bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric Construction of Six‐Membered Rings by Cyclization of Allenes with Dinuclear Gold Catalysis
Authors: Qiu Youai , Zhou Jing , Li Junzhao , Fu Chunling , Guo Yinlong , Wang Haoyang , Ma Shengming
Published: September 2015

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of 1,4‐dihydroarenes by gold‐catalyzed 6‐endo cyclization of benzylic allenes has been developed. Furthermore, asymmetric hydroarylation of enantioenriched allenes has been realized to offer a practical and convergent approach to aromatic ring‐fused six‐membered cycles containing a chiral stereocenter such as 1,4‐dihydronaphthalenes, 1,4‐dihydrodibenzo[b,d]thiophenes, and 4,7‐dihydrobenzo[b]thiophenes by applying dinuclear [(dppm)Au2Cl2] [dppm=methylenebis(diphenylphosphane)] combined with AgOTf as the catalyst to ensure the high efficiency of chirality transfer. ESI‐MS has been applied to characterize some of the key reactive dinuclear gold intermediates successfully.
Research on atomized droplet size in composite quench chamber
Authors: Wang Yifei , Guo Qiangqiang , Yan Liucheng , Zhao Hui , Yu Guangsuo , Wang Fuchen
Published: September 2015

A cold state device of a composite spray quench chamber was established. In order to obtain the distribution of atomized droplet sizes at radial and axial positions along the flow field, different combinations of multi‐spray nozzles were selected. The atomized droplet size along the axial position was measured using a Malvern Spraytec under different conditions. The results showed that Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) D32 near the nozzles was mainly influenced by liquid flow rate. However, D32 further away from the nozzles was affected by both liquid and gas flow rate. Along the axial direction, with increasing of the relative height (h/H), D32 decreased. D32 around the gas outlet was mainly affected by the gas flow rate, growing from 80 to 160 µm as the gas flow rate increased from 0.29 to 0.49 m · s−1, which was similar to the calculated data. The research can optimize and improve the internal structure of a spray quench chamber, providing guidance to industrial applications.
A domain‐specific high‐level programming model
Authors: Mansouri Farouk , Huet Sylvain , Houzet Dominque
Published: September 2015

Nowadays, computing hardware continues to move toward more parallelism and more heterogeneity, to obtain more computing power. From personal computers to supercomputers, we can find several levels of parallelism expressed by the interconnections of multi‐core and many‐core accelerators. On the other hand, computing software needs to adapt to this trend, and programmers can use parallel programming models (PPM) to fulfil this difficult task. There are different PPMs available that are based on tasks, directives, or low‐level languages or library. These offer higher or lower abstraction levels from the architecture by handling their own syntax. However, to offer an efficient PPM with a greater (additional) high‐level abstraction level while saving on performance, one idea is to restrict this to a specific domain and to adapt it to a family of applications. In the present study, we propose a high‐level PPM specific to digital signal‐processing applications. It is based on data‐flow graph models of computation, and a dynamic run‐time model of execution (StarPU). We show how the user can easily express this digital signal‐processing application and can take advantage of task, data, and graph parallelism in the implementation, to enhance the performances of targeted heterogeneous clusters composed of CPUs and different accelerators (e.g., GPU and Xeon Phi). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Machine learning and empathy: the Civil Rights CAPTCHA
Authors: Hernández‐Castro Carlos Javier , Barrero David F. , R‐Moreno María D.
Published: September 2015

Human interactive proofs (HIPs) are a basic security measure on the Internet to avoid automatic attacks. There is an ongoing effort to find a HIP that is secure enough yet easy for humans. Recently, a new HIP has been designed aiming at higher security: the Civil Rights Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA). It employs the empathy capacity of humans to further strengthen Securimage, a well‐known text CAPTCHA. In this paper, we analyze it from a security perspective, finding fundamental design flaws. Using several well‐known machine learning (ML) algorithms, we analyze to what extent these flaws affect its security. We discover that thanks to them, we can create a successful side‐channel attack. This attack is able to correctly solve the HIP on 20.7% of occasions, much more than enough to consider it broken. Thus, we show that there is no need to solve the problem of optical character recognition nor empathy analysis for computers to break this particular HIP. ML can be successfully used to break a HIP that uses both with a side‐channel attack. This security analysis can be applied to other HIPs. It will allow to test whether they are leaking too much information by unexpected ways, given non‐evident design flaws. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimizing data partition for scaling out NoSQL cluster
Authors: Huang Xiangdong , Wang Jianmin , Zhong Yu , Song Shaoxu , Yu Philip S.
Published: September 2015

Data partition impacts the performance of Not Only SQL (NoSQL) systems significantly. Nowadays, many of the peer‐to‐peer NoSQL systems use consistent hashing to partition data automatically. These systems use virtual nodes and random data placement methods to divide the consistent hashing ring, which may lead to imbalanced data partition and degrade the overall system performance. The problem is prominent especially for scaling out heterogeneous clusters. Considering the capacity of each node, an imbalance coefficient of data distribution for a cluster is proposed firstly in this paper. Based on the imbalance coefficient, we propose a dynamic programming algorithm to calculate the position of the new coming node in the consistent hashing ring, which expands the consistent hashing ring more evenly without re‐shuffling the entire datasets. Simulations and experiments on Cassandra with Yahoo! Cloud Serving Benchmark (YCSB) benchmark show our algorithm is better than the state‐of‐the‐art work. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance evaluation of a distributed storage service in community network clouds
Authors: Selimi Mennan , Freitag Felix , Cerdà‐Alabern Llorenç , Veiga Luís
Published: September 2015

