bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biocompatibility and Cell Viability in Acoustofluidic Resonators
Authors: Wiklund Martin
Published: December 2014

Manipulation of biological cells by acoustic radiation forces is often motivated by its superior biocompatibility relative to alternative available methods based on, e.g., optical or electrical fields. On the other hand, it is well known that acoustic exposure is capable of causing damage to both tissue and cells, primarily due to heating or cavitation effects. Therefore, it is important to define safety guidelines for the design and operation of acoustofluidic devices. This chapter discusses the biocompatibility of devices designed for acoustic manipulation of mammalian cells, and different methods for quantifying the cell viability in such devices.
Infrared imaging of primary melanomas reveals hints of regional and distant metastases
Authors: Wald N. , Goormaghtigh E.
Published: December 2014

FTIR imaging can identify the main cell types of melanoma tumors and can help identify primary melanomas with the highest risk of metastases.
Molecular weight distributions of polysaccharides and lignin extracted from plant biomass with a polar ionic liquid analysed without a derivatisation process
Authors: Kuroda Kosuke , Fukaya Yukinobu , Yamada Tatsuhiko , Ohno Hiroyuki
Published: December 2014

Polysaccharides and lignin, extracted from biomass with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylphosphonate, were directly analysed with high-performance liquid chromatography with the aid of ionic liquid as an eluent (HPILC).
Tetrazine functionalized zirconium MOF as an optical sensor for oxidizing gases
Authors: Nickerl Georg , Senkovska Irena , Kaskel Stefan
Published: December 2014

Dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate was introduced into the chemically stable UiO-66 structure by a postsynthetic linker exchange reaction to create an optical sensor material for the detection of oxidative agents such as nitrous gases.
Efficient and practical synthesis of enantioenriched 2,3-dihydropyrroles through gold-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of chiral homopropargyl sulfonamides
Authors: Yu Yong-Fei , Shu Chao , Zhou Bo , Li Jian-Qiao , Zhou Jin-Mei , Ye Long-Wu
Published: December 2014

A direct gold-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of chiral homopropargyl sulfonamides has been developed. A range of enantioenriched 2,3-dihydropyrroles are readily accessed by utilizing this approach.
Copper-catalyzed oxidative coupling of acids with alkanes involving dehydrogenation: facile access to allylic esters and alkylalkenes
Authors: Wang Cheng-Yong , Song Ren-Jie , Wei Wen-Ting , Fan Jian-Hong , Li Jin-Heng
Published: December 2014

A new copper-catalyzed oxidative coupling of acids with alkanes for selective synthesis of allylic esters and alkylalkenes is described.
Electric field-directed growth and photoelectrochemical properties of cross-linked Au–ZnO hetero-nanowire arrays
Authors: Wang Teng , Jin Bingjun , Jiao Zhengbo , Lu Gongxuan , Ye Jinhua , Bi Yingpu
Published: December 2014

Herein, we demonstrate a simple and effective strategy for vertically growing Au nanowires over ZnO nanowire arrays to construct a cross-linked hierarchical architecture, which exhibit excellent photoelectrochemical performances under visible light irradiation.
Electron migration behavior of Au/Cu multilayer films on Si substrates under UV radiation
Authors: Yan Kai , Yao Wenqing , Cao Jiangli , Li Yunshuang , Zhu Yongfa , Cao Lili
Published: December 2014

The interfacial broadening was caused by an increase of defects in Au/Cu films which was induced by UV radiation.
Activity patterns of metal oxide catalysts in the synthesis of N-phenylpropionamide from propanoic acid and aniline
Authors: Arena Francesco , Deiana Chiara , Lombardo Agata F. , Ivanchenko Pavlo , Sakhno Yuriy , Trunfio Giuseppe , Martra Gianmario
Published: December 2014

The reactivities of various oxide samples in the heterogeneous catalytic synthesis ofN-phenylpropionamide from aniline and propanoic acid have been investigated and related to the different structure of adsorbed carboxylates.
Reductive lithium insertion into B-cation deficient niobium perovskite oxides
Authors: Perejon Antonio , Hayward Michael A.
Published: December 2014

Reductive lithium intercalation into AnBn−1O3n cation deficient perovskite phases leads to the formation of Ba5LiNb4O15, Ba6LiTiNb4O18 and Ba3LaLiNb3O12.
Membrane applications for biogas production and purification processes: an overview on a smart alternative for process intensification
Authors: Minardi Eros Rosalbino , Chakraborty Sudip , Calabrò Vincenza , Curcio Stefano , Drioli Enrico
Published: December 2014

Biogas is the result of a complex conversion process that takes place because of the metabolic activity of various types of bacteria.
An α1-adrenergic receptor ligand repurposed as a potent antiproliferative agent for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zagni Chiara , Guimarães Douglas Magno , Salerno Loredana , Punzo Francesco , Squarize Cristiane H. , Mineo Placido Giuseppe , Romeo Giuseppe , Rescifina Antonio
Published: December 2014

In this study we report the anticancer properties of RN5-Me, an α1-adrenergic receptor ligand.
Effect of surface modification of SiO2@TiO2core–shell particles on the structural colour under an electric field
Authors: Qiao Xuanxuan , Luo Yuxia , Sun Aihua , Wang Chongyang , Zhang Jianfei , Chu Chengyi , Guo Jianjun , Xu Gaojie
Published: December 2014

Surface modified colloidal SiO2@TiO2core–shell particles were chosen to study their responsive photonic properties and the effect of surface on structural colour under low electric field.
A benzimidazole/benzothiazole-based electrochemical chemosensor for nanomolar detection of guanine
Authors: Sharma Hemant , Singh Narinder , Jang Doo Ok
Published: December 2014

The electrochemical detection of guanine was accomplished using benzimidazole/benzothiazole-based imine-linked Co(iii) complexes with platinum electrodes.
Facile preparation of a ZnS/ZnO nanocomposite for robust sunlight photocatalytic H2 evolution from water
Authors: Zhao Hui , Dong Yuming , Jiang Pingping , Wu Xiuming , Wu Ruixian , Chen Yanmei
Published: December 2014

Light-assisted preparation of a ZnS/ZnO nanocomposite for efficiently visible-light driven H2 evolution from water.
Design, fabrication and dielectric properties in core–double shell BaTiO3-based ceramics for MLCC application
Authors: Hao Hua , Liu Mengying , Liu Hanxing , Zhang Shujun , Shu Xin , Wang Ting , Yao Zhonghua , Cao Minghe
Published: December 2014

BaTiO3-based ceramics with a core–double shell structure were fabricated by precipitation and the sol–gel method.
AgAuPt nanocages for highly sensitive detection of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Peng Yang , Yan Ziren , Wu Ying , Di Junwei
Published: December 2014

AgAuPt hybrid nanocages modified electrode showed high sensitivity for the detection of hydrogen peroxide.
Proton transfer rates in ionized water clusters (H2O)n (n = 2–4)
Authors: Tachikawa Hiroto , Takada Tomoya
Published: December 2014

A proton transfer process is usually dominant in several biological phenomena such as the energy relaxation of photo-excited DNA base pairs and a charge relay process in Ser-His-Glu.
On the formation of anions: frequency-, angle-, and time-resolved photoelectron imaging of the menadione radical anion
Authors: Bull James N. , West Christopher W. , Verlet Jan R. R.
Published: December 2014

Frequency-, angle-, and time-resolved photoelectron imaging of gas-phase menadione (vitamin K3) radical anions is used to show that quasi-bound resonances of the anion can act as efficient doorway states to produce metastable ground electronic state anions on a sub-picosecond timescale.
Impact of small changes in particle surface chemistry for unentangled polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Ranka Moulik , Varkey Nihal , Ramakrishnan Subramanian , Zukoski Charles F.
Published: December 2014

We report microstructural and rheological consequences of altering silica particle surface chemistry when the particles are suspended in unentangled polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 400.
A supramolecular two-photon-active hydrogel platform for direct bioconjugation under near-infrared radiation
Authors: Paciello Antonio , Santonicola M. Gabriella
Published: December 2014

A novel hydrogel self-assembled from partially methacrylated polyethyleneimine shows photo-activity at near-infrared wavelengths and offers a selective platform for the rapid and direct conjugation of biomolecules by two-photon laser irradiation without additional initiators.
Synergetic effect of C*N^N/C^N^N coordination and the arylacetylide ligands on the photophysical properties of cyclometalated platinum complexes
Authors: Wu Wenting , Wu Xueyan , Zhao Jianzhang , Wu Mingbo
Published: December 2014

C*N^N and C^N^N coordinated Pt(ii) complexes with different arylacetylide ligands were prepared and the photophysical properties were studied.
High oxygen tension increases global methylation in bovine 4-cell embryos and blastocysts but does not affect general retrotransposon expression
Authors: Li Wenwen , Goossens Karen , Van Poucke Mario , Forier Katrien , Braeckmans Kevin , Van Soom Ann , Peelman Luc J.
Published: December 2014

Retrotransposons are transposable elements that insert extra copies of themselves throughout the genome via an RNA intermediate using a ‘copy and paste’ mechanism. They account for more than 44% of the bovine genome and have been reported to be functional, especially during preimplantation embryo development. In the present study, we tested whether high oxygen tension (20% O2) influences global DNA methylation analysed by immunofluorescence staining of developing bovine embryos and whether this has an effect on the expression of some selected retrotransposon families. High oxygen tension significantly increased global DNA methylation in 4-cell embryos and blastocysts. A significant expression difference was observed for ERV1-1-I_BT in female blastocysts, but no significant changes were observed for the other retrotransposon families tested. Therefore, the study indicates that global DNA methylation is not necessarily correlated with retrotransposon expression in bovine preimplantation embryos.
Embryonic developmental plasticity in the long-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus reidi, Ginsburg 1933) in relation to parental preconception diet
Authors: Otero-Ferrer Francisco , Izquierdo Marisol , Fazeli Alireza , Holt William V.
Published: December 2014

