bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vivo luminescent imaging of NF‐κB activity and NF‐κB‐related serum cytokine levels predict pain sensitivities in a rodent model of peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Bowles R.D. , Karikari I.O. , VanDerwerken D.N. , Sinclair M.S. , Bell R.D. , Riebe K.J. , Huebner J.L. , Kraus V.B. , Sempowski G.D. , Setton L.A.
Published: May 2015

Background

Methods for the detection of the temporal and spatial generation of painful symptoms are needed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of painful neuropathies and to aid preclinical screening of molecular therapeutics.

Methods

In this study, we utilized in vivo luminescent imaging of NF‐κB activity and serum cytokine measures to investigate relationships between the NF‐κB regulatory network and the presentation of painful symptoms in a model of neuropathy.

Results

The chronic constriction injury model led to temporal increases in NF‐κB activity that were strongly and non‐linearly correlated with the presentation of pain sensitivities (i.e. mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia). The delivery of NEMO‐binding domain peptide reduced pain sensitivities through the inhibition of NF‐κB activity in a manner consistent with the demonstrated non‐linear relationship. Importantly, the combination of non‐invasive measures of NF‐κB activity and NF‐κB‐regulated serum cytokines produced a highly predictive model of both mechanical (R2 = 0.86) and thermal (R2 = 0.76) pain centred on the NF‐κB regulatory network (NF‐κB, IL‐6, CXCL1).

Conclusions

Using in vivo luminescent imaging of NF‐κB activity and serum cytokine measures, this work establishes NF‐κB and NF‐κB‐regulated cytokines as novel multivariate biomarkers of pain‐related sensitivity in this model of neuropathy that may be useful for the rapid screening of novel molecular therapeutics.
Proteomic analysis of cellular soluble proteins from human bronchial smooth muscle cells by combining nondenaturing micro 2DE and quantitative LC‐MS/MS. 2. Similarity search between protein maps for the analysis of protein complexes
Authors: Jin Ya , Yuan Qi , Zhang Jun , Manabe Takashi , Tan Wen
Published: May 2015

Human bronchial smooth muscle cell soluble proteins were analyzed by a combined method of nondenaturing micro 2DE, grid gel‐cutting, and quantitative LC‐MS/MS and a native protein map was prepared for each of the identified 4323 proteins [1]. A method to evaluate the degree of similarity between the protein maps was developed since we expected the proteins comprising a protein complex would be separated together under nondenaturing conditions. The following procedure was employed using Excel macros; (i) maps that have three or more squares with protein quantity data were selected (2328 maps), (ii) within each map, the quantity values of the squares were normalized setting the highest value to be 1.0, (iii) in comparing a map with another map, the smaller normalized quantity in two corresponding squares was taken and summed throughout the map to give an “overlap score,” (iv) each map was compared against all the 2328 maps and the largest overlap score, obtained when a map was compared with itself, was set to be 1.0 thus providing 2328 “overlap factors,” (v) step (iv) was repeated for all maps providing 2328 × 2328 matrix of overlap factors. From the matrix, protein pairs that showed overlap factors above 0.65 from both protein sides were selected (431 protein pairs). Each protein pair was searched in a database (UniProtKB) on complex formation and 301 protein pairs, which comprise 35 protein complexes, were found to be documented. These results demonstrated that native protein maps and their similarity search would enable simultaneous analysis of multiple protein complexes in cells.
Capillary electrophoretic study of green fluorescent hollow carbon nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Lizhen , Feng Feng , Hu Qin , Paau Man Chin , Liu Yang , Chen Zezhong , Bai Yunfeng , Guo Fangfang , Choi Martin M. F.
Published: May 2015

CE coupled with laser‐induced fluorescence and UV absorption detections has been applied to study the complexity of as‐synthesized green fluorescent hollow carbon nanoparticles (HC‐NP) samples. The effects of pH, type, and concentration of the run buffer and SDS on the separation of HC‐NP are studied in detail. It is observed that phosphate run buffer is more effective in separating the HC‐NP and the optimal run buffer is found to be 30 mM phosphate and 10 mM SDS at pH 9.0. The CE separation of this HC‐NP is based on the difference in size and electrophoretic mobility of HC‐NP. Some selected HC‐NP fractions are collected and further characterized by UV‐visible absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, MS, and transmission electron microscopy. The fractionated HC‐NP show profound differences in absorption, emission characteristics, and PL quantum yield that would have been otherwise misled by studying the complex mixture alone. It is anticipated that our CE methodology will open a new initiative on extensive studies of individual HC‐NP species in the biomedical, catalysis, electronic, and optical device, energy storage, material, and sensing field.
Ethylene vinyl acetate/poly(ethylene glycol) blend membranes for CO2/N2 separation
Authors: Zamiri Mohammad Amin , Kargari Ali , Sanaeepur Hamidreza
Published: May 2015

