bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Female Effects on Offspring Energetic Status and Consequences on Early Development in Yolk Feeding Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
Authors: RÉGNIER THOMAS , BOLLIET VALÉRIE , GAUDIN PHILIPPE , LABONNE JACQUES
Published: July 2012

Energetic status can be defined as the interaction between energy stores and metabolic rate. In salmonids, it is variable and influences the timing of emergence, and therefore may have strong effects on both juvenile and maternal fitness. The aim of this study is to (i) describe the ontogeny of energy use for different brown trout clutches to understand how such a variability of energetic status is developed at the end of incubation and (ii) to estimate maternal influences over offspring physiological processes. Using individual measures of total mass and metabolism throughout ontogeny combined with a hierarchicalBayesian modeling approach, we successfully described clutch‐specific (i) metabolic trajectories, (ii) use of yolk resources and the building of new tissues throughout ontogeny. Our results show that females laying large eggs have offspring with lower metabolic costs and higher yolk conversion efficiencies. Females also influence within clutch variance of metabolic and yolk consumption rates leading to potential developmental variations. These results are discussed with regard to their consequences on early life history through the critical period of emergence.J. Exp. Zool. 317A:347–358, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
One pot radiofluorination of a new potential PSMA ligand [Al18F]NOTA‐DUPA‐Pep
Authors: Malik Noeen , Zlatopolskiy Boris , Machulla Hans‐Juergen , Reske Sven N , Solbach Christoph
Published: July 2012

Up to now, many radiolabeled ligands targeting prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) have been synthesized. To carry out radiofluorinations, there have been several approaches mainly involving two steps of radiosynthesis. However, in case of labelings with high activities, one radiosynthetic step (‘one pot synthesis’) is highly desirable. As an alternative, radiofluorinations of peptides coupled to the NOTA complex via Al18F appear to be very promising, both in terms of feasible labelling procedure and stability in vivo. Therefore, in the present study, we synthesized a new PSMA‐ligand, that is, NOTA‐DUPA‐Pep, labeled with Al18F and examined the reaction kinetics in dependence on temperature, time, concentration of precursor, and AlCl3 solution. Highest radiochemical yields of 83 ± 1.1% were obtained at 105 °C after 15 min of reaction time. At the end of synthesis, [Al18F]NOTA‐DUPA‐Pep was prepared with a radiochemical purity of ≥98% with an overall yield of 79 ± 0.7% (n = 3) (decay uncorrected) within 55 min. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and structural characterization by LC‐ESI‐IONTRAP and LC‐ESI‐TOF of some metabolic conjugation products of homovanillic acid in urine of neuroblastoma patients
Authors: Scapolla Carlo , Cangemi Giuliana , Barco Sebastiano , Barbagallo Laura , Bugnone Daniela , Maffia Angelo , Melioli Giovanni , Profumo Aldo , Benatti Umberto , Damonte Gianluca
Published: July 2012

The levels of urinary catecholamine metabolites, such as homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid, are routinely used as a clinical tool in the diagnosis and follow‐up of neuroblastoma (NB) patients. Recently, in the Clinical Pathology Laboratory Unit of G. Gaslini Children Hospital, a commercial method that employs liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection (LC‐EC) has been introduced for the measurement of these metabolites in the routine laboratory practice. Using this LC‐EC method, an unknown peak could be observed only in samples derived from NB patients. To investigate the nature of this peak, we used a combination of liquid chromatography‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐TOF‐MS) and liquid chromatography‐ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐IT‐MS). The first approach was used to obtain the elemental composition of the ions present in this new signal. To get additional structural information useful for the elucidation of unknown compounds, the ion trap analyzer was exploited. We were able to identify not just one, but three unknown signals in urine samples from NB patients which corresponded to three conjugated products of HVA: HVA sulfate and two glucuronoconjugate isomers. The enzymatic hydrolysis with β‐glucuronidase confirmed the proposed structures, while the selective alkaline hydrolysis allowed us to distinguish the difference between phenol‐ and acyl‐glucuronide of HVA. The latter was the unknown peak observed in LC‐EC separations of urine samples from NB patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complexation of divalent metal ions with diols in the presence of anion auxiliary ligands: zinc‐induced oxidation of ethylene glycol to glycolaldehyde by consecutive hydride ion and proton shifts
Authors: Ruttink Paul J.A. , Dekker Lennard J.M. , Luider Theo M. , Burgers Peter C.
Published: July 2012

Ternary complexes of the type AH•••M2+•••L– (AH = diol, including diethylene and triethylene glycol, M = Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn and auxiliary anion ligand L– = CH3COO–, HCOO– and Cl–) have been generated in the gas phase by MALDI and ESI, and their dissociation characteristics have been obtained. Use of the auxiliary ligands enables the complexation of AH with the divalent metal ion without AH becoming deprotonated, although A–•••M2+ is often also generated in the ion source or after MS/MS. For M = Ca, dissociation occurs to AH + M2+•••L– and/or to A–•••M2+ + LH, the latter being produced from the H‐shifted isomer A–•••M2+•••LH. For a given ligand L–, the intensity ratio of these processes can be interpreted (barring reverse energy barriers) in terms of the quantity PA(A–) – Caaff(A–), where PA is the proton affinity and Caaff is the calcium ion affinity.

Deuterium labeling shows that the complex ion HOCH2CH2OH•••Zn2+•••–OOCCH3, in addition to losing acetic acid (60 Da), also eliminates glycolaldehyde (HOCH2CH=O, also 60 Da); it is proposed that these reactions commence with a hydride ion shift to produce the ion–dipole complex HOCH2CHOH+••• HZnOOCCH3, which then undergoes proton transfer and dissociation to HOCH2CH=O + HZn+•••O = C(OH)CH3. In this reaction, ethylene glycol is oxidized by consecutive hydride ion and proton shifts. A minor process leads to loss of the isomeric species HOCH=CHOH. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current insights on the regenerative potential of the periosteum: Molecular, cellular, and endogenous engineering approaches
Authors: Colnot Céline , Zhang Xinping , Tate Melissa L. Knothe
Published: July 2012

While century old clinical reports document the periosteum's remarkable regenerative capacity, only in the past decade have scientists undertaken mechanistic investigations of its regenerative potential. At a Workshop at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Orthopaedic Research Society, we reviewed the molecular, cellular, and tissue scale approaches to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the periosteum's regenerative potential as well as translational therapies engineering solutions inspired by its remarkable regenerative capacity. The entire population of osteoblasts within periosteum, and at endosteal and trabecular bone surfaces within the bone marrow, derives from the embryonic perichondrium. Periosteal cells contribute more to cartilage and bone formation within the callus during fracture healing than do cells of the bone marrow or endosteum, which do not migrate out of the marrow compartment. Furthermore, a current healing paradigm regards the activation, expansion, and differentiation of periosteal stem/progenitor cells as an essential step in building a template for subsequent neovascularization, bone formation, and remodeling. The periosteum comprises a complex, composite structure, providing a niche for pluripotent cells and a repository for molecular factors that modulate cell behavior. The periosteum's advanced, “smart” material properties change depending on the mechanical, chemical, and biological state of the tissue. Understanding periosteum development, progenitor cell‐driven initiation of periosteum's endogenous tissue building capacity, and the complex structure–function relationships of periosteum as an advanced material are important for harnessing and engineering ersatz materials to mimic the periosteum's remarkable regenerative capacity. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1869–1878, 2012
Carbon nanostructures produced by pyrolysis under high pressure inside a nanosize silica matrix
Authors: Villanueva Antonio E. L. , Balzaretti Naira M. , da Jornada Joao A. H.
Published: July 2012

In this work, the pyrolysis under high pressure of hydrocarbons dispersed inside a nanosized silica matrix (Aerosil) was investigated. The samples consisted of hydrophobic nanometric silica powder terminated by methyl groups with carbon contents ranging from 0.7 to 4 wt%. The pyrolysis was carried out in the temperature range from 1000 to 1600 °C under high pressure (1.25 up to 7.7 GPa) to keep the two‐dimensional distribution of carbon atoms originally at the silica grain boundaries. Evidences from Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy suggested that the resulting carbon nanostructures were actually graphene‐like nanoflakes. The size of the nanostructures calculated from the ID/IG ratio increased from 6 to 30 nm for processing temperatures increasing from 1000 to 1600 °C under pressure, respectively. The results revealed that the very good dispersion of the methyl groups inside the nanosize silica matrix, and the confinement under high pressure during the pyrolysis, played both a relevant role in the resulting carbon nanostructures. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a disease‐specific quality‐of‐life questionnaire for anterior and central skull base pathology—The skull base inventory
Authors: de Almeida John R. , Vescan Allan D. , Gullane Patrick J. , Gentili Fred , Lee John M. , Lohfeld Lynne , Ringash Jolie , Thoma Achilles , Witterick Ian J.
Published: July 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Anterior and central skull base lesions and their surgical treatment (endoscopic or open approaches) can affect quality of life. A disease‐specific instrument is needed to compare quality of life for different surgical approaches.

Study Design:

Items were generated using a composite strategy consisting of chart review, systematic review of skull base instruments, expert interviews, and qualitative analysis of patient focus groups. A cross‐sectional survey study was performed to reduce items based on an item impact score.

Methods:

Charts of 138 patients who underwent skull base surgery were reviewed to identify physical items and domains. Five experts were interviewed for item and domain identification. Thirty‐four patients were recruited into eight focus groups based on their surgical approach (open or endoscopic) and tumor location (anterior or central). Items were generated using a composite approach and then reduced into a final questionnaire using item impact scores.

Results:

Chart review identified 47 physical items. Systematic review revealed nine relevant instruments with 217 relevant items. Experts identified 11 domains with 69 additional items. Qualitative analysis of focus groups generated 49 items. A total of 382 items were identified and reduced to 77 items after eliminating overlapping and irrelevant items. Further item reduction using item impact scores yielded 41 items.

Conclusions:

The Skull Base Inventory is a disease‐specific quality‐of‐life instrument. Psychometric properties have yet to be tested. It may serve to compare quality of life for endoscopic or open procedures. Laryngoscope, 2012
Multi‐institutional evaluation of a sinus surgery checklist
Authors: Soler Zachary M. , Poetker David A. , Rudmik Luke , Psaltis Alkis J. , Clinger John D. , Mace Jess C. , Smith Timothy L.
Published: July 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To examine the frequency of safe surgical practices specific to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) before and after implementation of a checklist at four institutions across North America.

Study Design:

Prospective, multi‐institutional, observational study.

Methods:

Consecutive surgeries were observed at four institutions before (n = 100) and after (n = 100) implementation of the ESS Checklist. A passive observer documented whether 10 specific tasks were performed by the surgical team during the course of each case. The frequency with which each item was performed was tabulated, and differences across institutions were evaluated using the Pearson χ2 test. Improvement in the frequency of each single item between pre‐ and postintervention time periods was assessed by the McNemar χ2 test.

Results:

Successful performance of all 10 tasks in the prechecklist period was not observed for any ESS case at any of the four study sites. As might be expected, performance of any individual task was highly variable, ranging from 14% to 95%. After implementation of the ESS Checklist, successful performance of all 10 tasks during an individual surgery increased from 0% to 87% across all institutions, a change that was highly significant (P < .001). Significant increases in the performance of individual tasks was observed for nine of 10 items across all institutions (P ≤ .031 for all).

Conclusions:

Significant heterogeneity exists with regard to performance of specific tasks aimed at minimizing error during ESS. Utilization of the ESS Checklist standardized practice across four institutions and significantly increased the likelihood that individual safety tasks were performed during the course of sinus surgery. Laryngoscope, 2012
Prognostic factors in sinonasal sarcomas: Analysis of the surveillance, epidemiology and end result database
Authors: Wu Arthur W. , Suh Jeffery D. , Metson Ralph , Wang Marilene B.
Published: July 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Sinonasal sarcomas are rare and often aggressive malignant tumors. Although tumor histology and location are the only reported prognostic indicators for this disease, we sought to determine if additional clinical factors might influence patient survival.

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study using a national cancer database.

Methods:

Cases of sinonasal sarcomas from 1973 to 2008 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) database. The influence of patient age, gender, race, and prior irradiation, as well as tumor histology and subsite, was calculated using the Kaplan‐Meier method.

Results:

A total of 352 patients with sinonasal sarcomas were identified. Histologic subtype, tumor location, gender, and patient age were found to influence patient survival. Specifically, increased age, male sex, frontal and maxillary sinus subsites, and rhabdomyosarcoma and Kaposi sarcoma histologies were associated with a significant increase in mortality rate (P < .05).

Conclusions:

This study comprises the largest analysis of patients with sinonasal sarcoma in the literature and demonstrates the impact of patient age, tumor histology, and tumor location on the overall survival of individuals with these rare malignancies. Laryngoscope, 2012
Trends in the use of smokeless tobacco in united states, 2000–2010
Authors: Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: July 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To quantify trends in the use of smokeless tobacco in the United States.

Study Design:

Longitudinal analysis of national population database.

Methods:

The National Health Interview Surveys for 2000, 2005, and 2010 were analyzed for adult responses to specific questions regarding smokeless tobacco use, which includes chewing tobacco and snuff. Smokeless tobacco lifetime exposure, current use, and frequency of use were determined according to each sampled year, examining for trends over the past decade. Subset analysis for young adults (ages 18–44 years) was conducted. Demographic factors associated with smokeless tobacco use were also determined.

Results:

A total of 86,270 adults were surveyed. Among all adults, the proportions of those who had ever tried chewing tobacco were 7.1 ± 0.2%, 8.5 ± 0.2%, and 9.2 ± 0.2% for 2000, 2005, and 2010, respectively (P < .001). Similarly, the proportions of those who had ever tried snuff were 4.4 ± 0.2%, 7.5 ± 0.2%, and 8.4 ± 0.3%, respectively (P < .001). In aggregate, the proportions who were regular users of chewing tobacco remained stable over the survey years: 1.3 ± 0.1%, 1.1 ± 0.1%, and 1.2 ± 0.1%, respectively (P = .382). In contrast, the percentages who were regular users of snuff tobacco increased significantly over the survey years: 1.4 ± 0.1%, 1.6 ± 0.1%, and 2.0 ± 0.1% (P < .001). The proportion of young adults regularly using snuff rose to 2.8 ± 0.2% (P < .001) in 2010. Male sex, non‐Hispanic ethnicity, white race, and less than a high school education were characteristics that were strongly associated with smokeless tobacco use.

Conclusions:

There was a trend toward increased smokeless tobacco use, mainly snuff, in the United States in the past decade. This trend was more prominent among young adults and likely will have future health‐care implications. Laryngoscope, 2012
Growth envelopes of Besov spaces on fractalh‐sets
Authors: Caetano António M.
Published: July 2012

Under appropriate conditions, we determine the growth envelopes of Besov spaces on so‐calledh‐sets. In the way we clarify what should in general be meant by such Besov spaces and establish some elementary embeddings. Actually, we are even able to give an optimal necessary condition for one of such embeddings as a by‐product of the proof of the growth envelope result.
The food contaminant and nephrotoxin ochratoxin A enhances Wnt1 inducible signaling protein 1 and tumor necrosis factor‐α expression in human primary proximal tubule cells
Authors: Hennemeier Isabell , Humpf Hans‐Ulrich , Gekle Michael , Schwerdt Gerald
Published: July 2012

Scope

The underlying molecular mechanisms of nanomolar ochratoxin A (OTA) concentrations, especially those on pathophysiological relevant gene expression in target tissue and underlying signaling mechanisms are unknown.

Methods and results

qPCR arrays showed that 14 days exposure of human primary proximal tubule cells to 10 nM OTA influences the expression of genes that are related to inflammation, malignant transformation, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. Wnt1 inducible signaling protein 1 (WISP1), an oncogenic, and profibrotic growth factor, turned out to be the gene with the strongest upregulation. Its expression, and that of TNF‐α, an important inflammatory mediator, was further investigated in human renal cells and in primary human lung fibroblasts. OTA‐induced upregulation of WISP1 and TNF‐α occurs only in renal cells. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activation reverses the effect of OTA on WISP1 and TNF‐α expression. Wnt or other signaling pathways were not involved. Upregulation of WISP1 and TNF‐α occured independently of each other.

Conclusion

Long‐term exposure of human kidney cells with OTA concentrations expectable in renal tissue due to average dietary intake leads in an ERK1/2‐dependent manner to pathogenetic alterations of gene expression, notably WISP1 and TNF‐α. Renal long‐term risk by OTA is actually not excludable and argues for low but rational safety levels.
Chromosomal aberrations, Yq microdeletion, and sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men opting for assisted reproduction
Authors: Shamsi Monis B. , Kumar Rajeev , Malhotra Neena , Singh Nita , Mittal Suneeta , Upadhyay Ashish D. , Dada Rima
Published: July 2012

Male infertility is a multi‐factorial disorder, and identification of its etiology in an individual is critical for treatment. Systematically elucidating the underlying genetic causes (chromosomal and Yq microdeletion) and factors, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), which contribute to sperm DNA damage, may help to reduce the number of men with idiopathic infertility and provide them with the most suitable therapeutics and counseling. This study was done to comprehensively investigate genetic and oxidative stress factors that might be the etiology of a large percentage of men with idiopathic infertility. One hundred twelve infertile men and 76 fertile controls were screened for chromosomal aberrations and Yq microdeletions. ROS, TAC, and sperm DNA damage were assessed in cytogenetically normal, non‐azoospermic men with intact Y chromosome (n = 93). ROS was assessed in neat and washed semen by chemiluminescence; seminal TAC with a commercially available kit; and sperm DNA damage by the comet assay. Two men had cytogenetic abnormalities and seven men harbored Yq microdeletions. ROS levels in neat and washed semen of infertile men were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than controls. Infertile men had significantly lower (P < 0.01) TAC levels (1.79 mM), whereas sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than controls. Genetic factors and oxidative stress cumulatively account for large number of idiopathic infertile cases. Unlike, genetic causes, which cannot be cured, timely identification and management of oxidative stress may help to reverse/reduce the effects on induced DNA damage, and improve the outcomes for infertile males. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 637–650, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chemical and biochemical approaches in the study of histone methylation and demethylation
Authors: Li Keqin Kathy , Luo Cheng , Wang Dongxia , Jiang Hualiang , Zheng Y. George
Published: July 2012

Histone methylation represents one of the most critical epigenetic events in DNA function regulation in eukaryotic organisms. Classic molecular biology and genetics tools provide significant knowledge about mechanisms and physiological roles of histone methyltransferases and demethylases in various cellular processes. In addition to this stream line, development and application of chemistry and chemistry‐related techniques are increasingly involved in biological study, and offer information otherwise difficult to obtain by standard molecular biology methods. Herein, we review recent achievements and progress in developing and applying chemical and biochemical approaches in the study of histone methylation, including chromatin immunoprecipitation, chemical ligation, mass spectrometry, biochemical methylation and demethylation assays, and inhibitor development. These technological advances allow histone methylation to be studied from genome‐wide level to molecular and atomic levels. With ChIP technology, information can be obtained about precise mapping of histone methylation patterns at specific promoters, genes, or other genomic regions. MS is particularly useful in detecting and analyzing methylation marks in histone and nonhistone protein substrates. Chemical approaches that permit site‐specific incorporation of methyl groups into histone proteins greatly facilitate the investigation of biological impacts of methylation at individual modification sites. Discovery and design of selective organic inhibitors of histone methyltransferases and demethylases provide chemical probes to interrogate methylation‐mediated cellular pathways. Overall, these chemistry‐related technological advances have greatly improved our understanding of the biological functions of histone methylation in normal physiology and diseased states, and also are of great potential to translate basic epigenetics research into diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the clinic. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev., 32, No. 4, 815‐867, 2012
Desiccation shrinkage of non‐clayey soils: a numerical study
Authors: Hu Liang Bo , Péron Hervé , Hueckel Tomasz , Laloui Lyesse
Published: July 2012

A mesoscale model of desiccation of soil based on the evolution of the pore system idealized as bimodal is numerically examined. A simplified evolution of the model reveals a series of characteristics that qualitatively agree with the observed macroscopic experimental findings. The principal mechanism is deemed to be driven by the surface evaporation and water outflow generating a pore pressure gradient resulting in the shrinkage mainly of the largest pores. The amount of shrinkage is a function of (negative) pore pressure and is controlled by the compressibility of the solid matrix. The numerical model includes also the ensuing partial saturation stage initiated by the air entry simulated as a scenario with a moving phase interface inside the pore. The proposed model can be extended beyond the two‐mode porosity soils, to include the multi‐modal porosity, or its statistical representation.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Priority queue with customer upgrades
Authors: He Qi‐Ming , Xie Jingui , Zhao Xiaobo
Published: July 2012

This article is concerned with a general multi‐class multi‐server priority queueing system with customer priority upgrades. The queueing system has various applications in inventory control, call centers operations, and health care management. Through a novel design of Lyapunov functions, and using matrix‐analytic methods, sufficient conditions for the queueing system to be stable or instable are obtained. Bounds on the queue length process are obtained by a sample path method, with the help of an auxiliary queueing system. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012
Coordinated pricing and inventory control problems with capacity constraints and fixed ordering cost
Authors: Zhang Ju‐Liang , Chen Jian , Lee Chung‐Yee
Published: July 2012

This article addresses a single‐item, finite‐horizon, periodic‐review coordinated decision model on pricing and inventory control with capacity constraints and fixed ordering cost. Demands in different periods are random and independent of each other, and their distributions depend on the price in the current period. Each period's stochastic demand function is the additive demand model. Pricing and ordering decisions are made at the beginning of each period, and all shortages are backlogged. The objective is to find an optimal policy that maximizes the total expected discounted profit. We show that the profit‐to‐go function is strongly CK‐concave, and the optimal policy has an (s,S,P) ‐like structure. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012
Efficiency of equilibria in restricted uniform machine scheduling with total weighted completion time as social cost
Authors: Correa José R. , Queyranne Maurice
Published: July 2012

In the last decade, there has been much progress in understanding scheduling problems in which selfish jobs aim to minimize their individual completion time. Most of this work has focused on makespan minimization as social objective. In contrast, we consider as social cost the total weighted completion time, that is, the sum of the agent costs, a standard definition of welfare in economics. In our setting, jobs are processed on restricted uniform parallel machines, where each machine has a speed and is only capable of processing a subset of jobs; a job's cost is its weighted completion time; and each machine sequences its jobs in weighted shortest processing time (WSPT) order. Whereas for the makespan social cost the price of anarchy is not bounded by a constant in most environments, we show that for our minsum social objective the price of anarchy is bounded above by a small constant, independent of the instance. Specifically, we show that the price of anarchy is exactly 2 for the class of unit jobs, unit speed instances where the finite processing time values define the edge set of a forest with the machines as nodes. For the general case of mixed job strategies and restricted uniform machines, we prove that the price of anarchy equals 4. From a classical machine scheduling perspective, our results establish the same constant performance guarantees for WSPT list scheduling. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012
Response of HT29 colorectal xenograft model to cediranib assessed with 18F‐fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography, dynamic contrast‐enhanced and diffusion‐weighted MRI
Authors: Bokacheva Louisa , Kotedia Khushali , Reese Megan , Ricketts Sally‐Ann , Halliday Jane , Le Carl H. , Koutcher Jason A. , Carlin Sean
Published: July 2012

Cediranib is a small‐molecule pan‐vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor. The tumor response to short‐term cediranib treatment was studied using dynamic contrast‐enhanced and diffusion‐weighted MRI at 7 T, as well as 18F‐fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography and histological markers. Rats bearing subcutaneous HT29 human colorectal tumors were imaged at baseline; they then received three doses of cediranib (3 mg/kg per dose daily) or vehicle (dosed daily), with follow‐up imaging performed 2 h after the final cediranib or vehicle dose. Tumors were excised and evaluated for the perfusion marker Hoechst 33342, the endothelial cell marker CD31, smooth muscle actin, intercapillary distance and tumor necrosis. Dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI‐derived parameters decreased significantly in cediranib‐treated tumors relative to pretreatment values [the muscle‐normalized initial area under the gadolinium concentration curve decreased by 48% (p = 0.002), the enhancing fraction by 43% (p = 0.003) and Ktrans by 57% (p = 0.003)], but remained unchanged in controls. No change between the pre‐ and post‐treatment tumor apparent diffusion coefficients in either the cediranib‐ or vehicle‐treated group was observed over the course of this study. The 18F‐fluoromisonidazole mean standardized uptake value decreased by 33% (p = 0.008) in the cediranib group, but showed no significant change in the control group. Histological analysis showed that the number of CD31‐positive vessels (59 per mm2), the fraction of smooth muscle actin‐positive vessels (80–87%) and the intercapillary distance (0.17 mm) were similar in cediranib‐ and vehicle‐treated groups. The fraction of perfused blood vessels in cediranib‐treated tumors (81 ± 7%) was lower than that in vehicle controls (91 ± 3%, p = 0.02). The necrotic fraction was slightly higher in cediranib‐treated rats (34 ± 12%) than in controls (26 ± 10%, p = 0.23). These findings suggest that short‐term treatment with cediranib causes a decrease in tumor perfusion/permeability across the tumor cross‐section, but changes in vascular morphology, vessel density or tumor cellularity are not manifested at this early time point. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parvovirus B19 in pregnancy: possible consequences of vertical transmission
Authors: Puccetti C. , Contoli M. , Bonvicini F. , Cervi F. , Simonazzi G. , Gallinella G. , Murano P. , Farina A. , Guerra B. , Zerbini M. , Rizzo N.
Published: July 2012

Objective

The aim was to determine the outcome of pregnancies complicated by maternal Parvovirus B19 (B19) infection.

Method

Among 175 pregnant women referred to our clinic because of suspicion of a B19 infection, 63 with confirmed laboratory diagnosis of acute/recent B19 infection were followed up by ultrasound and Doppler measurement of the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity.

Results

The vertical transmission rate was 31.7% (20/63). Of the 20 infected, 8 had hydrops, 1 had signs suggestive of meconium peritonitis and 1 had an isolated hydrothorax. Three fetuses presenting with hydrops were treated with intrauterine blood transfusion. Two of them died while the last showed resolution of anemia.

Among the five untreated hydropic fetuses, one presented with mild signs that resolved spontaneously, two died at 16 and 17 weeks of gestation and two had also cardiomegaly and the parents opted for elective termination of pregnancy.

All the anemic fetuses had middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity values more than 1.8 multiples of the median. No stillbirth occurred.

Conclusions

The outcome of uncomplicated cases with B19 infection is good. In the presence of hydrops prognosis was very poor. It seems therefore logical to attempt to pick up this ominous signs early. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring online endorsement of prescription opioids abuse: an integrative methodology
Authors: McNaughton Emily C. , Black Ryan A. , Zulueta Mirella G. , Budman Simon H. , Butler Stephen F.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The ability to track prescription opioid abusers' endorsement of compounds may be valuable in forecasting abuser's preferences. We developed a metric, referred to as the Endorsement Ratio (ERo), to explore the feasibility of quantifying the sentiment expressed by opioid abusers who post online about prescription opioid products.

Methods

Internet posts written between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011 and related to six prescription opioid compounds (oxycodone ER, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, morphine ER, and tramadol) were identified and qualitatively coded. A mixed effects multinomial logistic regression was employed to model the probability of observing endorsing, discouraging, mixed, or unclear messages per compound. Endorsement‐to‐discouragement ratio (ERo) and ratio of endorsement‐to‐discouragement ratios (RERo) were estimated for each compound.

Results

In the study sample of 12 838 Internet posts, a ranking of endorsement could be established, with oxymorphone as most endorsed (ERo = 7.39), followed by hydromorphone (ERo = 5.02), hydrocodone (ERo = 3.53), oxycodone ER (ERo = 3.23), morphine ER (ERo = 2.71), and tramadol (ERo = 1.76). Relative rankings of products required that route of administration be considered.

Conclusions

This study expands existing Internet monitoring approaches by developing a metric to estimate the endorsement of specific prescription opioid compounds as viewed through the lens of Internet communities. Route of administration must be taken into account when examining preferences of drug abusers for various products. This study did not assess whether the novel metric is valid with respect to classification of abuse rates of different drugs. Further studies examining external validation studies are warranted. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preservice teachers' coping styles and their responses to bullying
Authors: Kahn Jeffrey H. , Jones Jayme L. , Wieland Amy L.
Published: July 2012

The literature suggests that teacher responses to bullying are a function of the type of aggression (overt vs. relational), the gender of the children involved, and characteristics of the teacher. We extended the literature by examining teachers' dispositional coping styles as a predictor of their responses to bullying. Preservice teachers (N = 97) completed a measure of coping styles and then responded to eight vignettes showing overt or relational aggression occurring among boys or girls. Overt aggression was viewed as a bigger problem than relational aggression, and teacher interventions were deemed more necessary for overt than relational aggression. Preservice teachers who typically use more active coping, less denial coping, and less self‐blame responded more actively to bullying, especially in response to relational aggression among boys. These findings point to the need to consider teacher coping styles when working with them to intervene effectively in responding to bullying. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Teachers' perceptions of parent–teacher alliance and student–teacher relational conflict: Examining the role of ethnic differences and “disruptive” behavior
Authors: Thijs Jochem , Eilbracht Lizzy
Published: July 2012

Although parents' relationships with teachers are considered to be an important aspect of parental school involvement, few studies have examined their implications for students' school adjustment. The present study provided further insight into the relevance of teachers' perceptions of the parent–teacher relationship by examining their link to teachers' perceptions of student–teacher relational conflict. Participants were 36 native Dutch teachers who rated their relationships with 230 Grade 4–6 students (59 Turkish–Dutch, 62 Moroccan–Dutch, and 109 native Dutch) and their parents. It was found that the perceived parent–teacher relationship could explain ethnic differences in student–teacher conflict that were previously unaccounted for. Moreover, the effect of the parent–teacher relationship was most pronounced for students with more perceived inattention/hyperactivity problems. Results are discussed in light of their theoretical importance and practical implications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diels‐Alder Reaction in microemulsions with ionic liquid
Authors: Lü Huihong , An Xueqin , Yu Jianguo , Song Xingfu
Published: July 2012

The Diels‐Alder Reaction (DAR) between N‐ethylmaleimide and 2,3‐dimethyl‐1,3‐butadiene was studied in microemulsions with ionic liquid (IL) for the first time. The apparent second‐order rate constants were determined by spectrophotometry in the microemulsion. The effect of solvent on the DAR rate was investigated and interpreted. The experimental results showed that the reaction rate in the microemulsion with IL was enhanced and it was faster than that in pure isooctane and in generic AOT microemulsion. The effect of the IL on the apparent second rate constant (k2) was explained. The effect of temperature on the reaction rate was studied, and values of apparent activation energy were estimated in various microemulsion with IL. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality of life and sexual functioning in young women with early‐stage breast cancer 1 year after lumpectomy
Authors: Safarinejad Mohammad Reza , Shafiei Nayyer , Safarinejad Shiva
Published: July 2012

Background

The breast cancer (BC) and its treatment (mastectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) have considerable psychosexual impacts on women's life. This study evaluated sexual functioning, quality of life, and self‐esteem in young women with early‐stage BC.

Methods

A total of 186 women with stage I or II BC and 204 age‐matched controls aged 25–45 years were recruited. To be eligible, patients had to be disease‐free and sexually active. They also had to have undergone lumpectomy at least 1 year previously and have completed chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Subjects completed Female Sexual Function Index, Short Form‐36 Health Survey, and Rosenberg Self‐Esteem questionnaire. Serum sex hormones were also measured in all subjects.

Results

Of BC patients, 57% experienced lubrication disorder followed by satisfaction disorder in 53.8%, desire disorder in 42.5%, and arousal disorder in 37.0% (all patients vs. healthy controls <0.01). Hormone‐treated patients were more likely to report sexual dysfunctions (p = 0.006). The radiotherapy + chemotherapy + hormone therapy was associated with an about sixfold increased risk of lubrication and satisfaction disorders (adjusted odds ratios = 6.4, 95%CI = 4.6–12.6, and adjusted odds ratios = 5.7, 95%CI = 3.4–11.4, respectively). Cancer patients had lower scores for all components of the Short Form‐36 Health Survey, except for pain. Levels of self‐esteem did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Conclusions

Young lumpectomized BC women reported a marked impairment in sexual functioning and quality of life.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A real‐time algorithm for nonlinear infinite horizon optimal control by time axis transformation method
Authors: Marutani Jun , Ohtsuka Toshiyuki
Published: July 2012

In this paper, a real‐time algorithm is proposed for nonlinear infinite horizon optimal control. The time axis transformation of the horizon is combined with receding horizon control to realize state feedback by numerical optimization over an infinite horizon. Moreover, a descriptor equation is utilized in place of a state equation to avoid the numerical difficulty due to the infinite horizon. Then a nonlinear equation is obtained to determine the trajectories of the state, costate, and control input over the transformed horizon. The nonlinear equation is solved at each sampling time by a continuation method to trace a time‐varying solution. The proposed algorithm is applied to nonlinear systems to evaluate its accuracy and effectiveness. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New approach to H ∞  filtering of two‐dimensional T‐S fuzzy systems
Authors: Li Lizhen , Wang Weiqun , Li Xiaofeng
Published: July 2012

This paper is concerned with the H ∞  filtering problem for two‐dimensional T‐S fuzzy systems. Sufficient conditions for the solvability of this problem are obtained by using basis‐dependent Lyapunov functions. By considering the measured output as an independent variable with respect to the state variable and the disturbance input, a new method for designing two‐dimensional H ∞  filters is presented. Moreover, it has been shown that the proposed method is equivalent to the conventional one. Therefore, the proposed method does not lead to any conservativeness that may be caused by separately considering the measured output, the state variable, and the disturbance input. In converting the parameterized linear matrix inequalities (PLMI) into LMI constraints, attention is focused on the reduction of the number of LMI‐based conditions. On the basis of the proposed theorem, the number of LMI‐based conditions is reduced to r3 from r3(r + 1)2 ∕ 4 by the conventional method. Thus, the computational advantage is obvious for fuzzy systems with large number of fuzzy rules. Simulation results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of Nanofluidic Biochips with Nanochannels for Applications in DNA Analysis
Authors: Xia Deying , Yan Juchao , Hou Shifeng
Published: July 2012

With the development of nanotechnology, great progress has been made in the fabrication of nanochannels. Nanofluidic biochips based on nanochannel structures allow biomolecule transport, bioseparation, and biodetection. The domain applications of nanofluidic biochips with nanochannels are DNA stretching and separation. In this Review, the general fabrication methods for nanochannel structures and their applications in DNA analysis are discussed. These representative fabrication approaches include conventional photolithography, interference lithography, electron‐beam lithography, nanoimprint lithography and polymer nanochannels. Other nanofabrication methods used to fabricate unique nanochannels, including sub‐10‐nm nanochannels, single nanochannels, and vertical nanochannels, are also mentioned. These nanofabrication methods provide an effective way to form nanoscale channel structures for nanofluidics and biosensor devices for DNA separation, detection, and sensing. The broad applications of nanochannels and future perspectives are also discussed.
Factors influencing individual management preferences for facilitating adaptation to climate change within the National Wildlife Refuge System
Authors: Magness Dawn R. , Lovecraft Amy Lauren , Morton John M.
Published: July 2012

National Wildlife Refuge System policies reference both historical condition and naturalness, but these concepts may not be valid management goals in a world with rapid climate change. Currently, within the refuge system, managers and biologists can individually decide whether management actions to maintain historical condition (retrospective) or actions to promote and enhance future condition (prospective) are appropriate. In February 2008, we surveyed 203 refuge system managers and biologists (via email) about climate change and management strategies to facilitate adaptation to climate change. Our goal was to explore factors that influence preference for retrospective or prospective strategies. Most managers and biologists (76%) believe that climate change has already influenced their refuge, but land‐use change and invasive species were considered more important landscape drivers. We did not find evidence that refuge purpose or inclusion of climate change in planning documents influenced individual preferences about strategies to facilitate adaptation. However, managers and biologists who conceptualize climate change as anthropogenic in origin were more likely to prefer retrospective strategies. Written responses indicate that managers and biologists prefer historical condition, but believe that retrospective strategies will be costly or impossible. Written comments also indicate that managers and biologists prefer strategies that allow species to adapt naturally and without intervention. We conclude that land management agencies need to provide the rationale for how climate change should be conceptualized in the short and long terms. Explicitly addressing conservation values may help to refine agency priorities in a rapidly changing world and to build the consensus necessary to strategically coordinate management across individual units in conservation reserves. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Private landowner interest in market‐based incentive programs for endangered species habitat conservation
Authors: Rodriguez Shari L. , Peterson M. Nils , Cubbage Frederick W. , Sills Erin O. , Bondell Howard D.
Published: July 2012

More than 75% of endangered species in the United States rely on private lands for habitat. Although this habitat has long been regulated under the Endangered Species Act, there is now broad agreement that economic incentives are also needed for effective protection on private land. Many different mechanisms for incentive programs have been proposed and tested. For example, recovery credit systems use term‐duration market‐based contracts to engage landowners in endangered species conservation. We examined how market‐mechanism design influences interest in endangered species habitat conservation using a survey of North Carolina Farm Bureau county advisory board members in 93 of the 100 North Carolina counties (n = 735) in 2009. Respondents preferred contracts (57% were interested) over easements (39% were interested). Endangered species conservation ranked low in importance relative to other conservation issues, but 45% of respondents were interested in contracts to conserve endangered species habitat on their property. The preferred contract duration was 10 years, and respondents preferred state‐ and agricultural‐related organizations over federal and wildlife conservation‐related organizations for managing contracts. Younger respondents, respondents who had previously participated in conservation programs, respondents who perceived endangered species conservation as important, and respondents who had lower property‐rights orientation scores, were most likely to be interested in contracts to restore and maintain endangered species habitat on their lands. Our results suggest that market mechanisms could drive down costs and drive up durations for endangered species habitat conservation contracts. Further, term contracts may prove critical for endangered species conservation efforts that require high levels of landowner support and spatial flexibility within relatively short‐time frames. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Optimal attractants to increase visits by clouded leopards to remote‐camera sets
Authors: Tanner Dawn , Zimmerman Patrick
Published: July 2012

Clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) are rare Southeast Asian felids; they are almost exclusively studied in the wild using remote cameras. These studies identify presence–absence and estimate abundance of clouded leopards to improve conservation efforts. Photographing clouded leopards at remote‐camera sites requires extensive time in the field. Improving success of remote‐camera sets could improve knowledge about population dynamics and identify critical conservation areas for these animals. This study tested a range of visual and scent attractants widely used to attract felids and other carnivores to remote‐camera sites. The goal was to identify attractants that might best attract clouded leopards. During August 2011, we used captive animals (n = 9) at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA, to test attractants. Turkey feathers and U.S. Department of Agriculture scent disks were the best‐performing visual and scent attractants (P < 0.05 vs. control); a combination of the two was not significantly different from either individual treatment (P > 0.05). Turkey feathers and scent disks are attractants that are highly effective in a controlled setting and should be field‐tested; it appears that they may significantly improve success of remote‐camera sets targeting clouded leopards. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.