bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water content and micelle size change during oxidation of sunflower and canola oils
Authors: Budilarto Elizabeth S. , Kamal‐Eldin Afaf
Published: April 2015

The aim of this research was to monitor the formation of water and the changes in micelle size during the oxidation of sunflower oil and canola oil oxidized in purified and unpurified forms. In all oils, the water content and micellar size increased along with peroxide value (PV) until the end of the induction period (IP), and then the micelle size was reduced. After the induction period, water content continued to increase in unpurified sunflower but not in unpurified canola oil, which may be due to different pattern of degradation of their hydroperoxides.

Practical application: This research allows better understanding of the initiation phase of lipid oxidation and for the first time provides data on the relation between water content, micellization, and hydroperoxide formation during the initial stage of lipid oxidation.

Changes that take place during the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. The red line marks the induction period; □: tocopherol degradation; ○: ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids; △: micelle size; ●: hydroperoxides; and ◊: water.
Vortex penalization method for bluff body flows
Authors: Mimeau Chloe , Gallizio Federico , Cottet Georges‐Henri , Mortazavi Iraj
Published: April 2015

In this work, a penalization method is discussed in the context of vortex methods for incompressible flows around complex geometries. In particular, we illustrate the method in two cases: the flow around a rotating blade for Reynolds numbers 1000 and 10,000 and the flow past a semi‐circular body consisting of a porous layer surrounding a rigid body at Reynolds numbers 550 and 3000. In the latter example, the results are interpreted in terms of control strategy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbon nanoparticle–guided central lymph node dissection in clinically node‐negative patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Youzhi , Chen Xiangjin , Zhang Huihao , Chen Ling , Zhou Shujun , Wu Kunlin , Wang Zongcai , Kong Lingjun , Zhuang Hezhu
Published: April 2015

Background

Distinguishing the involved lymph nodes from other tissues during surgery is critical for lymph node dissection. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility by using carbon nanoparticles as guidance for lymph node dissection in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

Eighty‐one patients were injected with carbon nanoparticles (carbon nanoparticle group), whereas the other 81 patients were not (control group). Routine pathological examination was performed.

Results

The lymph node dissection and metastatic lymph node dissection rates of the carbon nanoparticle group were significantly higher than that of the control group. In the carbon nanoparticle group, the number of mistakenly dissected parathyroid gland, the case number of postoperative hypocalcemia, the case number of postoperative hypoparathyroidism, and the recovery time from hypocalcemia were 4, 6, 8, and 2.33 ± 0.58 weeks, respectively, significantly less than 14, 17, 20, 3, and 3.8 ± 0.92 weeks in the control group (p < .05).

Conclusion

Carbon nanoparticles can be applied to more accurately guide the dissection of lymph nodes during thyroidectomy in patients with PTC. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 840–845, 2016
Quality compared to quantity of life in laryngeal cancer: A time trade‐off study
Authors: Hamilton David W. , Bins Janneke E. , McMeekin Peter , Pedersen Ami , Steen Nicholas , De Soyza Anthony , Thomson Richard , Paleri Vinidh , Wilson Janet A.
Published: April 2015

Background

The purpose of this study was to use time trade‐off to assess the factors influencing patients’ decisions in advanced laryngeal cancer. Time trade‐off is a well‐established method of assessing how individuals value a particular health state.

Methods

We developed vignettes depicting life after chemoradiotherapy or laryngectomy. One hundred fourteen participants ranked them, assigned utility values, and rated the importance of survival on treatment choice.

Results

Chemoradiotherapy was preferred by 62% and laryngectomy by 38%. Chemoradiotherapy optimal outcome had the highest mean utility value (0.64) followed by total laryngectomy optimal outcome (0.56). Total laryngectomy poor outcome (0.33) was equivalent to chemoradiotherapy poor outcome (0.32).The average survival advantage required for a participant to change their preferred choice was 2.1 years.

Conclusion

The functional treatment outcome had a greater effect on health state utility values than treatment modality. In many individuals, larynx conservation may not be the primary consideration in treatment preference. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E631–E637, 2016
Response to Denosumab Treatment for 2 Years in an Adolescent With Osteoradionecrosis
Authors: Vázquez M Angeles , Pérez-Temprano Ramón , Montoya M José , Giner Mercè , Carpio José , Pérez-Cano Ramon
Published: April 2015

Radiotherapy, an essential component of cancer treatment, is not without risk to bone, particularly to the immature or growing skeleton. Known side effects range from post-radiation osteitis to osteoradionecrosis. We report the case of a 14-year-old male patient undergoing denosumab treatment, a new antiresorptive agent, for osteoradionecrosis. The patient exhibited fractures and associated pain and functional limitations secondary to radiation for the treatment of an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of prostate grade III administered at age 5 years. After treatment with denosumab, the pain disappeared, bone remodeling markers dramatically declined, bone mass increased, and pathological bone scan findings resolved without adverse effects or new fractures. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Intestinal Depletion of NaPi-IIb/Slc34a2 in Mice: Renal and Hormonal Adaptation
Authors: Hernando Nati , Myakala Komuraiah , Simona Fabia , Knöpfel Thomas , Thomas Linto , Murer Heini , Wagner Carsten A , Biber Jürg
Published: April 2015

The Na+-dependent phosphate-cotransporter NaPi-IIb (SLC34A2) is widely expressed, with intestine, lung, and testis among the organs with highest levels of mRNA abundance. In mice, the intestinal expression of NaPi-IIb is restricted to the ileum, where the cotransporter localizes specifically at the brush border membrane (BBM) and mediates the active transport of inorganic phosphate (Pi). Constitutive full ablation of NaPi-IIb is embryonically lethal whereas the global but inducible removal of the transporter in young mice leads to intestinal loss of Pi and lung calcifications. Here we report the generation of a constitutive but intestinal-specific NaPi-IIb/Slc34a2–deficient mouse model. Constitutive intestinal ablation of NaPi-IIb results in viable pups with normal growth. Homozygous mice are characterized by fecal wasting of Pi and complete absence of Na/Pi cotransport activity in BBM vesicles (BBMVs) isolated from ileum. In contrast, the urinary excretion of Pi is reduced in these animals. The plasma levels of Pi are similar in wild-type and NaPi-IIb–deficient mice. In females, the reduced phosphaturia associates with higher expression of NaPi-IIa and higher Na/Pi cotransport activity in renal BBMVs, as well as with reduced plasma levels of intact FGF-23. A similar trend is found in males. Thus, NaPi-IIb is the only luminal Na+-dependent Pi transporter in the murine ileum and its absence is fully compensated for in adult females by a mechanism involving the bone-kidney axis. The contribution of this mechanism to the adaptive response is less apparent in adult males. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Reflections on Cellular Physiology as a Catalytic Framework for Medicine
Authors: Perelman Arthur
Published: April 2015

These are the reflections of a retired physician who was introduced to cellular physiology in 1947 at the University of Pennsylvania. I majored in Zoology. I took the required major courses, which were interesting but not exciting. I was a premedical student at the time. Fortunately I was introduced to cellular physiology in 1947. The teacher was Professor Louis Heilbrunn, an amazing man dedicated to teaching and the love of his students. He had a number of graduate students at the time. The undergraduates were well integrated with these advanced students. We used his textbook of physiology and we were all proud of being his students. He gave us a new way of thinking about biology. It was exciting and we were treated as mature students. J. Cell. Physiol. 9999: 2596–2597, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Immortalized Mouse Floxed Fam20c Dental Papillar Mesenchymal and Osteoblast Cell Lines Retain Their Primary Characteristics
Authors: Liu Chao , Wang Xiaofang , Zhang Hua , Xie Xiaohua , Liu Peihong , Liu Ying , Jani Priyam H. , Lu Yongbo , Chen Shuo , Qin Chunlin
Published: April 2015

Fam20c is essential for the normal mineralization of dentin and bone. The generation of odontoblast and osteoblast cell lines carrying floxed Fam20c allele can offer valuable tools for the study of the roles of Fam20c in the mineralization of dentin and bone. The limited capability of the primary odontoblasts and osteoblasts to proliferate necessitates the development of odontoblast and osteoblast cell lines serving as substitutes for the study of differentiation and mineralization of the odontoblasts and osteoblasts. In this study, we established and characterized immortalized mouse floxed Fam20c dental papilla mesenchymal and osteoblast cell lines. The isolated primary mouse floxed Fam20c dental papilla mesenchymal cells and osteoblasts were immortalized by the infection of lentivirus containing Simian Virus 40 T‐antigen (SV40 T‐Ag). The immortalization of floxed Fam20c dental papilla mesenchymal cells and osteoblasts was verified by the long‐term passages and genomic integration of SV40 T‐Ag. The immortalized floxed Fam20c dental papilla mesenchymal and osteoblast cell lines not only proliferated at a high rate and retained the morphology of their primary counterparts, but also preserved the dentin and bone specific gene expression as the primary dental papilla mesenchymal cells and osteoblasts did. Consistently, the capability of the primary floxed Fam20c dental papilla mesenchymal cells and osteoblasts to mineralize was also inherited by the immortalized dental papilla mesenchymal and osteoblast cell lines. Thus, we have successfully generated the immortalized mouse floxed Fam20c dental papilla mesenchymal and osteoblast cell lines. J. Cell. Physiol. 9999: 2581–2587, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluating potential biomarkers of cachexia and survival in skeletal muscle of upper gastrointestinal cancer patients
Authors: Stephens Nathan A. , Skipworth Richard J. E. , Gallagher Iain J. , Greig Carolyn A. , Guttridge Denis C. , Ross James A. , Fearon Kenneth C. H.
Published: April 2015

Background

In order to grow the potential therapeutic armamentarium in the cachexia domain of supportive oncology, there is a pressing need to develop suitable biomarkers and potential drug targets. This pilot study evaluated several potential candidate biomarkers in skeletal muscle biopsies from a cohort of upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGIC) patients.

Methods

One hundred seven patients (15 weight‐stable healthy controls (HC) and 92 UGIC patients) were recruited. Mean (standard deviation) weight‐loss of UGIC patients was 8.1 (9.3%). Cachexia was defined as weight‐loss ≥5%. Rectus abdominis muscle was obtained at surgery and was analysed by western blotting or quantitative real‐time–polymerase chain reaction. Candidate markers were selected according to previous literature and included Akt and phosphorylated Akt (pAkt, n = 52), forkhead box O transcription factors (n = 59), ubiquitin E3 ligases (n = 59, control of muscle anabolism/catabolism), BNIP3 and GABARAPL1 (n = 59, as markers of autophagy), myosin heavy‐chain (MyHC, n = 54), dystrophin (n = 39), β‐dystroglycan (n = 52), and β‐sarcoglycan (n = 52, as markers of structural alteration in a muscle). Patients were followed up for an average of 1255 days (range 581–1955 days) or until death. Patients were grouped accordingly and analysed by (i) all cancer patients vs. HC; (ii) cachectic vs. non‐cachectic cancer patients; and (iii) cancer patients surviving ≤1 vs. >1 year post operatively.

Results

Cancer compared with HC patients had reduced mean (standard deviation) total Akt protein [0.49 (0.31) vs. 0.89 (0.17), P = 0.001], increased ratio of phosphorylated to total Akt [1.33 (1.04) vs. 0.32 (0.21), P = 0.002] and increased expression of GABARAPL1 [1.60 (0.76) vs. 1.10 (0.57), P = 0.024]. β‐Dystroglycan levels were higher in cachectic compared with non‐cachectic cancer patients [1.01 (0.16) vs. 0.87 (0.20), P = 0.007]. Survival was shortened in patients with low compared with high MyHC levels (median 316 vs. 1326 days, P = 0.023) and dystrophin levels (median 341 vs. 660 days, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

The present study has identified intramuscular protein level of β‐dystroglycan as a potential biomarker of cancer cachexia. Changes in the structural elements of muscle (MyHC or dystrophin) appear to be survival biomarkers.
Fibronectin type III domain containing 5 expression in skeletal muscle in chronic heart failure—relevance of inflammatory cytokines
Authors: Matsuo Yae , Gleitsmann Konstanze , Mangner Norman , Werner Sarah , Fischer Tina , Bowen T Scott , Kricke Angela , Matsumoto Yasuharu , Kurabayashi Masahiko , Schuler Gerhard , Linke Axel , Adams Volker
Published: April 2015

Background

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is commonly associated with muscle atrophy and increased inflammation. Irisin, a myokine proteolytically processed by the fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5) gene and suggested to be Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC)‐1α activated, modulates the browning of adipocytes and is related to muscle mass. Therefore, we investigated whether skeletal muscle FNDC5 expression in CHF was reduced and if this was mediated by inflammatory cytokines and/or angiotensin II (Ang‐II).

Methods

Skeletal muscle FNDC5 mRNA/protein and PGC‐1α mRNA expression (arbitrary units) were analysed in: (i) rats with ischemic cardiomyopathy; (ii) mice injected with tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) (24 h); (iii) mice infused with Ang‐II (4 weeks); and (iv) C2C12 myotubes exposed to recombinant cytokines or Ang‐II. Circulating TNF‐α, Ang‐II, and irisin was measured by ELISA.

Results

Ischemic cardiomyopathy reduced significantly FNDC5 protein (1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 0.5 ± 0.1) and PGC‐1α mRNA expression (8.2 ± 1.5 vs. 4.7 ± 0.7). In vivo TNF‐α and Ang‐II reduced FNDC5 protein expression by 28% and 45%, respectively. Incubation of myotubes with TNF‐α, interleukin‐1ß, or TNF‐α/interleukin‐1ß reduced FNDC5 protein expression by 47%, 37%, or 57%, respectively, whereas Ang‐II had no effect. PGC‐1α was linearly correlated to FNDC5 in all conditions. In CHF, animals circulating TNF‐α and Ang‐II were significantly increased, whereas irisin was significantly reduced. A negative correlation between circulating TNF‐α and irisin was evident.

Conclusion

A reduced expression of skeletal muscle FNDC5 in ischemic cardiomyopathy is likely modulated by inflammatory cytokines and/or Ang‐II via the down‐regulation of PGC‐1α. This may act as a protective mechanism either by slowing the browning of adipocytes and preserving energy homeostasis or by regulating muscle atrophy.
Preparation of ALA‐loaded PLGA nanoparticles and its application in PDT treatment
Authors: Guan Yanping , Zhou Yi , Sheng Jie , Ying Jiang Zhong , Jumahan Halydan , Hu Yong
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Coaxial electrospray is an emerging technology to produce multilayer micro‐ and nano‐particles (NPs) with well controlled shape and size. ALA‐PDT is a fascinating technology used in the treatment for skin and other cancers. In this work, ALA‐loaded poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) (PLGA‐ALA) NPs with high drug loading efficiency were produced via coaxial electrospray and used for the PDT treatment in HSC‐3 cells.

RESULTS

Results showed that 200–1000 nm PLGA‐ALA NPs with 60–75% ALA loading efficiency were successfully produced. ALA and PLGA were well integrated and no extra chemical reaction occurred during the electrospray. PLGA‐ALA NPs displayed a delayed release of ALA in PBS solution up to 7 days. A massive accumulation of PpIX in HSC‐3 cells happened after the incubation of PLGA‐ALA NPs. With light irradiation, these PLGA‐ALA NPs showed a remarkable cytotoxicity against HSC‐3 cells, leading to 40–70% cell death depending on the incubation dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Coaxial electrospraying is a facile method to prepare PLGA‐ALA NPs with high drug loading content and efficiency, and PLGA‐ALA NPs turned out to be an effective vehicle for delivering ALA to tumor cells. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Short‐term prognostic factors for primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Watanabe Takeo , Hirano Kenji , Tada Minoru , Isayama Hiroyuki , Mizuno Suguru , Arizumi Toshihiko , Toda Nobuo , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Kokudo Norihiro , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: April 2015

Background

It was recently reported that alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels below 1.5 upper limit of normal (ULN) predicted better prognosis in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We evaluated whether ALP as well as other laboratory values were useful for the short‐term prognosis of PSC in a Japanese cohort.

Methods

In 78 patients with PSC (41 males and 37 females, mean onset age 41.9 years), the relationship between nine parameters (albumin, bilirubin, international normalized ratio of prothrombin time [PT‐INR], ALP, aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase [γ‐GTP], platelet, and calculated Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease [MELD] score), and liver related clinical endpoints (death due to liver failure, variceal bleeding, liver transplantation, and biliary carcinoma) were retrospectively examined. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, we investigated which parameter was useful for predicting the short‐term prognosis.

Results

Average follow‐up period was 8.6 years. The endpoints were evaluated in 40 patients. Seven patients died of liver failure, three patients developed variceal bleeding, nine patients received liver transplantation from a living donor, 13 patients received certified brain‐dead liver transplantation, and eight patients developed biliary carcinoma. The parameters with an area under the curve (AUC) of more than 0.8 were albumin, bilirubin, PT‐INR, ALP, and MELD score. AUC for ALP was 0.85. The optimal cutoff value was 2.3 ULN. Despite the use or non‐use of ursodeoxycholic acid, short‐term prognosis of patients with an ALP level below 2.3 ULN was good.

Conclusions

We confirmed that keeping ALP low is associated with better short‐term prognosis in a Japanese cohort. In addition, Alb, Bil, PT‐INR, and MELD score were good predictors.
Main‐Chain Chiral Poly(2‐oxazoline)s: Influence of Alkyl Side‐Chain on Secondary Structure Formation in the Solid State
Authors: Bloksma Meta M. , Hendrix Marco M. R. M. , Rathgeber Silke , Schubert Ulrich S. , Hoogenboom Richard
Published: April 2015

The influence of the side‐chains of main‐chain chiral poly(2‐oxazoline) s on their thermal properties was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the nature of the obtained melting endotherms was further investigated by thermal annealing of the polymers. Poly(R‐2‐ethyl‐4‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) (p‐R‐EtEtOx) was found to be amorphous, while polymers with longer side‐chains are semi‐crystalline. Previously we reported that the chirally ordered crystals of poly(R‐2‐butyl‐4‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) (p‐R‐BuEtOx) have a high melting temperature of more than 200 °C. in this work we demonstrate that elongation of the side‐chains from butyl to octyl results in a decrease in the crystallization rate and melting temperature suggesting that the chirally ordered crystals of p‐R‐BuEtOx are based on close packing of the main‐chain enhancing diploar interactions between the tertiary amide moieties. Crystallizaiton of chiral polymers with longer side‐chains results may then be driven by close packing of the side‐chains. This is supported by the observation that further elongation of the side‐chain length increases the crystallization rate. Moerover, an additional melting endotherm appears for these polymers at a lower temperature upon annealing ascribed to a dual crystal size population. Circular dichroism (CD) measurements of the semi‐crystalline main‐chain chiral polymer films revealed the presence of chirally ordered crystals while X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed a closer packing of the chiral poly(2‐alkyl‐2‐oxazoline) s compared to the non‐chiral polymers, suggested to result form the chiral ordering in the crystals. Grazing incidence wide angle x‐ray scattering (GIWAXS) patterns indicated that the chiral crystals of p‐R‐BuEtOx do not form a helical structure, however, the substrate does influence the type of structure formed.
A logarithmic regularity criterion for the 3D generalized MHD system
Authors: Fan Jishan , Li Jinkai
Published: April 2015

We prove a logarithmic regularity criterion for the 3D generalized magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) system with diffusion terms −Δu and (−Δ)βb, with
. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An inverse problem of finding the time‐dependent diffusion coefficient from an integral condition
Authors: Hussein Mohammed S. , Lesnic Daniel , Ismailov Mansur I.
Published: April 2015

We consider the inverse problem of determining the time‐dependent diffusivity in one‐dimensional heat equation with periodic boundary conditions and nonlocal over‐specified data. The problem is highly nonlinear and it serves as a mathematical model for the technological process of external guttering applied in cleaning admixtures from silicon chips. First, the well‐posedness conditions for the existence, uniqueness, and continuous dependence upon the data of the classical solution of the problem are established. Then, the problem is discretized using the finite‐difference method and recasts as a nonlinear least‐squares minimization problem with a simple positivity lower bound on the unknown diffusivity. Numerically, this is effectively solved using the lsqnonlin routine from the MATLAB toolbox. In order to investigate the accuracy, stability, and robustness of the numerical method, results for a few test examples are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanosilica‐immobilized UV absorber: synthesis and photostability of polyolefins
Authors: Liu Peng , Gao Chong , Han Chunchun , Tang Hanying , Wang Feng , Ding Yanfen , Zhang Shimin , Yang Mingshu
Published: April 2015

A nanosilica‐immobilized UV absorber (SiO2‐APTMS‐UVA) was prepared by the following methods: the fumed nanosilica was first modified with an aminosilane coupling agent 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) and then reacted with hydroxy‐benzoyl chloride. Several measurements confirmed that the UV absorber was chemically immobilized on the surface of the nanosilica. SEM observation showed that SiO2‐APTMS‐UVA was homogeneously dispersed in the matrix of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP). The photo‐degradation of the nanocomposites was evaluated by an accelerated aging test. It was found that the SiO2‐APTMS‐UVA has a great effect on preventing the degradation of LDPE or PP under UV exposure. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of Plasma Chamber Set‐Up on the Surface Modification of Non‐Vulcanized and Pure SBR Rubber Treated at Radio‐Frequencies Air Plasma
Authors: Henry Alicia , Vallat Marie‐France , Noël Cédric , Belmonte Thierry , Roucoules Vincent
Published: April 2015

Non‐vulcanized styrene‐butadiene rubber thin films were exposed to Radio‐Frequency low‐pressure air plasma. Two different configurations corresponding to direct and downstream RF plasmas were compared. Optical emission spectroscopy provided information about plasma composition and temperature. The plasma treated SBR surfaces were characterized by contact angles and XPS spectroscopy. Two different phenomenological mechanisms are proposed to describe the observed differences according to the plasma configuration used and account for the impact of the activated gas phase on the structure of plasma‐treated non‐vulcanized SBR surface..
Single‐arm phase II trial design under parametric cure models
Authors: Wu Jianrong
Published: April 2015

The current practice of designing single‐arm phase II survival trials is limited under the exponential model. Trial design under the exponential model may not be appropriate when a portion of patients are cured. There is no literature available for designing single‐arm phase II trials under the parametric cure model. In this paper, a test statistic is proposed, and a sample size formula is derived for designing single‐arm phase II trials under a class of parametric cure models. Extensive simulations showed that the proposed test and sample size formula perform very well under different scenarios. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibitory Effects of (2′R)‐2′,3′‐dihydro‐2′‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐2,6′‐bibenzofuran‐6,4′‐diol on Mushroom Tyrosinase and Melanogenesis in B16‐F10 Melanoma Cells
Authors: Zhu Jing‐jie , Yan Gui‐rui , Xu Zhi‐jian , Hu Xiao , Wang Gai‐hong , Wang Ting , Zhu Wei‐liang , Hou Ai‐jun , Wang He‐yao
Published: April 2015

(2′R)‐2′,3′‐Dihydro‐2′‐(1‐hydroxy‐1‐methylethyl)‐2,6′‐bibenzofuran‐6,4′‐diol (DHMB) is a natural compound extracted from Morus notabilis. It was found that DHMB acts as a competitive inhibitor against mushroom tyrosinase with a Ki value of 14.77 μM. Docking results further indicated that it could form strong interactions with one copper ion with a distance of 2.7 Å, suggesting the mechanism of inhibition might be due to chelating copper ions in the active site. Furthermore, melanin production in B16‐F10 murine melanoma cells was significantly inhibited by DHMB in a concentration‐dependent manner without cytotoxicity. The results of western blotting also showed that DHMB decreased 3‐isobuty‐1‐methxlzanthine‐induced mature tyrosinase expression. Taken together, these findings indicated that DHMB may be a new promising pigmentation‐altering agent for agriculture, cosmetic, and therapeutic applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced Estrogenic Activity of Soybean Isoflavones by Coadministration of Liuwei Dihuang Pills in Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Xie Baogang , Zhang Shuohua , Liu Jie , Zhan Xuejun , Xie Daze , Zhang Zhirong
Published: April 2015

Soybean isoflavones are beneficial for treating hormone‐related diseases. Simultaneous consumption of soybean isoflavones and Liuwei Dihuang pills (LWPs) is effective for treating perimenopausal period syndrome. However, why the combination of isoflavones and LWPs is more effective than ingestion of each component alone remains unknown. Here, we show that enhanced estrogenic activities would appear when the ovariectomized rats were fed with a soybean diet in combination of LWPs treatment. Our further studies explored enhancements of Lactobacillus (19‐fold) and Bifidobacterium (12‐fold) contents in the intestine of rat and 1.84‐fold higher intestinal β‐glucosidase activity in LWPs treatment group compared with the control group. As a result, steady‐state concentrations of genistein (1.20‐fold), daidzein (1.36‐fold), and equol (1.43‐fold) in serum were significantly elevated in the combination group compared with the soybean alone group. The results present the first evidence of the mechanism of enhanced estrogenic activity of dietary soybean isoflavones in combination with LWPs. Our study indicates that alterations of gut bacteria after LWPs treatment play a key role in the enhanced estrogenic effect of dietary soybean, suggesting a direct relationship between dietary soybean, LWPs, and gut flora. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of extratropical sea‐surface temperature on the Indian summer monsoon: an unexplored source of seasonal predictability
Authors: Chattopadhyay Rajib , Phani R. , Sabeerali C. T. , Dhakate A. R. , Salunke K. D. , Mahapatra S. , Rao A. Suryachandra , Goswami B. N.
Published: April 2015

Based on extensive analysis of observations and a series of climate model experiments, here we establish that slow variations of northern hemispheric extratropical sea‐surface temperature (SST) anomalies can augment seasonal predictability of the south Asian monsoon. The SST conditions and performance of the south Asian monsoon during 2013 boreal summer months (June–September) led us to hypothesize that the strong extratropical SST anomalies in the North Pacific and North Atlantic in conjunction with weak tropical SST anomalies (weak La Niña) were responsible for the above‐normal rainfall over India during 2013. We also argue that the 2013 SST pattern and above‐normal monsoon condition are not unique but occurred on several occasions in the past. Further, we show that there is a complementary pattern of strong extratropical SST and weak tropical SST that is associated with below‐normal south Asian monsoon rainfall. We also show that the extratropical SST pattern in the Northern Hemisphere is associated with a low‐frequency interdecadal mode of variability indicating potential predictability associated with such extratropical SST forcing. Extensive experiments with an atmospheric general circulation model forced by such SST conditions elucidate the mechanism through which the extratropical SSTs influence the Indian monsoon. The SST anomalies affect the north–south temperature gradient and lead to a local displacement of the jet stream, setting up a quasi‐stationary wave. Such a stationary wave, in turn, affects the tropospheric temperature (TT) over southern Eurasia, influencing the north–south TT gradient in the region and thereby the Indian monsoon. Our discovery of this additional source of potential predictability together with the fact that the new‐generation coupled ocean–atmosphere models are capable of predicting the extratropical SST anomalies brightens the prospect of south Asian monsoon prediction.
Convectively coupled equatorial‐wave diagnosis using three‐dimensional normal modes
Authors: Castanheira José M. , Marques Carlos A. F.
Published: April 2015

A new methodology for the diagnosis of convectively coupled equatorial waves (CCEWs) is presented. It is based on a pre‐filtering of the geopotential and horizontal wind, using three‐dimensional (3D) normal mode functions of the adiabatic linearized equations of a resting atmosphere, followed by a space–time spectral analysis to identify the spectral regions of coherence.

The methodology permits a direct detection of various types of equatorial wave, compares the dispersion characteristics of the coupled waves with the theoretical dispersion curves and allows an identification of which vertical modes are more involved in the convection. Moreover, the proposed methodology is able to show the existence of free dry waves and moist coupled waves with a common vertical structure, which is in conformity with the effect of convective heating/cooling on the effective static stability, as deduced from the gross moist stability concept. The methodology is also sensitive to wave interactions.

The methodology has been applied to the ERA‐Interim horizontal wind and geopotential height fields and to the interpolated outgoing long‐wave radiation (OLR) data produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The results obtained provide examples of the aforementioned effects.
Agglomeration and the choice between acquisitions and alliances: An information economics perspective
Authors: McCann Brian T. , Reuer Jeffrey J. , Lahiri Nandini
Published: April 2015

Research summary: This research extends agglomeration theory by joining it with information economics research to better understand the determinants of firms' organizational governance choices. We argue that co‐location in a common geographic cluster fosters lower levels of information asymmetry between exchange partners and thus leads firms to employ acquisitions rather than alliances for their external corporate development activities. We further extend agglomeration theory by arguing that the impact of sharing a cluster location on acquisitions versus alliances strengthens with the level and dissimilarity of the exchange partners' knowledge‐based resources as well as with the intra‐cluster geographic proximity of the partners. Evidence from a sample of over 1,100 alliance and acquisition transactions in the U.S. semiconductor industry provides support for our hypotheses.

Managerial summary: This paper investigates the role of geographical clustering for firms' external corporate development activities in acquisitions and alliances. We explain how better information is likely to be available among firms co‐located in the same cluster. This suggests that managers should have less need to use alliances over acquisitions as a means of reducing the risk of adverse selection (e.g., overpaying for acquisitions). Our investigation of over 1,100 transactions in the U.S. semiconductor industry shows that common cluster co‐location increases the probability of acquisition relative to alliance. Our arguments and evidence also indicate that the information‐related benefits of cluster co‐location are even more impactful when the parties have more divergent technology bases, possess larger stocks of knowledge‐based resources, or are located in closer geographic proximity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Brief Report: Oxidative Stress Mediates Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis in a Human Model of Danon Disease and Heart Failure
Authors: Hashem Sherin I. , Perry Cynthia N. , Bauer Matthieu , Han Sangyoon , Clegg Stacey D. , Ouyang Kunfu , Deacon Dekker C. , Spinharney Mary , Panopoulos Athanasia D. , Izpisua Belmonte Juan Carlos , Frazer Kelly A. , Chen Ju , Gong Qiuming , Zhou Zhengfeng , Chi Neil C. , Adler Eric D.
Published: April 2015

Danon disease is a familial cardiomyopathy associated with impaired autophagy due to mutations in the gene encoding lysosomal-associated membrane protein type 2 (LAMP-2). Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of autophagy in regulating cardiomyocyte bioenergetics, function, and survival. However, the mechanisms responsible for cellular dysfunction and death in cardiomyocytes with impaired autophagic flux remain unclear. To investigate the molecular mechanisms responsible for Danon disease, we created induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from two patients with different LAMP-2 mutations. Danon iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) exhibited impaired autophagic flux and key features of heart failure such as increased cell size, increased expression of natriuretic peptides, and abnormal calcium handling compared to control iPSC-CMs. Additionally, Danon iPSC-CMs demonstrated excessive amounts of mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis. Using the sulfhydryl antioxidant N-acetylcysteine to scavenge free radicals resulted in a significant reduction in apoptotic cell death in Danon iPSC-CMs. In summary, we have modeled Danon disease using human iPSC-CMs from patients with mutations in LAMP-2, allowing us to gain mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis of this disease. We demonstrate that LAMP-2 deficiency leads to an impairment in autophagic flux, which results in excessive oxidative stress, and subsequent cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Scavenging excessive free radicals with antioxidants may be beneficial for patients with Danon disease. In vivo studies will be necessary to validate this new treatment strategy. Stem Cells 2015;33:2343–2350
Crif1 Promotes Adipogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells After Irradiation by Modulating the PKA/CREB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Xi , Xiang Lixin , Ran Qian , Liu Yao , Xiang Yang , Xiao Yanni , Chen Li , Li Fengjie , Zhong Jiang F. , Li Zhongjun
Published: April 2015

Dysfunction of the hematopoietic microenvironment is the main obstacle encountered during hematopoiesis reconstruction in patients with acute hematopoietic radiation syndrome. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) play a crucial supporting role in hematopoiesis by maintaining the balance between adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. In this study, we found that irradiation decreased the colony-forming efficiency of BM-MSCs and impaired the balance between adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. Following irradiation, BM-MCSs became strongly predisposed to adipogenesis, as evidenced by increased oil red O staining and elevated mRNA and protein levels of the adipogenic markers and transcription factors PPARγ and AP2. Overexpression of the essential adipogenesis regulator Crif1 in BM-MSCs promoted adipogenesis after irradiation exposure by upregulating adipogenesis-related genes, including C/EBPβ, PPARγ, and AP2. We found that Crif1 promoted the phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) through direct interaction with protein kinase A (PKA)-α. Phosphorylation of CREB was inhibited in Crif1-knockdown BM-MSCs even in the presence of a PKA agonist (db-cAMP) and could be suppressed in Crif1-overexpressing BM-MSCs by a PKAα inhibitor (H-89). These results suggest that Crif1 is an indispensable regulator of PKAα cat that modulates the PKA/CREB signaling pathway to promote adipogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs after irradiation. Stem Cells  2015;33:1915–1926
Rapid optimization of drug combinations for the optimal angiostatic treatment of cancer
Authors: Weiss Andrea , Ding Xianting , van Beijnum Judy R. , Wong Ieong , Wong Tse J. , Berndsen Robert H. , Dormond Olivier , Dallinga Marchien , Shen Li , Schlingemann Reinier O. , Pili Roberto , Ho Chih-Ming , Dyson Paul J. , van den Bergh Hubert , Griffioen Arjan W. , Nowak-Sliwinska Patrycja
Published: April 2015

Drug combinations can improve angiostatic cancer treatment efficacy and enable the reduction of side effects and drug resistance. Combining drugs is non-trivial due to the high number of possibilities. We applied a feedback system control (FSC) technique with a population-based stochastic search algorithm to navigate through the large parametric space of nine angiostatic drugs at four concentrations to identify optimal low-dose drug combinations. This implied an iterative approach of in vitro testing of endothelial cell viability and algorithm-based analysis. The optimal synergistic drug combination, containing erlotinib, BEZ-235 and RAPTA-C, was reached in a small number of iterations. Final drug combinations showed enhanced endothelial cell specificity and synergistically inhibited proliferation (p < 0.001), but not migration of endothelial cells, and forced enhanced numbers of endothelial cells to undergo apoptosis (p < 0.01). Successful translation of this drug combination was achieved in two preclinical in vivo tumor models. Tumor growth was inhibited synergistically and significantly (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) using reduced drug doses as compared to optimal single-drug concentrations. At the applied conditions, single-drug monotherapies had no or negligible activity in these models. We suggest that FSC can be used for rapid identification of effective, reduced dose, multi-drug combinations for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
Changing the Environmental Behaviour of Small Business Owners: The Business Case
Authors: Walker Beth , Redmond Janice
Published: April 2015

The importance of the environment is something of a cracked record to many small business owners, as historically any calls to business to change or improve their practices or behaviours were from the ‘environmental’ or ‘green’ perspective, rather than from a business perspective. As a consequence, many small businesses have simply tuned out. This research sought to identify the impact of an education intervention program that encouraged better environmental management practices and provided practical assistance to the businesses. The research was designed to test the effectiveness of the program and record any changes that occurred in the businesses over the duration of the project. To measure changes, it included a pre- and post-intervention survey. Overall, there was an increased awareness in most of the businesses in regard to environmental issues. Participants from many of the businesses also expressed positive changes to both behaviours and attitudes to environmental issues. This demonstrated the value of the program, and also highlighted the challenge to engage small business, even when a business case is apparent, given the cost of implementing this type of intensive and personalised assistance.
Whole-exome sequencing and its impact in hereditary hearing loss
Authors: ATIK TAHIR , BADEMCI GUNEY , DIAZ-HORTA OSCAR , BLANTON SUSAN H. , TEKIN MUSTAFA
Published: April 2015

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have played a central role in the genetic revolution. These technologies, especially whole-exome sequencing, have become the primary tool of geneticists to identify the causative DNA variants in Mendelian disorders, including hereditary deafness. Current research estimates that 1% of all human genes have a function in hearing. To date, mutations in over 80 genes have been reported to cause nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL). Strikingly, more than a quarter of all known genes related to NSHL were discovered in the past 5 years via NGS technologies. In this article, we review recent developments in the usage of NGS for hereditary deafness, with an emphasis on whole-exome sequencing.
Nd isotope mapping of the Allochthon Boundary Thrust on the shores of Georgian Bay, Ontario: significance for Grenvillian crustal structure and evolution
Authors: DICKIN ALAN , NORTH ROBERT
Published: April 2015

Nearly 50 new Nd isotope analyses are presented for the Shawanaga region of Georgian Bay, Ontario, to study crustal evolution in the Grenvillian Central Gneiss Belt. Depleted mantle (TDM) Nd model ages are used to map a major Grenvillian tectonic boundary, the Allochthon Boundary Thrust (ABT), which in the Shawanaga area separates gneisses with TDM ages above and below 1.65 Ga. This is lower than the 1.8 Ga age cut-off observed further north, and is attributed to a southward increase in Mesoproterozoic magmatic reworking of an original Palaeoproterozoic continental margin, causing a progressive southward decrease in Nd model ages. Between Shawanaga Island and Franklin Island, Nd isotope mapping yields an ABT trajectory that closely matches published geological mapping, and passes within 100 m of four retrogressed eclogite bodies typically associated with the thrust boundary. This validation of the method gives confidence in the mapped trajectory south of Snake Island, where sparse outcrop inhibits lithological mapping. The new results suggest that published 1.7–1.9 Ga TDM ages in the Lower Go Home domain of the Central Gneiss Belt further south are also indicative of parautochthonous crust. Hence, we propose that the main ramp of the ABT is located in the immediate hangingwall of the Go Home domain, much further south than generally recognized. This has important implications for the large-scale crustal structure of the SW Grenville Province, suggesting that the ABT ramp has a similar curved trajectory to the Grenville Front and the Central Metasedimentary Belt boundary thrust.
Reconstructive challenges in the extended endoscopic transclival approach
Authors: Kamat A , Lee J Y K , Goldstein G H , Newman J G , Storm P B , Palmer J N , Adappa N D
Published: April 2015

Objective:

We wanted to present our experience with the extended endoscopic approach to clival pathology, focusing on cerebrospinal fluid leak and reconstruction challenges.

Methods:

We examined a consecutive series of 37 patients undergoing the extended endoscopic approach for skull base tumours, 9 patients with clival pathology. Patients were examined for the incidence of post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak in relation to tumour pathology, location, size, reconstruction and lumbar drain.

Results:

The overall incidence of post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak was 10.8 per cent. Seventy-five per cent of patients who had a post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak underwent a transclival approach (p < 0.05). All patients with clival pathology who underwent an intradural dissection had a post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak rates after the extended endoscopic approach have improved significantly after advancements including the vascularised nasoseptal flap. Despite this, transclival approaches continue to pose much difficulty. Further investigation is necessary to develop technical improvements that can meet the unique challenges associated with this region.
Citation analysis of otorhinolaryngology journals: follow-up study
Authors: Coelho D H , Edelmayer L W , Fenton J E
Published: April 2015

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in impact factors of otorhinolaryngology journals over the past 15 years.

Method:

Using the online edition of Journal Citation Reports, standard (2-year) and 5-year impact factors were calculated for the leading 15 journals.

Results:

The results were compared with the impact factors for 1998. The average standard impact factor and 5-year impact factor increased by 2.72 and 2.05 fold respectively when compared with 1998. The average 2012 standard impact factor and 5-year impact factor were 1.82 and 1.99 respectively, reflecting a 9.3 per cent difference. The average 1998 standard impact factor and 5-year impact factor were 0.67 and 0.97 respectively, reflecting a 44.8 per cent difference. The Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology had the highest standard and five-year impact factors.

Conclusion:

These data may indicate changing clinical and research interests within our field, as well as increased speed and ease with which the internet has allowed citation. As a result, five-year intervals may no longer be necessary to adequately gauge journal impact.
Exponence and morphosyntactically triggered phonological processes in the Russian verbal complex
Authors: GRIBANOVA VERA
Published: April 2015

This paper examines a non-canonical morphophonological vowel alternation in the roots of Russian verbs that is conditioned by aspectual information (derived imperfectivization). This aspectual morpheme is usually expressed as a suffix, but in the forms of interest appears as a vocalic nucleus in the root (whereas there is no vocalic nucleus in the perfective form). In a manner broadly compatible with Distributed Morphology (DM), I argue that this alternation is part of a more general phonological process – yer realization – special only in that it is triggered by morphosyntactic, rather than phonological, information. I propose an analysis of this pattern in which autosegmental representations – in this case, a mora – can be the exponents of morphosyntactic features. This approach obviates the need for DM readjustment rules, which have been criticized on empirical and theoretical grounds (Siddiqi 2006, 2009; Bye & Svenonius 2012; Haugen & Siddiqi 2013). I demonstrate that the required allomorphic interaction between the root and the derived imperfective morpheme is local, despite surface appearances: the intervening vowel is a theme vowel, inserted post-syntactically. This approach makes sense of broader patterns involving this theme vowel, and vindicates theories of allomorphic interaction that impose strict locality conditions (e.g., structural and/or linear adjacency).