bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Connexin 36 is Expressed in Beta and Connexins 26 and 32 in Acinar Cells at the End of the Secondary Transition of Mouse Pancreatic Development and Increase During Fetal and Perinatal Life
Authors: Pérez‐Armendariz Elia Martha , Cruz‐Miguel Lourdes , Coronel‐Cruz Cristina , Esparza‐Aguilar Marcelino , Pinzon‐Estrada Enrique , Rancaño‐Camacho Elizabeth , Zacarias‐Climaco Gerardo , Olivares Paola Fernández , Espinosa Ana Maria , Becker Ingeborg , Sáez Juan C. , Berumen Jaime , Pérez‐Palacios Gregorio
Published: April 2012

To identify when during fetal development connexins (Cxs) 26 (Cx26) 32 (Cx32), and 36 (Cx36) begin to be expressed, as well as to characterize their spatial distribution, real time polymerase chain reaction and immunolabeling studies were performed. Total RNA from mouse pancreases at 13 and 18 days postcoitum (dpc) and 3 days postpartum (dpp) was analyzed. In addition, pancreatic sections of mouse at 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 dpc and 3 dpp and of rat at term were double labeled with either anti‐insulin or anti‐α‐amylase and anti‐Cx26 or ‐Cx32 or ‐Cx36 antibodies and studied with confocal microscopy. From day 13 dpc, Cxs 26, 32, and 36 transcripts were identified and their levels increased with age. At 13–14 dpc, Cxs 26 and 32 were localized in few acinar cells, whereas Cx36 was distributed in small beta cell clumps. From day 14 dpc onwards, the number of labeled cells and relative immunofluorescent reactivity of all three Cxs at junctional membranes of the respective cell types increased. Cxs 26 and 32 colocalized in fetal acinar cells. In rat pancreas at term, a similar connexin distribution was found. Relative Cxs levels evaluated by immunoblotting also increased (two‐fold) in pancreas homogenates from day 18 dpc to 3 dpp. The early cell specific, wide distribution, and age dependent expression of Cxs 26, 32, and 36 during fetal pancreas ontogeny suggests their possible involvement in pancreas differentiation and prenatal maturation. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Inc.
Long‐term amelioration of established collagen‐induced arthritis achieved with short‐term therapy combining anti‐CD3 and anti–tumor necrosis factor treatments
Authors: Dépis Fabien , Hatterer Eric , Lamacchia Céline , Waldburger Jean‐Marc , Gabay Cem , Reith Walter , Kosco‐Vilbois Marie , Dean Yann
Published: April 2012

Objective

The goal of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment is to achieve clinical remission in order to limit structural damage and physical disability. To this end, recent emphasis has been placed on aggressive treatment early in the course of disease with drugs such as anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) agents. As T cells are also thought to play an important role in the initiation of RA, we hypothesized that targeting both TNF and T cells would result in better outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of combined therapy with anti‐CD3 and anti‐TNF in experimental RA.

Methods

Two anti‐mouse antibodies were developed as surrogate reagents for anti‐TNF and anti‐CD3 therapies. Collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) was induced in DBA/1 mice, and antibodies were injected intraperitoneally, either alone on in combination, at predetermined subtherapeutic doses. The frequency and number of pathogenic and regulatory CD4+ T cell subsets in the draining lymph nodes were determined in order to investigate the mechanisms of action.

Results

Strikingly, the combination of the two antibodies demonstrated a potent synergy in established CIA, with long‐term inhibition of disease progression and protection from joint destruction. The results did not demonstrate any enhancement of CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, but a profound depletion of pathogenic T cells from the draining lymph nodes was associated with reduced numbers of T cells in the joints.

Conclusion

A short course of combination therapy with anti‐CD3 and anti‐TNF efficiently depletes pathogenic T cells from the draining lymph nodes, reducing the numbers of T cells in the joints and affording long‐lasting inhibition of established CIA.
Who donates their body to science? An international, multicenter, prospective study
Authors: Cornwall Jon , Perry Gary F. , Louw Graham , Stringer Mark D.
Published: April 2012

The altruistic act of body donation provides a precious resource for both teaching and researching human anatomy. However, relatively little is known about individuals who donate their bodies to science (donors), and in particular whether donors in different geographical locations share similar characteristics. A multicenter prospective survey of donors registering during 2010 in three different geographical locations, New Zealand, Ireland, and the Republic of South Africa, was conducted to identify donor characteristics. The 28‐question survey included sections on body donation program awareness, reasons for donating, giving tendency, education, ethnicity, relationship status, occupation, religion, and political preference. Two hundred surveys (81%) were returned [New Zealand 123 (85% response rate), Republic of South Africa 41 (67%), and Ireland 36 (92%)]. Results indicate that donors share certain characteristics including reason for donating (80% cited a desire to aid medical science as the main reason for wishing to donate their body); family structure (most donors are or have been in long‐term partnerships and ≥85% have siblings); and a higher proportion with no religious affiliation compared to their reference population. Some variations between locations were noted including donor age, the mode of program awareness, occupation, relationship status, political preference, organ donor status and with whom donors had discussed their decision to donate. This information could be important for assisting the identification of potential body donors in new and established bequest programs. Anat Sci Educ. © 2012 American Association of Anatomists.
The potential of 3D‐FISH and super‐resolution structured illumination microscopy for studies of 3D nuclear architecture
Authors: Markaki Yolanda , Smeets Daniel , Fiedler Susanne , Schmid Volker J. , Schermelleh Lothar , Cremer Thomas , Cremer Marion
Published: April 2012

