bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant micronutrients and the risk of renal cell carcinoma in the Women's Health Initiative cohort
Authors: Ho Won Jin , Simon Michael S. , Yildiz Vedat O. , Shikany James M. , Kato Ikuko , Beebe‐Dimmer Jennifer L. , Cetnar Jeremy P. , Bock Cathryn H.
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the eighth leading cancer among women in incidence and commonly is diagnosed at a more advanced stage. Oxidative stress has been considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of RCC. Various dietary micronutrients have antioxidant properties, including carotenoids and vitamins C and E; thus, diets rich in these nutrients have been evaluated in relation to RCC prevention. The objective of this study was to explore the correlation between antioxidant micronutrients and the risk of RCC.

METHODS

In total, 96,196 postmenopausal women who enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) between 1993 and 1998 and were followed through July 2013 were included in this analysis. Dietary micronutrient intake was estimated from the baseline WHI food frequency questionnaire, and data on supplement use were collected using an interview‐based inventory procedure. RCC cases were ascertained from follow‐up surveys and were centrally adjudicated. The risks for RCC associated with intake of α‐carotene, β‐carotene, β‐cryptoxanthin, lutein plus zeaxanthin, lycopene, vitamin C, and vitamin E were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for confounders.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty women with RCC were identified during follow‐up. Lycopene intake was inversely associated with RCC risk (P = .015); compared with the lowest quartile of lycopene intake, the highest quartile of intake was associated with a 39% lower risk of RCC (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.39‐0.97). No other micronutrient was significantly associated with RCC risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results suggest that further investigation into the correlation between lycopene intake and the risk of RCC is warranted. Cancer 2015;121:580–588. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Inter‐cell interference mitigation based on joint beamforming
Authors: Li Xu , Yin Huarui , Xu Ying , Wei Guo
Published: October 2014

In cellular networks, global channel state information (CSI) shall be shared among neighboring cells to mitigate various inter‐cell interference (ICI). In this paper, we propose that comparable ICI is mitigated while weak ICI is treated as noise. The amount of shared CSI is highly reduced, because of that only the CSI corresponding to comparable ICI is shared among neighboring cells. In the case of single user equipment in each cell, a joint singular value decomposition and interference alignment method is proposed along with the analysis of its approximate sum rate. Some nodes select singular value decomposition method, while others choose interference alignment method. The method at each node is determined by global selection principle or user classification principle. In the case of multiple UEs in each cell, all nodes utilize minimum mean square error method, but ICI is neglected at cell center users. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epigenetic programming by early‐life stress: Evidence from human populations
Authors: Vaiserman A. M.
Published: October 2014

Background: A substantial body of experimental and epidemiological evidence has been accumulated suggesting that stressful events in early life including acute perinatal stress, maternal deprivation or separation, and variation in maternal care may lead to neuroendocrine perturbations thereby affecting reproductive performance, cognitive functions, and stress responses as well as the risk for infectious, cardio‐metabolic and psychiatric diseases in later life. Results: Findings from recent studies based on both genome‐wide and candidate gene approaches highlighted the importance of mechanisms that are involved in epigenetic regulation of gene expression, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non‐coding RNAs, in the long‐term effects of exposure to stress in early life. Conclusions: This review is focused on the findings from human studies indicating the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the causal link between early‐life stress and later‐life health outcomes. Developmental Dynamics 244:254–265, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interactive histone acetylation and methylation in regulating transdifferentiation‐related genes during tunicate budding and regeneration
Authors: Shibuya Misa , Hatano Mitzuki , Kawamura Kaz
Published: October 2014

Background: In the budding tunicate Polyandrocarpa misakiensis, retinoic acid (RA)‐triggered transdifferentiation occurs during bud development and zooid regeneration. We aimed to reveal how and to what extent epigenetic histone modifications are involved in transdifferentiation‐related gene expression. Results: Acetylated histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9ac) was observed in transdifferentiating bud tissues and regenerating zooid tissues, where a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) gene, PmGCN5, was strongly expressed. Results of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) indicated that in transdifferentiating bud tissues, retinoic acid receptor (PmRAR), retinoid X receptor (PmRXR), external signal‐regulated kinase (PmERK), and β‐catenin (PmβCTN) genes conspicuously underwent H3K9 acetylation in their core promoter regions. RA was found to induce PmGCN5, causing histone acetylation of PmRAR, PmRXR, and PmERK. A GCN5 inhibitor, CPTH2, attenuated acetylation and weakened transcription of transdifferentiation‐related genes, except PmERK, indicating that RA‐induced GCN5 facilitates gene expression via histone acetylation. In regenerating zooids, H3K9ac occurred exclusively in PmERK, but PmERK expression did not change, and, surprisingly, the PmProhibitin2 expression decreased substantially. In the core promoter regions of these genes, suppressive histone methylation occurred at H3K9 and H3K27. Conclusions: These results, along with other evidence, indicate that cooperative and conflicting histone modifications enable the minute regulation of gene expression in P. misakiensis. Developmental Dynamics 244:10–20, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
FGF signaling is required for anterior but not posterior specification of the murine liver bud
Authors: Wang Jikui , Rhee Siyeon , Palaria Amrita , Tremblay Kimberly D.
Published: October 2014

