bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An in vitro mouse model of congenital cytomegalovirus‐induced pathogenesis of the inner ear cochlea
Authors: Melnick Michael , Jaskoll Tina
Published: December 2012

Congenital human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading nongenetic etiology of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at birth and prelingual SNHL not expressed at birth. The paucity of temporal bone autopsy specimens from infants with congenital CMV infection has hindered the critical correlation of histopathology with pathogenesis. Here, we present an in vitro embryonic mouse model of CMV‐infected cochleas that mimics the human sites of viral infection and associated pathology. There is a striking dysplasia/hyperplasia in mouse CMV‐infected cochlear epithelium and mesenchyme, including organ of Corti hair and supporting cells and stria vascularis. This is concomitant with significant dysregulation of p19, p21, p27, and Pcna gene expression, as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein expression. Other pathologies similar to those arising from known deafness gene mutations include downregulation of KCNQ1 protein expression in the stria vascularis, as well as hypoplastic and dysmorphic melanocytes. Thus, this model provides a relevant and reliable platform within which the detailed cell and molecular biology of CMV‐induced deafness may be studied. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protective effect of sesaminol from Sesamum indicum Linn. against oxidative damage in PC12 cells
Authors: Cao Wenming , Dai Mingjun , Wang Xiang , Yuan Fengjiao , Chen Fengxiang , Zhang Weiyun
Published: December 2012

Sesaminol is one component of sesame oil and has been widely used as the stabilizer to extend the storage period of food oil in China. In this study, we tried to investigate the antioxidant activity of sesaminol on rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells oxidative damaged by H2O2. Cell viability, LDH level and apoptosis of the PC12 cells were assayed after treatment with sesaminol for 3 h and exposure to H2O2. Furthermore, superoxide (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and intracellular ROS were assayed after exposure of the PC12 cells to H2O2. The results showed that pre‐treatment with sesaminol prior to H2O2 exposure significantly elevated cell survival rate and SOD, CAT and GSH‐Px activity. Meanwhile, sesaminol declined the secreted LDH level, apoptosis rate and ROS level of H2O2 exposed cells. Thus, sesaminol may protect PC12 against oxidative injury. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Halogen Bonding between Anions and Iodoperfluoroorganics: Solution‐Phase Thermodynamics and Multidentate‐Receptor Design
Authors: Sarwar Mohammed G. , Dragisić Bojan , Dimitrijević Elena , Taylor Mark S.
Published: December 2012

The interactions of iodoperfluoroarenes and ‐alkanes with anions in organic solvent were studied. The data indicates that favorable halogen‐bonding interactions exist between halide anions and the monodentate model compounds C6F5I and C8F17I. These data served as a basis for the development of preorganized multidentate receptors capable of high‐affinity anion recognition. Several new receptor architectures were prepared, and the multidentate‐iodoperfluorobenzoate‐ester design, as described in a preliminary communication, was evaluated in more detail. Computation was employed to better interpret the structure–activity relationships arising from these studies. Investigations of the thermodynamics of anion binding (by van't Hoff analysis) and solvent effects reveal details of these halogen bonding interactions.
Ag/AgBr/Co–Ni–NO3 Layered Double Hydroxide Nanocomposites with Highly Adsorptive and Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Fan Hai , Zhu Jianying , Sun Jianchao , Zhang Shenxiang , Ai Shiyun
Published: December 2012

A facile anion‐exchange precipitation method was used to synthesize bifunctional Ag/AgBr/Co–Ni–NO3 layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites by adding AgNO3 solution to a suspension of Co–Ni–Br LDH. The Ag/AgBr nanoparticles were highly dispersed on the sheets of Co–Ni–NO3 LDH. The prepared nanocomposites were used to adsorb and photocatalytically degrade organic pollutants from water. Without light illumination, the nanocomposites quickly adsorbed methyl orange, and the adsorptive capacity, which can reach 230 mg g−1, is much higher than those of Co–Ni–Br LDH, Ag/AgBr, and activated carbon. The photocatalytic activities of the nanocomposites for the removal of dyes and phenol are higher than those of Co–Ni–Br LDH and Ag/AgBr. The proposed method can be applied to prepare other LDH/silver salt composites. The high absorptive capacity and good photocatalytic activity of such nanostructures could have wide applications in wastewater treatment.
Exploiting Aggregation To Achieve Phase Separation in Macrocyclization
Authors: Bédard Anne‐Catherine , Collins Shawn K.
Published: December 2012

The aggregation properties of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) can be exploited in organic synthesis to control dilution effects. Through the use of solvent mixtures containing PEG400/MeOH, macrocyclization by Glaser–Hay coupling can be conducted at high concentrations. The origin of the selectivity has been studied by using surface tension measurements, UV spectroscopy, and chemical tagging and demonstrates the dependence of the yield and selectivity on the aggregation of PEG400 and its ability to preferentially solubilize organic substrates, resulting in a phase separation from the catalyst system.
Revising the Absolute Configurations of Coatlines via Density Functional Theory Calculations of Electronic Circular Dichroism Spectra
Authors: Genta‐Jouve Gregory , Weinberg Lionel , Cocandeau Vincent , Maestro Yannick , Thomas Olivier Paul , Holderith Serge
Published: December 2012

