bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Online optimal experimental re‐design in robotic parallel fed‐batch cultivation facilities
Authors: Cruz Bournazou M.N. , Barz T. , Nickel D.B. , Lopez Cárdenas D.C. , Glauche F. , Knepper A. , Neubauer P.
Published: October 2016

We present an integrated framework for the online optimal experimental re‐design applied to parallel nonlinear dynamic processes that aims to precisely estimate the parameter set of macro kinetic growth models with minimal experimental effort. This provides a systematic solution for rapid validation of a specific model to new strains, mutants, or products. In biosciences, this is especially important as model identification is a long and laborious process which is continuing to limit the use of mathematical modeling in this field. The strength of this approach is demonstrated by fitting a macro‐kinetic differential equation model for Escherichia coli fed‐batch processes after 6 h of cultivation. The system includes two fully‐automated liquid handling robots; one containing eight mini‐bioreactors and another used for automated at‐line analyses, which allows for the immediate use of the available data in the modeling environment. As a result, the experiment can be continually re‐designed while the cultivations are running using the information generated by periodical parameter estimations. The advantages of an online re‐computation of the optimal experiment are proven by a 50‐fold lower average coefficient of variation on the parameter estimates compared to the sequential method (4.83% instead of 235.86%). The success obtained in such a complex system is a further step towards a more efficient computer aided bioprocess development. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 610–619. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anatomical versus non-anatomical liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma exceeding Milan criteria
Authors: Li S-Q , Huang T , Shen S-L , Hua Y-P , Hu W-J , Kuang M , Peng B-G , Liang L-J
Published: October 2016

Background

Liver resection is effective for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exceeding the Milan criteria in selected patients. However, the benefit of anatomical resection (AR) versus non-anatomical resection (NAR) has not been clarified in this patient subgroup. This study aimed to compare outcomes between AR and NAR for HCC exceeding the Milan criteria.

Methods

Data on consecutive patients with HCC exceeding the Milan criteria who underwent liver resection with curative intent over a recent 6-year interval were extracted from a prospective single-centre HCC database and examined retrospectively. The postoperative outcomes of patients were compared before and after propensity score matching.

Results

Some 546 patients were included: 264 in the AR and 282 in the NAR group. In the original cohort, the AR group contained more patients with larger tumours, multiple tumours, macroscopic portal vein tumour thrombi, incomplete tumour capsules and microscopic vascular invasion. After propensity score matching, 177 pairs of patients were selected. The baseline data, including liver function and tumour burden, were similar in the matched groups. The 3-year recurrence-free survival rate was comparable between the matched NAR and AR groups (36·5 versus 28·5 per cent; P = 0·448). Similar results were observed for 3-year overall survival (57·5 versus 50·3 per cent; P = 0·385), recurrence patterns and early recurrence rates (57·6 per cent versus 59·9 per cent; P = 0·712).

Conclusion

AR and NAR achieved favourable and similar outcomes for HCC exceeding the Milan criteria in selected patients.
The disappearance rate and risk assessment of thiacloprid residues in Asian pear using liquid chromatography confirmed with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Kabir Md. Humayun , Abd El‐Aty A.M. , Rahman Md. Musfiqur , Kim Sung‐Woo , Choi Jeong‐Heui , Lee Young‐Jun , Truong Lieu T.B. , Lee Kang‐Bong , Kim Mi‐Ra , Shin Ho‐Chul , Shim Jae‐Han
Published: October 2016

This study was undertaken to quantify the residue levels and propose the dissipation kinetics of thiacloprid formulated as suspension concentrate in field‐incurred Asian pears grown under two different open‐field conditions. Samples were extracted with 20% distilled water in acetonitrile; partitioned with brine water and dichloromethane; and purified with a Florisil solid phase extraction cartridge. The analyte was identified with an LC ultraviolet detector, and field‐incurred samples were confirmed using LC–MS/MS. The calibration curve was linear over the range 0.05–5.0 mg/L with a satisfactory coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9994). The limits of detection and limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.003 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. The recovery rate fortified to blank samples at LOQ, 10× LOQ, and the maximum residue limit (MRL) were between 73.7 and 86.2% with relative standard deviation ≤9.0%. The residual concentrations at both sites were considerably lower than the MRL (0.7 mg/kg) set by the Korean Ministry of Food Drug Safety, with biological half‐lives of 5.0 and 7.4 days, for sites 1 and 2, respectively. From the pre‐harvest residue limit curve, it was predicted that if the residues were <1.13 or 1.40 mg/kg 10 days before harvest, the residue level would be lower than the MRL during harvest. Risk assessment on day 0 showed an acceptable daily intake (%) of 13.0% and 11.0% for sites 1 and site 2, respectively, which indicates that the residual amounts are not hazardous to the Korean population.
German Electricity Balancing Market for Small Manure Plants
Authors: Jung Rolf , Weger Andreas , Stenzel Fabian , Gasson James Richard
Published: October 2016

