcine model
Authors: Brauckhoff Katrin , Svendsen Øyvind S. , Stangeland Lodve , Biermann Martin , Aas Turid , Husby Paul J. A.
Published: September 2017

Background

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury during surgery may reveal differences in electromyographic (EMG) changes after sustained compression or traction.

Methods

In 20 pigs with the NIM‐FLEX EMG‐endotracheal tube, EMG was recorded at baseline, during sustained RLN compression, or traction until 70% amplitude decrease and during 30 minutes of recovery.

Results

Seventy percent amplitude decrease from baseline was reached after 110 ± 98 seconds (compression group) and 2034 ± 2108 seconds (traction group). Traction induced a pronounced latency increase, peaking at 122 ± 8% in contrast to compression with 106 ± 5% (P < .001). The EMG amplitude recovery to ≥50% of baseline failed in 7 nerves after compression and 8 nerves after traction.

Conclusion

Compression caused a fast decrease of EMG amplitude with minor effects on latency. In contrast, RLN traction showed early and significant latency increase preceding a delayed amplitude decrease. Recovery rate of the EMG signals were similar in both groups.
Genomic profiling of intestinal‐type sinonasal adenocarcinoma reveals subgroups of patients with distinct clinical outcomes
Authors: López‐Hernández Alejandro , Pérez‐Escuredo Jhudit , Vivanco Blanca , García‐Inclán Cristina , Potes‐Ares Sira , Cabal Virginia N. , Riobello Cristina , Costales María , López Fernando , Llorente José Luis , Hermsen Mario A.
Published: September 2017

Background

Patients with intestinal‐type sinonasal adenocarcinoma (ITAC) have an unfavorable prognosis and new therapeutic approaches are needed to improve clinical management.

Methods

Genetic analysis of 96 ITACs was performed by microarray comparative genomic hybridization and immunohistochemistry and correlated to previously obtained mutation, methylation, and protein expression data, and with pathological characteristics and clinical outcome.

Results

Seven copy number alterations (CNAs) were significantly associated with unfavorable clinical outcome: gains at 1q22‐23, 3q28‐29, 6p22, and 13q31‐33, and losses at 4p15‐16, 4q32‐35, and 10q24. Unsupervised cluster analysis resulted in 5 subgroups of ITAC with significantly distinct genetic signatures and clinical outcomes, independently of disease stage or histological subtype.

Conclusion

These data may guide studies to identify driver genes and signaling pathways involved in ITAC. In addition, the subclassification of genetic subgroups of patients with distinct clinical behavior can aid therapeutic decision making and may ultimately lead to personalized therapy with targeted inhibitors.
Comparison of outcomes with extensive segmental pectoralis major myocutaneous flap via the anterior axillary line and the conventional technique in oral and oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Chen Wei‐liang , Zhang Da‐ming , Huang Zhi‐quan , Wang Yan , Zhou Bin , Wang You‐yuan
Published: September 2017

Background

This study compared the outcomes of an extensive segmental pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (esPMMF) and a conventional pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF).

Methods

The study enrolled 91 patients with primary oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) who underwent radical resection followed by reconstruction of the defect using either an esPMMF via the anterior axillary line or a PMMF. The pedicle lengths of the esPMMF and PMMF were 22‐28 and 18‐22 cm, respectively. The esPMMF and PMMF had skin paddle dimensions of 5 × 8 to 7 × 14 cm and 6 × 7 to 8 × 17 cm, respectively.

Results

The esPMMF pedicle was longer than that of the PMMF. The range of shoulder abduction was significantly greater in the esPMMF group and the donor‐site aesthetic results were better.

Conclusion

The esPMMF has a longer pedicle flap, enables a greater range of shoulder abduction, and has a better aesthetic result than the conventional technique.
Predictors of contralateral‐bilateral nodal disease in oropharyngeal cancer: A National Cancer Data Base Study
Authors: Kato Masanari G. , Ellis Mark A. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Day Terry A.
Published: September 2017

Background

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) frequently presents with cervical metastasis. Roles of human papillomavirus (HPV) status, among other factors, on laterality are elusive.

Methods

The National Cancer Database was reviewed for oropharyngeal SCC diagnosed from 2010‐2014. Predictors of clinically evident contralateral or bilateral nodal disease were identified.

Results

A total of 15 517 patients with oropharyngeal SCC met criteria. The majority was HPV‐positive. Histologically poorly differentiated tumors were more frequent in the HPV‐positive group (55.7% vs 37.6%; P < .001). By incidence, there was no statistical difference in contralateral or bilateral nodal disease between HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative patients (14.2% vs 14.5%, respectively; P = .769). On multivariable analysis, notable predictors of contralateral or bilateral nodal disease included HPV‐positivity (odds ratio [OR] 1.26; 99% confidence interval [CI] 1.10‐1.44), base of tongue (BOT) location (OR 2.15; 99% CI 1.88‐2.45), poorly differentiated tumor (OR 1.72; 99% CI 1.20‐2.46), and T4 classification (OR 6.65; 99% CI 5.34‐8.28).

Conclusion

Patients with HPV‐associated oropharyngeal SCC have increased likelihood of contralateral or bilateral nodal disease. Tumor grade, tumor location, and tumor size are also independent predictors.
Endometrial receptivity and conception outcome among women with light menstrual bleeding of unidentified etiology
Authors: Gao Yueqing , Hong Xiangli , Wang Zhewei , Zhu Ying
Published: September 2017

Objective

To investigate endometrial receptivity (ER), conception outcome, and other factors among women with light menstrual bleeding of unidentified etiology.

Methods

A prospective study was undertaken at a center in China. Between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014, women meeting the inclusion criteria (aged 20–35 years, without any history of pregnancy, desire to conceive, follicle‐stimulating hormone <10 IU on second or third day of cycle, and regular menstrual periods) were enrolled. Participants with a menstrual blood volume of 5–20 mL formed the study group; others were in the control group. ER measures were obtained by transvaginal Doppler ultrasonography. Serum estradiol and progesterone levels were measured and items of prethrombotic state were screened in mid‐luteal phase. Participants were followed up for 1 year to establish conception outcome.

Results

The ER (Salle) score was significantly lower in the study group (n=110) than in the control group (n=330; 9.41 ± 3.02 vs 15.67 ± 2.63, P<0.001). The natural rate of conception within 1 year was lower (60.0% [63/105] vs 72.1% [230/319], P=0.020), and the spontaneous abortion rate in early pregnancy was higher (34.4% [21/61] vs 18.1% [41/227], P=0.006) in the study group than in the control group.

Conclusion

Women with light menstrual bleeding of unidentified etiology had an increased prevalence of low ER and poor conception outcome.
Hemocompatibility of hyaluronan enhanced linear low density polyethylene for blood contacting applications
Authors: Simon‐Walker Rachael , Cavicchia John , Prawel David A. , Dasi Lakshmi Prasad , James Susan P. , Popat Ketul C.
Published: September 2017

Despite their overall success, different blood‐contacting medical devices such as heart valves, stents, and so forth, are still plagued with hemocompatibility issues which often result in the need for subsequent replacement and/or life‐long anticoagulation therapy. Consequently, there is a significant interest in developing biomaterials that can address these issues. Polymeric‐based materials have been proposed for use in many applications due to their ability to be finely tuned through manufacturing and surface modification to enhance hemocompatibility. In this study, we have developed a novel, hydrophilic biomaterial comprised of an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of hyaluronan (HA) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). HA is a highly lubricous, anionic polysaccharide ubiquitously found in the human body. It is currently being investigated for a vast array of biomedical applications including cardiovascular therapies such as hydrogel‐based regenerative cell therapies for myocardial infarction, HA‐coated stents, and surface modifications of polyurethane and metals for use in blood‐contacting implants. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro thrombogenic response of the hydrophilic polymer surface, HA‐LLDPE for future potential use as flexible heart valve leaflets. The results indicate that HA‐LLDPE is non‐toxic and reduces thromobogenicity as compared to LLDPE surfaces, asserting its feasibility for use as a blood‐contacting biomaterial. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1964–1975, 2018.
The topology of the Coulomb potential density. A comparison with the electron density, the virial energy density, and the Ehrenfest force density
Authors: Ferreira Lizé‐Mari , Eaby Alan , Dillen Jan
Published: September 2017

