bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi‐omics approach to elucidate the gut microbiota activity: Metaproteomics and metagenomics connection
Authors: Guirro Maria , Costa Andrea , Gual‐Grau Andreu , Mayneris‐Perxachs Jordi , Torrell Helena , Herrero Pol , Canela Núria , Arola Lluís
Published: February 2018

Over the last few years, the application of high‐throughput meta‐omics methods has provided great progress in improving the knowledge of the gut ecosystem and linking its biodiversity to host health conditions, offering complementary support to classical microbiology. Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in relevant diseases such as obesity or cardiovascular disease (CVD), and its regulation is closely influenced by several factors, such as dietary composition. In fact, polyphenol‐rich diets are the most palatable treatment to prevent hypertension associated with CVD, although the polyphenol–microbiota interactions have not been completely elucidated. For this reason, the aim of this study was to evaluate microbiota effect in obese rats supplemented by hesperidin, after being fed with cafeteria or standard diet, using a multi meta‐omics approaches combining strategy of metagenomics and metaproteomics analysis. We reported that cafeteria diet induces obesity, resulting in changes in the microbiota composition, which are related to functional alterations at proteome level. In addition, hesperidin supplementation alters microbiota diversity and also proteins involved in important metabolic pathways. Overall, going deeper into strategies to integrate omics sciences is necessary to understand the complex relationships between the host, gut microbiota, and diet.
Determination of 16 antineoplastic drugs by capillary electrophoresis with UV detection: Applications in quality control
Authors: Guichard Nicolas , Ogereau Marie , Falaschi Ludivine , Rudaz Serge , Schappler Julie , Bonnabry Pascal , Fleury‐Souverain Sandrine
Published: February 2018

Two capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods were developed for the analysis of 16 antineoplastic drugs contained in injectable pharmaceutical formulations. A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method coupled to UV was developed with a background electrolyte (BGE) made of a 100 mM phosphate buffer at pH 2.5 containing 50% v/v of acetonitrile and dynamic coating of capillaries with Ceofix®. This method allowed the analysis of doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, daunorubicin, irinotecan, topotecan, vincristine, vindesine, vinblastine, and vinorelbine in less than 8 min. A micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method coupled to UV was also developed for the determination of methotrexate, pemetrexed, etoposide, etoposide phosphate, fludarabine phosphate, and 5‐fluorouracil. A run time of 16 min was obtained with a BGE made of 50 mM borate buffer at pH 9.2 with 80 mM of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 20% v/v of acetonitrile. For both methods, the applied voltage was 30 kV and the sample injection was performed in the hydrodynamic mode. All analyses were carried out in fused silica capillaries with an internal diameter of 50 μm and a total length of 64.5 cm. Both methods were validated and trueness values between 99.4 and 101.3% were obtained with repeatability and intermediate precision values of 0.5–1.8% for all drugs. These methods were found appropriate for controlling injectable pharmaceutical formulations containing antineoplastic drugs and successfully applied in quality control.
Operational Conditions Affecting Formaldehyde and Formic Acid Formation as By‐Products of Hydrogen Production via Photo‐Reforming of Methanol Using Nanoparticles of TiO2
Authors: Varas‐Concha Felipe , Guzmán Diego , Isaacs Mauricio , Sáez‐Navarrete César
Published: February 2018

It is important to understand how the operational conditions affect the photocatalytic hydrogen production and how to increase the production of valuable by‐products, such as formaldehyde and formic acid from the photo‐reforming of methanol. It is difficult to optimize operational conditions in photoreactors because several factors affect the process. To prioritize them, we focused on the quantification of the effect of four factors on CH2O and CH2O2 production: (A) presence of gold as co‐catalyst, (B) intensity of UV‐light, (C) methanol concentration, and (D) nanoparticle concentration. A main and interaction effects analysis is presented with fixed effect models for four responses: total production and catalyst productivity for both by‐products. Factor A showed the highest effect, followed by factors B and C, and the interactions AB and AC showed signs of influencing the catalyst selectivity with possible mechanistic variations. Factor D showed negative effect on catalyst productivities possibly related to shielding effect between particles.
Thermochemical and pyrolytic analyses of Musa spp. residues from the rainforest belt of Nigeria
Authors: Balogun Ayokunle O. , Lasode Olumuyiwa A. , McDonald Armando G.
Published: February 2018