The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that parental periconception nutrition in adult seahorses affects the development and growth of their offspring. We tested the hypothesis that because seahorse embryos develop inside the male’s brood pouch, manipulation of the male’s diet would affect offspring growth and development independently of the female’s diet. Adult males and females were fed separately with either wild-caught crustaceans or commercial aquarium diet for 1 month before conception to influence the periconception environment. Approximately 10 000 offspring were obtained from four different treatment groups (Male/Wild or Male/Commercial × Female/Wild or Female/Commercial). Weights, physical dimensions and fatty acid profiles of the newborns were determined. Offspring produced when the males receiving commercial diet were mated with wild-fed females were larger (P < 0.05) than those produced by wild-fed males. When both males and females were fed with commercial diet, their offspring were significantly smaller than those from the other treatment groups. When commercial diet-fed females were mated with wild-fed males, the offspring showed distortion of the snout : head length ratio. These results support the view that the preconception diet received by males and females differentially affects embryonic development.
Structural Equation Models for Studying Causal Phenotype Networks in Quantitative Genetics
Authors: Rosa Guilherme J. M. , Valente Bruno D.
Published: December 2014

Phenotypic traits may exert causal effects between them. For example, high yield in agricultural species may increase the liability to certain diseases and, conversely, the incidence of a disease may affect yield negatively. Likewise, the transcriptome may be a function of the reproductive status or developmental stage in plants and animals, which may depend on other physiological variables as well. Knowledge of phenotype networks describing such interrelationships can be used to predict the behavior of complex systems, e.g., biological pathways underlying complex traits such as diseases, growth, and reproduction. This chapter reviews the application of structural equation models and related techniques to study causal relationships among phenotypic traits in quantitative genetics. It is discussed how genetic factors can confound the search for causal associations, as well as how pedigree and genomic information can be used to control for such confounding effects and to aid causal inference.
Food Security in Egypt
Authors: Bush Ray
Published: December 2014

This chapter focuses on food insecurity in Egypt beyond the preoccupation with macroeconomic policy’s role in facilitating food to meet local consumption needs. It discusses how agricultural reform since the mid-1980s shaped food insecurity, rural development and small farmers’ livelihoods. It examines agricultural modernisation, and how different strategies have been shaped not simply by government policy, but by patterns of capital accumulation in Egypt that have underpinned it. It explores the role farmers and the rural landless played in the context of the 25 January 2011 Egyptian uprising; and how rural social classes may play an important part in the continuing struggles for deeper democracy in contemporary Egypt. It argues that food security can only be understood by exploring how rural relations of production and reproduction are shaped by political and economic power and patterns of land ownership, and how Egypt’s agricultural sector is unevenly integrated into the world economy.
Prospects For Food Self-Sufficiency In Iran In 2025
Authors: Salami Habibollah , Mohtashami Toktam , Noori Naeini Mohamad Saeid
Published: December 2014

Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has sought food self-sufficiency as a major objective in its economic development. This chapter provides a review of the conditions for food self-sufficiency in Iran, examining the past trends of self-sufficiency, and attempting to provide some critical analysis for what the prospects of food self-sufficiency in 2025 look like for Iran. This study projects the demand and supply of major food commodities in Iran for the year 2025, and hence forecast both levels of national food self-sufficiency and food per capita consumption. These projections are based on a policy simulation model which is an integration of the multimarket partial equilibrium model, the Positive Mathematical Programming (PMP) model, and time series econometric models, and which includes equations of supply and demand, trade, price transmission and market equilibrium. The chapter concludes that Iran is close to agricultural commodity self-sufficiency based on domestic supply and demand for food.
Neither Security Nor Sovereignty the Political Economy of Food in Yemen
Authors: Mundy Martha , Al-Hakimi Amin , Pelat Frédéric
Published: December 2014

Agriculture and livestock production remain central to the livelihood of the Yemeni people, yet the food crisis in Yemen is stark. This chapter sketches the wider political economy and the patterns of change in agricultural policy, food production and the physical environment, leading to the marginalisation and impoverishment of smallholding agriculturalists in the face of large-scale capitalist farming. Yemen is neither politically nor economically sovereign given its dependence on political rent, aid and imported food. Natural, social and economic causes intermesh: scarcity of water, erosion of land, subdivision of landholdings, high population growth and lack of finance have all increased the price of agricultural inputs and increased poverty. Institutional response has been inadequate, being hampered by poor agronomic institutional capacity, lack of agricultural research and guidance, absence of an effective agricultural policy, failure to register water and land ownership, and a severely limited statistical basis of information about the agricultural sector as a whole.
Urban Agriculture and Food Security in the Middle Eastern Context
Authors: Tawk Salwa Tohmé , Said Mounir Abi , Hamadeh Shadi
Published: December 2014

Due to its heavy reliance on food imports, the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) is considered to be one of the most food insecure regions in the world. Urban Agriculture (UA), a traditional practice in the MENA region, is an important source of income for many urban and peri-urban households. Studying the role of urban agriculture in the MENA region could provide a better understanding of its role in food security. The present study was conducted to investigate food security as related to peri-urban and urban agriculture in two peri-urban locations: Bebnine in Lebanon, where agriculture lacks support, and in Wadi el Seer in Jordan, where urban agriculture is being institutionalised. The findings indicate the prevalence of high food insecurity in both locations, demonstrating that producers are more food insecure than non-producers, and that food security is strongly associated with poverty and the number of household members.
The Nutrition Transition And Obesity In Qatar
Authors: ElObeid Tahra , Hassan Abdelmonem
Published: December 2014

This chapter analyses Qatar’s dramatic nutrition transition, which has led to an increase in the prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the different sectors of society. With Qatar’s economic boom, food imports increased and now account for more than 90 per cent of national food consumption. This dependence on imported food can be attributed both to the rising population due to immigration, and to the move from traditional diets to more Westernised meals. Unhealthy, high caloric fast-food is increasingly eaten, as urbanisation from a typically rural or nomadic lifestyle takes place. In order to address this public health crisis through focused policy efforts, ‘Qatar Vision 2030’ was developed as a national strategy for increasing public exercise and modifying diets.
Developmental stress can uncouple relationships between physiology and behaviour
Authors: Careau Vincent , Buttemer William A. , Buchanan Katherine L.
Published: December 2014

Phenotypic correlations (
r
P
) have frequently been observed between physiological and behavioural traits, and the nature of these associations has been shown to be modulated by a range of environmental stressors. Studies to date have examined the effects of acute stressors on physiology–behaviour interrelations, but the potential for permanent changes induced by exposure to stress during development remains unexplored. We exposed female zebra finches to dietary restriction during the nestling stage and tested how this affected
r
P
among a variety of physiological traits (haematocrit, stress-induced corticosterone level and basal metabolic rate (BMR)) and behavioural traits (activity and feeding rates in novel and familiar environments). Developmental stress completely uncoupled the relationship between activity in a novel environment and two physiological traits: haematocrit and BMR. This suggests that nutritionally based developmental stress has provoked changes in the energy budget that alleviate the trade-off between maintenance (BMR) and locomotor activities.
Anin situpowder diffraction cell for high-pressure hydrogenation experiments using laboratory X-ray diffractometers
Authors: Moury Romain , Hauschild Klaus , Kersten Wolfgang , Ternieden Jan , Felderhoff Michael , Weidenthaler Claudia
Published: December 2014

Anin situdiffraction cell is presented which has been designed and constructed for in-house powder diffraction experiments under high gas pressures up to 30 MPa. For a proof of principle, thein situcell has been tested for several hydrogenation experiments under elevated pressures and temperatures. LaNi5was chosen as an example for hydrogenation, applying simultaneously 5.5 MPa H2pressure at a temperature of 423 K. For testing the high-pressure–temperature suitability of thein situcell, pressure–temperature experiments up to 14 MPa at 373 K were performed, studying the rehydrogenation of NaH and Al to NaAlH4. The experimental setup enables recording ofin situX-ray diffraction data on laboratory instruments with short data acquisition times at elevated hydrogen pressures and temperatures.
Macromolecularab initiophasing enforcing secondary and tertiary structure
Authors: Millán Claudia , Sammito Massimo , Usón Isabel
Published: December 2014

Ab initiophasing of macromolecular structures, from the native intensities alone with no experimental phase information or previous particular structural knowledge, has been the object of a long quest, limited by two main barriers: structure size and resolution of the data. Current approaches to extend the scope ofab initiophasing include use of the Patterson function, density modification and data extrapolation. The authors' approach relies on the combination of locating model fragments such as polyalanine α-helices with the programPHASERand density modification with the programSHELXE. Given the difficulties in discriminating correct small substructures, many putative groups of fragments have to be tested in parallel; thus calculations are performed in a grid or supercomputer. The method has been named after the Italian painter Arcimboldo, who used to compose portraits out of fruit and vegetables. WithARCIMBOLDO, most collections of fragments remain a `still-life', but some are correct enough for density modification and main-chain tracing to reveal the protein's true portrait. Beyond α-helices, other fragments can be exploited in an analogous way: libraries of helices with modelled side chains, β-strands, predictable fragments such as DNA-binding folds or fragments selected from distant homologues up to libraries of small local folds that are used to enforce nonspecific tertiary structure; thus restoring theab initionature of the method. Using these methods, a number of unknown macromolecules with a few thousand atoms and resolutions around 2 Å have been solved. In the 2014 release, use of the program has been simplified. The software mediates the use of massive computing to automate the grid access required in difficult cases but may also run on a single multicore workstation (http://chango.ibmb.csic.es/ARCIMBOLDO_LITE) to solve straightforward cases.
Contribution of neovascularization and intraplaque haemorrhage to atherosclerotic plaque progression and instability
Authors: Chistiakov D. A. , Orekhov A. N. , Bobryshev Y. V.
Published: December 2014

Atherosclerosis is a continuous pathological process that starts early in life and progresses frequently to unstable plaques. Plaque rupture leads to deleterious consequences such as acute coronary syndrome, stroke and atherothrombosis. The vulnerable lesion has several structural and functional hallmarks that distinguish it from the stable plaque. The unstable plaque has large necrotic core (over 40% plaque volume) composed of cholesterol crystals, cholesterol esters, oxidized lipids, fibrin, erythrocytes and their remnants (haeme, iron, haemoglobin), and dying macrophages. The fibrous cap is thin, depleted of smooth muscle cells and collagen, and is infiltrated with proinflammatory cells. In unstable lesion, formation of neomicrovessels is increased. These neovessels have weak integrity and leak thereby leading to recurrent haemorrhages. Haemorrhages deliver erythrocytes to the necrotic core where they degrade promoting inflammation and oxidative stress. Inflammatory cells mostly presented by monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils and mast cells extravagate from bleeding neovessels and infiltrate adventitia where they support chronic inflammation. Plaque destabilization is an evolutionary process that could start at early atherosclerotic stages and whose progression is influenced by many factors including neovascularization, intraplaque haemorrhages, formation of cholesterol crystals, inflammation, oxidative stress and intraplaque protease activity.
Effect of dietary histidine on contents of carnosine and anserine in muscles of broilers
Authors: Kai Shinichi , Watanabe Genya , Kubota Masatoshi , Kadowaki Motoni , Fujimura Shinobu
Published: December 2014

Carnosine (β‐alanyl‐L‐histidine) and anserine (β‐alanyl‐1‐methyl‐L‐histidine) are dipeptides mainly found in skeletal muscle and brain of many vertebrates, and particularly high concentrations are observed in chicken pectoral muscles. It was reported that these peptides have many functions, such as antioxidant activity. In this study, we examined the effect of different levels of dietary histidine on carnosine and anserine contents in broiler muscles. The 14‐days‐old female Chunky strain broilers were given feeds containing three different levels of histidine; 67% (Low‐His), 100% (Control) and 200% (High‐His) of histidine requirement according to the NRC (1994). Chicks were fed experimental diets for 10 days. Both dipeptides in muscle were significantly decreased. In particular, carnosine was not detected at all in the Low‐His group and was significantly increased in the High‐His group. Both dipeptides were not detected in plasma. These results indicated the possibility to produce chicken meat with enhanced amount of these dipeptides by high histidine feeding.
Feasibility and safety of parietal pleural cryobiopsy during semi‐rigid thoracoscopy
Authors: Rozman Aleš , Camlek Luka , Marc Malovrh Mateja , Kern Izidor , Schönfeld Nicolas
Published: December 2014

Background and Aims

Performing pleural biopsies during semi‐rigid thoracoscopy is sometimes a difficult and time‐consuming task because of the lack of mechanical power of dedicated flexible forceps in patients with thickened pleura. The purpose of this first ever pilot study was to test the feasibility of taking biopsy specimens by cryoprobe from the parietal pleura during semi‐rigid thoracoscopy. Our aim was also to assess the diagnostic value and quality of specimens obtained, morphological features, feasibility of immunohistochemistry staining and possibility of DNA isolation. The secondary aim was to evaluate safety, tolerability and duration of the procedure.

Methods

Fifteen patients with pleural effusion of unknown origin that underwent semi‐rigid thoracoscopy were included. Biopsies were obtained using a flexible autoclavable cryoprobe 20416‐032 (Erbokryo CA, ERBE, Tübingen, Germany) 2.4 mm in diameter and a semi‐rigid autoclavable Olympus LTF‐160 (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) thoracoscope.

Results

Tissue samples were obtained from 14 patients (93.3%), three from each. Of the samples, 81% were easily interpretable and 19% were interpretable with some difficulty by the pathologist. The samples were of good quality, with the level of artifacts below 25%. The specimens were adequate for histological diagnosis, immunohistochemical staining and DNA isolation. There were no moderate or major bleeding problems after the biopsies; two patients experienced pain. The median duration of three cryobiopsies (per patient) was 4 min (range 3–6 min).

Conclusions

Cryobiopsy during semi‐rigid thoracoscopy appears worth to be evaluated in a larger prospective multicenter trial as our preliminary data were promising for efficacy and safety.
Gelastic seizures: Incidence, clinical andEEGfeatures in adult patients undergoing video‐EEGtelemetry
Authors: Kovac Stjepana , Diehl Beate , Wehner Tim , Fois Chiara , Toms Nathan , Walker Matthew C. , Duncan John S.
Published: December 2014

This study aimed to determine clinical features of adult patients with gelastic seizures recorded on video–electroencephalography (EEG)over a 5‐year period. We screened video‐EEGtelemetry reports for the occurrence of the term “gelastic” seizures, and assessed the semiology,EEGfeatures, and duration of those seizures. Gelastic seizures were identified in 19 (0.8%) of 2,446 admissions. The presumed epileptogenic zone was in the hypothalamus in one third of the cases, temporal lobe epilepsy was diagnosed in another third, and the remainder of the cases presenting with gelastic seizures were classified as frontal, parietal lobe epilepsy or remained undetermined or were multifocal. Gelastic seizures were embedded in a semiology, with part of the seizure showing features of automotor seizures. A small proportion of patients underwent epilepsy surgery. Outcome of epilepsy surgery was related to the underlying pathology; two patients with hippocampal sclerosis had good outcomes following temporal lobe resection and one of four patients with hypothalamic hamartomas undergoing gamma knife surgery had a good outcome.
Lipocalin‐2 and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 expression in high‐grade endometrial cancer and their prognostic value
Authors: Srdelić Mihalj Sanja , Kuzmić‐Prusac Ivana , Zekić‐Tomaš Sandra , Šamija‐Projić Ivana , Čapkun Vesna
Published: December 2014

Aims

To demonstrate lipocalin‐2 (LCN‐2) immunohistochemical expression together with matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) protein in high‐grade endometrial cancer and determine their correlations with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage, histological subtype, presence of vascular invasion, patient age and overall and disease‐free survival.

Methods and results

Immunohistochemical staining was performed using LCN‐2 and MMP‐9 antibodies on high‐grade endometrial cancer (n = 85) diagnosed at Split University Hospital Centre during 1998–2010. Immunohistochemical expression was determined on archived paraffin‐embedded samples and scored semiquantitatively. Survival time was analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the log‐rank test was used to assess between‐group differences. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used on multivariate survival analysis. Patients were followed from the time of primary surgery until death or last follow‐up until December 2012. LCN‐2 and MMP‐9 were highly expressed in high‐grade endometrial cancer. Univariate analysis showed positive immunohistochemical staining for LCN‐2 and MMP‐9 to be associated with shorter survival in patients with high‐grade endometrial cancer. Multivariate analysis showed LCN‐2 overexpression to be associated with shorter overall and disease‐free survival in high‐grade endometrial cancer.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that LCN‐2 expression may be an important independent indicator of shorter survival in patients with high‐grade endometrial cancer.
Effect of Tooth‐Colored Restorative Materials on Reliability of Heat‐Pressed Lithium Disilicate
Authors: Stijacic Tijana , Chung Kwok‐Hung , Flinn Brian D. , Raigrodski Ariel J.
Published: December 2014

Purpose

Restorative material selection in complete mouth rehabilitation is an important factor in long‐term management of potential technical complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the reliability (fracture resistance) of lithium disilicate fatigued with different restorative materials.

Materials and Methods

A step‐stress accelerated life‐testing model was used. Seventy disc specimens were heat‐pressed. Five groups of different indenter materials fatigued the lithium‐disilicate specimens: group WC (tungsten carbide served as a control), group PR (interpenetrating polymer network [IPN] resin‐based denture tooth), group POM (heat‐pressed leucite glass‐ceramic), group LD (heat‐pressed lithium disilicate), and group ZR (zirconium dioxide). Lithium‐disilicate specimens were randomly divided into four groups (n = 14). Specimens were fatigued to failure according to three step‐stress profiles: light, moderate, and aggressive. Use level probability Weibull plots were generated, and each group's reliability, failure rate, and mean life to failure were calculated.

Results

The IPN resin‐based denture tooth group had the highest reliability and mean life to failure, and lowest failure rate as compared to lithium disilicate and zirconium dioxide. No significant difference existed between the reliability of the tungsten carbide and leucite glass‐ceramic groups and the IPN resin‐based denture tooth group.

Conclusions

Lithium‐disilicate specimens fatigued with IPN resin‐based denture teeth exhibited higher reliability than specimens fatigued with lithium disilicate and zirconium dioxide. There was a difference in fracture characteristics in lithium‐disilicate specimens fatigued with tungsten carbide, lithium disilicate, and zirconium dioxide, versus those fatigued with IPN resin‐based denture teeth and leucite glass‐ceramic material.
Predation has no competition: factors influencing space and resource use by echinoids in deep‐sea coral habitats, as evidenced by continuous video transects
Authors: Stevenson Angela , Mitchell Fraser J. G. , Davies Jaime S.
Published: December 2014

Predation and competition are highly influential factors determining space use in foraging animals, and ultimately contribute to the spatial heterogeneity observed within habitats. Here we investigated the influence of competition and predation on space and resource use via continuous video transect observations – a tool that has not previously been employed for this purpose. This study therefore also evaluates video data as a pragmatic tool to study community interactions in the deep sea. Observations were compiled from 15 video transects spanning five submarine canyons in the Bay of Biscay, France. Substrate choice, positioning on the coral, echinoid aggregate size, and the presence/absence of predators (e.g. fish and decapods) as well as competitors (both inter‐ and intra‐specific) were recorded. Two dominant co‐existing echinoid taxa, echinothurids and Cidaris cidaris (3188 total observations), were observed in the study. For the echinothurids, no significant trends were detected in the inter‐ and intra‐specific competition data. For Cidaris cidaris, significant shifts in substrate use were correlated to the presence of inter‐specific competitors (echinothurids), whereby an increase in dead coral substrate usage was observed. Highly significant patterns were detected amongst echinoids near fish and decapod predators. A shift to the base of the coral infra‐structure was correlated to the presence of fish, and fewer individuals were observed in the open areas of the reef and a greater number were found in the mid and top sections of the coral when in the presence of decapods. Aggregates formed irrespective of the presence of predators. Aggregations are likely to form for feeding and reproduction rather than for defensive purposes; and migration along the coral infra‐structure may be a predator‐driven behaviour as echinoids seek refuge from predators. Predation risk might play a stronger – or more detectable – role in structuring echinoid space and resource use in deep‐sea coral habitats. In addition, the study successfully detected patterns in the video data thereby demonstrating its potential usefulness for similar ecological studies on other deep‐dwelling megabenthos.
Trends of cost and mortality of patients on haemodialysis with end stage renal disease
Authors: Chang Yu‐Kang , Hsu Chih‐Cheng , Chen Pei‐Chun , Chen Yi‐Shan , Hwang Shang‐Jyh , Li Tsai‐Chung , Huang Chiu‐Ching , Li Chung‐Yi , Sung Fung‐Chang
Published: December 2014

Aim

The prevalence of end‐stage renal disease in Taiwan is among the highest in the world. Treatment reimbursement for haemodialysis was capped in 1996 in order to contain costs. This study evaluated temporal changes in the costs and utilization of medical care and mortality in patients receiving haemodialysis following capped reimbursement.

Methods

Using insurance claims data in Taiwan between 1998 to 2009, we established eight annual subcohorts of patients with incident haemodialysis, increasing from 6099 in 1998 to 7745 in 2005. With a 4‐year follow‐up paradigm for each subcohort, we evaluated resources use and costs of medical services, as well as mortality trends.

Results

The annual mean cost for each haemodialysis patient increased from US $431 to $737 for emergency visits, US $9007 to $13 280 for hospitalizations and US $79 141 to $92 416 (16.8% increase) for total costs, from the initial to final subcohorts, respectively. Compared to the 1998 subcohort, the adjusted hazard ratio of deaths declined from 0.97 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.02) for the 1999 subcohort to 0.86 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.91) for the 2005 subcohort (P for trend <0.001). The corresponding cumulative probability of deaths decreased from 45.5% to 35.4%.

Conclusions

The mortality for patients with haemodialysis decreased annually, whereas the overall annual cost increased despite capped reimbursement for haemodialysis. These results encourage further study on reasons of increased uses of emergency service and hospitalization.
Bone marrow engraftment and associated dermatologic sequelae in a three‐yr‐old after liver transplantation
Authors: Sheu Johanna , Saavedra Arturo P. , Degar Barbara A. , Duncan Christine N. , Fawaz Rima , Tan Jennifer K. , Schmidt Birgitta A. , Kim Heung B. , Huang Jennifer T.
Published: December 2014

We present a case of a three‐yr‐old child with a history of multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis treated with systemic chemotherapy, who developed progressive liver failure and received an orthotopic split liver transplant while continuing on chemotherapy. One month following transplant, he developed acute graft‐vs.‐host disease of the skin and gastrointestinal tract. Peripheral blood chimerism studies post‐transplant demonstrated an increasing predominance of donor lymphocytes and granulocytes. Shortly after, the patient developed vitiligo, and two yr after transplantation, the patient developed skin manifestations of psoriasis. We discuss and review the current literature, which demonstrates that chimerism following liver transplantation is rare and in our patient may be related to his profound immunosuppression around the time of liver transplant as well the development of acute graft‐versus‐host disease. While autoimmune disease can occur after solid organ and stem cell transplant, our patient developed skin manifestations of autoimmunity after liver transplantation, which is also rarely described.
Effectiveness of coping strategies intervention on caregiver burden among caregivers of elderly patients with dementia
Authors: Chen Hui‐Mei , Huang Mei‐Feng , Yeh Yi‐Chun , Huang Wen‐Hui , Chen Cheng‐Sheng
Published: December 2014

Background

Coping strategies are a potential way to improve interventions designed to manage the caregiver burden of dementia. The purpose of this study was to develop an intervention targeted towards improving coping strategies and to examine its effectiveness on reducing caregiver burden.

Methods

A controlled study design was used. Fifty‐seven caregivers of dementia patients were enrolled. Coping strategies were assessed with the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist (WCCL‐R) and caregiver burden was assessed with the Chinese version of the Caregiver Burden Inventory. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group was offered a series of five interventions in which problem‐solving skills, knowledge of dementia, social resources, and emotional support were taught every 2 weeks, and the control group was telephoned every 2 weeks for the usual clinical management. Two weeks after the end of the intervention, we again administered the WCCL‐R and the Caregiver Burden Inventory. Two‐way repeated‐measure anova was used to evaluate the changes in coping strategies and caregiver burden.

Results

Forty‐six participants completed the study. No statistically significant differences were noted in the demographic data between the two groups. On the problem‐focused coping subscale on the WCCL‐R, the intervention group's mean score increased by 3.8 points, and the control group's decreased by 5.1 points (F = 7.988, P = 0.007). On the seeking social support coping subscale on the WCCL‐R, the intervention group's mean score increased by 3.8 points, and the control group's decreased by 3.1 points (F = 4.462, P = 0.04). On the Caregiver Burden Inventory, the intervention group's mean score decreased by 7.2 points, and the control group's increased by 2.2 points (F = 6.155, P = 0.017).

Conclusions

Psychosocial intervention can help caregivers to adopt more problem‐focused and social support coping strategies, which are beneficial in terms of reducing the caregiver burden.
Identification of a novel HLA‐A*24 allele, A*24:289, in a Chinese individual
Authors: Wang J. , Ji X. , Ou G. J. , Liu Z.
Published: December 2014

The new allele, A*24:289 is different to A*24:03:01 at codons 151, 152 and 156 at exon 3.
THE ACTION OF TOBACCO SMOKE, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ARTERIAL PRESSURE AND DEGENERATION
Authors: Lee W. Emerson
Published: December 2014

1. Nicotine is the most important poison in tobacco smoke.

2. Pyridine bases, in the quantities in which they are present in tobacco smoke, are not injurious to the smoker.

3. Smoking raises the blood‐pressure by vaso‐constriction, accelerates the heart and respiration, and increases intestinal movements. In excess, cerebral depression may occur, and, with the coexisting depression of the vaso‐motor centre, may lower the blood‐pressure to such an extent that collapse may be induced.

4. The amount of nicotine inhaled during smoking depends not so much on the tobacco smoked, as upon the form in which it is smoked. The greater the condensation area between the point of combustion and the entrance into the mouth, the more nicotine will be inhaled.

5. Arterial disease may result from prolonged tobacco smoking.
A CRITICISM OF SOME RECENT WORK ON PROTAGON
Authors: Wilson R. A. , Cramer W.
Published: December 2014

1. Protagon is decomposed by the prolonged action of warm alcohol.

2. The composition of protagon is not altered by recrystallisation from alcohol, whether the volume of alcohol used is large or small.

3. Protagon is as certainly a proximate principle of nervous tissue as oxyhæmoglobin is a proximate principle of blood.

4. The observations of Rosenheim and Tebb have no bearing on protagon.
THE ACTIVATION OF PANCREATIC JUICE
Authors: Ayrton Barbara
Published: December 2014

I. There are two different kinds of activation of pancreatic juice: (a) the formation of trypsin by the action of the ferment enterokinase; (b) activation in the absence of enterokinase, in which calcium is intimately concerned, and which is, as far as one can tell, a chemical process.

II. It is conclusively proved by the temperature method that spontaneous activation may occur when no enterokinase or ferment of any kind is present; and that the activation of the juice is really spontaneous in so far that it is caused by the juice, or some of its constituents only, and not by any external agent.

III. The spontaneous activation of the juice is dependent on the presence of calcium salts in the juice, as well as on some other factor which is destroyed by decalcification. Hence it is not possible, after decalcification, to activate by further addition of calcium salts. Excess of calcium salts, on the other hand, may inhibit activation.

IV. (a) The spontaneous activation of juice is very much accelerated by heat.

(b) The calcium reaction of juice is in no way affected by change of temperature, within broad limits, e.g. under 40°C.

(c) Activation of the juice by enterokinase is very much retarded by raising the temperature to 350°C., on account of the destruction of this ferment by the heat in an alkaline medium. On the other hand, in a neutral medium the action of enterokinase, like that of all other ferments, is quickened by rise of temperature.
ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF TUTIN
Authors: Fitchett Frank , Malcolm John
Published: December 2014

1. The symptoms which follow the administration of tutin in various classes of animals are described, and the conclusion is arrived at (see end of II.) that the severity of the effect is proportional to the degree of differentiation of the nervous system.

2. The poison is found to exert little or no influence on the vital properties of amoeboid cells, ciliated epithelium, muscular tissue, or nerve trunks and endings (see III.).

3. Some of the effects of tutin on the alimentary, circulatory, respiratory, and urino‐genital systems are described; these effects can be explained as results of the increased excitability of nerve cells. The heart is practically unaffected; the respiratory centre is strongly stimulated, so that the movements of respiration are markedly increased in rate and depth, or rendered ineffective by reason of their spasmodic character, or cease from exhaustion of the centre.

4. Convulsions and a comatose condition are the symptoms referable to the central nervous system. The seat of origin of the convulsions is discussed. On post‐mortem examination, the grey matter of the brain and cord show marked congestion with scattered haemorrhages, but the Nissl granulations are apparently unchanged (IV.).

5. Tutin markedly increases the CO2 output, due in all probability solely to the effect on muscular movements. It has no marked influence on nutrition as a whole (V.).

6. Tutin is readily absorbed, but is excreted with difficulty (or perhaps it so affects the nerve cells as to leave them for some time susceptible to a smaller dose than the first). It is not excreted in appreciable amount in the gastric juice, urine, or milk (VI.).

7. Alkalis destroy the toxic power of tutin even in weak percentage; thus 8 c.c. of 0·2 per cent. NaOH for 5 min. at 40° C. destroyed 20 mg. of tutin. All fixed alkalis have a similar action, but ammonia has not this power, and alkaline carbonates have only a slight effect on the toxicity (VII.).

8. Tutin is found to be more toxic to mammals than picrotoxin; it also seems to be more toxic than coriamyrtin (VIII.).

9. No efficient remedy for tutu‐ or tutin‐poisoning has been discovered, but alkalis destroy unabsorbed tutin in the stomach, and sedatives such as choral may tide the animal over the attack (IX.).

10. We can find no evidence of immunity or tolerance in rabbits or pigeons fed on tutin for some time (X.).

We beg to acknowledge, with thanks, a grant of £20 towards the expenses of the work from the Agricultural Department of the Government of New Zealand. The tutin used in the experiments was supplied to us by Mr B. C. Aston, F.C.S., Chief Chemist to that Department, and our special thanks are due to him for preparing and purifying the samples sent.