Community networks are self‐organized and decentralized communication networks built and operated by citizens, for citizens. The consolidation of today's cloud technologies offers now, for community networks, the possibility to collectively develop community clouds, building upon user‐provided networks and extending toward cloud services. Cloud storage, and in particular secure and reliable cloud storage, could become a key community cloud service to enable end‐user applications. In this paper, we evaluate in a real deployment the performance of Tahoe least‐authority file system (Tahoe‐LAFS), a decentralized storage system with provider‐independent security that guarantees privacy to the users. We evaluate how the Tahoe‐LAFS storage system performs when it is deployed over distributed community cloud nodes in a real community network such as Guifi.net. Furthermore, we evaluate Tahoe‐LAFS in the Microsoft Azure commercial cloud platform, to compare and understand the impact of homogeneous network and hardware resources on the performance of the Tahoe‐LAFS. We observed that the write operation of Tahoe‐LAFS resulted in similar performance when using either the community network cloud or the commercial cloud. However, the read operation achieved better performance in the Azure cloud, where the reading from multiple nodes of Tahoe‐LAFS benefited from the homogeneity of the network and nodes. Our results suggest that Tahoe‐LAFS can run on community network clouds with suitable performance for the needed end‐user experience. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of sonographic and cytological diagnoses of solid thyroid nodules: Emphasis on the discordant cases
Authors: Lee Yoo Jin , Kim Dong Wook , Park Young Mi , Park Ha Kyoung , Jung Soo Jin , Kim Do Hun , Lee Seok Mo , Oh Minkyung
Published: September 2015

Background

This study aimed to assess solid thyroid nodule (STN) cases with discordant sonographic and cytological diagnoses and to compare the diagnostic indices of these modalities.

Methods

From January 2013 to December 2013, a single radiologist performed consecutive thyroid ultrasonography (US) and US‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (US‐FNA) to diagnose 347 STNs in 347 patients. Each STN was classified into 1 of 5 categories according to the US diagnosis before US‐FNA: “benign,” “probably benign,” “indeterminate,” “suspicious for malignancy,” or “malignant.” We assessed cases where the sonographic and cytological STN diagnoses were discordant, using the final diagnosis as the reference standard.

Results

Of the 347 STNs, 279 (80.4%) had a final diagnosis confirmed. The “benign,” “probably benign,” and “malignant” US categories showed high concordance with the cytological diagnoses, whereas the “suspicious for malignancy” US category revealed only a 62.2% concordance rate. The prevalence of indeterminate cytology was higher in the “indeterminate” and “suspicious for malignancy” US categories than other US categories. STNs with indeterminate cytology showed a higher malignancy rate in the malignant US categories. When STNs classified into indeterminate categories from the sonographic (n = 49) and cytological (n = 18) diagnoses were excluded, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the sonographic and cytological diagnoses were 95.5 and 98.8%, 92.1 and 100%, and 93.0 and 99.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

The “suspicious for malignancy” US category showed higher discordance with cytological diagnoses than other US categories, and the diagnostic value of US was lower than that of cytology. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:953–959. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nodal Langerhans cell histiocytosis with prominent eosinophilic emperipolesis
Authors: Chougule Abhijit , Srivastava Shreya , Totadri Sidharth , Srinivasan Radhika , Trehan Amita
Published: September 2015

Multinucleated giant cells of osteoclastic type are known to occur in nodal and extranodal lesions of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). These giant cells are thought to be derived from phagocytic histiocytes, which correlate with the degree of necrosis in LCH lesions. Emperipolesis commonly seen in Rosai–Dorfman disease is a distinct phenomenon characterized by intact phagocytosed cells in an intracytoplasmic vacuole protected from proteolytic digestion. We present a case of emperipolesis of inflammatory cells especially of eosinophils by multinucleated giant cells of Langhans type in a lymph node involved by LCH—a finding that has not been described previously in the literature. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:1000–1002. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas suspected by endoscopic ultrasonography–fine‐needle aspiration cytology: Report of a case confirmed by surgical specimen histology
Authors: Tajima Shogo
Published: September 2015

Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm (ITPN) of the pancreas is rare compared with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). These entities are distinguished by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)–fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) on the basis of mucin production and the presence of a tubular or papillary growth pattern. In addition, there are several tumor types that should be distinguished from ITPN, such as solid pseudopapillary neoplasm, acinar cell carcinoma, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Herein, a case of an 80‐year‐old man with ITPN, which was suspected based on EUS‐FNAC findings at the time of review and confirmed by histological examination of the surgically resected specimen, has been presented. There have only been three reported cases that included the cytology of ITPN in the English language literature, all of which propose diagnostic features of ITPN based on cytological specimens. Here, a previously undescribed diagnostic feature of ITPN revealed by EUS–FNAC—tubules in contact with fibrovascular structures—correlated well with the histological findings of the surgically resected specimen, has been shown. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:1003–1006. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MCM9 deficiency delays primordial germ cell proliferation independent of the ATM pathway
Authors: Luo Yunhai , Schimenti John C.
Published: September 2015