Background: The definitive endoderm arises as a naive epithelial sheet that produces the entire gut tube and associated organs including the liver, pancreas and lungs. Murine explant studies demonstrate that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling from adjacent tissues is required to induce hepatic gene expression from isolated foregut endoderm. The requirement of FGF signaling during liver development is examined by means of small molecule inhibition during whole embryo culture. Results: Loss of FGF signaling before hepatic induction results in morphological defects and gene expression changes that are confined to the anterior liver bud. In contrast the posterior portion of the liver bud remains relatively unaffected. Because FGF is thought to act as a morphogen during endoderm organogenesis, the ventral pancreas was also examined after FGF inhibition. Although the size of the ventral pancreas is not affected, loss of FGF signaling results in a significantly higher density of ventral pancreas cells. Conclusions: The requirement for FGF‐mediated induction of hepatic gene expression differs across the anterior/posterior axis of the developing liver bud. These results underscore the importance of studying tissue differentiation in the context of the whole embryo. Developmental Dynamics 244:431–443, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New evidence for favourable effects on haemodynamics and ventricular performance after Parachute® implantation in humans
Authors: Schmidt Tobias , Frerker Christian , Thielsen Thomas , Dotz Inge , Wohlmuth Peter , Kuck Karl‐Heinz , Schäfer Ulrich
Published: October 2014

Aims

The Parachute® Ventricular Partitioning Device offers an additional strategy for heart failure patients with exclusion of the infarcted wall to decrease left ventricular volumes, myocardial work, and wall stress. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if Parachute implantation might influence acute haemodynamic and functional performance in patients with left ventricular aneurysm after anteroapical infarction.

Methods and results

Sixteen patients underwent a Parachute device implantation. Invasive right and left heart haemodynamic assessments as well as left ventricular analysis for evaluating left ventricle end‐diastolic and end‐systolic volumes, and regional ventricular function were analysed. After implantation a significant increase in stroke volume (+25.4%, P = 0.0005), stroke volume index (+26.5%, P = 0.0005), cardiac output (+25.8%, P < 0.0001) and cardiac index (+25.9%, P < 0.0001) was found. In addition to an increase in mean aortic (P = 0.0050) and pulmonary pressure (P = 0.0347), there were significant increases in stroke work index (P = 0.0003), left (P = 0.0015) and right (P = 0.0024) ventricular stroke work index as well as left and right cardiac work index (both P = 0.0001), while the remaining haemodynamic parameters remained unchanged. Left ventricular analysis showed an acute reduction of the left ventricular end‐diastolic volume (–18.0%, P < 0.0001) and left ventricular end‐systolic volume (–26.3%, P < 0.0001) and an increase in ejection fraction from 22.9 to 30.6% (+38.4%, P < 0.0001). Most interestingly, the basal wall segments displayed an increased contribution to the left ventricular ejection fraction with increased wall motion in nearly all segments (except the apex region).

Conclusion

The data demonstrate the acute haemodynamic efficacy of Parachute device implantation. The implantation of the device displays immediate significant left ventricular volume reduction leading to an acute improved right and left cardiac function, proving the concept of left ventricular partitioning.
Asymmetric Assembly of Steroidal Tetracyclic Skeletons
Authors: Gupta Preeti , Panda Gautam
Published: October 2014

Steroids have long played a vital role in organic synthesis because of their unique structural motif and associated biological properties. In recent years, asymmetric synthesis has emerged as a powerful tool for assembling the tetracyclic framework with high levels of molecular diversity. This review summarizes the latest developments in the enantioselective syntheses of both natural and synthetic steroids incorporating the carbocyclic skeleton. The approaches to the synthesis of steroids and related molecules are based primarily on the use of chiral starting materials, the employment of reagent‐controlled asymmetric induction assisted by chiral complexes, chiral Lewis acids or organocatalysts, or the utilisation of chiral auxiliaries.
Iron‐TEMPO‐Catalyzed Domino Aerobic Alcohol Oxidation/Oxidative Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling for the Synthesis of α‐Keto Amides
Authors: Kotha Surya Srinivas , Chandrasekar Selvaraj , Sahu Samrat , Sekar Govindasamy
Published: October 2014

An iron‐TEMPO‐catalyzed (TEMPO = 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy), aerobic process was developed to synthesize α‐keto amides. This reaction proceeds through a domino alcohol oxidation/oxidative cross‐dehydrogenative coupling sequence, uses 2‐hydroxyacetophenones and amines as the starting materials, and takes place under molecular oxygen, which makes the transformation highly efficient, practical, and environmentally friendly.
Predictors of the Adoption of LGBT‐Friendly HR Policies
Authors: Everly Benjamin A. , Schwarz Joshua L.
Published: October 2014

Employment discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals remains a persistent problem not addressed by federal and most state equal employment opportunity laws in the United States. Despite this lack of regulation, a growing number of organizations are voluntarily adding sexual orientation and gender identity to their nondiscrimination statements, providing domestic partner benefits, sponsoring affinity groups, and establishing other “LGBT‐friendly” policies. This article incorporates institutional theory and organizational demography to explore the antecedents to these policies to understand why some organizations seek to be at the forefront of this trend while others do only the minimum to embrace this element of diversity. The analysis of a sample of Fortune 1000 firms reveals that state law dealing with gay rights in non‐employment‐related areas for the state where each company is headquartered, the number of women serving on each firm's board of directors, and whether other companies in the same industry have adopted progressive policies are all related to company policy toward its LGBT employees. Sexual orientation of employees by industry does not seem to influence company policy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parental Division of Household Labour and Sibling Relationship Quality: Family Relationship Mediators
Authors: Dawson Anneka , Pike Alison , Bird Lauren
Published: October 2014

Research examining antecedents to sibling relationship quality have explored factors such as parenting and temperament (Brody, 1998); however, there has been no previous research on the topic of the current study. The present study used a cross‐informant approach to examine parent–child and marital relationships as potential mediators of links between parents' gendered attitudes and behaviours and sibling relationship quality. One hundred and twenty‐four families with older (M = 7.4 years) and younger (M = 5.2 years) siblings were assessed. Parents reported on division of household labour, gender‐role attitudes and marital satisfaction. Each child reported on sibling relationship quality and parental warmth and hostility. Results revealed a link between more egalitarian division of household labour and more positive sibling relationship quality. Furthermore, this association was not mediated by the marital nor parent–child relationship. We conclude that families with a more egalitarian division of household labour may model positive interactions for siblings. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New Voltammetric Sensor for Hydrazine Based on Michael Addition Reaction Using 1‐Amino‐2‐naphtol‐4‐sulfonic Acid
Authors: Ojani Reza , Rahemi Vanoushe , Raoof Jahan‐Bakhsh
Published: October 2014

In this paper, voltammetric determination of hydrazine was investigated by 1‐amino‐2‐naphtol‐4‐sulfonic acid (ANSA) at the surface of carbon paste electrode (CPE) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and double potential step chronoamperometry. Results showed that in pH 7.00, hydrazine participates in Michael addition reaction with ANSA and the anodic peak potential of hydrazine shifted to 726 mV less positive than CPE in absence of ANSA, this value is unique compared with other research works. Also, the value of rate constant for the oxidation of hydrazine was calculated 8.3 × 104 cm3 mol‐1 s‐1 and the diffusion coefficient of ANSA at the surface of CPE was determined 7.3 × 10‐7 cm2 s‐1. A linear correlation between Ip and hydrazine concentration in the ranges, from 5 × 10‐5 mol/L to 2.5 × 10‐2 mol/L with CV method was obtained and the detection limit was found as 4.3 × 10‐5 mol/L.
Yttrium(III) Nitrate: A Powerful Catalyst for Green and Rapid Synthesis of Some Supramolecules
Authors: Arami Afsaneh , Karami Bahador , Khodabakhshi Saeed
Published: October 2014

A convenient and rapid procedure for the synthesis of calix[4]resorcinarenes as useful supramolecules has been developed via a reaction of aryl aldehydes with resorcinol in the presence of yttrium(III) nitrate under solvent‐free conditions. This eco‐friendly method has many appealing attributes such as excellent yields, short reactions times, and simple work‐up procedures.
Determination of Human Serum Protein by Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Derivatized
Authors: Dong Yanjie , Huang Xuming , Wang Fang , Wang Junwei , Xia Hongyu , Wang Zhongling
Published: October 2014

Determination of human serum protein by molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) derivatized inner wall of capillary coupling of capillary‐electrophoresis was successfully developed. The vinyl groups were introduced onto the silica by immobilization of ‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane. Then the MIP coating was copolymerized and anchored onto the surface of the silica. The other preparation conditions, such as monomer concentration, temperature, and time of polymerization, were systematically studied. The obtained MIP‐derivatized capillary was applied to capillary electrophoresis, which was used for the separation and determination of human serum protein. The optimization of the experimental conditions was determined by evaluating various controlling factors: running buffer pH = 9.6, 0.1 mol L‐1 boric acid‐sodium borate, separation voltage 30 kV, temperature 25 °C, detected wavelength 192 nm.
PDE5 Inhibitors Enhance Celecoxib Killing in Multiple Tumor Types
Authors: Booth Laurence , Roberts Jane L. , Cruickshanks Nichola , Tavallai Seyedmehrad , Webb Timothy , Samuel Peter , Conley Adam , Binion Brittany , Young Harold F. , Poklepovic Andrew , Spiegel Sarah , Dent Paul
Published: October 2014

The present studies determined whether clinically relevant phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors interacted with a clinically relevant NSAID, celecoxib, to kill tumor cells. Celecoxib and PDE5 inhibitors interacted in a greater than additive fashion to kill multiple tumor cell types. Celecoxib and sildenafil killed ex vivo primary human glioma cells as well as their associated activated microglia. Knock down of PDE5 recapitulated the effects of PDE5 inhibitor treatment; the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L‐NAME suppressed drug combination toxicity. The effects of celecoxib were COX2 independent. Over‐expression of c‐FLIP‐s or knock down of CD95/FADD significantly reduced killing by the drug combination. CD95 activation was dependent on nitric oxide and ceramide signaling. CD95 signaling activated the JNK pathway and inhibition of JNK suppressed cell killing. The drug combination inactivated mTOR and increased the levels of autophagy and knock down of Beclin1 or ATG5 strongly suppressed killing by the drug combination. The drug combination caused an ER stress response; knock down of IRE1α/XBP1 enhanced killing whereas knock down of eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP suppressed killing. Sildenafil and celecoxib treatment suppressed the growth of mammary tumors in vivo. Collectively our data demonstrate that clinically achievable concentrations of celecoxib and sildenafil have the potential to be a new therapeutic approach for cancer. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 1115–1127, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
Permanent Culture of Macrophages at Physiological Oxygen Attenuates the Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Properties of Dimethyl Fumarate
Authors: Haas Benjamin , Chrusciel Sandra , Fayad‐Kobeissi Sarah , Dubois‐Randé Jean‐Luc , Azuaje Francisco , Boczkowski Jorge , Motterlini Roberto , Foresti Roberta
Published: October 2014

We hypothesized that O2 tension influences the redox state and the immunomodulatory responses of inflammatory cells to dimethyl fumarate (DMF), an activator of the nuclear factor Nrf2 that controls antioxidant genes expression. This concept was investigated in macrophages permanently cultured at either physiological (5% O2) or atmospheric (20% O2) oxygen levels and then treated with DMF or challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation. RAW 264.7 macrophages cultured at 20% O2 exhibited a pro‐oxidant phenotype, reflected by a lower content of reduced glutathione, higher oxidized glutathione and increased production of reactive oxygen species when compared to macrophages continuously grown at 5% O2. At 20% O2, DMF induced a stronger antioxidant response compared to 5% O2 as evidenced by a higher expression of heme oxygenase‐1, NAD(P)H:quinone oxydoreductase‐1 and superoxide dismutase‐2. After challenge of macrophages with LPS, several pro‐inflammatory (iNOS, TNF‐α, MMP‐2, MMP‐9), anti‐inflammatory (arginase‐1, IL‐10) and pro‐angiogenic (VEGF‐A) mediators were evaluated in the presence or absence of DMF. All markers, with few interesting exceptions, were significantly reduced at 5% O2. This study brings new insights on the effects of O2 in the cellular adaptation to oxidative and inflammatory stimuli and highlights the importance of characterizing the effects of chemicals and drugs at physiologically relevant O2 tension. Our results demonstrate that the common practice of culturing cells at atmospheric O2 drives the endogenous cellular environment towards an oxidative stress phenotype, affecting inflammation and the expression of antioxidant pathways by exogenous modulators. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 1128–1138, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
Accumulation of coal humic acids by wheat seedlings: Direct evidence using tritium autoradiography and occurrence in lipid fraction
Authors: Kulikova Natalia A. , Badun Gennadii A. , Korobkov Viktor I. , Chernysheva Maria G. , Tsvetkova Eugenia A. , Abroskin Dmitry P. , Konstantinov Andrey I. , Zaitchik Boris T. , Ruzhitsky Alexander O. , Perminova Irina V.
Published: October 2014

Humic acids (HA) are natural organic compounds that are important components of organic matter. The accumulation, distribution, and fate of tritium‐labeled HA prepared from coal were analyzed using wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. There was a period of rapid accumulation of HA followed by a slower one in the period from 1 to 24 h. There was a significant decrease in HA accumulation at low temperature, indicating that the slower rate of HA accumulation represented a membrane‐mediated process. HA distribution in plant tissues was analyzed using autoradiography. In all cases, HA concentration was considerably higher in the roots than in the shoots. Detailed examination of autoradiograms showed that there was preferential accumulation of HA in the apices of roots and shoots of wheat seedlings. Lipid fractions were extracted from seedlings and analyzed with thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. These analyses revealed that labeled HA were present in the neutral lipid fraction consisting mainly of alkanes and alkenes, which are usually found in plant waxes, associated with the cuticle and suberized tissues. Based on these data, it is suggested that HA‐derived hydrocarbons may be used in wax biosynthesis. This role could explain the mitigating activity of humic substances under stress conditions.
Elemental composition of edible nuts: fast optimization and validation procedure of an ICP‐OES method
Authors: Tošić Snežana B , Mitić Snežana S , Velimirović Dragan S , Stojanović Gordana S , Pavlović Aleksandra N , Pecev‐Marinković Emilija T
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

An inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry method for the speedy simultaneous detection of 19 elements in edible nuts (walnuts: Juglans nigra; almonds: Prunus dulcis; hazelnuts: Corylus avellana; Brazil nuts: Bertholletia excelsa; cashews: Anacardium occidentalle; pistachios: Pistacia vera; and peanuts: Arachis hypogaea) available on the Serbian markets, was optimized and validated through the selection of instrumental parameters and analytical lines free from spectral interference and with the lowest matrix effects.

RESULTS

The analysed macro‐elements were present in the following descending order: Na > Mg > Ca > K. Of all the trace elements, the tested samples showed the highest content of Fe. The micro‐element Se was detected in all the samples of nuts. The toxic elements As, Cd and Pb were either not detected or the contents were below the limit of detection. One‐way analysis of variance, Student's t‐test, Tukey's HSD post hoc test and hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis were applied in the statistical analysis of the results.

CONCLUSION

Based on the detected content of analysed elements it can be concluded that nuts may be a good additional source of minerals as micronutrients. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Measuring the damage of heavy metal cadmium in rice seedlings by SRAP analysis combined with physiological and biochemical parameters
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqin , Chen Huinan , Jiang Hua , Lu Wenyi , Pan Jiangjie , Qian Qian , Xue Dawei
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most poisonous pollutants, and Cd pollution has become the limiting factor of rice production and quality improvement. Therefore it is of significant importance to monitor Cd toxicity by the detection of Cd contamination in rice with biomarkers. In the present study, sequence‐related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and physiological and biochemical methods were applied to determine the toxicological effects of Cd stress on rice.

RESULTS

With increasing Cd concentration and duration, the content of chlorophyll in the two rice varieties W7 and M63 decreased and that of malondialdehyde increased. This tendency was more apparent in M63. The antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and peroxidase both increased significantly compared with controls. SRAP polymerase chain reaction results indicated significant differences between Cd treatments and controls in terms of SRAP profile, as well as genotypic differences. The genomic template stability (GTS) decreased with increasing Cd concentration and duration. Under the same treatment conditions, the GTS of W7 was higher than that of M63. Comparison analysis revealed that the changes in physiological and biochemical parameters of rice seedlings under Cd stress had a good correlation with the changes in SRAP profile. Furthermore, the changes in SRAP profile showed enhanced sensitivity in the roots of rice seedlings.

CONCLUSION

The SRAP profile and physiological and biochemical parameters could act as appropriate biomarkers for the measurement of Cd contamination during rice production. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of gardenia yellow using crocetin from alkaline hydrolysis based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography and high‐speed countercurrent chromatography
Authors: Inoue Koichi , Tanada Chihiro , Nishikawa Hiroaki , Matsuda Satoru , Tada Atsuko , Ito Yusai , Min Jun Zhe , Todoroki Kenichiro , Sugimoto Naoki , Toyo'oka Toshimasa , Akiyama Hiroshi
Published: October 2014

Gardenia yellow is globally the most valuable spice and food color. It is generally a mixture of water‐soluble carotenoid glycosyl esters which consist of crocetin bis(gentiobiosyl) ester as the main component. Crocetin is a natural carotenoid dicarboxylic acid that may be a candidate drug for pharmaceutical development, however, it is either present in trace amounts or is absent in natural gardenia yellow products. We here propose that crocetin produced by alkaline hydrolysis can be used to qualitatively evaluate gardenia yellow products using an ultra high performance liquid chromatographic assay. A useful and efficient isolation technique for isolating high‐purity crocetin from gardenia yellow using high‐speed countercurrent chromatography is described. High‐speed countercurrent chromatographic fractionation followed by an ultra high performance liquid chromatographic assay showed that trans‐crocetin is easily converted to about 15% cis‐crocetin (85% trans‐crocetin). Crocetin in gardenia yellow was quantitatively evaluated. Our approach is based on the hydrolysis process for converting crocetin glycosyl esters to crocetin before evaluation and isolation using the ultra high performance liquid chromatographic and high‐speed countercurrent chromatographic methods. The combination of hydrolysis and chromatographic methods allows evaluation of the purity and quantity of crocetin in gardenia yellow.
Stimulation threshold greatly affects the predictive value of intraoperative nerve monitoring
Authors: Faden Daniel L. , Orloff Lisa A. , Ayeni Tokunbo , Fink Daniel S. , Yung Katherine
Published: October 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Using a standardized, graded, intraoperative stimulation protocol, we aimed to delineate the effects of various stimulation levels applied to the recurrent laryngeal nerve on the postoperative predictive value of intraoperative nerve monitoring.

Study Design

A total of 917 nerves at risk were included for analysis. Intraoperatively, patients underwent stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve at 0.3, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0 mA followed by postoperative laryngoscopy for correlation with intraoperative findings.

Methods

Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated at each stimulation level.

Results

Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predicative values ranged from 100% to 37%, 6% to 99%, 2% to 39%, and 100% to 99%, respectively at 0.3 to 1.0 mA. No demographic variables affected sensitivity or specificity. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified 0.5 mA as the level of stimulation that optimizes sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions

The predictive value of intraoperative nerve monitoring varies greatly depending on the stimulation levels used. At low amplitudes of stimulation, nerve monitoring has high sensitivity and negative predictive value but low specificity and positive predictive value, related to the high rate of false positives. At high levels of stimulation, specificity and negative predictive value are high, sensitivity is low, and the positive predictive value rises as the rate of false negatives increase and the rate of false positives decrease. A stimulation level of 0.5 mA optimizes the predictive value of nerve monitoring; however, stimulation at multiple levels significantly improves the predictive value of intraoperative nerve monitoring.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 125:1265–1270, 2015
Evaluatingin SituWater and Soil Conservation Practices with a Fully Coupled, Surface/Subsurface Process‐Based Hydrological Model in Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Opolot Emmanuel , Araya Tesfay , Nyssen Jan , Al‐Barri Bashar , Verbist Koen , Cornelis Wim M.
Published: October 2014

