bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vocal fold pseudocyst: A prospective study of surgical outcomes
Authors: Estes Christine , Sulica Lucian
Published: November 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

To examine rates of lesion recurrence and functional impairment after surgical removal of vocal fold pseudocysts and determine factors predictive of recurrence.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

Patients who underwent surgical removal of pseudocyst were recruited for 12 months of postoperative follow‐up. A clinical consensus cohort of 10 laryngologists blindly reviewed pre‐ and postoperative videostroboscopic examinations to determine presence of pseudocyst and concurrent clinical variables (reactive lesion, varix, paresis). Patients completed a postoperative Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10) and follow‐up questionnaire. Results were analyzed to determine lesion recurrence rates, degree of postoperative functional impairment, and predictors of recurrence.

Results

Eighteen surgeries on 17 patients (15F:2M) with pseudocyst were examined. All underwent perioperative behavioral treatment. Lesion recurrence rates were 22% (per treating laryngologist) to 33% (per clinical consensus cohort). No demographic variables proved predictive of lesion recurrence. No clinical variables predicted recurrence, although there was suggestion of paresis as a contributing factor. Postoperative VHI‐10 scores were within normal limits for all patients, but 12% of patients experienced recurrent functional impairment requiring further treatment.

Conclusion

Most individuals (15/17) returned to normal voice use without limitation after surgery. Some individuals appear predisposed to lesion recurrence, which occurs relatively swiftly. Demographic features and clinical variables are not predictive of recurrence. The role of glottic insufficiency related to recurrence warrants further study.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 125:913–918, 2015
Broadband amplification of spoof surface plasmon polaritons at microwave frequencies
Authors: Zhang Hao Chi , Liu Shuo , Shen Xiaopeng , Chen Lin Hui , Li Lianming , Cui Tie Jun
Published: November 2014

Efficient amplification of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) is proposed at microwave frequencies by using a subwavelength‐scale amplifier. For this purpose, a special plasmonic waveguide composed of two ultrathin corrugated metallic strips on top and bottom surfaces of a dielectric substrate with mirror symmetry is presented, which is easy to integrate with the amplifier. It is shown that spoof SPPs are able to propagate on the plasmonic waveguide in broadband with low loss and strong subwavelength effect. By loading a low‐noise amplifier chip produced by the semiconductor technology, the first experiment is demonstrated to amplify spoof SPPs at microwave frequencies (from 6 to 20GHz) with high gain (around 20dB), which can be directly used as a SPP amplifier device. The features of strong field confinement, high efficiency, broadband operation, and significant amplification of the spoof SPPs may advance a big step towards other active SPP components and integrated circuits.

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A torque balance measurement of anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility in white matter
Authors: van Gelderen Peter , Mandelkow Hendrik , de Zwart Jacco A. , Duyn Jeff H.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

Recent MRI studies have suggested that the magnetic susceptibility of white matter (WM) in the human brain is anisotropic, providing a new contrast mechanism for the visualization of fiber bundles and allowing the extraction of cellular compartment‐specific information. This study provides an independent confirmation and quantification of this anisotropy.

Methods

Anisotropic magnetic susceptibility results in a torque exerted on WM when placed in a uniform magnetic field, tending to align the WM fibers with the field. To quantify the effect, excised spinal cord samples were placed in a torque balance inside the magnet of a 7 T MRI system and the magnetic torque was measured as function of orientation.

Results

All tissue samples (n = 5) showed orienting effects, confirming the presence of anisotropic susceptibility. Analysis of the magnetic torque resulted in reproducible values for the WM volume anisotropy that ranged from 13.6 to 19.2 ppb.

Conclusion

The independently determined anisotropy values confirm estimates inferred from MRI experiments and validate the use of anisotropy to extract novel information about brain fiber structure and myelination. Magn Reson Med 74:1388–1396, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibition of Insulin‐Regulated Aminopeptidase (IRAP) by Arylsulfonamides
Authors: Borhade Sanjay R. , Rosenström Ulrika , Sävmarker Jonas , Lundbäck Thomas , Jenmalm-Jensen Annika , Sigmundsson Kristmundur , Axelsson Hanna , Svensson Fredrik , Konda Vivek , Sköld Christian , Larhed Mats , Hallberg Mathias
Published: November 2014

The inhibition of insulin‐regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP, EC 3.4.11.3) by angiotenesin IV is known to improve memory and learning in rats. Screening 10 500 low‐molecular‐weight compounds in an enzyme inhibition assay with IRAP from Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells provided an arylsulfonamide (N‐(3‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)phenyl)‐4‐bromo‐5‐chlorothiophene‐2‐sulfonamide), comprising a tetrazole in the meta position of the aromatic ring, as a hit. Analogues of this hit were synthesized, and their inhibitory capacities were determined. A small structure–activity relationship study revealed that the sulfonamide function and the tetrazole ring are crucial for IRAP inhibition. The inhibitors exhibited a moderate inhibitory potency with an IC50=1.1±0.5 μm for the best inhibitor in the series. Further optimization of this new class of IRAP inhibitors is required to make them attractive as research tools and as potential cognitive enhancers.
Tuning the Bandgap and Cytotoxicity of ZnO by Tailoring the Nanostructures
Authors: Zhang Jianhui , Dong Guanjun , Thurber Aaron , Hou Yayi , Tenne Dmitri A. , Hanna Charles B. , Gu Min , Pan Zhongda , Wang Kaiyu , Du Youwei , Punnoose Alex
Published: November 2014

Tuning the bandgap and cytotoxicity of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) is very important, not only for customizing their optoelectronic and biomedical applications, but also for their cytotoxicity assay and safe usage. A unique soft‐template of polyvinylpyrrolidone has been developed here to realize a rapid room‐temperature neutral synthesis of ZnO with controlled nanostructures for tuning the bandgap and cytotoxicity of ZnO. By simply changing the reagent stoichiometry and the soft‐template shape, high‐purity ZnO rods, tripods, tubes, and unique T‐like tubes with tunable size, surface composition/charge, bandgap, and cytotoxicity are obtained. It has been revealed that the ZnO bandgap can be remarkably reduced by introducing the surface nonstoichiometry; and the ZnO‐induced cytotoxicity can be tuned by the size, shape, surface charge/composition, and bandgap of ZnO NPs at different degrees. Significantly, both the photochemistry reaction and the reactive oxygen species induced by ZnO NPs are not necessary for the ZnO‐induced cytotoxicity.
Destabilization of Thiolated Gold Clusters for the Growth of Single‐Crystalline Gold Nanoparticles and Their Self‐Assembly for SERS Detection
Authors: Guan Guijian , Low Michelle , Liu Shuhua , Cai Yongqing , Zhang Shuangyuan , Geng Dongsheng , Liu Cui , Zhang Zhongping , Cheng Yuan , Bharathi Madurai Srinivasan , Zhang Yong‐Wei , Han Ming‐Yong
Published: November 2014

Thiolate‐protected gold nanoclusters with high chemical stability are exploited extensively for fundamental research and utility in chosen applications. Here for the first time, the controlled destabilization of extraordinarily stable thiolated gold clusters for the growth of single‐crystalline gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is demonstrated, which was achieved simply via the oxidation of surface‐protecting thiolates into disulfides by hydrogen peroxide under basic condition. By combining with our experimental observations over the entire destabilization and growth process, the new growth mechanism from clusters to AuNPs is revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It is found that the size of AuNPs decreases with the increase of hydrogen peroxide concentration due to the generation of more nuclei at the higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations. In addition, the preparation of AuNPs is tuned by changing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide, and they are self‐assembled into microspheres via an evaporation‐mediated process, which can induce strong plasmonic coupling between adjacent AuNPs for ultrasensitive surface‐enhanced Raman scattering detection. The present work demonstrates a facile route to functionalize and engineer AuNPs via controlling the reaction conditions and the ratio of precursors, and thus bring new possibilities for using more clusters as precursors to construct novel nano/microstructures for various applications.
The Effect of Pore Morphology on Hot Spot Temperature
Authors: Levesque George Arthur , Vitello Peter
Published: November 2014

Composite explosives contain pores that collapse under shock wave interaction generating localized regions of heat known to be important in the initiation of high explosives. Understanding pore collapse under shock loading is essential to create predictive reactive flow models to simulate the initiation process. While spherical pore collapse has been thoroughly simulated, other geometries have been relatively neglected. Simulating microoscale hot spot nucleation, we analyze the effect of pore morphology on the post‐shock hot spot temperature. Several pore morphologies that yield higher temperatures than the spherical case are revealed and discussed. This work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE‐AC52‐07NA27344.
Glucose tolerance is associated with differential expression of microRNAs in skeletal muscle: results from studies of twins with and without type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bork-Jensen Jette , Scheele Camilla , Christophersen Daniel V. , Nilsson Emma , Friedrichsen Martin , Fernandez-Twinn Denise S. , Grunnet Louise G. , Litman Thomas , Holmstrøm Kim , Vind Birgitte , Højlund Kurt , Beck-Nielsen Henning , Wojtaszewski Jørgen , Ozanne Susan E. , Pedersen Bente K. , Poulsen Pernille , Vaag Allan
Published: November 2014

Aims/hypothesis

We aimed to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with type 2 diabetes and risk of developing the disease in skeletal muscle biopsies from phenotypically well-characterised twins.

Methods

We measured muscle miRNA levels in monozygotic (MZ) twins discordant for type 2 diabetes using arrays. Further investigations of selected miRNAs included target prediction, pathway analysis, silencing in cells and association analyses in a separate cohort of 164 non-diabetic MZ and dizygotic twins. The effects of elevated glucose and insulin levels on miRNA expression were examined, and the effect of low birthweight (LBW) was studied in rats.

Results

We identified 20 miRNAs that were downregulated in MZ twins with diabetes compared with their non-diabetic co-twins. Differences for members of the miR-15 family (miR-15b and miR-16) were the most statistically significant, and these miRNAs were predicted to influence insulin signalling. Indeed, miR-15b and miR-16 levels were associated with levels of key insulin signalling proteins, miR-15b was associated with the insulin receptor in non-diabetic twins and knockdown of miR-15b/miR-16 in myocytes changed the levels of insulin signalling proteins. LBW in twins and undernutrition during pregnancy in rats were, in contrast to overt type 2 diabetes, associated with increased expression of miR-15b and/or miR-16. Elevated glucose and insulin suppressed miR-16 expression in vitro.