Three‐dimensional structured illumination microscopy (3D‐SIM) has opened up new possibilities to study nuclear architecture at the ultrastructural level down to the ∼100 nm range. We present first results and assess the potential using 3D‐SIM in combination with 3D fluorescence in situ hybridization (3D‐FISH) for the topographical analysis of defined nuclear targets. Our study also deals with the concern that artifacts produced by FISH may counteract the gain in resolution. We address the topography of DAPI‐stained DNA in nuclei before and after 3D‐FISH, nuclear pores and the lamina, chromosome territories, chromatin domains, and individual gene loci. We also look at the replication patterns of chromocenters and the topographical relationship ofXist‐RNA within the inactive X‐territory. These examples demonstrate that an appropriately adapted 3D‐FISH/3D‐SIM approach preserves key characteristics of the nuclear ultrastructure and that the gain in information obtained by 3D‐SIM yields new insights into the functional nuclear organization.
Protein carbonyl, 3β‐, and 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in testes and serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels in zinc deficient Wistar rats
Authors: Kumari Deepa , Nair Neena , Bedwal Ranveer Singh
Published: April 2012

The present study evaluated protein oxidation, alteration in hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3β‐ and 17β HSD) in testes and serum hormonal profiles of dietary zinc deficient Wistar rats. Pre‐pubertal rats were divided into three groups: zinc control (ZC), pairfed (PF), and zinc deficient (ZD) and fed 100 ppm (ZC and PF groups) and 1.0 ppm (ZD group) zinc diet for 2‐ and 4‐weeks. The testes from zinc deficient groups exhibited significant increase in total protein (2 weeks) and protein carbonyl (2‐ and 4‐weeks) concentration as well as 3β‐ and 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities (4 weeks), whereas a significant decrease was recorded in total protein (testes 4 weeks; serum 2‐ and 4‐weeks), total zinc (testes and serum 2‐ and 4‐weeks), 3β‐ and 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities (testes 2 weeks), and serum hormonal profiles (FSH and testosterone 2‐ and 4‐weeks). However, LH was below the detectable limits. These results reflect that zinc deficiency during pre‐pubertal period affected total protein and zinc status, elevates protein oxidation, and causes dysregulation of the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. Low level of zinc attenuated the gonadal physiology which indicates that the metabolic regulation of testes is mediated by combined effects of a specific response (caused by decreased zinc concentration) and a nonspecific response (inhibition of gonadotrophin secretion). All these contribute to testicular dysfunction. © 2012 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
In vivostudy of the surgical anatomy of the axilla
Authors: Khan A , Chakravorty A , Gui G P H
Published: April 2012

Background

Classical anatomical descriptions fail to describe variants often observed in the axilla as they are based on studies that looked at individual structures in isolation or textbooks of cadaveric dissections. The presence of variant anatomy heightens the risk of iatrogenic injury. The aim of this study was to document the nature and frequency of these anatomical variations based on in vivo peroperative surgical observations.

Methods

Detailed anatomical relationships were documented prospectively during consecutive axillary dissections. Relationships between the thoracodorsal pedicle, course of the lateral thoracic vein, presence of latissimus dorsi muscle slips, variations in axillary and angular vein anatomy, and origins and branching of the intercostobrachial nerve were recorded.

Results

Among a total of 73 axillary dissections, 43 (59 per cent) revealed at least one anatomical variant. Most notable variants included aberrant courses of the thoracodorsal nerve in ten patients (14 per cent)—three variants; lateral thoracic vein in 12 patients (16 per cent)—four variants; bifid axillary veins in ten patients (14 per cent); latissimus dorsi muscle slips in four patients (5 per cent); and variants in intercostobrachial nerve origins and branching in 26 patients (36 per cent). The angular vein, a subscapular vein tributary, was found to be a constant axillary structure.