Four different morphological plant parts of Musa spp. (banana and plantain) residues obtained from the rainforest belt of Nigeria were investigated. The study undertook Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and physicochemical analysis. The total crystallinity (TCI) and lateral order (LOI) indices showed that the cellulose crystallinity for banana pseudo‐stem (LOI‐5.18; TCI‐0.37) and banana rachis (LOI‐4.25; TCI‐0.44) were relatively higher than for the banana (LOI‐0.11; TCI‐0.20) and plantain (LOI‐0.17; TCI‐0.18) peels. The XRD analysis confirmed the presence of starch in the peels and cellulose I in the structural samples (rachis and the pseudo‐stem). A further demonstration of the marked differences between the morphological parts of Musa spp was highlighted in the analysis of the FAMES extract as banana peels (21 mg g−1 of biomass) and plantain peels (20 mg g−1 of biomass) had the highest quantity of palmitic acids whereas the eicosanoic, behnic, and lignoceric acids were absent in the peels. The relatively high ash content (≤12.30 wt %) in the Musa spp. samples may necessitate a pretreatment process prior to deployment for bioenergy or chemical extraction purposes. Furthermore, kinetic studies, which involved differential Friedman's and integral Flynn–Wall–Ozawa techniques, and analytical pyrolysis of the residues were undertaken. The activation energy varied continuously with conversion; reaching a peak of >290 kJ/mol. The analytical pyrolysis detected acids, sugar derivatives, and phenolic compounds in significant concentrations for all biomass samples. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1901–1907, 2018
Genetic relatedness of axial and radial diffusivity indices of cerebral white matter microstructure in late middle age
Authors: Hatton Sean N. , Panizzon Matthew S. , Vuoksimaa Eero , Hagler Donald J. , Fennema‐Notestine Christine , Rinker Daniel , Eyler Lisa T. , Franz Carol E. , Lyons Michael J. , Neale Michael C. , Tsuang Ming T. , Dale Anders M. , Kremen William S.
Published: February 2018

Two basic neuroimaging‐based characterizations of white matter tracts are the magnitude of water diffusion along the principal tract orientation (axial diffusivity, AD) and water diffusion perpendicular to the principal orientation (radial diffusivity, RD). It is generally accepted that decreases in AD reflect disorganization, damage, or loss of axons, whereas increases in RD are indicative of disruptions to the myelin sheath. Previous reports have detailed the heritability of individual AD and RD measures, but have not examined the extent to which the same or different genetic or environmental factors influence these two phenotypes (except for corpus callosum). We implemented bivariate twin analyses to examine the shared and independent genetic influences on AD and RD. In the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging, 393 men (mean age = 61.8 years, SD = 2.6) underwent diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. We derived fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), AD, and RD estimates for 11 major bilateral white matter tracts and the mid‐hemispheric corpus callosum, forceps major, and forceps minor. Separately, AD and RD were each highly heritable. In about three‐quarters of the tracts, genetic correlations between AD and RD were >.50 (median = .67) and showed both unique and common variance. Genetic variance of FA and MD were predominately explained by RD over AD. These findings are important for informing genetic association studies of axonal coherence/damage and myelination/demyelination. Thus, genetic studies would benefit from examining the shared and unique contributions of AD and RD.
Neural and behavioral correlates of negative self‐focused thought associated with depression
Authors: Philippi Carissa L. , Cornejo M. Daniela , Frost Carlton P. , Walsh Erin C. , Hoks Roxanne M. , Birn Rasmus , Abercrombie Heather C.
Published: February 2018

A central feature of major depression (MDD) is heightened negative self‐focused thought (negative‐SFT). Neuroscientific research has identified abnormalities in a network of brain regions in MDD, including brain areas associated with SFT such as medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). To our knowledge no studies have investigated the behavioral and neural correlates of negative‐SFT using a sentence completion task in a sample of individuals with varying depression histories and severities. We test the following hypotheses: (1) negative‐SFT will be associated with depression; and (2) depression and negative‐SFT will be related to resting‐state functional connectivity (rsFC) for brain regions implicated in SFT. Seventy‐nine women with varying depression histories and severities completed a sentence completion task and underwent resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI). Standard seed‐based voxelwise rsFC was conducted for self‐network regions of interest: dorsomedial PFC (dmPFC) and pregenual ACC (pgACC). We performed linear regression analyses to examine the relationships among depression, negative‐SFT, and rsFC for the dmPFC and pgACC. Greater negative‐SFT was associated with depression history and severity. Greater negative‐SFT predicted increased rsFC between dmPFC and pgACC seeds and dorsolateral prefrontal (dlPFC) and parietal regions; depression group was also associated with increased pgACC‐dlPFC connectivity. These findings are consistent with previous literature reporting elevated negative‐SFT thought in MDD. Our rs‐fMRI results provide novel support linking negative‐SFT with increased rsFC between self‐network and frontoparietal network regions across different levels of depression. Broadly, these findings highlight a dimension of social‐affective functioning that may underlie MDD and other psychiatric conditions.
Comprehensive review of genetic factors contributing to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma development in low‐risk, nontraditional patients
Authors: Gingerich Morgan A. , Smith Joshua D. , Michmerhuizen Nicole L. , Ludwig Megan , Devenport Samantha , Matovina Chloe , Brenner Chad , Chinn Steven B.
Published: February 2018

Background

The past 2 decades have seen an increased incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in a nontraditional, low‐risk patient population (ie, ≤45 years of age, no substance use history), owing to a combination of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and individual genetic variation.

Methods

Articles positing genetic variants as contributing factors in HNSCC incidence in low‐risk, nontraditional patients were identified using a PubMed search, reviewed in detail, and concisely summarized herein.

Results

Recent data suggest that common polymorphisms in DNA repair enzymes, cell‐cycle control proteins, apoptotic pathway members, and Fanconi anemia‐associated genes likely modulate susceptibility to HNSCC development in low‐risk, nontraditional patients.