In this paper, novel membranes were prepared from blending the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), containing 28 wt.% of vinyl acetate, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (0–20 wt.%) with molecular weights of 200, 1000, and 1500, and considered for CO2/N2 separation over the feed pressure of range 2–8 bar. Physical properties and the morphology of the membranes were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses in order to justify the gas permeation and separation performance of the membranes. The results showed that CO2 permeability increases by increasing the PEG content of the blend membranes. However, increasing PEG loading enhanced CO2/N2 selectivity just for the blends containing up to 10 wt.% of PEG and it decreased at higher PEG loadings. The PEG with a molecular weight of 200 showed a more efficient gas separation performance due to its effective role in providing amorphous regions in the blends. Furthermore, higher CO2 permeabilities were obtained at higher feed pressures. The selectivity increased by increasing the feed pressure for neat EVA, EVA/5 wt.% PEG and EVA/10 wt.% PEG membranes, but it had no significant effect on the selectivity of the samples with 15 and 20 wt.% of PEG.© 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Meso‐Cenozoic thermal structure of the lithosphere in the Bohai Bay Basin, eastern North China Craton
Authors: Qiu Nansheng , Zuo Yinhui , Xu Wei , Chang Jian
Published: May 2015

Thermal structure of the lithosphere studies the partition of crustal and mantle heat flow of the continental area and is of significant importance to understand various energy‐related geodynamic processes. The study addresses the spatial distribution of the Meso‐Cenozoic mantle heat flow and Moho temperatures in the region of the Bohai Bay Basin based on the thermal history of the sedimentary basin, radioactive heat production rate and thickness of crustal layering. The results show that the ratio of the mantle and surface heat flow (qm/qs) experienced two peaks in the late period of the Early Cretaceous (qm/qs ~ 68%) and the Middle to Late Palaeogene (qm/qs ~ 75%), respectively. Based on the qm/qs ratio, the lithosphere of the Bohai Bay Basin transformed its thermal structure during the Meso‐Cenozoic, from the ‘cold mantle but hot crust’ stage in the Triassic–Jurassic to the ‘hot mantle but cold crust’ stage in the Cretaceous and Cenozoic. The Moho temperatures (Tm) during the Meso‐Cenozoic were also calculated by using the equation of one‐dimensional heat conduction, and the result shows that there exist three Tm peaks occurring in the late period of the Early Cretaceous (930–1080 °C), the Middle‐Late Palaeogene (820–890 °C) and the Early Neogene (770–810 °C). The qm/qs ratio began to exceed 50%, and the Moho temperature started to go over 700 °C from the Cretaceous to the present day, which revealed that the activity of the upper mantle in the eastern North China Craton (NCC) increased significantly accompanied by the strong crustal movement in the Cretaceous. The thermal structure revealed the Cretaceous to be a revolutionary period during the evolution of the Bohai Bay Basin, and this paper may provide some thermal evidence for the studies of the geodynamic evolution during the destruction of the NCC. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of stable water isotopes to identify hydrological processes of meteoric water in montane catchments
Authors: Peng Tsung‐Ren , Chen Kuan‐Yu , Zhan Wen‐Jun , Lu Wan‐Chung , Tong Lun‐Tao John
Published: May 2015

This study analyzes the stable isotopic compositions of hydrogen and oxygen (δ2H, δ18O) in montane meteoric waters including precipitation and stream water of central Taiwan to identify hydrological processes in montane catchments. Results of precipitation demonstrate that monsoon and altitude effects are two principal processes affecting δ and deuterium excess (dE) values of inland precipitation in central Taiwan. Furthermore, slope and intercept values of summer and winter local meteoric water line are modified by secondary evaporation effects such as moisture recycling and raindrop evaporation. Additionally, stream water's results indicate that differences in δ values among stream waters reflect isotopic altitude effect whereby lower values are more evident in stream water originating from high‐elevation catchments than low‐elevation catchments. Comparison of the isotopic results between precipitation and stream water indicates that summer precipitation containing recycled moisture is the most important water source for the studied stream waters and indicates that catchment effect and base flow contribution are the two major hydrological processes affecting mountain stream hydrology. The hydrological processes identified by the isotopic study re‐stress the important role of forests in mountain hydrology. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative study of different seeding methods based on a multilayer SIS scaffold: Which is the optimal procedure for urethral tissue engineering?
Authors: Lv Xiang‐Guo , Feng Chao , Fu Qiang , Xie Hong , Wang Ying , Huang Jian‐Wen , Xie Min‐Kai , Atala Anthony , Xu Yue‐Min , Zhao Wei‐Xin
Published: May 2015

Seeding cells efficiently and uniformly onto three‐dimensional scaffolds is key for engineering urological tissue with an ideal histological structure in vitro. Using an optimized seeding technology allows cells to cooperate positively with biomaterials, resulting in successful reconstructive surgery. In this study, we used four different types of seeding methods in a scaffold of small intestinal submucosa (SIS). The efficiency of the sandwich co‐culture, layered co‐culture, static‐agitation seeding, and centrifugation seeding methods were compared. It was demonstrated that dynamic seeding methods, such as static‐agitation and centrifugation seeding, had superior cell‐matrix infiltration and mechanical properties. The seeding time could be reduced by 5–10 min using the centrifugation method. Furthermore, functional assessment of the barriers revealed that this function was better in the centrifugation seeding method than in any other method. Our study suggests that both the static‐agitation and centrifugation methods are suitable for cell seeding on SIS. There is no significant change in surface area of SIS with different seeding methods. These methods reinforce the physiological and mechanical properties of biomaterials and allow for the future in vivo study of tissue‐engineered urethral reconstruction. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1098–1108, 2016.
p53 Modulates Notch Signaling in MCF‐7 Breast Cancer Cells by Associating With the Notch Transcriptional Complex Via MAML1
Authors: Yun Jieun , Espinoza Ingrid , Pannuti Antonio , Romero Damian , Martinez Luis , Caskey Mary , Stanculescu Adina , Bocchetta Maurizio , Rizzo Paola , Band Vimla , Band Hamid , Kim Hwan Mook , Park Song‐Kyu , Kang Keon Wook , Avantaggiati Maria Laura , Gomez Christian R. , Golde Todd , Osborne Barbara , Miele Lucio
Published: May 2015

