bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenomics reveals surprising sets of essential and dispensable clades of MIKCc‐group MADS‐box genes in flowering plants
Authors: Gramzow Lydia , Theißen Günter
Published: February 2015

MIKCC‐group MADS‐box genes are involved in the control of many developmental processes in flowering plants. All of these genes are members of one of 17 clades that had already been established in the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of extant angiosperms. These clades trace back to 11 seed plant‐specific superclades that were present in the MRCA of extant seed plants. Due to their important role in plant development and evolution, the origin of the clades of MIKCC‐group genes has been studied in great detail. In contrast, whether any of these ancestral clades has ever been lost completely in any species has not been investigated so far. Here, we determined the presence of these clades by BLAST, PSI‐BLAST, and Hidden Markov Model searches and by phylogenetic methods in the whole genomes of 27 flowering plants. Our data suggest that there are only three superclades of which all members have been lost in at least one of the investigated flowering plant species, and only few additional losses of angiosperm‐specific MIKCC‐group gene clades could be identified. Remarkably, for one seed plant superclade (TM8‐like genes) and one angiosperm clade (FLC‐like genes), multiple losses were identified, suggesting that the function of these genes is dispensable or that gene loss might have even been adaptive. The clades of MIKCC‐group genes that have never been wiped out in any of the investigated species comprises, in addition to the expected floral organ identity genes, also TM3‐like (SOC1‐like), StMADS11‐like (SVP‐like), AGL17‐like and GGM13‐like (Bsister) genes, suggesting that these genes are more important for angiosperm development and evolution than has previously been appreciated. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 353–362, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthetic Routes to Pyrazole‐3(5)‐carboxylates
Authors: Khidre Rizk E. , Abdel‐Wahab Bakr F. , Farahat Abdelbasset A. , Mohamed Hanan A.
Published: February 2015

The data on the synthetic methods of the pyrazole‐3(5)‐carboxylates published over the last years are reviewed here for the first time.
Effect of SXWS/WSXWS peptides on chemotaxis and adhesion of the macrophage‐like cell line J774
Authors: Szabó Rita , Láng Orsolya , Láng Júlia , Illyés Eszter , Kőhidai László , Hudecz Ferenc
Published: February 2015

WSXWS motif is a conserved amino acid sequence that is present in type I cytokine receptors. This motif that can be found both in the ligand binding chains and signal transducer molecule of the receptors with different amino acids at the position “X” plays a role in the receptor folding, ligand binding and signal transduction as well. Structural analysis proved that WSEWS motif of IL‐6R is located in a highly accessible location in the protein. Structural properties and chemotaxis of a tetrapeptide library with SXWS sequence, where X was the 19 proteinogenic amino acids except cystein were systematically studied earlier. It has been proved that C‐terminal amidation and the identity of amino acid X had a pronounced influence on the chemotactic properties but less of the structure of the peptides. Here, we present our findings on the effect of a tetrapeptide and a pentapeptide library with the sequence of SXWS and WSXWS on the chemotaxis and adhesion of J774 murine macrophage cell line. We studied the effect of the presence/absence of N‐terminal tryptophan and the different amino acids at the X position on these physiological responses. Results indicated that amino acid X had a marked influence on chemotaxis, adhesion as well as on proliferation induced by (W)SXWS peptides. Elongation of SXWS sequence with a tryptophan at the N terminus also altered pronouncedly all the physiological responses of the cells studied. A good correlation could be observed between the chemotaxis and the proliferation and physicochemical parameters of the amino acid X. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiparametric analysis of bone marrow in cancer patients using simultaneous PET/MR imaging: Correlation of fat fraction, diffusivity, metabolic activity, and anthropometric data
Authors: Schraml Christina , Schmid Marinus , Gatidis Sergios , Schmidt Holger , la Fougère Christian , Nikolaou Konstantin , Schwenzer Nina F.
Published: February 2015

Background

To analyze the regional composition of bone marrow (BM) in correlation with metabolic activity and diffusivity using simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET)/MRI.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 18F‐FDG‐PET/MR scans of 110 patients was performed. A three‐dimensional gradient‐echo sequence with Dixon‐based fat–water separation was used for fat quantification. Dixon images, diffusion‐weighted images (DWI) and 18F‐FDG‐PET were co‐registered. Mean values of fat fraction (FF), standardized uptake value (SUV), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of BM were measured in different anatomical regions. Correlation of FF, SUV, and ADC and association of BM fat content and metabolic activity with anthropometric data was analyzed (Pearson). BM fat content and metabolic activity was compared in patients with and without chemotherapy (t‐test).

Results

Regional differences in BM were found with highest fat content (93 ± 8%) and lowest ADC (0.22 ± 0.18 × 10−3 mm2/s) in the peripheral skeleton and highest SUV in the spine (1.77 ± 0.6). There was a significant inverse correlation between FF and SUV (r = −0.73; P < 0.0001) and a significant inverse correlation between FF and ADC (r = −0.62; P < 0.0001). In patients with chemotherapy, a tendency to higher fat content and lower metabolic activity was observed in the proximal skeleton, although no statistical significance was reached.

