bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complications of percutaneous thrombin injection in patients with postcatheterization femoral pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Kurzawski Jacek , Sadowski Marcin , Janion‐Sadowska Agnieszka
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To study the complications of ultrasound‐guided thrombin injection of pseudo‐aneurysms occurring after interventional cardiovascular procedures.

Method

We prospectively studied 353 patients who developed post‐catheterization femoral artery pseudo‐aneurysms and were treated with ultrasound‐guided thrombin injection.

Results

Arterial micro‐embolization occurred in 53 patients (15%) and pulmonary embolism in 1 patient (0.3%). None of the patients developed significant peripheral arterial embolism. The length of the communicating channel between the arterial lumen and the pseudo‐aneurysm was inversely correlated with the risk of embolization (p < 0.0001). A 4.6 mm increase in channel length decreased the odds of embolization by 14%, and patients with a channel less than 2 mm long were at greater risk. Repeated thrombin injection also increased the risk of embolization (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Thrombin injection for the treatment of post‐catheterization femoral pseudo‐aneurysm is feasible and safe, but it must be performed with caution, especially when the sac is directly communicating with the artery, or when success cannot be achieved with a single injection. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:188–195, 2016;
Prenatal diagnosis of clubfoot: Chromosomal abnormalities associated with fetal defects and outcome in a tertiary center
Authors: Viaris de le Segno Benjamin , Gruchy Nicolas , Bronfen Corinne , Dolley Patricia , Leporrier Nathalie , Creveuil Christian , Benoist Guillaume
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Our aim was to evaluate the rate of occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities, associated findings, and outcome in a series of cases of prenatally diagnosed clubfoot.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of all cases of clubfoot diagnosed prenatally in the ultrasound unit of a French tertiary center from January 2004 through December 2011. Clubfoot was scored as complex or isolated depending on the presence or absence of another structural abnormality observed on sonographic examination.

Results

Data from 90 fetuses prenatally diagnosed with clubfoot were included in this study. Thirty‐four cases were considered complex (38%) and 56 were considered isolated (62%). A chromosomal abnormality was identified in 10 of 33 of the fetuses with complex clubfoot and in 1 of 45 of those with isolated clubfoot (p < 0.001). Clubfoot was associated with a poor outcome in 5 of 52 cases of isolated clubfoot and in 31 of 34 cases associated with other structural defects (p < 0.001). The deformity was bilateral in 62 cases (69%) and unilateral in 28 (31%). No statistically significantly higher rate of poor outcome was identified when the deformity occurred bilaterally nor was a significantly higher rate of chromosomal abnormality noted in this condition.

Conclusions

Aneuploidy and adverse pregnancy outcomes occur more commonly in prenatally diagnosed cases of complex clubfoot than in those of isolated clubfoot. Fetal karyotyping is required in cases of complex clubfoot, but the need for that procedure in isolated clubfoot remains controversial. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:100–105, 2016
Three‐dimensional versus two‐dimensional ultrasound for assessing levonorgestrel intrauterine device location: A pilot study
Authors: Andrade Carla Maria Araujo , Araujo Júnior Edward , Torloni Maria Regina , Moron Antonio Fernandes , Guazzelli Cristina Aparecida Falbo
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To compare the rates of success of two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) sonographic (US) examinations in locating and adequately visualizing levonorgestrel intrauterine devices (IUDs) and to explore factors associated with the unsuccessful viewing on 2D US.

Methods

Transvaginal 2D and 3D US examinations were performed on all patients 1 month after insertion of levonorgestrel IUDs. The devices were considered adequately visualized on 2D US if both the vertical (shadow, upper and lower extremities) and the horizontal (two echogenic lines) shafts were identified. 3D volumes were also captured to assess the location of levonorgestrel IUDs on 3D US.

Results

Thirty women were included. The rates of adequate device visualization were 40% on 2D US (95% confidence interval [CI], 24.6; 57.7) and 100% on 3D US (95% CI, 88.6; 100.0). The device was not adequately visualized in all six women who had a retroflexed uterus, but it was adequately visualized in 12 of the 24 women (50%) who had a nonretroflexed uterus (95% CI, −68.6; −6.8).

Conclusions

We found that 3D US is better than 2D US for locating and adequately visualizing levonorgestrel IUDs. Other well‐designed studies with adequate power should be conducted to confirm this finding. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:72–77, 2016
Transient elastography of the liver in children with Wilson's disease: Preliminary results
Authors: Stefanescu Ana Cristina , Pop Tudor Lucian , Stefanescu Horia , Miu Nicolae
Published: July 2015

Purpose

In chronic liver diseases, liver stiffness (LS) is increased, primarily because of liver fibrosis, but other factors, such as intrahepatic deposits, may also be involved. We hypothesized that intrahepatic copper accumulation occurring in Wilson's disease (WD) also leads to an increase in LS. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the changes in LS during treatment in pediatric patients with WD.

Methods

Consecutive patients younger than 18 years old, whose WD was diagnosed between 2008 and 2013, were enrolled. All patients underwent testing for liver function and urinary copper excretion, and LS was measured on transient elastography at baseline and at 6‐ to 12‐month intervals during specific therapy.

