bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of cytapheresis for remission induction and dermatological manifestations of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Nomura Osamu , Osada Taro , Shibuya Tomoyoshi , Ishikawa Dai , Haga Keiichi , Kodani Tomohiro , Sakamoto Naoto , Ogihara Tatsuo , Yamaji Ken , Watanabe Sumio
Published: June 2017

Background

In ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, cytapheresis depletes elevated and activated leucocytes, which are known to release inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. Further, there are UC patients who develop erythema nodosum (EN) or pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) as extra‐intestinal manifestations of UC.

Methods

Between 2008 and 2015, 181 consecutive patients with active UC received cytapheresis with either a granulocyte and monocyte apheresis (GMA) column or with a leucocyte removal filter (LCAP) as remission induction therapy. Each patient received weekly or intensive (2‐3 sessions/week) cytapheresis up to 10 sessions. In 13 patients, UC was complicated by EN or PG. Lichtiger's clinical activity index (CAI) ≤4 meant remission, while ≥3 decrease in CAI meant response to therapy. Prednisolone sparing and the changes in the extra‐intestinal manifestations were factored for assessing treatment efficacy.

Results

The overall remission and response rates were 52.5% and 71.8%, respectively, CAI fell from 9.4 ± 3.3 to 4.9 ± 3.5 (P < 0.001). The efficacy rates in subgroups on concomitant corticosteroid, anti‐TNF or tacrolimus, and those without concomitant medications were not significantly different (P > 0.05). However, in 84 patients on prednisolone, the average daily prednisolone dose was reduced from 18.15 to 12.43 mg/day (P < 0.001) with 21.7% being corticosteroid free. All patients with EN or PG showed favorable response to cytapheresis, notably 2 EN patients achieving remission after just 2 cytapheresis sessions without concomitant medication.

Conclusions

In this retrospective efficacy evaluation, cytapheresis was effective as remission induction therapy with steroid sparing effect and desirable safety profile. Further, patients with EN or PG responded favorably to cytapheresis.
On low‐lying excited states of extended nanographenes
Authors: Tsuneda Takao , Singh Raman K. , Nakata Ayako
Published: June 2017

Low‐lying excited states of planarly extended nanographenes are investigated using the long‐range corrected (LC) density functional theory (DFT) and the spin‐flip (SF) time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) by exploring the long‐range exchange and double‐excitation correlation effects on the excitation energies, band gaps, and exciton binding energies. Optimizing the geometries of the nanographenes indicates that the long‐range exchange interaction significantly improves the CC bond lengths and amplify their bond length alternations with overall shortening the bond lengths. The calculated TDDFT excitation energies show that long‐range exchange interaction is crucial to provide accurate excitation energies of small nanographenes and dominate the exciton binding energies in the excited states of nanographenes. It is, however, also found that the present long‐range correction may cause the overestimation of the excitation energy for the infinitely wide graphene due to the discrepancy between the calculated band gaps and vertical ionization potential (IP) minus electron affinity (EA) values. Contrasting to the long‐range exchange effects, the SF‐TDDFT calculations show that the double‐excitation correlation effects are negligible in the low‐lying excitations of nanographenes, although this effect is large in the lowest excitation of benzene molecule. It is, therefore, concluded that long‐range exchange interactions should be incorporated in TDDFT calculations to quantitatively investigate the excited states of graphenes, although TDDFT using a present LC functional may provide a considerable excitation energy for the infinitely wide graphene mainly due to the discrepancy between the calculated band gaps and IP–EA values. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Physicochemical properties of some hydrophobic room‐temperature ionic liquids applied to volatile organic compounds biodegradation processes
Authors: Rodriguez Castillo Alfredo Santiago , Guihéneuf Solène , Biard Pierre‐François , Paquin Ludovic , Amrane Abdeltif , Couvert Annabelle
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Ionic liquids (IL) are an interesting solvent choice for specific industrial applications since physicochemical properties can be fine‐tuned by modifying the substituent groups or the cation/anion pair. Hydrophobic ILs are considered green solvents and known to be good absorbents for hydrophobic organic compounds. Given their physicochemical properties an industrial application of such compounds is conceivable. Classical physicochemical properties such as density, viscosity and surface tension have a strong influence on the fluid dynamics; they were therefore measured and determined.

RESULTS

The density, viscosity and surface tension of 23 hydrophobic ILs were measured at room temperature. These compounds are potential candidates for the absorption and biodegradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a two‐phase partitioning bioreactor. The thermal expansion coefficient, molecular volume, standard molar entropy and lattice energy were determined for each IL using empirical and semi‐empirical equations based on the density values. Viscosity values were correlated by the Arrhenius equation. Then, the surface excess enthalpy and surface excess entropy were determined from the surface tension values.

CONCLUSION

The influence of the presence of different functional moieties (unsaturated bonding, oxygenated and cyanide) and the side chain length in the physicochemical properties of these hydrophobic ILs was discussed, since their presence affected directly the density, viscosity and surface tension. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Refining of wine lees and cheese whey for the production of microbial oil, polyphenol‐rich extracts and value‐added co‐products
Authors: Kopsahelis Nikolaos , Dimou Charalampia , Papadaki Aikaterini , Xenopoulos Evangelos , Kyraleou Maria , Kallithraka Stamatina , Kotseridis Yorgos , Papanikolaou Seraphim , Koutinas Apostolis A
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Refining of renewable resources for the production of various end‐products should be applied in order to develop sustainable processes and ensure the transition to the bio‐economy era. With this principle in mind, a novel integrated biorefinery has been developed based on cheese whey and wine lees valorization.