In order to exploit the theoretical potential of small manure anaerobic digestion (AD) plants for flexible power generation, the technical retrofitting and the prospective additional revenue generated by direct marketing is assessed for two different manure AD plants by means of a profitability analysis. Due to the variation in the economic profitability by the individual direct marketing models, the economy of three plants was simulated in four different scenarios: basic feed‐in tariff, direct marketing, electricity balancing market, and flexible operation. Economical operations were calculated and the additional revenue for small manure AD plants taking part in the direct marketing system was calculated.
Comprehensive Understanding of Structure‐Controlling Factors of a Zinc Tetraphenylporphyrin Thin Film Using pMAIRS and GIXD Techniques
Authors: Hada Miyako , Shioya Nobutaka , Shimoaka Takafumi , Eda Kazuo , Hada Masahiko , Hasegawa Takeshi
Published: October 2016

The performance of an organic electronic device is significantly influenced by the anisotropic molecular structure in the film, which has long been difficult to predict especially for a solution process. In the present study, a zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) thin film prepared by a solution process was chosen to comprehensively explore the molecular‐arrangement mechanism as a function of representative film‐preparation parameters: solvent, film‐preparation technique, and thermal annealing. The anisotropic structure was first analyzed by using a combination of infrared p‐polarized multiple‐angle incidence resolution spectrometry (pMAIRS) and grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction (GIXD), which readily revealed the molecular orientation and crystal structure, respectively. As a result, the real dominant factor was found to be the evaporation time of the solvent that determines the initial two different molecular arrangements, types‐I and ‐II, while the thermal annealing was found to play an additional role of improving the molecular order. The correlation between the molecular orientation and the crystal structure was also revealed through the individual orientation analysis of the porphyrin and phenyl rings.
Ligand and Metal Effects on the Stability and Adsorption Properties of an Isoreticular Series of MOFs Based on T‐Shaped Ligands and Paddle‐Wheel Secondary Building Units
Authors: Xiong Ying , Fan Yan‐Zhong , Damasceno Borges Daiane , Chen Cheng‐Xia , Wei Zhang‐Wen , Wang Hai‐Ping , Pan Mei , Jiang Ji‐Jun , Maurin Guillaume , Su Cheng‐Yong
Published: October 2016

The synthesis of stable porous materials with appropriate pore size and shape for desired applications remains challenging. In this work a combined experimental/computational approach has been undertaken to tune the stability under various conditions and the adsorption behavior of a series of MOFs by subtle control of both the nature of the metal center (Co2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) and the pore surface by the functionalization of the organic linkers with amido and N‐oxide groups. In this context, six isoreticular MOFs based on T‐shaped ligands and paddle‐wheel units with ScD0.33 topology have been synthesized. Their stabilities have been systematically investigated along with their ability to adsorb a wide range of gases (N2, CO2, CH4, CO, H2, light hydrocarbons (C1–C4)) and vapors (alcohols and water). This study has revealed that the MOF frameworks based on Cu2+ are more stable than their Co2+ and Zn2+ analogues, and that the N‐oxide ligand endows the MOFs with a higher affinity for CO2 leading to excellent selectivity for this gas over other species.
Modelling and experimental validation of a CO2 methanation annular cooled fixed‐bed reactor exchanger
Authors: Ducamp Julien , Bengaouer Alain , Baurens Pierre
Published: October 2016

A simulation model of a fixed‐bed reactor‐exchanger dedicated to CO2 methanation on an industrial Ni/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst has been built on the basis of experimental characterization of heat transfer and kinetic parameters. An effective thermal conductivity of the bed and a wall heat transfer coefficient are determined from cooling experiments of different Ar‐H2 mixtures (thermal conductivity 0.02–0.25 W · m−1 · K−1) at different Reynolds numbers (particle Reynolds number 1–50). The flow dependent component of the Nusselt number correlates to the gas Prandtl number as Pr0.72. These heat transfer parameters and a kinetic model adapted to the Ni/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst are integrated in mass, heat, and momentum balance equations in the bed and at the particle scale to build a 2D heterogeneous model of the fixed‐bed reactor. CO2 methanation experiments in an annular fixed‐bed reactor‐exchanger filled with 400 g of Ni/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst at pressures from 0.4 to 0.8 MPa and coolant temperatures from 473 to 548 K (200 to 275 °C) are described in this paper and simulated by the model.

CO2 conversion rate and CH4 selectivity at the reactor outlet and temperature elevations in the reactor are simulated by the model with a discrepancy lower than 10 %. For pressures above 0.4 MPa, a strong mass diffusion limitation inside the catalyst particles is shown and the efficiency decrease of the three reactions is explained.
A phase 2 study of nanoparticle albumin‐bound paclitaxel plus nedaplatin for patients with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic cervical carcinoma
Authors: Li Yifan , Zeng Jing , Huang Manni , An Jusheng , Bai Ping , Wu Lingying , Zhang Rong
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Nanoparticle albumin‐bound paclitaxel (nab‐paclitaxel) and nedaplatin (NDP) are used for the treatment of patients with cervical cancer. However, to the authors’ knowledge, the use of this combination regimen among patients with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer has rarely been reported.

METHODS

Patients with pathologically confirmed, stage IVB (FIGO staging 2009), recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer were eligible. Nab‐paclitaxel at a dose of 175 mg/m2 plus NDP at a dose of 80 mg/m2 was administered intravenously every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint of the current study was the objective response rate (ORR). The secondary endpoints were progression‐free survival, overall survival, and safety.