Conclusion

Variations in axillary anatomical structures are common. Poor understanding of these variants can affect the adequacy of oncological clearance, lead to vascular injury, compromise planned microvascular procedures and result in chronic pain or numbness from nerve injury. Surgeons should be aware of the common anatomical variants to facilitate efficient and safe axillary surgery.
Regulatory role of miR‐2909 in cell‐mediated immune response
Authors: Kaul Deepak , Sasikala M. , Raina A.
Published: April 2012

Keeping in view the micromanagement of immune response by micro RNAs, the present study was directed to explore the role of miR‐2909 in the differentiation and maturation of T‐lymphocytes within the population of normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells maintained in in vitro culture. The results of such a study revealed that miR‐2909 had the inherent capacity to significantly increase Treg (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) cell population and dominant Th1‐type cytokine (especially with decrease in IL‐4 level and higher levels of INF‐β and INF‐γ) profile. Based upon these results, we propose that miR‐2909 may modulate native immunity in general and help in providing protective immunity against viral infections in particular. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential expression of semaphorin 3A and its receptors during mouse retinal development
Authors: Ko Ji‐Ae , Mizuno Yukari , Shibasaki Momoko , Yamane Ken , Chikama Tai‐ichiro , Sonoda Koh‐Hei , Kiuchi Yoshiaki
Published: April 2012

Semaphorins not only function in axon guidance during development but also contribute to various other biological processes. We have now examined the expression of semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) and its receptor components neuropilin 1 (Npn1) and plexin A (PlxA) during development of the mouse retina. Immunohistofluorescence analysis revealed that the expression patterns of Sema3A and Npn1 were similar during embryonic and postnatal development. The expression pattern of PlxA was also similar to those of Sema3A and Npn1 during embryonic and early postnatal (before eye opening) developments. However, the pattern of PlxA expression changed markedly after eye opening, with the expression disappearing from the optic nerve and increasing in intensity in the retinal pigment epithelium. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that Sema3A interacted with PlxA in the retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE19 but not in the retinal ganglion cell line RGC5, whereas the opposite pattern of association was apparent for Sema3A and Npn1. Given that atmospheric oxygen is thought to play a role in the differentiation and maintenance of various ocular cell types, our results suggest that Sema3A–PlxA signalling activated by an effect of ambient oxygen on PlxA expression may contribute to differentiation of the retinal pigment epithelium. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome due to graft failure
Authors: Harskamp Ralf E. , Kuijt Wichert J. , Damman Peter , Beijk Marcel A. , Grundeken Maik J. , Woudstra Pier , Tijssen Jan G. , de Winter Robbert J.
Published: April 2012

Objectives: To describe clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) due to graft failure. Background: Limited data are available on outcome after PCI for graft failure‐induced ACS in the drug‐eluting stent (DES) era. Methods: Patients were identified who underwent PCI either with DES or BMS for ACS due to graft failure between January 2003 and December 2008. Follow‐up was performed at 1 year and April 2011. The primary endpoint was the composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), or target vessel revascularization (TVR). Kaplan–Meier estimates were calculated at 1 and 5‐year follow‐up. Predictors were identified by backward selection in Cox proportional hazards models. Results: A total of 92 patients underwent PCI, of which 77 were treated with bare metal stents (BMS) and 15 with DES. Patient and procedural characteristics were similar in both groups. Mean follow‐up was 3.2 years. Five‐year composite event rate was 65.9% after BMS vs. 43.4% after DES implantation (P = 0.17). Individual endpoints were comparable in both groups. Recurrence of angina, hospitalization, and repeat interventions were similar. After multivariable adjustment, the use of DES was not associated with a significant reduction in the primary endpoint (HR = 0.44, 0.18–1.04, p = 0.06). Conclusion: In patients presenting with ACS due to acute graft failure, long‐term outcomes remain poor. In a nonrandomized comparison with BMS, DES use was not associated with significant improved long‐term clinical outcomes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Capturing Coke Precursors in a Pd Lattice: A Carbon‐Supported Heteropoly Acid Catalyst for the Dehydration of Glycerol into Acrolein
Authors: Park Dae Sung , Kwak Byoung Kyu , Kim Nam Dong , Park Jae Ryul , Cho Jung‐Hee , Oh Seogil , Yi Jongheop
Published: April 2012

Supported heteropoly acid catalysts are frequently used in the dehydration of glycerol into acrolein because of their high activity. However, they are easily deactivated by coke that can become deposited on the catalyst surface. Herein, we report a technique that significantly decreases coke formation by capturing coke precursors in a Pd lattice. The Pd‐added H3PW12O40/C catalyst (Pd‐PWC) showed stable catalytic activity and the amount of deposited coke formed was decreased to about 40 % of that without Pd addition. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, HR‐TEM, XPS, NH3‐TPD, and TGA methods. These results showed that the palladium lattice on the carbon support was easily loosened and that coking precursors were incorporated into the Pd lattice of the catalyst under the reaction conditions used. Consequently, the amount of coke that was deposited onto the active sites of the catalysts was significantly decreased.
Independent component analysis applied to diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy: separating nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of analytes in mixtures
Authors: Zhong J. , DiDonato N. , Hatcher P. G.
Published: April 2012

