bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is degradable antibiotic coating for synthetic meshes provide protection against experimental animal infection after fascia repair?
Authors: Letouzey Vincent , Lavigne Jean Philippe , Garric Xavier , Coudane Jean , de Tayrac Renaud , Callaghan David O.
Published: November 2011

The surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse using synthetic mesh can fail because of slow or partial implant integration due to poor biocompatibility or infection. As systemic antibiotic prophylaxis has only limited success, we have developed a system that coats standard polypropylene mesh with clinically relevant antibiotics. Amoxicillin and ofloxacin are both released from the mesh in vitro at high levels over 3 days, preventing adhesion and biofilm formation by a clinical isolate of E. coli. In an in vivo incisional hernia repair model in rats, the antibiotic‐coated mesh results in appropriate tissue integration with adequate vascularization and collagen formation. When implanted animals are infected with virulent E. coli, both antibiotic coatings provide full protection against infection (as assessed both clinically and microbiologically), thus demonstrating their bioavailability. This method is a specific approach for producing a therapeutic coating that could reduce postsurgical infections. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 100B: 471–479, 2012.
Macrophage reactivity to different polymers demonstrates particle size‐ and material‐specific reactivity: PEEK‐OPTIMA®particles versus UHMWPE particles in the submicron, micron, and 10 micron size ranges
Authors: Hallab Nadim James , McAllister Kyron , Brady Mark , Jarman‐Smith Marcus
Published: November 2011

Biologic reactivity to orthopedic implant debris is generally the main determinant of long‐term clinical performance where released polymeric particles of Ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) remain the most prevalent debris generated from metal‐on‐polymer bearing total joint arthroplasties. Polymeric alternatives to UHMWPE such as polyetherether‐ketone (PEEK) may have increased wear resistance but the bioreactivity of PEEK‐OPTIMA particles on peri‐implant inflammation remains largely uncharacterized. We evaluated human monocyte/macrophage responses (THP‐1s and primary human) when challenged by PEEK‐OPTIMA, UHMWPE, and X‐UHMWPE particles of three particle sizes (0.7 um, 2 um, and 10 um) at a dose of 20 particles‐per‐cell at 24‐ and 48‐h time points. Macrophage responses were measured using cytotoxicity assays, viability assays, proliferation assays and cytokine analysis (IL‐1b, IL‐6, IL‐8, MCP‐1, and TNF‐α). In general, there were no significant differences between PEEK‐OPTIMA, UHMWPE, and X‐UHMWPE particles on macrophage viability or proliferation. However, macrophages demonstrated greater cytotoxicity responses to UHMWPE and X‐UHMWPE than to PEEK‐OPTIMA at 24 and 48 h, where 0.7 μm‐UHMWPE particles produced the highest amount of cytotoxicity. Particles of X‐UHMWPE more than PEEK‐OPTIMA and UHMWPE induced IL‐1β, IL‐6, MCP‐1, and TNF‐α at 24 h,p< 0.05 (no significant differences at 48 h). On average, cytokine production was more adversely affected by larger 10 μm particles than by 0.7 and 2 μm sized particles. While limitations ofin vitroanalysis apply to this study, PEEK‐OPTIMA particles were more biocompatible than UHMWPE particles, in that they induced less inflammatory cytokine responses and thus, in part, demonstrates that PEEK‐OPTIMA implant debris does not represent an increased inflammatory risk over that of UHMWPE. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 100B: 480–492, 2012.
Molecular chaperones in mammary cancer growth and breast tumor therapy
Authors: Calderwood Stuart K. , Gong Jianlin
Published: November 2011

Heat shock protein (HSP) levels are elevated in breast cancer and are molecular targets for novel therapies. HSPs were first observed as proteins induced in massive amounts in normal cells exposed to stresses that lead to protein denaturation. Their expanded expression in mammary carcinoma appears to be largely due to the proliferation of malfolded mutant proteins and overexpressed oncoproteins that trigger transcription of HSP genes. HSPs play major roles in malignant transformation and progression mediated through their intrinsic molecular chaperone properties. These permit the emergence of new malignant traits through the facilitated accumulation of altered oncoproteins. The elevation of HSP concentrations in mammary carcinoma is at least partially dependent on heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1), a protein that responds to unfolded proteins and leads to HSP transcription. HSF1 activation has additional downstream activities, crucial for emergence of the breast cancer phenotype and these include activated cell signaling, HSP‐mediated ability to evade apoptosis and senescence and an HSF1‐dependent bias in transcriptional activity towards a metastatic phenotype. The HSPs are currently being targeted in breast cancer therapy and effective drugs for Hsp90 have been synthesized and evaluated in clinical trial. Mammary carcinoma cells also contain abundant quantities of HSP–tumor antigen complexes and these complexes are being used to develop effective tumor vaccine approaches that provide personalized therapy for each individual's cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1096–1103, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Treatment satisfaction, perceived treatment effectiveness, and dropout among older users of mental health services
Authors: Lippens Tiffany , Mackenzie Corey S.
Published: November 2011

