bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactive buildup of animation sequences with captured motion data
Authors: Lee Sang Won , Lee Kang Hoon
Published: May 2012

We present a new approach to interactive resequencing of captured motion data that allows the user to progressively extend his or her animations such that each extension can best fit user requirements with respect to space, time, and pose. In the preprocessing phase, captured frames are clustered into pose groups and interconnected into a transition graph. For each step in building an animation sequence at runtime, the user is allowed to browse through motion paths in the graph that are connectable to the existing sequence by specifying the desired locations and poses at path ends and to select one of those paths to extend the animation. Instead of using graph search algorithms, our path browser unrolls the graph locally into spatial search trees and employs an efficient nearest‐neighbor search method to quickly find the optimal paths that satisfy user inputs. We demonstrate the usefulness of our approach by creating animation examples in scenarios involving spatial, temporal, and postural requirements simultaneously. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive surface splatting for facial rendering
Authors: Kim Hyeon‐Joong , Cengiz Öztireli A. , Gross Markus , Choi Soo‐Mi
Published: May 2012

Recent advances in facial scanning technology provide highly detailed faces, including fine wrinkles. However, because of the increasing complexity of the resulting models, it is necessary to reduce the amount of data while preserving small‐scale facial features. In this paper, we propose a new adaptive surface splatting method to reduce the number of splats by optimizing the size and shape of splats using geometric and color information. Using the optimized splats, we can improve the rendering quality, especially in the visually sensitive feature areas. Our adaptive surface splatting is very effective to render massive facial data on tablet PCs or smartphones. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ligand Conformation Dictates Membrane and Endosomal Trafficking of Arginine‐Glycine‐Aspartate (RGD)‐Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Fang I‐Ju , Slowing Igor I. , Wu Kevin C.‐W. , Lin Victor S.‐Y. , Trewyn Brian G.
Published: May 2012

Recent breakthrough research on mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) materials has illustrated their significant potential in biological applications due to their excellent drug delivery and endocytotic behavior. We set out to determine if MSN, covalently functionalized with conformation specific bioactive molecules (either linear or cyclic RGD ligands), behave towards mammalian cells in a similar manner as the free ligands. We discovered that RGD immobilized on the MSN surface did not influence the integrity of the porous matrix and improved the endocytosis efficiency of the MSN materials. Through competition experiments with free RGD ligands, we also discovered a conformation specific receptor–integrin association. The interaction between RGD immobilized on the MSN surface and integrins plays an important role in endosome trafficking, specifically dictating the kinetics of endosomal escape. Thus, covalent functionalization of biomolecules on MSN assists in the design of a system for controlling the interface with cancer cells.
Ionic‐Liquid‐Mediated Active‐Site Control of MoS2 for the Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Lau Vincent Wing‐hei , Masters Anthony F. , Bond Alan M. , Maschmeyer Thomas
Published: May 2012

The layered crystal MoS2 has been proposed as an alternative to noble metals as the electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the activity of this catalyst is limited by the number of available edge sites. It was previously shown that, by using an imidazolium ionic liquid as synthesis medium, nanometre‐size crystal layers of MoS2 can be prepared which exhibit a very high number of active edge sites as well as a de‐layered morphology, both of which contribute to HER electrocatalytic activity. Herein, it is examined how to control these features synthetically by using a range of ionic liquids as synthesis media. Non‐coordinating ILs with a planar heterocyclic cation produced MoS2 with the de‐layered morphology, which was subsequently shown to be highly advantageous for HER electrocatalytic activity. The results furthermore suggest that the crystallinity, and in turn the catalytic activity, of the MoS2 layers can be improved by employing an IL with specific solvation properties. These results provide the basis for a synthetic strategy for increasing the HER electrocatalytic activity of MoS2 by tuning its crystal properties, and thus improving its potential for use in hydrogen production technologies.
Gold(I)‐Catalysed Cycloisomerisation of 1,6‐Cyclopropene‐enes
Authors: Miege Frédéric , Meyer Christophe , Cossy Janine
Published: May 2012

The gold(I)‐catalysed cycloisomerisation of appropriately substituted 1,6‐cyclopropene‐enes proceeds through regioselective electrophilic ring opening of the three‐membered ring to generate an alkenyl gold carbenoid that achieves the intramolecular cyclopropanation of the remote olefin. This strategy allows straightforward, highly efficient and diastereoselective access to a variety of substituted 3‐oxa‐ and 3‐azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes, as well as to bicyclo[4.1.0]heptan‐3‐ol derivatives. Since the isopropylidene group in the resulting cycloisomerisation products can be subjected to ozonolysis, 3,3‐dimethylcyclopropenes behave as interesting surrogates for α‐diazoketones.
Genetics of Coronary Artery Disease in the 21st Century
Authors: Roberts Robert , Stewart Alexandre F. R.
Published: May 2012

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is still the number‐one killer in the world, and clinical trials indicate that it is preventable. Mortality and morbidity can be reduced by at least 30% to 40% by treating known risk factors. Genetic susceptibility is claimed to account for 50% of predisposition. The challenge of preventing CAD in this century, as claimed by some investigators, will require a more comprehensive prevention and treatment of environmental and genetic risk factors. Part of that challenge has been met by genome‐wide association studies, which have identified 36 genetic variants with increased risk for CAD. All of these genetic variants have reached genome‐wide significance (5×10−8) and replicate in independent populations with large sample sizes. More than 50% of these variants occur in >50% of the population, with 10 occurring in >75% of the population. The challenge and the opportunity lie in the observation that >66% of these risk variants do not mediate their risk through known conventional risk factors. These results suggest that genetic predisposition for CAD is conferred by common DNA variants and many factors contributing to the pathogenesis of CAD are yet to be determined. Comprehensive prevention of CAD will most likely require combating genetic and environmental risk factors. We are on the cusp of genetic screening, and new therapeutic targets are becoming available to manage both genetic and environmental risk factors for CAD.

The authors are supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, nos. MOP82810 (RR) and MOP77682 (AFRS), and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, no. 11966 (RR). The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Treatment and Outcomes of Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Cancer Population
Authors: Yusuf Syed Wamique , Daraban Nicoleta , Abbasi Nadia , Lei Xiudong , Durand Jean‐Bernard , Daher Iyad N.
Published: May 2012

Background:

Randomized trials have established the benefit of medical therapy and revascularization in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Cancer and cardiovascular disease are the 2 most common diseases worldwide. In clinical practice, cancer patients are frequently afflicted with MI. The benefit of medical and/or revascularization therapy in the cancer population with MI is less well known.

Hypothesis:

Medical and revascularization therapy reduces mortality in cancer patients with MI.

Methods:

After approval by the institutional review board, we retrospectively reviewed all patients with a discharge diagnosis of acute MI who were admitted to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between December 2000 and October 2006 and evaluated the association between cardiac treatments with survival outcomes.

Results:

A total of 456 patients with a discharge diagnosis of acute MI were identified and included in the study, of which 386 had non–ST‐segment elevation MI (NSTEMI) and 70 had ST‐segment elevation MI (STEMI). Compared with patients with NSTEMI, patients who had STEMI were more often prescribed aspirin (66% vs 43%; P = 0.004), β‐blockers (61% vs 46%; P = 0.018), and thrombolytic therapy (9% vs 0.3%; P = 0.0001). In the multivariable analysis, aspirin use was associated with a 23% decreased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60‐0.98, P = 0.033) and β‐blocker use was associated with a 36% decreased risk of death (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.51–0.81, P = 0.0002). Statins (HR: 0.82, P = 0.18) and catheter‐based revascularization (HR: 0.57, P = 0.09) did not have an impact on the risk of death. Compared with patients with limited cancer, advanced cancer patients were twice as likely to die (HR: 2.12, 95 CI: 1.47–3.04, P < 0.0001). Previous chemotherapy (P = 0.005) and chest radiotherapy (P = 0.017) were associated with increased 1‐year mortality, whereas hyperlipidemia (P = 0.018) was protective.

Conclusions:

In this study of cancer patients with MI, medical therapy with aspirin and β‐blockers was associated with improved survival.

The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Performance study of a wireless mobile ad hoc network with orientation‐dependent internode communication scheme
Authors: Kostin Alexander , Oz Gurcu , Haci Huseyin
Published: May 2012

A Petri‐net‐based simulation model of a wireless mobile ad hoc network is developed and studied. The model covers all the fundamental aspects of behaviour of such a network and uses a novel scheme of orientation‐dependent (or sector‐dependent) internode communication, with random states of links. The proposed scheme enables representation of reliability aspects of wireless communication, such as fading effects, interferences, presence of obstacles and weather conditions in a general and rather easy way. The simulation model was implemented in terms of a class of extended Petri nets to explicitly represent parallelism of events and processes in the WLAN as a distributed system. In the simulation, the behaviour of four fundamental performance metrics — packet delivery ratio, average number of hops, relative network traffic and end‐to‐end delay — were investigated with varying distance of transmission and different combinations of model parameters. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
miR‐9 enhances IL‐2 production in activated human CD4+ T cells by repressing Blimp‐1
Authors: Thiele Stefanie , Wittmann Jürgen , Jäck Hans‐Martin , Pahl Andreas
Published: May 2012

The fast production of effector cytokines, such as IL‐2, is essential for the autocrine function in the rapid activation of naive CD4+ T cells. Here, we show that the microRNA (miRNA) pathway plays an important role in the posttranscriptional regulation of proinflammatory cytokines in human CD4+ T cells. miRNAs are small noncoding molecules that act as posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression by binding to the 3′ untranslated region of target mRNAs. Using microarray and deep sequencing approaches, we detected an increase in the abundance of miR‐9 in activated human CD4+ T cells. To determine the impact of miR‐9 on immune responses, we analyzed its effect on two putative target genes, PRDM1, which encodes for the transcription factor Blimp‐1 (B lymphocyte‐induced maturation protein‐1), and Bcl‐6 (B cell lymphoma‐6 protein). Suppression of miR‐9 led to increased expression of PRDM1 and Bcl‐6, which subsequently resulted in diminished secretion of IL‐2 and IFN‐γ. Our data provide evidence that the abundance of Blimp‐1, and consequently the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, is regulated in two ways: (i) transcriptional regulation by activation of CD4+ T cells and (ii) posttranscriptional regulation by enhanced miR‐9 expression.
Nanoemulsions for the Determination of the Antioxidant Capacity of Oils by an Electrochemical Method
Authors: Benedetti Simona , Cosio Maria Stella , Scampicchio Matteo , Mannino Saverio
Published: May 2012

The paper describes a rapid and simple method for the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity in oil in water nanoemulsion. This procedure does not require extensive sample treatment and, most important, does not use any organic solvent for dissolution of the fatty matrix. The nanoemulsions were directly injected in a flow injection (FI) system with an electrochemical detector equipped with a glassy carbon working electrode operating amperometrically at a potential of +0.8 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Results obtained were compared with those obtained by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay.
Rapid testing of clopidogrel resistance by genotyping of CYP2C19 and CYP2C9 polymorphisms using denaturing on‐chip capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Minarik Marek , Kopeckova Marta , Gassman Marcus , Osmancik Pavel , Benesova Lucie
Published: May 2012

Antiplatelet therapy is a cornerstone of cardiovascular treatment in patients with coronary artery disease and after myocardial infarction. Clopidogrel has become a popular antiplatelet agent due to its fast action and low frequency of adverse effects. Kinetics of clopidogrel metabolism is driven by enzymatic activity of the Cytochrome P450 system. Genotyping of CYP2C19 and CYP2C9 polymorphisms allows to identify slow metabolizers showing resistance to clopidogrel therapy. Today, a number of PCR‐based techniques for single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping directed at clopidogrel resistance polymorphisms are in use. Here, we describe a new alternative genotyping approach combining the separation power of denaturing capillary electrophoresis with the analysis speed and ease of use of Bioanalyzer chipCE platform. Using an upgraded heater control, we present an optimization for allele separation of CYP2C19 I331V, CYP2C9 R144C, and CYP2C9 I359L polymorphisms employing run temperatures of up to 55°C. We demonstrate rapid and accessible approach to reproducible clopidogrel resistance with feasibility and low cost.
Dielectrophoresis: A model to transport drugs directly into teeth
Authors: Ivanoff Chris S. , Hottel Timothy L. , Garcia‐Godoy Franklin
Published: May 2012

The article describes an innovative delivery system based on the principles of dielectrophoresis to transport drugs directly into site‐specific intraoral targets. The hypothesis that a drug can be driven into tooth enamel during the application of an applied electrical potential difference was tested by the authors in in vitro studies comparing dielectrophoresis to diffusion to transport carbamide peroxide and fluoride. The studies showed that these agents can be transported directly into teeth using an alternating current (AC) electric field more effectively than diffusion. It was found that a 20‐min bleaching treatment on human teeth with dielectrophoresis increased carbamide peroxide absorption by 104% and, on average, improved the change in shade guide unit 14 times from 0.6 SGU to 9 SGU. After applying a 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel to bovine incisors for 20 min by dielectrophoresis or diffusion, analysis with wavelength dispersive spectrometry determined that dielectrophoresis doubled fluoride uptake in the superficial layers compared to diffusion, and drove the fluoride significantly deeper into enamel with an uptake 600% higher than diffusion at 50 μm depth. Finally, dielectrophoresis promises to be a viable model that can potentially be used clinically to deliver other targeted drugs of variable molecular weight and structure.
Enhanced detection of gold nanoparticles in agarose gel electrophoresis
Authors: Hasenoehrl Carina , Alexander Colleen M. , Azzarelli Nicholas N. , Dabrowiak James C.
Published: May 2012

Gel electrophoresis is a powerful tool in gold nanoparticle (AuNP) research. While the technique is sensitive to the size, charge, and shape of particles, its optimal performance requires a relatively large amount of AuNP in the loading wells for visible detection of bands. We here describe a novel and more sensitive method for detecting AuNPs in agarose gels that involves staining the gel with the common organic fluorophore fluorescein, to produce AuNP band intensities that are linear with nanoparticle concentration and almost an order of magnitude larger than those obtained without staining the gel.
POOLING VERSUS MODEL SELECTION FOR NOWCASTING GDP WITH MANY PREDICTORS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FOR SIX INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES
Authors: Kuzin Vladimir , Marcellino Massimiliano , Schumacher Christian
Published: May 2012

This paper discusses pooling versus model selection for nowcasting with large datasets in the presence of model uncertainty. In practice, nowcasting a low‐frequency variable with a large number of high‐frequency indicators should account for at least two data irregularities: (i) unbalanced data with missing observations at the end of the sample due to publication delays; and (ii) different sampling frequencies of the data. Two model classes suited in this context are factor models based on large datasets and mixed‐data sampling (MIDAS) regressions with few predictors. The specification of these models requires several choices related to, amongst other things, the factor estimation method and the number of factors, lag length and indicator selection. Thus there are many sources of misspecification when selecting a particular model, and an alternative would be pooling over a large set of different model specifications. We evaluate the relative performance of pooling and model selection for nowcasting quarterly GDP for six large industrialized countries. We find that the nowcast performance of single models varies considerably over time, in line with the forecasting literature. Model selection based on sequential application of information criteria can outperform benchmarks. However, the results highly depend on the selection method chosen. In contrast, pooling of nowcast models provides an overall very stable nowcast performance over time. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parathyroid hormone induces differentiation of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells by enhancing bone morphogenetic protein signaling
Authors: Yu Bing , Zhao Xiaoli , Yang Chaozhe , Crane Janet , Xian Lingling , Lu William , Wan Mei , Cao Xu
Published: May 2012

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates bone remodeling and induces differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) by orchestrating activities of local factors such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). The activity and specificity of different BMP ligands are controlled by various extracellular antagonists that prevent binding of BMPs to their receptors. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) has been shown to interact with both the PTH and BMP extracellular signaling pathways by forming a complex with parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) and sharing common antagonists with BMPs. We hypothesized that PTH-enhanced differentiation of MSCs into the osteoblast lineage through enhancement of BMP signaling occurs by modifying the extracellular antagonist network via LRP6. In vitro studies using multiple cell lines, including Sca-1+CD45–CD11b–MSCs, showed that a single injection of PTH enhanced phosphorylation of Smad1 and could also antagonize the inhibitory effect of noggin. PTH treatment induced endocytosis of a PTH1R/LRP6 complex and resulted in enhancement of phosphorylation of Smad1 that was abrogated by deletion of PTH1R, β-arrestin, or chlorpromazine. Deletion of LRP6 alone led to enhancement of pSmad1 levels that could not be further increased with PTH treatment. Finally, knockdown of LRP6 increased the exposure of endogenous cell-surface BMP receptor type II (BMPRII) significantly in C2C12 cells, and PTH treatment significantly enhanced cell-surface binding of 125I-BMP2 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, implying that LRP6 organizes an extracellular network of BMP antagonists that prevent access of BMPs to BMP receptors. In vivo studies in C57BL/6J mice and of transplanted green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled Sca-1+CD45–CD11b–MSCs into the bone marrow cavity of Rag2−/− immunodeficient mice showed that PTH enhanced phosphorylation of Smad1 and increased commitment of MSCs to osteoblast lineage, respectively. These data demonstrate that PTH enhancement of MSC differentiation to the osteoblast lineage occurs through a PTH- and LRP6-dependent pathway by endocytosis of the PTH1R/LRp6 complex, allowing enhancement of BMP signaling. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Pseudoaneurysm of the genicular artery after wound closure using a skin stapler in a child
Authors: Gürses Cemil , Temeloğlu A. Eda Parlak , Tuna Yeliz , Erol Bekir , Köroğlu Mert
Published: May 2012

A 9‐year‐old child with a left humerus fracture also had minor skin cuts on the right knee, which were closed with a skin stapler. After 1 week, a medial superior genicular artery pseudoaneurysm developed, which was treated by ultrasound‐guided compression. This case illustrates a unique complication of the use of a skin stapler device.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 41:316–318, 2013
An efficient one‐step radiosynthesis of [18F]FE‐PE2I, a PET radioligand for imaging of dopamine transporters
Authors: Stepanov Vladimir , Krasikova Raisa , Raus Liina , Loog Olavi , Hiltunen Jukka , Halldin Christer
Published: May 2012

The aim of this study was to develop a direct fluorination method for the preparation of [18F]‐(E)‐N‐(3‐iodoprop‐2‐enyl)‐2β‐carbofluoroethoxy‐3β‐(4′‐methyl‐phenyl)nortropane ([18F]FE‐PE2I (VI). The synthesis procedure relies on the conventional Kryptofix‐mediated nucleophilic 18F‐substitution of the tosylate group in the precursor, TsOE‐PE2I (V). Out of reaction conditions tested, the highest fluorination efficiency was obtained in dimethyl sulfoxide at 140°C. The reaction mixture was purified by semi‐preparative HPLC, followed‐up by a standard Sep‐Pak SPE procedure. On average, 1.0 GBq of [18F]FE‐PE2I was produced from 5‐min irradiation at 35 μA (dimethyl sulfoxide, 5 min/140°C). Decay‐uncorrected yield of the product after HPLC purification and formulation was in the order of 20%. Specific radioactivity of [18F]FE‐PE2I at 15 min after EOS was 3.3–5.1 Ci/µmol (n = 3); radiochemical purity was >98% (n = 4). This direct nucleophilic fluorination strategy is well suited for the automation of the entire synthesis of [18F]FE‐PE2I in a modern PET synthesizer for human PET application. In addition, the 18F‐incorporation rate into TsOE‐PE2I was evaluated using radio‐thin layer chromatography (TLC) and radio‐HPLC. The suggested HPLC method (ACE 5 C18‐HL column and acetonitrile/0.1 M NH4CO2 (80:20)) was found to be suitable for evaluation of ‘free’ 18F‐fluoride in the reaction mixture; in addition, this method allowed the detection of three radiolabelled by‐products that were not discernable with the TLC approach. Therefore, we conclude that the HPLC approach may serve as a good alternative to traditional radio‐TLC technique as it provides more detailed information about the fluorination process in the reaction kinetics or optimization studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Four‐dimensional phase contrast MRI With accelerated dual velocity encoding
Authors: Nett Elizabeth J. , Johnson Kevin M. , Frydrychowicz Alex , Del Rio Alejandro Munoz , Schrauben Eric , Francois Christopher J. , Wieben Oliver
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

To validate a novel approach for accelerated four‐dimensional phase contrast MR imaging (4D PC‐MRI) with an extended range of velocity sensitivity.

Materials and Methods:

4D PC‐MRI data were acquired with a radially undersampled trajectory (PC‐VIPR). A dual Venc (dVenc) processing algorithm was implemented to investigate the potential for scan time savings while providing an improved velocity‐to‐noise ratio. Flow and velocity measurements were compared with a flow pump, conventional 2D PC MR, and single Venc 4D PC‐MRI in the chest of 10 volunteers.

Results:

Phantom measurements showed excellent agreement between accelerated dVenc 4D PC‐MRI and the pump flow rate (R2 ≥ 0.97) with a three‐fold increase in measured velocity‐to‐noise ratio (VNR) and a 5% increase in scan time. In volunteers, reasonable agreement was found when combining 100% of data acquired with Venc = 80 cm/s and 25% of the high Venc data, providing the VNR of a 80 cm/s acquisition with a wider velocity range of 160 cm/s at the expense of a 25% longer scan.

Conclusion:

Accelerated dual Venc 4D PC‐MRI was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. This acquisition scheme is well suited for vascular territories with wide ranges of flow velocities such as congenital heart disease, the hepatic vasculature, and others. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gradient echo imaging
Authors: Markl Michael , Leupold Jochen
Published: May 2012

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on gradient echoes is used in a wide variety of imaging techniques and clinical applications. Gradient echo sequences form the basis for an essential group of imaging methods that find widespread use in clinical practice, particularly when fast imaging is important, as for example in cardiac MRI or contrast‐enhanced MR angiography. However, the term “gradient echo sequence” is somewhat unspecific, as even images acquired with the most common sequences employing the gradient echo for data acquisition can significantly differ in signal, contrast, artifact behavior, and sensitivity to, eg, flow. This is due to the different use of sequence timing and basic sequence building blocks such as spoiler gradients or specific radiofrequency (RF) pulse phase patterns. In this article the basic principles of gradient echo formation compared to spin echo imaging are reviewed and the properties of gradient echo imaging in its simplest form (TR ≫T2) are described. Further, the most common three variants of fast gradient echo sequences (TR <T2), namely, unbalanced gradient echo, RF spoiled gradient echo, and balanced steady state free precession; are discussed. For each gradient echo sequence type, examples of applications exploiting the specific properties of the individual technique are presented. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:1274–1289. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of E‐selectin gene polymorphisms with ischemic stroke in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Zhao Dong‐Xue , Feng Juan , Cong Shu‐Yan , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2012

The E‐selectin gene, a member of the selectin superfamily of adhesion molecules, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of thrombovascular diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the potential relationship between E‐selectin gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke in a Chinese Han population. Three hundred fourteen ischemic stroke patients and 389 unrelated healthy controls were recruited for the study. Three single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—rs1805193(G98T), rs5361(A561C), and rs5355(C1839T)—in the exon region of the E‐selectin gene, were genotyped using a Multiplex SNaPshot sequencing assay. The data showed that the genotype and allele frequencies of G98T and C1839T SNP were similar in both ischemic stroke patients and the controls. In contrast, the frequency of both the AC genotype and the C allele of A561C was significantly higher in ischemic stroke patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). After adjusting for other risk factors (such as hypertension, diabetes, tobacco smoking, and alcohol consumption), the E‐selectin gene AC genotype and C allele of A561C were still associated with a risk of ischemic stroke (odds ratio [OR] = 2.73, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29–5.76, P = 0.008; OR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.58–4.94, P < 0.001, respectively). Our current study demonstrates that the E‐selectin SNP A561C is associated with increased risk for the development of ischemic stroke in this subset of the Han Chinese population. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CcpA and three newly identified proteins are involved in biofilm development in Lactobacillus plantarum
Authors: Muscariello Lidia , Marino Carlo , Capri Ugo , Vastano Valeria , Marasco Rosangela , Sacco Margherita
Published: May 2012

The aim of this study was to identify genes involved in biofilm development in the probiotic lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum. The ability of L. plantarum LM3 and of some derivative mutant strains to form biofilm has been investigated. Biofilm microtitre plate assays showed that L. plantarum LM3‐2, carrying a null mutation in the ccpA gene, coding the CcpA master regulator, was partially impaired in biofilm production compared to wild type (LM3). Moreover, we found three genes in the L. plantarum genome, hereby named flmA, flmB, and flmC, whose deduced amino acid sequences show significant identity with the Streptococcus mutans BrpA (biofilm regulatory protein A). We investigated the role of FlmA, FlmB, and FlmC in biofilm formation by isolating strains carrying null mutations in the corresponding genes. Our results suggest involvement of the Flm proteins in biofilm development. Moreover, transcriptional studies show that expression of flmA, flmB, and flmC is under the control of CcpA. These results, together with the reduced ability of LM3‐2 (ccpA1) to form biofilm, strongly suggest a positive role of the master regulator CcpA in biofilm development.
The apoptosis pathway and the genetic predisposition to Achilles tendinopathy
Authors: Nell Erica‐Mari , van der Merwe Lize , Cook Jill , Handley Christopher J. , Collins Malcolm , September Alison V.
Published: May 2012

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a degenerative condition for which several risk factors have been implicated including components of the inflammatory pathway. The aim was to assess functional variants within genes encoding components of the apoptosis signaling cascade and the effectiveness of a polygenic apoptosis profile to capture tendinopathy (TEN) risk. A total of 358 unaffected control (CON) participants [159 South Africa (SA CON) and 199 Australia (AUS CON)] and 166 affected AT (TEN) participants (87 SA TEN and 79 AUS TEN) were genotyped for four variants [CASP8 (rs384129), CASP8 (rs1045485), NOS3 (rs1799983), and NOS2 (rs2779249)]. Logistic regression was used to derive risk models for AT. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to determine the effectiveness of a model to capture AT risk. This study indicates the independent association of CASP8_rs1045485 and CASP8_rs3834129 as well as their haplotype with AT risk and the identification of an optimal model which included genetic loci CASP8_rs384129 and CASP8_rs1045485 together with sex to capture AT risk in both SA and AUS. Collectively, these results further implicate the apoptosis signaling cascade as one of the biological pathways involved in the development of AT. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1719–1724, 2012
In situ Raman monitoring of materials under irradiation: study of uranium dioxide alteration by water radiolysis
Authors: Canizarès A. , Guimbretière G. , Tobon Y. A. , Raimboux N. , Omnée R. , Perdicakis M. , Muzeau B. , Leoni E. , Alam M. S. , Mendes E. , Simon D. , Matzen G. , Corbel C. , Barthe M. F. , Simon P.
Published: May 2012

In situ Raman scattering studies allow following real‐time evolutions of volume or surface structures under extreme conditions. In nuclear materials sciences, ion irradiation‐induced atomic organization modification and water radiolysis are of a major interest. In order to better understand these phenomena, we have developed an in situ versatile portable Raman spectroscopy system coupled with a cyclotron accelerator, allowing monitoring of a solid/liquid interface under irradiation and thus giving access to effects of radiolysis. The different parts of the system and their improvements are described in details.

The system efficiency is highlighted by a comparative study of the time dependence of UO2 surface modification induced, on one hand by contact with water under irradiation by 5 MeV He2+ particles, and on the other hand by pure chemical alteration, through contact with a hydrogen peroxide solution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epidemiology of pancreatic cancer and the role of family history
Authors: Olson Sara H. , Kurtz Robert C.
Published: May 2012

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease for which only a small number of risk factors have been identified. In addition to older age, male gender, and black race, risk factors include smoking, obesity, long‐standing diabetes and pancreatitis, and heavy alcohol use; allergies such as hay fever are related to lowered risk. Several genetic syndromes increase risk of pancreatic cancer. Work on more common genetic variants promises to reveal more potentially important genetic associations. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:1–7. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling gradient elution in countercurrent chromatography: Efficient separation of tanshinones from Salvia miltiorrhizaBunge
Authors: Wu Shihua , Wu Dingfang , Liang Junling , Berthod Alain
Published: May 2012

Countercurrent chromatography (CCC) is a support‐free liquid–liquid chromatography using centrifugal fields to hold the liquid stationary phase. CCC has been widely applied in the separation of various natural and synthetic components using a variety of biphasic liquid systems. The related hexane or heptane/ethyl acetate/methanol or ethanol/water biphasic liquid systems demonstrated their significance in CCC. Gradient is difficult in CCC since any composition change in one phase induces a composition change of the other phase to maintain phase equilibrium. This work provides a new insight into linear gradient elution in CCC that is feasible with some biphasic liquid systems such as selected compositions of the hexane/ethyl acetate/ethanol/water systems. The equations modeling solute motion inside the CCC column are proposed. Particular compositions of the liquid system, namely the hexane/ethyl acetate/ethanol/water 8:2:E:W compositions with E + W = 10, were studied from W = 1 to 9. They showed moderate changes in the upper organic phase compositions. The model is tested with the separation of tanshinones from the rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Different linear solvent gradient profiles were experimentally performed between 8:2:5:5 and 8:2:3:7 compositions and the results were evaluated using the proposed model. Five tanshinones including dihydrotanshinone I, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I, 1,2‐dihydrotanshinquinone, and tanshinone IIA have been successfully separated (>95% purities) using a gradient profile optimized by the developed model. The gradient model can be used only with biphasic liquid systems in which one phase shows minimum composition changes when the other phase composition changes notably. This case is not the general case for biphasic liquid systems but can be applied with specific compositions of the quaternary hexane or heptane/ethyl acetate/methanol or ethanol/water most useful CCC liquid systems.
Highly selective stir bar coated with dummy molecularly imprinted polymers for trace analysis of bisphenol A in milk
Authors: Zhan Wen , Wei Fangdi , Xu Guanhong , Cai Zheng , Du Shuhu , Zhou Xuemin , Li Fei , Hu Qin
Published: May 2012

A water compatible molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) coated stir bar for bisphenol A(BPA) was prepared with 3,3′,5,5′‐tetrabromobisphenol A as the dummy template molecule in this study. The dummy molecularly imprinted polymers coated stir bar (DMIPs‐SB) showed better selectivity than the bars coated with polydimethylsiloxane or non‐imprinted polymers when used to extract BPA and its three analogues. The saturated adsorption amount of the DMIPs coating was 3.0 times over that of the non‐imprinted polymers coating. To achieve the optimum extraction performance, several parameters, including extraction and desorption time, pH value, adsorption temperature and stirring speed were investigated. The high‐performance liquid chromatography combined with the DMIPs‐SB was employed in the analysis of BPA in aqueous solution. The linear range of BPA concentration in aqueous medium was 0.0228–2.28 ng/mL with correlation coefficient of 0.9994 and the detection limit was about 6.84 × 10−3 ng/mL based on three times ratio of signal to noise. This method was directly applied to the determination of trace BPA in milk with satisfactory results.
Preparation of weak cation exchange packings for chromatographic separation of proteins using ``click chemistry''
Authors: Zhao Kailou , Bai Quan , Song Chao , Wang Fei , Yang Fan
Published: May 2012

“Click chemistry” is defined as a class of robust and selective chemical reactions affording high yields and is tolerant to a variety of solvents (including water), functional groups, and air. In this study, click chemistry was used as an effective strategy for coupling three alkyne‐carboxylic acids onto the azide‐silica to obtain three novel stationary phases of weak cation exchange chromatography, which were characterized with FTIR and elemental analysis. Six kinds of standard proteins, such as myoglobin, RNase A, RNase B, cytochrome C, α‐chymotrypsin A, and lysozyme, were separated completely with the three novel weak cation exchange chromatography stationary phases. Compared with commercial weak cation exchange chromatography columns, the three kinds of novel weak cation exchange chromatography packings prepared by click chemistry approach have better resolution and selectivity. The mass recovery of more than 97% was obtained for all the tested proteins, and the bioactivity recovery of lysozyme on the prepared column was determined to be 96%. In addition, lysozyme was purified successfully from egg white with the novel weak cation exchange chromatography column by one step. The purity was more than 97% and a high specific activity was achieved to be 81 435 U/mg. The results illustrate the potential of click chemistry for preparing stationary phase for ion‐exchange chromatography.
Dissociative experiences as mediators between childhood trauma and auditory hallucinations
Authors: Perona‐Garcelán Salvador , Carrascoso‐ López Francisco , García‐Montes José M. , Ductor‐Recuerda María Jesús , López Jiménez Ana Ma , Vallina‐Fernández Oscar , Pérez‐Álvarez Marino , Gómez‐Gómez María Teresa
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this work was to study the relationship between reported traumatic experiences in childhood and positive psychotic symptoms. We hypothesized that dissociative experiences were potential mediators between childhood trauma and hallucinations, but not delusions. The sample comprised 71 patients diagnosed with psychoses. They were assessed with the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES‐II; Carlson & Putnam, 1993), a questionnaire on trauma (TQ; Davidson, Hughes, & Blazer, 1990), and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS; Kay, Opler, & Lindenmayer, 1988) delusions and hallucinations items. The results showed that childhood trauma was positively associated with the dissociation scale scores (r = .40) and also the hallucination (r = .36) and delusions scale scores (r = .32). Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the dissociation variable was a potential mediator between childhood trauma and hallucinations, but not between childhood trauma and delusions. Of the 3 DES‐II factors, only depersonalization showed a mediating relationship between childhood trauma and hallucinations. The main conclusion is that the impact of childhood trauma on hallucinations may not simply be direct, but mediated by dissociative experiences, especially depersonalization. Clinical implications are also briefly discussed.
Spinal charcot‐marie‐tooth disease: A reappraisal
Authors: Devic Perrine , Petiot Philippe , Mauguière François
Published: May 2012

Introduction: Distal hereditary motor neuropathy (dHMN) is characterized by isolated distal muscle atrophy without sensory deficit. Nevertheless, clinical sensory loss has been reported despite preserved sensory nerve conduction in a few patients, thus differentiating these cases from the classical type 2 Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT2). Methods: We report 4 patients who presented with clinical sensory and motor neuropathy and normal peripheral sensory nerve conduction studies and were investigated with complete electrophysiological studies, including somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP). Results: These patients had a clinical presentation of classical CMT with isolated axonal motor neuropathy suggestive of dHMN. Interestingly, tibial nerve SEPs showed abnormalities suggestive of proximal involvement of dorsal roots that may explain the clinical somatosensory disturbances. Conclusions: These cases support the concept of spinal CMT that should be recognized as an intermediate form between dHMN and CMT2. SEP recording was helpful in defining a more precise phenotype of spinal CMT. Muscle Nerve 46: 603–607, 2012
Comparative experimental measurements of jute fiber/polypropylene and coir fiber/polypropylene composites as ionizing radiation
Authors: Zaman Haydar U. , Khan Mubarak A. , Khan Ruhul A.
Published: May 2012

Jute and coir fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites (45 wt% fiber) were prepared by compression molding. Composites were fabricated with irradiated jute fiber/irradiated PP and irradiated coir fiber/irradiated PP at different doses (250–1,000 krad). It was revealed that jute‐based composites had better mechanical properties as compared to coir‐based composites. Interfacial shear strength of jute/PP and coir/PP systems was measured by using the single‐fiber fragmentation test. Scanning electron microscopy investigation shows poor fiber matrix adhesion for coir‐based composites than that of jute‐based composites. Water uptake and soil degradation tests of the composites were also performed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Isothermal crystallization and melting behaviors of nano TiO2‐modified polypropylene/polyamide 6 blends
Authors: Ou Baoli , Ou Yangjian , Li Duxin , Jing Bo , Gao Yong , Zhou Zhihua , Liu Qingquan
Published: May 2012

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were functionalized with toluene‐2,4‐diisocyanate and then polypropylene/polyamide 6/(PP/PA6) blends containing functionalized‐TiO2 were prepared using a twin screw extruder. Isothermal crystallization and melting behavior of the as‐prepared composites were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. Isothermal crystallization analysis shows that the TiO2 nanoparticles have two effects on PP/PA6 blends, i.e., it can favor the improvement of crystallization ability and decrease the crystallization rate of PP/PA6 blends. The improvement of crystallization ability is superior over decreasement of crystallization rate of PA6 chains caused by TiO2, therefore PA6 in PP/PA6/TiO2 nanocomposites have higher crystallization rate than that of PA6 in pure PP/PA6 blends, which indicated TiO2 nanoparticles favored the crystallization of PA6. The TiO2 nanoparticles show no effects on the equilibrium melting temperature (T) values of PP phase but decreases the T values of PA6 phase. In addition, the TiO2 nanoparticles did not change the crystalline polymorph of PP/PA6 blends basically; however, favored the formation of β‐PP. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Study on the Range of Particles Size Measured by Backscattering Method in Visual‐infrared Incident Spectrum
Authors: Xing Jian , Sun Weimin , Sun Xiaogang , Rana R. S.
Published: May 2012

For the measurement of particles size with backscattering method, the suitable range of particles size measurement have been presented by independent algorithm in Visual‐infrared incident spectrum. We defined the range according to the retrieved results based on the analysis and comparison to many kinds of R‐R distribution function. The simulation computation results showed that the particles size measurement range is from 0.05 μm to 18 μm with incident spectrum from 0.4 μm to 2 μm and different refractive index. The results retrieved were satisfied even if 1 % noise was added into the backscattering intensity.
Electromagnetic inductance plethysmography to measure tidal breathing in preterm and term infants
Authors: Pickerd N. , Williams E.M. , Kotecha S.
Published: May 2012

Tidal breathing measurements which provide a non‐invasive measure of lung function in preterm and term infants are particularly useful to guide respiratory support. We used a new technique of electromagnetic inductance plethysmography (EIP) to measure tidal breathing in infants between 32 and 42 weeks postconceptional age (PCA). Tidal breathing was measured in 49 healthy spontaneously breathing infants between 32 and 42 weeks PCA. The weight‐corrected tidal volume (VT) and minute volume (MV) decreased with advancing PCA (VT 6.5 ± 1.5 ml/kg and MV 0.44 ± 0.04 L/kg/min at 32–33 weeks, respectively; 6.3 ± 0.9 ml/kg and 0.38 ± 0.02 L/kg/min at 34–36 weeks; and 5.1 ± 1.1 ml/kg and 0.28 ± 0.02 L/kg/min at term, VT P < 0.001 and MV P < 0.01 for 32–33 weeks PCA vs. term; VT P = 0.016 and MV P = 0.015 for 34–36 weeks PCA vs. term). Respiratory frequency and the phase angle decreased significantly with advancing PCA but the flow parameter tPTEF/tE did not change significantly. Using a new technique to measure tidal breathing parameters in newborn infants, our data confirms its usability in clinical practice and establishes normative data which can guide future respiratory management of newborn infants. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:160–167. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of LED materials using dynamic SIMS
Authors: Peres P. , Merkulov A. , Choi S. Y. , Desse F. , Schuhmacher M.
Published: May 2012

Improving the manufacturing yield in light emitting diode highly competitive market requires process control strategy similar to what has been applied to integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing for years. Dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is a key analytical technique, as it provides depth profiles with excellent detection sensitivity for dopants and impurities, while keeping high analysis throughput. Dynamic SIMS data obtained using the CAMECA IMS 7f will be presented. Based on a double focusing magnetic sector mass spectrometer, this instrument achieves benchmark performance in terms of sensitivity, depth resolution and mass resolution. Depth profiling and detection limits for dopants as well as for light elements will be shown. A method for evaluating the light elements content on high purity samples will also be detailed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extending decoupled software pipeline to parallelize Java programs
Authors: Loureiro André , Porto João Paulo , Araujo Guido
Published: May 2012

Programmers can no longer rely solely on micro‐architectural and technology improvements to have their programs running faster. In today's multicore chips, parallel code needs to be explicitly written to extract any benefits from the extra available processing power. A recently proposed technique to parallelize general‐purpose programs' loops at the binary level, called decoupled software pipeline (DSWP), has shown good performance numbers only under the assumption of a fast hardware intercore communication queue. In this paper, we propose Java‐DSWP, a source‐level DSWP‐based parallelization technique that is much simpler than original DSWP and can be used to effectively parallelize Java applications. In addition, we propose and evaluate a software intercore communication scheme that enables code parallelized through Java‐DSWP to be executed in commodity machines, thus not requiring a hardware intercore communication queue to be efficient, as DSWP does. We analyze three memory communication queue implementations and show experimental results that reveal an average 48% speedup on some SPCjvm2008 benchmarks. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.