bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demographic and personal factors associated with metabolic control and self‐care in youth with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review
Authors: Neylon Orla M. , O'Connell Michele A. , Skinner Timothy C. , Cameron Fergus J.
Published: January 2013

Optimal use of recent technological advances in insulin delivery and glucose monitoring remain limited by the impact of behaviour on self‐care. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in psychosocial methods of optimizing care in youth with type 1 diabetes. We therefore sought to examine the literature for demographic, interpersonal and intrapersonal correlates of self‐care and/or metabolic control. Studies for this systematic review were obtained via an electronic search of Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PsycINFO databases.

Seventy studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These studies have indicated that identifiable individual characteristics in each domain are robustly associated with metabolic control and/or self‐care in children and adolescents. We present these characteristics and propose a theoretical model of their interactions and effect on diabetes outcomes.

There is currently no consensus regarding patient selection for insulin pump therapy. In this era of scarce healthcare resources, it may be prudent to identify youth requiring increased psychosocial support prior to regimen intensification. The importance of this review lies in its potential to create a framework for rationally utilizing resources by stratifying costly therapeutic options to those who, in the first instance, will be most likely to benefit from them. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early gene expression divergence between allopatric populations of the house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus)
Authors: Bryk Jarosław , Somel Mehmet , Lorenc Anna , Teschke Meike
Published: January 2013

Divergence of gene expression is known to contribute to the differentiation and separation of populations and species, although the dynamics of this process in early stages of population divergence remains unclear. We analyzed gene expression differences in three organs (brain, liver, and testis) between two natural populations of Mus musculus domesticus that have been separated for at most 3000 years. We used two different microarray platforms to corroborate the results at a large scale and identified hundreds of genes with significant expression differences between the populations. We find that although the three tissues have similar number of differentially expressed genes, brain and liver have more tissue–specific genes than testis. Most genes show changes in a single tissue only, even when expressed in all tissues, supporting the notion that tissue–specific enhancers act as separable targets of evolution. In terms of functional categories, in brain and to a smaller extent in liver, we find transcription factors and their targets to be particularly variable between populations, similar to previous findings in primates. Testis, however, has a different set of differently expressed genes, both with respect to functional categories and overall correlation with the other tissues, the latter indicating that gene expression divergence of potential importance might be present in other datasets where no differences in fraction of differentially expressed genes were reported. Our results show that a significant amount of gene expression divergence quickly accumulates between allopatric populations.
Electronic Current Distribution Calculation for a Ni‐YSZ Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anode
Authors: Childs N. B. , Law C. , Smith R. , Sofie S. , Key C. , Kopcyzk M. , Lerch M.
Published: February 2013

A simulation of a nickel‐yttrium stabilized zirconium oxide (Ni‐YSZ) solid oxide fuel cell cermet anode was used to determine the electronic current distribution within the percolating networks of nickel particles distributed in the electrode. The anode is simulated via a Monte–Carlo percolation model and current distribution is calculated via a relaxation algorithm. Nickel particle current densities are reported as a ratio to the total anode current density allowing results to be applied to any anode current density. Calculated current distributions were drastically affected by the volume percent of nickel as well as anode porosity. Experiments were performed to determine failure current densities of thin nickel wires to establish the relationship between critical current densities and surface area or volume of the wires. Both reducing and oxidizing environments were used for these measurements over a temperature range up to 800 °C.
The Temporal Expectations of Schooling and Literacy Learning Jermaine's Story
Authors: Compton‐Lilly Catherine F.
Published: January 2013

Although the term chronotope may be unfamiliar, the meaning and significance of the construct resonate with many ELA teachers. Chronotope (Bakhtin, ) captures how people come to make sense of stories and the characters that inhabit those stories. In this longitudinal case study, chronotope is used to explore what school literacy experiences offer, allow, and reject in terms of identity construction, providing students with possibilities for change, malleable sequences, connections to the world beyond school, and opportunities for critique. This analysis reveals how school policies and expectations carry meanings about who Jermaine is as a student and as a reader. Chronotopic motifs related to schooling and literacy characterize Jermaine as a particular type of student and invoke probable school trajectories. The article closes with implications for teachers designed to support students, like Jermaine, who struggle to meet the expectations imposed by schools.
Visual and Digital Texts
Authors: Ash Gwynne Ellen
Published: January 2013

This column provides reviews of adolescent and adult visual and digital texts and provides a valuable resource for visual and digital text selection in‐ and outside the classroom.
Print‐Based Texts
Authors: Blasingame James
Published: January 2013

This column provides reviews of adolescent and adult literature and provides a valuable resource for literature selection in‐ and outside the classroom.
Professional Resources
Authors: Draper Roni Jo
Published: January 2013

This column provides reviews of adolescent and adult professional resources and provides a valuable resource for professional resource selection in‐ and outside the classroom.
Combinations of parabens at concentrations measured in human breast tissue can increase proliferation of MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells
Authors: Charles Amelia K. , Darbre Philippa D.
Published: January 2013

