bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive impairment in persons with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Shin So Young , Katz Patricia , Wallhagen Margaret , Julian Laura
Published: April 2012

Objective

To explore the prevalence and possible predictors of cognitive impairment in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Individuals from a longitudinal cohort study of RA participated in a study visit that included a range of physical, psychosocial, and biologic metrics. Cognitive function was assessed using a battery of 12 standardized neuropsychological measures yielding 16 indices. Subjects were classified as “impaired” if they performed 1 SD below age‐based population norms on at least 4 of 16 indices. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify which of the following were significant predictors of cognitive impairment: sex, race, income, education, depression, disease duration, disease severity, C‐reactive protein (CRP) level, glucocorticoid use, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Results

A total of 115 subjects with a mean ± SD age of 58.6 ± 10.8 years were included; 64% were women and 81% were white. The proportion of persons who were classified as cognitively impaired was 31%. Education, income, glucocorticoid use, and CVD risk factors independently predicted cognitive impairment, controlling for sex, race, disease duration, disease severity, CRP level, and depression. Individuals with cognitive impairment were more likely to have low education (odds ratio [OR] 6.18, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.6–23.87), have low income (OR 7.12, 95% CI 1.35–37.51), use oral glucocorticoids (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.05–8.12), and have increased CVD risk factors (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.19–2.17 per risk factor).

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that the burden of cognitive impairment in RA is significant, and future studies identifying specific etiologic contributors to cognitive impairment are warranted.
Self‐efficacy and pain catastrophizing in systemic lupus erythematosus: Relationship to pain, stiffness, fatigue, and psychological distress
Authors: Somers Tamara J. , Kurakula Preethi C. , Criscione‐Schreiber Lisa , Keefe Francis J. , Clowse Megan E. B.
Published: April 2012

Objective

To determine how self‐efficacy for pain control and pain catastrophizing, both potentially modifiable pain coping cognitions, are related to pain, stiffness, fatigue, and psychological distress in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study of patients with SLE who completed measures of pain coping cognitions (i.e., self‐efficacy for pain control, pain catastrophizing), symptom ratings (i.e., pain, stiffness, fatigue), and psychological distress.

Results

Correlational analyses revealed that self‐efficacy for pain control and pain catastrophizing were associated with the patients' physical symptom reports and psychological distress. After controlling for age, race, and disease activity, patients with lower levels of self‐efficacy for pain control reported much higher levels of pain, stiffness, and fatigue. Patients with higher levels of pain catastrophizing reported much lower positive mood. SLE activity as assessed by the rheumatologist was not associated with physical symptoms, psychological distress, self‐efficacy for pain control, or pain catastrophizing.

Conclusion

These results suggest that pain coping cognitions (i.e., either self‐efficacy for pain control or pain catastrophizing) are significantly related to physical symptoms and psychological distress in patients with SLE. This finding is important because the results of studies from other samples of patients with persistent pain conditions have shown that these pain coping variables can be modified using psychological interventions, and that such treatment‐related changes in pain cognitions are related to improved patient outcomes.
DNA hypermethylation and 1p Loss silence NHE‐1 in oligodendroglioma
Authors: Blough Michael D. , Al‐Najjar Mohammad , Chesnelong Charles , Binding Carmen E. , Rogers Alexandra D. , Luchman H. Artee , Kelly John J. , Fliegel Larry , Morozova Olena , Yip Stephen , Marra Marco , Weiss Samuel , Chan Jennifer A. , Cairncross J. Gregory
Published: April 2012

Oligodendroglioma is characterized by mutations of IDH and CIC, 1p/19q loss, and slow growth. We found that NHE‐1 on 1p is silenced in oligodendrogliomas secondary to IDH‐associated hypermethylation and 1p allelic loss. Silencing lowers intracellular pH and attenuates acid load recovery in oligodendroglioma cells. Others have shown that rapid tumor growth cannot occur without NHE‐1–mediated neutralization of the acidosis generated by the Warburg glycolytic shift. Our findings show for the first time that the pH regulator NHE‐1 can be silenced in a human cancer and also suggest that pH deregulation may contribute to the distinctive biology of human oligodendroglioma. Ann Neurol 2012;71:845–849
Glucocerebrosidase deficiency in substantia nigra of parkinson disease brains
Authors: Gegg Matthew E. , Burke Derek , Heales Simon J. R. , Cooper J. Mark , Hardy John , Wood Nicholas W. , Schapira Anthony H. V.
Published: April 2012

Objective:

Mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA) represent a significant risk factor for developing Parkinson disease (PD). We investigated the enzymatic activity of glucocerebrosidase (GCase) in PD brains carrying heterozygote GBA mutations (PD+GBA) and sporadic PD brains.

Methods:

GCase activity was measured using a fluorescent assay in cerebellum, frontal cortex, putamen, amygdala, and substantia nigra of PD+GBA (n = 9–14) and sporadic PD brains (n = 12–14). Protein expression of GCase and other lysosomal proteins was determined by western blotting. The relation between GCase, α‐synuclein, and mitochondria function was also investigated in vitro.

Results:

A significant decrease in GCase activity was observed in all PD+GBA brain areas except the frontal cortex. The greatest deficiency was in the substantia nigra (58% decrease; p < 0.01). GCase activity was also significantly decreased in the substantia nigra (33% decrease; p < 0.05) and cerebellum (24% decrease; p < 0.05) of sporadic PD brains. GCase protein expression was lower in PD+GBA and PD brains, whereas increased C/EBP homologous protein and binding immunoglobulin protein levels indicated that the unfolded protein response was activated. Elevated α‐synuclein levels or PTEN‐induced putative kinase 1 deficiency in cultured cells had a significant effect on GCase protein levels.

Interpretation:

GCase deficiency in PD brains with GBA mutations is a combination of decreased catalytic activity and reduced protein levels. This is most pronounced in the substantia nigra. Biochemical changes involved in PD pathogenesis affect wild‐type GCase protein expression in vitro, and these could be contributing factors to the GCase deficiency observed in sporadic PD brains. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:455–463.
Real time estimation of brain water content in comatose patients
Authors: Ko Sang‐Bae , Choi H. Alex , Parikh Gunjan , Schmidt J. Michael , Lee Kiwon , Badjatia Neeraj , Claassen Jan , Connolly E. Sander , Mayer Stephan A.
Published: April 2012

Objective:

Although brain swelling is an important cause of neurological deterioration, real time measurement of brain edema does not currently exist. Because thermal conductivity is proportional to percentage water content, we used the thermal conductivity constant to estimate brain water content (BWC).

Methods:

Between June 2008 and November 2010, 36 comatose brain‐injured patients underwent cerebral blood flow monitoring using a thermal diffusion probe in our neurocritical care unit. BWC was estimated hourly utilizing the measured thermal conductivity and the known temperature‐adjusted thermal conductivity of water. In vitro experiments were performed to validate this formula using agar, glycerol, and water mixtures with different water content.

Results:

Thermal conductivity was highly correlated (R2 = 0.99) and estimated water content was well correlated with actual water content (mean difference, 0.58%) in the in vitro preparations. The majority of the 36 patients (median age, 57 years; 44% female) had subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 14) or cardiac arrest (n = 9). Initial BWC at the time of monitoring ranged from 67.3 to 85.5%. Brain regions appearing edematous on computed tomography showed higher estimated BWC than normal‐appearing brain regions (79.1 vs 70.2%; p < 0.01). Bolus osmotherapy (20% mannitol or 23.4% hypertonic saline) decreased BWC from 77.2 ± 0.7% (mean ± standard error) at baseline to 76.1 ± 0.5% at 1 hour, 76.5 ± 0.3% at 2 hours, and 76.7± 0.2% at 3 hours (all p ≤ 0.03).

Interpretation:

Real time monitoring of BWC is feasible using thermal conductivity. Further studies are needed to confirm the clinical utility of this technique. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:344–350
Neuromyelitis optica lesions may inform multiple sclerosis heterogeneity debate
Authors: Brück Wolfgang , Popescu Bogdan , Lucchinetti Claudia F. , Markovic‐Plese Silva , Gold Ralf , Thal Dietmar Rudolf , Metz Imke
Published: April 2012

Objective:

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are considered inflammatory demyelinating diseases with distinguishing pathological characteristics. NMO pathology shows perivascular immunoglobulin G and complement deposition, as well as an astrocytopathy with aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) loss. MS lesions reveal a profound, interindividual heterogeneity in immunopathological patterns of active demyelination, which has been challenged by the description of stage‐dependent sequences of pathological features. The aim of our study was to compare the histological characteristics of early active demyelinating NMO and MS brain lesions.

Methods:

Thirteen cases with supraspinal active demyelinating NMO lesions were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Results were compared with the published characteristics of MS lesions.

Results:

A subset of supraspinal lesions from AQP4‐IgG‐seropositive NMO patients revealed both (1) complement activation products within macrophages at sites of active demyelination and (2) oligodendrocyte apoptosis and a preferential loss of myelin‐associated glycoprotein. These characteristics resemble features previously associated with MS lesion patterns II and III, and were present in addition to characteristic histopathological NMO features, namely loss of AQP4 and astrocytes.

Interpretation:

Early active demyelinating NMO lesions may show complement within macrophages and oligodendrocyte apoptosis associated with a selective loss of minor myelin proteins, in addition to typical NMO features. We hypothesize these findings occur simultaneously only in a subset of active demyelinating NMO lesions. These observations plausibly explain the findings of Barnett and Prineas and further support the concept of interindividual heterogeneity in MS. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:385–394.
Influence of cure conditions on the properties of a one‐component moisture‐cured polyurethane adhesive in the context of green gluing of wood
Authors: Sterley Magdalena , Trey Stacy , Lundevall Åsa , Olsson Sara
Published: April 2012

