bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transition from traditional to LMS supported examining: A case study in computer engineering
Authors: Draskovic Drazen , Misic Marko , Stanisavljevic Zarko
Published: May 2016

Modern education is hard to imagine without the use of e‐learning tools, but still the transition from traditional “paper‐and‐pencil” examining to electronic exams is to some extent cautious. Although course administration and exam evaluation are much easier with learning management systems, there are concerns among teaching staff, that electronic tests simplify examination process compared to paper tests and classic examining. At the University of Belgrade, School of Electrical Engineering, e‐learning tools are used at several exams, mostly as a secondary tool to aid with laboratory exercises. In this paper, we show our experience with four courses from the computer engineering study program that are to various extent moved to Moodle LMS, and electronic examining. We mostly concentrate on certain aspects of transition from paper tests to electronic exams. We present 12 different transformations needed to conform to electronic examining and automated evaluation, and discuss benefits and drawbacks of such a transition. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 24:775–786, 2016; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21750
Recent Progress in Aptamer‐Based Functional Probes for Bioanalysis and Biomedicine
Authors: Zhang Huimin , Zhou Leiji , Zhu Zhi , Yang Chaoyong
Published: May 2016

Nucleic acid aptamers are short synthetic DNA or RNA sequences that can bind to a wide range of targets with high affinity and specificity. In recent years, aptamers have attracted increasing research interest due to their unique features of high binding affinity and specificity, small size, excellent chemical stability, easy chemical synthesis, facile modification, and minimal immunogenicity. These properties make aptamers ideal recognition ligands for bioanalysis, disease diagnosis, and cancer therapy. This review highlights the recent progress in aptamer selection and the latest applications of aptamer‐based functional probes in the fields of bioanalysis and biomedicine.
Rational Design of an Ultrasensitive and Highly Selective Chemodosimeter by a Dual Quenching Mechanism for Cysteine Based on a Facile Michael‐Transcyclization Cascade Reaction
Authors: Li Xiangmin , Zheng Yongjun , Tong Hongjuan , Qian Rui , Zhou Lin , Liu Guixia , Tang Yun , Li Hao , Lou Kaiyan , Wang Wei
Published: May 2016

Differentiation of biologically important thiols, such as cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), and glutathione (GSH) is still a challenging task. Herein, we present a novel fluorescent chemodosimeter capable of selectively detecting Cys over other biothiols including Hcy and GSH and other amino acids by a facile thiol‐Michael addition/transcyclization rearrangement cascade click process. The unique transcyclization step is critical for the selectivity as a result of the kinetically favorable formation of a six‐membered ring with the Cys Michael adduct. Moreover, the probe adopts a distinctive dual quenching mechanism—photoinduced electron transfer (PET) and photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) to deliver a drastic turn‐on fluorescence response only at the Cys‐selective transcylization step. The judicious selection of strong electron‐withdrawing naphthalimide fluorophore with maleimide group enhances the electrophilicity and thus reactivity for the cascade process leading to fast detection and ultrasensitivity with a detection limit of 2.0 nm (S/N=3). The probe has demonstrated its practical utility potential in Cys imaging in live cells.
The Enhancement on Proton Conductivity of Stable Polyoxometalate‐Based Coordination Polymers by the Synergistic Effect of MultiProton Units
Authors: Li Jing , Cao Xue‐Li , Wang Yuan‐Yuan , Zhang Shu‐Ran , Du Dong‐Ying , Qin Jun‐Sheng , Li Shun‐Li , Su Zhong‐Min , Lan Ya‐Qian
Published: May 2016

Two novel polyoxometalate (POM)‐based coordination polymers, namely, [Co(bpz)(Hbpz)][Co(SO4)0.5(H2O)2(bpz)]4 [PMoVI8MoV4VIV4O42]⋅13 H2O (NENU‐530) and [Ni2(bpz)(Hbpz)3(H2O)2][PMoVI8MoV4VIV4O44]⋅8 H2O (NENU‐531) (H2bpz=3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole), were isolated by hydrothermal methods, which represented 3D networks constructed by POM units, the protonated ligand and sulfate group. In contrast with most POM‐based coordination polymers, these two compounds exhibit exceptional excellent chemical and thermal stability. More importantly, NENU‐530 shows a high proton conductivity of 1.5×10−3 S cm−1 at 75 °C and 98 % RH, which is one order of magnitude higher than that of NENU‐531. Furthermore, structural analysis and functional measurement successfully demonstrated that the introduction of sulfate group is favorable for proton conductivity. Herein, the syntheses, crystal structures, proton conductivity, and the relationship between structure and property are presented.
ERCC1 and telomere status in breast tumours treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and their association with patient prognosis
Authors: Gay‐Bellile Mathilde , Romero Pierre , Cayre Anne , Véronèse Lauren , Privat Maud , Singh Shalini , Combes Patricia , Kwiatkowski Fabrice , Abrial Catherine , Bignon Yves‐Jean , Vago Philippe , Penault‐Llorca Frédérique , Tchirkov Andreï
Published: May 2016