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of a mixture contains the overall peaks of all the analytes. It is impossible to perform structural assignment on the mixture without the knowledge of individual spectra of the components. Spectral separation is thus an important means of teasing out pure components of a mixture before spectral assignment. We propose a strategy called diffusion‐ordered independent component analysis (DIFFICA) to achieve this task. This strategy applies independent component analysis algorithms to diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) to extract spectra of pure components in a mixture. DIFFICA was tested in a simulation and experimentally in two three‐component systems with and without water suppression, in 1D and 2D DOSY data. Pure spectra were achieved in both cases. The selection of diffusion parameters to guarantee pure spectra is guided by the distance correlation between separated spectra. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic algorithms in chemometrics
Authors: Niazi Ali , Leardi Riccardo
Published: April 2012

This review covers the application of Genetic Algorithms (GAs) in Chemometrics. The first applications of GAs in chemistry date back to the 1970s, and in the last decades, they have been more and more frequently used to solve different kinds of problems, for example, when the objective functions do not possess properties such as continuity, differentiability, and so on. These algorithms maintain and manipulate a family, or population, of solutions and implement a “survival of the fittest” strategy in their search for better solutions. GAs are very useful in the optimization and variable selection in modeling and calibration because of the strong effect of the relationship between presence/absence of variables in a calibration model and the prediction ability of the model itself. This review is not a complete summary of the applications of GAs to chemometric problems; its goal is rather to show the researchers the main fields of application of GAs, together with providing a list of references on the subject. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advantages of orthogonal inspection in chemometrics
Authors: Pinto Rui Climaco , Trygg Johan , Gottfries Johan
Published: April 2012

The demand for chemometrics tools and concepts to study complex problems in modern biology and medicine has prompted chemometricians to shift their focus away from a traditional emphasis on model predictive capacity toward optimizing information exchange via model interpretation for biological validation. The interpretation of projection‐based latent variable models is not straightforward because of its confounding of different systematic variations in the model components. Over the last 15 years, this has spurred the development of orthogonal‐based methods that are capable of separating the correlated variation (to Y) from the noncorrelated (orthogonal to Y) variations in a single model. Here, we aim to provide a conceptual explanation of the advantages of orthogonal variation inspection in the context of Partial Least Squares (PLS) in multivariate classification and calibration. We propose that by inspecting the orthogonal variation, both model interpretation and information quality are improved by enhancement of the resulting level of knowledge. Although the predictive capacity of PLS using orthogonal methods may be identical to that of PLS alone, the combined result can be superior when it comes to the model interpretation. By discussing theory and examples, several new advantages revealed by inspection of orthogonal variation are highlighted. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlled Orientation in a Bio‐Inspired Assembly of Ag/AgCl/ZnO Nanostructures Enables Enhancement in Visible‐Light‐Induced Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Begum Gousia , Manna Joydeb , Rana Rohit Kumar
Published: April 2012

In a bio‐inspired approach, polyamine‐mediated mineralization of ZnO was explored to develop an environmentally benign methodology for synthesizing Ag/AgCl/ZnO nanostructures. The assembling properties displayed by the polyamines to create composite structures was utilized to have the nanocomponents effectively interact with each other in a way that is desirable for the application envisaged. The polyamines, which act as a mineralizing agent for ZnO nanoparticles, also facilitate the formation of Ag/AgCl within ZnO under ambient conditions. Thus synthesized Ag/AgCl/ZnO nanostructures represent a multi‐heterojunction system in which the nanocomponents lead in a synergistic way to enhancement in the photocatalytic activity under visible‐light irradiation.
Ultraviolet, Circular Dichroism, Fluorescence, and Circularly Polarized Luminescence Spectra of Regioregular Poly‐[3‐((S)‐2‐Methylbutyl)‐Thiophene] in Solution
Authors: Castiglioni Ettore , Abbate Sergio , Lebon France , Longhi Giovanna
Published: April 2012

Ultraviolet (UV), Circular Dichroism (CD), Fluorescence, and Circularly Polarized Luminescence (CPL) spectra were recorded for mixed chloroform/methanol and chloroform/butanol solutions of regioregular poly[3‐((S)‐2‐methylbutyl)‐thiophene]. An evaluation of the chiral and nonchiral components in solution is proposed on the basis of the UV and CD spectra. The fluorescence and CPL spectra are observed in a wavelength range where some UV and CD activity still appears. For this reason, the observed CPL features are strongly influenced by CD. A general procedure for evaluating true CPL spectra is proposed, when absorption and emission coexist. Chirality 24:725–730, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A dual neural network ensemble approach for multiclass brain tumor classification
Authors: Sachdeva Jainy , Kumar Vinod , Gupta Indra , Khandelwal Niranjan , Ahuja Chirag kamal
Published: April 2012