RESULTS

A total of 27 patients were included (5 with late‐stage and 22 with recurrent or metastatic disease). The mean age of the patients was 48.26 ± 9.21 years. Of these 27 patients, 25 had squamous cell carcinoma (92.6%). A total of 26 patients completed 92 cycles of chemotherapy, with an average of 3.4 cycles per patient. The ORR was 50.0% (13 of 26 patients). The overall survival was 16.6 months (95% confidence interval, 12.6‐20.6 months) and the progression‐free survival was 9.1 months (95% confidence interval, 2.4‐15.8 months).The ORR of patients with an interval of >12 months from receipt of prior chemotherapy was significantly higher than that of those with a shorter interval (71.4% vs 25.0%; P = .034). The most common adverse effects reported were myelosuppression, gastrointestinal reactions, fatigue, and peripheral neuropathy. The incidence of grade 3 neutropenia was 33.3% (adverse effects were graded on a scale from 0 to 4 according to the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 3.0]). The incidence of grade 3 thrombocytopenia and anemia was 7.4% and 18.5%, respectively. The incidence of grade 1 to 2 peripheral neuropathy was reported to be as high as 51.9%. No case of hypersensitivity was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of nab‐paclitaxel plus NDP for the treatment of patients with late‐stage, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer appears to be active and tolerable. Cancer 2017;123:420–425. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Phase 2 study of dasatinib in patients with alveolar soft part sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, chordoma, epithelioid sarcoma, or solitary fibrous tumor
Authors: Schuetze Scott M. , Bolejack Vanessa , Choy Edwin , Ganjoo Kristen N. , Staddon Arthur P. , Chow Warren A. , Tawbi Hussein A. , Samuels Brian L. , Patel Shreyaskumar R. , von Mehren Margaret , D'Amato Gina , Leu Kirsten M. , Loeb David M. , Forscher Charles A. , Milhem Mohammed M. , Rushing Daniel A. , Lucas David R. , Chugh Rashmi , Reinke Denise K. , Baker Laurence H.
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), chondrosarcoma (CS), chordoma, epithelioid sarcoma, and solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) are malignant tumors that are relatively resistant to chemotherapy and for which more effective drug therapy is needed.

METHODS

The 5 listed subtypes were enrolled into a single indolent sarcoma cohort in a phase 2 study of dasatinib using a Bayesian continuous monitoring rule for enrollment. The primary objective was to estimate the 6‐month progression‐free survival (PFS) rate according to the Choi criteria with a target of ≥50%. Cross‐sectional imaging was performed before the start of treatment, every 2 months for 6 months, and then every 3 months during treatment. The 2‐ and 5‐year survival rates were determined.

RESULTS

One hundred sixteen patients were enrolled within 45 months, and 109 began treatment with dasatinib. The 6‐month PFS rate and the median PFS were 48% and 5.8 months, respectively. The PFS rate at 6 months was highest with ASPS (62%) and lowest with SFT (30%). More than 10% of the patients with ASPS, CS, or chordoma had stable disease for more than 1 year. Collectively, for all 5 subtypes, the 2‐ and 5‐year overall survival rates were 44% and 13%, respectively. An objective response was observed in 18% of the patients with CS or chordoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Dasatinib failed to achieve control of sarcoma growth for at least 6 months in more than 50% of the patients in this trial according to the Choi tumor response criteria. An objective tumor response and prolonged stable disease was observed in >10% of patients with CS or chordoma. Cancer 2017;90–97. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Surface topography during neural stem cell differentiation regulates cell migration and cell morphology
Authors: Czeisler Catherine , Short Aaron , Nelson Tyler , Gygli Patrick , Ortiz Cristina , Catacutan Fay Patsy , Stocker Ben , Cronin James , Lannutti John , Winter Jessica , Otero José Javier
Published: October 2016

We sought to determine the contribution of scaffold topography to the migration and morphology of neural stem cells by mimicking anatomical features of scaffolds found in vivo. We mimicked two types of central nervous system scaffolds encountered by neural stem cells during development in vitro by constructing different diameter electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber mats, a substrate that we have shown to be topographically similar to brain scaffolds. We compared the effects of large fibers (made to mimic blood vessel topography) with those of small‐diameter fibers (made to mimic radial glial process topography) on the migration and differentiation of neural stem cells. Neural stem cells showed differential migratory and morphological reactions with laminin in different topographical contexts. We demonstrate, for the first time, that neural stem cell biological responses to laminin are dependent on topographical context. Large‐fiber topography without laminin prevented cell migration, which was partially reversed by treatment with rock inhibitor. Cell morphology complexity assayed by fractal dimension was inhibited in nocodazole‐ and cytochalasin‐D–treated neural precursor cells in large‐fiber topography, but was not changed in small‐fiber topography with these inhibitors. These data indicate that cell morphology has different requirements on cytoskeletal proteins dependent on the topographical environment encountered by the cell. We propose that the physical structure of distinct scaffolds induces unique signaling cascades that regulate migration and morphology in embryonic neural precursor cells. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:3485–3502, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polyelectrolyte‐Brush‐Derived Nitrogen‐Doped Porous Carbon
Authors: Li Xiaofeng , Zhang Fangfang , Yuan Jiao , Zhang Haining , Pan Mu , Huang Chi , Tang Haolin
Published: October 2016

Nitrogen‐doped porous carbons have been well‐recognized as promising materials for a wide range of applications. Therefore, the rational design and synthesis of nitrogen‐doped porous carbons are essential both for practical applications as well as for understanding of their fundamental properties. In this Communication, we report a silica‐template‐assisted fabrication of nitrogen‐doped porous carbons through pyrolysis of polyelectrolyte brushes. The resulting material has a surface area of 799 m2 g−1 and exhibits improved electrochemical catalytic ability towards the oxygen reduction reaction in basic medium and an increased carbon dioxide adsorption capability compared with samples derived from a physical mixture of polyelectrolyte and silica, although the latter sample has higher overall nitrogen content. The findings in this work provide a new strategy to fabricate nitrogen‐doped porous carbon not only for practical applications, but also as a model system for fundamental understanding of the correlation between heteroatom distribution and properties.
The Movement Tracker: A Flexible System for Automated Movement Analysis in Invertebrate Model Organisms
Authors: Mouchiroud Laurent , Sorrentino Vincenzo , Williams Evan G. , Cornaglia Matteo , Frochaux Michael V. , Lin Tao , Nicolet‐dit‐Félix Amandine A. , Krishnamani Gopal , Ouhmad Tarik , Gijs Martin A.M. , Deplancke Bart , Auwerx Johan
Published: October 2016

Phenotyping strategies in simple model organisms such as D. melanogaster and C. elegans are often broadly limited to growth, aging, and fitness. Recently, a number of physical setups and video tracking software suites have been developed to allow for accurate, quantitative, and high‐throughput analysis of movement in flies and worms. However, many of these systems require precise experimental setups and/or fixed recording formats. We report here an update to the Parallel Worm Tracker software, which we termed the Movement Tracker. The Movement Tracker allows variable experimental setups to provide cross‐platform automated processing of a variety of movement characteristics in both worms and flies and permits the use of simple physical setups that can be readily implemented in any laboratory. This software allows high‐throughput processing capabilities and high levels of flexibility in video analysis, providing quantitative movement data on C. elegans and D. melanogaster in a variety of different conditions. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Analysis of isoquinoline alkaloids using chitosan‐assisted liquid–solid extraction followed by microemulsion liquid chromatography employing a sub‐2‐micron particle stationary phase
Authors: Ye Li‐Hong , Liu Xi‐De , Cao Jun , Chang Yan‐xu , An Mingrui , Wang Shu‐Ling , Xu Jing‐Jing , Peng Li‐Qing
Published: October 2016

A simple, efficient, and green chitosan‐assisted liquid–solid extraction method was developed for the sample preparation of isoquinoline derivative alkaloids followed by microemulsion LC. The optimized mobile phase consisted of 0.8% w/v of ethyl acetate, 1.0% w/v of SDS, 8.0% w/v of n‐butanol, 0.1% v/v acetic acid, and 10% v/v ACN. Compared to pharmacopoeia method and organic solvent extraction, this new approach avoided the use of volatile organic solvents, replacing them with relatively small amounts of chitosan. Under the optimum conditions, good linearity (r2 > 0.9980) for all calibration curves and low detection limits between 0.05 and 0.10 μg/mL were achieved. The presented procedure was successfully applied to determine alkaloids in Rhizoma coptidis with satisfactory recoveries (81.3–106.4%).
A Bayesian multinomial regression model for palaeoclimate reconstruction with time uncertainty
Authors: Ilvonen Liisa , Holmström Lasse , Seppä Heikki , Veski Siim
Published: October 2016

Estimating chronological uncertainty is a critical but often neglected prerequisite in palaeoclimatological reconstructions and core comparisons. We describe a hierarchical Bayesian multinomial regression model for temperature reconstruction that allows uncertainty in the sediment core sample dates. Climate model output is used as pseudodata to provide prior information about the overall variability of past temperatures. Including time uncertainty in the model can make usual summaries such as the posterior mean temperature less useful. We therefore recommend considering also fixed chronology reconstructions and exploration of individual temperature history realizations. This can be particularly relevant for tracking short‐lived events. We demonstrate the proposed model by reconstructing the past temperature from fossil pollen data obtained from three cores in Estonia and southern Sweden. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discussion on temperature reconstruction with sediment core data in Ilvonen et al.
Authors: Li Bo , Barboza Luis , Tingley Martin , Viens Frederi
Published: October 2016

We congratulate the authors on an important contribution to temperature reconstruction methodology applicable to pollen data. Pollen data is more challenging to model than other climate proxies, such as measurements on tree rings, because of the categorical nature of pollen assemblage data and the dating uncertainty inherent to any sedimentary proxy. The authors are commended on developing a reconstruction methodology that incorporates Bchron and Bummer. In this discussion, we discuss several ideas prompted by our reading of this interesting and novel paper. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A spatial‐dependent model for climate emulation
Authors: Bao Jingyu , McInerney David J. , Stein Michael L.
Published: October 2016