In situwater and soil conservation (WSC) practices are a promising intervention to improve rainwater management particularly in the semi‐arid to dry sub‐humid tropics. This study applies a fully coupled surface–subsurface process‐based model (HydroGeoSphere) to simulate in detail rainwater partitioning as affected by twoin situWSC practices [terwah+ (TER+) andderdero+ (DER+)] currently under study on Vertisols in Tigray, Ethiopia and to evaluate the treatments in terms of rainwater partitioning. In the TER+ practice, contour furrows of 0·2 m wide and 0·1 m deep are created at 1·5 m intervals between permanent broad beds, whereas in DER+, permanent raised beds 0·6 m wide with furrows 0·2 m wide and 0·1 m deep are created, to minimize runoff and water logging. The model accurately reproduced measured surface runoff (e.g. in DER+: Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiencyE = 0·6 for calibration and 0·7 for verification) and soil moisture content (DER+:E = 0·6 for calibration and 0·8 for verification). Runoff depth was lowest under DER+ (50 mm) followed by TER+ (67 mm) and significantly higher in conventional tillage (CT) (160 mm). Simulated transpiration, evaporation and drainage out of the root zone were all higher under DER+ and TER+ compared with CT. The effects of DER+ and TER+ practices on rainwater partitioning were more pronounced in wet years than in dry years. The model proved to be a promising and versatile tool to assess the impact of WSC practices on rainwater partitioning at the field scale. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐Assembly of Polyethylenimine‐Modified Biodegradable Complex Micelles as Gene Transfer Vector for Proliferation of Endothelial Cells
Authors: Lv Juan , Hao Xuefang , Yang Jing , Feng Yakai , Behl Marc , Lendlein Andreas
Published: October 2014

Polyethylenimine (PEI) can perfectly condense with DNA and sufficiently transfer genes, but its high toxicity limits its application. Here, complex micelles are prepared as low‐toxicity gene vectors by self‐assembly of two block copolymers in aqueous solution. The complex micelles consist of a biodegradable poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) core and a mixed poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/PEI shell. The ZNF580 gene plasmid (pEGFP‐ZNF580), which has the ability of enhancing the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, is encapsulated into the complex micelles. Using dynamic light scattering, the degradation behavior of the micelles is investigated in vitro. The hydrodynamic size and zeta potential of blank and DNA‐loaded micelles are feasible to cellular uptake and gene transfection. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazolyl‐2)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay shows that the cytotoxicity of the complex micelles is very low when the PEG/PEI ratio is 3/1. The DNA‐loaded micelles are found to be able to enhance the proliferation of endothelial cells.

image
Phase Diagram of Sodium Hexametaphosphate and Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) Mixtures and In Situ Monitoring of Step‐by‐Step Deposition in This Polyelectrolyte System
Authors: Ball Vincent
Published: October 2014

The step‐by‐step deposition of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and sodium hexameta­phosphate (PSP) leads to coatings displaying interesting intumescent properties and is a fascinating model system to understand the fundamental mechanism behind such a deposition process. In this investigation, the deposition kinetics of (PAH‐PSP)n is followed in situ by means of a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring, as a function of NaCl concentration. The evolution of the film deposition is analyzed in detail and the data are compared with previous data obtained by ellipsometry on dried films. These results are also compared with the expectations from the PAH/PSP phase diagram. The (PAH‐PSP)n films are also able to incorporate hexacyanoferrate anions with an amount of an incorporated redox probe reflecting the film thickness as obtained in the presence of eletrolyte solutions of increasing ionic strength. The in situ measurements and the electrochemical probe experiments reveal details of the film deposition mechanism that are not accessible by dry‐state characterization methods.

image
Molecular‐Weight‐Dependent Changes in Morphology of Solution‐Grown Polyethylene Single Crystals
Authors: Zhang Bin , Chen Jingbo , Baier Moritz C. , Mecking Stefan , Reiter Renate , Mülhaupt Rolf , Reiter Günter
Published: October 2014

Polymer single crystals consisting of folded chains are always in a nonequilibrium state, even if they are faceted with a well‐defined envelope reflecting the parameters of the crystal unit cell. Heterogeneities like small variations in the degree of chain folding within such crystals are responsible for a rather broad range in melting temperature. Consequently, upon annealing at a given temperature, some parts may be above and some below their respective melting temperatures, inducing a lamellar thickening process, which may vary locally. To emphasize such variations, controlled annealing experiments are performed at comparatively low temperatures and for long times. For single crystals of low‐molecular‐weight polyethylene, the formation of the well‐known “Swiss‐cheese”‐like morphology with randomly distributed holes of varying sizes within the annealed single crystal is observed. However, for high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene, a regular pattern appeared upon annealing, characterized by branches of equal width that are oriented perpendicular to the crystal edge. All branches end at the nucleation site. Interestingly, the resulting pattern depends sensitively on both crystallization and annealing conditions. These thermally induced regular patterns within a single crystal are attributed to a stable crystalline framework formed within polyethylene single crystals in the course of growth.

image
Neuropathology of multiple system atrophy: New thoughts about pathogenesis
Authors: Jellinger Kurt A.
Published: October 2014

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal adult‐onset neurodegenerative disorder of uncertain etiology, clinically manifesting with autonomic failure associated with parkinsonism, cerebellar dysfunction, and pyramidal signs in variable combination. The pathological process affects central autonomic, striatonigral, and olivopontocerebellar systems. These show varying degrees of neurodegeneration and underlie the stratification of the heterogenous disorder into MSA‐P and MSA‐C clinical variants, which correlate to the morphologic phenotypes of striatonigral degeneration and olivopontocerebellar atrophy (MSA‐C). The lesions are not limited to these most consistently and severely affected systems but may involve many other parts of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, underpinning the multisystem character of MSA. The histological core feature are glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs, Papp‐Lantos bodies) in all types of oligodendroglia that contain aggregates of misfolded α‐Synuclein (α‐Syn). In addition to the ectopic appearance of α‐Syn in oligodendrocytes and other cells, oxidative stress, proteasomal and mitochondrial dysfunction, excitotoxiciy, neuroinflammation, metabolic changes, and energy failure are important contributors to the pathogenesis of MSA, as shown by various neurotoxic and transgenic animal models. Although the basic mechanisms of α‐Syn–triggered neurodegeneration are not completely understood, neuron‐to‐oligodendrocyte transfer of α‐Syn by prion‐like spreading, inducing oligodendroglial and myelin dysfunction associated with chronic neuroinflammation, are suggested finally to lead to a system‐specific pattern of neurodegeneration. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A metabolomics‐driven approach to predict cocoa product consumption by designing a multimetabolite biomarker model in free‐living subjects from the PREDIMED study
Authors: Garcia‐Aloy Mar , Llorach Rafael , Urpi‐Sarda Mireia , Jáuregui Olga , Corella Dolores , Ruiz‐Canela Miguel , Salas‐Salvadó Jordi , Fitó Montserrat , Ros Emilio , Estruch Ramon , Andres‐Lacueva Cristina
Published: October 2014

Scope

The aim of the current study was to apply an untargeted metabolomics strategy to characterize a model of cocoa intake biomarkers in a free‐living population.

Methods and results

An untargeted HPLC‐q‐ToF‐MS based metabolomics approach was applied to human urine from 32 consumers of cocoa or derived products (CC) and 32 matched control subjects with no consumption of cocoa products (NC). The multivariate statistical analysis (OSC‐PLS‐DA) showed clear differences between CC and NC groups. The discriminant biomarkers identified were mainly related to the metabolic pathways of theobromine and polyphenols, as well as to cocoa processing. Consumption of cocoa products was also associated with reduced urinary excretions of methylglutarylcarnitine, which could be related to effects of cocoa exposure on insulin resistance. To improve the prediction of cocoa consumption, a combined urinary metabolite model was constructed. ROC curves were performed to evaluate the model and individual metabolites. The AUC values (95% CI) for the model were 95.7% (89.8–100%) and 92.6% (81.9–100%) in training and validation sets, respectively, whereas the AUCs for individual metabolites were <90%.

Conclusions

The metabolic signature of cocoa consumption in free‐living subjects reveals that combining different metabolites as biomarker models improves prediction of dietary exposure to cocoa.
Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis: when a fetal malformation syndrome reveals maternal pathology
Authors: Quélin Chloé , Loget Philippe , D'Hervé Dominique , Fradin Mélanie , Milon Joëlle , Ferry Mathilde , Body‐Bechou Delphine , Tréguier Catherine , Garcia Hoyos Maria , Odent Sylvie
Published: October 2014

What's already known about this topic?

Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis (OSCS) is an X‐linked dominant disorder combining hyperostosis of the skull and metaphyseal striations in females and a more severe phenotype in males with fetal malformations and risk of death in early childhood.

What does this study add?

This case emphasizes that OSCS must be considered in fetuses with abnormalities such as macrocephaly, bony sclerosis and fibular hypoplasia, particularly if the mother is macrocephalic.
Reproducibility of measuring amniotic fluid index and single deepest vertical pool throughout gestation
Authors: Sande J. A. , Ioannou C. , Sarris I. , Ohuma E. O. , Papageorghiou A. T.
Published: October 2014

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of measurement of amniotic fluid index (AFI) and single deepest vertical pool (SDVP), also known as the maximal vertical pocket.

Methods

A total of 175 fetuses were evaluated. For each fetus, two observers acquired duplicate sets of AFI and SDVP. Measurement differences were expressed as actual and percentage values. For all comparisons, Bland–Altman plots were used to compare differences, and limits of agreement were calculated.

Results

Intraobserver and interobserver agreement remained fairly constant with gestation, both for AFI and SDVP. The intraobserver limits of agreement for AFI were −5.2 to 5 cm or −39% to 37%; whereas for SDVP, these were −2.6 to 2.4 cm or −52% to 48%. The interobserver limits of agreement for AFI measurement were −7.3 to 7.1 cm or −54% to 53% and for SDVP measurement were −2.5 to 2.5 cm or −51% to 52%. Intraobserver coefficient of variation for SDVP was 14% and for AFI was 19%; the interobserver coefficient was 19% for both AFI and SDVP.