The present study is conducted to develop an interactive computer aided diagnosis (CAD) system for assisting radiologists in multiclass classification of brain tumors. In this paper, primary brain tumors such as astrocytoma, glioblastoma multiforme, childhood tumor‐medulloblastoma, meningioma and secondary tumor‐metastases along with normal regions are classified by a dual level neural network ensemble. Two hundred eighteen texture and intensity features are extracted from 856 segmented regions of interest (SROIs) and are taken as input. PCA is used for reduction of dimensionality of the feature space. The study is performed on a diversified dataset of 428 post contrast T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images of 55 patients. Two sets of experiments are performed. In the first experiment, random selection is used which may allow SROIs from the same patient having similar characteristics to appear in both training and testing simultaneously. In the second experiment, not even a single SROI from the same patient is common during training and testing. In the first experiment, it is observed that the dual level neural network ensemble has enhanced the overall accuracy to 95.85% compared with 91.97% of single level artificial neural network. The proposed method delivers high accuracy for each class. The accuracy obtained for each class is: astrocytoma 96.29%, glioblastoma multiforme 96.15%, childhood tumor‐medulloblastoma 90%, meningioma 93.00%, secondary tumor‐metastases 96.67% and normal regions 97.41%. This study reveals that dual level neural network ensemble provides better results than the single level artificial neural network. In the second experiment, overall classification accuracy of 90.4% was achieved. The generalization ability of this approach can be tested by analyzing larger datasets. The extensive training will also further improve the performance of the proposed dual network ensemble. Quantitative results obtained from the proposed method will assist the radiologist in forming a better decision for classifying brain tumors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stable routing algorithm for mobile ad hoc networks using mobile agent
Authors: Varaprasad G.
Published: April 2012

Wireless ad hoc networks are growing important because of their mobility, versatility, and ability to work with fewer infrastructures. The mobile ad hoc network is an autonomous system consisting of mobile nodes connected with wireless links. Establishing a path between two nodes is a complex task in wireless networks. It is still more complex in the wireless mobile ad hoc network because every node is no longer as an end node and an intermediate node. In this paper, it focuses on design of connectionless routing protocol for the wireless ad hoc networks based on the mobile agent concept. The proposed model tries to discover the best path taking into consideration some concerns like bandwidth, reliability, and congestion of the link. The proposed model has been simulated and tested under various wireless ad hoc network environments with the help of a different number of nodes. The results demonstrate that the proposed model is more feasible for providing reliable paths between the source and destination with the minimum control message packets over the network. It has delivered more number of packets to the destination over the network. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uricases as Therapeutic Agents to Treat Refractory Gout: Current States and Future Directions
Authors: Yang Xiaolan , Yuan Yonghua , Zhan Chang‐Guo , Liao Fei
Published: April 2012

Strategy, Management and Health Policy

Enabling Technology, Genomics, Proteomics
Preclinical Research
Preclinical Development Toxicology, Formulation Drug Delivery, Pharmacokinetics
Clinical Development Phases I‐III Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing
Postmarketing Phase IV

Treatment of refractory gout remains a challenge on drug development. While pegloticase, a recombinant mammalian uricase modified with monomethoxyl poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) is effective in treating refractory gout, after continued treatment for 3 months biweekly at a therapeutic dose of 0.14 mg/kg body weight, it elicits an immune response against mPEG in nearly 20% of patients. For continued treatment of refractory gout, PEGylated uricases at monthly therapeutic doses below 4 μg/kg body weight have promise. To formulate uricases to achieve monthly therapeutic regimens requires pharmacodynamics simulation and experimentation including molecular engineering of uricases based on rational design and evolution biotechnology in combination to improve their inherent catalytic efficiency, thermostability and selectivity for urate over xanthine and optimization of the number and distribution of accessible reactive amino acid residues in native uricases for site‐specific PEGylation with poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives with lower of immunogenicity than mPEG to retain activity, minimize immunogenicity and enhance the pharmacokinetics of the PEGylated uricase. These issues are briefly reviewed as a means to stimulate the development of safer uricase formulations for continued treatment of refractory gout.
Transient phenomena of current and field distortion due to dynamics of packet‐like charges in LDPE films
Authors: Yoshioka Hirokazu , Kadowaki Kazunori , Kitani Isamu
Published: April 2012

Simultaneous measurements of space charge and external current were carried out using a PEA measurement system with an electrometer on the back of a grounding electrode in order to clarify the physical situation of a huge packet of positive space charges in LDPE films. A large number of positive charges from a semiconducting anode were accumulated at the interface between LDPE and an Al‐cathode at a mean applied field of 1.5 MV/cm and then finally disappeared. The results of simultaneous measurements showed that the external current kept a relatively high value during charge accumulation and further increased when the charges disappeared. Both the charge dynamics and the external current were restricted by addition of a low‐molecular‐weight paraffin wax, indicating that carrier transport was influenced by the microstructure of the polymer. The dynamics of the residual charges after short‐circuiting is also discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 179(4): 10–17, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21256
Three‐dimensional magnetostriction and vector magnetic properties under alternating magnetic flux conditions in arbitrary direction
Authors: Wakabayashi Daisuke , Todaka Takashi , Enokizono Masato
Published: April 2012