Results

Nine patients were included in the analysis; only two were diagnosed with cirrhosis. The median LS decreased during treatment from 15.1 kPa (range, 5.1–66 kPa) at baseline to 10 kPa (4–16.1 kPa) at follow‐up interval 1, and to 6.1 kPa (3.9–11.6 kPa) at follow‐up interval 2 (p < 0.0001). In parallel, the differences in urinary copper excretion over the follow‐up period were not statistically significant, although the decrease in LS correlated with the increase in urinary copper excretion (r = 0.6).

Conclusions

In pediatric patients with WD, LS is high at the time of diagnosis and decreases during specific treatment, in parallel with an increase in the urinary copper concentration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:65–71, 2016
The semaphorontic view of homology
Authors: Havstad Joyce C. , Assis Leandro C.S. , Rieppel Olivier
Published: July 2015

The relation of homology is generally characterized as an identity relation, or alternatively as a correspondence relation, both of which are transitive. We use the example of the ontogenetic development and evolutionary origin of the gnathostome jaw to discuss identity and transitivity of the homology relation under the transformationist and emergentist paradigms respectively. Token identity and consequent transitivity of homology relations are shown to be requirements that are too strong to allow the origin of genuine evolutionary novelties. We consequently introduce the concept of compositional identity that is grounded in relations prevailing between parts (organs and organ systems) of a whole (organism). We recognize an ontogenetic identity of parts within a whole throughout the sequence of successive developmental stages of those parts: this is an intra‐organismal character identity maintained throughout developmental trajectory. Correspondingly, we recognize a phylogenetic identity of homologous parts within two or more organisms of different species: this is an inter‐species character identity maintained throughout evolutionary trajectory. These different dimensions of character identity—ontogenetic (through development) and phylogenetic (via shared evolutionary history)—break the transitivity of homology relations. Under the transformationist paradigm, the relation of homology reigns over the entire character (‐state) transformation series, and thus encompasses the plesiomorphic as well as the apomorphic condition of form. In contrast, genuine evolutionary novelties originate not through transformation of ancestral characters (‐states), but instead through deviating developmental trajectories that result in alternate characters. Under the emergentist paradigm, homology is thus synonymous with synapomorphy.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 578–587, 2015. © 2015 The Authors.Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolutionpublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Novel Synthesis of 1‐Aryl‐6‐bromo‐3‐(5‐ethylthio‐4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐b]quinolin‐9(4H)‐ones via Thermal Cyclization of 4‐Azidopyrazoles
Authors: Medrasi Hanadi Y. , Al‐Sheikh Mariam , Sadek Kamal Usef , Mekheimer Ramadan Ahmed
Published: July 2015

2‐Aryl‐hydrazononitriles 3a, 3b, 3c were prepared by coupling 3‐ethylthio‐5‐cyanomethyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazole (1) with diazonium salts 2a, 2b, 2c. Reacting 3a, 3b, 3c with both ethyl bromoacetate (4a) and 4‐bromobenzyl bromide (4b) in DMF, in the presence of K2CO3, at 80 °C for 3–4 h, gave the corresponding 4‐amino‐pyrazoles 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f. Diazotization of 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, followed by reaction with NaN3, leads to the formation of 4‐azidopyrazoles 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, a new heterocyclic ring system. Interestingly, fusion of 4‐azidopyrazoles 8d, 8e, 8f at temperature higher than their melting points with 5 °C for 2 min did not give the expected fused pyrazolo[4,3‐c]isoxazoles 9 but furnished instead the novel pyrazolo[4,3‐b]quinolinones 10a, 10b, 10c, in high yields.
Tissue correction for GABA‐edited MRS: Considerations of voxel composition, tissue segmentation, and tissue relaxations
Authors: Harris Ashley D. , Puts Nicolaas A.J. , Edden Richard A.E.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To develop a tissue correction for GABA‐edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) that appropriately addresses differences in voxel gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fractions.

Materials and Methods

Simulations compared the performance of tissue correction approaches. Corrections were then applied to in vivo data from 16 healthy volunteers, acquired at 3T. GM, WM, and CSF fractions were determined from T1‐weighted images. Corrections for CSF content, GM/WM GABA content, and water relaxation of the three compartments are combined into a single, fully corrected measurement.

Results

Simulations show that CSF correction increases the dependence of GABA measurements on GM/WM fraction, by an amount equal to the fraction of CSF. Furthermore, GM correction substantially (and nonlinearly) increases the dependence of GABA measurements on GM/WM fraction, for example, by a factor of over four when the voxel GM tissue fraction is 50%. At this tissue fraction, GABA is overestimated by a factor of 1.5. For the in vivo data, correcting for voxel composition increased measured GABA values (P < 0.001 for all regions), but did not reduce intersubject variance (P > 0.5 for all regions). Corrected GABA values differ significantly based on the segmentation procedure used (P < 0.0001) and tissue parameter assumptions made (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

We introduce a comprehensive tissue correction factor that adjusts GABA measurements to correct for different voxel compositions of GM, WM, and CSF. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:1431–1440.
Is there an optimal respiratory reference position for self‐navigated whole‐heart coronary MR angiography?
Authors: Piccini Davide , Bonanno Gabriele , Ginami Giulia , Littmann Arne , Zenge Michael O. , Stuber Matthias
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To test the direct influence of the reference respiratory position on image quality for self‐navigated whole‐heart coronary MRI.