Coatline A (1) and α‐epi‐coatline A (4) co‐occur in the trunk extract of Andira coriacea. Inspection of their chiroptical properties led to intriguing results. After a careful examination of the experimental data used for the previously reported absolute configuration of these compounds, some uncertainties were identified. A combined theoretical approach including conformational analyses and calculation of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, in addition with experimental data obtained for schoepfin A (5) and the new schoepfin D (6) isolated from Senna quinquangulata, allowed the revision of the absolute configuration of coatlines A (1) and B (2). Chirality 25:180–184, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chemerin and Vaspin: Possible Targets to Treat Obesity?
Authors: Schultz Stephan , Beck‐Sickinger Annette G.
Published: December 2012

Obesity is one of the main human epidemics today. The increase in fat accumulation, which is associated with obesity, may significantly change the expression of several bioactive molecules known as adipokines. These adipokines interact not only with adipose tissue, but also with metabolically relevant organs such as liver and muscle. Understanding the molecular basics of potential novel targets might help to improve the therapeutic treatment of people who suffer from obesity. Herein we summarize the state of the art of two novel adipokines and their impaired or protective action in obesity: chemerin and vaspin. Their expression patterns, signal transduction activity, and resulting functions within the human body are introduced. We also discuss various possibilities to target these adipokines, which may represent promising new targets for the treatment of obesity by small and synthetic compounds.
A systematic analysis of bone marrow cells by flow cytometry defines a specific phenotypic profile beyond GPI deficiency in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Authors: Mannelli Francesco , Bencini Sara , Peruzzi Benedetta , Cutini Ilaria , Sanna Alessandro , Benelli Matteo , Magi Alberto , Gianfaldoni Giacomo , Rotunno Giada , Carrai Valentina , Gelli Anna Maria Grazia , Valle Veronica , Santini Valeria , Notaro Rosario , Luzzatto Lucio , Bosi Alberto
Published: December 2012

Background.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a unique disorder caused by a PIG‐A gene mutation in a stem cell clone. Its clinical picture can sometimes make challenging the distinction from other disorders, and especially from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), since both diseases correlate with cytopenias and morphological abnormalities of bone marrow (BM) cells. Recently, flow cytometry (FC) has been proposed to integrate the morphologic assessment of BM dysplasia, and thus to improve the diagnostics of MDS.

Methods.

In the present study, we have analyzed systematically FC data resulting from the study of BM cells from patients with PNH and MDS.

Results.

Our data demonstrated abnormalities in PNH beyond the deficiency of glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐linked proteins and the application of a systematic approach allowed us to separate effectively MDS and PNH in a cluster analysis and to highlight disease‐specific abnormalities. Indeed, the parallel evaluation of some key parameters, i.e. patterns of expression of CD45 and CD10, provided information with practical diagnostic usefulness in the distinction between PNH and MDS. Moreover, the hypo‐expression of CD36 that we observed on monocytes might be related to the thrombotic tendency in PNH.

Conclusions.

We investigated systematically the phenotypic profile of BM cells from patients with PNH; our data provide useful antigenic patterns to solve between PNH and MDS, sometimes morphologically overlapping. Moreover, some PNH‐related phenotypic changes might be involved in the physiopathology of the disease and further studies addressing this issue are warranted. © 2013 International Clinical Cytometry Society
What should be the antihypertensive drug of choice in diabetic patients and should we avoid drugs that increase glucose levels? Pro and Cons
Authors: Standl Eberhard , Erbach Michael , Schnell Oliver
Published: December 2012

It has long been known that antihypertensive drugs may affect blood glucose in a differential manner. In particular new onset diabetes is significantly increased in association with the use of thiazides or beta‐blockers, respectively, compared to placebo, whereas treatment with angiotensin‐conversion‐enzyme‐inhibitors or angiotensin‐receptor‐blockers is associated with a lower than expected frequency, as also assessed in several meta‐analyses. In line with these notions, the NAVIGATOR Trial was the first to report a significant preventive effect of an angiotensin‐receptor‐blocker on new onset diabetes evaluated as a primary outcome in a prospective randomized study. Hence, and in view of the fact that comparable blood pressure lowering with any of the five major classes of antihypertensive drugs, including calcium‐channel‐blockers, give comparable benefits in reducing cardiovascular complications, unless there are specific indications or contraindications for an individual drug, caution should be exercised, therefore, to use beta‐blockers or thiazides as first‐line drugs for blood pressure lowering indications in subjects at high risk to develop diabetes, especially in patients with so called metabolic syndrome. The potential of glycemic worsening in overt diabetic patients with thiazides or beta‐blockers has less well been studied systematically, yet paradigmatically in UKPDS evaluating a randomized comparison of a beta‐blocker with an angiotensin‐conversion‐enzyme(ACE)‐inhibitor. Not only was there HbA1c worsening with beta‐blocker use which required additional blood glucose lowering therapy, but also significantly more weight gain which still was detectable at the 20 year follow‐up. On the other hand, the overall cardiovascular outcomes were comparable in the two treatment groups irrespective whether therapy was based on the beta blocker atenolol or the ACE‐inhibitor captopril. Awareness of these facts and highly individualized therapy seem to be the way forward.
Population‐based screening for the prevention of lower extremity complications in diabetes
Authors: Ozdemir B. A. , Brownrigg J. , Patel N. , Jones K. G. , Thompson M. M. , Hinchliffe R. J.
Published: December 2012

Diabetes‐related foot disease is a major health problem leading to significant morbidity and cost. If high‐risk populations could be identified and treated before they develop complications, a significant reduction in the burden of foot disease and number of amputations might be expected. We examined the evidence to support population‐based screening programs.

MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched from January 1970 to February 2012 to identify studies assessing the impact of screening on lower limb complications in diabetes. Foot screening was defined as combined risk stratification and intervention to prevent foot complications in a population of people with diabetes mellitus. Articles reporting singularly on stratification of risk factors to predict subsequent complications but not reporting effect on minor, major and/or combined major and minor (total) amputation were excluded.

Two randomized control trials were identified. These demonstrated patient benefit from screening in the setting of a general secondary care diabetes clinic and renal dialysis unit. Four before and after studies suggested benefit from primary care or regional screening. One study tried to address confounding from general improvements in the provision of diabetes foot care separately from screening. All the observational studies were prone to confounding.

The evidence base for formal national primary care‐based foot screening of all patients with diabetes is weak. Focused research is needed to confirm that general population‐based screening in the community is effective and cost‐effective. Limited evidence suggests that screening of high‐risk populations of patients may be justified. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phenotype conversion from rheumatoid arthritis to systemic lupus erythematosus by introduction of Yaa mutation into FcγRIIB‐deficient C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Kawano Shinya , Lin Qingshun , Amano Hirofumi , Kaneko Toshiyuki , Nishikawa Keiko , Tsurui Hiromichi , Tada Norihiro , Nishimura Hiroyuki , Takai Toshiyuki , Shirai Toshikazu , Takasaki Yoshinari , Hirose Sachiko
Published: December 2012

We previously established an IgG Fc receptor IIB (FcγRIIB)‐deficient C57BL/6 (B6)‐congenic mouse strain (KO1), which spontaneously develops rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but not systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we show that when Y chromosome‐linked autoimmune acceleration (Yaa) mutation was introduced in KO1 strain (KO1.Yaa), the majority of KO1.Yaa mice did not develop RA, but instead did develop SLE. This phenotype conversion did not depend on autoantibody specificity, since KO1.Yaa mice, compared with KO1, showed a marked increase in serum levels of both lupus‐related and RA‐related autoantibodies. The increase in frequencies of CD69+ activated B cells and T cells, and the spontaneous splenic GC formation with T follicular helper cell generation were manifest early in life of KO1.Yaa, but not KO1 and B6.Yaa, mice. Activated CD4+ T cells from KO1.Yaa mice showed upregulated production of IL‐21 and IL‐10, compared with the finding in KO1 mice, indicating the possibility that this aberrant cytokine milieu relates to the disease phenotype conversion. Thus, our model is useful to clarify the shared and the disease‐specific mechanisms underlying the clinically distinct systemic autoimmune diseases RA and SLE.
Conditional ligands for Asian HLA variants facilitate the definition of CD8+T‐cell responses in acute and chronic viral diseases
Authors: Chang Cynthia X. L. , Tan Anthony T. , Or Ming Yan , Toh Kai Yee , Lim Pei Yiing , Chia Adeline S. E. , Froesig Thomas M. , Nadua Karen D. , Oh Hsueh‐Ling J. , Leong Hoe Nam , Hadrup Sine R. , Gehring Adam J. , Tan Yee‐Joo , Bertoletti Antonio , Grotenbreg Gijsbert M.
Published: December 2012

Conditional ligands have enabled the high‐throughput production of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) libraries that present defined peptides. Immunomonitoring platforms typically concentrate on restriction elements associated with European ancestry, and such tools are scarce for Asian HLA variants. We report 30 novel irradiation‐sensitive ligands, specifically targeting South East Asian populations, which provide 93, 63, and 79% coverage for HLA‐A, ‐B, and ‐C, respectively. Unique ligands for all 16 HLA types were constructed to provide the desired soluble HLA product in sufficient yield. Peptide exchange was accomplished for all variants as demonstrated by an ELISA‐based MHC stability assay. HLA tetramers with redirected specificity could detect antigen‐specific CD8+ T‐cell responses against human cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B (HBV), dengue virus (DENV), and Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infections. The potential of this population‐centric HLA library was demonstrated with the characterization of seven novel T‐cell epitopes from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, HBV, and DENV. Posthoc analysis revealed that the majority of responses would be more readily identified by our unbiased discovery approach than through the application of state‐of‐the‐art epitope prediction. This flow cytometry‐based technology therefore holds considerable promise for monitoring clinically relevant antigen‐specific T‐cell responses in populations of distinct ethnicity.
Spatial variability and changes of metabolite concentrations in the cortico‐spinal tract in multiple sclerosis using coronal CSI
Authors: Tur Carmen , Wheeler‐Kingshott Claudia A.M. , Altmann Daniel R. , Miller David H. , Thompson Alan J. , Ciccarelli Olga
Published: December 2012