Conclusion

Limits of agreement for both methods are wide. The choice of method should be dictated by clinical considerations other than method reproducibility. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome: a case report
Authors: Raposo Laura , Fachada Helena , Santos Paulo António , Cerveira Isabel , Castedo Sérgio , Pereira Susana
Published: October 2014

What's already known about this topic?

Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome (GCPS) is a rare multiple congenital anomaly syndrome with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Prenatal diagnosis is challenging because the ultrasound findings are relatively non‐specific.

What does this study add?

Prenatal diagnosis of GCPS is difficult but possible. Ultrasound findings and family history play the main role that can lead to this diagnosis as in this case.
Expanded intrathoracic space in fetal cases of isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia contributes to disparity between percent predicted lung volume and observed to expected total lung volume
Authors: Phithakwatchara Nisarat , Coleman Alan , Peiro Jose L. , Lee Amanda E. , Keswani Sundeep G. , Kline‐Fath Beth , Lim Foong‐Yen , Shaaban Aimen F.
Published: October 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether fetal lung volume and visceral herniation are associated with changes in intrathoracic space in congenital diaphragmatic hernia(CDH).

Methods

We retrospectively examined the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging‐derived measurements of intrathoracic space [predicted lung volume (PLV)] and residual lung volume or visceral herniation among isolated left‐sided CDH fetuses.

Results

Data from fetal magnetic resonance imaging studies of 60 isolated left‐sided CDH cases were analyzed. The median PLV of the CDH fetuses was found to be much greater than the expected total lung volume (eTLV) of a normal fetus at the same gestational age. Surprisingly, liver herniation and observed TLV(oTLV) were positively correlated with the PLV. Although the PPLV was consistently less than the o/eTLV, both indices were greater in survivors than in non‐survivors, whereas no significant difference was seen in the PLV/eTLV ratio in regard to survivorship.

Conclusion

The intrathoracic domain available for lungs and viscera is expanded in CDH fetuses and positively affected by the lung volume and the presence of liver herniation, leading to the difference in the PPLV and o/eTLV. Future study of intrathoracic space as it relates to the growth of the lung and herniated viscera is needed to better characterize the relationship between these parameters. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ProteoAnnotator – Open source proteogenomics annotation software supporting PSI standards
Authors: Ghali Fawaz , Krishna Ritesh , Perkins Simon , Collins Andrew , Xia Dong , Wastling Jonathan , Jones Andrew R.
Published: October 2014

The recent massive increase in capability for sequencing genomes is producing enormous advances in our understanding of biological systems. However, there is a bottleneck in genome annotation – determining the structure of all transcribed genes. Experimental data from MS studies can play a major role in confirming and correcting gene structure – proteogenomics. However, there are some technical and practical challenges to overcome, since proteogenomics requires pipelines comprising a complex set of interconnected modules as well as bespoke routines, for example in protein inference and statistics. We are introducing a complete, open source pipeline for proteogenomics, called ProteoAnnotator, which incorporates a graphical user interface and implements the Proteomics Standards Initiative mzIdentML standard for each analysis stage. All steps are included as standalone modules with the mzIdentML library, allowing other groups to re‐use the whole pipeline or constituent parts within other tools. We have developed new modules for pre‐processing and combining multiple search databases, for performing peptide‐level statistics on mzIdentML files, for scoring grouped protein identifications matched to a given genomic locus to validate that updates to the official gene models are statistically sound and for mapping end results back onto the genome. ProteoAnnotator is available from http://www.proteoannotator.org/. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifiers PXD001042 and PXD001390 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001042; http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001390).
The cumulative damage index method: a new method for evaluating the effectiveness of control measures for Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Mu Fang , Sun Lijuan , Wang Sifang , Duan Fangmeng , Gu Songdong , Sun Shujian , Zhang Yanzhou , Shen Changpeng
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

All previously and currently used methods for effectiveness evaluation of control measures for the diamondback moth (DBM) do not simultaneously take the actual damage and population size into consideration. Here, we propose a new method, the cumulative damage index method, in which the number of larvae and their amount of food consumption are simultaneously included in the calculation of the theoretical cumulative damage index (T) and actual cumulative damage index (A). Evaluation was based on the reduced degree of damage calculated according to indexes T and A.

RESULTS

Based on the new method, the corrected effectiveness of the combined use of biological measures, chemical insecticides, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and P. xylostella granulosis virus (PxGV) on DBM was 35.85, 2.37, 12.50 and 11.77% respectively. Under the action of natural factors, the Population Developmental Index (I) of DBM was 5.1 ± 1.4; under the integrated actions of natural factors and these four types of measure, index I of DBM was 0.34 ± 0.1, 6.1 ± 1.5, 2.1 ± 0.5 and 1.1 ± 0.3 respectively. The sole effectiveness of Trichogramma spp. when integrated with other natural factors, integrated biological measures and chemical insecticides was 21.43 ± 1.69%, 45.27 ± 4.09% and 20.68 ± 2.60% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There was some difference between the effectiveness evaluated by the new method and index I, and the actual damage caused by DBM could be reflected well by index A. The new method is more scientifically appropriate and practical for effectiveness evaluation than existing methods. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry