bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate Change-based Estimation of Non-working Days for Construction Plan
Authors: Lee Sejeong , Cho Jaepil , Lee Taesam
Published: June 2024

Significant global climate change has recently occurred, and an increase in natural disasters is predicted in the future. Currently, climate change, such as heat waves, heavy rain, and typhoons, affects severely vulnerable regions, such as Korea. Consequently, it has various effects on the construction environment and is expected to make a significant difference in the progress of future construction work. Therefore, this study aimed to determine how climate change can affect future construction work restricted by weather conditions and conducted a study on how future construction schedules should be adjusted. After performing a bias correction on the future climate scenarios of CMIP6, the latest scenario released through the Earth System Model (ESM), we compared and analyzed the weather observation data with SSP245 and SSP585. It was calculated how much the rate of temperature change would impact the construction environment in the future. As a result of the analysis, both the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios show a tendency that As a result of the analysis, both the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios show a tendency that the number of non-working days (NWD) for construction increases as the period increases from the base. In addition, the results indicated that the number of days of increase for SSP585 was higher than that for SSP245. The number of NWD was found to increase in the future under the SSP585 scenario, which takes extreme climate change into consideration. The construction period calculation is anticipated to undergo significant changes as a result of this outcome, which has a substantial impact on the construction plan and execution.
Fluorescent Angiotensin AT1 Receptor Antagonists
Authors: Giarrusso Marilena A. , Taylor Michelle K. , Ziogas James , Brody Kate M. , Macdougall Phoebe E. , Schiesser Carl H.
Published: September 2012

Fluorescent selective angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists (sartans) that contain naphthalene (6, 7, 10, and 11), anthracene (12 and 14), acenaphthene (13 and 15), and coumarin (8 and 9) substituents have been prepared and their preliminary pharmacology evaluated in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell based assays. Compounds 6–15 proved to be effective sartans with pKB estimates in the range of 6.7–10.5; their potential as cellular imaging agents is also discussed.
Gait‐specific metabolic costs and preferred speeds in ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), with implications for the scaling of locomotor costs
Authors: O'Neill Matthew C.
Published: September 2012

Metabolic costs of resting and locomotion have been used to gain novel insights into the behavioral ecology and evolution of a wide range of primates; however, most previous studies have not considered gait‐specific effects. Here, metabolic costs of ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) walking, cantering and galloping are used to test for gait‐specific effects and a potential correspondence between costs and preferred speeds. Metabolic costs, including the net cost of locomotion (COL) and net cost of transport (COT), change as a curvilinear function of walking speed and (at least provisionally) as a linear function of cantering and galloping speeds. The baseline quantity used to calculate net costs had a significant effect on the magnitude of speed‐specific estimates of COL and COT, especially for walking. This is because non‐locomotor metabolism constitutes a substantial fraction (41–61%, on average) of gross metabolic rate at slow speeds. The slope‐based estimate of the COT was 5.26 J kg−1 m−1 for all gaits and speeds, while the gait‐specific estimates differed between walking (0.5 m s−1: 6.69 J kg−1 m−1) and cantering/galloping (2.0 m s−1: 5.61 J kg−1 m−1). During laboratory‐based overground locomotion, ring‐tailed lemurs preferred to walk at ∼0.5 m s−1 and canter/gallop at ∼2.0 m s−1, with the preferred walking speed corresponding well to the COT minima. Compared with birds and other mammals, ring‐tailed lemurs are relatively economical in walking, cantering, and galloping. These results support the view that energetic optima are an important movement criterion for locomotion in ring‐tailed lemurs, and other terrestrial animals. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Examining dietary variability of the earliest farmers of South‐Eastern Italy
Authors: Lelli Roberta , Allen Richard , Biondi Gianfranco , Calattini Mauro , Barbaro Cecilia Conati , Gorgoglione Maria Antonia , Manfredini Alessandra , Martínez‐Labarga Cristina , Radina Francesca , Silvestrini Mara , Tozzi Carlo , Rickards Olga , Craig Oliver E.
Published: September 2012

Stable isotope analysis of human remains has been used to address long‐standing debates regarding the speed and degree to which the introduction of farming transformed diet. In Europe, this debate has centered on northern and Atlantic regions with much less attention devoted to the arrival of farming across the Mediterranean. This study presents carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses of collagen from 19 human and 37 faunal remains from eight sites in the Apulia and Marche regions of south‐eastern and central Italy, dating to the early phases of agricultural adoption during the first half of the 6th Millennium BC. Where collagen preservation permitted, sulfur stable isotope analysis was also performed. Overall, there was significant isotopic variation between the different geographic regions, although there was also considerable uncertainty in interpreting these data, especially given heterogeneous isotope values for fauna from site to site. By considering isotope data from each region separately, it was noticeable that the degree of carbon isotope enrichment in humans compared to fauna was higher for individuals buried near the coast, consistent with increased marine consumption. Coastal individuals also had higher sulfur isotope values. Nitrogen isotope values were very variable between individuals and regions and, in some cases, were consistent with very high plant food consumption. Overall, early “farmers” in south‐east and central Italy consumed a wide range of foods, including marine, and had much more variable stable isotope values than those observed in central and northern Europe during this period, perhaps indicating a different mode for agricultural adoption. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Model selection, zero‐inflated models, and predictors of primate abundance in Korup National Park, Cameroon
Authors: Linder Joshua M. , Lawler Richard R.
Published: September 2012