We characterized metabolic changes along the cortico‐spinal tract (CST) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients using a novel application of chemical shift imaging (CSI) and considering the spatial variation of metabolite levels. Thirteen relapsing‐remitting (RR) and 13 primary‐progressive (PP) MS patients and 16 controls underwent 1H‐MR CSI, which was applied to coronal‐oblique scans to sample the entire CST. The concentrations of the main metabolites, i.e., N‐acetyl‐aspartate, myo‐Inositol (Ins), choline containing compounds (Cho) and creatine and phosphocreatine (Cr), were calculated within voxels placed in regions where the CST is located, from cerebral peduncle to corona radiata. Differences in metabolite concentrations between groups and associations between metabolite concentrations and disability were investigated, allowing for the spatial variability of metabolite concentrations in the statistical model. RRMS patients showed higher CST Cho concentration than controls, and higher CST Ins concentration than PPMS, suggesting greater inflammation and glial proliferation in the RR than in the PP course. In RRMS, a significant, albeit modest, association between greater Ins concentration and greater disability suggested that gliosis may be relevant to disability. In PPMS, lower CST Cho and Cr concentrations correlated with greater disability, suggesting that in the progressive stage of the disease, inflammation declines and energy metabolism reduces. Attention to the spatial variation of metabolite concentrations made it possible to detect in patients a greater increase in Cr concentration towards the superior voxels as compared to controls and a stronger association between Cho and disability, suggesting that this step improves our ability to identify clinically relevant metabolic changes. Hum Brain Mapp 35:993–1003, 2014. © 2012 The Authors. Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
UNCERTAINTY AND THE DECISION MAKER: ASSESSING AND MANAGING THE RISK OF UNDESIRABLE OUTCOMES
Authors: Gafni Amiram , Walter Stephen , Birch Stephen
Published: December 2012

We present an approach to rank order new programs in ways that accommodate uncertainty of different outcomes occurring, on the basis of the size and nature (‘bad’ or ‘good’) of those outcomes. This represents an improvement on the way uncertainty has been accommodated in existing approaches (e.g., threshold approach to cost‐effectiveness analysis). We illustrate the approach using the decision making plane, which explicitly incorporates opportunity costs and relaxes the assumptions of perfect divisibility and constant returns to scale of the cost‐effectiveness plane. The nature of the bad (or good) outcome is determined by the quadrant that it falls into (i.e., a ‘quadrant effect’) and its magnitude by its location within the quadrant (i.e., ‘within quadrant effect’). By explicitly defining the loss function, the process of accepting (or rejecting) a new program becomes transparent. We illustrate the approach using a loss function and a net gain function. We show that by recognizing that, not all bad (or good) outcomes are equal and the choice of a loss or a net gain function can result in different ranking of resource allocation options. Further implications of the proposed approach are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor–stroma interaction in orthotopic primary pancreatic cancer xenografts during hedgehog pathway inhibition
Authors: Chang Qing , Foltz Warren D. , Chaudary Naz , Hill Richard P. , Hedley David W.
Published: December 2012

To test the effects of hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibition on the stroma of orthotopically grown primary pancreatic cancer xenografts, and investigate the potential to monitor these effects non‐invasively using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mice bearing orthotopically grown primary pancreatic cancer xenografts were treated with the Hh neutralizing antibody 5E1. Pathway inhibition was determined by RT‐PCR using primer sets for human and mouse Hh pathway genes, and effects on stroma assessed by automated image analysis of tissue sections stained for collagen and α‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA). MRI provided quantitative biomarkers of stromal density based on magnetization transfer (MT‐MRI) and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE‐MRI). Modest growth inhibition was seen in both models tested using 5E1, but was greater in OCIP19, which showed high expression of mouse Hh pathway genes and an extensive fibrous stroma. However, despite profound inhibition of both mouse and human Hh pathway genes, in neither model did we observe depletion of the stroma. Alignment of MT‐MRI ratio images to histological sections showed co‐registration with areas of fibrosis, although this was confounded by the presence of tumor necrosis. Due to the lack of stromal depletion by 5E1 it was not possible to determine the utility of MT‐MRI for monitoring this effect. Cancer‐ and stromal cell‐derived Hh signaling elements are expressed in orthotopic primary pancreatic cancer xenografts, and selective targeting is growth‐inhibitory. In contrast to some recent reports, growth inhibition does not involve attenuation of the tumor stroma, pointing to additional effects of Hh signaling in pancreatic cancer.
Structure Evolution of Gelatin Particles Induced by pH and Ionic Strength
Authors: Xu Jing , Li Tianduo , Tao Furong , Cui Yuezhi , Xia Yongmei
Published: December 2012