Conclusion

At present, there is a lack of robust, comprehensive data on genetic drivers of oncogenesis in low‐risk patients and a clear need for further research on genetic alterations underlying the rising incidence of HNSCC in low‐risk, nontraditional patients.
Endogenous biological factors modulated by substrate stiffness regulate endothelial differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Jiang Yong‐Chao , Jiao Hong‐Li , Lee Ming‐Song , Wang To , Turng Lih‐Sheng , Li Qian , Li Wan‐Ju
Published: February 2018

During the process of tissue regeneration facilitated by stem cells, physical properties of a scaffold affect behavior and activities of the cell. To enhance differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into endothelial‐like cells (ELCs), we used electrospun fibrous substrates with different stiffness to enhance the differentiation. A simple method of annealing with different lengths of treatment time was employed to modulate stiffness of electrospun fibrous substrates without changing their chemistry. We seeded MSCs on substrates with different stiffness to study how stiffness of a culture substrate affects differentiation of MSCs into ELCs. Results of RT‐PCR and western blotting revealed that stiffer substrates with the average surface modulus of 7.82 MPa induced differentiated MSCs to express more VEGF, CD31, and vWF mRNA transcripts and proteins than softer ones with that of 3.8 or 1.44 MPa. We also found that the production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in ELCs was increased with substrate stiffness. After silencing MIF mRNA, MSCs during differentiation showed lower expression levels of VEGF, CD31, and vWF than control cells whereas VEGF‐silenced and control cells expressed comparable levels of MIF, indicating that MIF is an upstream molecule regulating VEGF in the mechanism. Our findings provide new insight into how stiffness of a culture substrate regulates differentiation of MSCs into ELCs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1595–1603, 2018.
Gold nano‐decorated aligned polyurethane nanofibers for enhancement of neurite outgrowth and elongation
Authors: Demir Ulku Selcen , Shahbazi Reza , Calamak Semih , Ozturk Sukru , Gultekinoglu Merve , Ulubayram Kezban
Published: February 2018

Neurite outgrowth and elongation of neural cells is the most important subject that is considered in nerve tissue engineering. In this regard, aligned nanofibers have taken much attention in terms of providing guidance for newly outgrown neurites. The main objective of this study was to fabricate aligned polyurethane nanofibers by electrospinning process and decorate them with gold nanoparticles to further investigate the synergistic effects of nanotopography, biological nerve growth factor (NGF) and electrical stimulations on neurite outgrowth and elongation of pheochromocytoma (PC‐12) model cells. In this regard, smooth and uniform aligned polyurethane nanofibers with the average diameter of 519 ± 56 nm were fabricated and decorated with the gold nanoparticles with the average diameter of ∼50 nm. PC‐12 cells were cultured on the various nanofiber surfaces inside the bio‐mimetic bioreactor system and exposed either to NGF alone or combination of NGF and electrical stimulation. It was found that 50 ng/mL NGF concentration is an optimal value for the stimulation of neurite outgrowth. After 4 days of culture under 100 mV, 10 ms electrical stimulation in 1 h/day period it was found that the gold nanoparticle decorated aligned polyurethane nanofibers increased the neurite outgrowth and elongation more with the combinational NGF and electrical stimulation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1604–1613, 2018.
Osseointegration of 3D printed microalloyed CoCr implants—Addition of 0.04% Zr to CoCr does not alter bone material properties
Authors: Shah Furqan A. , Jergéus Edvin , Chiba Akihiko , Palmquist Anders
Published: February 2018

Electron beam melting (EBM) is a three‐dimensional (3D) printing technique for the production of metal structures where complex geometries with interconnected porosities can be built. Incorporation of as little as 0.04% Zr into the CoCr alloy can significantly improve the biomechanical anchorage of constructs fabricated by EBM. Here we investigate bone material properties, including microstructure and composition, adjacent to 3D printed CoCr implants with and without addition of 0.04% Zr, after 8 weeks of healing in the rabbit femur. In low amounts, zirconium addition does not alter the microstructure and extracellular matrix composition of bone formed adjacent to the surface of EBM manufactured implants. Bone ingrowth into surface irregularities of 3D printed CoCr and CoCr + Zr implants is seen. Extensive remodeling is also evident. Osteocytes attach directly on to the implant surface. The interfacial tissue at CoCr and CoCr + Zr has similar mineral crystallinity, apatite‐to‐collagen ratio, carbonate‐to‐phosphate ratio, Ca/P ratio, bone‐implant contact, percentage porosity, and osteocyte density (N.Ot/B.Ar). Compared to the native bone, the mineral crystallinity of the interfacial tissue was lower while N.Ot/B.Ar was higher for both CoCr and CoCr + Zr. Overall, the results indicate that bone tissue adjacent to CoCr and CoCr + Zr implants is highly mature and exhibits comparable healing kinetics. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1655–1663, 2018.
The utility of the ankle SPECT/CT scan to predict functional and clinical outcomes in supramalleolar osteotomy patients
Authors: Gross Christopher E. , Barfield William , Schweizer Christine , Rasch Helmut , Hirschmann Michael T. , Hintermann Beat , Knupp Markus
Published: February 2018

Combined single‐photon emission computed tomography and conventional computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is a hybrid imaging modality that shows a combination of metabolic and structural information about the ankle, including arthritis. We hypothesize that uptake in specific locations within the ankle joint can be associated with both clinical outcomes and may help predict which patients will have a successful SMO. Eighty‐five pre‐operative SMO patients with varus (37), valgus (41), or neutral (7) alignment of the hindfoot were assessed using SPECT/CT. The level of activation on SPECT/CT scans was measured. Pre and Post‐operative functional scores were recorded. Patients with medial gutter activation had significantly worse (p < 0.05) AOFAS alignment (AOFAS‐A) scores pre‐operatively. Patients with varus or valgus alignment did not have any difference in VAS pain scores, but those in valgus did have worse AOFAS‐P (pain) scores. Those with cystic lesions had a worse FAOS score pre‐operatively. Ten patients (12.5%) had a treatment failure. Pre or post‐operative alignment did not correlate to a treatment failure. The only statistically significant (p = 0.036) poor prognostic indicator was a bipolar lesion. Pre‐operative SPECT/CT evaluation of an ankle before a SMO can be used to clinically correlate patient‐specific factors such as pain and function in the pre and post‐operative period. We caution against performing a SMO in patients with bipolar activation on a pre‐operative SPECT‐CT scan. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2015–2021, 2018.
Highly metastatic K7M2 cell line: A novel murine model capable of in vivo imaging via luciferase vector transfection
Authors: Grisez Brian T. , Ray Justin J. , Bostian Phillip A. , Markel Justin E. , Lindsey Brock A.
Published: February 2018

Osteosarcoma is rare and little improvement in survival rates has occurred in the last 25 years despite modern chemotherapeutic treatment. Bioluminescent cell lines for the modeling of osteosarcoma have shown success in tracking metastases in vivo, but commonly use adenoviral vectors to transfect the native cell line with bioluminescent reporters. The purpose of this study was to develop an orthotopic model for metastatic osteosarcoma capable of in vivo monitoring of metastatic and primary tumor burden in an immunocompetent mouse and compare that model to its wild type pathogenesis. K7M2 cells were transfected using a plasmid vector and were stable after 12 weeks. Thirty‐four female BALB/c mice aged 4–5 weeks underwent orthotopic implantation of either wild type (n = 12) or transfected (n = 22) K7M2 cells in the proximal tibia. Mice were monitored for tumor growth and weekly In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS) imaging was performed to monitor for pulmonary metastasis. Although tumors developed sooner in the wild type group, no significant differences were seen compared to Transfected Group 1 in rate of inoculation, growth rates after first detection, metastatic rate, and time between inoculation and death. This study establishes a new murine model for metastatic osteosarcoma using the K7M2‐wt cell line transfected with a non‐viral plasmid luciferase vector. The benefits of this preclinical model include an intact immune system and orthotopically driven metastatic disease; this model appears comparable to its wild type counterpart. In the future, the model may be used to examine promising immunomodulatory therapies using bioluminescence in vivo. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2296–2304, 2018.
The evaluation of peri‐implant sulcus fluid osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteonectin levels in peri‐implant diseases
Authors: Cakal Oya Turkoglu , Efeoglu Candan , Bozkurt Emir
Published: February 2018

Background

Peri‐implant mucositis is an inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding an implant. Peri‐implantitis refers to a process characterized by peri‐implant bone loss along with an inflammation of the soft tissues. Osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteonectin proteins are related to bone remodeling. The aim of the present study was to investigate peri‐implant sulcus fluid (PISF) osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteonectin levels in peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis.

Methods

Fifty‐two implants with peri‐implantitis, 46 implants with peri‐implant mucositis, and 47 control implants were included in the study. Clinical parameters including probing depth, modified sulcus bleeding index and modified plaque index were recorded. PISF osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteonectin levels were analyzed by ELISA kits.

Results

There were no significant differences in PISF osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteonectin total amounts between healthy controls, peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis groups (P > 0.05). Probing depths were not correlated with PISF osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteonectin levels in the study groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Soft tissue inflammation around dental implants does not cause a change in osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteonectin levels in PISF. Also, peri‐implantitis does not seem to give rise to an increase in PISF levels of osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osteonectin.
Bayesian multivariate meta‐analysis of multiple factors
Authors: Lin Lifeng , Chu Haitao
Published: February 2018

In medical sciences, a disease condition is typically associated with multiple risk and protective factors. Although many studies report results of multiple factors, nearly all meta‐analyses separately synthesize the association between each factor and the disease condition of interest. The collected studies usually report different subsets of factors, and the results from separate analyses on multiple factors may not be comparable because each analysis may use different subpopulation. This may impact on selecting most important factors to design a multifactor intervention program. This article proposes a new concept, multivariate meta‐analysis of multiple factors (MVMA‐MF), to synthesize all available factors simultaneously. By borrowing information across factors, MVMA‐MF can improve statistical efficiency and reduce biases compared with separate analyses when factors were missing not at random. As within‐study correlations between factors are commonly unavailable from published articles, we use a Bayesian hybrid model to perform MVMA‐MF, which effectively accounts for both within‐ and between‐study correlations. The performance of MVMA‐MF and the conventional methods are compared using simulations and an application to a pterygium dataset consisting of 29 studies on 8 risk factors.
Healthy and sustainable diets for future generations
Authors: Green Hilary , Broun Pierre , Cook Douglas , Cooper Karen , Drewnowski Adam , Pollard Duncan , Sweeney Gary , Roulin Anne
Published: February 2018

