bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐Neuroinflammatory Effect of MC13, a Novel Coumarin Compound From Condiment Murraya, Through Inhibiting Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced TRAF6‐TAK1‐NF‐κB, P38/ERK MAPKS and Jak2‐Stat1/Stat3 Pathways
Authors: Zeng Ke‐Wu , Yu Qian , Liao Li‐Xi , Song Fang‐Jiao , Lv Hai‐Ning , Jiang Yong , Tu Peng‐Fei
Published: February 2015

MC13 is a novel coumarin compound found in Murraya, an economic crop whose leaves are widely used as condiment (curry) in cuisine. The aims of the present study were to investigate the neuroprotective effects of MC13 on microglia‐mediated inflammatory injury model as well as potential molecular mechanism. Cell viability and apoptosis assay demonstrated that MC13 was not toxic to neurons and significantly protected neurons from microglia‐mediated inflammatory injury upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Results showed that MC13 markedly inhibited LPS‐induced production of various inflammatory mediators, including nitrite oxide (Griess method), TNF‐α and IL‐6 (ELISA assay) in a concentration‐dependent manner. Mechanism study showed that MC13 could suppress the activation of NF‐κB, which was the central regulator for inflammatory response, and also decreased the interaction of TGF‐β‐activated kinase 1 (TAK1)‐binding protein (TAB2) with TAK1 and TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF6), leading to the decreased phosphorylation levels of NF‐κB upstream regulators such as IκB and IκB kinase (IKK). MC13 also significantly down‐regulated the phosphorylation levels of ERK and p38 MAPKs, which played key roles in microglia‐mediated inflammatory response. Furthermore, MC13 inhibited Jak2‐dependent Stat1/3 signaling pathway activation by blocking Jak2 phosphorylation, Stat1/3 phosphorylation, and nuclear translocation. Taken together, our results demonstrated that MC13 protected neurons from microglia‐mediated neuroinflammatory injury by inhibiting TRAF6‐TAK1‐NF‐κB, p38/ERK MAPKs, and Jak2‐Stat1/3 pathways. Finally, MC13 might interact with LPS and interfere LPS‐binding to cell membrane surface. These findings suggested that coumarin might act as a potential medicinal agent for treating neuroinflammation as well as inflammation‐related neurodegenerative diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1286–1299, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Estrogen Enhances Activity of Wnt Signaling During Osteogenesis by Inducing Fhl1 Expression
Authors: Wu Shao‐Min , Shih Lan‐Hsin , Lee Jing‐Yu , Shen Yi‐Jun , Lee Hu‐Hui
Published: February 2015

Estrogen is a crucial hormone for osteoclast inhibition and for preventing osteoporosis. However, the hormone's role in osteoblast growth and differentiation remains unclear. The complexity of estrogen's role in guiding osteoblast behavior arises partly from crosstalk with other signaling pathways, including Wnt signaling. In this study, we show that the Wnt agonist, LiCl, induced Fhl1 gene expression, which substantially enhanced osteoblast differentiation. Staining with alizarin red revealed that MC3T3‐E1 mineralization was enhanced by overexpression of Fhl1. In addition, Fhl1 promoted the expression of the osteogenic markers, Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN), whereas MC3T3‐E1 cells with gene knockdown of Fhl1 exhibited limited mineralization and expression of Runx2, OCN, and OPN. We further demonstrate evidences from quantitative reverse transcription real‐time polymerase chain reaction and reporter assay that Fhl1 expression was synergistically stimulated by estrogen (E2) and LiCl, but reduced by the estrogen‐receptor inhibitor fulvestrant (ICI 182,780). However, estrogen could not enhance osteogenesis while Fhl1 expression was knocked down. Because estrogen and Wnt signaling frequently interact in developmental processes, we propose that Fhl1 can be an acting molecule mediating both signaling pathways during osteogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1419–1430, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Osteoclastic Transmembrane Protein‐Tyrosine Phosphatase Enhances Osteoclast Activity in Part by Dephosphorylating EphA4 in Osteoclasts
Authors: Lau Kin‐Hing William , Amoui Mehran , Stiffel Virginia , Chen Shin‐Tai , Sheng Matilda H.‐C.
Published: February 2015

We have previously shown that PTP‐oc is an enhancer of the functional activity of osteoclasts and that EphA4 is a suppressor. Here, we provide evidence that PTP‐oc enhances osteoclast activity in part through inactivation of EphA4 by dephosphorylating key phosphotyrosine (pY) residues of EphA4. We show that EphA4 was pulled down by the PTP‐oc trapping mutant but not by the wild‐type (WT) PTP‐oc and that transgenic overexpression of PTP‐oc in osteoclasts drastically decreased pY602 and pY779 residues of EphA4. Consistent with the previous findings that EphA4 deficiency increased pY173‐Vav3 level (Rac‐GTP exchange factor [GEF]) and enhanced bone resorption activity of osteoclasts, reintroduction of WT‐Epha4 in Epha4 null osteoclasts led to ∼50% reduction in the pY173‐Vav3 level and ∼2‐fold increase in bone resorption activity. Overexpression of Y779F‐Epha4 mutant in WT osteoclasts markedly increased in pY173‐Vav3 and reduced bone resorption activity, but overexpression of Y602F‐Epha4 mutant had no effect, suggesting that pY779 residue plays an important role in the EphA4‐mediated suppression of osteoclast activity. Deficient EphA4 in osteoclasts has been shown to up‐regulate Rac‐GTPase and down‐regulate Rho‐GTPase. PTP‐oc overexpression in osteoclasts also increased the GTP‐Rac level to 300% of controls, but decreased the GTP‐Rho level to ∼50% of controls. PTP‐oc overexpression or deficient Epha4 each also reduced pY87‐Ephexin level, which is a Rho GEF. Thus, PTP‐oc may differentially regulate Rac signaling versus Rho signaling through dephosphorylation of EphA4, which has shown to have opposing effects on Rac‐GTPase versus Rho‐GTPase through differential regulation of Vav3 versus Ephexin. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1785–1796, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibition of Transforming Growth Factor‐β (TGF‐β) Signaling by Scutellaria baicalensis and Fritillaria cirrhosa Extracts in Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Bokhari Amber A. , Syed Viqar
Published: February 2015

Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), regulates cell proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and is an inducer of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cancer cells exhibit activated TGF‐β/SMAD signaling pathway and its inhibition is an attractive strategy for cancer treatment. The Chinese Herbs Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) and Fritillaria cirrhosa (FC) have been shown to be beneficial to cancer patients, but the mechanisms by which the extracts of two herbs elicit the beneficial effects are unclear. In this study, we have used human endometrial cancer cells to assess the anticancer efficacy of SB and FC on TGF‐β signaling pathway components. SB and FC treatment of cancer cells resulted in a significant decrease in expression of TGF‐β isoforms, TGF‐β receptors, and SMADs. Both herbs effectively inhibited basal and TGF‐β1‐induced cancer cell proliferation and invasion, which was accompanied with abrogation of Snail, Slug, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), αvβ3 integrin, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and p‐FAK expression. An inhibitor of TGF‐βRI blocked TGF‐β1‐induced cell invasion and significantly diminished antitumor effects of SB and FC. These results suggest that SB and FC block endometrial cancer growth by downregulating TGF‐β/SMAD signaling pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1797–1805, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
1,6‐ and 1,7‐Regioisomers of Dicyano‐Substituted Perylene Bisimides: Synthesis, Optical and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Tsai Hsing‐Yang , Chang Che‐Wei , Lin Chi‐Wei , Chen Kew‐Yu
Published: February 2015

In this study, 1,6‐ ad 1,7‐regioisomers of dicyano‐substituted perylene bisimides (1,6‐C and 1,7‐C) were synthesized and successfully isolated from their regioisomeric mixture using conventional methods of separation, and subsequently characterized by 400 MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy. This is the first time that the 1,6‐dicyanoperylene bisimide 1,6‐C has been obtained in pure form. Moreover, the optical and electrochemical properties of 1,6‐C and 1,7‐C were found to be virtually the same. Time‐dependent density functional theory calculations performed on both dyes are reported in order to rationalize their electronic structures and optical properties.
Synthesis of Bis‐spiro Cyclopropanes Based on Meldrum’s Acid by Milling
Authors: Kashani Elmira , Noroozi Pesyan Nader , Tunç Tuncay , Sahin Ertan
Published: February 2015

Reaction of 2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxane‐4,6‐dione (Meldrum’s acid) with various solid aldehydes in the presence of cyanogen bromide and solid sodium ethoxide (EtONa) leads to the selective and efficient formation of bis‐spiro cyclopropanes based on Meldrum’s acid at the range of 0 °C to room temperature. The products were obtained in good to excellent yields. Structure elucidation is carried out by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT‐IR spectroscopy, mass analyses and X‐ray crystallography techniques. A possible mechanism for the formation of products is also discussed under solvent‐free condition.
A randomized controlled trial of liraglutide versus insulin detemir plus sitagliptin: Effective switch from intensive insulin therapy to the once‐daily injection in patients with well‐controlled type 2 diabetes
Authors: Inoue Yuichiro , Nakamura Akinobu , Kondo Yoshinobu , Hamano Kumiko , Satoh Shinobu , Terauchi Yasuo
Published: February 2015

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of liraglutide versus insulin detemir plus sitagliptin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with a basal‐bolus insulin regimen. In this multicenter, open‐label trial, 90 patients whose diabetes had been controlled well or moderately (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ≤ 7.3%) with basal‐bolus insulin regimen were randomly assigned to a liraglutide group or a detemir group and were followed up for 24 weeks. The primary end point was HbA1c change from baseline to 24 weeks. Of the 90 enrolled patients, 82 completed this trial. At 24 weeks, the mean changes in HbA1c from baseline were 0.1% ± 0.9% versus 0.3% ± 0.8% in the liraglutide versus detemir groups, respectively (P = .46). The “overall” satisfaction score for the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire changed from 25.2 ± 7.4 to 29.9 ± 5.3 (P < .001) and from 26.4 ± 6.1 to 28.3 ± 6.4 (P = .12) in the liraglutide and detemir groups, respectively. Although the mean change difference in HbA1c between both groups was not significant, switching from a basal‐bolus insulin regimen to liraglutide once daily improved patient satisfaction levels without loss of glycemic control.
Thermophilic biohydrogen production using a UASB reactor: performance during long‐term operation
Authors: FM Braga Adriana , N Ferraz Júnior Antônio D , Zaiat Marcelo
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

The efficiency of H2 production by dark fermentation described in the literature is around 50% of the maximum theoretical value and the experiments are mostly carried out over short‐term operations. This present study evaluated H2 production in a UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) reactor operated at 55 °C for 366 days using a synthetic substrate based on sucrose. The reactor response to an increased organic loading rate (OLR) was assessed by applying three different hydraulic retention times (HRTs): 12 h (211 days), 6 h (71 days), and 2 h (84 days).

RESULTS

CH4 was observed in the biogas during startup. The highest average values of the molar H2 flow rate (MHFR), volumetric H2 production rate (VHPR), and H2 yield (HY) were achieved at a HRT of 2 h, and were, respectively, 14.00 ± 5.24 mmol h−1, 75.33 ± 24.65 mL H2 L−1.h−1, and 1.73 ± 1.14 mol–H2 mol‐suc−1. Considering only the unstable steady‐state period, HY average at a HRT of 2 h was 2.56 ± 0.84 mol–H2 mol‐suc−1.

CONCLUSION

Operational conditions were found to be the main factors responsible for removing methanogenic microorganisms from the system. Increase in the OLR enhanced H2 production and the ethanol pathway proved to be favorable for H2 production. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Contractile properties of the myotomal muscle of sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus
Authors: Coughlin David J. , Akhtar Mahfuza
Published: February 2015

Swimming in fishes is powered by myotomal red, white and pink skeletal muscle. Slow swimming is powered by the red (slow‐twitch muscle), fast speeds are achieved by the white (fast‐twitch) muscle and pink muscle apparently serves an intermediate function. In recent years, the physiological properties and molecular composition of red (slow) and white (fast) muscle fibers have been well studied, while the intermediate pink muscle, which falls in a thin sheet between the superficial red muscle and deeper white muscle, has received less attention. The goal of this study is to determine the contractile properties of red, pink, and white muscle and to establish the molecular basis of fiber type variations in contractile properties in a sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus). Isometric and isovelocity muscle mechanics experiments demonstrated a general pattern of increasing contractile speed from red to pink to white muscle, although red and pink muscle did not differ significantly for most contraction kinetics variables. As myosin heavy chain (MyHC) is the most important structural protein found in the muscle fibers, MyHC content was examined through immunohistochemistry. Myosin antibodies suggest a gradient in myosin content corresponding to differences in muscle contraction kinetics. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 169–178, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Across time and space: Effects of urbanization on corticosterone and body condition vary over multiple years in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia)
Authors: Foltz Sarah L. , Davis Jason E. , Battle Kathryn E. , Greene Virginia W. , Laing Brenton T. , Rock Ryan P. , Ross Allen E. , Tallant James A. , Vega Rene C. , Moore Ignacio T.
Published: February 2015

Animals inhabiting urban areas must simultaneously cope with the unique challenges presented by this novel habitat type while exploiting the distinctive opportunities it offers. The costs and benefits of urban living are often assumed to be consistent across time, but may in fact vary depending on the habitat features influencing them. Here we examine the glucocorticoid levels and body condition of song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) resident at urban and rural sites over four consecutive years to determine whether these traits, which may be linked to the relative costs and benefits of these respective habitats, are consistent over time. Glucocorticoid levels and body condition varied by year in both habitat types. While habitat alone did not influence glucocorticoid levels, there was a significant interaction between year and habitat, indicating that glucocorticoids differ between habitats in some years but not others. There was no discernable effect of habitat alone on body condition. Overall, these data suggest that the costs and benefits of inhabiting urban versus rural habitats differ substantially from year to year. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 109–120, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sex‐related variation in metabolic profile of two wagtail species
Authors: Elarabany N. F.
Published: February 2015

Progression of the vernal migratory life history stage to breeding presents a number of different behavioral and physiological changes. Long‐distance passerine migrants deposit substantial fat stores to fuel their migratory journey. Many of those migratory birds arrive at their northerly breeding grounds with larger fat stores than other birds. In the current study, plasma metabolites were used to determine refueling rates in two species of songbirds at stopover sites in New Damietta, Egypt and to test the hypotheses that males refuel faster than females during spring. The results showed that males usually refuel in higher rates than females during spring in both species. The results show that sex‐related variations in stopover refueling rate can be a possible mechanism for protandry in spring and faster male migration than females.J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 202–209, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emerging from the rib: Resolving the turtle controversies
Authors: Rice Ritva , Riccio Paul , Gilbert Scott F. , Cebra‐Thomas Judith
Published: February 2015

Two of the major controversies in the present study of turtle shell development involve the mechanism by which the carapacial ridge initiates shell formation and the mechanism by which each rib forms the costal bones adjacent to it. This paper claims that both sides of each debate might be correct—but within the species examined. Mechanism is more properly “mechanisms,” and there is more than one single way to initiate carapace formation and to form the costal bones. In the initiation of the shell, the rib precursors may be kept dorsal by either “axial displacement” (in the hard‐shell turtles) or “axial arrest” (in the soft‐shell turtlePelodiscus), or by a combination of these. The former process would deflect the rib into the dorsal dermis and allow it to continue its growth there, while the latter process would truncate rib growth. In both instances, though, the result is to keep the ribs from extending into the ventral body wall. Our recent work has shown that the properties of the carapacial ridge, a key evolutionary innovation of turtles, differ greatly between these two groups. Similarly, the mechanism of costal bone formation may differ between soft‐shell and hard‐shell turtles, in that the hard‐shell species may have both periosteal flattening as well as dermal bone induction, while the soft‐shelled turtles may have only the first of these processes.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 208–220, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evo–devo mechanisms underlying the continuum between homology and homoplasy
Authors: Ochoa Carlos , Rasskin‐Gutman Diego
Published: February 2015

The different manifestations of equivalence and similarity in structure throughout evolution suggest a continuous and hierarchical process that starts out with the origin of a morphological novelty, unit, or homologue. Once a morphological unit has originated, its properties change subsequently into variants that differ, in magnitude, from the original properties found in the common ancestor. We will look into the nature of morphological units and their degrees of modification, which will provide the starting point for restructuring the concept of “homology,” keeping the use of homology as the identity of an anatomical part, and homogeny, as the specific variation of that anatomical part during evolution. We will also show that parallelism has a distinct placement within an evolutionary continuum between homology and homoplasy, whereas the phenomenon of evolutionary convergence is left outside this continuum. We will then provide some epistemological and developmental criteria to justify these distinctions, showing that there is a direct relation between the nature of these concepts and the constraints that developmental mechanisms impose on evolution. Finally, we will propose a hierarchical model that places homology, homogeny, homoplasy, and parallelism, as distinct phenomena within an evolutionary continuum. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 91–103, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modification of the larval swimming behavior in Oikopleura dioica, a chordate with a miniaturized central nervous system by dsRNA injection into fertilized eggs
Authors: Mikhaleva Yana , Kreneisz Orsolya , Olsen Lisbeth C. , Glover Joel C. , Chourrout Daniel
Published: February 2015

Using RNA interference, we have selectively perturbed neurotransmitter‐related features of the larval swimming behavior of Oikopleura dioica, a tunicate with a central nervous system comprising about 130 neurons. We injected dsRNA into fertilized eggs to knockdown the expression of the genes, respectively, encoding ChAT (choline acetyltransferase) and GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase), enzymes critical for the biosynthesis of acetylcholine and GABA. These two neurotransmitters have conserved roles during evolution, particularly within chordate motor systems, where they mediate respectively neuromuscular and central inhibitory signals. In Oikopleura, interference with ChAT expression prevented the normal bidirectional, propagating tail movement characteristic of swimming, permitting only repeated unilateral tail bends. Proper swimming was never observed, and the resting period between episodes of activity was lengthened. This phenotype is most likely caused by the reduction of transcription observed for both the targeted ChAT gene and the VAChT gene (Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter), both genes being transcribed from the same operon. Interference with GAD expression led to an uncoordinated version of swimming with a spiral movement trajectory, but with episodes similar in duration and cycle frequency to those of normal swimming. Our results suggest locomotor functions for ChAT and GABA that are more subtle than previously proposed for tunicates and opens the way for a genetic dissection of Oikopleura neuronal circuits, which are likely to be among the most simplified in the chordate phylum. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 114–127, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ag Loaded on SiO2 as an Efficient and Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of Chloro‐8‐substituted‐9H‐purines
Authors: Maddila Suresh , Valand Jignesh , Bandaru Harinarayana , Yalagala Kotaiah , Lavanya Palakondu
Published: February 2015

Ag support on silica has been used as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the facile synthesis of chloro‐8‐substituted‐9H‐purine derivatives via the one‐pot reaction of 6‐chloro‐pyrimidines and substituted acids. The title compounds were formed as excellent yields with short reaction time under eco‐friendly conditions. The prepared catalyst (Ag/SiO2) can be reused for a number of times with insignificant loss in its activity. This route has the advantage of being a cost‐effective, readily available, easy workup procedure.
Action of Some Nitrogen and Carbon Nucleophils on 4‐Arylidene‐1,3‐oxazolones
Authors: Youssef Ahmed S. A. , Kandeel Kamal A. , Abou‐Elmagd Wael S. I. , Haneen David S. A.
Published: February 2015

1,3‐Oxazolones 1 and 2 were reacted with hydrazine hydrate to afford the corresponding hydrazides 3 and 4. Treatment of the hydrazides withacetylacetone, acetonylacetone, ethyl acetoacetate and diethyl malonateyielded different heterocycles. However, oxazolones 1 and 2 reacted with methyl p‐aminobenzoate to afford the imidazolones 5a,5b which were converted into the hydrazide 3a or the triazinone derivative 6 upon treating with hydrazine hydrate. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established using IR, 1H‐NMR, EIMS, and elemental analyses.
Association of clinical practice guidelines with emergency department management of febrile infants ≤56 days of age
Authors: Aronson Paul L. , Thurm Cary , Williams Derek J. , Nigrovic Lise E. , Alpern Elizabeth R. , Tieder Joel S. , Shah Samir S. , McCulloh Russell J. , Balamuth Fran , Schondelmeyer Amanda C. , Alessandrini Evaline A. , Browning Whitney L. , Myers Angela L. , Neuman Mark I. ,   for the Febrile Young Infant Research Collaborative
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

Differences among febrile infant institutional clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) may contribute to practice variation and increased healthcare costs.

OBJECTIVE

Determine the association between pediatric emergency department (ED) CPGs and laboratory testing, hospitalization, ceftriaxone use, and costs in febrile infants.

DESIGN

Retrospective cross‐sectional study in 2013.

SETTING

Thirty‐three hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System.

PATIENTS

Infants aged ≤56 days with a diagnosis of fever.

EXPOSURES

The presence and content of ED‐based febrile infant CPGs assessed by electronic survey.

MEASUREMENTS

Using generalized estimating equations, we evaluated the association between CPG recommendations and rates of urine, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing, hospitalization, and ceftriaxone use at ED discharge in 2 age groups: ≤28 days and 29 to 56 days. We also assessed CPG impact on healthcare costs.

RESULTS

We included 9377 ED visits; 21 of 33 EDs (63.6%) had a CPG. For neonates ≤28 days, CPG recommendations did not vary and were not associated with differences in testing, hospitalization, or costs. Among infants 29 to 56 days, CPG recommendations for CSF testing and ceftriaxone use varied. CSF testing occurred less often at EDs with CPGs recommending limited testing compared to hospitals without CPGs (adjusted odds ratio: 0.5, 95% confidence interval: 0.3‐0.8). Ceftriaxone use at ED discharge varied significantly based on CPG recommendations. Costs were higher for admitted and discharged infants 29 to 56 days old at hospitals with CPGs.

CONCLUSIONS

CPG recommendations for febrile infants 29 to 56 days old vary across institutions for CSF testing and ceftriaxone use, correlating with observed practice variation. CPGs were not associated with lower healthcare costs. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:358–365. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Development of carbon‐11 labelled PET tracers—radiochemical and technological challenges in a historic perspective
Authors: Antoni Gunnar
Published: February 2015

The development of positron emission tomography (PET) from being an exclusive and expensive research tool at major research institutes to a clinically useful modality found at most major hospitals around the world is largely dependent on radiochemistry and synthesis technology achievements by a few pioneer researchers starting their PET careers 40 to 50 years ago. Especially, the introduction of [11C]methyl iodide resulted in a quantum jump in the history of PET tracer development enabling the smooth labelling of a multitude of useful tracers. A more recent and still challenging methodological improvement is transition metal mediated 11C‐carbonylations, having a large synthetic potential that has, however, not yet been realized in the clinical setting. This mini‐review focuses on the history of carbon‐11 radiochemistry and related technology developments and the role this played in PET tracer developments, especially emphasizing radiolabelling of endogenous compounds. A few examples will be presented of how the use of radiolabelled endogenous substances have provided fundamental information of in vivo biochemistry using the concept of position‐specific labelling in different positions in the same molecule.
Evolution of the branchiostegal membrane and restricted gill openings inActinopterygian fishes
Authors: Farina Stacy C. , Near Thomas J. , Bemis William E.
Published: February 2015

A phylogenetic survey is a powerful approach for investigating the evolutionary history of a morphological characteristic that has evolved numerous times without obvious functional implications. Restricted gill openings, an extreme modification of the branchiostegal membrane, are an example of such a characteristic. We examine the evolution of branchiostegal membrane morphology and highlight convergent evolution of restricted gill openings. We surveyed specimens from 433 families of actinopterygians for branchiostegal membrane morphology and measured head and body dimensions. We inferred a relaxed molecular clock phylogeny with branch length estimates based on nine nuclear genes sampled from 285 species that include all major lineages of Actinopterygii. We calculated marginal state reconstructions of four branchiostegal membrane conditions and found that restricted gill openings have evolved independently in at least 11 major actinopterygian clades, and the total number of independent origins of the trait is likely much higher. A principal component analysis revealed that fishes with restricted gill openings occupy a larger morphospace, as defined by our linear measurements, than do fishes with nonrestricted openings. We used a decision tree analysis of ecological data to determine if restricted gill openings are linked to certain environments. We found that fishes with restricted gill openings repeatedly occur under a variety of ecological conditions, although they are rare in open‐ocean pelagic environments. We also tested seven ratios for their utility in distinguishing between fishes with and without restricted gill openings, and we propose a simple metric for quantifying restricted gill openings (RGO), defined as a ratio of the distance from the ventral midline to the gill opening relative to half the circumference of the head. Functional explanations for this specialized morphology likely differ within each clade, but its repeated evolution indicates a need for a better understanding of diversity of ventilatory morphology among fishes. J. Morphol. 276:681–694, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of the binding of 2‐mercaptobenzimidazole to bovine serum albumin
Authors: Teng Yue , Zou Luyi , Huang Ming , Zong Wansong
Published: February 2015

2‐Mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) is widely utilized as a corrosion inhibitor, copper‐plating brightener and rubber accelerator. The residue of MBI in the environment is potentially harmful to human health. In this article, the interaction of MBI with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was explored using spectroscopic and molecular docking methods under physiological conditions. The positively charged MBI can spontaneously bind with the negatively charged BSA through electrostatic forces with one binding site. The site marker competition experiments and the molecular docking study revealed that MBI bound into site II (subdomain IIIA) of BSA, which further led to some secondary structure and microenvironmental changes of BSA. This work provides useful information on understanding the toxicological actions of MBI at the molecular level. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immediate post‐doxorubicin drug‐eluting beads chemoembolization Mr Apparent diffusion coefficient quantification predicts response in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A pilot study
Authors: Kokabi Nima , Camacho Juan C. , Xing Minzhi , Edalat Faramarz , Mittal Pardeep K. , Kim Hyun S.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

To investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) immediately post‐doxorubicin drug‐eluting beads transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (DEB‐TACE) therapy as an early imaging biomarker of therapy response.

Materials and Methods

In a single‐center prospective correlative study, 12 consecutive patients, median age 64 years, underwent DEB‐TACE and dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) and DWI (b = 50,400,800 s/mm2) MRI at baseline with respect to first DEB‐TACE, within 3 hours, and at 1 and 3 months posttherapy. DCE imaging response was evaluated according to target mRECIST and EASL. Relative change (RC) in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of treated lesions was measured on follow‐ups. Correlation between ADC RC in tumors and anatomical response were evaluated with paired t‐test and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Survival from first DEB‐TACE was estimated using Kaplan–Meier and log‐rank analysis.

Results

Compared to baseline, mean ADC increased significantly for responders within 3 hours post‐DEB‐TACE (0.73 ± 0.20 mm2/s vs. 0.99 ± 0.28 mm2/s × 10−3 (P = 0.001)). There was no significant change in ADC within 3 hours for nonresponders. ADC RC threshold of 20% immediately post‐DEB‐TACE showed 100% sensitivity and specificity in predicting anatomical response at 1 and 3 months with patients with ≥20% ADC increase demonstrated significantly prolonged mean overall survival compared to others (25.4 vs. 13.3 months (P = 0.017)).

Conclusion

ADC relative change of ≥20% immediately post‐DEB‐TACE is an accurate predictor of objective and quantitative treatment response and prolonged survival in unresectable HCC. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:981–989.
Dose planning objectives in anal canal cancer IMRT: the TROG ANROTAT experience
Authors: Brown Elizabeth , Cray Alison , Haworth Annette , Chander Sarat , Lin Robert , Subramanian Brindha , Ng Michael
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is ideal for anal canal cancer (ACC), delivering high doses to irregular tumour volumes whilst minimising dose to surrounding normal tissues. Establishing achievable dose objectives is a challenge. The purpose of this paper was to utilise data collected in the Assessment of New Radiation Oncology Treatments and Technologies (ANROTAT) project to evaluate the feasibility of ACC IMRT dose planning objectives employed in the Australian situation.

Methods

Ten Australian centres were randomly allocated three data sets from 15 non‐identifiable computed tomography data sets representing a range of disease stages and gender. Each data set was planned by two different centres, producing 30 plans. All tumour and organ at risk (OAR) contours, prescription and dose constraint details were provided. Dose–volume histograms (DVHs) for each plan were analysed to evaluate the feasibility of dose planning objectives provided.

Results

All dose planning objectives for the bone marrow (BM) and femoral heads were achieved. Median planned doses exceeded one or more objectives for bowel, external genitalia and bladder. This reached statistical significance for bowel V30 (P = 0.04), V45 (P < 0.001), V50 (P < 0.001), external genitalia V20 (P < 0.001) and bladder V35 (P < 0.001), V40 (P = 0.01). Gender was found to be the only significant factor in the likelihood of achieving the bowel V50 (P = 0.03) and BM V30 constraints (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

The dose planning objectives used in the ANROTAT project provide a good starting point for ACC IMRT planning. To facilitate clinical implementation, it is important to prioritise OAR objectives and recognise factors that affect the achievability of these objectives.
Wide temperature range SiGe HBT noise parameter modeling and LNA design for extreme environment Electronics
Authors: Niu Guofu , Ma Rongchen , Luo Lan , Cressler John D.
Published: February 2015

This paper investigates modeling of silicon‐germanium heterojunction bipolar transistor noise parameters and impedance‐matched Low‐Noise Amplifiers (LNAs) intended for operation across a wide temperature range (from 93 to 393 K). In general, noise performance improves with cooling until about 150 K, then degrades some because of carrier freeze‐out. With a temperature independent bias current, an LNA designed for 300 K operation shows acceptable performance from 93 to 393 K, albeit with some degradation of linearity below 120 K. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Black‐box noise modeling of GaAs HEMTs under illumination
Authors: Colangeli Sergio , Ciccognani Walter , Limiti Ernesto , Caddemi Alina , Crupi Giovanni , Salvo Giuseppe
Published: February 2015

The present work is focused on the modeling of the noise performance of GaAs HEMTs under laser illumination. The model is straightforwardly extracted by using a polynomial approximation of the noise correlation parameters without the need for determining an equivalent circuit representation. The validity of the model is confirmed by the observed good agreement between model simulations and noise measurements with and without light up to 26 GHz. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the temporal variability of winter daily extreme temperatures and precipitations in southern Quebec (Canada) using the Lombard and copula methods
Authors: Guerfi Nadjet , Assani Ali A. , Mesfioui Mhamed , Kinnard Christophe
Published: February 2015

Although numerous studies have looked at the long‐term trend of the temporal variability of winter temperature and precipitation in southern Quebec, no study has focused on the shifts in series means and the dependence between these two types of climate variables associated with this long‐term trend. To fill these gaps, we used the Lombard method to detect the shifts in mean values and the copula method to detect any change in dependence between extreme (maximum and minimum) temperatures and precipitation (snow and rain) over the periods 1950–2000 (17 stations) and 1950–2010 (7 stations). During these two periods, the shifts in mean values of temperature and precipitation were recorded at less than half of the stations. The only significant change observed at the provincial scale is a decrease in the amount of snowfall, which occurred in many cases during the 1970s. This decrease affected stations on the north shore (continental temperate climate) more strongly than stations on the south shore (maritime temperate climate) of the St Lawrence River. However, this decrease in the amount of snowfall had no impact on the dependence over time between temperature and precipitation as snow.
Optimisation of a cheap and residential small‐scale production of edible crickets with local by‐products as an alternative protein‐rich human food source in Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia
Authors: Caparros Megido Rudy , Alabi Taofic , Nieus Clément , Blecker Christophe , Danthine Sabine , Bogaert Jan , Haubruge Éric , Francis Frédéric
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

The health status of the indigenous people of Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia, is significantly lower compared with that of the rest of the nation. The domestication and mass production of insects may represent a sustainable, cost effective and high quality alternative source of protein to traditional livestock. This study aimed to optimise a cheap and residential cricket breeding system based on unused wild resources. The development of crickets, Teleogryllus testaceus (Walker), under seven diets composed of taro aerial parts, young cassava leaves, young cashew leaves and brown rice flour (with or without banana slices), versus a traditionally used broiler feed diet was studied.

RESULTS

Cricket mortality was low in all diets, except the two cashew‐based diets. Total biomass was significantly higher under the broiler feed, in addition to the two diets containing a combination of cassava leaf powder and brown rice. Yet, crickets fed with the taro diet had the highest percentage of protein. Concerning the breeding system cost, units using cassava leaves were the cheapest.

CONCLUSION

Diets based on cassava leaves seem to be the most promising. Nevertheless, to produce crickets with a high body mass and a high protein level, a new experiments must be devised in which cassava leaf maturity will be adapted to fit with the cricket growth stage. Moreover, to reduce the cost of the breeding units, handmade local products should be used instead of purchased components. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Ionic liquid supported on an electrodeposited polycarbazole film for the headspace solid‐phase microextraction and gas chromatography determination of aromatic esters
Authors: Feng Yuanyuan , Zhao Faqiong , Zeng Baizhao
Published: February 2015

A polycarbazole film was electrodeposited on a stainless‐steel wire from a solution of N,N‐dimethylformamide/propylene carbonate (1:9 v/v) containing 0.10 M carbazole and 0.10 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate. The obtained polycarbazole fiber was immersed into an ionic liquid (1‐hydroxyethyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide) solution (in dimethylsulfoxide) for 30 min, followed by drying under an infrared lamp. The resulting polycarbazole/ionic liquid fiber was applied to the headspace solid‐phase microextraction and determination of aromatic esters by coupling with gas chromatography and flame ionization detection. Under the optimized conditions, the limits of detection were below 61 ng/L (S/N = 3) and the linear ranges were 0.061−500 μg/L with correlation coefficients above 0.9876. The relative standard deviations were below 4.8% (n = 5) for a single fiber, and below 9.9% for multi‐fiber (n = 4). This fiber also exhibited good stability. It could be used for more than 160 times of headspace solid‐phase microextraction and could withstand a high temperature up to 350°C.
Fast determination of four active compounds in Sanqi Panax Notoginseng Injection samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography with a chemometric method
Authors: Li Bao Qiong , Chen Jing , Wu Tong Xing , Zhai Hong Lin , Zhang Xiao Yun
Published: February 2015

The application of chemometric methods could decrease the requirements of separation and simplify time‐consuming pretreatment and experimental optimization. In this report, the accumulated projection method was developed and utilized for the rapid simultaneous quantification of four active components (notoginsenoside R1, ginsenosides Rg1, ginsenosides Re, and ginsenosides Rb1) in Sanqi Panax Notoginseng Injection samples. The proposed method is based on the three‐dimensional fingerprint spectra obtained from high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection. Although the chromatograms consisted of overlapping peaks, retention time shifts, and unknown interference, all established models showed good linearity (R > 0.9869) within test ranges. The relative standard deviation for intra‐ and interday precision of the four compounds did not exceed 2.4 and 4.7%, respectively, and the overall recovery was 91.2–106.8%. Compared with N‐way principal component analysis, our method provides more satisfactory results, which indicate that the proposed approach is simple, fast, and reliable for the determination of the four analytes in Sanqi Panax Notoginseng Injection samples.
The influence of newborn hearing screening on the age at cochlear implantation in children
Authors: Lammers Marc J. W. , Jansen Thijs T. G. , Grolman Wilko , Lenarz Thomas , Versnel Huib , van Zanten Gijsbert A. , Topsakal Vedat , Lesinski‐Schiedat Anke
Published: February 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate the influence of the introduction of newborn hearing screening programs on the age at cochlear implantation in children.

Study Design

Retrospective, multicenter cohort study.

Methods

All 1,299 pediatric cochlear implant users who received their implants before the age of 5 years between 1995 and 2011 in the Medical University Hannover, Germany and University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands were enrolled in this study. Age at implantation and the number of children implanted within the first year of life was assessed for each center.

Results

Age at cochlear implantation gradually declined over the years in both centers. The introduction of the screening resulted in significant decline in the age at implantation in the Netherlands; simultaneously, the number of children implanted within their first year of life increased significantly. Comparing 4‐year epochs immediately before and after introduction of the screening, the mean age decreased from 2.4 to 1.2 years, and the percentage of early implanted children increased from 9% to 37%. In the German population, a similar effect of the introduction of the hearing screening program was absent.

Conclusions

The introduction of the national newborn hearing screening program has reduced the age at cochlear implantation in young children in the Netherlands but not in Germany. Correspondingly, it resulted in an increase in the number of children implanted early in life. The difference between the Dutch and German population might be due to differences in the follow‐up and referral after the hearing screening.

Level of Evidence

2b Laryngoscope, 125:985–990, 2015
The significance of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio in vestibular neuritis
Authors: Chung Jae Ho , Lim Jonghyun , Jeong Jin Hyeok , Kim Kyung Rae , Park Chul Won , Lee Seung Hwan
Published: February 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the significance of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in vestibular neuritis.

Study Design

Retrospective, case‐control study.

Methods

The study subjects were patients who received treatment for vestibular neuritis between January 2009 and December 2013, and a control group composed of 70 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects who received laboratory testing as part of a routine health checkup. The subjects underwent a complete blood cell count and counts of the various cell subtypes to compare NLR and PLR in the vestibular neuritis patients and controls. The associations between laboratory test results and values of the vestibular function test and clinical information were examined. In addition, a subgroup analysis according to the duration of spontaneous nystagmus was performed.

Results

The mean NLR and PLR values of the patient group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Although caloric test outcomes and hospitalization period were not significantly correlated with blood profiles, the duration of dizziness needing antivertiginous drugs was positively correlated with NLR and PLR (P = .021,P = .020, respectively). In addition, NLR was negatively correlated with the length of time between symptom start and blood sampling (P = .005). The NLR and PLR value of patients with nystagmus for more than 5 days were significantly higher than those of patients whose nystagmus ceased within 5days.

Conclusions

This is the first report to evaluate the significance of NLR and PLR in vestibular neuritis. NLR and PLR should be taken into consideration as simple and reliable parameters for predicting the cause and severity of the disease.

Level of Evidence

3bLaryngoscope, 125:E257–E261, 2015
The compleat otolaryngologist: Burton Alexander Randall
Authors: Stool Sylvan E. , Kemper Marlyn , Kemper Bennett
Published: February 2015

The practicing otolaryngologist and resident is the beneficiary of a highly organized educational system which has evolved over the past 100 years. A number of social, scientific and technical advances were involved in the evolution of these training programs; however, one of the most important developments was the emergence of the Clinician Educator Concept.

Burton Alexander Randall was prominent in the profession in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century and is an example of the clinician‐teacher who participated in the development of otorhinolaryngologic instruction. His unpublished memoirs, recently made available, illustrate the difficulties in obtaining appropriate training, organizing clincial services, and establishing professional relationships.

These interesting documents provide insight into the present and illustrate that although there have been great technical advances, some problems in interpersonal relationships remain the same.
Artificial larynx prosthesis: Comparative clinical evaluation
Authors: Henley‐Cohn Julian L. , Hausfeld Jeffrey N. , Jakubczak Gene
Published: February 2015

The work pioneered by Drs. Singer and Blom established the clinical feasibility of controlled tracheoesophageal fistula for generation of fluent esophageal speech. There have been numerous practical difficulties that have been encountered with the use of voice prosthesis. Problems encountered are: extrusion, speech initiation delay, leakage around the prosthesis, stoma obstruction, and low volume output.

A second generation laryngeal prosthesis is introduced for comparison. Its design incorporates features that will significantly improve the clinical problems encountered; extrusion is minimized; and the new prosthesis allows for one size to fit all patients.

A clinical trial was established to directly compare the artificial speech generated by the currently existing laryngeal prosthesis. Each laryngectomy patient was fitted with three different devices and the resulting speech was evaluated. Video recordings of patients are presented to illustrate the type of speech produced by each device. Comparisons of intelligibility, fluency, volume, and patient preference are made. Results indicate that a significant variation in the speech obtained is critically dependent on the choice of prosthesis.