Methods

Self‐navigated whole‐heart coronary MRI was performed in 11 healthy adult subjects. Respiratory motion was compensated for by using three different respiratory reference positions of the heart: end‐inspiratory, end‐expiratory, and the mean of the entire respiratory excursion. All datasets were reconstructed without motion compensation for comparison. Image quality was assessed in all reconstructions using signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and contrst‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) measurements, as well as percentage vessel sharpness and visible length of the coronary arteries.

Results

While SNR and CNR remained close to constant in all reconstructions, a clear and significant improvement in vessel sharpness was identified in all motion corrected datasets with respect to their uncorrected counterpart (e.g., percentage sharpness of the proximal right coronary artery (RCA): 61.6 ± 8.2% for end‐inspiration, 64.1 ± 10.7% for end‐expiration, and 63.3 ± 7.0% for the mean respiratory position versus 55.0 ± 10.4 for the uncorrected datasets; P < 0.05). Among all motion corrected reconstructions, the use of an end‐expiratory reference position most consistently provided the highest image quality. In particular, some of the improvements in vessel sharpness and length measured for end‐expiration were statistically significant with respect to the reconstructions performed at end‐inspiration (e.g., percentage sharpness of the proximal left anterior descending coronary: 58.2 ± 7.4% versus 55.8 ± 8.4%; P < 0.05; and visible length of the RCA: 125.7 ± 25.9 mm versus 114.4 ± 27.4 mm; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The use of end‐expiration as a reference position for respiratory motion correction in free‐breathing self‐navigated whole heart coronary MRA significantly improves image quality. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:426–433.
Implementation of a comprehensive MR safety course for medical students
Authors: Sammet Steffen , Sammet Christina L.
Published: July 2015

This review article proposes the design of an educational magnetic resonance (MR) safety course for instructing medical students about basic MR and patient‐related safety. The MR safety course material can be implemented as a traditional didactic or interactive lecture in combination with hands‐on safety demonstrations. The goal of the course is to ensure that medical students receive a basic understanding of MR principles and safety considerations. This course will prepare medical students for patient screening and safety consultations when ordering MR studies. A multiple‐choice exam can be used to document the proficiency in MR safety of the medical students. The course can be used by various medical school programs and may help to ensure consistent quality of teaching materials and MR safety standards. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2015;42:1478–1486.
Respiratory syncytial virus is present in the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Homaira Nusrat , Sheils Joanne , Stelzer‐Braid Sacha , Lui Kei , Oie Ju‐Lee , Snelling Tom , Jaffe Adam , Rawlinson William
Published: July 2015

Nosocomial transmission of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) occurs in children within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). During peak community RSV transmission, three swabs were collected from the nose, hand and personal clothing of visitors and health care workers (HCW) in NICU once every week for eight weeks. Nasal swabs were collected from every third neonate and from any neonate clinically suspected of having a respiratory infection. Environmental sampling of high touch areas was done once during the study period. All swabs were tested for RSV using real time RT‐PCR. There were 173 (519 total) and 109 (327 total) swabs, each of nose, hand and dress from 84 HCWs and 80 visitors respectively and 81 nasal swabs from 55 neonates collected. Thirty five environmental swabs from surfaces of the beds, side tables, counter tops, chairs, tables and computers were collected. Overall 1% of nasal swabs from each of HCWs, visitors and neonates, 4% of dress specimens from visitors and 9% of environmental swabs were positive for RSV‐RNA. The results suggest that though the risk for RSV in the NICU remains low, personnel clothing are contaminated with RSV‐RNA and may have a role in transmission. J. Med. Virol. 88:196–201, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic characterization of norovirus strains in hospitalized children from Pakistan
Authors: Alam Amna , Qureshi Sohail A. , Vinjé Jan , Zaidi Anita
Published: July 2015

Norovirus is one of the most common causes of acute gastroenteritis among children in developing countries. No data on the prevalence and genetic variability of norovirus are available for Pakistan, where early childhood mortality due to acute gastroenteritis is common. We tested 255 fecal specimens from children under 5 years of age hospitalized between April 2006 and March 2008 with severe acute gastroenteritis in five hospitals in the four largest cities in Pakistan for norovirus by real‐time RT‐PCR. Positive samples were further genotyped by conventional RT‐PCR targeting the 5′‐end of the capsid gene followed by sequencing of the positive PCR products. Overall, 41 (16.1%) samples tested positive for norovirus with an equal frequency in rotavirus‐positive and rotavirus‐negative samples. Nine (22%) samples were genogroup (G)I positive, 30 (73%) GII positive and two (5%) samples contained a mixture of GI and GII viruses. Sequence analyses demonstrated co‐circulation of 14 norovirus genotypes including four GI genotypes (GI.3, GI.5, GI.7, GI.8) and 10 GII genotypes (GII.2, GII.3, GII.4, GII.5, GII.6, GII.7, GII.9, GII.13, GII.16, and GII.21). The most prevalent genotypes were GI.7 and GII.4 both causing 12.2% of the infections. This report confirms the presence of multiple norovirus genotypes in hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in Pakistan and a lack of clear predominance of GII.4 viruses. J. Med. Virol. 88:216–223, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inflammatory cytokine receptor blockade in a rodent model of mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Perez‐Polo J.R. , Rea H.C. , Johnson K.M. , Parsley M.A. , Unabia G.C. , Xu G.‐Y. , Prough D. , DeWitt D.S. , Paulucci‐Holthauzen A.A. , Werrbach‐Perez K. , Hulsebosch C.E.
Published: July 2015