RESULTS

Polyphenols, tartrate salts and ethanol were extracted from wine lees, while the remaining solids enriched in yeast cells were converted into nutrient‐rich fermentation supplements. The composition of phenolics varied between solid and liquid fractions of wine lees. Protein concentrate was separated from cheese whey via ultrafiltration, while the concentrated lactose‐rich permeate stream was supplemented with wine lees derived hydrolysates to form fermentation media for microbial oil production by Cryptococcus curvatus and Mortierella ramanniana. Functional oil containing 4.5% (w/w) of the omega‐6 fatty acid γ‐linolenic acid was produced in shake flask cultures by Mortierella ramanniana with total dry weight of 25.8 g L−1 and 30.6% (w/w) lipid content. Fed‐batch bioreactor cultures with Cryptococcus curvatus using only crude resources led to one of the highest lipid concentrations (33.1 g L−1) reported in literature‐cited publications using cheese whey.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study proposing the integrated refining of cheese whey and wine lees for the production of both commodity and speciality products, namely whey protein concentrate, antioxidants, ethanol, tartrate salts and microbial oil. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
MR techniques for guiding high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatments
Authors: Kuroda Kagayaki
Published: June 2017

To make full use of the ability of magnetic resonance (MR) to guide high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, effort has been made to improve techniques for thermometry, motion tracking, and sound beam visualization. For monitoring rapid temperature elevation with proton resonance frequency (PRF) shift, data acquisition and processing can be accelerated with parallel imaging and/or sparse sampling in conjunction with appropriate signal processing methods. Thermometry should be robust against tissue motion, motion‐induced magnetic field variation, and susceptibility change. Thus, multibaseline, referenceless, or hybrid techniques have become important. In cases with adipose or bony tissues, for which PRF shift cannot be used, thermometry with relaxation times or signal intensity may be utilized. Motion tracking is crucial not only for thermometry but also for targeting the focus of an ultrasound in moving organs such as the liver, kidney, or heart. Various techniques for motion tracking, such as those based on an anatomical image atlas with optical‐flow displacement detection, a navigator echo to seize the diaphragm position, and/or rapid imaging to track vessel positions, have been proposed. Techniques for avoiding the ribcage and near‐field heating have also been examined. MR acoustic radiation force imaging (MR‐ARFI) is an alternative to thermometry that can identify the location and shape of the focal spot and sound beam path. This technique could be useful for treating heterogeneous tissue regions or performing transcranial therapy. All of these developments, which will be discussed further in this review, expand the applicability of HIFU treatments to a variety of clinical targets while maintaining safety and precision.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 4

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:316–331.
Nuclei‐specific deposits of iron and calcium in the rat thalamus after status epilepticus revealed with quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM)
Authors: Aggarwal Manisha , Li Xu , Gröhn Olli , Sierra Alejandra
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To investigate pathological changes in the rat brain after pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).

Materials and Methods

3D multiecho gradient‐echo (GRE) data were acquired from ex vivo brains of pilocarpine‐injected and age‐matched control rats at 11.7T. Maps of R2* and quantitative susceptibility were calculated from the acquired 3D GRE magnitude and phase data, respectively. QSM and R2* maps were compared with Perls' (iron) and Alizarin‐red‐S (calcium) stainings in the same brains to investigate the pathophysiological basis of susceptibility contrast.

Results

Bilaterally symmetric lesions were detected in reproducible thalamic regions of pilocarpine‐treated rats, characterized by hyperintensity in R2* maps. In comparison, quantitative susceptibility maps demonstrated heterogeneous contrast within the lesions, with distinct hyperintense (paramagnetic) and hypointense (diamagnetic) areas. Comparison with histological assessment revealed localized deposits of iron‐ and calcium‐positive granules in thalamic nuclei corresponding to paramagnetic and diamagnetic areas delineated in the susceptibility maps, respectively. Pronounced differences were observed in the lesions between background‐corrected phase images and reconstructed susceptibility maps, indicating unreliable differentiation of iron and calcium deposits in phase maps. Multiple linear regression showed a significant association between susceptibility values and measured optical densities (ODs) of iron and calcium in the lesions (R2 = 0.42, P < 0.001), with a positive dependence on OD of iron and negative dependence on OD of calcium.