p53 and Notch‐1 play important roles in breast cancer biology. Notch‐1 inhibits p53 activity in cervical and breast cancer cells. Conversely, p53 inhibits Notch activity in T‐cells but stimulates it in human keratinocytes. Notch co‐activator MAML1 binds p53 and functions as a p53 co‐activator. We studied the regulation of Notch signaling by p53 in MCF‐7 cells and normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC). Results show that overexpression of p53 or activation of endogenous p53 with Nutlin‐3 inhibits Notch‐dependent transcriptional activity and Notch target expression in a dose‐dependent manner. This effect could be partially rescued by transfection of MAML1 but not p300. Standard and quantitative co‐immunoprecipitation experiments readily detected a complex containing p53 and Notch‐1 in MCF‐7 cells. Formation of this complex was inhibited by dominant negative MAML1 (DN‐MAML1) and stimulated by wild‐type MAML1. Standard and quantitative far‐Western experiments showed a complex including p53, Notch‐1, and MAML1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments showed that p53 can associate with Notch‐dependent HEY1 promoter and this association is inhibited by DN‐MAML1 and stimulated by wild‐type MAML1. Our data support a model in which p53 associates with the Notch transcriptional complex (NTC) in a MAML1‐dependent fashion, most likely through a p53‐MAML1 interaction. In our cellular models, the effect of this association is to inhibit Notch‐dependent transcription. Our data suggest that p53‐null breast cancers may lack this Notch‐modulatory mechanism, and that therapeutic strategies that activate wild‐type p53 can indirectly cause inhibition of Notch transcriptional activity. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 3115–3127, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EGF‐Induced Connexin43 Negatively Regulates Cell Proliferation in Human Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Qiu Xin , Cheng Jung‐Chien , Klausen Christian , Chang Hsun‐Ming , Fan Qianlan , Leung Peter C. K.
Published: May 2015

Connexin43 (Cx43) has been shown to regulate cell proliferation and its downregulation is correlated with poor prognosis and survival in several types of human cancer. Cx43 expression levels are frequently downregulated in human ovarian cancer, suggesting a potential role for Cx43 in regulating the progression of this disease. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a well‐characterized hormone that stimulates ovarian cancer cell proliferation. Although EGF is able to regulate Cx43 expression in other cell types, it is unclear whether EGF can regulate Cx43 expression in ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, it remains unknown whether Cx43 is involved in EGF‐stimulated ovarian cancer cell proliferation. In the present study, we demonstrate that treatment with EGF upregulates Cx43 expression in two ovarian cancer cell lines, SKOV3 and OVCAR4. Although treatment with EGF activates both ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways, pharmacological inhibition and siRNA‐mediated knockdown suggest that only the activation of Akt1 is required for EGF‐induced Cx43 upregulation. Functionally, Cx43 knockdown enhanced basal and EGF‐induced cell proliferation, whereas the proliferative effects of EGF were reduced by Cx43 overexpression. Co‐treatment with the gap junction inhibitor carbenoxolone did not alter the suppressive effects of Cx43 overexpression on EGF‐induced cell proliferation, suggesting a gap junction‐independent mechanism. This study reveals an important role for Cx43 as a negative regulator of EGF‐induced human ovarian cancer cell proliferation. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 111–119, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bioregulation
Authors: Pardee Arthur B.
Published: May 2015

During the 20th century great progress was made in genetics and biochemistry, and these were combined into a molecular biological understanding of functions of macromolecules. Further great discoveries will be made about bioregulations, applicable to scientific problems such as cell development and evolution, and to illnesses including heart disease through defective control of cholesterol production, and to neurological cell‐based diseases. The “War Against Cancer” is still far from won. The present generation of scientists can develop clinical applications from recent basic science discoveries. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2898–2902, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MicroRNAs Provide Feedback Regulation of Epithelial‐Mesenchymal Transition Induced by Growth Factors
Authors: Qin Zailong , He Wei , Tang Jingqun , Ye Qiurong , Dang Wei , Lu Yuanjun , Wang Jia , Li Guiyuan , Yan Qun , Ma Jian
Published: May 2015

