bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SGBR Performance on the Basis of Color and COD Removal from Textile Wastewater
Authors: Debik Eyup , Coban Asli , Kaykioglu Gul , Kayacan Bergin Beril
Published: March 2012

This study focused on removal of color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) parameter from textile effluents using a static granular bed reactor (SGBR), which has never been used to treat textile effluents previously. With an organic loading rate (OLR) of 1 kg/m3 day and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 48 h, COD and color removal efficiencies were 74 and 61%, respectively, while the removal efficiencies were 72 and 57%, respectively, with OLR of 1.7 kg/(m3 day) and HRT of 24 h. It was concluded that the SGBR could be used as an alternative method to treat and decolorize textile effluents. First order and modified Stover–Kincannon models were used to develop a kinetic model using the experimental data with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.39 and 0.94, respectively. In regard with the calculated correlation coefficients, modified Stover–Kincannon model, which was used to model anerobic biofilters in previous studies, fitted best with the experimental data and it was stated that SGBR worked as an anerobic biofilter.
Sensitive Ion‐Flotation Separation of Ag(I) Traces Using 2‐(2‐Methoxyphenyl)benzimidazole before Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determination in Water
Authors: Tavallali Hossein , Lalehparvar Shahram , Nekoei Abdo‐Reza , Ghane Jahromi Maryam , Niknam Khodabakhsh
Published: March 2012

A sensitive, reliable, and environmentally friendly method for simple separation and preconcentration of Ag(I) traces in aqueous samples is presented prior to their flame atomic absorption spectrometric determinations. At pH 7.0, Ag(I) was separated with 2‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)benzimidazole (MPBI) as a new complexing agent and floated after adding sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a foaming reagent. The floated layer was then dissolved in proper amount of concentrated nitric acid in methanol and introduced to the flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). The effects of pH, concentration of MPBI, type and amount of surfactant as the floating agent, type and amount of eluting agent, and influence of foreign ions on the recovery of the analyte ion were investigated. Also, using a nonlinear curve fitting method, the formation constant of 1.62 × 106 was obtained for Ag(I)–MPBI complex. The analytical curve was linear in the range of 1.8 × 10−7–1.7 × 10−6 mol/L for determination of Ag(I). The relative standard deviation (RSD; N = 10) corresponding to 0.7 × 10−6 mol/L of Ag(I), the limit of detection (10 blanks), and the enrichment factor were obtained as 1.7%, 2.9 × 10−8 mol/L, and 43.0, respectively. The proposed procedure was then applied successfully for determination of silver ions in different water samples.
Adsorption of Phosphate by Biomass Char Deriving from Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass Waste
Authors: Peng Feng , He Pi‐Wen , Luo Yin , Lu Xiang , Liang Ying , Fu Jie
Published: March 2012

Biomass char (BC) deriving from fast pyrolysis of biomass was a potential adsorption material due to its relative high fixed‐carbon content and the inherent porous structures. Adsorption of phosphate from aqueous solution by BC was investigated in this paper. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of BC was dependent on pyrolysis conditions, such as temperature and holding time. The maximum adsorption capacity for phosphate was approximately 15.11 mg g−1 at 298 K. The pseudo‐second order model of the adsorption kinetics indicated that the adsorption process was complex and several mechanisms were involved. Equilibrium isotherm was satisfactorily followed the Freundlich isotherm model. The KF value in Freundlich equation gradually increased with elevating temperature. Moreover, the thermodynamic constants: ΔG0, ΔH0, and ΔS0 were evaluated as −6.49 kJ mol−1 (at 298 K), 13.41 kJ mol−1, and 66.70 J mol−1 K−1, respectively. Phosphate adsorption onto BC was spontaneous and endothermic. As a waste, BC was a potentially attractive adsorbent for phosphate removal from aqueous solution with low cost and high capability.
Projection Pursuit Evaluation Model: Optimizing Scheme of Crop Planning for Agricultural Sustainable Development and Soil Resources Utilization
Authors: Wang Yubao , Wu Pute , Zhao Xining , Jin Jiming
Published: March 2012

Planting structure influences the economic, social, and ecological benefits of crop farming as well as the use efficiency of water and arable land resources, and so crop planning (CP) benefits for agricultural sustainable development and soil resources utilization. The projection pursuit evaluation (PPE) model is put forward to solve the problem of selecting an optimizing scheme for CP by considering the indices of water‐saving and economic, social, and ecological benefits. The real‐coding‐based accelerating genetic algorithm (RAGA) is introduced to accelerate the calculation process. The model can translate multi‐indices into a single index by transforming high‐dimensional data to low‐dimensional space, which helps evaluate CP optimizing schemes. For example, the model is used to evaluate and select an optimal scheme of CP in the middle reaches of the Heihe mainstream basin in the arid area of northwest China. According to four criteria (high efficiency of resources use, economic rationality, social equity, and ecological security) 19 indices were chosen to evaluate 12 optimizing schemes of four kinds (economic‐benefit, food‐security, ecological‐benefit, and water‐saving programs) in 2006, 2020, and 2030. The result shows that, in the 3 years, the water‐saving program is always the optimized scheme in an arid region with water deficiency and fragile ecology. The evaluated results match up to the developmental conditions of crop farming in recent years. Moreover, the direction of the optimal projection could reflect the weight and orientation of indices objectively and accurately.
Investigations on the 4‐Quinolone‐3‐Carboxylic Acid Motif Part 5: Modulation of the Physicochemical Profile of a Set of Potent and Selective Cannabinoid‐2 Receptor Ligands through a Bioisosteric Approach
Authors: Mugnaini Claudia , Nocerino Stefania , Pedani Valentina , Pasquini Serena , Tafi Andrea , De Chiaro Maria , Bellucci Luca , Valoti Massimo , Guida Francesca , Luongo Livio , Dragoni Stefania , Ligresti Alessia , Rosenberg Avraham , Bolognini Daniele , Cascio Maria Grazia , Pertwee Roger G. , Moaddel Ruin , Maione Sabatino , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Corelli Federico
Published: March 2012

