bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Double epigenetic modulation of high‐dose chemotherapy with azacitidine and vorinostat for patients with refractory or poor‐risk relapsed lymphoma
Authors: Nieto Yago , Valdez Benigno C. , Thall Peter F. , Jones Roy B. , Wei Wei , Myers Alan , Hosing Chitra , Ahmed Sairah , Popat Uday , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Qazilbash Muzaffar , Gulbis Alison , Anderlini Paolo , Shah Nina , Bashir Qaiser , Alousi Amin , Oki Yasuhiro , Fanale Michelle , Dabaja Bouthaina , Pinnix Chelsea , Champlin Richard , Andersson Borje S.
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

More active high‐dose chemotherapy (HDC) regimens are needed for refractory lymphomas. The authors previously combined infusional gemcitabine with busulfan and melphalan (Gem/Bu/Mel) pursuing DNA damage repair inhibition. Subsequently, they combined Gem/Bu/Mel with vorinostat, which facilitates chemotherapy access to DNA. The resulting regimen was safe and synergistic. However, vorinostat induced DNA methyltransferase up‐regulation, which could be preclinically abrogated by azacitidine, increasing tumor‐cell kill. Those observations led to a clinical combination of azacitidine with vorinostat/Gem/Bu/Mel.

METHODS

Patients ages 12 to 65 years with refractory or poor‐risk relapsed lymphomas were eligible. They received intravenous azacitidine on days −11 through −3 at doses from 15 to 35 mg/m2 daily (dose levels 1‐3), followed by oral vorinostat (1000 mg once daily on days −11 through −3), gemcitabine (2775 mg/m2 over 4.5 × 2), busulfan (at an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 4000 daily × 4), and melphalan (60 mg/m2 × 2). Patients who had tumors that were positive for CD20 (cluster of differentiation 20; B‐lymphocyte antigen) received rituximab on day −9.

RESULTS

In total, 60 patients were enrolled, including 26 with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (10 double hit/double expressors), 21 with Hodgkin lymphoma, 8 with T‐cell lymphoma, and 5 with other B‐cell lymphomas. The median patient age was 41 years (range, 16‐65 years), patients had received a median of 3 prior lines of chemotherapy (range, 2‐7 lines of chemotherapy); and 32% of tumors were positive on positron emission tomography studies at the time of HDC. Two patients died from treatment complications (respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia and sepsis, respectively). The maximum tolerated dose of azacitidine was encountered at dose level 1 (15 mg/m2 daily). The toxicity profile (mainly mucositis and dermatitis) was manageable and was identical to that of vorinostat/Gem/Bu/Mel. Neutrophils and platelets engrafted promptly. At a median follow‐up of 15 months (range, 8‐27 months), the event‐free and overall survival rates were 65% and 77%, respectively, among patients with DLBCL; 76% and 95%, respectively, among patients with Hodgkin lymphoma; and 88% for both among patients with T‐cell lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Double epigenetic modulation of Gem/Bu/Mel with azacitidine/vorinostat is feasible and highly active in patients with refractory/poor‐risk relapsed lymphomas, warranting further evaluation. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2680–2688. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features (NIFTP): A changing paradigm in thyroid surgical pathology and implications for thyroid cytopathology
Authors: Baloch Zubair W. , Seethala Raja R. , Faquin William C. , Papotti Mauro G. , Basolo Fulvio , Fadda Guido , Randolph Gregory W. , Hodak Steven P. , Nikiforov Yuri E. , Mandel Susan J.
Published: May 2016

The change in the diagnosis of noninvasive encapsulated follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma to noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features (ie, not carcinoma) will have significant impact on the risk of malignancy for categories according to The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology, and especially for the indeterminate categories.
Extraocular motoneuron pools develop along a dorsoventral axis in zebrafish, Danio rerio
Authors: Greaney Marie R. , Privorotskiy Ann E. , D'Elia Kristen P. , Schoppik David
Published: May 2016

Both spatial and temporal cues determine the fate of immature neurons. A major challenge at the interface of developmental and systems neuroscience is to relate this spatiotemporal trajectory of maturation to circuit‐level functional organization. This study examined the development of two extraocular motor nuclei (nIII and nIV), structures in which a motoneuron's identity, or choice of muscle partner, defines its behavioral role. We used retro‐orbital dye fills, in combination with fluorescent markers for motoneuron location and birthdate, to probe spatial and temporal organization of the oculomotor (nIII) and trochlear (nIV) nuclei in the larval zebrafish. We describe a dorsoventral organization of the four nIII motoneuron pools, in which inferior and medial rectus motoneurons occupy dorsal nIII, while inferior oblique and superior rectus motoneurons occupy distinct divisions of ventral nIII. Dorsal nIII motoneurons are, moreover, born before motoneurons of ventral nIII and nIV. The order of neurogenesis can therefore account for the dorsoventral organization of nIII and may play a primary role in determining motoneuron identity. We propose that the temporal development of extraocular motoneurons plays a key role in assembling a functional oculomotor circuit. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:65–78, 2017. © 2016 The Authors The Journal of Comparative Neurology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An adaptive color similarity function suitable for image segmentation and its numerical evaluation
Authors: Alvarado‐Cervantes Rodolfo , Felipe‐Riverón Edgardo M. , Khartchenko Vladislav , Pogrebnyak Oleksiy
Published: May 2016

In this article, we present an adaptive color similarity function defined in a modified hue‐saturation‐intensity color space, which can be used directly as a metric to obtain pixel‐wise segmentation of color images among other applications. The color information of every pixel is integrated as a unit by an adaptive similarity function thus avoiding color information scattering. As a direct application we present an efficient interactive, supervised color segmentation method with linear complexity respect to the number of pixels of the input image. The process has three steps: (1) Manual selection of few pixels in a sample of the color to be segmented. (2) Automatic generation of the so called color similarity image (CSI), which is a gray level image with all the gray level tonalities associated with the selected color. (3) Automatic threshold of the CSI to obtain the final segmentation. The proposed technique is direct, simple and computationally inexpensive. The evaluation of the efficiency of the color segmentation method is presented showing good performance in all cases of study. A comparative study is made between the behavior of the proposed method and two comparable segmentation techniques in color images using (1) the Euclidean metric of thea* andb* color channels rejectingL* and (2) a probabilistic approach ona* andb* in the CIE L*a*b* color space. Our testing system can be used either to explore the behavior of a similarity function (or metric) in different color spaces or to explore different metrics (or similarity functions) in the same color space. It was obtained from the results that the color parametersa* andb* are not independent of the luminance parameterL* as one might initially assume in the CIE L*a*b* color space. We show that our solution improves the quality of the proposed color segmentation technique and its quick result is significant with respect to other solutions found in the literature. The method also gives a good performance in low chromaticity, gray level and low contrast images. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 42, 156–172, 2017
Cux2 serves as a novel lineage marker of granule cell layer neurons from the rhombic lip in mouse and chick embryos
Authors: Capaldo Emily , Iulianella Angelo
Published: May 2016

Background: The rhombic lip (RL), a germinal zone in the developing hindbrain, gives rise to all of the excitatory neurons of the cerebellum. It is presently unclear what factors distinguish between RL progenitor pools and play a role in differentiating the multiple cell types that arise from this region. The transcription factor Cux2 has been shown to play important roles in proliferation and differentiation of distinct neuronal populations during embryogenesis, but its role in cerebellar fate restriction is unknown. Results: Through expression analysis and genetic fate mapping studies we show that Cux2 is expressed in the RL of the fetal brain and is restricted to a pool of cerebellar granule cell precursors and unipolar brush cells. This restriction was remarkably specific because regardless of the timing of Cux2 reporter gene activation in the RL, only granule cell layer derivatives were labeled. However, the overexpression of Cux2 in naïve hindbrain tissue was insufficient to force progenitor cells to adopt a granule cell fate. Conclusions: Our results suggest that Cux2 delineates the pool of cerebellar granule cell layer progenitors from other RL and ventricular zone derivatives, and plays a role in fate restricting, but not differentiating, this population. Developmental Dynamics 245:881–896, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation of Secondary Phosphine Oxide Ligands through Nucleophilic Attack on Imines and Their Applications in Palladium‐Catalyzed Catellani Reactions
Authors: Hu Chan‐Yu , Chen Ya‐Qian , Lin Guan‐Yu , Huang Ming‐Kai , Chang Yu‐Chang , Hong Fung‐E
Published: May 2016

Several new amino‐type secondary phosphine oxide (SPO) pre‐ligands (3a–3h) that contain P–N bonds were synthesized and characterized. SPOs 3a–3h can tautomerize to phosphinous acids (PA, 3a–3h) as genuine ligands. The formation of SPOs 3a–3h occurred first through nucleophilic attack on the imine carbon atom, then by the addition of RPCl2 (R = Ph, Cy, tBu, or iPr), and work‐up under acidic conditions. The P–N bond in the newly prepared SPOs is evident from the crystal structures of SPOs 3d and 3h. Reactions of SPOs 3f, 3g, or 3h with Pd(COD)Cl2 (COD = cyclooctadiene) yielded palladium complexes 6f, 6g, or 6h. In these crystal structures, PAs 3f, 3g, and 3h act as didentate ligands through P and N donors. Intriguingly, the reaction of SPO 3f with Pd(COD)Cl2 also gave rise to palladium complexes 7fa, 7fb, and 8f. The crystal structures of 7fa and 7fb show that the palladium atom is chelated by PA 3f and coordinated by a phosphine‐like ligand fragmented from SPO 3f through C–N bond dissociation. Finally, the syntheses of carbazole derivatives were pursued in Catellani reactions with SPOs 3g and 3h as pre‐ligands. A mechanism is proposed to account for the catalytic reaction (see the Supporting Information). The optimized conditions for Suzuki reactions using selected SPO ligands are also reported.
Synthesis and Cycloaddition Reactions of Stabilized Münchnones
Authors: Kakaawla Taban K. K. , Hartley Will C. , Harrity Joseph P. A.
Published: May 2016

A family of stabilized münchnones bearing an acyl group at C4 have been prepared and studied in alkyne cycloaddition reactions. These reactions are highly regioselective, and the method represents a rapid and straightforward route to densely substituted pyrroles. Finally, the C4‐stabilizing units can be further manipulated to furnish carboxylic acid and amide groups, or removed altogether to provide unsubstituted pyrroles.
The method of dynamic mode decomposition in shallow water and a swirling flow problem
Authors: Bistrian Diana A. , Navon Ionel M.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, a new vector‐filtering criterion for dynamic modes selection is proposed that is able to extract dynamically relevant flow features from dynamic mode decomposition of time‐resolved experimental or numerical data. We employ a novel modes selection criterion in parallel with the classic selection based on modes amplitudes, in order to analyze which of these procedures better highlight the coherent structures of the flow dynamics. Numerical tests are performed on two distinct problems. The efficiency of the proposed criterion is proved in retaining the most influential modes and reducing the size of the dynamic mode decomposition model. By applying the proposed filtering mode technique, the flow reconstruction error is shown to be significantly reduced. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Hybrid Monte‐Carlo sampling smoother for four‐dimensional data assimilation
Authors: Attia Ahmed , Rao Vishwas , Sandu Adrian
Published: May 2016

This paper constructs an ensemble‐based sampling smoother for four‐dimensional data assimilation using a Hybrid/Hamiltonian Monte‐Carlo approach. The smoother samples efficiently from the posterior probability density of the solution at the initial time. Unlike the well‐known ensemble Kalman smoother, which is optimal only in the linear Gaussian case, the proposed methodology naturally accommodates non‐Gaussian errors and nonlinear model dynamics and observation operators. Unlike the four‐dimensional variational method, which only finds a mode of the posterior distribution, the smoother provides an estimate of the posterior uncertainty. One can use the ensemble mean as the minimum variance estimate of the state or can use the ensemble in conjunction with the variational approach to estimate the background errors for subsequent assimilation windows. Numerical results demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method compared to the traditional variational and ensemble‐based smoothing methods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detecting and Predicting Economic Accelerations, Recessions, and Normal Growth Periods in Real‐Time
Authors: Proaño Christian R.
Published: May 2016

The dichotomous characterization of the business cycle in recessions and expansions has been central in the literature over the last 50 years. However, there are various reasons to question the adequacy of this dichotomous, recession/expansion approach for our understanding of the business cycle dynamics, as well as for the prediction of future business cycle developments. In this context, the contribution of this paper to the literature is twofold. First, since a positive rate of growth at the level of economic activity can be considered as the normal scenario in modern economies due to both population and technological growth, it proposes a new non‐parametric algorithm for the detection and dating of economic acceleration periods, trend or normal growth periods, and economic recessions. Second, it uses an ordered probit framework for the estimation and forecasting of these three business cycle phases, applying an automatized model selection approach using monthly macroeconomic and financial data on the German economy. The empirical results show that this approach has superior out‐of‐sample properties under real‐time conditions compared to alternative probit models specified individually for the prediction of recessions and/or economic accelerations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Option Pricing Under Skewness and Kurtosis Using a Cornish–Fisher Expansion
Authors: Aboura Sofiane , Maillard Didier
Published: May 2016

This paper revisits the pricing of options, in a context of financial stress, when the underlying asset's returns displays skewness and excess kurtosis. For that purpose, we use a Cornish–Fisher transformation for valuing option contracts with an exact formula allowing for heavy‐tails. An application to the S&P 500 stock index option contracts is carried out during both stress (October 2008) and calm (May 2015) periods. It provides evidence about the capability of the Cornish–Fisher model to fairly price options during a period of stress without violating the skewness–kurtosis boundaries given its large domain of validity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 36:1194–1209, 2016
Central nervous system relapse in patients with untreated HER2‐positive esophageal or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yoon Harry H. , Lewis Mark A. , Foster Nathan R. , Sukov William R. , Khan Maliha , Sattler Christopher A. , Wiktor Anne E. , Wu Tsung‐Teh , Jenkins Robert B. , Sinicrope Frank A.
Published: May 2016

Although HER2‐positive breast cancers demonstrate a propensity for central nervous system (CNS) metastasis, it is unknown whether other HER2‐positive tumors, including adenocarcinomas of the esophagus/gastroesophageal junction (EAC), share this characteristic. Insight into this association may inform the development of HER2‐targeted therapies that penetrate the blood‐brain barrier. We examined HER2 overexpression and gene amplification in 708 patients with EAC who underwent curative‐intent surgery during a time period (1980–1997) when no patient received HER2‐targeted therapy. We identified patients whose site of first cancer recurrence was CNS and those who had a CNS relapse at any time. After a median follow‐up of 61.2 months, 3.4% (24/708) of patients developed CNS relapse (all involved the brain). Patients with HER2‐positive (vs ‐negative) primary tumors showed a higher 5‐year cumulative incidence of CNS relapse as first recurrence (5.8% vs. 1.2%; p = 0.0058) and at any time (8.3% vs. 2.4%; p = 0.0062). In a multivariable model that included covariates previously associated with HER2 or with CNS relapse in breast cancer, HER2 positivity was the only variable that was statistically significantly associated with shorter time to CNS relapse as first recurrence (p = 0.0026) or at any time (hazard ratio 4.3 [95% confidence interval 1.8 to 10.3]; p = 0.001). These are the first data in a non‐breast cancer to demonstrate an association between HER2 positivity and higher CNS relapse risk after surgery, and suggest that HER2‐positive EACs have a predilection for CNS metastases.
Climate change impacts on agricultural non‐point source pollution with consideration of uncertainty in CMIP5
Authors: Cho Jaepil , Oh Chansung , Choi Junghoon , Cho Youngkweon
Published: May 2016

Changes in non‐point source pollutant loads in the Mankyeong River Basin for the 30‐year future period (2011–2040) were assessed with consideration of the uncertainties in the climate change scenario data. The downscaled weather variables from eleven Climate Models for the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 8.5 scenario were used as input to the calibrated and validated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for simulating the changes of future NPS pollutant loads. The bias‐corrected data appropriately reproduced the spatial and temporal patterns of the NPS pollutant load, which was derived by using observed weather data. The rates of change in sediment, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) loads within each sub‐basin under the RCP8.5 future scenario showed an average increase of 13.1 to 143%, −13.4 to 49.5%, and 0.40 to 128%, respectively. It can be concluded that sediment and TP loads are sensitive to changes in the characteristics of climate variables by showing an increase trend in most of the sub‐basins. Looking at the temporal distribution, the uncertainty ranges for both sediment and TP were higher during the wet season from June to September. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adenovirus infection among allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: César Pereira Santos Hugo , Nunes Vieira Almeida Tâmera , Souza Fiaccadori Fabíola , das Dôres de Paula Cardoso Divina , de Moraes Arantes Adriano , Delleon da Silva Hugo , Resende Alo Nagib Patricia , Souza Menira
Published: May 2016

The human adenovirus (HAdV) infection can cause severe disease in immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (ASCT). The main objective of this study was to prospectively monitor ASCT recipients for HAdV occurrence in a reference center in Brazil, and also to correlate viral positivity, viral load, molecular variant, clinical symptoms, and patients’ prognosis. From October/2012 to October/2014, blood and feces of 21 ASCT recipients were screened for HAdV by Nested‐PCR. Viral loads were determined by real‐time PCR. In total, 57% of the patients had at least one positive sample (serum or feces) for HAdV. Patients presented significantly higher viral load in feces when compared to serum. Positive samples were characterized as HAdVs of species HAdV‐C, ‐D, and ‐F. The main clinical symptom presented by infected patients was diarrhea, and Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) was the main intercurrence. An association was observed between HAdV‐positivity and diarrhea and also between HAdV‐positivity and GVHD. Results from this study may contribute to a better understanding of the HAdV infection pattern in patients submitted to ASCT. Data therein highlight the importance of including HAdV testing during all routine laboratory exams performed on ASCT patients. J. Med. Virol. 89:298–303, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of deficit irrigation on strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) fruit quality
Authors: Weber Nika , Zupanc Vesna , Jakopic Jerneja , Veberic Robert , Mikulic‐Petkovsek Maja , Stampar Franci
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Three different irrigation regimes – upper limit of field capacity (UFC), −12 kPa); lower limit of field capacity (LFC), −33 kPa; and deficit irrigation (DI), −70 kPa) were established on silty‐loam soil and monitored with tensiometers. Yield and fruit quality of ‘Flamenco’ and ‘Eva's Delight’ ever‐bearing strawberry cultivars were monitored. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation regimes on the content of sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds using high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry HPLC/HPLC‐MS.

RESULTS

Deficit irrigation significantly increased the content of sugars (from 1.1‐ to 1.3 fold), organic acids (from 1.1‐ to 1.3‐fold), their ratio (from 1.1‐ to 1.2‐fold) and the content of most identified phenolics in cv. ‘Flamenco’. Conversely, higher amounts of total sugars and organic acids (1.7‐ to 1.8‐fold) were detected in ‘Eva's Delight’ strawberries at UFC and LFC irrigation. Deficit irrigation generally decreased strawberry yield of cv. ‘Eva's Delight’.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest superior fruit quality and taste of strawberries grown under minor deficit irrigation for cv. ‘Flamenco’. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Agroindustrial composts to reduce the use of peat and fungicides in the cultivation of muskmelon seedlings
Authors: Morales Ana Belen , Ros Margarita , Ayuso Luis Miguel , Bustamante Maria de los Angeles , Moral Raul , Pascual Jose Antonio
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Environmental concerns about peat extraction in wetland ecosystems have increased. Therefore, there is an international effort to evaluate alternative organic substrates for the partial substitution of peat. The aim of this work was to use different composts (C1–C10) obtained from the fruit and vegetable processing industry (pepper, carrot, broccoli, orange, artichoke residues, sewage sludge (citric and pepper) and vineyard pruning wastes) to produce added‐value composts as growing media with suppressive effect against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis (FOM) in muskmelon.

RESULTS

Composts showed values of water‐soluble carbon fractions and dehydrogenase activity that allowed them to be considered mature and stabilized. All compost treatments produced significantly (F = 7.382; P < 0.05) higher fresh shoot weight than peat, treatment T‐C2 showing the highest values. Treatments T‐C5, T‐C7 and T‐C8 showed percentages of disease incidence that were significantly (F = 16.052; P < 0.05) the lowest, relative to peat, followed by T‐C6, T‐C10, T‐C1 and T‐C9 with values below 50%.

CONCLUSION

Composts produced are suitable components of mixed compost–peat growing media, providing a 50% substitution of peat. Furthermore, some of these composts also showed an added value as a suppressive organic medium against Fusarium wilt in muskmelon seedling, a fact probably related to high pH and pepper wastes and high content of pruning waste as initial raw materials. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Single display gamut size metric
Authors: Masaoka Kenichiro
Published: May 2016

To measure the relative gamut sizes of wide‐gamut displays, it is herein proposed that the CIE 1931 xy chromaticity diagram be used rather than the nominally perceptually uniform CIE 1976 u′v′ chromaticity diagram. High correlations were found between the area‐coverage ratios in the xy diagram and the volume‐coverage ratios in the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space for major standard wide‐gamut color spaces. It is also demonstrated herein that performing planimetry in the uniform u′v′ diagram does not yield accurate relative display gamut sizes, even though the large sizes obtained using the u′v′ diagram are often reported regardless of the fact that its uniformity is valid only when the luminance factor is constant. The single display gamut size metric using the xy diagram will facilitate the unbiased development of wide‐gamut displays.
Lymphocyte to monocyte ratio and prognostic nutritional index predict survival outcomes of hepatitis B virus‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma patients after curative hepatectomy
Authors: Wu Si‐Jia , Lin Yi‐Xin , Ye Hui , Li Fu‐Yu , Xiong Xian‐Ze , Cheng Nan‐Sheng
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Lymphocytes are an integral part of lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI). Both LMR and PNI which reflect body's inflammatory and nutritional status can be obtained from routine blood and biochemical test conveniently. Little evidence concerning the prognostic value of LMR and PNI in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients has been published. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of LMR and PNI in hepatitis B virals (HBV)—associated HCC patients who underwent curative hepatectomy.

Methods

Between January 2008 and June 2013, 450 surgically treated HCC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Clinicopathological parameters, LMR and PNI were collected and compared. The multivariate analysis was performed to indentify independent prognostic factors. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) rates were also compared.

Results

Tumor size, vascular invasion, alpha fetoprotein level, LMR and PNI were independent prognostic factors for OS. Tumor number, tumor size, vascular invasion, LMR and PNI were independent prognostic factors for RFS. Either a high LMR or PNI could predict favorable OS and RFS in surgically treated HCC patients and vice versa.

Conclusions

Both LMR and PNI were significant independent predictors that can predict survival outcomes in HBV‐associated HCC patients who received curative hepatectomy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:202–210. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Knowledge Processes, Absorptive Capacity and Innovation: A Mediation Analysis
Authors: Costa Vítor , Monteiro Samuel
Published: May 2016

The present research aims to explore the role of knowledge creation and absorptive capacity as mediating variables between knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, and companies' organizational innovation. A theoretical model supporting the hypothesized relationships is developed, and then research hypotheses are tested with a sample of 111 industrial organizations, using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results show that knowledge creation positively influences innovation and partially mediates the relationship between intra‐firm knowledge sharing and innovation. Knowledge acquisition from external partners is not enough to promote innovation results but significantly reinforces absorptive capacity as well as knowledge sharing. Companies' absorptive capacity fosters the creation of knowledge, but does not significantly influence organizational innovation. The small sample size limits generalization of the present findings. Further research should explore the complementary role of knowledge creation and absorptive capacity in both small and medium‐sized enterprises and large companies. Knowledge management practitioners should facilitate a knowledge sharing environment, where new ideas and solutions can be developed, and consequently innovation outcomes are likely to occur. This paper follows recent approaches to mediation analysis and covers advanced topics in partial least squares structural equation modeling literature, providing empirical examples of the application of hierarchical component models and mediation analysis using bootstrap. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Knowledge Development and Culture of Competitiveness on the Performance of Service‐Oriented and Product‐oriented Firms
Authors: Macau Flavio , Brito Luiz Artur Ledur , Duarte André Luis Castro Moura
Published: May 2016

The resource‐based view explains why some firms outperform others, obtaining superior rents from strategic resources. The challenge is in the measurement of strategic resources, for example, knowledge, and their effects on firm performance. Moreover, results may differ depending upon the unit of analysis (supply chains versus individual firms, manufacturing‐oriented versus service‐oriented companies), the moderating variables used (e.g., turbulence), and the ways data was collected (e.g., different questionnaires in different countries). To systematically address these challenges in the existing knowledge, this paper measures the role of knowledge development and culture of competitiveness on firm performance. Empirical evidence is collected from a survey with 843 valid responses from Brazilian firms, tested through linear regressions. The importance of knowledge on firm performance is reaffirmed; however, under turbulent market conditions, performance is impacted differently: while product‐oriented firms have to increase efforts on knowledge development (specially through process management), service‐oriented focus on their culture of competitiveness (specially through process flexibility). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial Gradients of Intensity and Persistence of Soil Water Repellency Under Different Forest Types in Central Mexico
Authors: Alanís Nancy , Hernández‐Madrigal Víctor M. , Cerdà Artemi , Muñoz‐Rojas Miriam , Zavala Lorena M. , Jordán Antonio
Published: May 2016

Organic residues release hydrophobic compounds to the soil that may induce soil water repellency (WR), which may inhibit infiltration and increase runoff and soil loss rates. Although there are many studies on soil WR through the world, very few investigations have been conducted in Mexican areas. This paper studies the natural background of soil WR in soils from central Mexico under representative forest types, analyzing the spatial distribution of soil WR in relation with tree canopy, vegetation cover and main soil chemical (pH, CaCO3, organic C content and exchangeable cations) and physical properties (texture). The water drop penetration time and the ethanol tests were used to assess persistence and intensity of soil WR, respectively. Although soil WR was not related with soil properties, it decreased strongly from soil below the canopy of conifers to soil below oaks. When different types of vegetation cover were considered, the proportion of water‐repellent soil increased following the sequence: bare soil < shrubs and herbaceous plants < shrubs < trees from fir, fir‐pine‐oak and pine‐oak forest. We found an inverse relation with distance to the tree trunks, contributing to create a patchy pattern of soil WR, with soils under the canopy of conifers showing the most severe WR levels. The spatial distribution of soil WR is also conditioned by microclimatic gradients, as persistence and intensity of soil WR were usually lower in shaded areas (upslope transects from the tree trunks), where soil moisture content is expected to be higher on average through the year. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pregnancy in the liver transplant recipient
Authors: Jabiry‐Zieniewicz Zoulikha , Dabrowski Filip Andrzej , Pietrzak Bronislawa , Wyzgal Janusz , Bomba‐Opoń Dorota , Zieniewicz Krzysztof , Wielgos Miroslaw
Published: May 2016

During gestation, the woman's body undergoes various changes, and the line between physiology and pathology is very thin even in healthy women. Today, many of the liver transplant recipients are young women, who at one point in their lives may consider the possibility of pregnancy. Clinicians have to counsel them about the time of conception, the risk of miscarriage, the deterioration of the mother's health status, and the risk of birth defects. This review, based on our 20 years of clinical experience and up‐to‐date literature, provides comprehensive guidelines on pregnancy management in liver transplant recipients. Pregnancy in liver transplant recipients is possible but never physiological. Proper management and pharmacotherapy lowers the incidence of complications and birth defects. Critical factors for perinatal success include stable graft function before pregnancy, proper preparation for pregnancy, and cautious observation during its course. Liver Transplantation 22 1408–1417 2016 AASLD.
Mechanical properties of atomic layer deposition (ALD) TiO2 layers on stainless steel substrates
Authors: Basiaga M. , Staszuk M. , Walke W. , Opilski Z.
Published: May 2016

Surface modification techniques play a major role in shaping the physicochemical properties of 316 LVM steel used for implants. The utilised methods of surface layer modification must ensure repeatability and uniformity of the physical and chemical properties. The structure and chemical composition of 316 LVM steel implants can be modified using various methods, among which anode oxidation and sol‐gel methods are dominant. One of the more important aspects related to maintaining implants (e.g. vessel stents) is ensuring the maintenance of their geometric characteristics along their entire length, which some methods cannot guarantee. For this reason, the most appropriate technique of surface modification in this context appears to involve atomic layer deposition (ALD). Improved biocompatibility is also directly related to ensuring an appropriate set of mechanical properties for the deposited layer. Thus, the study attempted to assess the mechanical properties of the TiO2 layers on a 316 LVM steel substrate, deposited using an atomic layer deposition‐based method.
Effect of montmorillonite on flame spread characteristics and smoke toxicity of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer composite
Authors: Ren Xiaonan , Zong Ruowen , Hu Yuan , Lo Siuming
Published: May 2016

In this article, MMT (montmorillonite) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) blends were prepared via melt blending process using a twin‐screw extruder. Differences of flame spread characteristics and smoke toxicity with addition of MMT was analyzed. Flame spread properties of materials with different geometric dimension and the side covering degree were investigated with a high definition digital camera and image processing technology. Smoke toxicity under different ventilation condition were studied using a steady state tube furnace (BS 7900, ISO TS 19700). The addition of MMT remarkably reduced the flame spread rate of ABS especially for burning without sidewall. In well‐ventilated conditions, MMT increase the toxicity of the effluent by increasing the CO yield. In under‐ventilated conditions, the FED values of two materials were almost same. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1234–1241, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Glass transition temperature of colloidal polystyrene dispersed in various liquids
Authors: Christie Dane , Zhang Chuan , Fu Jie , Koel Bruce , Priestley Rodney D.
Published: May 2016

Recently, there has been significant interest in measuring the glass transition temperature (Tg) of thin polymer films floated atop liquid substrates. However, such films still have intrinsically asymmetric interfaces, that is, a free surface and a liquid–polymer interface. In an effort to analyze the influence of different liquids on the Tg of confined polymers in which there is no interfacial asymmetry, a colloidal suspension of polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles (NPs) was employed. The Tgs of PS NPs suspended in either glycerol or an ionic liquid were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry. Nanoparticles suspended in an ionic liquid showed an invariance of Tg with confinement, that is, decreasing diameter. In contrast, nanoparticles suspended in glycerol showed a slight decrease in Tg with confinement. The dependence of NP Tg on the nature of the surrounding liquid exhibited a positive correlation with the interfacial energy of the liquid–PS interface and no correlation with interfacial softness, as measured by viscosity. A comparison of the results with thin films supported by liquid or solid substrates revealed a nontrivial interplay between interfacial softness and interfacial interactions on the Tg of confined PS. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1776–1783
The ribosome in action: Tuning of translational efficiency and protein folding
Authors: Rodnina Marina V.
Published: May 2016

Marina V. Rodnina is the winner of the 2015 Hans Neurath Award.Abstract

The cellular proteome is shaped by the combined activities of the gene expression and quality control machineries. While transcription plays an undoubtedly important role, in recent years also translation emerged as a key step that defines the composition and quality of the proteome and the functional activity of proteins in the cell. Among the different post‐transcriptional control mechanisms, translation initiation and elongation provide multiple checkpoints that can affect translational efficiency. A multitude of specific signals in mRNAs can determine the frequency of translation initiation, choice of the open reading frame, global and local elongation velocities, and the folding of the emerging protein. In addition to specific signatures in the mRNAs, also variations in the global pools of translation components, including ribosomes, tRNAs, mRNAs, and translation factors can alter translational efficiencies. The cellular outcomes of phenomena such as mRNA codon bias are sometimes difficult to understand due to the staggering complexity of covariates that affect codon usage, translation, and protein folding. Here we summarize the experimental evidence on how the ribosome—together with the other components of the translational machinery—can alter translational efficiencies of mRNA at the initiation and elongation stages and how translation velocity affects protein folding. We seek to explain these findings in the context of mechanistic work on the ribosome. The results argue in favour of a new understanding of translation control as a hub that links mRNA homeostasis to production and quality control of proteins in the cell.
Robotic‐Assisted Pancreatic Resections
Authors: Boggi Ugo , Napoli Niccolò , Costa Francesca , Kauffmann Emanuele F. , Menonna Francesca , Iacopi Sara , Vistoli Fabio , Amorese Gabriella
Published: May 2016

Background

Robotic assistance enhances surgical dexterity and could facilitate wider adoption of laparoscopy for pancreatic resections (PR).

Methods

Data were prospectively entered into a database and analyzed retrospectively to assess feasibility and safety of robotic‐assisted PR (RAPR). Additionally, robotic‐assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy (RAPD) was compared to a contemporary group of open pancreaticoduodenectomies (OPD).

Results

Between October 2008 and October 2014, 200 consecutive patients underwent RAPR. Three procedures were converted to open surgery (1.5 %), despite 14 patients required associated vascular procedures. RAPD was performed in 83 patients (41.5 %), distal pancreatectomy in 83 (41.5 %), total pancreatectomy in 17 (8.5 %), tumor enucleation in 12 (6 %), and central pancreatectomy in 5 (2.5 %). Thirty‐day and 90‐day mortality rates were 0.5 and 1 %, respectively. Both deaths occurred after RAPD with vein resection. Complications occurred in 63.0 % of the patients (≥Clavien‐Dindo grade IIIb in 4 %). Median comprehensive complication index was 20.9 (0‐26.2). Incidence of grade B/C pancreatic fistula was 28.0 %. Reoperation was required in 14 patients (7.0 %). The risk of reoperation decreased after post‐operative day 20 (OR 0.072) (p = 0.0015). When compared to OPD, RAPD was associated with longer mean operative time (527.2 ± 166.1 vs. 425.3 ± 92.7; <0.0001) but had an equivalent safety profile. The median number of examined lymph nodes (37; 28.8–45.3 vs. 36; 28–52.8) and the rate of margin positivity in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer were also similar (12.5 vs. 45.5 %).

Conclusions

RAPR, including RAPD, are safely feasible in selected patients. The results of RAPD in pancreatic cancer are encouraging but deserve further investigation.
Continuous adjoint-based error estimation and its application to adaptive discontinuous Galerkin method
Authors: Yue Huiqiang , Liu Tiegang , Shaydurov V.
Published: May 2016

An adaptive mesh refinement algorithm based on a continuous adjoint approach is developed. Both the primal equation and the adjoint equation are approximated with the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method. The proposed adaptive algorithm is used in compressible Euler equations. Numerical tests are made to show the superiority of the proposed adaptive algorithm.
Allele-specific silencing of EEC p63 mutant R304W restores p63 transcriptional activity
Authors: Novelli F , Lena A M , Panatta E , Nasser W , Shalom-Feuerstein R , Candi E , Melino G
Published: May 2016

EEC (ectrodactily-ectodermal dysplasia and cleft lip/palate) syndrome is a rare genetic disease, autosomal dominant inherited. It is part of the ectodermal dysplasia disorders caused by heterozygous mutations inTP63gene. EEC patients present limb malformations, orofacial clefting, skin and skin’s appendages defects, ocular abnormalities. The transcription factor p63, encoded byTP63, is a master gene for the commitment of ectodermal-derived tissues, being expressed in the apical ectodermal ridge is critical for vertebrate limb formation and, at a later stage, for skin and skin’s appendages development. The ΔNp63αisoform is predominantly expressed in epithelial cells and it is indispensable for preserving the self-renewal capacity of adult stem cells and to engage specific epithelial differentiation programs. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) offers a potential therapy approach for EEC patients by selectively silencing the mutant allele. Here, using a systemic screening based on a dual-luciferase reported gene assay, we have successfully identified specific siRNAs for repressing the EEC-causing p63 mutant, R304W. Upon siRNA treatment, we were able to restore ΔNp63-WT allele transcriptional function in induced pluripotent stem cells that were derived from EEC patient biopsy. This study demonstrates that siRNAs approach is promising and, may pave the way for curing/delaying major symptoms, such as cornea degeneration and skin erosions in young EEC patients.
Knockdown of linc-UFC1 suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Yu T , Shan T-D , Li J-Y , Huang C-Z , Wang S-Y , Ouyang H , Lu X-J , Xu J-H , Zhong W , Chen Q-K
Published: May 2016

Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have important roles in biological functions, molecular mechanisms and prognostic values in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this context, the roles of linc-UFC1 remain to be elucidated. In this study, linc-UFC1 was overexpressed in CRC patient tissues and positively correlated with tumor grade, N stage and M stage. Inhibition of linc-UFC1 resulted in cell proliferation inhibition and G1 cell cycle arrest, which was mediated by cyclin D1, CDK4, Rb and phosphorylated Rb. In addition, inhibition of linc-UFC1 induced cell apoptosis through the intrinsic apoptosis signaling pathway, as evidenced by the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. An investigation of the signaling pathway revealed that the effects on proliferation and apoptosis following linc-UFC1 knockdown were mediated by suppression of β-catenin and activation of phosphorylated P38. Furthermore, the P38 inhibitor SB203580 could attenuate the apoptotic effect achieved by linc-UFC1 knockdown, confirming the involvement of P38 signaling in the induced apoptosis. Taken together, linc-UFC1 might have a critical role in pro-proliferation and anti-apoptosis in CRC by regulating the cell cycle, intrinsic apoptosis, and β-catenin and P38 signaling. Thus, linc-UFC1 could be a potential therapeutic target and novel molecular biomarker for CRC.
Upregulated long non-coding RNA AGAP2-AS1 represses LATS2 and KLF2 expression through interacting with EZH2 and LSD1 in non-small-cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Li W , Sun M , Zang C , Ma P , He J , Zhang M , Huang Z , Ding Y , Shu Y
Published: May 2016

Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are identified as new crucial regulators of diverse cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation and cancer cells metastasis. Accumulating evidence has revealed that aberrant lncRNA expression plays important roles in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. However, the expression pattern and biological function of lncRNAs in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain largely unknown. In this study, we performed comprehensive analysis of lncRNA expression in human NSCLC samples by using microarray data from Gene Expression Omnibus. After validation in a cohort of 80 pairs of NSCLC tissues, we identified a differentially expressed novel oncogenic lncRNA termed as AGAP2-AS1. The AGAP2-AS1 expression level was significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues and negatively correlated with poor prognostic outcomes in patients. In vitro loss- and gain-of-function assays revealed that AGAP2-AS1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis. In vivo assays also confirmed the ability of AGAP2-AS1 to promote tumor growth. Furthermore, mechanistic investigation showed that AGAP2-AS1 could bind with enhancer of zeste homolog 2 and lysine (K)-specific demethylase 1A, and recruit them to KLF2 and LATS2 promoter regions to repress their transcription. Taken together, our findings indicate that AGAP2-AS1 may act as an oncogene by repressing tumor-suppressor LATS2 and KLF2 transcription. By clarifying the AGAP2-AS1 mechanisms underlying NSCLC development and progression, these findings might promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies for this disease.
Implementation of dispersion-free slow acoustic wave propagation and phase engineering with helical-structured metamaterials
Authors: Zhu Xuefeng , Li Kun , Zhang Peng , Zhu Jie , Zhang Jintao , Tian Chao , Liu Shengchun
Published: May 2016

The ability to slow down wave propagation in materials has attracted significant research interest. A successful solution will give rise to manageable enhanced wave–matter interaction, freewheeling phase engineering and spatial compression of wave signals. The existing methods are typically associated with constructing dispersive materials or structures with local resonators, thus resulting in unavoidable distortion of waveforms. Here we show that, with helical-structured acoustic metamaterials, it is now possible to implement dispersion-free sound deceleration. The helical-structured metamaterials present a non-dispersive high effective refractive index that is tunable through adjusting the helicity of structures, while the wavefront revolution plays a dominant role in reducing the group velocity. Finally, we numerically and experimentally demonstrate that the helical-structured metamaterials with designed inhomogeneous unit cells can turn a normally incident plane wave into a self-accelerating beam on the prescribed parabolic trajectory. The helical-structured metamaterials will have profound impact to applications in explorations of slow wave physics.