Dysfunctional telomeres and DNA damage repair (DDR) play important roles in cancer progression. Studies have reported correlations between these factors and tumour aggressiveness and clinical outcome in breast cancer. We studied the characteristics of telomeres and expression of ERCC1, a protein involved in a number of DNA repair pathways and in telomere homeostasis, to assess their prognostic value, alone or in combination, in 90 residual breast tumours after treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). ERCC1 status was investigated at different molecular levels (protein and gene expression and gene copy‐number variations) by immunohistochemistry, qRT‐PCR and quantitative multiplex fluorescent‐PCR (QMF‐PCR). A comprehensive analysis of telomere characteristics was performed using qPCR for telomere length and qRT‐PCR for telomerase (hTERT), tankyrase 1 (TNKS) and shelterin complex (TRF1, TRF2, POT1, TPP1, RAP1 and TIN2) gene expression. Short telomeres, high hTERT and TNKS expression and low ERCC1 protein expression were independently associated with worse survival outcome. Interestingly, ERCC1 gains and losses correlated with worse disease‐free (p = 0.026) and overall (p = 0.043) survival as compared to survival of patients with normal gene copy‐numbers. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of all ERCC1 and telomere parameters identified four subgroups with distinct prognosis. In particular, a cluster combining low ERCC1, ERCC1 gene alterations, dysfunctional telomeres and high hTERT and a cluster with high TNKS and shelterin expression correlated with poor disease‐free (HR= 5.41, p= 0.0044) and overall survival (HR= 6.01, p= 0.0023) irrespective of tumour stage and grade. This comprehensive study demonstrates that telomere dysfunction and DDR can contribute synergistically to tumour progression and chemoresistance. These parameters are predictors of clinical outcome in breast cancer patients treated with NCT and could be useful clinically as prognostic biomarkers to tailor adjuvant chemotherapy post‐NCT.
The Association Between Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Health Status Following Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Shafiq Ali , Jayaram Natalie , Gosch Kensey L. , Spertus John A. , Buchanan Donna M. , Decker Carole , Kosiborod Mikhail , Arnold Suzanne V.
Published: May 2016

Background

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are commonly used in patients with cardiovascular disease. Although there is lack of evidence regarding the benefit of CAM on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, health‐status benefits could justify CAM use.

Hypothesis

Adoption of mind‐body CAM after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with improved health status, though other forms of CAM are not associated with health‐status improvement.

Methods

Patients with AMI from 24 US sites were assessed for CAM use (categorized as mind‐body, biological, and manipulative therapies) prior to and 1 year after AMI. Among patients who reported not using CAM prior to their AMI, association of initiating CAM on patients' health status at 1 year after AMI was assessed using Angina Frequency and Quality of Life domains from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire and the Short Form‐12 Physical and Mental Component scales. Multivariable regression helped examine association between use of different CAM therapies and health status.

Results

Among 1884 patients not using CAM at the time of their AMI, 33% reported initiating ≥1 forms of CAM therapy 1 year following AMI: 62% adopted mind‐body therapies, 42% adopted biological therapies, and 15% began using manipulative therapies. In both unadjusted and adjusted analyses, we found no association between different types of CAM use and health‐status improvement after AMI.

Conclusions

There was no association between CAM use and health‐status recovery after AMI. Until randomized trials suggest otherwise, these findings underscore the importance of focusing on therapies with proven effectiveness after AMI.
Iridium Complexes as a Roadblock for DNA Polymerase during Amplification
Authors: Chandra Falguni , Kumar Prashant , Tripathi Suman Kumar , Patra Srikanta , Koner Apurba L.
Published: May 2016

Iridium‐based metal complexes containing polypyridyl‐pyrazine ligands show properties of DNA intercalation. They serve as roadblocks to DNA polymerase activity, thereby inhibiting the polymerization process. Upon the addition of increasing concentrations of these iridium complexes, a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based assay reveals the selective inhibition of the DNA polymerization process. This label‐free approach to study the inhibition of fundamental cellular processes via physical roadblock can offer an alternative route toward cancer therapy.
TRPV1–FAAH–COX: The Couples Game in Pain Treatment
Authors: Aiello Francesca , Carullo Gabriele , Badolato Mariateresa , Brizzi Antonella
Published: May 2016

Pain is a complex sensation involving the perception and transduction of diverse environmental pain stimuli with cognitive and emotional processing by the central nervous system. It can manifest as acute or chronic pain. Pain is controlled by a series of enzymes and receptors, implicated in a variety of interconnected mechanisms and pathways. In fact, several studies have shown the cannabinoid receptor 1 and the transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 1 to be new players in modulating the sophisticated pain transduction system at the central level. At the peripheral level, the perception of pain involves cyclooxygenases and fatty acid amide hydrolase, as recent studies demonstrate. This Minireview describes the physiological aspects of the receptors and enzymes mentioned above and focuses on the consideration of dual mechanisms as a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of pain.
Emerging trends in surgical and adjuvant radiation therapies among women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ
Authors: Shiyanbola Oyewale O. , Sprague Brian L. , Hampton John M. , Dittus Kim , James Ted A. , Herschorn Sally , Gangnon Ronald E. , Weaver Donald L. , Trentham‐Dietz Amy
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

The use of surgery and radiation therapy in treating ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is directed by treatment guidelines and evidence from research. This study investigated recent patterns in DCIS treatment by demographic factors.

METHODS

Data for women diagnosed with DCIS between 1998 and 2011 (n = 416,232) in the National Cancer Data Base were assessed for trends in treatment patterns by age group, calendar year, ancestral/ethnic group, and geographic region. The likelihood of receiving specific treatment modalities was analyzed with multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

DCIS cases were most frequently treated with breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) and adjuvant radiation (45.6%). After an initial rise, the use of adjuvant radiation after BCS plateaued at approximately 70% after 2007, with increasing utilization of mastectomy beyond 2005. In addition, there was an increasing trend in postmastectomy reconstruction over time, and women of African ancestry (odds ratio [OR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66‐0.72) and Hispanic women (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.78‐0.89) were less likely to undergo reconstruction in comparison with women of European ancestry. A similar trend was observed in contralateral risk‐reducing mastectomy utilization, with women of European ancestry having a more rapid rise in the utilization of contralateral risk‐reducing mastectomy in comparison with all other ancestral/ethnic groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent trends demonstrate a plateau in radiation therapy administration after BCS along with increasing utilization of mastectomy, reconstruction, and contralateral risk‐reducing mastectomy. There are substantial differences in treatment utilization according to ancestry/ethnicity and geographical region. Further studies examining patient‐physician decision making surrounding DCIS treatment are warranted. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2810–2818. © 2016 American Cancer Society
Comparative effectiveness of surgical and nonsurgical therapy for advanced laryngeal cancer
Authors: Lin Chun Chieh , Fedewa Stacey A. , Prickett Kara K. , Higgins Kristin A. , Chen Amy Y.
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

The treatment of patients with advanced stage laryngeal cancer includes surgery or concurrent chemoradiation (CRT). Although CRT has become more common in recent years, to the authors' knowledge, the effectiveness of complete CRT in improving survival over surgery has not been studied.

METHODS

The authors examined patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare claims‐linked data set with locoregional laryngeal cancer who were diagnosed between 1997 and 2007. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were conducted to compare overall and cause‐specific 5‐year survival rates between treatment modalities, adjusting for patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. A propensity score‐matched subcohort also was used to compare survival.

RESULTS

Of the 3212 patients in the study cohort, 42% underwent surgery and 18% underwent CRT. Only approximately one‐quarter of patients who were treated with CRT completed the courses. In adjusted analyses, the authors were unable to reject the null hypothesis of no difference in 5‐year all‐cause or cause‐specific mortality risk between patients treated with surgery and patients undergoing complete CRT (hazards ratio, 1.25 [95% confidence interval, 0.91‐1.71; P = .16] and hazard ratio, 1.41 [95% confidence interval, 0.9‐2.2; P = .14], respectively). Older age, not currently married, Medicaid eligibility, and prior cancer history were found to be associated with a higher risk of mortality (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with advanced laryngeal cancer who underwent complete CRT were found to have overall and cause‐specific survival rates similar to those of patients undergoing surgery. However, a substantial percentage of patients who initiated CRT did not complete the course. Although CRT provides organ preservation, the benefits and trade‐offs of CRT and total laryngectomy should be discussed fully with patients. The importance of completing the full course of CRT should be emphasized. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2845–2856. © 2016 American Cancer Society
Accuracy of urinary human papillomavirus testing for the presence of cervical human papillomaviruses and higher grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Piyathilake Chandrika J. , Badiga Suguna , Chambers Michelle M. , Brill Ilene K. , Matthews Roland , Partridge Edward E.
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Although urine‐based testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) is being explored as a practical approach for cervical cancer screening, whether the results differ by age, race, or indicators of excess body weight or in populations exposed to HPV vaccines has not been documented by previous studies. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of urinary HPV testing for the presence of cervical HPVs and high‐grade cervical intraepithelial lesions (grade 2 and 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN]) by the aforementioned population characteristics.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 502 women diagnosed with different grades of CIN. HPV testing was performed with paired urine and cervical cell DNA with the Roche Diagnostics Linear Array test. Agreement coefficient 1 and probabilities were calculated to determine the accuracy of urinary HPV testing for the presence of cervical HPVs and CIN lesions.

RESULTS

Substantial to almost perfect agreement (0.66‐0.83) was observed in the detection of any HPV genotype in urine specimens versus cervical specimens, regardless of the population characteristics. Although the positive predictive value for the detection of CIN lesions was relatively low, the negative predictive value for CIN‐3 was high (≥90%) among women positive for any of the urinary or cervical high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) genotypes or HPV genotypes not included in currently available HPV vaccines.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that urinary HPV testing provides highly satisfactory results for excluding the possibility of any cervical HPV infections, including HPV types not included in vaccines and CIN lesions associated with any HR‐HPV, regardless of a woman's age, race, or excess body weight. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2836–2844. © 2016 American Cancer Society
Expression of homeobox genes in the mouse olfactory epithelium
Authors: Parrilla Marta , Chang Isabelle , Degl'Innocenti Andrea , Omura Masayo
Published: May 2016

Homeobox genes constitute a large family of genes widely studied because of their role in the establishment of the body pattern. However, they are also involved in many other events during development and adulthood. The main olfactory epithelium (MOE) is an excellent model to study neurogenesis in the adult nervous system. Analyses of homeobox genes during development show that some of these genes are involved in the formation and establishment of cell diversity in the MOE. Moreover, the mechanisms of expression of odorant receptors (ORs) constitute one of the biggest enigmas in the field. Analyses of OR promoters revealed the presence of homeodomain binding sites in their sequences. Here we characterize the expression patterns of a set of 49 homeobox genes in the MOE with in situ hybridization. We found that seven of them (Dlx3, Dlx5, Dlx6, Msx1, Meis1, Isl1, and Pitx1) are zonally expressed. The homeobox gene Emx1 is expressed in three guanylate cyclase+ populations, two located in the MOE and the third one in an olfactory subsystem known as Grüneberg ganglion located at the entrance of the nasal cavity. The homeobox gene Tshz1 is expressed in a unique patchy pattern across the MOE. Our findings provide new insights to guide functional studies that aim to understand the complexity of transcription factor expression and gene regulation in the MOE. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2713–2739, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Claustral afferents of superior parietal areas PEc and PE in the macaque
Authors: Gamberini Michela , Passarelli Lauretta , Bakola Sophia , Impieri Daniele , Fattori Patrizia , Rosa Marcello G. P. , Galletti Claudio
Published: May 2016

The exposed surface of the primate superior parietal cortex includes two cytoarchitectonically defined areas, the PEc and PE. In the present study we describe the distribution of neurons projecting from the claustrum to these areas. Retrograde neuronal tracers were injected by direct visualization of regions of interest, and the location of injection sites was reconstructed relative to cytoarchitectural borders. For comparison, the patterns of claustral label that resulted from injections involving neighboring cytoarchitectonic areas were analyzed. We found that the claustral territories sending projections to areas PE and PEc partially overlapped zones previously shown to form projections to the posterior parietal, somatosensory, visual, and motor cortex. The projection zones to the PE and PEc overlapped extensively, and consisted of multiple patches separated by label‐free zones. Most of the labeled neurons were located in the posterior–ventral part of the claustrum. Area PE received additional inputs from a posterior–dorsal part of the claustrum, which has been previously reported to project to the somatosensory cortex, while the PEc receives additional input from an anterior–ventral region of the claustrum, which has been reported to project to the visual association cortex. These observations reflect the known functional properties of the PE and PEc, with the former containing neurons that are predominantly involved in somatosensory processing, and the latter including both somatosensory and visual neurons. The present results suggest that the claustrum projections may help coordinate the activity of an extensive neural circuit involved in sensory and motor processing for movement execution. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:1475–1488, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Ethics of App‐Assisted Family Mediation
Authors: Barsky Allan E.
Published: May 2016

This article explores ethical issues that mediators should consider when selecting and using digital programs (software/apps) as part of the mediation process. In particular, mediators should address ethical concerns related to duty of care, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, boundaries, neutrality and fairness, and cross‐border mediation.
Dmrt1 polymorphism covaries with sex‐determination patterns in Rana temporaria
Authors: Ma Wen‐Juan , Rodrigues Nicolas , Sermier Roberto , Brelsford Alan , Perrin Nicolas
Published: May 2016

Patterns of sex‐chromosome differentiation and gonadal development have been shown to vary among populations of Rana temporaria along a latitudinal transect in Sweden. Frogs from the northern‐boreal population of Ammarnäs displayed well‐differentiated X and Y haplotypes, early gonadal differentiation, and a perfect match between phenotypic and genotypic sex. In contrast, no differentiated Y haplotypes could be detected in the southern population of Tvedöra, where juveniles furthermore showed delayed gonadal differentiation. Here, we show that Dmrt1, a gene that plays a key role in sex determination and sexual development across all metazoans, displays significant sex differentiation in Tvedöra, with a Y‐specific haplotype distinct from Ammarnäs. The differential segment is not only much shorter in Tvedöra than in Ammarnäs, it is also less differentiated and associates with both delayed gonadal differentiation and imperfect match between phenotypic and genotypic sex. Whereas Tvedöra juveniles with a local Y haplotype tend to ultimately develop as males, those without it may nevertheless become functional XX males, but with strongly female‐biased progeny. Our findings suggest that the variance in patterns of sex determination documented in common frogs might result from a genetic polymorphism within a small genomic region that contains Dmrt1. They also substantiate the view that recurrent convergences of sex determination toward a limited set of chromosome pairs may result from the co‐option of small genomic regions that harbor key genes from the sex‐determination pathway.
A Meta‐analysis on Resting State High‐frequency Heart Rate Variability in Bulimia Nervosa
Authors: Peschel Stephanie K. V. , Feeling Nicole R. , Vögele Claus , Kaess Michael , Thayer Julian F. , Koenig Julian
Published: May 2016

Objective

Autonomic nervous system function is altered in eating disorders. We aimed to quantify differences in resting state vagal activity, indexed by high‐frequency heart rate variability comparing patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) and healthy controls.

Methods

A systematic search of the literature to identify studies eligible for inclusion and meta‐analytical methods were applied. Meta‐regression was used to identify potential covariates.

Results

Eight studies reporting measures of resting high‐frequency heart rate variability in individuals with BN (n = 137) and controls (n = 190) were included. Random‐effects meta‐analysis revealed a sizeable main effect (Z = 2.22, p = .03; Hedge's g = 0.52, 95% CI [0.06;0.98]) indicating higher resting state vagal activity in individuals with BN. Meta‐regression showed that body mass index and medication intake are significant covariates.

Discussion

Findings suggest higher vagal activity in BN at rest, particularly in unmedicated samples with lower body mass index. Potential mechanisms underlying these findings and implications for routine clinical care are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Anti‐fatigue activity of essential oil from thyme (linalool chemotype) in the polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid‐induced brain fatigue mouse
Authors: Hayakawa M. , Satou T. , Koike K. , Masuo Y.
Published: May 2016

While various mechanisms are suggested to be involved in overall fatigue, recent studies have begun to specifically focus on brain fatigue. It has been speculated that brain fatigue might be due to an inflammation in the brain that subsequently influences the entire body. In the current study, we attempted to scientifically elucidate the anti‐fatigue activity responsible for the empirically noted changes associated with aromatherapy. The study used the essential oil from the thyme linalool chemotype (EOT). A brain fatigue mouse model was created by an intraperitoneal injection of polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid (20 mg/kg). Our results demonstrated that after the administration of EOT, there was a significant decrease in the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin‐6 in the hippocampus. We also investigated the mRNA expression level of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus. These results suggest that EOT i.h. causes the anti‐fatigue activity via both anti‐inflammatory and nerve activating activities. This anti‐fatigue activity appears to be due to the combined influence of both (+)‐terpinen‐4‐ol and other compounds. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Source rock characteristics of Permian Lucaogou Formation in the Jimusar Sag, Junggar Basin, northwest China, and its significance on tight oil source and occurrence
Authors: Hu Tao , Pang Xiongqi , Wang Xulong , Pang Hong , Tang Ling , Pan Zhihong , Wang Yangyang , Shen Weibing , Jiang Hang , Pang Ying
Published: May 2016

Significant progress has recently been made in tight oil exploration within the Permian Lucaogou (P2l) Formation of the Jimusar Sag. However, current tight oil exploration deployment of the P2l Formation is mainly based on reservoir prediction, which is high risk for tight oil exploration. In this study, the geological and geochemical characteristics of the P2l Formation source rocks, including the distribution, sedimentary environment, organic matter abundance, kerogen types and thermal maturity were investigated. Hydrocarbon generation and expulsion intensity were evaluated through an improved hydrocarbon generation potential methodology, and the significance of source rocks in tight oil source and occurrence was systematically investigated. Results indicate that P2l Formation source rocks with total organic carbon >1.0 wt% occur widely (an area up to 1500 km2), are thick (up to 160 m), were deposited in a lacustrine weakly reducing sedimentary environment with relatively low salinity, have a high total organic content with a mean value of 3.12 wt%, are dominated by type II kerogen and have reached the early mature to mature stage. Modelling results indicate that the source rocks reached the hydrocarbon generation threshold and hydrocarbon expulsion threshold at 0.48% and 0.86% vitrinite reflectance, respectively. The comprehensive hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency was approximately 30%, and the maxima of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion intensities for P2l Formation source rocks are 1200 × 104 and 425 × 104 t/km2. The tight oil is sourced from adjacent source rocks that are interbedded with, or are close to, the reservoirs. The migration of oil generated from the source rocks occurs over very short distances. The oil filling degree index (oil bearing thickness/P2l Formation thickness) is higher at a closer proximity to the source rocks, and where it is higher the hydrocarbon generation intensity of the source rocks is also elevated. In addition, the greater the hydrocarbon expulsion intensity of the source rocks, the higher the daily oil production values (ton/day) from prospect wells. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the incidence of osteoradionecrosis with conventional radiotherapy and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Maesschalck Thibault De , Dulguerov Nicolas , Caparrotti Francesca , Scolozzi Paolo , Picardi Cristina , Mach Nicolas , Koutsouvelis Nikolaos , Dulguerov Pavel
Published: May 2016

Background

Modern techniques of radiotherapy are supposed to decrease the incidence of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible (ORNM). The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of ORNM after intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in comparison to conventional 3D conformal radiotherapy techniques (conventional RT).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive unselected patients treated in a single institution between 2002 and 2012. To minimize confounding effects, only patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma without surgery of the primary site were included.

Results

The cohorts included 145 patients in the conventional RT group and 89 patients in the IMRT group. Total incidence rate of ORNM was similar for both groups with rates of 11% versus 10% (n = 16 for conventional RT and n = 9 for IMRT; p = 1.0). Subanalysis revealed more ORNM in T4 classified lesions with IMRT (p = .007). Analysis of different risk factors showed no statistically significant difference between ORNM and no‐ORNM patients.

Conclusion

We found no reduction in ORNM with IMRT. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1708–1716, 2016
Ecosystem services, environmental stressors, and decision making: How far have we got?
Authors: Maltby Lorraine , Duke Clifford , Van Wensem Joke
Published: May 2016

Key Points

A joint workshop by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry and the Ecological Society of America addressed the challenges of mainstreaming ecosystem service approaches into environmental decision making relating to stressor risk assessment and natural resource management. Ecosystem services approaches are compatible with existing environmental policies, regulatory processes and assessment frameworks, and provide a mechanism for integrating across stressor-specific and environmental media-specific policies. The lack of postdecision monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of decision making and to enable adaptive management was highlighted as a particular concern, and the need for a robust test of the hypothesis that applying ecosystem services approaches improves decision making, was identified. Although many of the tools required to enable the application of an ecosystem services framework to risk assessment and natural resource management are available, the limited availability of robust ecological production functions is severely impeding progress and should be addressed.
International trends in liver cancer incidence, overall and by histologic subtype, 1978–2007
Authors: Petrick Jessica L. , Braunlin Megan , Laversanne Mathieu , Valery Patricia C. , Bray Freddie , McGlynn Katherine A.
Published: May 2016

Primary liver cancer, the most common histologic types of which are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. While rising incidence of liver cancer in low‐risk areas and decreasing incidence in some high‐risk areas has been reported, trends have not been thoroughly explored by country or by histologic type. We examined liver cancer incidence overall and by histology by calendar time and birth cohort for selected countries between 1978 and 2007. For each successive 5‐year period, age‐standardized incidence rates were calculated from volumes V‐IX of the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents electronic database (CI5plus) and the newly released CI5X (volume X) database. Wide global variations persist in liver cancer incidence. Rates of liver cancer remain highest in Asian countries, specifically Eastern and South‐Eastern Asian countries. While rates in most of these high‐risk countries have been decreasing in recent years, rates in India and several low‐risk countries of Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania have been on the rise. Liver cancer rates by histologic type tend to convey a similar temporal profile. However, in Thailand, France, and Italy, ICC rates have increased while HCC rates have declined. We expect rates in high‐risk countries to continue to decrease, as the population seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to decline. In low‐risk countries, targeted screening and treatment of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), treatment of diabetes and primary prevention of obesity, will be key in reducing future liver cancer incidence.
Meander reconnection method determines restoration success for macroinvertebrate communities in a German lowland river
Authors: Lorenz Stefan , Leszinski Marc , Graeber Daniel
Published: May 2016

Re‐meandering of degraded rivers is a frequently implemented measure in river restoration. A simple solution is reconnection of old meanders; however, its success likely depends on the reconnection method. We conducted a field study to analyze the benefits of a fully reconnected (fully opened meander, blocked main channel) and a partially reconnected meander (opened downstream, pipe bypass from main channel upstream, still open main channel) for macroinvertebrate communities in a German lowland river. Immediately upon reconnection of the two meanders, habitat diversity, and macroinvertebrates were recorded for three years with sampling in spring and in summer each year. The results of a principal response curve analysis show that the macroinvertebrate community in the fully reconnected meander reflected main channel reference conditions after 1.5 years. The macroinvertebrate community composition was not improved relative to in‐stream reference conditions within the partially reconnected meander, which could be attributed to the almost complete lack of flow changes that resulted in missing improvements of substrate diversity. Our results show that the meander reconnection method must sufficiently affect the basic hydromorphological requirements to achieve reference macroinvertebrate community composition. Measures including hydromorphological conditions are therefore recommended for employment in environmental management.
Development of the Larval Amphibian Growth and Development Assay: Effects of benzophenone‐2 exposure in Xenopus laevis from embryo to juvenile
Authors: Haselman Jonathan T. , Sakurai Maki , Watanabe Naoko , Goto Yasushi , Onishi Yuta , Ito Yuki , Onoda Yu , Kosian Patricia A. , Korte Joseph J. , Johnson Rodney D. , Iguchi Taisen , Degitz Sigmund J.
Published: May 2016

The Larval Amphibian Growth and Development Assay (LAGDA) is a globally harmonized chemical testing guideline developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with Japan's Ministry of Environment to support risk assessment. The assay is employed as a higher tiered approach to evaluate effects of chronic chemical exposure throughout multiple life stages in a model amphibian species, Xenopus laevis. To evaluate the utility of the initial LAGDA design, the assay was performed using a mixed mode of action endocrine disrupting chemical, benzophenone‐2 (BP‐2). X. laevis embryos were exposed in flow‐through conditions to 0, 1.5, 3.0 or 6.0 mg l–1 BP‐2 until 2 months post‐metamorphosis. Overt toxicity was evident throughout the exposure period in the 6.0 mg l–1 treatment due to elevated mortality rates and observed liver and kidney pathologies. Concentration‐dependent increases in severity of thyroid follicular cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia occurred in larval tadpoles indicating BP‐2‐induced impacts on the thyroid axis. Additionally, gonads were impacted in all treatments with some genetic males showing both testis and ovary tissues (1.5 mg l–1) and 100% of the genetic males in the 3.0 and 6.0 mg l−1 treatments experiencing complete male‐to‐female sex reversal. Concentration‐dependent vitellogenin induction occurred in both genders with associated accumulations of protein in the livers, kidneys and gonads, which was likely vitellogenin and other estrogen‐responsive yolk proteins. This is the first study that demonstrates the endocrine effects of this mixed mode of action chemical in an amphibian species and demonstrates the utility of the LAGDA design for supporting chemical risk assessment. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein, enzyme and carbohydrate quantification using smartphone through colorimetric digitization technique
Authors: Dutta Sibasish , Saikia Gunjan Prasad , Sarma Dhruva Jyoti , Gupta Kuldeep , Das Priyanka , Nath Pabitra
Published: May 2016

In this paper the utilization of smartphone as a detection platform for colorimetric quantification of biological macromolecules has been demonstrated. Using V‐channel of HSV color space, the quantification of BSA protein, catalase enzyme and carbohydrate (using D‐glucose) have been successfully investigated. A custom designed android application has been developed for estimating the total concentration of biological macromolecules. The results have been compared with that of a standard spectrophotometer which is generally used for colorimetric quantification in laboratory settings by measuring its absorbance at a specific wavelength. The results obtained with the designed sensor is found to be similar when compared with the spectrophotometer data. The designed sensor is low cost, robust and we envision that it could promote diverse fields of bio‐analytical investigations.

Schematic illustration of the smartphone sensing mechanism for colorimetric analysis of biomolecular samples.

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Schematic illustration of the smartphone sensing mechanism for colorimetric analysis of biomolecular samples.
Novel fluoroimmunoassays for detecting ochratoxin A using CdTe quantum dots
Authors: Yao Jingjing , Xing Guangxu , Han Junling , Sun Yaning , Wang Fangyu , Deng Ruiguang , Hu Xiaofei , Zhang Gaiping
Published: May 2016

Novel direct and indirect competitive fluorescence‐linked immunosorbent assays (cFLISA and icFLISA) for detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) were described using CdTe quantum dots (QDs) as fluorescent label. CdTe QDs were successfully synthesized, which had an emission wavelength of 615 nm. The high purity monoclonal antibody against OTA was prepared through cell thawing and the octylic acid‐ammonium sulfate method. The OTA MAbs were successfully coupled with CdTe QDs, and which also retained the original biological activity. The 50% inhibition values (IC50) of the cFLISA and icFLISA were 0.630 ng/mL, 0.234 ng/mL, the limits of detection (LOD) were 7.06 × 10–3 and 4.15 × 10–3 ng/mL, and detection ranges were 7.06 × 10–3 − 18.34 ng/mL and 4.15 × 10–3 − 4.88 ng/mL, in‐order. The recoveries were 96.0–104.7% along with coefficients of variation (CVs) below 10%. The FLISA provided novel method for determination of OTA and the potential of MAb–CdTe QDs for the establishment of fluorescent immunochromatographic test strip.

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Biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates/bacterial cellulose composites: Preparation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation
Authors: Chiulan Ioana , Mihaela Panaitescu Denis , Nicoleta Frone Adriana , Teodorescu Mircea , Andi Nicolae Cristian , Căşărică Angela , Tofan Vlad , Sălăgeanu Aurora
Published: May 2016

Biocompatible composites play a critical role as scaffolds in tissue engineering. Novel biocomposites made from poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and bacterial cellulose (BC) in different concentrations were prepared by solution casting and their thermal and mechanical behavior as well as biocompatibility was characterized. BC addition increased the thermal stability of the polymer matrix as evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis. The crystallinity of PHB and the crystallization temperature decreased with the addition of BC and PHA, thus increasing the processing window. BC in small concentration determined an increase in the mechanical properties due to a concerted action of PHA and filler. Good cells attachment and proliferation were observed for all the biocomposites. By the addition of PHA (more hydrophobic than the matrix) and various amounts of BC (highly hydrophilic), surface properties and cell attachment can be controlled. Cytocompatibility studies using L929 cell line revealed that this material is suitable for biomedical applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2576–2584, 2016.
Automated Analysis of Cell Cycle Phase‐Specific DNA Damage Reveals Phase‐Specific Differences in Cell Sensitivity to Etoposide
Authors: Luzhin Artem V. , Velichko Artem K. , Razin Sergey V. , Kantidze Omar L.
Published: May 2016

The comet assay is one of the most widely used approaches for detecting DNA damage; generally, it provides information on the cell population‐averaged level of DNA damage. Here, we present an automatic technique for easy measurement of standard comet characteristics and an annotation of the cell cycle phase of each comet. The approach includes the modified neutral comet assay and a pipeline for CellProfiler software designed to analyze DNA damage‐related characteristics and annotate the cell cycle phase of each comet. Using this technique we have performed cell cycle phase‐specific analysis of DNA damage induced by the topoisomerase II poison etoposide and have shown that the sensitivity of cells to this drug dramatically differed according to their cell cycle phase. It became evident from our results that the proposed protocol provides important additional information that often remains hidden in a standard comet analysis of an asynchronous cell population. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2209–2214, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of Pyrazole‐linked Norcantharidin Analogues of Substituted Chromones
Authors: Wang Wei , Deng Liping , Tang Shenlong , Qian Qing
Published: May 2016

Eighteen novel pyrazole‐linked norcantharidin derivatives substituted by chromone ring were synthesized in a single step by the [3+2] 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction of norcantharidin derivatives of substituted aromatic amines with hydrazone in the presence of chloramine‐T as compared to the conventional method.
New Synthesis of N‐(1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐hexahydroquinoline‐3‐carbonitrile and octahydropyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrimido[1,2‐a]quinoline‐6‐carbonitrile Derivatives from the Cyclic β‐Enaminones
Authors: Abdelmoniem Amr Mohamed , Ramadan Muhammed Ali , Ghozlan Said Ahmed Soliman , Abdelhamid Ismail Abdelshafy
Published: May 2016

A facile and convenient synthesis of an interesting N‐(1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐hexahydroquinoline‐3‐carbonitrile and octahydropyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrimido[1,2‐a]quinoline‐6‐carbonitrile derivatives via the versatile readily accessible cyclic enaminones incorporating pyrazole moiety was accomplished.
An Approach to Polysubstituted Triazipines, Thiadiazoles and Thiazoles Based on Benzopyran Moiety Through The Utility of Versatile Hydrazonoyl Halides as In Vitro Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Authors: Badrey Mohamed G. , Gomha Sobhi M. , Arafa Wael A. A. , Abdulla Mohamed M.
Published: May 2016

The chromene compound 1 is used as a key intermediate for synthesis of new heterocyclic compounds, and it reacted with hydrazonoyl chlorides in presence of TEA to give the amidrazone derivatives 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, which were cyclized to the corresponding triazepines 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h on boiling with sodium ethoxide. Conversion of compound 1 to the methylthiocarbamate derivative 6 was performed through its reaction with carbon disulfide and KOH followed by treatment with methyl iodide. Compound 6 reacted with hydrazonoyl chlorides in presence of TEA to give thiadiazoles 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g. In addition, chromene 1 combined with aminodithiocarbamic acid in DMF under reflux to furnish the thiosemicarbazide derivative 9, which in turn interacted with several hydrazonoyl chlorides to give the thiazole derivatives 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e. The structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed from their spectroscopic data and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were tested against both monoamine oxidase (MAO)‐A and MAO‐B and corrected to analyses showed good inhibitory activities especially against MAO‐A.
Development of a vestibular schwannoma xenograft zebrafish model for in vivo antitumor drug screening
Authors: Lee Hyun‐Jin , Yang Yeon Ju , Jeong Sewon , Lee Jong Dae , Choi Seok‐Yong , Jung Da‐Woon , Moon In Seok
Published: May 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

The development of a simple, reliable, and cost‐effective animal model greatly facilitates disease treatment. We aimed to establish a rapid, simple, and reproducible live zebrafish vestibular schwannoma xenograft model for antitumor drug screening.

Methods

We optimized each of the following conditions for tumor cell xenografts in zebrafish larvae: larval stage, incubation temperature, and injected cell number. We used NF2‐/‐mouse Schwann (SC4) cells and generated mCherry fluorescent protein‐expressing cells prior to injection into zebrafish larvae. SC4 cells were counted using a fluorescence microscope, suspended in 10% fetal bovine serum, and injected into the center of the yolk sac using a microinjection system. The injected embryos were transferred to E3 medium (for zebrafish embryos), and subsequent tumor formation was observed by fluorescence microscopy over a 5‐day period. To validate our model, xenografted embryos were transferred into 6‐well plates (5 embryos per well) and treated with everolimus, a known antitumor drug.

Results

mCherry fluorescent protein‐expressing SC4 cells were successfully grafted into the yolk sacs of zebrafish embryos without any immunosuppressant treatment. At 2 days postinjection, the xenografted cells had grown into tumor masses. The optimal speed of tumor formation depended on the larval stage (30 hpf), incubation temperature (31°C), and injected cell number (200 cells). In preliminary tests, everolimus treatment yielded a > 20% reduction in the number of SC4 cells in the yolk.

Conclusion

Our in vivo model has the potential to greatly facilitate vestibular schwannoma treatment because of its speed, simplicity, reproducibility, and amenability to live imaging.

Level of Evidence

NALaryngoscope, 126:E409–E415, 2016
Existence of solutions to a non‐variational singular elliptic system with unbounded weights
Authors: De Cave L. M. , Oliva F. , Strani M.
Published: May 2016

In this paper we prove an existence result for the following singular elliptic system
urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201600038:mana201600038-math-0001where Ω is a bounded open set in (), is the p‐laplacian operator, and are suitable Lebesgue functions and , , are positive parameters satisfying suitable assumptions.