Objectives: To examine the rates and correlates of treatment satisfaction, perceived treatment effectiveness, and dropout among older users of mental health services. Method: We used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey‐Mental Health and Well‐Being (CCHS‐1.2), which includes 12,792 individuals aged ≥55 years. The average age of these participants was 67 years and 53.2% were female. We examined the rates of treatment satisfaction, perceived treatment effectiveness, and dropout for those who had used mental health services in the past year, and used logistic regression to examine the correlates of these outcomes. Results: Of the older adults included in the CCHS‐1.2, 664 (5.3%) had used mental health services in the past year. The majority of these were satisfied with services (88.5%) and perceived treatment to be effective (83.6%), which is likely why only 15.5% dropped out in the past year. In logistic regression models, social support was significantly and positively related to both treatment satisfaction and perceived effectiveness. Perceived treatment effectiveness was the only variable related to dropout, with lower levels of perceived effectiveness associated with greater odds of dropping out of treatment. Conclusions: Results from this study indicate that older adults have very good self‐reported treatment outcomes. The modest influence of individual characteristics on treatment outcomes suggests the potential importance of contextual characteristics. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 67:1197–1209, 2011.
Crosstalk between adenosine A1 and β1‐adrenergic receptors regulates translocation of PKCε in isolated rat cardiomyocytes
Authors: Komatsu Satoshi , Dobson James G. , Ikebe Mitsuo , Shea Lynne G. , Fenton Richard A.
Published: November 2011

Adenosine A1 receptor (A1R)‐induced translocation of PKCε to transverse (t) tubular membranes in isolated rat cardiomyocytes is associated with a reduction in β1‐adrenergic‐stimulated contractile function. The PKCε‐mediated activation of protein kinase D (PKD) by endothelin‐1 is inhibited by β1‐adrenergic stimulated protein kinase A (PKA) suggesting a similar mechanism of A1R signal transduction modulation by adrenergic agonists may exist in the heart. We have investigated the influence of β1‐adrenergic stimulation on PKCε translocation elicited by A1R. Immunofluorescence imaging and Western blotting with PKCε and β‐COP antibodies were used to quantify the co‐localization of PKCε and t‐tubular structures in isolated rat cardiomyocytes. The A1R agonist CCPA increased the co‐localization of PKCε and t‐tubules as detected by imaging. The β1‐adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol (ISO) inhibited this effect of CCPA. Forskolin, a potent activator of PKA, mimicked, and H89, a pharmacological PKA inhibitor, and PKI, a membrane‐permeable PKA peptide PKA inhibitor, attenuated the negative effect of ISO on the A1R‐mediated PKCε translocation. Western blotting with isolated intact hearts revealed an increase in PKCε/β‐COP co‐localization induced by A1R. This increase was attenuated by the A1R antagonist DPCPX and ISO. The ISO‐induced attenuation was reversed by H89. It is concluded that adrenergic stimulation inhibits A1R‐induced PKCε translocation to the PKCε anchor site RACK2 constituent of a coatomer containing β‐COP and associated with the t‐tubular structures of the heart. In that this translocation has been previously associated with the antiadrenergic property of A1R, it is apparent that the interactive effects of adenosine and β1‐adrenergic agonists on function are complex in the heart. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3201–3207, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential mesengenic potential and expression of stem cell‐fate modulators in mesenchymal stromal cells from human‐term placenta and bone marrow
Authors: Jaramillo‐Ferrada Pamela A. , Wolvetang Ernst J. , Cooper‐White Justin J.
Published: November 2011

Placenta has attracted increasing attention over the past decade as a stem cell source for regenerative medicine. In particular, the amniochorionic membrane has been shown to harbor populations of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). In this study, we have characterized ex vivo expanded MSCs from the human amniotic (hAMSCs) and chorionic (hCMSCs) membranes of human full‐term placentas and adult bone marrow (hBMSCs). Our results show that hAMSCs, hCMSCs, and hBMSCs express typical mesenchymal (CD73, CD90, CD105, CD44, CD146, CD166) and pluripotent (Oct‐4, Sox2, Nanog, Lin28, and Klf4) markers but not hematopoietic markers (CD45, CD34). Ex vivo expanded hAMSCs were found to be of fetal origin, while hCMSCs cultures contained only maternal cells. Cell proliferation was significantly higher in hCMSCs, compared to hAMSCs and hBMSCs. Integrin profiling revealed marked differences in the expression of α subunits between the three cell sources. Cadherin receptors were consistently expressed on a subset of progenitors (ranging from 1% to 60%), while N‐CAM (CD56) was only expressed in hAMSCs and hCMSCs but not in hBMSCs. When induced to differentiate, hAMSCs and hCMSCs displayed strong chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential but very limited capacity for adipogenic conversion. In contrast, hBMSCs showed strong differentiation potential along the three lineages. These results illustrate how MSCs from different ontological sources display differential expression of cell‐fate mediators and mesodermal differentiation capacity. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3234–3242, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New insights in endometrial carcinogenesis
Authors: D'Andrilli Giuseppina , Bovicelli Alessandro , Paggi Marco G. , Giordano Antonio
Published: November 2011