For studying impacts and policy issues related to climate change, it is often critical to be able to forecast the future climate for a range of forcing scenarios. Complex climate models can be used to study climate change, but they are expensive to run, and thus, can only be used to investigate a limited number of scenarios. For some climate summaries, it is possible to develop a statistical emulator of the climate model that accurately and quickly reproduces the climate model output. Training such an emulator based on a small number of model runs can be challenging, especially when emulating at a fine spatial resolution. This work considers developing such an emulator for a specific climate model, CCSM3, as a function of the past trajectory of atmospheric CO2 concentrations. We propose a new approach to fitting an emulator for annual temperature at the pixel level of the climate model by combining a spatially varying coefficient model and an infinite distributed lag model. The approach can capture the annual mean temperature at grid‐cell level of climate model output in transient climates based on model runs from just a single CO2 trajectory. We apply the approach to annual temperature emulation over North America and Africa, and show that the resulting emulator predicts annual temperature quite well and that the emulator can be fit in a computationally efficient manner. We show that the emulator outperforms procedures that do not take account of the spatial structure.
Response and recovery of the macrophytes Elodea canadensis and Myriophyllum spicatum following a pulse exposure to the herbicide iofensulfuron-sodium in outdoor stream mesocosms
Authors: Wieczorek Matthias V. , Bakanov Nikita , Lagadic Laurent , Bruns Eric , Schulz Ralf
Published: October 2016

Interest in stream mesocosms has recently revived for higher tier aquatic macrophyte risk assessment of plant protection products mainly because 1) the highest predicted environmental concentrations for the assessment of effects are frequently derived from stream scenarios, and 2) they allow an effect assessment using stream-typical pulse exposures. Therefore, the present stream mesocosm study used an herbicide pulse exposure and evaluated the responses of Elodea canadensis and Myriophyllum spicatum. Macrophytes were exposed for 24 h to 1 μg/L, 3 μg/L, 10 μg/L, and 30 μg/L of the herbicide iofensulfuron-sodium with a subsequent recovery period of 42 d. Biological endpoints were growth rates of the main, side, and total shoot length, the shoot number, the maximum root length, and the dry weight. The total shoot length was identified as the most sensitive endpoint; the growth rate of the total shoot length was inhibited by up to 66% and 45% in M. spicatum and E. canadensis, respectively. The lowest no observed effect concentrations (NOECs) were observed at day 7 and/or day 14 after herbicide treatment and were 1 μg/L for M. spicatum and 3 μg/L for E. canadensis. The no-observed-ecologically-adverse-effect concentrations (NOEAECs) were 10 μg/L and 30 μg/L for M. spicatum and E. canadensis, respectively. Such or similar mesocosm designs are useful to simulate typical stream exposures and estimate herbicide effects on aquatic macrophytes in stream systems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1090–1100. © 2016 SETAC
Interlaboratory validation of organism recovery for use in 42-day sediment toxicity tests with Hyalella azteca
Authors: Taylor Lisa N. , Novak Lesley
Published: October 2016

Environment and Climate Change Canada has developed a 42-d sediment toxicity test that includes a reproduction endpoint with the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca. The new methodology conducts the entire exposure in sediment, in contrast to existing standardized methods whereby adults are transferred to a water-only exposure before release of their first brood at day 28. This midtest transfer to clean water was because of the results of a juvenile H. azteca recovery trial conducted in the 1990s concluding that reproductive endpoints could be biased because of low recovery of young amphipods from sediment. Using a new procedure and reduced volume of sediment, an interlaboratory recovery trial was conducted using 2-d to 5-d old H. azteca added to control sediment. A total of 29 technicians from 8 laboratories participated in the present study. The average recovery for all laboratories and all technicians was 76% (coefficient of variation [CV] = 30%). Based on an initial target recovery of at least 80%, 19 of 29 (66%) technicians met this criterion, with an average recovery for this group of 88% (CV = 8.3%). Factors that reduced recovery success included: not using a light table, technicians with minimal sediment testing experience, and the use of imported young amphipods with limited acclimation. Excluding those results, the overall average recovery, which included 17 participating technicians, increased from 76% to 88% and lowered the CV from 30% to 8.6%. Based on these results, Environment and Climate Change Canada will recommend ≥85% average recovery of young in control sediment and require ≥80% as a technician performance criterion in its new test design for the reproduction methodology. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1085–1089. © 2016 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
BAY 1125976, a selective allosteric AKT1/2 inhibitor, exhibits high efficacy on AKT signaling‐dependent tumor growth in mouse models
Authors: Politz Oliver , Siegel Franziska , Bärfacker Lars , Bömer Ulf , Hägebarth Andrea , Scott William J. , Michels Martin , Ince Stuart , Neuhaus Roland , Meyer Kirstin , Fernández‐Montalván Amaury Ernesto , Liu Ningshu , von Nussbaum Franz , Mumberg Dominik , Ziegelbauer Karl
Published: October 2016

The PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR signaling cascade is activated in the majority of human cancers, and its activation also plays a key role in resistance to chemo and targeted therapeutics. In particular, in both breast and prostate cancer, increased AKT pathway activity is associated with cancer progression, treatment resistance and poor disease outcome. Here, we evaluated the activity of a novel allosteric AKT1/2 inhibitor, BAY 1125976, in biochemical, cellular mechanistic, functional and in vivo efficacy studies in a variety of tumor models. In in vitro kinase activity assays, BAY 1125976 potently and selectively inhibited the activity of full‐length AKT1 and AKT2 by binding into an allosteric binding pocket formed by kinase and PH domain. In accordance with this proposed allosteric binding mode, BAY 1125976 bound to inactive AKT1 and inhibited T308 phosphorylation by PDK1, while the activity of truncated AKT proteins lacking the pleckstrin homology domain was not inhibited. In vitro, BAY 1125976 inhibited cell proliferation in a broad panel of human cancer cell lines. Particularly high activity was observed in breast and prostate cancer cell lines expressing estrogen or androgen receptors. Furthermore, BAY 1125976 exhibited strong in vivo efficacy in both cell line and patient‐derived xenograft models such as the KPL4 breast cancer model (PIK3CAH1074R mutant), the MCF7 and HBCx‐2 breast cancer models and the AKTE17K mutant driven prostate cancer (LAPC‐4) and anal cancer (AXF 984) models. These findings indicate that BAY 1125976 is a potent and highly selective allosteric AKT1/2 inhibitor that targets tumors displaying PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation, providing opportunities for the clinical development of new, effective treatments.
Research progress of long noncoding RNA in China
Authors: Xing Yu‐Hang , Bai Zhiqiang , Liu Chu‐Xiao , Hu Shi‐Bin , Ruan Meihua , Chen Ling‐Ling
Published: October 2016

RNA is essential for all kingdoms of life and exerts important functions beyond transferring genetic information from DNA to protein. With the advent of the state‐of‐the‐art deep sequencing technology, a large portion of noncoding transcripts in eukaryotic genomes has been broadly identified. Among them, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been emerged as a new class of RNA molecules that have regulatory potential in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Here we summarize recent research progresses that have been made by scientists in China on lncRNAs, including their biogenesis, functional implication and the underlying mechanism of action at the current stage. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(11):887–893, 2016
Degradation of alkanethiol self‐assembled monolayers in mesenchymal stem cell culture
Authors: Almeida Bethany , Shukla Anita
Published: October 2016

Alkanethiol self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been used extensively in studying the role of surface functionality and geometry on stem cell differentiation; however, the effects of stem cell culture conditions on SAM stability over time are not well understood. In this work, we examined the physical and chemical changes occurring on gold (Au)‐SAM surfaces over time as a function of Au thickness. Within a narrow range of thicknesses (4, 8, and 10 nm), we observed significant differences in temporal SAM stability for a commonly utilized, hydrophilic, protein and cell repulsive oligo(ethylene) glycol alkanethiol (HS‐(CH2)11(O(CH2)2)6OH) SAM and the hydrophobic, protein adhesive hexadecanethiol (SH‐(CH2)15CH3) SAM. Within both acellular and stem cell culture conditions, 8 nm Au resulted in the most stable SAMs (∼7 days). The 4 and 10 nm Au SAMs exhibited loss in stability following 5 days at varying degradation rates, showing 4 nm Au to be the least stable. Migration of human mesenchymal stem cells seeded on SAM surfaces showed that SAM degradation rates in acellular conditions were directly correlated with the cellular migration behavior. Findings of this study can be used to develop SAM surfaces with controlled degradation rates for applications in stem cell engineering and regenerative medicine. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 464–474, 2017.
A Content Analysis of Research on Disability: American Counseling Association Journals Between 2003 and 2013
Authors: Woo Hongryun , Goo Minkowan , Lee Myungkyung
Published: October 2016

This content analysis provides an overview of disability articles published in 10 major American Counseling Association journals between 2003 and 2013. In addition to the number of disability articles published during this time period, other content areas such as authorship and institutional contributors; methodology, location, and application settings; target populations and sample characteristics; type of disabilities; and topics of interest are identified. Recommendations for counseling scholars to increase the scope of research on disability are provided.

Este análisis de contenido proporciona una visión general de los artículos sobre discapacidad publicados en 10 revistas principales de la Asociación Americana de Consejería (American Counseling Association) entre 2003 y 2013. Además del número de artículos sobre discapacidad publicados durante este periodo, se identifican otras áreas de contenidos, como la autoría y contribuidores institucionales, la metodología, ubicación y lugares de aplicación, las poblaciones observadas y características de los grupos de muestra, los tipos de discapacidad, y los temas de interés. Se proporcionan recomendaciones para que los expertos académicos en consejería puedan ampliar el alcance de las investigaciones sobre discapacidad.
Recruiting and Assessing Recent Young Adult Latina Immigrants in Health Disparities Research
Authors: Sheehan Diana M. , Dillon Frank R. , Babino Rosa , Melton James , Spadola Christine , Da Silva Nicole , De La Rosa Mario
Published: October 2016

The authors interviewed 4 researchers to identify facilitators in recruiting and assessing Latina immigrants. The 4 researchers recruited 530 recent Latina immigrants (ages 18–23 years) for a study of social and cultural determinants of health. Consensual qualitative research methods revealed that respondent‐driven sampling was an effective recruitment method. Fear of deportation was a barrier. Stigma about sensitive topics (e.g., sex, drug use) did not affect participation. Findings can help counselors conduct health disparities research.

