bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interrelationships among dry season leaf fall, leaf flush and transpiration: insights from sap flux measurements in a tropical dry deciduous forest
Authors: Iida Shin'ichi , Shimizu Takanori , Tamai Koji , Kabeya Naoki , Shimizu Akira , Ito Eriko , Ohnuki Yasuhiro , Chann Sophal , Keth Nang
Published: May 2015

We measured the sap flux densities of 12 deciduous trees in a tropical dry deciduous forest with high seasonality of available water located in Cambodia and evaluated the seasonal trends in transpiration and leaf phenology. For all trees, the minimum transpiration was recorded in the middle of the dry season, and almost all trees restarted transpiration before the first monsoon rain. The occurrence of the ‘paradox’ of leaf phenology was confirmed. During the dry season, transpiration was controlled by leaf phenology and decreased with an increase in the duration of the leafless period. In contrast, during the wet season, daily changes in transpiration were determined by changes in evaporative demand. Transpiration during the dry season accounted for more than 30% of the annual total among trees, and at the stand scale, the dry season contribution was 38%. The dry season transpiration was not negligible for the water balance in this ecosystem. The soil water condition in the shallow layer, where the main root system is located, was not the source of transpiration during the dry season. This implied that the root probably extended to a deep layer and absorbed water. The relationships between the mean canopy stomatal conductance and vapour pressure deficit revealed that most trees were isohydric. Isohydric behaviour controlling stomatal openness to avoid xylem hydraulic failure was also confirmed at the stand scale and was advantageous for these trees, allowing them to continue transpiring under the high evaporative demand during the dry season. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical presentation, management, in‐hospital and 90‐day outcomes of heart failure patients in Trivandrum, Kerala, India: the Trivandrum Heart Failure Registry
Authors: Harikrishnan Sivadasanpillai , Sanjay Ganapathi , Anees Thajudeen , Viswanathan Sunitha , Vijayaraghavan Govindan , Bahuleyan Charantharayil G. , Sreedharan Madhu , Biju Ramabhadran , Nair Tiny , Suresh Krishnan , Rao Ashok C. , Dalus Dae , Huffman Mark D. , Jeemon Panniyammakal ,   for the Trivandrum Heart Failure Registry
Published: May 2015

Objective

To evaluate the presentation, management, and outcomes of patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) in Trivandrum, India.

Methods

The Trivandrum Heart Failure Registry (THFR) enrolled consecutive admissions from 13 urban and five rural hospitals in Trivandrum with a primary diagnosis of HF from January to December 2013. Clinical characteristics at presentation, treatment, in‐hospital outcomes, and 90‐day mortality data were collected. ‘Guideline‐based’ medical treatment was defined as the combination of beta‐blockers, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, and aldosterone receptor blockers in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD).

Results

We enrolled 1205 cases (834 men, 69%) into the registry. Mean (standard deviation) age was 61.2 (13.7) years. The most common HF aetiology was ischaemic heart disease (IHD) (72%). Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (≥45%) constituted 26% of the population. The median hospital stay was 6 days (interquartile range = 4–9 days) with an in‐hospital mortality rate of 8.5% (95% confidence interval 6.9–10.0). The 90‐day all‐cause mortality rate was 2.43 deaths per 1000 person‐days (95% confidence interval 2.11–2.78). Guideline‐based medical treatment was given to 19% and 25% of patients with LVSD during hospital admission and at discharge, respectively. Older age, lower education, poor ejection fraction, higher serum creatinine, New York Heart Association functional class IV, and suboptimal medical treatment were associated with higher risk of 90‐day mortality.

Conclusion

Patients hospitalized with HF in the THFR were younger, more likely to be men, had a higher prevalence of IHD, reported longer length of hospital stay, and higher mortality compared with published data from other registries. We also identified key areas for improving hospital‐based HF medical care in Trivandrum.
Quantifying soil surface photolysis under conditions simulating water movement in the field: a new laboratory test design
Authors: Hand Laurence H. , Nichols Carol , Kuet Sui F. , Oliver Robin G. , Harbourt Christopher M. , El-Naggar Essam M.
Published: May 2015

Soil surface photolysis can be a significant dissipation pathway for agrochemicals under field conditions, although it is assumed that such degradation ceases once the agrochemical is transported away from the surface following rainfall or irrigation and subsequent drainage of soil porewater. However, as both downward and upward water movements occur under field conditions, relatively mobile compounds may return to the surface, prolonging exposure to ultraviolet light and increasing the potential for degradation by photolysis. To test this hypothesis, a novel experimental system was used to quantify the contribution of photolysis to the overall dissipation of a new herbicide, bicyclopyrone, under conditions that mimicked field studies more closely than the standard laboratory test guidance. Soil cores were taken from 3 US field study sites, and the surfaces were treated with [14C]-bicyclopyrone. The radioactivity was redistributed throughout the cores using a simulated rainfall event, following which the cores were incubated under a xenon-arc lamp with continuous provision of moisture from below and a wind simulator to induce evaporation. After only 2 d, most of the test compound had returned to the soil surface. Significantly more degradation was observed in the irradiated samples than in a parallel dark control sample. Degradation rates were very similar to those observed in both the thin layer photolysis study and the field dissipation studies and significantly faster than in the soil metabolism studies conducted in the dark. Thus, for highly soluble, mobile agrochemicals, such as bicyclopyrone, photolysis is not terminated permanently by rainfall or irrigation but can resume following transport to the surface in evaporating water. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2236–2243. © 2015 SETAC
Cross‐Section Stock Return and Implied Covariance between Jump and Diffusive Volatility
Authors: Ze‐To Samuel Y.M.
Published: May 2015