This paper presents the measured magnetostriction of electrical steel sheets under alternating magnetic flux conditions. In the measurements, we used a two‐dimensional vector magnetic property measurement system, and a three‐axial strain gauge. In order to know the magnetostriction in an arbitrary direction, the strain tensor was evaluated. In addition, we try to evaluate the magnetostrictions in the thickness direction. In this paper, the three‐dimensional magnetostriction in nonoriented and grain‐oriented silicon steel sheets are compared. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 179(4): 1–9, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21257
Hybrid system reduction method using a reduced system regulator
Authors: Kuroda Eisuke , Tsuji Takao , Oyama Tsutomu
Published: April 2012

In order to analyze the transient stability of large‐scale power systems, it is advantageous to apply the system reduction method to external systems. The short‐circuit current method is a typical engineering reduction technique. However, the dominant eigenvalues are not necessarily conserved in the reduced system. Therefore, the hybrid reduction method, in which controller parameters are adjusted to conserve the dominant eigenvalues, was proposed. Automatic voltage regulators (AVR) and power system stabilizers (PSS) have been used for parameter adjustment so far. However, since there are many parameters in AVR and PSS, complicated procedures are required to adjust them. Therefore, in this paper, the reduced system regulator (RSR) is proposed for the hybrid system reduction method. The RSR has only two parameters for adjustment. It is easier to adjust the RSR than AVR/PSS. In addition, the initial gains of the RSR are set to zero so that the dynamic behavior of the system is not influenced before adjustment. The effect and accuracy of the hybrid system reduction method with RSR are examined using a typical longitudinal power system, the IEEJ WEST 10‐machine system model. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 179(4): 33–40, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21258
Stability analysis of AC voltage controls for Shinkansen feeding system with multiple power converters
Authors: Kunomura Ken , Koseki Takafumi
Published: April 2012

The recent introduction of very fast and frequent train service on the Tokaido Shinkansen makes it difficult to stabilize the feeding voltage solely by compensating reactive power. Therefore, active power compensation has been introduced for further stabilization of the voltage, and a converter control strategy called the “fixed power factor method” was applied in commercial operation that started in February 2009. Feeding voltage stabilizing control by active power compensation is substantially more complicated than conventional reactive power compensation. This paper describes a novel stability judging method for the Shinkansen feeding system with multiple power converters; this method can be used to determine appropriate active/reactive compensation strategies that can be used by the operator of the new Shinkansen power supply system. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 179(4): 51–60, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21266
Selective N‐Alkylation of Arylamines with Alkyl Chloride in Ionic Liquids: Scope and Applications
Authors: Monopoli Antonio , Cotugno Pietro , Cortese Marina , Calvano Cosima Damiana , Ciminale Francesco , Nacci Angelo
Published: April 2012

An efficient N‐selective alkylation of primary aromatic amines in molten quaternary ammonium salts, as the solvent, under relatively mild and base‐free conditions is presented. On the basis of the Kamlet–Taft parameters and the nucleophilicity of the IL (ionic liquid) anions, the influence of the ionic liquid was evaluated. This protocol was validated on a larger multigram scale and with the syntheses of bioactive heterocycles (e.g., 1,4‐benzothiazine and quinoxalines) and new efficient MALDI matrixes.
Nuclear magnetic resonance study of flavoured olive oils
Authors: Mannina Luisa , D'Imperio Marco , Gobbino Marco , D'Amico Irene , Casini Antonio , Emanuele Maria Carmela , Sobolev Anatoly P.
Published: April 2012

High field 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to analyse and characterize different flavoured olive oils, namely orange, basil, bergamot, cardamom, lemon, mandarin, chilli, rosemary, white and black truffle, ginger, garlic and mushroom flavoured olive oils. Several compounds were identified by means of 2D NMR experiments and spiking experiments. In particular, limonene was found in lemon, bergamot, orange, mandarin, cardamom, ginger and chilli flavoured olive oils, p‐cymene was found in lemon and bergamot flavoured olive oils, linalool was found in bergamot, basil and cardamom flavoured olive oils, α‐curcumene was found in ginger flavoured olive oil and geranial and neral were found in lemon flavoured olive oil. Some implications regarding the product standardization and quality are discussed monitoring the acidity indirectly, by the measure of diglycerides and monoglycerides, and the amount of some minor compounds sensitive to the product shelf‐life. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined analysis of TMPRSS2–ERG and TERT for improved prognosis of biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer
Authors: Sabaliauskaite Rasa , Jarmalaite Sonata , Petroska Donatas , Dasevicius Darius , Laurinavicius Arvydas , Jankevicius Feliksas , Lazutka Juozas R.
Published: April 2012

