bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the prognostic role of tumour‐associated macrophages in newly diagnosed classical Hodgkin lymphoma and correlation with early FDG‐PET assessment
Authors: Cencini Emanuele , Fabbri Alberto , Rigacci Luigi , Lazzi Stefano , Gini Guido , Cox Maria Christina , Mancuso Salvatrice , Abruzzese Elisabetta , Kovalchuk Sofia , Goteri Gaia , Di Napoli Arianna , Bono Roberto , Fratoni Stefano , Di Lollo Simonetta , Bosi Alberto , Leoncini Lorenzo , Bocchia Monica
Published: August 2015

In Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL), about 20% of patients still have relapsed/refractory disease and late toxic effects rate continue to rise with time. ‘Early FDG‐PET’ and tissue macrophage infiltration (TAM) emerged as powerful prognostic predictors. The primary endpoint was to investigate the prognostic role of both early FDG‐PET and TAM; the secondary endpoint was to test if early FDG‐PET positivity could correlate with high TAM score.

A cohort of 200 HL patients was analysed. Induction treatment plan consisted of two to six courses of ABVD and, if indicated, involved field radiation therapy. All patients repeated CT scan and FDG‐PET after two cycles and after the completion of therapy. TAM in diagnostic specimens was determined by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody (anti‐CD68 KP1). Overall, early FDG‐PET was negative in 163 patients (81.5%) and positive in 37 patients (18.5%), showing a significant correlation with the achievement of CR (p < 0.0001). After a median follow‐up of 40 months, progression free survival (PFS) was significantly better for PET negative patients (p < 0.0001). CD68 expression was low, intermediate or high in 26 (13%), 100 (50%) and 74 (37%) cases, without difference in the distribution between responders and non‐responders. PFS analysis showed no significant difference in any score group. TAM score did not show any correlation with early FDG‐PET result.

This study confirms that early FDG‐PET has a high prognostic power, while TAM score does not seem to influence the outcome; in contrast to our original hypothesis, it does not correlate with FDG‐PET assessment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
I am AmeriBritSouthAfrican‐Zambian: Multidimensional remote acculturation and well‐being among urban Zambian adolescents
Authors: Ferguson Yuna L. , Ferguson Kim T. , Ferguson Gail M.
Published: August 2015

One impact of globalisation is that adolescents today are frequently exposed to the values, attitudes and norms of other nations without leaving their own backyards. This may lead to remote acculturation—cultural and psychological changes experienced by non‐migrant individuals having indirect and/or intermittent contact with a geographically separate culture. Using quantitative and qualitative data, we examined multidimensional remote acculturation among 83 urban Zambian adolescents who are routinely exposed to U.S., U.K. and South African cultures through traditional and social media and materials/goods. Cluster analyses showed 2 distinct groups of adolescents. “Traditional Zambians, TZs” (55.4%) were significantly more oriented towards Zambian culture and reported a higher level of obligation to their families and greater interdependent self‐construal compared with “Westernised Multicultural Zambians, WMZs” (44.6%), who were more oriented towards U.S., U.K. and South African cultures. Furthermore, remote acculturation predicted somewhat lower life satisfaction among WMZs. These results demonstrate that individuals' behaviours, values and identity may be influenced by multiple geographically distant cultures simultaneously and may be associated with psychological costs.
Cone–shell Raman spectroscopy (CSRS) for depth‐sensitive measurements in layered tissue
Authors: Khan Khan Mohammad , Majumder Shovan Kumar , Gupta Pradeep Kumar
Published: August 2015

We report the development of a depth‐sensitive Raman spectroscopy system using the configuration of cone–shell excitation and cone detection. The system uses a 785 nm diode laser and three identical axicons for Raman excitation of the target sample in the form of a hollow conic section. The Raman scattered light from the sample, passed through the same (but solid) conic section, is collected for detection. Apart from its ability of probing larger depths (˜ few mm), an important attraction of the system is that the probing depths can be varied by simply varying the separation between axicons in the excitation arm. Furthermore, no adjustment is required in the sample arm, which is a significant advantage for noncontact, depth‐sensitive measurement. Evaluation of the performance of the developed setup on nonbiological phantom and biological tissue sample demonstrated its ability to recover Raman spectra of layers located at depths of ˜2–3 mm beneath the surface.

magnified image
Solar photocatalytic water disinfection of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp. and Clostridium Perfringens using different low‐cost devices
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Alfaro Sergio , Acevedo Asunción , Rodríguez Juan , Carpio Edward A , Manzano Manuel A
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the disinfection capacity of two handmade low‐cost devices based on solar photocatalytic disinfection (SPC‐DIS): a plastic bottle (2 L) with a cylinder inside coated with TiO2 doped with zinc and a glass reactor (9 L) with an inner cylinder coated with pure TiO2. Disinfection experiments of wastewater‐derived Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp. and Clostridium perfringens (104–105 CFU per 100 mL) were carried out under natural sunlight during winter.

RESULTS

Clostridium perfringens was the most resistant microorganism and E. coli the least in all cases. The SPC‐DIS bottle achieved 100% disinfection for E. coli, but only 98.97% for Enterococcus spp. and 96.28% for C. perfringens. The SPC‐DIS reactor achieved, under optimum operating conditions, 100% disinfection for E. coli, 100% for Enterococcus spp. and 99.44% for C. perfringens. Maximum sustainable flow rate (22 L min−1) and maximum illumination ratio (1:2) were the best operating conditions. Operating with recirculation (interrupted illumination) favored C. perfringens spore formation. Best kinetic models were biphasic for E. coli and log‐linear for Enterococcus spp. and C. perfringens.

CONCLUSION

The two new devices showed higher disinfection capacity than common PET bottles (increase in disinfection rates up to 1.5 and 4.6 times), proving to be promising alternatives to the traditional method SODIS. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Intramolecular enantiomerism as revealed from Raman optical activity spectrum
Authors: Shi Juanzi , Shen HongXia , Zhang Lisheng , Wang Peijie , Fang Yan , Wu Guozhen
Published: August 2015

An algorithm is employed to retrieve the differential bond polarizabilities (DBP) of the C‐C bonds from the Raman optical activity spectrum of (‐)β‐pinene. (‐)β‐pinene possesses two stereo centers (chiral centers) and a local mirror reflection that interchanges the S type part and R type part in one molecular. It is demonstrated that this local mirror reflection could induce an approximate (or symmetry breaking) mirror reflection that reverses the signs of the DBP of the pair bond coordinates that are related to each other by the mirror reflection.This can be called intramolecular enantiomerism (IE). More cases of IE are discussed by the analysis of (‐)α‐pinene, (R)‐(+)‐4‐isopropyl‐1‐methylcyclohexene and (R)‐(+)‐3‐methylcyclohexanone together with previously studied limonene case. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alteration in PI3K/mTOR, MAPK pathways and Her2 expression/amplification is more frequent in uterine serous carcinoma than ovarian serous carcinoma
Authors: Mahdi Haider , Xiu Joanne , Reddy Sandeep K. , DeBernardo Robert
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To compare the molecular profile of a large cohort of uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) and ovarian serous carcinoma (EOC‐S).

Methods

628 UPSC and 5335 EOC‐S tumors were evaluated using a commercial multiplatform profiling service (CARIS Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ). Specific testing performed included a combination of gene sequencing (Sanger, next generation sequencing), protein expression (IHC) and gene amplification (CISH or FISH).

Results

TP53 was the most commonly mutated gene in both UPSC and EOC‐S (76% vs. 69%, P = 0.03). UPSC were more likely to have mutation in PIK3CA (29% vs. 2%, P < 0.001), FBXW7 (12% vs. 1%, P < 0.001), KRAS (9% vs. 5%, P < 0.001) PTEN (7% vs. 1%, P < 0.001), and CTNNB1 (2% vs. 0%, P < 0.001) compared to EOC‐S. On the other hand, EOC‐S were more likely to harbor mutation in BRCA1 (20% vs. 9% P = 0.17) and BRCA2 (18% vs. 6% P = 0.09). HER2 gene amplification (17% vs. 4%, P < 0.001) and Her2/neu expression (10% vs. 2%, P < 0.001) were more frequent in UPSC than EOC‐S, respectively.

Conclusion

UPSC have a distinct mutation profile indicating higher activity of PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and MAPK pathways and Her2 expression/amplification but a trend toward lower frequency of alteration in homologous recombination pathway compared to EOC‐S. Targeted PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors should be evaluated in UPSC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:188–194. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chemometrics for comprehensive analysis of nucleobases, nucleosides, and nucleotides in Siraitiae Fructus by hydrophilic interaction ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple‐quadrupole linear ion‐trap tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhou Guisheng , Wang Mengyue , Xu Renjie , Li Xiao‐Bo
Published: August 2015

A rapid and sensitive hydrophilic interaction ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple‐quadrupole linear ion‐trap tandem mass spectrometry method was validated for the simultaneous determination of 20 nucleobases, nucleosides, and nucleotides (within 3.5 min), and then was employed to test the functional food of Luo‐Han‐Guo samples. The analysis showed that the Luo‐Han‐Guo was rich in guanosine and uridine, but contained trace levels of the other target compounds. Chemometrics methods were employed to identify 40 batches of Luo‐Han‐Guo samples from different cultivated forms, regions and varieties. Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to classify Luo‐Han‐Guo samples based on the level of the 20 target compounds, and the supervised learning method of counter propagation artificial neural network was utilized to further separate clusters and validate the established model. As a result, the samples could be clustered into three primary groups, in which correlation with cultivated varieties was observed. The present strategy could be applied to the investigation of other edible plants containing nucleobases, nucleosides, or nucleotides.
Molecular structure‐function relationship of dietary polyphenols for inhibiting VEGF‐induced VEGFR‐2 activity
Authors: Cerezo Ana B. , Winterbone Mark S. , Moyle Christina W. A. , Needs Paul W. , Kroon Paul A.
Published: August 2015

Scope

We recently reported potent inhibition of VEGF signalling by two flavanols at sub‐micromolar concentrations, mediated by direct binding of the flavanols to VEGF. The aim of this study was to quantify the inhibitory potency and binding affinity of a wide range of dietary polyphenols and determine the structural requirements for VEGF inhibition.

Methods and results

The concentration of polyphenol required to cause 50% inhibition (IC50) of VEGF‐dependent VEGFR‐2 activation in HUVECS was determined after pretreating VEGF with polyphenols at various concentations. Binding affinities and binding sites on VEGF were predicted using in‐silico modelling. Ellagic acid and 15 flavonoids had IC50 values ≤10 μM while 28 other polyhenols were weak/non‐inhibitors. Structural features associated with potent inhibition included 3‐galloylation, C‐ring C2=C3, total OH, B‐ring catechol, C‐ring 3‐OH of flavonoids. Potency was not associated with polyphenol hydrophobicity. There was a strong correlation between potency of inhibition and binding affinities, and all polyphenols were predicted to bind to a region on VEGF involved in VEGFR‐2 binding.

Conclusion

Specific polyphenols bind directly to a discrete region of VEGF and inhibit VEGF signalling, and this potentially explains the associations between consumption of these polyphenols and CVD risk.
Hypothyroidism modifies morphometry and thyroid‐hormone receptor expression in periurethral muscles of female rabbits
Authors: Sánchez‐García Octavio , Rodríguez‐Castelán Julia , Martínez‐Gómez Margarita , Cuevas Estela , Castelán Francisco
Published: August 2015

Aim

To evaluate the morphometry and thyroid‐hormone receptor (TR) expression in pelvic (pubococcygeus, Pcm) and perineal (bulbospongiosus, Bsm) muscles of control and hypothyroid female rabbits.

Methods

Hypothyroidism was induced administering 0.02% methimazole in the drinking water for one month. Hematoxylin‐eosin stained muscle sections were used to evaluate the fiber cross‐sectional area (CSA) and the number of peripheral myonuclei per fiber. Immunohistochemistry was used to calculate the proportion of TR immunoreactive nuclei per fiber. Significant differences were considered at a P ≤ 0.05.

Results

As compared to control rabbits, hypothyroidism increased the averaged fiber CSA and the myonuclei per fiber in the Bsm. Although the myonuclei number per fiber was also increased in the Pcm, the effect concerning the fiber CSA was only observed in a fraction of the Pcm fibers. Both TRα and TRβ were similarly expressed in the Pcm and Bsm. Hypothyroidism increased the expression of the TRα in the Bsm. Meanwhile, the expression of TR isoforms in the Pcm was not altered.

Conclusion

Our findings support that the TR signaling is directly involved in morphometrical changes induced by hypothyroidism in the Pcm and Bsm. The effect of hypothyroidism on the Pcm and Bsm could be related to the different type of fiber and metabolism that these muscles have. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:895–901, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ruthenium(III) catalysed and uncatalysed oxidative mechanisms of methylxanthine drug theophylline by copper(III) periodate complex in alkali media: a comparative approach
Authors: Magdum Prashant A. , Bagoji Atmanand M. , Nandibewoor Sharanappa T.
Published: August 2015

The kinetics of oxidation of methylxanthine drug, theophylline (TP), by diperiodatocuprate(III) (DPC) has been investigated in the absence and presence of ruthenium(III) (Ru(III)) as homogeneous catalyst in alkaline medium at a constant ionic strength of 0.21 mol dm−3 spectrophotometrically. The reaction exhibits 1:4 stoichiometry ([TP] : [DPC]) in both the cases. The order of the reaction with respect to [DPC] was unity, while the order with respect to [TP] was less than unity over the concentration range studied in both the cases. The rate was increased with an increase in [OH−] and decreased with an increase in [IO4−]. The order with respect to [Ru(III)] was unity. The ionic strength and dielectic constant of the medium did not affect the rate significantly. The main product 1‐methyl‐(3‐N‐formyl)‐2,4‐purinodione was identified by spot tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry spectral studies. Based on the experimental results, the possible mechanisms were proposed. The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanisms were evaluated. The catalytic constant (Kc) was also calculated for Ru(III) catalysis at different temperatures. The activation parameters with respect to the catalyst and slow step of the mechanisms were computed, and thermodynamic quantities were determined. Kinetic studies suggest that the active species of DPC and Ru(III) are found to be [Cu(H2IO6)(H2O)2] and [Ru(H2O)5OH]2+, respectively. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cancer‐related symptoms predict psychological wellbeing among prostate cancer survivors: results from the PiCTure study
Authors: Sharp Linda , O'Leary Eamonn , Kinnear Heather , Gavin Anna , Drummond Frances J.
Published: August 2015

Background

Prostate cancer treatments are associated with a range of symptoms and physical side‐effects. Cancer can also adversely impact on psychological wellbeing. Because many prostate cancer‐related symptoms and side‐effects are potentially modifiable, we investigated associations between symptoms and psychological wellbeing among prostate cancer survivors.

Methods

Postal questionnaires were distributed to men diagnosed with prostate cancer 2–18 years previously identified through cancer registries. General and prostate cancer‐specific symptoms were assessed using the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐PR25, with higher symptom scores indicating more/worse symptomatology. Psychological wellbeing was assessed by the DASS‐21. Associations between symptoms and each outcome were investigated using multivariate logistic regression, controlling for socio‐demographic and clinical factors.

Results

A total 3348 men participated (response rate = 54%). Seventeen percent (95%CI 15.2%–17.9%), 16% (95%CI 15.1%–17.8%) and 11% (95%CI 9.5%–11.8%) of survivors scored in the range for depression, anxiety and distress on the DASS scales, respectively. In multivariate models, risk of depression on the DASS scale was significantly higher in men with higher urinary and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)‐related symptoms, and higher scores for fatigue, insomnia and financial difficulties. Risk of anxiety on the DASS scale was higher in men with higher scores for urinary, bowel and ADT‐related symptoms and fatigue, dyspnoea and financial difficulties. Risk of distress on the DASS scale was positively associated with urinary, bowel and ADT‐related symptoms, fatigue, insomnia and financial difficulties.

Conclusions

Cancer‐related symptoms significantly predict psychological wellbeing among prostate cancer survivors. Greater use of interventions and medications and to alleviate symptoms might improve psychological wellbeing of prostate cancer survivors. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychological interventions for distress in adults undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Baliousis Michael , Rennoldson Michael , Snowden John A.
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To investigate the characteristics, methodology, quality, and efficacy of psychological interventions for distress in adult patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Methods

A systematic review of relevant studies was conducted using six databases with supplementary hand searching. Included studies employed an experimental or quasi‐experimental design, interventions included at least one psychological component, and outcomes involved psychological distress in affective terms. Data were abstracted, and study quality was assessed using Cochrane Foundation criteria amended to include confounder and common factors control. Data were examined and synthesised using a narrative approach and meta‐analysis.

Results

Eleven articles for nine interventions met the inclusion criteria out of 11 741 abstracts. The studies varied in quality, general, intervention, and methodological characteristics while findings were mixed. Interventions tended to show better efficacy when incorporating a major psychological component involving cognitive behavioural or emotional processing methods with substantial interventionist input. However, this was also associated with methodological limitations and threats to internal validity such as poor confounder and common factors control. A meta‐analysis yielded a small but significant pooled effect size estimate in favour of interventions with inconsequential heterogeneity. Risk of bias remained a concern.

Conclusions

Psychological interventions may provide some benefit in alleviating distress in HSCT but conclusions remain tentative in light of methodological limitations and risk of bias. Further research is needed to evidence the individual contribution of intervention components and mechanism of change together with improving intervention efficiency and methodological quality. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Occurrence and Thermal Disequilibrium State of Permafrost in Forest Ecotopes of the Great Slave Region, Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Morse P. D. , Wolfe S. A. , Kokelj S. V. , Gaanderse A. J. R.
Published: August 2015

Permafrost underlies peatlands of the Great Slave region, Northwest Territories, Canada, but permafrost relations beneath other ecotopes of black spruce (Picea mariana), white birch (Betula papyrifera) and mixed forests remain unknown. Permafrost‐ecotope relations examined over a 3 year period (2010–13) establish the occurrence and thermal state of permafrost under these different types of forest. Air temperatures and snow depths are regionally consistent. Ground temperature variation primarily reflects latent heat effects during the freezing season, with the duration of season‐normalised active‐layer freezeback explaining 76% of 1 m ground temperature variation among all sites except xeric peatland. Low apparent thermal diffusivities from substantial latent heat effects strongly attenuate ground temperature variation with depth, and yield zero annual amplitude depths of 7 m or less where annual mean ground temperatures range among sites from ‐1.4 °C to 0.0 °C. Extensive discontinuous permafrost conditions, related to the extent of forested ecotopes, are commonly in thermal disequilibrium. Whereas permafrost in peatlands may be ecosystem‐protected, this represents only about 2% of the area of the region. Permafrost in other forested ecotopes, occurring in ice‐rich unconsolidated sediments, is climate‐driven and ecosystem‐protected because of latent heat effects. Though the rate of permafrost degradation may be reduced, an eventual transition to isolated permafrost retained primarily within ecosystem‐driven peatlands implies substantial reductions of permafrost extent in this region. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stabilization of Nitro‐Aromatics
Authors: Deschamps Jeffrey R. , Parrish Damon A.
Published: August 2015

For a variety of reasons, including U.S. Federal law and improved safety, it is desirable to have insensitive munitions (IM). Although a variety of methods are available to reduce the sensitivity of munitions only changes to the high explosive (HE) itself result in increased safety during storage, transportation, handling, and deployment. As a result of this IM are almost always filled with fire resistant, shock resistant insensitive HE such as triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB). The high cost of TATB has limited its use. In this study we examine 28 nitro‐aromatics, including TATB and five previously unpublished structures, in the solid state in order to identify forces that stabilize the HE. We show that the sum of forces involved in crystal packing (i.e. the estimated energy of stabilization) has a direct relationship to the observed sensitivity of nitro‐aromatic explosives.
A structure zone diagram obtained by simultaneous deposition on a novel step heater: A case study for Cu2O thin films
Authors: Stein Helge , Naujoks Dennis , Grochla Dario , Khare Chinmay , Gutkowski Ramona , Grützke Stefanie , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Ludwig Alfred
Published: August 2015

In thin film deposition processes, the deposition temperature is one of the crucial process parameters for obtaining films with desired properties. Usually the optimum deposition temperature is found by conducting several depositions sequentially in a time consuming process. This paper demonstrates a facile and rapid route of the simultaneous thin film deposition at six different deposition temperatures ranging from 100 to 1000 °C. Cuprite (Cu2O) was chosen for the study as this material is of interest for energy applications. The thin films are assessed for their crystallographic, microstructural, Raman scattering, and photoelectrochemical properties. The results show that the utilization of a step heater leads to the rapid optimization of thin film microstructures of an absorber material used in photoelectrochemistry. This results in a structure zone diagram for Cu2O. For a substrate temperature of 600 °C, an optimum between crystallinity and morphology occurs.
Olive Oil‐derived Oleocanthal as Potent Inhibitor of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin: Biological Evaluation and Molecular Modeling Studies
Authors: Khanfar Mohammad A. , Bardaweel Sanaa K. , Akl Mohamed R. , El Sayed Khalid A.
Published: August 2015

The established anticancer and neuroprotective properties of oleocanthal combined with the reported role of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in cancer and Alzheimer's disease development encouraged us to examine the possibility that oleocanthal inhibits mTOR. To validate this hypothesis, we docked oleocanthal into the adenosine triphosphate binding pocket of a close mTOR protein homologue, namely, PI3K‐γ. Apparently, oleocanthal shared nine out of ten critical binding interactions with a potent dual PIK3‐γ/mTOR natural inhibitor. Subsequent experimental validation indicated that oleocanthal indeed inhibited the enzymatic activity of mTOR with an IC50 value of 708 nM. Oleocanthal inhibits the growth of several breast cancer cell lines at low micromolar concentration in a dose‐dependent manner. Oleocanthal treatment caused a marked downregulation of phosphorylated mTOR in metastatic breast cancer cell line (MDA‐MB‐231). These results strongly indicate that mTOR inhibition is at least one of the factors of the reported anticancer and neuroprotective properties of oleocanthal. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flash Lamp Annealing of ITO thin films on ultra‐thin glass
Authors: Weller Stephanie , Junghähnel Manuela
Published: August 2015

Ultra‐fast thermal annealing of thin films with annealing times of few milliseconds are faster und more energy efficient than conventional furnace annealing methods. By using flash lamp annealing, only the surface is heated while the substrate remains cold. This allows the refinement of indium‐tin‐oxide films on rigid and ultra‐thin flexible glass and improves their conductivity and transmittance.
Tendon development and diseases
Authors: Gaut Ludovic , Duprez Delphine
Published: August 2015

Tendon is a uniaxial connective tissue component of the musculoskeletal system. Tendon is involved in force transmission between muscle and bone. Tendon injury is very common and debilitating but tendon repair remains a clinical challenge for orthopedic medicine. In vertebrates, tendon is mainly composed of type I collagen fibrils, displaying a parallel organization along the tendon axis. The tendon‐specific spatial organization of type I collagen provides the mechanical properties for tendon function. In contrast to other components of the musculoskeletal system, tendon biology is poorly understood. An important goal in tendon biology is to understand the mechanisms involved in the production and assembly of type I collagen fibrils during development, postnatal formation, and healing processes in order to design new therapies for tendon repair. In this review we highlight the current understanding of the molecular and mechanical signals known to be involved in tenogenesis during development, and how development provides insights into tendon healing processes. WIREs Dev Biol 2016, 5:5–23. doi: 10.1002/wdev.201

This article is categorized under:

Vertebrate Organogenesis > Musculoskeletal and Vascular
In silico model-driven cofactor engineering strategies for improving the overall NADP(H) turnover in microbial cell factories
Authors: Lakshmanan Meiyappan , Yu Kai , Koduru Lokanand , Lee Dong-Yup
Published: August 2015

Optimizing the overall NADPH turnover is one of the key challenges in various value-added biochemical syntheses. In this work, we first analyzed the NADPH regeneration potentials of common cell factories, including Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bacillus subtilis, and Pichia pastoris across multiple environmental conditions and determined E. coli and glycerol as the best microbial chassis and most suitable carbon source, respectively. In addition, we identified optimal cofactor specificity engineering (CSE) enzyme targets, whose cofactors when switched from NAD(H) to NADP(H) improve the overall NADP(H) turnover. Among several enzyme targets, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was recognized as a global candidate since its CSE improved the NADP(H) regeneration under most of the conditions examined. Finally, by analyzing the protein structures of all CSE enzyme targets via homology modeling, we established that the replacement of conserved glutamate or aspartate with serine in the loop region could change the cofactor dependence from NAD(H) to NADP(H).
Circadian and Sex Differences After Acute High-Altitude Exposure: Are Early Acclimation Responses Improved by Blue Light?
Authors: Silva-Urra Juan A. , Núñez-Espinosa Cristian A. , Niño-Mendez Oscar A. , Gaitán-Peñas Héctor , Altavilla Cesare , Toro-Salinas Andrés , Torrella Joan R. , Pagès Teresa , Javierre Casimiro F. , Behn Claus , Viscor Ginés
Published: August 2015

Objective

The possible effects of blue light during acute hypoxia and the circadian rhythm on several physiological and cognitive parameters were studied.

Methods

Fifty-seven volunteers were randomly assigned to 2 groups: nocturnal (2200–0230 hours) or diurnal (0900–1330 hours) and exposed to acute hypoxia (4000 m simulated altitude) in a hypobaric chamber. The participants were illuminated by blue LEDs or common artificial light on 2 different days. During each session, arterial oxygen saturation (Spo2), blood pressure, heart rate variability, and cognitive parameters were measured at sea level, after reaching the simulated altitude of 4000 m, and after 3 hours at this altitude.

Results

The circadian rhythm caused significant differences in blood pressure and heart rate variability. A 4% to 9% decrease in waking nocturnal Spo2 under acute hypoxia was observed. Acute hypoxia also induced a significant reduction (4%–8%) in systolic pressure, slightly more marked (up to 13%) under blue lighting. Women had significantly increased systolic (4%) and diastolic (12%) pressures under acute hypoxia at night compared with daytime pressure; this was not observed in men. Some tendencies toward better cognitive performance (d2 attention test) were seen under blue illumination, although when considered together with physiological parameters and reaction time, there was no conclusive favorable effect of blue light on cognitive fatigue suppression after 3 hours of acute hypobaric hypoxia.

Conclusions

It remains to be seen whether longer exposure to blue light under hypobaric hypoxic conditions would induce favorable effects against fatigue.
Detrital zircon U–Pb ages of the Palaeozoic Natal Group and Msikaba Formation, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: provenance areas in context of Gondwana
Authors: VORSTER CLARISA , KRAMERS JAN , BEUKES NIC , VAN NIEKERK HERMAN
Published: August 2015

The Natal Group and Msikaba Formation remain relatively poorly understood with regards to their provenance and relative age of deposition; a much-needed geochronological study of the detrital zircons from these two units was therefore undertaken. Five samples of the Durban and Mariannhill Formations (Natal Group) and the Msikaba Formation (Cape Supergroup) were obtained. A total of 882 concordant U–Pb ages of detrital zircon populations from these units were determined by means of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Major Neoproterozoic and secondary Mesoproterozoic detrital zircon age populations are present in the detrital zircon content of all the samples. Smaller contributions from Archean-, Palaeoproterozoic-, Cambrian- and Ordovician-aged grains are also present. Due to the presence of a prominent major population of 800–1000 Ma zircons in all the samples, late Stenian – Tonian ancient volcanic arc complexes overprinted by Pan-African metamorphism of Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia, along with areas of similar age within Antarctica, India and Sri Lanka, are suggested as major sources of detritus. The Namaqua–Natal Metamorphic Complex is suggested as a possible source of minor late Mesoproterozoic-aged detritus. Minor populations of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic zircons were likely sourced from the Kaapvaal and Grunehogna Cratons. Post-orogenic Cambrian – Lower Ordovician granitoids of the Mozambique Belt (Mozambique) and the Maud Belt (Antarctica) made lesser contributions. In view of the apparent broad similarity of source areas for the Natal Group and Msikaba Formation, their sedimentation occurred in parts of the same large and evolving basin rather than localized in small continental basins, and the current exposures merely represent small erosional relicts.
Functional neuroimaging of human vocalizations and affective speech
Authors: Frühholz Sascha , Sander David , Grandjean Didier
Published: August 2015

Neuroimaging studies have verified the important integrative role of the basal ganglia during affective vocalizations. They, however, also point to additional regions supporting vocal monitoring, auditory–motor feedback processing, and online adjustments of vocal motor responses. For the case of affective vocalizations, we suggest partly extending the model to fully consider the link between primate-general and human-specific neural components.
Recognising, assessing and managing offending behaviour in persons with intellectual disability
Authors: Leonard Peter , Shanahan Sean , Hillery John
Published: August 2015

The association between intellectual disability and offending is complex. Recent evidence would suggest that the received wisdom of intellectually disabled persons being more prone to offending is either incorrect or only tells part of the story. Those within the ‘borderline’ intellectual disability range may be more prone to committing sexual and criminal damage offences but those with an IQ less than 50 rarely offend.

The offender with intellectual disability shares characteristics with his counterpart from the general population. As with the general population as a whole, offending in this group is often unreported and its recognition is complicated by issues of competence. The lack of validated forensic assessment schedules for this population poses a further challenge. Some general approaches to assessment in this population are discussed. This case report illustrates the difficulties of assessing and managing offending behaviour in an individual with moderate intellectual disability. The challenge of treating offenders with an intellectual disability is immense and requires specialist expertise. Managing such cases in a generic setting is inappropriate and the need for a forensic learning disability service in Ireland is highlighted.
A case–control study of risk factors for sporadic campylobacter infections in Denmark
Authors: NEIMANN J. , ENGBERG J. , MØLBAK K. , WEGENER H. C.
Published: August 2015

A case control study comprising 282 cases and 319 matched controls was conducted in Denmark during 1996–7. Two estimates of the odds ratio (OR) were determined for each risk factor with and without ‘protective factors’ fitted into the final model. Consumption of undercooked poultry (OR 4·5; 8·2), consumption of red meat at a barbecue (OR 2·3; 4·1), consumption of grapes (OR 1·6; 2·8) and drinking unpasteurized milk (OR 2·3; 11·8) were identified as risk factors in both models. Frequent consumption of pork chops (OR 4·4) and daily contact with domestic animals and pets were identified as risk factors in one of the two models only. Finally, foreign travel was found to be a significant risk factor (OR 2·5). Seasonal and regional interaction was observed for several risk factors and the time elapsed from interviewing of cases to interviewing of controls seemed to influence the effect of certain seasonal dependent risk factors.
Psychobiology of Mindfulness
Authors: Stein Dan J. , Ives-Deliperi Victoria , Thomas Kevin G.F.
Published: August 2015

There is controversy about whether mindfulness-based approaches to psychotherapy represent a new wave of cognitive-behavioral therapy or a core process in all psychotherapies. One way of conceptualizing mindfulness is in terms of emotion regulation; mindfulness is a strategy aimed at opposing suppression and avoidance. Dispositional mindfulness has been associated with greater activation in prefrontal cortex and greater deactivation of amygdala during affect labeling. A number of rigorous studies of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression have been positive. However, much remains to be discovered about the underlying mechanisms of and clinical indications for mindfulness-based approaches.
Measurement and prediction of subjective fatigue following traumatic brain injury
Authors: ZIINO CARLO , PONSFORD JENNIE
Published: August 2015

Numerous outcome studies have found fatigue to be a common problem following traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study examined the magnitude, causes and impact of fatigue following TBI using three subjective fatigue scales, and investigated its relationship with demographic and injury-related factors, and mood. Forty-nine controls and 49 TBI participants (36.2% with GCS score of 13–15, 29.8% with GCS score of 9–12, and 34% with GCS score of 3–8) were seen at a mean of approximately 8 months post injury. All participants completed three subjective fatigue measures, including the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Visual Analogue Scale–Fatigue (VAS–F) and Causes of Fatigue Questionnaire (COF). TBI participants reported a significantly greater impact of fatigue on their lifestyle on the FSS relative to controls, and reported activities requiring physical and mental effort as more frequent causes of fatigue on the COF. There were, however, no significant group differences on subscales of the VAS–F. Greater time since injury and higher education levels were associated with higher fatigue levels, independent of the effects of mood. Injury severity and age were not found to be significant predictors of subjective fatigue severity in TBI participants. (JINS, 2005,11, 416–425.)
Functional Correlates of Midline Brain Volume Loss in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Guild Emma B. , Levine Brian
Published: August 2015

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with long-term changes in daily life functioning, yet the neuroanatomical correlates of these changes are poorly understood. This study related outcome assessed across several domains to brain structure derived from quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sixty individuals spanning a wide range of TBI severity participated 1-year post-injury as part of the Toronto TBI study. Volumetric data over 38 brain regions were derived from high resolution T1-weighted MRI scans. Functioning was assessed with a battery of self- and significant-other rated measures. Multivariate analysis (partial least squares) was used to identify shared variance between the neuroimaging and outcome measures. TBI was associated with item endorsement on outcome questionnaires without strong evidence for severity or focal lesion effects. Prefrontal midline, cingulate, medial temporal, right inferior parietal and basal ganglia/thalamic volumes were associated with measures of initiative, energization, and physical complaints. In the chronic stage of TBI, self-initiation, energization, and physical complaints related to a specific pattern of volume loss in midline and lateral regions known to be involved in motivation, apathy, and attention. These results suggest that crucial functional changes in chronic TBI may be associated with volume loss in established midline-frontal and attentional circuits. (JINS, 2015,21, 650–655)
VIRTUE LANGUAGE IN NINETEENTH-CENTURY ORIENTALISM: A CASE STUDY IN HISTORICAL EPISTEMOLOGY
Authors: PAUL HERMAN
Published: August 2015

Historical epistemology is a form of intellectual history focused on “the history of categories that structure our thought, pattern our arguments and proofs, and certify our standards for explanation” (Lorraine Daston). Under this umbrella, historians have been studying the changing meanings of “objectivity,” “impartiality,” “curiosity,” and other virtues believed to be conducive to good scholarship. While endorsing this historicization of virtues and their corresponding vices, the present article argues that the meaning and relative importance of these virtues and vices can only be determined if their mutual dependencies are taken into account. Drawing on a detailed case study—a controversy that erupted among nineteenth-century orientalists over the publication of R. P. A. Dozy'sDe Israëlieten te Mekka(The Israelites in Mecca) (1864)—the paper shows that nineteenth-century orientalists were careful to examine (1) the degree to which Dozy practiced the virtues they considered most important, (2) the extent to which these virtues were kept in balance by other ones, (3) the extent to which these virtues were balanced by other scholars’ virtues, and (4) the extent to which they were expected to be balanced by future scholars’ work. Consequently, this article argues that historical epistemology might want to abandon its single-virtue focus in order to allow balances, hierarchies, and other dependency relations between virtues and vices to move to the center of attention.
A phase 2 randomized dose-ranging study of the JAK2-selective inhibitor fedratinib (SAR302503) in patients with myelofibrosis
Authors: Pardanani A , Tefferi A , Jamieson C , Gabrail N Y , Lebedinsky C , Gao G , Liu F , Xu C , Cao H , Talpaz M
Published: August 2015

In this phase 2 open-label randomized study, 31 patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis received fedratinib 300, 400 or 500 mg once daily in consecutive 4-week cycles. Mean spleen volume reductions at 12 weeks (primary end point) were 30.3% (300 mg), 33.1% (400 mg) and 43.3% (500 mg). Spleen response rates (patients achieving ⩾35% spleen reduction) at 12/24 weeks were 30%/30% (300 mg), 50%/60% (400 mg) and 64%/55% (500 mg), respectively. By 4 weeks, improvements in myelofibrosis (MF)-associated symptoms were observed. At 48 weeks, 68% of patients remained on fedratinib and 16% had discontinued because of adverse events (AEs). Common grade 3/4 AEs were anemia (58%), fatigue (13%), diarrhea (13%), vomiting (10%) and nausea (6%). Serious AEs included one case of reversible hepatic failure and one case of Wernicke’s encephalopathy (after analysis cutoff). Fedratinib treatment led to reduced STAT3 phosphorylation but no meaningful change in JAK2V617F allele burden. Significant modulation (P<0.05, adjusted for multiple comparisons) of 28 cytokines was observed, many of which correlated with spleen reduction. These data confirm the clinical activity of fedratinib in MF. After the analysis cutoff date, additional reports of Wernicke's encephalopathy in other fedratinib trials led to discontinuation of the sponsored clinical development program.
Global diversity and biogeography of deep-sea pelagic prokaryotes
Authors: Salazar Guillem , Cornejo-Castillo Francisco M , Benítez-Barrios Verónica , Fraile-Nuez Eugenio , Álvarez-Salgado X Antón , Duarte Carlos M , Gasol Josep M , Acinas Silvia G
Published: August 2015

The deep-sea is the largest biome of the biosphere, and contains more than half of the whole ocean’s microbes. Uncovering their general patterns of diversity and community structure at a global scale remains a great challenge, as only fragmentary information of deep-sea microbial diversity exists based on regional-scale studies. Here we report the first globally comprehensive survey of the prokaryotic communities inhabiting the bathypelagic ocean using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. This work identifies the dominant prokaryotes in the pelagic deep ocean and reveals that 50% of the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belong to previously unknown prokaryotic taxa, most of which are rare and appear in just a few samples. We show that whereas the local richness of communities is comparable to that observed in previous regional studies, the global pool of prokaryotic taxa detected is modest (~3600 OTUs), as a high proportion of OTUs are shared among samples. The water masses appear to act as clear drivers of the geographical distribution of both particle-attached and free-living prokaryotes. In addition, we show that the deep-oceanic basins in which the bathypelagic realm is divided contain different particle-attached (but not free-living) microbial communities. The combination of the aging of the water masses and a lack of complete dispersal are identified as the main drivers for this biogeographical pattern. All together, we identify the potential of the deep ocean as a reservoir of still unknown biological diversity with a higher degree of spatial complexity than hitherto considered.
Microfluidic Chip-LC/MS-based Glycomic Analysis Revealed Distinct N-glycan Profile of Rat Serum
Authors: Gao Wei-Na , Yau Lee-Fong , Liu Liang , Zeng Xing , Chen Da-Can , Jiang Min , Liu Ju , Wang Jing-Rong , Jiang Zhi-Hong
Published: August 2015

The rat is an important alternative for studying human pathology owing to certain similarities to humans. Glycomic studies on rat serum have revealed that variations in the N-glycans of glycoproteins correlated with disease progression, which is consistent with the findings in human serum. Therefore, we comprehensively characterized the rat serum N-glycome using microfluidic chip-LC-ESI-QTOF MS and MS/MS techniques. In total, 282 N-glycans, including isomers, were identified. This study is the first to present comprehensive profiling of N-glycans containing O-acetylated sialic acid, among which 27 N-glycans are novel. In addition, the co-existence of N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) in a single N-glycan (‘mixed’ N-glycan) was detected and represents a new type of N-glycan in rat serum. The existence of O-acetylated sialic acid is the characteristic feature of rat serum that distinguishes it from mouse and human sera. Comparisons between the rat, mouse and human serum glycomes revealed that the rat glycome is more similar to that of human sera than to that of mouse sera. Our findings highlight the similarities between the glycomic profile of rat and human sera and provided important selection criteria for choosing an appropriate animal model for pathological and pharmacological studies.
Chronic Noise Exposure Acts Cumulatively to Exacerbate Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Amyloid-β Pathology and Neuroinflammation in the Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Cui Bo , Li Kang , Gai Zhihui , She Xiaojun , Zhang Na , Xu Chuanxiang , Chen Xuewei , An Gaihong , Ma Qiang , Wang Rui
Published: August 2015

A putative etiological association exists between noise exposure and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology is thought to be one of the primary initiating factors in AD. It has been further suggested that subsequent dysregulation of Aβ may play a mechanistic role in the AD-like pathophysiology associated with noise exposure. Here, we used ELISA, immunoblotting, cytokine arrays and RT-PCR, to examine both hippocampal Aβ pathology and neuroinflammation in rats at different time points after noise exposure. We found that chronic noise exposure significantly accelerated the progressive overproduction of Aβ, which persisted for 7 to 14 days after the cessation of exposure. This effect was accompanied by up-regulated expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its cleavage enzymes, β- and γ-secretases. Cytokine analysis revealed that chronic noise exposure increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and the receptor for advanced glycation end products, while decreasing the expression of activin A and platelet-derived growth factor- AA. Furthermore, we found persistent elevations of glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 expression that closely corresponded to the noise-induced increases in Aβ and neuroinflammation. These studies suggest that lifelong environmental noise exposure may have cumulative effects on the onset and development of AD.
Electrochemical monitoring of colloidal silver nanowires in aqueous samples
Authors: Li Cheng Ai , Kim Duckjong
Published: August 2015

We demonstrate a simple electrochemical method to measure the concentration of silver nanowires in solution. This method is sensitive, specific, rapid, and inexpensive, making it ideal for on-site use.