I examine the information content of option‐implied covariance between jumps and diffusive risk in the cross‐sectional variation in future returns. This paper documents that the difference between realized volatility and implied covariance (RV‐ICov) can predict future returns. The results show a significant and negative association of expected return and realized volatility–implied covariance spread in both the portfolio level analysis and cross‐sectional regression study. A trading strategy of buying a portfolio with the lowest RV‐ICov quintile portfolio and selling with the highest one generates positive and significant returns. This RV‐Cov anomaly is robust to controlling for size, book‐to‐market value, liquidity and systematic risk proportion. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forecasting Core Business Transformation Risk Using the Optimal Rough Set and the Neural Network
Authors: Wang Delu , Song Xuefeng , Yin Wenying , Yuan Jingying
Published: May 2015

In the process of enterprise growth, core business transformation is an eternal theme. Enterprise risk forecasting is always an important concern for stakeholders. Considering the completeness and accuracy of the information in the early‐warning index, this paper presents a new risk‐forecasting method for enterprises to use for core business transformation by using rough set theory and an artificial neural network. First, continuous attribute values are discretized using the fuzzy clustering algorithm based on the maximum discernibility value function and information entropy. Afterwards, the major attributes are reduced by the rough sets. The core business transformation risk rank judgement is extracted to define the connection between network nodes and determine the structure of the neural networks. Finally, the improved back‐propagation (BP) neural network learning and training are used to judge the risk level of the test samples. The experiments are based on 265 listed companies in China, and the results show that the proposed risk‐forecasting model based on rough sets and the neural network provides higher prediction accuracy rates than do other widely developed baselines including logistic regression, neural networks and association rules mining. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silica‐based mesoporous nanobiomaterials as promoter of bone regeneration process
Authors: Shadjou Nasrin , Hasanzadeh Mohammad
Published: May 2015

Silica‐based mesostructured nanomaterials have emerged as a full family of biomaterials with tremendous potential to address the requirements for the bone regeneration process. This review focuses on more recent advances in bone regeneration process based on silica‐based mesoporous biomaterials during 2012 to January 2015. In this review, we describe application of silica‐based mesoporous mesostructured nanomaterials (possessing pore sizes in the range 2–50 nm) for the bone regeneration process. We summarize the preparation methods, the effect of mesopore templates and composition on the mesopore‐structure characteristics, and different forms of these materials, including particles, fibers, spheres, scaffolds, and composites. The effect of structural and textural properties of mesoporous materials on the development of new biomaterials for treatment of different bone pathologies such as infection, osteoporosis, cancer, and so forth is discussed. In addition, silica‐based mesoporous bioactive glass, as a potential drug/growth factor carrier, is reviewed, which includes the composition–structure–drug delivery relationship and the functional effect on the antibacteria and tissue‐stimulation properties. Also, application of different mesoporous materials on construction of 3D macroporous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering was disused. Finally, this review discusses the possibility of covalently grafting different osteoinductive agents to the silica‐based mesoporous scaffold surface that act as attracting signals for bone cells to promote the bone regeneration process. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3703–3716, 2015.
Biomimetic fiber assembled gradient hydrogel to engineer glycosaminoglycan enriched and mineralized cartilage: Anin vitrostudy
Authors: Mohan Neethu , Wilson Jijo , Joseph Dexy , Vaikkath Dhanesh , Nair Prabha D.
Published: May 2015

The study investigated the potential of electrospun fiber assembled hydrogel, with physical gradients of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and sol‐gel‐derived bioactive glass (BG), to engineer hyaline and mineralized cartilage in a single 3D system. Electrospun poly(caprolactone) (PCL) fibers incorporated with 0.1% w/w of CS (CSL) and 0.5% w/w of CS (CSH), 2.4% w/w of BG (BGL) and 12.5% w/w of BG (BGH) were fabricated. The CS showed a sustained release up to 3 days from CSL and 14 days from CSH fibers. Chondrocytes secreted hyaline like matrix with higher sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG), collagen type II and aggrecan on CSL and CSH fibers. Mineralization was observed on BGL and BGH fibers when incubated in simulated body fluid for 14 days. Chondrocytes cultured on these fibers secreted a mineralized matrix that consisted of sGAG, hypertrophic proteins, collagen type X, and osteocalcin. The CS and BG incorporated PCL fiber mats were assembled in an agarose‐gelatin hydrogel to generate a 3D hybrid scaffold. The signals in the fibers diffused and generated continuous opposing gradients of CS (chondrogenic signal) and BG (mineralization) in the hydrogel. The chondrocytes were encapsulated in hybrid scaffolds; live dead assay at 48 h showed viable cells. Cells maintained their phenotype and secreted specific extracellular matrix (ECM) in response to signals within the hydrogel. Continuous opposing gradients of sGAG enriched and mineralized ECM were observed surrounding each cell clusters on gradient hydrogel after 14 days of culture in response to the physical gradients of raw materials CS and BG. A construct with gradient mineralization might accelerate integration to subchondral bone duringin vivoregeneration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3896–3906, 2015.
Culture of hESC‐derived pancreatic progenitors in alginate‐based scaffolds
Authors: Formo Kjetil , Cho Candy H.‐H. , Vallier Ludovic , Strand Berit L.
Published: May 2015

The effect of alginate‐based scaffolds with added basement membrane proteins on the in vitro development of hESC‐derived pancreatic progenitors was investigated. Cell clusters were encapsulated in scaffolds containing the basement membrane proteins collagen IV, laminin, fibronectin, or extracellular matrix‐derived peptides, and maintained in culture for up to 46 days. The cells remained viable throughout the experiment with no signs of central necrosis. Whereas nonencapsulated cells aggregated into larger clusters, some of which showed signs of morphological changes and tissue organization, the alginate matrix stabilized the cluster size and displayed more homogeneous cell morphologies, allowing culture for long periods of time. For all conditions tested, a stable or declining expression of insulin and PDX1 and an increase in glucagon and somatostatin over time indicated a progressive reduction in beta cell‐related gene expression. Alginate scaffolds can provide a chemically defined, xeno‐free and easily scalable alternative for culture of pancreatic progenitors. Although no increase in insulin and PDX1 gene expression after alginate‐immobilized cell culture was seen in this study, further optimization of the matrix physicochemical and biological properties and of the medium composition may still be a relevant strategy to promote the stabilization or maturation of stem cell‐derived beta cells. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3717–3726, 2015.
Mesoporous calcium phosphate bionanomaterials with controlled morphology by an energy‐efficient microwave method
Authors: Reardon Philip James Thomas , Huang Jie , Tang Junwang
Published: May 2015

Calcium phosphate nanomaterials with controllable morphology and mesostructure were synthesized via a rapid and energy efficient microwave method. An increase in aspect ratio from nanoplates to nanorods was achieved by increasing the solvent chain length, accompanied by a subsequent about 23% increase in surface area and porosity. Control of mesoporosity was also achieved by varying the synthesis time and quantity of H2O in the reaction solvent. Comparative studies were carried out using conventional heating (CON) and room temperature co‐precipitation (RT) methods. It was found that microwave synthesis produces nanomaterials with about 50% higher yields, 7.5/1.7 times higher surface area and 3/5 times higher pore volume than RT/CON materials respectively, as well as having a lower distribution of particle size/shape (lower standard deviation values of their dimensions). Furthermore, in vitro protein loading tests of microwave synthesized mesoporous calcium phosphate materials showed an enhanced loading efficiency of bovine serum albumin (3–7 times), as compared with non‐mesostructured products from room temperature precipitation, in accordance with their larger surface area and porosity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3781–3789, 2015.
Complex regional pain syndrome and dysautonomia in a 14‐year‐old girl responsive to therapeutic plasma exchange
Authors: Hendrickson Jeanne E. , Hendrickson Emma T. , Gehrie Eric A. , Sidhu Davinder , Wallukat Gerd , Schimke Ingolf , Tormey Christopher A.
Published: May 2015

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, also known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), has recently been shown to be associated with autoantibodies against β2‐adrenergic and muscarinic M2 receptors. In addition to pain and sudomotor/vasomotor symptoms, dysautonomia is also observed in a subset of CRPS patients. Despite its severity, there are few effective therapies for CRPS described to date. We report a case of a 14‐year‐old girl with CRPS of her right leg and dysautonomia (gastroparesis, postural tachycardia) refractory to multiple therapies, successfully treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) with albumin replacement. The patient, who has serum anti β2‐adrenergic and muscarinic M2 receptor autoantibodies in addition to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ganglionic autoantibodies, underwent an initial course of five TPEs over a 2‐week period. She demonstrated a clinical response to TPE as manifested by a rapid improvement in her fatigue and gastroparesis, with a gradual yet significant improvement in her leg pain and sudomotor/vasomotor flares. Following the loading procedures, the patient was treated with rituximab. She continues to require periodic TPE to maintain a remission, with additional immunosuppression being considered long term. Although further studies are needed, TPE (in combination with immunosuppression) may be an appropriate therapy for CRPS patients with detectable autoantibodies, as it is for better characterized diseases with autoantibodies against neuronal surface receptors such as myasthenia gravis or Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome. J. Clin. Apheresis 31:368–374, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Synthesis, Spectral, and Electrochemical Characterization of Novel Alkoxybenzoquinone Derivatives
Authors: Ibis Cemil , Sahinler Ayla Sibel , Cakan Kadriye
Published: May 2015

The novel monosubstituted benzoquinone compounds 3e, 3g, 3h; 2,5‐O‐ substituted benzoquinone compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e 4g and known compound 4h and 2,6‐O‐ substituted benzoquinone compounds 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h were obtained by the reaction of p‐chloranil (1) and related alcohol compounds in potassium carbonate (K2CO3) solution of acetonitrile or chloroform with Et3N. The novel cyclic compounds 7,8 and 10,11 were obtained from the reaction of p‐chloranil (1) and diols in potassium carbonate (K2CO3) solution of acetonitrile at room temperature. The structures of novel compounds were characterized by using micro analysis, FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, MS and cyclic voltammetry.
A review of stereotactic body radiotherapy – is volumetric modulated arc therapy the answer?
Authors: Sapkaroski Daniel , Osborne Catherine , Knight Kellie A.
Published: May 2015

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a high precision radiotherapy technique used for the treatment of small to moderate extra‐cranial tumours. Early studies utilising SBRT have shown favourable outcomes. However, major disadvantages of static field SBRT include long treatment times and toxicity complications. Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) may potentially mitigate these disadvantages. This review aims to assess the feasibility of emerging VMAT and IMRT‐based SBRT treatment techniques and qualify which offers the best outcome for patients, whilst identifying any emerging and advantageous SBRT planning trends. A review and synthesis of data from current literature up to September 2013 was conducted on EMBASE, Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Proquest central, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews. Only full text papers comparing VMAT and or IMRT and or Static SBRT were included. Ten papers were identified that evaluated the results of VMAT/IMRT SBRT. Five related to medically inoperable stage 1 and 2 non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC), three to spinal metastasis, one related to abdominal lymph node malignancies, with the final one looking at pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Overall treatment times with VMAT were reduced by 66–70% for lung, 46–58% for spine, 42% and 21% for lymph node and pancreatic metastasis respectively, planning constraints were met with several studies showing improved organs at risk sparing with IMRT/VMAT to static SBRT. Both IMRT and VMAT were able to meet all planning constraints in the studies reviewed, with VMAT offering the greatest treatment efficiency. Early clinical outcomes with VMAT and IMRT SBRT have demonstrated excellent local control and favourable survival outcomes.
Absence of aryl hydrocarbon receptors increases endogenous kynurenic acid levels and protects mouse brain against excitotoxic insult and oxidative stress
Authors: García‐Lara Lucia , Pérez‐Severiano Francisca , González‐Esquivel Dinora , Elizondo Guillermo , Segovia José
Published: May 2015

L‐kynurenine (Kyn) is a key element of tryptophan metabolism; it is enzymatically converted by kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT II) to kynurenic acid (KYNA), which acts as an antagonist to the NMDA receptor–glycine site. Kyn is also an endogenous ligand of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a transcription factor that regulates the expression of a diverse set of genes. KYNA levels are reduced in several regions of the brain of Huntington's disease (HD) patients. The present work uses an AhR‐null mouse and age‐matched wild‐type mice to determine the effect of the absence of AhR on KYNA availability. We found that, in AhR‐null mice, there is an increase of KYNA levels in specific brain areas associated with higher expression of KAT II. Moreover, we induced an excitotoxic insult by intrastriatal administration of quinolinic acid, a biochemical model of HD, in both AhR‐null and wild‐type mice to evaluate the neurological damage as well as the oxidative stress caused by the lesion. The present work demonstrates that, in specific brain regions of AhR‐null mice, the levels of KYNA are increased and that this induces a neuroprotective effect against neurotoxic insults. Moreover, AhR‐null mice also show improved motor performance in the rotarod test, indicating a constitutive protection of striatal tissue. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A 13.5‐in. Quad‐FHD flexible CAAC‐OS AMOLED display with long‐life OLED device structure
Authors: Uesaka Shogo , Yamaoka Ryohei , Sasaki Toshiki , Chida Akihiro , Kawashima Susumu , Isa Toshiyuki , Seo Satoshi , Hirakata Yoshiharu , Yatsuzuka Shota , Ohide Takayuki , Nakada Masataka , Yamazaki Shunpei , Niboshi Manabu , Isomura Yoshiyuki , Tsukamoto Yuto , Kawato Shinichi , Kikuchi Katsuhiro , Mitsui Seiichi
Published: May 2015

In this study, the device structure of a white tandem organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) was changed to control the emission area and thereby achieve less luminance decay. A long‐life 13.5‐inch 4 K flexible c‐axis‐aligned crystal oxide semiconductor (CAAC‐OS) active‐matrix OLED with less color shift and high resolution was fabricated using this long‐life white OLED, transfer technology, and a CAAC‐OS field‐effect transistor.
Evaluation of two molecularly imprinted polymers for the solid‐phase extraction of natural, synthetic and mycoestrogens from environmental water samples before liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry
Authors: González‐Sálamo Javier , Socas‐Rodríguez Bárbara , Hernández‐Borges Javier , del Mar Afonso María , Rodríguez‐Delgado Miguel Ángel
Published: May 2015

In this work, we have compared the selectivity of two commercial molecularly imprinted polymers (AFFINIMIP®SPE Estrogens and AFFINIMIP®SPE Zearalenone) for the extraction of 12 estrogenic compounds of interest (i.e. 17α‐estradiol, 17β‐estradiol, estrone, hexestrol, 17α‐ethynylestradiol, diethylstibestrol, dienestrol, zearalenone, α‐zearalanol, β‐zearalanol, α‐zearalenol and β‐zearalenol) from different water samples. High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization was used for their determination. Results showed that although both molecularly imprinted polymeric cartridges were specifically designed for different groups of analytes (natural estrogens like estradiol in the first case and zearalenone derivatives in the second) they nearly have the same extraction performance (with recovery values in the range 65–101%) for the same analytes in Milli‐Q water because of the cross‐reactivity of the polymer. However, when more complex water samples were analyzed, it was clear that the behavior was different and that the AFFINIMIP®SPE Estrogens showed less cross‐reactivity than the other cartridge. Validation of the proposed methodology with both cartridges revealed that the extraction was reproducible and that the final limits of detection of the proposed method were in the low ng/L range.
Rapid quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction with novel phospholipid cleanup: A streamlined ultra high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection approach for screening polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in avian blood cells and plasma
Authors: Provatas Anthony A. , Yevdokimov Alexander V. , King Cory A. , Gatley Emma L. , Stuart James D. , Evers David C. , Perkins Christopher R.
Published: May 2015

A streamlined method has been developed for the isolation and analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in avian blood cells and plasma utilizing quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction in combination with novel phospholipid cleanup technology. A variety of traditional extraction and cleanup techniques have been employed in the preparation and analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsin a variety of matrices; liquid–liquid partitioning, solid‐phase extractions, gel permeation chromatography, and column chromatography are all effective techniques, however they are laborious and time consuming processes that require large amounts of solvent. Using quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction coupled with phospholipid cleanup, samples can be quickly screened while maintaining high throughput and sensitivity. With a liquid chromatography approach, analysis times may be kept short at 16 min while maintaining high analyte recovery. Recoveries in quality control samples ranged from 70 to 109%, with average surrogate recoveries of 80.6 ± 1.10%. The result of using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction approach in conjunction with phospholipid cleanup is a methodology that significantly reduces sample preparation time and solvent use while maintaining high sensitivity and reproducibility.
Supracricoid laryngectomy and dysphagia: A systematic literature review
Authors: Lips Marieke , Speyer Renée , Zumach Anne , Kross Kenneth W. , Kremer Bernd
Published: May 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

Perform a systematic literature search to provide an overview of today's literature regarding the different aspects that can cause dysphagia after supracricoid laryngectomy.

Study Design

A systematic literature review.

Review Methods

The inclusion criteria were laryngeal cancer, supracricoid laryngectomy, and swallowing. Thirty‐one qualifying articles were included and analyzed describing swallowing after supracricoid laryngectomy.

Results

Included studies examined the incidence of dysphagia and discussed various factors that will or will not contribute to dysphagia after supracricoid laryngectomy, type of reconstruction, swallow training, radiation, arytenoid cartilage resection, extended procedures, and age.

Conclusion

A high incidence of dysphagia was reported after supracricoid laryngectomy. However, good recovery rates were observed with low incidence of severe complications. The included studies used different methods and standards to start oral intake, remove the nasogastric feeding tube, and observe swallow function. Homogenous study population and standardized guidelines on how to handle the pre‐ and postoperative course after supracricoid laryngectomy and how to measure swallow function could improve further research. Laryngoscope, 125:2143–2156, 2015
Surgical margins and oncologic results after carcinoma of the external auditory canal
Authors: Ihler Friedrich , Koopmann Mario , Weiss Bernhard G. , Dröge Leif Hendrik , Durisin Martin , Christiansen Hans , Weiß Daniel , Canis Martin , Wolff Hendrik A.
Published: May 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

External auditory canal cancer is rare and carries a poor prognosis. To date, only a few studies provide evidence for clinical decision making in multimodal treatment.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of 36 cases in three tertiary referral centers.

Results

Thirteen patients were treated by surgery alone, 18 by surgery with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and five by primary CRT. Clear surgical margins (R0) were obtained in 19 patients and positive margins (R1) in 12. The 5‐year overall survival and local control rates were 59.4% and 74.2% with R0 status versus 56.6% and 26.3% with R1 status. The 5‐year overall survival and local control rates were 46.2% and 70.7% with surgery alone, 78.1% and 43.2% with surgery and adjuvant CRT, and 25.0% and 80.0% with primary CRT.

Conclusion

Surgery is integral to the management of external auditory canal cancer, whereas CRT is necessary as an adjuvant or primary treatment, depending on tumor stage.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 125:2107–2112, 2015
On the solutions of the nonlinear fractional differential equations via the modified trial equation method
Authors: Odabasi Meryem , Misirli Emine
Published: May 2015

In this study, the nonlinear fractional partial differential equations have been defined by the modified Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative. By using this fractional derivative and traveling wave transformation, the nonlinear fractional partial differential equations have been converted into nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The modified trial equation method is implemented to obtain exact solutions of the nonlinear fractional Klein–Gordon equation and fractional clannish random walker's parabolic equation. As a result, some exact solutions including single kink solution and periodic and rational function solutions of these equations have been successfully obtained. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomonitoring using dried blood spots: Detection of ochratoxin A and its degradation product 2’R‐ochratoxin A in blood from coffee drinkers*
Authors: Cramer Benedikt , Osteresch Bernd , Muñoz Katherine A. , Hillmann Hartmut , Sibrowski Walter , Humpf Hans‐Ulrich
Published: May 2015

Scope

In this study, human exposure to the mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) and its thermal degradation product 2’R‐ochratoxin A (2’R‐OTA, previously named as 14R‐Ochratoxin A [22]) through coffee consumption was assessed. LC‐MS/MS and the dried blood spot (DBS) technique were used for the analysis of blood samples from coffee and noncoffee drinkers (n = 50), and food frequency questionnaires were used to document coffee consumption.