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous disease with diverse clinical outcomes. TMPRSS2–ERG is the most common gene fusion in PCa, whereas activation of telomerase is a common feature of various malignancies. The aim of our study was to explore the combined utility of these and some other biomarkers in predicting biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Prostate specimens and urine sediments from 179 previously untreated patients with pT2‐pT3 stage PCa were analyzed for expression of telomerase (TERT and TR) and the TMPRSS2–ERG fusion gene by means of reverse transcription PCR. Real‐time PCR was used for quantification of ERG and SPINK1 expression. In total, 74% (117/158) of the prostate adenocarcinomas were positive for the TMPRSS2–ERG and/or TERT expression. Noninvasively, these transcripts were identified in 31% (19/61) of catheterized urine specimens. Significantly higher expression of ERG was detected in TMPRSS2–ERG‐positive tumors (P < 0.0001), whereas more intense expression of SPINK1 was characteristic for the TMPRSS2–ERG‐negative tumors (P = 0.003). TERT‐positive cases also had elevated levels of ERG (P = 0.016), suggesting a possible link between aberrant expression of ERG and reactivation of TERT in prostate tumors. The cases negative for both transcripts, TMPRSS2–ERG and TERT, rarely recurred (P = 0.014) and showed significantly longer biochemical recurrence‐free period (P = 0.022) as compared to the TMPRSS2–ERG and/or TERT‐positive cases. The results of our study suggest that combined analysis of TMPRSS2–ERG and TERT expression can be a valuable tool for early prediction of biochemical recurrence of PCa after radical prostatectomy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinically significant copy number alterations and complex rearrangements of MYB and NFIB in head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma
Authors: Persson Marta , Andrén Ywonne , Moskaluk Christopher A. , Frierson Henry F. , Cooke Susanna L. , Futreal Philip Andrew , Kling Teresia , Nelander Sven , Nordkvist Anders , Persson Fredrik , Stenman Göran
Published: April 2012

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck is a malignant tumor with poor long‐term prognosis. Besides the recently identified MYB–NFIB fusion oncogene generated by a t(6;9) translocation, little is known about other genetic alterations in ACC. Using high‐resolution, array‐based comparative genomic hybridization, and massively paired‐end sequencing, we explored genomic alterations in 40 frozen ACCs. Eighty‐six percent of the tumors expressed MYB–NFIB fusion transcripts and 97% overexpressed MYB mRNA, indicating that MYB activation is a hallmark of ACC. Thirty‐five recurrent copy number alterations (CNAs) were detected, including losses involving 12q, 6q, 9p, 11q, 14q, 1p, and 5q and gains involving 1q, 9p, and 22q. Grade III tumors had on average a significantly higher number of CNAs/tumor compared to Grade I and II tumors (P = 0.007). Losses of 1p, 6q, and 15q were associated with high‐grade tumors, whereas losses of 14q were exclusively seen in Grade I tumors. The t(6;9) rearrangements were associated with a complex pattern of breakpoints, deletions, insertions, inversions, and for 9p also gains. Analyses of fusion‐negative ACCs using high‐resolution arrays and massively paired‐end sequencing revealed that MYB may also be deregulated by other mechanisms in addition to gene fusion. Our studies also identified several down‐regulated candidate tumor suppressor genes (CTNNBIP1, CASP9, PRDM2, and SFN) in 1p36.33‐p35.3 that may be of clinical significance in high‐grade tumors. Further, studies of these and other potential target genes may lead to the identification of novel driver genes in ACC. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sparse Principal Component Analysis for Identifying Ancestry‐Informative Markers in Genome‐Wide Association Studies
Authors: Lee Seokho , Epstein Michael P. , Duncan Richard , Lin Xihong
Published: April 2012

Genome‐Wide association studies (GWAS) routinely apply principal component analysis (PCA) to infer population structure within a sample to correct for confounding due to ancestry. GWAS implementation of PCA uses tens of thousands of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to infer structure, despite the fact that only a small fraction of such SNPs provides useful information on ancestry. The identification of this reduced set of Ancestry‐Informative markers (AIMs) from a GWAS has practical value; for example, researchers can genotype the AIM set to correct for potential confounding due to ancestry in follow‐up studies that utilize custom SNP or sequencing technology. We propose a novel technique to identify AIMs from Genome‐Wide SNP data using sparse PCA. The procedure uses penalized regression methods to identify those SNPs in a Genome‐Wide panel that significantly contribute to the principal components while encouraging SNPs that provide negligible loadings to vanish from the analysis. We found that sparse PCA leads to negligible loss of ancestry information compared to traditional PCA analysis of Genome‐Wide SNP data. We further demonstrate the value of sparse PCA for AIM selection using real data from the International HapMap Project and a Genome‐Wide study of inflammatory bowel disease. We have implemented our approach in open‐source R software for public use. Genet. Epidemiol. 36:293–302, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Link Functions in Multi‐Locus Genetic Models: Implications for Testing, Prediction, and Interpretation
Authors: Clayton* David
Published: April 2012

“Complex” diseases are, by definition, influenced by multiple causes, both genetic and environmental, and statistical work on the joint action of multiple risk factors has, for more than 40 years, been dominated by the generalized linear model (GLM). In genetics, models for dichotomous traits have traditionally been approached via the model of an underlying, normally distributed, liability. This corresponds to the GLM with binomial errors and a probit link function. Elsewhere in epidemiology, however, the logistic regression model, a GLM with logit link function, has been the tool of choice, largely because of its convenient properties in case‐control studies. The choice of link function has usually been dictated by mathematical convenience, but it has some important implications in (a) the choice of association test statistic in the presence of existing strong risk factors, (b) the ability to predict disease from genotype given its heritability, and (c) the definition, and interpretation of epistasis (or epistacy). These issues are reviewed, and a new association test proposed. Genet. Epidemiol. 36:409–418, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recruitment mechanisms of primary and malignant B cells to the human liver
Authors: Shetty Shishir , Bruns Tony , Weston Christopher J. , Stamataki Zania , Oo Ye H. , Long Heather M. , Reynolds Gary M. , Pratt Guy , Moss Paul , Jalkanen Sirpa , Hubscher Stefan G. , Lalor Patricia F. , Adams David H.
Published: April 2012

B cells are present within chronically inflamed liver tissue and recent evidence implicates them in the progression of liver disease. In addition, a large proportion of hepatic lymphomas are of B-cell origin. The molecular signals that regulate normal and malignant B-cell recruitment into peripheral tissue from blood are poorly understood, leading us to study human B-cell migration through hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells in flow-based adhesion assays. In such assays, human blood-derived B cells were captured from shear flow without a previous rolling phase and underwent firm adhesion mediated by vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Unlike T cells, which displayed vigorous crawling behavior on the endothelium, B cells remained static before a proportion underwent transendothelial migration mediated by a combination of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular adhesion protein-1, common lymphatic endothelial and vascular endothelial receptor-1/stabilin-1, and the chemokine receptors, CXCR3 and CXCR4. B-cell lymphoma cell lines and primary malignant B cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and marginal zone B cell lymphoma also underwent integrin-mediated firm adhesion involving ICAM-1 and/or VCAM-1 and demonstrated ICAM-1-dependent shape-change and crawling behavior. Unlike primary lymphocytes, the malignant cells did not undergo transendothelial migration, which could explain why lymphomas are frequently characterized by the intravascular accumulation of malignant cells in the hepatic sinusoids.

Conclusion:

Our findings demonstrate that distinct combinations of signals promote B-cell recruitment to the liver, suggesting the possibility of novel targets to modulate liver inflammation in disease. Certain features of lymphocyte homing are maintained in lymphoma recruitment to the liver, suggesting that therapeutic targets for lymphocyte recruitment may also prevent hepatic lymphoma dissemination. (Hepatology 2012)
Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization: From Mechanisms to Applications
Authors: Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Published: April 2012

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is currently one of the most often used synthetic polymerization methods to prepare well‐defined polymers with complex architecture. This review covers some fundamentals of copper‐based ATRP, presents basic structure–reactivity correlation for initiators and catalyst complexes and discusses the radical nature of reactive intermediates. New ATRP initiating processes with ppm amounts of copper catalysts and various reducing agents are described together with recent electrochemically controlled ATRP and polymerization in aqueous homogeneous and dispersed media. Examples of polymers with precisely controlled architecture are presented together with the effect of variable amounts of catalysts on molecular weight distribution and morphology of nanostructured block copolymers. Some current and forthcoming applications of polymers made by ATRP are presented.
Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerisation (ATRP) as a Tool for the Development of Optical Sensing Phases
Authors: Marin‐Suarez Marta , Medina‐Castillo Antonio L. , Fernandez‐Sanchez Jorge F. , Fernandez‐Gutierrez Alberto
Published: April 2012

The advantages of atom‐transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) for synthesising well‐defined polymers have made this technique very popular in recent years for the synthesis of new polymers and copolymers with optical properties. The components involved in ATRP and their effect on composition, functionalities and topology have been reviewed according to the optical properties of the obtained (co)polymers. Because several functionalities and architectures can be combined in ATRP, this technique is a useful tool for the synthesis of new (co)polymers specially designed to meet the requirements of the sensor setup.
Microwave‐Assisted RAFT Polymerization
Authors: Brooks William L. A. , Sumerlin Brent S.
Published: April 2012

Advances in controlled radical polymerization (CRP) have facilitated access to well‐defined polymers with controlled molecular weight, topology, and functionality. However, despite the benefits afforded by many CRP techniques, control over these key polymer attributes often comes at the expense of polymerization rate. One method proposed for accelerating chemical synthesis is microwave heating. This review highlights recent examples of microwave heating being applied during reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. In addition to successfully leading to homopolymers from a variety of monomers, block copolymers have also been prepared by microwave‐assisted RAFT, which suggests that the high polymerization rates observed do not necessarily lead to significant end group loss from termination. Despite significant debate regarding the origin of rate enhancement observed during microwave‐assisted reactions, the reports included herein provide insight into mechanisms by which well‐defined functional polymers can be prepared in an accelerated fashion.