Conclusion

BM shows distinct regional variations in FF, SUV, and ADC. The inverse correlation of FF and SUV in BM suggests that BM adipose tissue does not have a comparable high metabolic activity as brown adipose tissue. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:1048–1056.
The role of general nuclear medicine in breast cancer
Authors: Greene Lacey R. , Wilkinson Deborah
Published: February 2015

The rising incidence of breast cancer worldwide has prompted many improvements to current care. Routine nuclear medicine is a major contributor to a full gamut of clinical studies such as early lesion detection and stratification; guiding, monitoring, and predicting response to therapy; and monitoring progression, recurrence or metastases. Developments in instrumentation such as the high‐resolution dedicated breast device coupled with the diagnostic versatility of conventional cameras have reinserted nuclear medicine as a valuable tool in the broader clinical setting. This review outlines the role of general nuclear medicine, concluding that targeted radiopharmaceuticals and versatile instrumentation position nuclear medicine as a powerful modality for patients with breast cancer.
Hot Central‐European summer of 2013 in a long‐term context
Authors: Lhotka Ondřej , Kyselý Jan
Published: February 2015

The European summer of 2013 was characterized by very high temperatures that established a new historical maximum in Austria. The extremity of this summer in Europe is assessed based on the E‐OBS and ECA&D data sets. At the continental scale, it is ranked as the fifth warmest summer since 1951, with large positive temperature anomalies over Central Europe. According to seasonal heat wave characteristics, the 2013 summer was unprecedented in Kremsmuenster and Graz (both Austria) and ranked as the second or third at other stations with at least 100 years of measurements in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia and Slovenia. The most intense 2013 heat wave over Central Europe in early August was driven primarily by anticyclonic conditions and was probably amplified by the preceding precipitation deficit. In combination with major flooding in the Danube and Elbe river basins in early June and severe convective storms at the end of July, the hot 2013 summer in Central Europe may represent an analogue of a future summer climate that will probably be more prone to both temperature and precipitation extremes.
Interannual summer streamflow variability over Romania and its connection to large‐scale atmospheric circulation
Authors: Ionita M.
Published: February 2015

In this study, the spatial and temporal variability of summer (June–July–August, JJA) streamflow over Romania, as recorded at 46 hydrological stations over the period 1935–2010 is analysed. An empirical orthogonal function analysis and a canonical correlation analysis (CCA) were used to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of summer streamflow and its relationship with large‐scale atmospheric factors. The dominant summer mode captures in‐phase variability of river flow anomalies over the entire country, while the second mode of variability is characterized by a northwest–southeast dipole, emphasizing the influence of topography over the streamflow variability. Based on a CCA analysis, more than 50% of the summer streamflow variability is shown to be influenced by cloud cover and summer temperatures, via the modulation of precipitation and potential evapotranspiration. In general, positive (negative) streamflow anomalies, at country level, are associated with cyclonic (anticyclonic) circulation, the advection of moist (warm and dry) air, enhanced (reduced) precipitation and positive (negative) cloud cover anomalies.
Perspectives on CMIP5 model performance in the Nile River headwaters regions
Authors: Bhattacharjee Partha S. , Zaitchik Benjamin F.
Published: February 2015

Ranking the performance of global climate models (GCMs) is a notoriously difficult exercise. Multi‐model comparison studies nearly always show that each model has strengths and weaknesses relative to others, and for many purposes the multi‐model ensemble mean delivers better estimates than any individual model. Nevertheless, in regions like East Africa, where there is little consensus between models on the magnitude or sign of 21st century precipitation change, the multi‐model ensemble mean approach to climate projection provides little value for adaptation planning. Here, we consider several possible frameworks for model evaluation and ranking, and assess the differences in performance of a subset of models participating in the 5th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) according to each framework. Our test case is precipitation in the Nile River headwaters regions. We find that there is little consistency in the relative performance of models across frameworks based on amount and seasonality of precipitation, interannual precipitation variability, precipitation teleconnections, and continental scale climate patterns. These analyses offer some guidance on which GCMs are most likely to provide meaningful results for specific applications, but they caution that any effort to select ‘best performing’ GCMs for the Nile River basin must carefully consider the purposes for which GCMs are being selected.
Wnt/β‐catenin signaling of cartilage canal and osteochondral junction chondrocytes and full thickness cartilage in early equine osteochondrosis
Authors: Kinsley Marc A. , Semevolos Stacy A. , Duesterdieck‐Zellmer Katja F.
Published: February 2015

The objective of this study was to elucidate gene and protein expression of Wnt signaling molecules in chondrocytes of foals having early osteochondrosis (OC) versus normal controls. The hypothesis was that increased expression of components of Wnt signaling pathway in osteochondral junction (OCJ) and cartilage canal (CC) chondrocytes would be found in early OC when compared to controls. Paraffin‐embedded osteochondral samples (7 OC, 8 normal) and cDNA from whole cartilage (7 OC, 10 normal) and chondrocytes surrounding cartilage canals and osteochondral junctions captured with laser capture microdissection (4 OC, 6 normal) were obtained from femoropatellar joints of 17 immature horses. Equine‐specific Wnt signaling molecule mRNA expression levels were evaluated by two‐step real‐time qPCR. Spatial tissue protein expression of β‐catenin, Wnt‐11, Wnt‐4, and Dkk‐1 was determined by immunohistochemistry. There was significantly decreased Wnt‐11 and increased β‐catenin, Wnt‐5b, Dkk‐1, Lrp6, Wif‐1, Axin1, and SC‐PEP gene expression in early OC cartilage canal chondrocytes compared to controls. There was also significantly increased β‐catenin gene expression in early OC osteochondral junction chondrocytes compared to controls. Based on this study, abundant gene expression differences in OC chondrocytes surrounding cartilage canals suggest pathways associated with catabolism and inhibition of chondrocyte maturation are targeted in early OC pathogenesis. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1433–1438, 2015.
Local application of a proteasome inhibitor enhances fracture healing in rats
Authors: Yoshii Toshitaka , Nyman Jeffry S. , Yuasa Masato , Esparza Javier M. , Okawa Atsushi , Gutierrez Gloria E.
Published: February 2015

The ubiquitin/proteasome system plays an important role in regulating the activity of osteoblast precursor cells. Proteasome inhibitors (PSIs) have been shown to stimulate the differentiation of osteoblast precursor cells and to promote bone formation. This raises the possibility that PSIs might be useful for enhancing fracture healing. In this study, we examined the effect of the local administration of PSI on fracture repair in rats. The effects of treatment on the healing of a fractured femur were assessed based on radiographs, micro‐computed tomography (μCT) analysis, biomechanical testing, and histological analysis. PSI enhanced osteogenic differentiation in bone marrow‐ and periosteum‐derived mesenchymal progenitor cells in vitro. Moreover, the local administration of PSI in vivo promoted fracture healing in rats, as demonstrated by an increased fracture callus volume in radiographs at 2 weeks post‐fracture, and improved radiographic scores. By week 4, PSI treatment had enhanced biomechanical strength and mineral density in the callus as assessed using bending tests, and μCT, respectively. Histological sections demonstrated that PSI treatment accelerated endochondral ossification during the early stages of fracture repair. Although further investigations are necessary to assess its clinical use, the local administration of PSIs might be a novel, and effective therapeutic approach for fracture repair. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1197–1204, 2015.
Tendon regeneration and scar formation: The concept of scarless healing
Authors: Galatz Leesa M. , Gerstenfeld Louis , Heber‐Katz Ellen , Rodeo Scott A.
Published: February 2015

Tendon healing is characterized by the formation of fibrovascular scar tissue, as tendon has very little intrinsic regenerative capacity. This creates a substantial clinical challenge in the setting of large, chronic tears seen clinically. Interest in regenerative healing seen in amphibians and certain strains of mice has arisen in response to the biological behavior of tendon tissue. Bone is also a model of tissue regeneration as healing bone will achieve the mechanical and histologic characteristics of the original tissue. The ultimate goal of the study of genes and mechanisms that contribute to true tissue regeneration is to ultimately attempt to manipulate the expression of those genes and activate these mechanisms in the setting of tendon injury and repair. Clearly, further research is needed to bring this to the forefront, however, study of scarless healing has potential to have meaningful application to tendon healing. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:823–831, 2015.
Phytoecdysteroids and flavonoid glycosides among Chilean and commercial sources of Chenopodium quinoa: variation and correlation to physico‐chemical characteristics
Authors: Graf Brittany L , Rojo Leonel E , Delatorre‐Herrera Jose , Poulev Alexander , Calfio Camila , Raskin Ilya
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

Little is known about varietal differences in the content of bioactive phytoecdysteroids (PE) and flavonoid glycosides (FG) from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). The aim of this study was to determine the variation in PE and FG content among 17 distinct quinoa sources and identify correlations to genotypic (highland vs. lowland) and physico‐chemical characteristics (seed color, 100‐seed weight, protein content, oil content).

RESULTS

PE and FG concentrations exhibited over four‐fold differences across quinoa sources, ranging from 138 ± 11 µg g−1 to 570 ± 124 µg g−1 total PE content and 192 ± 24 µg g−1 to 804 ± 91 µg g−1 total FG content. Mean FG content was significantly higher in highland Chilean varieties (583.6 ± 148.9 µg g−1) versus lowland varieties (228.2 ± 63.1 µg g−1) grown under the same environmental conditions (P = 0.0046; t‐test). Meanwhile, PE content was positively and significantly correlated with oil content across all quinoa sources (r = 0.707, P = 0.002; Pearson correlation).

CONCLUSION

FG content may be genotypically regulated in quinoa. PE content may be increased via enhancement of oil content. These findings may open new avenues for the improvement and development of quinoa as a functional food. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Microbial release of ferulic and p‐coumaric acids from forages and their digestibility in lactating cows fed total mixed rations with different forage combinations
Authors: Cao Bin‐Bin , Jin Xin , Yang Hong‐Jian , Li Sheng‐Li , Jiang Lin‐Shu
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

Ferulic acid (FA) and p‐coumaric acid (PCA) are widely distributed in graminaceous plant cell walls. This study investigated the in vitro and in vivo digestibility of ester‐linked FA (FAest) and PCA (PCAest) in lactating dairy cows.