The topology of the Coulomb potential density has been studied within the context of the theory of Atoms in Molecules and has been compared with the topologies of the electron density, the virial energy density and the Ehrenfest force density. The Coulomb potential density is found to be mainly structurally homeomorphic with the electron density. The Coulomb potential density reproduces the non‐nuclear attractor which is observed experimentally in the molecular graph of the electron density of a Mg dimer, thus, for the first time ever providing an alternative and energetic foundation for the existence of this critical point. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of Cyanex 272 and Cyanex 572 for the separation of Neodymium from a Nd/Tb/Dy mixture by pertraction
Authors: Pavon Sandra , Kutucu Merve , Coll M Teresa , Fortuny Agustin , Sastre Ana M
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Recovering Nd(III) from waste magnets is an alternative method to satisfy the increasing demand for this metal. For this reason, the separation of Nd from a mixture containing Nd/Tb/Dy in chloride media using Cyanex 272 and Cyanex 572 has been evaluated.

RESULTS

Using Cyanex 272 and Cyanex 572, the metals are transported in the order Dy(III) > Tb(III) > > Nd(III) in all conditions studied. The optimum feed conditions to achieve Nd(III) separation are: Cyanex 272: pH 2 and Cyanex 572: pH 1.5 with 1.2 mol L‐1 HCl as a receiving agent for both carriers.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained suggest that Cyanex 572 is a better carrier than Cyanex 272 for separating Nd(III) from a mixture containing Nd/Tb/Dy. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Polyphenols extracted from red grape pomace by a surfactant based method show enhanced collagenase and elastase inhibitory activity
Authors: Mohd Maidin Nurmahani , Michael Nicholas , Oruna‐Concha Maria Jose , Jauregi Paula
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to separate polyphenols from grape pomace using a surfactant‐based separation, colloidal gas aphrons (CGA) and to investigate their inhibitory activity against skin relevant enzymes, collagenase and elastase. Ethanolic (EE) and hot water crude extracts (HWE) were produced first and then the CGA generated using TWEEN20 were applied resulting in polyphenols enriched fractions (CGA‐EE and CGA‐HWE, ethanol and hot water extracts derived fractions, respectively).

RESULTS

Both crude extracts inhibited the enzymes in a dose‐dependent manner, however, further extraction by CGA led to fractions with higher inhibitory efficiency against collagenase. Although gallic acid was the main component of the CGA‐HWE, others such as kaempferol must have contributed to its potency which was more than six times that of gallic acid. The CGA‐EE was found to be about four times more efficient than its crude extract and more than six times more efficient than gallic acid for collagenase inhibition; quercetin was the major polyphenol in this fraction.

CONCLUSION

It is evident that ethanol and hot water extraction processes led to different polyphenols composition and thus different inhibitory activity against collagenase and elastase. Further separation with CGA increased the inhibitory potency of both extracts against collagenase. Overall the results here showed the potential for application of CGA fractions from grape extracts in cosmetics. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
LYTAG‐driven purification strategies for monoclonal antibodies using quaternary amine ligands as affinity matrices
Authors: Campos‐Pinto Isabel , Capela Emanuel V , Silva‐Santos A Rita , Rodríguez Miguel Arévalo , Gavara Poondi Rajesh , Fernandez‐Lahore Marcelo , Aires‐Barros M Raquel , Azevedo Ana M
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Monoclonal antibodies are becoming a leading class of biopharmaceuticals but to increase their accessibility by the general population, new production processes must be developed in particular for the downstream processing.

RESULTS

In this work, an alternative and innovative affinity chromatographic method using quaternary amine matrices is proposed. Separation is driven by the dual affinity ligand LYTAG‐Z, composed of a choline binding polypeptide (LYTAG) and the synthetic antibody binding Z domain. A two‐elution method was developed for the purification of mAbs and the performance of different anion exchangers containing quaternary amines that act as choline analogues – CIMmultus Q, Q Sepharose and gPore Q – were tested and compared, with both CIMmultus Q and Q Sepharose allowing a recovery of more than 94% of mAbs from a CHO cell supernatant with a purity greater than 95%.

