bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital use, associated costs, and payer status for infants born with spina bifida
Authors: Radcliff Elizabeth , Cassell Cynthia H. , Tanner Jean Paul , Kirby Russell S. , Watkins Sharon , Correia Jane , Peterson Cora , Grosse Scott D.
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND:Health care use and costs for children with spina bifida (SB) are significantly greater than those of unaffected children. Little is known about hospital use and costs across health insurance payer types. We examined hospitalizations and associated costs by sociodemographic characteristics and payer type during the first year of life among children with SB. We also examined changes in health insurance payer status.METHODS:This study was a retrospective, statewide population‐based analysis of infants with SB without anencephaly born in Florida during 1998–2007. Infants were identified by the Florida Birth Defects Registry and linked to hospital discharge records. Descriptive statistics on number of hospitalizations, length of stay, and estimated hospital costs per hospitalization and per infant were calculated during the first year of life. Results were stratified by selected sociodemographic variables and health insurance payer type.RESULTS:Among 615 infants with SB, mean and median numbers of hospitalizations per infant were 2.4 and 2.0, respectively. Mean and median total days of hospitalization per infant were 25.2 and 14.0 days, respectively. Approximately 18% of infants were hospitalized more than three times. Among infants with multiple hospitalizations, 16.7% had a mix of public and private health insurance payers. Almost 60% of hospitalizations for infants were paid by public payer sources. Mean and median estimated hospital costs per infant were $39,059 and $21,937, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:Results suggest a small percentage of infants with SB have multiple hospitalizations with high costs. Further analysis on factors associated with length of stay, hospitalizations, and costs is warranted. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
BCL3 gene role in facial morphology
Authors: Lace Baiba , Kempa Inga , Klovins Janis , Stavusis Janis , Krumina Astrida , Akota Ilze , Barkane Biruta , Vieira Alexandre R. , Nagle Erika , Grinfelde Ieva , Maulina Ieva
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip (CL) with or without palate (CLP) and isolated cleft palate (CP) are etiologically complex diseases with interactions among various environmental and genetic factors. The aim of the current study was to identify association with genetic markers and phenotypic craniofacial data in patients with CL/CLP/CP parents.

METHODS: Posteroanterior and lateral digital radiographs of the cranium were obtained from 74 parents of patients with CL/CLP/CP. One hundred seventy‐three patients with CL/CLP/CP and 190 controls were enrolled in the study for the association test. Five genetic markers of the IRF6 gene and 14 markers of the 19q13 locus were genotyped. Linear regression analysis was performed for the relationship of cephalometric measurements with genotype data adjusted for age, gender, and cleft type. Chi‐square and transmission disequilibrium tests were performed to evaluate differences in alleles of the BCL3 gene. Positive findings were replicated in an independent sample (n = 95) of patients with CL/CLP/CP parents.

RESULTS: Genetic markers of the BCL3 gene at 19q13, rs7257231, and rs1979377 in the familial association test and rs10401176 in the case‐control association test, were associated with craniofacial phenotype. Carriers of BCL3 allele rs7257231T had longer posterior cranial bases than noncarriers (padjusted = 0.0028), and in the familial‐based association test showed the statistically strongest relationship (padjusted = 0.05) to phenotype. Relation of rs7257231 to facial formation was confirmed in the replication group (p = 0.0024).

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that BCL3, which has functions related to cell adhesion and whose downregulation can cause disruption of ectodermal development, is likely to be important in facial formation. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ELF exposure system for live cell imaging
Authors: Capstick Myles , Schär Primo , Schuermann David , Romann Albert , Kuster Niels
Published: November 2012

A programmable system has been developed for the study of both transient and persistent effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field exposure of cell cultures. This high‐precision exposure system enables experimental blinding and fully characterized exposure while simultaneously allowing live cell imaging. It is based on a live imaging cell around which two asymmetrical coils are wound in good thermal contact to a temperature‐controlled water jacket, and is mounted on a microscope stage insert. The applied B‐field uniformity of the active volume is better than 1.2% with an overall exposure uncertainty of less than 4.3% with very low transient field levels. The computer‐controlled apparatus allows signal waveforms that are sinusoidal or composed of several harmonics, blind protocols, and monitoring of exposure and environmental conditions. B‐fields up to 4 mT root mean square amplitude are possible with minimal temperature variation and no recognizable temperature differences between exposure and sham states. Sources of artifacts have been identified and quantified. There are no visible vibrations observable even at the highest magnifications and exposure levels. Bioelectromagnetics 34:231–239, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrical stimulation modulates osteoblast proliferation and bone protein production through heparin‐bioactivated conductive scaffolds
Authors: Meng Shiyun , Rouabhia Mahmoud , Zhang Ze
Published: November 2012