Maintenance of genome integrity is crucial for the germline, and this is reflected by lower mutation rates in gametes than somatic cells. Germ cells at different stages employ different DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms. In response to certain DNA repair defects, primordial germ cells (PGCs) either undergo apoptosis or delayed proliferation, although little is known about the underlying mechanisms that govern these outcomes. Here, we report genetic studies of DDR pathways that underlie germ cell depletion in mice mutant for minichromosome maintenance 9 (Mcm9), a gene that plays a role in homologous recombination repair (HRR). Germ cell depletion in these mice is a result of reduced PGC numbers both before and after they arrive in the primitive gonads. This reduction was attributable to reduced proliferation, not apoptosis, and this response was independent of ATM‐CHK2‐TRP53‐P21 signaling. This mechanism of PGC depletion differs from that in Fancm mutants, which also display reduced PGC depletion that is partially orchestrated by the ATM‐TRP53‐P21 pathway. Germ cell depletion in mice doubly deficient for FANCM and MCM9 was additive, indicating that the damage caused by each mutation triggers different DDR pathways to slow the cell cycle as a means to preserve genomic integrity. genesis 53:678–684, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oxidative stability, thermal decomposition, and oxidation onset prediction of carrot, flax, hemp, and canola seed oils in relation to oil composition and positional distribution of fatty acids
Authors: Gao Feng , Birch John
Published: September 2015

Triacylglyceride positional distribution of fatty acids in flax, hemp, and canola seed oils were determined using Novozyme 435 and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) compared with the less convenient standard method using pancreatic lipase and thin layer chromatography (TLC). SFA were exclusively incorporated into the sn‐1,3 position and PUFA were higher at the sn‐2 position as expected. Thermogravimetic analysis (TGA) was used to predict onset of oxidation of carrot, flax, hemp, and canola seed oils and could replace conventional oxidation prediction methods due to its simplicity and time‐saving nature. Carrot seed oil exhibited higher oxidative stability and longer oxidation onset time compared with the other three oils in the isothermal heating trials due to having the lowest polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content. Thermal decomposition was influenced by the fatty acids in the oils. Flax, hemp, and canola seed oils contained higher levels of natural antioxidants due to their extraction methods although the effect of natural antioxidants on the maximum temperature of thermal decomposition was masked because of the significant differences in their unsaturated fatty acid compositions, as temperature increased. The decomposition for carrot seed oil commenced earlier compared with the seed oils containing more antioxidants, despite having low PUFA content, once natural antioxidants had been exhausted.

Practical applications: This research illustrates the advantage of using novozyme 435, HPLC, and ESI‐MS for positional distribution analysis compared to the traditional method employing pancreatic lipase and thin layer chromatography followed by gas chromatographic analysis. Further, the use of thermogravimetry for determination of oxidative stability, shelf life determination and thermal decompositional analysis is illustrated. Results demonstrate influence of fatty acid type and antioxidant content on stability and positional distribution of fatty acids in the oil triglycerides.

Triglyceride structure and fatty acid contents of seed oils are analyzed by HPLC, positional location and fatty acid type. These are shown to affect onset of oxidation and thermal stability profiles. Instrumental methods of thermal analysis allow for rapid analysis of shelf‐life prediction.
Far infrared‐assisted encapsulation of filter paper strips in poly(methyl methacrylate) for proteolysis
Authors: Chen Qiwen , Bao Huimin , Zhang Luyan , Chen Gang
Published: September 2015

Filter paper strips were enclosed between two poly(methyl methacrylate) plates to fabricate paper‐packed channel microchips under pressure in the presence of far infrared irradiation. After the enclosed paper strip was oxidized by periodate, trypsin was covalently immobilized in them to fabricate microfluidic proteolysis bioreactor. The feasibility and performance of the unique bioreactor were demonstrated by digesting BSA and lysozyme. The results were comparable to those of conventional in‐solution proteolysis while the digestion time was significantly reduced to ∼18 s. The suitability of the microfluidic paper‐based bioreactors to complex proteins was demonstrated by digesting human serum.
Mercury concentrations in different tissues of turtle and caiman species from the Rio Purus, Amazonas, Brazil
Authors: Eggins Sam , Schneider Larissa , Krikowa Frank , Vogt Richard C. , Silveira Ronis Da , Maher William
Published: September 2015

Total mercury (Hg) concentrations of muscle, liver, blood, and epidermal keratin were measured in typically consumed, economically and culturally important species of turtle (Podocnemis unifilis and Podocnemis expansa) and caiman (Melanosuchus niger and Caiman crocodilus) from the Rio Purus in the Amazon basin, Brazil. Methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations were also measured in muscle tissue, representing the first analysis of MeHg concentrations in Amazonian reptile species. In muscle tissues Hg was mostly MeHg (79–96%) for all species. No correlations existed between animal size and total Hg or MeHg concentrations for any species other than M. niger, possibly as a result of growth dilution or the evolution of efficient Hg elimination mechanisms. Significant linear correlations were found between total Hg concentrations in all pairs of nonlethally sampled tissues (keratin and blood) and internal tissues (muscle and liver) for M. niger and between keratin and internal tissues for P. expansa, indicating that nonlethally sampled tissues can be analyzed to achieve more widespread and representative monitoring of Hg bioaccumulation in Amazonian reptiles. Although mean Hg concentrations in muscle for all species were below the World Health Organization guideline for safe consumption (500 µg kg–1), mean concentrations in caiman liver were above the safe limit for pregnant women and children (200 µg kg–1). No significant differences were found between total Hg and MeHg concentrations in tissues from wild-caught and farm-raised P. expansa, suggesting that farming may not reduce Hg exposure to humans. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2771–2781. © 2015 SETAC
Ethnicity/culture modulates the relationships of the haptoglobin (Hp) 1‐1 phenotype with cognitive function in older individuals with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Guerrero‐Berroa Elizabeth , Ravona‐Springer Ramit , Heymann Anthony , Schmeidler James , Hoffman Hadas , Preiss Rachel , Koifmann Keren , Greenbaum Lior , Levy Andrew , Silverman Jeremy M. , Leroith Derek , Sano Mary , Schnaider‐Beeri Michal
Published: September 2015

Objective

The haptoglobin (Hp) genotype has been associated with cognitive function in type 2 diabetes. Because ethnicity/culture has been associated with both cognitive function and Hp genotype frequencies, we examined whether it modulates the association of Hp with cognitive function.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study evaluated 787 cognitively normal older individuals (>65 years of age) with type 2 diabetes participating in the Israel Diabetes and Cognitive Decline study. Interactions in two‐way analyses of covariance compared Group (Non‐Ashkenazi versus Ashkenazi Jews) on the associations of Hp phenotype (Hp 1‐1 versus non‐ Hp 1‐1) with five cognitive outcome measures. The primary control variables were age, gender, and education.

Results

Compared with Ashkenazi Jews, non‐Ashkenazi Jews with the Hp 1‐1 phenotype had significantly poorer cognitive function than non‐Hp 1‐1 in the domains of Attention/Working Memory (p = 0.035) and Executive Function (p = 0.023), but not in Language/Semantic Categorization (p = 0.432), Episodic Memory (p = 0.268), or Overall Cognition (p = 0.082). After controlling for additional covariates (type 2 diabetes‐related characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, Mini‐mental State Examination, and extent of depressive symptoms), Attention/Working Memory (p = 0.038) and Executive Function (p = 0.013) remained significant.

Conclusions

Older individuals from specific ethnic/cultural backgrounds with the Hp 1‐1 phenotype may benefit more from treatment targeted at decreasing or halting the detrimental effects of Hp 1‐1 on the brain. Future studies should examine differential associations of Hp 1‐1 and cognitive impairment, especially for groups with high prevalence of both, such as African–Americans and Hispanics. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age as a predictive factor of mental health service use among adults with depression and/or anxiety disorder receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: DiNapoli Elizabeth A. , Cully Jeffery A. , Wayde Ernest , Sansgiry Shubhada , Yu Hong Jen , Kunik Mark E.
Published: September 2015

Objective

This study compared mental health service utilization by treatment modality and determined predictive factors of use among younger‐adult (18–35 years), middle‐aged adult (36–64 years), and older‐adult veterans (65+ years) with a newly recognized diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety disorder.

Methods

This retrospective study used data from the Veterans Health Administration National Patient Care Database outpatient and inpatient treatment files during the 2010 fiscal year (N = 583,692).

Results

Younger adults were the most likely to use mental health services, followed by middle‐aged adults and then older adults. Age was found to be one of the greatest predictors of utilization of mental health services, with odds of use being threefold among younger adults compared with older adults.

Conclusions

Continued efforts are needed to improve the awareness of, access to, and receipt of mental health services in veterans, particularly older adults, with depression and anxiety disorders. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
Predictors of hepatitis B e antigen‐negative hepatitis in chronic hepatitis B virus‐infected patients from childhood to adulthood
Authors: Wu Jia‐Feng , Chiu Yu‐Chun , Chang Kai‐Chi , Chen Huey‐Ling , Ni Yen‐Hsuan , Hsu Hong‐Yuan , Chang Mei‐Hwei
Published: September 2015

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative hepatitis is a clinical indicator of poor outcome for chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection. This long‐term prospective cohort study aimed to elucidate the predictors of developing HBeAg‐negative hepatitis in chronic HBV‐infected subjects followed from childhood to adulthood. We followed 434 HBeAg‐positive chronic HBV‐infected patients from a median age of 7.22 years (interquartile range 4.31‐10.21 years). Spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 359 subjects at a median age of 13.93 years (interquartile range 8.76‐20.59 years), and 75 subjects developed HBeAg seroconversion after antiviral therapy. These patients were followed for a median of 14.40 years (interquartile range 6.14‐22.02 years) after HBeAg seroconversion. Clinical data were analyzed to delineate the predictors of developing HBeAg‐negative hepatitis. The HBV basal core promoter and precore/core gene sequences were also evaluated in subjects with and without HBeAg‐negative hepatitis. The overall annual incidence of HBeAg‐negative hepatitis was 0.37% (95% confidence internal 0.35‐0.39) in spontaneous HBeAg seroconverters. The overall annual incidence of HBeAg‐negative hepatitis increased to 2.64% in lamivudine‐treated subjects but did not increase in those treated with interferon‐alpha (0.58%). Male gender (hazard ratio = 3.15), HBV genotype C (hazard ratio = 4.40), HBeAg seroconversion after 18 years of age (hazard ratio = 2.46), and lamivudine therapy prior to HBeAg seroconversion (hazard ratio = 1.42) were predictors of HBeAg‐negative hepatitis in HBeAg seroconverters (P < 0.05). HBeAg‐negative hepatitis subjects carried more A1762T/G1764A, C2063A, and A2131C HBV gene mutations than those without HBeAg‐negative hepatitis. Conclusions: HBeAg seroconversion during childhood predicts a lower risk of HBeAg‐negative hepatitis in later life. Interferon‐alpha therapy may be an effective antiviral therapy beneficial in chronic HBV‐infected children with severe inflammation that facilitates HBeAg seroconversion in earlier life. (Hepatology 2016;63:74–82)
Topographic characterization of unworn contact lenses assessed by atomic force microscopy and wavelet transform
Authors: Ţălu Ştefan , StȨpień Krzysztof , Caglayan Mustafa Oguzhan
Published: September 2015

This paper analyses the three‐dimensional (3‐D) surface morphology of optic surface of unworn contact lenses (CLs) using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and wavelet transform. Refractive powers of all lens samples were 2.50 diopters. Topographic images were acquired in contact mode in air‐conditioned medium (35% RH, 23°C). Topographic measurements were taken over a 5 µm × 5 µm area with 512 pixel resolution. Resonance frequency of the tip was 65 kHz. The 3‐D surface morphology of CL unworn samples revealed (3‐D) micro‐textured surfaces that can be analyzed using (AFM) and wavelet transform. AFM and wavelet transform are accurate and sensitive tools that may assist CL manufacturers in developing CLs with optimal surface characteristics. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:1026–1031, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Structure Theorem for Strong Immersions
Authors: Dvořák Zdeněk , Wollan Paul
Published: September 2015

A graph H is strongly immersed in G if H is obtained from G by a sequence of vertex splittings (i.e., lifting some pairs of incident edges and removing the vertex) and edge removals. Equivalently, vertices of H are mapped to distinct vertices of G (branch vertices) and edges of H are mapped to pairwise edge‐disjoint paths in G, each of them joining the branch vertices corresponding to the ends of the edge and not containing any other branch vertices. We describe the structure of graphs avoiding a fixed graph as a strong immersion. The theorem roughly states that a graph which excludes a fixed graph as a strong immersion has a tree‐like decomposition into pieces glued together on small edge cuts such that each piece of the decomposition has a path‐like linear decomposition isolating the high degree vertices.
An Efficient One‐Pot Synthesis of Bis Butenolides
Authors: Bayat Mohammad , Fox Joseph M.
Published: September 2015

3,3′,4,4′‐Tetramethyl‐5,5′‐dioxo‐2,2′‐bifuran‐2,2′(5H,5′H) diyl diacetate was obtained from the reaction between 2,3‐dimethyl maleic anhydride and acetic anhydride in the presence of zinc in toluene. This easy synthetic route gave bis butenolide in excellent yield.
Robot‐assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Ruurda J.P. , van der Sluis P. C , van der Horst S. , van Hilllegersberg R.
Published: September 2015

This paper describes the technique of robot‐assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy. (RAMIE) Also, a systematic literature search was performed. Safety and feasibility of RAMIE was demonstrated in all reports. Short term oncologic results show radical resection rates of 77–100% and 18–43 lymph nodes harvested. RAMIE offers great visualization of the mediastinum and enables meticulous dissection in the mediastinum from diaphragm to thoracic inlet. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:257–265. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid fibrin plug formation within cutaneous ablative fractional CO2 laser lesions
Authors: Kositratna Garuna , Evers Michael , Sajjadi Amir , Manstein Dieter
Published: September 2015

Background

Ablative fractional laser procedures have been shown to facilitate topical drug delivery into the skin. Past studies have mainly used ex vivo models to demonstrate enhanced drug delivery and in vivo studies have investigated laser created channels over a time course of days and weeks rather than within the first few minutes and hours after exposures. We have noticed rapid in vivo fibrin plug formation within ablative fractional laser lesions impairing passage through the laser created channels.

Material and Methods

In vivo laser exposures were performed in a porcine model. A fractional CO2 laser (AcuPulse™ system, AcuScan 120™ handpiece, Lumenis, Inc., Yokneam, Israel) was programmed in quasi‐continuous wave (QCW) mode, at 40W, 50 mJ per pulse, 5% coverage, nominal 120 µm spot size, 8 × 8 mm square pattern, 169 MTZs per scan. Six millimeters punch biopsies were procured at 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90 minutes after completion of each scan, then fixed in 10% formalin. 12 repeats were performed of each time point. Skin samples were processed for serial vertically cut paraffin sections (5 μm collected every 25 μm) then H&E and special immunohistochemistry staining for fibrin and platelet. Dimensions of Microscopic Treatment Zones (MTZs) and extent of fibrin plug were assessed and quantified histologically. Ex vivo laser exposures of the identical laser parameter were performed on porcine and human skin at different storage conditions.

Results

Histology procured at various predetermined time intervals after in vivo fractional CO2 laser exposures revealed a rapidly forming fibrin plug initiating at the bottom of the MTZ lesions. At longer time intervals, the fibrin plug was extending towards the superficial sections. Within the first 5 minutes, more than 25% length of the entire laser‐ablated channel was filled with a fibrin plug. With increased time intervals, the cavity was progressively filled with a fibrin plug. At 90 minutes, more than 90% length of the entire laser‐ablated channel was occluded. Ex vivo exposures failed to produce any significant fibrin plug formation.

Conclusions

The current study has demonstrated rapid fibrin plug formation after ablative fractional laser procedures. It was shown that the passage through laser created pathways is critically time dependent for in vivo exposures. In contrast, ex vivo exposures do not exhibit such time dependent passage capacity. In particular, drug, substance, and cell delivery studies for ablative fractional laser treatments should take early fibrin plug formation into consideration and further investigate the impact on transdermal delivery. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:125–132, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevention of hepatitis C virus infection using a broad cross‐neutralizing monoclonal antibody (AR4A) and epigallocatechin gallate
Authors: O'Shea Daire , Law John , Egli Adrian , Douglas Donna , Lund Gary , Forester Sarah , Lambert Joshua , Law Mansun , Burton Dennis R. , Tyrrell D. L. J. , Houghton Michael , Humar Atul , Kneteman Norman
Published: September 2015

The anti–hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity of a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb; AR4A) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were studied in vitro using a HCV cell culture system and in vivo using a humanized liver mouse model capable of supporting HCV replication. Alone, both exhibit reliable cross‐genotype HCV inhibition in vitro, and combination therapy completely prevented HCV infection. In vitro AR4A mAb (alone and combined with EGCG) robustly protects against the establishment of HCV genotype 1a infection. EGCG alone fails to reliably protect against an HCV challenge. In conclusion, AR4A mAb represents a safe and efficacious broadly neutralizing antibody against HCV applicable to strategies to safely prevent HCV reinfection following liver transplantation, and it lends further support to the concept of HCV vaccine development. The poor bioavailability of EGCG limits HCV antiviral activity in vitro. Liver Transpl 22:324–332, 2016. © 2015 AASLD.
A Novel Small‐Caliber Bacterial Cellulose Vascular Prosthesis: Production, Characterization, and Preliminary In Vivo Testing
Authors: Leitão Alexandre F. , Faria Miguel A. , Faustino Augusto M. R. , Moreira Ricardo , Mela Petra , Loureiro Luís , Silva Ivone , Gama Miguel
Published: September 2015

Vascular grafts are used to bypass damaged or diseased blood vessels. Bacterial cellulose (BC) has been studied for use as an off‐the‐shelf graft. Herein, we present a novel, cost‐effective, method for the production of small caliber BC grafts with minimal processing or requirements. The morphology of the graft wall produced a tensile strength above that of native vessels, performing similarly to the current commercial alternatives. As a result of the production method, the luminal surface of the graft presents similar topography to that of native vessels. We have also studied the in vivo behavior of these BC graft in order to further demonstrate their viability. In these preliminary studies, 1 month patency was achieved, with the presence of neo‐vessels and endothelial cells on the luminal surface of the graft.
A geometrical shift results in erroneous appearance of low frequency tissue eddy current induced phase maps
Authors: Mandija Stefano , van Lier Astrid L.H.M.W. , Katscher Ulrich , Petrov Petar I. , Neggers Sebastian F.W. , Luijten Peter R. , van den Berg Cornelis A.T.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Knowledge on low frequency (LF) tissue conductivity is relevant for various biomedical purposes. To obtain this information, LF phase maps arising from time‐varying imaging gradients have been demonstrated to create a LF conductivity contrast. Essential in this methodology is the subtraction of phase images acquired with opposite gradient polarities to separate LF and RF phase effects. Here we demonstrate how sensitive these subtractions are with respect to geometrical distortions.

Theory and Methods

The effect of geometrical distortions on LF phase maps is mathematically defined. After quantifying typical geometrical distortions, their effects on LF phase maps are evaluated using conductive phantoms. For validation, electromagnetic simulations of LF phase maps were performed.

Results

Even sub‐voxel distortions of 10% of the voxel size, measured for a typical LF MR sequence, cause leakage of RF phase into LF phase of several milli‐radians, leading to a misleading pattern of LF phase maps. This leakage is mathematically confirmed, while simulations indicate that the expected LF phase should be in order of micro‐radians.

Conclusion

The conductivity scaling of LF phase maps is attributable to the RF phase leakage, thus dependent on the RF conductivity. In fact, simulations show that the LF phase is not measurable. Magn Reson Med 76:905–912, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recommendations for minimum information for publication of experimental pathology data: MINPEPA guidelines
Authors: Scudamore Cheryl L , Soilleux Elizabeth J , Karp Natasha A , Smith Ken , Poulsom Richard , Herrington C Simon , Day Michael J , Brayton Cory F , Bolon Brad , Whitelaw Bruce , White Eric S , Everitt Jeffrey I , Arends Mark J
Published: September 2015

Animal models are essential research tools in modern biomedical research, but there are concerns about their lack of reproducibility and the failure of animal data to translate into advances in human medical therapy. A major factor in improving experimental reproducibility is thorough communication of research methodologies. The recently published ARRIVE guidelines outline basic information that should be provided when reporting animal studies. This paper builds on ARRIVE by providing the minimum information needed in reports to allow proper assessment of pathology data gathered from animal tissues. This guidance covers aspects of experimental design, technical procedures, data gathering, analysis, and presentation that are potential sources of variation when creating morphological, immunohistochemical (IHC) or in situ hybridization (ISH) datasets. This reporting framework will maximize the likelihood that pathology data derived from animal experiments can be reproduced by ensuring that sufficient information is available to allow for replication of the methods and facilitate inter‐study comparison by identifying potential interpretative confounders. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parent–Child Similarity in Common and Specific Components of Prejudice: The Role of Ideological Attitudes and Political Discussion
Authors: Meeusen Cecil , Dhont Kristof
Published: September 2015

Using a representative sample of Belgian adolescents (N = 1530) and both their parents, we investigated the parent–child similarity in prejudice towards different out–groups and ideological attitudes (right–wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation). Contrary to previous studies, first, we distinguished between common and specific components of prejudice to test whether the parent–child similarity in one specific type of prejudice was symptomatic of parent–child similarity in prejudice towards out–groups in general. Second, we evaluated whether the parent–child similarity in common and specific components of prejudice was related to the parent–child similarity in ideological attitudes. Third, we investigated the moderating role of political discussion in the intergenerational framework of ideology and prejudice. Results indicated that parent–child similarity was particularly pronounced for the common rather than the specific component of prejudice and that the similarity in ideological attitudes was partly related to the similarity in the common component of prejudice. Finally, adolescents who discuss social and political issues more (versus less) frequently with their parents more strongly resembled their parents in the common component of prejudice and levels of authoritarianism. These results suggest that generalized prejudice runs in families and highlight politicization of the family as an important socialization mechanism. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology
Protein lysine acetylation in bacteria: Current state of the art
Authors: Ouidir Tassadit , Kentache Takfarinas , Hardouin Julie
Published: September 2015

Post‐translational modifications of proteins are key events in cellular metabolism and physiology regulation. Lysine acetylation is one of the best studied protein modifications in eukaryotes, but, until recently, ignored in bacteria. However, proteomic advances have highlighted the diversity of bacterial lysine‐acetylated proteins. The current data support the implication of lysine acetylation in various metabolic pathways, adaptation and virulence. In this review, we present a broad overview of the current knowledge of lysine acetylation in bacteria. We emphasize particularly the significant contribution of proteomics in this field.
A qualitative focus group study to identify the needs of survivors of stage II and III colorectal cancer
Authors: Ho Maria Y. , McBride Mary L. , Gotay Carolyn , Grunfeld Eva , Earle Craig C. , Relova Sharon , Tsonis Miranda , Ruan Jenny Y. , Chang Jennifer T. , Cheung Winson Y.
Published: September 2015

Background

Prior survivorship research has largely focused on issues faced by survivors of childhood tumors, breast cancers, or hematologic malignancies. Relatively little is known about the needs of other prevalent survivor groups. Our aim was to identify the specific concerns of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors in the key domains of physical functioning, psychological wellbeing, and social relationships.

Methods

We conducted focus groups with stage II and III CRC survivors who had completed their primary active anti‐cancer treatments. Patients were asked to describe how their diagnosis and treatment impacted their lives, to outline deficiencies in the care that they received, and to suggest ways of addressing any unmet needs. A content analysis was subsequently conducted to identify major themes.

Results

Thirty CRC survivors participated in six focus groups. Individuals reported some degree of dissatisfaction with the amount and type of diagnostic and treatment information they received at their initial clinic visit. Distress from toxicities, such as peripheral neuropathy, was also common among the survivors. Similarly, the majority faced challenges adjusting to their lives and daily activities, especially in caring for their colostomy. Having survived CRC, many survivors expressed an interest in advocacy and health promotion of CRC.

Conclusions

CRC survivors face many barriers after their cancer treatment. Issues with colostomy are unique to this survivor group. Interventions to improve CRC survivorship care should also incorporate opportunities for patient advocacy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does Poverty in a Scandinavian Welfare State Influence School Competence in Adolescents?
Authors: Johnsen Anja , Iversen Anette Christine , Lie Stein Atle , Sandbæk Mona
Published: September 2015

This study aims to investigate the relationship between poverty, parental socioeconomic status, and adolescent self‐perceived school competence. The study is a prospective cohort study in which the low‐income group consists of 261 adolescents 12–18 years of age whose family income was below the EU poverty line in 2005–2007, whereas the control group consists of 248 adolescents 12–18 years of age whose family income was drawn from all income groups. School competence was assessed from adolescents' self‐reports. This study finds no significant difference in school competence between the low‐income and the control group. However, when splitting the low‐income group into (a) “Norwegian adolescents” and (b) “Immigrant adolescents,” the “Immigrant adolescents” reported school competence similar to the control group. The “Norwegian adolescents” in the low‐income group reported the lowest school competence. To test whether age influences school competence, adjusted linear models were run for the sample when grouped into adolescents 12–15 years and adolescents 16–18 years of age. Among the younger adolescents in the comparison group, having a father with higher education was positively related to school competence. Of those 16–18 years of age, boys in the low‐income group exhibit higher school competence than girls.
Teriflunomide for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Chaplin Steve , Schmierer Klaus
Published: September 2015

Teriflunomide (Aubagio) is licensed for the treatment of adults with RRMS. Here, Steve Chaplin presents the clinical data relating to its efficacy and Dr Schmierer discusses its place in therapy.
Alcohol consumption is falling, but is it enough?
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: September 2015

Data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show a fall in alcohol consumption in England, particularly among younger people. This leaves the UK sitting somewhere in the middle of EU states with the highest consumption figures at 10.6 litres per person
Recognition and mangement of serotonin syndrome
Authors: Kenicer David , Krishnadas Rajeev
Published: September 2015

Given the widespread use of serotonergic agents and the associated risk of potentially life threatening illness as a result of their use, it is important that prescribers have a sound understanding of serotonin syndrome, its consequences and management.
Magnetostriction investigation of soft magnetic microwires
Authors: Churyukanova M. , Semenkova V. , Kaloshkin S. , Shuvaeva E. , Gudoshnikov S. , Zhukova V. , Shchetinin I. , Zhukov A.
Published: September 2015

The values of the magnetostriction constant, λs, of Co‐based glass‐coated microwires have been investigated by using the small‐angle magnetization rotation (SAMR) method. Performing the systematic measurements, we were able to choose the appropriate measurement conditions achieving a high‐precision result. From the dependence of the evaluated magnetostriction coefficient on annealing conditions, we evaluated the influence of the internal stresses on the magnetostriction coefficient value and the influence of the heat treatment on the magnetostriction coefficient of nearly zero magnetostrictive Co‐based microwires. We observed changes of the magnetostriction value and sign after annealing. The maximum on the dependence of the magnetostriction coefficient on annealing time is explained considering superposition of the stress relaxation and ordering and beginning of the crystallization process.
Sublattice engineering and voltage control of magnetism in triangular single and bi‐layer graphene quantum dots
Authors: Güçlü A. D. , Potasz P. , Hawrylak P.
Published: September 2015

magnified image

When a Dirac electron is confined to a triangular graphene quantum dot with zigzag edges, its low‐energy spectrum collapses to a shell of degenerate states at the Fermi level leading to a magnetized edge. The shell degeneracy and the total magnetization are proportional to the edge size and can be made macroscopic. In this review, we start with a general discussion of magnetic properties of graphene structures and its relation to broken sublattice symmetry. Then, we discuss single electronic properties of single and bilayer triangular graphene quantum dots, focusing on the nature of edge states. Finally, we investigate the role of electronic correlations in determining the nature of ground state and excitation spectra of triangular graphene quantum dots as a function of dot size and filling fraction of the shell of zero‐energy states. The interactions are treated by a combination of tight‐binding, Hartree–Fock and configuration interaction methods. We show that the spin polarization of the triangular graphene quantum dots can be controlled through gating, i.e., by adding or removing electrons. In bilayer graphene dots, the relative filling of edge states in each layer and the magnetization can be tuned down to single localized spin using an external vertical electrical field. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Single‐Layered MoS2–PEI–PEG Nanocomposite‐Mediated Gene Delivery Controlled by Photo and Redox Stimuli
Authors: Kim Jinhwan , Kim Hyunwoo , Kim Won Jong
Published: September 2015

Stimuli‐responsive gene delivery systems maximize therapeutic efficacy by controlling the cytosolic conveyance and rate of effective gene release. We present herein a hybrid nanocomposite composed of a 2D nanomaterial, MoS2, modified by attaching two polymers (polyethylenimine (PEI) and polyethylenglycol (PEG)) via disulfide bonds. This MoS2–PEI–PEG nanocomposite interacts with DNA by electrostatic interaction, and accordingly forms a nanosized complex with high stability. Photothermal conversion of MoS2 nanosheet is employed in order to induce photothermally triggered endosomal escape upon the near infrared light irradiation. After endosomal escape, polymers are detached from the MoS2 nanosheet by the intracellular reducing agent, glutathione (GSH), resulting in effective gene release from the nanocomposite. This sequential process initiated by external and internal stimuli remarkably enhances gene delivery efficiency by effective endosomal escape and gene release without severe cytotoxicity. Our rationally designed MoS2 nanocomposite provides a spatiotemporally controllable platform to deliver genetic material into cells.