An integrated platform combining an initial affinity extraction step for the clarification and capture of mAbs and a subsequent chromatographic separation using Q‐matrices for the polishing of mAbs is also proposed. LYTAG‐Z triggers the extraction of 94.7 ± 1.7% mAbs to the PEG‐rich phase, as opposed to 26.9 ± 0.6% in the absence of the ligand, using 7% PEG 3350 and 6% dextran 500 k. Further purification using Q Sepharose allowed a mAb recovery of 95.3 ± 1.4% with a purity level of 91.4 ± 13.0%.

CONCLUSION

An integrated platform based on two purification steps – affinity extraction and affinity chromatography – results in an overall process yield of 90%, allowing the processing of mAbs directly from a non‐clarified CHO cell culture. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of autofluorescence robotic histology for quantitative evaluation of the 3‐dimensional morphology of murine articular cartilage
Authors: Das Neves Borges Patricia , Vincent Tonia L. , Marenzana Massimo
Published: September 2017

Murine models of osteoarthritis (OA) are increasingly important for understating pathogenesis and for testing new therapeutic approaches. Their translational potential is, however, limited by the reduced size of mouse limbs which requires a much higher resolution to evaluate their articular cartilage compared to clinical imaging tools. In experimental models, this tissue has been predominantly assessed by time‐consuming histopathology using standardized semi‐quantitative scoring systems. This study aimed to develop a novel imaging method for 3‐dimensional (3D) histology of mouse articular cartilage, using a robotic system—termed here “3D histocutter”—which automatically sections tissue samples and serially acquires fluorescence microscopy images of each section. Tibiae dissected from C57Bl/6 mice, either naïve or OA‐induced by surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM), were imaged using the 3D histocutter by exploiting tissue autofluorescence. Accuracy of 3D imaging was validated by ex vivo contrast‐enhanced micro‐CT and sensitivity to lesion detection compared with conventional histology. Reconstructions of tibiae obtained from 3D histocutter serial sections showed an excellent agreement with contrast‐enhanced micro‐CT reconstructions. Furthermore, osteoarthritic features, including articular cartilage loss and osteophytes, were also visualized. An in‐house developed software allowed to automatically evaluate articular cartilage morphology, eliminating the subjectivity associated to semi‐quantitative scoring and considerably increasing analysis throughput. The novelty of this methodology is, not only the increased throughput in imaging and evaluating mouse articular cartilage morphology starting from conventionally embedded samples, but also the ability to add the third dimension to conventional histomorphometry which might be useful to improve disease assessment in the model.
Advanced and amplified BOLD fluctuations in high‐grade gliomas
Authors: Gupta Lalit , Gupta Rakesh K. , Postma Alida A. , Sahoo Prativa , Gupta Pradeep K. , Patir Rana , Ahlawat Sunita , Saha Indrajit , Backes Walter H.
Published: September 2017

Background

Glioma grade along with patient's age and general health are used for treatment planning and prognosis.

PURPOSE

To characterize and quantify the spontaneous blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) fluctuations in gliomas using measures based on
‐weighted signal time‐series and to distinguish between high‐ and low‐grade gliomas.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

Twenty‐one patients with high‐grade and 13 patients with low‐grade gliomas confirmed on histology were investigated.

Field Strength/Sequence

Dynamic
‐weighted (multislice single‐shot echo‐planar‐imaging) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on a 3T system with an 8‐element receive‐only head coil to measure the BOLD fluctuations. In addition, a dynamic T1‐weighted (3D fast field echo) dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) perfusion scan was performed.

Assessment

Three BOLD measures were determined: the temporal shift (TS), amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF), and regional homogeneity (ReHo). DCE perfusion‐based cerebral blood volume (CBV) and time‐to‐peak (TTP) maps were concurrently evaluated for comparison.

Statistical Tests

An analysis‐of‐variance test was first used. When the test appeared significant, post‐hoc analysis was performed using analysis‐of‐covariance with age as covariate. Logistic regression and receiver‐operator characteristic curve analysis were also performed.

Results

TS was significantly advanced in high‐grade gliomas compared to the contralateral cortex (P = 0.01) and low‐grade gliomas (P = 0.009). In high‐grade gliomas, ALFF and CBV were significantly higher than the contralateral cortex (P = 0.041 and P = 0.008, respectively) and low‐grade gliomas (P = 0.036 and P = 0.01, respectively). ReHo and TTP did not show significant differences between high‐ and low‐grade gliomas (P = 0.46 and P = 0.42, respectively). The area‐under‐curve was above 0.7 only for the TS, ALFF, and CBV measures.

Data Conclusion

Advanced and amplified hemodynamic fluctuations manifest in high‐grade gliomas, but not in low‐grade gliomas, and can be assessed using BOLD measures. Preliminary results showed that quantification of spontaneous fluctuations has potential for hemodynamic characterization of gliomas and distinguishing between high‐ and low‐grade gliomas.

Level of Evidence: 4

Technical Efficacy: Stage 5

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1616–1625.
Tritordeum: a novel cereal for food processing with good acceptability and significant reduction in gluten immunogenic peptides in comparison with wheat
Authors: Vaquero Luis , Comino Isabel , Vivas Santiago , Rodríguez‐Martín Laura , Giménez María J , Pastor Jorge , Sousa Carolina , Barro Francisco
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Tritordeum is a novel cereal obtained from the hybridization between durum wheat and a wild barley. This study evaluates acceptance, digestibility and immunotoxic properties of tritordeum, a novel cereal for food processing. Nineteen healthy volunteers participated in a study with different diets to compare tritordeum bread with wheat and gluten‐free breads.

RESULTS

Tritordeum breads had a similar acceptance to the wheat bread usually consumed, and the acceptance was significantly higher than the gluten‐free bread and standardized wheat bread supplied in the study. There was no evidence for gastrointestinal symptoms among volunteers during the study. The reductions in the numbers of immunogenic epitopes in tritordeum in comparison with wheat were 78% for α‐gliadins, 57% for γ‐gliadins and 93% for ω‐gliadins. The analysis of gluten immunogenic peptides (GIP) in stool samples showed a significantly lower excretion in the tritordeum ingestion phase than in the wheat ingestion phase.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that tritordeum may be an option of interest for general food processing, and especially for those who want to reduce their intake of gluten. However, it is not suitable for celiac disease sufferers as it contains gluten. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Valorization of underutilized North American pawpaw (Asimina triloba): investigation as a lipid oxidation inhibitor in turkey homogenate model system
Authors: Brannan Robert G , Peters Trisha E , Black Kathleen J , Kukor Benjamin J
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to characterize the ability of extracts from nine varieties of pawpaw pulp standardized to the phenolics level of 0.1% grape seed extract (GSE) on inhibition of the formation of thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) in a turkey model system. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was also determined using four common assays.

RESULTS

Over the 240 min sampling time, the standardized pawpaw extracts from all nine varieties were as effective as GSE in inhibiting TBARS formation in turkey muscle homogenate compared to the untreated control. Extracts from all pawpaw varieties and GSE began to inhibit TBARS formation at 60 min of incubation, and by 240 min TBARS were reduced from 35 μmol malondialdehyde kg−1 tissue in the homogenate to which no antioxidant was added to 4–18 μmol malondialdehyde kg−1 tissue in the antioxidant‐enriched extracts. There does not appear to be a clear relationship between inhibition of TBARS and any of the antioxidant capacity measurements (ORAC, DPPH inhibition, reducing potential as measured by FRAP assay, or pyrogallol red bleaching).

CONCLUSION

The results of this research indicate that there is potential to add value to pawpaw as a functional food source of natural antioxidants, particularly in meat products. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Traceability of Boletaceae mushrooms using data fusion of UV–visible and FTIR combined with chemometrics methods
Authors: Yao Sen , Li Tao , Liu HongGao , Li JieQing , Wang YuanZhong
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Boletaceae mushrooms are wild‐grown edible mushrooms that have high nutrition, delicious flavor and large economic value distributing in Yunnan Province, China. Traceability is important for the authentication and quality assessment of Boletaceae mushrooms. In this study, UV–visible and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies were applied for traceability of 247 Boletaceae mushroom samples in combination with chemometrics.

RESULTS

Compared with a single spectroscopy technique, data fusion strategy can obviously improve the classification performance in partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) and grid‐search support vector machine (GS‐SVM) models, for both species and geographical origin traceability. In addition, PLS‐DA and GS‐SVM models can provide 100.00% accuracy for species traceability and have reliable evaluation parameters. For geographical origin traceability, the accuracy of prediction in the PLS‐DA model by data fusion was just 64.63%, but the GS‐SVM model based on data fusion was 100.00%.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that the data fusion strategy of UV–visible and FTIR combined with GS‐SVM could provide a higher synergic effect for traceability of Boletaceae mushrooms and have a good generalization ability for the comprehensive quality control and evaluation of similar foods. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Minimising food waste: a call for multidisciplinary research
Authors: Alamar Maria del Carmen , Falagán Natalia , Aktas Emel , Terry Leon A
Published: September 2017

Food losses and waste have always been a significant global problem for mankind, and one which has become increasingly recognised as such by policy makers, food producers, processors, retailers, and consumers. It is, however, an emotive subject whereby the extent, accuracy and resolution of available data on postharvest loss and waste are questionable, such that key performance indicators on waste can be misinformed. The nature and extent of food waste differ among developed economies, economies in transition and developing countries. While most emphasis has been put on increasing future crop production, far less resource has been and is still channelled towards enabling both established and innovative food preservation technologies to reduce food waste while maintaining safety and quality. Reducing food loss and waste is a more tractable problem than increasing production in the short to medium term, as its solution is not directly limited, for instance, by available land and water resources. Here we argue the need for a paradigm shift of current funding strategies and research programmes that will encourage the development, implementation and translation of collective biological, engineering and management solutions to better preserve and utilise food. Such multidisciplinary thinking across global supply chains is an essential element in the pursuit of achieving sustainable food and nutritional security. The implementation of allied technological and management solutions is reliant on there being sufficient skilled human capital and resources. There is currently a lack of robust postharvest research networks outside of the developed world, and insufficient global funding mechanisms that can support such interdisciplinary collaborations. There is, thus, a collective need for schemes that encourage inter‐supply chain research, knowledge exchange and capacity building to reduce food losses and waste. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis exacerbation frequency and asthma control
Authors: Banoub Raphael G. , Phillips Katie M. , Hoehle Lloyd P. , Caradonna David S. , Gray Stacey T. , Sedaghat Ahmad R.
Published: September 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

To determine the association between the frequency of acute chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) exacerbations (AECRS) and the degree of asthma control in asthmatic CRS patients.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

We prospectively recruited 108 asthmatic CRS patients as participants. Asthma control was assessed using the Asthma Control Test (ACT). The frequency of AECRS was assessed using three previously described indirect metrics for AECRS: the frequency of patient‐reported sinus infections, CRS‐related antibiotics use, and CRS‐related oral corticosteroids use in the last 3 months. CRS symptom severity was measured using the 22‐item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22). Associations between ACT score and metrics for AECRS were performed using linear regression while controlling for clinical and demographic characteristics, including SNOT‐22 score.

Results

ACT score was significantly and negatively associated with the frequency of patient‐reported sinus infections (adjusted linear regression coefficient [β] = −1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −2.3 to −0.1, P = .033), CRS‐related antibiotics courses (adjusted β = −1.4, 95% CI: −2.3 to −0.5, P = .004), and CRS‐related oral corticosteroid courses (adjusted β = −1.5, 95% CI: −2.5 to −0.5, P = .004) in the last 3 months, independent of characteristics including SNOT‐22 score. Poor asthma control could be detected using one or more sinus infections (70.6% sensitivity, 47.3% specificity), CRS‐related antibiotics (50.0% sensitivity, 73.0% specificity), or CRS‐related oral corticosteroids (58.8% sensitivity, 71.6% specificity) in the last 3 months.