Methods and results

For the detection of OTA and 2’R‐OTA in blood, a new sensitive and efficient sample preparation method based on DBS was established and validated. Using this technique 2’R‐OTA was for the first time detected in biological samples. Comparison between coffee drinkers and noncoffee drinkers showed for the first time that 2’R‐OTA was only present in blood from the first group while OTA could be found in both groups in a mean concentration of 0.21 μg/L. 2’R‐OTA mean concentration was 0.11 μg/L with a maximum concentration of 0.414 μg/L. Thus, in average 2’R‐OTA was approx. half the concentration of OTA but in some cases even exceeded OTA levels. No correlation between the amounts of coffee consumption and OTA or 2’R‐OTA levels was observed.

Conclusion

The results of this study revealed for the first time a high exposure of coffee consumers to 2’R‐OTA, a compound formed from OTA during coffee roasting. Since little information is available regarding toxicity and possible carcinogenicity of this compound, further OTA monitoring in blood including 2’R‐OTA is advisable.
FRAP, FLIM, and FRET: Detection and analysis of cellular dynamics on a molecular scale using fluorescence microscopy
Authors: De Los Santos Carla , Chang Ching‐Wei , Mycek Mary‐Ann , Cardullo Richard A.
Published: May 2015

The combination of fluorescent‐probe technology plus modern optical microscopes allows investigators to monitor dynamic events in living cells with exquisite temporal and spatial resolution. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), for example, has long been used to monitor molecular dynamics both within cells and on cellular surfaces. Although bound by the diffraction limit imposed on all optical microscopes, the combination of digital cameras and the application of fluorescence intensity information on large‐pixel arrays have allowed such dynamic information to be monitored and quantified. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), on the other hand, utilizes the information from an ensemble of fluorophores to probe changes in the local environment. Using either fluorescence‐intensity or lifetime approaches, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy provides information about molecular interactions, with Ångstrom resolution. In this review, we summarize the theoretical framework underlying these methods and illustrate their utility in addressing important problems in reproductive and developmental systems. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 587–604, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MRS: a noninvasive window into cardiac metabolism
Authors: van Ewijk Petronella A. , Schrauwen‐Hinderling Vera B. , Bekkers Sebastiaan C. A. M. , Glatz Jan F. C. , Wildberger Joachim E. , Kooi M. Eline
Published: May 2015

A well‐functioning heart requires a constant supply of a balanced mixture of nutrients to be used for the production of adequate amounts of adenosine triphosphate, which is the main energy source for most cellular functions. Defects in cardiac energy metabolism are linked to several myocardial disorders. MRS can be used to study in vivo changes in cardiac metabolism noninvasively. MR techniques allow repeated measurements, so that disease progression and the response to treatment or to a lifestyle intervention can be monitored. It has also been shown that MRS can predict clinical heart failure and death. This article focuses on in vivo MRS to assess cardiac metabolism in humans and experimental animals, as experimental animals are often used to investigate the mechanisms underlying the development of metabolic diseases. Various MR techniques, such as cardiac 31P‐MRS, 1H‐MRS, hyperpolarized 13C‐MRS and Dixon MRI, are described. A short overview of current and emerging applications is given. Cardiac MRS is a promising technique for the investigation of the relationship between cardiac metabolism and cardiac disease. However, further optimization of scan time and signal‐to‐noise ratio is required before broad clinical application. In this respect, the ongoing development of advanced shimming algorithms, radiofrequency pulses, pulse sequences, (multichannel) detection coils, the use of hyperpolarized nuclei and scanning at higher magnetic field strengths offer future perspective for clinical applications of MRS. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk of renal failure with the non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Caldeira Daniel , Gonçalves Nilza , Pinto Fausto J. , Costa João , Ferreira Joaquim J.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA)‐related nephropathy is a novel entity characterized by acute kidney injury related to International Normalized Ratio supratherapeutic levels. Non‐vitamin K antagonists oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have a predictable dose‐response relationship and an improved safety profile. We hypothesized that these drugs do not have an increased risk of incident renal failure, which may be detrimental for the use of NOACs.

Methods

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Trials were searched through Medline, Cochrane Library and public assessment reports in August 2014. Primary outcome was renal failure. NOACs were evaluated against any comparator. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was performed by default, and pooled estimates were expressed as Risk Ratio (RR) and 95%CI. Heterogeneity was evaluated with I2 test.

Results

Ten RCTs fulfilled inclusion criteria (one apixaban RCT, three dabigatran RCTs, and six rivaroxaban RCTs), enrolling 75 100 patients. Overall NOACs did not increase the risk of renal failure with an RR 0.96, 95%CI 0.88–1.05 compared with VKA or Low‐molecular weight heparin (LMWH), without significant statistical heterogeneity (I2 = 3.5%). Compared with VKA, NOACs did not increase the risk of renal failure (RR 0.96, 95%CI 0.87–1.07; I2 = 17.8%; six RCTs). Rivaroxaban did not show differences in the incidence of renal failure compared with LMWH (RR 1.20, 95%CI 0.37–3.94; four trials), but there was an increased risk of creatinine elevation RR 1.25, 95%CI 1.08–1.45; I2 = 0%.

Conclusions

NOACs had a similar risk of renal failure compared with VKA/LMWH in phase III RCTs. Post‐marketing surveillance should be warranted. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
African‐American Race Modifies the Influence of Tacrolimus Concentrations on Acute Rejection and Toxicity in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Taber David J. , Gebregziabher Mulugeta G. , Srinivas Titte R. , Chavin Kenneth D. , Baliga Prabhakar K. , Egede Leonard E.
Published: May 2015

Study Objective

To determine the effect of tacrolimus trough concentrations on clinical outcomes in kidney transplantation, while assessing if African‐American (AA) race modifies these associations.

Design

Retrospective longitudinal cohort study of solitary adult kidney transplants.

Setting

Large tertiary care transplant center.

Patients

Adult solitary kidney transplant recipients (n=1078) who were AA (n=567) or non‐AA (n=511).

Exposure

Mean and regressed slope of tacrolimus trough concentrations. Subtherapeutic concentrations were lower than 8 ng/ml.

Measurements and Main Results

AA patients were 1.7 times less likely than non‐AA patients to achieve therapeutic tacrolimus concentrations (8 ng/ml or higher) during the first year after kidney transplant (35% vs 21%, respectively, p<0.001). AAs not achieving therapeutic concentrations were 2.4 times more likely to have acute cellular rejection (ACR) as compared with AAs achieving therapeutic concentrations (20.8% vs 8.5%, respectively, p<0.01) and 2.5 times more likely to have antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR; 8.9% vs 3.6%, respectively, p<0.01). Rates of ACR (8.3% vs 6.7%) and AMR (2.0% vs 0.9% p=0.131) were similar in non‐AAs compared across tacrolimus concentration groups. Multivariate modeling confirmed these findings and demonstrated that AAs with low tacrolimus exposure experienced a mild protective effect for the development of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA; hazard ratio [HR] 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47–1.32) with the opposite demonstrated in non‐AAs (HR 2.2, 95% CI 0.90–5.1).

Conclusion

In contradistinction to non‐AAs, AAs who achieve therapeutic tacrolimus concentrations have substantially lower acute rejection rates but are at risk of developing IF/TA. These findings may reflect modifiable time‐dependent racial differences in the concentration‐effect relationship of tacrolimus. Achievement of therapeutic tacrolimus trough concentrations, potentially through genotyping and more aggressive dosing and monitoring, is essential to minimize the risk of acute rejection in AA kidney transplant recipients.
Comparison of the 13C (C = N) chemical shifts of substituted N‐(phenyl‐ethylene)‐anilines and substituted N‐(benzylidene)‐anilines
Authors: Cao Zhongzhong , Cao Chaotun , Cao Chenzhong
Published: May 2015

Comparison of 13C NMR of C = N bond chemical shifts δC(C = N) in substituted N‐(phenyl‐ethylene)‐anilines XArC(Me) = NArY (XPEAYs) with that in substituted N‐(benzylidene)‐anilines XArCH = NArY (XBAYs) was carried out. The δC(C = N) of 61 samples of XPEAYs were measured, and the substituent effect on their δC(C = N) were investigated. The results show the factors affecting the δC(C = N) of XPEAYs are quite different from that of XBAYs. A penta‐parameter correlation equation was obtained for the 61 compounds, which has correlation coefficient 0.9922 and standard error 0.12 ppm. The result indicates that, in XPEAYs, the inductive effects of substituents X and Y are major factors affecting the δC(C = N), while the conjugative effect of them have very little effect on the δC(C = N) and can be ignored. The substituent‐specific cross‐interaction effects between X and Y and between Me of C = N bond and substituent Y are important factors affecting the δC(C = N). Also, the excited‐state substituent parameter of substitute Y has certain contribution to the δC(C = N). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detecting spam through their Sender Policy Framework records
Authors: Sipahi Devrim , Dalk𝚤l𝚤ç Gökhan , Özcanhan Mehmet Hilal
Published: May 2015

Spamming has become one of the worst problems of email communication. Although various anti‐spamming methods have been developed, because of creative spammers, none of them are able to stop the penetration of the innovated spam. The content‐based anti‐spam methods used for spam recognition require considerable amounts of computational resources. Therefore, less resource demanding methods are needed to match the growing number of spam. One example is network‐based filtering, which is gaining importance. Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is a network protocol that can provide efficient network‐based spam filtering. But, it is becoming evident that spammers have also started to manipulate SPF‐based spam filtering. Presently, the spammers are purchasing domain names with SPF records to use them for sending spam. The only methods that can prevent such spam are the blacklist and content filtering techniques, or a blend of both. In the present study, the Domain Name System (DNS)/SPF records of spam‐sending domain names are compared with non‐spam‐sending domain names, for improving SPF‐based spam filtering. Research results show distinctive features between spam‐sending and non‐spam‐sending domain names. Naïve Bayes algorithm is utilized to identify spam‐sending domain names. The time delay results of spam analysis shows that the devised SPF‐based filtering offloads content filtering, significantly. Hence, our SPF‐based method can act as a pre‐filter that helps fighting spam. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identity‐based proxy signatures: a generic construction and a concrete scheme from RSA
Authors: Asaar Maryam Rajabzadeh , Salmasizadeh Mahmoud , Boyd Colin
Published: May 2015