As regulators in gene expression, microRNAs take part in most biological processes including cell differentiation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). In order to evaluate their roles in EMT process, microRNA expression profile changes induced by EGF or TGF‐β treatment on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell HK‐1 were analyzed, and miR‐21, miR‐148a, miR‐505, and miR‐1207‐5p were found to be upregulated in growth factors‐induced EMT process. miR‐21 is already known as an oncogenic miRNA to promote metastasis, however, the exact functions of other three miRNAs in EMT are unclear. To our surprise, we found that miR‐148a, miR‐505, and miR‐1207‐5p can suppress EMT and metastasis phenotypes in HK‐1 cells both in vitro and in vivo, which may relate to their inhibition on EMT and Wnt signaling molecules. MiRNAs confer robustness to biological processes by posttranscriptional repression of key transcriptional programs that are related to previous developmental stages or to alternative cell fates. Our findings indicate that miRNA feedback circuit is tuned to respond to growth factors‐induced EMT, and we suggested a new negative feedback loop which may be an important element of the EMT process and confer biological robustness. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 120–129, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving the reliability of verbal communication between primary care physicians and pediatric hospitalists at hospital discharge
Authors: Mussman Grant M. , Vossmeyer Michael T. , Brady Patrick W. , Warrick Denise M. , Simmons Jeffrey M. , White Christine M.
Published: May 2015

INTRODUCTION

Timely and reliable verbal communication between hospitalists and primary care physicians (PCPs) is critical for prevention of medical adverse events but difficult in practice. Our aim was to increase the proportion of completed verbal handoffs from on‐call residents or attendings to PCPs within 24 hours of patient discharge from a hospital medicine service to ≥90% within 18 months.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team collaborated to redesign the process by which PCPs were contacted following patient discharge. Interventions focused on the key drivers of obtaining stakeholder buy‐in, standardization of the communication process, including assigning primary responsibility for discharge communication to a single resident on each team and batching calls during times of maximum resident availability, reliable automated process initiation through leveraging the electronic health record (EHR), and transparency of data. A run chart assessed the impact of interventions over time.

RESULTS

The percentage of calls initiated within 24 hours of discharge improved from 52% to 97%, and the percentage of calls completed improved to 93%. Results were sustained for 18 months. Standardization of the communication process through hospital telephone operators, use of the discharge order to ensure initiation of discharge communication, and batching of phone calls were associated with improvements in our measures.

CONCLUSION

Reliable verbal discharge communication can be achieved through the use of a standardized discharge communication process coupled with the EHR. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:574–580. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Reducing the oil content in coated and deep‐fried chicken using whey protein
Authors: Brannan Robert G. , Pettit Katherine
Published: May 2015

Whey protein has been investigated for its oil barrier properties in fried foods. Whey protein has been implemented successfully non‐film forming applications to reduce the fat content of deep‐fried chicken. As a 10% postbreading dip, whey protein solutions significantly lowered oil absorption of boneless patties by 37% compared to undipped controls. In bone‐in chicken thighs, 10% whey protein postbreading dip caused a 15% reduction in oil absorption during frying which was doubled by 10% β‐lactoglobulin postbreading dip at pH 2. A 30% lipid reduction was observed in deep‐fried battered and floured chicken strips when the strips were dipped in a 10% solution of denatured whey protein prior to frying compared to control chicken strips. When added to the batter of deep‐fried chicken nuggets, a significant fat reduction was observed for nuggets to which 3% whey protein was added to the batter compared to the control. In chicken strips that were marinated in a 15% solution of whey protein, a 35% fat reduction was observed. In spite of these results, questions that still remain. These studies have been undertaken in fully cooked products, not in raw coated or par‐fried products. The impact of rethermalization method is not known. Only preliminary research on the impact of WPI on the frying oil with respect to the formation of polar materials has been undertaken. On the positive side, the processes for introducing whey protein as an oil inhibition agent utilize processing steps that are already very common, e.g. incorporation into the batter or a marinade. Whey protein has the potential to be employed as an oil inhibiting agent in fried foods especially as it is relatively inexpensive and easy to come by.
Dexamethasone‐Conjugated Polyamidoamine Dendrimer for Delivery of the Heme Oxygenase‐1 Gene into the Ischemic Brain
Authors: Jeon Pureum , Choi Manbok , Oh Jungju , Lee Minhyung
Published: May 2015

Heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) has anti‐apoptotic and anti‐inflammatory effects. In this study, the HO‐1 gene was delivered into the brain using dexamethasone‐conjugated polyamidoamine generation 2 (PAMAM G2‐Dexa) for the treatment of ischemic stroke. PAMAM G2‐Dexa formed stable complexes with plasmid DNA (pDNA). The pDNA delivery efficiency of PAMAM G2‐Dexa was higher than that of polyethylenimine (PEI25k, 25 kDa), dexamethasone‐conjugated PEI (PEI‐Dexa), and PAMAM G2 in Neuro2A cells. Therapeutic effect of PAMAM G2‐Dexa/pHO‐1 complexes was evaluated in a stroke animal model. PAMAM G2‐Dexa delivered pHO‐1 more efficiently into the ischemic brain than PEI25k and PEI‐Dexa with higher therapeutic effect. Therefore, PAMAM G2‐Dexa/pHO‐1 complexes may be useful for ischemic stroke gene therapy.
Search for novel circulating cancer chemopreventive biomarkers of dietary rice bran intervention in ApcMin mice model of colorectal carcinogenesis, using proteomic and metabolic profiling strategies
Authors: Norris Leonie , Malkar Aditya , Horner‐Glister Emma , Hakimi Amirmansoor , Ng Leong L. , Gescher Andreas J. , Creaser Colin , Sale Stewart , Jones Donald J. L.
Published: May 2015

Scope

There is strong epidemiological evidence indicating that consumption by humans of whole‐grain foods including rice bran may be associated with a low incidence of cancer, especially in the colorectum. Molecular processes associated with cancer development may be retarded by fiber consumption. Consequently, intervention with dietary fiber might be suitable as a cancer chemoprevention strategy in high‐risk populations. Here, we searched for putative molecular mechanism‐based efficacy biomarkers of rice fiber consumption in the plasma of mice characterized by a genetic propensity to develop gastrointestinal adenomas. The hypothesis was tested that metabolic and proteomic changes in blood reflect the chemopreventive activity of rice bran.

Methods and results

ApcMin mice received diet supplemented with rice bran at 5, 15, and 30%. Blood and tissue samples were taken. Plasma was subjected to MS‐based proteomic and metabolic profiling analyses as well as assessment of hematocrit values. Gastrointestinal tracts were removed and adenomas were counted and their size was measured so that total tumor burden could be calculated. The hypothesis was tested that metabolic and proteomic changes in blood reflect chemopreventive activity.

Conclusion

Rice bran consumption reduced adenoma burden and number in a dose‐related fashion when compared to controls. Metabolic profiling data demonstrated strong clustering of the groups indicating that metabolic pathways are perturbed. Proteomic analysis identified adiponectin as a molecule that was significantly altered, which may play a role in tumor suppression.
Locking‐free discontinuous finite elements for the upper bound yield design of thick plates
Authors: Bleyer Jeremy , Van Le Canh , de Buhan Patrick
Published: May 2015

This work investigates the formulation of finite elements dedicated to the upper bound kinematic approach of yield design or limit analysis of Reissner–Mindlin thick plates in shear‐bending interaction. The main novelty of this paper is to take full advantage of the fundamental difference between limit analysis and elasticity problems as regards the class of admissible virtual velocity fields. In particular, it has been demonstrated for 2D plane stress, plane strain or 3D limit analysis problems that the use of discontinuous velocity fields presents a lot of advantages when seeking for accurate upper bound estimates. For this reason, discontinuous interpolations of the transverse velocity and the rotation fields for Reissner–Mindlin plates are proposed. The subsequent discrete minimization problem is formulated as a second‐order cone programming problem and is solved using the industrial software package MOSEK. A comprehensive study of the shear‐locking phenomenon is also conducted, and it is shown that discontinuous elements avoid such a phenomenon quite naturally whereas continuous elements cannot without any specific treatment. This particular aspect is confirmed through numerical examples on classical benchmark problems and the so‐obtained upper bound estimates are confronted to recently developed lower bound equilibrium finite elements for thick plates. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laplace‐domain, high‐order homogenization for transient dynamic response of viscoelastic composites
Authors: Hui Tong , Oskay Caglar
Published: May 2015

This paper presents a high‐order homogenization model for wave propagation in viscoelastic composite structures. Asymptotic expansions with multiple spatial scales are employed to formulate the homogenization model. The proposed multiscale model operates in the Laplace domain allowing the representation of linear viscoelastic constitutive relationship using a proportionality law. The high‐order terms in the asymptotic expansion of response fields are included to reproduce micro‐heterogeneity‐induced wave dispersion and formation of bandgaps. The first and second‐order influence functions and the macroscopic deformation are evaluated using the finite element method with complex coefficients in the Laplace domain. The performance of the proposed model is assessed by investigating wave propagation characteristics in layered and particulate composites and verified against direct numerical simulations and analytical solutions. The analysis of dissipated energy revealed that material dispersion may contribute significantly to wave attenuation in dissipative composite materials. The wave dispersion characteristics are shown to be sensitive to microstructure morphology. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modified correlation entropy of a gated nanowire system described by a numerically determined non‐equilibrium many‐body statistical operator
Authors: Castelo José María , Indlekofer Klaus Michael
Published: May 2015

A numerical correlation measure of the interacting electrons in a semiconductor nanowire‐based field‐effect transistor (NWFET) is presented, which solely quantifies correlation whether the preparation of the system is pure or mixed, in contrast to the single‐particle‐reduced entropy, which depends on the degree of correlation and mixture as well. This numerical measure, which is termed modified correlation entropy , is based on the concept of von Neumann entropy, whose calculation is dependent on the non‐equilibrium many‐body statistical operator of the system. Therefore, we present a numerical approach to construct such a non‐equilibrium many‐body statistical operator for relevant quasi‐bound electronic states in a NWFET. As a constraint for , we assume that the single‐particle density matrix is a given quantity, resulting from a non‐equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) calculation for the NWFET for a given set of applied voltages. The eigenbasis of is assumed to be identical to the eigenbasis of the projected many‐body Hamiltonian within a relevant Fock subspace of the quasi‐bound subsystem. As for the eigenvalues of , we furthermore assume that have a generalized Boltzmann form, parameterized by effective electrochemical potentials of natural orbitals and a given temperature. Once is obtained, we calculate and compare the modified entropy , the single‐particle‐reduced entropy and the von Neumann entropy S for two different transport regimes of the NWFET.
Geometric phases in quantum information
Authors: Sjöqvist Erik
Published: May 2015