Global food systems will face unprecedented challenges in the coming years. They will need to meet the nutritional needs of a growing population and feed an expanding demand for proteins. This is against a backdrop of increasing environmental challenges (water resources, climate change, soil health) and the need to improve farming livelihoods. Collaborative efforts by a variety of stakeholders are needed to ensure that future generations have access to healthy and sustainable diets. Food will play an increasingly important role in the global discourse on health. These topics were explored during Nestlé's second international conference on ‘Planting Seeds for the Future of Food: The Agriculture, Nutrition and Sustainability Nexus’, which took place in July 2017. This article discusses some of the key issues from the perspective of three major stakeholder groups, namely farming/agriculture, the food industry and consumers. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Allergenicity of acrolein‐treated shrimp tropomyosin evaluated using RBL‐2H3 cell and mouse model
Authors: Lv Liangtao , Lin Hong , Li Zhenxing , Ahmed Ishfaq , Mi Nasha , Chen Guanzhi
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Food processing effects can modify protein functional properties. However, protein was oxidized inevitably by lipid peroxidation during food processing. Acrolein, a primary by‐product of lipid peroxidation, can modify the structural and functional properties of protein. The aim of the research was to analyze the effect of acrolein on allergenicity of TM, a major allergen in shrimp.

RESULTS

The overall allergenic effects of acrolein‐treated TM were evaluated using female BALB/c mice and a mediator‐releasing RBL‐2H3 cell line. Acrolein‐treated TM significantly decreased TM‐specific immunoglobulin E/G1 levels, and histamine and mMCP‐1 release in mouse serum. Release of inflammatory mediators such as β‐hexosaminidase, histamine, cysteinyl leukotriene and prostaglandin D2 was clearly suppressed after acrolein treatment.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that acrolein‐induced tropomyosin modification can decrease the allergenicity of TM. This reduction contributes to allergenic potential changes in shrimp during processing and preservation. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Honey adulteration detection: voltammetric e‐tongue versus official methods for physicochemical parameter determination
Authors: Oroian Mircea , Paduret Sergiu , Ropciuc Sorina
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a voltammetric e‐tongue (three electrodes: reference electrode (Ag/AgCl), counter electrode (glassy carbon electrode rod) and working electrode (Au, Ag, Pt and glass electrode)) for honey adulteration detection. For this purpose, 55 samples of authentic honey (acacia, honeydew, sunflower, Tilia and polyfloral) and 150 adulterated ones were analyzed. The adulteration was made using fructose, glucose, inverted sugar, hydrolyzed inulin syrup and malt wort at different percentages: 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%, respectively. The e‐tongue has been compared with the physicochemical parameters (pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity (EC) and CIEL*a*b* parameters (L*, a* and b*)) in order to achieve a suitable method for the classification of authentic and adulterated honeys.

RESULTS

The e‐tongue and physicochemical parameters reached a 97.50% correct classification of the authentic and adulterated honeys. In the case of the adulterated honey samples, the e‐tongue achieved 83.33% correct classifications whereas the physicochemical parameters only achieved 73.33%.

CONCLUSION

The e‐tongue is a fast, easy and accurate method for honey adulteration detection which can be used in situ by beekeepers and provide useful information on EC and free acidity. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Size‐selective purification of hepatitis B virus‐like particle in flow‐through chromatography: Types of ion exchange adsorbent and grafted polymer architecture
Authors: Ng Hon Wei , Lee Micky Fu Xiang , Chua Gek Kee , Gan Bee Koon , Tan Wen Siang , Ooi Chien Wei , Tang Siah Ying , Chan Eng Seng , Tey Beng Ti
Published: February 2018

Hepatitis B virus‐like particles expressed in Escherichia coli were purified using anion exchange adsorbents grafted with polymer poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) in flow‐through chromatography mode. The virus‐like particles were selectively excluded, while the relatively smaller sized host cell proteins were absorbed. The exclusion of virus‐like particles was governed by the accessibility of binding sites (the size of adsorbents and the charge of grafted dextran chains) as well as the architecture (branch‐chain length) of the grafted polymer. The branch‐chain length of grafted polymer was altered by changing the type of monomers used. The larger adsorbent (90 μm) had an approximately twofold increase in the flow‐through recovery, as compared to the smaller adsorbent (30 μm). Generally, polymer‐grafted adsorbents improved the exclusion of the virus‐like particles. Overall, the middle branch‐chain length polymer grafted on larger adsorbent showed optimal performance at 92% flow‐through recovery with a purification factor of 1.53. A comparative study between the adsorbent with dextran grafts and the polymer‐grafted adsorbent showed that a better exclusion of virus‐like particles was achieved with the absorbent grafted with inert polymer. The grafted polymer was also shown to reduce strong interaction between binding sites and virus‐like particles, which preserved the particles’ structure.
Simultaneous identification and quantification of bisphenol A and 12 bisphenol analogues in environmental samples using precolumn derivatization and ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Zhonghe , Yu Jing , Yao Jiaxi , Wu Linlin , Xiao Hang , Wang Jun , Gao Rong
Published: February 2018

A method for the identification and quantification of bisphenol A and 12 bisphenol analogues in river water and sediment samples combining liquid–liquid extraction, precolumn derivatization, and ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated. Analytes were extracted from the river water sample using a liquid–liquid extraction method. Dansyl chloride was selected as a derivatization reagent. Derivatization reaction conditions affecting production of the dansyl derivatives were tested and optimized. All the derivatized target compounds were well separated and eluted in 10 min. Dansyl chloride labeled compounds were analyzed using a high‐resolution mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization in the positive mode, and the results were confirmed and quantified in the parallel reaction monitoring mode. The method validation results showed a satisfactory level of sensitivity. Linearity was assessed using matrix‐matched standard calibration, and good correlation coefficients were obtained. The limits of quantification for the analytes ranged from 0.005 to 0.02 ng/mL in river water and from 0.15 to 0.80 ng/g in sediment. Good reproducibility of the method in terms of intra‐ and interday precision was achieved, yielding relative standard deviations of less than 10.1 and 11.6%, respectively. Finally, this method was successfully applied to the analysis of real samples.
Simple determination of some antidementia drugs in wastewater and human plasma samples by tandem dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Mirparizi Ehsan , Rajabi Maryam , Asghari Alireza
Published: February 2018

In this work, a simple method, namely, tandem dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, with a high sample clean‐up is applied for the rapid determination of the antidementia drugs rivastigmine and donepezil in wastewater and human plasma samples. This method, which is based on two consecutive dispersive microextractions, is performed in 7 min. In the method, using a fast back‐extraction step, the applicability of the dispersive microextraction methods in complicated matrixes is conveniently improved. This step can be performed in less than 2 min, and very simple tools are required for this purpose. To achieve the best extraction efficiency, optimization of the variables affecting the method was carried out. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the relative standard deviations for the method were in the range of 6.9–8.7%. The calibration curves were obtained in the range of 2–1100 ng/mL with good correlation coefficients, higher than 0.995, and the limits of detection ranged between 0.5 and 1.0 ng/mL.
Investigation of the chromatographic regulation properties of benzyl groups attached to bridging nitrogen atoms in a calixtriazine‐bonded stationary phase
Authors: Zhao Wenjie , Lou Xuhua , Guo Jizhao , Sun Peijian , Jia Yunzhen , Zheng Limei , He Lijun , Zhang Shusheng
Published: February 2018

Two reversed‐phase/anion‐exchange mixed‐mode stationary phases for high‐performance liquid chromatography using calixtriazines as chromatographic ligands were investigated with Tanaka test solutes, monosubstituted benzenes, aromatic positional isomers, and inorganic anions. Calixtriazine as a chromatographic ligand has been reported previously, but the benzylated nitrogen‐bridged calixtriazine‐bonded silica gel reported in this study is new. The experimental data showed that the calixtriazine platform is a unique chromatographic selector because its multiple active sites are available for different solutes and its chromatographic selectivity could be tuned by introducing substituent on the bridging nitrogen atoms present in the calixtriazine matrix. The synergistic effects of aromatic rings, nitrogen atoms, benzyl groups, and tunable cavity in the host molecule influenced the separation selectivity by multiple retention mechanisms. Such hybrid stationary phases provide more versatility and have great potential in the analysis of complex samples. Moreover, the synthetic protocols presented herein may provide an alternative understanding on macrocyclic host–guest chemistry, leading to new and selective separation media.
Reviewing smokeless tobacco epidemiology, carcinogenesis, and cessation strategy for otolaryngologists
Authors: Stanisce Luke , Levin Kristin , Ahmad Nadir , Koshkareva Yekaterina
Published: February 2018

Objectives/Objectives

We aimed to provide an otolaryngologist‐targeted summary regarding the epidemiology, carcinogenesis, and cessation strategies for smokeless tobacco usage.

Study Design

Evidence‐based literature review.

Methods

We reviewed the current evidence‐based literature concerning trends in smokeless tobacco use, associations with neoplastic change, and therapeutic interventions to assist with sustained abstinence. In complement, we present an actual case of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in the setting of chronic tobacco‐dentifrice usage in a lifelong nonsmoker.

Results

This report provides a synopsis of epidemiological data and evidence‐based recommendations for general, pharmaceutical, and behavioral cessation strategies.

Conclusions

Smokeless tobacco use continues to be prevalent among patients seen by otolaryngologists, particularly of various Indian and Southeast Asian descent. The data presented in this article will aid in the identification of at risk patients. The provided recommended cessation strategies will tool otolaryngologists for patient counseling and management, ultimately aimed at improving health outcomes. Laryngoscope, 128:2067–2071, 2018
Dural recurrence among esthesioneuroblastoma patients presenting with intracranial extension
Authors: Yu Yao , El‐Sayed Ivan H. , McDermott Michael W. , Theodosopoulos Philip V. , van Zante Annemieke , Kased Norbert , Glastonbury Christine M. , Garsa Adam A. , Yom Sue S.
Published: February 2018

Objective

To quantify the rate of late intracranial recurrences among esthesioneuroblastoma patients treated with surgical resection and postoperative radiation.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

All patients receiving definitive‐intent therapy for esthesioneuroblastoma between March 1995 and September 2015 were reviewed. Presenting disease extent was categorized based on radiologic, operative, and pathologic findings. Between‐group survival differences were assessed using Kaplan‐Meier method and log‐rank test. Multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Of 38 patients initially treated at our institution, 53% (20 of 38) presented with intracranial extension. At a median follow‐up of 90 months (range, 6–199), 37% (14 of 38) recurred; 5‐ and 8‐year disease‐free survival rates were 69% and 54%; and overall survival rates were 81% and 72%, respectively.

Among these patients, the dura was the most commonly involved site of relapse (8), followed by local (6), regional (5), and distant extracranial (3) sites; and five patients had ≥ two categories of failure. Eight‐year dural disease‐free survival was 57% versus 90% (P = 0.017) and 0% versus 87% (P < 0.0001), with and without intracranial extension and subtotal resection, respectively.

Of six patients treated at recurrence, five (83%) experienced dural‐based failure such that, among all 44 patients, 13 (65%) of 20 recurrences involved the dura. After dural recurrence, the median survival time was 42 months (range, 12–125); salvage treatments were effective in rare cases of isolated low‐volume recurrence.

Conclusion

Esthesioneuroblastoma patients presenting with intracranial extension are at substantial and unique risk for long‐term dural‐based relapse.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:2226–2233, 2018
Can morphology reliably distinguish between the copepods Calanus finmarchicus and C. glacialis, or is DNA the only way?
Authors: Choquet Marvin , Kosobokova Ksenia , Kwaśniewski Sławomir , Hatlebakk Maja , Dhanasiri Anusha K. S. , Melle Webjørn , Daase Malin , Svensen Camilla , Søreide Janne E. , Hoarau Galice
Published: February 2018

Copepods of the genus Calanus play a key role in marine food webs as consumers of primary producers and as prey for many commercially important marine species. Within the genus, Calanus glacialis and Calanus finmarchicus are considered indicator species for Arctic and Atlantic waters, respectively, and changes in their distributions are frequently used as a tool to track climate change effects in the marine ecosystems of the northern hemisphere. Despite the extensive literature available, discrimination between these two species remains challenging. Using genetically identified individuals, we simultaneously checked the morphological characters in use for C. glacialis and C. finmarchicus identification to compare the results of molecular and morphological identification. We studied the prosome length (1); the antennules and the genital somite pigmentation (2); the morphology of the fifth pair of swimming legs and of the mandible (3). Our results show that none of these morphological criteria can reliably distinguish between C. glacialis and C. finmarchicus. This has severe implications for our current understanding of plankton ecology as a large part of our knowledge of Calanus may be biased due to species misidentification and may subsequently require reinvestigation with the systematic use of molecular tools.
Prevention of acute radiodermatitis by photobiomodulation: A randomized, placebo‐controlled trial in breast cancer patients (TRANSDERMIS trial)
Authors: Robijns Jolien , Censabella Sandrine , Claes Stefan , Pannekoeke Luc , Bussé Lore , Colson Dora , Kaminski Iris , Bulens Paul , Maes Annelies , Noé Leen , Brosens Marc , Timmermans An , Lambrichts Ivo , Somers Veerle , Mebis Jeroen
Published: February 2018

Objective

Acute radiodermatitis (RD) is a distressing and painful skin reaction that occurs in 95% of the patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the prevention of acute RD in breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing RT.

Methods

This study was a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial including 120 BC patients that underwent an identical RT regimen post‐lumpectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to the laser therapy (LT) or placebo group, with 60 patients in each group. Laser or placebo treatments were applied 2 days a week, immediately after the RT session, starting at the first day of RT. PBMT was delivered using a class IV MLS® M6 laser that combines two synchronized laser diodes in the infrared range (808–905 nm) with a fixed energy density (4 J/cm2). Skin reactions were scored based on the criteria of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and the Radiation‐Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale (RISRAS). The patients completed the Skindex‐16 questionnaire to evaluate their quality of life. All the measurements were collected at the first day, at a RT dose of 40 Gray (Gy), and at the end of RT (total dose 66 Gy).

Results

At a RT dose of 40 Gy, there was no significant difference between the groups in the distribution of RTOG grades. However, at the end of RT the severity of the skin reactions significantly differed between the two groups (P = 0.004), with a larger percentage of patients experiencing RTOG grade 2 or higher (e.g., moist desquamation) in the placebo group (30% vs. 6.7%, for the placebo and laser group, resp.). The objective RISRAS score confirmed these results. In addition, the Skindex‐16 and RISRAS subjective score demonstrated that the patients’ quality of life was significantly better in the LT than in the control group.