Conclusion

QSM can detect and differentiate pathological iron and calcium deposits with high sensitivity and improved spatial accuracy compared to R2* or GRE phase images, rendering it a promising technique for diagnosing thalamic lesions after status epilepticus.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:554–564.
Impact of microvascular obstruction on left ventricular local remodeling after reperfused myocardial infarction
Authors: Zhang Lin , Mandry Damien , Chen Bailiang , Huttin Olivier , Hossu Gabriela , Wang Hairong , Beaumont Marine , Girerd Nicolas , Felblinger Jacques , Odille Freddy
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To evaluate by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the impact of microvascular obstruction (MVO) on regional left ventricular (LV) wall characteristics and local remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Materials and Methods

In all, 114 AMI patients underwent cardiac MRI at 3T within 2–4 days (baseline) and at 6 months (follow‐up) after reperfusion. Late gadolinium enhancement and cine sequences were performed. The impact of MVO (ie, presence and extent) on regional wall thickening (WT, %), end‐diastolic wall thickness (EDWT, mm), and local cavity change (mm) of LV were quantitatively analyzed. Local cavity change, calculated as surface‐to‐surface distance from registered endocardial surface meshes of cine imaging datasets acquired initially and at follow‐up, was used to assess local remodeling.

Results

MVO was detected in 69 patients (60.5%). WT was significantly lower when MVO was present (P < 0.05); and it was inversely related to MVO transmural extent (P < 0.0001). WT improvement was significantly worsened when MVO was present in segments with infarct transmural extent exceeding 50%. Significant wall thinning occurred at follow‐up in segments with infarct transmural extent >75% with further thinning by MVO presence; and EDWT decreased with increasing MVO transmural extent (P < 0.0001). LV cavity shrank in patients without MVO, whereas it dilated in those with MVO. Local cavity changes were not significantly different by a region‐to‐region analysis throughout the LV within each group (P = 0.57 and 0.74, respectively).

Conclusion

MVO has a significant adverse effect on LV wall characteristics and LV remodeling. Postinfarct remodeling seems to be globally mediated rather than locally mediated during the first 6 months.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:499–510.
Ex vivo MRI evaluation of prostate cancer: Localization and margin status prediction of prostate cancer in fresh radical prostatectomy specimens
Authors: Heidkamp Jan , Hoogenboom Martijn , Kovacs Iringo E. , Veltien Andor , Maat Arie , Sedelaar J.P. Michiel , Hulsbergen‐van de Kaa Christina A. , Fütterer Jurgen J.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To investigate the ability of high field ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to localize prostate cancer (PCa) and to predict the margin status in fresh radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens using histology as the reference standard.

Materials and Methods

This Institutional Review Board (IRB)‐approved study had written informed consent. Patients with biopsy‐proved PCa and a diagnostic multiparametric 3T MRI examination of the prostate prior to undergoing RP were prospectively included. A custom‐made container provided reference between the 7T ex vivo MRI obtained from fresh RP specimens and histological slicing. On ex vivo MRI, PCa was localized and the presence of positive surgical margins was determined in a double‐reading session. These findings were compared with histological findings obtained from completely cut, whole‐mount embedded, prostate specimens.

Results

In 12 RP specimens, histopathology revealed 36 PCa lesions, of which 17 (47%) and 20 (56%) were correlated with the ex vivo MRI in the first and second reading session, respectively. Nine of 12 (75%) index lesions were localized in the first session, in the second 10 of 12 (83%). Seven and 8 lesions of 11 lesions with Gleason score >6 and >0.5 cc were localized in the first and second session, respectively. In the first session none of the four histologically positive surgical margins (sensitivity 0%) and 9 of 13 negative margins (specificity 69%) were detected. In second session the sensitivity and specificity were 25% and 88%, respectively.

Conclusion

Ex vivo MRI enabled accurate localization of PCa in fresh RP specimens, and the technique provided information on the margin status with high specificity.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:439–448.
Assessment of climate change impacts on streamflow and hydropower potential in the headwater region of the Grande river basin, Southeastern Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Vinícius A. , de Mello Carlos R. , Viola Marcelo R. , Srinivasan Raghavan
Published: June 2017

Maintaining water availability and electric energy production are the major concerns for the future in countries which are extremely dependent on their water resources like Brazil. The objective of this study was to assess the impacts of climate change on streamflow and therefore on hydropower potential of the Grande river basin headwater region, Southeast Brazil. For this purpose, the SWAT model was used to simulate the hydrological behaviour of the headwaters under the Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, obtained from the Regional Climate Models Eta‐HadGEM‐ES and Eta‐MIROC5 between the years 2007 and 2099. Through power duration curves we estimated the hypothetical average annual energy production at three hydropower plants installed in cascade in the region, being, from upstream to downstream, Camargos, Itutinga and Funil. These plants account for a potential of 277 MW. SWAT was able to simulate the streamflow of the Grande river basin headwaters and, therefore, to reproduce the observed monthly streamflow from the baseline period (1961–2005) reasonably well for all three hydropower plants. In general, the results indicated a significant streamflow reduction and therefore reductions in runoff during all the simulated periods and all radiative forcing analysed, when compared to the baseline period. Thus, these results led to reductions in hydropower potential and hence decreases of the annual energy production varying from 6.1 to 58.6% throughout the 21st Century.
Extreme point rainfall temporal scaling: a long term (1805–2014) regional and seasonal analysis in Spain
Authors: Gonzalez Sergi , Bech Joan
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a regional and seasonal study of extreme point rainfall scaling from 10 min to 2 years. To do this, the highest point‐based rainfall list based on these temporal periods was calculated from the Spanish Meteorological Service (AEMET) precipitation databases with more than 11 000 rain‐gauge stations, with the longest series ranging from 1805 to 2014 (209 years). This list constitutes the register of single station largest amounts of precipitation in Spain ever recorded for selected periods, including for example the values for 2 h (193 mm), 24 h (817 mm) or 1 year (5503 mm). Rainfall extremes for 10 min periods are evenly distributed in coastal and inland areas. Daily precipitation extremes are mostly concentrated over the Mediterranean coast while from durations from one month to two years, extremes are located in southern and northwest Spain. Extreme data obtained were compared with existing worldwide rainfall records for equivalent periods. Results indicate that Spanish extreme rainfall scaling relating R depth (in mm) against D duration (in minutes) may be expressed as a potential law R = 21.8 D0.422 (R = 43.6 D0.507 for worldwide data). We propose the upper envelope line (greater or equal to extreme rainfall values) parallel to the potential fit law as a simple method to estimate possible extreme records for different time scales. Using this method, worldwide envelope may be expressed as R = 60.5 D0.507 and the Spanish envelope as R = 39.3 D0.422. Further analysis stratifying results by season and region show that seasonal scaling has more variability than regional scaling. The methodology described can be readily applied to other regions for which detailed rainfall databases exist. Applications of the results include using the scaling found as a reference for classification of heavy precipitation events for temporal scales.
Different roles of dynamic and thermodynamic effects in enhanced semi‐arid warming
Authors: Guo Ruixia , Guan Xiaodan , He Yongli , Gan Zewen , Jin Hongchun
Published: June 2017

