bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross‐Aldol Reaction of Isatin with Acetone Catalyzed by Leucinol: A Mechanistic Investigation
Authors: Kabeshov Mikhail A. , Kysilka Ondřej , Rulíšek Lubomír , Suleimanov Yury V. , Bella Marco , Malkov Andrei V. , Kočovský Pavel
Published: July 2015

Comprehensive mechanistic studies on the enantioselective aldol reaction between isatin (1 a) and acetone, catalyzed by L‐leucinol (3 a), unraveled that isatin, apart from being a substrate, also plays an active catalytic role. Conversion of the intermediate oxazolidine 4 into the reactive syn‐enamine 6, catalyzed by isatin, was identified as the rate‐determining step by both the calculations (ΔG≠=26.1 kcal mol−1 for the analogous L‐alaninol, 3 b) and the kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD=2.7 observed for the reaction using [D6]acetone). The subsequent reaction of the syn‐enamine 6 with isatin produces (S)‐2 a (calculated ΔG≠=11.6 kcal mol−1). The calculations suggest that the overall stereochemistry is controlled by two key events: 1) the isatin‐catalyzed formation of the syn‐enamine 6, which is thermodynamically favored over its anti‐rotamer 7 by 2.3 kcal mol−1; and 2) the high preference of the syn‐enamine 6 to produce (S)‐2 a on reaction with isatin (1 a) rather than its enantiomer (ΔΔG≠=2.6 kcal mol−1).
Towards Self‐Assembled Hybrid Artificial Cells: Novel Bottom‐Up Approaches to Functional Synthetic Membranes
Authors: Brea Roberto J. , Hardy Michael D. , Devaraj Neal K.
Published: July 2015

There has been increasing interest in utilizing bottom‐up approaches to develop synthetic cells. A popular methodology is the integration of functionalized synthetic membranes with biological systems, producing “hybrid” artificial cells. This Concept article covers recent advances and the current state‐of‐the‐art of such hybrid systems. Specifically, we describe minimal supramolecular constructs that faithfully mimic the structure and/or function of living cells, often by controlling the assembly of highly ordered membrane architectures with defined functionality. These studies give us a deeper understanding of the nature of living systems, bring new insights into the origin of cellular life, and provide novel synthetic chassis for advancing synthetic biology.
β‐Octamethoxy‐Substituted 22π and 26π Stretched Porphycenes: Synthesis, Characterization, Photodynamics, and Nonlinear Optical Studies
Authors: Rana Anup , Lee Sangsu , Kim Dongho , Panda Pradeepta K.
Published: July 2015

Three meso‐expanded tetrapyrrolic aromatic macrocycles, including 22π and 26π acetylene–cumulene bridged stretched octamethoxyporphycenes and octamethoxy[22]porphyrin‐(2.2.2.2), are reported, for the first time, by modification of previously reported synthetic methods. This strategy led to an enhancement in the overall yield of their corresponding octaethyl analogues. The methoxy‐substituted expanded porphycenes display slightly blueshifted absorption relative to their ethyl analogues, along with very weak fluorescence, probably due to efficient intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Additionally, the two‐photon absorption (TPA) cross sections of these macrocycles were evaluated; these are strongly related to core expansion of the porphyrin aromaticity through increased meso‐bridging carbon atoms as well as conformational flexibility and substitution effects at the macrocyclic periphery. In particular, the octamethoxy stretched porphycenes display strong TPA compared with the octaethyl analogues due to the dominant ICT character of methoxy groups with a maximum TPA cross section of 830 GM at 1700 nm observed for 26π‐octamethoxyacetylene–cumuleneporphycene.
Transparent Carbon Nanotube Network for Efficient Electrochemiluminescence Devices
Authors: Valenti Giovanni , Zangheri Martina , Sansaloni Sandra E. , Mirasoli Mara , Penicaud Alain , Roda Aldo , Paolucci Francesco
Published: July 2015

A carbon nanotube‐based electrode that combines transparency and good conductivity was used for the first time to develop an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) device. It resulted in an excellent material for ECL applications thanks to the very favorable overpotential of amine oxidation that represents the rate‐determining step for the signal generation in both research systems and commercial instrumentation. The use of carbon nanotubes resulted in a ten times higher emission efficiency compared with commercial transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. Moreover, application of this material for proof‐of‐principle ECL imaging was demonstrated, in which micro‐beads were used to mimic a real biological sample in order to prove the possibility of obtaining single cell visualization.
Identifying racial differences in nodular lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Flowers Christopher R. , Nastoupil Loretta J.
Published: July 2015

Nodular lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon, indolent lymphoma with few prospective clinical studies with which to guide clinical management, thereby producing controversies and conflicting data regarding the optimal management of this entity. This lack of consensus complicates the understanding of whether racial differences in patient management represent variations that may portend a worse outcome.
Randomized controlled trial of irinotecan drug‐eluting beads with simultaneous FOLFOX and bevacizumab for patients with unresectable colorectal liver‐limited metastasis
Authors: Martin Robert C. G. , Scoggins Charles R. , Schreeder Marshall , Rilling William S. , Laing Christopher J. , Tatum Clifton M. , Kelly Lawrence R. , Garcia‐Monaco Ricardo D. , Sharma Vivek R. , Crocenzi Todd S. , Strasberg Steven M.
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Reports have demonstrated the superior activity of combining both irinotecan and oxaliplatin (FOLFOXIRI) therapy. An option for gaining similar benefits with less toxicity would be the administration of irinotecan through a hepatic artery approach. The aim of this study was to assess the response and adverse event rates for irinotecan drug‐eluting beads (DEBIRI) with folinic acid, 5‐fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) and bevacizumab as a first‐line treatment for unresectable colorectal liver metastasis.

