bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maximise lifetime of wireless sensor networks via a distributed cooperative routing algorithm
Authors: Zhai Chao , Liu Ju , Zheng Lina , Xu Hongji , Chen He
Published: February 2012

Combining cooperative diversity, truncated automatic repeat request scheme and distributed energy‐aware routing strategy, a novel cooperative routing algorithm adopting decode‐and‐forward fashion is proposed to maximise the lifetime of wireless sensor networks from the cross‐layer design perspective. In this algorithm, the transmission power is optimally allocated while satisfying the per‐link symbol error rate or the end‐to‐end throughput requirement. The average total consumed power weighted by the normalised remaining energy of every participating node is used as the link cost to avoid the overuse of certain nodes with extremely little energy. With the use of the traditional distributed shortest path algorithm, the best route that includes a cascade of single‐relay building blocks is constructed with polynomial complexity. In contrast to the non‐cooperative routing schemes, this cooperative routing algorithm can significantly prolong the network lifetime and improve the energy efficiency by reducing the total network residual energy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bee colony approach for advance resource reservation in optical based grids
Authors: Marković Goran , Radojičić Valentina
Published: February 2012

We study the advance resource reservation (ARR) problem in multi‐wavelength optical‐based grids under the deterministic scheduled traffic demands. The bee colony optimization meta‐heuristic is used to solve the complex combinatorial ARR problem in which the objective is to maximize the number of established lightpaths. Simulation studies prove that the proposed bee colony optimization‐ARR algorithm is able to produce good approximate solutions within reasonable amount of computation time.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fire behaviour and external flames in corridor and tunnel‐like enclosures
Authors: Beji T. , Ukleja S. , Zhang J. , Delichatsios M. A.
Published: February 2012

This work investigates how the inflow, the burning and the outflow develop in a corridor open to one end having a fire at either the closed or open end. The situation of a corridor fire having a fire source at the close end is a situation similar to a tunnel having a fire source at the centre of the tunnel without ventilation. A gaseous propane burner is used to produce the fire at a prescribed fuel flow rate in a long corridor of aspect ratio up to 6:1 having a rectangular cross section and varying door‐like openings. Gas temperatures using thermocouple trees, heat fluxes in the corridor and on its façade, flame heights of emerging flames and total heat release rates (HRRs) are measured as the fuel flow rate of propane increases gradually and linearly with time to a preset maximum value. For over‐ventilated conditions, the flames remain near the fire source at the closed end of the corridor. Unexpectedly, it is established for under‐ventilated conditions that the inflow of air is not affected by the aspect ratio of the corridor or the location of the burner in the corridor and that the vertical distribution of gas temperatures inside the enclosure is nearly uniform with height everywhere. In addition, the flame heights and heat fluxes on the façade are the same as those for aspect ratios of the corridor from 1:1 to 3:1 examined in previous work. Moreover, as the conditions changed from over‐ventilated to under‐ventilated conditions, the flames migrated in a ghostly manner from the closed end to the open end of the corridor as soon as under‐ventilated conditions were established. The speed of migration of the flames from the back to the front has also been inferred from the thermocouple tree measurements, which also indicate that the flow conditions ahead and after the passing of the front are changed. These results can be applied to interpret some of the observed behaviours of fires in long corridors or tunnels without ventilation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glutathione peroxidase tagSNPs: Associations with rectal cancer but not with colon cancer
Authors: Haug Ulrike , Poole Elizabeth M. , Xiao Liren , Curtin Karen , Duggan David , Hsu Li , Makar Karen W. , Peters Ulrike , Kulmacz Richard J. , Potter John D. , Koepl Lisel , Caan Bette J. , Slattery Martha L. , Ulrich Cornelia M.
Published: February 2012

Glutathione peroxidases (GPXs) are selenium‐dependent enzymes that reduce and, thus, detoxify hydrogen peroxide and a wide variety of lipid hydroperoxides. We investigated tagSNPs in GPX1‐4 in relation to colorectal neoplasia in three independent study populations capturing the range of colorectal carcinogenesis from adenoma to cancer. A linkage‐disequilibrium (LD)‐based tagSNP selection algorithm (r2 ≥ 0.90, MAF ≥ 4%) identified 21 tagSNPs. We used an identical Illumina platform to genotype GPX SNPs in three population‐based case–control studies of colon cancer (1,424 cases/1,780 controls), rectal cancer (583 cases/775 controls), and colorectal adenomas (485 cases/578 controls). For gene‐level associations, we conducted principal component analysis (PCA); multiple logistic regression was used for single SNPs. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and study center and restricted to non‐Hispanic white participants. Analyses of cancer endpoints were stratified by molecular subtypes. Without correction for multiple testing, one polymorphism in GPX2 and three polymorphisms in GPX3 were associated with a significant risk reduction for rectal cancer at α = 0.05, specifically for rectal cancers with TP53 mutations. The associations regarding the three polymorphisms in GPX3 remained statistically significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The PCA confirmed an overall association of GPX3 with rectal cancer (P = 0.03). No other statistically significant associations were observed. Our data provide preliminary evidence that genetic variability in GPX3 contributes to risk of rectal cancer but not of colon cancer and thus provide additional support for differences in underlying pathogenetic mechanisms for colon and rectal cancer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Delineation of commonly deleted chromosomal regions in meningiomas by high‐density single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping arrays
Authors: Tabernero Maria Dolores , Maíllo Angel , Nieto Ana Belen , Diez‐Tascón Cristina , Lara Mónica , Sousa Pablo , Otero Alvaro , Castrillo Abel , Patino‐Alonso Maria del Carmen , Espinosa Ana , Mackintosh Carlos , Alava Enrique de , Orfao Alberto
Published: February 2012