The alkyl esters of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens), which are used as preservatives in consumer products, possess oestrogenic activity and have been measured in human breast tissue. This has raised concerns for a potential involvement in the development of human breast cancer. In this paper, we have investigated the extent to which proliferation of MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells can be increased by exposure to the five parabens either alone or in combination at concentrations as recently measured in 160 human breast tissue samples. Determination of no‐observed‐effect concentrations (NOEC), lowest‐observed‐effect concentrations (LOEC), EC50 and EC100 values for stimulation of proliferation of MCF‐7 cells by five parabens revealed that 43/160 (27%) of the human breast tissue samples contained at least one paraben at a concentration ≥ LOEC and 64/160 (40%) > NOEC. Proliferation of MCF‐7 cells could be increased by combining all five parabens at concentrations down to the 50th percentile (median) values measured in the tissues. For the 22 tissue samples taken at the site of ER + PR + primary cancers, 12 contained a sufficient concentration of one or more paraben to stimulate proliferation of MCF‐7 cells. This demonstrates that parabens, either alone or in combination, are present in human breast tissue at concentrations sufficient to stimulate the proliferation of MCF‐7 cells in vitro, and that functional consequences of the presence of paraben in human breast tissue should be assessed on the basis of all five parabens and not single parabens individually. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aluminum Complexes of Tridentate Amine Biphenolate Ligands Containing Distinct N‐alkyls: Synthesis and Catalytic Ring‐opening Polymerization
Authors: Liang Lan‐Chang , Lin Sheng‐Ta , Chien Chia‐Cheng
Published: February 2013

A series of aluminum complexes of amine biphenolate ligands that contain distinct N‐alkyl substituents have been prepared and employed for ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ϵ‐caprolactone (ϵ‐CL). Alkane elimination of trimethylaluminum with H2[R‐ONO] ([R‐ONO]2− = [RN(CH2‐2‐O‐3,5‐C6H2(tBu)2)2]2−; R = tBu (1a), iPr (1b), nPr (1c)) in toluene solutions at 25 °C produces colorless crystalline [R‐ONO]AlMe (2a‐c). X‐ray diffraction studies of these organoaluminum complexes showed them to be four‐coordinate species having a distorted tetrahedral coordination core. In the presence of benzyl alcohol, complexes 2a‐c are all active catalyst precursors for ROP of ϵ‐CL. The ROP rates of ϵ‐CL are clearly a function of the steric sizes of the N‐alkyl substituents, following an increasing order 2a < 2b < 2c. Interestingly, both 2b and 2c exhibit controlled ROP catalysis whereas 2a gives low molecular weight oligomers under identical conditions. In ROP catalyzed with 2b or 2c, the ϵ‐CL disappearance rates follow pseudofirst order kinetics, with the latter being about 2.86(2) times faster than the former. Complex 2b outperforms 2c in view of maintaining controlled ROP catalysis in reactions with extremely high monomerto‐catalyst ratios. The complex constitution‐reactivity relationship is discussed.
Clarification of rubber mill wastewater by a plant based biopolymer – comparison with common inorganic coagulants
Authors: Mukherjee Sumona , Pariatamby Agamuthu , Sahu Jaya Narayan , Sen Gupta Bhaskar
Published: January 2013

Background

In this study, the efficiency of Guar gum as a biopolymer has been compared with two other widely used inorganic coagulants, ferric chloride (FeCl3) and aluminum chloride (AlCl3), for the treatment of effluent collected from the rubber‐washing tanks of a rubber concentrate factory. Settling velocity distribution curves were plotted to demonstrate the flocculating effect of FeCl3, AlCl3 and Guar gum. FeCl3 and AlCl3 displayed better turbidity removal than Guar gum at all settling velocities.

Result

FeCl3, AlCl3 and Guar gum removed 92.8%, 88.2% and 88.1% turbidity, respectively, of raw wastewater at a settling velocity of 0.1 cm min−1, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study conducted on the flocs revealed that Guar gum and FeCl3produced strong intercoiled honeycomb patterned floc structure capable of entrapping suspended particulate matter. Statistical experimental design Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to design all experiments, where the type and dosage of flocculant, pH and mixing speed were taken as control factors and, an optimum operational setting was proposed.

Conclusion

Due to biodegradability issues, the use of Guar gum as a flocculating agent for wastewater treatment in industry is highly recommended. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Uniquely Hamiltonian Graphs of Minimum Degree 4
Authors: Fleischner Herbert
Published: January 2013

We construct an infinite family of uniquely hamiltonian graphs of minimum degree 4, maximum degree 14, and of arbitrarily high maximum degree.
Diffusion‐weighted imaging of the prostate: Comparison of b1000 and b2000 image sets for index lesion detection
Authors: Rosenkrantz Andrew B. , Hindman Nicole , Lim Ruth P. , Das Kasturi , Babb James S. , Mussi Thais C. , Taneja Samir S.
Published: January 2013

Purpose:

To compare tumor detection on acquired diffusion‐weighted (DW) images and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, obtained using b‐values of 1000 s/mm2 and 2000 s/mm2, using radical prostatectomy as the reference.

