bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of mimosine, 3, 4 DHP and 2, 3 DHP degrading bacteria from a commercial rumen inoculum
Authors: Derakhshani Hooman , Corley Sean W. , Al Jassim Rafat
Published: January 2016

The presence of the toxic amino acid mimosine in Leucaena leucocephala restricts its use as a protein source for ruminants. Rumen bacteria degrade mimosine to 3,4‐ and 2,3‐dihydroxypyridine (DHP), which remain toxic. Synergistes jonesii is believed to be the main bacterium responsible for degradation of these toxic compounds but other bacteria may also be involved. In this study, a commercial inoculum provided by the Queensland's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry was screened for isolation and characterization of mimosine, 3,4‐ and 2,3‐DHP degrading bacterial strains. A new medium for screening of 2,3‐DHP degrading bacteria was developed. Molecular and biochemical approaches used in this study revealed four bacterial isolates – Streptococcus lutetiensis, Clostridium butyricum, Lactobacillus vitulinus, and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens – to be able to completely degrade mimosine within 7 days of incubation. It was also observed that C. butyricum and L. vitulinus were able to partially degrade 2,3‐DHP within 12 days of incubation, while S. lutetiensis, was able to fully degrade both 3,4 and 2,3 DHP. Collectively, we concluded that S. jonesii is not the sole bacterium responsible for detoxification of Leucaena. Comprehensive screening of rumen fluid of cattle grazing on Leucaena pastures is needed to identify additional mimosine‐detoxifying bacteria and contribute to development of more effective inoculums to be used by farmers against Leucaena toxicity.
Chondrocyte cultures from human proximal interphalangeal finger joints
Authors: Stradner Martin H. , Dreu Manuel , Angerer Hannes , Gruber Gerald , Wagner Karin , Peischler Daniela , Krischan Verena , Leithner Andreas , Anderhuber Friedrich , Graninger Winfried B.
Published: January 2016

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand is a common disease resulting in pain and impaired function. The pathogenesis of hand OA (HOA) is elusive and models to study it have not been described. Chondrocyte culture has been essential to understand cartilage degeneration, which is a hallmark of OA. We investigated the feasibility of human chondrocyte culture derived from proximal interphalangeal (PIP) finger joints. Hyaline cartilage of the PIP and knee joints was obtained from human cadavers. Chondrocytes harvested up to 236 h after death of the donors were viable and expressed chondrocyte‐specific genes. Gene expression comparing chondrocytes from PIP and knee joints using Affymetrix GeneChip arrays resulted in a unique PIP‐specific gene expression pattern. Genes involved in developmental processes including the WNT pathway were differentially expressed between the joints. These findings suggest that our knowledge on chondrocyte biology derived mainly from knee and hip joints may not apply to chondrocytes of the PIP joints and some of the distinctive features of HOA may be caused by the specific properties of PIP chondrocytes. Chondrocyte culture of PIP cartilage is a novel tool to study cartilage degeneration in HOA. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1569–1575, 2016.
Fatigue toughness of irradiated vitamin E/UHMWPE blends
Authors: Doshi Brinda , Ward Jerel S. , Oral Ebru , Muratoglu Orhun K.
Published: January 2016

Radiation cross‐linked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylenes (UHMWPEs) have become the standard‐of‐care in total joint replacements (TJR) in the last decade because of their superior wear resistance in comparison with previously used “conventional” gamma sterilized UHMWPE. Some first generation radiation cross‐linked UHMWPEs were stabilized against oxidation by post‐irradiation melting, which significantly reduced their fatigue crack propagation resistance or fatigue toughness. Second generation cross‐linked UHMWPEs incorporated instead an antioxidant such as vitamin E, eliminating the need for melting. In this study, we investigated the fatigue crack propagation resistance and the impact toughness of vitamin E‐blended and radiation cross‐linked UHMWPEs as a function of vitamin E concentration and radiation dose. Both properties were strongly dependent on the cross‐link density and they showed a good correlation with each other (R2 = 0.89). © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1514–1520, 2016.
Cadaveric gait simulation reproduces foot and ankle kinematics from population‐specific inputs
Authors: Baxter Josh R. , Sturnick Daniel R. , Demetracopoulos Constantine A. , Ellis Scott J. , Deland Jonathan T.
Published: January 2016

Cadaveric gait simulation allows researchers to directly investigate biomechanical consequences of surgeries using invasive measurement techniques. However, it is unclear if foot and ankle kinematics that are population‐specific are reproduced using these devices. Therefore, we assessed foot and ankle kinematics produced in a cadaveric gait simulator during the stance phase of gait in a set of five cadaveric feet. Tibial motions and ground reaction forces previously collected in vivo in a group of healthy adults were applied as inputs parameters. In vitro foot and ankle kinematics were acquired and directly compared to population‐specific in vivo kinematics of the same healthy adults from which input parameters were acquired. Analyses were completed using cross correlation to determine the similarities in kinematic profiles and joint ranges of motion were calculated to determine absolute differences in kinematics. Ankle, subtalar, and talonavicular in vitro joint kinematics were positively correlated to in vivo joint kinematics (rxy = 0.57–0.87). Further, in vivo and in vitro foot and ankle kinematics demonstrated similar amounts of within‐group variability (rxy = 0.50–0.85 and rxy = 0.72–0.76, respectively). Our findings demonstrate that cadaveric gait simulation techniques reproduce population‐specific foot and ankle kinematics, providing a valuable research tool for testing surgical treatments of foot and ankle maladies. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1663–1668, 2016.
War Experiences and General Health Among People in Bosnia‐Herzegovina and Kosovo
Authors: Ringdal Gerd Inger , Ringdal Kristen
Published: January 2016

War experiences may have an extensive impact on the health status of the exposed populations. This population‐based study aimed to examine the relationship between war experiences and self‐reported general health in representative sample surveys from Bosnia‐Herzegovina (n = 3,313) and Kosovo (n = 1,000). Data were collected with face‐to‐face interviews fielded in the winter of 2003–2004. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs). The adjusted effects of the extensiveness of war experiences on poor health were positive in both countries, but they were statistically significant only for Bosnia‐Herzegovina: OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.00, 1.08] for Bosnia‐Herzegovina and OR = 1.03, 95% CI [0.98, 1.09] for Kosovo. The strongest observed effect was found for Kosovo only: The extensiveness of war experiences was relatively strongly related to longstanding health problems, OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.03, 1.15]. We found that war experiences may contribute to increased poorer health in the exposed populations; however, the effects 4–9 years after the war ended were modest. Hence, war experiences seemed to be more strongly related to war‐related distress and posttraumatic stress disorder than to self‐reported general health.
Stem cell approaches for vocal fold regeneration
Authors: Fishman Jonathan M. , Long Jenny , Gugatschka Markus , De Coppi Paolo , Hirano Shigeru , Hertegard Stellan , Thibeault Susan L. , Birchall Martin A.
Published: January 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

Current interventions in the management of vocal fold (VF) dysfunction focus on conservative and surgical approaches. However, the complex structure and precise biomechanical properties of the human VF mean that these strategies have their limitations in clinical practice and in some cases offer inadequate levels of success. Regenerative medicine is an exciting development in this field and has the potential to further enhance VF recovery beyond conventional treatments. Our aim in this review is to discuss advances in the field of regenerative medicine; that is, advances in the process of replacing, engineering, or regenerating the VF through utilization of stem cells, with the intention of restoring normal VF structure and function.

Data Sources

English literature (1946–2015) review.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE for cases and studies of VF tissue engineering utilizing stem cells.

Results

The three main approaches by which regenerative medicine is currently applied to VF regeneration include cell therapy, scaffold development, and utilization of growth factors.

Conclusion

Exciting advances have been made in stem cell biology in recent years, including use of induced pluripotent stem cells. We expect such advances to be translated into the field in the forthcoming years. Laryngoscope, 126:1865–1870, 2016
Surface Runoff Generation and Soil Loss Under Different Soil and Rainfall Properties in The Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania
Authors: Nishigaki Tomohiro , Sugihara Soh , Kilasara Method , Funakawa Shinya
Published: January 2016

Water erosion is one of the main concerns driving land degradation in mountainous areas throughout the world, and its characteristics change widely with soil and climate conditions in different locations. To investigate the effects of soil and rainfall properties on surface runoff and soil loss, we installed runoff plots (width 0·8 m × slope length 2·4 m) enclosed by corrugated iron sheets, and evaluated water budgets for rainfall, surface runoff and soil moisture for every rainfall event over a rainy season at four sites (designated NY, TA, SO and MA) in the Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania. Two of the sites, NY and TA, were located in mountainous areas and had steep slopes and higher rainfall amounts, while the two foothill sites, SO and MA, were flatter and with coarser textures. Runoff amount was related to rainfall amount, but also to infiltration capacity. Runoff amounts in mountainous areas were higher than in foothill sites while runoff ratio was low at sites with high permeability in the surface layer, TA and MA. Sediment concentrations and soil loss were basically enhanced by high rainfall amount and intensity at mountainous sites. Soil texture also controlled the erodibility of soils; MA had twice the soil loss of SO owing to sandy soil despite similar rainfall amounts at MA and SO. Our results show that the high rainfall amounts in the mountainous areas and high susceptibility of sandy soils to erosion enhanced soil loss by water erosion in this study. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gelatin Nanoparticles with Enhanced Affinity for Calcium Phosphate
Authors: Farbod Kambiz , Diba Mani , Zinkevich Tatiana , Schmidt Stephan , Harrington Matthew J. , Kentgens Arno P. M. , Leeuwenburgh Sander C. G.
Published: January 2016

Gelatin nanoparticles can be tuned with respect to their drug loading efficiency, degradation rate, and release kinetics, which renders these drug carriers highly suitable for a wide variety of biomedical applications. The ease of functionalization has rendered gelatin an interesting candidate material to introduce specific motifs for selective targeting to specific organs, but gelatin nanoparticles have not yet been modified to increase their affinity to mineralized tissue. By means of conjugating bone‐targeting alendronate to biocompatible gelatin nanoparticles, a simple method is developed for the preparation of gelatin nanoparticles which exhibit strong affinity to mineralized surfaces. It has been shown that the degree of alendronate functionalization can be tuned by controlling the glutaraldehyde crosslinking density, the molar ratio between alendronate and glutaraldehyde, as well as the pH of the conjugation reaction. Moreover, it has been shown that the affinity of gelatin nanoparticles to calcium phosphate increases considerably upon functionalization with alendronate. In summary, gelatin nanoparticles have been developed, which exhibit great potential for use in bone‐specific drug delivery and regenerative medicine.

image
Selection of internal standards for accurate quantification of complex lipid species in biological extracts by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry—What, how and why?
Authors: Wang Miao , Wang Chunyan , Han Xianlin
Published: January 2016

Lipidomics is rapidly expanding because of the great facilitation of recent advances in, and novel applications of, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry techniques. The greatest demands have been for successful quantification of lipid classes, subclasses, and individual molecular species in biological samples at acceptable accuracy. This review addresses the selection of internal standards in different methods for accurate quantification of individual lipid species. The principles of quantification with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry are first discussed to recognize the essentials for quantification. The basics of different lipidomics approaches are overviewed to understand the variables that need to be considered for accurate quantification. The factors that affect accurate quantification are extensively discussed, and the solutions to resolve these factors are proposed‐largely through addition of internal standards. Finally, selection of internal standards for different methods is discussed in detail to address the issues of what, how, and why related to internal standards. We believe that thorough discussion of the topics related to internal standards should aid in quantitative analysis of lipid classes, subclasses, and individual molecular species and should have big impacts on advances in lipidomics. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 36:693–714, 2017
The effect of different application timings of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on nerve regeneration in rats
Authors: Ince Bilsev , Arslan Abdullah , Dadaci Mehmet , Oltulu Pembe , Bilgen Fatma
Published: January 2016

Background

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different application timings of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO) on nerve regeneration in rats.

Materials and Methods

A total of forty 12‐week‐old female Wistar albino rats were used. The sciatic nerve was transected. The nerve ends were then realigned and repaired using standard microsurgical techniques. Animals were randomly assigned to four groups: 1) No hyperbaric oxygen, sectioned and repaired; 2) HBO started at postoperative first hour, sectioned and repaired; 3) HBO started at postoperative first week, sectioned, and repaired; and 4) HBO started at postoperative second week, sectioned, and repaired. All rats in all groups were evaluated with gait analysis at 8 and 16 weeks postoperatively. Sciatic function index was calculated. Sciatic nerve samples were taken after gait analysis at 16th week. Foreign body reaction, the intensity of the inflammatory cells and types, repair‐associated vascular proliferation in the field, axonal vacuolar degeneration of the fibers from the cut line transition density and switching layout, and myelinization density with perineural sheath were evaluated histopathologically.

Results

At the 16th week, group 2 demonstrated the best gait analysis results. Gait analysis was better for group 3 than groups 1 and 4 (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed among the groups in inflammation (P > 0.05). Fibrosis was statistically less in group 2 than that in other groups (P < 0.05); however, no significant differences were observed among groups 1, 3, and 4 (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that initiating HBO early after nerve repair will make a positive impact on recovery. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:586–592, 2016.
Form of phytosterols and food matrix in which they are incorporated modulate their incorporation into mixed micelles and impact cholesterol micellarization
Authors: Gleize Béatrice , Nowicki Marion , Daval Christophe , Koutnikova Hana , Borel Patrick
Published: January 2016

Scope

The ability of different plant sterols/stanols (PS) mixtures, which differed in the degree of B‐ring saturation and aliphatic side chain structure and saturation, to reduce cholesterol (CH) micellarization was explored.

Methods and results

Experiments were performed using an in vitro digestion model, synthetic mixed micelles, and pure porcine pancreatic lipases. Sterols were measured by GC‐FID. The ability of PS to reduce CH micellarization was dependent on the form of PS and on the type of delivery matrix (low‐fat yogurt or olive oil). Long‐chain PS esters delivered in the yogurt matrix, and medium chain PS esters delivered in olive oil provided the greatest reduction in CH micellarization. In yogurt, the ability to impair CH micellarization was inversely related (rho = −0.41, p < 0.0005) to PS melting point. In olive oil, the more hydrophobic PS mixtures, i.e. those rich in long‐chain PS esters, had the lower ability to impair CH micellarization.

Conclusions

Different forms of PS have a different ability to impair CH micellarization. This ability depends on the transfer efficiency of PS from the food matrix to the micelle, which in turn depends on the melting point and the hydrophobicity of PS and on the delivery food matrix.
Aspalathin, a dihydrochalcone C‐glucoside, protects H9c2 cardiomyocytes against high glucose induced shifts in substrate preference and apoptosis
Authors: Johnson Rabia , Dludla Phiwayinkosi , Joubert Elizabeth , February Faghri , Mazibuko Sithandiwe , Ghoor Samira , Muller Christo , Louw Johan
Published: January 2016

Scope

Energy deprivation in the myocardium is associated with impaired heart function. This study aims to investigate if aspalathin (ASP) can ameliorate hyperglycemic‐induced shift in substrate preference and protect the myocardium against cell apoptosis.

