bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiographic density profiles link frontal and anterior ethmoid sinuses behavior in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Sedaghat Ahmad R. , Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: June 2012

Background:

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) may occur through heterogeneous disease processes. It is possible that more than 1 inflammatory process underlies CRS in any given patient. If so, heterogeneity in processes may be a function of the spatial organization of the paranasal sinuses. Density characteristics of sinus opacities on computed tomography (CT) scans offer insight into the nature of sinus opacities and disease, in general, and may thus be used to detect spatial heterogeneity of sinus disease within a given patient.

Methods:

The study was a retrospective chart review of CRS patients with available sinus CT scans. Radiographic density profiles of sinus opacities were assessed by raw measures of densities (in Hounsfield units [HU]). Radiographic density profiles of the different affected sinuses were compared to each other, checked for correlation, and finally, checked for evidence of clustering using a principal component analysis.

Results:

Frontal sinus opacities appear to be more heterogeneous, with both higher and lower density components than other sinuses. There was strong correlation between the radiographic density profiles of opacities in the frontal, anterior ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses (p < 0.001). However, on principal component analysis the radiographic density characteristics of the opacities of the frontal and anterior ethmoid sinuses appeared to cluster together more than the other sinuses.

Conclusion:

Radiographic properties of sinus opacities suggest the nature of sinus opacities are related not only to some common underlying pathology but also to factors related to the specific sinus as well as other spatially close affected sinuses. This suggests an anatomic orientation for sinus pathophysiology in CRS.
Organometallic Pt(II) containing polymer as silver protection against sulfide tarnishing
Authors: Fratoddi Ilaria , Marghella Giuseppe , Venditti Iole , Ferro Daniela , Russo Maria Vittoria
Published: June 2012

In this work, the use of a film of an organometallic polymer, namely Pt‐DEBP, has been tested for the selective capture of sulfides with the aim of protecting silver object. Ag foils were exposed to different environmental conditions in the presence of Pt‐DEBP films. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, and colorimetric studies allowed to assess that the polymeric layer selectively captures H2S, preventing the tarnishing of the silver substrate over a period at least of 2 months, without any manipulation of the sample. This approach open new perspectives for the prevention of aging effects on silver objects of artistic interest, for which cleaning or coating procedures should be avoid. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Investigation on some matrix‐dominated properties of hybrid multiscale composites based on carbon fiber/carbon nanotube modified epoxy
Authors: Wang Baichen , Zhou Xia , Yin Junshan , Wang Li
Published: June 2012

Continuous fiber reinforced polymer‐based composites have outstanding fiber‐dominated properties but unsatisfactory matrix‐dominated performances. In this investigation, carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were fabricated to evaluate the effects of CNTs on some matrix‐dominated properties of the resulting hybrid multiscale composites. Carboxylic acid functionalized multiwalled CNTs were dispersed in epoxy by using high energy sonication, followed by the fabrication of the composites laminates with the epoxy/CNTs dispersion. The dispersion quality of CNTs in epoxy and the capillary infiltration of continuous fiber with the epoxy/CNTs dispersion were characterized using optical microscope and capillary experiment to optimize the processing parameters. A CNTs loading of 1 wt % significantly improved the flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength of the composites containing varying scale reinforcements by 51.8% and 34.2%, respectively, as compared to the control carbon/epoxy composites. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the fracture surface of the failed specimens. The moisture absorption behavior of the carbon fiber/epoxy composites with and without CNTs was investigated by comparing the weight gain and shear properties degradation in distilled water and 1.5 wt % brine. The integration of CNTs in composites is found to contribute to the medium‐dependent moisture adsorption behavior. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Identification of a major linear C1q epitope allows detection of systemic lupus erythematosus anti‐C1q antibodies by a specific peptide‐based enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Vanhecke Dominique , Roumenina Lubka T. , Wan Hui , Osthoff Michael , Schaller Monica , Trendelenburg Marten
Published: June 2012

Objective

Autoantibodies against C1q strongly correlate with the occurrence of severe nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We undertook this study to determine whether identification of the C1q epitope(s) recognized by these autoantibodies might lead to a better diagnostic assay and help elucidate the putative role of C1q and anti‐C1q in SLE.

Methods

SLE patient–derived anti‐C1q Fab were used in a microarray‐based peptide scan to identify the peptide sequence recognized by anti‐C1q. Anti‐C1q Fab binding to the target peptide was further analyzed using real‐time interaction measurements (surface plasmon resonance) and peptide‐based enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).

Results

A peptide scan of the collagen‐like region of C1q identified 2 regions, 1 on the A chain and 1 on the B chain, that were the targets of the anti‐C1q Fab. Binding was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance and showed nanomolar affinity. The A chain–derived peptide could specifically be detected in a peptide‐based ELISA by SLE patient sera. Competition experiments suggested that this peptide represented one of the major linear epitopes of C1q that is the target of anti‐C1q in SLE. Serum antibodies from most SLE patients but not from healthy individuals specifically bound to this epitope. Binding to the peptide correlated with binding of the same sera to native C1q but was found to be more sensitive for the detection of lupus nephritis.

Conclusion

We identified a major linear epitope of C1q that is the target of anti‐C1q in SLE. The ELISA using this peptide was more specific and more sensitive than a conventional anti‐C1q assay for the detection of active nephritis in SLE patients.
Increased expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 in muscle biopsy samples from juvenile dermatomyositis patients with short duration of untreated disease is regulated by miR‐126
Authors: Kim Erin , Cook‐Mills Joan , Morgan Gabrielle , Sredni Simone T. , Pachman Lauren M.
Published: June 2012

Objective

To evaluate the effect of duration of untreated disease on vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1) and microRNA (miRNA) expression in muscle biopsy samples from children with juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) as well as its effect on soluble VCAM‐1 (sVCAM‐1) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) concentrations in sera from these children.

Methods

We enrolled 28 untreated children with juvenile DM and 8 pediatric controls. Eleven children with juvenile DM had short duration of untreated disease (symptoms for ≤2 months before muscle biopsy), and 17 had long duration of untreated disease (symptoms for >2 months before muscle biopsy). Vascular structures, characterized by immunofluorescence using antibodies against von Willebrand factor, VCAM‐1, and α‐smooth muscle actin, were measured for total area and intensity. Circulating sVCAM‐1 and TNFα levels were determined in patients with short duration of untreated disease, patients with long duration of untreated disease, and controls. Differential expression of microRNA‐126 (miR‐126) in muscle biopsy samples from the 2 patient groups and the control group was detected by miRNA expression profiling and confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in muscle biopsy samples from the 3 groups.

Results

Juvenile DM patients with short duration of untreated disease had significantly higher total positive area and intensity/high power field of VCAM‐1 expression than did juvenile DM patients with long duration of untreated disease (P = 0.043 and P = 0.015, respectively) or controls (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001, respectively). Von Willebrand factor antigen–positive vasculature displayed greater VCAM‐1 intensity in patients with short duration of untreated disease than in patients with long duration of untreated disease (P = 0.001). Circulating levels of sVCAM‐1 and TNFα were significantly higher in patients with short duration of untreated disease than in controls (P = 0.013 and P = 0.048, respectively). The miRNA miR‐126, a negative regulator of VCAM‐1 expression, was significantly decreased (3.39‐fold; P < 0.006) in patients with short duration of untreated disease compared to controls, while miR‐126 expression in patients with long duration of untreated disease did not differ significantly compared to controls.

Conclusion

In patients with short duration of untreated disease, miR‐126 down‐regulation is associated with increased VCAM‐1 in both muscle and blood, suggesting that VCAM‐1 plays a critical role early in juvenile DM disease pathophysiology, augmented by TNFα.
Analysis of mixed DNA‐bisnaphthalimide interactions involving groove association and intercalation with surface‐based and solution methodologies
Authors: González‐Bulnes Luis , Gallego José
Published: June 2012

The bisnaphthalimide cytotoxic agent elinafide exhibits a mixed DNA binding mode including groove‐association and intercalation. We have compared the interaction of elinafide and two bisnaphthalimide analogues with various natural and modified DNA sequences using solution NMR and UV‐melting methods and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments at different pH conditions. The combined data obtained with these techniques established a high‐affinity binding mode comprising intercalation and strong electrostatic contacts with guanine bases in the major groove, and a weaker interaction with A·T pairs likely involving groove association. However, the SPR binding constants and the NMR and UV‐melting binding parameters responded differently to variations in DNA bases and ligand intercalating moieties. The rates and equilibrium constants determined by SPR clearly responded to changes in pH and DNA groove composition, but were rather insensitive to alterations in drug rings and DNA bases affecting the intercalation process. Conversely, the intermolecular stacking interactions detected by NMR and the ligand‐induced thermal stabilizations measured by UV depended on both sets of factors and were controlled by the sequence‐dependent properties of the DNA helices, indicating that these data were modulated by naphthalimide stacking in addition to groove association. A two‐step binding process where a groove‐bound state is required prior to intercalation is proposed as an explanation for these observations. These findings may be useful for studying other classes of DNA‐ and RNA‐binding drugs, which frequently combine groove‐binding and stacking moieties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97:974–987, 2012.
The Grisso Tests for Assessing Understanding and Appreciation of Miranda Warnings with a Forensic Sample
Authors: Frumkin I. Bruce , Lally Stephen J. , Sexton James E.
Published: June 2012

The Instruments for Assessing Understanding and Appreciation of Miranda Rights, hereafter referred to as the Grisso tests, are widely used and recommended psychological tests designed to help assess ability to understand and appreciate Miranda warnings. This article describes the results of these tests administered to 439 individuals who participated in an evaluation to assess knowing and intelligent waiver of Miranda warnings during police questioning. This study is the first of its kind using a large sample of defendants who were referred for an assessment of capacity to waive Miranda rights. This forensic sample includes both juveniles (176) and adults (263), and the results are quite similar to the original Grisso norms. There are strong correlations between performance on these tests and IQ as well as between performance and age. This sample provides a broader foundation for users of the Grisso tests and answers some of the initial criticism of the instruments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring Between the Extremes: Conversion‐Dependent Kinetics of Phosphite‐Modified Hydroformylation Catalysis
Authors: Kubis Christoph , Selent Detlef , Sawall Mathias , Ludwig Ralf , Neymeyr Klaus , Baumann Wolfgang , Franke Robert , Börner Armin
Published: June 2012

The kinetics of the hydroformylation of 3,3‐dimethyl‐1‐butene with a rhodium monophosphite catalyst has been studied in detail. Time‐dependent concentration profiles covering the entire olefin conversion range were derived from in situ high‐pressure FTIR spectroscopic data for both, pure organic components and catalytic intermediates. These profiles fit to Michaelis–Menten‐type kinetics with competitive and uncompetitive side reactions involved. The characteristics found for the influence of the hydrogen concentration verify that the pre‐equilibrium towards the catalyst substrate complex is not established. It has been proven experimentally that the hydrogenolysis of the intermediate acyl complex remains rate limiting even at high conversions when the rhodium hydride is the predominant resting state and the reaction is nearly of first order with respect to the olefin. Results from in situ FTIR and high‐pressure (HP) NMR spectroscopy and from DFT calculations support the coordination of only one phosphite ligand in the dominating intermediates and a preferred axial position of the phosphite in the electronically saturated, trigonal bipyramidal (tbp)‐structured acyl rhodium complex.
Annexin A1 is associated with gastric cancer survival and promotes gastric cancer cell invasiveness through the formyl peptide receptor/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase/integrin beta‐1‐binding protein 1 pathway
Authors: Cheng Tsu‐Yao , Wu Ming‐Shiang , Lin Jaw‐Town , Lin Ming‐Tsan , Shun Chia‐Tung , Huang Hsin‐Yi , Hua Kuo‐Tai , Kuo Min‐Liang
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

Annexin A1 (AnxA1) has been well‐known as a glucocorticoid‐regulated anti‐inflammatory protein, and it is implicated in tumorigenesis in a tumor type–specific pattern. However, the role of AnxA1 in gastric cancer (GC) is indeterminate, and the underlying mechanism is not clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance and associated mechanism of AnxA1 in GC.

METHODS:

Immunohistochemical staining was employed to analyze 118 GC patients. Both AnxA1 gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function approaches were performed in GC cells. Western blotting and reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction were used for assessment of the AnxA1 regulation mechanism in GC cells. An intraperitoneal inoculation model in severe combined immunodeficient mice was used for an in vivo assay.

RESULTS:

High AnxA1 expression was significantly associated with peritoneal metastasis (P = .009) and serosal invasion (P = .044). Cox multivariate analysis showed that high AnxA1 expression was an independent risk factor for poor overall survival in GC patients (P = .037). AnxA1 expression positively correlated with invasiveness of human GC cells both in vitro and in vivo. AnxA1 could regulate the GC cell invasion through the formyl peptide receptor (FPR)/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase/integrin beta‐1‐binding protein pathway, and all 3 FPRs (FPR1 through FPR3) were involved in the regulation process.

CONCLUSIONS:

High AnxA1 expression was associated with more serosal invasion, more peritoneal metastasis, and poorer overall survival in GC patients. The current study demonstrated a novel mechanism involving FPRs, extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2, and integrin beta‐1‐binding protein 1 by which AnxA1 regulated GC cell invasion. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Clinical implications and diagnostic usefulness of correlation between soluble major histocompatibility complex class I chain‐related molecule a and protumorigenic cytokines in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chung Hye Won , Jang Sunphil , Lim Jong‐Baeck
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

Tumor‐derived soluble factors serve as mediators between tumors and surrounding microenvironment to promote tumor growth and metastasis under a complex network. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships between soluble major histocompatibility complex class I chain‐related molecule A (sMICA) and 4 categories of cytokines (tumor‐related proinflammatory, anti‐inflammatory, chemotactic/proangiogenic, and growth‐stimulatory) in the development and progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

METHODS:

Serum levels of sMICA and 4‐categorized cytokines were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescent immunoassay, respectively, in 134 individuals (normal, n = 55; chronic pancreatitis, n = 25; PDAC, n = 54). Clinical implications of sMICA and tumor‐related cytokines, their correlations, and diagnostic usefulness in PDAC were evaluated.

RESULTS:

Serum sMICA, which was associated with the development and progression of PDAC, correlated with interferon‐γ negatively (P = 0.024), whereas it correlated positively with the anti‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and IL‐1 receptor antagonist, and the bifunctional cytokine tumor necrosis factor α, with respect to PDAC development (P < .05). sMICA also correlated positively with the chemotactic/proangiogenic cytokines vascular endothelial growth factor, soluble CD40 ligand, and IL‐8, and the tumor growth‐stimulatory cytokines epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor α, with respect to PDAC development and/or progression. Logistic regression analysis validated the diagnostic usefulness of combination use of sMICA and its related cytokines to predict the presence of PDAC and distant metastasis in PDAC, superior to carbohydrate antigen 19‐9.

CONCLUSIONS:

sMICA may be involved in tumor‐associated angiogenesis and tumor growth either directly or indirectly by affecting corresponding cytokines as well as causing impairment of natural killer cell cytotoxicity in the development and progression of PDAC. A combination of sMICA and its related cytokines exhibited remarkable diagnostic potential in PDAC. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Influence of FLT3‐internal tandem duplication allele burden and white blood cell count on the outcome in patients with intermediate‐risk karyotype acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: How Jonathan , Sykes Jenna , Gupta Vikas , Yee Karen W. L. , Schimmer Aaron D. , Schuh Andre C. , Minden Mark D. , Kamel‐Reid Suzanne , Brandwein Joseph M.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

In patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), testing for fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐3 (FLT3)–internal tandem duplication (FLT3‐ITD) and nucleophosmin‐1 (NPM1) mutations can allow for further prognostic subclassification, but less is known about the effects of FLT3‐ITD allele burden and presenting white blood cell count (WBC) within molecular subgroups.

METHODS:

The authors retrospectively assessed 206 adult patients who had AML with an intermediate‐risk karyotype and who received treatment on a uniform induction and consolidation chemotherapy regimen.

RESULTS:

The presenting WBC was a prognostic factor for survival only in patients who had an FLT3‐ITD mutation. On multivariate analysis, after correcting for age, WBC, secondary AML, and blast percentage, nucleophosmin‐1 (NPM1)‐mutated/FLT3‐ITD–negative patients had superior overall survival compared with patients in the other molecular subgroups. Patients who had FLT3‐ITD mutations had an inferior overall survival compared with patients who had NPM1 wild‐type/FLT3‐negative disease, and patients who had low or intermediate levels of the FLT‐ITD of mutant allele had overall and disease‐free survival similar to those in patients who had high‐level mutations.

CONCLUSIONS:

NPM1 and FLT3‐ITD status, age, WBC, and secondary AML were identified as important prognostic variables that can help to risk stratify patients with AML who have intermediate‐risk cytogenetics. FLT3 allele burden had no significant influence on outcomes after correcting for other variables. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
A microRNA expression signature for the prognosis of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Gao Ge , Gay Hiram A. , Chernock Rebecca D. , Zhang Tian R. , Luo Jingqin , Thorstad Wade L. , Lewis James S. , Wang Xiaowei
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) rates have been increasing significantly in recent years, despite a decreasing incidence of head and neck cancer in general. Oropharyngeal SCC has many characteristics that are distinct from other head and neck cancers, and thus it is important to focus specifically on cancers arising in this region, with the goal of improving patient outcomes. One important goal is to identify those patients who are likely to fail standard therapy and who could potentially benefit from alternative or targeted treatments.

METHODS:

In the current study, the prognostic value of microRNAs (miRNAs) was evaluated in patients with oropharyngeal SCC. miRNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that are master regulators of many important biological processes. In total, 150 oropharyngeal tumors were analyzed using the recently developed quantitative polymerase chain reaction‐based method for miRNA expression profiling. In addition, the expression of miRNAs was also compared with human papillomavirus (HPV) transcriptional activities.

RESULTS:

The current study identified 6 miRNAs that were found to be significantly associated with cancer survival. A combined expression signature of these miRNAs was prognostic of oropharyngeal SCC, independent of common clinical features or HPV status.

CONCLUSIONS:

This new miRNA signature was experimentally validated in an independent oropharyngeal SCC cohort. Furthermore, 5 HPV‐related miRNAs were identified, which may help to characterize HPV‐induced cancers including both oropharyngeal and cervical SCC. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Predictive and prognostic roles of ribonucleotide reductase M1 in resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xie Hao , Jiang Wei , Jiang John , Wang Yixin , Kim Richard , Liu Xiaobo , Liu Xiuli
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

Ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) is an important molecule in different types of cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive roles of RRM1 in the survival of patients with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma who received treatment with gemcitabine or nongemcitabine adjuvant therapy.

METHODS:

In total, 122 patients underwent tumor resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma at the authors' institution from October 1999 to December 2007. Total RNA was isolated from microdissected, paraffin‐embedded tumors. RRM1 expression levels were measured using quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (QRT‐PCR) and were dichotomized using recursive partitioning analysis. The Kaplan‐Meier method was used to estimate overall survival and progression‐free survival, and the predictive value of RRM1 expression on survival was examined using Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS:

RRM1 expression did not have significant prognostic value in the entire cohort regarding overall survival (P = .2) or progression‐free survival (P = .7). In the subgroup of 44 patients who received adjuvant gemcitabine, patients who had low RRM1 expression had longer overall survival (median, 47.8 months vs 14.1 months; P = .005) and a trend toward longer progression‐free survival (median not reached vs 12.9 months; P = .06). In contrast, in the subgroup of 35 patients who received nongemcitabine adjuvant therapy, patients who had high RRM1 expression had significantly longer overall survival (median, 41.9 months vs 19.8 months; P = .01) and progression‐free survival (median, 70.0 months vs 11.8 months; P = .04). These results were confirmed in Cox proportional hazards multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma, low RRM1 expression in the tumor predicted an overall survival benefit of adjuvant gemcitabine; and high RRM1 expression predicted the survival benefit of nongemcitabine adjuvant therapy. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Predictors of locoregional outcome in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy and postmastectomy radiation
Authors: Wright Jean L. , Takita Cristiane , Reis Isildinha M. , Zhao Wei , Saigal Kunal , Wolfson Aaron , Markoe Arnold , Moller Mecker , Hurley Judith
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

The objective of this study was to identify predictors of locoregional recurrence (LRR) after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and postmastectomy radiation (PMRT) in a cohort of patients with stage II through III breast cancer and to determine whether omission of the supraclavicular field had an impact on the risk of LRR.

METHODS:

The authors reviewed records from 464 patients who received NAT and PMRT from January 1999 to December 2009.

RESULTS:

The median patient age was 50 years (range, 25‐81 years). Clinical disease stage was stage II in 29% of patients, stage III in 71%, and inflammatory in 14%. Receptor status was estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive in 54% of patients, progesterone receptor (PR)‐positive in 39%, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive in 24%, and negative for all 3 receptors (triple negative) in 32%. All patients received NAT and underwent mastectomy, and 19.6% had a complete pathologic response in the breast and axilla, 17.5% received radiation to the chest wall only, and 82.5% received radiation to the chest wall and the supraclavicular field; omission of the supraclavicular field was more common in patients with lower clinical and pathologic lymph node status. The median follow‐up was 50.5 months, and the 5‐year cumulative incidence of LRR was 6% (95% confidence interval, 3.9%‐8.6%). Predictors of LRR were clinical stage III (P = .038), higher clinical lymph node status (P = .025), higher pathologic lymph node status (P = .003), the combination of clinically and pathologically positive lymph nodes (P < .001), inflammatory presentation (P = .037), negative ER status (P = .006), negative PR status (P = .015), triple‐negative status (P < .001), and pathologic tumor size >2 cm (P = .045). On univariate analysis, omission of the supraclavicular field was not associated significantly with LRR (hazard ratio, 0.89; P = .833); however, on multivariate analyses, omission of the supraclavicular field was associated significantly with LRR (hazard ratio, 3.39; P = .024).

CONCLUSIONS:

Presenting stage, receptor status, pathologic response to neoadjuvant therapy, and omission the supraclavicular field were identified as risk factors for LRR after neoadjuvant therapy and PMRT. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Neurochemical features of boar lumbosacral dorsal root ganglion neurons and characterization of sensory neurons innervating the urinary bladder trigone
Authors: Russo D. , Clavenzani P. , Sorteni C. , Bo Minelli L. , Botti M. , Gazza F. , Panu R. , Ragionieri L. , Chiocchetti R.
Published: June 2012

Porcine lumbosacral dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were neurochemically characterized by using six neuronal markers: calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), neurofilament 200kDa (NF200), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), and isolectin B4 (IB4) from Griffonia simplicifolia. In addition, the phenotype and cross‐sectional area of DRG neurons innervating the urinary bladder trigone (UBT) were evaluated by coupling retrograde tracer technique and immunohistochemistry. Lumbar and sacral DRG neuronal subpopulations were immunoreactive (IR) for CGRP (30 ± 3% and 29 ± 3%, respectively), SP (26 ± 8% and 27 ± 12%, respectively), nNOS (21 ± 4% and 26 ± 7%, respectively), NF200 (75 ± 14% and 81 ± 7%, respectively), and TRPV1 (48 ± 13% and 43 ± 6%, respectively), and labeled for IB4 (56 ± 6% and 43 ± 10%, respectively). UBT sensory neurons, which were distributed from L2 to Ca1 DRG, had a segmental localization, showing their highest density in L4–L5 and S2–S4 DRG. Lumbar and sacral UBT sensory neurons expressed similar percentages of NF200 immunoreactivity (64 ± 33% and 58 ± 12%, respectively) but showed a significantly different immunoreactivity for CGRP, SP, nNOS, and TRPV1 (56 ± 9%, 39 ± 15%, 17 ± 13%, 62 ± 10% vs. 16 ± 6%, 16 ± 11%, 6 ± 1%, 45 ± 24%, respectively). Lumbar and sacral UBT sensory neurons also showed different IB4 labeling (67 ± 19% and 48 ± 16, respectively). Taken together, these data indicate that the lumbar and sacral pathways probably play different roles in sensory transmission from the UBT. The findings related to cell size also reinforced this hypothesis, because lumbar UBT sensory neurons were significantly larger than sacral ones (1,112 ± 624 μm2 vs. 716 ± 421 μm2). J. Comp. Neurol. 521:342–366, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automatic MRI 2D brain segmentation using graph searching technique
Authors: Pedoia Valentina , Binaghi Elisabetta
Published: June 2012

Accurate and efficient segmentation of the whole brain in magnetic resonance (MR) images is a key task in many neuroscience and medical studies either because the whole brain is the final anatomical structure of interest or because the automatic extraction facilitates further analysis. The problem of segmenting brain MRI images has been extensively addressed by many researchers. Despite the relevant achievements obtained, automated segmentation of brain MRI imagery is still a challenging problem whose solution has to cope with critical aspects such as anatomical variability and pathological deformation. In the present paper, we describe and experimentally evaluate a method for segmenting brain from MRI images basing on two‐dimensional graph searching principles for border detection. The segmentation of the whole brain over the entire volume is accomplished slice by slice, automatically detecting frames including eyes. The method is fully automatic and easily reproducible by computing the internal main parameters directly from the image data. The segmentation procedure is conceived as a tool of general applicability, although design requirements are especially commensurate with the accuracy required in clinical tasks such as surgical planning and post‐surgical assessment. Several experiments were performed to assess the performance of the algorithm on a varied set of MRI images obtaining good results in terms of accuracy and stability. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulation of the Neutral Inventory in the Pilot‐PSI Beam
Authors: Wieggers R. C. , Groen P. W. C. , de Blank H. J. , Goedheer W. J.
Published: June 2012

The Eunomia code is used to study the neutral species in and near a hydrogen plasma beam. Eunomia is a non‐linear Monte Carlo transport code that solves the neutral equilibrium, given a fixed background plasma. The code is developed to study the neutral inventory of Pilot‐PSI and Magnum‐PSI, linear devices developed to study plasma surface interactions in similar conditions as expected in the ITER divertor. Results show the influence of elastic collisions and the outer vessel wall on the neutral species. In the center of the 2 cm diameter Pilot‐PSI beam the results show a strong coupling to the plasma. Only millimeters away from the center, the neutral flow, temperature and density are strongly influenced by recombination processes at the vessel wall (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Computation of minimum transmit power for network connectivity in vehicular ad hoc networks formed by vehicles with random communication range
Authors: Neelakantan P.C. , Babu A.V.
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we consider a vehicular ad hoc network used for distributing traffic information and investigate the minimum uniform transmit power, to be used by all vehicles, sufficient to guarantee network connectivity, in the presence of channel fading. As opposed to the conventional graph theoretic approach, in this paper, the network connectivity problem is analyzed from a physical layer perspective in which a given multi‐hop path joining a pair of vehicles in the network is considered to be connected if and only if the average route BER corresponding to this path meets a target requirement. The analysis considers the communication range of each vehicle to be a random variable. The random communication range model is relevant for connectivity analysis because it can account for variability in the communication links and thus will be able to accurately estimate the network connectivity probability after network setup. We derive closed form analytical expression for the minimum transmit power sufficient to ensure network connectivity. We also derive analytical expression for the maximum number of hops, a packet can traverse satisfying the route BER constraint, for a given transmit power. The validity of our theoretical analysis is verified by extensive simulation studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of magnetizing inrush current phenomena in a distribution system
Authors: Dou Naoki , Toyama Atushi , Satoh Kohki , Naitoh Tadashi , Masaki Kazuyuki
Published: June 2012

In high‐voltage distribution systems, there are many power quality troubles due to voltage dips. Otherwise, magnetizing inrush currents cause voltage dips. To suppress voltage dips, it is necessary to identify magnetizing inrush current phenomena. In this paper, the authors propose a new identification method. The principles are that the saturation start and end flux are equal and the inrush current pattern exists. To avoid interference with saturation area overlap, the rectangular coordinate method is adopted. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 181(1): 1–10, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21259
Dok‐1 overexpression promotes development of γδ natural killer T cells
Authors: Besin Gilles , Yousefi Mitra , Saba Ingrid , Klinck Roscoe , Pandolfi Pier Paolo , Duplay Pascale
Published: June 2012

In T cells, two members of the Dok family, Dok‐1 and Dok‐2, are predominantly expressed. Recent evidence suggests that they play a negative role in T‐cell signaling. In order to define whether Dok proteins regulate T‐cell development, we have generated transgenic mice overexpressing Dok‐1 in thymocytes and peripheral T cells. We show that overexpression of Dok‐1 retards the transition from the CD4−CD8− to CD4+CD8+ stage. Moreover, there is a specific expansion of PLZF‐expressing Vγ1.1+ Vδ6.3+ T cells. This subset of γδ T cells acquires innate characteristics including rapid IL‐4 production following stimulation and requiring SLAM‐associated adaptor protein (SAP) for their development. Moreover, Dok‐1 overexpression promotes the generation of an innate‐like CD8+ T‐cell population that expresses Eomesodermin. Altogether, these findings identify a novel role for Dok‐1 in the regulation of thymic differentiation and in particular, in the development of PLZF+ γδ T cells.
First Total Synthesis of the Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Amphorogynine C through Intramolecular Azide–Olefin Cycloaddition
Authors: de Miguel Irene , Velado Marina , Herradón Bernardo , Mann Enrique
Published: June 2012

The first total synthesis of the natural alkaloid amphorogynine C is reported (2.9 % overall yield in 20 steps). The key steps include a Claisen–Johnson rearrangement and an intramolecular azide–olefin cycloaddition, followed by a reduction of the resulting imine. The construction of the pyrrolizidine skeleton was achieved by an alkoxide‐mediatedlactone ring opening and subsequent cyclization of a conveniently functionalized bicyclic amine. Finally, the proposed structure of amphorogynine C was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Fused Arene Ring Construction Around Pyrrole To Form 4,7‐Disubstitued Indole
Authors: Nojman Elżbieta , Latos‐Grażyński Lechosław , Szterenberg Ludmiła
Published: June 2012

A method for synthesizing 4,7‐diarylindoles and 4,7‐di(thien‐2‐yl)indole by applying a strategy where the fused benzene ring was built on an existing pyrrole in an acid‐catalyzed rearrangement of 1,4‐diaryl‐1,4‐di(pyrrol‐2‐yl)but‐2‐yne and 1,4‐di(pyrrol‐2‐yl)‐1,4‐di(thien‐2‐yl)but‐2‐yne, respectively, is presented. In the presence of TFA (30 equiv.), 4,7‐diarylindoles undergo thermodynamically equilibrated dimerization at 240 K as determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and substantiated by DFT calculations.
Chiral separation of cathinone derivatives used as recreational drugs by cyclodextrin‐modified capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Mohr Stefan , Pilaj Stefan , Schmid Martin G.
Published: June 2012

In recent years, cathinone derivatives have entered the global drug market and caused serious social problems in many European countries. Modification of the basic structure of cathinone leads to a multitude of derivatives, including the most popular representative mephedrone. All those substances contain a stereogenic center and therefore two isoforms exist. As it is the case with many chiral active pharmaceutical ingredients, even the pharmacological effect of the enantiomers of those psychoactive compounds may differ. During this research, an easy‐to‐prepare chiral capillary zone electrophoresis method for the enantioseparation of a set of 19 cathinone derivatives was developed. Testing different types of cyclodextrin (CD), including native‐β‐CD, carboxymethyl‐β‐CD, 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐CD, sulfated‐β‐CD, and native γ‐CD, best results were obtained with the negatively charged sulfated‐β‐CD. The effect of the CD concentration, the temperature, and the addition of ACN to the BGE on the enantioseparation is shown by three model compounds. Under optimal conditions, using 20 mg/mL sulfated‐β‐CD in 50 mM ammonium acetate buffer pH = 4.5 containing 10% v/v ACN at a cassette temperature of 40°C and with an applied voltage of 20 kV, all derivatives except methedrone were resolved in their enantiomers within 20 min.
Optimization and validation of a new CE method for the determination of pantoprazole enantiomers
Authors: Guan Jin , Yan Feng , Shi Shuang , Wang Silin
Published: June 2012

A new CE method using sulfobutylether‐beta‐cyclodextrin (SBE‐beta‐CD) as chiral additive was developed and validated for the determination of pantoprazole enantiomers. The primary factors affecting its separation efficiency, which include chiral selector, buffer pH, organic additive, and applied voltage, were optimized. The best results were obtained using a buffer consisting of 50 mM borax‐150 mM phosphate adjusted to pH 6.5, 20 mg/mL SBE‐beta‐CD, and a 10 kV applied voltage. The optimized method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, and proved to be robust. The LOD and LOQ for R‐(+)‐pantoprazole were 0.9 and 2.5 μg/mL, respectively. The method is capable of determining a minimum limit of 0.1% (w/w) of R‐enantiomer in S‐(–)‐pantoprazole bulk samples.
Retrotransposon‐microsatellite amplified polymorphism, an electrophoretic approach for studying genetic variability among Schistosoma japonicum geographical isolates
Authors: Li Juan , Zhao Guang‐Hui , Zhou Dong‐Hui , Sugiyama Hiromu , Nisbet Alasdair J. , Li Xiao‐Yan , Zou Feng‐Cai , Li Hai‐Long , Ai Lin , Zhu Xing‐Quan
Published: June 2012

In the present study, retrotransposon‐microsatellite amplified polymorphism (REMAP) was used to examine genetic variability among Schistosoma japonicum isolates from different endemic provinces in mainland China, using S. japonicum from Japan and the Philippines for comparison. Of the 50 primer combinations screened, eight produced highly reproducible REMAP fragments. Using these primers, 190 distinct DNA fragments were generated in total, of which 147 (77.37%) were polymorphic, indicating considerable genetic variation among the 43 S. japonicum isolates examined. The percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) among S. japonicum isolates from mainland China, Japan, and the Philippines was 77.37%; PPB values of 18.42% and 53.68% were found among isolates from southwestern (SW) China and the lower Yangtze/Zhejiang province in eastern (E) China, respectively. Based on REMAP profiles, unweighted pair‐group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendrogram analysis revealed that all of the S. japonicum samples grouped into three distinct clusters: parasites from mainland China, Japan, and the Philippines were clustered in each individual clade. Within the mainland China cluster, SW China isolates (from Sichuan and Yunnan provinces) grouped together, whereas worms from E China (Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Hunan, and Hubei provinces) grouped together. These results demonstrated that the REMAP marker system provides a reliable electrophoretic technique for studying genetic diversity and population structures of S. japonicum isolates from mainland China, and could be applied to other pathogens of human and animal health significance.
Developing an amperometric hydrogen peroxide sensor for an exhaled breath analysis system
Authors: Wiedemair Justyna , van Dorp Henriëtte D. S. , Olthuis Wouter , van den Berg Albert
Published: June 2012

In this work, we present a chip‐integrated amperometric sensor targeted at the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the gaseous phase. Electrode chips are manufactured in a series of microfabrication steps and characterized electrochemically. Using such devices detection of H2O2 in an aqueous phase is shown by means of cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. Furthermore, it is discussed that variation of conditions such as the composition of the supporting electrolyte largely influences the obtained electrochemical signal. Additionally, electrochemical pretreatment of platinum working electrodes aiming at surface oxidation improves the limit of detection of the sensor and the linearity of the calibration curve at low H2O2 concentrations (<10 μM). Agarose‐coated electrode chips are used for the measurement of H2O2 in the gaseous phase. Detection of H2O2 is shown in a static and in a flow‐through setup. We find a limit of detection of approximately 42 ppb. Current work focuses on expanding the presented device to detection of H2O2 in exhaled breath condensate.
Microfabrication technologies in dielectrophoresis applications—A review
Authors: Martinez‐Duarte Rodrigo
Published: June 2012

DEP is an established technique for particle manipulation. Although first demonstrated in the 1950s, it was not until the development of miniaturization techniques in the 1990s that DEP became a popular research field. The 1990s saw an explosion of DEP publications using microfabricated metal electrode arrays to sort a wide variety of cells. The concurrent development of microfluidics enabled devices for flow management and better understanding of the interaction between hydrodynamic and electrokinetic forces. Starting in the 2000s, alternative techniques have arisen to overcome common problems in metal‐electrode DEP, such as electrode fouling, and to increase the throughput of the system. Insulator‐based DEP and light‐induced DEP are the most significant examples. Most recently, new 3D techniques such as carbon‐electrode DEP, contactless DEP, and the use of doped PDMS have further simplified the fabrication process. The constant desire of the community to develop practical solutions has led to devices which are more user friendly, less expensive, and are capable of higher throughput. The state‐of‐the‐art of fabricating DEP devices is critically reviewed in this work. The focus is on how different fabrication techniques can boost the development of practical DEP devices to be used in different settings such as clinical cell sorting and infection diagnosis, industrial food safety, and enrichment of particle populations for drug development.
Identification of avocado (Persea americana) pulp proteins by nano‐LC‐MS/MS via combinatorial peptide ligand libraries
Authors: Esteve Clara , D'Amato Alfonsina , Marina María Luisa , García María Concepción , Righetti Pier Giorgio
Published: June 2012

Avocado (Persea americana) proteins have been scarcely studied despite their importance, especially in food related allergies. The proteome of avocado pulp was explored in depth by extracting proteins with capture by combinatorial peptide ligand libraries at pH 7.4 and under conditions mimicking reverse‐phase capture at pH 2.2. The total number of unique gene products identified amounts to 1012 proteins, of which 174 are in common with the control, untreated sample, 190 are present only in the control and 648 represent the new species detected via combinatorial peptide ligand libraries of all combined eluates and likely represent low‐abundance proteins. Among the 1012 proteins, it was possible to identify the already known avocado allergen Pers a 1 and different proteins susceptible to be allergens such as a profilin, a polygalacturonase, a thaumatin‐like protein, a glucanase, and an isoflavone reductase like protein.
Synthesis and characterization of zinc sulfide nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon for the removal of methylene blue
Authors: Ghaedi M. , Larki H. Abbasi , Kokhdan S. Nasiri , Marahel F. , Sahraei R. , Daneshfar A. , Purkait M.K.
Published: June 2012

In the first part of this research, zinc sulfide nanoparticle loaded activated carbon was synthesized by a simple and low cost procedure. Zinc sulfide nanoparticles were prepared, characterized and loaded on commercially available activated carbon. The zinc sulfide nanoparticle was characterized by UV–vis, SEM and XRD analysis. The objective of this study was to assess the suitability and efficiency of zinc sulfide nanoparticle loaded activated carbon (ZnS‐NP‐AC) for the removal of Methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. Adsorption studies were conducted in a batch mode and the influences of various operating parameters including pH, contact time, initial dye concentration, ZnS‐NP‐AC amount on the extent of MB adsorption were investigated in details. The adsorption equilibrium data were fitted well to the Langmuir model. The maximum MB adsorption capacity was found as 100 mg g−1 of adsorbent. To investigate the kinetic of adsorption, the time dependency of removal percentage of MB on ZnS‐NP‐AC was analyzed by various models such as, pseudo‐first‐order, pseudo‐second‐order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion kinetic. It was found that the adsorption follows pseudo‐second‐order kinetic with involvement of intraparticle model. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 535–542, 2013