A commercial one‐component moisture‐cured polyurethane‐urea wood adhesive was investigated under different curing environments to simulate parameters during green gluing, that is, gluing of freshly sawn and undried timber. This process is an eco‐efficient and waste eliminating process in which only the finished wood product properties have been tested; however, not the adhesive itself. Therefore, the effect of moisture and postcuring heat treatment on the adhesive properties such as cure, chemical, and physical characteristics, and adhesion to wood were studied. It was determined by rheometry that the water content was proportional to the time to gel point, with moisture content of 2.6–5.6 wt % water, resulting in a higher initial storage modulus of the adhesive. Additionally, it was found that the strength of the wet glued bonds was significantly higher after the heat treatment, corresponding to the increase in ordered bidentate groups (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), higher storage modulus (rheometry), and higher Tg (dynamic mechanical thermal analysis). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and characterization of conducting copolymer of Trans‐1‐(4‐methyl‐3′‐thienyl)‐2‐(ferrocenyl)ethene with EDOT
Authors: Turac Ersen , Sahmetlioglu Ertugrul , Demircan Aydin , Toppare Levent
Published: April 2012

Ferrocene‐substituted conducting polymer namely poly(trans‐1‐(4‐methyl‐3′‐thienyl)‐2‐(ferrocenyl)ethene‐co‐3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) [P(MTFE‐co‐EDOT)] was synthesized and its electrochromic properties were studied. Monomer, MTFE, was obtained using 2‐(ferrocenyl)ethene and 3‐methyl‐4‐bromothiophene. The structure of monomer was determined via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR techniques. The copolymer was synthesized using this monomer and EDOT. The resulting copolymer P(MTFE‐co‐EDOT) was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, FTIR, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The conductivity measurements of copolymer and PEDOT were accomplished by the four‐probe technique. Although poly(trans‐1‐(4‐methyl‐3′‐thienyl)‐2‐(ferrocenyl)ethene) [P(MTFE)] reveals no electrochromic activity, its copolymer with EDOT has two different colors (violet and gray). Band gap (Eg) and λmax of P(MTFE‐co‐EDOT) were determined. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Protease‐resistant peptide design—empowering nature's fragile warriors against HIV
Authors: Weinstock Matthew T. , Francis J. Nicholas , Redman Joseph S. , Kay Michael S.
Published: April 2012

Peptides have great potential as therapeutic agents, but their use is often limited by susceptibility to proteolysis and their resulting in vivo fragility. In this review, we focus on peptidomimetic approaches to produce protease‐resistant peptides with the potential for greatly improved clinical utility. We focus on the use of mirror‐image (D‐peptide) and ß‐peptides as two leading approaches with distinct design principles and challenges. Application to the important and difficult problem of inhibiting HIV entry illustrates the current state‐of‐the‐art in peptidomimetic technologies. We also summarize future directions for this field and highlight remaining obstacles to widespread use of protease‐resistant peptides. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 98: 431–442, 2012.
Recombinant human albumin supports single cell cloning of CHO cells in chemically defined media
Authors: Zhu Jiang , Wooh Jong Wei , Hou Jeff Jia Cheng , Hughes Benjamin S. , Gray Peter P. , Munro Trent P.
Published: April 2012

Biologic drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies, are commonly made using mammalian cells in culture. The cell lines used for manufacturing should ideally be clonal, meaning derived from a single cell, which represents a technically challenging process. Fetal bovine serum is often used to support low cell density cultures, however, from a regulatory perspective, it is preferable to avoid animal‐derived components to increase process consistency and reduce the risk of contamination from adventitious agents. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the most widely used cell line in industry and a large number of serum‐free, protein‐free, and fully chemically defined growth media are commercially available, although these media alone do not readily support efficient single cell cloning. In this work, we have developed a simple, fully defined, single‐cell cloning media, specifically for CHO cells, using commercially available reagents. Our results show that a 1:1 mixture of CD‐CHO™ and DMEM/F12 supplemented with 1.5 g/L of recombinant albumin (Albucult®) supports single cell cloning. This formulation can support recovery of single cells in 43% of cultures compared to 62% in the presence of serum. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
A dynamic fed batch strategy for a Pichia pastoris mixed feed system to increase process understanding
Authors: Zalai Dénes , Dietzsch Christian , Herwig Christoph , Spadiut Oliver
Published: April 2012

Mixed substrate feeding strategies are frequently investigated to enhance the productivity of recombinant Pichia pastoris processes. For this purpose, numerous fed batch experiments or time‐consuming continuous cultivations are required to optimize control parameters such as the substrate mixing ratio and the applied methanol concentration. In this study, we decoupled the feeding of methanol and glycerol in a mixed substrate fed batch environment to gain process understanding for a recombinant P. pastoris Muts strain producing the model enzyme horseradish peroxidase. Specific substrate uptake rates (qs) were controlled separately, and a stepwise increased qGly‐control scheme was applied to investigate the effect of various substrate fluxes on the culture. The qs‐controlled strategy allowed a parallel characterization of the metabolism and the recombinant protein expression in a fed batch environment. A critical‐specific glycerol uptake rate was determined, where a decline of the specific productivity occurred, and a time‐dependent acceleration of protein expression was characterized with the dynamic fed batch approach. Based on the observations on recombinant protein expression, propositions for an optimal feeding design to target maximal productivities were stated. Thus, the dynamic fed batch strategy was found to be a valuable tool for both process understanding and optimization of product formation for P. pastoris in a mixed substrate environment. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Mannose‐specific lectin isolation from Canavalia ensiformis seeds by PHEMA‐based cryogel
Authors: Perçin Işık , Yavuz Handan , Aksöz Erol , Denizli Adil
Published: April 2012