Los autores entrevistaron a 4 investigadores para identificar facilitadores para el reclutamiento y evaluación de inmigrantes latinas. Los 4 investigadores reclutaron a 530 mujeres latinas que habían inmigrado recientemente (edades entre 18 y 23 años) para un estudio de los factores sociales y culturales determinantes de la salud. Los métodos de investigación cuantitativa consensuados revelaron que el muestreo dirigido por las encuestadas fue un método efectivo de reclutamiento. El miedo a la deportación fue un obstáculo. El estigma asociado a temas delicados (p. ej., el sexo, el uso de drogas) no afectó a la participación. Los hallazgos pueden ayudar a los consejeros a realizar estudios sobre disparidades en la salud.
New estimate of valvuloarterial impedance in aortic valve stenosis: A cardiac magnetic resonance study
Authors: Soulat Gilles , Kachenoura Nadjia , Bollache Emilie , Perdrix Ludivine , Diebold Benoit , Zhygalina Valentina , Latremouille Christian , Laurent Stephane , Fabiani Jean‐Noel , Mousseaux Elie
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Valvuloarterial impedance (ZVA), estimating left ventricle (LV) afterload, has been proposed in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as a predictor of mortality in aortic valve stenosis (AVS). However, its calculation differs from arterial characteristic impedance (ZC). Our aim was to apply the concept of ZC calculation to estimate ZVA from MR with carotid tonometry and to evaluate these indices through their associations with symptoms, LV diastolic function and aortic stiffness.

Materials and Methods

In 40 patients with AVS (76 ± 13 years), ZVA‐TI derived from velocity time integral and E/Ea were estimated by TTE. ZVA‐INS, based on ZC formula, calculated as the instantaneous pressure gradient to peak flow ratio and aortic compliance were estimated by using MRI at 1.5 Tesla.

Results

Both ZVA estimates were higher in symptomatic than asymptomatic patients (707 ± 22 versus 579 ± 53 dyne.s/cm5, P = 0.031 for ZVA‐INS and 4.35 ± 0.16 versus 3.33 ± 0.38 mmHg.m2/mL, P = 0.018 for ZVA‐TI). Although they were both associated with aortic compliance (r = ‐0.45; P = 0.006 for ZVA‐INS and r = ‐0.43; P = 0.008 for ZVA‐TI) only ZVA‐INS was associated with E/Ea (r = 0.50; P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis to identify determinants of E/Ea, a model including age, mean blood pressure, LV ejection fraction, LV mass, and aortic valve area was performed (R2 = 0.41; P < 0.01). When ZVA‐INS was added to the model, its overall significance was higher R2 = 0.56 (P < 0.01) and ZVA‐INS and LV mass were the only significant determinants.

Conclusion

ZVA‐INS was more strongly associated with diastolic dysfunction than usual parameters quantifying AVS severity. This new ZVA estimate could improve LV afterload evaluation.

Level of Evidence: 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:795–803.
Plasmonic nano‐slits assisted polarization selective detour phase meta‐hologram
Authors: Min Changjun , Liu Jinpeng , Lei Ting , Si Guangyuan , Xie Zhenwei , Lin Jiao , Du Luping , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: October 2016

Traditional detour‐phase hologram is a powerful optical device for manipulating phase and amplitude of light, but it is usually not sensitive to the polarization of light. By introducing the light‐metasurface interaction mechanism to the traditional detour phase hologram, we design a novel plasmonic nano‐slits assisted polarization selective detour phase meta‐hologram, which has attractive advantages of polarization multiplexing ability, broadband response, and ultra‐compact size. The meta‐hologram relies on the dislocations of plasmonic slits to achieve arbitrary phase distributions, showing strong polarization selectivity to incident light due to the plasmonic response of deep‐subwavelength slits. To verify its polarization sensitive and broadband responses, we experimentally demonstrate two holographic patterns of an optical vortex and an Airy beam at p‐ and s‐polarized light with wavelengths of 532nm, 633nm and 780nm, respectively. Furthermore, we realize an application example of the meta‐hologram as a polarization multiplexed photonic device for multi‐channel optical angular momentum (OAM) generation and detection. Such meta‐holograms could find widespread applications in photonics, such as chip‐level beam shaping and high‐capacity OAM communication.

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Quantitative ultrashort TE imaging of the short‐T2 components in skeletal muscle using an extended echo‐subtraction method
Authors: C. A. Araujo Ericky , Azzabou N. , Vignaud A. , Guillot G. , Carlier P.G.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

To introduce an ultrashort echo time (UTE) based method for quantitative mapping of short‐T2 signals in skeletal muscle (SKM) in the presence of fat, with the aim of monitoring SKM fibrosis.

Methods

From a set of at least five UTE images of the same slice, a long‐
map, a fat‐fraction map, and a map of short‐T2‐signal fraction are extracted. The method was validated by numerical simulations and in vitro studies on collagen solutions. Finaly, the method was applied to image the short‐T2 signals in the leg of eight healthy volunteers.

Results

The imaged short‐T2‐signal fractions in the collagen solutions correlated with their respective collagen concentrations (
). Short‐T2 tissues such as cortical bone and fasciae were highlighted in the resulting short‐T2 fraction maps. A significant fraction of short‐T2 signal was systematically observed in the skeletal muscle of all of the subjects
.