Conclusions

AECRS are negatively associated with the level of asthma control in asthmatic CRS patients, independent of CRS symptom severity. These results highlight AECRS as a distinct clinical manifestation of CRS that should be routinely assessed in CRS patients.

Level of Evidence

2c. Laryngoscope, 128:1033–1038, 2018
Efficient heuristics for determining node‐disjoint path pairs visiting specified nodes
Authors: Martins Lúcia , Gomes Teresa , Tipper David
Published: September 2017

A new recursive heuristic is proposed to calculate a shortest simple path, from a source node to a destination node, that visits a specified set of nodes in a network. To provide survivability to failures along the path, the proposed heuristic is modified to ensure that the calculated path can be protected by a node‐disjoint backup path. Additionally, the case when both paths in the disjoint path pair are required to visit specific sets of nodes is studied and effective heuristics are proposed. An evaluation of the solutions of the heuristics is conducted by comparing with results from an integer linear programming (ILP) formulation for each of the considered problems, and also with previous heuristics. The ILP solver may require a significant amount of time to obtain a solution, especially in large networks, which justifies the need for effective, computationally efficient heuristics for solving these problems. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 70(4), 292–307 2017
Dedicated protection of multicast sessions in mixed‐graph sparse‐splitting optical networks
Authors: Gomes Teresa , Raposo Luís , Ellinas Georgios
Published: September 2017

This work addresses the problem of dedicated protection of multicast sessions in mixed‐graph optical networks, where only a fraction of the nodes have optical splitting capabilities. A novel multicast routing algorithm for sparse splitting optical networks (the Modified Steiner Tree Heuristic [MSTH]) is initially presented and is subsequently utilized (together with two existing heuristics [MUS and MSH]) by an effective scheme for the calculation of a pair of disjoint trees. The key idea of this New Arc‐Disjoint Trees (NADT) protection technique is to gradually construct the primary tree, verifying that after the addition of each one of the destinations of the multicast session, a secondary (arc‐disjoint) tree can still be obtained. Performance results demonstrate that the proposed NADT protection technique clearly outperforms the conventional Arc‐Disjoint Trees (ADT) approach in terms of blocking ratio, while incurring only a negligible increase of the average cost of the derived pair of ADT. Furthermore, it is shown that the newly proposed algorithm, MSTH‐NADT, is the one having the best performance in terms of cost and blocking, with MSH‐NADT having similar, albeit slightly worse, performance. However, as MSH‐NADT requires much less CPU time compared to MSTH‐NADT, MSH‐NADT can be considered the best compromise technique. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 70(4), 360–372 2017
An investigation of the relationship between the performance of polybenzoxazine and backbone structure of hyperbranched epoxy modifiers
Authors: Wang Xin , Wang Jinyan , Liu Cheng , Jian Xigao
Published: September 2017

Novel hyperbranched polyether epoxies (HBPEEs) with various backbone structures were synthesized using a one‐pot A2 + B3approach. These highly effective HBPEEs were incorporated into polybenzoxazine (PBOZ) network at various concentrations without cure‐induced phase separation. Effects of backbone structure and loading amount on the curing behavior and mechanical and thermal properties of PBOZ/HBPEE hybrid were investigated. The general trend shows that the impact strength, flexural strength and storage modulus all first increase and then decrease with filler content. For the backbone structure study, HBPEE‐3, which has the highest proportion of benzene rings, can simultaneously improve impact strength, flexural strength and storage modulus. In contrast, HBPEE‐1 and HBPEE‐2, which have fewer benzene rings and smaller intramolecular cavities, perform worse in terms of mechanical and thermal properties. Both backbone structure and loading of HBPEEs play important roles in determining the crosslink density and structures of non‐phase‐separated network. In addition, the simultaneous improvement can be explained by enhanced crosslinking density, structure of modifier, reduced hydrogen bond network and higher fractional free volume according to dynamic mechanical and thermomechanical analyses. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry