bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neonatal paracetamol treatment reduces long‐term nociceptive behaviour after neonatal procedural pain in rats
Authors: van den Hoogen N.J. , Tibboel D. , Honig W.M.M. , Hermes D. , Patijn J. , Joosten E.A.
Published: February 2016

Background

Pain from skin penetrating procedures (procedural pain) during infancy in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may result in changes of nociceptive sensitivity in later life. This supports the need for pain management during such vulnerable periods in life. This study, therefore, analyses the short‐ and long‐term consequences of neonatal paracetamol (acetaminophen) treatment on pain behaviour in an experimental rat model of neonatal procedural pain.

Methods

A repetitive needle‐prick model was used, in which neonatal rats received four needle pricks into the left hind paw per day from postnatal day 0 to day 7 (P0–P7). Paracetamol (50 mg/kg/day s.c.) was administered daily (P0–P7), and sensitivity to mechanical stimuli was compared with a needle‐prick/saline‐treated group and to a tactile control group. At 8 weeks of age, all animals underwent an ipsilateral paw‐incision, modelling postoperative pain, and the duration of hypersensitivity was assessed.

Results

Neonatal paracetamol administration had no effect upon short‐term mechanical hypersensitivity during the first postnatal week or upon long‐term baseline sensitivity from 3 to 8 weeks. However, neonatal paracetamol administration significantly reduced the postoperative mechanical hypersensitivity in young adults, caused by repetitive needle pricking.

Conclusion

Paracetamol administration during neonatal procedural pain does not alter short‐term or long‐term effects on mechanical sensitivity, but does reduce the duration of increased postoperative mechanical hypersensitivity in a clinically relevant neonatal procedural pain model.

What does this study add

Paracetamol can be used safely in neonatal rats.

Neonatal paracetamol treatment had no effect upon short‐term mechanical hypersensitivity during the first postnatal week, nor upon long‐term baseline sensitivity from 3 to 8 weeks.

Paracetamol treatment during the first postnatal week significantly reduced the postoperative mechanical hypersensitivity in young adult rats.
Hairpin Assembly Amplified Electrochemical Biosensor for Highly Sensitive and Specific Detection of DNA
Authors: Zhong Changli , Yang Gang , Wang Nian , Ji Feihu , Zhang Ye , Ding Xiaojuan , Yang Junhong , Zhang Jian
Published: February 2016

In this report, a simple electrochemical biosensor has been developed for highly sensitive and specific detection of DNA based on hairpin assembly amplification. In the presence of target DNA, the biotin‐labelled hairpin H1 is opened by hybridizing with target DNA through complementary sequences. Then the opened hairpin H1 assembles with the hairpin H2 to displace the target DNA, generating H1‐H2 complex. The displaced target DNA could trigger the next cycle of hairpins assembly, resulting in the generation of numerous H1‐H2 complexes. Subsequently, the H1‐H2 complex hybridizes with the capture probe immobilized on the electrode. Finally, the streptavidin alkaline phosphatase (ST‐ALP) binds to biotin in the capture probe‐H1‐H2 complex and catalyzes the substrate α‐naphthol (α‐NP) to produce electrochemical signal. To make a more fascinating hairpin assembly amplification strategy in signal amplification, mismatched base sequences are designed in hairpin H2 to decrease non‐specific binding of the hairpin substrates. The developed biosensor achieves a sensitivity of 20 pM with a linear range from 25 pM to 25 nM, and shows high selectivity toward single‐base mismatch. Thus, the proposed electrochemical biosensor might have the potential for early clinical diagnosis and therapy.
High‐temperature LC‐MS/MS of permethylated glycans derived from glycoproteins
Authors: Zhou Shiyue , Hu Yunli , Mechref Yehia
Published: February 2016

Various glycomic analysis methods have been developed due to the essential roles of glycans in biological processes as well as the potential application of glycomics in biomarker discovery in many diseases. Permethylation is currently considered to be one of the most common derivatization methods in MS‐based glycomic analysis. Permethylation not only improves ionization efficiency and stability of sialylated glycans in positive mode but also allows for enhanced separation performance on reversed‐phase liquid chromatography (RPLC). Recently, RPLC‐MS analysis of permethylated glycans exhibited excellent performance in sensitivity and reproducibility and became a widely‐applied comprehensive strategy in glycomics. However, separating permethylated glycans by RPLC always suffers from peak broadening for high‐molecular‐weight branched glycans, which probably due to the low exchange rate between the stationary phase and mobile phase limited by intermolecular interactions of the methyl groups associated with the branching of the glycan structures. In this study, we employed high separation temperature conditions for RPLC of permethylated glycans, thus achieving enhanced peak capacity, improving peak shape, and enhancing separation efficiency. Additionally, partial isomeric separation were observed in RPLC of permethylated glycans at high‐temperature. Mathematical processing of the correlation between retention time and molecular weight also revealed the advantage of high‐temperature LC method for both manual and automatic glycan identification.
Detection of transience in eroding landscapes
Authors: Mudd Simon M.
Published: February 2016

Past variations in climate and tectonics have led to spatially and temporally varying erosion rates across many landscapes. In this contribution I examine methods for detecting and quantifying the nature and timing of transience in eroding landscapes. At a single location, cosmogenic nuclides can detect the instantaneous removal of material or acceleration of erosion rates over millennial timescales using paired nuclides. Detection is possible only if one of the nuclides has a significantly shorter half‐life than the other. Currently, the only practical way of doing this is to use cosmogenicin situcarbon‐14 (14C) alongside a longer lived nuclide, such as beryllium‐10 (10Be). Hillslope information can complement or be used in lieu of cosmogenic information: in soil mantled landscapes, increased erosion rates can be detected for millennia after the increase by comparing relief and ridgetop curvature. This technique will work as long as the final erosion rate is greater than twice the initial rate. On a landscape scale, transience may be detected based upon disequilibria in channel profiles or ridgetops, but transience can be sensitive to the nature of transient forcing. Where forcing is periodic, landscapes display differing behavior if forcing is driven by changes in base level lowering rates versus changes in the efficiency of either channel or hillslope erosion (e.g. driven by climate change). Oscillations in base level lowering lead to basin averaged erosion rates that reflect a long term average erosion rate despite strong spatial heterogeneity in local erosion rates. This averaging is reflected in10Be concentrations in stream sediments. Changes in hillslope sediment transport coefficients can lead to large fluctuations in basin averaged erosion rates, which again are reflected in10Be concentrations. The variability of erosion rates in landscapes where both the sediment transport and channel erodibility coefficients vary is dominated by changes to the hillslope transport coefficient. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Building e‐rater® Scoring Models Using Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Chen Jing , Fife James H. , Bejar Isaac I. , Rupp André A.
Published: February 2016

The e‐rater® automated scoring engine used at Educational Testing Service (ETS) scores the writing quality of essays. In the current practice, e‐rater scores are generated via a multiple linear regression (MLR) model as a linear combination of various features evaluated for each essay and human scores as the outcome variable. This study evaluates alternative scoring models based on several additional machine learning algorithms, including support vector machines (SVM), random forests (RF), and k‐nearest neighbor regression (k‐NN). The results suggest that models based on the SVM algorithm outperform MLR models in predicting human scores. Specifically, SVM‐based models yielded the highest agreement between human and e‐rater scores. Furthermore, compared with MLR, SVM‐based models improved the agreement between human and e‐rater scores at the ends of the score scale. In addition, the high correlation between SVM‐based e‐rater scores with external measures such as examinee's scores on the other parts of the test provided some validity evidence for SVM‐based e‐rater scores. Future research is encouraged to explore the generalizability of these findings.
Chemical composition and the anti‐melanogenic potential of different essential oils
Authors: Fiocco Daniela , Arciuli Marcella , Arena Mattia Pia , Benvenuti Stefania , Gallone Anna
Published: February 2016

Tyrosinase is the key enzyme of melanogenesis, the process that determines skin and hair pigmentation in mammals. In humans, various pigmentary disorders depend on excessive melanin production and accumulation. Moreover, tyrosinase activity can cause the undesirable browning of plant‐derived food. For such reasons, ongoing researches aim at developing effective melanogenesis inhibitors for medical, cosmetic and food applications. Diverse biological activities have been observed for certain plant essential oils (EOs) and their components. In this study, the EOs from nine different plant species were investigated for their anti‐melanogenic potential. The EOs chemical composition was assessed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) revealing the presence of some constituents with known tyrosinase inhibitory ability. Most EOs inhibited significantly and dose‐dependently mushroom tyrosinase. Two samples also inhibited the activity of tyrosinase from murine B16 melanoma cells. Our findings indicate that some of the analysed EOs may be promising natural sources for developing novel anti‐melanogenic agents, thus having a good potential in medical, cosmetic and food‐processing industries. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and Electrochemical Properties of Sr‐doped K2NiF4‐type Cathode Material Pr1.7Sr0.3CuO4 for IT‐SOFCs
Authors: Ding Z. , Guo R. , Guo W. , Liu Z. , Cai G. , Jiang H.
Published: February 2016

A novel K2NiF4‐type oxide Pr1.7Sr0.3CuO4 (PSCu) is studied to obtain its electrochemical properties as the cathode for intermediate‐temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT‐SOFCs). The PSCu cathode powder and Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) electrolyte powder were synthesized by sol‐gel method and glycine‐nitrate method, respectively. The crystal structure of PSCu powder and PSCu‐SDC composite powder were identified with X‐ray diffraction (XRD). It is shown that PSCu belongs to tetragonal K2NiF4‐type and has good chemical compatibility with SDC. The thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of PSCu is close to that of SDC. The conductivity of PSCu tested with four‐probe method exhibits a semiconductor‐pseudometal transformation at 400–450 °C, where the maximum conductivity of 103.6 S cm−1 is obtained. The polarization test indicates the area specific resistance (ASR) of PSCu decreases with increasing temperature, reaching 0.11 Ω cm2 at 800 °C. The activation energy of oxygen reduction reaction during 600–800 °C is 1.19 eV. The single fuel cell performance test reveals the open circuit voltage (OCV) and resistivity of PSCu reduce with increasing temperature, but the power density ascends with increasing temperature. The maximal power density is 243 mW cm−2 at 800 °C, and the corresponding current density and OCV are 633 mA cm−2 and 0.77 V, respectively.
Impact of Accelerated Stress Tests on High Temperature PEMFC Degradation
Authors: Schonvogel D. , Rastedt M. , Wagner P. , Wark M. , Dyck A.
Published: February 2016

Accelerated stress tests (ASTs) have been used to provoke and investigate degradation mechanisms inside commercial high temperature proton exchange membrane electrode assemblies based on phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole (PBI). A novel load cycling test using high current densities of 0.6 and 1.0 A cm−2 has been developed and compared with a test utilizing lower current densities between 0.0 and 0.3 A cm−2. A high comparability is ensured by testing membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) from the same supplier and batch under identical test conditions. Next to daily electrochemical characterization (polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep and cyclic voltammetry), ex situ investigations including product water analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) and micro‐computed tomography (µ‐CT) as a powerful 3D imaging tool have been carried out. Clear demarcations of AST consequences for cell ageing have been identified. Especially, differences in platinum catalyst degradation and in loss of phosphoric acid as electrolyte over AST time have been revealed. Furthermore, influences of electrochemical characterization on MEA performance have been shown, which should be considered in future durability tests of fuel cells.
Microscopic mechanism for enhanced coal bed methane recovery and outburst elimination by hydraulic slotting: A case study in Yangliu mine, China
Authors: Liu Ting , Lin Baiquan , Zou Quanle , Zhu Chuanjie
Published: February 2016

Coal bed methane (CBM) is a clean, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy, and its efficient exploitation can meet the growing demand for energy worldwide. Besides, methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas (GHG) and is 25–72 times more powerful than carbon dioxide (CO2) in inducing global warming. With regard to the mining industry, CBM is regarded as a major hazard resource, as its inadequate management or control may lead to serious coalmine accidents. In China, gas drainage is the main measure adopted to resolve this problem. However, because the coal seams in China are characterized by low permeability, it is difficult to drain the gas contained in coal mass. Therefore, measures must be taken to reconstruct the coal reservoir to enhance coal seam permeability. In China, hydraulic slotting has been widely accepted and applied in coal mine engineering owing to its permeability‐enhancement effect. In this work, based on our previous research, we systematically elaborate the mechanisms of permeability enhancement and elimination of coal and gas outburst by hydraulic slotting from microscopic perspectives. To examine the rationality and practicability of the research results and the permeability‐enhancement effect of hydraulic slotting, a field experiment was conducted and the monitoring results were analyzed. Our results show that the gas flow rate and concentration in the slotted boreholes are significantly higher than those in the conventional boreholes. In addition, the time required by the slotted borehole to eliminate the outburst is 72.41% less than that needed by the conventional borehole. The practice in Yangliu coalmine could be extended to other coal mines with similar reservoir conditions. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Pharmaceutical Company Corruption and the Moral Crisis in Medicine
Authors: Batt Sharon
Published: February 2016

A much‐debated series of articles in the New England Journal of Medicine in May 2015 labeled the pharmaceutical industry's critics “pharmascolds.” Having followed the debate for two decades, I count myself among the scolds. The weight of the evidence overwhelmingly supports the claim that pharmaceutical policy no longer serves the public interest; the central questions now are how this happened and what to do about it. I approached three of the most recent books on the industry with these questions in mind. Deadly Medicine and Organized Crime (CRC Press, 2013), by Peter Gøtzsche, Bad Pharma (Faber & Faber, 2013), by Ben Goldacre, and Good Pharma (Palgrave MacMillan, 2015), by Donald Light and Antonio Maturo, all situate their critical assessments in high‐income countries globally, depicting the problem of pharmaceuticals as too many drugs approved with too little evidence, causing too many needless deaths, and prices spiraling to heights unimaginable just a decade ago. Light and Maturo, while no less critical of the status quo than Gøtzsche and Goldacre, take a different tack: they detail the success of an alternative model for pharmaceutical research, the Mario Negri Institute in Italy, citing it as proof positive that we can indeed defy capitalism's profit imperative.
Bihemispheric network dynamics coordinating vocal feedback control
Authors: Kort Naomi S. , Cuesta Pablo , Houde John F. , Nagarajan Srikantan S.
Published: February 2016

Modulation of vocal pitch is a key speech feature that conveys important linguistic and affective information. Auditory feedback is used to monitor and maintain pitch. We examined induced neural high gamma power (HGP) (65–150 Hz) using magnetoencephalography during pitch feedback control. Participants phonated into a microphone while hearing their auditory feedback through headphones. During each phonation, a single real‐time 400 ms pitch shift was applied to the auditory feedback. Participants compensated by rapidly changing their pitch to oppose the pitch shifts. This behavioral change required coordination of the neural speech motor control network, including integration of auditory and somatosensory feedback to initiate change in motor plans. We found increases in HGP across both hemispheres within 200 ms of pitch shifts, covering left sensory and right premotor, parietal, temporal, and frontal regions, involved in sensory detection and processing of the pitch shift. Later responses to pitch shifts (200–300 ms) were right dominant, in parietal, frontal, and temporal regions. Timing of activity in these regions indicates their role in coordinating motor change and detecting and processing of the sensory consequences of this change. Subtracting out cortical responses during passive listening to recordings of the phonations isolated HGP increases specific to speech production, highlighting right parietal and premotor cortex, and left posterior temporal cortex involvement in the motor response. Correlation of HGP with behavioral compensation demonstrated right frontal region involvement in modulating participant's compensatory response. This study highlights the bihemispheric sensorimotor cortical network involvement in auditory feedback‐based control of vocal pitch. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1474‐1485, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cortical morphometry in frontoparietal and default mode networks in math‐gifted adolescents
Authors: Navas‐Sánchez Francisco J. , Carmona Susana , Alemán‐Gómez Yasser , Sánchez‐González Javier , Guzmán‐de‐Villoria Juan , Franco Carolina , Robles Olalla , Arango Celso , Desco Manuel
Published: February 2016

Math‐gifted subjects are characterized by above‐age performance in intelligence tests, exceptional creativity, and high task commitment. Neuroimaging studies reveal enhanced functional brain organization and white matter microstructure in the frontoparietal executive network of math‐gifted individuals. However, the cortical morphometry of these subjects remains largely unknown. The main goal of this study was to compare the cortical morphometry of math‐gifted adolescents with that of an age‐ and IQ‐matched control group. We used surface‐based methods to perform a vertex‐wise analysis of cortical thickness and surface area. Our results show that math‐gifted adolescents present a thinner cortex and a larger surface area in key regions of the frontoparietal and default mode networks, which are involved in executive processing and creative thinking, respectively. The combination of reduced cortical thickness and larger surface area suggests above‐age neural maturation of these networks in math‐gifted individuals. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1893–1902, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phase II study of erlotinib and docetaxel with concurrent intensity‐modulated radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yao Min , Woods Charles , Lavertu Pierre , Fu Pingfu , Gibson Michael , Rezaee Rod , Zender Chad , Wasman Jay , Sharma Neelesh , Machtay Mitchell , Savvides Panayiotis
Published: February 2016

Background

The purpose of this study was to establish the efficacy and toxicities of concurrent erlotinib and docetaxel with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Patients received daily erlotinib for 2 weeks, followed by daily IMRT with concurrent weekly docetaxel and daily erlotinib, followed by daily erlotinib for up to 2 years. The primary objective was disease‐free survival (DFS). Secondary objectives included overall survival (OS), patterns of failure, and toxicities. Forty‐three patients were recruited for this study.

Results

With a median follow‐up of 48.7 months, the 3‐year DFS, OS, locoregional failure‐free survival, and distant metastasis‐free survival was 69.5%, 81%, 82.4%, and 83.7%, respectively. The most common grade III/IV local toxicities were dysphagia, dermatitis, and mucositis. Patients with p16‐positive tumors had significantly better outcomes.

Conclusion

The regimen is tolerable and effective. It is worthy of further investigation in selected patients and may be useful in patients who cannot tolerate cisplatin. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1770–E1776, 2016
Targeting irradiation‐induced mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation in vitro and in an ex vivo model for human head and neck cancer
Authors: Affolter Annette , Muller Marie‐France , Sommer Katharina , Stenzinger Albrecht , Zaoui Karim , Lorenz Katja , Wolf Thomas , Sharma Sarika , Wolf Janina , Perner Sven , Weber Klaus‐Josef , Freier Kolja , Plinkert Peter K. , Hess Jochen , Weichert Wilko
Published: February 2016

Background

Despite new radiotherapeutic strategies, radioresistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a major problem. Preclinical model systems are needed to identify resistance mechanisms in this heterogeneous entity.

Methods

We elucidated the interplay among mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)‐inhibition, radiation, and p53 mutations in vitro and in a novel ex vivo model derived from vital human HNSCC samples. HNSCC cell lines (p53WT/mut) were treated with the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MEK)‐inhibitor PD‐0325901 and subsequently irradiated. Radiosensitization was functionally assessed and evaluated in the ex vivo model.

Results

We observed a pronounced irradiation‐induced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in 2 cell lines, which was independent of their p53 mutation status and associated with PD‐0325901‐related radiosensitization in a clonogenic assay. Heterogeneity in irradiation‐induced ERK phosphorylation and in radiosensitization after MEK‐inhibition was also reflected in the ex vivo model.

Conclusion

We provide experimental evidence for radiosensitizing effects of PD‐0325901 in HNSCC. The ex vivo culture technology might offer a promising tool for individualized drug efficacy testing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2049–E2061, 2016
Development of a rain‐on‐snow detection algorithm using passive microwave radiometry
Authors: Dolant Caroline , Langlois Alexandre , Montpetit Benoit , Brucker Ludovic , Roy Alexandre , Royer Alain
Published: February 2016

Currently observed climate warming in the Arctic has numerous consequences. Of particular relevance, the precipitation regime is modified where mixed and liquid precipitation can occur during the winter season leading to rain‐on‐snow (ROS) events. This phenomenon is responsible for ice crust formation, which has a significant impact on ecosystems (such as biological, hydrological, ecological and physical processes). The spatially and temporally sporadic nature of ROS events makes the phenomenon difficult to monitor using meteorological observations. This paper focuses on the detection of ROS events using passive microwave (PMW) data from a modified brightness temperature (TB) gradient approach at 19 and 37 GHz. The approach presented here was developed empirically for observed ROS events with coincident ground‐based PMW measurements in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. It was then tested in Nunavik, Quebec, with the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR‐E). We obtained a detection accuracy of 57, 71 and 89% for ROS detection for three AMSR‐E grid cells with a maximum error of 7% when considering all omissions and commissions with regard to the total number of AMSR‐E passes throughout the winter period. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognostic role of platelet to lymphocyte ratio in non‐small cell lung cancers: A meta‐analysis including 3,720 patients
Authors: Zhao Qing‐Tao , Yuan Zheng , Zhang Hua , Zhang Xiao‐Peng , Wang Hui‐En , Wang Zhi‐Kang , Duan Guo‐Chen
Published: February 2016

Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) was recently reported as a useful index in predicting the prognosis of lung cancer. However, the prognostic role of PLR in lung cancer remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between PLR and clinical outcome of lung cancer patients through a meta‐analysis. Relevant literatures were retrieved from PubMed, Ovid, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases. Meta‐analysis was performed using hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as effect measures. A total of 5,314 patients from 13 studies were finally enrolled in the meta‐analysis. The summary results showed that elevated PLR predicted poorer overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.526, 95%CI: 1.268–1.836, p < 0.001) in patients with lung cancer and OS (HR: 1.631, 95%CI: 1.447–1.837, p < 0.001) in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Subgroup analysis revealed that increased PLR was also associated with poor OS in NSCLC treated by surgical resection (HR: 1.884, 95%CI: 1.308‐2.714, P < 0.001) and non‐surgery (HR: 1.570, 95%CI: 1.323‐1.863, P < 0.001). In addition, PLR Cut‐off value ≤ 160 (HR: 1.506, 95%CI: 1.292‐1.756, P < 0.001) and PLR Cut‐off value>160 (HR: 1.842, 95%CI: 1.523‐2.228, P < 0.001). In contrast, elevated PLR was not associated with OS (HR: 1.117, 95%CI: 0.796‐1.569, P > 0.05) in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).This meta‐analysis result suggested that elevated PLR might be a predicative factor of poor prognosis for NSCLC patients.
Differential Genomic Effects of Six Different TiO2 Nanomaterials on Human Liver HepG2 Cells
Authors: Thai Sheau‐Fung , Wallace Kathleen A. , Jones Carlton P. , Ren Hongzu , Grulke Eric , Castellon Benjamin T. , Crooks James , Kitchin Kirk T.
Published: February 2016

Human HepG2 cells were exposed to six TiO2 nanomaterials (with dry primary particle sizes ranging from 22 to 214 nm, either 0.3, 3, or 30 μg/mL) for 3 days. Some of these canonical pathways changed by nano‐TiO2 in vitro treatments have been already reported in the literature, such as NRF2‐mediated stress response, fatty acid metabolism, cell cycle and apoptosis, immune response, cholesterol biosynthesis, and glycolysis. But this genomic study also revealed some novel effects such as protein synthesis, protein ubiquitination, hepatic fibrosis, and cancer‐related signaling pathways. More importantly, this genomic analysis of nano‐TiO2 treated HepG2 cells linked some of the in vitro canonical pathways to in vivo adverse outcomes: NRF2‐mediated response pathways to oxidative stress, acute phase response to inflammation, cholesterol biosynthesis to steroid hormones alteration, fatty acid metabolism changes to lipid homeostasis alteration, G2/M cell checkpoint regulation to apoptosis, and hepatic fibrosis/stellate cell activation to liver fibrosis.
Kavain Involvement in LPS‐Induced Signaling Pathways
Authors: Tang Xiaoren , Amar Salomon
Published: February 2016

Kavain, a compound extracted from the Kava plant, Piper methysticum, is found to be involved in TNF‐α expression in human and mouse cells via regulation of transcriptional factors such as NF‐kB and LITAF. LITAF is known to activate the transcription of more than 20 cytokines that are involved in a variety of cellular processes and is associated with many inflammatory diseases, including angiogenesis, cancer, arthritis, and more. The modulation of LITAF is expected to positively affect cytokine‐mediated diseases. Thus, intensive efforts have been deployed in search of LITAF inhibitors. In this work, we found that, in vitro, Kavain reduced LPS‐ induced TNF‐α secretion in mouse macrophages, mouse bone marrow macrophages (BMM), and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBMC). We also found that Kavain treatment in RAW264.7 cells deactivated MyD88 and Akt, inhibited LITAF, and reduced the production of TNF‐α, IL‐27, and MIG in response to LPS. Similarly, it had a significant in vivo anti‐inflammatory effect on wild‐type (WT) mice that developed Collagen Antibody Induced Arthritis (CAIA). Overall, MyD88 was found to be an important mediator of the LPS‐induced inflammatory response that can be distinguished from the NF‐κB pathway. We also found that MyD88 is involved in the pathway linking LPS/LITAF to TNF‐α. Therefore, given that Kavain modulates LPS‐induced signaling pathways leading to cytokine expression, therapeutic interventions involving Kavain in inflammatory diseases are warranted. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2272–2280, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
LOBSTER: A tool to extract chemical bonding from plane‐wave based DFT
Authors: Maintz Stefan , Deringer Volker L. , Tchougréeff Andrei L. , Dronskowski Richard
Published: February 2016

The computer program LOBSTER (Local Orbital Basis Suite Towards Electronic‐Structure Reconstruction) enables chemical‐bonding analysis based on periodic plane‐wave (PAW) density‐functional theory (DFT) output and is applicable to a wide range of first‐principles simulations in solid‐state and materials chemistry. LOBSTER incorporates analytic projection routines described previously in this very journal [J. Comput. Chem. 2013, 34, 2557] and offers improved functionality. It calculates, among others, atom‐projected densities of states (pDOS), projected crystal orbital Hamilton population (pCOHP) curves, and the recently introduced bond‐weighted distribution function (BWDF). The software is offered free‐of‐charge for non‐commercial research. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Computational Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
“MY RESISTING GETTING WELL”: NEURASTHENIA AND SUBCONSCIOUS CONFLICT IN PATIENT‐PSYCHIATRIST INTERACTIONS IN PREWAR AMERICA
Authors: LAMB SUSAN
Published: February 2016

This study examines experiences of individual patients and psychiatrists in the Henry Phipps Psychiatric Clinic at Johns Hopkins between 1913 and 1917. The dynamics of these patient‐psychiatrist interactions elucidate the well‐known conceptual shift in explanations of mental illness during the twentieth century, from somatic models rooted in the logic of “neurasthenia” and damaged nerves to psychodynamic models based on the notion of “subconscious conflict.” A qualitative analysis of 336 cases categorized as functional disorders (a catchall term in this period for illnesses that could not be confirmed as organic diseases), shows that patients explained their symptoms and suffering in terms of bodily malfunctions, and, particularly, as a “breakdown” of their nervous apparatus. Psychiatrists at the Phipps Clinic, on the other hand, working under the direction of its prominent director, Adolf Meyer, did not focus their examinations and therapies on the body's nervous system, as patients expected. They theorized that the characteristic symptoms of functional disorders—chronic exhaustion, indigestion, headaches and pain, as well as strange obsessive and compulsive behaviors—resulted from a distinct pathological mechanism: a subconscious conflict between powerful primal and social impulses. Phipps patients were often perplexed when told their physical symptoms were byproducts of an inner psychological struggle; some rejected the notion, while others integrated it with older explanations to reconceptualize their experiences of illness. The new concept also had the potential to alter psychiatrists' perceptions of disorders commonly diagnosed as hysteria, neurasthenia, or psychoneuroses. The Phipps records contain examples of Meyer and his staff transcending the frustration experienced by many doctors who had observed troubling but common behaviors in such cases: morbid introspection, hypochondria, emotionalism, pity‐seeking, or malingering. Subconscious conflict recast these behaviors as products of “self‐deception,” which both absolved the sufferer and established an objective clinical marker by which a trained specialist could recognize functional disorder. Using individual case studies to elucidate the disjunction between patients' and psychiatrists' perspectives on what all agreed were debilitating illnesses, this analysis helps to illuminate the origins of a radical transformation in psychiatric knowledge and popular culture in the twentieth century—from somatic to psychodynamic explanations of mental illness.
Impact of regionalized care on concordance of plan and preventable adverse events on general medicine services
Authors: Mueller Stephanie K. , Schnipper Jeffrey L. , Giannelli Kyla , Roy Christopher L. , Boxer Robert
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND

Dispersion of inpatient care teams across different medical units impedes effective team communication, potentially leading to adverse events (AEs).

OBJECTIVE

To regionalize 3 inpatient general medical teams to nursing units and examine the association with communication and preventable AEs.

DESIGN

Pre‐post cohort analysis.

SETTING

A 700‐bed academic medical center.

PATIENTS

General medicine patients on any of the participating nursing units before and after implementation of regionalized care.

INTERVENTION

Regionalizing 3 general medical physician teams to 3 corresponding nursing units.

MEASUREMENTS

Concordance of patient care plan between nurse and intern, and adjusted odds of preventable AEs.

RESULTS

Of the 414 included nurse and intern paired surveys, there were no significant differences pre‐ versus postregionalization in total mean concordance scores (0.65 vs 0.67, P = 0.26), but there was significant improvement in agreement on expected discharge date (0.56 vs 0.68, P = 0.003), knowledge of the other provider's name (0.56 vs 0.86,P < 0.001), and daily care plan discussions (0.73 vs 0.88, P < 0.001). Of the 392 reviewed patient medical records, there was no significant difference in the adjusted odds of preventable AEs pre‐ versus postregionalization (adjusted odds ratio: 1.37, 95% confidence interval: 0.69, 2.69).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that regionalization of care teams improved recognition of care team members, discussion of daily care plan, and agreement on estimated discharge date, but did not significantly improve nurse and physician concordance of the care plan or reduce the odds of preventable AEs. Our findings suggest that regionalization alone may be insufficient to effectively promote communication and lead to patient safety improvements. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:620–627. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma: Is there a correlation with flow and perfusion metrics obtained with dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI?
Authors: Hectors Stefanie J. , Wagner Mathilde , Besa Cecilia , Bane Octavia , Dyvorne Hadrien A. , Fiel M. Isabel , Zhu Hongfa , Donovan Michael , Taouli Bachir
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To assess the correlation between intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted imaging (IVIM‐DWI) and dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) metrics in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver parenchyma.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐five patients with HCC (M/F 23/2, mean age 58 years) underwent abdominal MRI at 1.5 or 3.0T, including IVIM‐DWI (with 16 b‐values) and DCE‐MRI (3D FLASH sequence, mean temporal resolution of 2.3 sec). IVIM‐DWI parameters (pseudodiffusion coefficient, D*, diffusion coefficient, D, and perfusion fraction, PF) were quantified in HCC lesions and liver parenchyma using a Bayesian fitting algorithm. DCE‐MRI parameters (arterial flow, Fa, portal flow, Fp, total flow, Ft, mean transit time, MTT, distribution volume, DV, and arterial fraction, ART) were quantified using a dual‐input single‐compartment model. Correlations between IVIM‐DWI and DCE‐MRI parameters were assessed using a Spearman correlation test.

Results

Thirty‐three HCC lesions (average size 5.0 ± 3.6 cm) were analyzed. D, D*, and PF were all significantly lower in HCC vs. liver (P < 0.05). Significantly higher Fa and ART and lower Fp were observed in HCC vs. liver (P < 0.001). Significant moderate to strong negative correlations were observed between ART and D* (r = −0.443, P = 0.028), ART and PF (r = −0.536, P = 0.006), ART and PFxD* (r = −0.655, P < 0.001), Fa and PF (r = 0.455, P = 0.023), and Fa and PFxD* (r = −0.475, P = 0.018) in liver parenchyma. There was no significant correlation between IVIM‐DWI and DCE‐MRI metrics in HCC lesions.

Conclusion

IVIM‐DWI and DCE‐MRI provide nonredundant information in HCC, while they correlate in liver parenchyma. These findings may be secondary to predominant portal inflow in the liver and tortuous vasculature and tissue heterogeneity in tumors. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2016;44:856–864.
Simultaneous multislice diffusion‐weighted MRI of the liver: Analysis of different breathing schemes in comparison to standard sequences
Authors: Taron Jana , Martirosian Petros , Erb Michael , Kuestner Thomas , Schwenzer Nina F. , Schmidt Holger , Honndorf Valerie S. , Weiβ Jakob , Notohamiprodjo Mike , Nikolaou Konstantin , Schraml Christina
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To systematically evaluate image characteristics of simultaneous‐multislice (SMS)‐accelerated diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) of the liver using different breathing schemes in comparison to standard sequences.

Materials and Methods

DWI of the liver was performed in 10 healthy volunteers and 12 patients at 1.5T using an SMS‐accelerated echo planar imaging sequence performed with respiratory‐triggering and free breathing (SMS‐RT, SMS‐FB). Standard DWI sequences served as reference (STD‐RT, STD‐FB). Reduction of scan time by SMS‐acceleration was measured. Image characteristics of SMS‐DWI and STD‐DWI with both breathing schemes were analyzed quantitatively (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC], signal‐to‐noise ratio [SNR]) and qualitatively (5‐point Likert scale, 5 = excellent). Qualitative and quantitative parameters were compared using Friedman test and Dunn‐Bonferroni post‐hoc method with P‐values < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results

SMS‐DWI provided diagnostic image quality in volunteers and patients both with RT and FB with a reduction of scan time of 70% (0:56 vs. 3:20 min in FB). Overall image quality did not significantly differ between FB and RT acquisition in both STD and SMS sequences (median STD‐RT 5.0, STD‐FB 4.5, SMS‐RT: 4.75; SMS‐FB: 4.5; P = 0.294). SNR in the right hepatic lobe was comparable between the four tested sequences. ADC values were significantly lower in SMS‐DWI compared to STD‐DWI irrespective of the breathing scheme (1.2 ± 0.2 × 10‐3 mm2/s vs. 1.0 ± 0.2 × 10‐3 mm2/s; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

SMS‐acceleration provides considerable scan time reduction for hepatic DWI with equivalent image quality compared to the STD technique both using RT and FB. Discrepancies in ADC between STD‐DWI and SMS‐DWI need to be considered when transferring the SMS technique to clinical routine reading. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2016;44:865–879.
Changes in spatial and temporal trends in wet, dry, warm and cold spell length or duration indices in Kansas, USA
Authors: Anandhi Aavudai , Hutchinson Stacy , Harrington John , Rahmani Vahid , Kirkham Mary B. , Rice Charles W.
Published: February 2016

Extended periods with excessive or no rainfall or high or low temperatures have important implications on the water cycle, can stress ecosystems and can be detrimental to the economy of a region. These periods are generally studied using spell length indicators or duration indices (SDIs). Fourteen SDIs are calculated to study the changes in wet/dry/warm/cold spells using daily precipitation and maximum and minimum air temperature from 23 centennial weather stations spread across Kansas during four time periods (through 1920, 1921–1950, 1951–1980 and 1981–2009) and two temporal scales (annual and seasonal). Among the SDIs, 3 represent wet spells [wet spell length (WetSL); AvWetSL; MaxWetSL]; 3 for dry spells [dry spell length (DrySL); AvDrySL; MaxDrySL]; 4 for warm spells [warm spell length (WarmSL); average warm spell length (AvWarmSL); maximum warm spell length (MaxWarmSL); WarmSDI] and 4 are for cold spells [cold spell length (ColdSL); average cold spell length (AvColdSL); maximum cold spell length (MaxColdSL); ColdSDI]. In general, we observe that Kansas has 57–64 days year−1 in a wet spell; 302–309 days year−1 in a dry spell; ∼47 days year−1 in each warm and cold spells. The average length of a wet/dry spell is ∼1.5 days, while the warm/cold spells are for 2 days. The maximum length of a wet spell is ∼4.4 days, a dry spell is ∼35 days and warm/cold spells is ∼6 days. We found the number of wet days increasing annually. Interestingly, the warm days during winter are increasing with an overall decrease in the days in warm and cold spells across both temporal scales.
T2* mapping of subtalar cartilage: Precision and association between anatomical variants and cartilage composition
Authors: Van Ginckel Ans , De Mits Sophie , Bennell Kim L. , Bryant Adam L. , Witvrouw Erik E.
Published: February 2016

Hindfoot arthritis is an important contributor to foot pain and physical disability. While the subtalar joint (STJ) is most frequently affected, anatomical variants such as facet configuration were suggested to further STJ cartilage deterioration. T2* mapping enables detection of ultra‐structural cartilage change, particularly in thin cartilage layers, but its feasibility in the STJ has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate segmentation consistency and inter‐scan short‐term precision error of T2* mapping of talocalcaneal cartilage and to investigate the relationship between facet configuration and STJ T2* values. Using 3Tesla morphological magnetic resonance imaging, STJ configuration was categorized according to the degree of fusion between anterior, medial, or posterior facets. Subsequently, two repeats of multi‐echo gradient recalled echo sequences were performed to obtain T2* maps with repositioning. Segmentation consistency of T2* values attained an ICC of 0.90 (95%CI 0.69–0.99). Precision errors comprised a coefficient of variation (CV) ranging 0.01–0.05, corresponding to a root mean square CV of 0.03–0.04. A 2‐joint configuration type (i.e., fused anterior‐medial facets) was significantly associated with a decrease in posterior facet T2* values (β = −0.6, p = 0.046). STJ T2* mapping is a reliable method requiring at least a 4% difference within people to enable detection of significant change. Anatomical variants in STJ configuration were associated with T2* values with the more stable 3‐joint types exhibiting more favorable cartilage outcomes. Longer‐term larger‐scaled studies focusing on arthritis pathology are needed to further support the use of T2* mapping in hindfoot disease monitoring. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1969–1976, 2016.
Health‐promoting bioactivities of betalains from red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus (Weber) Britton and Rose) peels as affected by carbohydrate encapsulation
Authors: Rodriguez Evelyn B , Vidallon Mark Louis P , Mendoza David Joram R , Reyes Charisse T
Published: February 2016

Background

Betalains, which are red‐purple and yellow pigments, are ideal alternatives to synthetic colorants as they possess strong coloring potential and excellent health‐contributing properties. However, the instability of betalains toward normal storage and biological conditions, in addition to the limited number of betalain sources, impedes their food application and diminishes their bioactivities. This study aimed to evaluate the health‐promoting bioactivities of betalains from red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus (Weber) Britton and Rose) peels as affected by encapsulation in maltodextrin–gum Arabic and maltodextrin–pectin matrices.

Results

Encapsulation in maltodextrin–gum Arabic and maltodextrin–pectin matrices afforded dry betalain powders after lyophilization. Optical microscopy imaging showed that the betalain powders consisted of matrix‐type and shard‐like microparticles. ABTS antioxidant assay revealed that maltodextrin–gum Arabic–betalain (MGB) and maltodextrin–pectin–betalain (MPB) microparticles possessed higher antioxidant capacities (195.39 ± 8.63 and 201.76 ± 4.06 µmol Trolox g−1 microparticles respectively) than the non‐encapsulated betalain extract (151.07 ± 2.57 µmol Trolox g−1 extract). Duck embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) vascular irritation assay showed that the anti‐inflammatory activity of encapsulated betalains was five‐ to six‐fold higher than that of non‐encapsulated betalains (P ≤ 0.05). Antiangiogenic activity, as evaluated by duck embryo CAM assay, was enhanced two‐ to four‐fold by carbohydrate encapsulation. Glutathione S‐transferase (GST)‐inducing activity of betalains was likewise improved four‐ to five‐fold.

Conclusion

The study showed that the antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antiangiogenic and GST‐inducing activities of betalains from red dragon fruit peels were enhanced through carbohydrate encapsulation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Glucosinolate composition of Colombian accessions of mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruíz & Pavón), structural elucidation of the predominant glucosinolate and assessment of its antifungal activity
Authors: Martín Jenny Carolina , Higuera Blanca Ligia
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND

The content of individual and total glucosinolates in 65 mashua tuber accessions (Tropaeolum tuberosum) from the germplasm bank at Universidad Nacional de Colombia was determined by reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography on enzymatically desulfated extracts. The predominant glucosinolate was identified and the possible structure of the glucosinolate present in lower proportion was postulated from evidence obtained by high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and bi‐dimensional experiments. The biological action of the hydrolysis products generated from the glucosinolates in the accessions that showed a higher content of these compounds was assessed in the presence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora infestans.

RESULTS

The total content of glucosinolates ranged between >3.00 × 10−1 and 25.8 µmol g−1 dry matter. p‐Methoxybenzyl glucosinolate was identified as the predominant glucosinolate in Colombian mashua accessions; besides, the possible presence of p‐hydroxybenzyl glucosinolate was postulated. In vitro assays established an important fungal growth inhibition of the potato pathogen P. infestans.

CONCLUSION

The biological action from p‐methoxybenzyl glucosinolate and p‐hydroxybenzyl glucosinolate found in Colombian mashua accessions depends on their concentration, with the Tt30 accession, characterized for showing the highest content of glucosinolates, being the most promising to control the assessed pathogens. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry