bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular viral epidemiology and clinical characterization of acute febrile respiratory infections in hospitalized children in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Chun‐Yi , Chang Yu‐Fen , Lee Chia‐Lin , Wu Meng‐Che , Ho Chi‐Lin , Chang Yu‐Chuan , Chan Yu‐Jiun
Published: June 2015

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a leading cause of morbidity and hospitalization in children. To profile the viruses causing ARI in children admitted to a community‐based hospital in central Taiwan, a cross‐sectional study was conducted on children under 14 years of age that were hospitalized with febrile ARI. Viral etiology was determined using conventional cell culture and a commercial respiratory virus panel fast assay (xTAG RVP), capable of detecting 19 different respiratory viruses and subtype targets. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded and analyzed. The RVP fast assay identified at least one respiratory virus in 130 of the 216 specimens examined (60.2%) and rose to 137 (63.4%) by combining the results of cell culture and RVP fast assay. In order of frequency, the etiological agents identified were, rhinovirus/enterovirus (24.6%), respiratory syncytial virus (13.8%), adenovirus (11.5%), parainfluenza virus (9.2%), influenza B (8.4%), influenza A (5.4%), human metapneumovirus (4.6%), human coronavirus (2%), and human bocavirus (2%). Co‐infection did not result in an increase in clinical severity. The RVP assay detected more positive specimens, but failed to detect 6 viruses identified by culture. The viral detection rate for the RVP assay was affected by how many days after admission the samples were taken (P = 0.03). In conclusion, Rhinovirus/enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus were prevalent in this study by adopting RVP assay. The viral detection rate is influenced by sampling time, especially if the tests are performed during the first three days of hospitalization. J. Med. Virol. 87:1860–1866, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Viral load of patients with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Argentina
Authors: Bellomo Carla María , Pires‐Marczeski Fanny Clara , Padula Paula Julieta
Published: June 2015

Hantavirus causes severe illness including pneumonia, which leads to hospitalization and often death. At present, there is no specific treatment available. The hantavirus pathogenesis is not well understood, but most likely both virus‐mediated and host‐mediated mechanisms, are involved. The aim of this study was to correlate viral load in samples of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases and hantavirus infected individuals, with clinical epidemiological parameters and disease outcome. The variables that could potentially be related with viral load were analyzed. The retrospective study included 73 cases or household contacts, with different clinical evolution. Viral load was measured by reverse‐transcription and real time polymerase chain reaction. There was no statistically significant association between blood viral RNA levels and severity of disease. However, viral load was inversely correlated with IgG response in a statistically significant manner. The level of viral RNA was significantly higher in patients infected with Andes virus South lineage, and was markedly low in persons infected with Laguna Negra virus. These results suggest that the infecting viral genotype is associated with disease severity, and that high viral load is associated with a low specific IgG response. Sex, age and disease severity were not related with viral load. Further investigations increasing strikingly the number of cases and also limiting the variables to be studied are necessary. J. Med. Virol. 87:1823–1830, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Supervisor monitoring and subordinate innovation
Authors: Liao Eko Yi , Chun Hui
Published: June 2015

This study introduces a new and parsimonious classification of supervisor monitoring (observational monitoring and interactional monitoring) and examines the effects of these two monitoring styles on subordinate innovation. Guided by social exchange theory, we propose that the two monitoring styles influence subordinate job attitudes (trust and distrust in their supervisor), relationship quality (leader–member exchange), and work behaviors (feedback‐seeking behaviors), which, in turn, affect their innovation. The pilot study developed the scales for the two monitoring styles and tested their content validity among 189 undergraduate students. Using a sample of 385 subordinates, Study 1 assessed the construct validity of the two monitoring styles. In Study 2, the results of a survey of 388 supervisor–subordinate dyads show support for the proposed theoretical model. Specifically, observational monitoring and interactional monitoring were related to subordinates' trust and distrust in their supervisor. Trust and distrust in the supervisor, in turn, were related to the quality of the leader–member exchange, feedback‐seeking behaviors, and ultimately, supervisor‐rated innovation. These findings suggest that supervisors' monitoring styles have both positive and negative effects on their subordinates' innovation, which depends on the type of monitoring supervisors engage in. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A preliminary study to investigate the biogeophysical impact of desertification on climate based on different latitudinal bands
Authors: Wang Ye , Yan Xiaodong , Wang Zhaomin
Published: June 2015

Desertification is an international environmental challenge which poses a risk to portions of over 100 countries. Research into desertification and climate change has the potential to contribute to natural resources management and adaptation to climatic and other changes in Earth systems. An Earth system model of intermediate complexity (EMIC), the McGill Paleoclimate Model‐2 (MPM‐2) was used to explore the climatic biogeophysical effects of desertification in different latitude bands from 1700 to 2000 AD. It was found that latitudinal‐band desertification attributable to forest and grass removal caused global cooling, land surface albedo increasing and precipitation reduction in the Northern Hemisphere as well as heat transport increasing in global ocean. These results highlighted global climate reaction to local desertification and demonstrated that the location of the desertification projected a potentially differential impact on local and global climate. That was, desertification in 0°–15°N gave a somewhat minor effect on global and local climate; desertification in 45°–60°N caused a significant reduction in global temperature while desertification in 15°–30°N induced a prominent reduction in local temperature. In response to desertification, surface albedo change as a forcing was the dominant biogeophysical driver of climate over the Northern Hemisphere while precipitation change as a response was probably the primary driver of climate over the Southern Hemisphere. Overall, the regional desertification may cause a global climatic effect, especially concerning desert expansion along the 15°–30°N and 45°–60°N latitude bands, which led to a more prominent effect on the Earth's climate and even oceanic circulation. The results of this study provide useful information when comparing the effects of desertification in different latitude bands on climate.
Raman spectra of Ni–Mg kerolite: effect of Ni–Mg substitution on O–H stretching vibrations
Authors: Cathelineau Michel , Caumon Marie‐Camille , Massei Frédéric , Brie David , Harlaux Matthieu
Published: June 2015

The Ni‐rich mineral phases constituting the Ni‐ores in New Caledonia are dominated in most cases by kerolite–pimelite series, also called talc‐like minerals. Despite their economic and geologic interests, the crystallographic structures of these minerals are not fully understood. In order to improve the knowledge of their crystallographic structure, a set of natural talc‐like minerals of varying Ni/Mg ratio was selected. A combination of SEM, EMPA, TEM, and Raman analysis shows that the studied mineral contains only one mineral phase identified as the kerolite–pimelite series. Although kerolite and pimelite are not currently recognized as distinct minerals by the IMA, this study shows that these minerals exist as distinct minerals without any mixed layering with other mineral phases such as serpentine or other sheet silicates. The solid solution between the Ni and Mg endmembers was complete without any gap, corresponding to a Ni–Mg substitution in the octahedral sheet. The Raman spectra in the OH stretching vibration region of representative samples covering the whole range of Ni–Mg substitution show a continuous and significant evolution from the Mg to the Ni endmember. The signal was decomposed into nine Gaussian–Lorentzian functions, but the large overlapping of the peaks and the complexity of the band structure prevent any interpretation of the spectra from a structural point of view. Finally, the problem is formalized as a multivariate curve resolution (MCR) which is solved using the Bayesian Positive Source Separation (BPSS) algorithm. This reveals that four possible arrangements of Ni and Mg in the octahedral sheet are encountered, and these arrangements are dependent on the Ni–Mg substitution rate. It also confirms that Raman microspectroscopy can be very efficient in quick evaluation of the Ni content of the mineral. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical and organoleptic characteristics of tomato purée enriched with lyophilized tomato pomace
Authors: Previtera Lucio , Fucci Gabriella , De Marco Anna , Romanucci Valeria , Di Fabio Giovanni , Zarrelli Armando
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies have proved that tomato consumption is associated with a lower risk of developing several diseases (for example, certain types of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, macular degeneration, age‐related eye disease). Many micronutrients and bioactive compounds are mainly present in peel and seeds and are lost during the processing into sauce, purée, paste and juice.

RESULTS

The addition of lyophilized and powdered tomato pomace enhances the properties of purée. In this paper we report the chemical and physicochemical characterization of a purée enriched with 2% dry pomace. Comparison of the analytical data of starting purée with the enriched purée showed a significant increase of all micronutrients, without the taste and appearance being compromised or altered negatively.

CONCLUSION

The product obtained is an example of a functional food rich in health‐promoting phytochemicals, with the significant aspect of recovering a waste fraction of the tomato processing that would normally be disposed of in landfill, with associated costs and environmental impact. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Decomposition and detoxification of aflatoxin B1 by lactic acid
Authors: Aiko Visenuo , Edamana Prasad , Mehta Alka
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

A degradation study of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was carried out using a combination of physical and chemical methods. AFB1 was heated at 80 °C in the presence of acetic, citric and lactic acids for various time periods. The cytotoxicity of the degraded AFB1 and its products were determined by MTT assay.

RESULTS

The results showed that among the three organic acids lactic acid was most efficient in degrading AFB1. Although complete degradation was not observed, up to 85% degradation of AFB1 was obtained when heated for 120 min. Degradation of AFB1 was confirmed by the reduced toxicity on HeLa cells using MTT assay. Treatment with lactic acid resulted in the conversion of AFB1 into two degradation products. These products were observed at lower retention factors of 0.63 and 0.38, which were identified as AFB2 and AFB2a, respectively. The cytotoxicity of AFB2a exhibited much reduced toxicity on HeLa cells compared to that of AFB1.