In rodent models of traumatic brain injury (TBI), both Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) levels increase early after injury to return later to basal levels. We have developed and characterized a rat mild fluid percussion model of TBI (mLFP injury) that results in righting reflex response times (RRRTs) that are less than those characteristic of moderate to severe LFP injury and yet increase IL‐1α/β and TNFα levels. Here we report that blockade of IL‐1α/β and TNFα binding to IL‐1R and TNFR1, respectively, reduced neuropathology in parietal cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus and improved outcome. IL‐1β binding to the type I IL‐1 receptor (IL‐1R1) can be blocked by a recombinant form of the endogenous IL‐1R antagonist IL‐1Ra (Kineret). TNFα binding to the TNF receptor (TNFR) can be blocked by the recombinant fusion protein etanercept, made up of a TNFR2 peptide fused to an Fc portion of human IgG1. There was no benefit from the combined blockades compared with individual blockades or after repeated treatments for 11 days after injury compared with one treatment at 1 hr after injury, when measured at 6 hr or 18 days, based on changes in neuropathology. There was also no further enhancement of blockade benefits after 18 days. Given that both Kineret and etanercept given singly or in combination showed similar beneficial effects and that TNFα also has a gliotransmitter role regulating AMPA receptor traffic, thus confounding effects of a TNFα blockade, we chose to focus on a single treatment with Kineret. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lithium chloride prevents interleukin‐1β induced cartilage degradation and loss of mechanical properties
Authors: Thompson Clare L. , Yasmin Habiba , Varone Anna , Wiles Anna , Poole C. Anthony , Knight Martin M.
Published: July 2015

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease that affects the articular cartilage. Recent studies have demonstrated that lithium chloride exhibits significant efficacy as a chondroprotective agent, blocking cartilage degradation in response to inflammatory cytokines. However, conflicting literature suggests lithium may affect the physicochemical properties of articular cartilage and thus long‐term exposure may negatively affect the mechanical functionality of this tissue. This study aims to investigate the effect of lithium chloride on the biomechanical properties of healthy and interleukin‐1β treated cartilage in vitro and examines the consequences of long‐term exposure to lithium on cartilage health in vivo. Bovine cartilage explants were treated with lithium chloride for 12 days. Chondrocyte viability, matrix catabolism and the biomechanical properties of bovine cartilage explants were not significantly altered following treatment. Consistent with these findings, long term‐exposure (9 months) to dietary lithium did not induce osteoarthritis in rats, as determined by histological staining. Moreover, lithium chloride did not induce the expression of catabolic enzymes in human articular chondrocytes. In an inflammatory model of cartilage destruction, lithium chloride blocked interleukin‐1β signaling in the form of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 release and prevented matrix catabolism such that the loss of mechanical integrity observed with interleukin‐1β alone was inhibited. This study provides further support for lithium chloride as a novel compound for the treatment of osteoarthritis. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1552–1559, 2015.
A diatom–conductivity transfer function for reconstructing past changes in the Southern Hemisphere westerly winds over the Southern Ocean
Authors: SAUNDERS KRYSTYNA M. , HODGSON DOMINIC A. , MCMURTRIE SHELLEY , GROSJEAN MARTIN
Published: July 2015

Sub‐Antarctic islands are ideally placed to reconstruct past changes in Southern Hemisphere westerly wind behaviour. They lie within their core belt (50–60°S) and the strong winds deliver sea salt ions to the islands resulting in a west to east conductivity gradient in their water bodies. This means that the stronger (or weaker) the winds, the higher (or lower) the conductivity values measured in the water bodies. A survey of the water chemistry and diatom assemblages of lakes and ponds on sub‐Antarctic Campbell Island (52°32′S, 169°8′E) revealed that, similar to other sub‐Antarctic islands, conductivity was the most important, statistically significant ecological variable explaining turnover in diatom community structure. Based on this, a diatom–conductivity transfer function was developed (simple weighted averaging with inverse deshrinking: R2 = 0.86, R2jack = 0.66, RMSEP = 0.25 log10 μS cm−1). This transfer function will be applied to lake sediment cores from the western edge of the Campbell Island plateau to reconstruct past conductivity/sea spray and therefore directly reconstruct changes in Southern Hemisphere westerly wind strength within their core belt.
Lancaster delftware: a Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy compositional study
Authors: Jay W. H. , Cashion J. D. , Blenkinship B.
Published: July 2015

