bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population‐based assessment of determining predictors for quality of prostate cancer surveillance
Authors: Chamie Karim , Williams Stephen B. , Hershman Dawn L. , Wright Jason D. , Nguyen Paul L. , Hu Jim C.
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

Despite recent interest in the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of prostate cancer, the acceptance of expectant management for patients with indolent prostate cancer has remained slow. Moreover, the intensity of surveillance strategies remains to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to determine the population‐based intensity of surveillance strategy among patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who undergo watchful waiting/active surveillance and those who receive active treatment.

METHODS

Linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare data were used to identify men diagnosed with prostate cancer from 2004 to 2007 who were followed until December 31, 2009. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to quantify the use of prostate‐specific antigen tests, office visits, and second prostate biopsies within 2 years of diagnosis.

RESULTS

Compared with patients who were receiving active treatment, those who were undergoing watchful waiting/active surveillance were less likely to receive prostate‐specific antigen testing and to attend office visits within the 2 years after diagnosis (P < .01). Of the 3656 patients who were undergoing watchful waiting/active surveillance, only 166 (4.5%) were on active surveillance (according to the authors’ a priori definition), although the number increased over the last 2 years of the study (hazard ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.28‐3.71; P < .01). Limitations of the study included data limited to men aged 65 years or older and the lack of ability to discern between watchful waiting and active surveillance.

CONCLUSIONS

Active surveillance is underused, and there is uncertainty regarding the quality of surveillance for patients who undergo watchful waiting/active surveillance. Further research is needed into qualitatively describing the contributing factors that drive decision‐making recommendations as well as improved surveillance measures for patients with prostate cancer. Cancer 2015;121:4150–4157. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Preferences of advanced cancer patients for communication on anticancer treatment cessation and the transition to palliative care
Authors: Umezawa Shino , Fujimori Maiko , Matsushima Eisuke , Kinoshita Hiroya , Uchitomi Yosuke
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to clarify the communication preferences of patients with advanced cancer regarding discussions about ending anticancer treatment and transitioning to palliative care and to explore the variables associated with those preferences.

METHODS

Participants were 106 Japanese patients with cancer who had been informed at least 1 week earlier about the cessation of their anticancer treatment. They completed a survey measuring their preferences for communication about ending anticancer treatment and transitioning to palliative care as well as their demographic characteristics. Medical records were also examined to investigate medical characteristics.

RESULTS

Results of the descriptive analysis indicated that patients strongly preferred their physicians to listen to their distress and concerns (96%), to assure them that their painful symptoms would be controlled (97.1%), and to explain the status of their illness and the physical symptoms that would likely occur in the future (95.1%). Multiple regression analyses identified the factors associated with these preferences: telling patients to prepare mentally and informing them of their expected life expectancy were associated with cancer site; sustaining hope was associated with cancer site and children; and empathic paternalism was associated with duration since cancer diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients preferred their physicians to be realistic about their likely future and wanted to be reassured that their painful symptoms would be controlled. For patients with cancer at certain sites, those with children, and those more recently diagnosed, physicians should communicate carefully and actively by providing information on life expectancy and mental preparation, sustaining hope, and behaving with empathic paternalism. Cancer 2015;121:4240–4249. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Multicenter phase 2 study of patupilone for recurrent or progressive brain metastases from non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Nayak Lakshmi , DeAngelis Lisa M. , Robins H. Ian , Govindan Ramaswamy , Gadgeel Shirish , Kelly Karen , Rigas James R. , Peereboom David M. , Rosenfeld Steven S. , Muzikansky Alona , Zheng Ming , Urban Patrick , Abrey Lauren E. , Omuro Antonio , Wen Patrick Y.
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

Treatment options for patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases are limited. Patupilone (EPO906), a blood‐brain barrier–penetrating, microtubule‐targeting, cytotoxic agent, has shown clinical activity in phase 1/2 studies in patients with NSCLC. This study evaluates the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety of patupilone in NSCLC brain metastases.

METHODS

Adult patients with NSCLC and confirmed progressive brain metastases received patupilone intravenously at 10 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint of this multinomial 2‐stage study combined early progression (EP; death or progression within 3 weeks) and progression‐free survival at 9 weeks (PFS9w) to determine drug activity.

RESULTS

Fifty patients with a median age of 60 years (range, 33‐74 years) were enrolled; the majority were men (58%), and most had received prior therapy for brain metastases (98%). The PFS9w rate was 36%, and the EP rate was 26%. Patupilone blood pharmacokinetic analyses showed mean areas under the concentration‐time curve from time zero to 504 hours for cycles 1 and 3 of 1544 and 1978 ng h/mL, respectively, and a mean steady state distribution volume of 755 L/m2. Grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs), regardless of their relation with the study drug, included diarrhea (24%), pulmonary embolisms (8%), convulsions (4%), and peripheral neuropathy (4%). All patients discontinued the study drug: 31 (62%) for disease progression and 13 (26%) for AEs. Twenty‐five of 32 deaths were due to brain metastases. The median time to progression and the overall survival were 3.2 and 8.8 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first prospective study of chemotherapy for recurrent brain metastases from NSCLC. In this population, patupilone demonstrated activity in heavily treated patients. Cancer 2015;121:4165–4172. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Extent of resection and overall survival for patients with atypical and malignant meningioma
Authors: Aizer Ayal A. , Bi Wenya Linda , Kandola Manjinder S. , Lee Eudocia Q. , Nayak Lakshmi , Rinne Mikael L. , Norden Andrew D. , Beroukhim Rameen , Reardon David A. , Wen Patrick Y. , Al‐Mefty Ossama , Arvold Nils D. , Dunn Ian F. , Alexander Brian M.
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for patients with atypical and malignant meningioma is guarded; whether the extent of resection is associated with survival‐based outcomes in this population remains poorly defined. This study investigated the association between gross total resection (GTR) and all‐cause mortality in patients with atypical and malignant meningioma.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program was used to identify 575 and 64 patients betweens the ages of 18 and 70 years who were diagnosed with atypical and malignant meningioma, respectively, between 2004 and 2009. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the adjusted impact of GTR versus subtotal resection on all‐cause mortality.

RESULTS

Baseline patient characteristics were similar for patients who did undergo GTR and patients who did not undergo GTR. The 5‐year overall survival rates were 91.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.2%‐94.5%) and 78.2% (95% CI, 70.0%‐84.3%) for patients with atypical meningioma who did and did not undergo GTR, respectively, and 64.5% (95% CI, 45.9%‐78.1%) and 41.1% (95% CI, 17.9%‐63.1%) for patients with malignant meningioma who did and did not undergo GTR, respectively. After adjustments for available, pertinent confounding variables, GTR was associated with lower all‐cause mortality in patients with atypical (hazard ratio, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.23‐0.67; P < .001) and malignant meningioma (hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.15‐0.81; P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The extent of resection is a powerful predictor of outcome for patients with atypical and malignant meningioma. These data highlight the hazard associated with the presence of gross tumor bulk after surgery and suggest a value for more extensive resections that should be balanced against the additional potential morbidity. Cancer 2015;121:4376–81. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Allergic reactions and antiasparaginase antibodies in children with high‐risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A children's oncology group report
Authors: Ko Richard H. , Jones Tamekia L. , Radvinsky David , Robison Nathan , Gaynon Paul S. , Panosyan Eduard H. , Avramis Ioannis A. , Avramis Vassilios I. , Rubin Joan , Ettinger Lawrence J. , Seibel Nita L. , Dhall Girish
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

The objectives of this study were to assess the incidence of clinical allergy and end‐induction antiasparaginase (anti‐ASNase) antibodies in children with high‐risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with pegylated (PEG) Escherichia coli ASNase and to determine whether they carry any prognostic significance.

METHODS

Of 2057 eligible patients, 1155 were allocated to augmented arms in which PEG ASNase replaced native ASNase postinduction. Erwinia chrysanthemi (Erwinia) ASNase could be used to replace native ASNase after allergy, if available. Allergy and survival data were complete for 990 patients. End‐induction antibody titers were available for 600 patients.

RESULTS

During the consolidation phase, 289 of 990 patients (29.2%) had an allergic reaction. There were fewer allergic reactions to Erwinia ASNase than to native ASNase (odds ratio, 4.33; P < .0001) or PEG ASNase (odds ratio, 3.08; P < .0001) only during phase 1 of interim maintenance. There was no significant difference in 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) between patients who received PEG ASNase throughout the entire study postinduction versus those who developed an allergic reaction to PEG ASNase during consolidation phase and subsequently received Erwinia ASNase (80.8% ± 2.8% and 81.6% ± 3.8%, respectively; P = .66). Patients who had positive antibody titers postinduction were more likely to have an allergic reaction to PEG ASNase (odds ratio, 2.4; P < .001). The 5‐year EFS rate between patients who had negative versus positive antibody titers (80% ± 2.6% and 77.7% ± 4.3%, respectively; P = .68) and between patients who did not receive any ASNase postconsolidation and those who received PEG ASNase throughout the study (P = .22) were significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results demonstrate differences in the incidence rates of toxicity between ASNase preparations but not in EFS. The presence of anti‐ASNase antibodies did not affect EFS. Cancer 2015;121:4205–4211. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Color discrimination subject to illuminant and color transition
Authors: Kramer Guido , Schierz Christoph
Published: August 2015

Due to technological influence on the production process there are variations of the chromaticity coordinates that may cause visible differences of the perceived color of LEDs of the same production batch. To minimize the negative impact of such variations for the user the manufacturers carry out colorimetric measurements of LEDs and sort them into tolerance groups of similar chromaticity coordinates. The corresponding groups are defined by their respective center point surrounded by a quadrangular tolerance limit whereas the tolerance limits are based on tolerance ellipses gained in the 1940s by MacAdam. However, due to another scientific target of MacAdam's experiments, applying his ellipses as a base for grouping the chromaticity coordinates has to be questioned. With a view toward a method for grouping according to chromaticity coordinates for white LEDs with phosphor conversion, the results of research with test subjects regarding their discrimination and magnitude perception of chromatic differences are presented. In this research three chromaticities with the correlated color temperatures of 2700, 4000, and 6500 K and variations of color transitions are investigated, which match realistic luminaire designs for practical applications. The empirically determined thresholds are expanded according to the transformation to different chromatic adaptation conditions as per von Kries that are then compared to the results by MacAdam and the influence on adaptation is being discussed. A new concept for the calculation of tolerance limits for LED binning is presented. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 457–467, 2016
The relationship between refractive index and optical properties of absorbing nanoparticle
Authors: Piri N. , Shams‐Nateri A. , Mokhtari J.
Published: August 2015

This article represents an analytical formulation for optical properties of absorbing metallic nanoparticles in visible region of electromagnetic spectrum based on Mie theory, in order to find a clear relationship between fundamental characteristics of nanoparticles with their spectral behavior and color coordinate in CIELAB color space. Calculations were performed on nanoparticles with various diameters (d = 50, 100, and 200 nm), as well as complex refractive index with different real (n = 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0) and imaginary (k = 0.001 and 0.1) parts. Obtained results reveal that scattering phenomena in nanoparticles are strongly linked to the particle size parameter and complex index of refraction. The results indicate that the reflectance and lightness (L*) of nanoparticles increases as a result of increase in their size and real part of complex refractive index and decrease with increasing the imaginary part of complex refractive index. The CIELAB colorimetric system was used for analysis the color of nanoparticles. According to obtained results, all nanoparticles have greenish‐blue color, and undergo color change as a result of varying in their size and the complex refractive index. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 477–483, 2016
Magnetic Dextran Nanoparticles That Bear Hydrophilic Porphyrin Derivatives: Bimodal Agents for Potential Application in Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Mbakidi Jean‐Pierre , Brégier Frédérique , Ouk Tan‐Sothea , Granet Robert , Alves Sandra , Rivière Eric , Chevreux Sylviane , Lemercier Gilles , Sol Vincent
Published: August 2015

Invited for this month’s cover is the group of Prof. Vincent Sol from the University of Limoges, France. This study is a collaboration between the Universities of Limoges, Reims, Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC, Paris), and Paris Sud (Orsay). The cover picture shows a magnetic dextran nanoparticle bearing hydrophilic porphyrin derivatives; the illustration shows bimodal nanoplatforms that could be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging as well as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/cplu.201500087.
Synthesis, Structural Features, Cytotoxicity, and Magnetic Properties of Colloidal Ferrite Spinel Co1–xNixFe2O4(0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.9) Nanoparticles
Authors: Pązik Robert , Zięcina Aleksander , Zachanowicz Emilia , Małecka Malgorzata , Poźniak Blazej , Miller Julia , Śniadecki Zbigniew , Pierunek Natalia , Idzikowski Bogdan , Mrówczyńska Lucyna , Ekner‐Grzyb Anna , Wiglusz Rafal J.
Published: August 2015

Colloidal ferrite spinel nanoparticles (CoxNi1–xFe2O4) were prepared by a microwave‐stimulated Bradley technique under nonhydrolytic conditions. The effect of Ni2+doping on the structural properties was studied by powder XRD. The particle size, hydrodynamic size, and morphology were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), which showed mean crystallite sizes of ca. 10 and 60 nm for powder and colloidal suspensions of CoxNi1–xFe2O4, respectively. The cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles was tested against murine macrophages J774.E, osteosarcoma D17 cells, and human red blood cells (RBCs). The adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied, and the BSA showed a high affinity for the surface of the nanoparticles. The CoxNi1–xFe2O4nanoparticles in colloidal suspension showed dose‐dependent cytotoxicity against all of the studied cell lines, and less harmful effects were observed against RBCs at concentrations of up to 0.1 mg/mL. The cytotoxicity towards the D17 and J774.E cells suggests that internalization by the living cells seems to be the key step to elicit the toxic response. Thus, the cytotoxicity of the particles under investigation seems to be cell‐type‐dependent and not uniform. The CoxNi1–xFe2O4colloids exhibited superparamagnetic behavior with blocking temperatures (TB) below 300 K. The magnetic characteristics are well preserved in colloidal form and are similar to those of the powdered ferrites.
Total Synthesis of the Marine Natural Product Parazoanthine F by Copper‐Mediated C–N Coupling
Authors: Wefer Johannes , Lindel Thomas
Published: August 2015

The total synthesis of the marine natural product parazoanthine F from the sea anemone Parazoanthus axinellae is described. The key problem was the assembly of an N‐styrylhydantoin moiety. It was possible to cleanly hydroxylate the benzylic position of the corresponding phenethyl unit by treatment with cerium ammonium nitrate. However, elimination to the alkene proved to be surprisingly difficult. The breakthrough came after optimizing the CuI/N,N′‐dimethylethylenediamine‐mediated C–N coupling of a 2,2,4,6,7‐pentamethyl‐5‐sulfonyl‐dihydrobenzofuran‐protected arginine amide with p‐methoxystyryl bromide under microwave conditions (70 °C, 200 W) in the presence of Cs2CO3. Our studies culminated in a short approach with an overall yield of about 12 %.
MnO2/TBHP: A Versatile and User‐­Friend­ly Combination of Reagents for the Oxidation of Allylic and Benzylic Methylene Functional Groups
Authors: Serra Stefano
Published: August 2015

In the presence of activated MnO2, tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in CH2Cl2 is able to oxidize the allylic and benzylic methylene groups of different classes of compounds. I describe a one‐pot oxidation protocol based on two sequential steps. In the first step, carried out at low temperature, MnO2 catalyses the oxidation of the methylene group. This is followed by a second step where reaction temperature is increased, allowing MnO2 both to catalyse the decomposition of unreacted TBHP and to oxidize allylic alcohols that could possibly be formed. The proposed oxidation procedure is generally applicable, although its efficiency, regioselectivity, and chemoselectivity are strongly dependent on the structure of the substrate.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Direct C–H Vinylation of Arenes To Access Styrenes with Vinyl Acetate as a Vinyl Source
Authors: Mei Shu‐Tao , Jiang Kun , Wang Nan‐Jin , Shuai Li , Yuan Yi , Wei Ye
Published: August 2015

RhIII‐catalyzed aryl C–H vinylation for the preparation of styrenes by using vinyl acetate, a commercially available and inexpensive compound, as the vinyl source was successfully realized. This method enables various aromatics including N‐sulfonyl ketimines, pyridines, azoles, and amides to be vinylated in moderate to good yields.
Screening for Oral Cancer Using Electrochemical Telomerase Assay
Authors: Hayakawa Mana , Sato Shinobu , Diala Irmina , Kodama Masaaki , Tomoeda‐Mori Kumiko , Haraguchi Kazuya , Tominaga Kazuhiro , Takenaka Shigeori
Published: August 2015

Electrochemical telomerase assay (ECTA) developed by our group was evaluated in an oral cancer screening using exfoliated oral cells and tissues obtained from patients of oral cancer, mucosa associated disease, or healthy volunteers. Telomerase activity from ECTA is correlated with hTERT mRNA expression level using a real‐time PCR and was increasing in the following order: healthy volunteer group<mucosa associated disease group<oral cancer group. Sensitivity and specificity of ECTA were 88 % and 72 %, respectively when used 17 % of the threshold value based on the receiver operating characteristic curve in ECTA data.
Two‐Dimensional Layered BiOX (X=Cl, Br) Compounds as Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Ye Liqun , Wang Lijuan , Xie Haiquan , Su Yurong , Jin Xiaoli , Zhang Can
Published: August 2015

Many layered structure nanomaterials have been suggested as promising electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries. Ternary layered compounds, BiOX (X=Cl, Br) are usually used as photocatalysts for energy generation and environmental protection. However, there has not been a report of BiOX as electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries to this point. In this study, two‐dimensional BiOX nanosheets are synthesized using a hydrothermal method, and electrochemical measurements show that layered BiOX can display remarkable electrochemical performance for use as an anode in lithium‐ion batteries. Capacities of approximately 254 and 230 mAh g−1 are maintained after 15 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g−1 for BiOCl and BiOBr, respectively. The electrochemical properties are much better than that of BiOI (137 mAh g−1). Study of the mechanism reveals that Li3OX (X=Cl, Br) and Li3Bi are formed after the lithium ions become embedded in the layered BiOX.
A learning‐based approach for autonomous outage detection and coverage optimization
Authors: Zoha Ahmed , Saeed Arsalan , Imran Ali , Imran Muhammad Ali , Abu‐Dayya Adnan
Published: August 2015

To be able to provide uninterrupted high quality of experience to the subscribers, operators must ensure high reliability of their networks while aiming for zero downtime. With the growing complexity of the networks, there exists unprecedented challenges in network optimization and planning, especially activities such as cell outage detection (COD) and mitigation that are labour‐intensive and costly. In this paper, we address the challenge of autonomous COD and cell outage compensation in self‐organising networks (SON). COD is a pre‐requisite to trigger fully automated self‐healing recovery actions following cell outages or network failures. A special case of cell outage, referred to as sleeping cell, remains particularly challenging to detect in state‐of‐the‐art SON, because it triggers no alarms for operation and maintenance entity. Consequently, no SON compensation function can be launched unless site visits or drive tests are performed, or complaints are received by affected customers. To address this issue, our COD solution leverages minimization of drive test functionality, recently specified in third generation partnership project Release 10 for LTE networks, in conjunction with state‐of‐the art machine learning methods. Subsequently, the proposed cell outage compensation mechanism utilises fuzzy‐based reinforcement learning mechanism to fill the coverage gap and improve the quality of service, for the users in the identified outage zone, by reconfiguring the antenna and power parameters of the neighbouring cells. The simulation results show that the proposed framework can detect cell outage situations in an autonomous fashion and also compensate for the detected outage in a reliable manner. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensory quality of soymilk and tofu from soybeans lacking lipoxygenases
Authors: Yang Aijun , Smyth Heather , Chaliha Mridusmita , James Andrew
Published: August 2015

The oxidation of unsaturated lipids by lipoxygenases in soybeans causes undesirable flavors in soy foods. Using a traditional and a nontraditional soy food user group, we examined the cultural difference in perceiving the sensory characteristics of soymilk and tofu produced from soybeans with or without lipoxygenases (Lx123). The two groups described the samples using similar terms. The traditional users preferred the control soy milk and lipoxygenase‐free tofu while the nontraditional users preferred the lipoxygenase‐free soymilk with no preference for tofu. In a separate study, a trained descriptive taste panel compared the odor of soymilk and tofu from control soybeans or those lacking lipoxygenase‐1 and lipoxygenase‐2 (Lx12) or all three isomers (Lx123). The rancid/grassy odor was rated the lowest in Lx123 products, followed by Lx12 products with the control products given the highest rating. The Lx12 and Lx123 products were also sweeter and less bitter than the controls. Taken together, our results demonstrated that soybeans lacking lipoxygenases can produce soy foods with less undesirable aromas and are therefore likely more acceptable to the consumers.
A critical role of temporoparietal junction in the integration of top‐down and bottom‐up attentional control
Authors: Wu Qiong , Chang Chi‐Fu , Xi Sisi , Huang I‐Wen , Liu Zuxiang , Juan Chi‐Hung , Wu Yanhong , Fan Jin
Published: August 2015

Information processing can be biased toward behaviorally relevant and salient stimuli by top‐down (goal‐directed) and bottom‐up (stimulus‐driven) attentional control processes respectively. However, the neural basis underlying the integration of these processes is not well understood. We employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial direct‐current stimulation (tDCS) in humans to examine the brain mechanisms underlying the interaction between these two processes. We manipulated the cognitive load involved in top‐down processing and stimulus surprise involved in bottom‐up processing in a factorial design by combining a majority function task and an oddball paradigm. We found that high cognitive load and high surprise level were associated with prolonged reaction time compared to low cognitive load and low surprise level, with a synergistic interaction effect, which was accompanied by a greater deactivation of bilateral temporoparietal junction (TPJ). In addition, the TPJ displayed negative functional connectivity with right middle occipital gyrus, which is involved in bottom‐up processing (modulated by the interaction effect), and the right frontal eye field (FEF), which is involved in top‐down control. The enhanced negative functional connectivity between the TPJ and right FEF was accompanied by a larger behavioral interaction effect across subjects. Application of cathodal tDCS over the right TPJ eliminated the interaction effect. These results suggest that the TPJ plays a critical role in processing bottom‐up information for top‐down control of attention. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4317–4333, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sleep modulates cortical connectivity and excitability in humans: Direct evidence from neural activity induced by single‐pulse electrical stimulation
Authors: Usami Kiyohide , Matsumoto Riki , Kobayashi Katsuya , Hitomi Takefumi , Shimotake Akihiro , Kikuchi Takayuki , Matsuhashi Masao , Kunieda Takeharu , Mikuni Nobuhiro , Miyamoto Susumu , Fukuyama Hidenao , Takahashi Ryosuke , Ikeda Akio
Published: August 2015

Sleep‐induced changes in human brain connectivity/excitability and their physiologic basis remain unclear, especially in the frontal lobe. We investigated sleep‐induced connectivity and excitability changes in 11 patients who underwent chronic implantation of subdural electrodes for epilepsy surgery. Single‐pulse electrical stimuli were directly injected to a part of the cortices, and cortico‐cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs) and CCEP‐related high‐gamma activities (HGA: 100–200 Hz) were recorded from adjacent and remote cortices as proxies of effective connectivity and induced neuronal activity, respectively. HGA power during the initial CCEP component (N1) correlated with the N1 size itself across all states investigated. The degree of cortical connectivity and excitability changed during sleep depending on sleep stage, approximately showing dichotomy of awake vs. non‐rapid eye movement (REM) [NREM] sleep. On the other hand, REM sleep partly had properties of both awake and NREM sleep, placing itself in the intermediate state between them. Compared with the awake state, single‐pulse stimulation especially during NREM sleep induced increased connectivity (N1 size) and neuronal excitability (HGA increase at N1), which was immediately followed by intense inhibition (HGA decrease). The HGA decrease was temporally followed by the N2 peak (the second CCEP component), and then by HGA re‐increase during sleep across all lobes. This HGA rebound or re‐increase of neuronal synchrony was largest in the frontal lobe compared with the other lobes. These properties of sleep‐induced changes of the cortex may be related to unconsciousness during sleep and frequent nocturnal seizures in frontal lobe epilepsy.Hum Brain Mapp, 2015. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Panicca: Panic on Cross‐Section Averages
Authors: Reese Simon , Westerlund Joakim
Published: August 2015

The cross‐section average (CA) augmentation approach of Pesaran (A simple panel unit root test in presence of cross‐section dependence. Journal of Applied Econometrics 2007; 22: 265–312) and Pesaran et al. (Panel unit root test in the presence of a multifactor error structure. Journal of Econometrics 2013; 175: 94–115), and the principal components‐based panel analysis of non‐stationarity in idiosyncratic and common components (PANIC) of Bai and Ng (A PANIC attack on unit roots and cointegration. Econometrica 2004; 72: 1127–1177; Panel unit root tests with cross‐section dependence: a further investigation. Econometric Theory 2010; 26: 1088–1114) are among the most popular ‘second‐generation’ approaches for cross‐section correlated panels. One feature of these approaches is that they have different strengths and weaknesses. The purpose of the current paper is to develop PANICCA, a combined approach that exploits the strengths of both CA and PANIC. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aging Versus Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: Bone Composition and Maturation Kinetics at Actively-Forming Trabecular Surfaces of Female Subjects Aged 1 to 84 Years
Authors: Paschalis Eleftherios P , Fratzl Peter , Gamsjaeger Sonja , Hassler Norbert , Brozek Wolfgang , Eriksen Erik F , Rauch Frank , Glorieux Francis H , Shane Elizabeth , Dempster David , Cohen Adi , Recker Robert , Klaushofer Klaus
Published: August 2015

Bone strength depends on the amount of bone, typically expressed as bone mineral density (BMD), determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and on bone quality. Bone quality is a multifactorial entity including bone structural and material compositional properties. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether bone material composition properties at actively-forming trabecular bone surfaces in health are dependent on subject age, and to contrast them with postmenopausal osteoporosis patients. To achieve this, we analyzed by Raman microspectroscopy iliac crest biopsy samples from healthy subjects aged 1.5 to 45.7 years, paired biopsy samples from females before and immediately after menopause aged 46.7 to 53.6 years, and biopsy samples from placebo-treated postmenopausal osteoporotic patients aged 66 to 84 years. The monitored parameters were as follows: the mineral/matrix ratio; the mineral maturity/crystallinity (MMC); nanoporosity; the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content; the lipid content; and the pyridinoline (Pyd) content. The results indicate that these bone quality parameters in healthy, actively-forming trabecular bone surfaces are dependent on subject age at constant tissue age, suggesting that with advancing age the kinetics of maturation (either accumulation, or posttranslational modifications, or both) change. For most parameters, the extrapolation of models fitted to the individual age dependence of bone in healthy individuals was in rough agreement with their values in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients, except for MMC, lipid, and Pyd content. Among these three, Pyd content showed the greatest deviation between healthy aging and disease, highlighting its potential to be used as a discriminating factor. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Circulating MicroRNA and Long Noncoding RNA as Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Shi Qiang , Yang Xi
Published: August 2015

Although >85% of the human genome is transcribed, only <2% is transcribed into protein‐coding RNA (messenger RNA, mRNA). Many thousands of noncoding RNAs are transcribed and recognized as functional RNAs with diverse sizes, structures, and biological functions. Based on size, noncoding RNA can be generally divided into two subgroups: short noncoding RNA (<200 nucleotides including microRNA or miRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA, >200 nucleotides). It is now clear that these RNAs fulfil critical roles as transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulators and as guides of chromatin‐modifying complexes. Although not translated into protein, noncoding RNAs can regulate cardiac function through diverse mechanisms and their dysregulation is increasingly linked with cardiovascular pathophysiology. Furthermore, a series of recent studies have discovered that noncoding RNAs can be found in the bloodstream and some species are remarkably stable. This has raised the possibility that such noncoding RNAs may be measured in body fluids and serve as novel diagnostic biomarkers. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of noncoding RNAs’ function and biomarker potential in cardiac diseases, concentrating mainly on circulating miRNAs and lncRNAs. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 751–755, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A microfluidic toolbox for cell fusion
Authors: Chiu Flora W Y , Bagci Hakan , Fisher Amanda G , deMello Andrew J , Elvira Katherine S
Published: August 2015

Cellular fusion is a key process in many fields ranging from historical gene mapping studies and monoclonal antibody production, through to cell reprogramming. Traditional methodologies for cell fusion rely on the random pairing of different cell types and generally result in low and variable fusion efficiencies. These approaches become particularly limiting where substantial numbers of bespoke one‐to‐one fusions are required, for example, for in‐depth studies of nuclear reprogramming mechanisms. In recent years, microfluidic technologies have proven valuable in creating platforms where the manipulation of single cells is highly efficient, rapid and controllable. These technologies also allow the integration of different experimental steps and characterisation processes into a single platform. Although the application of microfluidic methodologies to cell fusion studies is promising, current technologies that rely on static trapping are limited both in terms of the overall number of fused cells produced and their experimental accessibility. Here we review some of the most exciting breakthroughs in core microfluidic technologies that will allow the creation of integrated platforms for controlled cell fusion at high throughput. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of heterogeneous acid catalysts produced from the carbonization of Miscanthus x giganteus for the esterification of butyric acid to butyl butyrate with n‐butanol
Authors: Severini Francesco , Flannelly Thomas , Nolan Daniel O' , Leahy James J , Kwapinski Witold
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

Butyl butyrate is an environmentally friendly biofuel component that can be produced through the esterification of butyric acid with n‐butanol, both of which are obtainable from waste products. The reaction can be optimized by commercial catalysts; however they are currently hindered by issues such as environmental sustainability and cost. Thus, efforts have been made to develop catalysts with green characteristics by incomplete carbonization and sulfonation of pyrolysis products.

RESULTS

Activated and non‐activated catalysts were produced by sulfonation of char obtained from the carbonization of Miscanthus x giganteus to catalyze the production of butyl butyrate. The char surface area increased from 6.4 to 571 m2 g−1 after chemical activation at 500 °C. Non‐activated catalysts derived from char carbonized at 500 °C gave a yield of 94.5% after 24 h reaction, close to that achieved with H2SO4 (96%). Furthermore, the kinetic parameters associated with the production of butyl butyrate were derived with the implementation of a kinetic model.

CONCLUSION

Chemical activation increased the surface area of the char but, due to the prolonged treatment at high temperatures, produced less polycyclic aromatic carbons available to be functionalized. This resulted in a lower acid density and an inferior performance. Conversely, activated catalysts displayed better recovery and reusability. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Anti‐TNFα therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases is associated with Epstein‐Barr virus lytic activation
Authors: Lapsia Sameer , Koganti Siva , Spadaro Salvatore , Rajapakse Ramona , Chawla Anupama , Bhaduri‐McIntosh Sumita
Published: August 2015

Anti‐TNFα therapy, known to suppress T‐cell immunity, is increasingly gaining popularity for treatment of autoimmune diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). T‐cell suppression increases the risk of B‐cell EBV‐lymphoproliferative diseases and lymphomas. Since EBV‐lytic activation is essential for development of EBV‐lymphomas and there have been reports of EBV‐lymphomas in patients treated with anti‐TNFα therapy, we investigated if patients treated with anti‐TNFα antibodies demonstrate greater EBV‐lytic activity in blood. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 10 IBD patients solely on anti‐TNFα therapy compared to 3 control groups (10 IBD patients not on immunosuppressive therapy, 10 patients with abdominal pain but without IBD, and 10 healthy subjects) were examined for the percentage of T‐cells, EBV load and EBV‐lytic transcripts. Patients on anti‐TNFα therapy had significantly fewer T‐cells, greater EBV load, and increased levels of transcripts from EBV‐lytic genes of all kinetic classes compared to controls. Furthermore, exposure of EBV‐infected B‐cell lines to anti‐TNFα antibodies resulted in increased levels of BZLF1 mRNA; BZLF1 encodes for ZEBRA, the viral latency‐to‐lytic cycle switch. Thus, IBD patients treated with anti‐TNFα antibodies have greater EBV loads likely due to enhanced EBV‐lytic gene expression and anti‐TNFα antibodies may be sufficient to activate the EBV lytic cycle. Findings from this pilot study lay the groundwork for additional scientific and clinical investigation into the effects of anti‐TNFα therapy on the life cycle of EBV, a ubiquitous oncovirus that causes lymphomas in the setting of immunocompromise. J. Med. Virol. 88:312–318, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metal ion concentrations and semen quality in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty: A prospective comparison between metal‐on‐metal and metal‐on‐polyethylene implants
Authors: Chen Szu‐Yuan , Chang Chih‐Hsiang , Hu Chih‐Chien , Chen Chun‐Chieh , Chang Yu‐Han , Hsieh Pang‐Hsin
Published: August 2015

Purpose: The widespread usage of metal‐on‐metal (MoM) articulations in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been tempered by concerns of increased metal ion production. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the influence of metal ion exposure on semen quality in young male patients undergoing THA. Methods: Male patients who were scheduled for unilateral THA and aged between 20 and 45 years were prospectively enrolled. Patients were sorted into MoM and metal‐on‐polyethylene (MoP) groups with equal case number. Semen and blood metal ion levels were measured and sperm analysis was performed before, 6 months after, and 1 year after surgery. Results: Compared to preoperative baseline, patients (n = 50) in both groups had increased cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) concentrations in blood and seminal fluid after surgery. Between‐group comparisons at 6 months and 1 year after surgery showed that patients in the MoM group both had a greater Co concentration in blood and semen and a greater Cr concentration in blood and semen. Patients receiving MoM prosthesis had a reduced percentage of morphologically normal sperm, and decreases from the preoperative level (44.7%) were significant at 6 months (36.8%, p = 0.03) and 1 year (33.8%, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Our data shows a significantly greater concentration of metal ion in blood and semen in patients with MoM prosthesis with a reduced percentage of morphologically normal sperm. Despite small effects on sperm quality, some concerns remain. Further studies are necessary to determine sources of metal ion and to investigate effects on male fertility. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:544–551, 2016.
Modelling soil and root respiration in a cotton field using the DNDC model
Authors: Yu Yongxiang , Zhao Chengyi
Published: August 2015

The DNDC model was able to simulate the temporal variation in soil respiration, although it underestimated the cumulative CO2 emission by 15%. A good correlation was found between predicted and measured root respiration. However, this model is limited in its ability to simulate heterotrophic respiration which was underestimated by 59%. The sensitivity tests showed that temperature, precipitation, soil organic C content, fertilization, and irrigation had a positive effect on soil respiration.
Binding characteristics of molecularly imprinted polymers based on fungicides in hydroalcoholic media
Authors: Bitar Manal , Bou‐Maroun Elias , Lerbret Adrien , Ouaini Naim , Cayot Philippe
Published: August 2015

An iprodione‐imprinted polymer was prepared by copolymerization of methacrylamide and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate using a noncovalent imprinting approach. Methacrylamide was chosen using molecular dynamics simulations. To concentrate iprodione from hydro‐alcoholic solutions, batch sorption of iprodione on the imprinted polymer were conducted. The equilibrium time for iprodione sorption is 20 min, and the corresponding kinetic mechanism follows the pseudo‐second order indicating a strong interaction between iprodione and the imprinted polymer. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich models were used to fit the isotherm of iprodione sorption. The imprinted polymer was found to be more efficient than the nonimprinted polymer for the uptake of iprodione, as revealed by its higher adsorption energy, affinity, and capacity. Finally, a selectivity study was conducted on the imprinted and the nonimprinted polymers to sorb three fungicides. It shows that the imprinted polymer could be used as a preconcentration phase in a multiresidue analysis of fungicides in hydroalcoholic medium.
Endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis in patients previously treated for sinonasal malignancy
Authors: Gray Stacey T. , Sadow Peter M. , Lin Derrick T. , Sedaghat Ahmad R.
Published: August 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

Patients with a history of sinonasal malignancy can develop chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) as a consequence of their oncologic treatment. Some patients will fail medical management and require endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). This study reviews the use of ESS in the management of CRS in patients previously treated for sinonasal malignancy.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

All patients with a history of sinonasal malignancy who developed CRS and underwent ESS were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative imaging and symptoms were collected. Major complications (bleeding, orbital injury, and cerebrospinal fluid leak) and minor complications (adhesion formation) and postoperative healing were reviewed.

Results

Eighteen patients were identified. All patients presented with symptoms of CRS and sinonasal crusting. Additionally, five patients presented with recurrent facial cellulitis, and six patients had mucoceles. No major complications were encountered. Postoperatively, all patients reported a subjective improvement in their sinonasal symptoms. Comparison of pre‐ and post‐ESS imaging revealed a significant improvement in Lund‐Mackay scores after ESS (P < 0.001) from 12.8 (range 5–22) to 7 (range). Despite symptomatic improvement, all patients continued to have nasal crusting. All patients who initially presented with recurrent facial cellulitis had no further episodes after ESS. None of the endoscopically drained mucoceles recurred.

Conclusion

For patients previously treated for sinonasal malignancy with refractory CRS, ESS appears to be a safe and effective treatment option. ESS in these patients results in subjective improvement in sinonasal symptoms as well as objective improvement in radiographic CRS disease burden, although sinonasal crusting will likely not resolve.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 126:304–315, 2016
Methylprednisolone use during radiotherapy extenuates hearing loss in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Chen Junming , Zhao Yuanxin , Zhou Xiaowei , Tan Lingmei , Ou Zeying , Yu Youjun , Wang Yuejian
Published: August 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the hearing protective effects of methylprednisolone use during radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Study Design

Prospective, controlled clinical study.

Methods

Fifty‐three patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (106 ears). Twenty‐five patients (50 ears) received radiotherapy with intravenous methylprednisolone for 14 days, and another 28 patients (56 ears) received radiotherapy alone. Pure tone audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), and auditory brainstem responses (ABR) results were reviewed before and 1 year after radiotherapy.

Result

One year after radiotherapy, the air‐and‐bone conduction pure tone hearing thresholds increased, and the DPOAE levels decreased in the control group. There was no difference in the ABR wave I, III, and V latencies and the I to V interwave latencies before and 1 year after radiotherapy. The pure tone air conduction thresholds decreased, and the DPOAE levels increased in the treatment group compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Early sensorineural hearing loss after radiotherapy primarily affected the outer hair cells. The use of methylprednisolone during radiotherapy can extenuate early sensorineural hearing loss caused by irradiation.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 126:100–103, 2016
A newborn with three cochlear turns: Case report and literature review
Authors: Hildrew Douglas M. , Ananth Ashwin , Rodriguez Kimsey H.
Published: August 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

The human cochlea is most commonly considered to have two and a half turns. Although the causes of cochlear hypoplasia are well described, cochlear hyperplasia is a rarer entity that is poorly understood. We describe rare anatomic cochlear malformations identified in a 4‐month‐old male originally referred for evaluation after a failed newborn hearing screening. The full diagnostic evaluation, imaging findings, treatment, and follow‐up are described in detail. Cochleae with three turns are an uncommon malformation that is not included in current classifications schemes and may represent a distinct type of anomaly not caused by developmental arrest. Laryngoscope, 126:469–471, 2016