CONCLUSION

The results have shown the efficiency of lactic acid in degrading AFB1. This study suggest that lactic acid may be considered for use in the food and feed industry since it is present naturally in food and is considered safe. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
A review on flow characterization methods for cereal grain‐based powders
Authors: Ambrose RP Kingsly , Jan Shumaila , Siliveru Kaliramesh
Published: June 2015

Flow difficulties during handling, storage, and processing are common in cereal grain‐based powder industries. The many studies that focus on the flow properties of powders can be classified as flow indicators, shear properties, and dynamic flow properties. The non‐uniformity of physical and chemical characteristics of the individual particles that make up the bulk solid of cereal grain‐based powders adds complexity to the characterization of flow behavior. Even so, knowledge of flow behavior is critical to the design of productive and cost‐effective equipment for handling and processing of these powders. Because many factors influence flow, a single property/index value may not satisfactorily quantify the flow or no‐flow of powders. For powders of biological origin, chemical composition and environmental factors such as temperature and relative humidity complicate flow characterization. This review focuses on the specific flow characteristics that directly affect powder flow during handling, processing, and storage. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Physiological responses to low temperature in spring and winter wheat varieties
Authors: Zhang Bin , Jia Dong , Gao Zhiqiang , Dong Qi , He Liheng
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

Northward expansion of winter wheat is an efficient means to improve crop yield and quality in many countries. However, inadequate cold hardiness restricts the northward expansion of winter wheat. This study aimed to investigate cold adaption of different wheat varieties and underlying physiological mechanism.

RESULTS

In the field experiment, soluble sugar and proline content, relative electric conductivity (EC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were higher in wheat varieties in the overwintering period than those in the pre‐wintering period. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was lower in the overwintering period than in the pre‐wintering period and spring growth period. Photosynthetic rate was reduced dramatically in the winter variety (Suyin 10), weak winter variety (Lumai 22) and spring (Jinchun 9) variety after low‐temperature treatment. Cold treatment inhibited stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr). Influences of high‐temperature treatment and cold acclimation after vernalization were further analyzed in the greenhouse in wheat variety Jinghe 1. High‐temperature treatment after vernalization significantly inhibited SOD and peroxidase activities in the vernalized plants, while cold acclimation after vernalization enhanced peroxidase activity.

CONCLUSION

Cold tolerance of wheat varieties may be associated with effective osmoregulation ability, photosynthetic capacity, Gs and Tr, as well as activity of antioxidant enzymes. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Determination of diflubenzuron and chlorbenzuron in fruits by combining acetonitrile‐based extraction with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Ruan Chunqiang , Zhao Xiang , Liu Chenglan
Published: June 2015

In this study, a simple and low‐organic‐solvent‐consuming method combining an acetonitrile‐partitioning extraction procedure followed by “quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe” cleanup with ionic‐liquid‐based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection was developed for the determination of diflubenzuron and chlorbenzuron in grapes and pears. Ionic‐liquid‐based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was performed using the ionic liquid 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate as the extractive solvent and acetonitrile extract as the dispersive solvent. The main factors influencing the efficiency of the dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction were evaluated, including the extractive solvent type and volume and the dispersive solvent volume. The validation parameters indicated the suitability of the method for routine analyses of benzoylurea insecticides in a large number of samples. The relative recoveries at three spiked levels ranged between 98.6 and 109.3% with relative standard deviations of less than 5.2%. The limit of detection was 0.005 mg/kg for the two insecticides. The proposed method was successfully used for the rapid determination of diflubenzuron and chlorbenzuron residues in real fruit samples.
Up in Smoke? The Impact of Smog on Risk Perception and Satisfaction of International Tourists in Beijing
Authors: Li Jing , Pearce Philip L. , Morrison Alastair M. , Wu Bihu
Published: June 2015

This research explored the perceptions of on‐site international tourists towards the smog in Beijing. A scale measuring the degree of tourists' concern about smog conditions was developed. The links among smog concern, risk perception, trip satisfaction and destination loyalty were tested with a structural equation model. Direct relationships were found for the hypothesized effects of smog concern on risk perception and satisfaction. Further, the influence of risk perception on reducing satisfaction as well as the role of satisfaction in forming revisit intention (loyalty) was identified. The broad concerns of this study are applicable across all key Chinese tourism cities visited by international tourists. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Olive Husk Compost Improves the Quality of Intensively Cultivated Agricultural Soils
Authors: Moreno María Teresa , Carmona Eusebio , de Santiago Ana , Ordovás José , Delgado Antonio
Published: June 2015

Organic amendments improve the quality of degraded cultivated agricultural soils. In this work, we examined the impact of an olive husk compost (OHC) on quality‐related physical, chemical and biochemical properties of intensively managed greenhouse soil. To this end, a completely randomized block experiment involving a single factor and two treatments (viz., annual application of OHC at 30 Mg ha−1 or no application) with three replications was used for 5 years. The effect of the compost was studied at two soil depths (0–10 and 10–25 cm) and two positions relative to crop rows (viz., on rows and between rows). Application of OHC increased soil organic matter (SOM) content, which is consistent with the low degradation rate of the compost in soil and confirms its usefulness as a source of organic C for soil. Increased SOM content resulted in decreased bulk density, and also in increased porosity and available water in the soil. The amendment was also an effective source of nutrients, particularly N, P, K and Ca, the last of which contributed to decrease exchangeable Na levels in the soil surface layer. The compost increased the activity of all enzymes studied except urease. This result can be ascribed to increased microbial activity, the presence of enzymes in the compost and their stabilization by organic matter and clay in the soil. Dehydrogenase and phosphatase were the individual enzyme activities in the soil, which were correlated with the largest number of soil properties favourably affected by OHC. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
End‐ischemic machine perfusion reduces bile duct injury in donation after circulatory death rat donor livers independent of the machine perfusion temperature
Authors: Westerkamp Andrie C. , Mahboub Paria , Meyer Sophie L. , Hottenrott Maximilia , Ottens Petra J. , Wiersema‐Buist Janneke , Gouw Annette S. H. , Lisman Ton , Leuvenink Henri G. D. , Porte Robert J.
Published: June 2015

A short period of oxygenated machine perfusion (MP) after static cold storage (SCS) may reduce biliary injury in donation after cardiac death (DCD) donor livers. However, the ideal perfusion temperature for protection of the bile ducts is unknown. In this study, the optimal perfusion temperature for protection of the bile ducts was assessed. DCD rat livers were preserved by SCS for 6 hours. Thereafter, 1 hour of oxygenated MP was performed using either hypothermic machine perfusion, subnormothermic machine perfusion, or with controlled oxygenated rewarming (COR) conditions. Subsequently, graft and bile duct viability were assessed during 2 hours of normothermic ex situ reperfusion. In the MP study groups, lower levels of transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were measured compared to SCS. In parallel, mitochondrial oxygen consumption and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production were significantly higher in the MP groups. Biomarkers of biliary function, including bile production, biliary bicarbonate concentration, and pH, were significantly higher in the MP groups, whereas biomarkers of biliary epithelial injury (biliary gamma‐glutamyltransferase [GGT] and LDH), were significantly lower in MP preserved livers. Histological analysis revealed less injury of large bile duct epithelium in the MP groups compared to SCS. In conclusion, compared to SCS, end‐ischemic oxygenated MP of DCD livers provides better preservation of biliary epithelial function and morphology, independent of the temperature at which MP is performed. End‐ischemic oxygenated MP could reduce biliary injury after DCD liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 21:1300‐1311, 2015. © 2015 AASLD.
Promoting Cell Survival and Proliferation in Degradable Poly(vinyl alcohol)–Tyramine Hydrogels
Authors: Lim Khoon S. , Ramaswamy Yogambha , Roberts Justine J. , Alves Marie‐Helene , Poole‐Warren Laura A. , Martens Penny J.
Published: June 2015

A photopolymerizable‐tyraminated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA‐Tyr) system that has the ability to covalently bind proteins in their native state was evaluated as a platform for cell encapsulation. However, a key hurdle to this system is the radicals generated during the cross‐linking that can cause oxidative stress to the cells. This research hypothesized that incorporation of anti‐oxidative proteins (sericin and gelatin) into PVA‐Tyr gels would mitigate any toxicity caused by the radicals. The results showed that although incorporation of 1 wt% sericin promoted survival of the fibroblasts, both sericin and gelatin acted synergistically to facilitate long‐term 3D cell function. The encapsulated cells formed clusters with deposition of laminin and collagen, as well as remaining metabolically active after 21 d.
Cellular Uptake Behavior of Doxorubicin‐Conjugated Nanodiamond Clusters for Efficient Cancer Therapy
Authors: Ryu Tae‐Kyung , Lee Gyoung‐Ja , Rhee Chang‐Kyu , Choi Sung‐Wook
Published: June 2015

This paper describes the design and fabrication of doxorubicin (Dox)‐conjugated nanodiamond (ND) clusters with controlled sizes and cellular uptake behaviors of free Dox and Dox‐conjugated ND clusters. The ND clusters with an average size of 45.84 nm exhibited a higher amount of cellular uptake as compared to the ND clusters with larger sizes. The amount of Dox taken up as free Dox increased initially and then decreased over time. In contrast, the amount of Dox taken up as Dox‐ND clusters continuously increased and reached a plateau, resulting in high ablation efficiency. At the same Dox concentration, the cell viabilities after treatment with free Dox and Dox‐ND clusters were 26.38 and 5.31%, respectively. The Dox‐ND clusters potentially could be employed as efficient drug carriers for efficient cancer therapy.
In‐patient multidisciplinary rehabilitation for Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Monticone Marco , Ambrosini Emilia , Laurini Alessandro , Rocca Barbara , Foti Calogero
Published: June 2015

Purpose

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of an inpatient 2‐month multidisciplinary rehabilitative program of task‐oriented exercises, cognitive–behavioral training, and occupational therapy on motor impairment, activities of daily living, and quality of life (QoL) in subjects with long‐duration Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

Subjects were randomly selected for an experimental (multidisciplinary rehabilitative care) and a control group (general physiotherapy) and were assessed before treatment, after 8 weeks (post‐treatment), and 12 months after the end of treatment. Medications were not adjusted during training. Outcome measures were the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Part III (primary outcome), the Berg Balance Scale, the Functional Independence Measure, and the 39‐Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire. A linear mixed model for repeated measures was used for each outcome.

Results

Seventy subjects with PD (46 females; mean age, 74 ± 7 years; mean disease duration,15 ± 3 years, modified Hoehn & Yahr stage, 2.5‐4) were randomized, 64 completed the study (experimental = 32; control = 32). A significant effect of time, group, and time by group interaction were noted for all outcomes. The primary outcome showed a between‐group difference in favor of the experimental group of 25 points after training, which was maintained at follow‐up. After training, the Berg Balance Scale score of the experimental group was greater than 43.5, a value previously identified as a cutoff between fallers and nonfallers for subjects with PD.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that multidisciplinary rehabilitative care is useful in changing the course of motor impairment, balance, activities of daily living, and QoL. The effects lasted for at least 1 y after the intervention. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Educational attainment and motor burden in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kotagal Vikas , Bohnen Nicolaas I. , Müller Martijn L.T.M. , Koeppe Robert A. , Frey Kirk A. , Langa Kenneth M. , Albin Roger L.
Published: June 2015

Objective

Greater educational attainment is a protective factor for neurodegenerative dementias. If education earlier in life leads to greater cerebral reserve, it may play a similar protective role in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional clinical imaging study of 142 subjects with PD. All subjects underwent [11C]dihydrotetrabenazine PET to confirm nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation and brain MRI to estimate adjusted cortical gray matter volume (GMV).

Results

After adjusting for possible confounders, including cognitive and dopaminergic covariates, as well as nonspecific neurodegeneration covariates (age, disease duration, and total adjusted cortical GMV), lower years of education remained a significant predictor of higher total MDS‐UPDRS motor score (t = −3.28; P = 0.001). Education level associated inversely with white matter (WM) hyperintensities in a post‐hoc analysis (n = 83).

Conclusions

Higher educational attainment is associated with lower severity of motor impairment in PD. This association may reflect an extranigral protective effect upon WM integrity.
Preparation and properties of paper–plastic laminating adhesive used for medical packaging materials
Authors: Chen Huiqin , Jiang Baoheng , Cai Zhi‐Qi
Published: June 2015

Paper–plastic packaging materials have become important materials in the printing industry. Water‐based paper–plastic laminating adhesive is a new type of adhesive that has been widely applied in the modern packaging and printing industry. The adhesive used for medical packaging materials asked for higher performance, such as stability, peel strength, and aging resistance, so there is a large necessity in developing an environment‐friendly paper–plastic laminating adhesive with excellent performance. Wax emulsion, natural latex and waterborne polyurethane emulsion are mixed in the experiment, while epoxy resin emulsion was added to blending modification. The paper discusses the influence of the dosage of epoxy resin emulsion, wax emulsion, and waterborne polyurethane emulsion for T‐peel strength and paper breakage rate; also, the storage stability of the emulsion, partical size, and partical size distribution and differential scanning calorimeter are tested to determine the best prescription of the paper–plastic adhesive. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Defective erythropoiesis in a mouse model of reduced Fbxo7 expression due to decreased p27 expression
Authors: Randle Suzanne J , Nelson David E , Patel Shachi P , Laman Heike
Published: June 2015

During the final stages of erythropoiesis, lineage‐restricted progenitors mature over three to five cell divisions, culminating with withdrawal from the cell cycle and the loss of most organelles, including mitochondria and nuclei. Recent genome‐wide association studies in human populations have associated several SNPs near or within FBXO7 with erythrocyte phenotypes. Fbxo7 encodes a multi‐functional F‐box protein known to bind p27 and participate in selective mitophagy. One SNP causes an amino acid substitution (Met115Ile) and is associated with smaller erythrocytes. We find that the less common IIe115 allele of Fbxo7 binds less efficiently to p27, and cells expressing this allele proliferate faster than cells expressing Met115. We show that an erythroleukaemic cell line with reduced Fbxo7 expression fails to stabilize p27 levels, exit the cell cycle, and produce haemoglobin. In addition, mice deficient in Fbxo7 expression are anaemic due to a reduction in erythrocyte numbers, and this is associated with lower p27 levels, increased numbers of late‐stage erythroblasts with greater than 2N DNA content, and delayed mitophagy during terminal differentiation. Collectively, these data support an important physiological, cell cycle regulatory role for Fbxo7 during erythropoiesis. © 2015 Authors. Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Effect of exfoliated organophilic montmorillonite on the structure and conductivity of polypropylene/polyaniline composites
Authors: Olad Ali , Sadeghvandi Farzin , Mirmohseni Abdolreza
Published: June 2015

This study concentrates on the effect of organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) nanolayers on conductivity, structure, morphology, and mechanical properties of the polypropylene/polyaniline (PP/PANI) composites. The composite was prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline at different composition ratios in the presence of PP powder. The structure and conductivity of ternary PP/PANI/OMMT nanocomposites were compared with those of PP/PANI composites. DC electrical conductivity measurements indicated that electrical conductivity decreased in the presence of OMMT layers. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the surface of ternary nanocomposites have more rough regions. The interaction between PANI and OMMT was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The distribution of OMMT layers in the polymer matrix, as an effective parameter on the properties of nanocomposite, was investigated and confirmed using X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed an exfoliated array for OMMT layers in the nanocomposite structure. The shear storage modulus for PP/PANI composites was lower than that for pure PP; however, it was increased for PP/PANI/OMMT nanocomposites. The data from the tensile and izod impact strength showed that the Young's modulus and izod impact strength were increased slightly by the addition of OMMT, whereas the elongation at break was decreased. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:699–707, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
A practical prenatal ultrasound classification system for common oral clefts
Authors: Maarse Wiesje , Boonacker Chantal W. B. , Breugem Corstiaan C. , Kon Moshe , Manten Gwendolyn T. R. , Mink van der Molen Aebele B.
Published: June 2015

What's already known about this topic?

Oral cleft is the most common congenital facial malformation, with increased detection prenatally. An accurate diagnosis is essential because different types of cleft are associated with specific risks of anomalies and chromosomal disorders. Former classification of oral cleft is outdated.

What does this study add?

The new prenatal ultrasound classification system presented here offers a systematic and practical approach for prenatal screening of oral clefts and, and unlike former classification, provides an accurate correlation with the postnatal cleft diagnosis. The classification is based on a commonly used postnatal system; therefore, it will improve communication between obstetricians and cleft lip and palate teams.

© 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adverse Reactions to Pneumococcal Vaccine in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Han Jin , Kemiki Opeyemi , Hsu Lewis L. , Rivers Angela E.
Published: June 2015

Study Objective

To review five cases of severe adverse reactions after vaccination with the 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) in pediatric and adolescent patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), and to evaluate the prevalence of adverse reactions to PPSV23 in patients with SCD by analyzing data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

Design

Case series and retrospective analysis of data from the VAERS.

Data Sources

Medical records from a tertiary care hospital and the VAERS database.

Measurements and Main Results

Five cases of severe adverse reactions after vaccination with PPSV23 in pediatric and adolescent patients with SCD (aged 2–22 years) were reviewed. The adverse reactions occurred within 24 hours after immunization, and all five patients required medical attention. Analysis of data from the VAERS found that PPSV23 was the most commonly reported vaccine causing adverse events in patients with SCD, accounting for 62% of all vaccine‐induced adverse events. This rate is significantly higher than the rate of adverse events related to PPSV23 in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or asthma (62% vs 16%, p<0.0001). The reported number of adverse reactions in pediatric patients (< 18 years old) with SCD was 4 times higher than that reported in adult patients (18–39 years old) with SCD.

Conclusion

The risk of developing severe adverse reactions to PPSV23 is greater in patients with SCD than in patients with HIV or asthma, and especially in pediatric and adolescent patients with SCD compared with their adult counterparts. Health care professionals should closely monitor for potential adverse events after PPSV23 vaccination or revaccination in patients with SCD, adhere to the recommended time interval between PCV13 and PPSV23 administration, and possibly consider avoiding simultaneous administration of other vaccines with PPSV23.
Retrospective Evaluation of Postoperative Bleeding Events in Patients Receiving Rivaroxaban After Undergoing Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty: Comparison with Clinical Trial Data
Authors: Wood Robert C. , Stewart David W. , Slusher Lindsey , El‐Bazouni Hadi , Cluck David , Freshour Jessica , Odle Brian
Published: June 2015

Study Objective

Although data from the Regulation of Coagulation in Orthopedic Surgery to Prevent Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism (RECORD) 1–4 trials have shown a similar postoperative bleeding risk between rivaroxban and enoxaparin in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), anecdotal observations from local institutions have suggested that postoperative bleeding rates seemed higher in patients who received rivaroxaban than those reported in the RECORD trials. Thus, the objective of this pilot study was to assess postoperative bleeding events observed in clinical practice in patients receiving rivaroxaban after undergoing THA and TKA and to compare their results with those published in the RECORD trials.

Design

Retrospective cohort study with a comparator group of patients from the RECORD 1–4 trials.

Setting

Two institutions within a regional health care system.

Patients

Four hundred forty adults who received at least one dose of rivaroxaban 10 mg daily after undergoing THA or TKA in the two institutions between August 2011 and October 2013 (cohort group), and 6183 patients who received rivaroxaban in the RECORD 1–4 trials (comparator group).

Measurements and Main Results

Postoperative bleeding was assessed in the cohort patients versus the patients in the RECORD trials. The primary outcome, occurrence of any postoperative bleeding, was a composite of major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding as defined in the RECORD trials. Any postoperative bleeding occurred in 6.8% of the cohort patients versus 3.2% of the RECORD trial patients (p<0.0001); 1.4% of the cohort patients versus 0.38% of the RECORD trial patients suffered a major bleed (p=0.013). Within defined major bleeding, bleeding leading to reoperation and clinically overt extrasurgical site bleeding resulting in either a hemoglobin level decrease of at least 2 g/dl or transfusion of 2 units or greater of packed red blood cells were reported in 0.68% versus 0.19% (p=0.073) and 0.68% versus 0.13% (p=0.032), respectively, of the cohort patients versus the RECORD trial patients.

Conclusion

Overall, any postoperative bleeding in the cohort patients occurred significantly more frequently than that observed in the RECORD trial patients. The major bleeding rate was also significantly higher in the cohort patients, influenced by higher rates of bleeding leading to reoperation and clinically overt extrasurgical site bleeding resulting in either a hemoglobin decrease of at least 2 g/dl or transfusion of two units or greater of packed red blood cells. These findings from our pilot study are thought provoking and, thus, invite further investigation.
Association between personality factors and suicide intent in attempted suicide: Gender as a possible mediator?
Authors: Menon Vikas , Sarkar Siddharth , Kattimani Shivanand
Published: June 2015

Background

Gender appears to be a factor closely related to key suicide‐related constructs.

Aims

The study aims to assess gender differences in personality factors among suicide attempters and to examine the role of gender in mediating the relationship between suicide attempts and selected personality attributes in the same group.

Methods

A chart review of 156 consecutive suicide attempters was carried out. All participants were administered the Beck Suicide Intent Scale (BSIS), Barratt Impulsivity Scale‐11 (BIS‐11), Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) and Past Feelings and Acts of Violence (PFAV) Scale.

Results

The suicidal intent and impulsiveness did not differ significantly between men and women, although men had significantly greater PFAV scores (t = 3.361, p = 0.001). BPAQ showed a significant difference between the genders (F = 3.621, p = 0.008; Wilk's Λ = 0.950, partial η2 = 0.100), mainly for physical aggression (F = 11.006; p = 0.001; partial η2 = 0.076) and anger (F = 4.298; p = 0.040; partial η2 = 0.031).

Conclusion

Certain differences seem to be present between Indian male and female suicide attempters with regard to baseline personality attributes and their role in predicting suicide intent. The import of personality traits as potential targets for suicide prevention is worth exploring further. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Needles in the blue sea: Sub‐species specificity in targeted protein biomarker analyses within the vast oceanic microbial metaproteome
Authors: Saito Mak A. , Dorsk Alexander , Post Anton F. , McIlvin Matthew R. , Rappé Michael S. , DiTullio Giacomo R. , Moran Dawn M.
Published: June 2015

Proteomics has great potential for studies of marine microbial biogeochemistry, yet high microbial diversity in many locales presents us with unique challenges. We addressed this challenge with a targeted metaproteomics workflow for NtcA and P‐II, two nitrogen regulatory proteins, and demonstrated its application for cyanobacterial taxa within microbial samples from the Central Pacific Ocean. Using METATRYP, an open‐source Python toolkit, we examined the number of shared (redundant) tryptic peptides in representative marine microbes, with the number of tryptic peptides shared between different species typically being 1% or less. The related cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus shared an average of 4.8 ± 1.9% of their tryptic peptides, while shared intraspecies peptides were higher, 13 ± 15% shared peptides between 12 Prochlorococcus genomes. An NtcA peptide was found to target multiple cyanobacteria species, whereas a P‐II peptide showed specificity to the high‐light Prochlorococcus ecotype. Distributions of NtcA and P‐II in the Central Pacific Ocean were similar except at the Equator likely due to differential nitrogen stress responses between Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus. The number of unique tryptic peptides coded for within three combined oceanic microbial metagenomes was estimated to be ∼4 × 107, 1000‐fold larger than an individual microbial proteome and 27‐fold larger than the human proteome, yet still 20 orders of magnitude lower than the peptide diversity possible in all protein space, implying that peptide mapping algorithms should be able to withstand the added level of complexity in metaproteomic samples.
Quantitative proteomics using SILAC: Principles, applications, and developments
Authors: Chen Xiulan , Wei Shasha , Ji Yanlong , Guo Xiaojing , Yang Fuquan
Published: June 2015

SILAC is based on direct addition of selected stable isotope amino acids into the cell culture medium, allowing superior quantitative analysis of the cellular proteome compared to other labeling methods. The great advantages of SILAC lie in its straight‐forward implementation, quantitative accuracy, and reproducibility over chemical labeling or label‐free quantification strategies, favoring its adoption for proteomic research. SILAC has been widely applied to characterize the proteomic changes between different biological samples, to investigate dynamic changes of protein PTMs, to distinguish specific interacting proteins in interaction proteomic analysis, and to analyze protein turnover in the proteome‐wide scale. The present review summarizes the principles of SILAC technology, its applications in biological research, and the present state of this technology.
Quantifying the role of interfacial width on intermolecular charge recombination in block copolymer photovoltaics
Authors: Kuang Hao , Janik Michael J. , Gomez Enrique D.
Published: June 2015

Block copolymers have the potential to control the interfacial and mesoscopic structure in the active layer of organic photovoltaics and consequently enhance device performance beyond systems which rely on physical mixtures. When utilized as the active layer, poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl)‐block‐poly((9,9‐bis‐(2‐octyldodecyl)fluorene‐2,7‐diyl)‐alt‐(4,7‐di(thiophene‐2‐yl)−2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)−5′,5″‐diyl) donor–acceptor block copolymers have recently demonstrated 3% power conversion efficiencies in devices. Nevertheless, the role of the interfacial structure on charge transfer processes remains unclear. Using density functional theory, we examined charge transfer rate constants in model interfaces of donor–acceptor block copolymers. Our results demonstrate that intermolecular charge recombination can depend on the interfacial breadth, where sharp interfaces (ca. 1 nm) suppress intermolecular charge recombination by orders of magnitude. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1224–1230
Relaxation suppression in a stretched copolymer matrix above Tg
Authors: Alhazov Dmitriy , Burman Michael , Arinstein Arkadii , Zussman Eyal
Published: June 2015

Electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) copolymer nanofiber mats are known to contract considerably upon heating up to ∼90 °C, whereas cast TPU films expand as expected. This work examined contraction in single electrospun nanofibers. In contrast to nanofiber mats, where mat contraction appears like a critical phenomenon, no temperature threshold for contraction was measured for a single electrospun nanofiber. Unexpectedly, we demonstrate that cast TPU films can also massively contract upon heating, but only after thermomechanical programming which relies on film stretching (∼100%) at a high temperature (∼90 °C). This nonequilibrium stretched state is highly preserved, despite sample temperatures that significantly exceeded the glass transition temperature of the soft phase, and hard segments concentration in the TPU macromolecules is too low to form a percolated “solid” system. A possible physical explanation of the observed phenomenon is proposed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1254–1259
Assessment of Stability of Propellants and Safe Lifetimes
Authors: de Klerk Wim P. C.
Published: June 2015

The surveillance of gun propellants is basically performed either by an investigation into the thermal behavior of the propellant or by the determination of its remaining effective stabilizer content. Over the years it is shown that the surveillance of NC based gun propellants is necessary. NC based materials are intrinsically unstable, and can cause many accidents. Some accidents were caused by old unstable material, other ones were initiated by the extreme conditions during storage, like during expeditionary operations of military forces. And in quite a few cases it was a combination of these. Surveillance tests have changed over the years, and the last philosophy is to test the propellants as close as possible in comparison to the way they are stored [1] for this way of testing the Heat Flow Calorimetry (or microcalorimetry) method is the optimum. Older methods like the Abel heat test, Methyl Violet Test, Bergman‐Junk stability test, are test methods an analysis of the current status, without or very limited prediction behavior. Besides that the temperatures are relatively high, the measuring value is quite strongly dependent of the observer/operator. In general these tests are applied for propellants and sometimes explosives, although the general application worldwide (as far they are in use by countries) is propellants.
Extracting intrinsic dynamic parameters of biomolecular folding from single‐molecule force spectroscopy experiments
Authors: Nam Gi‐Moon , Makarov Dmitrii E.
Published: June 2015

Single‐molecule studies in which a mechanical force is transmitted to the molecule of interest and the molecular extension or position is monitored as a function of time are versatile tools for probing the dynamics of protein folding, stepping of molecular motors, and other biomolecular processes involving activated barrier crossing. One complication in interpreting such studies, however, is the fact that the typical size of a force probe (e.g., a dielectric bead in optical tweezers or the atomic force microscope tip/cantilever assembly) is much larger than the molecule itself, and so the observed molecular motion is affected by the hydrodynamic drag on the probe. This presents the experimenter with a nontrivial task of deconvolving the intrinsic molecular parameters, such as the intrinsic free energy barrier and the effective diffusion coefficient exhibited while crossing the barrier from the experimental signal. Here we focus on the dynamical aspect of this task and show how the intrinsic diffusion coefficient along the molecular reaction coordinate can be inferred from single‐molecule measurements of the rates of biomolecular folding and unfolding. We show that the feasibility of accomplishing this task is strongly dependent on the relationship between the intrinsic molecular elasticity and that of the linker connecting the molecule to the force probe and identify the optimal range of instrumental parameters allowing determination of instrument‐free molecular dynamics.