Conclusions

Type 2 diabetes is associated with non-genetic downregulation of several miRNAs in skeletal muscle including miR-15b and miR-16, potentially targeting insulin signalling. The paradoxical findings in twins with overt diabetes and twins at increased risk of the disease underscore the complexity of the regulation of muscle insulin signalling in glucose homeostasis.
Use of a 90° Drill and Screwdriver for Rib Fracture Stabilization
Authors: Nickerson Terry P. , Kim Brian D. , Zielinski Martin D. , Jenkins Donald , Schiller Henry J.
Published: November 2014

Background

Rib fracture stabilization has become a more accepted practice although stabilization of the most cephalad ribs presents a unique challenge. We present our experience with use of a 90° drill and screwdriver to bridge these difficult rib fractures.

Methods

This retrospective review included patients who underwent rib fracture stabilization from August 1, 2009, through September 30, 2012. Patients were divided into two groups: those whose procedure used the 90° device and those that did not. Data were compared using standard statistical analysis and reported as percentages and medians [interquartile ranges]. P values <0.05 were considered significant.

Results

We identified 89 patients: 29 (33 %) had 90° devices used and 60 (67 %) did not. There were no differences between groups in age, sex, Trauma‐Related Injury Severity Score, the presence of flail chest, occurrence of pneumonia, and intensive care unit or hospital length of stay. The Injury Severity Score was higher in the 90° group (22 vs. 16; P = 0.03). The highest rib stabilized was different between the 2 groups (3 [2–5] vs. 5 [2–9]; P = 0.001), with more third rib stabilizations in the 90° group (38 vs. 20 %; P = 0.04) as well as more total number of ribs fixed (5 vs. 4; P = 0.001). There was no difference in operative time between the 2 groups.

Conclusions

The surgical reach for rib fracture stabilization has been extended with use of a 90° drill and screwdriver. High fractures under the scapula where access is technically challenging can be stabilized without prolonging operative times.
Surgical Cure of Primary Hyperparathyroidism Ameliorates Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms
Authors: Norman James , Politz Douglas , Lopez Jose , Boone Deva , Stojadinovic Alexander
Published: November 2014

Objective

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms are commonly reported in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). Although a calcium‐mediated cause‐and‐effect relationship has been suggested, it remains unknown if parathyroidectomy improves GERD symptoms.

Methods

Over a 22‐month period, 1,175 (39 %) of 3,000 consecutive adult patients with pHPT and symptomatic GERD (on prescription reflux medications daily for ≥2 years) undergoing parathyroidectomy were entered into a prospective study. Standardized Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) questionnaire was used to assess symptoms before, 1 and 2 years after parathyroidectomy.

Results

Daily prescription medication was used by 81 %, while 19 % used daily non‐prescription drugs, both for a mean of 2.9 ± 0.7 years. GERD symptoms improved (26 %) or resolved completely (36 %) in 62 % of patients (p < 0.0001 vs. preoperative baseline) 1 year after parathyroidectomy. Prescription medications for GERD decreased from 81 % of enrolled patients to 26 % (p < 0.0001) 12 months postoperatively, with 39 % having complete symptom relief and taking no medications (p < 0.0001). Daily use of prescription GERD medications decreased to occasional over‐the‐counter drug use in 35 % after parathyroidectomy (p < 0.0001). Mean FSSG scores decreased significantly postoperatively (pre‐op: 18.0 ± 8.0 vs. post‐op: 10.0 ± 5.0; p < 0.0001), with significant improvements in all 12 FSSG categories, including motility (pre‐op: 7.3 ± 3.0 vs. post‐op: 4.4 ± 3.0; p < 0.0001) and acid reflux symptoms (pre‐op: 10.8 ± 5.0 vs. post‐op: 5.9 ± 4.0; p < 0.0001). Symptomatic improvements were durable 2 years after parathyroidectomy.

Conclusion

Symptomatic GERD is common in pHPT. Parathyroidectomy provides significant, durable relief of both motility and acid reflux symptoms allowing discontinuation of prescription drug use for GERD in most (74 %) patients providing yet another indication for parathyroidectomy in pHPT.
Application of optimization heuristics for complex astronomical object model identification
Authors: Mojžíš František , Kukal Jaromír , Švihlík Jan
Published: November 2014

Detection and localization of astronomical objects are two of the most fundamental topics in astronomical science where localization uses detection results. Object localization is based on modeling of point spread function and estimation of its parameters. Commonly used models as Gauss or Moffat in objects localization provide good approximation of analyzed objects but cannot be sufficient in the case of exact applications such as object energy estimation. Thus the use of sophisticated models is upon the place. One of the key roles plays also the way of the objective function estimation. The least square method is often used, but it expects data with normal distribution, thus there is a question of a maximum likelihood method application. Another important factor of presented problem is choice of the right optimization method. Classical methods for objective function minimization usually require a good initial estimate for all parameters and differentiation of the objective function with respect to model parameters. The results indicated that stochastic methods such as simulated annealing or harmony search achieved better results than the classical optimization methods.
The clinical spectrum of inherited diseases involved in the synthesis and remodeling of complex lipids. A tentative overview
Authors: Garcia‐Cazorla Àngels , Mochel Fanny , Lamari Foudil , Saudubray Jean‐Marie
Published: November 2014