Methods and results

H9c2 cells were exposed to, either normal (5.5 mM) or high (33 mM) glucose concentrations for 48 h. Thereafter, cells exposed to 33 mM glucose were treated with metformin (1 μM) or ASP (1 μM), as well as a combination of metformin and ASP for 6 h. In vitro studies revealed that ASP improved glucose metabolism by decreasing fatty acid uptake and subsequent β‐oxidation through the decreased expression of adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase threonine 172 (pAMPK (Thr172)) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), while increasing acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expression. ASP inhibited high glucose induced loss of membrane potential in H9c2 cells as observed by an increase in 5′ ,6,6′‐tetrachloro‐1,1′,3,3′ ‐tetraethylbenzimidazolyl‐carbocyanine iodide (JC‐1) ratio (orange\red fluorescence) and decreased apoptosis by reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species and DNA nick formation, while increasing glutathione, superoxide dismutase, uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), and Bcl‐2\Bax ratio.

Conclusion

Our study provides evidence that ASP increases glucose oxidation and modulates fatty acid utilization producing a favorable substrate shift in H9c2 cardiomyocytes exposed to high glucose. Such a favorable shift will be of importance in the protection of cardiomyocytes in the diabetic heart.
Sensory function assessment of the human male lower urinary tract using current perception thresholds
Authors: Knüpfer Stephanie C. , Liechti Martina D. , Gregorini Flavia , De Wachter Stefan , Kessler Thomas M. , Mehnert Ulrich
Published: January 2016

Aims

To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of current perception threshold (CPT) measurement for sensory assessment of distinct locations in the male lower urinary tract (LUT).

Methods

Twelve male subjects (>18 years) without LUT symptoms or medical comorbidities were eligible. CPTs were determined twice (interval: 7–20 days) at the bladder dome, trigone and the proximal, membranous, and distal urethra. Square wave electrical stimulation of 3 Hz/0.2 ms and 0.5 Hz/1 ms was applied using a transurethral 8F catheter placed under fluoroscopic control. Bladder volume was kept constant (60 mL) using a second 10F catheter. Repetitive measurements and reliability were assessed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

The ANOVA revealed significant main effects for stimulation site (P = 0.008) and type of stimulation (P < 0.001) with lower CPTs for 0.5 Hz/1 ms compared to 3 Hz/0.2 ms. There was no significant effect for visit number (P = 0.061). CPTs were higher for bladder dome than for proximal (0.5 Hz/1 ms: P = 0.022; 3 Hz/0.2 ms: P = 0.022) and distal urethra (0.5 Hz/1 ms: P = 0.026; 3 Hz/0.2 ms: P = 0.030). Reliability of CPT measurements was excellent to good (ICC = 0.67–0.96) except for the bladder dome (5 Hz/1 ms: ICC = 0.45; 3 Hz/0.2 ms: ICC = 0.20) and distal urethra (3 Hz/0.2 ms: ICC = 0.57).

Conclusions

CPTs can be reliably detected at different LUT locations. However, alert and compliant subjects are essential. CPTs of LUT may become a complementary assessment method providing information on responsiveness and sensitivity of afferent LUT nerves. This is especially relevant for urethral afferents, which are not covered by standard urodynamic investigations. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:469–473, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diffusion MRI in early cancer therapeutic response assessment
Authors: Galbán C. J. , Hoff B. A. , Chenevert T. L. , Ross B. D.
Published: January 2016

Imaging biomarkers for the predictive assessment of treatment response in patients with cancer earlier than standard tumor volumetric metrics would provide new opportunities to individualize therapy. Diffusion‐weighted MRI (DW‐MRI), highly sensitive to microenvironmental alterations at the cellular level, has been evaluated extensively as a technique for the generation of quantitative and early imaging biomarkers of therapeutic response and clinical outcome. First demonstrated in a rodent tumor model, subsequent studies have shown that DW‐MRI can be applied to many different solid tumors for the detection of changes in cellularity as measured indirectly by an increase in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water molecules within the lesion. The introduction of quantitative DW‐MRI into the treatment management of patients with cancer may aid physicians to individualize therapy, thereby minimizing unnecessary systemic toxicity associated with ineffective therapies, saving valuable time, reducing patient care costs and ultimately improving clinical outcome. This review covers the theoretical basis behind the application of DW‐MRI to monitor therapeutic response in cancer, the analytical techniques used and the results obtained from various clinical studies that have demonstrated the efficacy of DW‐MRI for the prediction of cancer treatment response. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Post‐treatment with cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript enhances infarct resolution, reinnervation, and angiogenesis in stroke rats – an MRI study
Authors: Liu H.‐S. , Shen H. , Luo Y. , Hoffer B. J. , Wang Y. , Yang Y.
Published: January 2016