Microstructure of gelatin particles played a key role in determining the physicochemical properties of gelatin. Ionic strength and pH as systematic manners were considered to affect gelatin particles structure on the micrometer scale. Scanning electron microscopy was used for depicting the morphologies of gelatin particles. Increasing pH to 10.0 or decreasing pH to 4.0, spherical, spindle, and irregular aggregates of gelatin particles at 2, 6, 10, and 14% solution (w/w) were all transformed to spindle aggregates. When NaCl was added to the system, the molecular chains of gelatin possibly rearranged themselves in a stretched state, and the ribbon aggregates was observed. The structural transitions of gelatin aggregates were strongly depended on the electrostatic repulsion. In the gelatin–sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) case, the micrometer scale of aggregates was larger and the different degrees of cross‐links were induced through hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic repulsion. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:272–281, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
γ‐Aminobutyric acid type a receptor inhibition triggers a nicotinic neuroprotective mechanism
Authors: Ferchmin P.A. , Pérez Dinely , Castro Alvarez William , Penzo Mario A. , Maldonado Héctor M. , Eterovic Vesna A.
Published: December 2012

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)‐mediated neuroprotection has been implicated in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and hypoxic ischemic events as well as other diseases hallmarked by excitotoxic and apoptotic neuronal death. Several modalities of nicotinic neuroprotection have been reported. However, although this process generally involves α4β2 and α7 subtypes, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Interestingly, both activation and inhibition of α7 nAChRs have been reported to be neuroprotective. We have shown that inhibition of α7 nAChRs protects the function of acute hippocampal slices against excitotoxicity in an α4β2‐dependent manner. Neuroprotection was assessed as the prevention of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate‐dependent loss of the area of population spikes (PSs) in the CA1 area of acute hippocampal slices. Our results support a model in which α7 AChRs control the release of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). Blocking either α7 or GABAA receptors reduces the inhibitory tone on cholinergic terminals, thereby promoting α4β2 activation, which in turn mediates neuroprotection. These results shed light on how α7 nAChR inhibition can be neuroprotective through a mechanism mediated by activation of α4β2 nAChRs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Celebrating the golden anniversary of anterior skull base surgery: Reflections on the Past 50 Years and Its Historical Evolution
Authors: Husain Qasim , Patel Smruti K. , Soni Resha S. , Patel Amit A. , Liu James K. , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: December 2012

With its inception nearly half a century ago through the pioneering work of Dandy, McLean, and Smith, anterior skull base (ASB) surgery is a relatively young discipline. It became a distinct entity in 1963 when Ketcham popularized the combined transcranial transfacial approach for en bloc resection of tumors of the paranasal sinuses extending into the anterior cranial fossa. However, because these procedures resulted in major morbidities and mortalities, alternative modes of treatment were sought. Since the 1970s, the introduction and promotion of the surgical endoscope by Messerklinger, Stammberger, and Kennedy, commenced the era of endoscopic sinus surgery. Thaler and colleagues described the utility of the endoscope for ASB surgery at the turn of the century. This allowed direct visualization and safer, more accurate removal of tumors. In 2001, Casiano reported the first purely endoscopic endonasal ASB resection, a novel technique that has been adopted by major skull base centers. The success of ASB surgery can be attributed to both the development of the skull base team as well as improvements in surgical techniques, instrumentation, and visualization technology. In this article, we review the historical evolution of ASB surgery as we approach the 50th anniversary since its recognition as a distinct entity. Laryngoscope, 2013
Soil Quality Indicators in Relation to Land Use and Topography in a Small Catchment on the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Zhao X. , Wu P. , Gao X. , Persaud N.
Published: December 2012

Better understanding of how the loess soils respond to topography and land use under catchment‐scale vegetation restoration is needed to enable science‐based land management interventions for the policy‐driven “Grain‐for‐Green” eco‐restoration program in the Loess Plateau of China. The objective of this study was to characterize the relationships of four selected soil quality indicators to land use under vegetation restoration and topography for a small catchment (0·58 km2) in the Loess Plateau. The major land uses established in the catchment are cropland, fallow (i.e., natural revegetation), grassland, and jujube orchard. The four soil quality indicators were soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (STN), soil total phosphorus (STP), and mean root zone soil water content during the wet season (MRZSWwet). SOC, STN, and MRZSWwet were significantly different (p < 0·05) for different land uses. Grassland showed the highest values for these three properties, whereas cropland had relatively low values for SOC and STN. Land use had no effect on STP, although the lowest value was observed in grassland. Spatial analysis showed that various relations between soil quality indicators and topography (slope and elevation) were observed. These relations were generally weak for most of them, and they varied with land uses. Further analyses indicated that land uses, slope, and elevation had significant effects on the relations between different soil quality indicators. The results here should provide useful information for the further development of “Grain‐for‐Green” program. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transfer of brachioradialis motor branch to the anterior interosseous nerve in C8‐T1 brachial plexus palsy. An anatomic study
Authors: García‐López Antonio , Fernández Eduardo , Martínez Francisco
Published: December 2012