METHODS

Patients with colorectal liver metastases were randomly assigned to modified FOLFOX (mFOLFOX) and bevacizumab or mFOLFOX6, bevacizumab, and DEBIRI (FOLFOX‐DEBIRI). The primary endpoint was the response rate. The secondary endpoints were adverse events, the rate of conversion to resection, and progression‐free survival.

RESULTS

The intention‐to‐treat population comprised 70 patients: 10 patients in the pilot and then 30 patients randomly assigned to the FOLFOX‐DEBIRI arm and 30 patients randomly assigned to the FOLFOX/bevacizumab arm. The 2 groups were similar with respect to the extent of liver involvement (30% vs 30%), but a greater percentage of patients in the FOLFOX‐DEBIRI arm had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1 or 2 (57% vs 31%) and extrahepatic disease (56% vs 32%, P = .02). The median numbers of chemotherapy cycles were similar (10 vs 9), and there were similar rates of grade 3/4 adverse events (54% for the FOLFOX‐DEBIRI group vs 46% for the FOLFOX/bevacizumab group). The overall response rate was significantly greater in the FOLFOX‐DEBIRI arm versus the FOLFOX/bevacizumab arm at 2 (78% vs 54%, P = .02), 4 (95% vs 70%, P = .03), and 6 months (76% vs 60%, P = .05). There was significantly more downsizing to resection in the FOLFOX‐DEBIRI arm versus the FOLFOX/bevacizumab arm (35% vs 16%, P = .05), and there was improved median progression‐free survival (15.3 vs 7.6 months).

CONCLUSIONS

The simultaneous administration of mFOLFOX6 (with or without bevacizumab) and DEBIRI through the hepatic artery (FOLFOX‐DEBIRI) is safe and does not cause treatment delays or increase the systemic toxicity of chemotherapy. This strategy leads to improved overall response rates, improved hepatic progression‐free survival, and more durable overall progression‐free survival in patients downsized to resection. Cancer 2015. © 2015 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2015;121:3649–3658. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Prostate cancer, comorbidity, and the risk of venous thromboembolism: A cohort study of 44,035 Danish prostate cancer patients, 1995‐2011
Authors: Ording Anne G. , Horváth‐Puhó Erzsébet , Lash Timothy L. , Ehrenstein Vera , Borre Michael , Vyberg Mogens , Sørensen Henrik T.
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication of cancer. It is unknown whether comorbidity interacts clinically with prostate cancer (PC) to increase the VTE rate beyond that explained by PC and comorbidity alone, for example, by delaying diagnosis or precluding treatment.

METHODS

A nationwide, registry‐based cohort study of all 44,035 Danish patients diagnosed with PC from 1995 to 2011 and 213,810 men from the general population matched 5:1 on age, calendar time, and comorbidities. The authors calculated VTE rate ratios and the interaction contrast as a measure on the additive scale of the excess VTE rate explained by synergy between PC and comorbidity.

RESULTS

In total, 849 patients in the PC cohort and 2360 men from the general population had VTE during 5 years of follow‐up, and their risk of VTE was 2.2% and 1.3%, respectively. The 1‐year VTE standardized rate among PC patients who had high comorbidity levels was 15 per 1000 person‐years (PYs) (95% confidence interval, 6.8‐24 per 1000 PYs), and 29% of that rate was explained by an interaction between PC and comorbidity. The VTE risk was increased among older patients, those with metastases, those with high Gleason scores, those in the D'Amico high‐risk group, and those who underwent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

PC interacted clinically with high comorbidity levels and increased the VTE rate. Because of the large PC burden, reducing VTEs associated with comorbidities may have an impact on VTE risk and the potential to improve prognosis. Clinical interactions between high levels of comorbidity and PC on the risk of VTE were observed. Almost 30% of all episodes of VTE occurred among patients who had high levels of comorbidity. Cancer 2015;121:3692–3699. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Strongly Coupled PtNi0.3Co2.7O4 Hybrid Nanoflowers with Remarkably Enhanced Catalytic Performance
Authors: Wang Xiao , Liu Dapeng , Wang Fan , Li Junqi , Zhen Jiangman , Zhang Hongjie
Published: July 2015

The nonstoichiometric metal oxide Ni0.3Co2.7O4 served as a support for small‐sized Pt nanoparticles. The whole synthesis of the hybrid material can be kinetically controlled and no further surface‐modification treatment was required. More importantly, the as‐obtained strongly coupled PtNi0.3Co2.7O4 hybrid nanoflowers exhibit remarkably enhanced catalytic activities compared with PtNiO and PtCo3O4 hybrid samples. This result indicates that it is possible to optimize the catalytic performance of noble metals by using a nonstoichiometric metal oxides as a support instead of a stoichiometric metal oxide.
Mouse Genome Database: From sequence to phenotypes and disease models
Authors: Eppig Janan T. , Richardson Joel E. , Kadin James A. , Smith Cynthia L. , Blake Judith A. , Bult Carol J. ,   the MGD Team
Published: July 2015