Conclusions

The results of this trial show that PBMT is an effective tool to prevent the development of grade 2 acute RD or higher in BC patients. In addition, it also reduces the patients’ symptoms related to RD. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:763–771, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Liver paired exchange: Can the liver emulate the kidney?
Authors: Mishra Ashish , Lo Alexis , Lee Grace S. , Samstein Benjamin , Yoo Peter S. , Levine Matthew H. , Goldberg David S. , Shaked Abraham , Olthoff Kim M. , Abt Peter L.
Published: February 2018

Kidney paired exchange (KPE) constitutes 12% of all living donor kidney transplantations (LDKTs) in the United States.1 The success of KPE programs has prompted many in the liver transplant community to consider the possibility of liver paired exchange (LPE). Though the idea seems promising, the application has been limited to a handful of centers in Asia.2 In this article, we consider the indications, logistical issues, and ethics for establishing a LPE program in the United States with reference to the principles and advances developed from experience with KPE. Liver Transplantation 24 677–686 2018 AASLD.
Directional communication during movement execution interferes with tremor in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Naros Georgios , Grimm Florian , Weiss Daniel , Gharabaghi Alireza
Published: February 2018

Background: Both the cerebello‐thalamo‐cortical circuit and the basal ganglia/cortical motor loop have been postulated to be generators of tremor in PD. The recent suggestion that the basal ganglia trigger tremor episodes and the cerebello‐thalamo‐cortical circuitry modulates tremor amplitude combines both competing hypotheses. However, the role of the STN in tremor generation and the impact of proprioceptive feedback on tremor suppression during voluntary movements have not been considered in this model yet.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of the STN and proprioceptive feedback in PD tremor generation during movement execution.

Methods: Local‐field potentials of the STN as well as electromyographical and electroencephalographical rhythms were recorded in tremor‐dominant and nontremor PD patients while performing voluntary movements of the contralateral hand during DBS surgery. Effective connectivity between these electrophysiological signals were analyzed and compared to electromyographical tremor activity.

Results: There was an intensified information flow between the STN and the muscle in the tremor frequencies (5‐8 Hz) for tremor‐dominant, in comparison to nontremor, patients. In both subtypes, active movement was associated with an increase of afferent interaction between the muscle and the cortex in the β‐ and γ‐frequencies. The γ‐frequency (30‐40 Hz) of this communication between muscle and cortex correlated inversely with electromyographical tremor activity.

Conclusions: Our results indicate an involvement of the STN in propagation of tremor‐related activity to the muscle. Furthermore, we provide evidence that increased proprioceptive information flow during voluntary movement interferes with central tremor generation. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
GIAO‐DFT calculation of 15N NMR chemical shifts of Schiff bases: Accuracy factors and protonation effects
Authors: Semenov Valentin A. , Samultsev Dmitry O. , Krivdin Leonid B.
Published: February 2018

15N NMR chemical shifts in the representative series of Schiff bases together with their protonated forms have been calculated at the density functional theory level in comparison with available experiment. A number of functionals and basis sets have been tested in terms of a better agreement with experiment. Complimentary to gas phase results, 2 solvation models, namely, a classical Tomasi's polarizable continuum model (PCM) and that in combination with an explicit inclusion of one molecule of solvent into calculation space to form supermolecule 1:1 (SM + PCM), were examined. Best results are achieved with PCM and SM + PCM models resulting in mean absolute errors of calculated 15N NMR chemical shifts in the whole series of neutral and protonated Schiff bases of accordingly 5.2 and 5.8 ppm as compared with 15.2 ppm in gas phase for the range of about 200 ppm. Noticeable protonation effects (exceeding 100 ppm) in protonated Schiff bases are rationalized in terms of a general natural bond orbital approach.
Quantifying precision in cardiac diffusion tensor imaging with second‐order motion‐compensated convex optimized diffusion encoding
Authors: Aliotta Eric , Moulin Kévin , Magrath Patrick , Ennis Daniel B.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To quantify the precision of in vivo cardiac DTI (cDTI) acquired with a spin echo, first‐ and second‐order motion‐compensated (M1M2), convex optimized diffusion encoding (CODE) sequence.

Methods

Free‐breathing CODE‐M1M2 cDTI were acquired in healthy volunteers (N = 10) at midsystole and diastole with 10 repeated acquisitions per phase. 95% confidence intervals of uncertainty in reconstructed diffusion tensor eigenvectors (
,
,
), mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), and tensor Mode were measured using a bootstrapping approach. Trends in observed tensor metric uncertainty were evaluated as a function of scan duration, image SNR, cardiac phase, and bulk motion artifacts.

Results

For midsystolic scans including 5 signal averages (scan time: ∼5 min), the median myocardial 95% confidence intervals of uncertainties were:
: 15.5 ± 1.2°,
: 31.2 ± 3.5°,
: 21.8 ± 3.1°, MD: 0.38 ± 0.02 × 10−3mm2/s, FA: 0.20 ± 0.01, and Mode: 1.10 ± 0.08. Uncertainty in all parameters increased for diastolic scans:
: 31.9 ± 7.1°,
: 59.6 ± 6.8°,
: 40.5 ± 6.4°, MD: 0.52 ± 0.09 × 10−3 mm2/s, FA: 0.23 ± 0.01, and Mode: 1.57 ± 0.11. Diastolic cDTI also reported higher MD (MDDIA = 1.91 ± 0.34 × 10−3 mm2/s vs. MDSYS = 1.58 ± 0.09 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 8 × 10−3) and lower FA values (FADIA = 0.32 ± 0.06 vs. FASYS = 0.37 ± 0.03, P = 0.03) .

Conclusion

cDTI precision improved with increasing nondiffusion‐weighted (b = 0) image SNR, but gains were minimal for SNR ≥ 25 (∼10 averages). cDTI precision was also sensitive to intershot bulk motion artifacts, which led to better precision for midsystolic imaging.