Despite recent advances in the identification of the cytogenetic profiles of meningiomas, a significant group of tumors still show normal karyotypes or few chromosomal changes. The authors analyzed the cytogenetic profile of 50 meningiomas using fluorescence in situ hybridization and high‐density (500 K) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. Our results confirm that del(22q) (52%) and del(1p) (16%) (common deleted regions: 22q11.21‐22q13.3. and 1p31.2‐p36.33) are the most frequent alterations. Additionally, recurrent monosomy 14 (8%), del(6q) (10%), del(7p) (10%), and del(19q) (4%) were observed, while copy number patterns consistent with recurrent chromosomal gains, gene amplification, and copy number neutral loss of heterozygosity (cnLOH) were either absent or rare. Based on their overall SNP profiles, meningiomas could be classified into: (i) diploid cases, (ii) meningiomas with a single chromosomal change [e.g., monosomy 22/del(22q)] and (iii) tumors with ≥2 altered chromosomes. In summary, our results confirm and extend on previous observations showing that the most recurrent chromosomal abnormalities in meningiomas correspond to chromosome losses localized in chromosomes 1, 22 and less frequently in chromosomes 6, 7, 14, and 19, while chromosomal gains and cnLOH are restricted to a small proportion of cases. Finally, a set of cancer‐associated candidate genes associated with the TP53, MYC, CASP3, HDAC1, and TERT signaling pathways was identified, in cases with coexisting monosomy 14 and del(1p). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isolation and characterization of living primary astroglial cells using the new GLAST‐specific monoclonal antibody ACSA‐1
Authors: Jungblut Melanie , Tiveron Marie Catherine , Barral Serena , Abrahamsen Bjarke , Knöbel Sebastian , Pennartz Sandra , Schmitz Jürgen , Perraut Martine , Pfrieger Frank W. , Stoffel Wilhelm , Cremer Harold , Bosio Andreas
Published: February 2012

Astrocytes show large morphological and functional heterogeneity and are involved in many aspects of neural function. Progress in defining astrocyte subpopulations has been hampered by the lack of a suitable antibody for their direct detection and isolation. Here, we describe a new monoclonal antibody, ACSA‐1, which was generated by immunization of GLAST1 knockout mice. The antibody specifically detects an extracellular epitope of the astrocyte‐specific L‐glutamate/L‐aspartate transporter GLAST (EAAT1, Slc1a3). As shown by immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry, ACSA‐1 was cross‐reactive for mouse, human, and rat. It labeled virtually all astrocytes positive for GFAP, GS, BLBP, RC2, and Nestin, including protoplastic, fibrous, and reactive astrocytes as well as Bergmann glia, Müller glia, and radial glia. Oligodendrocytes, microglia, neurons, and neuronal progenitors were negative for ACSA‐1. Using an immunomagnetic approach, we established a method for the isolation of GLAST‐positive cells with high purity. Binding of the antibody to GLAST and subsequent sorting of GLAST‐positive cells neither interfered with cellular glutamate transport nor compromised astrocyte viability in vitro. The ACSA‐1 antibody is not only a valuable tool to identify and track astrocytes by immunostaining, but also provides the possibility of separation and further analysis of pure astrocytes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 reduces recruitment of bone marrow–derived monocyte/macrophages in chronic liver injury in mice
Authors: Han Zhen , Zhu Tieping , Liu Xihong , Li Changyong , Yue Shi , Liu Xin , Yang Le , Yang Lin , Li Liying
Published: February 2012

15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-Prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), a natural peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) ligand, has been implicated as a new antiinflammatory compound with possible clinical applications. Based on this concept, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of 15d-PGJ2 on bone marrow–derived monocyte/macrophage (BMM) migration, phagocytosis, and cytokine expression after liver injury using mouse models induced by cholestasis or carbon tetrachloride. Mice were lethally irradiated and received bone marrow transplants from enhanced green fluorescent protein transgenic mice. Our results showed that recruitment of BMM was significantly increased during chronic liver injury, and that 15d-PGJ2 administration reduced BMM, but not neutrophil, dendritic, or T cell migration toward the damaged liver, involving reactive oxygen species generation and independently of PPAR-γ. Moreover, 15d-PGJ2 inhibited the phagocytic activity of BMM and down-regulated inflammatory cytokine expression in vivo and in vitro. Accordingly, hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were strikingly ameliorated after 15d-PGJ2 administration. Conclusion: Our findings strongly suggest the antiinflammation and antifibrogenic potential of 15d-PGJ2 in chronic liver diseases. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:350–360)
Hepatocellular carcinoma: Detection with diffusion-weighted versus contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in pretransplant patients
Authors: Park Mi-Suk , Kim Sooah , Patel Jignesh , Hajdu Cristina H. , Do Richard K. G. , Mannelli Lorenzo , Babb James S. , Taouli Bachir
Published: February 2012

