bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global hourly land surface air temperature datasets: inter‐comparison and climate change
Authors: Wang Aihui , Zeng Xubin
Published: January 2015

The land surface air temperature (LSAT) is one of the fundamental parameters to represent heat transfer and to modulate the moisture cycle between land and atmosphere. Here, we quantify the spatiotemporal characteristics of four newly developed hourly temperature products by merging reanalysis with in situ data Climatic Research Unit (CRU). Overall, LSATs from different hourly products are consistent with each other, and their differences are generally smaller in magnitude than biases between hourly products and monthly averaged daily maximum and minimum temperature data from CRU. While the true monthly mean (using hourly values) and the monthly mean (of daily maximum and minimum temperatures) and their seasonality [as represented by the (July–January) differences] differ, their trends agree with each other very well. The polar amplification ratio of average temperature trend north of 65°N to that over global land (excluding Greenland and Antarctica) is also similar among different products, with the annual ratio of around 1.7. The ratio in summer (June–August) is always smaller than the annual value for different periods among all products. Based on the probability distribution functions from the monthly anomalies of different variables, the coldest tenth percentile of temperature in each decade overall increases with time, while the warmest tenth percentile does not vary much from 1950–1979, followed by a rapid increase from 1980–2009. These results and additional sensitivity tests suggest that the 4‐h LSAT products can be widely used for climate analysis, model evaluation, and offline land surface modelling from 1948–2009.
Unique model evokes the supination/pronation deficits found after Mason II fractures
Authors: Miller Mark Carl , Kuxhaus Laurel , Cowgill Mandy L. , Cook Harold A. , Druschel Michael , Palmer Bradley , Baratz Mark E.
Published: January 2015

A rapid prototyping model of Mason II fracture was used to investigate baseline recommendations for surgical intervention founded on kinematic forearm rotational blockage. Exact replicas of the radial heads in nine cadaveric specimens were produced and specimens were tested in a physiologic elbow simulator. After testing supination/pronation, the rotations were repeated with native replicas and with replicas modeling 3 mm depressed Mason II fractures with and without a gap of 1 mm between the body and fragment. The fragments were located circumferentially around the radial head at 10, 2 and 6 o'clock positions. There was no statistical difference between the range of motion of the native case and the native replica without fracture. After inclusion of the fracture, seven of the nine specimens showed rotational blockages. A two‐way ANOVA found no statistical difference due to type of Mason II fracture (p > 0.87) or fracture location (p > 0.27). A χ‐square analysis showed that presence of a kinematic deficit with a fractured radial head was significant (p < 0.03). The results support continued surgical intervention for a 3 mm depressed fracture and also establish the use of the rapid prototype as a model for kinematic investigation of fractures in a cadaveric model when ligamentous attachments are preserved. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 9999:1–6, 2014.
Validation of a computer‐assisted method for measurement of radiographic wear in total hip arthroplasty using all polyethylene cemented acetabular components
Authors: Langlois Jean , Zaoui Amine , Scemama Caroline , Martell John , Bragdon Charles , Hamadouche Moussa
Published: January 2015

Although cemented all polyethylene (PE) cups have been routinely used in total hip arthroplasty for decades, no computer‐assisted method for measurement of radiographic wear has ever been specifically validated for these implants. Using a validated hip phantom model, AP plain hip radiographs were obtained consecutively for eight simulated wear positions. A version of Martell's Hip Analysis Suite software dedicated to all polyethylene sockets was used by three different examiners of varied experience. Bias (mean, standard deviation and 95% confidence interval limit), repeatability (standard deviation and 95% limit) and reproducibility (standard deviation and 95% limit) for two‐dimensional wear measurements were assessed, as recommended by the current ASTM guidelines. Using this protocol, the dedicated software showed an overall mean bias of 0.089 ± 0.060 mm (mean ± SD), and 0.118 mm for 95% CI limit. Repeatability (intra examiner) standard deviation and 95% limit were respectively 0.106 mm and 0.292 mm. Reproducibility (inter examiner) standard deviation and 95% limit were respectively 0.112 mm and 0.308 mm. Martell Hip Analysis for all PE cemented cups is a reliable and low‐cost instrument in the assessment of wear, despite being less precise than its original version dedicated to cementless components. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:???–???, 2015.
In vitro fermentation of total mixed diets differing in concentrate proportion: relative effects of inocula and substrates
Authors: Serment Amélie , Giger‐Reverdin Sylvie , Schmidely Philippe , Dhumez Ophélie , Broudiscou Laurent P , Sauvant Daniel
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

In vitro techniques are used to predict ruminant feedstuff values or characterise rumen fermentation. As the results are influenced by several factors, such as the relative effects of inocula and substrates, this study aimed to examine in vitro incubation of two total mixed rations (substrates) differing in their proportion of concentrate [low (L): 350 g kg−1 vs. high (H): 700 g kg−1] incubated in inocula provided by goats fed either a L or a H diet. Gas production and composition in carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2), volatile fatty acids (VFAs), soluble carbohydrates (SCs) and ammonia (NH3) concentrations, and pH of the fermentation fluid were measured.