Recent studies have shown that post‐treatment with cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) has neuroregenerative effects in animal models of stroke. The purpose of this study was to characterize CART‐mediated neuronal and vascular repairments using non‐invasive MRI techniques. Adult male rats were subjected to a 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Animals were separated into two groups with similar infarction sizes, measured by T2‐weighted MRI on Day 2 after MCAo, and were treated with CART or vehicle intranasally from Day 3 to Day 12. Diffusion tensor imaging was used to examine changes in plasticity of white matter elements. Susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) was used to measure angiogenesis. Post‐treatment with CART significantly increased fractional anisotropy (FA) in lesioned cortex on Days 10 and 25 post stroke. A significant correlation between the behavioral recovery in body asymmetry and the change in FA was shown, suggesting that behavioral recovery was associated with reinnervation to the lesioned hemisphere. CART also increased the intensity of SWI and the immunoreactivity of the vascular marker alpha‐smooth muscle actin in lesioned cortex. Together, our data support a non‐invasive treatment strategy for stroke through angiogenesis and reinnervation by CART. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical integration of rate‐independent BCC single crystal plasticity models: comparative study of two classes of numerical algorithms
Authors: Akpama Holanyo K. , Bettaieb Mohamed Ben , Abed‐Meraim Farid
Published: January 2016

In an incremental formulation suitable to numerical implementation, the use of rate‐independent theory of crystal plasticity essentially leads to four fundamental problems. The first is to determine the set of potentially active slip systems over a time increment. The second is to select the active slip systems among the potentially active ones. The third is to compute the slip rates (or the slip increments) for the active slip systems. And the last problem is the possible non‐uniqueness of slip rates. The purpose of this paper is to propose satisfactory responses to the aforementioned first three issues by presenting and comparing two novel numerical algorithms. The first algorithm is based on the usual return‐mapping integration scheme, while the second follows the so‐called ultimate scheme. The latter is shown to be more relevant and efficient than the former. These comparative performances are illustrated through various numerical simulations of the mechanical behavior of single crystals and polycrystalline aggregates subjected to monotonic and complex loadings. Although these algorithms are applied in this paper to body‐centered‐cubic crystal structures, they are quite general and suitable for integrating the constitutive equations for other crystal structures (e.g., face centered cubic and hexagonal close packed). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adherence to low‐carbohydrate and low‐fat diets in relation to weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Hu T. , Yao L. , Reynolds K. , Niu T. , Li S. , Whelton P. K. , He J. , Steffen L. M. , Bazzano L. A.
Published: January 2016

Objective

A low‐carbohydrate diet can reduce body weight and some cardiovascular disease risk factors more than a low‐fat diet, but differential adherence may play a role in these effects.

Methods

Data were used from 148 adults who participated in a 12‐month clinical trial examining the effect of a low‐carbohydrate diet (<40 g d−1) and a low‐fat diet (<30% fat and <7% saturated fat) on weight and cardiovascular disease risk factors. We compared attendance at counselling sessions, deviation from nutrient goals, urinary ketone presence and composite scores representing the overall adherence based on the distribution of these individual indicators between two interventions.

Results

Composite scores were similar between the two groups. A one‐interquartile‐range increase in composite score representing better adherence to a low‐carbohydrate diet was associated with 2.2 kg or 2.3% greater weight loss, 1.1 greater reduction in percent fat mass and 1.3 greater increase in proportion of lean mass. Indicators of adherence to a low‐fat diet were not associated with changes in weight, fat mass or lean mass.

Conclusions

Despite comparable adherence between groups, a low‐carbohydrate diet was associated with greater reductions in body weight and improvement in body composition, while a low‐fat diet was not associated with weight loss.
Solution polymerization of polybenzimidazole
Authors: Fishel Kayley J. , Gulledge Alexander L. , Pingitore Andrew T. , Hoffman Jason P. , Steckle Warren P. , Benicewicz Brian C.
Published: January 2016

Polybenzimidazoles (PBI) are an important class of heterocyclic polymers that exhibit high thermal and oxidative stabilities. The two dominant polymerization methods used for the synthesis of PBI are the melt/solid polymerization route and solution polymerization using polyphosphoric acid as the solvent. Both methods have been widely used to produce high‐molecular weight PBI, but also highlight the obvious absence of a practical organic solution‐based method of polymerization. This current work explores the synthesis of high‐molecular weight meta‐PBI in N,N‐dimethyl acetamide (DMAc). Initially, model compound studies examined the reactivity of small molecules with various chemical functionalities that could be used to produce 2‐phenyl‐benzimidazole in high yield with minimal side reactions. 1H NMR and FTIR studies indicated that benzimidazoles could be efficiently synthesized in DMAc by reaction of an o‐diamine and the bisulfite adduct of an aromatic aldehyde. Polymerizations were conducted at various polymer concentrations (2‐26 wt % polymer) using difunctional monomers to optimize reaction conditions in DMAc which resulted in the preparation of high‐molecular weight m‐PBI (inherent viscosities up to 1.3 dL g−1). TGA and DSC confirmed that m‐PBI produced via this route has comparable properties to that of commercial m‐PBI. This method is advantageous in that it not only allows for high‐polymer concentrations of m‐PBI to be synthesized directly and efficiently, but can be applied to the synthesis of many PBI derivatives. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1795–1802
Organocatalytic Fluoromalonate Addition to Tetrahydroisoquinolines through a CDC process
Authors: Shirley Luke D. , Ceban Victor , Meazza Marta , Rios Ramon
Published: January 2016

Recently green chemistry has attracted much attention from organic chemists due the problems that our society faces in terms of waste generation and energy consumption. For this reason cross dehydrogenative couplings (CDC) have emerged as one of the most important strategies for C−C bond formation nowadays. In our research group, enticed by the use of organocatalytic cross dehydrogenative coupling reactions and in the synthesis of fluorinated compounds, we developed a new organocatalytic methodology based on the CDC activation of tetrahydroisoquinolines followed by addition of fluoromalonates. The reaction is simply catalyzed by organic dyes (Rose Bengal) using green LED as a light source and oxygen as stoichiometric oxidant and let us to obtain the final fluorinated compounds in good yields.
Uranium(VI) hybrid materials with [(UO2)3(µ3‐O)(µ2‐OH)3]+as the sub–building unit via uranyl–cation interactions
Authors: Zhang Yingjie , Clegg Jack K. , Lu Kim , Lumpkin Gregory R. , Tran Toan Trong , Aharonovich Igor , Scales Nicholas , Li Feng
Published: January 2016

The hydrothermal reaction of uranyl nitrate with 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2bdc) in the presence of strontium or potassium hydroxides and nitrates afford the formation of two new uranyl hybrid materials featuring extensive uranyl‐strontium or uranyl‐potassium interactions with [(UO2)3(µ3‐O)(µ2‐OH)3]+as the sub‐building unit. Sr1.5[(UO2)12(O)3(OH)13(bdc)4]⋅6H2O (1) contains one‐dimensional (1D) uranyl oxohydroxyl ribbons made of trinuclear pentagonal bipyramidal uranyl units. The ribbons are linked together via uranyl‐strontium interactions to form 2D inorganic domains which are further connected throughµ4‐bdc anions forming a 3D hybrid structure. This is the first reported uranyl‐strontium interaction in extended hybrid solid with the shortest Sr‐O−ylbond length of 2.596 (8) Å. K3[(UO2)12(O)3(OH)13(bdc)4]⋅8H2O (2) has a similar 3D hybrid structure built up through extensive K‐O−ylinteractions with the shortest K‐O−ylbond length of 2.620 (6) Å. Raman spectroscopy has confirmed the presence of oxo‐bridging (U−O−U) vibrations. Thermal stabilities and photoluminescent properties are reported.
Biomimetic apatite layer formation on a novel citrate starch scaffold suitable for bone tissue engineering applications
Authors: Nourmohammadi Jhamak , Shahriarpanah Sepideh , Asadzadehzanjani Negin , Khaleghpanah Shila , Heidari Shafagh
Published: January 2016

The formation of biomimetic bone‐like apatite layers throughout the biopolymer‐based hydrogel scaffold is an attractive approach in bone tissue engineering. Here, the starch scaffold was prepared using a combination of particulate leaching and freeze‐drying techniques. The fabricated structures were then modified by citric acid to investigate the formation of bone‐like apatite layer on the porous citrate‐based scaffold after soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF). The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that the B‐type carbonated apatite has successfully deposited on the scaffold after immersing in SBF for 28 days. Indeed, high chemical affinity of carboxyl group in citrate starch resulted in primary heterogeneous nucleation of apatitic calcium phosphate throughout the starch hydrogel. Moreover, the biological activity of MG63 osteoblast‐like cells cultured on the scaffold was assessed using indirect MTT assay and cell attachment experiment. The results indicated that the cells show significant biocompatibility and cell attachment.
High‐pressure homogenization induced degradation of amylopectin in a gelatinized state
Authors: Wei Benxi , Cai Canxin , Jin Zhengyu , Tian Yaoqi
Published: January 2016

An investigation of the degradation mechanism of a highly branched polymer during a high‐pressure homogenization (HPH) process was performed using gelatinized waxy maize starch as a substrate. The degradation mechanism was studied using high‐performance size‐exclusion chromatography equipped with multi‐angle laser‐light scattering and refractive index detectors. The HPH induced an exponential molecular degradation trend that was a function of HPH pressure/cycles. The results revealed that HPH preferentially disrupted larger molecules and caused their size distribution (or molecular weight) to a narrow range, resulting in a maximum stable size (or molecular weight). A final z‐average radius of gyration of about 20 nm for amylopectin was observed after HPH for eight cycles at 100 MPa or two cycles at 150 MPa, which was due to the midpoint scission mechanism during the HPH treatment. The increase in molecular density after HPH verified the breakdown of the α‐1,4‐glycosidic bonds among the clusters of (midpoint scission) amylopectin.
“Tell Something About the Pictures”: The Content and the Process of Autobiographical Work Among Scrapbookers
Authors: Medley‐Rath Stephanie
Published: January 2016

Viewing the popular process of making “scrapbooks” as a particular type of autobiographical occasion, I analyze interviews with scrapbookers and others who make up the scrapbooker's community, including industry workers and biographical others (i.e., family and friends). By considering scrapbooks within the autobiographical community in which they are created, I am able to scrutinize the structure of the narratives they contain, the role of the audience in their creation, and the emergence of norms of remembrance among scrapbookers. The narratives recorded in scrapbooks emerge from the bottom up and suggest that scrapbooking is a way to demonstrate the biographical stability necessary to craft an authenticity narrative. Further, I explore how scrapbookers “do autobiography” by uncovering their decision‐making process regarding what is worth memorializing. Scrapbookers work through a mnemonic checklist assessing special events and everyday life for its “scrapworthiness.” This paper's contribution centers on describing the process and the content of these atypical autobiographical occasions.
Toward integrated historical climate research: the example of Atmospheric Circulation Reconstructions over the Earth
Authors: Allan Rob , Endfield Georgina , Damodaran Vinita , Adamson George , Hannaford Matthew , Carroll Fiona , Macdonald Neil , Groom Nick , Jones Julie , Williamson Fiona , Hendy Erica , Holper Paul , Arroyo‐Mora J. Pablo , Hughes Lorna , Bickers Robert , Bliuc Ana‐Maria
Published: January 2016

Climate change has become a key environmental narrative of the 21st century. However, emphasis on the science of climate change has overshadowed studies focusing on human interpretations of climate history, of adaptation and resilience, and of explorations of the institutions and cultural coping strategies that may have helped people adapt to climate changes in the past. Moreover, although the idea of climate change has been subject to considerable scrutiny by the physical sciences, recent climate scholarship has highlighted the need for a re‐examination of the cultural and spatial dimensions of climate, with contributions from the humanities and social sciences. Establishing a multidisciplinary dialogue and approach to climate research past, present, and future has arguably never been more important. This article outlines developments in historical climatology research and considers examples of integrated multidisciplinary approaches to climate, climatic variability, and climate change research, conducted across the physical sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. We highlight the international Atmospheric Circulation Reconstructions over the Earth (ACRE) initiative as one example of such an integrated approach. Initially, ACRE began as a response from climate science to the needs of the agricultural sector in Queensland, Australia for a longer, more spatially, and temporally‐complete database of the weather. ACRE has now evolved to embrace an international group of researchers working together across disciplines to integrate their efforts into a four‐dimensional (4D) dynamical global historical climate‐quality reanalysis (reconstruction). WIREs Clim Change 2016, 7:164–174. doi: 10.1002/wcc.379

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Disciplinary Perspectives

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Modern Climate Change
West Nile virus, climate change, and circumpolar vulnerability
Authors: Hoover Kara C. , Barker Christopher M.
Published: January 2016

Climate has strong impacts on the spatial ranges of vector‐borne infectious diseases as well as the timing and intensity of disease outbreaks; these and shifting challenges to human health driven by future climate change are critical concerns. Many diseases of tropical origin, including West Nile virus (WNV), are sensitive to climate and likely to change their distributions in the coming decades. The 1999 outbreak of WNV in North America is an example of rapid viral adaptation to a new geographic area while recent outbreaks in Europe demonstrate the capacity of multiple viral strains to expand rapidly. WNV is one of the most widely distributed arboviruses and has displayed high rates of mutability, adaptability, and virulence. Northward expansion of WNV is happening in Europe and North America and may make WNV an increasingly worrying health risk at higher latitudes. Circumpolar northward expansion of WNV’s enzootic range appears unlikely over the coming century—at least for sustained enzootic transmission—but isolated and ephemeral transmission events might occur if the virus were to be introduced by migrating birds during warm months. Human populations in this area are at greater risk for health impacts from WNV transmission due to limited healthcare in rural areas, higher underlying morbidity in indigenous populations, and prolonged human‐environment interactions (in populations engaging in traditional lifestyles). This review presents a multidisciplinary synthesis on WNV and climate change, potential for WNV expansion, and the vulnerability of the circumpolar north. WIREs Clim Change 2016, 7:283–300. doi: 10.1002/wcc.382

This article is categorized under:

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change
The vascular access in the elderly: a position statement of the Vascular Access Working Group of the Italian Society of Nephrology
Authors: Lomonte Carlo , Forneris Giacomo , Gallieni Maurizio , Tazza Luigi , Meola Mario , Lodi Massimo , Senatore Massimo , Morale Walter , Spina Monica , Napoli Marcello , Bonucchi Decenzio , Galli Franco
Published: January 2016

The incident hemodialysis (HD) population is aging, and the elderly group is the one with the most rapid increase. In this context it is important to define the factors associated with outcomes in elderly patients. The high prevalence of comorbidities, particularly diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease and congestive heart failure, usually make vascular access (VA) creation more difficult. Furthermore, many of these patients may have an insufficient vasculature for fistula maturation. Finally, many fistulas may never be used due to the competing risk of death before dialysis initiation. In these cases, an arteriovenous graft and in some cases a central venous catheter become a valid alternative form of VA. Nephrologists need to know what is the most appropriate VA option in these patients. Age should not be a limiting factor when determining candidacy for arteriovenous fistula creation. The aim of this position statement, prepared by experts of the Vascular Access Working Group of the Italian Society of Nephrology, is to critically review the current evidence on VA in elderly HD patients. To this end, relevant clinical studies and recent guidelines on VA are reviewed and commented. The main advantages and potential drawbacks of the different VA modalities in the elderly patients are discussed.
International note: Confirmatory factor analysis and psychometric properties of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory in a sample of Portuguese adolescents
Authors: Simões Margarida , Lopes José , Gonçalves Rui Abrunhosa
Published: January 2016

The aim of this paper was to test the factorial structure and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI). The YPI is composed of 10 dimensions that further represent three hypothesized facets of the classical description of psychopathy: callousness, interpersonal manipulation and impulsiveness. A sample of 500 adolescents aged 12 to 18 (M = 14.87; SD = 1.67) from northern Portugal participated in this study. The results generally confirmed the factorial structure of the YPI in this sample, with some qualifications.
Co-existence of AML1-ETO and BCR-ABL1 transcripts in a relapsed patient of acute myeloid leukemia with favorable risk group
Authors: Singh Manish K. , Gupta Ruchi , Rahman Khaliqur , Kumar Sanjeev , Sharma Akhilesh , Nityanand Soniya
Published: January 2016

Prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia relies heavily on the cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities. AML1-ETO fusion protein resulting from t(8;21), a recurring cytogenetic abnormality, is known to be associated with favorable prognosis. Additional molecular defects may, however, co-operate with the fusion proteins and alter the course of the disease. Among the additional cytogenetic defects, presence of Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome has rarely been documented in this subtype. Little is known about the consequences of its interactions with AML1-ETO, and its effect on morphological and clinical picture. Moreover, Ph+ clones or subclones may appear at any point during the disease course. We herein report one such unusual case of a 26-year-old female, who was diagnosed to have t(8;21) and managed accordingly. During disease relapse after 2.5 years, the bone marrow showed extensive eosinophilia and basophilia. Subsequent molecular testing showed the presence of BCR-ABL in addition to the AML1-ETO fusion product.
Microgranular acute promyelocytic leukemia presenting with leukopenia and an unusual immunophenotype
Authors: McDonnell Megan H. , Smith Elton T. , Lipford Edward H. , Gerber Jonathan M. , Grunwald Michael R.
Published: January 2016

The microgranular variant (M3v) of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is rare, and the diagnosis can be delayed due to variability in how this condition presents. M3v blasts often have folded nuclei, but unlike traditional APL blasts, they often possess faint granules without Auer rods. In addition, microgranular APL often presents with an elevated or normal white blood cell count in contrast with the leukopenia seen in traditional APL. In APL, delayed diagnosis can lead to early death from disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which is the main cause of mortality in an otherwise treatable, and often curable, leukemia. We describe a 19-year-old male with microgranular APL who presented with leukopenia and many blasts resembling non-APL AML blasts with an unexpected immunophenotypic pattern. He was treated for DIC and initiated on all-trans-retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide; he achieved complete molecular remission after induction therapy. Suspicion for APL should always remain high in the presence of clinical manifestations of the disease in order that appropriate treatment can be initiated rapidly to prevent early death.
Solid-type primary intraosseous squamouscell carcinoma in the mandible
Authors: Alotaibi Ohoud , Al-Zaher Nabil , Alotaibi Faiza , Khoja Hatim , Qannam Ahmed
Published: January 2016

Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma (PIOSCC) is a rare malignant neoplasm that has an exquisitely exclusive affection to the jawbone. It is defined as squamous cell carcinoma arising within the jaw and developing from residual odontogenic epithelium or from a preexisting odontogenic cyst or tumor. The solid-type of this tumor is a central jaw carcinoma arising de novo and has no initial connection with the oral mucosa. Herein, we report a case of solid-type PIOSCC involving the mandible in a 37-year-old male patient elucidating its histopathological and imaging findings. The patient underwent surgical resection followed by post-operative adjuvant radiotherapy. The close 2-year follow up of the patient revealed neither locoregional nor distant metastasis.
Predictive values of vascular endothelial growth factor and microvessel‐density levels in initial biopsy for prostate cancer
Authors: Kervancioglu Enis , Kosan Murat , Erinanc Hilal , Gonulalan Umut , Oguzulgen Ahmet Ibrahim , Coskun Esra Zeynep , Ozkardes Hakan
Published: January 2016

Angiogenesis is an important factor in the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCA). We aimed to investigate the values of vascular‐endothelial‐growth‐factor (VEGF) expression level and microvessel density (MVD) in the prediction of PCA diagnosis at repeated prostate biopsy (re‐PBx). We retrospectively evaluated 167 patients with re‐PBx according to elevated prostate‐specific antigen levels, suspicious digital rectal examination, and the presence of premalignant lesions. Patients with PCA on re‐PBx were included in the cancer group (n = 17). Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or normal tissues on re‐PBx were included in the control group (n = 21). The groups were compared according to the expression level of VEGF and MVD in initial prostate biopsy. There was no statistically significant difference between groups according to age and serum prostate‐specific‐antigen values. The mean VEGF scores of the cancer and control groups were 232.64 ± 11.14 and 183.09 ± 14.56, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean MVD of the biopsy samples in the cancer and control groups were 246.47 ± 17.59 n/mm2 and 197.33 ± 16.26 n/mm2, respectively (p < 0.05). The cutoff values of VEGF scores and MVD were set as 200 and 215, respectively, for PCA detection in our study. Our results showed that the expression level of VEGF and MVD significantly increased in the initial prostate‐biopsy samples of patients with PCA diagnosed with re‐PBx. The evaluation of VEGF expression level and MVD might have an important value in the prediction of PCA at re‐PBx. The expression level of VEGF and MVD should be kept in mind as PCA‐related histopathological changes that indicate the increased angiogenesis in prostatic tissue.