This study evaluates the performance of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in pre–liver transplantation patients, compared and combined with contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CET1WI), using liver explant as the standard of reference. We included 52 patients with cirrhosis (40 men, 12 women; mean age, 56 years) who underwent DWI and CET1WI within 90 days of liver transplantation. Magnetic resonance images were analyzed for HCC detection in three separate sessions by two independent observers: DWI images (DW-set), CET1WI (CE-set), and all images together (All-set). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), per-patient accuracy, and per-lesion PPV were calculated for each image set. A total of 72 HCCs were present in 33 patients at explant (mean size, 1.5 cm [range, 0.3-6.2 cm]). Per-patient sensitivity and NPV of CE-set were significantly higher than those of DW-set when using pooled data between observers (P = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively), whereas specificity, PPV, and accuracy were equivalent. Per-lesion sensitivity was significantly higher for CE-set versus DW-set (59.0% versus 43.8%; P = 0.008, pooled data from two observers). When stratified by lesion size, the difference was significant only for lesions with a size between 1 and 2 cm (42.0% for DW-set versus 74.0% for CE-set; P = 0.001). The addition of DWI to CET1WI improved sensitivity for the more experienced observer. Conclusion: DWI is outperformed by CET1WI for detection of HCC, but represents a reasonable alternative to CET1WI for detection of HCC with a size above 2 cm. The addition of DWI to CET1WI slightly increases the detection rate. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:140–148)
Paclitaxel and iron oxide loaded multifunctional nanoparticles for chemotherapy, fluorescence properties, and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Chen Yung‐Chu , Lee Wen‐Fu , Tsai Han‐Hsueh , Hsieh Wen‐Yuan
Published: February 2012

The multifunctional nanoparticles constructed from triphenylamine‐poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide)‐poly(ethyleneglycol)‐poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (TPA‐PEP) and folate‐poly(2‐ethyl‐2oxazoline)‐poly(D,L‐lactide) (folate‐PEOz‐PLA) were developed in this study. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IOP) and paclitaxel (PTX) were coencapsulated in the nanoparticles with diameter less than 200 nm. The drug‐loaded nanoparticles emit fluorescence peak at 460 nm when excited with wavelength of 350 nm. The in vitro antitumor activity of the drug‐loaded nanoparticles was assessed by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays against HeLa cells. When the cells were exposed to the nanoparticles with different levels of folate but the same drug loading, cell viability decreases as the level of folate increases. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analysis shows that cellular uptake is lower for the non‐folate–nanoparticles than that for the folate–nanoparticles. The in vitro and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies indicate the better T2‐Weighted images can be obtained for the folate–nanoparticles. In the anticancer effect evaluation, tumor‐bearing mice administered with the 30%‐folate‐nanoparticles showed ∼50% reduction in tumor volume after 23 days. The multifunctional nanoparticles as drug carrier with capabilities of both tumor‐targeting and MRI present a new direction in drug delivery system development. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 2012.
Preparation andin vitrocharacterization of electrospun PVA scaffolds coated with bioactive glass for bone regeneration
Authors: Gao Chunxia , Gao Qiang , Li Yadong , Rahaman Mohamed N. , Teramoto Akira , Abe Koji
Published: February 2012

An important objective in bone tissue engineering is to fabricate biomimetic three‐dimensional scaffolds that stimulate mineralization for rapid regeneration of bone. In this work, scaffolds of electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fibers (diameter = 286 ± 14 nm) were coated with a sol–gel derived bioactive glass (BG) and evaluatedin vitrofor potential applications in bone repair. Structural and chemical analyses showed that the BG coating was homogeneously deposited on the PVA fibers.In vitrocell culture studies showed that the BG‐coated PVA scaffold had a greater capacity to support proliferation of osteogenic MC3T3‐E1 cells, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization than the uncoated PVA scaffold. The BG coating improved the tensile strength of the PVA scaffold from 18 ± 2 MPa to 21 ± 2 MPa, but reduced the elongation to failure from 94 ± 4% to 64 ± 5%. However, immersion of the BG‐coated PVA scaffolds in a simulated body fluid for 5 days resulted in an increase in the tensile strength (24 ± 2 MPa) and elongation to failure (159 ± 4%). Together, the results show that these BG‐coated PVA scaffolds could be considered as candidate materials for bone tissue engineering applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 2012.
Enzymatically induced mineralization of platelet‐rich fibrin
Authors: Douglas Timothy E. L. , Gassling Volker , Declercq Heidi A. , Purcz Nicolai , Pamula Elzbieta , Haugen Håvard J. , Chasan Safak , de Mulder Eric L. W. , Jansen John A. , Leeuwenburgh Sander C. G.
Published: February 2012

Membranes of the autologous blood‐derived biomaterial platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) were functionalized by incorporation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme involved in mineralization of bone, and subsequently incubated in calcium glycerophosphate (CaGP) solution to induce PRFs mineralization with calcium phosphate (CaP) to improve PRFs suitability as a material for bone replacement. Incorporated ALP retained its bioactivity and induced formation of CaP material within PRF membranes, as confirmed by SEM, EDS, FTIR, and von Kossa staining. The mass percentage attributable to CaP was quantified by lyophilization and measurement of the remaining mass fraction as well as by TGA. Cytocompatibility tests (LDH, MTT, and WST) with SAOS‐2 cells showed that mineralized PRF did not release substances detrimental to cell vitality. Live/dead staining and SEM showed that mineralized PRF was colonized by cells. The results show that hydrogel biomaterials such as PRF can be mineralized through functionalization with ALP. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 2012.
Endothelialization and in‐stent restenosis on the surface of glycoprotein IIIa monoclonal antibody eluting stent
Authors: Yin Tie‐Ying , Wang Gui‐Xue , Zhang De‐Chuan , Du Ding‐Yuan , Li Zheng‐Gong , Luo Lai‐Long , Hou Yan‐Bin , Wang Ya‐Zhou , Zhao Jing‐Bo
Published: February 2012