We present an anatomical and histomorphometric study of the transfer of the motor branch to the brachioradialis muscle to the anterior interosseous nerve in recent brachial plexus lesions, involving C8 and T1 roots. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the anatomic constancy of the nerves involved in the transfer, feasibility, and reproducibility of the transfer. We performed a study of 14 elbows in fresh cadavers. Transfer of the motor branch of the brachioradialis muscle to the anterior interosseous nerve was possible in all specimens; there was constancy in the origin and entry into the muscle of the donor nerve, and it was always possible to dissect the recipient nerve at the level of the donor nerve, thereby allowing for direct coaptation of the nerves. The mean diameter of the anterior interosseous nerve was 2.9 ± 0.5 mm and the mean diameter of the brachioradialis muscle branch was 2 ± 0.4 mm. The branch to the brachioradialis muscle contains an average of 550 ± 64 myelinated axons and the anterior interosseous nerve has an average of 2266 ± 274 myelinated axons. The anatomic study in cadavers showed that the technique is justified and anatomically reproducible. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.
Dorsal foot resurfacing using free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap in children
Authors: El‐Gammal Tarek A. , El‐Sayed Amr , Kotb Mohamed M. , Saleh Waleed Riad , Ragheb Yasser Farouk , El‐Refai Omar , El Fahar Mohammed Hassan Ali
Published: December 2012

Very limited literature described the use of the free anterolateral thigh (ALT) among other flaps for pediatric lower limb reconstruction. The aim of this study is to present our experience using the free ALT flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects over the dorsum of the foot and ankle in children. The study included 42 children aged 2.5–13 years with a mean of 6.18 years. Three children had crush injuries while the rest were victims of run over car accidents. All of the flaps were vascularized by at least two perforators; 88.23% were musculocutaneous and 11.77 were septocutaneous perforators. All flaps were raised in a subfascial plane. Initial thinning was performed in five flaps and 35% required subsequent debulking. Mean Flap surface area was 117.11 cm2. The recipient arteries were the anterior tibial artery in 38 cases and posterior tibial artery in four cases. Venous anastomosis was performed to one vena commitant and in nine cases the long saphenous vein was additionally used. Mean ischemia time of the flap was 2 hours while total operative time averaged 6.3 hours. About 41% of donor sites were closed primarily while 59% required skin grafting. Primary flap survival rate was 92.8% (39/42 cases). Three flaps showed venous congestion. After venous reanastomosis, two flaps showed partial loss and one flap was lost completely. Post‐operative hospital stay averaged 7.5 days. The free ALT flap could be as safe, reliable, and aesthetically appealing option for foot/ankle resurfacing in children after traumatic soft tissue loss. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.
Controlled block glycopolymers able to bind specific proteins
Authors: Muñoz‐Bonilla Alexandra , León Orietta , Bordegé Vanesa , Sánchez‐Chaves Manuel , Fernández‐García Marta
Published: December 2012

The syntheses of a variety of amphiphilic block glycopolymers based on 2‐{[(D‐glucosamin‐2‐N‐yl)carbonyl]oxy}ethyl acrylate and n‐butyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate by single‐electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) are described. In a first step, the homopolymerization of unprotected acrylic glycomonomer to obtain well‐controlled glycopolymers is studied. Posterior and based on these studies, di‐ and triblock glycopolymers were synthesized via SET‐LRP of the glycomonomer from different hydrophobic blocks, varying the hydrophilic block lengths. All the copolymers are characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and GPC. Moreover, their water solution behavior by dynamic light scattering and their capacity of interaction with Concanavalin A lectin by turbidimetry are analyzed. The effect on the block glycopolymers behavior of hydrophobic block nature and the length of glycopolymer segments is evaluated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Does good governance prevent bad strategy? A study of corporate governance, financial diversification, and value creation by French corporations, 2000–2006
Authors: Castañer Xavier , Kavadis Nikolaos
Published: December 2012

Building on and extending prior research, we propose a comprehensive framework which posits that free cash flow moderates the impact of corporate governance on financial diversification. We argue that because it increasesCEOperceived risk, alignment devices increase rather than decrease financial diversification. In a sample of 59 publicly traded French corporations during 2000–2006, we show that financial diversification negatively impacts shareholder return and firm value. We obtain support for several of our hypotheses: at high levels of free cash flow,CEOvariable compensation increases financial diversification, whereas chairman/CEOnon‐duality reduces it. In contrast, independent directors increase financial diversification at low values of free cash flow (although weakly). We also find that ownership concentration only reduces financial diversification when free cash flow is low.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase‐related regions encode proteins that are active enolases
Authors: Kornblatt M. J. , Richard Albert J. , Mattie S. , Zakaib J. , Dayanandan S. , Hanic‐Joyce P. J. , Joyce P. B. M.
Published: December 2012

In addition to two genes (ENO1 and ENO2) known to code for enolase (EC4.2.1.11), the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome contains three enolase‐related regions (ERR1, ERR2 and ERR3) which could potentially encode proteins with enolase function. Here, we show that products of these genes (Err2p and Err3p) have secondary and quaternary structures similar to those of yeast enolase (Eno1p). In addition, Err2p and Err3p can convert 2‐phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate, with kinetic parameters similar to those of Eno1p, suggesting that these proteins could function as enolases in vivo. To address this possibility, we overexpressed the ERR2 and ERR3 genes individually in a double‐null yeast strain lacking ENO1 and ENO2, and showed that either ERR2 or ERR3 could complement the growth defect in this strain when cells are grown in medium with glucose as the carbon source. Taken together, these data suggest that the ERR genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae encode a protein that could function in glycolysis as enolase. The presence of these enolase‐related regions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their absence in other related yeasts suggests that these genes may play some unique role in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Further experiments will be required to determine whether these functions are related to glycolysis or other cellular processes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of immunohistochemical expression of S100P and IMP3 in transpapillary biliary forceps biopsy samples of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma
Authors: Kawashima Hiroki , Itoh Akihiro , Ohno Eizaburo , Miyahara Ryoji , Ohmiya Naoki , Tanaka Tsutomu , Shimoyama Yoshie , Nakamura Shigeo , Ebata Tomoki , Nagino Masato , Goto Hidemi , Hirooka Yoshiki
Published: December 2012

Background

Because the biopsy specimen of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma (EHBDC) is small and shows reactive changes, the histological distinction between malignant and benign tissue can be difficult. Recent studies reported that S100P and insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 (IMP3) were not only diagnostic molecules but also prognostic biomarkers in several organs. The objective of this study is to clarify the diagnostic and prognostic value of immunohistochemical expression of S100P and IMP3 in transpapillary biliary forceps biopsy (TBFB) samples.

Methods

The TBFB samples were collected from 80 patients (EHBDC, 68 patients; benign, 12 patients), retrospectively.

Results

When using cytoplasmic‐positive staining for IMP3 as a marker of malignancy, the sensitivity and specificity reached 79.4 and 91.7 %, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy achieved 89.7, 91.7 and 90.0 %, respectively, when using positive staining for IMP3 and/or positive histology as a maker of malignancy. While univariate (P = 0.033) and multivariate (P = 0.039) analysis revealed that S100P‐positive EHBDC patients showed significantly shorter survival.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that immunohistochemical staining for IMP3 is useful in the diagnosis of EHBDC and that of S100P is useful as a prognostic marker for EHBDC.
Totally laparoscopic hepatectomy exposing the major vessels
Authors: Honda Goro , Kurata Masanao , Okuda Yukihiro , Kobayashi Shin , Tadano Sosuke , Yamaguchi Tatsuro , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Nakano Daisuke , Takahashi Keiichi
Published: December 2012

Background

Even during laparoscopic hepatectomy, a technique is often required to expose the major vessels, for example, in anatomical hepatectomy. We have standardized and performed such laparoscopic hepatectomy as successfully as open hepatectomy.

Methods

We divide the liver parenchyma without pre‐coagulation, exposing the major vessels using CUSA. To control the bleeding, we keep the central venous pressure low and often perform Pringle's maneuver. Over 49 months, we performed totally laparoscopic hepatectomies in 41 patients with the technique of exposing the major vessels. These included major hepatectomy in 7, sectorectomy in 17, segmentectomy in 14, and others in 3.

Results

The median operative time was 361 (range 176–605) minutes, with median blood loss of 216 (range 0–1600) g. The conversion rate was 4.9 %. Postoperative morbidity rate was 9.8 % (prolonged ascites in 1, port site infection in 1, peroneal palsy in 2). Mortality was zero. The median length of hospital stay after surgery was 8 (range 5–28) days. No local recurrence was found at the time of writing.

Conclusions

By using our standardized procedure exposing the major vessels, we could raise the quality of laparoscopic hepatectomy toward the level of open hepatectomy significantly.
Biochemical interactions between HIV‐1 integrase and reverse transcriptase
Authors: Chakraborty Amit , Sun Gui-Quan , Mustavich Laura , Huang Sheng-He , Li Bai-Lian
Published: December 2012

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection yields a high level of non‐integrated viral DNA in the infected cells and up to 99% of total viral DNA can be capable of transcription. This capability of non‐integrated viral DNA is reducing the efficacy of anti‐HIV drug development approaches that solely focus on the integration reactions of viral replication. Using kinetic modeling, we show the transient coordinated regulation of viral DNA production by retrovirus‐encoded interacting enzymes reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN), and thus we identify a possible mechanism for reducing overall efficiency of viral replication. The results indicate that both IN·RT and IN·DNA complexes and their formation rates affect RT processivity and thereby the viral DNA expression level within the pre‐integration complex.
Spatial distribution of ventricular late potentials assessed by the newly developed signal‐averaged vector‐projected 187‐channel electrocardiogram in patients with old myocardial infarction
Authors: Futagawa Keisuke , Shoda Morio , Nakai Kenji , Kasanuki Hiroshi , Hagiwara Nobuhisa
Published: December 2012

Risk stratification of lethal arrhythmias is important for the management of ischemic heart disease. Recently, we developed a novel 187‐channel signal‐averaged vector‐projected high‐resolution electrocardiograph (187‐ch SAVP‐ECG) with a Mason–Likar lead system with 10 electrodes. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a noninvasive evaluation of the spatial distribution of high‐frequency late potentials (HFLPs) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) by using the 187‐ch SAVP‐ECG. Sixty‐four MI patients (7 women and 57 men), between the age of 39 and 84 years (mean 67.7±9.7 years), with positive ventricular late potentials defined by an X, Y, Z‐lead ECG were studied. The integrated ventricular 187‐ch SAVP‐ECG could identify the area of HFLPs that was projected virtually by mathematically calculated 187 electrograms on the body surface in all patients, and differentiate the locations of MI. The 187‐ch SAVP‐ECG can be a practical and noninvasive examination tool for identifying the location of infarction areas and possible arrhythmogenic substrates with slow conduction properties in patients with MI.
Geometries and electronic structures of the ground and low-lying excited states of FeCO: An ab initio study
Authors: Hirano Tsuneo , Okuda Rei , Nagashima Umpei , Jensen Per
Published: December 2012

