bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cancer morbidity of professional emergency responders in Korea
Authors: Ahn Yeon‐Soon , Jeong Kyoung‐Sook , Kim Kyoo‐Sang
Published: May 2012

Background

Many professional emergency responders (ERs) who belong to the Korean National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have been cross‐trained and serve multiple roles. As such, firefighters and other ERs in Korea are exposed to similar occupational hazards. This study was conducted to estimate cancer morbidity in male ERs and compare that with Korean men.

Methods

The cohort was comprised of 33,416 male ERs working between 1980 and 2007, who were alive on December 31, 1995. Work histories were merged with the Korea National Central Cancer Registry (KNCCR) to assess cancer morbidity between 1996 and 2007. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with reference to Korean men were analyzed.

Results

SIRs with reference to national cancer rates were not significantly decreased for overall cancer (SIR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.90–1.08) in all ERs. However, colorectal (SIR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.07–1.67), kidney (SIR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.00–2.41), and bladder (SIR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.08–2.73) cancer, and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (SIR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.12–2.76) morbidities were significantly increased among all ERs. In firefighters, significantly increased cancer types were as same as those of all ERs. In non‐firefighter ERs, colorectal (SIR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.20–4.61) and bone and articular cartilage cancers (SIR = 9.53, 95% CI = 1.07–34.41) were significantly higher than those of Korean men.

Conclusions

Korean firefighters showed excess morbidity in several cancer types, including colorectal and urologic cancers, and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, demonstrating similar trends to previous studies for firefighters conducted in other countries. Increased incidence in these cancer types suggests occupational exposure to carcinogens and shift work. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:768–778, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Design of psychosocial factors questionnaires: A systematic measurement approach
Authors: Villalobos Gloria H. , Vargas Angélica M. , Rondón Martin A. , Felknor Sarah A.
Published: May 2012

Background

Evaluation of psychosocial factors requires instruments that measure dynamic complexities. This study explains the design of a set of questionnaires to evaluate work and non‐work psychosocial risk factors for stress‐related illnesses.

Methods

The measurement model was based on a review of literature. Content validity was performed by experts and cognitive interviews. Pilot testing was carried out with a convenience sample of 132 workers. Cronbach's alpha evaluated internal consistency and concurrent validity was estimated by Spearman correlation coefficients.

Results

Three questionnaires were constructed to evaluate exposure to work and non‐work risk factors. Content validity improved the questionnaires coherence with the measurement model. Internal consistency was adequate (α = 0.85–0.95). Concurrent validity resulted in moderate correlations of psychosocial factors with stress symptoms.

Conclusions

Questionnaires' content reflected a wide spectrum of psychosocial factors sources. Cognitive interviews improved understanding of questions and dimensions. The structure of the measurement model was confirmed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:100–110, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phenotypic progression of skeletal anomalies in CLOVES syndrome
Authors: Klein Steven , Stroberg Albert , Ghahremani Shahnaz , Martinez‐Agosto Julian A.
Published: May 2012

Overgrowth syndromes, defined as genetic disorders in which there is disproportionate somatic growth, are challenging to diagnose due to their heterogeneous presentations and possible differing genetic etiologies. CLOVES syndrome is characterized by congenital lipomatous overgrowth, vascular malformations, epidermal nevi, and skeletal abnormalities (Scoliosis). We describe a developmental follow up of the skeletal changes in CLOVES syndrome and a detailed account of its management. We demonstrate the asymmetric growth rate of toes responsible for the macrodactyly observed, and present additional phenotypic findings, including postnatal onset of abdominal symmetry and hepatomegaly. While the etiology of CLOVES is still a mystery, its similarity to Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome suggests a shared defect in a common signaling pathway, and its asymmetric bone overgrowth supports a mosaic genetic defect as its etiology. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Centers for Mendelian Genomics: A new large‐scale initiative to identify the genes underlying rare Mendelian conditions
Authors: Bamshad Michael J. , Shendure Jay A. , Valle David , Hamosh Ada , Lupski James R. , Gibbs Richard A. , Boerwinkle Eric , Lifton Richard P. , Gerstein Mark , Gunel Murat , Mane Shrikant , Nickerson Deborah A. ,   on behalf of the Centers for Mendelian Genomics
Published: May 2012

Next generation exome sequencing (ES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) are new powerful tools for discovering the gene(s) that underlie Mendelian disorders. To accelerate these discoveries, the National Institutes of Health has established three Centers for Mendelian Genomics (CMGs): the Center for Mendelian Genomics at the University of Washington; the Center for Mendelian Genomics at Yale University; and the Baylor–Johns Hopkins Center for Mendelian Genomics at Baylor College of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University. The CMGs will provide ES/WGS and extensive analysis expertise at no cost to collaborating investigators where the causal gene(s) for a Mendelian phenotype has yet to be uncovered. Over the next few years and in collaboration with the global human genetics community, the CMGs hope to facilitate the identification of the genes underlying a very large fraction of all Mendelian disorders; see http://mendelian.org. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isodicentric Y chromosomes in Egyptian patients with disorders of sex development (DSD)
Authors: Mekkawy Mona , Kamel Alaa , El‐Ruby Mona , Mohamed Amal , Essawi Mona , Soliman Hala , Dessouky Nabil , Shehab Marwa , Mazen Inas
Published: May 2012

Isodicentric chromosome formation is the most common structural abnormality of the Y chromosome. As dicentrics are mitotically unstable, they are subsequently lost during cell division resulting in mosaicism with a 45,X cell line. We report on six patients with variable signs of disorders of sex development (DSD) including ambiguous genitalia, short stature, primary amenorrhea, and male infertility with azoospermia. Cytogenetic studies showed the presence of a sex chromosome marker in all patients; associated with a 45,X cell line in five of them. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique was used to determine the structure and the breakage sites of the markers that all proved to be isodicentric Y chromosomes. Three patients, were found to have similar breakpoints: idic Y(qter→ p11.32:: p11.32→ qter), two of them presented with ambiguous genitalia and were found to have ovotesticular DSD, while the third presented with short stature and hypomelanosis of Ito. One female patient presenting with primary amenorrhea, Turner manifestations and ambiguous genitalia revealed the breakpoint: idic Y (pter→q11.1::q11.1→pter). The same breakpoint was detected in a male with azoospermia but in non‐mosaic form. An infant with ambiguous genitalia and mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) had the breakpoint at Yq11.2: idic Y(pter→q11.2::q11.2→pter). SRY signals were detected in all patients. Sequencing of the SRY gene was carried out for three patients with normal results. This study emphasizes the importance of FISH analysis in the diagnosis of patients with DSD as well as the establishment of the relationship between phenotype and karyotype. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genome‐wide association uncovers shared genetic effects among personality traits and mood states
Authors: Luciano Michelle , Huffman Jennifer E. , Arias‐Vásquez Alejandro , Vinkhuyzen Anna A.E. , Middeldorp Christel M. , Giegling Ina , Payton Antony , Davies Gail , Zgaga Lina , Janzing Joost , Ke Xiayi , Galesloot Tessel , Hartmann Annette M. , Ollier William , Tenesa Albert , Hayward Caroline , Verhagen Maaike , Montgomery Grant W. , Hottenga Jouke‐Jan , Konte Bettina , Starr John M. , Vitart Veronique , Vos Pieter E. , Madden Pamela A.F. , Willemsen Gonneke , Konnerth Heike , Horan Michael A. , Porteous David J. , Campbell Harry , Vermeulen Sita H. , Heath Andrew C. , Wright Alan , Polasek Ozren , Kovacevic Sanja B. , Hastie Nicholas D. , Franke Barbara , Boomsma Dorret I. , Martin Nicholas G. , Rujescu Dan , Wilson James F. , Buitelaar Jan , Pendleton Neil , Rudan Igor , Deary Ian J.
Published: May 2012

Measures of personality and psychological distress are correlated and exhibit genetic covariance. We conducted univariate genome‐wide SNP (∼2.5 million) and gene‐based association analyses of these traits and examined the overlap in results across traits, including a prediction analysis of mood states using genetic polygenic scores for personality. Measures of neuroticism, extraversion, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and general psychological distress were collected in eight European cohorts (n ranged 546–1,338; maximum total n = 6,268) whose mean age ranged from 55 to 79 years. Meta‐analysis of the cohort results was performed, with follow‐up associations of the top SNPs and genes investigated in independent cohorts (n = 527–6,032). Suggestive association (P = 8 × 10−8) of rs1079196 in the FHIT gene was observed with symptoms of anxiety. Other notable associations (P < 6.09 × 10−6) included SNPs in five genes for neuroticism (LCE3C, POLR3A, LMAN1L, ULK3, SCAMP2), KIAA0802 for extraversion, and NOS1 for general psychological distress. An association between symptoms of depression and rs7582472 (near to MGAT5 and NCKAP5) was replicated in two independent samples, but other replication findings were less consistent. Gene‐based tests identified a significant locus on chromosome 15 (spanning five genes) associated with neuroticism which replicated (P < 0.05) in an independent cohort. Support for common genetic effects among personality and mood (particularly neuroticism and depressive symptoms) was found in terms of SNP association overlap and polygenic score prediction. The variance explained by individual SNPs was very small (up to 1%) confirming that there are no moderate/large effects of common SNPs on personality and related traits. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Developmental variation in ecogeographic body proportions
Authors: Cowgill Libby W. , Eleazer Courtney D. , Auerbach Benjamin M. , Temple Daniel H. , Okazaki Kenji
Published: May 2012

While ecogeographic variation in adult human body proportions has been extensively explored, relatively less attention has been paid to the effect of Bergmann's and Allen's rules on human body shape during growth. The relationship between climate and immature body form is particularly important, as immature mortality is high, mechanisms of thermoregulation differ between young and mature humans, and immature body proportions fluctuate due to basic parameters of growth. This study explores changes in immature ecogeographic body proportions via analyses of anthropometric data from children included in Eveleth and Tanner's (1976) Worldwide Variation in Human Growth, as well as limb proportion measurements in eight different skeletal samples.