Determining the ecological and anthropogenic factors that shape the abundance and distribution of wild primates is a critical component of primate conservation research. Such research is complicated, however, whenever the species under study are encountered infrequently, a characteristic of many taxa that are threatened with extinction. Typically, the resulting data sets based on surveys of such species will have a high frequency of zero counts which makes it difficult to determine the predictor variables that are associated with species abundance. In this study, we test various statistical models using survey data that was gathered on seven species of primate in Korup National Park, Cameroon. Predictor variables include hunting signs and aspects of habitat structure and floristic composition. Our statistical models include zero‐inflated models that are tailored to deal with a high frequency of zero counts. First, using exploratory data analysis we found the most informative set of models as ranked by Δ‐AIC (Akaike's information criterion). On the basis of this analysis, we used five predictor variables to construct several regression models including Poisson, zero‐inflated Poisson, negative binomial, and zero‐inflated negative binomial. Total basal area of all trees, density of secondary tree species, hunting signs, and mean basal area of all trees were significant predictors of abundance in the zero‐inflated models. We discuss the statistical logic behind zero‐inflated models and provide an interpretation of parameter estimates. We recommend that researchers explore a variety of models when determining the factors that correlate with primate abundance. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of PLA nanocomposites containing nanosilica modified with different organosilanes II: Effect of the organosilanes on the properties of nanocomposites: Thermal characterization
Authors: Basilissi Luca , Di Silvestro Giuseppe , Farina Hermes , Ortenzi Marco Aldo
Published: September 2012

Thermal behavior of polylactic acid (PLA)/nanosilica nanocomposites prepared via bulk ring opening polymerization from lactide was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Both unmodified nanosilica and modified by surface treatments with different amounts of two distinct silanes were used. Samples containing pure silica show enhanced crystallization processes; with silane‐modified silica this effect is magnified, especially in the case of materials with high loadings of epoxy silane. Nonisothermal crystallization temperatures become higher and isothermal crystallization kinetics show a marked increase of Kinetic constant (Kc). TGA analyses show that, when pure nanosilica is present, nanocomposites have a thermal stability far greater than the one of standard PLA, starting their degradation at temperatures up to 70°C higher than the ones of pure PLA. When silanes are present, thermal stability lowers as silane content increases, but it is anyway higher than the one of the pure polymer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Optimizing the economics and the carbon and water footprints of bioethanol supply chains
Authors: Bernardi Andrea , Giarola Sara , Bezzo Fabrizio
Published: September 2012

Water consumption has become a serious concern in renewable fuels production. This paper proposes a framework to address sustainable transport systems design where both environmental (i.e. carbon and water footprints) and economic performances are taken into account along the bioethanol supply chain. A multi‐objective Mixed Integer Linear Programming modeling framework supporting strategic design and planning decisions for multi‐period and multi‐echelon upstream ethanol supply chains is developed. Hybrid biofuel production networks, where both corn grain and stover are used as suitable feedstocks, are optimized according to several features, involving technology selection and by‐products end‐use option. A case study is presented referring to the emerging Italian biofuels market. Results show the effectiveness of mathematical‐programming‐based tools to optimal design of biofuels supply chains, assessing the pros and cons of alternative configurations and, thus, allowing investors to drive planning decisions. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of chalcone derivatives of 2‐acetyl thiophene on human colon adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: de Vasconcelos Alana , Campos Vinicius Farias , Nedel Fernanda , Seixas Fabiana Kömmling , Dellagostin Odir A. , Smith Kevin R. , de Pereira Cláudio Martin Pereira , Stefanello Francieli Moro , Collares Tiago , Barschak Alethéa Gatto
Published: September 2012

Recent studies report that chalcones exhibit cytotoxicity to human cancer cell lines. Typically, the form of cell death induced by these compounds is apoptosis. In the context of the discovery of new anticancer agents and in light of the antitumour potential of several chalcone derivatives, in the present study, we synthesized and tested the cytotoxicity of six chalcone derivatives on human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Six derivatives of 3‐phenyl‐1‐(thiophen‐2‐yl) prop‐2‐en‐1‐one were prepared and characterized on the basis of their 1H and 13C NMR spectra. HT‐29 cells were treated with synthesized chalcones on two concentrations by three different incubation times. Cells were evaluated by cell morphology, Tetrazolium dye (MTT) colorimetric assay, live/dead, flow cytometry (annexin V) and gene expression analyses to determine the cytotoxic way. Chalcones 3‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐1‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (C06) and 3‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐1‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (C09) demonstrated higher cytotoxicity than other chalcones as shown by cell morphology, live/dead and MTT assays. In addition, C06 induced apoptosis on flow cytometry annexin V assay. These data were confirmed by a decreased expression of anti‐apoptotic genes and increased pro‐apoptotic genes.

Our findings indicate in summary that the cytotoxic activity of chalcone C06 on colorectal carcinoma cells occurs by apoptosis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How User‐Created‐Content (UCC) Service Quality Influences User Satisfaction and Behaviour
Authors: Kim Min Sun , Moon Yun Ji , Kim Woo Gon
Published: September 2012

The Internet is undergoing a gradual shift from Web 1.0‐based user interaction to Web 2.0, which has a greater emphasis on user‐created content (UCC) and user collaboration (Hsu & Hsu, 2008). Since existing models of e‐service quality are likely deficient under Web 2.0, we build on them and test a new framework using 319 users who frequented UCC websites. Among other findings, three service elements together explained 44% of the variance in user satisfaction and 33% of the variance in website usage. These elements were: the provider‐user relationship (customization and participation), the relationship among users (e.g., user empowerment), and user compensation. Copyright © 2012 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parallel classification and feature selection in microarray data using SPRINT
Authors: Mitchell Lawrence , Sloan Terence M. , Mewissen Muriel , Ghazal Peter , Forster Thorsten , Piotrowski Michal , Trew Arthur
Published: September 2012

The statistical language R is favoured by many biostatisticians for processing microarray data. In recent times, the quantity of data that can be obtained in experiments has risen significantly, making previously fast analyses time consuming or even not possible at all with the existing software infrastructure. High performance computing (HPC) systems offer a solution to these problems but at the expense of increased complexity for the end user. The Simple Parallel R Interface is a library for R that aims to reduce the complexity of using HPC systems by providing biostatisticians with drop‐in parallelised replacements of existing R functions. In this paper we describe parallel implementations of two popular techniques: exploratory clustering analyses using the random forest classifier and feature selection through identification of differentially expressed genes using the rank product method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The response of semi‐arid ephemeral wetland plants to flooding: linking water use to hydrological processes
Authors: Drake Paul L. , Coleman Blaire F. , Vogwill Ryan
Published: September 2012

Evergreen plants inhabiting ephemeral wetlands endure long dry spells interspersed with periods of flooding (or inundation). Inundation events are likely to be important for plant water use and growth, but few studies have linked the physiology of plants to hydrological processes during flood. We investigated the link between changes in the soil physical environment and plant water use traits in a stand of Casuarina obesa Miq and Melaleuca strobophylla Barlow trees during a controlled inundation event at Toolibin Lake. Toolibin Lake is an internationally recognized ephemeral wetland, which is under threat from altered hydrology and salinization. During flood, the velocity of water movement through the clay‐dominated soil profile suggested that macropores and plant root preferential flow paths aided water distribution. C. obesa was more capable than M. strobophylla to capitalize on the inundation event, suggesting preferential use of macropore water and a concentration of roots near the soil surface. Sap flux (QS) and tree diameter (ϕ) were interdependent and there was a correlation between increasing ϕ and increasing pre‐dawn leaf water potential (Ψpd). These observations link the movement of water through the soil profile with changes in tree water use and tree girth in C. obesa and M. strobophylla. Changes in the soil physical environment observed in this study also highlight the risks associated with hydrological management in salinity‐affected ecosystems. Although floods provide fresh water to the root zone of trees, the resulting recharge may also elevate saline groundwater into the region of plant water uptake. Copyright © 2012 Commonwealth of Australia
In vivo modulation of the inflammatory response by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug‐related compounds that trigger L‐selectin shedding
Authors: Herrera‐García Ada , Domínguez‐Luis María , Arce‐Franco Mayte , López‐Fernández Judith , Feria Manuel , Barreiro Olga , Sánchez‐Madrid Francisco , Díaz‐González Federico
Published: September 2012

Diphenylamine‐based nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are able to cause in vitro the shedding of L‐selectin. The aim of this work was to determine the physio‐logic relevance of L‐selectin shedding in the antiinflammatory effect exerted by NSAIDs in vivo. Chemical compounds structurally related to NSAIDs — including diphenyl‐amine, N‐phenylanthranilic acid (N‐Ph), diphenylacetic acid — as well as the traditional NSAID indomethacin were studied using the zymosan air‐pouch mouse model. Animals intramuscularly pretreated with indomethacin or N‐Ph, but not with diphenyl‐amine or diphenylacetic acid, showed a significant dose‐dependent reduction in the number of neutrophils compared with untreated animals (N‐Ph, IC50 = 6.7 mg/kg). Except for indomethacin, none of these compounds caused any significant reduction in cyclooxygenase‐1 activity in vivo. In flow chamber experiments, N‐Ph reduced the capability of human neutrophils to pass across the endothelial barrier by interfering with leukocyte rolling step on HUVEC. N‐Ph, but not diphenylacetic acid, induced activation‐independent L‐selectin shedding in mouse neutrophils. Interestingly, N‐Ph exerted an antiinflammatory effect similar to that of the anti‐L‐selectin blocking antibody Mel‐14, although no additive action was observed when both compounds were combined. These data suggest that the L‐selectin shedding induced by NSAIDs may be involved in the antiinflammatory action exerted by these compounds in clinical settings.
Complexes of Trinuclear Macrocyclic Copper(I) and Silver(I) 3,5‐Bis(Trifluoromethyl)Pyrazolates with Ketones
Authors: Titov Alexey A. , Filippov Oleg. A. , Bilyachenko Alexey N. , Smol'yakov Alexander F. , Dolgushin Fedor M. , Belsky Vitaly K. , Godovikov Ivan A. , Epstein Lina M. , Shubina Elena S.
Published: September 2012

The interaction of the copper [{3,5‐(CF3)2Pz}Cu]3 and silver [{3,5‐(CF3)2Pz}Ag]3 macrocycles {3,5‐(CF3)2Pz = 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole} with 2‐butanone and benzophenone was investigated for the first time by IR and NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. New, low‐frequency IR bands for ν(CO)bond (in hexane) were observed and the composition (1:1) of all the complexes was determined. These data as well as the 13C NMR chemical shifts (in CD2Cl2) for the complexes of aliphatic and aromatic ketones evidence that the oxygen atom of the CO group is the sole coordination site in both complexes and that the Ph rings of benzophenone do not take part in complexation in solution. The thermodynamic parameters for the formation of the complexes increase on going from the copper to silver macrocycle and grow slightly from butanone to benzophenone. The same coordination site (CO group) was found in the crystal structure. However, the complexes with benzophenone are formulated as 1:2 complexes and feature a wedge‐shaped sandwich structure, but [AgL]3 also forms a 1:1 complex with triple coordination of the oxygen atom to each Ag atom. Analysis of the IR spectroscopic data for the complexes in crystal form and in solution revealed that in solution the [Ph2CO][ML]3 complexes also have triple coordination of the CO oxygen atom to the metals of both the Cu and Ag macrocycles. The structure of the 1:1 complex features no interaction between the Ph rings and the macrocycle in contrast to sandwiches (1:2) with shortened distances Ag···C (Ph). It was found that the sandwich complexes pack as infinite stacks, whereas the complex with triple coordination (1:1) forms only cofacial dimers.
An Amperometric Immunosensor Based on a Gold Nanoparticle‐Diazonium Salt Modified Sensing Interface for the Detection of HbA1c in Human Blood
Authors: Liu Guozhen , Iyengar Sridhar G. , Gooding J. Justin
Published: September 2012

An amperometric immunosensor for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is reported. A glassy carbon electrode is modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) bearing a ferrocene derivative and a glycosylated pentapeptide (GPP) as an epitope to which anti‐HbA1c IgG can selectively bind. The rest of the electrode is passivated with an oligo(ethylene oxide) species to give the electrode resistant to nonspecific adsorption of proteins. Complexation of anti‐HbA1c IgG with the surface bound epitope resulted in attenuation of the ferrocene electrochemistry. The immunosensor can detect HbA1c in the range of 4.6 %–15.1 % of total hemoglobin in human blood by a competitive inhibition assay.
Diffusion tensor imaging based network analysis detects alterations of neuroconnectivity in patients with clinically early relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Li Yang , Jewells Valerie , Kim Minjeong , Chen Yasheng , Moon Andrew , Armao Diane , Troiani Luigi , Markovic‐Plese Silva , Lin Weili , Shen Dinggang
Published: September 2012

Although it is inarguable that conventional MRI (cMRI) has greatly contributed to the diagnosis and assessment of multiple sclerosis (MS), cMRI does not show close correlation with clinical findings or pathologic features, and is unable to predict prognosis or stratify disease severity. To this end, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with tractography and neuroconnectivity analysis may assist disease assessment in MS. We, therefore, attempted this pilot study for initial assessment of early relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS). Neuroconnectivity analysis was used for evaluation of 24 early RRMS patients within 2 years of presentation, and compared to the network measures of a group of 30 age‐and‐gender‐matched normal control subjects. To account for the situation that the connections between two adjacent regions may be disrupted by an MS lesion, a new metric, network communicability, was adopted to measure both direct and indirect connections. For each anatomical area, the brain network communicability and average path length were computed and compared to characterize the network changes in efficiencies. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) loss of communicability was revealed in our RRMS cohort, particularly in the frontal and hippocampal/parahippocampal regions as well as the motor strip and occipital lobes. Correlation with the 25‐foot Walk test with communicability measures in the left superior frontal (r = −0.71) as well as the left superior temporal gyrus (r = −0.43) and left postcentral gyrus (r = −0.41) were identified. Additionally identified were increased communicability between the deep gray matter structures (left thalamus and putamen) with the major interhemispheric and intrahemispheric white matter tracts, the corpus callosum, and cingulum, respectively. These foci of increased communicability are thought to represent compensatory changes. The proposed DTI‐based neuroconnectivity analysis demonstrated quantifiable, structurally relevant alterations of fiber tract connections in early RRMS and paves the way for longitudinal studies in larger patient groups. Hum Brain Mapp 34:3376–3391, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New genetic findings in parotid gland pleomorphic adenomas
Authors: Wemmert Silke , Willnecker Vivienne , Brunner Christian , Wenzel Gentiana Ioana , Sauter Birgit , Meinelt Heike , Bartholmé Nadia , Saada Carolin , Bohle Rainer Maria , Urbschat Steffi , Schick Bernhard
Published: September 2012

Background

Despite numerous studies, the tumor biology of pleomorphic adenomas, the most common salivary gland tumors, is still not completely defined. In order to identify further candidate genes important for tumor biology of pleomorphic adenomas, extended cytogenetic and molecular analysis are mandatory.

Methods

We performed a detailed molecular cytogenetic analysis using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) followed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes for chromosome X, 16p, 17, and 20 on a large cohort of pleomorphic adenomas (n = 29).

Results

We could confirm previously described deletions in pleomorphic adenomas affecting 16p, 17, 20q, and 22 by FISH and/or CGH analysis. Moreover, our CGH study revealed novel candidate regions on 8p23.1pter, 9p, 10q25.1q25.3, and 11q24qter in the series of analyzed pleomorphic adenomas.

Conclusion

Our present study reveals new insights in novel candidate regions implicated in pleomorphic adenoma tumorigenesis which should be considered in further molecular studies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: 1431–1438, 2013
Prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with head and neck cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zang Jian , Li Chen , Zhao Li‐Na , Shi Mei , Zhou Yong‐Chun , Wang Jian‐Hua , Li Xin
Published: September 2012

Background

The correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression and the clinical outcome of head and neck cancer remains inconclusive. This meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of VEGF in patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods

We searched Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE and 2 Chinese science databases in order to enroll all eligible articles. Forty‐seven studies were included in this meta‐analysis. All results were evaluated by the random‐effects model.

Results

VEGF overexpression is significantly associated with worse overall survival (OS; hazard ratio [HR], 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61–2.22) and progression‐free survival (PFS; HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.33–2.12). Subgroup analysis reveals that VEGF overexpression is a significant poor predictor for nasopharyngeal cancer (HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.30–2.12) and salivary gland cancer (HR, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.61–6.84).

Conclusion

Our meta‐analysis supports that VEGF overexpression is an available poor predictor for patients with head and neck cancer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: 1507–1514, 2013
Hypopharyngeal paraganglioma with a paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome: A case report
Authors: Tian Huiqin , Chen Zhibin , Wang Cong , Xing Guangqian
Published: September 2012

Background

We report an extremely rare case of hypopharyngeal paraganglioma that was accompanied by a paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome (PNS).

Methods

The clinical, radiological, and histopathologic findings of the patient are presented.

Results

A 49‐year‐old woman presented with a history of progressive asthenia of the lower extremities persisting for 2 months. She also experienced numbness and sensory disturbance of the left lower limbs, 2 epileptic seizures, and constipation during the period. Clinical and radiological evaluations suggested the diagnosis of encephalomyelitis in combination with a left hypopharyngeal mass lesion. The patient underwent surgical excision of the lesion, which subsequently resolved her symptoms. Postoperative pathology was consistent with a paraganglioma. There was no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis of the tumor on recent follow‐up.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, our patient represents the third reported case of hypopharyngeal paraganglioma, and the only one to have a paraneoplastic syndrome. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: E304–E307, 2013
Perirhinal cortex represents nonspatial, but not spatial, information in rats foraging in the presence of objects: Comparison with lateral entorhinal cortex
Authors: Deshmukh Sachin S. , Johnson Jeremy L. , Knierim James J.
Published: September 2012

The medial temporal lobe (MTL) is involved in mnemonic processing. The perirhinal cortex (PRC) plays a role in object recognition memory, while the hippocampus is required for certain forms of spatial memory and episodic memory. The lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) receives direct projections from PRC and is one of the two major cortical inputs to the hippocampus. The transformations that occur between PRC and LEC neural representations are not well understood. Here, we show that PRC and LEC had similarly high proportions of neurons with object‐related activity (PRC 52/94; LEC 72/153), as expected from their locations in the “what” pathway into the hippocampus. However, LEC unit activity showed more spatial stability than PRC unit activity. A minority of LEC neurons showed stable spatial firing fields away from objects; these firing fields strongly resembled hippocampal place fields. None of the PRC neurons showed this place‐like firing. None of the PRC or LEC neurons demonstrated the high firing rates associated with interneurons in hippocampus or medial entorhinal cortex, further dissociating this information processing stream from the path‐integration based, movement‐related processing of the medial entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. These results provide evidence for nonspatial information processing in the PRC‐LEC pathway, as well as showing a functional dissociation between PRC and LEC, with more purely nonspatial representations in PRC and combined spatial‐nonspatial representations in LEC. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combined analysis of three lynch syndrome cohorts confirms the modifying effects of 8q23.3 and 11q23.1 in MLH1 mutation carriers
Authors: Talseth‐Palmer Bente A. , Wijnen Juul T. , Brenne Ingvild S. , Jagmohan‐Changur Shantie , Barker Daniel , Ashton Katie A. , Tops Carli M. , Evans Tiffany‐Jane , McPhillips Mary , Groombridge Claire , Suchy Janina , Kurzawski Grzegorz ,   The Dutch Cancer Genetics Group, Spigelman Allan , Møller Pål , Morreau Hans M. , Van Wezel Tom , Lubinski Jan , Vasen Hans F.A. , Scott Rodney J.
Published: September 2012

Two colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility loci have been found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of CRC in Dutch Lynch syndrome (LS) patients. Recently, in a combined study of Australian and Polish LS patients, only MLH1 mutation carriers were found to be at increased risk of disease. A combined analysis of the three data‐sets was performed to better define this association. This cohort‐study includes three sample populations combined totaling 1,352 individuals from 424 families with a molecular diagnosis of LS. Seven SNPs, from six different CRC susceptibility loci, were genotyped by both research groups and the data analyzed collectively. We identified associations at two of the six CRC susceptibility loci in MLH1 mutation carriers from the combined LS cohort: 11q23.1 (rs3802842, HR = 2.68, p ≤ 0.0001) increasing risk of CRC, and rs3802842 in a pair‐wise combination with 8q23.3 (rs16892766) affecting age of diagnosis of CRC (log‐rank test; p ≤ 0.0001). A significant difference in the age of diagnosis of CRC of 28 years was observed in individuals carrying three risk alleles compared to those with 0 risk alleles for the pair‐wise SNP combination. A trend (due to significance threshold of p ≤ 0.0010) was observed in MLH1 mutation carriers towards an increased risk of CRC for the pair‐wise combination (p = 0.002). This study confirms the role of modifier loci in LS. We consider that LS patients with MLH1 mutations would greatly benefit from additional genotyping of SNPs rs3802842 and rs16892766 for personalized risk assessment and a tailored surveillance program.
Mortality audit of the Finnish cervical cancer screening program
Authors: Lönnberg Stefan , Nieminen Pekka , Luostarinen Tapio , Anttila Ahti
Published: September 2012

Incidence‐based evaluations of cervical cancer screening programs have suggested age‐specific impacts and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of screening outside the ages of 30–60 years. We audited the screening histories of cervical cancer deaths and conducted a case‐control evaluation of the effectiveness of organized screening in different ages with mortality as outcome. We included all 506 cervical cancer deaths in Finland in 2000–2009 due to cancers diagnosed in 1990 or later, and 3,036 controls matched by age at diagnosis to the cases. Squamous cell carcinoma constituted 59% of the cases, adenocarcinomas 29%, and the remaining 12% were other specified and unspecified cervical malignancies. Most deaths (54%) were due to cancers diagnosed more than 5 years after last screening invitation, 24% were diagnosed among nonattenders and only 14% of deaths occurred among women who had attended invitational screening. The risk reduction associated with attending a single program screen at an age below 40 was nonsignificant (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.33–1.48), while clear risk reductions were observed after screening at the age of 40–54 (OR 0.33; CI 0.20–0.56) and 55–69 (OR 0.29; CI 0.16–0.54). This study also provides some indication of a long‐lasting additional effect of screening at the age of 65. Possible avenues for improving the effectiveness of the Finnish screening program include efforts to increase attendance and an extension of the target ages to include 65‐to 69‐year‐old women. The potential benefit of increasing the sensitivity of the screening test or shortening the screening interval is smaller.
Effects of irradiation on osteoblast‐like cells on different titanium surfacesin vitro
Authors: Li Yumei , Ma Wei , Feng Zhihong , Wang Zhijun , Zha Nianbao , Deng Banglian , Zhao Yimin
Published: September 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of irradiation on adhesion ability, proliferation, and differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 cells on microarc oxidation (MAO) titanium surfaces and polished titanium (PT) surfaces. MC3T3‐E1 cells were exposed to a single dose at 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 Gy using a60Co source, with tissue culture polystyrene plates chosen as controls. On all surfaces, irradiation resulted in a dose‐dependent decrease in cellular proliferation. At 4 Gy dose, the cell proliferation of cells decreased by 17.8% on MAO and 18.6% on PT surfaces, respectively, compared with nonirradiated controls. Cells exposed to 8 Gy dose showed significant inhibition in collagen secretion and osteogenesis‐related genes expression (OSX, COL‐Iα1, and OCN). In contrast, irradiation increased cell adhesion to three surfaces dose dependently. It was also demonstrated that cells on MAO surface showed higher adhesion and collagen secretion than on PT surface at different radiation doses. This study revealed the effects of irradiation on osteoblastsin vitroon two titanium surfaces. MAO surface could be used in dental implants in irradiated bone due to enhanced adhesion ability and collagen secretion in osteoblasts. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 101B: 9–17, 2013.
Platelet‐rich plasma‐loaded chitosan scaffolds: Preparation and growth factor release kinetics
Authors: Kutlu Burak , Tiğlı Aydın Rahime Seda , Akman Abdullah C. , Gümüşderelioglu Menemşe , Nohutcu Rahime M.
Published: September 2012

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of different platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) preparation methods on platelet activity and to investigate the growth factor (GF) release kinetics from PRP‐loaded chitosan scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Flow cytometry analysis showed that centrifugation processes used for PRP preparation did not cause significant effect on platelet activation levels by means of markers investigated. Two different methods were used to prepare PRP‐loaded chitosan scaffolds: (i) PRP was added to chitosan gel before freeze‐drying to prepare scaffolds called as “GEL” and (ii) PRP was embedded to freeze‐dried chitosan scaffolds to prepare scaffolds called as “SPONGE.” In addition, nonactivated PRP and PRP activated with type‐I collagen were used as control groups. Scanning electron microscopy images demonstrated that, in GEL group, there is no deterioration on the scaffolds porous, 3D, and interconnected structure. GF release kinetics was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for platelet‐derived GF‐BB, transforming GF‐β1, and insulin‐like GF‐1. A sustained release of GFs was achieved in GEL group while a sharp burst release was observed for all the GFs from the SPONGE groups. Moreover, platelet‐derived GF‐BB, insulin‐like GF‐1, and transforming GF‐β1 releases were prolonged to 20 days in GEL groups, and the biological activities of all GFs released from GEL and SPONGE scaffolds were preserved. This study demonstrated that chitosan scaffold that was called GEL could be an appropriate carrier for PRP applications by providing sustained release of GFs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 101B: 28–35, 2013.
Human apolipoprotein E isoforms differentially affect bone mass and turnover in vivo
Authors: Dieckmann Marco , Beil F Timo , Mueller Brigitte , Bartelt Alexander , Marshall Robert P , Koehne Till , Amling Michael , Ruether Wolfgang , Cooper Jackie A , Humphries Steve E , Herz Joachim , Niemeier Andreas
Published: September 2012

The primary role of apolipoprotein E (apoE) is to mediate the cellular uptake of lipoproteins. However, a new role for apoE as a regulator of bone metabolism in mice has recently been established. In contrast to mice, the human APOE gene is characterized by three common isoforms APOE ε2, ε3, and ε4 that result in different metabolic properties of the apoE isoforms, but it remains controversial whether the APOE polymorphism influences bone traits in humans. To clarify this, we investigated bone phenotypes of apoE knock-in (k.i.) mice, which express one human isoform each (apoE2 k.i., apoE3 k.i., apoE4 k.i.) in place of the mouse apoE. Analysis of 12-week-old female k.i. mice revealed increased levels of biochemical bone formation and resorption markers in apoE2 k.i. animals as compared to apoE3 k.i. and apoE4 k.i., with a reduced osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) ratio in apoE2 k.i., indicating increased turnover with prevailing resorption in apoE2 k.i. Accordingly, histomorphometric and micro–computed tomography (µCT) analyses demonstrated significantly lower trabecular bone mass in apoE2 than in apoE3 and apoE4 k.i. animals, which was reflected by a significant reduction of lumbar vertebrae maximum force resistance. Unlike trabecular bone, femoral cortical thickness, and stability was not differentially affected by the apoE isoforms. To extend these observations to the human situation, plasma from middle-aged healthy men homozygous for ε2/ε2, ε3/ε3, and ε4/ε4 (n = 21, n = 80, n = 55, respectively) was analyzed with regard to bone turnover markers. In analogy to apoE2 k.i. mice, a lower OPG/RANKL ratio was observed in the serum of ε2/ε2 carriers as compared to ε3/ε3 and ε4/ε4 individuals (p = 0.02 for ε2/ε2 versus ε4/ε4). In conclusion, the current data strongly underline the general importance of apoE as a regulator of bone metabolism and identifies the APOE ε2 allele as a potential genetic risk factor for low trabecular bone mass and vertebral fractures in humans. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Notch gain of function inhibits chondrocyte differentiation via Rbpj-dependent suppression of Sox9
Authors: Chen Shan , Tao Jianning , Bae Yangjin , Jiang Ming-Ming , Bertin Terry , Chen Yuqing , Yang Tao , Lee Brendan
Published: September 2012

Notch signaling plays a critical role during development by directing the binary cell fate decision between progenitors and differentiated cells. Previous studies have shown sustained Notch activation in cartilage leads to chondrodysplasia. Genetic evidence indicates that Notch regulates limb bud mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into chondrocytes via an Rbpj-dependent Notch pathway. However, it is still unknown how Notch governs chondrogenesis in the axial skeleton where Notch serves a primary patterning function. We hypothesized that both Rbpj-dependent and Rbpj-independent Notch signaling mechanisms might be involved. Cartilage-specific Notch gain-of-function (GOF) mutant mice display chondrodysplasia accompanied by loss of Sox9 expression in vertebrae. To evaluate the contribution of an Rbpj-dependent Notch signaling to this phenotype, we deleted Rbpj on the Notch GOF background. These mice showed persistent spine abnormalities characterized by “butterfly” vertebrae suggesting that removal of Rbpj does not fully rescue the axial skeleton deformities caused by Notch GOF. However, Sox9 protein level was restored in Rbpj-deficient Notch GOF mice compared with Notch GOF mutants, demonstrating that regulation of Sox9 expression is canonical or Rbpj-dependent. To further understand the molecular basis of this regulation, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays and detected the recruitment of the Rbpj/NICD transcription complex to Rbpj-binding sites upstream of the Sox9 promoter. The association of the Rbpj/NICD complex with the Sox9 promoter is associated with transcriptional repression of Sox9 in a cellular model of chondrocyte differentiation. Hence, Notch negatively regulates chondrocyte differentiation in the axial skeleton by suppressing Sox9 transcription, and Rbpj-independent Notch signaling mechanisms may also contribute to axial skeletogenesis. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Activin A is essential for Feeder‐free culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Tomizawa Minoru , Shinozaki Fuminobu , Sugiyama Takao , Yamamoto Shigenori , Sueishi Makoto , Yoshida Takanobu
Published: September 2012

Feeder‐free culture of human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells is necessary for their clinical application to avoid adverse effects of foreign proteins. hiPS cells were cultured with combinations of activin (A), CHIR99021 (C), basic fibroblast growth factor (F), and leukemia inhibitory factor (L) under feeder‐free conditions. Culture was terminated after 12 passages or when the cell morphology changed from pluripotency. Pluripotency was analyzed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and immunostaining with antibodies to Oct3/4, Nanog, SSEA4, and TRA‐1‐60. SB431542 (SB), an activin inhibitor, was added to the culture, and the morphology of the cells was observed. hiPS cells cultured with A, AC, and ACL after 12 passages were positive for ALP staining. Oct3/4 was positive in hiPS cells cultured with A, AC, and ACL. hiPS cells were positive for Nanog when cultured with A and AC; however, Nanog signal was weaker in cells cultured with ACL. SSEA4 was positive in hiPS cells cultured with A and AC but almost negative in those cultured with ACL. hiPS cells were positive for TRA‐1‐60 when cultured with A, AC, and ACL. hiPS cells lose their undifferentiated morphology at six passages when cultured with A + SB, five passages with AC + SB, and nine passages with ACL. We conclude that feeder‐free culture of hiPS cells requires A or AC to maintain pluripotency. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 584–588, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SUMOylation of ATF3 alters its transcriptional activity on regulation of TP53 gene
Authors: Wang Chiung‐Min , Brennan Victoria C. , Gutierrez Ninoska M. , Wang Xirui , Wang Lizhong , Yang Wei‐Hsiung
Published: September 2012

Cyclic AMP‐dependent transcription factor‐3 (ATF3), a stress sensor, plays an essential role in cells to maintain homeostasis and has diverse functions in cellular survival and death signal pathways. ATF3 is a novel regulator of p53 protein stability and function. The activities of ATF3 are modulated by post‐translational modifications (PTMs), such as ubiquitination, but whether it is modified by small ubiquitin‐related modifier (SUMO) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ATF3 is post‐translationally modified by SUMO proteins and also to elucidate SUMOylation of ATF3 on TP53 gene activity. Here we report that ATF3 is clearly defined as a SUMO target protein both in vitro SUMOylation assay using recombinant proteins and at the cellular levels. Furthermore, ATF3 interacted with UBE2I, the only SUMO E2 enzyme found so far. In addition, PIAS3β (a SUMO E3 ligase) enhanced and SENP2 and SENP7 (two SUMOylation proteases) decreased SUMOylation of ATF3, respectively. Finally, we found that ATF3 is selectively SUMOylated at lysine residue 42 but the SUMOylation does not alter subcellular localization of ATF3. We then characterized the functional role of ATF3 SUMOylation on TP53 gene expression. We found that SUMOylation of ATF3 is required for full repression of TP53 gene. Overall, we provide the first evidence that ATF3 is post‐translationally modified by SUMO and SUMOylation of ATF3 plays a functional role in regulation of TP53 gene activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 589–598, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sonographic diagnosis and monitoring of localized langerhans cell histiocytosis of the skull
Authors: Kosiak Wojciech , Piskunowicz Maciej , Swieton Dominik , Bien Ewa , Batko Tomasz
Published: September 2012

Purpose.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is an infrequent disorder of unknown origin associated with histiocytic proliferation. The bones' involvement (including cranial bones) is the most frequent manifestation of pediatric LCH. Imaging of skull LCH is based predominantly on conventional radiography, CT, scintigraphy, and sometimes MRI. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of sonography (US) in the diagnosis and monitoring of bone lesions in children with localized LCH of the skull.

Methods.

Twenty‐seven children (15 boys/12 girls, mean age 6.1 years) were diagnosed between 1991 and 2005 in the Department of Pediatrics at the Medical University of Gdansk, Poland. Fourteen children (52%) had localized LCH of the skull.

Results.

All lesions of the skull visible on CT were visualized on US examination. Overall, 30 focal lesions were revealed by US. The largest bone lesions were accompanied by changes within the adjacent soft tissues. CT revealed 26 lesions, the location and size of which corresponded to the lesions seen on US, but soft‐tissue changes adjacent to the bony lesions were difficult to visualize.

Conclusions.

The US appearance of focal LCH lesions in cranial bones in children is not pathognomonic, but is characteristic enough to suggest an initial diagnosis and to monitor the evolution of lesions during treatment. US should be considered an additional diagnostic tool for LCH of the skull. Although US of localized LCH cannot replace CT, it could reduce the number of follow‐up CT examinations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013
Prognostic value of acute fluid collections diagnosed by ultrasound in the early assessment of severity of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Zerem Enver , Imamović Goran , Latić Ferid , Mavija Zoran
Published: September 2012

Purpose:

To evaluate the prognostic value of acute fluid collections (AFC) diagnosed by conventional transabdominal ultrasound in the early assessment of severity acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods:

We studied 128 consecutive patients with AP between March 2006 and March 2011. The predictor was the number of AFC. Outcome measure was the occurrence of complications. Abdominal sonogram, contrast‐enhanced CT, and pancreatitis‐specific clinical and laboratory findings were performed.

Results:

AFC were associated with complications (p< 0.0001), Balthazar grade (p = 0.004), Ranson score (p < 0.0001), and the majority of clinical, radiologic, and biochemical parameters for predicting complications of AP (p < 0.05). Univariate logistic regression also revealed significant association between the number of AFC and the occurrence of complications (OR 4.4; 95% CI 2.5–7.6). After the adjustment for covariates, AFC remained prognostic for complications and a cutoff point of >1 AFC was prognostic of their occurrence with 88% sensitivity and 82% specificity.

Conclusions:

AFC are related to the clinical course of AP and can predict its severity.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., J Clin Ultrasound, 2013