RESULTS

Regarding corn stover, ensiled corn stover, whole corn silage, Chinese wild ryegrass and alfalfa hay with different phenolic acid profiles, the in vitro rumen digestibility of forage FAest and PCAest was negatively correlated with the ether‐linked FA content and original PCA/FA ratio in the forages. The concentration of both phenolic acids in culture fluids was low after a 72 h incubation, and the mixed rumen microorganisms metabolized nearly all phenolic acids released into the culture fluids. FAest digestibility in the whole digestive tract was negatively correlated with dietary PCA/FA ratio, but a converse result occurred with dietary PCAest digestibility. The digestibility in either the rumen or the whole digestive tract was greater for FAest than for PCAest.

CONCLUSION

Forage PCAest in comparison with FAest is not easily digested in either the rumen or the whole digestive tract, and they were negatively affected by forage FAeth content and lignification extent indicated by the original dietary PCA/FA ratio. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Porous‐membrane‐protected polyaniline‐coated SBA‐15 nanocomposite micro‐solid‐phase extraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography for the determination of parabens in cosmetic products and wastewater
Authors: Ara Katayoun Mahdavi , Pandidan Sara , Aliakbari Azam , Raofie Farhad , Amini Mostafa M.
Published: February 2015

A SBA‐15/polyaniline para‐toluenesulfonic acid nanocomposite supported micro‐solid‐phase extraction procedure has been developed for the extraction of parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben) from wastewater and cosmetic products. The variables of interest in the extraction process were pH of sample, sample and eluent volumes, sorbent amount, salting‐out effect, extraction and desorption time, and stirring rate. A Plackett–Burman design was performed for the screening of variables in order to determine the significant variables affecting the extraction efficiency. Then, the significant factors were optimized by using a central composite design. The optimum experimental conditions found at 50 mL sample solution, extraction and desorption times of 40 and 20 min, respectively, 500 μL of 3% v/v acetic acid in methanol as eluent, 0.01 M salt addition, and 10 mg of the sorbent. Under the optimum conditions, the developed method provided detection limits in the range of 0.08–0.4 ng/mL with good repeatability (RSD% < 7) and linearity (r2 = 0.997–0.999) for the three parabens. Finally, this fast and efficient method was employed for the determination of target analytes in cosmetic products and wastewater, and satisfactory results were obtained.
Simultaneous chemical fingerprint and quantitative analysis of Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae by accelerated solvent extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Dai Weiquan , Zhao Weiquan , Gao Fangyuan , Shen Jingjing , Lv Diya , Qi Yunpeng , Fan Guorong
Published: February 2015

Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae (RSG) is a well‐known herbal medicine with the homology of medicine and food. In this study, simultaneous chemical fingerprint and quantitative analysis of the bioactive flavonoid components of RSG were developed using accelerated solvent extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. The operational parameters of accelerated solvent extraction including extraction solvent, extraction temperature, static extraction time, solid‐to‐liquid ratio, and extraction cycles were optimized. Hierarchical cluster analysis, similarity analysis, and principal component analysis were performed to evaluate the similarity and variation of the samples collected from several provinces in China. Subsequently, high‐performance liquid chromatography fingerprints were established for the discrimination of 16 batches of RSG samples, and the major six flavonoids, namely, toxifolin, neoastilbin, astilbin, neoisoastilbin, isoastilbin, and engeletin were then quantitatively determined. The calibration curves for all the six analytes showed good linearity (r2 > 0.999), and the limits of detection and quantification were less than 0.10 and 0.27 μg·mL−1, respectively. Therefore, the proposed extraction and determination methods were proved to be robust and reliable for the quality control of RSG.
Plasma pharmacochemistry combined with pharmacokinetics and pattern recognition analysis to screen potentially bioactive components from Daming capsule using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: An Ran , Li Yamei , Li Mu , Bai Yan , Lu Yanjie , Du Zhimin
Published: February 2015

Daming capsule is a traditional Chinese medicine for hyperlipidemia treatment. However, the vague understanding of the bioactive components of Daming capsule hampers its modernization and internationalization. This work first developed a high‐throughput, high‐resolution, and high‐sensitivity ultra high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry method for identifying the absorbed compounds and monitoring the pharmacokinetics of Daming capsule. A high‐throughput strategy integrating plasma pharmacochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pattern recognition analysis was also established for screening the bioactive components of Daming capsule in vivo. The established strategy based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry was successfully applied to screen the bioactive components of Daming capsule. Up to 53 absorbed compounds were identified. Six anthraquinones with fast and high absorption, namely, emodin‐O‐glucoside, aurantio‐obtusin, aloe‐emodin, rhein, emodin, and chrysophanol, were screened as potentially bioactive components of Daming capsule. The plasma pharmacochemistry and pharmacokinetics of Daming capsule were reported for the first time. Notably, the high‐throughput and reliable strategy facilitated the screening and identification of bioactive components of traditional Chinese medicine, thereby providing novel insights into the research and development of new drugs.
Quality assessment of raw and processed Arctium lappa L. through multicomponent quantification, chromatographic fingerprint, and related chemometric analysis
Authors: Qin Kunming , Wang Bin , Li Weidong , Cai Hao , Chen Danni , Liu Xiao , Yin Fangzhou , Cai Baochang
Published: February 2015

In traditional Chinese medicine, raw and processed herbs are used to treat different diseases. Suitable quality assessment methods are crucial for the discrimination between raw and processed herbs. The dried fruit of Arctium lappa L. and their processed products are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, yet their therapeutic effects are different. In this study, a novel strategy using high‐performance liquid chromatography and diode array detection coupled with multivariate statistical analysis to rapidly explore raw and processed Arctium lappa L. was proposed and validated. Four main components in a total of 30 batches of raw and processed Fructus Arctii samples were analyzed, and ten characteristic peaks were identified in the fingerprint common pattern. Furthermore, similarity evaluation, principal component analysis, and hierachical cluster analysis were applied to demonstrate the distinction. The results suggested that the relative amounts of the chemical components of raw and processed Fructus Arctii samples are different. This new method has been successfully applied to detect the raw and processed Fructus Arctii in marketed herbal medicinal products.
Synthesis and evaluation of dummy molecularly imprinted microspheres for the specific solid‐phase extraction of six anthraquinones from slimming tea
Authors: Wu Xingqiang , Liang Shuxuan , Ge Xusheng , Lv Yunkai , Sun Hanwen
Published: February 2015

Dummy molecularly imprinted microspheres with danthron as template were synthesized and their performance was evaluated. Accelerated solvent extraction can rapidly and effectively remove template molecules from the microspheres. The microspheres were applied as a specific sorbent for solid‐phase extraction of six anthraquinones from slimming tea, showing excellent affinity and high selectivity to danthron and the target analytes. The molecular recognition mechanisms were discussed by the experimental validation with IR spectroscopy. The sample was treated using accelerated solvent extraction followed by dummy molecularly imprinted microspheres solid‐phase extraction. Under the optimized ultra high performance liquid chromatographic conditions, the six target analytes can be baseline separated in 8 min, and good linearity was obtained in a range of 0.1–40 μg/mL with the correlation coefficient (r2) of ≥0.9998. The method limit of quantification was in a range of 1–2 mg/kg, it can ensure analysis of anthraquinones at mg/kg level. The intra‐ and interday precision (RSD, n = 6) for the analysis of the six analytes in a slimming tea was less than 4.5 and 5.4%, respectively. The developed method can be applied for the selective extraction, effective separation, and rapid determination of six anthraquinones in slimming tea.
Coating properties of a novel water stationary phase in capillary supercritical fluid chromatography
Authors: Murakami Jillian N. , Thurbide Kevin B.
Published: February 2015

The coating properties of a novel water stationary phase used in capillary supercritical fluid chromatography were investigated. The findings confirm that increasing the length or internal diameter of the type 316 stainless‐steel column used provides a linear increase in the volume of stationary phase present. Under normal operating conditions, results indicate that about 4.9 ± 0.5 μL/m of water phase is deposited uniformly inside of a typical 250 μm internal diameter 316 stainless‐steel column, which translates to an area coverage of about 6.3 ± 0.5 nL/mm2 regardless of dimension. Efforts to increase the stationary phase volume present showed that etching the stainless‐steel capillary wall using hydrofluoric acid was very effective for this. For instance, after five etching cycles, this volume doubled inside of both the type 304 and the type 316 stainless‐steel columns examined. This in turn doubled analyte retention, while maintaining good peak shape and column efficiency. Overall, 316 stainless‐steel columns were more resistant to etching than 304 stainless‐steel columns. Results indicate that this approach could be useful to employ as a means of controlling the volume of water stationary phase that can be established inside of the stainless‐steel columns used with this supercritical fluid chromatography technique.
Accelerated solvent extraction combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction before gas chromatography with mass spectrometry for the sensitive determination of phenols in soil samples
Authors: Xing Han‐Zhu , Wang Xia , Chen Xiang‐Feng , Wang Ming‐Lin , Zhao Ru‐Song
Published: February 2015

A method combining accelerated solvent extraction with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was developed for the first time as a sample pretreatment for the rapid analysis of phenols (including phenol, m‐cresol, 2,4‐dichlorophenol, and 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol) in soil samples. In the accelerated solvent extraction procedure, water was used as an extraction solvent, and phenols were extracted from soil samples into water. The dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction technique was then performed on the obtained aqueous solution. Important accelerated solvent extraction and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction parameters were investigated and optimized. Under optimized conditions, the new method provided wide linearity (6.1–3080 ng/g), low limits of detection (0.06–1.83 ng/g), and excellent reproducibility (<10%) for phenols. Four real soil samples were analyzed by the proposed method to assess its applicability. Experimental results showed that the soil samples were free of our target compounds, and average recoveries were in the range of 87.9–110%. These findings indicate that accelerated solvent extraction with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction as a sample pretreatment procedure coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry is an excellent method for the rapid analysis of trace levels of phenols in environmental soil samples.
Mini invasive transoral approach to the glenoid fossa: Benign lesion removal using endoscopy
Authors: Valentini Valentino , Giovannetti Filippo , Priore Paolo , Raponi Ingrid , Terenzi Valentina , Cassoni Andrea
Published: February 2015

Objective

We describe an endoscopic transoral approach for treating benign lesions of the glenoid fossa with or without infratemporal fossa involvement.

Study Design

Description and validation of surgical technique on living humans.

Methods

Excision of benign lesions arising from the glenoid fossa was achieved in five patients through a transoral endoscopic approach. Using 0‐ and 45‐degree angled 4‐mm optics, the entire middle skull base and infratemporal fossa were explored without damaging the nearby neurovascular structures.

Results

Three of the five patients had complete removal of osteochondroma. In the remaining two patients, the lesion removed was diagnosed as osteoma. In one patient, postoperative numbness of the alveolar nerve was observed. No infections were reported. The surgical approach utilized was determined to be valid not only for glenoid fossa exposure but also for management of the middle skull base and infratemporal fossa.

Conclusion

The described approach to the glenoid fossa offers direct and minimally invasive access to benign lesions within this region. Further use of this approach will allow us to determine its potential in treating malignancies.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 125:2054–2057, 2015
Nasopharyngeal venous malformation: A rare condition managed with Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Lee David R. , Richter Gresham T.
Published: February 2015

Venous malformations are benign but symptomatic vascular lesions of the head and neck that undergo soft tissue infiltration and relentless growth. Here we present a 31‐year‐old female referred for an obstructing and painful right posterior nasal mass. Flexible nasopharyngoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a 3 cm × 4 cm enhancing mucosal and submucosal venous malformation of the nasopharynx and oropharynx. Three staged episodes of transnasal endoscopically guided Nd:YAG laser therapy were performed with dramatic and sustained reduction in size and symptoms. No bleeding or complications occurred. Nd:YAG laser treatment of nasopharyngeal venous malformations is a safe and effective alternative to open surgical excision and sclerotherapy. Laryngoscope, 125:2405–2407, 2015
Bone conduction noise exposure via ventilators in the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Kazemizadeh Gol Mohammad Abraham , Black Angela , Sidman James
Published: February 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

To demonstrate that neonatal ventilators can expose patients to high noise levels through bone conduction (BC) as well as air conduction (AC).

Study Design

Observational study.

Methods

Three ventilators and various settings on a positive airway pressure machine (continuous, high bilevel, and low bilevel pressure) were tested. A sound level meter was used to measure the noise levels at a set distance from the ventilator to represent AC, on the ventilator circuit to represent BC at the alveolus, and within the ventilator circuit.

Results

The BC sound levels (74.1, 81.1, 86, 89.2 dBC) were significantly higher than the AC sound levels (72.8, 72.9, 70, 71.7 dBC) for the jet ventilator, continuous positive airway pressure setting, low bilevel setting, and high bilevel setting, respectively (P < .001). The sound level within the ventilator circuit ranged from 94.9 to 113.2 dBC depending on the machine/setting and was significantly louder than both AC or BC for all machines/settings (P < .001).

Conclusions

There are concerning ventilator dependent noise levels present on and within ventilation circuitry that could be presented to the infant via BC.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 125:2388–2392, 2015
Sinonasal organized Hematoma: Clinical features of seventeen cases and a systematic review
Authors: Choi Soo Jung , Seo Sung Tae , Rha Ki‐Sang , Kim Yong Min
Published: February 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

Organized hematoma (OH) is a rare non‐neoplastic disease. We studied the clinical characteristics of 17 patients with sinonasal OH and those of 75 cases in the English literature.

Study Design

Retrospective review of medical records and systematic review of the literature on OH.

Methods

Comprehensive review of the English‐language literature on OH was performed. We screened all eligible cases based on initial features, and 75 eligible cases found in 15 publications were analyzed. We also retrospectively analyzed and compared medical records of 17 patients diagnosed with pathologically proven sinonasal OH. Data such as demographics, clinical characteristics, pathologic features, radiologic findings, treatment modalities, and follow‐up results were compared to the 75 previously mentioned cases.

Results

Fifteen cases involved the maxillary sinus, one case involved the frontal sinus, and one case involved the sphenoid sinus. There were six patients over 60 years old, and all were taking an antiplatelet agent. The paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) of seven patients showed bony destruction of the involved sinus. A review of the available literature revealed mostly similar results with our cases, except for the proportion of patients taking aspirin (5.3%) and sex distribution (male:female = 49:25).

Conclusions

We reported 17 cases of OH, including a case of frontal sinus and a case of sphenoid sinus lesion. A large proportion of OH patients had bony destruction of the affected sinus on CT. In these patients, a careful diagnosis should be made to distinguish them from a malignant tumor or other expansile diseases.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 125:2027–2033, 2015
Microscopic characteristics of round window problems in otology
Authors: Choo Young Bin
Published: February 2015

Round window membrane ruptures and perilymph leakage can present the complication or concomitant of sudden deafness and barotrauma. Pathological involvement of the round window membrane can occur in many otological diseases such as otosclerosis, otitis media, tumors, etc. Microscopic manipulations might result in an inadvertent round window membrane lesion and cochlear deafness. In recent years purposeful surgical lesions, including procedures for vertigo and cochlear implant surgery, are being made in the round window membrane. Examples of pathology involving the round window in human temporal bones are described. To understand better the clinical features of early round window rupture in humans, controlled punctuate lesions were made in 36 chinchilla ears and studied sequentially. Round window membrane healing occurred as early as 3 days post‐lesion, and was complete in all ears but 1 of the combined 7, 9 and 11‐day group. Healing occurred primarily as a result of middle ear epithelial ingrowth and mesothelial cell reaction in the adjacent perilymphatic space of the scala tympani. These cellular events are described and discussed from an histological and clinical point of view.
Combined treatment of head and neck vascular masses with preoperative embolization
Authors: Persky Mark S. , Berenstein Alex , Cohen Noel L.
Published: February 2015

Recent advances with aggressive vascular radiologic techniques have altered the methods of treatment of head and neck vascular malformations. High resolution CT scanning and superselective angiography with subtraction technique is now capable of defining the extent of these lesions and demonstrating blood flow dynamics. Careful joint evaluation by the vascular radiologist and the head and neck surgeon is necessary for the proper treatment of these patients. Preoperative embolization of these lesions effectively reduces intraoperative blood loss and provides for better exposure in those patients ultimately undergoing resection of these masses. Careful selection of those cases that are amenable to total or subtotal excision, with adherence to specific criteria and goals, usually produces gratifying results.

We present five patients who have undergone combined treatment of their head and neck vascular lesions. Our treatment protocol is reviewed and emphasis is placed on the integral part that the vascular radiologist assumes in the treatment of these patients.
Association of human papillomavirus subtype and clinical course in respiratory papillomatosis
Authors: Mounts Phoebe , Kashima Haskins
Published: February 2015

The relationship of human papillomavirus type 6 (HPV‐6) subtypes to the clinical manifestations of respiratory papillomatosis was investigated. DNA was isolated from biopsy specimens of 21 patients and the viral genome analyzed by molecular hybridization. Four subtypes, designated HPV‐6c through HPV‐6f, were distinguishable by restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns of the viral genome. Patient records were reviewed to identify associations between viral subtype and sex, race, age at onset of papilloma, duration of disease, frequency of operations, history of tracheotomy and anatomical extension of papilloma. HPV‐6c was present in 13 cases which were characterized by extensive anatomical spread of disease, higher frequency of operations, and a need for tracheotomy. HPV‐6d occurred in 4 black patients with juvenile onset papilloma. HPV‐6e was found in 2 white patients — 1 with juvenile onset and 1 with adult onset papilloma. HPV‐6f was identified in 2 white patients with adult onset disease.
Antimicrobial prophylaxis for contaminated head and neck surgery
Authors: Johnson Jonas T. , Myers Eugene N. , Sigler Barbara A. , Thearle Patricia B. , Schramm Victor L.
Published: February 2015

The use of antibiotic prophylaxis in head and neck surgery is controversial. Most surgeons agree that when surgery requires entry into the aerodigestive tract through the skin the wound is by definition contaminated and antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated as it is in other contaminated wounds. There is no general agreement as to which antibiotic or combination of antibiotics to use or what the schedule of dosage administration should be. In order to obtain a meaningful data to help in decision making, a double blind, randomized study was performed to investigate whether cefazolin alone or a combination of gentamicin and clindamycin was more effective in prophylaxis.

All patients entered into the study underwent major oncologic head and neck surgery requiring entry into the upper aerodigestive tract through the skin. Patients were stratified at entry according to the stage of disease, surgical procedure, and the existence of a prior tracheotomy or prior radiation therapy. Subsequently, patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups. Group I: Cefazolin 1 day, placebo day 2 to 5. Group II: Cefazolin days 1 to 5. Group III: Gentamicin and clindamycin 1 day, placebo days 2 to 5. Group IV: Gentamicin and clindamycin days 1 to 5. Drugs were given intravenously beginning 3 hours preoperatively and continued postoperatively every 8 hours, according to the assigned schedule. All wounds were observed daily following surgery and were graded on a predetermined scale by 3 unbiased observers.

Significant wound infections occurred in 15% of all patients. Group I, 33%; Group II, 20%; Group III, 7%; Group IV, 4%. In Group III and Group IV there was a statistically significant (P < .05) reduction in the rate of postoperative wound infection. Multifactoral analysis demonstrated that patients whose surgery included repair with a regional pectoral flap had a statistically significant increased chance of developing postoperative wound infection (P < .05). Patients undergoing laryngectomy, with or without neck dissection, were at less risk of postoperative infection than patients undergoing oropharyngeal resection (P < .05). The preoperative existence of tracheotomy or prior radiation therapy had no demonstrable effect on the incidence of wound infection postoperatively in this study.
Effect of hearing aids on hearing
Authors: Podoshin L. , Kremer M. , Fradis M. , Feiglin H.
Published: February 2015

We examined 114 patients aged 10 to 91 years with different kinds of hearing aids fitted in one ear only, the unaided ear acting as a control.

They were re‐examined several times during a period of follow‐up from 1 to 9 years comparing the relative change in hearing due to hearing aid usage with various degrees of amplification of the aid.

We compared the degree of hearing loss in the aided and unaided ear looking for evidence of a possible change in hearing related to the frequency of hearing aid usage in hours per day and in years, the maximum power output (MPO) and the gain of the aid.

According to our findings there is no change in hearing between the aided and the unaided ear at the α=0.05 probability level at least for 8 years. There is no effect of the long‐term amplification of the hearing aid on deterioration of hearing comparing the aided ear and the unaided ear, but with high MPO of the aid, the patient should be followed up more frequently than with low MPO amplification.
Iontophoretic treatment of oral herpes
Authors: Henley‐Cohn Julian , Hausfeld Jeffrey N.
Published: February 2015

Recent development of pharmaceutical agents that interfere with reproduction and metabolism of the herpes virus appear to have clinical applications in the treatment of orocutaneous herpetic lesions. Use of topical medications has always been limited by skin penetration. Combining these new pharmaceutical agents with iontotransport techniques has been shown to be effective for treatment of herpetic lesions. Instrumentation and a specially designed applicator electrode are described. Use of this instrumentation and its clinical application is described in the treatment of 32 patients and the results are summarized.

Combining the use of the new pharmaceuticals with the iontotransport instrumentation is described as an effective treatment of localized herpetic lesions. Similar technique offers fascinating possibilities in other areas of skin pathology.
Changes in the composition and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter during sea ice formation
Authors: Jørgensen Linda , Stedmon Colin A. , Kaartokallio Hermanni , Middelboe Mathias , Thomas David N.
Published: February 2015

The Arctic Ocean receives a large amount of terrestrial dissolved organic matter (DOM) from rivers and more than half of this is removed during its passage through the Arctic Ocean. Terrestrial DOM is generally believed to have a low bioavailability and recent studies point to physicochemical processes such as sea ice formation as the source of the significant DOM removal in the Arctic Ocean. We present the results of a mesocosm experiment designed to investigate how sea ice formation affects DOM composition and bioavailability. We measured the change in different fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) fractions in sea ice, brines (contained in small pores between the ice crystals), and the underlying seawater during a 14 d experiment. Two series of mesocosms were used: one with seawater alone and one with seawater enriched with humic‐rich river water. Abiotic processes increased the humic‐like FDOM signal in the seawater below the ice during the initial ice formation. Humic‐like FDOM fractions with a marine signal were preferentially retained in sea ice (relative to salinity), whereas humic‐like FDOM with a terrestrial signal behaved more conservatively with respect to salinity. Amino acid‐like FDOM and an unknown FDOM component, only previously found in Antarctic brines, were associated with biological activity and possibly extracellular polymeric substances in sea ice. An additional long‐term (226–228 d) bioassay experiment with seawater collected from the mesocosm experiment revealed that 11% ± 2% of the bulk dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was bioavailable. However, 16% ± 12% of DOC expelled from the ice into the seawater below was bioavailable and the bioavailability of DOC in brine was even higher at 45%. DOM is highly susceptible to physicochemical changes during sea ice formation, leading to modifications in composition and increased bioavailability, which can in part explain terrestrial DOC removal in the Arctic Ocean.
Effects of clay minerals on the aggregation and subsequent settling of marine Synechococcus
Authors: Deng Wei , Monks Logan , Neuer Susanne
Published: February 2015

Cyanobacteria are considered to play an important role in the oceanic biological carbon pump, especially in oligotrophic regions. But as single cells are too small to sink, their carbon export has to be mediated by aggregate formation and possible consumption by zooplankton producing sinking fecal pellets. Here, we study the aggregation and subsequent settling of the ubiquitous marine picocyanobacterium Synechococcus as a model organism in roller tanks and investigate the effects of the clays kaolinite and bentonite in a series of concentrations. We found that (1) Synechococcus cells formed aggregates as large as 1.4 mm in diameter that sank at velocities of up to 440 m d−1 and 660 m d−1 with and without ballasting clays, respectively; (2) clay minerals increased the number and reduced the size of aggregates, and their ballasting effects increased the excess density and sinking velocity of aggregates; (3) kaolinite, with its lower cation exchange capacity, resulted in smaller and slower sinking aggregates compared to bentonite; and (4) based on our experimental conditions, Synechococcus could potentially export carbon 2–3 times of that contained in their cells via aggregation, likely due to the scavenging of transparent exopolymer particles and dissolved organic matter. The presented results have relevance for our understanding of the role of cyanobacteria in the ecology and biogeochemistry in today's ocean and also elucidate mechanisms of carbon export in the early Proterozoic ocean.