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common cancer of the female genital tract in Europe and in the United States. Despite advances in defining the biology of endometrial carcinomas, there has been poor progress in determining markers that distinguish preinvasive endometrial proliferations. The aim of this review is to highlight the most recent studies regarding the molecular markers involved in endometrial adenocarcinoma pathogenesis and carcinogenesis. We focus on studies that describe markers with potential to progress from endometrial hyperplasia to invasive disease. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2842–2846, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bone production by human maxillary sinus mucosa cells
Authors: Graziano A. , Benedetti L. , Massei G. , Cusella de Angelis M.G. , Ferrarotti F. , Aimetti M.
Published: November 2011

The Schneider membrane is the mucosa that covers the inner part of the maxillary sinus cavities. The free surface is a ciliated pseudostratified epithelium, while the deeper portion is a highly vascularized connective tissue. The stromal fraction, bordering the bony wall of the sinus, after tooth loss can exhibit increased osteoclastic activity resulting in resorption of the bone in the posterior maxilla. Goal of our study was to isolate and characterize mesenchymal progenitors in the Schneider's membrane connective net and to evaluate their self ability to differentiate toward osteoblastic lineage, in absence of osteoinductive factors and osteoconductive biomaterials of support. This should indicate that maxillary sinus membrane represents an useful an approachable source of MSCs for bone tissue engineering and cell therapy and owns the intrinsic capacity to restore maxillary bone after tooth loss without the needing of biomaterials. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3278–3281, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sugarcane bagasse and leaves: foreseeable biomass of biofuel and bio‐products
Authors: Chandel Anuj K. , da Silva Silvio S. , Carvalho Walter , Singh Om V.
Published: November 2011

Sugarcane is among the principal agricultural crops cultivated in tropical countries. The annual world production of sugarcane is ∼1.6 billion tons, and it generates ∼279 million metric tons (MMT) of biomass residues (bagasse and leaves). Sugarcane residues, particularly sugarcane bagasse (SB) and leaves (SL) have been explored for both biotechnological and non‐biotechnological applications. For the last three decades, SB and SL have been explored for use in lignocellulosic bioconversion, which offers opportunities for the economic utilization of residual substrates in the production of bioethanol and value‐added commercial products such as xylitol, specialty enzymes, organic acids, single‐cell protein, etc. However, there are still major technological and economic challenges to be addressed in the development of bio‐based commercial processes utilizing SB and SL as raw substrates. This article aims to explore SB and SL as cheaper sources of carbohydrates in the developing world for their industrial implications, their use in commercial products including commercial evaluation, and their potential to advance sustainable bio‐based fuel systems. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Early prenatal sonographic diagnosis of gastroschisis
Authors: Cerekja Albana , Piazze Juan , Cozzi Denis
Published: November 2011

We report a case of gastroschisis that was suspected at sonography at 11 weeks + 3 days of amenorrhea. Although early detection does not alter prenatal management of this condition nor does it affect neonatal outcome, it allows early counseling ofthe parents.©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 40:526–528, 2012
Mechanical properties of the avian acrocoracohumeral ligament and its role in shoulder stabilization in flight
Authors: Baier David Bradley
Published: November 2011

Control of movement in the avian shoulder joint is fundamental to understanding the avian wingstroke. The acrocoracohumeral ligament (AHL) is thought to play a key role in stabilizing the glenoid and balancing the pectoralis in gliding flight. If the AHL has to be taut to balance the pectoralis, then it must constrain glenohumeral motion during flapping flight as well. However, birds vary wing kinematics depending on flight speed and behavior. How can a passive ligament accommodate such varying joint movements? Herein, mechanical testing and 3‐D modeling are used to link the mechanical properties and morphology of the AHL to its functional role during flapping flight. The bone–ligament–bone complex of the pigeon (Columba livia) fails at a tensile loading of 141±18 N (±s.d., n = 10) or 39 times body weight, which corresponds to a failure stress of 51 MPa, well above expected loads during flight. Simulated AHL length changes, comparisons to glenohumeral kinematics from the literature, and manipulations of partially dissected pigeon specimens all support the hypothesis that the AHL remains taut through downstroke and most of upstroke while becoming slack during the downstroke/upstroke transition. The digital AHL model provides a mechanism for explaining how the AHL can stabilize the shoulder joint under a broad array of humeral paths by constraining the coordination of glenohumeral degrees of freedom. J. Exp. Zool. 317:83–95, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I) hexafluorophosphate catalyzed coumarin synthesis via pechmann condensation under solvent‐free condition
Authors: Soleimani Ebrahim , Khodaei Mohammad Mehdi , Batooie Nasim , Samadi Saadi
Published: November 2011

Tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I) hexafluorophosphate (Cu(CH3CN)4PF6) is used as an efficient catalyst in the Pechmann condensation reaction of phenols with ethyl acetoacetate leading to the formation of coumarin derivatives in excellent yields under solvent free conditions at ambient temperature. The method is simple, solvent‐free and gives excellent yields in a short reaction time. J. Heterocyclic Chem.,(2011).
Large‐scale preparation and labelling reactions of deuterated silanes
Authors: Campos Jesús , Rubio Miguel , Esqueda Ana C. , Carmona Ernesto
Published: November 2011

A catalytic synthesis of deuterated silanes SiEt3D, SiMe2PhD and SiPh2D2 is reported that allows their facile generation in a 3–4 g scale, utilizing D2 (0.5 bar) as the hydrogen isotope source and low catalyst loadings (0.01 mol%). The catalyst precursor is the rhodium (III) complex 1, which contains a (η5‐C5Me5)Rh cation stabilized by coordination to a cyclometallated phoshine PMeXyl2 (Xyl = 2,6‐C6H3Me2). The same complex is also an active catalyst for the hydrosilylation of the CO and C≡N bonds of various ketones, aldehydes and α,β‐unsaturated nitriles. Hence, combination of these two properties permits development of a simple and proficient one‐flask, two‐step procedure for the deuterosilylation of these substrates. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A multilevel model of emotional skills, communication performance, and task performance in teams
Authors: Troth Ashlea C. , Jordan Peter J. , Lawrence Sandra A. , Tse Herman H. M.
Published: November 2011

There is increasing research regarding the influence of emotions on teamwork. In this study, we use a multilevel approach to examine how team members' use of emotion‐related skills affects team task performance and communication performance within the team. We measured individual self‐reported emotional skills prior to team formation and then collected peer‐rated individual communication performance and independently rated team task performance eight weeks later. Although there was no influence at the individual level between emotional skills and performance, team‐level emotional skills positively predicted team task performance scores. At the cross level, team‐level emotional skills predicted individual‐level communication performance. These findings emphasize the importance of distinct team emotional skills in shaping both team performance and individual team member performance. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Climate change projections for Switzerland based on a Bayesian multi‐model approach
Authors: Fischer A. M. , Weigel A. P. , Buser C. M. , Knutti R. , Künsch H. R. , Liniger M. A. , Schär C. , Appenzeller C.
Published: November 2011

Regional projections of future climate with associated uncertainty estimates are increasingly being demanded. Generally, such scenarios rely on a finite number of model projections and are accompanied by considerable uncertainties which cannot be fully quantified. Consequently, probabilistic climate projections are conditioned on several subjective assumptions which can be treated in a Bayesian framework. In this study, a recently developed Bayesian multi‐model combination algorithm is applied to regional climate model simulations from the ENSEMBLES project to generate probabilistic projections for Switzerland. The seasonal temperature and precipitation scenarios are calculated relative to 1980–2009 for three 30‐year scenario periods (centred at 2035, 2060, and 2085), three regions, and the A1B emission scenario. Projections for two further emission scenarios are obtained by pattern scaling. Key to the Bayesian algorithm is the determination of prior distributions about climatic parameters. It is shown that the prior choice of model projection uncertainty ultimately determines the uncertainty in the climate change signal. Here, we assume that model uncertainty is fully sampled by the climate models available. We have extended the algorithm such that internal decadal variability is also included in all scenario calculations. The A1B scenarios show a significant rise in temperature increasing from 0.9–1.4 °C by 2035 (depending upon region and season), to 2.0–2.9 °C by 2060, and to 2.7–4.1 °C by 2085. Mean precipitation changes are subject to large uncertainties with median changes close to zero. Significant signals are seen towards the end of the century with a summer drying of 18–24% depending on region, and a likely increase of winter precipitation in Switzerland south of the Alps. The A2 scenario implies a warming of 3.2–4.8 °C, and a summer drying of 21–28% by 2085, while in case of the mitigation scenario RCP3PD, climate change could be stabilized to 1.2–1.8 °C of warming and 8–10% of drying. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
An assessment of current and future vulnerability to coastal inundation due to sea‐level extremes in Victoria, southeast Australia
Authors: McInnes Kathleen L. , Macadam Ian , Hubbert Graeme , O'Grady Julian
Published: November 2011

Current climate 1‐in‐100‐year storm tide heights along the coast of Victoria, southeast Australia were estimated by combining probabilities of storm surge and tide heights determined from hydrodynamic modelling. For this return period, levels lie between 1 and 2 m above mean sea level along much of the coastline. Future climate 1‐in‐100‐year storm tide heights were estimated by adding high‐end estimates of future sea‐level rise from recent literature. The effect of climate change through consistent wind‐speed increases was also examined and it was found that, for the late 21st Century, the contribution of wind‐speed increase to the increases in extreme storm surge heights is considerably smaller, by a factor of more than 2, than the contribution of sea‐level rise.

A computationally inexpensive approach to assessing current and future vulnerability to coastal inundation due to sea‐level extremes is then demonstrated for the Victorian coast. A simple inundation algorithm was used with high‐resolution terrestrial elevation data from a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) survey of the Victorian coast to evaluate the potential vulnerability of nine coastal regions to inundation by current and future climate 1‐in‐100‐year storm tides. The response of different regions varied from exhibiting proportional increases in inundation to sea‐level rise to nonlinear responses, where the exceedance of critical sea‐level thresholds led to large stepwise increases in land area or number of land parcels affected by inundation. These responses were a function of both coastal topography and the spatial density of land parcels. The low computational cost of the methodology permits different time horizons and uncertainties in future climate change to be considered using a scenario‐based approach and is therefore useful in assessing options for adaptation to climate change. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Nuclear localization of 14‐3‐3epsilon inversely correlates with poor long‐term survival of patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Hui , Huang Haoran , Li Weidong , Jin Xuejun , Zeng Jian , Liu Yawei , Gu Ye , Sun Xuegang , Wen Ge , Ding Yanqing , Zhao Liang
Published: November 2011

Background

14‐3‐3ε regulates diverse biological processes and plays a significant role in the formation of malignant tumors. However, the localization and clinical significance of 14‐3‐3ε in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been elucidated.

Methods

We investigated 14‐3‐3ε expression and its prognostic significance in CRC. CRC surgical samples were taken from 137 clinicopathologically characterized CRC cases. 14‐3‐3ε expression was tested by immunohistochemical assay. Separate Western blot of nuclear and cytosol preparations confirmed nuclear localization of 14‐3‐3ε protein.

Results

Nuclear expression of 14‐3‐3ε was observed in 76.9% of normal colorectal tissue and 78.8% of all CRC samples. Statistical analysis showed that there was significant difference of nuclear 14‐3‐3ε expression in patients categorized according to lymph node metastasis. A trend was identified between decreasing nuclear 14‐3‐3ε expression in CRC and worsening clinical prognosis. Multivariate analysis showed that loss of nuclear 14‐3‐3ε expression was an independent prognostic indicator for patient's survival.

Conclusions

The current data provide evidence that 14‐3‐3ε is not exclusively a cytosolic protein, but is also detectable within the nucleus. Our results suggest that nuclear 14‐3‐3ε as a suppressor may serve as important biomarker of tumor metastasis. Loss of nuclear 14‐3‐3ε is closely associated with poor overall survival in CRC patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:224–231. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of surgeon specialization on long‐term survival following colon cancer resection at an NCI‐designated cancer center
Authors: Barbas Andrew S. , Turley Ryan S. , Mantyh Christopher R. , Migaly John
Published: November 2011

Background

Recent studies have documented improved outcomes for patients undergoing colorectal cancer resection at NCI cancer centers compared to hospitals without this designation. Proposed contributory factors include a higher proportion of surgeons with specialty training in colorectal surgery and surgical oncology. The purpose of this study was to assess whether surgeon specialization is associated with differences in overall survival following colon cancer resection at an NCI cancer center.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of patients undergoing colectomy for colon cancer from 1994 to 2009 at Duke University Medical Center. Patients were divided into two groups based on specialization status of the attending surgeon, and several clinicopathologic variables were compared. A multivariate analysis was then performed examining variables influencing overall survival.

Results

Total of 395 patients were included in the study, with 335 patients operated on by specialty‐trained surgeons and 60 patients operated on by non‐specialists. Overall, the two groups were similar with respect to demographic and pathologic variables. On multivariate analysis, surgeon specialization was found to be an independent predictor of improved overall survival [HR 0.43 (CI: 0.25–0.75), P = 0.003].

Conclusion

Surgeon specialization appears to be associated with improved overall survival in the setting of an NCI‐designated cancer center. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:219–223. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of lymph node retrieval on surgical outcomes in colorectal cancers
Authors: Kritsanasakul Arun , Boonpipattanapong Teeranut , Wanitsuwan Worawit , Phukaoloun Monlika , Prechawittayakul Paradee , Sangkhathat Surasak
Published: November 2011

Background

Adequacy of lymph node sampling is fundamental to the accuracy of nodal status (N‐status) assessment in colorectal cancers (CRCs). This study aimed to determine the minimum sampling number to achieve reliable prognosis and to look for any association between the positive lymph node ratio (LNR) and overall survival (OS). Pathological reports of 533 stages I–III CRC patients who underwent curative resection during the period from January 1998 to December 2007 were retrospectively reviewed with regard to the number of lymph nodes obtained for pathological diagnosis (nLN) and number of positive nodes.

Results

The median nLN was 10 nodes and the mean number of positive nodes was 1.7 nodes. On the N‐status attribution plot, the cut‐off point where the converging curves turned parallel was at 12 nodes. This cut‐off was supported by the significant difference in OS between cases with nLN ≥ 12 (5‐year OS 73.0%) and those with nLN < 12 (5‐year OS 62.7%), (P‐value < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that both nLN‐12 and LNR were independent factors predicting survival probability.

Conclusion

Our data emphasize the importance of lymph node harvesting during the surgical resection of CRCs. In addition, LNR is a strong independent factor associated with CRC survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:238–242. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combination of solid‐phase extraction‐hollow fiber for ultra‐preconcentration of some triazole pesticides followed by gas chromatography‐flame ionization detection
Authors: Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Khoshmaram Leila , Mogaddam Mohammad Reza Afshar
Published: November 2011

In this study, an extraction and preconcentration technique using solid‐phase extraction (SPE) along with hollow fiber (HF) has been developed as an ultra‐preconcentration technique for some triazole pesticides in aqueous samples. Triazole pesticides were employed as model compounds to assess the method and were monitored by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC‐FID). Initially, an aqueous solution of target analytes was passed through an RP‐8 SPE cartridge and then the adsorbed analytes were eluted with μL amounts of toluene. The collected elute was slowly introduced into an HF that had one end blocked. This allowed precipitation inside the lumen and pores of the HF. Finally, the obtained HF was mounted on a home‐made solid‐phase microextraction syringe and entered into the GC injection port for thermal desorption‐GC analysis. The effect of various experimental parameters including injection port temperature, desorption time, state of HF, washing solvent, elution solvent and its volume, sample volume, etc. were investigated for finding the optimum conditions. The calibration graphs were linear in the ranges of 2–1000 ng/mL (penconazole and hexaconazole), 5–1000 ng/mL (tebuconazole), 15–1000 ng/mL (triticonazole) and the detection limits (LODs) ranged from 0.6 to 4.5 ng/mL. The enhancement factors were in the range of 870–950. The relative standard deviations (RSD%) for five repeated experiments (C=250 ng/mL of each pesticide) varied from 4.5 to 8.7%. The relative recoveries obtained for analytes in grape juice samples, spiked with different levels of each pesticide, were in the range of 87–119%.
Separation and purification of neohesperidin from the albedo of Citrus reticulata cv. Suavissima by combination of macroporous resin and high‐speed counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Zhang Jiukai , Zhu Xiaoyan , Luo Fenglei , Sun Chongde , Huang Jianzhen , Li Xian , Chen Kunsong
Published: November 2011

In this article, a simple and efficient protocol for rapid preparation and separation of neohesperidin from the albedo of Citrus reticulata cv. Suavissima was established by the combination of macroporous resin column chromatography and high‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC). Six types of resin were investigated by adsorption and desorption tests, and D101 macroporous resin was selected for the first cleaning‐up procedure, in which 55% aqueous ethanol was used to elute neohesperidin. After treatment with D101 resin, the neohesperidin purity increased 11.83‐fold from 4.92% in the crude extract to 58.22% in the resin‐refined sample, with a recovery of 68.97%. The resin‐refined sample was directly subjected to HSCCC purification with a two‐phase solvent system composed of ethyl acetate–n‐butanol–water (4:1:5, v/v), and 23.6 mg neohesperidin with 97.47% purity was obtained from 60 mg sample in only one run. The recovery of neohesperidin in HSCCC separation procedure was 65.85%. The chemical structure of the purified neohesperidin was identified by both HPLC and LC‐MS. The established purification process will be helpful for further characterization and utilization of Citrus neohesperidin.
Patterned Growth of Vertically Aligned Polypyrrole Nanowire Arrays
Authors: Xia Lin , Quan Baogang , Wei Zhixiang
Published: November 2011

A facile strategy for preparing vertically aligned polypyrrole (PPy) nanoarrays with precisely controlled density and quantity is presented. The method involves two steps: (1) the fabrication of the patterned substrate via electron beam lithography and (2) the controlled growth of PPy nanowires via electrochemical polymerization on the patterned substrate. The electrical property of a single PPy nanowire is investigated via in situ conducting probe atomic force microscopy.
Sensitivity of Carbon Nanotubes to the Storage of Stress in Polymers
Authors: Mercader Célia , Jaillet Christèle , Lachman Noa , Zakri Cécile , Maugey Maryse , Wagner Hanoch Daniel , Poulin Philippe
Published: November 2011

Residual stress in polymers arises from the freezing of unstable molecular conformations. Residual stress is critical because its relaxation can cause shrinkage, defects, and fractures of polymer materials. The storage of stress is purposely enhanced to develop shape memory materials. Unfortunately, the storage of mechanical stress is still poorly controlled and understood. An approach to sense the storage of stress based on the spectroscopic response of carbon nanotubes is explored. The Raman response of nanotubes exhibits a variable sensitivity to strain when embedded in polymers that have experienced different thermal and mechanical treatments. This unique feature opens up new possibilities for the use of carbon nanotubes as mechanical nanosensors.
Chemically Triggered C–ON Bond Homolysis in Alkoxyamines. Part 2: DFT Investigation and Application of the pH Effect on NMP
Authors: Bagryanskaya Elena , Brémond Paul , Edeleva Mariya , Marque Sylvain R. A. , Parkhomenko Dmitriy , Roubaud Valérie , Siri Didier
Published: November 2011

In recent work, a 15‐fold increase in the C–ON bond homolysis rate constant kd of 4‐pyridylethyl‐SG1‐based alkoxyamine was observed upon protonation of the pyridyl moiety in organic solvent. In this report, the pH dependence of kd (pKa = 4.7) is investigated in D2O/CD3OD (v/v 1:1). A 64‐fold increase in kd is observed at acidic pH. Calculations show that the increase in kd upon protonation is due to both an increase in the stabilization of the protonated 4‐pyridylethyl radical and an increase of the destabilization of the starting materials through an increase in the polarity of the alkyl fragment. This new alkoxyamine is applied to NMP of styrene and sodium styrene sulfonate.
Quadruple‐Responsive Nanocomposite Based on Dextran–PMAA–PNIPAM, Iron Oxide Nanoparticles, and Gold Nanorods
Authors: Feng Wenqian , Lv Weipeng , Qi Junjie , Zhang Guoliang , Zhang Fengbao , Fan Xiaobin
Published: November 2011

A quadruple‐responsive nanocomposite that responds to temperature, pH, magnetic field, and NIR is obtained by incorporating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and gold nanorods (AuNRs) into a dextran‐based smart copolymer network. The dual‐sensitive copolymer is prepared by sequential RAFT polymerization of methacrylic acid and N‐isopropylacrylamide from trithiocarbonate groups linked to dextran in one pot. These functionalized nanocomposites with superior stability can respond to the four stimuli mentioned above well. As evidenced by UV–vis and TEM measurements, the temperature‐induced unusual blue‐shift in the longitudinal plasmon band is possibly due to the side‐to‐side assembly of AuNRs.
Dietary anthocyanin‐rich plants: Biochemical basis and recent progress in health benefits studies
Authors: Tsuda Takanori
Published: November 2011

Anthocyanins are one type of flavonoid phytopigment. Although the role of anthocyanins as a functional food factor remains relatively less established than that of other flavonoids, progress in this area has been made at the molecular level in recent years. This review discusses the potential health benefits of plant‐derived anthocyanin‐rich foods, with a focus on the role of anthocyanins in obesity control, diabetes control, cardiovascular disease prevention, and improvement of visual and brain functions, areas that have attracted much attention. Such health benefits are not necessarily derived from the antioxidant effect of anthocyanins, but in fact are produced by currently unestablished chemical properties beyond the antioxidant capacity of the molecules. However, a better understanding of the physiological functionality of anthocyanins remains to be elucidated. It is desirable, therefore, to clarify the molecular type and composition of the anthocyanins that confer specific health benefits and to conduct further investigation into the underlying molecular mechanisms. The pharmacological actions of anthocyanins could not be fully established without knowledge on the effects of treatment of anthocyanins alone, the effects of non‐anthocyanin components, and the possible interactions between anthocyanin and non‐anthocyanin species.
7‐T MR—from research to clinical applications?
Authors: Moser Ewald , Stahlberg Freddy , Ladd Mark E. , Trattnig Siegfried
Published: November 2011

Over 20 000 MR systems are currently installed worldwide and, although the majority operate at magnetic fields of 1.5 T and below (i.e. about 70%), experience with 3‐T (in high‐field clinical diagnostic imaging and research) and 7‐T (research only) human MR scanners points to a future in functional and metabolic MR diagnostics. Complementary to previous studies, this review attempts to provide an overview of ultrahigh‐field MR research with special emphasis on emerging clinical applications at 7 T. We provide a short summary of the technical development and the current status of installed MR systems. The advantages and challenges of ultrahigh‐field MRI and MRS are discussed with special emphasis on radiofrequency inhomogeneity, relaxation times, signal‐to‐noise improvements, susceptibility effects, chemical shifts, specific absorption rate and other safety issues. In terms of applications, we focus on the topics most likely to gain significantly from 7‐T MR, i.e. brain imaging and spectroscopy and musculoskeletal imaging, but also body imaging, which is particularly challenging. Examples are given to demonstrate the advantages of susceptibility‐weighted imaging, time‐of‐flight MR angiography, high‐resolution functional MRI,1H and31P MRSI in the human brain, sodium and functional imaging of cartilage and the first results (and artefacts) using an eight‐channel body array, suggesting future areas of research that should be intensified in order to fully explore the potential of 7‐T MR systems for use in clinical diagnosis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On adaptively accelerated Arnoldi method for computing PageRank
Authors: Yin Jun‐Feng , Yin Guo‐Jian , Ng Michael
Published: November 2011

A generalized refined Arnoldi method based on the weighted inner product is presented for computing PageRank. The properties of the generalized refined Arnoldi method were studied. To speed up the convergence performance for computing PageRank, we propose to change the weights adaptively where the weights are calculated based on the current residual corresponding to the approximate PageRank vector. Numerical results show that the proposed Arnoldi method converges faster than existing methods, in particular when the damping factor is large. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OVERCOMING A DECADE OF CRISIS: ZIMBABWE'S LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN TRANSITION
Authors: Bland Gary
Published: November 2011

The world's attention has focused on Zimbabwe as the country has moved from the turmoil of the 2008 elections to a tentative democratic transition under the current Inclusive Government. The country's newly elected local authorities and an apparent interest in decentralization have been largely ignored in the process, however. This essay thus provides an extensive, survey‐based examination of local governance in Zimbabwe as of 2009. Four areas are discussed. First, with the growth of the political opposition to the ruling regime, local governance has also suffered from the deep polarization among all the country's institutions. The inexperience of the new local councilors vis‐à‐vis local administration officials also holds significant ramifications. Second, although local officials believe that public participation in decision‐making is strong, citizen involvement is actually quite weak. Third, reeling from the country's 2008 economic crisis, local authorities were operating as best as they could on minimal income and barely functioning in many areas. Financial transfers ended long ago; revenue generation remains poor. Finally, this essay captures the poor state of public services. Achievement of a national democratic consensus, decentralization that actually promotes democratic local governance and strengthening once‐strong local institutional capacity will determine the future progress of local governance. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The unfolded protein response is associated with early tau pathology in the hippocampus of tauopathies
Authors: Nijholt Diana AT , van Haastert Elise S , Rozemuller Annemieke JM , Scheper Wiep , Hoozemans Jeroen JM
Published: November 2011

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a stress response activated upon disturbed homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Previously, we reported that the activation of the UPR closely correlates with the presence of phosphorylated tau (p‐tau) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). As well as increased presence of intracellular p‐tau, AD brains are characterized by extracellular deposits of β amyloid (Aβ). Recent in vitro studies have shown that Aβ can induce ER stress and activation of the UPR. The aim of the present study is to investigate UPR activation in sporadic tauopathies like progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and Pick's disease (PiD), and familial cases with frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP‐17) which carry mutations in the gene encoding for tau (MAPT). The presence of phosphorylated pancreatic ER kinase (pPERK) and phosphorylated inositol requiring enzyme 1α (pIRE1), which are indicative of an activated UPR, was assessed by immunohistochemistry in cases neuropathologically defined as frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tau pathology (FTLD‐tau). Increased presence of UPR activation markers pPERK and pIRE1 was observed in neurons and glia in FTLD‐tau cases, in contrast to FTLD subtypes negative for tau pathology or in non‐neurological controls. pPERK and pIRE1 were also prominently present in relatively young carriers of MAPT mutation. A strong association between the presence of UPR activation markers and p‐tau was observed in the hippocampus of FTLD‐tau cases. Double immunohistochemical staining on FTLD‐tau cases revealed that UPR activation is predominantly observed in neurons that show diffuse staining of p‐tau. These data demonstrate that UPR activation is intimately connected with the accumulation and aggregation of p‐tau, and occurs independently from Aβ deposits. Our findings provide new pathological insight into the close association between p‐tau and UPR activation in tauopathies. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Myelosuppression and infectious complications in children with down syndrome and acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Rabin Karen R. , Smith Justin , Kozinetz Claudia A.
Published: November 2011

Children with Down syndrome (DS) bear an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and treatment complications. We compared blood counts and toxicities in 22 DS and 44 non‐DS ALL patients. Patients with DS had deeper, longer neutrophil and monocyte count nadirs; more toxicities (HR 2.0, P = 0.0005); longer hospitalizations (HR 1.4, P < 0.0001); and more frequent microbiologically documented infections (HR 5.7, P = 0.0019), mucositis (HR 29.0, P = 0.0006), and cellulitis (HR 3.0, P = 0.033). Severe neutropenia, monocytopenia, and increased cellulitis in DS‐ALL suggest the importance of skin hygiene, vigilance and aggressive treatment of cutaneous infections. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 633–635. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Favorable outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome associated with BCR‐FGFR1 gene fusion
Authors: Dolan Michelle , Cioc Adina , Cross Nicholas C.P. , Neglia Joseph P. , Tolar Jakub
Published: November 2011

We report the case of a child who presented with nonspecific symptoms suggestive of a rheumatologic disorder, whose bone marrow had a complex translocation involving the FGFR1 locus. Hematopathologic findings were subtle and did not definitively indicate malignancy. Because he responded poorly to initial treatment with hydroxyurea, and in light of the progressive clinical course associated with the 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome, he underwent an unrelated‐donor hematopoietic stem cell transplant. This patient's atypical presentation highlights the importance of obtaining cytogenetic analysis at the time of bone marrow sampling and considering this uncommon entity in the differential diagnosis of hematologic disorders. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 194–196. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
LC‐UV Assay Method and UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS Characterisation of Saponins from Ilex Paraguariensis A. St. Hil. (Mate) Unripe Fruits
Authors: Peixoto Maria Paula Garofo , Kaiser Samuel , Verza Simone Gasparin , de Resende Pedro Ernesto , Treter Janine , Pavei Cabral , Borré Gustavo Luís , Ortega George González
Published: November 2011

Introduction

Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. (mate) is known in several South American countries because of the use of its leaves in stimulant herbal beverages. High saponin contents were reported in mate leaves and unripe fruits that possess a dissimilar composition. Two LC‐UV methods previously reported for mate saponins assay focused on mate leaves and the quantification of the less polar saponin fraction in mate fruits.

Objective

To develop and validate a LC‐UV method to assay the total content of saponins in unripe mate fruits and characterise the chemical structure of triterpenic saponins by UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS.

Methodology

From unripe fruits of mate a crude ethanolic extract was prepared (EX40) and the mate saponin fraction (MSF) purified by solid phase extraction. The LC‐UV method was validated using ilexoside II as external standard. UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS was adjusted from the LC‐UV method to obtain the fragmentation patterns of the main saponins present in unripe fruits.

Results

Both LC‐UV and UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS methods indicate a wide range of Ilex saponins polarity. The ilexoside II and total saponin content of EX40 were 8.20% (w/w) and 47.60% (w/w), respectively. The total saponin content in unripe fruits was 7.28% (w/w). The saponins present in MSF characterised by UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS are derived mainly from ursolic/oleanolic, acetyl ursolic or pomolic acid.

Conclusion

The validated LC‐UV method was shown to be linear, precise, accurate and to cover several saponins previously isolated from Ilex species and could be applied for the quality control of unripe fruit saponins. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.