In 2008, excavations were conducted by the Northern Ceramic Society at the site of the former Lancaster delftware potworks, which operated between 1754 and about 1790. The recovered sherds have been non‐destructively examined by Raman and electron microscopies and the iron phases in the biscuit by Mössbauer spectroscopy. These methods have provided a new understanding of the mineralogy of the delftware produced at Lancaster using clay imported from Carrickfergus in Ireland and blended with the local ferruginous‐aluminous clays. This has implications for the attribution of delftware produced at Liverpool, Bristol, Scotland and Ireland. The Carrickfergus clay has been found to be highly dolomitic resulting in the body of the delftware forming diopside and the magnesian olivine forsterite, when fired. Brookite had not converted to rutile, nor had tridymite, nor cristobalite formed; the K‐feldspars did not undergo further chemical reactions, and the observation of metakaolin would suggest that the biscuit firing temperature was in the order of 800–900 °C. Chalcedony containing moganite was established as the silica source. A cobalt‐containing lead‐tin glaze was applied to the biscuit body and, after decorating, was fired. The mineralogy of the pigments used to decorate the objects indicate the yellow to be the PbSbSn triple oxide, the green to be a copper silicate mixed with lead‐tin yellow, the purple and browns to be manganese silicates and the blue to contain cobalt spinels and cobalt pyroxenes. Diopside crystals together with recrystallised tin agglomerates have been observed floating within the glaze. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic characteristics of diallyl trisulfide acting on trans‐crotonaldehyde
Authors: Su Yanbin , Chen Lei , Cheng Yingkun , Zhang Fengrong , Su Yanwen , Li Zhengqiang
Published: July 2015

In this paper, the molecular mechanism of diallyl trisulfide (DATS) on trans‐crotonaldehyde (TCA) was studied by UV–vis absorption and Raman spectroscopies combining with density functional theory calculations. Experimental results indicate that the introduction of DATS can not only make the maximum absorption peak of TCA shift 15 nm, but also obviously alter the Raman vibrational frequency of aldehyde (―CHO). In addition, the Raman intensity of TCA decreased significantly, especially in the presence of mitochondria. Our theoretical calculations reproduce fairly well the experimental data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of descriptive analysis and preference mapping for early‐stage assessment of new and established apples
Authors: Cliff Margaret A , Stanich Kareen , Lu Ran , Hampson Cheryl R
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

This research compared four new apple selections with 16 established apples using descriptive analysis (DA), instrumental analyses and preference mapping, in order to identify suitable selections for commercialization and further research.

RESULTS

DA revealed that the new apple selections (PARC1, PARC2, PARC3, PARC4) were very similar in texture/mouthfeel (T) but differed in their flavor (F) and appearance (A) characteristics. Preference mapping revealed that consumers' T preferences were driven primarily by crispness, juiciness and lack of skin toughness, while F preferences were driven by sweetness, lack of tartness and presence of fruity flavor. Consumers' A preferences were driven by a high percentage of red color and degree of striping. The majority of consumers had similar T (82–85%) and F (88–92%) preferences for the early‐ and mid/late‐harvest apples. In contrast, consumers' A preferences were differentiated into three subgroups (60%, 24%, 16%) for the early‐harvest apples, but not for the mid/late‐harvest apples. The new apple selections were among those most liked for T, F and A.

CONCLUSION

This early‐stage consumer research confirmed that the new apples were comparable, if not superior, to the established apples. As such, it provided the necessary feedback to industry to proceed with commercialization and optimization of cultural and storage practices. © 2015 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Utilization of magnetically responsive cereal by‐product for organic dye removal
Authors: Baldikova Eva , Politi Dorothea , Maderova Zdenka , Pospiskova Kristyna , Sidiras Dimitrios , Safarikova Mirka , Safarik Ivo
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Barley straw, an agricultural by‐product, can also serve as a low‐cost and relatively efficient adsorbent of various harmful compounds. In this case, adsorption of four water‐soluble dyes belonging to different dye classes (specifically Bismarck brown Y, representing the azo group; methylene blue, quinone‐imine group; safranin O, safranin group; and crystal violet, triphenylmethane group) on native and citric acid–NaOH‐modified barley straw, both in magnetic and non‐magnetic versions, was studied.

RESULTS

The adsorption was characterized using three adsorption models, namely Langmuir, Freundlich and Sips. To compare the maximum adsorption capacities (qmax), the Langmuir model was employed. The qmax values reached 86.5–124.3 mg of dye per g of native non‐magnetic straw and 410.8–520.3 mg of dye per g of magnetic chemically modified straw. Performed characterization studies suggested that the substantial increase in qmax values after chemical modification could be caused by rougher surface of adsorbent (observed by scanning electron microscopy) and by the presence of higher amounts of carboxyl groups (detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). The adsorption processes followed the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and thermodynamic studies indicated spontaneous and endothermic adsorption.

CONCLUSION

The chemical modification of barley straw led to a significant increase in maximum adsorption capacities for all tested dyes, while magnetic modification substantially facilitated the manipulation with adsorbent. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of feed moisture, extrusion temperature and screw speed on properties of soy white flakes based aquafeed: a response surface analysis
Authors: Singh Sushil K , Muthukumarappan Kasiviswanathan
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Soy white flakes (SWF) is an intermediate product during soy bean processing. It is an untoasted inexpensive product and contains around 51% of crude protein. It can be a potential source of protein to replace fish meal for developing aquafeed. The extrusion process is versatile and is used for the development of aquafeed. Our objective was to study the effects of inclusion of SWF (up to 50%) and other extrusion processing parameters such as barrel temperature and screw speed on the properties of aquafeed extrudates using a single‐screw extruder.

RESULTS

Extrudate properties, including pellet durability index, bulk density, water absorption and solubility indices and mass flow rate, were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the process variables. SWF was the most significant variable with quadratic effects on most of the properties. Increasing temperature and screw speed resulted in increase in durability and mass flow rate of extrudates. Response surface regression models were established to correlate the properties of extrudates to the process variables.