Conclusion

The proposed method allows the quantitative imaging of short‐T2 components in tissues containing fat. By also having the fat‐fraction and
maps as outcomes, long‐T2 suppression is accomplished without requiring modifications to the basic UTE sequence. Although the hypersignal observed in the fasciae suggests that the short‐T2 signal observed in SKM might arise from interstitial connective tissue, further investigation is necessary to confirm this statement. Magn Reson Med 78:997–1008, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Fatal Injuries in a pre‐Hispanic Canary Mummy: Violence, Accident or Ritual Suicide?
Authors: Velasco‐Vázquez J. , Alberto‐Barroso V. , Delgado‐Darias T. , Santana‐Cabrera J.
Published: October 2016

Perimortem traumas have been identified in a pre‐Hispanic Canary mummy (fifth–sixth centuries cal AD). The location and nature of the fractures in the cranium, cervical vertebrae, ribs and both legs indicate a fall from a considerable height, which would have been the cause of death. Supported by forensic anthropology criteria and historical information about the population of origin, the circumstances in which the fatal injuries might have occurred are discussed. Given the pattern of the injuries, it is debated whether they were the result of an accident or a ritual suicide, as aggression is thought to be a less likely scenario. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Penetrating Spinal Injury: An Extraordinary Case of Survival in Early Neolithic Siberia
Authors: Lieverse A. R. , Cooper D. M. L. , Bazaliiskii V. I.
Published: October 2016

This paper presents the first archaeological case of long‐term survival following a penetrating spinal injury. The afflicted young adult male individual was recovered from an Early Neolithic hunter‐gatherer cemetery in the Baikal region of Siberia (Russian Federation), dating back nearly 8000 years. The second or third lumbar vertebra exhibits a lithic projectile point embedded in the right lamina, extending most of the way through the vertebral foramen, with evidence of extensive, if not complete, healing indicating survival for at least several months. Micro‐computed tomography imaging is used to non‐destructively visualize both the point and the bone in order to better understand the nature of the traumatic event, as well as the immediate and long‐term complications associated with this grave injury. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Step‐growth thiol–thiol photopolymerization as radiation curing technology
Authors: Feillée Noémi , De Fina Maurizio , Ponche Arnaud , Vaulot Cyril , Rigolet Séverinne , Jacomine Leandro , Majjad Hicham , Ley Christian , Chemtob Abraham
Published: October 2016

This report introduces a novel UV‐curing technology based on thiol–thiol coupling for polydisulfide network formation. Beginning with a model tris(3‐mercaptopropionate) trithiol monomer and xanthone propionic acid‐protected guanidine as photobase generator, a comprehensive characterization based on spectroscopic techniques supports the reaction of thiols into disulfides without side reactions. The best experimental conditions are described as regards to film thickness, irradiance, emission wavelength, and atmosphere composition. The results shed light on a step‐growth photopolymerization mechanism involving two steps: first, the formation of thiyl radicals by thiolate air oxidation or/and thiol photolysis, and second, their recombination into disulfide. By varying thiol functionality and structure, oligomer chain length and monomer/oligomer ratio, the network architecture can be finely tuned. The molecular mobility of the polydisulfide network is crucial to high thiol conversion rates and yields as revealed by 1H T2 NMR relaxation measurements. Ultimately, spatial control enables the formation of a photopatterned poly(disulfide) film, used as next‐generation high refractive index photoresist. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 117–128.
Structural characterization of a vegetable oil‐based polyol through liquid chromatography multistage mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Jiaxiao , Zhu Marcel
Published: October 2016

A commercial vegetable oil‐based polyol for rigid polyurethane foams has been characterized by liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐QIT‐MS). The absolute molecular weight (MW = 960) was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) equipped with both refractive index (RI) detector and static laser light‐scattering detector (SLSD), which allowed further analysis by LC‐MS. The oligo‐polyol mixture was first separated in two elutes and then investigated by a deep multistage mass spectrometry (MSn) study and completed using NMR. The major constituents identified were regioisomers of propoxylated sucrose (nPO = 6–12), and the related esters of C16:0, C18:1, and C18:2 fatty acids had a mass ratio of 6:3:1. A comparison of fatty acids composition between the sample and palm oil demonstrated that the sample was initially prepared from the mixture of sucrose and palm oil by direct propoxylation. The MSnfragmentation studies validated the structure of propoxylated sucrose and the related fatty acids derivatives. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem.2017,55, 255–262
Oncologists' communication about end of life: the relationship among secondary traumatic stress, compassion satisfaction, and approach and avoidance communication
Authors: Granek Leeat , Nakash Ora , Cohen Michal , Ben‐David Merav , Ariad Samuel
Published: October 2016

Background

Oncologists must communicate effectively with patients and their families about end of life (EOL). Despite the importance of communicating on this topic, many oncologists avoid these conversations. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction and approach and avoidant communication about EOL with cancer patients.

Methods

A convenience sample of 79 oncologists (n = 27 men, n = 52 women) participated in the study. Oncologists completed a survey that included a sociodemographic and clinical information questionnaire, the Professional Quality of Life Scale, and Communication about End of Life Survey. To examine the effect of secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction on approach and avoidant communication, while controlling for gender and age, 2 hierarchical linear regression analyses were computed.

Results

Oncologists reported high levels of secondary traumatic stress and high compassion satisfaction. Scores on the approach and avoidant communication scales were in the mid‐range of the scale. Lower reports of secondary traumatic stress and higher compassion satisfaction were associated with higher approach communication strategies: however, only higher secondary traumatic stress was associated with higher avoidant communication strategies.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that there is an association between emotional factors and approach communication. The findings have clinical implications in designing effective communication skills training. Further research and training should take secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction into consideration to be able to ensure that terminal patients and their families receive the best quality EOL care.