Over one hundred diseases related to inherited defects of complex lipids synthesis and remodeling are now reported. Most of them were described within the last 5 years. New descriptions and phenotypes are expanding rapidly. While the associated clinical phenotype is currently difficult to outline, with only a few patients identified, it appears that all organs and systems may be affected. The main clinical presentations can be divided into (1) Diseases affecting the central and peripheral nervous system. Complex lipid synthesis disorders produce prominent motor manifestations due to upper and/or lower motoneuron degeneration. Motor signs are often complex, associated with other neurological and extra‐neurological signs. Three neurological phenotypes, spastic paraparesis, neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation and peripheral neuropathies, deserve special attention. Many apparently well clinically defined syndromes are not distinct entities, but rather clusters on a continuous spectrum, like for the PNPLA6‐associated diseases, extending from Boucher‐Neuhauser syndrome via Gordon Holmes syndrome to spastic ataxia and pure hereditary spastic paraplegia; (2) Muscular/cardiac presentations; (3) Skin symptoms mostly represented by syndromic (neurocutaneous) and non syndromic ichthyosis; (4) Retinal dystrophies with syndromic and non syndromic retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, cone rod dystrophy, Stargardt disease; (5) Congenital bone dysplasia and segmental overgrowth disorders with congenital lipomatosis; (6) Liver presentations characterized mainly by transient neonatal cholestatic jaundice and non alcoholic liver steatosis with hypertriglyceridemia; and (7) Renal and immune presentations. Lipidomics and molecular functional studies could help to elucidate the mechanism(s) of dominant versus recessive inheritance observed for the same gene in a growing number of these disorders.
Congenital Hypothyroidism Long‐Term Follow‐up Project: Navigating the Rough Waters of a Multi‐Center, Multi‐State Public Health Project
Authors: Wintergerst Kupper , Gembel Gina , Kreipe Tracey , Zeller Patrick , Eugster Erica , Young Bill , Andruszewski Karen , Kleyn Mary , Cunningham Troi , Fawbush Sandy , Vanderburg Nancy , Sockalosky Joe , Menon Ram , Linard Sharon , Hoffman Gary , Gorman Lisa
Published: November 2014

The Region 4 Midwest Genetics Collaborative, made up of seven regional states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin), brought together pediatric endocrinologists, state laboratory experts, public health follow‐up specialists, and parents of children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) to identify the three‐year follow‐up management and education patterns of primary care clinicians and pediatric endocrinologists in the care of children diagnosed with CH by state newborn screening (NBS) programs. Among a number of challenges, each state had different NBS methods, data systems, public health laws, and institutional review board (IRB) requirements. Furthermore, the diagnosis of CH was complicated by the timing of the NBS sample, the gestational age, weight, and co‐morbidities at delivery. There were 409 children with CH identified through NBS in 2007 in the seven state region. The clinician of record and the parents of these children were invited to participate in a voluntary survey. Approximately 64 % of clinician surveys were collected with responses to questions relating to treatment, monitoring practices, educational resources, genetic counseling, and services provided to children with confirmed CH and their families. Nearly one‐quarter (24 %) of parents surveyed responded to questions relating to treatment, education, genetic counseling, resources, and services they received or would like to receive. De‐identified data from six of the seven states were compiled for analysis, with one state being unable to obtain IRB approval within the study timeline. The data from this collaborative effort will improve state follow‐up programs and aid in developing three‐year follow‐up guidelines for children diagnosed with CH. To aid in the facilitation of similar public health studies, this manuscript highlights the challenges faced, and focuses on the pathway to a successful multi‐state public health endeavor.
Preparation of Human Milk Fat Substitutes from Lard by Lipase‐Catalyzed Interesterification Based on Triacylglycerol profiles
Authors: Zou Xiaoqiang , Huang Jianhua , Jin Qingzhe , Guo Zheng , Cheong Lingzhi , Xu Xuebing , Wang Xingguo
Published: November 2014

Human milk fat substitutes (HMFSs) with triacylglycerol profiles highly similar to those of human milk fat (HMF) were prepared from lard by physical blending followed by enzymatic interesterification. Based on the fatty acid profiles of HMF, different vegetable and single‐cell oils were selected and added to the lard. Blend ratios were calculated based on established physical blending models. The blended oils were then enzymatically interesterified using a 1,3‐regiospecific lipase, Lipozyme RM IM (RML from Rhizomucor miehei immobilized on Duolite ES562; Novozymes A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark), to approximate HMF triacylglycerol (TAG) profiles, particularly with respect to the distribution of palmitic acid in the sn−2 position. The optimized blending ratios were determined to be: lard:sunflower oil:canola oil:palm kernel oil:palm oil:algal oil:microbial oil = 1.00:0.10:0.50:0.13:0.12:0.02:0.02. The optimized reaction conditions were determined to be: enzyme load of 11 wt%, temperature of 60 °C, water content of 3.5 wt%, and reaction time of 3 hours. The resulting product was evaluated for total and sn−2 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and TAG composition. A high degree of similarity was obtained, indicating the great potential of the product as a fat alternative for use in infant formulas.
Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Based on Oleic Acid
Authors: Wu Yili , Li Anlong , Li Kaichang
Published: November 2014

Existing pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) are mostly based on petrochemical‐based polymers. This study reveals a new class of bio‐based polymers that can be used as PSA. The polymers are hydroxyl‐containing polyesters from the step‐growth polymerization of epoxidized oleic acid (EOA), an AB‐type monomer containing both a carboxylic acid group (A) and an epoxy group (B). The monomer is derived from epoxidation of renewable methyl oleate followed by selective hydrolysis of the ester group. The polymers (PEOA) of EOA were characterized for their chemical structure and molecular weight. The PEOA after being cured with a very small amount of a crosslinking agent could serve as a PSA with high peel strength, high tack force, superior shear resistance, excellent aging resistance, and excellent thermal stability. The PSA contains 99 wt% of green renewable materials. The PSA were also characterized for their viscoelastic properties and thermal properties.
Analysis of Fatty Acid and Lignan Composition of Indian Germplasm of Sesame to Evaluate Their Nutritional Merits
Authors: Bhunia Rupam Kumar , Chakraborty Anirban , Kaur Ranjeet , Gayatri T. , Bhat K. V. , Basu Asitava , Maiti Mrinal K. , Sen Soumitra Kumar
Published: November 2014