FeCO is a molecule of astrophysical interest. We report here theoretical calculations of its geometrical parameters, electronic structures, and molecular constants (such as dipole moment and spin-orbit coupling constant) in the electronic ground state \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\tilde{X}\;^{3}\Sigma ^{-}$\end{document}X̃Σ−3 and the low-lying triplet and quintet excited states. The calculations were made at the MR-SDCI+Q_DK3/[5ZP ANO-RCC (Fe, C, O)] and MR-AQCC_DK3/[5ZP ANO-RCC (Fe, C, O)] levels of theory. A multi-reference calculation was required to describe correctly the wavefunctions of all states studied. For all triplet states, the σ-donation through the 10σ molecular orbital (MO) as well as the π-back-donation through the 4π MO are observed, and the dipole moment vector points from O toward Fe as expected. However, in the excited quintet states 5Π, 5Φ, and 5Δ, the almost negligible contribution of Fe 4s to the 10σ MO makes the dipole moment vector point from Fe toward O, i.e., in the same direction as in CO. In the \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\tilde{X}\;^{3}\Sigma ^{-}$\end{document}X̃Σ−3 state, the electron provided by the σ-donation through the 10σ MO is shared between the Fe atom and the C end of the CO residue to form a coordinate-covalent Fe–C bond. In the \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\tilde{a}\;^{5}\Sigma ^{-}$\end{document}ãΣ−5 state (the high-spin counterpart of \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\tilde{X}\;^{3}\Sigma ^{-}$\end{document}X̃Σ−3), the σ-donation through the 10σ MO is not significant and so the Fe–C bond is rather ionic. The π-back-donation through the 4π MO is found to be of comparable importance in the two electronic states; it has a slightly larger magnitude in the \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\tilde{X}\;^{3}\Sigma ^{-}$\end{document}X̃Σ−3 state. The difference in the molecular properties of the low-spin \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\tilde{X}\;^{3}\Sigma ^{-}$\end{document}X̃Σ−3 and the high-spin \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\tilde{a}\;^{5}\Sigma ^{-}$\end{document}ãΣ−5 states can be understood in terms of the dynamical electron correlation effects.
Magnetocaloric effect of an Fe-based metallic glass compared to benchmark gadolinium
Authors: Waske A. , Hermann H. , Mattern N. , Skokov K. , Gutfleisch O. , Eckert J.
Published: December 2012

We report on the magnetocaloric effect in an Fe-based metallic glass (Fe80B12Nb8) as compared to the benchmark material gadolinium. From temperature-dependent magnetization measurements, the magnetic entropy change was calculated using the thermodynamic Maxwell relations. The adiabatic temperature change was directly measured for both materials using a dedicated setup. An analysis of the magnetic transition in amorphous Fe80B12Nb8 and crystalline gadolinium using a mean field and a phenomenological model was carried out. It was shown that both materials, in particular crystalline gadolinium, which does not possess structural disorder but merely a fluctuation of the exchange integral, can be described using the Handrich model for the magnetic transition of disordered materials. Furthermore, the Landau theory of second-order phase transitions quantitatively describes the magnetic entropy change and its dependence on the applied field very well for both materials with different definitions of disorder.
Three-dimensional patchy lattice model for empty fluids
Authors: Almarza N. G. , Tavares J. M. , Noya E. G. , Telo da Gama M. M.
Published: December 2012

The phase diagram of a simple model with two patches of type A and ten patches of type B (2A10B) on the face centred cubic lattice has been calculated by simulations and theory. Assuming that there is no interaction between the B patches the behavior of the system can be described in terms of the ratio of the AB and AA interactions, r. Our results show that, similarly to what happens for related off-lattice and two-dimensional lattice models, the liquid-vapor phase equilibria exhibit reentrant behavior for some values of the interaction parameters. However, for the model studied here the liquid-vapor phase equilibria occur for values of r lower than \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\frac{1}{3}$\end{document}13, a threshold value which was previously thought to be universal for 2AnB models. In addition, the theory predicts that below \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$r=\frac{1}{3}$\end{document}r=13 (and above a new condensation threshold which is \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$< \frac{1}{3}$\end{document}<13) the reentrant liquid-vapor equilibria are so extreme that it exhibits a closed loop with a lower critical point, a very unusual behavior in single-component systems. An order-disorder transition is also observed at higher densities than the liquid-vapor equilibria, which shows that the liquid-vapor reentrancy occurs in an equilibrium region of the phase diagram. These findings may have implications in the understanding of the condensation of dipolar hard spheres given the analogy between that system and the 2AnB models considered here.