Since the percutaneous transtuminal coronary angioplasty was introduced into China in 1984, this procedure has become widely accepted as an important step in coronary revascularization. This study shows the effect of the monoclonal antibody (mAb) on the platelet glycoprotein IIIa receptor during endothelialization and in‐stent restenosis by implanting the mAb‐eluting stents into iliac arteries of rabbits. The hard tissue cross sections of the stent‐implanted arterial segments were made by polymethylmethacrylate embedding. Arterial intima proliferation was observed and analyzed. The endothelialization of the stent surface was observed using scanning electron microscope, whereas the ultrastructure of the neointima was observed using transmission electron microscope. After one month of stent implantation, the surfaces of both groups were covered by intact endothelial layers, but the neointimal areas and the ratio of stenosis were significantly lesser in the mAb‐eluting stent group (p < 0.01). After 3 months, the ratio of stenosis in the mAb‐eluting stent group was 14.67 ± 0.79, whereas that of the bare stent group was 21.58 ± 1.76 (p < 0.01). Therefore, the mAb eluting from the stent surface has the potential to accelerate endothelialization, prevent thrombosis formation due to the interaction of stent with blood, and decrease the stenosis ratio by inhibiting neointima proliferation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2012.
Osteoblast response to puerarin‐loaded porous titanium surfaces: An in vitro study
Authors: Yang Fan , Zhang Rong , He Fuming , Wang Xiao‐Xiang , Zhao Shifang , Yang Guoli
Published: February 2012

Recent studies demonstrate puerarin stimulates bone formation, suggesting its potential application in dental implantology field. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of puerarin‐loaded titanium surfaces on the promotion of osteogenesis in preosteoblasts (MC3T3‐E1). Puerarin was prepared onto titanium surfaces with varying concentration (10−9M, 10−8M, 10−7M, and 10−6M) by biomimetic calcium phosphate deposition process. Surface characteristics were performed by field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FSEM), X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Puerarin concentration in the coatings was performed by High‐performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) analyses. FSEM observation showed puerarin concentration influenced formation of sharp flakes in the coating. The size of flakes decreased with increase of puerarin concentrations. XRD and FTIR examinations demonstrated the puerarin concentration did not affect the chemical compositions of coatings, which composed of octacalcium phosphate (OCP). Puerarin concentration on the surfaces of 10−8M group was 10.22 ± 0.32 ng/cm2. Puerarin had an increased effect on MC3T3‐E1 ALP activities. Significant differences were found in 10−8 and 10−7M groups on day 4, 10−8, 10−7, and 10−6M groups on day 7, and 10−8 on day 14. In Type I collagen synthesis assay, 10−9 and 10−8M on day 7, 10−8 on day 14 showed significant differences compared with control group. Furthermore, this stimulatory effect of puerarin was also observed in osteocalcin release assay (p < 0.05, at 10−8M and 10−7M, maximal at 10−8M). These results indicate puerarin‐loaded titanium surfaces promote accelerated osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts, which has the potential to improve the nature of osseointegration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2012.
Enabling grand‐canonical Monte Carlo: Extending the flexibility of GROMACS through the GromPy python interface module
Authors: Pool René , Heringa Jaap , Hoefling Martin , Schulz Roland , Smith Jeremy C. , Feenstra K. Anton
Published: February 2012

We report on a python interface to the GROMACS molecular simulation package, GromPy (available at https://github.com/GromPy). This application programming interface (API) uses the ctypes python module that allows function calls to shared libraries, for example, written in C. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported interface to the GROMACS library that uses direct library calls. GromPy can be used for extending the current GROMACS simulation and analysis modes. In this work, we demonstrate that the interface enables hybrid Monte‐Carlo/molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in the grand‐canonical ensemble, a simulation mode that is currently not implemented in GROMACS. For this application, the interplay between GromPy and GROMACS requires only minor modifications of the GROMACS source code, not affecting the operation, efficiency, and performance of the GROMACS applications. We validate the grand‐canonical application against MD in the canonical ensemble by comparison of equations of state. The results of the grand‐canonical simulations are in complete agreement with MD in the canonical ensemble. The python overhead of the grand‐canonical scheme is only minimal. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Helicobacter pylori genotype and polymorphisms in DNA repair enzymes: Where do they correlate in gastric cancer?
Authors: Silva‐Fernandes Isabelle Joyce de Lima , da Silva Thayse Azevedo , Agnez‐Lima Lucymara Fassarella , Ferreira Márcia Valéria Pitombeira , Rabenhorst Silvia Helena Barem
Published: February 2012

Background and Objectives

One of the mechanisms proposed by which H. pylori causes gastric cancer (GC) is through DNA damage due to chronic inflammation. Genomic integrity is guaranteed by repair enzymes such as APE‐1, OGG‐1, and PARP‐1. Host genetic polymorphisms associated with the bacterial strain may influence the ability to repair the damage, contributing to the development of H. pylori‐associated GC. The aim of this study was to determine the association of the polymorphisms APE‐1 (T2197G), OGG‐1 (C1245G), and PARP‐1 (A40676G) with H. pylori‐genotype in 109 patients with GC.

Methods

Polymorphism was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and H. pylori detection/genotyping by PCR.

Results

In the intestinal subtype, PARP‐1 wild‐type was more frequent (P = 0.001) in patients >50 years old. The repair enzymes genotypes analyzed in combination showed that the less pathogenic strains are associated with the APE‐1 polymorphic allele and, unexpectedly, with PARP‐1 wild‐type, but this last one associated with APE‐1 polymorphic allele or in older patients.

Conclusions

Our results indicate the importance of H. pylori and APE‐1 genotypes in the gastric carcinogenesis. Also, support the hypothesis of a decrease of PARP‐1 wild‐type activity in older individuals. Taken together these data may be an important clue to understand the role of low‐virulence strains of H. pylori in gastric carcinogenesis and point the importance to analyze the polymorphisms as a group. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:448–455. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Policy learning and deer co‐management in New York State: Insights from newspaper coverage
Authors: Triezenberg Heather A. , Lauber T. Bruce , Knuth Barbara A.
Published: February 2012

Resolution of urban and suburban deer problems often depends on learning and co‐management. Local newspapers may reflect the learning occurring in a community. Past authors have identified 4 primary types of learning (technical, conceptual, social, and political). We studied newspaper content related to deer management for insights about the types of learning occurring in selected regions in New York State. We analyzed 263 newspaper articles published between 2000 and 2006. We found that the majority of content related to learning focused on conceptual and technical learning, but relatively little, particularly early in the evolution of deer management issues, focused on social or political learning. Our results suggest that additional attention to social learning focusing on collaborative relationships and constructive dialogue among stakeholders by both communities and newspapers could be beneficial in the resolution of deer problems. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Using Bayesian networks to incorporate uncertainty in habitat suitability index models
Authors: Wilhere George F.
Published: February 2012

Habitat suitability index (HSI) models rarely characterize the uncertainty associated with their estimates of habitat quality despite the fact that uncertainty can have important management implications. The purpose of this paper was to explore the use of Bayesian belief networks (BBNs) for representing and propagating 3 types of uncertainty in HSI models—uncertainty in the suitability index relationships, the parameters of the HSI equation, and measurement of habitat variables (i.e., model inputs). I constructed a BBN–HSI model, based on an existing HSI model, using Netica™ software. I parameterized the BBN's conditional probability tables via Monte Carlo methods, and developed a discretization scheme that met specifications for numerical error. I applied the model to both real and dummy sites in order to demonstrate the utility of the BBN–HSI model for 1) determining whether sites with different habitat types had statistically significant differences in HSI, and 2) making decisions based on rules that reflect different attitudes toward risk—maximum expected value, maximin, and maximax. I also examined effects of uncertainty in the habitat variables on the model's output. Some sites with different habitat types had different values forE[HSI], the expected value of HSI, but habitat suitability was not significantly different based on the overlap of 90% confidence intervals forE[HSI]. The different decision rules resulted in different rankings of sites, and hence, different decisions based on risk. As measurement uncertainty in habitat variables increased, sites with significantly different (α = 0.1)E[HSI] became statistically more similar. Incorporating uncertainty in HSI models enables explicit consideration of risk and more robust habitat management decisions. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Electrochemical oxidation of 4‐tert‐butylcatechol in the presence of β‐cyclodextrin: Interplay between E and CE mechanisms
Authors: Rafiee Mohammad
Published: February 2012

Electrochemical behavior of 4‐tert‐butylcatechol (H2Q) in the presence of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was studied using cyclic voltammetry and hydrodynamic voltammetry. An electrochemical model in which both H2Q and its oxidized form (Q) created inclusion complexes with β‐CD was proposed, and it was concluded that both free (as a result of complex‐dissociation reaction) and complex species could performed electron transfer. The heterogeneous rate constant for electron transfer of the inclusion complexes and their kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were obtained using digital simulation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 507–513, 2012
Topical glucocorticoid reduces the topical decongestant–induced histologic changes in an animal model nasal mucosa
Authors: Akpinar Meltem Esen , Yigit Ozgur , Akakin Dilek , Sarioz Ozlem , Ozkan Naziye , Yildiz Sercan D. , Azizli Elad , Sehirli Umit S.
Published: February 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To investigate the histologic consequences of simultaneous nasal glucocorticosteroid and xylometazoline HCl administration in the rabbit nasal mucosa.

Study Design:

Prospective randomized study.

Methods:

Twenty New Zealand male rabbits were randomly placed into three groups: group I, control (n = 6); group II, xylometazoline HCl (n = 8); or group III, xylometazoline HCl–fluticasone furoate (n = 6). Group I received no treatment. Groups II and III received two intranasal puffs of xylometazoline HCl 0.5 mg/mL twice daily or two puffs of xylometazoline HCl 0.5 mg/mL twice daily plus one puff of 27.5 μg fluticasone furoate twice daily to each nostril (110 μg), respectively. At the end of 3 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed. The mucosa of the nasal cavities was excised. Specimen sections (5 μm) were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, mucicarmine, and Gomori one‐step trichrome and were examined under a light microscope. The presence of edema, congestion, inflammatory cell infiltration, nasociliary loss, epithelial and nerve‐ending degeneration, and goblet cell increase were evaluated semiquantitatively (grades 0–3).

Results:

Statistically significant differences were detected between groups II and III in terms of edema, congestion, inflammatory cell infiltration, nasociliary loss, and epithelial degeneration (P = .006, P = .049, P = .015, P = .014, and P = .049, respectively). Nerve‐ending degeneration, goblet cell increase, and quantitative goblet and neutrophil cell counts did not yield statistically significant differences between groups II and III (P = .137, P = .580, P = .770, and P = .616, respectively).

Conclusions:

The combined simultaneous intranasal administration of xylometazoline HCl and fluticasone furoate appears to be beneficial in minimizing the long‐term usage–associated congestion, edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, epithelial degeneration, and nasociliary loss in the rabbit model nasal mucosa. Laryngoscope, 2012
Early changes in apparent diffusion coefficients predict radiosensitivity of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenografts
Authors: Pan Jianji , Zang Lele , Zhang Yu , Hong Jinsheng , Yao Yiqi , Zou Changyan , Zhang Lurong , Chen Yunbin
Published: February 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Our objective was to predict the radiosensitivity of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenografts in nude mice models through an examination of early changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values.

Study Design:

Randomized.

Methods:

BALB/c‐nu nude mice (n = 20) were divided into two groups that were subcutaneously injected with CNE1 or CNE2 cell lines. Xenograft volumes were measured after tumor formation, mice were scanned with a diffusion‐weighted imaging sequence, and the mean ADC values were measured (ADC0). Fifteen to 20 hours after tumors received 15 Gy, mice were scanned again and ADC values (ADC1) were measured.

Results:

ADC0 and ADC1 values of the CNE1 group showed no significant difference (P = .692). The difference between the ADC0 and ADC1 values of the CNE2 group was statistically significant (P < .001). ADC0 values of the two groups exhibited no statistically significant difference (P = .204). ADC1, ADC1‐0, and ΔADC of the two groups exhibited statistically significant differences (P < .001; P = .001 and .002, respectively). After irradiation, volume changes ΔV8, ΔV10, and ΔV12 of two groups were statistically different (all P < .001). Pearson correlation analysis showed ADC1‐0 and ΔADC were positively correlated with ΔV8, ΔV10, and ΔV12. The cut point was found by means of a receiver operating characteristic curve, and the ΔV12 of the two redivided groups showed a statistically significant difference (P = .001).

Conclusions:

This study found that changes in ADC values correlated with volume changes after irradiation. Therefore, ADC values have the potential to predict the radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenografts. Laryngoscope, 2012
Variability in the perilymphatic diffusion of gadolinium does not predict the outcome of intratympanic gentamicin in patients with ménière's disease
Authors: Fiorino Francesco , Pizzini Francesca B. , Barbieri Franco , Beltramello Alberto
Published: February 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To assess the utility of imaging in planning intratympanic (IT) gentamicin (Gent) treatment in Ménière's disease (MD), we compared the dosage and outcomes of ITGent with the severity and extent of endolymphatic hydrops (EH), as evaluated by three‐dimensional fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (3D‐FLAIR) sequence in a 3‐T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit, after IT gadolinium administration.

Study Design:

Retrospective review.

Methods:

A total of 18 patients (10 males and 8 females; age, 28–78 years; median age, 53.2 years) with definite MD participated in the investigation. The duration of the disease ranged from 8 months to 9 years (median, 2 years), with a prevalence of vertigo spells ranging from 0.8 to 8 per month (median, 2.2), as calculated in the last 6 months. A 3D‐FLAIR MRI was performed 24 hours after IT injection of diluted gadobutrol. ITGent injection was performed within a variable period of time, from 1 week to 3 weeks after 3D‐FLAIR MRI. The degree and extension of EH as evaluated by 3D‐FLAIR MRI were compared with the number of injections necessary to cure vertigo attacks. Vertigo results, functional level scale modifications, variations in caloric excitability, and pure‐tone average modifications.

Results:

No statistically significant correlation was observed between severity of EH and outcomes of ITGent administration.

Conclusions:

The hypothesis of a reduced effect of Gent administered intratympanically in the presence of severe EH, owing to obstacled diffusion along the perilymphatic compartments, has not been confirmed in the present investigation. Laryngoscope, 2012
The clinical application and efficacy of sodium hyaluronate–carboxymethylcellulose during tympanomastoid surgery
Authors: Ahn Joong Ho , Lim Hyun Woo , Hong Hye‐Ran
Published: February 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To evaluate the anti‐adhesive and anti‐inflammatory effects of sodium hyaluronate–carboxymethylcellulose (HA‐CMC) on postoperative hearing improvement and complications during tympanomastoid surgery.

Study Design:

Prospective controlled clinical trial.

Methods:

We evaluated 287 patients who underwent type I tympanoplasty, with or without canal wall up mastoidectomy, between January 2007 and June 2010. Postoperative hearing and complications were compared in the 143 patients who received Gelfoam soaked with HA‐CMC during myringoplasty and the 144 patients who received Gelfoam only.

Results:

There were no significant between‐group differences in sex, age, and preoperative hearing status. However, average postoperative air‐bone gap (13.7 ± 8.5 dB vs. 17.2 ± 9.9 dB) and the number of air‐bone gaps smaller than 10 dB (40.6% vs. 24.3%) were significantly improved in the HA‐CMC compared with the control group. In addition, the rates of re‐otorrhea, reperforation of the tympanic membrane (TM), postoperative TM adhesion, and reoperation were lower in the HA‐CMC than in the control group without significances.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that combined application of Gelfoam with HA‐CMC may be beneficial in patients undergoing tympanomastoid surgery. Laryngoscope, 2012
Effect of gender on the hearing performance of adult cochlear implant patients
Authors: Lenarz Minoo , Sönmez Hasibe , Joseph Gert , Büchner Andreas , Lenarz Thomas
Published: February 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To evaluate the role of gender on the hearing performance of postlingually deafened adult patients with cochlear implants.

Study Design:

Individual retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

There were 638 postlingually deafened adults (280 men and 358 women) selected for a retrospective evaluation of their hearing performance with cochlear implants. Both genders underwent the same surgical and rehabilitative procedures and benefited from the latest technological advances available. There was no significant difference in the age, duration of deafness, and preoperative hearing performance between the genders. The test battery was composed of the Freiburger Monosyllabic Test, Speech Tracking, and the Hochmair‐Schulz‐Moser (HSM) sentence test in quiet and in 10‐dB noise. The results of 5 years of follow‐up are presented here.

Results:

Genders showed a similar performance in Freiburger Monosyllabic Test and Speech Tracking Test. However, in the HSM test in noise, men performed slightly better than women in all of the follow‐up sessions, which was statistically significant at 2 and 4 years after implantation.

Conclusions:

Although normal‐hearing women use more predictive cognitive strategies in speech comprehension and are supposed to have a more efficient declarative memory system, this may not necessarily lead to a better adaptation to the altered auditory information delivered by a cochlear implant. Our study showed that in more complex listening situations such as speech tests in noise, men tend to perform slightly better than women. Gender may have an influence on the hearing performance of postlingually deafened adults with cochlear implants.
Animal models of myoclonus: An overview
Authors: Nguyen Bang Q. , Kanthasamy Anumantha G. , Truong Daniel D.
Published: February 2012

Attempts to characterize the mechanism(s) associated with myoclonus have led to the development of several naturally occurring and pharmacologically based animal models of myoclonus. Congenital disorders in animals that result in myoclonic seizures have been found in subpopulations of baboons that exhibit photoresponsive myoclonus and in herds of Hereford cattle that possess a fatal, autosomal‐inherited imbalance in spinal glycine neurotransmission. Pharmacologically based models of myoclonus use a variety of approaches to product myoclonic seizures in test animals.
Semi‐free radial forearm flap for head and neck reconstruction in vessel‐depleted neck after radiotherapy or radical neck dissection
Authors: Quilichini Julien , Benjoar Marc‐David , Hivelin Mikael , Brugel Lydia , Lantieri Laurent
Published: February 2012

Background:

Venous thrombosis is the main cause of radial forearm flap failure, especially when recipient vessels are compromised by prior radiation therapy or neck dissection. In such conditions, semi‐free radial forearm flap (SF‐RFF) can be performed to reduce this risk.

Patients and method:

We reviewed all SF‐RFF procedures performed in our institution for head and neck reconstruction. The flap was harvested as a conventional radial forearm flap but the cephalic vein was dissected along the arm up to the deltopectoral crease and used as the sole drainage vein.

Result:

Seven SF‐RFFs were harvested for head and neck reconstructions. The dissection of the cephalic vein lasted less than 25 min in all cases. No flap loss or thrombosis was observed.

Conclusion:

The SF‐RFF is a reliable and versatile procedure for facial, oral, or larynx reconstruction. This hybrid version of the radial forearm free flap is particularly appropriate when no suitable recipient veins are available as a result of radiation or prior surgery. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
Improved T2 mapping accuracy with dual‐echo turbo spin echo: Effect of phase encoding profile orders
Authors: Anderson Stephan W. , Sakai Osamu , Soto Jorge A. , Jara Hernan
Published: February 2012

Turbo spin echo (TSE) pulse sequences have been applied to estimate T2 relaxation times in clinically feasible scan times. However, T2 estimations using TSE pulse sequences has been shown to differ considerable from reference standard sequences due to several sources of error. The purpose of this work was to apply voxel‐sensitivity formalism to correct for one such source of error introduced by differing phase encoding profile orders with dual‐echo TSE pulse sequences. The American College of Radiology phantom and the brains of two healthy volunteers were imaged using dual‐echo TSE as well as 32‐echo spin‐echo acquisitions and T2 estimations from uncorrected and voxel‐sensitivity formalism‐corrected dual‐echo TSE and 32‐echo acquisitions were compared. In all regions of the brain and the majority of the analyses of the American College of Radiology phantom, voxel‐sensitivity formalism correction resulted in considerable improvements in dual‐echo TSE T2 estimation compared with the 32‐echo acquisition, with improvements in T2 value accuracy ranging from 5.2% to 18.6%. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
B1‐based specific energy absorption rate determination for nonquadrature radiofrequency excitation
Authors: Katscher Ulrich , Findeklee Christian , Voigt Tobias
Published: February 2012

The current gold standard to estimate local and global specific energy absorption rate for MRI involves numerically modeling the patient and the transmit radiofrequency coil. Recently, a patient‐individual method was presented, which estimated specific energy absorption rate from individually measured B1 maps. This method, however, was restricted to quadrature volume coils due to difficulties distinguishing phase contributions from radiofrequency transmission and reception. In this study, a method separating these two phase contributions by comparing the electric conductivity reconstructed from different transmit channels of a parallel radiofrequency transmission system is presented. This enables specific energy absorption rate estimation not only for quadrature excitation but also for the nonquadrature excitation of the single elements of the transmit array. Though the contributions of the different phases are known, unknown magnetic field components and tissue boundary artifacts limit the technique. Nevertheless, the high agreement between simulated and experimental results found in this study is promising. B1‐based specific energy absorption rate determination might become possible for arbitrary radiofrequency excitation on a patient‐individual basis. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accurate quantification of water–macromolecule exchange induced frequency shift: Effects of reference substance
Authors: Leutritz Tobias , Hilfert Liane , Smalla Karl‐Heinz , Speck Oliver , Zhong Kai
Published: February 2012

Water–macromolecule exchange induces a bulk water frequency shift contributing to the contrast in phase imaging. For separating the effects of the water–macromolecule exchange and the macromolecule susceptibility, appropriate internal or external references are needed. In this study, two internal reference compounds, 2,2,3,3‐tetradeuterio‐3‐trimethylsilyl‐propionate (TMSP) and 1,4‐dioxane, were used to study the macromolecule‐dependent water frequency shift in a bovine serum albumin (BSA)–water system in detail. For TMSP, the water–macromolecule exchange shift depended on both the BSA and the reference concentration and stabilized to a value of 0.025 ppm/mM (298 K, TMSP concentrations > 30 mM). For dioxane, the dependency of the water–macromolecule exchange shift on the BSA concentration is independent of dioxane at low concentrations. The resulting shift was smaller (0.009 ppm/mM) when compared with using higher TMSP concentrations as reference. This discrepancy might be due to additional dioxane–water interactions. Measurements with an external chloroform reference in a coaxial geometry showed a shift of −0.013 ppm/mM resulting from the opposing effects of macromolecules in water exchange‐induced shift and diamagnetic susceptibility shift. All these effects should be considered in the interpretation of tissue phase contrast. From the experimental data, the equilibrium binding constant between BSA and TMSP has been quantified to be Kd = 1.3 ± 0.4, and the estimated number of interaction sites for BSA is 12.7 ± 2.6. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Women with pure stress urinary incontinence symptoms assessed by the initial standard evaluation including measurement of post‐void residual volume and a stress test: Are urodynamic studies still needed?
Authors: Jeong Seong Jin , Kim Hyeon June , Lee Byung Ki , Rha Woong , Oh Jong Jin , Jeong Chang Wook , Kim Jeong Hyun , Yoon Cheol Yong , Hong Sung Kyu , Byun Seok‐Soo , Lee Sang Eun
Published: February 2012

Aims

The significance of preoperative urodynamic studies in women with a “clinically‐defined pure stress urinary incontinence (SUI) symptom” has been debated in recent years. We evaluated changes of reliability of pure SUI symptoms for prediction of pure urodynamic SUI (USUI) when the assessment of post‐void residual (PVR) volume and a stress test, designated as the initial standard evaluation in the NICE and AUA guidelines, were added to the process for the diagnosis of pure SUI symptoms.

Methods

We reviewed records of 1,019 women aged 30–80 who underwent urodynamic study for incontinence. Criteria for pure SUI symptoms were defined as absence of overactive bladder symptoms and voiding difficulties based on a frequency–volume chart and AUA Symptom Index. We then added assessment of PVR volume and a stress test to the process for clinical diagnosis.

Results

Of subjects, 211 (20.7%) could be classified as having a pure SUI symptom. Of these, only 167 (79.1%) had pure USUI and 33 (15.7%) had detrusor overactivity. Eight (3.8%) had detrusor underactivity/bladder outlet obstruction. Sensitivity and specificity of pure SUI symptoms for pure USUI were 28.6% and 89.9%. Addition of assessment of PVR volume and a stress test resulted in an increase of predictive accuracy of only 3.6%.

Conclusions

As one‐fifth of women with pure SUI symptoms exhibit the pathophysiologies that could affect the surgical outcomes despite additional use of PVR assessment and a stress test in the clinical diagnostic process, urodynamic evaluation is considered necessary before anti‐incontinence surgery in this population. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:508–512, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of Stereocontrolled Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Domino Heck/Suzuki β,α‐Diarylation Reactions with Chelating Vinyl Ethers and Arylboronic Acids
Authors: Trejos Alejandro , Odell Luke R. , Larhed Mats
Published: February 2012

A stereoselective and 1,4‐benzoquinone‐mediated palladium(II)‐catalyzed Heck/Suzuki domino reaction involving metal coordinating cyclic methylamino vinyl ethers and a number of electronically diverse arylboronic acids has been developed and studied. Diastereomeric ratios up to 39:1 and 78 % isolated yields were obtained. The stereoselectivity of the reaction was found to be highly dependent on the nature of the arylboronic acid and the amount of water present in the reaction mixture. Thus, a domino β,α‐diarylation–reduction of chelating vinyl ethers can now be accomplished and stereochemically controlled, given that optimized conditions and an appropriate chiral auxiliary are used. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first example of a stereoselective, oxidative Heck/Suzuki domino reaction in the literature.