Moderate to strong correlations exist between climatic data and immature stature, weight, BMI, and bi‐iliac breadth; these relationships are as strong, if not stronger, in immature individuals as they are in adults. Correlations between climate and trunk height relative to stature are weak or nonexistent. Altitude also has significant effects on immature body form, with children from higher altitudes displaying smaller statures and lower body weights. Brachial and crural indices remain constant over the course of growth and display consistent, moderate correlations with latitude across ontogeny that are just as high as those detected in adults. The results of this study suggest that while some features of immature body form, such as bi‐iliac breadth and intralimb indices, are strongly dictated by ecogeographic principles, other characteristics of immature body proportions are influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as nutrition and basic constraints of growth. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In poor families, mothers' milk is richer for daughters than sons: A test of Trivers–Willard hypothesis in agropastoral settlements in Northern Kenya
Authors: Fujita Masako , Roth Eric , Lo Yun‐Jia , Hurst Carolyn , Vollner Jennifer , Kendell Ashley
Published: May 2012

The Trivers–Willard hypothesis predicts the unequal parental investment between daughters and sons, depending on maternal condition and offspring reproductive potential. Specifically, in polygynous populations where males have higher reproductive variance than females, it predicts that mothers in good condition will invest more in sons, whereas mothers in poor condition will invest more in daughters. Previous studies testing this hypothesis focused on behavioral investment, whereas few examined biological investment. This study investigates the Trivers–Willard hypothesis on both behavioral and biological parental investment by examining breastfeeding frequencies and breast milk fat concentrations. Data from exclusively breastfeeding mothers in Northern Kenya were used to test hypotheses: Economically sufficient mothers will breastfeed sons more frequently than daughters, whereas poor mothers will breastfeed daughters more frequently than sons, and economically sufficient mothers will produce breast milk with higher fat concentration for sons than daughters, whereas poor mothers will produce breast milk with higher fat concentration for daughters than sons. Linear regression models were applied, using breastfeeding frequency or log‐transformed milk fat as the dependent variable, and offspring's sex (son = 1/daughter = 0), socioeconomic status (higher = 1/lower = 0), and the sex‐wealth interaction as the predictors, controlling for covariates. Our results only supported the milk fat hypothesis: infant's sex and socioeconomic status interacted (P = 0.014, n = 72) in their relation with milk fat concentration. The model estimated that economically sufficient mothers produced richer milk for sons than daughters (2.8 vs. 0.6 gm/dl) while poor mothers produced richer milk for daughters than sons (2.6 vs. 2.3 gm/dl). Further research on milk constituents in relation to offspring's sex is warranted. Am J Phys Anthropol , 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Amyloid deposition, hypometabolism, and longitudinal cognitive decline
Authors: Landau Susan M. , Mintun Mark A. , Joshi Abhinay D. , Koeppe Robert A. , Petersen Ronald C. , Aisen Paul S. , Weiner Michael W. , Jagust William J. ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: May 2012

Objective:

Using data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) population, we examined (1) cross‐sectional relationships between amyloid deposition, hypometabolism, and cognition, and (2) associations between amyloid and hypometabolism measurements and longitudinal cognitive measurements.

Methods:

We examined associations between mean cortical florbetapir uptake, mean18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) within a set of predefined regions, and Alzhiemer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS‐cog) performance in 426 ADNI participants (126 normal, 162 early mild cognitive impairment [EMCI], 85 late MCI [LMCI], 53 Alzheimer disease [AD] patients). For a subset of these (76 normal, 81 LMCI) we determined whether florbetapir and FDG‐PET were associated with retrospective decline in longitudinal ADAS‐cog measurements.

Results:

Twenty‐nine percent of normal subjects, 43% of EMCI patients, 62% of LMCI patients, and 77% of AD patients were categorized as florbetapir positive. Florbetapir was negatively associated with concurrent FDG and ADAS‐cog in both MCI groups. In longitudinal analyses, florbetapir‐positive subjects in both normal and LMCI groups had greater ongoing ADAS‐cog decline than those who were florbetapir negative. However, in normal subjects, florbetapir positivity was associated with greater ADAS‐cog decline than FDG, whereas in LMCI, FDG positivity was associated with greater decline than florbetapir.

Interpretation:

Although both hypometabolism and β‐amyloid (Aβ) deposition are detectable in normal subjects and all diagnostic groups, Aβ showed greater associations with cognitive decline in normal participants. In view of the minimal cognitive deterioration overall in this group, this suggests that amyloid deposition has an early and subclinical impact on cognition that precedes metabolic changes. At moderate and later stages of disease (LMCI/AD), hypometabolism becomes more pronounced and more closely linked to ongoing cognitive decline. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:578–586
Preparation and characterization of biodegradable poly(sebacic anhydride) chain extended by glycol as drug carrier
Authors: Liang Yanqin , Xiao Li , Zhai Yinglei , Xie Chaopeng , Deng Liandong , Dong Anjie
Published: May 2012

Glycol modified poly(sebacic anhydride) (PSA), a biodegradable poly(ester anhydride) copolymer, was prepared by melt bulk reaction of PSA and glycol. The structure of PSAG was characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, and GPC. The results indicate the formation of ester bonds along the polyanhydride backbone. The thermal properties and crystallinity changes of the polyanhydrides were investigated using DSC and XRD. In vitro degradation experiments show that the degradation rate of PSAG is slower than that of PSA because of the introduction of the glycol. Using dexamethasone as a model drug, the in vitro release rate of a drug from PSAG discs was shown to be slower than that from PSA discs, and no initial burst releases were observed for 13 days. PSAG is therefore a promising candidate, which control the release of an incorporated drug over a sustained period of time. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Mechanical and barrier properties of carbon nanotube reinforced PCL‐based composite films: Effect of gamma radiation
Authors: Khan Ruhul A. , Dussault Dominic , Salmieri Stephane , Safrany Agnes , Lacroix Monique
Published: May 2012

Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced (0.05–0.5% by wt) polycaprolactone (PCL)‐based composites were prepared by compression molding. Addition of 0.2% CNT caused a 131% improvement of tensile strength (TS) of PCL films. The tensile modulus (TM) and elongation at break (Eb) of PCL were also significantly improved with the addition of CNT. The water vapor permeability of PCL was 1.51 g·mm/m2·day but 0.2% CNT containing PCL films showed 1.08 g·mm/m2·day. Similarly, the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of PCL films was found to decrease with the addition of CNT. But, carbon dioxide transmission rate (CO2TR) of PCL film was improved due to incorporation of CNT. Effect of gamma radiation on PCL films and CNT reinforced PCL‐based composites were also studied. The TS of the irradiated (10 kGy) PCL films gained to 75% higher than control sample. The TS of the 0.2% CNT reinforced composite film was reached to 41 MPa at 15 kGy dose. The barrier properties of non‐irradiated and irradiated (10 kGy) PCL films and composites (0.2% CNT reinforced) were also measured. Both PCL films and composites showed lower values of WVP upon irradiation and indicated better water vapor barrier. The OTR and CO2TR of the irradiated (10 kGy) PCL films and composites were decreased compared to their counterparts. Surface and interface morphologies of the composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Mechanochemical devulcanization of ground tire rubber and its application in acoustic absorbent polyurethane foamed composites
Authors: Zhang Xinxing , Lu Zhixing , Tian Dong , Li Hua , Lu Canhui
Published: May 2012

The use of recycled rubber in preparation of acoustic absorbent materials will help to combat the existing environmental problems of both waste disposal and noise pollution. The focus of this work is to investigate the influence of mechanochemical pretreatment of ground tire rubber (GTR) on the acoustic absorption properties of polyurethane (PU)/GTR foamed composites. GTR subjected to pan‐milling could be mechanochemically devulcanized by breaking up the crosslinked structures through inducing fairly strong shearing and compressing forces. The significant increase in sol fraction of GTR confirmed the partial devulcanization during pan‐milling. Moreover, thermal gravimetric analysis indicated that rubber content in the soluble part of GTR was also remarkably increased. The devulcanization increased flexible chains of the GTR particles, which could help to improve damping properties as well as acoustic absorption ability of the PU/GTR foamed composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis and acoustic absorption measurements well confirmed this hypothesis. The loss modulus and sound absorption coefficient of PU/GTR foamed composites were remarkably increased through the mechanochemical pretreatment of GTR. The mechanochemical pretreatment also enhanced foamability of the composites as revealed by cell morphology. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Preparation and characterization of polyacrylamide nanomicrospheres and its profile control and flooding performance
Authors: Yao Chuanjin , Lei Guanglun , Li Lei , Gao Xuemei
Published: May 2012

In this study, a new profile control and flooding agent “polyacrylamide nanomicrospheres” with particle size of 120–180 nm was prepared by inverse microemulsion polymerization. The viscoelasticity of polyacrylamide nanomicrospheres and the swelling property of polyacrylamide nanomicrospheres in aqueous solution were characterized. Using sand pack models, the profile control and flooding performance of polyacrylamide nanomicrospheres was studied. The results show that the polyacrylamide nanomicrospheres have better elasticity; the polyacrylamide nanomicrospheres have obvious swelling property, which depends on the concentration of NaCl and temperature; the polyacrylamide nanomicrospheres can plug sand pack effectively and have better ability of transporting and plugging in porous media; the polyacrylamide nanomicrospheres prefer to plug high permeability layer selectively so as to increase the swept volume and enhance oil recovery of low permeability layer and low permeability area in high permeability layer; the polyacrylamide nanomicrospheres can enhance oil recovery by 11–14%. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Morphological structure and mechanical properties of In situ microfibrillar composites of modified PA66 with PP
Authors: Cheng Linghe , Wang Wanjie , Wang Jingwu , Cao Yanxia , Li Guixun , Shen Yelong
Published: May 2012

In situ microfibrillar composites (PP/mPA66) of modified polyamide66 (mPA66) with polypropylene (PP) were prepared by using a “post‐compatibilization” technique. The mPA66 was firstly obtained by reactive extrusion of PA66 resin with a specially designed compatibilizer, which was then blended with PP through extrusion combined with a hot stretching and subsequently quenching process. The PP/mPA66 in situ microfibrillar composites were comparatively studied with simply blended samples of PP/PA66 that were prepared by blending PA66 and PP together with (or without) the same compatibilizer through extrusion. PA66‐g‐PP (and/or elastomers) graft copolymer formation in mPA66 was identified by dissolution test and infrared spectroscopy measurement, the compatibilizer is unevenly dispersed with large domains in PA66 as observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). In PP/mPA66 composites, the in situ generated PA66 microfibrils have a rather nonuniform diameter distribution and a very rough surface. SEM observations for the fractured surface illustrated that PP/mPA66 composites have structural characteristics of stronger adhesion and moderate flexibility of the interface. Enhanced compatibilization between the PA66 microfibrils with the PP matrix resulted in improved mechanical properties of the PP/mPA66 composites. With optimized composition, the PP/mPA66 composite has notched Izod impact strength, flexural modulus, and tensile yield stress of 1.49, 1.16, and 0.99 times as those of the neat PP, respectively. Such enhanced mechanical properties balance and improved interface adhesion were not found in the simply blended samples of PP/PA66 with or without the specially designed compatibilizer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
CLONING OF A TRYPSIN‐LIKE SERINE PROTEASE AND EXPRESSION PATTERNS DURING PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM INVASION IN THE MOSQUITO, ANOPHELES DIRUS (PEYTON AND HARRISON)
Authors: Sriwichai Patchara , Rongsiryam Yupha , Jariyapan Narissara , Sattabongkot Jetsumon , Apiwathnasorn Chamnarn , Nacapunchai Duangporn , Paskewitz Susan
Published: May 2012

Understanding specific gene regulation during responses to malaria infection is key to dissecting the mosquito defense mechanisms and host/parasite interactions. A full‐length serine protease cDNA was isolated from the fat body of female Anopheles dirus, a major malaria vector in Thailand. The predicted amino acid sequence of SERF4 identifies it as a member of the serine protease family containing a single trypsin‐like protease domain. Digestive trypsins function in the female mosquito midgut and are inducible in two phases in this tissue upon blood intake. However, the gene was highly upregulated in the midgut at day 3 postinfection by Plasmodium falciparum. In situ hybridization confirmed that SERF4 transcripts were located in the midgut epithelial cells rather than hemocytes or other tissues associated with the midgut. SERF4 was also strongly downregulated in the whole insects at day 16 after infection in comparison with the blood‐fed control. Changes in the expression of the SERF4 gene in response to infection with this human malaria parasite suggest a role in parasite‐specific innate immunity.
Biophysical characterization of polymyxin b interaction with LPS aggregates and membrane model systems
Authors: Domingues Marco M. , Inácio Rita G. , Raimundo José M. , Martins Miguel , Castanho Miguel A. R. B. , Santos Nuno C.
Published: May 2012

Antibiotic resistance is an increasingly severe health problem. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being developed in order to overcome this problem, due to their lower bacterial resistance. Polymyxin B is an AMP with bactericidal effect on Gram‐negative bacteria due to its high affinity for lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The objective of this work was to unravel the polymyxin B mechanisms of LPS neutralization and bactericidal activity. Using dynamic light scattering, it was observed that polymyxin B induces LPS aggregation in a concentration‐dependent manner. The peptide increases the surface charge of LPS and membrane model systems, as revealed by zeta‐potential measurements. The higher zeta‐potential variations were detected in the presence of the negatively charged POPG membranes. This higher interaction with negatively charged membranes, made of POPG, was followed at higher peptide concentration by membrane permeabilization. Also, for zwitterionic POPC membranes a higher membrane leakage was detected. The peptide promotion of LPS aggregation may be related with the clearance of LPS from the bloodstream, eventually by facilitating macrophage phagocytosis and/or blocking the binding of LPS to its receptor. Our data indicate that polymyxin B mechanism of action at the molecular level involves a first step of electrostatic approach toward LPS; then, it may be internalized and bind to the bacterial phosphatidylglycerol‐rich membrane leaflets, inducing leakage at higher peptide concentrations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 98: 338‐344, 2012.
Purification of recombinant protein by cold‐coacervation of fusion constructs incorporating resilin‐inspired polypeptides
Authors: Lyons Russell E. , Elvin Christopher M. , Taylor Karin , Lekieffre Nicolas , Ramshaw John A.M.
Published: May 2012

Polypeptides containing between 4 and 32 repeats of a resilin‐inspired sequence AQTPSSYGAP, derived from the mosquito Anopheles gambiae, have been used as tags on recombinant fusion proteins. These repeating polypeptides were inspired by the repeating structures that are found in resilins and sequence‐related proteins from various insects. Unexpectedly, an aqueous solution of a recombinant resilin protein displays an upper critical solution temperature (cold‐coacervation) when held on ice, leading to a separation into a protein rich phase, typically exceeding 200 mg/mL, and a protein‐poor phase. We show that purification of recombinant proteins by cold‐coacervation can be performed when engineered as a fusion partner to a resilin‐inspired repeat sequence. In this study, we demonstrate the process by the recombinant expression and purification of enhanced Green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in E. coli. This facile purification system can produce high purity, concentrated protein solutions without the need for affinity chromatography or other time‐consuming or expensive purification steps, and that it can be used with other bulk purification steps such as low concentration ammonium sulfate precipitation. Protein purification by cold‐coacervation also minimizes the exposure of the target protein to enhanced proteolysis at higher temperature. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 2947–2954. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spouting characteristics of spf wood pellets
Authors: Haddou J. V. H. , Ellis N. , Bi X. , Epstein N.
Published: May 2012

The spouting characteristics with ambient air of cylindrical wood pellets, 6.5 mm in diameter and 11.1 ± 4.1 mm long, were investigated using a transparent 152.4‐mm diameter semi‐circular cone‐based cylindrical column. Despite the previously unexplored shape of the pellets in the spouted bed mode, the measured minimum spouting velocities at different bed heights, the maximum spoutable bed height and the mean spout diameter above the conical base were all well represented by equations from the literature developed mainly for more rounded particles. Pellet attrition was found to be severe, so that the possible torrefaction of the pellets by the spouting technique without sacrifice of their integrity appears to be unlikely. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Numerical simulation of a pitched‐blade turbine stirred tank with mirror fluid method
Authors: Wang Tao , Cheng Jingcai , Li Xiangyang , Yang Chao , Mao Zai‐Sha
Published: May 2012

Mirror fluid method [Yang and Mao, Phys. Rev. 2005; E 71:036704] combined with local grid refinement is proposed to deal with the numerical simulation of turbulent flow in a pitched‐blade turbine stirred tank. By such a novel method, the domain occupied by the impeller is assigned suitable flow parameters explicitly by the mirror relation, so that the correct shear and normal forces on the fluid side of an interface segment is eventually guaranteed. Satisfactory agreement between our predictions and the reported experimental data is achieved both in single‐phase baffled or unbaffled stirred tanks and solid–liquid two‐phase systems. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Effect of particle size of magnesium silicate filler on physical properties of paper
Authors: Chauhan Vipul Singh , Bhardwaj Nishi Kant , Chakrabarti Swapan Kumar
Published: May 2012

Fillers are essential component of printing papers to increase the opacity, brightness, and to improve formation and printing properties. As a very little work has been reported so far on magnesium silicate (talc), the study was conducted with the filler of different particle size for papermaking. The sheets were made in the laboratory with refined mixed hardwood chemical pulp with five grades of talc, ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) fillers with 15–24% ash level. Apparent density along with tensile, burst, tear index, Z‐direction tensile strength (ZDTS) and bending stiffness index were evaluated for talc filled sheets, and compared with GCC and PCC. Physical strength properties of talc filled sheets were decreased at a faster rate on increasing filler loading in paper and decreasing the particle size of the filler. With same type of filler its particle size determines the physical properties of paper. The postulate was not found to be valid for all the three varieties of fillers viz., talc, PCC and GCC. Shape and geometry of the PCC and GCC fillers determine the individual property. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Birth of neural progenitors during the embryonic period of sexual differentiation in the Japanese quail brain
Authors: Bardet Sylvia M. , Mouriec Karen , Balthazart Jacques
Published: May 2012

Several brain areas in the diencephalon are involved in the activation and expression of sexual behavior, including in quail the medial preoptic nucleus (POM). However, the ontogeny of these diencephalic brain nuclei has not to this date been examined in detail. We investigated the ontogeny of POM and other steroid‐sensitive brain regions by injecting quail eggs with 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) at various stages between embryonic day (E)3 and E16 and killing animals at postnatal (PN) days 3 or 56. In the POM, large numbers of BrdU‐positive cells were observed in subjects injected from E3–E10, the numbers of these cells was intermediate in birds injected on E12, and most cells were postmitotic in both sexes on E14–E16. Injections on E3–E4 labeled large numbers of Hu‐positive cells in POM. In contrast, injections performed at a later stage labeled cells that do not express aromatase nor neuronal markers such as Hu or NeuN in the POM and other steroid‐sensitive nuclei and thus do not have a neuronal phenotype in these locations, contrary to what is observed in the telencephalon and cerebellum. No evidence could also be collected to demonstrate that these cells have a glial nature. Converging data, including the facts that these cells divide in the brain mantle and express proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a cell cycling marker, indicate that cells labeled by BrdU during the second half of embryonic life are slow‐cycling progenitors born and residing in the brain mantle. Future research should now identify their functional significance. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:4226–4253, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cogset: a high performance MapReduce engine
Authors: Valvåg S.V. , Johansen Dag , Kvalnes Åge
Published: May 2012

Cogset is a generic and efficient engine for reliable storage and parallel processing of distributed data sets. It supports a number of high‐level programming interfaces, including a MapReduce interface compatible with Hadoop. In this paper, we present Cogset's architecture and evaluate its performance as a MapReduce engine, comparing it with Hadoop. Our results show that Cogset generally outperforms Hadoop by a significant margin. We investigate the underlying causes of this difference in performance and demonstrate some relatively minor modifications that markedly improve Hadoop's performance, closing some of the gap. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Follicular lymphoma transformed to “double‐hit” B lymphoblastic lymphoma presenting in the peritoneal fluid
Authors: Kaplan Alesia , Samad Arbaz , Dolan Michelle M. , Cioc Adina M. , Holman Carol J. , Schmechel Stephen C. , Pambuccian Stefan E.
Published: May 2012

Lymphomas showing both MYC/8q24 rearrangement and IGH@BCL2/t(14;18)(q32;q21), also referred to as “double‐hit” or “dual‐hit” lymphomas (DHL) are rare B‐cell malignancies with a germinal center B‐cell immunophenotype and heterogeneous cytologic and histologic features. Such lymphomas may arise de novo or through transformation of follicular lymphomas and are classified either as “B‐cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma (BL)” (most commonly), DLBCL, or, rarely, as B‐lymphoblastic lymphoma. We report a case of B‐lymphobastic lymphoma arising through transformation of follicular lymphoma diagnosed on peritoneal fluid cytology, flow cytometry, and cytogenetic studies in a 53‐year‐old man who presented with abdominal pain, shortness of breath, night sweats, extensive lymphadenopathy, pleural effusion, and ascites. Cytologic examination of the ascitic fluid showed two distinct populations of neoplastic lymphoid cells, a predominant population of larger cells with fine powdery (“blastic”) chromatin, visible to prominent nucleoli and occasional small cytoplasmic vacuoles and a less numerous population of smaller cells with centrocytic morphology. Flow cytometry also showed two distinct monotypic B‐cell populations, both expressing CD10, and TdT‐positivity was demonstrated immunohistochemically. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrated both MYC rearrangement and IGH/BCL2 gene fusion and cytogenetic analysis showed a complex karyotype including both t(14;18)(q32;q21) and t(8;22)(q24.1;q11.2). Since DHL pursue an aggressive clinical course, respond poorly to therapy, and have a poor outcome, it is important to suspect the diagnosis when encountering neoplastic lymphoid cells that are difficult to classify in effusion cytology specimens and to order the appropriate immunophenotyping and cytogenetic studies. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013;41:986–990. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Solid‐State Electrochemiluminescence of F‐doped SnO2 Nanocrystals and Its Sensing Application
Authors: Gao Bu‐Hong , Ding Shou‐Nian , Li Qian‐Qian , Shan Dan , Sun Yue‐Ming , Cosnier Serge
Published: May 2012

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) behaviors and mechanisms of fluorine‐doped tin oxide (F‐SnO2) semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) were firstly investigated in both of nonaqueous and aqueous solutions via potential scanning or pulsing. Furthermore, the ECL of F‐SnO2 was applied successfully to detect dopamine based on the quenching effect.
Rapid GC‐FID quantification technique without authentic samples using predicted response factors
Authors: Tissot E. , Rochat S. , Debonneville C. , Chaintreau A.
Published: May 2012

Because a flame ionization detector (FID) is based on the combustion of analytes, we have previously shown that a good correlation exists between the relative response factors (RRFs) and the combustion enthalpies. The latter can themselves be predicted by ab initio calculation, or directly from the molecular formula. As a consequence, the RRFs can be simulated with good accuracy for all volatile constituents of flavours and fragrances. The technique is exemplified here with several applications in the field of flavours and fragrances. The composition of complex mixtures by full internal standardization is very time consuming. This task can be greatly shortened with satisfactory accuracy if predicted RRFs are used instead of the inaccurate semi‐quantification (all RRFs = 1). Non‐commercially available compounds normally require re‐synthesis to determine their RRFs. This time‐consuming step can be avoided and the compounds well quantified by using predicted RRFs. In addition, with unstable standards, measuring their RRFs or purities is impossible, whereas this issue is overcome with the present technique. We herein report the successful testing of the predicted RRFs in comprehensive GC×GC‐FID. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inheritance Model Introduces Differential Bias in CNV Calls Between Parents and Offspring
Authors: Kim Sulgi , Millard Steven P. , Yu Chang‐En , Leong Lesley , Radant Allen , Dobie Dorcas , Tsuang Debby W. , Wijsman Ellen M.
Published: May 2012

Copy Number Variation (CNV) is increasingly implicated in disease pathogenesis. CNVs are often identified by statistical models applied to data from single nucleotide polymorphism panels. Family information for samples provides additional information for CNV inference. Two modes of PennCNV (the Joint‐call and Posterior‐call), which are some of the most well‐developed family‐based CNV calling methods, use a “Joint‐model” as a main component. This models all family members’ CNV states together with Mendelian inheritance. Methods based on the Joint‐model are used to infer CNV calls of cases and controls in a pedigree, which may be compared to each other to test an association. Although benefits from the Joint‐model have been shown elsewhere, equality of call rates in parents and offspring has not been evaluated previously. This can affect downstream analyses in studies that compare CNV rates in cases vs. controls in pedigrees. In this paper, we show that the Joint‐model can introduce different CNV call rates among family members in the absence of a true difference. We show that the Joint‐model may analytically introduce differential CNV calls because of asymmetry of the model. We demonstrate these differential call rates using single‐marker simulations. We show that call rates using the two modes of PennCNV also differ between parents and offspring in one multimarker simulated dataset and two real datasets. Our results advise need for caution in use of the Joint‐model calls in CNV association studies with family‐based datasets. Genet. Epidemiol. 36:488‐498, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Difference infiltrometer: a method to measure temporally variable infiltration rates during rainstorms
Authors: Moody John A. , Ebel Brian A.
Published: May 2012

We developed a difference infiltrometer to measure time series of non‐steady infiltration rates during rainstorms at the point scale. The infiltrometer uses two, tipping bucket rain gages. One gage measures rainfall onto, and the other measures runoff from, a small circular plot about 0.5‐m in diameter. The small size allows the infiltration rate to be computed as the difference of the cumulative rainfall and cumulative runoff without having to route water through a large plot. Difference infiltrometers were deployed in an area burned by the 2010 Fourmile Canyon Fire near Boulder, Colorado, USA, and data were collected during the summer of 2011. The difference infiltrometer demonstrated the capability to capture different magnitudes of infiltration rates and temporal variability associated with convective (high intensity, short duration) and cyclonic (low intensity, long duration) rainstorms. Data from the difference infiltrometer were used to estimate saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil affected by the heat from a wildfire. The difference infiltrometer is portable and can be deployed in rugged, steep terrain and does not require the transport of water, as many rainfall simulators require, because it uses natural rainfall. It can be used to assess infiltration models, determine runoff coefficients, identify rainfall depth or rainfall intensity thresholds to initiate runoff, estimate parameters for infiltration models, and compare remediation treatments on disturbed landscapes. The difference infiltrometer can be linked with other types of soil monitoring equipment in long‐term studies for detecting temporal and spatial variability at multiple time scales and in nested designs where it can be linked to hillslope and basin‐scale runoff responses. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Saracatinib (AZD0530) is a potent modulator of ABCB1‐mediated multidrug resistance in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Liu Ke‐Jun , He Jie‐Hua , Su Xiao‐Dong , Sim Hong‐May , Xie Jing‐Dun , Chen Xing‐Gui , Wang Fang , Liang Yong‐Ju , Singh Satyakam , Sodani Kamlesh , Talele Tanaji T. , Ambudkar Suresh V. , Chen Zhe‐Sheng , Wu Hai‐Ying , Fu Li‐Wu
Published: May 2012

Saracatinib, a highly selective, dual Src/Abl kinase inhibitor, is currently in a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of ovarian cancer. In our study, we investigated the effect of saracatinib on the reversal of multidrug resistance (MDR) induced by ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that saracatinib significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of ABCB1 substrate drugs in ABCB1 overexpressing HeLa/v200, MCF‐7/adr and HEK293/ABCB1 cells, an effect that was stronger than that of gefitinib, whereas it had no effect on the cytotoxicity of the substrates in ABCC1 overexpressing HL‐60/adr cells and its parental sensitive cells. Additionally, saracatinib significantly increased the doxorubicin (Dox) and Rho 123 accumulation in HeLa/v200 and MCF‐7/adr cells, whereas it had no effect on HeLa and MCF‐7 cells. Furthermore, saracatinib stimulated the ATPase activity and inhibited photolabeling of ABCB1 with [125I]‐iodoarylazidoprazosin in a concentration‐dependent manner. In addition, the homology modeling predicted the binding conformation of saracatinib within the large hydrophobic drug‐binding cavity of human ABCB1. However, neither the expression level of ABCB1 nor the phosphorylation level of Akt was altered at the reversal concentrations of saracatinib. Importantly, saracatinib significantly enhanced the effect of paclitaxel against ABCB1‐overexpressing HeLa/v200 cancer cell xenografts in nude mice. In conclusion, saracatinib reverses ABCB1‐mediated MDR in vitro and in vivo by directly inhibiting ABCB1 transport function, without altering ABCB1 expression or AKT phosphorylation. These findings may be helpful to attenuate the effect of MDR by combining saracatinib with other chemotherapeutic drugs in the clinic.
EUROGIN 2011 roadmap on prevention and treatment of HPV‐related disease
Authors: Arbyn Marc , de Sanjosé Silvia , Saraiya Mona , Sideri Mario , Palefsky Joel , Lacey Charles , Gillison Maura , Bruni Laia , Ronco Guglielmo , Wentzensen Nicolas , Brotherton Julia , Qiao You‐Lin , Denny Lynnette , Bornstein Jacob , Abramowitz Laurent , Giuliano Anna , Tommasino Massimo , Monsonego Joseph
Published: May 2012

The EUROGIN 2011 roadmap reviews the current burden of human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related morbidity, as well as the evidence and potential practice recommendations regarding primary and secondary prevention and treatment of cancers and other disease associated with HPV infection. HPV infection causes ∼600,000 cases of cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus and oropharynx annually, as well as benign diseases such as genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Whereas the incidence of cervical cancer has been decreasing over recent decades, the incidence of anal and oropharyngeal carcinoma, for which there are no effective screening programs, has been rising over the last couple of decades. Randomized trials have demonstrated improved efficacy of HPV‐based compared to cytology‐based cervical cancer screening. Defining the best algorithms to triage HPV‐positive women, age ranges and screening intervals are priorities for pooled analyses and further research, whereas feasibility questions can be addressed through screening programs. HPV vaccination will reduce the burden of cervical precancer and probably also of invasive cervical and other HPV‐related disease in women. Recent trials demonstrated that prophylactic vaccination also protects against anogenital HPV infection, anogenital intraepithelial lesions and warts associated with vaccine types, in males; and anal HPV infection and anal intraepithelial neoplasia in MSM. HPV‐related oropharyngeal cancer could be treated less aggressively because of better survival compared to cancers of the oropharynx unrelated to HPV. Key findings in the field of cervical cancer prevention should now be translated in cost‐effective strategies, following an organized approach integrating primary and secondary prevention, according to scientific evidence but adapted to the local situation with particular attention to regions with the highest burden of disease.