An attempt was made to individually analyze a germplasm collection of 54 indigenous Indian sesame cultivars for fatty acid and lignan composition of their seed oil by gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The entries varied in their fatty acid and lignan composition. The mean percentage contents of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and α‐linolenic acids ranged between 10–22, 5–10, 38–50, 18–43 and less than 1 whereas sesamol, sesamin and sesamolin scored between 3–37, 27–67, 20–59 of the total percentage of lignan, respectively. The highest percentage of α‐linolenic acid (ALA) was obtained in Var‐9 (1.3 % of the total fatty acids). Among the lignans, high sesamin content is considered to be significant, particularly in terms of long shelf life and nutraceutical value of sesame seed oil. The study has broadened our understanding related to differential biochemical composition of the rich sesame germplasms, thereby providing us with a useful groundwork for identifying potential targets and suitable cultivars for genetic engineering approaches to be undertaken in order to improve the nutritional quality of sesame oil, which in turn would be beneficial towards human health.
Encapsulation of Aqueous Components in Solid Fat Beads: Studies of a Model Dye and a Probiotic Culture
Authors: Wolfe Lindsay A. , Roberts Robert F. , Coupland John N.
Published: November 2014

Solid fat beads containing aqueous droplets of either a water soluble dye (Brilliant Blue) or a suspension of viable probiotic bacteria (Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis) were produced by dropping a water‐in‐molten fat emulsion into cold water or onto a cold plate, respectively. Hydrogenated palm stearin beads containing 20 % dye solution were 4.6 ± 0.2 × 2.7 ± 0.4 mm and the average bead weighed 0.0103 ± 0.0003 g. The dye was completely released into an external aqueous phase after 24 h stirring at temperatures above the melting point of the fat but at temperatures where the fat was solid very little dye was released into an external aqueous phase. When a bacterial suspension was used as the internal phase of 20 % hydrogenated palm stearin/80 % palm kernel oil beads, the beads contained 8.44 log CFU/g. The encapsulated organisms were more resistant to acid stress than an unencapsulated control (loss of 0.7 versus 5.75 log CFU/g). This approach offers a way to protect probiotic bacteria during transit through the stomach. Practical application: by encapsulating bacteria in solid fat they become more resistant to acids. Small beads could be added to foods or swallowed as a pill as a way to deliver viable probiotic organisms to the lower digestive tract.
Epigenetic regulation of the NR4A orphan nuclear receptor NOR1 by histone acetylation
Authors: Zhao Yue , Nomiyama Takashi , Findeisen Hannes M. , Qing Hua , Aono Jun , Jones Karrie L. , Heywood Elizabeth B. , Bruemmer Dennis
Published: November 2014

The nuclear receptor NOR1 is an immediate‐early response gene implicated in the transcriptional control of proliferation. Since the expression level of NOR1 is rapidly induced through cAMP response element binding (CREB) protein‐dependent promoter activation, we investigated the contribution of histone acetylation to this transient induction. We demonstrate that NOR1 transcription is induced by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition and by depletion of HDAC1 and HDAC3. HDAC inhibition activated the NOR1 promoter, increased histone acetylation and augmented the recruitment of phosphorylated CREB to the promoter. Furthermore, HDAC inhibition increased Ser133 phosphorylation of CREB and augmented NOR1 protein stability. These data outline previously unrecognized mechanisms of NOR1 regulation and illustrate a key role for histone acetylation in the rapid induction of NOR1.
Secretory prostate apoptosis response (Par)‐4 sensitizes multicellular spheroids (MCS) of glioblastoma multiforme cells to tamoxifen‐induced cell death
Authors: Jagtap Jayashree C. , Parveen D. , Shah Reecha D. , Desai Aarti , Bhosale Dipali , Chugh Ashish , Ranade Deepak , Karnik Swapnil , Khedkar Bhushan , Mathur Aaishwarya , Natesh Kumar , Chandrika Goparaju , Shastry Padma
Published: November 2014

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant form of brain tumor and is associated with resistance to conventional therapy and poor patient survival. Prostate apoptosis response (Par)‐4, a tumor suppressor, is expressed as both an intracellular and secretory/extracellular protein. Though secretory Par‐4 induces apoptosis in cancer cells, its potential in drug‐resistant tumors remains to be fully explored. Multicellular spheroids (MCS) of cancer cells often acquire multi‐drug resistance and serve as ideal experimental models. We investigated the role of Par‐4 in Tamoxifen (TAM)‐induced cell death in MCS of human cell lines and primary cultures of GBM tumors. TCGA and REMBRANT data analysis revealed that low levels of Par‐4 correlated with low survival period (21.85 ± 19.30 days) in GBM but not in astrocytomas (59.13 ± 47.26 days) and oligodendrogliomas (58.04 ± 59.80 days) suggesting low PAWR expression as a predictive risk factor in GBM. Consistently, MCS of human cell lines and primary cultures displayed low Par‐4 expression, high level of chemo‐resistance genes and were resistant to TAM‐induced cytotoxicity. In monolayer cells, TAM‐induced cytotoxicity was associated with enhanced expression of Par‐4 and was alleviated by silencing of Par‐4 using specific siRNA. TAM effectively induced secretory Par‐4 in conditioned medium (CM) of cells cultured as monolayer but not in MCS. Moreover, MCS were rendered sensitive to TAM‐induced cell death by exposure to conditioned medium (CM)‐containing Par‐4 (derived from TAM‐treated monolayer cells). Also TAM reduced the expression of Akt and PKCζ in GBM cells cultured as monolayer but not in MCS. Importantly, combination of TAM with inhibitors to PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) or PKCζ resulted in secretion of Par‐4 and cell death in MCS. Since membrane GRP78 is overexpressed in most cancer cells but not normal cells, and secretory Par‐4 induces apoptosis by binding to membrane GRP78, secretory Par‐4 is an attractive candidate for potentially overcoming therapy‐resistance not only in malignant glioma but in broad spectrum of cancers.
How Online Consumer Segments Differ in Long-term Marketing Effectiveness
Authors: Reimer Kerstin , Rutz Oliver J. , Pauwels Koen
Published: November 2014

Online commerce gives companies not only a growing global sales platform, but also powerful consumers enjoying 24/7 availability, choice proliferation and the power to opt in and out permission-based communication. Unfortunately, our knowledge is limited on long-term marketing effectiveness in this space and on how it differs across customer segments. Managers appear overwhelmed by the combination of rich online data on hundreds of thousands of customers and the typical aggregate-level data on offline marketing spending.

This paper is the first to investigate the long-term impact of coupon promotions, TV, radio, print, and Internet advertising across customer segments for a major digital music provider with over 500,000 customers. We first segment customers and subsequently analyze how these segments respond in the long run to different marketing activities when purchasing music downloads. Our findings reveal that the effectiveness of marketing differs across segments, while standard segmentation approaches fail to identify the most valuable catches in a sea of consumers. In contrast to empirical generalizations on consumer packaged goods, heavy users of digital music products are least sensitive to price and most sensitive to TV advertising and to multiple touch points. Light users, the majority of consumers, are price sensitive and tend to opt out of targeted communication. Our research enables managers in the digital media space to target high-value customer segments with the most effective actions.
Strategies for Revision Total Ankle Replacement
Authors: Roukis Thomas S.
Published: November 2014

As the frequency of primary total ankle replacement (TAR) continues to build, revision will become more commonplace. At present there are no “standard principles” associated with revision TAR. What is clear is that the current approaches are technically complex, fraught with complications and no one approach represents the only answer. Exchange of TAR metallic components to the same system standard or dedicated revision components are viable options with limited occurrence of complications. Explantation and conversion to custom-design long stemmed components has limited availability. Explantation and conversion to another TAR system is high-risk and has strong potential for complications. The use of metal reinforced polymethylmethacrylate cement augmentation of failed TAR systems and tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis should be reserved for very select situations where other options are not possible. There is a real need for long-term survivorship following revision TAR and future efforts ought to be directed in this area.
Algorithms for generating large-scale clustered random graphs
Authors: WANG CHENG , LIZARDO OMAR , HACHEN DAVID
Published: November 2014

Real-world networks are often compared to random graphs to assess whether their topological structure could be a result of random processes. However, a simple random graph in large scale often lacks social structure beyond the dyadic level. As a result we need to generate clustered random graph to compare the local structure at higher network levels. In this paper a generalized version of Gleeson's algorithmG(VS, VT, ES, ET, S, T)is advanced to generate a clustered random graph in large-scale which persists the number of vertices |V|, the number of edges |E|, and the global clustering coefficientCΔas in the real network and it works successfully for nine large-scale networks. Our new algorithm also has advantages in randomness evaluation and computation efficiency when compared with the existing algorithms.
Sexual Desire and the Phenomenology of Attraction
Authors: RICHARDS BRADLEY
Published: November 2014

Developing Thomas Nagel’s 1969 paper, Rockney Jacobsen argues that sexual desires are for activities that are taken to affect states of sexual arousal in certain ways. I argue that some sexual desires are for activities that are taken to affect states of phenomenal attraction (phenomenal states associated with sexual attraction). Unlike sexual arousal, phenomenal attraction cannot be assuaged; thus, there are no activities that can satisfy phenomenal attraction-based sexual desires. This explains why sexual activities are so varied and numerous, and possibly how so many activities are able to affect sexual arousal.
The Economic Sins of Modern IR Theory and the Classical Realist Alternative
Authors: Kirshner Jonathan
Published: November 2014

ISMs matter. They reflect underlying philosophical points of departure and are rooted in specific explicit assumptions about how the world works. The very different expectations and conclusions of diverse theories often stem from the fact that those theories were derived from distinct and contrasting paradigmatic roots. To be aware of those foundations is to understand the likely strengths, weaknesses, limitations, controversies, and specific attributes of the various theories. In contemporary international relations (IR) scholarship there is a common claim that we are past paradigms, and many younger scholars are expected to recite this mantra. But making such a claim is a political act, not an intellectual one. It reflects the hegemony of one particular paradigmatic perspective—one with specific analytical building blocks of individualism, materialism, and hyperrationalism—an approach that is a paradigm and one so powerful that it has been described as an “intellectual monoculture.”
IDENTIFYING AND SELECTING NEW PROCEDURES FOR HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT: A DECADE OF NICE EXPERIENCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Authors: Campbell Bruce , Morris Rebekah , Mandava Lakshmi , Murthy Lakshmi , Gallo Helen , Ong Koh Jun , Latif Ali , Patrick Hannah
Published: November 2014

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the experience of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in identifying new procedures entering the United Kingdom (UK) healthcare system, for assessment and publication of recommendations on their use. This system is designed to provide guidance in an area where regulation is lacking worldwide.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all procedures notified to the Interventional Procedures Programme (NICE) between 2002 and 2012. Notifications were analyzed year by year for their source (who notified them), clinical specialties involved, and whether guidance was subsequently published.

Results: A total of 1,094 procedures were notified by clinicians (51 percent), and by others, including hospitals (6 percent), horizon scanners (5 percent), patients (4 percent), private health insurers (4 percent), and medical device manufacturers (3 percent). Guidance was published on 44 percent of procedures notified to the program. There was a decrease in the numbers of procedures notified during 2003–2012 (p = .049). There were notifications across all specialties, with the largest numbers in general surgery (125), urology (104), orthopedics (99), interventional radiology (93), cardiology (82), and obstetrics and gynecology (82).

Conclusions: The “open” NICE Web portal allows anyone to notify new procedures, aiming to maximize the opportunity of identifying all those procedures entering clinical practice. This has resulted in identification of large numbers of procedures from across the whole range of medical specialties. The fact that similar proportions of procedures notified from diverse sources have been selected for assessment and publication of practice recommendations suggests that this inclusive approach is worthwhile.
Isomorphic Pressures, Epistemic Communities and State–NGO Collaboration in China
Authors: Hasmath Reza , Hsu Jennifer Y.J.
Published: November 2014

This article suggests that the lack of meaningful collaboration between the state and NGOs in China is not solely a result of the state seeking to restrict the development of the sector, or the fear of a potential opposing actor to the state; instead, interviews with NGOs in Beijing and Shanghai suggest that a lack of meaningful engagement between the state and NGOs can be partially attributed to isomorphic pressures within state–NGO relations, and insufficient epistemic awareness of NGO activities on the part of the state. In fact, the evidence suggests that once epistemic awareness is achieved by the state, it will have a stronger desire to interact with NGOs – with the caveat that the state will seek to utilize the material power of NGOs, rather than their symbolic, interpretive or geographical capital.
Structure–property relationships in fluorite-type Bi2O3–Yb2O3–PbO solid-electrolyte materials
Authors: Webster Nathan A. S. , Ling Chris D. , Lincoln Frank J.
Published: November 2014

New quenched-in face-centred cubic fluorite-type materials were synthesised in the Bi2O3–Yb2O3–PbO system. After annealing in air at 500 °C for up to 200 h, each material underwent a conductivity-lowering structural transformation, thus making them unsuitable for use as solid electrolytes in solid-oxide fuel cells. For example, (BiO1.5)0.80(YbO1.5)0.17(PbO)0.03 underwent a fluorite- to Bi17Yb7O36-type orthorhombic transformation, indicative of long-range cation ordering, and (BiO1.5)0.80(YbO1.5)0.11(PbO)0.09 underwent a fluorite- to β-Bi2O3-type tetragonal transformation, indicative of long-range 〈001〉 oxide-ion vacancy ordering.
Dietary intake in Black British adults; an observational assessment of nutritional composition and the role of traditional foods in UK Caribbean and West African diets
Authors: Goff Louise M , Timbers Louise , Style Hannah , Knight Annemarie
Published: November 2014

Objective

Acculturation to the UK diet may contribute to the increased burden of non-communicable diseases in Black British communities. The present study aimed to assess nutritional composition and the contribution that traditional foods make to dietary intake in a group of UK-residing Caribbean and West African adults and to explore differences according to ethnicity and duration of residence.

Design

Observational study. Dietary intake was assessed using multiple, standardised triple-pass 24 h recalls and analysed using a nutritional composition database. Associations between sociodemographic variables and duration of residence with dietary intake were assessed using ANCOVA.

Setting

London, UK, October 2011–December 2012.

Subjects

UK adults of Caribbean (n 50) or West African (n 83) ancestry, aged 18–75 years.

Results

The Caribbean participants were older and more likely to be born in the UK. After adjusting for age, sex and ethnicity, those who had been resident in the UK for the longest duration had significantly higher intakes of energy (P<0·001), fat (P=0·002) and Na (P=0·03). The West African participants sourced significantly more energy (P=0·04), fat (P=0·02), saturated fat (P=0·02) and Na (P=0·001) from traditional cultural foods compared with the Caribbean diet, which was more reliant on ‘Westernised’ foods such as sugar-sweetened beverages.

Conclusions

These results are novel in demonstrating dietary acculturation in UK adults of Caribbean and West African ancestry. We have provided detailed data regarding the role of traditional foods, presenting dietary information that may guide in individualising care for patients from these communities and improve the cultural sensitivity of public health strategies.
The design of a simple fluorescent chemosensor for Al3+/Zn2+via two different approaches
Authors: Qin Jing-can , Fan Long , Wang Bao-dui , Yang Zheng-yin , Li Tian-rong
Published: November 2014

In this study, we have developed a simple fluorescent sensor, 7-(2′,4′-dihydroxybenzylideneimino)-4-methyl coumarin, which shows a high selectivity towards Al3+/Zn2+over a wide range of metal ions.
Development of 3-alkyl-6-methoxy-7-hydroxy-chromones (AMHCs) from natural isoflavones, a new class of fluorescent scaffolds for biological imaging
Authors: Miao Jianzhuang , Cui Huaqing , Jin Jing , Lai Fangfang , Wen Hui , Zhang Xiang , Ruda Gian Filippo , Chen Xiaoguang , Yin Dali
Published: November 2014

A new class of fluorophores 3-alkyl-6-methoxy-7-hydroxy-chromones (AMHCs) is developed and is suitable as reagents for biological imaging.
Stepwise combination of NH3 with BH4− in metal borohydride ammoniate
Authors: Song Yuanzhou , Wu Feilong , Zheng Xiongfei , Ma Xiaohua , Fang Fang , Guo Yanhui
Published: November 2014

The step-wise combination of NH3 with BH4− in metal borohydride ammoniate was proposed, which may benefit its design for hydrogen storage.
Divide and control: split design of multi-input DNA logic gates
Authors: Gerasimova Yulia V. , Kolpashchikov Dmitry M.
Published: November 2014

We report a strategy to design a 5-input logic gate by splitting a 2-input DNA construct.
Coordination responsive tellurium-containing multilayer film for controlled delivery
Authors: Cao Wei , Wang Lu , Xu Huaping
Published: November 2014

A coordination-responsive tellurium-containing film was fabricated to load cisplatin by Te–Pt coordination, and competitive bio-ligands could trigger the release of cisplatin.
Impact of a rigid backbone on the structure of an agostically-stabilised dialkylstannylene: isolation of an unusual bridged stannyl–stannylene
Authors: Izod Keith , Dixon Casey M. , Harrington Ross W. , Probert Michael R.
Published: November 2014

Tethering two phosphine–borane-stabilised carbanion centres in a single ligand reduces its capacity to form B–H⋯E agostic-type interactions, and favours the formation of a stannyl–stannylene complex over two equivalents of the corresponding stannylene.
Oxidative radical 1,2-alkylarylation of alkenes with α-C(sp3)–H bonds of acetonitriles involving 1,2-aryl migration
Authors: Li Yang , Liu Bang , Li Hai-Bing , Wang Qiuan , Li Jin-Heng
Published: November 2014

The first access to acyclic molecules by metal-free oxidative 1,2-alkylarylation of alkenes with acetonitriles is presented.
Yolk–shell structured Gd2O3:Eu3+ phosphor prepared by spray pyrolysis: the effect of preparation conditions on microstructure and luminescence properties
Authors: Cho Jung Sang , Jung Kyeong Youl , Kang Yun Chan
Published: November 2014

Yolk–shell Gd2O3:Eu3+ phosphor powders with high photoluminescence intensity were prepared by spray pyrolysis. The formation mechanism of yolk–shell Gd2O3:Eu3+ was systematically investigated by observing the microstructures of particles produced under various preparation conditions.
Effect of in situ synthesized Fe2O3and Co3O4nanoparticles on electroactive β phase crystallization and dielectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) thin films
Authors: Thakur Pradip , Kool Arpan , Bagchi Biswajoy , Das Sukhen , Nandy Papiya
Published: November 2014

In situsynthesis of Fe2O3–Co3O4nanoparticles stabilized electroactive PVDF thin films with colossal dielectric constants.
NMR studies of DNA microcapsules prepared using sonochemical methods
Authors: Reytblat Irena , Keinan-Adamsky Keren , Chill Jordan H. , Gottlieb Hugo E. , Gedanken Aharon , Goobes Gil
Published: November 2014

DNA molecules were recently converted using ultrasonic irradiation into microcapsules that can trap hydrophobic molecules in aqueous solution.
Assignment of the 13C NMR spectrum by correlation to dipolar coupled proton-pairs and estimation of order parameters of a thiophene based liquid crystal
Authors: Reddy Y. Jayasubba , Ramanathan K. V.
Published: November 2014

13C spectral assignment by correlation to proton double quantum coherence – order parameters of a thiophene based liquid crystal.
Manganese–calcium clusters supported by calixarenes
Authors: Fuller Rebecca O. , Koutsantonis George A. , Lozić Ivan , Ogden Mark I. , Skelton Brian W.
Published: November 2014

An investigation inspired by the structure of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II has resulted in the isolation and structural characterization of the first examples of Mn/Ca clusters supported by a calixarene ligand.
Ferromagnetic ordering in the organic radical cation salt BBDTA·Au(CN)2at 8.2 K
Authors: Fujita Wataru
Published: November 2014

An organic radical cation salt, BBDTA·Au(CN)2, with a slipped π-stacking columnar structure and intercolumnar short contacts, shows ferromagnetic ordering at 8.2 K, the highest reported temperature among the BBDTA+cation salts.
3D Co(ii) coordination polymer with ferrimagnetic-like layers based on azide and tetrazolate bridges showing slow magnetic dynamics
Authors: Zhang Xiu-Mei , Li Peng , Gao Wei , Liu Jie-Ping , Gao En-Qing
Published: November 2014

A novel layer-pillared 3D coordination polymer composed of unprecedented Co(ii) layers with azide and tetrazolate bridges exhibits the ferrimagnetic-like behaviors with spin-glass dynamic relaxation.
Lutein derived fragments exhibit higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties than lutein in lipopolysaccharide induced inflammation in rats
Authors: Nidhi Bhatiwada , Sharavana Gurunathan , Ramaprasad Talahalli R. , Vallikannan Baskaran
Published: November 2014

In the present study, we appraise the anti-inflammatory efficacy of lutein oxidative degradation derivatives mediated through UV-irradiation over lutein in counteracting the inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats (n= 5 per group).