The rise of quantum information science has opened up a new venue for applications of the geometric phase (GP), as well as triggered new insights into its physical, mathematical, and conceptual nature. Here, we review this development by focusing on three main themes: the use of GPs to perform robust quantum computation, the development of GP concepts for mixed quantum states, and the discovery of a new type of topological phases for entangled quantum systems. We delineate the theoretical development as well as describe recent experiments related to GPs in the context of quantum information. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluating Uncertainty in Physical Habitat Modelling in a High‐Gradient Mountain Stream
Authors: Turner D. , Bradford M. J. , Venditti J. G. , Peterman R. M.
Published: May 2015

Predictions of habitat‐based assessment methods that are used to determine instream flow requirements for aquatic biota are uncertain, but instream flow practitioners and managers often ignore those uncertainties. Two commonly recognized uncertainties arise from (i) estimating the way in which physical habitat within a river changes with discharge and (ii) the suitability of certain types of physical habitat for organisms. We explored how these sources of uncertainty affect confidence in the results of the British Columbia Instream Flow Methodology (BCIFM), which is a commonly used transect‐based habitat assessment tool for small‐scale water diversions. We calculated the chance of different magnitudes of habitat loss resulting from water diversion using a high‐gradient reach of the North Alouette River, BC, as a case study. We found that uncertainty in habitat suitability indices for juvenile rainbow trout generally dominated uncertainty in the results of the BCIFM when large (>15) numbers of transects were used. In contrast, with small numbers of transects, variation in physical habitat among sampled transects was the major source of uncertainty in the results of the BCIFM. Presentations of results of the BCIFM in terms of probabilities of different amounts of habitat loss for a given flow can help managers prescribe instream flow requirements based on their risk tolerance for fish habitat loss. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Micro push‐out bond strength of resin cement in roots exhibiting the butterfly effect
Authors: Arslan Hakan , Uygun Ahmet Demirhan , Gündüz Hicran Ateş , Karataş Ertugrul , Cakici Fatih , Alsancak Meltem
Published: May 2015

The aim of this study was to determine the bond strength of resin cement in root sections with or without butterfly effect. Fifteen single‐rooted human maxillary central incisors were decoronated and prepared up to size 40. After post space preparation, the resin cement was placed into the post space and the fiber posts were luted. 1 mm thickness slices were obtained and the presence of the butterfly effect was recorded. A push‐out test was then used to measure the bond strength between the resin cement and root dentin. Data were analyzed using independent samples of t and χ2 tests (p = 0.05). The sections exhibiting butterfly effect showed higher push‐out bond strength values than those of without butterfly effect (p < 0.05). Butterfly effect can influence the push‐out bond strength. Thus, this phenomena should be taken into account, when push‐out bond strength test is performed. Root sections exhibiting butterfly effect resulted in higher push‐out bond strength values to root sections without butterfly effect. SCANNING 37:406–408, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Non‐destructive PIXE‐alpha characterisation of pigments in Kamares pottery (1850–1700  bc) from Phaistos (Crete)
Authors: Pappalardo L. , La Rosa V. , Rizzo F. , Romano F. P.
Published: May 2015

Ten Kamares ceramic sherds coming from Phaistos (Crete), belonging to the ‘gold’ period from MM IB to MM IIB (about 1850 to 1700  bc) were analysed by the use of the recently upgraded LNS portable Particle Induced X‐ray Emission‐alpha spectrometer. Elemental quantitative analysis of various coloured pigments (black, red‐orange and white) was performed. The results are compared with previous data obtained by the use of the same technique for Minoan pottery spanning a larger time period (AM I–MM III). Some considerations about the production technology are presented. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the genetic variation of captive ring‐tailed lemurs with a wild population in Madagascar
Authors: Pastorini Jennifer , Sauther Michelle L. , Sussman Robert W. , Gould Lisa , Cuozzo Frank P. , Fernando Prithiviraj , Nievergelt Caroline M. , Mundy Nicholas I.
Published: May 2015

Genetic variability among captive and wild ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) was assessed using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data. A 529 bp segment of mtDNA was sequenced and 9 microsatellite loci were genotyped for 286 ring‐tailed lemurs. Samples were obtained from the well‐studied L. catta population at the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve and from captive animals at six institutions worldwide. We found evidence of possible patrilineal contribution but the absence of matrilineal contribution from the Bezà area, and haplotypes not found in Bezà but present in Ambohimahavelona, Andringitra Massif, and other unknown locations, in the sampled captive population, indicating that the founders of the captive population originated from a wide geographic range. Total genetic variation and relatedness in captive L. catta in the six institutions were similar in extent to that of the wild population in Bezà. Based on the diverse origins of the captive population founders our results suggest the erosion of genetic diversity in the captive population. Sampled individuals from the same institution were more closely related to each other than members of a social group in the wild. Individuals housed at different institutions were less closely related than those of different social groups at Bezà, indicating lower genetic exchange between captive institutions than between social groups in a locality in the wild. Our findings underscore the usefulness of genotyping in determining the geographic origin of captive population founders, obtaining pedigree information if paternity is uncertain, and in maximizing preservation of extant genetic diversity in captivity. Zoo Biol. 34:463–472, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Genetic Overlap of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autistic-like Traits: an Investigation of Individual Symptom Scales and Cognitive markers
Authors: Pinto Rebecca , Rijsdijk Fruhling , Ronald Angelica , Asherson Philip , Kuntsi Jonna
Published: May 2015

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) frequently co-occur. However, due to previous exclusionary diagnostic criteria, little is known about the underlying causes of this covariation. Twin studies assessing ADHD symptoms and autistic-like traits (ALTs) suggest substantial genetic overlap, but have largely failed to take into account the genetic heterogeneity of symptom subscales. This study aimed to clarify the phenotypic and genetic relations between ADHD and ASD by distinguishing between symptom subscales that characterise the two disorders. Moreover, we aimed to investigate whether ADHD-related cognitive impairments show a relationship with ALT symptom subscales; and whether potential shared cognitive impairments underlie the genetic risk shared between the ADHD and ALT symptoms. Multivariate structural equation modelling was conducted on a population-based sample of 1312 twins aged 7–10. Social-communication ALTs correlated moderately with both ADHD symptom domains (phenotypic correlations around 0.30) and showed substantial genetic overlap with both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity (genetic correlation = 0.52 and 0.44, respectively). In addition to previously reported associations with ADHD traits, reaction time variability (RTV) showed significant phenotypic (0.18) and genetic (0.32) association with social-communication ALTs. RTV captured a significant proportion (24 %) of the genetic influences shared between inattention and social-communication ALTs. Our findings suggest that social-communication ALTs underlie the previously observed phenotypic and genetic covariation between ALTs and ADHD symptoms. RTV is not specific to ADHD symptoms, but is also associated with social-communication ALTs and can, in part, contribute to an explanation of the co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD.
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine related lymphadenitis in children
Authors: Elsidig Nagi , Alshahrani Dayel , Alshehri Mohammed , Alzahrani Mohammed , Alhajjar Sami , Aljummah Suliman , Hussain Ibrahim Bin , Alshaalan Mohammad , Alzamil Fahad , Alodyani Abdularahman , Aljobair Fahad
Published: May 2015

The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine contains live attenuated Mycobacte-rium bovis; was first used in humans to prevent tuberculosis (TB) in 1921. The World Health Organization (WHO) established the Expanded Program on Immunization in 1974 to ensure that all children have access to routinely recommended vaccines including BCG. Each year 120 million doses of BCG vaccine are administered worldwide. Intradermal BCG vaccine gives rise to a classic primary complex that consists of a cutaneous nodule at the site of injection and subclinical involvement of the regional lymph nodes, which is self-limiting and requires no treatment.

However, ipsilateral regional lymph node enlargement may follow BCG vaccine and is consid-ered as the most common complication, some progress to suppuration. Rarely a disseminated BCG infection may develop in immunocompromised individuals resulting in a devastating outcome. Within the last decades, variable strategies have been applied in treating lymphad-enitis related to BCG vaccine, ranging from observation, anti-mycobacterial therapy, aspira-tion, incision and drainage to lymph node surgical excision.

We are presenting these guidelines that intended to optimize and standardize management of various types of BCG related lymph adenitis in children. They are based upon the best avail-able evidence in literature beside our experience in this field.
Clinical presentation and course of long QT syndrome in Thai children
Authors: Saprungruang Ankavipar , Vithessonthi Kanyalak , La‐orkhun Vidhavas , Lertsapcharoen Pornthep , Khongphatthanayothin Apichai
Published: May 2015

Background

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a genetically transmitted cardiac channelopathy that can lead to lethal arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death in healthy young people. The clinical characteristics of LQTS are variable and depend on the subtype of long QT syndrome, which differ among populations. This single hospital‐based case review study examined the clinical presentation of long QT syndrome and the outcomes of its treatment in 20 Thai children at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods

Inpatient and outpatient records of children (aged 0–14 years) diagnosed with long QT syndrome from January 1, 1998, to September 30, 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. Presentation at diagnosis, treatments, and clinical courses were collected and analyzed. In the 20 subjects, total Schwartz scores totaled 5.2±0.9 points, and mean age at diagnosis was 7.6±4.4 years (range, 1 day–13.8 years). The patients were assigned to one of 3 groups based on trigger events: 50% of patients had events at rest (sleep or at rest), 35% experienced adrenergic‐mediated events (e.g., stress, exercise, startle), and 15% were asymptomatic. Excluding the 3 patients who died at first presentation, 100% of patients received a beta blocker, and 47.1% were treated with an automatic implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (AICD).

Results

At follow‐up (median=959 days; range, 1–4170 days), 4 patients (20%) were known to have died, 3 of whom died shortly after the diagnosis. Among patients who survived the initial event, 52.9% (9 of 17) experienced cardiac events (appropriate AICD shock, death, and/or syncope) during the follow‐up period. The mean duration from diagnosis to cardiac event was 1420±759 days (range, 497–2499 days).

Conclusions

All 20 patients with LQTS were mostly symptomatic at presentation. Owing to the geographical region and ethnicity of the Thai population, we conclude that the ratio of patients who develop cardiac symptoms at rest or during sleep might be higher than in other Asian countries.
Recurrent syncope in two patients with a sigmoid‐shaped interventricular septum and no left ventricular hypertrophy
Authors: Yamaguchi Yoshiaki , Mizumaki Koichi , Iwamoto Jotaro , Nishida Kunihiro , Sakamoto Tamotsu , Nakatani Yosuke , Kataoka Naoya , Inoue Hiroshi
Published: May 2015

Sigmoid‐shaped interventricular septum (SIS) is not uncommon in elderly patients and is considered a normal part of the aging process. However, several patients have been reported to have clinical symptoms due to the narrowing of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). Two patients with SIS presented with recurrent episodes of syncope after drinking or taking sublingual nitroglycerin (NG). In both patients, a head‐up tilt test involving provocation with alcohol, NG, or isoproterenol induced the vasovagal reflex along with an increase in the pressure gradient between the apex and LVOT. The patients experienced no further episodes of syncope after initiating bisoprolol treatment. In patients with SIS, induction of the vasovagal reflex via an increase in left ventricular (LV) pressure due to LVOT obstruction concomitant with increased LV construction is a potentially important cause of syncope, which may be effectively prevented by beta‐blockers.
Identification of major factors associated with failed clinical molecular oncology testing performed by next generation sequencing (NGS)
Authors: Al-Kateb Hussam , Nguyen TuDung T. , Steger-May Karen , Pfeifer John D.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

DNA analysis by NGS has become important to direct the clinical care of cancer patients. However, NGS is not successful in all cases, and the factors responsible for test failures have not been systematically evaluated.

Materials and methods

A series of 1528 solid and hematolymphoid tumor specimens was tested by an NGS comprehensive cancer panel during 2012–2014. DNA was extracted and 2×101 bp paired‐end sequence reads were generated on cancer‐related genes utilizing Illumina HiSeq and MiSeq platforms.

Results

Testing was unsuccessful in 343 (22.5%) specimens. The failure was due to insufficient tissue (INST) in 223/343 (65%) cases, insufficient DNA (INS‐DNA) in 99/343 (28.9%) cases, and failed library (FL) in 21/343 (6.1%) cases. 87/99 (88%) of the INS‐DNA cases had below 10 ng DNA available for testing. Factors associated with INST and INS‐DNA failures were site of biopsy (SOB) and type of biopsy (TOB) (both p < 0.0001), and clinical setting of biopsy (CSB, initial diagnosis or recurrence) (p < 0.0001). Factors common to INST and FL were age of specimen (p ≤ 0.006) and tumor viability (p ≤ 0.05). Factors common to INS‐DNA and FL were DNA purity and DNA degradation (all p ≤ 0.005). In multivariate analysis, common predictors for INST and INS‐DNA included CSB (p = 0.048 and p < 0.0001) and TOB (both p ≤ 0.003), respectively. SOB (p = 0.004) and number of cores (p = 0.001) were specific for INS‐DNA, whereas TOB and DNA degradation were associated with FL (p = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively).

Conclusions

Pre‐analytical causes (INST and INS‐DNA) accounted for about 90% of all failed cases; independent of test design. Clinical setting; site and type of biopsy; and number of cores used for testing all correlated with failure. Accounting for these factors at the time of tissue biopsy acquisition could improve the analytic success rate.
A Retrospective Review of Unintended Effects After Single‐Event Multi‐Level Chemoneurolysis With Botulinum Toxin‐A and Phenol in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Ploypetch Teerada , Kwon Jeong‐Yi , Armstrong Hilary F. , Kim Heakyung
Published: May 2015

Background

Single‐event multi‐level chemoneurolysis (SEMLC) is a single‐session procedure that treats various limbs of patients with spasticity at multiple levels with chemoneurolytic agents. Phenol is used in combination with botulinum toxin A (BTX‐A) to enable spastic muscles to be treated without overdosing with BTX‐A.

Objective

To review unintended effects (UEs) of SEMLC for children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Pediatric rehabilitation outpatient clinic at an academic medical center.

Participants

The study included 98 children with CP who underwent SEMLC on at least one occasion.

Interventions

SEMLC.

Main Outcome Measures

UEs, the goal achievement for each SEMLC session, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS‐ER).

Results

A total of 98 subjects and 146 SEMLC procedures were reviewed. Patients had a mean age of 7.56 years (standard deviation, 4.28); 57% were male; and 14 had hemiplegia, 22 had diplegia, 8 had triplegia, and 54 had quadriplegia. Most SEMLCs (72%) were performed with a combination of BTX‐A and 5% phenol in a session. UEs were reported for 31/146 (21%) of SEMLC sessions, with 16 of 31 UEs being temporary weakness. The overall incidence of UEs of the group that received combined agent treatment was not different from the group that received BTX‐A only (P = .267). Transient pain occurred in 7 of 105 patients who were treated with the combined agents BTX‐A and phenol. Dysesthesia did not develop in any of the patients. The type of CP, GMFCS level, number of muscles injected, and doses of medications were not correlated with the incidence of UEs.

Conclusions

SEMLC using combined BTX‐A and phenol is a safe procedure for children with spastic CP. It could be a treatment option for patients with diffuse spasticity, because combining agents allowed more muscles to be treated without enduring or serious UEs. Patient and family education is essential to prepare them for the occurrence of common UEs, such as temporary weakness and pain.