Proxy signatures allow an entity to delegate its signing capability to a proxy which can sign messages on behalf of the delegator. We examine identity‐based versions of proxy signatures which employ identity strings in place of randomly generated public keys. First, we give a new generic construction of identity‐based proxy signatures from identity‐based standard signatures and show that our generic construction is secure if the underlying identity‐based standard signature is secure. In addition, we present the first identity‐based proxy signature from Rivest, Shamir and Adleman (RSA), secure under the one‐wayness of RSA in the random oracle model. We should highlight that the proxy key exposure attack cannot be applied to our proposed constructions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of Tsallis entropy in detection of SYN flood DoS attacks
Authors: Basicevic Ilija , Ocovaj Stanislav , Popovic Miroslav
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we present results of application of Tsallis entropy in detection of denial of service attacks. Two detectors, one based on Tsallis and the other one based on Shannon's entropy, have been applied in several attack simulations, and their properties have been compared. The simulated attack is Synchronize packet (SYN) flood. A simple packet distribution, that is, entropy of source addresses are considered. In both cases, cumulative sum control chart algorithm is used for change point detection. Properties of two detectors that are compared are detection delay and rate of true and false positives. The results show that Tsallis entropy‐based detector can outperform (with respect to false positive rate) Shannon‐based one but that requires careful tuning of Tsallis Q parameter that depends on characteristics of network traffic. The detection delay of two detectors is approximately the same. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IGF1 Promotes Adipogenesis by a Lineage Bias of Endogenous Adipose Stem/Progenitor Cells
Authors: Hu Li , Yang Guodong , Hägg Daniel , Sun Guoming , Ahn Jeffrey M. , Jiang Nan , Ricupero Christopher L. , Wu June , Rodhe Christine Hsu , Ascherman Jeffrey A. , Chen Lili , Mao Jeremy J.
Published: May 2015

Adipogenesis is essential for soft tissue reconstruction following trauma or tumor resection. We demonstrate that CD31−/34+/146− cells, a subpopulation of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of human adipose tissue, were robustly adipogenic. Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF1) promoted a lineage bias towards CD31−/34+/146− cells at the expense of CD31−/34+/146+ cells. IGF1 was microencapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffolds and implanted in the inguinal fat pad of C57Bl6 mice. Control-released IGF1 induced remarkable adipogenesis in vivo by recruiting endogenous cells. In comparison with the CD31−/34+/146+ cells, CD31−/34+/146− cells had a weaker Wnt/β-catenin signal. IGF1 attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling by activating Axin2/PPARγ pathways in SVF cells, suggesting IGF1 promotes CD31−/34+/146− bias through tuning Wnt signal. PPARγ response element (PPRE) in Axin2 promoter was crucial for Axin2 upregulation, suggesting that PPARγ transcriptionally activates Axin2. Together, these findings illustrate an Axin2/PPARγ axis in adipogenesis that is particularly attributable to a lineage bias towards CD31−/34+/146− cells, with implications in adipose regeneration. Stem Cells  2015;33:2483–2495
A 0.15‐μm CMOS baseband LSI employing sleep mode with clock‐offset compensation for M2M wireless sensor networks
Authors: Suzuki Kenji , Yamagishi Akihiro , Harada Mitsuru
Published: May 2015

This paper describes a wireless baseband large‐scale integration (LSI) that contains a sleep management circuit. The sleep manager performs the sleep‐clock offset compensation and enables a wireless terminal (WT) with a typical crystal oscillator (XO) to remain in sleep mode for a long period while maintaining synchronization with the access point. Lab experiments show that the sleep period reaches 512 s and that, with intermittent operation, the WT maintains synchronization with the access point for 10 days. The LSI's average current consumption is as low as 11 μA for a 128‐s sleep period. A wakeup detection circuit is also implemented in the LSI. This circuit performs paging control instead of a microprocessor unit (MPU) and this helps to reduce current consumption in the MPU and the flash read only memory (ROM). The single‐chip baseband LSI is fabricated using 0.15‐μm CMOS technology. It is 4.6 mm × 4.2 mm in area and consumes 4.0 μA for sleep operation. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Direct Derivatization vs Aqueous Extraction Methods of Fecal Free Fatty Acids for GC–MS Analysis
Authors: Amer Bashar , Nebel Caroline , Bertram Hanne C. , Mortensen Grith , Dalsgaard Trine K.
Published: May 2015

A comprehensive and accurate determination of free fatty acids (FFA) is required for fecal metabolomic investigations. The present study compares three aqueous extraction methods (1) ULTRA‐TURRAX®, (2) whirl mixing and (3) basic ULTRA‐TURRAX extraction of fecal FFA with a direct derivatization approach using ethyl chloroformate as the derivatization reagent before determination by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The direct derivatization method resulted in significantly higher estimations (P < 0.01) of short‐ and long‐chain fatty acids than was the case when applying the aqueous extraction methods using ULTRA‐TURRAX, whirl mixing, or basic ULTRA‐TURRAX extraction before the derivatization step. Thus, avoiding an aqueous extraction before derivatization reduces the loss of volatile short‐chain FFA and the less water‐soluble long‐chain FFA.