Three heterocyclic systems were selected as potential bioisosteres of the amide linker for a series of 1,6‐disubstituted‐4‐quinolone‐3‐carboxamides, which are potent and selective CB2 ligands that exhibit poor water solubility, with the aim of improving their physicochemical profile and also of clarifying properties of importance for amide bond mimicry. Among the newly synthesized compounds, a 1,2,3‐triazole derivative (1‐(adamantan‐1‐yl)‐4‐[6‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐1,4‐dihydro‐4‐oxo‐1‐pentylquinolin‐3‐yl]‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole) emerged as the most promising in terms of both physicochemical and pharmacodynamic properties. When assayed in vitro, this derivative exhibited inverse agonist activity, whereas, in the formalin test in mice, it produced analgesic effects antagonized by a well‐established inverse agonist. Metabolic studies allowed the identification of a side chain hydroxylated derivative as its only metabolite, which, in its racemic form, still showed appreciable CB2 selectivity, but was 150‐fold less potent than the parent compound.
Adjuvant therapy in stage I carcinoma of the breast
Authors: Schwartz Gordon F. , Reis‐Fihlo Jorge , Pusztai Lajos , Fentiman Ian S. , Holland Roland , Bartelink Harry , Rutgers Emiel J. T. , Solin Lawrence J. , Palazzo Juan ,   and the Consensus Committee
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND:

Breast Health International and the Kimmel Cancer Center of Thomas Jefferson University cosponsored a consensus conference that included an international group of experts.

METHODS:

Since the adoption of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage I, lymph node‐negative breast cancers in 1988, investigators have tried to “fine‐tune” the treatment criteria. At this consensus conference, the group debated recommendations for adjuvant hormone and cytotoxic chemotherapy in stage I breast cancers.

RESULTS:

Discussions during the conference addressed issues of adjuvant therapy for stage I breast cancer and the influence of multigene analyses and molecular phenotyping. The panelists discussed various demographic, morphologic, biologic, and genetic factors expressed by individual tumors and their influence on treatment decisions.

CONCLUSIONS:

The panel tried to create guidelines for the consideration of adjuvant treatment of these patients, including both hormone and cytotoxic regimens. They also encouraged further research into the molecular analysis of breast cancers and the introduction of clinical trials based on current data, although they concluded that it is too early to add any of those analyses into the decision‐making algorithms of recommendations for the treatment of stage I breast cancer. Cancer 2012;. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Burkitt post‐transplantation lymphoma in adult solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Zimmermann Heiner , Reinke Petra , Neuhaus Ruth , Lehmkuhl Hans , Oertel Stephan , Atta Johannes , Planker Manfred , Gärtner Barbara , Lenze Dido , Anagnostopoulos Ioannis , Riess Hanno , Trappe Ralf U.
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND:

Burkitt lymphoma post‐transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (Burkitt‐PTLD) is a rare form of monomorphic B‐cell PTLD for which no standard treatment has been established. Currently, the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma outside the post‐transplantation setting involves high doses of alkylating agents, frequent dosing, and intrathecal and/or systemic central nervous system prophylaxis. In PTLD, however, such protocols are associated with considerable toxicity and mortality.

METHODS:

The authors present a retrospective series of 8 adult patients with Burkitt‐PTLD. Six patients were reported to the prospective German PTLD registry or were enrolled in the PTLD‐1 trial, and 2 patients had received treatment before 2000, thus allowing for comparison with the pre‐rituximab era.

RESULTS:

Seven of the 8 patients were men. The median age at presentation was 38 years, and the median time since transplantation was 5.7 years. Five of 8 patients had histologically established, Epstein‐Barr virus‐associated disease, and 7 of 7 patients were positive for a MYC translocation. Five of 8 patients received sequential immunochemotherapy (4 courses of rituximab [R] followed by 4 cycles of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone [CHOP] or R plus CHOP [R‐CHOP]). In this group, 5 of 5 patients reached complete remission (CR), and their overall survival (OS) was significantly longer (P = .008) compared with the OS for 2 of 8 patients who received first‐line CHOP and did not respond. One of 8 patients (who had stage IV disease with meningiosis) received combination therapy (cyclophosphamide pretreatment, rituximab, intrathecal chemotherapy, whole‐brain irradiation, and radioimmunotherapy) and reached CR. Overall, 6 of 8 patients reached CR; and, after a median follow‐up of 4.7 years (range, 1.7‐4.8 years), the median OS was 36.7 months. There was no treatment‐related mortality under first‐line therapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

In the largest adult case series in Burkitt‐PTLD to date, sequential immunochemotherapy with rituximab followed by standard CHOP or R‐CHOP was a both safe and effective treatment. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Patient navigation for breast and colorectal cancer in 3 community hospital settings
Authors: Donaldson Elisabeth A. , Holtgrave David R. , Duffin Renea A. , Feltner Frances , Funderburk William , Freeman Harold P.
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND:

The Ralph Lauren Cancer Center implemented patient navigation programs in sites across the United States building on the model pioneered by Harold P. Freeman, MD. Patient navigation targets medically underserved with the objective of reducing the time interval between an abnormal cancer finding, diagnostic resolution, and treatment initiation. In this study, the authors assessed the incremental cost effectiveness of adding patient navigation to standard cancer care in 3 community hospitals in the United States.

METHODS:

A decision‐analytic model was used to assess the cost effectiveness of a colorectal and breast cancer patient navigation program over the period of 1 year compared with standard care. Data sources included published estimates in the literature and primary costs, aggregate patient demographics, and outcome data from 3 patient navigation programs.

RESULTS:

After 1 year, compared with standard care alone, it was estimated that offering patient navigation with standard care would allow an additional 78 of 959 individuals with an abnormal breast cancer screening and an additional 21 of 411 individuals with abnormal colonoscopies to reach timely diagnostic resolution. Without including medical treatment costs saved, the cost‐effectiveness ratio ranged from $511 to $2080 per breast cancer diagnostic resolution achieved and from $1192 to $9708 per colorectal cancer diagnostic resolution achieved.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results indicated that implementing breast or colorectal cancer patient navigation in community hospital settings in which low‐income populations are served may be a cost‐effective addition to standard cancer care in the United States. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Sensing OFDM systems with timing and frequency offset for cognitive radio networks
Authors: Chen Zhong , Yang Lan‐Juan , Zhang Yong , Zhang Xian‐Da
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we consider the detection of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with timing and frequency offset for cognitive radio over fast time‐varying multipath channels. By making different assumptions on the availability of the timing and frequency offset at the secondary user, we derive two algorithms based on likelihood ratio test and generalized likelihood ratio test, respectively and theoretically obtain the detection performances of them. The proposed algorithms jointly utilize energy of observations and correlation of the cyclic prefix (CP) data. The extensive simulations show that the two algorithms outperform the other CP‐based methods, perform well at very low signal to noise ratio (SNR) and are robust to the CP ratio. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum long chain n‐3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) in the pregnant mother are independent of risk of type 1 diabetes in the offspring
Authors: Sørensen I. M. , Joner G. , Jenum P. A. , Eskild A. , Stene L. C.
Published: March 2012

Background

This article aims to study whether higher proportions of the long chain n‐3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the phospholipid fraction of serum samples in pregnancy were associated with a lower risk of childhood onset type 1 diabetes in the offspring.

Methods

In a prospective cohort of nearly 30 000 pregnant women who gave birth in Norway during 1992–1994, we analysed serum samples from 89 women whose child developed type 1 diabetes and was included in the nationwide Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry and 125 randomly selected women whose child did not develop type 1 diabetes before 15 years of age. Specific fatty acids were expressed as the proportion of total fatty acids (g/100 g) in the phospholipid fraction in serum analysed using solid phase extraction and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection.

Results

There was no significant association between EPA or DHA in maternal serum and risk of type 1 diabetes in the offspring. Odds ratio (OR) for upper versus lower quartile of EPA was 0.75 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34–1.65], test for trend p = 0.4, and for DHA OR = 0.71 (95% CI 0.33–1.53), test for trend p = 0.6. No significant association was found for the sum of n‐3 fatty acids, or for n‐6/n‐3 ratio in the mother with risk of type 1 diabetes in the offspring.

Conclusions

Our data did not support the hypothesis that higher proportions of maternal EPA or DHA during pregnancy are associated with a lower risk of type 1 diabetes in the offspring. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GC‐MS and GC‐IRD studies on brominated dimethoxyamphetamines: Regioisomers related to 4‐Br‐2,5‐DMA (DOB)
Authors: Maher Hadir M. , Awad Tamer , DeRuiter Jack , Randall Clark C.
Published: March 2012

A series of regioisomeric bromodimethoxyamphetamines have mass spectra essentially equivalent to the controlled drug substance 4‐Br‐2,5‐dimethoxyamphetamine (4‐Br‐2,5‐DMA; DOB); all have molecular weight of 274 and major fragment ions in their electron ionization mass spectra at m/z 44 and m/z 230/232. The trifluoroacetyl, pentafluoropropionyl and heptafluorobutryl derivatives of the primary regioisomeric amines were prepared and evaluated in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) studies. The mass spectra for these derivatives did not show unique fragment ions for specific identification of individual isomers. However, the mass spectra do serve to divide the compounds into three groups, depending on their base peak. Gas chromatography with infrared detection (GC‐IRD) provides direct confirmatory data for the identification of the designer drug 4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyamphetamine from the other regioisomers involved in the study. The perfluoroacylated derivatives of the six regioisomeric bromodimethoxyamphetamines were successfully resolved on non‐polar stationary phases such as a 100% dimethylpolysiloxane stationary phase (Rtx‐1) and 50% phenyl – 50% methyl polysiloxane (Rxi‐50). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The miR‐17/92 cluster is targeted by STAT5 but dispensable for mammary development
Authors: Feuermann Yonatan , Robinson Gertraud W. , Zhu Bing‐Mei , Kang Keunsoo , Raviv Noa , Yamaji Daisuke , Hennighausen Lothar
Published: March 2012

Genome wide analysis revealed the miR‐17/92 cluster as a STAT5 target. This cluster encodes six microRNAs, which predictably target genes that play a role in mammary gland development. In this study, we have deleted the miR‐17/92 cluster in mammary stem cells and evaluated in the mouse its function during mammary gland development. Loss of the miR‐17/92 cluster did not affect mammary development from prepuberty to lactation. Our studies demonstrated that, while expression of the miR‐17/92 cluster is under control of the key mammary transcription factor STAT5, its presence is not required for normal mammary development or lactation. genesis 50:665–671, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differences in lipid parameters among statins treated patients with coronary arteriosclerosis – a pilot study
Authors: Burchardt Paweł , Żurawski Jakub , Kubacki Tomasz , Żuchowski Bartosz , Wysocki Henryk
Published: March 2012

LDL, total cholesterol (TC), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) are poor predictors of the cardiovascular risk among patients undergoing hypolipidaemic therapy with statins. Thus, in this pilot study we have attempted to determine, on the basis of routinely used assessments of lipid profiles, sensitive and inexpensive parameter which would associate with the severity of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing hypolipidaemic treatment who achieved LDL goal. Apolipoprotein (apo) B100, apoA1, LDL, triglycerides, HDL, lipoprotein (a) and TC levels were assessed in 140 patients referred for coronary angiography. The various ratios based on lipid parameters were calculated and compared to patients taking statins. Coronary arteriosclerosis was determined by the degree of single stenosis and quantitatively by applying the Gensini score. Uing multivariate analysis we have found that in the group with hypolipidaemic therapy and/or with treatment LDL target (70–100 mg/dL) the TC/apoB100 ratio was associated with coronary artery stenosis. Additionally, univariate analysis showed that the TC/apoB100 ratio (among treated subjects) was significantly lower in patients with haemodynamically significant stenosis of coronary arteries than in matched patients without coronary artery lesions.
Arachidonic acid synthesis by glycerol‐grown Mortierella alpina
Authors: Dedyukhina Emiliya G. , Chistyakova Tatyana I. , Kamzolova Svetlana V. , Vinter Margarita V. , Vainshtein Mikhail B.
Published: March 2012

Microbiological production of physiologically active AA usually used carbohydrates as substrates. Recently, glycerol attracted attention as a promising renewable substrate for biotechnological industry. The effect of pure glycerol on the growth, lipid synthesis, and AA production by earlier selected Mortierella alpina strains LPM‐301 and NRRL‐A‐10995 was studied. It was shown that AA amount varied from 22–29 to 63–68% of lipid in dependence on the initial glycerol concentration in the medium. The transition from glycerol‐ to nitrogen limitation of the growth was accompanied by a reverse correlation between lipid content of biomass and AA level of lipid. Under selected optimal conditions (nitrogen limitation of fungal growth at glycerol concentrations of 75–81 g/L), AA production by 14‐day cultures reached 40–43% of lipid and 11–13% of biomass indicating that glycerol can be successfully used as a carbon substrate for AA production.

Practical applications: AA has found wide application in medicine, pharmacology, diet, and infant nutrition as a precursor of several key eicosanoid hormones and pharmacologically active metabolites. It can also be used in agriculture as an elicitor of plant resistance to phytopathogens. Microbiological processes for AA production usually used carbohydrate substrates. Results of this study indicate that AA can be produced from glycerol, which is known as a promising renewable carbon substrate. Under selected optimal conditions (nitrogen limitation of fungal growth at glycerol concentrations of 75–81 g/L), AA production by Mortierella alpina strains LPM‐301 and NRRL‐A‐10995 reached 40–43% of lipid and 11–13% of biomass. These values are comparable with those obtained for carbohydrate‐grown Mortierella fungi.
Renewable linear alpha olefins by selective ethenolysis of decarboxylated unsaturated fatty acids
Authors: van der Klis Frits , Le Nôtre Jérôme , Blaauw Rolf , van Haveren Jacco , van Es Daan S.
Published: March 2012

A two‐step concept for the production of linear alpha olefins from biomass is reported. As a starting material an internally unsaturated C17 alkene was used, which was obtained by the decarboxylation of oleic acid. Here, we report on the ethenolysis of this bio‐based product, using commercially available metathesis catalysts. The desired alpha olefin products, 1‐nonene and 1‐decene, were obtained in excellent yield (96%) and selectivity (96%).

Practical applications: The two‐step conversion described in this contribution, starting from unsaturated fatty acids, provides a method for the production of industrially important linear alpha olefins. These valuable products are widely used as starting materials for the production of surfactants and polymers such as linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).
Design and Development of Bioinspired Guanine‐Based Organic Catalyst for Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: Suez Gal , Bloch Victoria , Nisnevich Gennady , Gandelman Mark
Published: March 2012

Design, preparation, and studies of a family of new organic catalysts are presented. The design of the catalysts is inspired by the ability of DNA nucleobases to develop precise and explicit hydrogen bonds. We have shown that this phenomenon can be used to create a useful organic catalyst that demonstrates a recognition pattern similar to those of common organic substrates. A selected bifunctional catalyst based on a guanine structure has been shown to catalyze the conjugate addition of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds to various nitroalkenes, providing the products in good yields and enantioselectivities.
Stereocontrol with Lithium Trimethylzincate toward Gibberellin Synthesis
Authors: Isobe Minoru , Chiang Ching‐Te , Tsao Kuo‐Wei , Cheng Chia‐Yi , Bruening Reimar
Published: March 2012

Substrate control in target‐oriented synthesis is generally important in establishing the required stereogenic center rather than reagent control. During the course of the total synthesis toward Gibberellin A3 (1), a model compound (21) as the A‐ring of 1 was accomplished in five overall steps with an overall yield of 15 %, starting from furfural through conjugate addition of lithium trimethylzincate to oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptadienedicarboxylic ester (2) as the key step. Relative to more common lithium dimethylcuprate or aluminum reagents, this zincate complex showed a complete selectivity with higher reactivity than with other simple enone compounds. The incoming methyl group was 100 % selective from the ring oxygen side of 2, and the enolate intermediate can be protonated stereoselectivly without the bridge‐oxygen‐ring opening.
Nrf2 links epidermal barrier function with antioxidant defense
Authors: Schäfer Matthias , Farwanah Hany , Willrodt Ann‐Helen , Huebner Aaron J. , Sandhoff Konrad , Roop Dennis , Hohl Daniel , Bloch Wilhelm , Werner Sabine
Published: March 2012

The skin provides an efficient permeability barrier and protects from microbial invasion and oxidative stress. Here, we show that these essential functions are linked through the Nrf2 transcription factor. To test the hypothesis that activation of Nrf2 provides skin protection under stress conditions, we determined the consequences of pharmacological or genetic activation of Nrf2 in keratinocytes. Surprisingly, mice with enhanced Nrf2 activity in keratinocytes developed epidermal thickening, hyperkeratosis and inflammation resembling lamellar ichthyosis. This resulted from upregulation of the cornified envelope proteins small proline‐rich proteins (Sprr) 2d and 2h and of secretory leukocyte peptidase inhibitor (Slpi), which we identified as novel Nrf2 targets in keratinocytes. Since Sprrs are potent scavengers of reactive oxygen species and since Slpi has antimicrobial activities, their upregulation contributes to Nrf2's protective function. However, it also caused corneocyte fragility and impaired desquamation, followed by alterations in the epidermal lipid barrier, inflammation and overexpression of mitogens that induced keratinocyte hyperproliferation. These results identify an unexpected role of Nrf2 in epidermal barrier function, which needs to be considered for pharmacological use of Nrf2 activators.

→See accompanying article http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/emmm.201200223
‘Hearts and bones’: the ups and downs of ‘plasticity’ in stem cell biology
Authors: Bonfanti Paola , Barrandon Yann , Cossu Giulio
Published: March 2012

More than a decade ago, ‘plasticity’ suddenly became a ‘fashionable’ topic with overemphasized implications for regenerative medicine. The concept of ‘plasticity’ is supported by old transplantation work, at least for embryonic cells, and metaplasia is a classic example of plasticity observed in patients. Nevertheless, the publication of a series of papers showing rare conversion of a given cell type into another unrelated cell raised the possibility of using any unaffected tissue to create at will new cells to replace a different failing tissue or organ. This resulted in disingenuous interpretations and a reason not to fund anymore research on embryonic stem cells (ESc). Moreover, many papers on plasticity were difficult to reproduce and thus questioned; raising issues about plasticity as a technical artefact or a consequence of rare spontaneous cells fusion. More recently, reprogramming adult differentiated cells to a pluripotent state (iPS) became possible, and later, one type of differentiated cell could be directly reprogrammed into another (e.g. fibroblasts into neurons) without reverting to pluripotency. Although the latter results from different and more robust experimental protocols, these phenomena also exemplify ‘plasticity’. In this review, we want to place ‘plasticity’ in a historical perspective still taking into account ethical and political implications.
Monolithic Newton‐multigrid solution techniques for incompressible nonlinear flow models
Authors: Damanik H. , Hron J. , Ouazzi A. , Turek S.
Published: March 2012

We present special Newton‐multigrid techniques for stationary incompressible nonlinear flow models discretized by the high order LBB‐stable Q2P1 element pair. We treat the resulting nonlinear and the corresponding linear discrete systems by a fully coupled monolithic approach to maintain high accuracy and robustness, particularly with respect to different rheological behaviors and also regarding different problem sizes and types of nonlinearity. Here, local pressure Schur complement techniques are presented as a generalization of the classical Vanka smoother. The discussed methodology is implemented for the well‐known flow around cylinder benchmark configuration for generalized Newtonian as well as non‐Newtonian flows including non‐isothermal, shear/pressure dependent and viscoelastic effects.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The miR‐17‐92 cluster and its target THBS1 are differentially expressed in angiosarcomas dependent on MYC amplification
Authors: Italiano Antoine , Thomas Rachael , Breen Matthew , Zhang Lei , Crago Aimee M. , Singer Samuel , Khanin Raya , Maki Robert G. , Mihailovic Aleksandra , Hafner Markus , Tuschl Tom , Antonescu Cristina R.
Published: March 2012

Angiosarcomas (ASs) represent a heterogeneous group of malignant vascular tumors that may occur spontaneously as primary tumors or secondarily after radiation therapy or in the context of chronic lymphedema. Most secondary ASs have been associated with MYC oncogene amplification, whereas the role of MYC abnormalities in primary AS is not well defined. Twenty‐two primary and secondary ASs were analyzed by array‐comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and by deep sequencing of small RNA libraries. By aCGH and subsequently confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, MYC amplification was identified in three out of six primary tumors and in 8 out of 12 secondary AS. We have also found MAML1 as a new potential oncogene in MYC‐amplified AS. Significant upregulation of the miR‐17‐92 cluster was observed in MYC‐amplified AS compared to AS lacking MYC amplification and the control group (other vascular tumors, nonvascular sarcomas). Moreover, MYC‐amplified ASs were associated with a significantly lower expression of thrombospondin‐1 (THBS1) than AS without MYC amplification or controls. Altogether, our study implicates MYC amplification not only in the pathogenesis of secondary AS but also in a subset of primary AS. Thus, MYC amplification may play a crucial role in the angiogenic phenotype of AS through upregulation of the miR‐17‐92 cluster, which subsequently downregulates THBS1, a potent endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Opposite roles of FOXA1 and NKX2‐1 in lung cancer progression
Authors: Deutsch Lena , Wrage Michaela , Koops Susann , Glatzel Markus , Uzunoglu Faik G. , Kutup Asad , Hinsch Andrea , Sauter Guido , Izbicki Jakob R. , Pantel Klaus , Wikman Harriet
Published: March 2012

Gene copy number profiles of primary lung tumors were screened for high‐level amplifications. We detected 22 high‐level amplifications in various loci, including 14q13. This locus is known to harbor the adenocarcinoma (AC) lineage‐specific target gene NKX2‐1, which is not expressed in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). As the 14q amplification was also found in SCC, we investigated whether or not FOXA1 might be the corresponding target gene for SCC. Focusing on these two target genes, we assessed gene amplifications and protein expression of NKX2‐1 and FOXA1 in primary lung tumors (n = 554) and brain metastases (n = 68). Primary AC (n = 194) showed positive protein expression of NKX2‐1 in 58.2% of the samples compared with 4.2% of primary SCC samples (n = 212). Positive staining for FOXA1 was seen in 34.7% of the SCC samples, which was comparable with 39.6% in the AC samples. For brain metastases, FOXA1 expression was slightly higher in the SCC samples (55.6%) compared with the non‐matched primary SCC tumor samples (43.4%), whereas NKX2‐1 expression was comparable in both primary tumors and brain metastases. Positive FOXA1 and NKX2‐1 expression was associated with a gain or amplification in 34.6% and 28.6% of cases, respectively. The expression of NKX2‐1 was associated with early stage and grade among the AC cases. In contrast, FOXA1 expression in SCC was associated with distant metastases as well as an unfavorable survival rate (P = 0.039). These results suggest that both FOXA1 and NKX2‐1 may act as lineage‐specific target genes within the 14q amplicon with opposite functions in lung cancer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Case-control study of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in older adults: Do healthcare exposures contribute to burden of new infections?
Authors: Perz Joseph F. , Grytdal Scott , Beck Suzanne , Fireteanu Ana Maria , Poissant Tasha , Rizzo Elena , Bornschlegel Katherine , Thomas Ann , Balter Sharon , Miller Jeremy , Klevens Monina R. , Finelli Lyn
Published: March 2012

Reports of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission associated with unsafe medical practices have been increasing in the United States. However, the contribution of healthcare exposures to the burden of new infections is poorly understood outside of recognized outbreaks. We conducted a case-control study at three health departments that perform enhanced viral hepatitis surveillance in New York and Oregon. Reported cases of symptomatic acute hepatitis B and hepatitis C occurring in persons ≥55 years of age from 2006 to 2008 were enrolled. Controls were identified using telephone directories and matched to individual cases by age group (55–59, 60–69, and ≥70 years) and residential postal code. Data collection covered exposures within 6 months before symptom onset (cases) or date of interview (controls). Forty-eight (37 hepatitis B and 11 hepatitis C) case and 159 control patients were enrolled. Case patients were more likely than controls to report one or more behavioral risk exposures, including sexual or household contact with an HBV or HCV patient, >1 sex partner, illicit drug use, or incarceration (21% of cases versus 4% of controls exposed; matched odds ratio [mOR] = 7.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1, 24.1). Case patients were more likely than controls to report hemodialysis (8% of cases; mOR = 13.0; 95% CI: 1.5, 115), injections in a healthcare setting (58%; mOR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.3, 5.3), and surgery (33%; mOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 4.7). In a multivariate model, behavioral risks (adjusted OR [aOR] = 5.4; 95% CI: 1.5, 19.0; 17% attributable risk), injections (aOR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.3, 5.8; 37% attributable risk), and hemodialysis (aOR = 11.5; 95% CI: 1.2, 107; 8% attributable risk) were associated with case status. Conclusion: Healthcare exposures may represent an important source of new HBV and HCV infections among older adults. (Hepatology 2013)
Pegylated interferon for chronic hepatitis C in children affects growth and body composition: Results from the pediatric study of hepatitis C (PEDS-C) trial
Authors: Jonas Maureen M. , Balistreri William , Gonzalez-Peralta Regino P. , Haber Barbara , Lobritto Steven , Mohan Parvathi , Molleston Jean P. , Murray Karen F. , Narkewicz Michael R. , Rosenthal Philip , Schwarz Kathleen B. , Barton Bruce A. , Shepherd John A. , Mitchell Paul D. , Duggan Christopher
Published: March 2012

Weight loss and changes in growth are noted in children treated with interferon alpha (IFN-α). The aim of this study was to prospectively determine changes in weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and body composition during and after treatment of children with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Children treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2a (Peg-IFN-α2a) ± ribavirin in the Pediatric Study of Hepatitis C (PEDS-C) trial underwent anthropometric measurements, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, as well as dietary and activity assessments during and after treatment. One hundred and fourteen (55% male) children, with a mean age of 11 ± 3 years, were randomized, and 107 received treatment for at least 24 weeks. Subjects were divided into three groups according to duration of treatment: 24 (N = 14), 48 (N = 82), or 72 (N = 11) weeks. Decrements of up to 0.50

z

score were observed for weight, height, and BMI while on therapy among all groups (

P

≤ 0.01, compared to baseline). In the group treated for 48 weeks, 29 (33%) subjects had greater than 0.5-unit decrement in height-for-age

z

(HAZ) score. Though weight-for-age and BMI

z

scores returned to baseline after cessation of therapy, mean HAZ score was slower to rebound, still lower than baseline at 96 weeks post-therapy for the long-treatment duration group (

P

= 0.03) and lower than baseline in most children treated for 48 weeks. Percent body fat, fat-free mass z scores, and triceps skinfold

z

scores decreased with therapy. Dietary energy intake and levels of physical activity did not change during treatment.

Conclusions

: Peg-IFN-α2a was associated with significant changes in body weight, linear growth, BMI, and body composition in children. These effects were generally reversible with cessation of therapy, although HAZ scores had not returned to baseline after 2 years of observation in many. Longer term growth data are needed among children treated for chronic HCV. (HEPATOLOGY 2012)
Up-regulation of microRNA 506 leads to decreased Cl−/HCO3 − anion exchanger 2 expression in biliary epithelium of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Banales Jesús M. , Sáez Elena , Úriz Miriam , Sarvide Sarai , Urribarri Aura D. , Splinter Patrick , Tietz Bogert Pamela S. , Bujanda Luis , Prieto Jesús , Medina Juan F. , LaRusso Nicholas F.
Published: March 2012

Cl−/HCO
Symbol
anion exchanger 2 (AE2) participates in intracellular pH homeostasis and secretin-stimulated biliary bicarbonate secretion.

AE2/SLC4A2

gene expression is reduced in liver and blood mononuclear cells from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Our previous findings of hepatic and immunological features mimicking PBC in

Ae2

-deficient mice strongly suggest that decreased AE2 expression might be involved in the pathogenesis of PBC. Here, we tested the potential role of microRNA 506 (miR-506) — predicted as candidate to target AE2 mRNA — for the decreased expression of AE2 in PBC. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that miR-506 expression is increased in PBC livers versus normal liver specimens.

In situ

hybridization in liver sections confirmed that miR-506 is up-regulated in the intrahepatic bile ducts of PBC livers, compared with normal and primary sclerosing cholangitis livers. Precursor-mediated overexpression of miR-506 in SV40-immortalized normal human cholangiocytes (H69 cells) led to decreased AE2 protein expression and activity, as indicated by immunoblotting and microfluorimetry, respectively. Moreover, miR-506 overexpression in three-dimensional (3D)-cultured H69 cholangiocytes blocked the secretin-stimulated expansion of cystic structures developed under the 3D conditions. Luciferase assays and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that miR-506 specifically may bind the 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) of AE2 messenger RNA (mRNA) and prevent protein translation. Finally, cultured PBC cholangiocytes showed decreased AE2 activity, together with miR-506 overexpression, compared to normal human cholangiocytes, and transfection of PBC cholangiocytes with anti-miR-506 was able to improve their AE2 activity.

Conclusion:

miR-506 is up-regulated in cholangiocytes from PBC patients, binds the 3′UTR region of AE2 mRNA, and prevents protein translation, leading to diminished AE2 activity and impaired biliary secretory functions. In view of the putative pathogenic role of decreased AE2 in PBC, miR-506 may constitute a potential therapeutic target for this disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2012)
Congenital heart disease and the liver
Authors: Asrani Sumeet K. , Asrani Nina S. , Freese Deborah K. , Phillips Sabrina D. , Warnes Carole A. , Heimbach Julie , Kamath Patrick S.
Published: March 2012

There are approximately 1 million adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) in the United States, and the number is increasing. Hepatic complications are common and may occur secondary to persistent chronic passive venous congestion or decreased cardiac output resulting from the underlying cardiac disease or as a result of palliative cardiac surgery; transfusion or drug-related hepatitis may also occur. The unique physiology of Fontan circulation is particularly prone to the development of hepatic complications and is, in part, related to the duration of the Fontan procedure. Liver biochemical test abnormalities may be related to cardiac failure, resulting from intrinsic liver disease, secondary to palliative interventions, or drug related. Complications of portal hypertension and, rarely, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may also occur. Abnormalities such as hypervascular nodules are often observed; in the presence of cirrhosis, surveillance for HCC is necessary. Judicious perioperative support is required when cardiac surgery is performed in patients with advanced hepatic disease. Traditional models for liver disease staging may not fully capture the severity of disease in patients with CHD. The effectiveness or safety of isolated liver transplantation in patients with significant CHD is limited in adults; combined heart-liver transplantation may be required in those with decompensated liver disease or HCC, but experience is limited in the presence of significant CHD. The long-term sequelae of many reparative cardiac surgical procedures are not yet fully realized; understanding the unique and diverse hepatic associations and the role for early cardiac transplantation in this population is critical. Because this population continues to grow and age, consideration should be given to developing consensus guidelines for a multidisciplinary approach to optimize management of this vulnerable population.
Energizing Project‐Based Inquiry: Middle‐Grade Students Read, Write, and Create Videos
Authors: Spires Hiller A. , Hervey Lisa G. , Morris Gwynn , Stelpflug Catherine
Published: March 2012

In light of emerging technologies prompting new avenues for teaching and learning, students are positioned to “create” to learn, with video production being an important process for literacy development. There is a growing need for innovative instructional practices in reading and writing that are aligned with student interests and the activities they engage in outside of the classroom. Connecting video production to school reading and writing experiences taps into a student's natural predisposition for media consumption and production. This article presents a project‐based inquiry process that merges students’ growing interest in grassroots video with educational goals that are aligned with state and national curricular standards. Through a five‐phase process—ask a compelling question; gather and analyze information; creatively synthesize information; critically evaluate and revise; and publish, share, and act—students are engaged in reading, writing, and creating a video product that captures their multimodal learning of academic content.
Visible Voices: Literacy Identity and the Invisible Homeless
Authors: Juchniewicz Melissa M.
Published: March 2012

Despite calls for increased awareness of and sensitivity to diverse students and their in‐ and out‐of‐school literacies, the “invisible homeless”—those who often decline to self‐identify—receive inadequate scholarly attention. They are often individuals who fear the stigma associated with homelessness as they navigate workplace, academic, and institutional systems, which frequently encourage corruption and silencing. Nevertheless, some homeless make successful transitions into improved situations and actively engage in strategies to empower themselves. This manuscript is based on a study that explored literacy's role in those strategies for five people, and how self‐perceptions of their own literacies influenced and were influenced by their transitions. Findings included highly valuing literacy skills, and that participants took time to understand and change (read and write) their environments. These findings will benefit educators and others as we encounter increasing numbers of homeless individuals in classrooms, on campuses, and sharing the benefits of society.
A complete set of self‐consistent charge density‐functional tight‐binding parametrization of zinc chalcogenides (ZnX; X=O, S, Se, and Te)
Authors: Saha Supriya , Pal Sougata , Sarkar Pranab , Rosa A. L. , Frauenheim Th.
Published: March 2012

We have developed a complete set of self‐consistent charge density‐functional tight‐binding parameters for ZnX (X = Zn, O, S, Se, Te, Cd, H, C, and N). The transferability of the derived parameters has been tested against Pseudo Potential‐Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof (PP‐PBE) calculations and experimental values (whenever available) for corresponding bulk systems (e.g., hexagonal close packing, zinc‐blende, and wurtzite(wz)), various kinds of nanostructures (such as nanowires, surfaces, and nanoclusters), and also some small molecular systems. Our results show that the derived parameters reproduce the structural and energetic properties of the above‐mentioned systems very well. With the derived parameter set, one can study zinc‐chalcogenide nanostructures of relatively large size which was otherwise prohibited by other methods. The Zn‐Cd parametrization developed in this article will help in studying large semiconductor hetero‐nanostructures of Zn and Cd chalcogenides such as ZnX/CdX core/shell nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, and nanoalloys. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Effective and New Method for the Synthesis of Polysubstituted Imidazoles by the Use of CrCl3.6H2O as a Green and Reusable Catalyst: Synthasis of Some Novel Imidazole Derivatives
Authors: Karami Bahador , Eskandari Khalil , Farahi Mahnaz , Barmas Akram
Published: March 2012

New, efficient and environmentally adapted synthesis of polysubstituted imidazoles in one‐pot is found. The multicomponent reaction of various aldehydes, benzil, aliphatic and aromatic primary amines and ammonium acetate under solvent‐free condition is explained. The highly efficient role of CrCl3.6H2O as catalyst in this synthesis was shown. By this advantage, several polysubstituted imidazoles as pharmaceutical important molecules can be prepared in high yield and high purity. This method is a very easy and a rapid reaction for the synthesis of imidazole derivatives. The crude products recrystallized to afford the crystalline pure products. Furthermore, catalyst exhibited remarkable reusable activity.
STATE‐BUSINESS RELATIONS, INVESTMENT CLIMATE REFORM AND FIRM PRODUCTIVITY IN SUB‐SAHARAN AFRICA
Authors: Saeed Qureshi Mahvash , te Velde Dirk Willem
Published: March 2012

This paper examines whether an effective state‐business relationship, facilitated by an organised private sector, improves firm performance in seven sub‐Saharan African countries: Benin, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa and Zambia. The findings reveal that, on average, state‐business relationships enhance firm productivity by about 25–35 per cent in sub‐Saharan African firms. This effect appears to set in through an improved investment climate—including reduced corruption, better provision of public utilities and information technology development—and higher labour productivity. These gains are not confined to small and medium sized firms but have a similar positive impact on large firms. Further, both domestic and foreign‐owned firms appear to benefit from joining business associations, although the impact is somewhat larger for the latter. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.