Electrical fields are known to interact with human cells. This principle has been explored to regulate cellular activities for bone tissue regeneration. In this work, Saos‐2 cells were cultured on conductive scaffolds made of biodegradable poly(L‐lactide) and the heparin‐containing, electrically conducting polypyrrole (PPy/HE) to study their reaction to electrical stimulation (ES) mediated through such scaffolds. Both the duration and intensity of ES enhanced cell proliferation, generating a unique electrical intensity and temporal “window” within which osteoblast proliferation was upmodulated in contrast to the downmodulation or ineffectiveness in other ES regions. The favourable ES intensity (200 mV/mm) was further investigated in terms of the gene activation and protein production of two important osteoblast markers characterised by extracellular matrix maturation and mineralisation, that is alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC). Both genes were found activated and the relevant protein production increased significantly following ES. In contrast, ES in the down‐modulation region (400 mV/mm) suppressed the production of both ALP and OC. This work demonstrated that important osteoblast markers can be modulated with specific ES parameters mediated through conductive polymer substrates, providing a unique strategy for bone tissue engineering. Bioelectromagnetics 34:189–199, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microfluidic systems: A new toolbox for pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Lesher‐Perez Sasha Cai , Frampton John P. , Takayama Shuichi
Published: November 2012

Conventional culture systems are often limited in their ability to regulate the growth and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. Microfluidic systems can overcome some of these limitations by providing defined growth conditions with user‐controlled spatiotemporal cues. Microfluidic systems allow researchers to modulate pluripotent stem cell renewal and differentiation through biochemical and mechanical stimulation, as well as through microscale patterning and organization of cells and extracellular materials. Essentially, microfluidic tools are reducing the gap between in vitro cell culture environments and the complex and dynamic features of the in vivo stem cell niche. These microfluidic culture systems can also be integrated with microanalytical tools to assess the health and molecular status of pluripotent stem cells. The ability to control biochemical and mechanical input to cells, as well as rapidly and efficiently analyze the biological output from cells, will further our understanding of stem cells and help translate them into clinical use. This review provides a comprehensive insignt into the implications of microfluidics on pluripotent stem cell research.
A simple eccentric stirred tank mini‐bioreactor: Mixing characterization and mammalian cell culture experiments
Authors: Bulnes‐Abundis David , Carrillo‐Cocom Leydi M. , Aráiz‐Hernández Diana , García‐Ulloa Alfonso , Granados‐Pastor Marisa , Sánchez‐Arreola Pamela B. , Murugappan Gayathree , Alvarez Mario M.
Published: November 2012

In industrial practice, stirred tank bioreactors are the most common mammalian cell culture platform. However, research and screening protocols at the laboratory scale (i.e., 5–100 mL) rely primarily on Petri dishes, culture bottles, or Erlenmeyer flasks. There is a clear need for simple—easy to assemble, easy to use, easy to clean—cell culture mini‐bioreactors for lab‐scale and/or screening applications. Here, we study the mixing performance and culture adequacy of a 30 mL eccentric stirred tank mini‐bioreactor. A detailed mixing characterization of the proposed bioreactor is presented. Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations are used to identify the operational conditions required for adequate mixing. Mammalian cell culture experiments were conducted with two different cell models. The specific growth rate and the maximum cell density of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cultures grown in the mini‐bioreactor were comparable to those observed for 6‐well culture plates, Erlenmeyer flasks, and 1 L fully instrumented bioreactors. Human hematopoietic stem cells were successfully expanded tenfold in suspension conditions using the eccentric mini‐bioreactor system. Our results demonstrate good mixing performance and suggest the practicality and adequacy of the proposed mini‐bioreactor. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1106–1118. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Value of laparoscopy before cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis
Authors: Iversen L H , Rasmussen P C , Laurberg S
Published: November 2012

Background

The outcome of cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) depends on the extent of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The role of laparoscopy in the preoperative assessment of extent of peritoneal carcinomatosis in potential candidates for cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC was evaluated in a consecutive series.

Methods

Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer or appendiceal cancer, pseudomyxoma peritonei or peritoneal mesothelioma referred to a single, national HIPEC centre were included prospectively between June 2006 and January 2012. From September 2010, preoperative evaluation also included a laparoscopy in patients deemed amenable to cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC after radiological evaluation, apart from those with pseudomyxoma peritonei with massive amounts of mucin.

Results

In the period before laparoscopic evaluation, 70 patients underwent laparotomy of whom 39 (56 per cent) completed cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC. After the introduction of laparoscopic assessment, diagnostic laparoscopy was planned in 45 patients and successful in 43. The laparoscopic evaluation excluded 18 patients from surgery because of extensive disease, among other reasons. Laparoscopy was uneventful and associated with no deaths. Twenty-seven patients were considered amenable to cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC based on laparoscopic findings, of whom 17 completed this treatment; the disease was unresectable in the remaining ten patients. Of 13 patients who were not eligible for laparoscopic evaluation and were subjected to cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC, 11 completed the procedure. The overall completion rate of cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC increased to 70 per cent (28 of 40) after the introduction of laparoscopic evaluation.

Conclusion

Diagnostic laparoscopy was valuable in preoperative evaluation of the extent of peritoneal carcinomatosis, and improved patient selection for cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.
Affinity chromatographic purification of human immunoglobulin a from chinese hamster ovary cell culture supernatant
Authors: Liu Zhuo , Gurgel Patrick V. , Carbonell Ruben G.
Published: November 2012

Hexamer peptide ligand HWRGWV, initially screened from a solid phase combinatorial peptide library for immunoglobulins G (IgG) purification, is shown to also have potential for immunoglobulin A (IgA) purification. The determined dissociation constants for hIgA on HWRGWV resins at three different peptide densities from 0.11 to 0.55 meq/g fall in the range of 10−6–10−7 M, which are somewhat lower than those for hIgG. Although relatively low dynamic binding capacity (DBC) in the range of 9.2–16.8 mg IgA/mL resin at linear flow rates from 173 to 35 cm/h were obtained for IgA compared to IgG, the DBC value of HWRGWV for IgA is much greater than current commercially available affinity ligands. Although relatively lower binding affinity to secretory IgA compared to monomeric IgA was observed, the peptide ligand resins exhibit great potential for large‐scale purification of both human IgA and secretory IgA. Recoveries of 96.0% and 94.3%, and purities of 90.3% and 91.7% were achieved for human IgA and secretory IgA purification, respectively, from spiked Chinese hamster ovary cell culture supernatants without an extra afterwash step. Over 95% in purities were achieved for IgA and secretory IgA with an extra afterwash step; however, the recoveries would decrease at least 15% and 40% for IgA and secretory IgA, respectively. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2013
Downstream processing, characterization, and structure–function relationship of solvent‐, detergent‐, psychro‐, thermo‐, alkalistable metalloprotease from metal‐, solvent‐tolerant psychrotrophic Pseudomonas putida SKG‐1 isolate
Authors: Singh Santosh Kumar , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Tripathi Vinayak Ram , Garg Satyendra Kumar , Khare Sunil Kumar
Published: November 2012

The purification and characterization of psychro‐thermoalkalistable protease from psychrotrophic Pseudomonas putida isolate is being reported for the first time. A ∼53 kDa protease was purified 21.4‐folds with 57.2% recovery by ultrafiltration and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Kinetic analyses revealed the Km and Vmax to be 1.169 mg mL−1 and 0.833 mg mL−1 min−1, respectively. The kcat value of 3.05 × 102 s−1 indicated high affinity and catalytic efficiency toward casein. The protease was most active at pH 9.5 and 40°C, with 100% stability in pH and temperature range of 6.0–11.0 and 10–40°C, respectively. Presence of Zn2+ increased the thermostability of protease (at 70°C) by 433%. Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and 1,10‐phenanthroline were inhibitory, whereas phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), p‐chloro mercuric benzoate (PCMB), and β‐mercaptoethanol were ineffective, revealing the enzyme to be a metalloprotease. Zinc, calcium, iron, nickel, and copper at 1 mM increased the enzyme activity (102–134%). Complete reversion of enzyme inhibition (caused by Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid [EDTA]) by Zn2+ affirmed this enzyme as zinc‐dependent metalloprotease. At 0.1% concentration, Triton X‐100 and Tween 80 slightly increased, while SDS and H2O2 reduced the protease activity. In the presence of 0.1% commercial detergents, the enzyme was fairly stable (54–81%). In the presence of organic solvent, the protease was remarkably stable exhibiting 72–191% activities. In contrast, savinase exhibited good stability in the presence of hydrophilic solvents, while chymotrypsin showed elevated activities with benzene, toluene, and xylene only. Circular dichroism analysis revealed the protease as a β‐rich protein, having large fraction (∼40%) of β‐sheets. Presence of different environmental conditions altered the β‐content, which accordingly affected the protease activity. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2013
Direct and indirect use of GFP whole cell biosensors for the assessment of bioprocess performances: Design of milliliter scale‐down bioreactors
Authors: Brognaux Alison , Thonart Philippe , Delvigne Frank , Neubauer Peter , Twizere Jean‐Claude , Francis Frédéric , Gorret Nathalie
Published: November 2012

Substrate limitation responsive biosensors have been used for the development of a mini‐bioreactor platform that can be used as a scale‐down tool. Three green fluorescent protein (GFP) transcriptional reporters have been chosen in Escherichia coli, i.e., uspA::gfp, csiE::gfp, and yciG::gfp. Our previous studies have shown that these kinds of promoters are induced in response to substrate limitation and are significantly repressed when cultures are carried out in heterogeneous bioreactors. This sensitivity to substrate limitation has been confirmed in the case of the csiE and yciG biosensors. A mini‐scale‐down platform is proposed as a high throughput tool to rapidly investigate the usefulness of a given microbial biosensor. This platform is composed of shake flasks able to operate in fed‐batch mode either using the slow release or the intermittent feeding principle. Local heterogeneities were reproduced at the level of these mini‐bioreactors (operating under the intermittent feeding principle) and caused a decrease in GFP expression as in conventional scale‐down reactors. The presence of GFP in supernatants was also noted and seems to be correlated with the substrate limitation signal for the three cultivation systems considered in this work (i.e., chemostat, conventional and mini‐bioreactors) and with membrane permeability. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2013
A novel counter‐selection method for markerless genetic modification in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Cheah Yi Ern , Albers Stevan C. , Peebles Christie A. M.
Published: November 2012

The cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is a photosynthetic organism capable of efficient harnessing of solar energy while capturing CO2 from the environment. Methods to genetically alter its genomic DNA are essential for elucidating gene functions and are useful tools for metabolic engineering. In this study, a novel counter‐selection method for the genetic alteration of Synechocystis was developed. This method utilizes the nickel inducible expression of mazF, a general protein synthesis inhibitor, as a counter‐selection marker. Counter‐selection is particularly useful because the engineered strain is free of any markers which make further genetic modification independent of available antibiotic resistance genes. The usability of this method was further demonstrated by altering genes at several loci in two variants of Synechocystis. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2013
Bioremediation of Phenanthrene by Mycoplana sp. MVMB2 Isolated from Contaminated Soil
Authors: Brinda Lakshmi Mahalingam , Anandaraj Venkataramagounder Perumal , Velan Manickam
Published: November 2012

The effect of nutrient and surfactant addition on the biodegradation of phenanthrene was studied in a batch scale soil–slurry system using isolated Mycoplana sp. MVMB2strain. The study was conducted using an artificially phenanthrene spiked and as well as contaminated soil from petrochemical industrial site. Maximum phenanthrene degradation and subsequent high microbial growth were observed at optimum pH (pH 6) and C/N/P ratio (100:20:3). To investigate maximum substrate degradation potential of Mycoplana sp. MVMB2, very high concentrations of phenanthrene (50–200 mg/kg soil) were used. The organism was capable of degrading >60% for a concentration below 20 mg/kg soil and >40% for concentrations up to 200 mg/kg within 8 days. Further the influence of five different surfactants namely Span 80, Tween 20, Triton X‐100, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, and sodium dodecyl sulfate were tested at their critical micelle concentration (CMC) levels for phenanthrene degradation in the soil. The addition of surfactant enhanced the biodegradation and a maximum of 84.49% was obtained for Triton X‐100. Complete phenanthrene degradation by Mycoplana sp. MVMB2 was observed at 3 CMC concentration of Triton X‐100. The optimized parameters obtained were used for the degradation of phenanthrene present in the contaminated soil and 98.6% biodegradation was obtained. Thus, the results obtained in the study suggested that biodegradation of phenanthrene by Mycoplana sp. MVMB2 appeared to be feasible to remediate phenanthrene rich contaminated sites.
Identification of small molecule inhibitors of cytokinesis and single cell wound repair
Authors: Clark Andrew G. , Sider Jenny R. , Verbrugghe Koen , Fenteany Gabriel , von Dassow George , Bement William M.
Published: November 2012

Screening of small molecule libraries offers the potential to identify compounds that inhibit specific biological processes and, ultimately, to identify macromolecules that are important players in such processes. To date, however, most screens of small molecule libraries have focused on identification of compounds that inhibit known proteins or particular steps in a given process, and have emphasized automated primary screens. Here we have used “low tech” in vivo primary screens to identify small molecules that inhibit both cytokinesis and single cell wound repair, two complex cellular processes that possess many common features. The “diversity set”, an ordered array of 1990 compounds available from the National Cancer Institute, was screened in parallel to identify compounds that inhibit cytokinesis in Dendraster excentricus (sand dollar) embryos and single cell wound repair in Xenopus laevis (frog) oocytes. Two small molecules were thus identified: Sph1 and Sph2. Sph1 reduces Rho activation in wound repair and suppresses formation of the spindle midzone during cytokinesis. Sph2 also reduces Rho activation in wound repair and may inhibit cytokinesis by blocking membrane fusion. The results identify two small molecules of interest for analysis of wound repair and cytokinesis, reveal that these processes are more similar than often realized and reveal the potential power of low tech screens of small molecule libraries for analysis of complex cellular processe. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional, anatomical, and neurochemical differentiation of medial preoptic area subregions in relation to maternal behavior in the mouse
Authors: Tsuneoka Yousuke , Maruyama Teppo , Yoshida Sachine , Nishimori Katsuhiko , Kato Tadafumi , Numan Michael , Kuroda Kumi O.
Published: November 2012

In rodents, previous findings indicate critical involvement of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) in the neural control of maternal behavior. However, the specification of the particular MPOA subregions involved in maternal behavior and the identification of the neurochemical phenotype(s) of the essential neurons demands additional study. Therefore, we investigated the chemical neuroanatomy of the essential MPOA subregion for maternal behavior in C57BL/6J female mice. Using the oxytocinergic neurons in the dorsal MPOA as a primary regional marker, we first assessed the distribution of c‐Fos‐expressing neurons in the MPOA during maternal behavior using immunohistochemistry. Results showed that non‐oxytocinergic neurons in the dorsal and ventral MPOA prominently expressed c‐Fos during maternal behavior. Then using excitotoxic lesion studies, we determined the specific MPOA area that is necessary for maternal behavior. Bilateral lesions of the central MPOA, where c‐Fos was expressed only moderately, effectively disrupted maternal behavior, although lesions to the dorsal and ventral MPOA regions were ineffective. These centrally lesioned females were highly infanticidal irrespective of their previous maternal experience. Neurochemical investigations showed that more than 75% of the c‐Fos‐expressing neurons in central MPOA were GABAergic. Many of them also expressed galanin, neurotensin, and/or tachykinin2 mRNAs. Finally, the central MPOA was populated by numerous glutamatergic neurons, although only a small percentage of these neurons colocalized with c‐Fos. To conclude, the central MPOA is the indispensable subregion for mouse maternal behavior, and GABAergic and/or peptidergic neurons in this area were transcriptionally activated during maternal behavior. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:1633–1663, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transgenic labeling of higher order neuronal circuits linked to phospholipase C‐β2–expressing taste bud cells in medaka fish
Authors: Ieki Takashi , Okada Shinji , Aihara Yoshiko , Ohmoto Makoto , Abe Keiko , Yasuoka Akihito , Misaka Takumi
Published: November 2012

The sense of taste plays a pivotal role in the food‐selecting behaviors of vertebrates. We have shown that the fish ortholog of the phospholipase C gene (plc‐β2) is expressed in a subpopulation of taste bud cells that transmit taste stimuli to the central nervous system to evoke favorable and aversive behaviors. We generated transgenic medaka expressing wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) under the control of a regulatory region of the medaka plc‐β2 gene to analyze the neuronal circuit connected to these sensory cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of the transgenic fish 12 days post fertilization revealed that the WGA protein was transferred to cranial sensory ganglia and several nuclei in the hindbrain. WGA signals were also detected in the secondary gustatory nucleus in the hindbrain of 3‐month‐old transgenic fish. WGA signals were observed in several diencephalic and telencephalic regions in 9‐month‐old transgenic fish. The age‐dependent increase in the labeled brain regions strongly suggests that labeling occurred at taste bud cells and progressively extended to cranial nerves and neurons in the central nervous system. These data are the first to demonstrate the tracing of higher order gustatory neuronal circuitry that is associated with a specific subpopulation of taste bud cells. These results provide insight into the basic neuronal architecture of gustatory information processing that is common among vertebrates. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:1781–1802, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pancreatic lipase activity in emulsions containing seed meals: Effect of extrusion
Authors: Shene Carolina , Spuler María José , Leyton Allison , Duarte Carla , Acevedo Francisca , Rubilar Mónica
Published: November 2012

The effect of extrusion of soybean (Glycine max), yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus), and linseed (Linum usitatissimum) on the activity of porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) was evaluated through pH‐Stat methodology with tributyrin emulsions in which the seed meals [extruded (E) and non‐extruded (NE)] were dispersed. The seed meals affected PPL activity in a concentration‐dependent fashion; at 2.3 mg/mL the meals reduced PPL activity (11.7–45.0% reduction) while the opposite was true (3.1–28.0% increase) at 6.8 mg/mL. PPL activity in the assays containing E‐lupin, E‐soybean and E‐linseed meals at 2.3 mg/mL was 109.7 and 11.3% higher and 25.5% lower than the activity in the emulsions containing the NE‐meals, respectively. The differences between the PPL activity in emulsions containing the extruded and NE‐meals could be due to changes in the emulsifying properties of the meals after extrusion; extrusion increased (10.2%) the emulsification capacity of lupin meal and for linseed meal this property was reduced (9.2%). In spite of the low PPL activity at low meal concentrations, the percentage of free fatty acids released after 30 min was similar to the theoretical maximum (66.6%) with two exceptions – NE‐soybean meal (59.5 ± 2.7%) and E‐linseed meal (57.9 ± 1.2%).

Practical applications: Feed and food industries use plant protein sources that contain inhibitors of digestive enzymes. Various proteases inhibitors are inactivated during extrusion being less known the effect of extrusion on lipase inhibitors. Reduction of lypolysis rate, carried out mainly by pancreatic lipase in human and other animals, could influence feed and food consumption because satiety is controlled – at least in part – by undigested lipids. Our results show that extrusion can be used to reduce the inhibitory activity of lupin and soybean on PPL. On the other hand, extrusion of linseed increased the negative effect of this meal on PPL activity effect that could have applications in the development of food and ingredients for weight control.
Effects of the Pyridine 3‐Substituent on Regioselectivity in the Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution Reaction of 3‐Substituted 2,6‐Dichloropyridines with 1‐Methylpiperazine Studied by a Chemical Design Strategy
Authors: Bach Peter , Marczynke Michaela , Giordanetto Fabrizio
Published: November 2012

A chemical design strategy has been used to select 3‐substituted 2,6‐dichloropyridines for the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction with 1‐methylpiperazine. The aim was to study the dependency of the regioselectivity in these reactions on the character of the pyridine 3‐substituent expressed by their lipophilicity (PI), size (MR), and inductive effect (σp). Interestingly, the regioselectivity did not correlate with any of these parameters, but in a statistically significant manner with the Verloop steric parameter B1, as indicated by the p value of 0.006 (R2 = 0.45). This implies that bulky 3‐substituents close to the pyridine ring induce regioselectivity towards the 6‐position. Useful in practical synthesis is the different regioselectivity obtained with a carboxylic acid 3‐substituent and precursors or derivatives thereof. Thus, in acetonitrile as solvent, 3‐carboxylate and 3‐amide substituents were preferred to obtain the 2‐isomer (9:1 ratio of the 6‐isomer), whereas the 3‐cyano and 3‐trifluoromethyl substitutents were preferred to obtain the 6‐isomer (9:1 ratio of the 2‐isomer). Analysis of the regioselectivity Rsel for the pyridine 2‐position in the reaction of 2,6‐dichloro‐3‐(methoxycarbonyl)pyridine with 1‐methylpiperazine in 21 different solvents showed that Rsel could be predicted by the Kamlet–Taft equation: Rsel = 1.28990 + 0.03992α – 0.59417β – 0.46169π* (R2 = 0.95, p = 1.9 × 10–10). Rsel is thus mainly correlated with the ability of the solvent to function as a hydrogen‐bond acceptor, as expressed by the solvatochromic β parameter. Thus, the 16:1 regioselectivity for the 2‐isomer in DCM (β = 0.10) could be switched to a 2:1 selectivity for the 6‐isomer in DMSO (β = 0.76).
The preparation of titanium dioxide/palygorskite composite and its application in the adsorption of congo red
Authors: Peng Yong‐Gang , Chen Da‐Jun , Ji Jun‐Ling , Kong Yong , Wan Huai‐Xin , Yao Chao
Published: November 2012

Titanium dioxide/palygorskite (TiO2/PA) was prepared by acid‐catalyzed sol–gel method and the resulting composite was applied in the adsorption of anion dye, Congo red. The effects of various experimental parameters such as adsorbent dosage, contact time and initial dye concentration on adsorption were investigated in detail. The adsorption behaviors of TiO2/PA composite showed that the adsorption kinetics and isotherms were in good agreement with the pseudo‐second‐order equation and the Langmuir model, respectively. And the maximum adsorption capacity of TiO2/PA composite for Congo red calculated by the Langmuir model was 518.13 mg g−1. Unlike conventional research on TiO2‐based material, in which TiO2 was utilized as the photocatalyst for wastewater treatment. Here, the removal of Congo red was mainly due to the excellent adsorption capacity of PA and amorphous TiO2. So the TiO2/PA composite could be a promising adsorbent for anion dyes adsorption. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1090–1095, 2013
Synthesis of magnetic calcium oxide hollow fiber catalyst for the production of biodiesel
Authors: Lin Lin , Vittayapadung Saritporn , Li Xiaoqiang , Jiang Weiwei , Shen and Xiangqian
Published: November 2012

Magnetic recycled calcium oxide hollow fibers were successfully prepared for the transesterification of rapeseed oil with methanol to produce biodiesel. The hollow fiber catalyst prepared from different molar ratios of metal ions, various annealing atmospheres and annealing temperatures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer, and Brunauer–Emmer–Teller surface area measurements. Under optimum conditions (Ca2+:Fe3+ = 1:2, reducing atmosphere annealing at 1000°C), magnetic calcium oxide hollow fibers with average pore size around 6.3061 nm, the surface area of 15.28 m−1, and saturation magnetization of 136.564 Am2 kg−1 were produced by organic gel‐thermal decomposition. Then, their catalytic activities were studied, and 95.7% biodiesel yield was achieved. The catalyst was separated by a magnetic field and recycled 20 times, and 85.2% biodiesel yield was still obtained. Magnetic calcium oxide hollow fibers are active, stable, and easily separated green catalysts that may find practical uses in biodiesel industry. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1255–1261, 2013
Gravel‐bed rivers: from particles to patterns
Authors: Ashmore Peter E. , Rennie Colin D.
Published: November 2012

The papers in this special issue reflect several of the major themes and topics from the 7th International Workshop on Gravel‐Bed Rivers. The papers focus primarily on aspects of bed material transport in gravel‐bed rivers and larger scale morpho‐dynamics. Research in gravel‐bed rivers is increasingly integrating processes over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales by combining field observation, lab experimentation, numerical modeling and theory testing in a range of river types, aided by new technological developments in particle tracking, computational modeling and high resolution spatial data. This is leading to greater understanding of the processes leading to distinctive morpho‐dynamics of river types and a more reliable basis for river management. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HCC Is promoted by bacterial translocation and TLR-4 signaling: A new paradigm for chemoprevention and management
Authors: Toffanin Sara , Cornella Helena , Harrington Andrew , Llovet Josep M. , Groszmann Roberto J. , Iwakiri Yasuko , Taddei Tamar H.
Published: November 2012

Increased translocation of intestinal bacteria is a hallmark of chronic liver disease and contributes to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Here we tested the hypothesis that the intestinal microbiota and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) promote hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a long-term consequence of chronic liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Hepatocarcinogenesis in chronically injured livers depended on the intestinal microbiota and TLR4 activation in non-bone-marrow-derived resident liver cells. TLR4 and the intestinal microbiota were not required for HCC initiation but for HCC promotion, mediating increased proliferation, expression of the hepatomitogen epiregulin, and prevention of apoptosis. Gut sterilization restricted to late stages of hepatocarcinogenesis reduced HCC, suggesting that the intestinal microbiota and TLR4 represent therapeutic targets for HCC prevention in advanced liver disease.
Lattice Boltzmann simulation of mixed convection heat transfer in a corrugated wall cavity utilizing water‐based nanofluids
Authors: Jafari Mohammad , Farhadi Mousa , Sedighi Kurosh , Mehrizi Abbas Ali Abouei
Published: November 2012

In the present study, the effects of Cu and CuO nanoparticles' presence on mixed convection heat transfer in a lid‐driven cavity with a corrugated wall are investigated using the lattice Boltzmann method. The boundary fitting method with second‐order accuracy at both velocity and temperature fields is used to simulate the curved boundaries in the LBM. The problem is investigated for different Richardson numbers (0.1–10), volume fractions of nanoparticles (0–0.05), curve amplitudes (0.05–0.25), and phase shifts of corrugated wall (0–270) when the Reynolds number is equal to 25. The volume fraction of added nanoparticles to the water‐based fluid is less than 0.05 to make dilute suspensions. Results show that adding nanoparticles enhances the rate of heat transfer. It is found that nanoparticles have significant effects on both fluid flow and heat transfer of the mixed convection, especially for low Richardson numbers. A comparison between Cu and CuO nanoparticles shows the Cu nanoparticles have a better effect on heat transfer enhancement for all tested conditions. The results also represent the effective role of a corrugated wall on the rate of nanofluid heat transfer. It is observed that increasing the wavy wall's amplitude leads to a decrease of the average Nusselt numberfor a high Richardson number. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21024
Mdm2 inhibitors synergize with topoisomerase II inhibitors to induce p53‐independent pancreatic cancer cell death
Authors: Conradt Laura , Henrich Annika , Wirth Matthias , Reichert Maximilian , Lesina Marina , Algül Hana , Schmid Roland M. , Krämer Oliver H. , Saur Dieter , Schneider Günter
Published: November 2012

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the western world, with a 5‐year survival rate below 5%. Murine double minute 2 (Mdm2) is an important negative regulator of the tumor suppressor p53. Reactivation of wild‐type p53 is a promising treatment strategy, and inhibitors of Mdm2 have already entered clinical trials. To investigate the effects of Mdm2 inhibitors in PDAC, we used a murine cell line platform with a genetically defined status of p53. Here, we describe that Mdm2 inhibitors can act on a subset of murine PDAC cell lines p53 independently. Furthermore, we observed that Mdm2 inhibitors increase the sensitivity of murine PDAC cell lines toward topoisomerase II inhibitors by inducing effector caspase‐independent cell death. The combination of Mdm2 inhibitors with topoisomerase II inhibitors acts independent of the survival factor NFκB/RelA. Mechanistically, Mdm2 inhibitors increase topoisomerase II inhibitor‐induced DNA double‐strand breaks. We show that Mdm2 binds to Nbs1 of the Mre11–Rad50–Nijmegen breakage syndrome (Nbs) 1 DNA repair complex. In addition, we provide evidence that Mdm2 inhibitors delay DNA repair. These findings may help to design novel therapeutic strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance of PDAC.
Unmixing functional magnetic resonance imaging data using matrix factorization
Authors: Khaliq Amir A. , Qureshi Ijaz M. , Shah Jawad A.
Published: November 2012

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data is processed by different techniques for detection of activated voxels including principal component analysis (PCA), independent component analysis (ICA), non‐negative matrix factorization (NMF), and so on. In this work, a modified version of NMF method is proposed in which data is not supposed to be non‐negative. The proposed scheme is applied to synthetic fMRI data along with NMF conventional method. The results of the proposed scheme show that it is not only computationally efficient but also has good quality results as compared to that of NMF in terms of average correlation. Finally, proposed method is applied to monkey's fMRI data, and the results are compared with that of NMF and ICA. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 22, 195–199, 2012
Study of X‐Ray Imaging with Toroidally Bent Crystal
Authors: Shi Jun , Xiao Shali , Liu Lifeng , Wu Yufen
Published: November 2012

We developed a focusing imager with a toroidally bent crystal imager. The imager can be used in X‐ray imaging of laser fusion experiments. This article discusses the focusing properties of toroidally bent crystal in Bragg geometry. Simulations of spatial resolution for toroidally bent crystals with different conditions including source size and detector position were done using the ray‐tracing method. The applicable conditions for optimized two‐dimensional (2D) imaging of X‐ray source are proposed. Toroidally bent crystal of mica with curvature radius 290 mm in the meridional plane and 190 mm in the sagittal plane is used as imaging element in the experiments. The high‐quality visible 2D X‐ray image was obtained with the imaging plate due to the high collection efficiency of the bent crystal imaging system. It is demonstrated that the toroidally bent mica crystal could be used in X‐ray imaging. By analyzing the image information of the sagittal direction, we find out that the toroidal crystal imager has spatial resolution about 34 µm.
Clinical value of cardiac I‐123 metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy between Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's disease associated dementia
Authors: Song In‐Uk , Chung Yong‐An , Chung Sung‐Woo , Huh Ryoong
Published: November 2012

It is very difficult that idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with dementia (PDD) distinguish from PD patients, because PD patients may exhibit patterns of cognitive impairment. Recently, cardiac I‐123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy has been used as tools to distinguish PD from atypical parkinsonism. Thus, we performed this study to confirm significant clinical value of cardiac I‐123 MIBG scintigraphy for differential diagnosis between PD and PDD. Cardiac I‐123 MIBG scintigraphy was studied in 18 patients with PD, 18 patients with PDD, and 13 normal controls that were matched for age, disease duration, and severity of symptoms. The heart to mediastinum ratio (H/M ratio) was calculated. The mean value of H/M ratio of PDD and PD was significantly lower than normal controls. However, there were no differences between PDD and PD groups. Although cardiac I‐123 MIBG scintigraphy did not distinguish PDD from PD, we wish to focus attention on sustained studies that are needed to differentiate other Lewy body disease from many dementia patients with PD features. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 22, 241–244, 2012
Assessment of testicular uptake in flourine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Authors: Han Eun Ji , Lee Sang‐Hoon , Sohn Hyung Sun , Chung Yong‐An , Chung Soo Kyo
Published: November 2012

The testis shows physiologic uptake in flourine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F‐18 FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of FDG uptake of normal testis on PET/computed tomography (CT), especially in relationship to various clinical parameters. We obtained the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and the mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) of each testis from PET/CT of 166 healthy men. We also calculated the testis‐to‐muscle (T/M) ratio, defined as the SUVmean of the testis divided by the SUVmean of the right thigh muscle. Subjects completed a questionnaire on their medical history and sexual habits, including frequency of sexual intercourse, latest date of sexual intercourse, and vasectomy history. We then evaluated the association between imaging parameters and sexual habits. The mean age of subjects was 48 ± 10 years (range, 21–74), and the mean volume of each testis was 17.1 ± 4.5 cm3 (range, 7.4–32.4). The mean SUVmax was 3.6 ± 0.5 (range, 2.2–5.5), the mean SUVmean was 2.5 ± 0.4 (range, 1.6–3.8), and the mean T/M ratio was 4.2 ± 0.8 (range, 2.3–7.3). Of the 166 subjects, 51 reported having sexual intercourse zero times per month and 109 had sexual intercourse at least per month. The interval between the latest date of sexual intercourse and PET/CT was less than 3 days in 48 subjects; between 3 days and 1 month in 58; and greater than 1 month in 60. Twenty subjects were currently vasectomized. The T/M ratio was significantly correlated with age (P = 0.040) but not with sexual habits. On the PET/CT, normal testicular FDG uptake decreased as age increased. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 22, 245–249, 2012
Diversity patterns and food web structure in a Mediterranean intermittent stream
Authors: López‐Rodríguez Manuel J. , Peralta‐Maraver Ignacio , Gaetani Brunella , Sainz‐Cantero Carmen E. , Fochetti Romolo , de Figueroa J. Manuel Tierno
Published: November 2012

In this work we present the results of a one‐year study on the macroinvertebrate community in an intermittent stream in southern Spain. We have studied the taxonomic composition, diversity and food web monthly in order to consider temporal variability in these parameters. More than 60 macroinvertebrate taxa have been recorded in the stream, but they do not cohabit at the same time. Many of them join the community at the beginning of the wet period. Afterwards, some new taxa incorporate but some others disappear. This leads to huge fluctuations in the diversity of the community and in the food web of different sampling dates. These variations are linked to environmental disturbances, mainly to flow peaks and minimums. From a relatively well structured, but simple, food web at the beginning of the wet period, it can be seen how several trophic levels disappear with time, and how several organisms change or extend their trophic function within it. We relate these variations to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis and discuss the resilience of the community of this intermittent stream (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Rate coefficients of the CF3CHFCF3 + H → CF3CFCF3 + H2 reaction at different temperatures calculated by transition state theory with ab initio and DFT reaction paths
Authors: Ng Maggie , Mok Daniel K. W. , Lee Edmond P. F. , Dyke John M.
Published: November 2012

The minimum energy path (MEP) of the reaction, CF3CHFCF3 + H → transition state (TS) → CF3CFCF3 + H2, has been computed at different ab initio levels and with density functional theory (DFT) using different functionals. The computed B3LYP/6‐31++G**, BH&HLYP/cc‐pVDZ, BMK/6‐31++G**, M05/6‐31+G**, M05‐2X/6‐31+G**, UMP2/6‐31++G**, PUMP2/6‐31++G**//UMP2/6‐31++G**, RCCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ//UMP2/6‐31++G**, RCCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ(spd,sp)//UMP2//6‐31++G**, RCCSD(T)/CBS//M05/6‐31+G**, and RCCSD(T)/CBS//UMP2/6‐31++G** MEPs, and associated gradients and Hessians, were used in reaction rate coefficient calculations based on the transition state theory (TST). Reaction rate coefficients were computed between 300 and 1500 K at various levels of TST, which include conventional TST, canonical variational TST (CVT) and improved CVT (ICVT), and with different tunneling corrections, namely, Wigner, zero‐curvature, and small‐curvature (SCT). The computed rate coefficients obtained at different ab initio, DFT and TST levels are compared with experimental values available in the 1000–1200 K temperature range. Based on the rate coefficients computed at the ICVT/SCT level, the highest TST level used in this study, the BH&HLYP functional performs best among all the functionals used, while the RCCSD(T)/CBS//MP2/6‐31++G** level is the best among all the ab initio levels used. Comparing computed reaction rate coefficients obtained at different levels of theory shows that, the computed barrier height has the strongest effect on the computed reaction rate coefficients as expected. Variational effects on the computed rate coefficients are found to be negligibly small. Although tunneling effects are relatively small at high temperatures (∼1500 K), SCT corrections are significant at low temperatures (∼300 K), and both barrier heights and the magnitudes of the imaginary frequencies affect SCT corrections. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.