Mannose‐specific lectin Concanavalin A (Con A) was purified from Canavalia ensiformis seeds. For this purpose, mannose attached poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) cryogel was prepared by cryopolymerization. Mannose was used as the affinity ligand and was covalently attached onto the PHEMA cryogel via carbodiimide activation. The PHEMA cryogel containing 23.3 mmol mannose/g polymer were used in the binding studies. Con A binding with the mannose attached PHEMA cryogel from Con A aqueous solution was 5.2 mg/g at pH 7. Maximum binding capacity for Con A from C. ensiformis seed extract was 39 mg/g. Con A was eluted with 0.3 M galactose, and the purity of Con A was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It was observed that the mannose attached PHEMA cryogel can be used without significant decrease in Con A binding capacity after six binding‐elution cycles. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: From Sequence and Conformational Properties toward Drug Discovery
Authors: Rezaei‐Ghaleh Nasrollah , Blackledge Martin , Zweckstetter Markus
Published: April 2012

Structural disorder of functional proteins under physiological conditions is widespread within eukaryotic proteomes. The lack of stable tertiary and secondary structure offers a variety of functional advantages to intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs): their malleability of interaction with different partners, specific but low‐affinity binding, and their fine modulation by post‐translational modifications. IDPs are therefore central players in key processes such as cell‐cycle control and signal‐transduction pathways, and impairment of their function is associated with many disease states such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Fascinating progress in the experimental characterization of IDPs has been made in the last decade, especially in NMR spectroscopy and small‐angle X‐ray scattering as well as in single‐molecule techniques. It has been accompanied by the development of powerful computational tools to translate experimental results in explicit ensemble representations of IDPs. With the aid of bioinformatics tools, these advances have paved the way to targeting IDP interactions in rational drug‐discovery projects.
Destruction of chlorinated organics by hydrotreatment using Ru/TiO2 catalyst
Authors: Vaidya Prakash D. , Dussa Vikramkumar S.
Published: April 2012

Catalytic hydrodechlorination reactions of p‐chloro‐m‐cresol (PCMC) and p‐chloroaniline (PCA) were investigated in a slurry reactor using a Ru/TiO2 catalyst. The organic reaction intermediates, m‐cresol and aniline, were further converted into methylcyclohexanol and cyclohexylamine respectively. Kinetics of PCMC hydrogenation was studied over the ranges in temperature, 323–373 K, H2 partial pressure, 0.34–1.38 MPa, PCMC concentration, 3.5–14 mM and catalyst loading, 0.1–2 kg/m3. The reaction orders with respect to PCMC and H2 were evaluated as 0.5 and 0.8 respectively. It was found that aniline hydrogenation is the rate‐determining step in the hydrotreatment of PCA. Kinetics of aniline hydrogenation was studied at 343 and 363 K over the ranges in H2 partial pressure, 0.34–1.38 MPa, aniline concentration, 5.4–21.5 mM and catalyst loading, 0.1–0.6 kg/m3. The reaction orders with respect to aniline and H2 were found to be 1.3 and 1.0 respectively. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Investigation on the Temperature Difference Method for Producing Nanobubbles and Their Physical Properties
Authors: Guan Min , Guo Wen , Gao Lianhua , Tang Yuzhao , Hu Jun , Dong Yaming
Published: April 2012

In recent years, the possibility of nanobubbles at the solid–liquid interface has drawn wide attention in the scientific community and industry. Thus the search for evidences for the existence of nanobubbles became a scientific hotspot. To produce interfacial nanobubbles, a systematic experiment, called the temperature difference method, is carried out by replacing low temperature water (LTW) with high temperature water (HTW) at the highly‐oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG)–water interface. When LTW (4 °C) is mixed with HTW (25–40 °C), nanobubbles are observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and their size, density and total volume per square micrometer are measured. Furthermore, pancake‐like gas layers and the coexistence of nanobubbles on top of the pancake layers are also observed.
Glacier retreat and landform production on an overdeepened glacier foreland: the debris‐charged glacial landsystem at Kvíárjökull, Iceland
Authors: Bennett Georgina L. , Evans David J. A.
Published: April 2012

Glacier recession and landform development in a debris‐charged glacial landsystem characterized by an overdeepening is quantified using digital photogrammetry, digital elevation model (DEM) construction and mapping of the Icelandic glacier Kvíárjökull for the period 1945–2003. Melting of ice‐cores is recorded by surface lowering rates of 0·8 m yr–1 (1945–1964), 0·3 m yr–1 (1964–1980), 0·015 m yr–1 (1980–1998) and 0·044 m yr–1 (1998–2003). The distribution/preservation of pushed and stacked ice‐cored moraine complexes are determined by the location of the long‐term glacial drainage network in combination with retreat from the overdeepening, into which glacifluvial sediment is being directed and where debris‐rich ice masses are being reworked and replaced by esker networks produced in englacial meltwater pathways that bypassed the overdeepening and connected to outwash fans prograding over the snout. Recent accelerated retreat of Kvíárjökull, potentially due to increased mass balance sensitivity, has made the snout highly unstable, especially now that the overdeepening is being uncovered and the snout flooded by an expanding pro‐glacial, and partially supraglacial, lake. This case study indicates that thick sequences of debris‐charged basal ice/controlled moraine have a very low preservation potential but ice‐cored moraine complexes can develop into hummocky moraine belts in de‐glaciated terrains because they are related to the process of incremental stagnation, which at Kvíárjökull has involved periodic switches from transport‐dominant to ablation‐dominant conditions. Glacier recession is therefore recorded temporally and spatially by two suites of landforms relating to two phases of landform production which are likely typical for glaciers occupying overdeepenings: an early phase of active, temperate recession recorded by push moraines and lateral moraines and unconfined pro‐glacial meltwater drainage; and a later phase of incremental stagnation and pitted outwash head development initiated by the increasing topographic constraints of the latero‐frontal moraine arc and the increasing importance of the overdeepening as a depo‐centre. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bats at risk? Bat activity and insecticide residue analysis of food items in an apple orchard
Authors: Stahlschmidt Peter , Brühl Carsten A.
Published: April 2012

Although bats are reported as being threatened by pesticides, they are currently not considered in European Union pesticide risk assessments. The reason for that contradiction is probably related to the scarcity of information on bat activity in pesticide-treated fields and the pesticide residues on their food items. The authors recorded bat activity and measured pesticide residues on bat-specific food items following applications of two insecticides in an apple orchard. High activity levels of the common pipistrelle bat, a foraging habitat generalist, were detected. Airborne foragers and bats that take part of their food by gleaning arthropods from the vegetation were recorded frequently. The initial value and the decline of pesticide residues were found to depend on the arthropod type, their surface to volume ratio, their mobility, and the mode of action of the applied pesticide. The highest initial residue values were measured on foliage-dwelling arthropods. By following the toxicity-exposure ratio approaches of the current pesticide risk assessment, no acute dietary risk was found for all recorded bat species. However, a potential reproductive risk for bat species that include foliage-dwelling arthropods in their diet was indicated. The results emphasize the importance of adequately evaluating the risks of pesticides to bats, which, compared to other mammals, are potentially more sensitive due to their ecological traits. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 1556–1563. © 2012 SETAC
Proliferating seed cones in Metasequoia glyptostroboidesHu & Cheng (Cupressaceae s.l., Coniferales) elucidate the evolution of seed cones and ovules in Cupressaceae s.l.
Authors: Dörken Veit Martin
Published: April 2012

Proliferating seed cones are frequent in extant conifers. However, most proliferations are not useful for elucidating evolutionary scenarios, representing only chaotic mutations or a proliferation of the cone axis. In contrast the proliferating cones in Metasequoia studied here do not show a simple modification of a well understood pattern but show a known pattern with features that do not normally appear. A correct interpretation might allow a new hypothesis about the evolution of seed cones and ovules in conifers. In these proliferated Metasequoia seed cones several cone scales carried axillary, leafy short shoots instead of ovules. In most Cupressaceae, the shoot subtending the ovule – the so called seed scale – can no longer be detected. In proliferated seed cones a leafy short shoot replaces the ovules. This kind of proliferation can be regarded as an atavism, assuming that the sterile leaves on this short shoot represent transformed sterile ovules. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the ovules in the axil of cone scales and the leaves formed on short shoots show a similarly centripetal or acropetal developmental pattern (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Third‐order sensitivity analysis for robust aerodynamic design using continuous adjoint
Authors: Papadimitriou D. I. , Giannakoglou K. C.
Published: April 2012

Robust design problems in aerodynamics are associated with the design variables, which control the shape of an aerodynamic body, and also with the so‐called environmental variables, which account for uncertainties. In this kind of problems, the set of design variables, which leads to optimal performance, taking into account possible variations in the environmental variables, is sought. One of the possible ways to solve this problem is by means of the second‐order second‐moment approach, which requires first‐order and second‐order derivatives of the objective function with respect to the environmental variables. Should the minimization problem be solved using a gradient‐based method, algorithms for the computation of up to third‐order sensitivity derivatives (twice with respect to the environmental variables and once with respect to the shape controlling design variables) must be devised. In this paper, a combination of the continuous adjoint variable method and direct differentiation to compute the third‐order sensitivities is proposed. This is shown to be the most efficient among all alternative methods provided that the environmental variables are much less than the design ones. Apart from presenting the method formulation, this paper focuses on the assessment of the so‐computed up‐to third‐order mixed derivatives through comparison with costly finite‐difference schemes. To this end, the robust design of a two‐dimensional duct is performed. Then, using the validated method, the robust design of a two‐dimensional cascade airfoil is demonstrated. Although both cases are handled as inverse design problems, the method can be extended to other objective functions or three‐dimensional problems in a straightforward manner. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and use of a laboratory rig for the study of the chemical‐physical effects on aquatic environments of potential seepage from CO2 storage sites
Authors: Caramanna G. , Wei Y. , Maroto‐Valer M. M. , Nathanail Paul , Steven M.
Published: April 2012

In sub‐seabed storage, CO2 is injected under the seafloor in geological structures that are able to trap and retain it. Even if the overall procedure is considered safe, the effects of potential seepage must be addressed in order to develop a reliable risk assessment of the process.

This study focuses on the effects of CO2 seepage on the chemistry of sediments and on the overlying water column in shallow‐water environments. To study these effects, an experimental rig was designed, fabricated, and tested. The main unit of the rig is a transparent Plexiglas vertical cylindrical vessel that can be filled with sediment in the bottom section and water in the upper part. CO2 is injected as gas from the bottom through nozzles fed by a CO2 cylinder. Sensors are used to monitor the variation of the main physical and chemical properties of water and sediments. Gas, water, and sediment samples can be collected for further analysis.

The results highlight a fast response of the system to the injected CO2 with a sharp reduction of the pH values of the interstitial water inside the sediments; once the injection stops, a recovery toward the initial values is recorded. The water above the sediment is also affected by the presence of CO2; in this case the gas‐water interaction is controlled by the water movements induced by the rising bubble column. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Increased likelihood of long‐term gastrostomy tube dependence in head and neck cancer survivors without partners
Authors: Magnuson J. Scott , Durst Jennifer , Rosenthal Eben L. , Carroll William R. , Ritchie Christine S. , Kilgore Meredith L. , Locher Julie L.
Published: April 2012

Background

We evaluated factors associated with long‐term dependence on percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes.

Methods

One hundred fifty‐four patients receiving treatment at the University of Alabama at Birmingham between 2002 and 2004 who underwent PEG tube placement were identified through retrospective review of medical records. Using binary logistic regression, we evaluated the association of various factors on long‐term dependence on PEG tubes.

Results

A total of 25.3% of survivors remained PEG tube‐dependent at 12 months. The odds of long‐term PEG tube‐dependence were greater for those who did not have partners compared with those who had partners (odds ratio [OR], 3.33; p = .004), for patients who received radiation therapy (OR, 6.21; p = .018), and for those who had a tracheotomy in place for longer than 30 days (OR, 4.328; p = .035).

Conclusion

Data suggest that interventions targeted at reducing long‐term dependence on PEG tubes take into account not only treatment‐related factors, but also the important role that social support plays. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013
Hydrogen-rich water prevents progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and accompanying hepatocarcinogenesis in mice
Authors: Kawai Daisuke , Takaki Akinobu , Nakatsuka Atsuko , Wada Jun , Tamaki Naofumi , Yasunaka Tetsuya , Koike Kazuko , Tsuzaki Ryuichiro , Matsumoto Kazuyuki , Miyake Yasuhiro , Shiraha Hidenori , Morita Manabu , Makino Hirofumi , Yamamoto Kazuhide
Published: April 2012

Oxidative stress is a strong contributor to the progression from simple fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Molecular hydrogen is an effective antioxidant that reduces cytotoxic reactive oxygen species. In this study, we investigated the effects of hydrogen-rich water and the drug pioglitazone on the progression of NASH in mouse models. A methionine-choline–deficient (MCD) diet mouse model was prepared. Mice were divided into three experimental groups and fed for 8 weeks as follows: (1) MCD diet + control water (CW group); (2) MCD diet + hydrogen-rich water (HW group); and (3) MCD diet mixed with pioglitazone (PGZ group). Plasma alanine aminotransferase levels, hepatic expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, fatty acid synthesis–related genes, oxidative stress biomarker 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and apoptosis marker terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL)–positive cells in the liver were decreased in the HW and PGZ groups. The HW group showed a smaller decrease in hepatic cholesterol; however, stronger antioxidative effects in serum and lower peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α expression in the liver were seen in comparison with the PGZ group. We then investigated the effects of hydrogen in the prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis in STAM mice, known as the NASH-related hepatocarcinogenesis model. Eight-week-old male STAM mice were divided into three experimental groups as follows: (1) control water (CW-STAM); (2) hydrogen-rich water (HW-STAM); and (3) pioglitazone (PGZ-STAM). After 8 weeks, hepatic tumors were evaluated. The number of tumors was significantly lower in the HW-STAM and PGZ-STAM groups than in the CW-STAM group. The maximum tumor size was smaller in the HW-STAM group than in the other groups.

Conclusion:

Consumption of hydrogen-rich water may be an effective treatment for NASH by reducing hepatic oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and hepatocarcinogenesis.
Impact of six fruits—banana, guava, mangosteen, pineapple, ripe mango and ripe papaya—on murine hepatic cytochrome P450 activities
Authors: Chatuphonprasert Waranya , Jarukamjorn Kanokwan
Published: April 2012

The effects of six Thai fruits, namely banana, guava, mangosteen, pineapple, ripe mango and ripe papaya, on cytochrome P450 (P450) activities were investigated. The median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of each of the fruit juices on CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A11 activities were determined. Pineapple juice showed the strongest inhibitory effect against all the evaluated P450 isozyme activities in mouse hepatic microsomes, followed by mangosteen, guava, ripe mango, ripe papaya and banana. The study was further performed in male ICR mice given pineapple juice intragastrically at doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg kg−1 per day for 7 or 28 days. In a concentration‐dependent fashion, the pineapple juice raised ethoxyresorufin O‐deethylase, aniline hydroxylase and erythromycin N‐demethylase activities, which are marker enzymatic reactions responsible for CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and CYP3A11, respectively. The effect of pineapple juice on the expression of CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and CYP3A11 mRNAs corresponded to their enzymatic activities. However, the pineapple juice significantly decreased methoxyresorufin O‐demethylase activity. These observations supported that the six Thai fruits were a feasible cause of food–drug interaction or adverse drug effects owing to their potential to modify several essential P450 activities. Individuals consuming large quantities of pineapple for long periods of time should be cautioned of these potential adverse effects. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uniform Semi‐Latin Squares and Their Schur‐Optimality
Authors: Soicher Leonard H.
Published: April 2012

Letnandkbe integers, withand. Ansemi‐Latin squareSis anarray, whose entries arek‐subsets of an‐set, the set ofsymbolsofS, such that each symbol ofSis in exactly one entry in each row and exactly one entry in each column ofS. Semi‐Latin squares form an interesting class of combinatorial objects which are useful in the design of comparative experiments. We say that ansemi‐Latin squareSisuniformif there is a constant μ such that any two entries ofS, not in the same row or column, intersect in exactly μ symbols (in which case). We prove that a uniformsemi‐Latin square is Schur‐optimal in the class ofsemi‐Latin squares, and so is optimal (for use as an experimental design) with respect to a very wide range of statistical optimality criteria. We give a simple construction to make ansemi‐Latin squareSfrom a transitive permutation groupGof degreenand order, and show how certain properties ofScan be determined from permutation group properties ofG. IfGis 2‐transitive thenSis uniform, and this provides us with Schur‐optimal semi‐Latin squares for many values ofnandkfor which optimalsemi‐Latin squares were previously unknown for any optimality criterion. The existence of a uniformsemi‐Latin square for all integersis shown to be equivalent to the existence ofmutually orthogonal Latin squares (MOLS) of ordern. Although there are not even two MOLS of order 6, we construct uniform, and hence Schur‐optimal,semi‐Latin squares for all integers. & 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Combin. Designs 00: 1–13, 2012
Adjunctive Couple and Family Intervention for Patients With Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Chambless Dianne L.
Published: April 2012

Family‐focused therapy for anxiety disorders (FFT‐AD), a flexible couple/family treatment provided in conjunction with cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders, is described. The treatment is based upon research showing that anxious patients are more likely to drop out of or fare poorly in CBT when they live with a family member who is hostile toward or emotionally over‐involved with the patient, accommodates excessively to the patient's anxiety, or is perceived by the patient to be destructively critical. An adaptation of FFT for bipolar disorder, the treatment is intended for patients with anxiety disorders, regardless of their specific disorder type. FFT‐AD is illustrated with two cases.
Ultrastructure and morphology of the cycliophoran female
Authors: Neves Ricardo Cardoso , Møbjerg Kristensen Reinhardt , Funch Peter
Published: April 2012

Knowledge on the morphology of the cycliophoran female has mostly been based on observations of immature females in brood chambers of feeding stages. With the use of light‐ and transmission electron microscopy, the morphology and ultrastructure of the free and fully mature female of Cycliophora is described now for the first time. The external morphology is characterized by a ciliation consisting of an anteroventral ciliated field, a posterior ciliated tuft, and four sensory structures extending anteriorly from the anteroventral ciliated field. In addition, a small ciliated structure in the midventral region is interpreted as a round‐shaped gonopore. Internally, a bilateral cerebral ganglion is situated in the anterior region and a large oocyte is located medially in the body. Several glands are present anteriorly, while posteriorly a pair of glands is associated with the ciliated tuft. Dorsal and ventral longitudinal muscles, as well as, dorsoventral muscles are identified by electron microscopy. Muscle fibers attach to the endocuticle via the epidermis, by means of attachment fibers. An unknown endosymbiont is present throughout the body of the female. We discuss the functional implications of the morphological and ultrastructural aspects of the cycliophoran female. Finally, we compare this life cycle stage with that fromother phyla, suggested as phylogenetically close. J. Morphol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Muscle fibers in the central nervous system of nemerteans: Spatial organization and functional role
Authors: Petrov A.A. , Zaitseva O.V.
Published: April 2012

The system of muscle fibers associated with the brain and lateral nerve cords is present in all major groups of enoplan nemerteans. Unfortunately, very little is known about the functional role and spatial arrangement of these muscles of the central nervous system. This article examines the architecture of the musculature of the central nervous system in two species of monostiliferous nemerteans (Emplectonema gracile and Tetrastemma cf. candidum) using phalloidin staining and confocal microscopy. The article also briefly discusses the body‐wall musculature and the muscles of the cephalic region. In both species, the lateral nerve cords possess two pairs of cardinal muscles that run the length of the nerve cords and pass through the ventral cerebral ganglia. A system of peripheral muscles forms a meshwork around the lateral nerve cords in E. gracile. The actin‐rich processes that ramify within the nerve cords in E. gracile (transverse fibers) might represent a separate population of glia‐like cells or sarcoplasmic projections of the peripheral muscles of the central nervous system. The lateral nerve cords in T. cf. candidum lack peripheral muscles but have muscles similar in their position and orientation to the transverse fibers. The musculature of the central nervous system is hypothesized to function as a support system for the lateral nerve cords and brain, preventing rupturing and herniation of the nervous tissue during locomotion. The occurrence of muscles of the central nervous system in nemerteans and other groups and their possible relevance in taxonomy are discussed. J. Morphol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Early development of the postcranial skeleton of the pikeperch Sander lucioperca (Teleostei: Percidae) relating to developmental stages and growth
Authors: Ott Alice , Löffler Jasmin , Ahnelt, Harald , Keckeis Hubert
Published: April 2012

The early development of the postcranial skeleton (pectoral girdle, pelvic girdle, vertebral column and fins) in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca (L.)) was studied from hatching to days 47 and 43 post fertilization (dpf) at two different rearing temperatures, 15.5 and 18.0°C. Four embryonic and six larval stages were described, ranging from 3.4 ± 0.3 mm to 21.8 ± 2.1 mm in total length. The crucial point in larval development is swimbladder inflation, which enables larvae to swim energy efficiently. Until this time point, only the most essential skeletal elements to enable swimming movements have developed. As the larvae become neutrally buoyant, they grow and differentiate postcranial elements rapidly. Concurrently, swimming performance and foraging success seems to improve. A specific size is correlated with a distinct developmental stage defined by a set of traits that includes the skeletal elements. The developmental sequence of skeletal structures is temperature independent, although growth is slower and the individual developmental stages are reached later at 15.5°C than at 18.0°C. J. Morphol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lipophilicity as a determinant of binding of procaine analogs to rat α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Authors: Cheffer Arquimedes , Mustafa Elba Vieira , Amaral Antonia T.‐do , Ulrich Henning
Published: April 2012

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been studied in detail with regard to their interaction with therapeutic and drug addiction‐related compounds. Using a structure–activity approach, we have examined the relationship among the molecular features of a set of eight para‐R‐substituted N,N‐[(dimethylamino)ethyl] benzoate hydrochlorides, structurally related to procaine and their affinity for the α3β4 nAChR heterologously expressed in KXα3β4R2 cells. Affinity values (log[1/IC50]) of these compounds for the α3β4 nAChR were determined by their competition with [3H]TCP binding. Log(1/IC50) values were analyzed considering different hydrophobic and electronic parameters and those related to molar refractivity. These have been experimentally determined or were taken from published literature. In accordance with literature observations, the generated cross‐validated quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) equations indicated a significant contribution of hydrophobic term to binding affinity of procaine analogs to the receptor and predicted affinity values for several local anesthetics (LAs) sets taken from the literature. The predicted values by using the QSAR model correlated well with the published values both for neuronal and for electroplaque nAChRs. Our work also reveals the general structure features of LAs that are important for interaction with nAChRs as well as the structural modifications that could be made to enhance binding affinity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuronal responses to an asymmetrical alternating current field can mimic those produced by an imposed direct current field in vitro
Authors: Pan Linjie , Cirillo John , Ben Borgens Richard
Published: April 2012

The remarkable polarity‐dependent growth and anatomical organization of neurons in vitro produced by imposed direct current (DC) voltage gradients (electrical fields; Ef) can be mimicked by another type of electrical cue. This is a properly structured asymmetrical alternating current (AC) electrical field (A‐ACEf). Here we provide details on the construction of an AC signal generator in which all components of an AC waveform can be individually controlled. We show that 1) conventional symmetrical AC voltage gradients will not induce growth, guidance, or architectural changes in sympathetic neurons. We also provide the first qualitative and quantitative data showing that an asymmetric AC application can indeed mimic the DC response in chick sympathetic neurons and their growing neurites. This shift in orientation and neuronal anatomy requires dieback of some neurites and the extension of others to produce a preferred orientation perpendicular to the gradient of voltage. Our new results may lead to a noninvasive means to modify nerve growth and organization by magnetic inductive coupling at distance. These data also indicate the possibility of a means to mimic DC‐dependent release of drugs or other biologically active molecules from electrically sensitive that can be loaded with these chemical cargos. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Minimally invasive approaches for gastric cancer—Japanese experiences
Authors: Etoh Tsuyoshi , Inomata Masafumi , Shiraishi Norio , Kitano Seigo
Published: April 2012

Since development of laparoscopy‐assisted distal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection in 1991 in Japan, laparoscopic gastrectomy (LAG) is improving and evolving. Recently, advanced LAG techniques including D2 lymph node dissection or anastomosis after total gastrectomy have been developed. Retrospective and prospective multicenter studies have been conducted for early and non‐early gastric cancers to establish high‐quality evidence. This review summarizes the current trends of minimally invasive approaches for gastric cancer based on current Japanese experiences. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:282–288. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.