The Mouse Genome Database (MGD, www.informatics.jax.org) is the international scientific database for genetic, genomic, and biological data on the laboratory mouse to support the research requirements of the biomedical community. To accomplish this goal, MGD provides broad data coverage, serves as the authoritative standard for mouse nomenclature for genes, mutants, and strains, and curates and integrates many types of data from literature and electronic sources. Among the key data sets MGD supports are: the complete catalog of mouse genes and genome features, comparative homology data for mouse and vertebrate genes, the authoritative set of Gene Ontology (GO) annotations for mouse gene functions, a comprehensive catalog of mouse mutations and their phenotypes, and a curated compendium of mouse models of human diseases. Here, we describe the data acquisition process, specifics about MGD's key data areas, methods to access and query MGD data, and outreach and user help facilities. genesis 53:458–473, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. Genesis Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Factor Structure of the Binge Eating Scale in a Large Sample of Obese and Overweight Patients Attending Low Energy Diet Therapy
Authors: Imperatori Claudio , Innamorati Marco , Lamis Dorian A. , Contardi Anna , Continisio Massimo , Castelnuovo Gianluca , Manzoni Gian Mauro , Fabbricatore Mariantonietta
Published: July 2015

In the present study, we evaluated the dimensionality and psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Binge Eating Scale (BES) in a 669 (127 men and 542 women) obese and overweight patients seeking weight loss treatment. All participants were administered the Italian version of the BES. Fit statistics for the alternative SEM models demonstrated that both the one‐factor and competing two‐factor models had a comparable fit to the data. Thus, we selected the one‐factor model as the most parsimonious. The BES had good internal consistency reliability (α = 0.89) with a moderate mean inter‐item correlation (rii = 0.34). Given that we were not able to clearly determine the best model among the competing two‐factor models and a comparable fit of these models with the one‐factor model, we have suggested that the one‐factor model is the best fitting model describing the dimensionality of the BES. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
A neural mediator of human anxiety sensitivity
Authors: Harrison Ben J. , Fullana Miquel A. , Soriano‐Mas Carles , Via Esther , Pujol Jesus , Martínez‐Zalacaín Ignacio , Tinoco‐Gonzalez Daniella , Davey Christopher G. , López‐Solà Marina , Pérez Sola Victor , Menchón José M. , Cardoner Narcís
Published: July 2015

Advances in the neuroscientific understanding of bodily autonomic awareness, or interoception, have led to the hypothesis that human trait anxiety sensitivity (AS)—the fear of bodily autonomic arousal—is primarily mediated by the anterior insular cortex. Despite broad appeal, few experimental studies have comprehensively addressed this hypothesis. We recruited 55 individuals exhibiting a range of AS and assessed them with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during aversive fear conditioning. For each participant, three primary measures of interest were derived: a trait Anxiety Sensitivity Index score; an in‐scanner rating of elevated bodily anxiety sensations during fear conditioning; and a corresponding estimate of whole‐brain functional activation to the conditioned versus nonconditioned stimuli. Using a voxel‐wise mediation analysis framework, we formally tested for ‘neural mediators’ of the predicted association between trait AS score and in‐scanner anxiety sensations during fear conditioning. Contrary to the anterior insular hypothesis, no evidence of significant mediation was observed for this brain region, which was instead linked to perceived anxiety sensations independently from AS. Evidence for significant mediation was obtained for the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex—a finding that we argue is more consistent with the hypothesized role of human cingulofrontal cortex in conscious threat appraisal processes, including threat‐overestimation. This study offers an important neurobiological validation of the AS construct and identifies a specific neural substrate that may underlie high AS clinical phenotypes, including but not limited to panic disorder. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3950–3958, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic influences on resting‐state functional networks: A twin study
Authors: Fu Yixiao , Ma Zhiwei , Hamilton Christina , Liang Zhifeng , Hou Xiao , Ma Xingshun , Hu Xiaomei , He Qian , Deng Wei , Wang Yingcheng , Zhao Liansheng , Meng Huaqing , Li Tao , Zhang Nanyin
Published: July 2015

Alterations in resting‐state networks (RSNs) are often associated with psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Given this critical linkage, it has been hypothesized that RSNs can potentially be used as endophenotypes for brain diseases. To validate this notion, a critical step is to show that RSNs exhibit heritability. However, the investigation of the genetic basis of RSNs has only been attempted in the default‐mode network at the region‐of‐interest level, while the genetic control on other RSNs has not been determined yet. Here, we examined the genetic and environmental influences on eight well‐characterized RSNs using a twin design. Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data in 56 pairs of twins were collected. The genetic and environmental effects on each RSN were estimated by fitting the functional connectivity covariance of each voxel in the RSN to the classic ACE twin model. The data showed that although environmental effects accounted for the majority of variance in wide‐spread areas, there were specific brain sites that showed significant genetic control for individual RSNs. These results suggest that part of the human brain functional connectome is shaped by genomic constraints. Importantly, this information can be useful for bridging genetic analysis and network‐level assessment of brain disorders. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3959–3972, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling and control strategies for anoxic biotrickling filtration in biogas purification
Authors: Almenglo Fernando , Ramírez Martín , Gómez José Manuel , Cantero Domingo , Gamisans Xavier , Dorado Antonio David
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Anoxic biotrickling filters have been used to 'sweeten' biogas. Nevertheless, the cost and availability of large amounts of nitrate could limit the use of this technology in comparison with aerobic biotrickling filters. The development of a dynamic mathematical model would be useful for the design of control strategies with regard to nitrate dosage.

RESULTS

A dynamic model has been developed to describe the performance of an anoxic biotrickling filter for biogas desulfurization. The model considers the most relevant phenomena involved in biotrickling filter operation: advection, absorption, diffusion and biodegradation. Moreover, a fraction of the liquid phase is stagnant – an assumption that increases the importance of diffusion phenomena for low liquid flow rates. Once the model had been validated, six control strategies were analyzed for different scenarios and purposes: i.e. to minimize nitrate consumption and/or to maximize H2S removal efficiency.

CONCLUSION

The mathematical model developed from the description of the phenomena involved in the process is a powerful tool to evaluate all possible strategies when considering and quantifying the savings and improvements in different operating modes. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Factors Influencing Pastoral and Agropastoral Household Vulnerability to Food Insecurity in the Drylands of Kenya: A Case Study of Kajiado and Makueni Counties
Authors: Amwata Dorothy A. , Nyariki Dickson M. , Musimba Nashon R. K.
Published: July 2015

This study establishes the determinants of household vulnerability to food insecurity in pastoral households of Kajiado and agropastoral households of Makueni Counties of Kenya. A randomly selected sample of 198 households was interviewed. Descriptive analysis showed that pastoral households of Kajiado County were more vulnerable to food insecurity (VFI) with a VFI of 0.59 than agropastoral households in Makueni County, who had a VFI of 0.27. Further, a two stage least squares approach established that vulnerability of households to food insecurity is determined by land size, household size, rainfall and herd size for Makueni County and access to climate information, herd size, off‐farm employment and gender of the household head for Kajiado County. The findings imply that Makueni County needs access to and control over land resources, destocking through improved livestock breeds and creation of a microclimate to enhance rainfall levels. For Kajiado County, policies need to promote access to climate information, diversification of livelihoods and female access to production resources. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced‐fluidity liquid chromatography using mixed‐mode hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/strong cation‐exchange retention mechanisms
Authors: Beres Martin J. , Olesik Susan V.
Published: July 2015

The potential of enhanced‐fluidity liquid chromatography, a subcritical chromatography technique, in mixed‐mode hydrophilic interaction/strong cation‐exchange separations is explored, using amino acids as analytes. The enhanced‐fluidity liquid mobile phases were prepared by adding liquefied CO2 to methanol/water mixtures, which increases the diffusivity and decreases the viscosity of the mixture. The addition of CO2 to methanol/water mixtures resulted in increased retention of the more polar amino acids. The “optimized” chromatographic performance (achieving baseline resolution of all amino acids in the shortest amount of time) of these methanol/water/CO2 mixtures was compared to traditional acetonitrile/water and methanol/water liquid chromatography mobile phases. Methanol/water/CO2 mixtures offered higher efficiencies and resolution of the ten amino acids relative to the methanol/water mobile phase, and decreased the required isocratic separation time by a factor of two relative to the acetonitrile/water mobile phase. Large differences in selectivity were also observed between the enhanced‐fluidity and traditional liquid mobile phases. A retention mechanism study was completed, that revealed the enhanced‐fluidity mobile phase separation was governed by a mixed‐mode retention mechanism of hydrophilic interaction/strong cation‐exchange. On the other hand, separations with acetonitrile/water and methanol/water mobile phases were strongly governed by only one retention mechanism, either hydrophilic interaction or strong cation exchange, respectively.
Interlaboratory study to evaluate the robustness of capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry for peptide mapping
Authors: Wenz Christian , Barbas Coral , López‐Gonzálvez Ángeles , Garcia Antonia , Benavente Fernando , Sanz‐Nebot Victoria , Blanc Tim , Freckleton Gordon , Britz‐McKibbin Philip , Shanmuganathan Meera , de l'Escaille Francois , Far Johann , Haselberg Rob , Huang Sean , Huhn Carolin , Pattky Martin , Michels David , Mou Si , Yang Feng , Neusuess Christian , Tromsdorf Nora , Baidoo Edward E.K. , Keasling Jay D. , Park SungAe Suhr
Published: July 2015

A collaborative study on the robustness and portability of a capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry method for peptide mapping was performed by an international team, consisting of 13 independent laboratories from academia and industry. All participants used the same batch of samples, reagents and coated capillaries to run their assays, whereas they utilized the capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry equipment available in their laboratories. The equipment used varied in model, type and instrument manufacturer. Furthermore, different types of sheath‐flow capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry interfaces were used. Migration time, peak height and peak area of ten representative target peptides of trypsin‐digested bovine serum albumin were determined by every laboratory on two consecutive days. The data were critically evaluated to identify outliers and final values for means, repeatability (precision within a laboratory) and reproducibility (precision between laboratories) were established. For relative migration time the repeatability was between 0.05 and 0.18% RSD and the reproducibility between 0.14 and 1.3% RSD. For relative peak area repeatability and reproducibility values obtained were 3–12 and 9–29% RSD, respectively. These results demonstrate that capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry is robust enough to allow a method transfer across multiple laboratories and should promote a more widespread use of peptide mapping and other capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry applications in biopharmaceutical analysis and related fields.
Prevention of post‐traumatic reinnervation with microtubule inhibitors
Authors: Park Andrea M. , Dhanda Patil Reena , Paniello Randal C.
Published: July 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

Functional recovery after a recurrent laryngeal nerve or facial nerve injury may be impaired due to aberrant reinnervation. Previous work in a rat peripheral nerve injury model found vincristine to be a potent inhibitor of reinnervation, and it has since been used to effectively block neural regeneration in other animal models. However, vincristine's narrow therapeutic index may limit its utility; therefore, another microtubule inhibitor, paclitaxel, which has a higher therapeutic index, was tested.

Study Design

Animal (rat) study.

Methods

After controlled injury to the rat posterior tibial (PT) nerve, the gastrocnemius/soleus complex was injected with saline (control, n = 14), vincristine (n = 30), or paclitaxel (n = 20). Injections without a crush injury were performed using saline (n = 5) or paclitaxel (n = 9). The functional recovery (FR) of the PT nerve was assessed using walking track analysis.

Results

At 6 weeks, controls had already recovered to baseline (FR = 1.0), whereas the paclitaxel group had FR = 0.724 ± 0.064 and the vincristine group had FR = 0.709 ± 0.078. At 6 months, the paclitaxel rats had FR = 0.798 ± 0.167 and the vincristine rats had FR = 0.754 ± 0.240. These differences were significantly different from baseline, but the two agents were not different from each other. Paclitaxel did not affect the FR in the absence of a nerve injury.

Conclusions

Intramuscular paclitaxel and vincristine both significantly inhibit regeneration of the PT nerve after crush injury for at least 6 months. Potential clinical uses of inhibition of reinnervation are discussed.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 125:E333–E337, 2015
Evaluating hypertrophic thyroidectomy scar outcomes after treatment with triamcinolone injections and copper bromide laser therapy
Authors: On Hye Rang , Lee Sang Hee , Lee Yong Sang , Chang Hang‐Seok , Park CheongSoo , Roh Mi Ryung
Published: July 2015

Background and Objectives

Postoperative hypertrophic scar following thyroidectomy can be a major concern due to its disfiguring appearance. Recently, copper bromide laser (CBL) and intralesional triamcinolone injection (TA ILI) have been used to treat hypertrophic thyroidectomy scars. Data regarding the number of treatment sessions needed to reach a certain endpoint and the prognostic factors that affect treatment duration are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of treatment sessions required to reduce VSS score by 50%, which was regarded as the treatment endpoint, and to investigate the factors that influence treatment duration when using CBL and TA ILI.

Materials and Methods

A total of 67 patients were enrolled in this study. Baseline characteristics of the patients including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), distance of the scar from the sternal notch, time of development of the hypertrophic scar, sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle prominence, and date of operation were collected on the first visit. They were treated with CBL and TA. The concentration of triamcinolone used was 2.5 mg/ml or 5 mg/ml according to the pliability score of each scar.

Results

The mean number of treatment sessions required to achieve the endpoint was 3.85 ± 1.25. Among the variables assessed, location of the scar near the sternal notch (P = 0.020) and patient BMI (P = 0.001) were associated with the increasing number of treatment sessions.

Conclusion

In our study cohort, four treatments were required to reduce the VSS of thyroidectomy scars by 50% when using a combination treatment of CBL and low concentration TA ILI. Also, scar location and patient BMI are factors that affect treatment outcome. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:479–484, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) applied prior to muscle injury
Authors: Ribeiro Beatriz Guimarães , Alves Agnelo Neves , Santos Lucas Andreo Dias dos , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , Cantero Tatiane Matarazzo , Gomes Mariana Teixeira , França Cristiane Miranda , de Fátima Teixeira da Silva Daniela , Bussadori Sandra Kalil , Mesquita‐Ferrari Raquel Agnelli
Published: July 2015

Aim

To evaluate the effect of LLLT (780 nm; 10 J/cm2, 40 mW, 3.2 J) prior to injury on the morphological analysis, collagen deposition, and activity of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2).

Methods

Wistar rats were divided into groups: control; sham; only LLLT; only muscle injury and LLLT + injury. The rats were euthanized at 1, 3, and 7 days following cryoinjury to muscle that was removed for analysis.

Results

LLLT applied prior to muscle injury led to a reduction in myonecrosis and inflammatory cells, an increase of blood vessels and immature muscle fibers. An increase in MMP‐2 activity and a decrease in collagen deposition were also found, with a better collagen organization and distribution.

Conclusion

LLLT applied immediately prior to injury had positive effects during the muscle regeneration process. Therefore, this resource may have considerable therapeutic value, especially for athletes who practice sports in which there is a constant risk of muscle injury. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:571–578, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Extended Flory Distribution for Kinetically Controlled Step‐Growth Polymerizations Perturbed by Intramolecular Reactions
Authors: Proppe Jonny
Published: July 2015

This work reconsiders a refined Flory model designed to approximately describe molar‐mass distributions obtained from irreversible step‐growth polymerizations of α,ω‐heterodifunctional molecules with competing cyclization. By comparing to both quantitative analytical and accurate numerical solutions, we show that the refined Flory model is a reasonable approximation that allows for an intuitive understanding of the chemical system discussed. Building upon this insight, we present a recursive transformation of the refined Flory model by probabilistic means resulting in Szymanski's quantitative description of molar‐mass distributions.
Growth of Polyethylene Nanofibrils Over rac‐Et(Indenyl)2ZrCl2/MAO Catalyst Supported on Silica Nanotubes
Authors: Lee Sang Yool , Han Joong Jin , Lee Sang Bok , Choi Kyu Yong
Published: July 2015

The morphology of polyethylene synthesized over rac‐Et(indenyl)2ZrCl2/MAO catalyst supported on silica nanotubes of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template and on liberated silica nanotubes have been studied. A silica nanotube is quickly filled up with polymer, which extrudes out to the bulk liquid phase as nanofibrils of 30–35 nm diameter with high crystallinity. When silica nanotubes are liberated from the AAO template and deposited with catalysts, the polyethylene nanofibrils formed at the outer surface of the silica nanotubes also grow as 30–35 nm diameter fibrils and they quickly entangle to a mass of polymers in the liquid phase. The liberated silica nanotube reactors showed much higher ethylene polymerization activity than the micro silica particle‐supported catalyst.
Magnetisch, nano, funktionalisiert
Authors: Eichenseer Corina M. , Reiser Oliver
Published: July 2015

In magnetischen Nanopartikeln als Träger von Katalysatoren steckt noch viel ungenutztes Potenzial. Sie bilden eine Brücke zwischen homogener und heterogener Katalyse.
Jeden Einsatz wert
Authors: Bengs Holger
Published: July 2015

Die Finanzierung der deutschen Biotechindustrie lohnt sich für die gesamte Volkswirtschaft. Dafür sind mehr mutige Kapitalgeber nötig.
Validity of diagnostic codes and laboratory measurements to identify patients with idiopathic acute liver injury in a hospital database
Authors: Udo Renate , Maitland‐van der Zee Anke H. , Egberts Toine C. G. , den Breeijen Johanna H. , Leufkens Hubert G. M. , van Solinge Wouter W. , De Bruin Marie L.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

The development and validation of algorithms to identify cases of idiopathic acute liver injury (ALI) are essential to facilitate epidemiologic studies on drug‐induced liver injury. The aim of this study is to determine the ability of diagnostic codes and laboratory measurements to identify idiopathic ALI cases.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional validation study, patients were selected from the hospital‐based Utrecht Patient Oriented Database between 2008 and 2010. Patients were identified using (I) algorithms based on ICD‐9‐CM codes indicative of idiopathic ALI combined with sets of liver enzyme values (ALT > 2× upper limit of normal (ULN); AST > 1ULN + AP > 1ULN + bilirubin > 1ULN; ALT > 3ULN; ALT > 3ULN + bilirubin > 2ULN; ALT > 10ULN) and (II) algorithms based on solely liver enzyme values (ALT > 3ULN + bilirubin > 2ULN; ALT > 10ULN). Hospital medical records were reviewed to confirm final diagnosis. The positive predictive value (PPV) of each algorithm was calculated.

Results

A total of 707 cases of ALI were identified. After medical review 194 (27%) patients had confirmed idiopathic ALI. The PPV for (I) algorithms with an ICD‐9‐CM code as well as abnormal tests ranged from 32% (13/41) to 48% (43/90) with the highest PPV found with ALT > 2ULN. The PPV for (II) algorithms with liver test abnormalities was maximally 26% (150/571).

Conclusions

The algorithm based on ICD‐9‐CM codes indicative of ALI combined with abnormal liver‐related laboratory tests is the most efficient algorithm for identifying idiopathic ALI cases. However, cases were missed using this algorithm, because not all ALI cases had been assigned the relevant diagnostic codes in daily practice. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association between drug‐specific indicators of prescribing quality and quality of drug treatment: a validation study
Authors: Wallerstedt Susanna M. , Belfrage Björn , Fastbom Johan
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To evaluate the concurrent validity of three European sets of drug‐specific indicators of prescribing quality

Methods

In 200 hip fracture patients (≥65 years), consecutively recruited to a randomized controlled study in Sahlgrenska University Hospital in 2009, quality of drug treatment at study entry was assessed according to a gold standard as well as to three drug‐specific indicator sets (Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, French consensus panel list, and German PRISCUS list). As gold standard, two specialist physicians independently assessed and then agreed on the quality for each patient, after initial screening with STOPP (Screening Tool of Older Persons' potentially inappropriate Prescriptions) and START (Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment).

Results

According to the Swedish, French, and German indicator sets, 82 (41%), 54 (27%), and 43 (22%) patients had potentially inappropriate drug treatment. A total of 141 (71%) patients had suboptimal drug treatment according to the gold standard. The sensitivity for the indicator sets was 0.51 (95% confidence interval: 0.43; 0.59), 0.33 (0.26; 0.41), and 0.29 (0.22; 0.37), respectively. The specificity was 0.83 (0.72; 0.91), 0.88 (0.77; 0.94), and 0.97 (0.88; 0.99). Suboptimal drug treatment was 2.0 (0.8; 5.3), 1.9 (0.7; 5.1), and 6.1 (1.3; 28.6) times as common in patients with potentially inappropriate drug treatment according to the indicator sets, after adjustments for age, sex, cognition, residence, multi‐dose drug dispensing, and number of drugs.

Conclusions

In this setting, the indicator sets had high specificity and low sensitivity. This needs to be considered upon use and interpretation. Copyright © 2015 The Authors Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The water‐promoted Diels–Alder reaction in quaternary ammonium salts
Authors: Nagare Amit S. , Manna Arpan , Sonawane Pramod D. , Kumar Anil
Published: July 2015

Prevailing classification of salts based on their effect in solubility and stability of proteins in aqueous solution predicts that tetraalkylammonium salts, guanidinium chloride (GnCl), LiClO4 act as salting‐in (S/I) and LiCl, NaCl act as salting‐out (S/O) in aqueous conditions. In the same context the behaviour of GnCl, LiClO4 and LiCl are contradictory in polar solvents like ethylene glycol and formamide. In these solvents, expected salt effect shows just opposite nature from their usual expectation. However, in the aqueous solution salts like tetraalkylammonium halide (R4NX, R = alkyl group, X = Br group) behave like salting‐in salts. The physicochemical origin of the salting in effect of R4NX type of salts has been discussed elaborately in the present work. The role of cations in terms of substitution of various alkyl groups on R4NX has been systematically presented here on the basis of experimental kinetic and thermodynamic studies. The abnormal behaviour of R4NX salts in aqueous solution has also been explained by the Setschenov equation (ks) and Δμsolvation values, which highlights their individual nature out of common properties of R4NX. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AC conductivity analysis and dielectric relaxation behavior of (C6H20N3)BiBr6.H2O
Authors: Elfaleh Nizar , Chouaib H. , Kamoun S. , Graça M. P. F.
Published: July 2015

The N‐(3‐ammoniumpropyl)‐1,3 diammoniumpropane hexabromobismuthate (III) monohydrate exhibits a structural phase transition at T = 330 °K, which has been characterized by differential scanning calorimetric. The alternating current electrical conductivity and the dielectric relaxation properties of the (C6H20N3)BiBr6.H2O compound have been investigated by means of impedance spectroscopy measurements over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures, 100 Hz–1 MHz and 290–355 °K, respectively. The Z′ and Z″ versus frequency plots are well fitted to an equivalent circuit consisting of series of combination of grains and grain boundary elements. The frequency dependent alternating current conductivity is well described by Jonscher's universal power law: σ(ω,T) = σDC(T) + A(T)ωs(T). The nature of direct current conductivity variation suggests the Arrhenius type of electrical conductivity. Furthermore, the modulus plots can be characterized by full width at half height or in terms of a non‐experiential decay function φ(t) = exp(−t/τ)β. The variation of the value of these elements with temperatures confirmed the result detected by differential scanning calorimetry measurements. Thus, the near values of activation energies obtained from the impedance and modulus spectra confirm that the transport is through an ion hopping mechanism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic analysis of integrin‐associated complexes from mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Ajeian Jila N. , Horton Edward R. , Astudillo Pablo , Byron Adam , Askari Janet A. , Millon‐Frémillon Angélique , Knight David , Kimber Susan J. , Humphries Martin J. , Humphries Jonathan D.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capability to differentiate down adipocyte, osteocyte and chondrocyte lineages and as such offer a range of potential therapeutic applications. The composition and stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) environment that surrounds cells dictates their transcriptional programme, thereby affecting stem cell lineage decision‐making. Cells sense force via linkages between themselves and their microenvironment, and this is transmitted by integrin receptors and associated adhesion signalling complexes. To identify regulators of MSC force sensing, we sought to catalogue MSC integrin‐associated adhesion complex composition.

Experimental design

Adhesion complexes formed by MSCs plated on the ECM ligand fibronectin were isolated and characterised by MS. Identified proteins were interrogated by comparison to a literature‐based reference set of cell adhesion‐related components and using ontological and protein–protein interaction network analyses.

Results

Adhesion complex‐specific proteins in MSCs were identified that comprised predominantly cell adhesion‐related adaptors and actin cytoskeleton regulators. Furthermore, LIM domain‐containing proteins in MSC adhesion complexes were highlighted, which may act as force‐sensing components.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

These data provide a valuable resource of information regarding the molecular connections that link integrins and adhesion signalling in MSCs, and as such may present novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
Crystal orientations of β‐Ga2O3 thin films formed on n‐plane sapphire substrates
Authors: Nakagomi Shinji , Kaneko Satoru , Kokubun Yoshihiro
Published: July 2015

We have used X‐ray pole figure analysis to study crystal orientations of β‐Ga2O3 thin films deposited on (113) n‐plane sapphire substrates by gallium evaporation in oxygen plasma. The films were strongly (−201)‐oriented. However, the (−201) plane of β‐Ga2O3 on the (113) n‐plane sapphire was inclined along the (110) a‐plane. Crystals of (−201)‐oriented β‐Ga2O3 exhibit a threefold symmetry in which the β‐Ga2O3 crystal is rotated by increments of 120° from the direction of the c‐axis on the a‐plane of sapphire. The crystal orientation of β‐Ga2O3 was explained by comparing oxygen atom arrangements on the β‐Ga2O3 plane in three different configurations and on the (113) n‐plane sapphire substrates.
A EWMA Control Chart for Exponential Distributed Quality Based on Moving Average Statistics
Authors: Khan Nasrullah , Aslam Muhammad , Jun Chi‐Hyuck
Published: July 2015

We propose an exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart for monitoring exponential distributed quality characteristics. The proposed control chart first transforms the sample data to approximate normal variables, then calculates the moving average (MA) statistic for each subgroup, and finally constructs the EWMA statistic based on the current and the previous MA statistics. The upper and the lower control limits are derived using the mean and the variance of EWMA statistics. The in‐control and the out‐of‐control average run lengths are derived and tabularized according to process shift parameters and smoothing constants. It is shown that the proposed control chart outperforms the MA control chart for all shift parameters. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gas‐phase conformations of capistruin – comparison of lasso, branched‐cyclic and linear topologies
Authors: Jeanne Dit Fouque Kevin , Lavanant Hélène , Zirah Séverine , Lemoine Jérôme , Rebuffat Sylvie , Tabet Jean‐Claude , Kulesza Alexander , Afonso Carlos , Dugourd Philippe , Chirot Fabien
Published: July 2015

Rationale

Capistruin is a peptide synthesized by Burkholderia thailandensis E264, which displays a lasso topology. This knot‐like structure confers interesting properties to peptides (e.g. antibacterial). Therefore, it is important to evaluate the sensitivity of structural characterization methods to such topological constraints.

Methods

Ion mobility mass spectrometry (IMS‐MS) experiments, using both drift tube and travelling wave instruments, were performed on lasso capistruin and on peptides with the same sequence, but displaying a branched‐cyclic (un‐threaded) or linear topology. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were then performed to further interpret the IMS results in terms of conformation.

Results

The collision cross sections (CCSs) measured via IMS for the different forms of capistruin were found to be similar, despite their different topologies for the doubly charged species, but significant differences arise as the charge state is increased. MD simulations for the doubly charged linear peptide were consistent with the hypothesis that salt bridges are present in the gas phase. Moreover, through CCS measurements for peptides with site‐specific mutations, the arginine residue at position 11 was found to play a major role in the stabilization of compact structures for the linear peptide.

Conclusions

Differences in peptide topologies did not yield marked signatures in their respective IMS spectra. Such signatures were only visible for relatively high charge states, that allow Coulomb repulsion to force unfolding. At low charge states, the topologically unconstrained linear form of capistruin was found to adopt charge solvation‐constrained structures, possibly including salt bridges, with CCSs comparable to those measured for the topologically constrained lasso form. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermodynamic study of gaseous tin molybdates by high‐temperature mass spectrometry
Authors: Shugurov Sergey M. , Panin Andrej I. , Lopatin Sergey I. , Emelyanova Ksenia A.
Published: July 2015

Rationale

Molybdenum and tin are components of various construction materials which are often used at high temperature and in an oxidizing atmosphere. Oxides of molybdenum and tin, with their high reactivity, can, in their turn, form a number of gaseous compounds. To predict the possibility of the existence of gaseous associates formed by tin and molybdenum oxides it is important to know their thermodynamic characteristics. Until the present investigation only a few gaseous salts of tin were known.

Methods

High‐temperature Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry was used to determine the partial pressures of vapor species over the SnO2–MoO3 system. The formation enthalpies of gaseous SnMoO4, Sn2MoO5 and SnMo2O7 were derived. Measurements were performed with a MS‐1301 mass spectrometer. Vaporization was carried out using a molybdenum effusion cell containing the samples under study and pure gold as the reference substance. A theoretical study of gaseous tin molybdates was performed by several quantum chemical methods: wave function based explicitly correlated F12 methods and DFT M06 methods.

Results

In the temperature range of 1200–1400 K, SnO, Sn2O2, SnMoO4, Sn2MoO5, SnMo2O7, MoO3, Mo2O6 and Mo3O9 were found to be the main vapor species over the samples studied. On the basis of the equilibrium constants of gaseous reactions, the standard formation enthalpies of gaseous SnMoO4 (–699 ± 29 kJ/mol), Sn2MoO5 (–1001 ± 38 kJ/mol) and SnMo2O7 (–1456 ± 60 kJ/mol) at 298 K were determined. Energetically favorable structures were found and vibrational frequencies were evaluated in the harmonic approximation.

Conclusions

The stability of gaseous species, SnMoO4, Sn2MoO5 and SnMo2O7, was confirmed by high‐temperature mass spectrometry. A number of gas‐phase reactions involving tin‐containing gaseous salts were studied. The enthalpies of reactions of gaseous tin molybdates were evaluated theoretically and the obtained values are in agreement with those obtained experimentally. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Search and Rescue Rotary‐Wing UAV and Its Application to the Lushan Ms 7.0 Earthquake
Authors: Qi Juntong , Song Dalei , Shang Hong , Wang Nianfa , Hua Chunsheng , Wu Chong , Qi Xin , Han Jianda
Published: July 2015

Rapid search and rescue responses after earthquakes or in postseismic evaluation tend to be extremely difficult. To solve this problem, we summarized the requirements of search and rescue rotary‐wing unmanned aerial vehicle (SR‐RUAV) systems according to related works, manual earthquake search and rescue, and our knowledge to guide our research works. Based on these requirements, a series of research and technical works have been conducted to present an efficient SR‐RUAV system. To help rescue teams locate interested areas quickly, a collapsed‐building detecting approach that integrates low‐altitude statistical image processing methods was proposed, which can increase survival rates by detecting collapsed buildings in a timely manner. The entire SR‐RUAV system was illustrated by simulated earthquake response experiments in the China National Training Base for Search and Rescue (CNTBSR) from 2008 to 2010. On April 20, 2013, Lushan (China) experienced a disastrous earthquake (magnitude 7.0). Because of the distribution of buildings in the rural areas, it was impossible to implement a rapid search and postseismic evaluation via ground searching. We provided our SR‐RUAV to the Chinese International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) and accurately detected collapsed buildings for ground rescue guidance at low altitudes. This system was significantly improved with respect to its searching/planning strategy and vision‐based evaluation in different environments based on the lessons learned from actual missions after the earthquake. The SR‐RUAV has proved to be applicable and time saving. The physical structure, searching and planning strategy, image‐processing algorithm, and improvements in real missions are described in detail in this study.