Materials and Methods:

In all, 29 prostate cancer patients who underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including DW imaging using b‐values of 1000 s/mm2 and 2000 s/mm2 were included. Two radiologists independently evaluated four image sets during different sessions and recorded the location and diameter of the dominant lesion: DW images acquired using b‐values of 1000 s/mm2 and 2000 s/mm2 and ADC maps calculated using maximal b‐values of 1000 s/mm2 and 2000 s/mm2. Findings were correlated with the location and diameter of the dominant lesion at prostatectomy. Tumor‐to‐PZ contrast was also calculated, unblinded to pathology.

Results:

Both readers achieved significantly higher sensitivity for DW images obtained using a b‐value of 2000 s/mm2 than 1000 s/mm2 (P < 0.001), although there was no difference in sensitivity between ADC maps calculated using the two b‐values (P ≥ 0.309). Tumor‐to‐PZ contrast was higher for DW images using a b‐value of 2000 s/mm2 (P = 0.067), although it was not different between the two corresponding ADC maps (P = 0.544). For both readers, correlations with tumor diameters were higher for either ADC map (r = 0.59–0.73) than for either acquired DW image set (r = 0.03–0.57).

Conclusion:

Use of a b‐value of 2000 s/mm2 compared with a b‐value of 1000 s/mm2 resulted in improved tumor sensitivity and higher tumor‐to‐PZ contrast on the acquired DW images, although performance of the ADC maps corresponding with the two b‐values was similar. Correlation with tumor size was greater for either ADC map than for either acquired DW image set. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:694–700. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Absolute quantification of myocardial blood flow with constrained estimation of the arterial input function
Authors: Fluckiger Jacob U. , Benefield Brandon C. , Harris Kathleen R. , Lee Daniel C.
Published: January 2013

Purpose:

To evaluate the performance of the constrained alternating minimization with model (CAMM) method for estimating the input function from the myocardial tissue curves.

Materials and Methods:

Myocardial perfusion imaging was performed on seven canine models of coronary artery disease in 15 imaging sessions. In each session, stress was induced with intravenous infusion of adenosine and a variable occluder created coronary artery stenosis. A dual bolus protocol was used for each acquisition, and input functions were then estimated using the CAMM method with data acquired from the high dose scan following each imaging session. For each acquisition, myocardial blood flow was measured by injected microspheres.

Results:

The dual bolus and CAMM‐derived flows were not significantly different (P = 0.18), and the correlation between the two methods was high (r = 0.97). The correlation between the dual bolus and CAMM methods and microsphere measurements was lower than that for the two MR methods (r = 0.53; r = 0.43, respectively).

Conclusion:

The CAMM method presented here shows promise in estimating myocardial blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease at stress with a single injection and without any specialized acquisitions. Further work is needed to validate the approach in a clinical setting. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:603–609. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of the use of multiple scanners and of scanner upgrade in longitudinal voxel‐based morphometry studies
Authors: Takao Hidemasa , Hayashi Naoto , Ohtomo Kuni
Published: January 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of inter‐scanner variability (bias) and of scanner upgrade on longitudinal changes in regional gray matter volume.

Materials and Methods

A total of 215 normal subjects were scanned twice, at an interval of approximately 1 year, using two 3.0 Tesla (T) scanners of the exact same model. Both scanners were simultaneously upgraded during the study period. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the combination of scanners used at the two time points. Using VBM, we evaluated longitudinal changes in regional gray matter volume in each group and the effects of scanner upgrade on longitudinal changes.

Results

The use of different scanners at two time points significantly influenced longitudinal changes in regional gray matter volume. Regional gray matter volumes were relatively stable within the same scanner, but significantly different between the two scanners. Scanner upgrade had effects comparable to those of using different scanners at the two time points.

Conclusion

The results of our study indicate that, even with scanners of the exact same model, the use of different scanners at different time points significantly influences longitudinal morphometric results, and that scanner upgrade has effects comparable to those of using different scanners at different time points. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:1283–1291. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Second trimester fetal death caused by varicella‐zoster virus infection
Authors: Tanimura Kenji , Kojima Nobue , Yamazaki Takashi , Semba Shuho , Yokozaki Hiroshi , Yamada Hideto
Published: January 2013

A 31‐year‐old woman contracted acute varicella at 13 weeks of gestation. Severe hydrops fetalis, hepatomegaly, and intrauterine fetal death were detected at 16 weeks of gestation by ultrasound examinations. An examination at autopsy, histopathology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provided evidence of varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) infection of the fetus. Second trimester intrauterine fetal death caused by mother to fetus infection of VZV is extremely rare. J. Med. Virol. 85:935–938, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antioxidant changes of leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum) during spontaneous fermentation of the white shaft and green leaves
Authors: Bernaert Nathalie , Wouters Dorrit , De Vuyst Luc , De Paepe Domien , De Clercq Hervé , Van Bockstaele Erik , De Loose Marc , Van Droogenbroeck Bart
Published: January 2013

Background

Leek is grown for its thickened cylindrical white shaft made up of long leaf bases. Despite the potentially valuable nutritional profile of the green leaves, a large portion remains unused owing its restricted culinary applications. This large quantity of this plant biomass could be valorized given an adequate stabilization method. In this study, we examined leek fermentation with regard to antioxidant changes.