Enhanced warming in semi‐arid regions has received much attention since it was first proposed, but the primary driver of this phenomenon remains unknown. This study applied dynamical adjustment to surface air temperature and partitioned the warming into two separate components: a thermodynamically forced component and a dynamically induced component. The results show that the mean amount of thermodynamic warming in the Northern Hemisphere in the study period 1902–2011 was 1.36 °C/109 years and that the amount of dynamic warming was 0.14 °C/109 years. In the mid‐latitude zones of Asia, Europe, and North America, the thermodynamic warming was 1.60, 1.19, and 1.32 °C/109 years, respectively, and the corresponding dynamic warming was 0.26, 0.14, and 0.09 °C/109 years. Obviously, higher thermodynamic temperature warming was observed in semi‐arid regions, suggesting that the enhanced semi‐arid warming (ESAW) is the result of local thermodynamic effects. Thus, different local thermodynamic effects are responsible for the warming discrepancies in the semi‐arid regions of Asia, Europe, and North America. Moreover, the considerable bias of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) ensemble mean temperature trend appeared in semi‐arid regions rather than other regions indicate that the simulation of semi‐arid regions is particularly complex and difficult.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in resectable synovial sarcoma
Authors: Vining Charles C. , Sinnamon Andrew J. , Ecker Brett L. , Kelz Rachel R. , Fraker Dougas L. , Roses Robert E. , Karakousis Giorgos C.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The role of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) for synovial sarcoma (SS) is controversial. Using a large national dataset we evaluate the impact of AC on overall survival (OS) following curative‐intent resection of SS.

Methods

Patients with stage I‐III SS 2004‐2012 undergoing resection were identified in the National Cancer Data Base. Clinicopathologic factors associated with OS were identified using Cox proportional‐hazard modeling, adjusting for factors associated with receipt of AC.

Results

Among 544 patients, 131 received AC. Median age of the cohort was 42 years; 269 were female. AC was not associated with OS in univariate analysis in the overall cohort. After stratification by stage, AC was associated with prolonged OS in univariate analysis in stage III patients only (P = 0.028), which remained significant in multivariable analysis (P = 0.033). Other factors associated with OS in stage III patients were age >55 years, (P = 0.001), positive margins (P = 0.037), biphasic histology (P = 0.013), and adjuvant radiation (P < 0.001). The association between AC and OS remained significant after adjustment for factors predictive of receipt of AC.

Conclusions

In this national cohort, AC was associated with prolonged OS for SS for stage III patients but not in lower stages. Less restricted use of this therapy may be warranted in this population.
Switchable‐hydrophilicity solvent‐based microextraction combined with gas chromatography for the determination of nitroaromatic compounds in water samples
Authors: Rameshgar Jamileh , Hasheminasab Kobra Sadat , Adlnasab Laleh , Ahmar Hamid
Published: June 2017

A simple, fast, sensitive, and low‐cost method was developed for the quantification of nitroaromatic compounds in water samples based on CO2‐assisted liquid‐phase microextraction using a switchable‐hydrophilicity solvent followed by gas chromatography detection. Dipropylamine was used as extraction solvent with switchable hydrophilicity that can be miscible or immiscible upon the addition or removal of CO2 as a reagent. Experimental parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as the volume of acceptor phase, the volume of donor phase, pH of donor phase, ionic strength, and extraction time were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, detection limits and preconcentration factors were obtained in the ranges of 0.9–1.8 μg/L and 132–138, respectively. Also, the extraction recoveries of water samples were above 88%. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied to the determination of nitroaromatic compounds in real water samples.
Application of capability indices and control charts in the analytical method control strategy
Authors: Oliva Alexis , Llabres Martinez Matías
Published: June 2017

In this study, we assessed the usefulness of control charts in combination with the process capability indices, Cpm and Cpk, in the control strategy of an analytical method. The traditional X‐chart and moving range chart were used to monitor the analytical method over a 2‐year period. The results confirmed that the analytical method is in‐control and stable. Different criteria were used to establish the specifications limits (i.e. analyst requirements) for fixed method performance (i.e. method requirements). If the specification limits and control limits are equal in breadth, the method can be considered “capable” (Cpm = 1), but it does not satisfy the minimum method capability requirements proposed by Pearn and Shu (2003). Similar results were obtained using the Cpk index. The method capability was also assessed as a function of method performance for fixed analyst requirements. The results indicate that the method does not meet the requirements of the analytical target approach. A real‐example data of a SEC with light‐scattering detection method was used as a model whereas previously published data were used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach.
A simple, selective, and sensitive gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for the analysis of five process‐related impurities in atenolol bulk drug and capsule formulations
Authors: Reddy Ambavaram Vijaya Bhaskar , Yusop Zulkifli , Jaafar Jafariah , Bin Aris Azmi , Abdul Majid Zaiton
Published: June 2017

An extremely sensitive and simple gas chromatography with mass spectrometry method was developed and completely validated for the analysis of five process‐related impurities, viz., 4‐hydroxy‐l‐phenylglycine, 4‐hydroxyphenylacetonitrile, 4‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid, methyl‐4‐hydroxyphenylacetate, and 2‐[4‐{(2RS)‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐[(1‐methylethyl)amino]propoxy}phenyl]acetonitrile, in atenolol. The separation of impurities was accomplished on a BPX‐5 column with dimensions of 50 m × 0.25 mm i.d. and 0.25 μm film thickness. The method validation was performed following International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines in which the method was capable to quantitate 4‐hydroxy‐l‐phenylglycine, 4‐hydroxyphenylacetonitrile, and 4‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid at 0.3 ppm, and methyl‐4‐hydroxyphenylacetate and 2‐[4‐{(2RS)‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐[(1‐methylethyl)amino]propoxy}phenyl]acetonitrile at 0.35 ppm with respect to 10 mg/mL of atenolol. The method was linear over the concentration range of 0.3–10 ppm for 4‐hydroxy‐l‐phenylglycine, 4‐hydroxyphenylacetonitrile, and 4‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid, and 0.35–10 ppm for methyl‐4‐hydroxyphenylacetate and 2‐[4‐{(2RS)‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐[(1‐methylethyl)amino]propoxy}phenyl]acetonitrile. The correlation coefficient in each case was found ≥0.998. The repeatability and recovery values were acceptable, and found between 89.38% and 105.60% for all five impurities under optimized operating conditions. The method developed here is simple, selective, and sensitive with apparently better resolution than the reported methods. Hence, the method is a straightforward and good quality control tool for the quantitation of selected impurities at trace concentrations in atenolol.
Syringe‐to‐syringe dispersive liquid‐phase microextraction solidified floating organic drop combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography for the separation and quantification of ochratoxin A in food samples
Authors: Asadi Mohammad
Published: June 2017

A new, simple, and rapid syringe‐to‐syringe dispersive liquid‐phase microextraction with solidified floating organic drop was used for the separation and preconcentration of ochratoxin A from grain and juice samples before its quantification using high‐performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. Factors influencing the microextraction efficiency of ochratoxin A, such as sample solution pH, type and volume of organic extractant, salt concentration, number of injections, and volume of the sample, were studied and optimized. Under the optimum properties, the calibration graph showed linearity in the range of 65.0–700.0 ng/L (coefficient of determination = 0.9991). The limit of detection was 20.0 ng/L. The inter‐day and intra‐day relative standard deviations were in the range of 5.0–8.5%. This method was successfully applied for the quantification of ochratoxin A in grain and juice samples.
Clinical grading of Reinke's edema
Authors: Tan Melin , Bryson Paul C. , Pitts Casey , Woo Peak , Benninger Michael S.
Published: June 2017

Objective

Reinke's edema (RE) is a pathologically benign structural change of the vocal folds with a wide spectrum of clinical severity. We aim to propose and validate a clinical grading system based on size of the lesion to facilitate effective universal communication of disease severity.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with RE exclusive of other glottic pathology between December 2010 and December 2014 were included. Sixty laryngoscopy photographs were extracted from recorded archived laryngeal videostroboscopy exams, blinded and graded by four laryngologists with experience diagnosing RE.

Results

A high degree of agreement among all four raters was demonstrated by high interclass correlation coefficients with a 95% confidence interval. Similarly, high intra‐rater reliability was seen across all raters. Forty‐nine (33%) lesions were grade 1. Thirty‐five lesions (29.17%) were grade 2; 18 (15%) lesions were grade 3; and nine (7.5%) lesions were grade 4. Contralateral vocal fold was not graded in cases of grade 4.

Conclusion

This clinical grading for RE is a reliable tool for conveying severity of disease. High inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability strongly suggest that RE similarly can be graded by different raters, and that a single rater is expected to grade RE similarly at different times.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 127:2310–2313, 2017
NR4A1 is an endogenous inhibitor of vocal fold fibrosis
Authors: Hiwatashi Nao , Bing Renjie , Kraja Iv , Branski Ryan C.
Published: June 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

NR4A1 was recently identified as an endogenous inhibitor of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β–induced fibrosis, and the role of this nuclear receptor has not been elucidated in tissue health or the response to injury in the vocal folds. Given the clinical implications of vocal fold fibrosis, we investigated NR4A1 expression during vocal fold wound healing in vivo and the regulatory roles of NR4A1 on vocal fold fibroblasts (VFFs) in vitro with the ultimate goal of developing targeted therapies for this challenging patient population.

Study Design

In vivo and in vitro.

Methods

In vivo, the temporal pattern of NR4A1 mRNA expression was quantified following rat vocal fold injury. In vitro, the role of NR4A1 on TGF‐β1–mediated transcription of genes underlying fibrosis as well as myofibroblast differentiation and collagen gel contraction was quantified in our human VFF line. Small interfering RNA was employed to alter NR4A1 expression to further elucidate this complex system.

Results

Nr4a1 mRNA increased 1 day after injury and peaked at 7 days. Knockdown of NR4A1 resulted in upregulation of COL1A1 and TGF‐β1, with TGF‐β1 stimulation (both P < .001) in VFFs. NR4A1 knockdown also resulted in increased α‐smooth muscle actin–positive cells (P = .013) and contraction (P = .002) in response to TGF‐β1.

Conclusions

NR4A1 has not been described in vocal fold health or disease. Upregulation of TGF‐β following vocal fold injury was concurrent with increased NR4A1 expression. These data provide a foundation for the development of therapeutic strategies given persistent TGF‐β signaling in vocal fold fibrosis.

Level of Evidence

N/A Laryngoscope, 127:E317–E323, 2017
The application of wireless near infrared spectroscopy on detecting peripheral circulation in patients with diabetes foot ulcer when doing Buerger's exercise
Authors: Chen Min‐Ling , Lin Bor‐Shyh , Su Cheng‐Wei , Lin Yen‐Bin , Chen Mei‐Yen , Shen Jen‐Hsiang , Chang Chang‐Cheng
Published: June 2017

Background and Objectives

The majority of patients with diabetes foot ulcer have peripheral arterial disease. The technique of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) used to monitor the dorsal foot blood circulation condition is by measuring the absorption differences between oxy‐hemoglobin and deoxy‐hemoglobin.

Study Designs/Materials and Methods

Patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) treated in our wound care center were divided into two sub‐groups based on the Duplex ultrasound or angiography. Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and non‐peripheral arterial disease were divided into group A1 and A2, respectively. We applied wireless NIRS on patients’ dorsal foot to assess the peripheral circulation by continuously detect the signal penetrating the tissue while patients were asked to do Buerger's exercise. The same procedure was also repeated on 15 healthy participants as control group B.

Results

From January to August 2015, 30 patients with DFU (Group A) were enrolled in the study, 9 patients in Group A1 and 21 patients in Group A2. Tissue concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) in each group varied in a similar trend among five stages of Buerger's exercise. HbO2 concentration increases at post‐exercise stages in all groups (P = 0.006 in Group A1, P = 0.223 in Group A2, P = 0.03 in Group B), however, there were significant difference in both pre‐ and post‐exercise stages (P = 0.001 and P = 0.01, respectively) between Group A and B. Moreover, significant differences (P = 0.0009) of HbO2 were also found between Group A1 and A2 in pre‐exercise status, but no significant difference (P = 0.294) was found in post‐exercise status. Similar results were also found in total hemoglobin (Hb) concentration analyses.

Conclusions

Buerger's exercise could increase peripheral HbO2 and total Hb circulation in patients with diabetes foot ulcer. The NIRS could continuously and quantitatively monitor real‐time peripheral circulation in postural changes and is novel to rehabilitation program. A larger scale study to prove the accuracy of NIRS system in detecting peripheral circulation could be worthwhile. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:652–657, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
2,2,6,6‐Tetramethylpiperydinyl‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) Functionalized Benzoxazines Prepared with a One‐Pot Synthesis for Reactive/Crosslinkable Initiators of Nitroxide Mediated Polymerization
Authors: Han Yi‐Jen , Liu Ying‐Ling
Published: June 2017

In this work, the incorporation of a 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperydinyl‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) group to a benzoxazine ring is performed using a one‐pot synthesis for the preparation of TEMPO‐functionalized benzoxazine compounds and polymers as reactive and crosslinkable initiators for nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP). The TEMPO‐functionalization reaction of benzoxazine, traced with 1H NMR, is conducted with sequential radical transfer and coupling reactions. Moreover, polystyrene‐grafted polybenzoxazine copolymers are prepared with the TEMPO‐benzoxazine initiator and NMP of styrene. The polymerization system exhibits the characteristics of controlled radical polymerization, including controlled molecular weights of products and ability for sequential polymerization. Moreover, based on the chemical reactivity and crosslinking ability of benzoxazine groups, the synthesis route developed in this work will widen the scope of the design and synthesis of functional and high‐performance polymers.

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Competition and innovation: The tango of the market and technology in the competitive landscape
Authors: Qian Lihong , Wang I. Kim
Published: June 2017

Technology innovation can be a double‐edged sword in helping a firm to address competitive pressures. We explore the relationships among market competition, technology competition, and firms' advancement to a higher generation of production technology. Though market competition drives technology advancement as firms attempt to escape competition and technology competition also drives technology advancement as firms try to stay in the technology race, concurrent high market and technology competition lead a firm to defer advancement. We find supportive evidence with data on global flat panel display makers. Our findings shed light on how competition interacts with a firm's technology advancement decision and, in general, a firm's technology strategy.
Non‐contrast‐enhanced peripheral MR angiography using velocity‐selective excitation
Authors: Kim Dongchan , Seo Hyunseok , Cho Jaejin , Kwon Kinam , Han Yeji , Park HyunWook
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To develop a new non‐contrast‐enhanced peripheral MR angiography that provides a high contrast angiogram without using electrocardiography triggering and saturation radiofrequency pulses.

Methods

A velocity‐selective excitation technique is used in conjunction with the golden‐angle radial sampling scheme. The signal amplitude varies according to the velocity of the flow by the velocity‐selective excitation technique. Because the arterial blood velocity varies depending on the cardiac phase, the acquired data can be classified into systolic and diastolic phase based on the signal amplitude of the artery. Two images are then reconstructed from the systolic and diastolic phase data, respectively, and an image reflecting the differences between the two images is obtained to eliminate background and vein signals. The performance of the proposed method was compared with the quiescent‐interval single shot (QISS) in eight healthy subjects and an elderly subject.

Results

The proposed method generated fewer residual venous and background signals than the QISS. Furthermore, the maximum intensity projection images, the relative contrast, and the apparent contrast‐to‐noise ratio results showed that the proposed method produced a better contrast than the QISS.

Conclusions

The proposed non‐contrast‐enhanced peripheral MR angiography technique can provide a high contrast angiogram without the use of electrocardiography triggering and saturation radiofrequency pulses. Magn Reson Med 79:779–788, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
A partitioned fully explicit Lagrangian finite element method for highly nonlinear fluid‐structure interaction problems
Authors: Meduri S. , Cremonesi M. , Perego U. , Bettinotti O. , Kurkchubasche A. , Oancea V.
Published: June 2017

In this work, a fully explicit partitioned method for the simulation of Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) problems is presented. The fluid domain is modelled with an explicit Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) based on the hypothesis of weak compressibility. The Lagrangian description of the fluid is particularly effective in the simulation of FSI problems with free surface flows and large structural displacements, since the fluid boundaries are automatically defined by the position of the mesh nodes. A distinctive feature of the proposed FSI strategy is that the solid domain is modelled using the explicit integration FEM in an off‐the‐shelf commercial software (Abaqus/Explicit). This allows to perform simulations with a complete and advanced description on the structural domain, including advanced structural material models and contact. The structure‐to‐fluid coupling algorithm is based on a technique derived from the Domain Decomposition Methods, namely, the Gravouil and Combescure algorithm. The method allows for arbitrarily large interface displacements using different time incrementation and nonconforming meshes in the different domains, which is an essential feature for the efficiency of an explicit solver involving different materials. The resulting fully explicit and fully lagrangian finite element approach is particularly appealing for the possibility of its efficient application in a large variety of highly non‐linear engineering problems.
Affine relaxations for the solutions of constrained parametric ordinary differential equations
Authors: Harwood Stuart M. , Barton Paul I.
Published: June 2017

This work presents a numerical method for evaluating affine relaxations of the solutions of parametric ordinary differential equations. This method is derived from a general theory for the construction of a polyhedral outer approximation of the reachable set (“polyhedral bounds”) of a constrained dynamic system subject to uncertain time‐varying inputs and initial conditions. This theory is an extension of differential inequality‐based comparison theorems. The new affine relaxation method is capable of incorporating information from simultaneously constructed interval bounds as well as other constraints on the states; not only does this improve the quality of the relaxations but it also yields numerical advantages that speed up the computation of the relaxations. Examples demonstrate that tight affine relaxations can be computed efficiently with this method.
Synthetic Approaches toward Monocyclic 3‐Amino‐β‐lactams
Authors: Deketelaere Sari , Van Nguyen Tuyen , Stevens Christian V. , D'hooghe Matthias
Published: June 2017

Due to the emerging resistance against classical β‐lactam‐based antibiotics, a growing number of bacterial infections has become harder to treat. This alarming tendency necessitates continued research on novel antibacterial agents. Many classes of β‐lactam antibiotics are characterized by the presence of the 3‐aminoazetidin‐2‐one core, which resembles the natural substrate of the target penicillin‐binding proteins. In that respect, this Review summarizes the different synthetic pathways toward this key structure for the development of new antibacterial agents. The most extensively applied methods for 3‐amino‐β‐lactam ring formation are discussed, in addition to a few less common strategies. Moreover, approaches to introduce the 3‐amino substituent after ring formation are also covered.
Effects of cosolvents on helical substituted polyacetylene particles prepared through suspension polymerization
Authors: Zhang Yingjie , Lin Jiangfeng , Deng Jianping
Published: June 2017

Acetylenic monomers undergo aqueous suspension polymerization providing particles constructed by helical substituted polyacetylene. Different from suspension polymerization of vinyl monomers, a cosolvent is indispensable to dissolve Rh catalyst and solid acetylenic monomers. The cosolvent is found to play essential roles in monomers' polymerization and the particles' formation. To systemically explore the effects of cosolvents, three monomers, M1 (achiral, liquid), M2 (achiral, solid), and M3 (chiral, solid), and six cosolvents (divided into two groups by their miscibility with water) are used for performing suspension polymerization in aqueous media at 30 °C, with Rh+B– (C6H5)4 as catalyst and polyvinylpyrrolidone as stabilizer. FTIR spectra and gel permeation chromatography confirm the occurrence of polymerization. Raman spectra demonstrate the high cis contents of the polymer chains. Scanning electron microscope images show that the polymer particles obtained under optimal conditions are in spherical morphology. Circular dichroism and UV‐vis spectroscopy demonstrate the helical structures of the polymer chains forming the chiral particles. Dynamic light scattering characterization is carried out to characterize the nanoparticles. The type and amount of the cosolvent affect the polymerization remarkably. Cosolvents with higher polarity lead to smaller polymer particles, while lower polar cosolvents provide larger ones. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2670–2678
The effects of counter anions on the dynamic mechanical response in polymer networks crosslinked by metal–ligand coordination
Authors: Rao Ying‐Li , Feig Vivian , Gu Xiaodan , Nathan Wang Ging‐Ji , Bao Zhenan
Published: June 2017

Metal–ligand coordination has been proven to be an attractive strategy to tune a polymer network's dynamic mechanical properties, such as self‐healing ability. Nonetheless, the role of counter anions is often overlooked. To address this, a series of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films crosslinked through lanthanide metal cations (Eu3+, Tb3+)–bipyridine interactions have been prepared and studied. Neutral 2,2'‐bipyridine ligands were embedded into the linear polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chain through polycondensation. With nitrate (
) as the coordinating anions, metal salts Eu(NO3)3 and Tb(NO3)3 were found to be ineffective crosslinkers. With noncoordinating anions, such as triflate (OTf‐: CF3
), metal salts Eu(OTf)3 and Tb(OTf)3 showed improved interaction strength with bipyridine ligands. Surprisingly, the addition of Eu(OTf)3 and Tb(OTf)3 salts also increased the d‐spacing distances of the phase‐segregated domains between metal–ligand complexes and the PDMS polymer backbone. For the Eu(OTf)3‐, Tb(OTf)3‐PDMS films, the much‐improved self‐healing abilities are attributed to the crosslinker dynamics and the enhanced chain mobility. This work underlines the importance of counter anions on the mechanical properties, and provides further guidance on the future design of self‐healing metal−ligand crosslinked polymers.) © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3110–3116
Coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulation study on spherical and tube‐like vesicles formed by amphiphilic copolymers
Authors: Sun Xiao‐Li , Pei Shuai , Wang Jun‐Feng , Wang Pan , Liu Zhi‐Bin , Zhang Jun
Published: June 2017

Molecular‐level understanding of the vesicular structure and formation process is beneficial for potential vesicle applications, especially in drug delivery. In this article, coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulation was used to study the self‐assembly behavior of amphiphilic poly(acrylic acid)‐b‐polystyrene copolymers in water at different concentrations and PS/PAA block ratios. It was found that various spherical and tube‐like vesicles formed at PS/PAA 3:3 and 4:2. For spherical vesicles, analysis of vesicular structure indicated that the cavity size was influenced by copolymer concentration and wall thickness by the block ratio. Tube‐like vesicle was formed via the fusion of two spherical vesicles, and a key factor for this morphology is polymer movements between inner and outer layer. This simulation study identifies the key factors governing vesicle formation and structure, and provides a guidance to design and prepare various vesicles for wide applications in drug delivery. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 1220–1226
Cononsolvency of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) in methanol aqueous solution—insight by dielectric spectroscopy
Authors: Yang Man , Zhao Kongshuang
Published: June 2017

Both water and methanol are good solvents for poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), while PNIPAM does not dissolve in their mixed solvents, this phenomenon is called cononsolvency. Cononsolvency is closely related to many phenomena in life but so far, its mechanism is still controversial. In this work, the dielectric behavior of PNIPAM methanol aqueous solution was studied in the frequency of 40Hz–40GHz. From lower frequency to higher frequency, four relaxations were found. They are, respectively, from global chain motion, local motion of backbone, motion of side chain group, and the dipole orientation of the solvent molecule. The solvent dependence of dielectric parameters for the chain motion implied that the PNIPAM chain has undergone the coil‐globule‐coil transition. Dielectric analysis to microwave frequency showed that the volume of the bound solvent units on PNIPAM chain increases with the increasing methanol concentration, which suggested that the structure of solvation units bound on PNIPAM side chains undergo a changing process experience from water to water‐methanol cluster to the ternary methanol cluster. This work reveals the structure and dynamics of the PNIPAM chain and the solvent unit that involved in the solvation of PNIPAM, and provides some new insight into the cononsolvency phenomenon. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2017,55, 1227–1234