RESULTS

In comparison with the L inoculum and L substrate, the H ones produced more CO2 and CH4 gas, which led to higher SCs and VFA concentrations, and lower acetate‐to‐propionate ratio and NH3 concentration, with a predominant effect of the inoculum.

CONCLUSION

The effects of the inocula and of the substrates were additive using donor animals adapted to the diets. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
1H NMR spectroscopy of glioblastoma stem‐like cells identifies alpha‐aminoadipate as a marker of tumor aggressiveness
Authors: Rosi Antonella , Ricci‐Vitiani Lucia , Biffoni Mauro , Grande Sveva , Luciani Anna Maria , Palma Alessandra , Runci Daniele , Cappellari Marianna , De Maria Ruggero , Guidoni Laura , Pallini Roberto , Viti Vincenza
Published: January 2015

Patients suffering from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) face a poor prognosis with median survival of about 14 months. High recurrence rate and failure of conventional treatments are attributed to the presence of GBM cells with stem‐like properties (GSCs). Metabolite profiles of 42 GSC lines established from the tumor tissue of adult GBM patients were screened with 1H NMR spectroscopy and compared with human neural progenitor cells from human adult olfactory bulb (OB‐NPCs) and from the developing human brain (HNPCs).

A first subset (n = 12) of GSCs exhibited a dramatic accumulation of the metabolite α‐aminoadipate (αAAD), product of the oxidation of α‐aminoadipic semialdehyde catalyzed by the ALDH7A1 aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) family in lysine catabolism. αAAD was low/not detectable in a second GSC subset (n = 13) with the same neural metabolic profile as well as in a third GSC subset (n = 17) characterized by intense lipid signals. Likewise, αAAD was not detected in the spectra of OB‐NPCs or HNPCs. Inhibition of mitochondrial ATP synthase by oligomycin treatment revealed that the lysine degradative pathway leading to αAAD formation proceeds through saccharopine, as usually observed in developing brain. Survival curves indicated that high αAAD levels in GSCs significantly correlated with poor patient survival, similarly to prostate and non‐small‐cell‐lung cancers, where activity of ALDH7A1 correlates with tumor aggressiveness. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advanced 3D beam element of arbitrary composite cross section including generalized warping effects
Authors: Sapountzakis E. J. , Dikaros I. C.
Published: January 2015

In this paper, an advanced 20 × 20 stiffness matrix and the corresponding nodal load vector of a member of arbitrary composite cross section is developed taking into account shear lag effects due to both flexure and torsion (the case of the three‐dimensional beam element of arbitrary homogeneous cross section is treated as a special one). The composite member consists of materials in contact each of which can surround a finite number of inclusions. Nonuniform warping distributions are taken into account by employing four independent warping parameters multiplying a shear warping function in each direction and two torsional warping functions. Ten boundary value problems with respect to the kinematical components are formulated and solved employing the analog equation method, a BEM‐based technique. The aforementioned boundary value problems are formulated employing either an improved stress field arising from the correction of shear stress components or the stress field arising directly from displacement considerations. The warping functions and the geometric constants including the additional ones due to warping are evaluated employing a pure BEM approach, that is, only boundary discretization of the cross section is used. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the method and demonstrate its efficiency and accuracy. The deviations arising from the use of the advanced 20 × 20 stiffness matrix and the classical 12 × 12 or 14 × 14 ones employed in commercial software packages are illustrated through examples of great practical interest. Moreover, the influence of nonuniform warping effects necessitating the use of the aforementioned ‘advanced’ stiffness matrix is also demonstrated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can Genetics Predict Response to Complex Behavioral Interventions? Evidence from a Genetic Analysis of the Fast Track Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Albert Dustin , Belsky Daniel W. , Crowley D. Max , Latendresse Shawn J. , Aliev Fazil , Riley Brien , Sun Cuie ,   Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group, Dick Danielle M. , Dodge Kenneth A.
Published: January 2015

Early interventions are a preferred method for addressing behavioral problems in high‐risk children, but often have only modest effects. Identifying sources of variation in intervention effects can suggest means to improve efficiency. One potential source of such variation is the genome. We conducted a genetic analysis of the Fast Track randomized control trial, a 10‐year‐long intervention to prevent high‐risk kindergarteners from developing adult externalizing problems including substance abuse and antisocial behavior. We tested whether variants of the glucocorticoid receptor gene NR3C1 were associated with differences in response to the Fast Track intervention. We found that in European‐American children, a variant of NR3C1 identified by the single‐nucleotide polymorphism rs10482672 was associated with increased risk for externalizing psychopathology in control group children and decreased risk for externalizing psychopathology in intervention group children. Variation in NR3C1 measured in this study was not associated with differential intervention response in African‐American children. We discuss implications for efforts to prevent externalizing problems in high‐risk children and for public policy in the genomic era.
Comparison between laparoscopically assisted and standard fetoscopic laser ablation in patients with anterior and posterior placentation in twin‐twin transfusion syndrome: a single center study
Authors: Shamshirsaz Alireza A. , Javadian Pouya , Ruano Rodrigo , Haeri Sina , Sangi‐Haghpeykar Haleh , Lee Timothy C. , Molohon Jayme , Cass Darrell L. , Salmanian Bahram , Mollett Laura , Moaddab Amirhossein , Espinosa Jimmy , Olutoye Oluyinka O. , Belfort Michael A.
Published: January 2015

Background

The objective of our study was to compare outcomes following laparoscopically assisted procedure (LAP group) with those seen following a standard approach used in patients with either an anterior placenta (SAP group) or posterior placenta (SPP group).

Method

This was a retrospective review of all the cases of twin‐twin transfusion syndrome treated in our fetal center from October 2011 to July 2013. Technical characteristics of the procedure, perinatal survival outcome, and maternal morbidity were compared.

Results

The laser procedure time was significantly longer in the SAP group (44 ± 10 min) in contrast with SPP (19.3 ± 13.9 min, p < 0.001) and LAP group (32 ± 11 min, p: 0.012). Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) before 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy was significantly more common with LAP versus SAP and SPP (90 vs 33.3 and 70.8% for 32 weeks respectively, p: 0.015; 100 vs 50 and 79.1% for 34 weeks respectively, p: 0.021). In terms of maternal morbidity and neonatal outcome, there were no significant differences between the three groups.

Conclusion

LAP may be useful in cases where SAP is not feasible. Despite the increased risk of PPROM with LAP, perinatal survival and maternal outcomes are similar to that seen in SAP and SPP patients. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling risk for severe adverse outcomes using angiogenic factor measurements in women with suspected preterm preeclampsia
Authors: Palomaki Glenn E. , Haddow James E. , Haddow Hamish R. M. , Salahuddin Saira , Geahchan Carl , Cerdeira Ana Sofia , Verlohren Stefan , Perschel Frank H. , Horowitz Gary , Thadhani Ravi , Karumanchi S. Ananth , Rana Sarosh
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy‐specific syndrome associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Patient‐specific risks based on angiogenic factors might better categorize those who might have a severe adverse outcome.

Methods

Women evaluated for suspected PE at a tertiary hospital (2009–2012) had pregnancy outcomes categorized as ‘referent’ or ‘severe’, based solely on maternal/fetal findings. Outcomes that may have been influenced by a PE diagnosis were considered ‘unclassified’. Soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase (sFlt1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) were subjected to bivariate discriminant modeling, allowing patient‐specific risks to be assigned for severe outcomes.

Results

Three hundred twenty‐eight singleton pregnancies presented at ≤34.0 weeks' gestation. sFlt1 and PlGF levels were adjusted for gestational age. Risks above 5 : 1 (10‐fold over background) occurred in 77% of severe (95% CI 66 to 87%) and 0.7% of referent (95% CI <0.1 to 3.8%) outcomes. Positive likelihood ratios for the modeling and validation datasets were 19 (95% CI 6.2–58) and 15 (95% CI 5.8–40) fold, respectively.

Conclusions

This validated model assigns patient‐specific risks of any severe outcome among women attending PE triage. In practice, women with high risks would receive close surveillance with the added potential for reducing unnecessary preterm deliveries among remaining women. © 2015 The Authors. Prenatal Diagnosis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Bone marrow stromal cells transplantation combined with ultrashortwave therapy promotes functional recovery on spinal cord injury in rats
Authors: Yin Yan‐Mei , Lu Yu , Zhang Li‐Xin , Zhang Guang‐Ping , Zhang Zhi‐Qiang
Published: January 2015

Objective

This study investigated the effects of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transplantation combined with low dose ultrashortwave (USW) radiation on functional recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Female Sprague‐Dawley rats (n = 64) were randomly divided into five groups: sham‐operated, as well as control, USW, BMSCs, and BMSCs + USW that were subjected to spinal cord contusion. BMSCs were transplanted into rats in the BMSCs and BMSCs+USW groups, while those in the USW and BMSCs + USW were exposed to radiation; Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) tests were performed before the operation and at 1‐week intervals after SCI for 7 weeks. 7 weeks later, animals were assessed footprint pattern, motor evoked potential (MEP), histological features, and expression of the ED1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), markers of activated macrophages and astrocytes, respectively, in the lesion area. BBB scores were higher in the BMSCs + USW than in the BMSCs and control groups. The USW and BMSCs + USW groups had improved coordination compared to the BMSCs and control groups (P < 0.01 andP < 0.001, respectively, vs. control). BMSCs + USW rats had a lower ratio of lesion/cavity to spinal cord area than the other injured rats, and also had expression of GFAP in transplanted BMSCs. All treatment groups had lower ED1 expression and MEP latency than the controls (P < 0.01 andP < 0.001, respectively). The results indicate that BMSCs transplantation combined with USW radiation is more effective than either treatment alone in promoting functional recovery after SCI, possibly due to concomitant suppression of inflammation and spinal cord repair.Synapse 69:139–147, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anti‐tumor effect of Japanese herbal medicine Ninjinto in mouse melanoma: Efficacy of preventive treatment
Authors: Nakai Noriaki , Kishida Tsunao , Katoh Norito
Published: January 2015

Aim

We evaluated the anti‐tumor effect of the Japanese herbal medicine Ninjinto in a mouse melanoma.

Methods

In in vitro experiments, B16F1 melanoma cells were cultured alone or in the presence of Ninjinto. Cell count, viability, concentration of interleukin (IL)‐4 and 6, interferon (IFN)‐γ in the medium, IL‐6 messenger RNA level in cells, and morphological changes were assessed. In vivo, approximately 5 × 105 B16F1 cells in 50 μL phosphate‐buffered saline were injected s.c. into the flank of C57BL/6 mice that had received plain drinking water or water containing 4 mg/mL of Ninjinto for 1 month. Tumor volume was measured using digital calipers. The presence of immune cells and expression of CD4, Foxp3, and IFN‐γ at the site of the tumor were investigated on immunohistochemistry.

Results

In vitro, Ninjinto induced apoptosis with decreased production of IL‐6 protein. Preventive oral Ninjinto treatment tended to suppress growth of B16F1 tumors in mice, with an increased tumor necrosis area, increased infiltration of mononuclear cells, neutrophils, CD4+ cells, and IFN‐γ+ cells, and reduced infiltration of Foxp3+ cells at the site of tumor.

Conclusion

Ninjinto showed anti‐tumor efficacy against B16F1 melanoma in vitro and in vivo. The significant enhancement of innate immunity and CD4 T‐cell immune response, and the improved immune tolerance suggest induction of effective anti‐tumor immune responses.
Climate change and marine benthos: a review of existing research and future directions in the North Atlantic
Authors: Birchenough Silvana N.R. , Reiss Henning , Degraer Steven , Mieszkowska Nova , Borja Ángel , Buhl‐Mortensen Lene , Braeckman Ulrike , Craeymeersch Johan , De Mesel Ilse , Kerckhof Francis , Kröncke Ingrid , Parra Santiago , Rabaut Marijn , Schröder Alexander , Van Colen Carl , Van Hoey Gert , Vincx Magda , Wätjen Kai
Published: January 2015

There is growing evidence that climate change could affect marine benthic systems. This review provides information of climate change‐related impacts on the marine benthos in the North Atlantic. We cover a number of related research aspects, mainly in connection to two key issues. First, is the relationship between different physical aspects of climate change and the marine benthos. This section covers: (a) the responses to changes in seawater temperature (biogeographic shifts and phenology); (b) altered Hydrodynamics; (c) ocean acidification (OA); and (d) sea‐level rise‐coastal squeeze. The second major issue addressed is the possible integrated impact of climate change on the benthos. This work is based on relationships between proxies for climate variability, notably the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, and the long‐term marine benthos. The final section of our review provides a series of conclusions and future directions to support climate change research on marine benthic systems. WIREs Clim Change 2015, 6:203–223. doi: 10.1002/wcc.330

This article is categorized under:

Climate, Ecology, and Conservation > Modeling Species and Community Interactions
Genetic control of midbrain dopaminergic neuron development
Authors: Blaess Sandra , Ang Siew‐Lan
Published: January 2015

Midbrain dopaminergic neurons are involved in regulating motor control, reward behavior, and cognition. Degeneration or dysfunction of midbrain dopaminergic neurons is implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders such as Parkinson's disease, substance use disorders, depression, and schizophrenia. Understanding the developmental processes that generate midbrain dopaminergic neurons will facilitate the generation of dopaminergic neurons from stem cells for cell replacement therapies to substitute degenerating cells in Parkinson's disease patients and will forward our understanding on how functional diversity of dopaminergic neurons in the adult brain is established. Midbrain dopaminergic neurons develop in a multistep process. Following the induction of the ventral midbrain, a distinct dopaminergic progenitor domain is specified and dopaminergic progenitors undergo proliferation, neurogenesis, and differentiation. Subsequently, midbrain dopaminergic neurons acquire a mature dopaminergic phenotype, migrate to their final position and establish projections and connections to their forebrain targets. This review will discuss insights gained on the signaling network of secreted molecules, cell surface receptors, and transcription factors that regulate specification and differentiation of midbrain dopaminergic progenitors and neurons, from the induction of the ventral midbrain to the migration of dopaminergic neurons. WIREs Dev Biol 2015, 4:113–134. doi: 10.1002/wdev.169

This article is categorized under:

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development
An economic impact metric for evaluating wave height forecasters for offshore wind maintenance access
Authors: Catterson V. M. , McMillan D. , Dinwoodie I. , Revie M. , Dowell J. , Quigley J. , Wilson K.
Published: January 2015

This paper demonstrates that wave height forecasters chosen on statistical quality metrics result in sub‐optimal decision support for offshore wind farm maintenance. Offshore access is constrained by wave height, but the majority of approaches to evaluating the effectiveness of a wave height forecaster utilize overall accuracy or error rates. This paper introduces a new metric more appropriate to the wind industry, which considers the economic impact of an incorrect forecast above or below critical wave height boundaries. The paper describes a process for constructing a value criterion where the implications between forecasting error and economic consequences are explicated in terms of opportunity costs and realized maintenance costs. A comparison between nine forecasting techniques for modeling and predicting wave heights based on historical data, including an ensemble aggregator, is described demonstrating that the performance ranking of forecasters is sensitive to the evaluation criteria. The results highlight the importance of appropriate metrics for wave height prediction specific to the wind industry and the limitations of current models that minimize a metric that does not support decision‐making. With improved ability to forecast weather windows, maintenance scheduling is subject to less uncertainty, hence reducing costs related to vessel dispatch, and lost energy because of downtime. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasound imaging beyond the vasculature with new generation contrast agents
Authors: Perera Reshani H. , Hernandez Christopher , Zhou Haoyan , Kota Pavan , Burke Alan , Exner Agata A.
Published: January 2015

Current commercially available ultrasound contrast agents are gas‐filled, lipid‐ or protein‐stabilized microbubbles larger than 1 µm in diameter. Because the signal generated by these agents is highly dependent on their size, small yet highly echogenic particles have been historically difficult to produce. This has limited the molecular imaging applications of ultrasound to the blood pool. In the area of cancer imaging, microbubble applications have been constrained to imaging molecular signatures of tumor vasculature and drug delivery enabled by ultrasound‐modulated bubble destruction. Recently, with the rise of sophisticated advancements in nanomedicine, ultrasound contrast agents, which are an order of magnitude smaller (100–500 nm) than their currently utilized counterparts, have been undergoing rapid development. These agents are poised to greatly expand the capabilities of ultrasound in the field of targeted cancer detection and therapy by taking advantage of the enhanced permeability and retention phenomenon of many tumors and can extravasate beyond the leaky tumor vasculature. Agent extravasation facilitates highly sensitive detection of cell surface or microenvironment biomarkers, which could advance early cancer detection. Likewise, when combined with appropriate therapeutic agents and ultrasound‐mediated deployment on demand, directly at the tumor site, these nanoparticles have been shown to contribute to improved therapeutic outcomes. Ultrasound's safety profile, broad accessibility and relatively low cost make it an ideal modality for the changing face of healthcare today. Aided by the multifaceted nano‐sized contrast agents and targeted theranostic moieties described herein, ultrasound can considerably broaden its reach in future applications focused on the diagnosis and staging of cancer. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:593–608. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1326

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Nanogels for delivery, imaging and therapy
Authors: Sivaram Amal J. , Rajitha P. , Maya S. , Jayakumar R. , Sabitha M.
Published: January 2015

Nanogels are hydrogels having size in nanoregime, which is composed of cross‐linked polymer networks. The advantages of nanogels include stimuli‐responsive nature, easy drug loading, and higher drug‐loading capacity, physical stability, versatility in design, stability of entrapped drug, and controlled release of the anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, protein, peptide and anticancer drugs. Stimuli‐responsive nature of nanogel is of particular importance in anticancer and anti‐inflammatory drug delivery, as cancer and inflammation are associated with acidicpH, heat generation, and change in ionic content. Nanogels composed of muco‐adhesive polymers provide prolonged residence time and increase the ocular availability of loaded drugs. By forming suitably sized complex with proteins or by acting as artificial chaperones, they thus help to keep the proteins and enzymes in proper confirmation necessary for exerting biological activity; nanogels can increase the stability and activity of protein/peptide drugs. Better drug penetrations achieved by prolonged contact with skin contribute much in transdermal drug delivery. When it comes to cancer drug delivery, the presence of multiple interactive functional groups in nanogels different targeting agents can be conjugated for delivery of the selective drugs. This review focuses on applications of nanogels in cancer drug delivery and imaging, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐psoriatic, transdermal, ocular and protein/peptide drug delivery and therapy.WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol2015, 7:509–533. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1328

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Synthesis and Characterization of Cp*Be‐F‐Al(ORF)3
Authors: Himmel Daniel , Scherer Harald , Kratzert Daniel , Krossing Ingo
Published: January 2015

The reaction of Ag[Al(ORF)4] [RF = C(CF3)3] with Cp*Be‐Br was investigated. With the less basic CH2Cl2 as solvent, redox chemistry prevailed, elemental silver and the pentamethylcyclopentenyl cation (Cp*H2+) formed. However, upon changing to the more π‐basic solvents fluorobenzene and o‐difluorobenzene, the silver metathesis reaction went smooth and produced intermediately the [Cp*Be]+ cation and AgBr. However, the very strong Lewis acid [Cp*Be]+ activated one of the 36 equivalent C–F bonds of the [Al(ORF)4]– anion and finally formed two stable crystalline compounds containing the Cp*Be‐F‐Al(ORF)3 molecule, which includes a [F‐Al(ORF)3]– anion coordinated to the [Cp*Be]+ cation. Cp*Be‐F‐Al(ORF)3 nevertheless includes some potential to provide [Cp*Be]+ in polar solution. Its potential neutral or ionic fission was investigated by DFT calculations.
Chemotherapy with cytochalasin congeners in vitro and in vivo against murine models
Authors: Trendowski Matthew , Mitchell Joan M. , Corsette Christine M. , Acquafondata Christopher , Fondy Thomas P.
Published: January 2015

Background Despite inherent differences between the cytoskeletal networks of malignant and normal cells, and the clinical antineoplastic activity of microtubule-directed agents, there has yet to be a microfilament-directed agent approved for clinical use. One of the most studied microfilament-directed agents has been cytochalasin B, a mycogenic toxin known to disrupt the formation of actin polymers. Therefore, this study sought to expand on our previous work with the microfilament-directed agent, along with other less studied cytochalasin congeners. Materials and Methods We determined whether cytochalasin B exerted significant cytotoxic effects in vitro on adherent M109 lung carcinoma and B16BL6 and B16F10 murine melanomas, or on suspension P388/ADR murine leukemia cells. We also examined whether cytochalasin B, its reduced congener 21, 22-dihydrocytochalasin B (DiHCB), or cytochalasin D could synergize with doxorubicin (ADR) against ADR-resistant P388/ADR leukemia cells, and produce significant cytotoxicity in vitro. For in vivo characterization, cytochalasins B and D were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to Balb/c mice challenged with drug sensitive P388-S or multidrug resistant P388/ADR leukemias. Results Cytochalasin B demonstrated higher cytotoxicity against adherent lung carcinoma and melanoma cells than against suspension P388/ADR leukemia cells, as assessed by comparative effects on cell growth, and IC50 and IC80 values. Isobolographic analysis indicated that both cytochalasin B and DiHCB demonstrate considerable drug synergy with ADR against ADR-resistant P388/ADR leukemia, while cytochalasin D exhibits only additivity with ADR against the same cell line. In vivo, cytochalasins B and D substantially increased the life expectancy of mice challenged with P388/S and P388/ADR leukemias, and in some cases, produced long-term survival. Conclusion Taken together, it appears that cytochalasins have unique antineoplastic activity that could potentiate a novel class of chemotherapeutic agents.
Local Magnetic Properties in Non-oriented Electrical Steel and Their Dependence on Magnetic Easy Axis and Misorientation Parameters
Authors: Gallaugher Matthew , Samimi Arash , Krause Thomas W. , Clapham Lynann C. , Chromik Richard R.
Published: January 2015

An understanding of how material parameters, especially orientation and misorientation, influence the magnetic properties of non-oriented electrical steel (NOES) is important for improving the efficiency of the material in service. In this study, the local magnetic properties were measured using magnetic Barkhausen noise (MBN) on different test locations on different strips of NOES material. Local variations in magnetic properties, texture, and misorientation were revealed. A new interpretation for misorientation, called the easy axis misorientation (EAM), was created to describe the alignment of the magnetic easy axes between neighboring grains. This new EAM, visualized as a single value parameter or graphed as a distribution, was shown to be more effective at predicting the isotropic magnetic properties than previously used texture parameters based on standard orientation/misorientation definitions. It was found that a larger EAM value, especially when associated with a lower small angle EAM intensity distribution, was associated with a larger MBN energy. A larger MBN energy has been previously associated with lower losses, and therefore a greater material efficiency.
Mitochondrial Neurogastrointestinal Encephalomyopathy Treated with Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Peedikayil Musthafa Chalikandy , Kagevi Eje Ingvar , Abufarhaneh Ehab , Alsayed Moeenaldeen Dia , Alzahrani Hazzaa Abdulla
Published: January 2015

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. The mutation in the ECGF1 gene causes severe deficiency of thymidine phosphorylase (TP), which in turn increases thymidine and deoxyuridine in the blood, serum, and tissue. The toxic levels of these products cause malfunction of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and mitochondrial DNA. Commonly, patients become symptomatic between 15 and 20 years of age (range 5 months to 35 years). The most commonly affected systems are gastrointestinal, followed by ocular, and nervous system. The disease is often fatal; high mortality rate is reported between 20 and 40 years of age. Treatment modalities that can increase thymidine phosphorylase activity and decrease thymidine and deoxy-uridine have shown symptomatic improvements in patients with MNGIE. Platelet transfusion, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have been tried. The survival and long-term benefits of these measures are still not clear. Engrafted patients after stem cell transplantation have showed improvements in serum thymidine and deoxyuridine. We are reporting a case of MNGIE from Saudi Arabia, who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. No MNGIE case has been previously reported from Saudi Arabia or the Gulf Arab countries. From the available literature, so far only 11 patients with MNGIE have undergone stem cell transplantation.
Vulvar extrauterine endometrial stromal sarcoma
Authors: Zaza Khaled J , Arafah Maria A , Al-Badawi Ismail A
Published: January 2015

Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is an extremely rare neoplasm accounting for only 0.2% of all uterine malignancies and for 15-26% of primary uterine sarcomas. The annual incidence of ESS is 1-2 per million women. Herein, to the best of our knowledge, we present the first reported case of ESS of the vulva in a 50-year-old female presenting with per vaginal spotting over a period of three months. Her past surgical history included a subtotal hysterectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy for uterine fibroids ten years previously. On examination, a 3.5 × 3 × 2 cm cystic mass was found in the right labia majora. The mass was excised and the diagnosis of endometrial stromal sarcoma was made. Subsequent metastatic workup was negative and the patient was started on megestrol acetate. She has remained disease free with no signs or symptoms of recurrent or advanced disease for 28 months.
Experiences and beliefs of Malawian women who have delivered with a traditional birth attendant
Authors: Ryan Julia , Hamela Gloria , Chome Nelecy , Kabondo Charity , Hosseinipour Mina , Tang Jennifer
Published: January 2015

Objective

To explore the beliefs and experiences of Malawian women who have delivered with a traditional birth attendant (TBA).

Methods

In a qualitative study, 20 face‐to‐face in‐depth interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted between February and May 2013. Women aged 18 years or older and who had a history of delivery with a TBA were recruited from three health centers in Lilongwe District. Their responses were independently coded, and content analysis was used to develop themes and subthemes.

Results

A total of 46 women participated. Most participants cited difficulties relating to transport and/or unsupportive or unavailable husbands as factors that prohibited their delivery at a health facility. Most had not had a specific delivery plan. The participant responses indicated a discordance between knowledge and practices for safe delivery.

Conclusion

Strategies to decrease deliveries with TBAs should focus on helping women to develop delivery plans to cope with the potential social or situational obstacles of getting to a facility. Women desire health facilities that provide quality care, emotional support, and personalized care during labor and delivery.
Honokiol confers immunogenicity by dictating calreticulin exposure, activating ER stress and inhibiting epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition
Authors: Liu Shing-Hwa , Lee Wen-Jane , Lai De-Wei , Wu Sheng-Mao , Liu Chia-Yu , Tien Hsing-Ru , Chiu Chien-Shan , Peng Yen-Chun , Jan Yee-Jee , Chao Te-Hsin , Pan Hung-Chuan , Sheu Meei-Ling
Published: January 2015

Peritoneal dissemination is a major clinical obstacle in gastrointestinal cancer therapy, and it accounts for the majority of cancer‐related mortality. Calreticulin (CRT) is over‐expressed in gastric tumors and has been linked to poor prognosis. In this study, immunohistochemistry studies revealed that the up‐regulation of CRT was associated with lymph node and distant metastasis in patients with gastric cancer specimens. CRT was significantly down‐regulated in highly metastatic gastric cancer cell lines and metastatic animal by Honokiol‐treated. Small RNA interference blocking CRT by siRNA‐CRT was translocated to the cells in the early immunogenic response to Honokiol. Honokiol activated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and down‐regulated peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ) activity resulting in PPARγ and CRT degradation through calpain‐II activity, which could be reversed by siRNA‐calpain‐II. The Calpain‐II/PPARγ/CRT axis and interaction evoked by Honokiol could be blocked by gene silencing or pharmacological agents. Both transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 and N‐methyl‐N′‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induced cell migration, invasion and reciprocal down‐regulation of epithelial marker E‐cadherin, which could be abrogated by siRNA‐CRT. Moreover, Honokiol significantly suppressed MNNG‐induced gastrointestinal tumor growth and over‐expression of CRT in mice. Knockdown CRT in gastric cancer cells was found to effectively reduce growth ability and metastasis in vivo. The present study provides insight into the specific biological behavior of CRT in epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. Taken together, our results suggest that the therapeutic inhibition of CRT by Honokiol suppresses both gastric tumor growth and peritoneal dissemination by dictating early translocation of CRT in immunogenic cell death, activating ER stress, and blocking EMT.
Organizational Innovation in Nineteenth-Century Railway Investment: Peripheral Countries in a Global Economy
Authors: Silva Álvaro
Published: January 2015

The relationship between ownership and control of distant ventures has been a major topic in business history. This relationship prompted the creation of a specific organizational form, the freestanding company, particularly active in international business before World War I. The freestanding form and railway companies such as Companhia Real share the common characteristic of being stand-alone firms based on foreign direct investment (FDI), but their legal ownership and management strategy were different. The freestanding companies offshored legal ownership; Companhia Real offshored top management since it was incorporated in the country hosting FDI. This business configuration was usual in French investments across European peripheral countries. This article introduces a new concept into the current international business literature, emphasizing the polymorphous character of foreign investment before World War I.
Mimetic Governmentality and the Administration of Colonial Justice in East Timor, ca. 1860–1910
Authors: Roque Ricardo
Published: January 2015

This article explores the mimesis of indigenous “customs and law” as a theory of and strategy for colonial government in the period of late imperialism. I draw on the case of colonial administration in the Portuguese colony of Timor during the second-half of the nineteenth century. I introduce the concept of “mimetic governmentality”: the art of governing the Other through the productive inclusion of institutions, symbols, cultural materials, or social forms understood as other than one's own. In Timor, the imperial establishment was characterized by fragility and isolation, and a pragmatic style of colonial action thrived. In Europe, modern doctrines of colonial law rejected assimilationist policies and advocated “specialization.” In this context, between 1860 and 1910, administrators on Timor devised a system of colonial justice that required the colonizers to slip into the indigenous world and govern others from the others' position and perspectives. To efficiently govern the “natives” and apply colonial justice in courts—the so-calledjustiças—Europeans had to release themselves from European principles and embrace indigenous law, as they understood it. The essay uses the case of Timor to assert the analytic importance and potential of mimesis for the comparative study of colonial administrations during the period of imperial expansion.
Phatic Rituals of the Liberal Democratic Polity: Hearing Voices in the Hearings of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
Authors: Slotta James
Published: January 2015

The truth and reconciliation commissions of Latin America and Africa are paradigms of transitional justice, often regarded as part of the process of transitioning from authoritarian to democratic rule. But truth commissions are also common in first-world settler states, which raises the question of what “transition” such commissions effectuate in Canada, Australia, and the United States. This paper examines the efforts of Canada's Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples to resolve a controversy over a government relocation of Inuit families in the 1950s for which the relocatees were demanding compensation. Concurrent with historical controversies in the Canadian courts concerning Aboriginal rights and title, the historical controversy over the relocation raised questions about the Canadian state's ability to “hear the voices” of First Nations people, who objected that their accounts of the past had been disregarded by government-contracted historians and courts alike. I argue that the Royal Commission's efforts to hear the voices of Inuit relocatees, showcased in nationally televised hearings, was a phatic ritual in which communicative contact between marginalized citizens and the state was ritually established. The ritual was presented as a remedy for failures to achieve phatic communion among citizens and state—a condition of communicative contact held up as essential to the realization of liberal democratic ideals. The work of the Royal Commission and other truth commissions highlights the growing prominence of communication, particularly liberal communicative events construed as “open,” “equal,” and “free,” as a concern of both theory and practice in liberal democratic polities.
Evolution of a barley composite cross-derived population: an insight gained by molecular markers
Authors: RAGGI L. , CECCARELLI S. , NEGRI V.
Published: January 2015

Many studies have highlighted the continuously increasing need for genetic diversity in the field; nonetheless, plant breeding is still predominantly generating uniform cultivars. Evolutionary plant breeding offers the possibility of reconciling agro-biodiversity, high yields and adaptation to climate change. However, the diversity that can be conserved in heterogeneous populations, its evolution and the potential of ‘evolutionary breeding’ in the actual scenario of climate change is still a matter of debate. In the present study, a total of 147 barley individuals, 56 from seven parental populations (PPs) and 91 from the composite cross-derived population (CCP) resulting from their inter-crossing were genotyped at 22 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) loci with the objective of obtaining insights into how genetic diversity evolved in the field during 13 years of multiplication. A total of 92 different alleles were detected in the PP and 100 in the CCP. Results showed that the composite individuals are grouped into five major clusters differing for both the number of individuals and the relative level of genetic diversity. The mean values of the most common descriptors of genetic diversity were not significantly different between the parental and the composite populations. However, analysis of molecular variance showed some degree of differentiation between the two populations suggesting that evolution occurred during the years of multiplication and selection effects were detected for some loci. The SSR loci detected as putatively under selection in the present study have already been reported as co-localized with quantitative trait loci for adaptedness traits or tagging genes related to abiotic stress response. According to the current results, evolving crop populations, which have the capability of adapting to the conditions under which they are grown, can be useful in conserving genetic diversity and as sources of genes for breeding purposes in particular in the actual scenario of climate change.
Mini-invasive surgery of infratemporal fossa schwannomas
Authors: Haidar H , Deveze A , Lavieille J P
Published: January 2015

Background:

Infratemporal fossa schwannomas are benign, encapsulated tumours of the trigeminal nerve limited to the infratemporal fossa. Because of the complications and significant morbidity associated with traditional surgical approaches to the infratemporal fossa, which include facial nerve dysfunction, hearing loss, dental malocclusion and cosmetic problems, less invasive alternatives have been sought.

Methods:

This paper reports two cases of infratemporal fossa schwannomas treated in 2012 using mini-invasive approaches. The literature regarding different infratemporal fossa approaches was reviewed.

Results:

The first schwannoma was 30 mm in size and was removed completely by a preauricular subtemporal approach. The second one was 25 mm in size and was removed completely using a purely transnasal endoscopic approach. In both cases, there were no intra-operative or post-operative complications.

Conclusion:

These two approaches allow non-invasive and wide exposure of the infratemporal fossa as compared to classical approaches. Surgical approach should be selected according to the tumour's anatomical location with respect to the maxillary sinus posterior wall. The preauricular subtemporal approach is recommended for tumours localised posterolaterally with respect to the maxillary sinus posterior wall. Medial and anterior tumours near the maxillary sinus posterior wall can be best removed using a transnasal endoscopic approach.
Contribution of the basal ganglia to spoken language: Is speech production like the other motor skills?
Authors: Zenon Alexandre , Olivier Etienne
Published: January 2015

Two of the roles assigned to the basal ganglia in spoken language parallel very well their contribution to motor behaviour: (1) their role in sequence processing, resulting in syntax deficits, and (2) their role in movement “vigor,” leading to “hypokinetic dysarthria” or “hypophonia.” This is an additional example of how the motor system has served the emergence of high-level cognitive functions, such as language.