Results

The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) increased by 62% when the green leaves were fermented for 21 days, while 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity did not increase significantly. Fermentation resulted in an increase of endogenous polyphenolic compounds such as ferulic acid, astragalin, luteolin and naringenin. Moreover, fermentation stimulated the production of a series of polyphenolic compounds that were not present in the fresh leek. The flavour precursors in leek, i.e. methiin and isoalliin, were reduced by 91–93% and 100%, respectively, when spontaneous fermentation was allowed to occur on the white shaft and green leaves.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that application of fermentation resulted in a higher ORAC value and polyphenol content of the leek plant, especially in the green leaves. These results indicate the nutritional relevance of fermentation, which hold promise as a stabilization technique. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of linseed variety on fatty acid profile in cow's milk
Authors: Puppel Kamila , Kuczyńska Beata , Nałęcz‐Tarwacka Teresa , Grodzki Henryk
Published: January 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of linseed variety on the concentration of cow's milk constituents, particularly fatty acids. The experiment was conducted on 30 Polish Holstein Friesian cows whose diet was supplemented with two varieties of crude linseed, Opal and Szafir.

Results

After 21 days of linseed supplementation, the Szafir variety proved to be a better supplement than the Opal variety, particularly in relation to the concentration of saturated fatty acids, C20:5 (69.2% higher) and C22:6 (147.1% higher) and also because of improved chemical composition of the milk (19.7% higher fat, 2.9% higher protein and 39.9% higher casein content).

Conclusion

Linseed variety significantly influenced the lipid fraction level and the basic chemical composition of cow's milk. Linseed variety should therefore be taken into consideration in subsequent experiments in addition to the quantity and physical form of linseed. The results showed that the use of a diet supplemented with linseed, especially the Szafir variety, was effective in reducing saturation, atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, yielding benefits for consumers by improving the nutritional quality of cow's milk. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Polycaprolactone spheres and theromosensitive pluronic F127 hydrogel for vocal fold augmentation: In vivo animal study for the treatment of unilateral vocal fold palsy
Authors: Kwon Seong Keun , Song Jae‐Jun , Cho Chang Gun , Park Seok‐Won , Choi Soo Jung , Oh Se Heang , Lee Jin Ho
Published: January 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

The purpose of this study was to explore a novel strategy to restore vocal gap by using polycaprolactone (PCL) spheres with thermosensitive Pluronic F127 in a paralyzed rabbit vocal fold.

Study Design

In vivo study using a rabbit model.

Methods

The PCL spheres were fabricated by an isolated particle‐melting method. The PCL spheres/Pluronic F127 gel mixture was prepared by a simple mixture of PCL and Pluronic F127 solution. We used 33 New Zealand white rabbits, which were divided into normal (n = 3), vocal fold palsy (VFP, n = 12), PCL/Pluronic F127 gel mixture (PCL, n = 12), and Radiesse (n = 6) groups. After unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve section, PCL or Radiesse were injected into paralyzed vocal folds. Laryngoscopic exams were performed 1, 2, 4, and 12 weeks after implantation; then larynx specimens were sampled. High‐speed camera recording of vocal fold vibration and evaluation by videokymography were performed. Open quotient and asymmetric index were calculated. We evaluated the volume of the implants over time and investigated histologic changes.

Results

Endoscopic analysis showed that PCL/Pluronic F127 gel mixture maintained its volume without migration or inflammatory response. Vocal fold gap decreased and asymmetric vocal fold movement was improved compared with the VFP group. Histologically, connective tissue growth was observed between the spheres. The remaining volume of injected material was greater than the Radiesse group, without statistical significance.

Conclusions

Locally injected PCL/Pluronic F127 can enhance glottal contact, suggesting it as a potential new therapeutic approach that may lead to better treatment of vocal fold palsy.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 2013
Endoscopic removal of a dermoid cyst via scalp incision
Authors: Manickavasagam Jaiganesh , Robins James M. W. , Sinha Saurabh , Mirza Showkat
Published: January 2013

Nasal dermoid sinus cysts are the most common congenital midline nasal lesions. We describe a novel technique for the excision of a nasal dermoid cyst in a 2‐year‐old boy using a four hand endoscopic approach via a small scalp incision behind the hairline. The technique, although somewhat challenging, avoids a facial scar. Laryngoscope, 123:1862–1864, 2013
Pharyngoceles: A photo‐anatomic study and novel management
Authors: Naunheim Margaret , Langerman Alexander
Published: January 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

Pharyngoceles are outpouchings of the lateral pharyngeal wall through the thyrohyoid membrane. These entities are inconsistently documented in the literature given the varying terminology and poor anatomic description. Open surgical repair has been the mainstay of treatment for symptomatic pharyngoceles.

Study Design

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify articles presenting cases of pharyngoceles. Two case reports supplement the data found.

Methods

Through a PubMed search, articles were examined specifically for anatomical discussions, presenting symptoms, and management strategies. To this data, we add two cases of bilateral symptomatic pharyngoceles with full multimedia documentation, including one patient treated successfully with novel endoscopic suture pharyngoplasties.

Results

Twenty‐five articles were identified that described 59 cases of pharyngoceles, for a total of 61 patients reviewed. Few articles include descriptive anatomy and correlate in vivo examples, and none describe intraluminal pharyngocele structure in detail. Both patients at our institution had complete resolution of their symptoms, as determined by interviews and oropharyngeal motility studies.

Conclusions

Relatively few true pharyngoceles have been reported in the surgical literature. We offer the first detailed endoscopic anatomic description and formal evaluation of swallowing outcomes, as well as an anatomically‐based endoscopic approach. These lesions may be amenable to endoscopic repair with minimal long‐term morbidity.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 2013
Malignant and benign sinonasal paragangliomas
Authors: Papaspyrou Konstantinos , Welkoborsky Hans‐Juergen , Gouveris Haralampos , Mann Wolf J.
Published: January 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

To report on the clinical course and management of sinonasal paragangliomas (PGLs).

Study Design and Methods

Retrospective chart review of six patients with PGLs of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

Results

Three patients had tumors with malignant clinical behavior with cerebral metastases or infiltration of brain and local recurrence, despite surgery and/or radiotherapy, while three patients demonstrated a benign course.

Conclusion

Sinonasal paragangliomas are frequently malignant. If malignant, they are very aggressive, with rapid local spread as well as high metastatic potential despite surgical resection; and they have a poor prognosis. Malignancy cannot be diagnosed on histology, but only on the basis of clinical behavior. Intracranial metastasis is commonly expected. Long‐term follow‐up, with particular emphasis put on the intracranial structures, is mandatory as recurrences or metastasis may occur even after a long time interval.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 123:1830–1836, 2013
Synthesis of Photoresponsive Spiropyran‐Based Hybrid Polymers and Controllable Light‐Triggered Self‐Assembly Study in Toluene
Authors: Ma Li , Li Jinze , Han Dan , Geng Haiping , Chen Guangxin , Li Qifang
Published: January 2013

A series of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane end‐capped poly(spiropyran‐containing methacrylate) (POSS–PSPMA) polymers, a kind of photoresponsive hybrid polymer, are synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. It is proved that the molecular weight of POSS–PSPMA is sharply increased by raising the proportion of methanol or the concentration of the reactants. The self‐assembly behavior of POSS–PSPMA is studied in toluene: under the control of UV and visible light, POSS–PSPMA can reversibly self‐assemble into aggregates because the charged merocyanines (MC) form stacks. These MC stacks act as non‐covalent crosslinking points and POSS shell guarantees the stability of the aggregates. This system has a broad potential use in nanocarriers, especially for encapsulating and releasing polar substances in the nonpolar solvents.
Flexibility Improvement of Poly(L‐lactide) by Reactive Blending With Poly(ether urethane) Containing Poly(ethylene glycol) Blocks
Authors: Feng Lidong , Bian Xinchao , Cui Yi , Chen Zhiming , Li Gao , Chen Xuesi
Published: January 2013

Poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) is melt blended with poly(ether urethane) (PEU) based on poly(ethylene glycol) blocks via a chain‐extension reaction by diisocyanate as a chain extender to improve its flexibility without sacrificing comprehensive performance. The elongation at break of the blends with triphenyl phosphate (TPP) as a reactive blending additive is much higher than that without TPP by physical blending. When 10 wt% PEU is blended, the former elongation reaches to 298%, while the latter one is only approximately 20%. The reactive blending forms a PLLA–PEU block copolymer, thus improving their compatibility. When the weight‐average molecular weight (Mw) of PEUs is 18–90 kg mol−1, the effect of Mw is very little on tensile properties of blends. The rheological properties of the blends are modified through the content and molecular weight of PEU. The complex viscosity (η*) of PLLA/PEU blends increases with increasing Mw of PEU. The η* of the PLLA blend containing 5 wt% PEU in Mw 73 kg mol−1 is higher than that of neat PLLA. The water absorption of the PLLA/PEU blends enhances because of the hydrophilicity of PEUs versus neat PLLA.

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Decreased expression of kallikrein‐related peptidase 13: Possible contribution to metastasis of human oral cancer
Authors: Ishige Shunsaku , Kasamatsu Atsushi , Ogoshi Kenji , Saito Yasuhiro , Usukura Katsuya , Yokoe Hidetaka , Kouzu Yukinao , Koike Hirofumi , Sakamoto Yosuke , Ogawara Katsunori , Shiiba Masashi , Tanzawa Hideki , Uzawa Katsuhiro
Published: January 2013

The human kallikrein‐related peptidase family is comprised of 15 serine protease genes on chromosome 19q13.4 . Our previous microarray analyses showed that the gene kallikrein‐related peptidase 13 (KLK13) was down‐regulated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines. We evaluated the expression status of KLK13 in primary OSCCs and performed functional molecular experiments in OSCC cell lines. In 102 primary tumors studied, KLK13 expression significantly (P < 0.05) decreased compared with matched normal counterparts. Interestingly, KLK13‐negative cases correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with regional lymph node metastasis. In vitro, cells overexpressing KLK13 (oeKLK13) had decreased invasiveness and motility and up‐regulation of adhesion molecules (E‐cadherin, α‐catenin, β‐catenin, junction plakoglobin, plakophilin4, desmocollin2, desmoglein3, and desmoplakin) compared with control cells. A rescue experiment that transfected oeKLK13 cells with siRNA against KLK13 restored invasiveness and migration activities with down‐regulated adhesion molecules. Based on our results, we concluded that KLK13 may play an important role in regulating cellular migration and invasiveness, making the loss of KLK13 a potential biomarker for early detection of lymph node metastasis in OSCCs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A conformational NMR analysis of methymycin aglycones: complete and unambiguous assignments of stereochemically diverse glycosylated methymycin analogs by 1D and 2D NMR techniques and molecular modeling
Authors: Akhmedov Novruz G. , Gannett Peter M. , Wu Bulan , Cummings Matthew M. , Train Brian C.
Published: January 2013

The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 10‐deoxymethynolide (1), 8.9‐dihydro‐10‐deoxymethynolide (2) and its glycosylated derivatives (3–9) were analyzed using gradient‐selected NMR techniques, including 1D TOCSY, gCOSY, 1D NOESY (DPFGSENOE), NOESY, gHMBC, gHSQC and gHSQC‐TOCSY. The NMR spectral parameters (chemical shifts and coupling constants) of 1–9 were determined by iterative analysis. For the first time, complete and unambiguous assignment of the 1H NMR spectrum of 10‐deoxymethynolide (1) has been achieved in CDCl3, CD3OD and C6D6 solvents. The 1H NMR spectrum of 8,9‐dihydro‐10‐deoxymethynolide (2) was recorded in CDCl3, (CD3)2CO and CD3OD solutions to determine the conformation. NMR‐based conformational analysis of 1 and 2 in conjugation with molecular modeling concluded that the 12‐membered ring of the macrolactones may predominantly exist in a single stable conformation in all solvents examined. In all cases, a change in solvent caused only small changes in chemical shifts and coupling constants, suggesting that all glycosylated methymycin analogs exist with similar conformations of the aglycone ring in solution. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bone marrow stem cells in facial nerve regeneration from isolated stumps
Authors: Salomone Raquel , Bento Ricardo F. , Costa Heloisa J.Z.R. , Azzi‐Nogueira Deborah , Ovando Patrícia C. , Da‐Silva Ciro F. , Zanatta Daniela B. , Strauss Bryan E. , Haddad Luciana A.
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Severe lesions in the facial nerve may have extensive axonal loss and leave isolated stumps that impose technical difficulties for nerve grafting. Methods: We evaluated bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) in a silicone conduit for rat facial nerve regeneration from isolated stumps. Group A utilized empty silicone tubes; in groups B–D, the tube was filled with acellular gel; and, in groups C and D, undifferentiated BMSC (uBMSC) or Schwann‐like cells differentiated from BMSC (dBMSC) were added, respectively. Compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) were measured, and histology was evaluated. Results: Groups C and D had the highest CMAP amplitudes. Group C had shorter CMAP durations than groups A, B, and D. Distal axonal number and density were increased in group C compared with groups A and B. Conclusions: Regeneration of the facial nerve was improved by both uBMSC and dBMSC in rats, yet uBMSC was associated with superior functional results. Muscle Nerve 48: 423–429, 2013
Striational antibodies in a paraneoplastic context
Authors: McKeon Andrew , Lennon Vanda A. , LaChance Daniel H. , Klein Christopher J. , Pittock Sean J.
Published: January 2013

Introduction

The clinical significance of striational antibodies (StrAbs) detected in the course of paraneoplastic antibody testing is unknown.

Methods

We compared all 203 striational antibody (StrAb)‐seropositive patients identified (2004–2005) during evaluation for paraneoplastic antibodies with age‐ and sex‐matched seronegative controls.

Results

Thymoma and myasthenia gravis (MG) were significantly more common among cases (P<0.0001). Cancers more rarely detected after StrAb detection were adenocarcinoma in 5 patients and sarcoma in 3 patients. All patients who had a cancer identified after StrAb testing had a titer of ≥1:7680 or a coexisting muscle AChR‐binding antibody. Autoimmune disorders more commonly observed among cases (with any StrAb value) included: hypothyroidism; rheumatoid arthritis; and pernicious anemia (all P<0.05).

Conclusions

StrAbs may serve as a diagnostic clue for an autoimmune diagnosis. There is a low likelihood of oncological significance in patients with StrAb titers <1:7680 without coexisting paraneoplastic Abs. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Inherited neuropathies: Clinical overview and update
Authors: Klein Christopher J. , Duan Xiaohui , Shy Michael E.
Published: January 2013

Inherited neuropathy is a group of common neurologic disorders with heterogeneous clinical presentations and genetic causes. Detailed neuromuscular evaluations, including nerve conduction studies, laboratory testing, and histopathologic examination, can assist in identification of the inherited component beyond family history. Genetic testing increasingly enables definitive diagnosis of specific inherited neuropathies. Diagnosis, however, is often complex, and neurologic disability may have both genetic and acquired components in individual patients. The decision of which genetic test to order or whether to order genetic tests is often complicated, and the strategies to maximize the value of testing are evolving. Apart from rare inherited metabolic neuropathies, treatment approaches remain largely supportive. We provide a clinical update of the various types of inherited neuropathies, their differential diagnoses, and distinguishing clinical features (where available). A framework is provided for clinical evaluations, including the inheritance assessment, electrophysiologic examinations, and specific genetic tests.Muscle Nerve48: 604–622, 2013
Effect of different approaches to target force on transcranial magnetic stimulation responses
Authors: Gruet Mathieu , Temesi John , Rupp Thomas , Millet Guillaume Y. , Verges Samuel
Published: January 2013

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether the manner in which a target force is approached can influence the electromyographic (EMG) and mechanical parameters evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) during brief muscle contractions. Methods: The amplitude of motor‐evoked potentials (MEP) and superimposed twitch and the duration of the silent period were recorded in 8 healthy participants in response to TMS delivered during brief isometric voluntary contractions of the quadriceps maintaining a target force (10% and 50% of maximal voluntary force) or gradually increasing or decreasing to reach this point. Results: MEP and superimposed twitch, unlike the silent period, are influenced by the manner of reaching a low force. Conclusions: Clear instructions must be provided to research participants and patients. Rapidly increasing to a target force without exceeding it and maintaining the force before the delivery of TMS results in stable, representative MEP amplitudes. Muscle Nerve 48: 430–432, 2013
Prevalence of bifid median nerves and persistent median arteries and their association with carpal tunnel syndrome in a sample of latino poultry processors and other manual workers
Authors: Walker Francis O. , Cartwright Michael S. , Blocker Jill N. , Arcury Thomas A. , Suk Jung IM , Chen Haiying , Schultz Mark R. , Grzywacz Joseph G. , Mora Dana C. , Quandt Sara A.
Published: January 2013

Introduction

The prevalence of bifid median nerves and persistent median arteries, their co‐occurrence, and their relationship to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are only understood partially.

Methods

We screened 1026 wrists of 513 Latino manual laborers in North Carolina for bifid median nerves and persistent median arteries using electrodiagnosis and ultrasound.

Results

A total of 8.6% of wrists had a bifid median nerve, and 3.7% of wrists had a persistent median artery independent of subgroup ethnicity, age, gender, or type of work. An association with definite carpal tunnel syndrome was not found. The presence of either anatomic variant was associated with a high likelihood of co‐occurrence of another variant in the same or the contralateral wrist.

Conclusions

The occurrence of median anatomic variants can be determined in field studies using ultrasound. Persistent median arteries and bifid median nerves tend to co‐occur but do not put manual laborers at additional risk of developing CTS. Muscle Nerve 48: 539–544, 2013
Urethral sphincter function before and after radical prostatectomy: Systematic review of the prognostic value of various assessment techniques
Authors: Dubbelman Yvette D. , Bosch J.L.H.Ruud
Published: January 2013

Aims

Urethral sphincter incompetence is generally considered to be the most important contributing factor to post‐radical prostatectomy incontinence (PRPI). The value of various assessment techniques used to objectify urethral sphincter function before and/or after RP is unclear. Our review addresses the following questions: In men having to undergo RP, which measurement techniques that assess pre‐operative and post‐operative urethral sphincter function have predictive value for the post‐operative continence status or correlate with the post‐operative continence status.

Methods

A systematic and comprehensive search was performed using the terms: urethral sphincter, radical prostatectomy (RP), and urinary incontinence. Results were restricted to English‐language papers published between 1980 and March 2012. Only techniques described by at least two studies were included.

Results

Several assessment techniques for urethral sphincter function and anatomy were identified: sphincter electromyography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), perfusion sphincterometry and urethral pressure profilometry (UPP).

A shorter urethral sphincter length on preoperative endorectal MRI might be associated with an increased risk of PRPI as well as longer time to achieve continence. UPP showed that both maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and functional profile length (FPL) decrease significantly after RRP. Low preoperative MUCP and FPL are associated with an increased risk of PRPI.

The other mentioned assessment techniques are not usable as preoperative diagnostic tools.

Conclusions

MRI and UPP might be valuable preoperative diagnostic tools in patients waiting for RRP. However, more and larger studies are needed to show the exact role of MRI and UPP in the preoperative management of patients waiting for RRP and for whom post‐operative incontinence is a big concern. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 957–963, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lack of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2 (Nmnat2): Consequences for mouse bladder development and function
Authors: Hicks Amy N. , Campeau Lysanne , Burmeister David , Bishop Colin E. , Andersson Karl‐Erik
Published: January 2013

Aims

To describe the morphological and functional consequences for bladder development and function when nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2 (Nmnat2) is lacking or reduced.

Methods

The Bloated Bladder (Blad) mouse, lacking Nmnat2, and heterozygotes were utilized for this investigation. Morphology and development of the bladder were studied using immunohistochemistry against urothelial, smooth muscle, and nerve markers. Functional effects were assessed by organ bath experiments and cystometry.

Results

Homozygote mutants were malformed and died at birth, whereas heterozygotes survived and morphologically did not differ from wild‐type controls. Morphological bladder changes appeared in the Blad mutants as early as embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) with an extremely distended bladder at E18.5. Staining revealed that all the bladder layers were present and expressed mature markers in all three genotypes. No nerves could be demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in the Blad mutant bladder at E18.5. Organ bath analysis showed that bladders from Blad mutant showed signs of denervation supersensitivity in response to carbachol, and no response to electrical stimulation of nerves at E18.5. Adult heterozygotes, which have a reduced expression of Nmnat2 at E18.5, showed decreased responses to carbachol and electrical stimulation compared to wild‐type controls. The latter also retained their ability to empty their bladders, but showed increased micturition pressures compared to controls.

Conclusions

Complete loss of Nmnat2 leads to a mature but distended bladder in utero and is not compatible with survival. Moderate loss of Nmnat2 has no effect on bladder development, survival, and has only modest effects on bladder function later in life. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32:1130–1136, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A gradient reproducing kernel collocation method for boundary value problems
Authors: Chi Sheng‐Wei , Chen Jiun‐Shyan , Hu Hsin‐Yun , Yang Judy P.
Published: January 2013

The earlier work in the development of direct strong form collocation methods, such as the reproducing kernel collocation method (RKCM), addressed the domain integration issue in the Galerkin type meshfree method, such as the reproducing kernel particle method, but with increased computational complexity because of taking higher order derivatives of the approximation functions and the need for using a large number of collocation points for optimal convergence. In this work, we intend to address the computational complexity in RKCM while achieving optimal convergence by introducing a gradient reproduction kernel approximation. The proposed gradient RKCM reduces the order of differentiation to the first order for solving second‐order PDEs with strong form collocation. We also show that, different from the typical strong form collocation method where a significantly large number of collocation points than the number of source points is needed for optimal convergence, the same number of collocation points and source points can be used in gradient RKCM. We also show that the same order of convergence rates in the primary unknown and its first‐order derivative is achieved, owing to the imposition of gradient reproducing conditions. The numerical examples are given to verify the analytical prediction. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An XFEM plate element for high gradient zones resulted from yield lines
Authors: Xu Jin , Lee C.K. , Tan K.H.
Published: January 2013

A high gradient of displacement field occurs when a yield line is formed in a plate with elasto‐plastic material. For such applications, the extended finite element method has shown to be an effective numerical method to capture the behavior of a plate with a locally nonsmooth displacement field, and a displacement field with a high gradient. In this article, a six‐node isoparametric plate element with extended finite element method formulation is presented to capture the elasto‐plastic behavior of a plate in small‐deformation analyses. The Hermite function is adopted at the element level to enrich both the translational and the rotational displacement approximation fields so that nonsmoothness in displacement fields near a yield line can be simulated. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypoglycaemia documented with real‐time continuous glucose sensing in a case of ‘dead in bed’ syndrome
Authors: Waheed Najeeb , Butt Muhammad , Dayan Colin
Published: January 2013

The objective of this observational case report was to present the first case consistent with the ‘dead in bed’ syndrome in which hypoglycaemia has been documented by real‐time glucose monitoring at the time of death.

We report the case of a 41‐year‐old male with type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at age 14, he had poor glycaemic control during his teen years and suffered from severe hypoglycaemia unawareness. His diabetes was complicated by nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy. He was last seen alive and well by the family seven days before he was found dead in bed with his insulin pump and sensor in situ. The last recorded interaction between the patient and the pump system was seven days previously with evidence of prolonged hypoglycaemia around the time. Post‐mortem examination showed no specific cause of death.

The findings in this case report are consistent with the hypothesis that hypoglycaemia is a precipitant of the ‘dead in bed’ syndrome in diabetes and indicate that the presence of low glucose alarms does not provide complete protection against such an event. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons.