bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Helical Structure on Chiral Recognition of Poly(phenylacetylene)s Bearing Phenylcarbamate Residues of L‐Phenylglycinol and Amide Linage as Pendants
Authors: Zhang Chunhong , Ma Rui , Wang Hailun , Sakai Ryosuke , Satoh Toshifumi , Kakuchi Toyoji , Liu Lijia , Okamoto Yoshio
Published: May 2015

Four poly(phenylacetylene)s (PPA-1, PPA-2, PPA-3, PPA-4) bearing phenylcarbamate residues of L‐phenylglycinol and amide linkage as pendants were prepared to be used as chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the influences of coating solvents, dimethylformamide (DMF) and tetrahydrofuran (THF), which were used for coating the polymers on silica gel, on the helical structure of the polymers and their chiral recognition abilities were investigated. The structure analysis of PPA-1, PPA-2, PPA-3, PPA-4 by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), optical rotation, and circular dichroism (CD) spectra indicated that the polymers possess the cis‐transoidal structure with dynamic helical conformation. The polymers in THF seem to have shorter conjugated helical main chains along with a tighter twist conformation than those in DMF. The chiral recognition abilities of PPA-1, PPA-2, PPA-3, PPA-4 with the different helical structures induced by the coating solvents were evaluated as the CSPs in HPLC. The helical structures of PPA-1, PPA-2, PPA-3, PPA-4 induced with THF are preferable for chiral recognition for some racemates compared to those induced with DMF, and higher chiral recognition abilities of PPA-1, PPA-2, PPA-3, PPA-4 were achieved using THF. Chirality 27:500–506, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Constrained model predictive control with economic optimization for integrating process
Authors: Pang Qiang , Zou Tao , Cong Qiumei , Wang Yuan
Published: May 2015

The close relationship between steady‐state prediction outputs and actual inputs results in the existence of model uncertainty in the steady‐state prediction equation for integrating processes. This paper establishes a steady‐state prediction model that can reflect the dynamic execution process of the manipulated variables. Based on integration of the steady‐state optimization layer and dynamic optimization layer, the input increment sequences of multi‐step prediction are regarded as the decision variables. A quadratic programming model with inputs, outputs, and input increment constraints was developed, which simultaneously solved the problems of steady‐state optimization and dynamic control of integration process, as well as the sub‐optimal solution of the steady‐state targets in each cycle. Simulation examples illustrate that the optimal setpoints and the actual values of the inputs and outputs are all within the constraint ranges and the actual values settle to the optimal setpoints, and demonstrate that the method proposed in this paper can effectively solve the steady‐state optimization problem for integrating processes when economical optimization of the inputs and outputs is considered.
Inertial effects in cyclic time‐dependent displacement flows in homogeneous porous media
Authors: Yuan Qingwang , Azaiez Jalel
Published: May 2015

Miscible displacements in homogeneous porous media are investigated through numerical simulations for cyclic time‐dependent velocities considering inertial effects. It is found that the velocity's models, cycle period, and amplitude have significant impacts on the flow, however the effects greatly depend on whether inertia is considered or not. Generally, cyclic extraction‐injection (E/I) processes are always less unstable than constant injection and their injection‐extraction (I/E) counterpart, regardless of the strength of inertia. Instabilities of E/I processes are reduced as the velocity period or amplitude increases, and these attenuating effects increase with the Reynolds number. However, in the case of I/E processes, the effects of the period and the amplitude are strongly dependent on inertia. For non‐inertial cases, larger periods or amplitudes lead to more unstable flows, while for their inertial counterparts, the effects are found to be non‐monotonic. In particular, as the period increases, instabilities first decrease and then increase. A period‐stabilizing range is identified in which the displacements of the time‐dependent injection velocities are actually less unstable than those of the constant injection flow. When the period is further increased to the period‐destabilizing range, the flows tend to become more unstable. Moreover, the velocity amplitude can attenuate or enhance the instabilities depending on whether the period is within the period‐stabilizing or period‐destabilizing range. Furthermore, stronger inertial effects are found to greatly reduce the instabilities and to expand the period‐stabilizing range.
Joint prognostic effect of obesity and chronic systemic inflammation in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Shah Manasi S. , Fogelman David R. , Raghav Kanwal Pratap Singh , Heymach John V. , Tran Hai T. , Jiang Zhi‐Qin , Kopetz Scott , Daniel Carrie R.
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

Obesity is strongly linked with chronic systemic inflammation, and each has been linked with disease progression and survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The authors investigated the joint prognostic effects of obesity and circulating cytokines in patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC), an understudied patient group.

METHODS

In 242 chemotherapy‐naive patients with mCRC, the authors measured a multiplex cytokine panel and abstracted clinicopathological features, height, and weight from medical records. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the date of mCRC diagnosis until the date of death from any cause and evaluated by Kaplan‐Meier analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Cut points for cytokines were determined by restricted cubic spline regression.

RESULTS

In multivariable models, elevated interleukin (IL)−8, IL‐2 receptor alpha, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) emerged as significant predictors of poor OS (hazard ratio [HR] and 95% confidence interval [95% CI] for above vs below the (referent) knot point: 2.5 [95% CI, 1.7‐3.7], 1.9 [95% CI, 1.3‐2.7], and 2.2 [95% CI, 1.6‐3.1], respectively; all P<.001). Obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) was not found to be associated with OS, but appeared to modify the relationships observed with IL‐8 and LDH, which were associated with a significant 4‐fold and 5‐fold risk of death, respectively, in obese patients compared with a 2‐fold risk of death in nonobese patients (P for interaction of .06 and .04, respectively). Similar results emerged from joint effects analysis, in which obese patients with high IL‐8 (or LDH) experienced the highest risk of death.

CONCLUSIONS

Although obesity itself was not found to be independently associated with survival in patients with mCRC, the adverse prognostic significance of LDH and IL‐8 was found to be enhanced in obese patients. Cancer 2015;121:2968–2975. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Subclassification of prostate cancer circulating tumor cells by nuclear size reveals very small nuclear circulating tumor cells in patients with visceral metastases
Authors: Chen Jie‐Fu , Ho Hao , Lichterman Jake , Lu Yi‐Tsung , Zhang Yang , Garcia Mitch A. , Chen Shang‐Fu , Liang An‐Jou , Hodara Elisabeth , Zhau Haiyen E. , Hou Shuang , Ahmed Rafi S. , Luthringer Daniel J. , Huang Jiaoti , Li Ker‐Chau , Chung Leland W. K. , Ke Zunfu , Tseng Hsian‐Rong , Posadas Edwin M.
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

Although enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has shown some clinical value, the pool of CTCs contains a mixture of cells that contains additional information that can be extracted. The authors subclassified CTCs by shape features focusing on nuclear size and related this with clinical information.

METHODS

A total of 148 blood samples were obtained from 57 patients with prostate cancer across the spectrum of metastatic states: no metastasis, nonvisceral metastasis, and visceral metastasis. CTCs captured and enumerated on NanoVelcro Chips (CytoLumina, Los Angeles, Calif) were subjected to pathologic review including nuclear size. The distribution of nuclear size was analyzed using a Gaussian mixture model. Correlations were made between CTC subpopulations and metastatic status.

RESULTS

Statistical modeling of nuclear size distribution revealed 3 distinct subpopulations: large nuclear CTCs, small nuclear CTCs, and very small nuclear CTCs (vsnCTCs). Small nuclear CTCs and vsnCTC identified those patients with metastatic disease. However, vsnCTC counts alone were found to be elevated in patients with visceral metastases when compared with those without (0.36 ± 0.69 vs 1.95 ± 3.77 cells/mL blood;P<.001). Serial enumeration studies suggested the emergence of vsnCTCs occurred before the detection of visceral metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

There are morphologic subsets of CTCs that can be identified by fundamental pathologic approaches, such as nuclear size measurement. The results of this observational study strongly suggest that CTCs contain relevant information regarding disease status. In particular, the detection of vsnCTCs was found to be correlated with the presence of visceral metastases and should be formally explored as a putative blood‐borne biomarker to identify patients at risk of developing this clinical evolution of prostate cancer.Cancer2015;121:3240–3251.©2015 American Cancer Society.
Identification and Mechanistic Investigation of Drug–Drug Interactions Associated With Myopathy: A Translational Approach
Authors: Han X , Quinney SK , Wang Z , Zhang P , Duke J , Desta Z , Elmendorf JS , Flockhart DA , Li L
Published: May 2015

Myopathy is a group of muscle diseases that can be induced or exacerbated by drug–drug interactions (DDIs). We sought to identify clinically important myopathic DDIs and elucidate their underlying mechanisms. Five DDIs were found to increase the risk of myopathy based on analysis of observational data from the Indiana Network of Patient Care. Loratadine interacted with simvastatin (relative risk 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.39, 2.06]), alprazolam (1.50, 2.31), ropinirole (2.06, 5.00), and omeprazole (1.15, 1.38). Promethazine interacted with tegaserod (1.94, 4.64). In vitro investigation showed that these DDIs were unlikely to result from inhibition of drug metabolism by CYP450 enzymes or from inhibition of hepatic uptake via the membrane transporter OATP1B1/1B3. However, we did observe in vitro synergistic myotoxicity of simvastatin and desloratadine, suggesting a role in loratadine–simvastatin interaction. This interaction was epidemiologically confirmed (odds ratio 95% CI = [2.02, 3.65]) using the data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System.
ISAC's Gating‐ML 2.0 data exchange standard for gating description
Authors: Spidlen Josef , Moore Wayne ,   ISAC Data Standards Task Force, Brinkman Ryan R.
Published: May 2015

The lack of software interoperability with respect to gating has traditionally been a bottleneck preventing the use of multiple analytical tools and reproducibility of flow cytometry data analysis by independent parties. To address this issue, ISAC developed Gating‐ML, a computer file format to encode and interchange gates. Gating‐ML 1.5 was adopted and published as an ISAC Candidate Recommendation in 2008. Feedback during the probationary period from implementors, including major commercial software companies, instrument vendors, and the wider community, has led to a streamlined Gating‐ML 2.0. Gating‐ML has been significantly simplified and therefore easier to support by software tools. To aid developers, free, open source reference implementations, compliance tests, and detailed examples are provided to stimulate further commercial adoption. ISAC has approved Gating‐ML as a standard ready for deployment in the public domain and encourages its support within the community as it is at a mature stage of development having undergone extensive review and testing, under both theoretical and practical conditions. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
From specialist to generalist: Developmental transformations in the genetic structure of early child abilities
Authors: Cheung Amanda K. , Harden K. Paige , Tucker‐Drob Elliot M.
Published: May 2015

The heritability of abilities increases substantially over development, and much of heritable variation in abilities is shared with other abilities. No study, however, has formally tested the extent to which developmental increases in heritability occur on shared versus unique variation in child abilities. A transactional perspective predicts that the relative proportion of shared to total genetic variance will increase with age, whereas an endogenous perspective predicts that such proportion will be invariant with age. We tested these competing predictions using data from a sample of 292 twins providing a total of 578 cross‐sectional and longitudinal observations between ages 0 and 6 years on measures of Communication, Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Problem‐Solving, and Personal‐Social abilities. Consistent with predictions of the transactional perspective, developmental increases in heritability were localized to variance shared across abilities. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 57: 566–583, 2015.
Coregulation of respiratory sinus arrhythmia between parents and preschoolers: differences by children's externalizing problems
Authors: Lunkenheimer Erika , Tiberio Stacey S. , Buss Kristin A. , Lucas‐Thompson Rachel G. , Boker Steven M. , Timpe Zachary C.
Published: May 2015

The coordination of physiological processes between parents and infants is thought to support behaviors critical for infant adaptation, but we know little about parent‐child physiological coregulation during the preschool years. The present study examined whether time‐varying changes in parent and child respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) exhibited coregulation (across‐person dynamics) accounting for individual differences in parent and child RSA, and whether there were differences in these parasympathetic processes by children's externalizing problems. Mother‐child dyads (N = 47; Child age M = 3½ years) engaged in three laboratory tasks (free play, clean up, puzzle task) for 18 min, during which RSA data were collected. Multilevel coupled autoregressive models revealed that mothers and preschoolers showed positive coregulation of RSA such that changes in mother RSA predicted changes in the same direction in child RSA and vice versa, controlling for the stability of within‐person RSA over time and individual differences in overall mean RSA. However, when children's externalizing behaviors were higher, coregulation was negative such that changes in real‐time mother and child RSA showed divergence rather than positive concordance. Results suggest that mothers and preschoolers do coregulate RSA during real‐time interactions, but that children's higher externalizing behavior problems are related to disruptions in these processes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 57: 994–1003, 2015.
Divergence thresholds and divergent biodiversity estimates: can metabarcoding reliably describe zooplankton communities?
Authors: Brown Emily A. , Chain Frédéric J. J. , Crease Teresa J. , MacIsaac Hugh J. , Cristescu Melania E.
Published: May 2015

DNA metabarcoding is a promising method for describing communities and estimating biodiversity. This approach uses high‐throughput sequencing of targeted markers to identify species in a complex sample. By convention, sequences are clustered at a predefined sequence divergence threshold (often 3%) into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that serve as a proxy for species. However, variable levels of interspecific marker variation across taxonomic groups make clustering sequences from a phylogenetically diverse dataset into OTUs at a uniform threshold problematic. In this study, we use mock zooplankton communities to evaluate the accuracy of species richness estimates when following conventional protocols to cluster hypervariable sequences of the V4 region of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (18S) into OTUs. By including individually tagged single specimens and “populations” of various species in our communities, we examine the impact of intra‐ and interspecific diversity on OTU clustering. Communities consisting of single individuals per species generated a correspondence of 59–84% between OTU number and species richness at a 3% divergence threshold. However, when multiple individuals per species were included, the correspondence between OTU number and species richness dropped to 31–63%. Our results suggest that intraspecific variation in this marker can often exceed 3%, such that a single species does not always correspond to one OTU. We advocate the need to apply group‐specific divergence thresholds when analyzing complex and taxonomically diverse communities, but also encourage the development of additional filtering steps that allow identification of artifactual rRNA gene sequences or pseudogenes that may generate spurious OTUs.
Alternative NF‐κB signaling regulates mTEC differentiation from podoplanin‐expressing precursors in the cortico‐medullary junction
Authors: Onder Lucas , Nindl Veronika , Scandella Elke , Chai Qian , Cheng Hung‐Wei , Caviezel‐Firner Sonja , Novkovic Mario , Bomze David , Maier Reinhard , Mair Florian , Ledermann Birgit , Becher Burkhard , Waisman Ari , Ludewig Burkhard
Published: May 2015

The thymic epithelium forms specialized niches to enable thymocyte differentiation. While the common epithelial progenitor of medullary and cortical thymic epithelial cells (mTECs and cTECs) is well defined, early stages of mTEC lineage specification have remained elusive. Here, we utilized in vivo targeting of mTECs to resolve their differentiation pathways and to determine whether mTEC progenitors participate in thymocyte education. We found that mTECs descend from a lineage committed, podoplanin (PDPN)‐expressing progenitor located at the cortico‐medullary junction. PDPN+ junctional TECs (jTECs) represent a distinct TEC population that builds the thymic medulla, but only partially supports negative selection and thymocyte differentiation. Moreover, conditional gene targeting revealed that abrogation of alternative NF‐κB pathway signaling in the jTEC stage completely blocked mTEC development. Taken together, this study identifies jTECs as lineage‐committed mTEC progenitors and shows that NF‐κB‐dependent progression of jTECs to mTECs is critical to secure central tolerance.
Engineering Streptomyces diastatochromogenes 1628 to increase the production of toyocamycin
Authors: Tao Libin , Ma Zheng , Xu Xianhao , Bechthold Andreas , Bian Yalin , Shentu Xuping , Yu Xiaoping
Published: May 2015

Toyocamycin (TM) shows antifungal activity and can be used to treat plant diseases. TM is produced by Streptomyces diastatochromogenes 1628, but the production rate is always very low. Recently, the gene toyG was cloned; however, nothing was known about the influence of toyG on TM production. In this study, the rational combined co‐expression of toyG with frr encoding a ribosome recycling factor and vgb encoding Vitreoscilla hemoglobin was performed. Introduction of these genes in double‐ or triple‐combination into strain S. diastatochromogenes 1628 led to greatly increased TM production. Transcription analysis revealed that higher TM production in the constructed recombinant strains resulted from an increase in transcriptional levels of toyG gene. At the end, among all these different recombinant strains, the strain S. diastatochromogenes 1628‐VGF, harboring vgb, frr, and toyG placed under the control of PermE*, exhibited the largest increase in TM production. Notably, TM produced by S. diastatochromogenes 1628‐VGF reached the highest level of 319.2 mg/L at 72 h, while TM yield of the original strain 1628 was 147.1 mg/L at 84 h. The high‐yield, energy‐saving strain 1628‐VGF constructed in this study shall be beneficial for the industrial production of TM.
Bacterial synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates using dark fermentation effluents: Comparison between pure and enriched mixed cultures
Authors: Venkateswar Reddy Motakatla , Kotamraju Amulya , Venkata Mohan S.
Published: May 2015

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are naturally occurring biopolymeric materials synthesized by a wide group of microorganisms. PHAs are known for their use as bioplastics as they have similar physicochemical properties to those of conventional plastics. In the present scenario, PHAs are produced by mixed bacterial cultures or pure cultures using various types of substrates. The present study aimed at investigating the ability of bacteria isolated from an enriched mixed culture to produce PHAs using both synthetic wastewater and effluents collected from hydrogen‐producing reactor as substrates. PHAs production was performed using both the enriched mixed culture and the isolated strain Serratia ureilytica under nitrogen limitation aiming to compare PHAs accumulation capacity. The use of enriched mixed culture and synthetic wastewater resulted in the highest PHAs accumulation, i.e. 54 ± 3% dry cell weight (DCW). However, when S. ureilytica was used, PHAs accumulation decreased, i.e. 51 ± 2% DCW with synthetic acids, and 31 ± 2% DCW with effluents collected from hydrogen‐producing reactor. Produced polymer contained the co‐polymer with monomer composition of poly‐3(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyvalerate). Food waste as substrate contributes in reducing the production cost of both hydrogen as well as PHAs production embedded with waste valorization.
Application of pressure‐ and density‐based methods for different flow speeds
Authors: Miettinen A. , Siikonen T.
Published: May 2015

In this paper, pressure‐based and density‐based methods are studied at different flow speeds. The methods are intended for steady flows, and the goal is to find as general an approach as possible to cover different Mach number regimes. The solution methods are based on a finite‐volume approach. Various forms of inviscid fluxes are applied and connected with either a pressure‐based or density‐based implicit solution. For this purpose, a new pressure‐correction method is developed that can be applied for incompressible and for compressible flows. Another option is a standard density‐based approximate factorization method. In both cases, a convergence is accelerated with a Full Approximation Scheme (FAS) multigrid approach. Sample problems in the range of Ma = 0…6 are simulated using different approaches, and their efficiency and accuracy are compared. On the basis of the quality of the solutions, recommendations are made. © 2015 The Authors. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Differential Sox10 genomic occupancy in myelinating glia
Authors: Lopez‐Anido Camila , Sun Guannan , Koenning Matthias , Srinivasan Rajini , Hung Holly A. , Emery Ben , Keles Sunduz , Svaren John
Published: May 2015

Myelin is formed by specialized myelinating glia: oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems, respectively. While there are distinct developmental aspects and regulatory pathways in these two cell types, myelination in both systems requires the transcriptional activator Sox10. Sox10 interacts with cell type‐specific transcription factors at some loci to induce myelin gene expression, but it is largely unknown how Sox10 transcriptional networks globally compare between oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. We used in vivo ChIP‐Seq analysis of spinal cord and peripheral nerve (sciatic nerve) to identify unique and shared Sox10 binding sites and assess their correlation with active enhancers and transcriptional profiles in oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. Sox10 binding sites overlap with active enhancers and critical cell type‐specific regulators of myelination, such as Olig2 and Myrf in oligodendrocytes, and Egr2/Krox20 in Schwann cells. Sox10 sites also associate with genes critical for myelination in both oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells and are found within super‐enhancers previously defined in brain. In Schwann cells, Sox10 sites contain binding motifs of putative partners in the Sp/Klf, Tead, and nuclear receptor protein families. Specifically, siRNA analysis of nuclear receptors Nr2f1 and Nr2f2 revealed downregulation of myelin genes Mbp and Ndrg1 in primary Schwann cells. Our analysis highlights different mechanisms that establish cell type‐specific genomic occupancy of Sox10, which reflects the unique characteristics of oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell differentiation. GLIA 2015;63:1897–1914
Synthesis of a Fluorescent‐Labeled Bisbenzamidine Containing the Central (6,7‐Dimethoxy‐4‐coumaryl)Alanine Building Block
Authors: Häußler Daniela , Gütschow Michael
Published: May 2015

The synthesis of an amino acid amide is reported, which contains two benzamidine cores, one placed in the amide part the other one within the sulfonyl N‐capping group. The amino acid side chain bears the 6,7‐dimethoxycoumarin fluorophore. The fluorescent amino acid was prepared by using the von‐Pechmann reaction. The two corresponding nitrile groups of a precursor molecule were simultaneously converted to the amidine moieties by the Pinner reaction. The fluorescent properties of the final compound were determined.
An Examination of Changes in Emotion Co‐regulation Among Mother and Child Dyads During the Strange Situation
Authors: Guo Yuqing , Leu Szu‐Yun , Barnard Kathryn E. , Thompson Elaine A. , Spieker Susan J.
Published: May 2015

The present study applied state‐space grid analysis to describe how preschooler–mother dyads co‐regulate emotion in the Strange Situation. Second‐to‐second mother and child affect during pre‐separation play (baseline) and the final reunion (post perturbation) episodes of the Strange Situation were coded for 80 dyads. Change in emotion co‐regulation across the two Strange Situation episodes was examined with linear mixed models for groups with secure and insecure classifications. The groups did not differ at baseline. Change in content‐specific emotion co‐regulation but not content‐free emotion co‐regulation was found to be significantly different within and between groups. Both secure and insecure dyads reduced the time spent in positive interaction but increased the time in negative interaction across two episodes; the change in secure dyads was less pronounced than in the insecure dyads. After the separation, secure dyads had more positive interactions and fewer negative interactions compared with insecure dyads. Results highlight how secure dyads adapted to the stressful change, whereas insecure dyads were more reactive and less resilient to the stress of the study's brief imposed separation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in survival after cancer diagnosis among HIV‐infected individuals between 1992 and 2009. Results from the FHDH‐ANRSCO4 cohort
Authors: Hleyhel Mira , Belot Aurélien , Bouvier Anne‐Marie , Tattevin Pierre , Pacanowski Jérôme , Genet Philippe , De Castro Nathalie , Berger Jean‐Luc , Dupont Caroline , Lavolé Armelle , Pradier Christian , Salmon Dominique , Simon Anne , Martinez Valérie , Spano Jean‐Philippe , Costagliola Dominique , Grabar Sophie ,   on behalf of FHDH‐ANRS CO4
Published: May 2015

Although the decline in cancer mortality rates with the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in HIV‐infected individuals can be mostly explained by a decrease in cancers incidence, we looked here if improved survival after cancer diagnosis could also contribute to this decline. Survival trends were analyzed for most frequent cancers in the HIV‐infected population followed in the French Hospital Database on HIV: 979 and 2,760 cases of visceral and non‐visceral Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), 2,339 and 461 cases of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), 446 lung, 312 liver and 257 anal cancers. Five‐year Kaplan–Meier survival rates were estimated for four periods: 1992–1996, 1997–2000, 2001–2004 and 2005–2009. Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare survival across the periods, after adjustment for confounding factors. For 2001–2004, survival was compared to the general population after standardization on age and sex. Between the pre‐cART (1992–1996) and early‐cART (1997–2000) periods, survival improved after KS, NHL, HL and anal cancer and remained stable after lung and liver cancers. During the cART era, 5‐year survival improved after visceral and non‐visceral KS, NHL, HL and liver cancer, being 83, 92, 65, 87 and 19% in 2005–2009, respectively, and remained stable after lung and anal cancers, being 16 and 65%, respectively. Compared with the general population, survival in HIV‐infected individuals in 2001–2004 was poorer for hematological malignancies and similar for solid tumors. For hematological malignancies, survival continues to improve after 2004, suggesting that the gap between the HIV‐infected and general populations will close in the future.
Cytotoxicity and intracellular fate of PLGA and chitosan‐coated PLGA nanoparticles in Madin–Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Colo 205) cells
Authors: Trif Mihaela , Florian Paula E. , Roseanu Anca , Moisei Magdalena , Craciunescu Oana , Astete Carlos E. , Sabliov Cristina M.
Published: May 2015

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are known to facilitate intracellular uptake of drugs to improve their efficacy, with minimum bioreactivity. The goal of this study was to assess cellular uptake and trafficking of PLGA NPs and chitosan (Chi)‐covered PLGA NPs in Madin–Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Colo 205) cells. Both PLGA and Chi–PLGA NPs were not cytotoxic to the studied cells at concentrations up to 2500 μg/mL. The positive charge conferred by the chitosan deposition on the PLGA NPs improved NPs uptake by MDBK cells. In this cell line, Chi–PLGA NPs colocalized partially with early endosomes compartment and showed a more consistent perinuclear localization than PLGA NPs. Kinetic uptake of PLGA NPs by Colo 205 was slower than that by MDBK cells, detected only at 24 h, exceeding that of Chi–PLGA NPs. This study offers new insights on NP interaction with target cells supporting the use of NPs as novel nutraceuticals/drug delivery systems in metabolic disorders or cancer therapy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3599–3611, 2015.
Massive failure of TiNbN coating in surface engineered metal‐on‐metal hip arthroplasty: Retrieval analysis
Authors: Łapaj Łukasz , Markuszewski Jacek , Wendland Justyna , Mróz Adrian , Wierusz‐Kozłowska Małgorzata
Published: May 2015

This article presents examination of a failed total hip replacement with surface engineered metal‐on‐metal (MoM) articulation. The implant was coated with a thin TiNbN film (Physical Vapor Deposition), and at retrieval 53 months after implantation the coating was abraded on weight‐bearing part of the head and acetabular component. Scanning electron microscopy of bearing surfaces demonstrated multifocal crack formation, delamination of small film fragments, and formation of aggregates containing nanometer sized wear debris. We also observed coating damage in third body mechanism. Complex failure mechanism of TiNbN coating demonstrated in this study suggests insufficient bonding strength between the coating and substrate alloy and raise concerns regarding the use of such coatings in total hip arthroplasty with MoM bearing. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1043–1049, 2016.
The Role of MicroRNA, miR‐24, and Its Target CHI3L1 in Osteomyelitis Caused by Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Jin Tao , Lu Yong , He Qing Xiao , Wang Hai , Li Bing Fu , Zhu Liang Yue , Xu Qing Yong
Published: May 2015

Osteomyelitis is a debilitating infectious disease of the bone which is predominantly caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play a regulatory role in osteogenesis. In the present study, the expression levels of miRNAs proposed to potentially play a regulatory role in bone formation or differentiation (miR‐24, miR‐29b, miR‐200a, miR‐208, miR‐322) were analyzed in the whole blood of patients with bacterial osteomyelitis or healthy controls, and in MC3T3‐E1 cells infected with S. aureus by qRT‐PCR. The expression of miR‐24 was significantly down‐regulated in osteomyelitis patients and S. aureus‐infected MC3T3‐E1 cells compared with the healthy controls or untreated control cells. Moreover, our results showed that S. aureus inhibited MC3T3‐E1 cell proliferation, induced osteoblast apoptosis and prohibited bone formation and mineralization. We found that overexpression of miR‐24 could reduce the effects of S. aureus, while inhibition of miR‐24 intensified the effects. We also demonstrated that miR‐24 suppressed the expression of chitinase 3‐like 1 (CHI3L1) mRNA, thought to mediate multiple signaling pathways, by directly binding to the 3′‐untranslated region. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 2804–2813, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Many Faces of the A2b Adenosine Receptor in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases
Authors: Eisenstein Anna , Patterson Shenia , Ravid Katya
Published: May 2015

Modulation of the low affinity adenosine receptor subtype, the A2b adenosine receptor (A2bAR), has gained interest as a therapeutic target in various pathologic areas associated with cardiovascular disease. The actions of the A2bAR are diverse and at times conflicting depending on cell and tissue type and the timing of activation or inhibition of the receptor. The A2bAR is a promising and exciting pharmacologic target, however, a thorough understanding of A2bAR action is necessary to reach the therapeutic potential of this receptor. This review will focus on the role of the A2bAR in various cardiovascular and metabolic pathologies in which the receptor is currently being studied. We will illustrate the complexities of A2bAR signaling and highlight areas of research with potential for therapeutic development. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2891–2897, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Epitope mapping of 7S cashew antigen in complex with antibody by solution‐phase H/D exchange monitored by FT‐ICR mass spectrometry
Authors: Guan Xiaoyan , Noble Kyle A. , Tao Yeqing , Roux Kenneth H. , Sathe Shridhar K. , Young Nicolas L. , Marshall Alan G.
Published: May 2015

The potential epitope of a recombinant food allergen protein, cashew Ana o 1, reactive to monoclonal antibody, mAb 2G4, has been mapped by solution‐phase amide backbone H/D exchange (HDX) monitored by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR MS). Purified mAb 2G4 was incubated with recombinant Ana o 1 (rAna o 1) to form antigen:monoclonal antibody (Ag:mAb) complexes. Complexed and uncomplexed (free) rAna o 1 were then subjected to HDX‐MS analysis. Five regions protected from H/D exchange upon mAb binding are identified as potential conformational epitope‐contributing segments. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolite profile of the tomato dwarf cultivar Micro‐Tom and comparative response to saline and nutritional stresses with regard to a commercial cultivar
Authors: Flores Pilar , Hernández Virginia , Hellín Pilar , Fenoll Jose , Cava Juana , Mestre Teresa , Martínez Vicente
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

The dwarf tomato variety Micro‐Tom has been used as a plant model for studies of plant development. However, its response to environmental and agricultural factors has not been well studied. This work studies the phytochemical content of Micro‐Tom tomato and its comparative response to saline and nutritional (N, K and Ca) stresses with regard to a commercial variety.

RESULTS

The chromatographic profiles of Micro‐Tom were similar to those of the commercial variety and the only differences appear to be the concentration of the components. In Micro‐Tom, the concentrations of sugars and organic acids increased by salinity in a lesser extent than in Optima. Moreover, contrary to that observed in the commercial variety, phenolic compounds and vitamin C did not increase by salinity in the dwarf variety. However, both varieties increased similarly the concentrations of carotenoids under saline conditions. Finally, fruit yield and most primary and secondary metabolite concentrations in Micro‐Tom were not affected by N, K or Ca limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

The mutations leading to the dwarf phenotype did not greatly alter the metabolite profiles but studies using Micro‐Tom as a plant model should consider the lower capacity for sugars and organic acids under saline conditions and the greater tolerance to nutrient limitation of the dwarf variety. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Dynamic variation of bioactive compounds and aflatoxins in contaminated Radix Astragali during extraction process
Authors: Hu Yichen , Kong Weijun , Luo Hongli , Zhao Lianhua , Yang Meihua
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

Although increasing attention has been paid to the health threat caused by mycotoxins in commodities such as food or medicines, mycotoxin transfer processes from crude material to products have raised little concern so far. Radix Astragali is a commonly used edible and medicinal herbal plant that is susceptible to contamination with aflatoxins from Aspergillus flavus. There have been no studies on mycotoxin transfer into pharmaceutical preparations or derivative products.

RESULTS

To facilitate the aflatoxin reduction and bioactivity retention, the dynamic variations of aflatoxins as well as herbal compounds, namely calycosin‐7‐glucoside, astragaloside and formononetin, in Radix Astragali contaminated by A. flavus during water decoction and ethanol refluxing treatments were evaluated simultaneously by an ultra‐fast liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry method. After the extraction processes, although the amount of alfatoxins was reduced remarkably, aflatoxin residuals in preparation still exceed recommended limits, manifesting the great need to establish a limit for aflatoxins in herbal extractions or derivative products. Meanwhile, due to the hydrolysis of glucoside, water decoction period should be no longer than 4 h.

CONCLUSIONS

This investigation would benefit from the determination of the dynamic variation of aflatoxins in infected herbs in preparation treatments, in order to further develop aflatoxin limits in herbal preparations. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Downregulation of urinary cell‐free microRNA‐214 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in bladder cancer
Authors: Wang Jinfeng , Zhang Xin , Wang Lili , Dong Zhaogang , Du Lutao , Yang Yongmei , Guo Yuan , Wang Chuanxin
Published: May 2015

Background and objectives

We aimed to investigate potential of urinary cell‐free microRNA‐214 (miR‐214) as a noninvasive biomarker for bladder cancer in this report.

Methods

We screened miR‐214 expression in medium from 2 bladder cancer cell lines to determine whether it is secretory. Then we validated expression of cell‐free miR‐214 in urine samples from an independent set of 192 preoperative bladder cancer patients, 80 matching postoperative patients and 169 healthy controls.

Results

miR‐214 was secreted from bladder cancer cell lines. Cell‐free miR‐214 levels were significantly attenuated in preoperative urine from bladder cancer patients, whereas its expression significantly increased in matched postoperative urine. Underexpressed extracellular miR‐214 in urine was significantly associated with higher tumor stage, higher lymph node status, higher grade, age and history of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Urinary cell‐free miR‐214 could forcefully differentiate bladder cancer (area under the curve; AUC = 0.838; 95% CI = 0.796–0.875) patients from healthy controls. Additionally, miR‐214 in urine supernatant could serve as an independent prognostic predicator of recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

Conclusions

Urinary cell‐free miR‐214 is a hopeful biomarker for tumor stratification, early diagnosis and prognostic assessment of bladder cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:992–999. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mental Health and Substance Use Factors Associated With Unwanted Sexual Contact Among U.S. Active Duty Service Women
Authors: Stahlman Shauna , Javanbakht Marjan , Cochran Susan , Hamilton Alison B. , Shoptaw Steven , Gorbach Pamina M.
Published: May 2015

Many U.S. military women are exposed to unwanted sexual contact during military service, which can have important implications for mental health. Using data from the 2008 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors, we employed multiple logistic regression methods to examine whether unwanted sexual contact was associated with stress, screening positive for mental disorders, or substance use, among active duty service women. The sample included 7,415 female military personnel, of whom 13.4% reported unwanted sexual contact (including any touching of genitals) since entering the military. After adjusting for potentially confounding variables, factors independently associated with unwanted sexual contact included military‐related stress (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.44), family/personal life‐related stress (AOR = 1.78), and gender‐related stress (AOR = 1.98) in the past 12 months. In addition, screening positive for depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, or psychological distress, and suicidal ideation or attempt were associated with unwanted sexual contact (AOR = 1.57–2.11). For drug/alcohol use, only misuse of tranquilizers/muscle relaxers (past 12 months) was associated with report of unwanted sexual contact (AOR = 1.35). Given the prevalence of unwanted sexual contact and corresponding adverse health outcomes in this sample of active duty women, strategies to create military structural/cultural changes and reduce gender‐related stress and sexism are needed.
Latitudinal variations in biometry and population density of a Mediterranean solitary coral
Authors: Caroselli Erik , Nanni Valentina , Levy Oren , Falini Giuseppe , Dubinsky Zvy , Goffredo Stefano
Published: May 2015