CONCLUSION

SWF was used as an alternative protein source of fish meal. Our study shows that aquafeed with high durability, lower bulk density and lower water absorption and higher solubility indices can be obtained by adding SWF up to 40%. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Wheat and barley differently affect porcine intestinal microbiota
Authors: Weiss Eva , Aumiller Tobias , Spindler Hanna K , Rosenfelder Pia , Eklund Meike , Witzig Maren , Jørgensen Henry , Bach Knudsen Knud Erik , Mosenthin Rainer
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Diet influences the porcine intestinal microbial ecosystem. Barrows were fitted with ileal T‐cannulas to compare short‐term effects of eight different wheat or barley genotypes and period‐to‐period effects on seven bacterial groups in ileal digesta and faeces by qPCR.

RESULTS

Within genotypes of wheat and barley, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in contents of analysed NSP, yet cereal types differed (P < 0.001) except for soluble arabinoxylans. Genotypes showed no effect on bacterial gene copy numbers. In ileal digesta of barley‐ compared to wheat‐fed pigs, log10 copy numbers were lower (P < 0.05) for total eubacteria (9.6–9.8), Bacteroides–Prevotella–Porphyromonas (6.5–6.8), Clostridium cluster IV (6.7–6.9), and Roseburia spp. (6.6–7.2), while higher copy numbers were found for Lactobacillus spp. (9.4–8.8). Enterobacteriaceae (7.0–7.8) and Bifidobacterium spp. (7.0–7.7) were lower (P < 0.001) in faeces of barley compared to wheat‐fed pigs. Ileal eubacteria, Clostridium cluster IV and Roseburia spp. linearly increased from period 1 to 8 for both cereals (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Wheat and barley differently influence microbial composition particularly in the small intestine, with barley increasing the Lactobacillus spp.:Enterobacteriaceae ratio, underlining its potential to beneficially manipulate the intestinal microbial ecosystem. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of acidified ignitable liquid residues in fire debris by solid‐phase microextraction with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry
Authors: Martín‐Alberca Carlos , García‐Ruiz Carmen , Delémont Olivier
Published: July 2015

The detection and identification of ignitable liquid residues in fire debris can be meaningful in fire investigations. However, background pyrolysis products and weathering hinder the identification and classification steps. In addition to those processes, the acidification of the ignitable liquids before the combustion process could make those tasks even more difficult. Nevertheless, there are no systematic studies assessing the extraction, analysis, and composition of acidified ignitable liquid residues obtained from fire debris. In this work, a method for the study of acidified ignitable liquid residues in fire debris by solid‐phase microextraction with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry is proposed. This methodology has been evaluated, first with simulated solutions (gasoline/sulfuric acid mixtures set on fire under controlled conditions), and then with analysis of samples from real fire debris obtained from 18 chemical ignition Molotov cocktails made with sulfuric acid and three different ignitable liquids (two types of gasoline and diesel fuel). In addition, the extensive modifications observed in chromatograms of acidified ignitable liquid residues regarding neat and weathered samples were studied. These alterations were produced by the combustion and acidification processes. As a consequence, tert‐butylated compounds are proposed as diagnostic indicators for the identification of acidified gasoline in fire debris, even in strongly weathered samples.
Fundamental studies on the feasibility of deep eutectic solvents for the selective partition of glaucarubinone present in the roots of Simarouba glauca
Authors: Kholiya Faisal , Bhatt Nidhi , Rathod Meena R. , Meena Ramavatar , Prasad Kamalesh
Published: July 2015

Several deep eutectic solvents prepared by the complexation of choline chloride as the hydrogen bond acceptor and hydrogen bond donors such as urea, thiourea, ethylene glycol, and glycerol were employed to partition glaucarubinone, an antimalarial compound present in roots of the plant, Simarouba glauca. Among all the solvents, the deep eutectic solvent consisting of the mixture of choline chloride and urea the most suitable to partition the antimalarial compound from the extract selectively. Analytical tools such as high‐performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry were used for characterizations, and glaucarubinone extracted from the roots of the plant by conventional solvent extraction method was used as a reference for comparison. The hydrogen and noncovalent bonds formed between glaucarubinone and the deep eutectic solvents could be responsible for the selective partition of the drug molecule.
Nanostructured‐silver‐coated polyetheretherketone tube for online in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Sun Min , Feng Juanjuan , Bu Yanan , Luo Chuannan
Published: July 2015

Polyetheretherketone tube is a better substrate for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction than fused‐silica capillary and metal tube because of its resistance to high pressure and good flexibility. It was modified with a nanostructured silver coating, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. It was connected into high‐performance liquid chromatography equipment to build the online analysis system by replacing the sample loop of a six‐port injection valve. To get the highest extraction capacity, the preparation conditions of the coating was investigated. Important extraction conditions including length of tube, sample volume, and desorption time were optimized using eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as model analytes. The tube exhibits excellent extraction efficiency toward them, with enrichment factors from 52 to 363. The online analysis method provides good linearity (0.5–100 or 1.0–100 μg/L) and low detection limits (0.15–0.30 μg/L). It has been used to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples, with relative recoveries in the range of 92.3–120%. The tube showed highest extraction ability for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, higher extraction ability for hydrophobic phthalates and anilines, and almost no extraction ability for low hydrophobic phenols, due to the possible extraction mechanism including hydrophobic and electron‐rich element‐metal interactions.
Habitat selection of gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) in a marine protected area in France
Authors: Huon Mathilde , Jones Esther L. , Matthiopoulos Jason , McConnell Bernie , Caurant Florence , Vincent Cécile
Published: July 2015

In France, the first marine national park was set up in 2007 in the Iroise Sea, western Brittany, encompassing several Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). The park is resident to 1 of only 3 gray seal colonies in France. The at‐sea habitat use of gray seals in the marine park is poorly understood and direct interactions with human activities are expected. We investigated habitat selection of gray seals within the marine park to provide spatial planning recommendations to local conservation management. We obtained data from 19 seals tracked between 2010 and 2013. We used generalized linear models to investigate their habitat selection using distance to haulout, distance to shore, bathymetry, tidal current, and sediment type as explanatory variables. The tracked individuals spent 67% of their time within the boundaries of the marine park. We investigated return trips to focus on habitat selection within the Iroise Sea. The deviance explained by the final model was 76%. Distance to haulout explained 47% of the deviance (seals selected short distances), bathymetry explained 40% (with bimodal selection for waters shallower than 50 m or deeper than 150 m), distance to shore explained 6% (selected distances less than 40 km), current explained 5% (selected weak currents), and sediment explained 2% (selected rocky areas). Habitat selection was concentrated in shallow waters located in the main archipelago of the marine park. The map of selected habitat will help identify potential conflicts of space use between seals and human activities such as fishing and leisure activities. This study has an important ecological and management value. It is the first of its kind in a marine park in France, and one of the few studies of gray seals at the periphery of their range. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Dissolved silicon isotopic compositions in the East China Sea: Water mass mixing vs. biological fractionation
Authors: Cao Zhimian , Frank Martin , Dai Minhan
Published: July 2015

We present the first set of dissolved silicon isotope data in seawater (δ30SiSi(OH)4) from the East China Sea, a large and productive marginal sea significantly influenced by the Kuroshio Current and freshwater inputs from the Changjiang (Yangtze River). In summer (August 2009), the lowest surface δ30SiSi(OH)4 signatures of +2.1‰ corresponding to the highest Si(OH)4 concentrations (∼30.0 µmol L−1) were observed nearshore in Changjiang Diluted Water. During advection on the East China Sea inner shelf, surface δ30SiSi(OH)4 increased rapidly to +3.2‰ while Si(OH)4 became depleted, indicating increasing biological utilization of the Si(OH)4 originating from the Changjiang Diluted Water. This is also reflected in the water column profiles characterized by a general decrease of δ30SiSi(OH)4 and an increase of Si(OH)4 with depth on the East China Sea mid‐shelf and slope. In winter (December 2009–January 2010), however, the δ30SiSi(OH)4 was nearly constant at +1.9‰ throughout the water column on the East China Sea shelf beyond the nearshore, which was a consequence of enhanced vertical mixing of the Kuroshio subsurface water. Horizontal admixture of Kuroshio surface water, which is highly fractionated in Si isotopes, was observed only beyond the shelf break. Significant seasonal differences in δ30SiSi(OH)4 were detected in the surface waters beyond the Changjiang Diluted Water‐influenced region on the East China Sea shelf, where the winter values were ∼1.0‰ lower than those in summer, despite the same primary Si(OH)4 supply from the Kuroshio subsurface water during both seasons. This demonstrates significantly higher biological consumption and utilization of Si(OH)4 in summer than in winter.
A light‐emitting diode (LED)‐based multispectral imaging system in evaluating retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Xu Yupeng , Liu Xiaoxiao , Cheng Lu , Su Li , Xu Xun
Published: July 2015

Background and Objective

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO), the second most common retinal vascular disorder worldwide, is considered to be a critical cause of visual loss. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of eyes with RVO using a light‐emitting diode (LED)‐based multispectral imaging (MSI) system and to compare its performance in terms of reliability and diagnostic power with those of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fundus photography (FP).

Materials and Methods

Fifty‐six eyes of 28 patients with RVO disease were evaluated by MSI, FP, FFA, and spectral domain OCT. All images were analyzed by an experienced reading center grader. Nonperfusion area, occlusion area, and intraretinal edema from occlusions and FP abnormalities (presence of cotton‐wool spots, epiretinal membrane, hard exudates, and retinal hemorrhage) were documented. The diagnostic power of MSI was evaluated by the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC).

Results

Of the 56 eyes, 15 had branch RVO (BRVO), 13 had central RVO (CRVO), and 28 were normal. The ROC curve analysis showed that MSI was a better discriminator of RVO than FP (AUC = 0.911 vs. 0.768, P = 0.0318). The sensitivity (and 95% confidence intervals) of MSI for nonperfusion area was 42.3% (18.8–70.4), 80.0% (51.4–94.7) for retinal hemorrhage, 90.0% (54.1–99.5) for cotton‐wool spots, 90.9% (57.1–99.5) for hard exudates, and 21.1% (7.0–46.1) for intraretinal edema. MSI was capable of finding abnormalities such as nonperfusion area, retinal hemorrhage, cotton‐wool spots, hard exudates, and epiretinal membrane. MSI oxy–deoxy maps showed low oxygen levels in the affected vein, especially in CRVOs, and could be used in detecting the nonperfusion area.

Conclusion

MSI reveals highly defined vascular abnormalities in shortwave images and oxy–deoxy maps, which is compatible with FP, FFA, and OCT findings and indicates, preliminarily, the advantages of the noninvasiveness, simplicity, and effectiveness of MSI in evaluating RVO diseases. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:549–558, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of rust layers formed on weathering steel in saline environment by gas adsorption
Authors: Ishikawa T. , Tanaka R. , Minamigawa M. , Kandori K. , Tanaka H. , Nakayama T.
Published: July 2015

The rusts of different kinds of weathering steels and mild steel formed by CCT and exposure to a coastal atmosphere were examined by the adsorption of nitrogen and water molecules. The specific surface area (S) of the rusts was determined from the adsorption isotherms. The rusts of the weathering steels showed higher S and smaller particle size than those of the mild steel, indicating that the weathering steels form more compact rust layers compared to the mild steel. The S of the rusts formed at different positions of a simulated girder located in the coast strongly depended on the setting position.
N‐Vinylcarbazole as Versatile Photoinaddimer of Photopolymerization under Household UV LED Bulb (392 nm)
Authors: Xiao Pu , Lalevée Jacques , Zhao Jiacheng , Stenzel Martina H.
Published: July 2015

N‐vinylcarbazole (NVK) can act simultaneously as a photoinitiator, an additive, and a mono­mer (photoinaddimer) of photopolymerization upon exposure to the household ultraviolet (UV) light‐emitting diode (LED) bulb (emission wavelength centered at 392 nm). Even though the light absorption spectrum of NVK exhibits weak overlapping with the emission spectrum of the UV LED, the active species (i.e., radicals and cations) can be generated from the interaction between NVK and diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate (Iod) under irradiation of this LED device, which is investigated by steady state photolysis and electron spin resonance spin‐trapping methods. Interestingly, the generated radicals and cations from the NVK/Iod system demonstrate high efficiency to initiate the free radical photopolymerization of (meth)acrylates and the cationic photopolymerization of epoxide and divinyl ether under the UV LED irradiation, and the one‐step simultaneous catonic/radical photopolymerization of expoxide/acrylate blend can lead to the formation of tack free polyacrylate/polyether‐based interpenetrated polymer network film within 10 min even when the polymerization process is exposed to the atmosphere highlighting the high efficiency of the system to reduce the oxygen inhibition effect. More interestingly, NVK/Iod system can also initiate the photopolymerization of NVK under the UV LED irradiation to produce polyvinylcarbazole, and NVK acts as both a photoinitiator and a monomer in the system.

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Star‐Shaped Macromolecules with the Core of Hexakis‐(fluoren‐2‐yl)benzene and the Periphery of Pyridine: Synthesis and Application as Solution‐Processable Electron‐Transport Materials
Authors: Yin Xiaojun , Miao Jingsheng , Xiang Yepeng , Wu Hongbing , Cao Yong , Yang Chuluo
Published: July 2015

Three new star‐shaped macromolecules with hexakis(fluoren‐2‐yl)benzene as the core and pyridine as the periphery (2Py‐HFB, 3Py‐HFB, and 4Py‐HFB) are synthesized and characterized. The synthetic conditions of octacarbonyldicobat‐catalyzed cycloaddition reaction for different alkyne precursors are investigated. The coordination interaction between the pyridine ring of alkyne precursor and the cobalt catalyst may result in very low yield of the cyclotrimerization product. However, with the increase of the catalyst loading, the yields of the intermediates of cyclopentadienone are enhanced. Then, the desired cyclotrimerization products can be obtained by the Diels–Alder reactions of cyclopentadienone with acetylene in good yield. These new compounds exhibit good thermal stability and favorable electron affinity. By using the new compounds as electron‐transporting materials, all‐solution‐processed phosphorescent organic light‐emitting devices (OLEDs) show good performance with a maximum current efficiency of 5.6 cd A−1 and maximum external quantum efficiency of 4.68%.

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Formation of Hierarchical Lamellae‐in‐Lamella Nanostructures from Polymer Blends Via Controlled Nonequilibrium Freezing
Authors: Zhang Xin , Ejima Hirotaka , Yoshie Naoko
Published: July 2015

The creation of hierarchical nanostructures in polymeric materials has been intensively studied due to the great potential to tailor their physicochemical properties. Although much success has been achieved over the past decades in block copolymers, hierarchical structure engineering in polymer blends remains a great challenge. Here, the formation of hierarchical lamellae‐in‐lamella nanostructures from polymer blends via controlled nonequilibrium freezing is reported. Polymer blends are first dissolved in molten hexamethylbenzene (HMB) to form a homogeneous melt. When cooled to below its melting temperature, the HMB is crystallized and depleted, and the polymers are directionally solidified. This process is rapid enough that phase separation of the polymer blends is kinetically trapped at the nanoscale level. Then, the polymer blend epitaxially crystallizes onto the HMB inside the nanophase, resulting in the hierarchical lamellae‐in‐lamella structure. This structure is stable under ambient conditions and tunable depending on the annealing temperature and blending ratio.

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