Correlations between solar radiation, sea surface temperature (SST), biometry, and population density were assessed along a wide latitudinal gradient in the non‐zooxanthellate solitary coral Caryophyllia inornata. Biometric parameters were more strongly correlated with temperature than with solar radiation as in previous studies on Mediterranean solitary corals. With increasing SST, populations were characterized by bigger polyps, and consequently by a higher percent area coverage and mass per square meter. Population abundance was not correlated with SST, similarly to the non‐zooxanthellate solitary Leptopsammia pruvoti. Instead, the population density of the zooxanthellate solitary Balanophyllia europaea decreases with increasing SST. When extrapolating the relationships between biological parameters of the three species and SST, according to the projected seawater temperature increase, a higher tolerance to temperature for non‐zooxanthellate species seems to be confirmed.
RF instrumentation for same‐breath triple nuclear lung MR imaging of 1H and hyperpolarized 3He and 129Xe at 1.5T
Authors: Rao Madhwesha , Wild Jim M.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

The hyperpolarized gases 3He and 129Xe have distinct properties and provide unique and complementary functional information from the lungs. A triple‐nuclear, same‐breath imaging examination of the lungs with 1H, 3He, and 129Xe can therefore provide exclusive functional information from the gas images. In addition, the 1H images provide complementary co‐registered structural information in the same physiological time frame. The goal of this study was to design an RF system for triple nuclear lung MRI at 1.5T, consisting of a dual‐tuned transceiver coil for 3He and 129Xe, RF switches and a nested 1H receiver array.

Methods

A dual‐tuned transmit‐receive dual‐Helmholtz RF coil for 3He and 129Xe was designed and constructed to work in unison with a nested 1H receiver array.

Results

Triple‐nuclear imaging (structural and ventilation) and apparent diffusion coefficient mapping of the human lungs was performed in the same breath‐hold using the integrated RF system. B1 maps and volumetric ventilation imaging using a three‐dimensional, balanced steady‐state free precession pulse sequence performed with both hyperpolarized 3He and 129Xe indicate good stand‐alone performance of the coil for the respective nucleus.

Conclusion

Triple‐nuclear same‐breath lung imaging with a dual‐tuned coil (3He and 129Xe) and a nested 1H array has been demonstrated with a custom RF system. Magn Reson Med 75:1841–1848, 2016. © © The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Adaptive POD‐based low‐dimensional modeling supported by residual estimates
Authors: Rapún M.‐L. , Terragni F. , Vega J. M.
Published: May 2015

An adaptive low‐dimensional model is considered to simulate time‐dependent dynamics in nonlinear dissipative systems governed by PDEs. The method combines an inexpensive POD‐based Galerkin system with short runs of a standard numerical solver that provides the snapshots necessary to first construct and then update the POD modes. Switching between the numerical solver and the Galerkin system is decided ‘on the fly’ by monitoring (i) a truncation error estimate and (ii) a residual estimate. The latter estimate is used to control the mode truncation instability and highly improves former adaptive strategies that detected this instability by monitoring consistency with a second instrumental Galerkin system based on a larger number of POD modes. The most computationally expensive run of the numerical solver occurs at the outset, when the whole set of POD modes is calculated. This step is improved by using mode libraries, which may either be generic or result from former applications of the method. The outcome is a flexible, robust, computationally inexpensive procedure that adapts itself to the local dynamics by using the faster Galerkin system for the majority of the time and few, on demand, short runs of a numerical solver. The method is illustrated considering the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation in one and two space dimensions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐sided Grassmann manifold algorithm for optimal model reduction
Authors: Zeng Taishan , Lu Chunyuan
Published: May 2015

We consider an optimal
model reduction problem for large‐scale dynamical systems. The problem is formulated as a minimization problem over Grassmann manifold with two variables. This formulation allows us to develop a two‐sided Grassmann manifold algorithm, which is numerically efficient and suitable for the reduction of large‐scale systems. The resulting reduced system preserves the stability of the original system. Numerical examples are presented to show that the proposed algorithm is computationally efficient and robust with respect to the selection of initial projection matrices. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating political party positioning over time: a proposed methodology
Authors: Bigi Alessandro , Bonera Michelle , Bal Anjali
Published: May 2015

In this article, we propose a methodology in order to measure political positioning and constituent perception. Political leaders should be able to effectively define the distinctive characteristics of their political brand and to subsequently utilize the most appropriate mechanisms of communication to promote an accurate perception of political image in the market. The specific aim of this research is to explore interrelations between a political party's positioning in two different periods in order to discover possible discrepancies and changes over time. The official blog of a political party, containing both official communication and the people's feedback, represents a perfect place in which to observe the concepts and the values on which both the political brand identity and image are founded. Leximancer, a content analysis tool, was utilized to analyze communications between a political party leader and his or her constituents. Illustrating the methodology, the blog of Beppe Grillo, founder of theMovimento 5 Stelleis analyzed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.