bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerium(IV) Hexanuclear Clusters from Cerium(III) Precursors: Molecular Models for Oxidative Growth of Ceria Nanoparticles
Authors: Mathey Laurent , Paul Mitali , Copéret Christophe , Tsurugi Hayato , Mashima Kazushi
Published: July 2015

Reactions of cerium(III) nitrate, Ce(NO3)3⋅6 H2O, with different carboxylic acids, such as pivalic acid, benzoic acid, and 4‐methoxybenzoic acid, in the presence of a tridentate N,N,N‐donor ligand, diethylenetriamine (L1), under aerobic conditions yielded the corresponding cerium hexamers Ce6O8(O2CtBu)8(L1)4 (1), Ce6O8(O2CC6H5)8(L1)4 (2), and Ce6O8(O2CC6H4‐4‐OCH3)8(L1)4 (3). Hexamers 1, 2, and 3 contain the same octahedral CeIV6O8 core, in which all interstitial oxygen atoms are connected by μ3‐oxo bridging ligands. In contrast, treatment of the CeIV precursor (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 (CAN) with pivalic acid and the ligand L1 under the same conditions afforded Ce6O4(OH)4(O2CtBu)12(L1)2 (4), exhibiting a deformed octahedral CeIV6O4(OH)4 core containing μ3‐oxo and μ3‐hydroxo moieties in defined positions. In contrast to the formation of 1–3, the use of N‐methyldiethanolamine (L) in the reaction with Ce(NO3)3⋅6 H2O and pivalic acid afforded a previously reported CeIII dinuclear cluster, Ce2(O2CtBu)6L2, even in the presence of dioxygen. ESI‐MS analysis of the reaction mixture clearly indicated the importance of the ligand L1 in promoting oxidation of the CeIII aggregates, [Cen(O2CtBu)3n(L1)2], which is necessary for the formation of CeIV hexamers.
Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Iridium Catalyzed Carbonyl (α‐Cyclopropyl)allylation via Transfer Hydrogenation
Authors: Tsutsumi Ryosuke , Hong Suckchang , Krische Michael J.
Published: July 2015

The first examples of diastereo‐ and enantioselective carbonyl α‐(cyclopropyl)allylation are reported. Under the conditions of iridium catalyzed transfer hydrogenation using the chiral precatalyst (R)‐Ir‐I modified by SEGPHOS, carbonyl α‐(cyclopropyl)allylation may be achieved with equal facility from alcohol or aldehyde oxidation levels. This methodology provides a conduit to hitherto inaccessible inaccessible enantiomerically enriched cyclopropane‐containing architectures.
Involucratustones A–C: Unprecedented Sesquiterpene Dimers Containing Multiple Contiguous Quaternary Carbons from Stahlianthus involucratus
Authors: Li Qiang‐Ming , Luo Jian‐Guang , Zhang Yang‐Mei , Li Zhong‐Rui , Wang Xiao‐Bing , Yang Ming‐Hua , Luo Jun , Sun Hong‐Bin , Chen Yi‐Jun , Kong Ling‐Yi
Published: July 2015

Involucratustones A–C (1–3), three cadinane dimers containing multiple contiguous quaternary carbons, were isolated from the rhizomes of Stahlianthus involucratus. Their structures were determined by a combination of NMR spectroscopy, chemical conversion, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 are rearranged homodimers of cadinane sesquiterpene fused with a unique fully substituted 1‐oxaspiro[4.4]nonane core observed for the first time in natural products, and 3 is a novel 3′,4′‐seco‐cadinane‐dimer. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited potent cytotoxic activities, and 3 showed notable anti‐inflammatory effect.
Manipulating the Coffee‐Ring Effect: Interactions at Work
Authors: Anyfantakis Manos , Baigl Damien
Published: July 2015

The evaporation of a drop of colloidal suspension pinned on a substrate usually results in a ring of particles accumulated at the periphery of the initial drop. Intense research has been devoted to understanding, suppressing and ultimately controlling this so‐called coffee‐ring effect (CRE). Although the crucial role of flow patterns in the CRE has been thoroughly investigated, the effect of interactions on this phenomenon has been largely neglected. This Concept paper reviews recent works in this field and shows that the interactions of colloids with (and at) liquid–solid and liquid–gas interfaces as well as bulk particle–particle interactions drastically affect the morphology of the deposit. General rules are established to control the CRE by tuning these interactions, and guidelines for the rational physicochemical formulation of colloidal suspensions capable of depositing particles in desirable patterns are provided. This opens perspectives for the reliable control of the CRE in real‐world formulations and creates new paradigms for flexible particle patterning at all kinds of interfaces as well for the exploitation of the CRE as a robust and inexpensive diagnostic tool.
Mechanochemically Reduced SiO2 by Ti Incorporation as Lithium Storage Materials
Authors: Kim Kyungbae , Moon Janghyuk , Lee Jaewoo , Yu Ji‐Sang , Cho Maenghyo , Cho Kyeongjae , Park Min‐Sik , Kim Jae‐Hun , Kim Young‐Jun
Published: July 2015

This study presents a simple and effective method of reducing amorphous silica (a‐SiO2) with Ti metal through high‐energy mechanical milling for improving its reactivity when used as an anode material in lithium‐ion batteries. Through thermodynamic calculations, it is determined that Ti metal can easily take oxygen atoms from a‐SiO2 by forming a thermodynamically stable SiO2−x/TiOx composite, meaning that electrochemically inactive a‐SiO2 is partially reduced by the addition of Ti metal powder during milling. This mechanically reduced SiO2−x/TiOx composite anode exhibits a greatly improved electrochemical reactivity, with a reversible capacity of more than 700 mAh g−1 and excellent cycle performance over 100 cycles. Furthermore, an enhancement in the mechanical and thermal stability of the composite during cycling can be mainly attributed to the in situ formation of the SiO2−x/TiOx phase. These findings provide new insight into the rational design of robust, high‐capacity, Si‐based anode materials, as well as their reaction mechanism.
Assessment and prevalence of pulmonary oedema in contemporary acute heart failure trials: a systematic review
Authors: Platz Elke , Jhund Pardeep S. , Campbell Ross T. , McMurray John J.
Published: July 2015

Aims

Pulmonary oedema is a common and important finding in acute heart failure (AHF). We conducted a systematic review to describe the methods used to assess pulmonary oedema in recent randomized AHF trials and report its prevalence in these trials.

Methods and results

Of 23 AHF trials published between 2002 and 2013, six were excluded because they were very small or not randomized, or missing full‐length publications. Of the remaining 17 (n = 200–7141) trials, six enrolled patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HF‐REF) and 11, patients with both HF‐REF and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HF‐PEF). Pulmonary oedema was an essential inclusion criterion, in most trials, based upon findings on physical examination (‘rales’), radiographic criteria (‘signs of congestion’), or both. The prevalence of pulmonary oedema in HF‐REF trials ranged from 75% to 83% and in combined HF‐REF and HF‐PEF trials from 51% to 100%. Five trials did not report the prevalence or extent of pulmonary oedema assessed by either clinical examination or chest x‐ray. Improvement of pulmonary congestion with treatment was inconsistently reported and commonly grouped with other signs of congestion into a score. One trial suggested that patients with rales over >2/3 of the lung fields on admission were at higher risk of adverse outcomes than those without.

Conclusion

Although pulmonary oedema is a common finding in AHF, represents a therapeutic target, and may be of prognostic importance, recent trials used inconsistent criteria to define it, and did not consistently report its severity at baseline or its response to treatment. Consistent and ideally quantitative, methods for the assessment of pulmonary oedema in AHF trials are needed.
Borosulfates Cs2B2S3O13, Rb4B2S4O17, and A3HB4S2O14 (A = Rb, Cs) – Crystalline Approximants for Vitreous B2O3?
Authors: Daub Michael , Hillebrecht Harald
Published: July 2015

New borosulfates were obtained by reaction of B2O3 in oleum or concentrated H2SO4 at temperatures between 300 and 360 °C. They are the first examples of borosulfates with directly connected boron polyhedra, that is, ditetrahedral B2O7 or layers of trigonal‐planar BO3 units. Cs2B2S3O13 [P21/c, Z = 4, a = 14.765(3), b = 6.710(1), c = 12.528(3) Å, β = 104.60(3)°] contains layers of corner‐sharing BO4 and SO4 tetrahedra. The BO4 tetrahedra form dimers. SO4 tetrahedra connect four B2O7 dimers to rings containing 10 tetrahedra, which are condensed to a layer. A third SO4 tetrahedron connects two BO4 tetrahedra of the B2O7 unit. The layers are stacked in the [100] direction. One Cs+ cation is located within the layer of tetrahedra, the second one between the layers. In Rb4B2S4O17 or Rb4[B2O(SO4)4] [Pnna, Z = 4, a = 8.0415(9), b = 10.6466(11), c = 20.425(2) Å], there are isolated [B2O(SO4)4] units which consist of a central B2O7 unit. Besides one B–O–B bridge, two SO4 tetrahedra connect the BO4 tetrahedra. Additionally, each BO4 tetrahedron has a terminal SO4 unit. In the structure of A3HB4S2O14 or A3H(SO4)2(B2O3)2 [P63/m, Z = 2, A = Cs: a = 6.5648(2), c = 19.5669(5) Å; A = Rb: a = 6.502(6), c = 19.023(14) Å], the SO4 tetrahedra are isolated. Boron forms planar layers of corner‐sharing trigonal‐planar BO3 units. There are two different types of BO3 units in a ratio of 3:1. The first type forms six‐membered boroxol rings, B3O3, which are connected to the layers by the second type of BO3 units. The layers are separated by isolated SO42– tetrahedra and Cs+ cations. The “missing” proton could not be localized but was assumed to achieve electroneutrality and was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. Planar layers of B2O3 with trigonal‐planar BO3 units and boroxol rings are supposed to exist as structure elements in vitreous boron oxide.
Total Synthesis of Solandelactones A and B
Authors: Eichenauer Nils C. , Nordschild Anja C. M. , Bischop Martina , Schumacher Dominik , Mackwitz Marcel K. W. , Tschersich Roxanne , Wilhelm Thorsten , Pietruszka Jörg
Published: July 2015

The total synthesis of solandelactones A and B is presented. The eastern cyclopropyl moiety was prepared following an exceptionally short chemoenzymatic approach whereas enantioselective synthesis of the western side‐chain relied on the application of diastereomerically pure allyl boronates. The natural products solandelactones A and B were isolated in good overall yields following convergence of each eastern and western element by application of the Nozaki–Hiyama–Kishi reaction.
Synthesis of 3‐Organoseleno‐Substituted Quinolines through Cyclization of 2‐­Amino­phenylprop‐1‐yn‐3‐ols Promoted by Iron(III) Chloride with Diorganyl Diselenides
Authors: Stein André Luiz , Rosário Alisson Rodrigues , Zeni Gilson
Published: July 2015

We have described the application of iron(III) chloride and diorganyl diselenides as cooperative partners in the cyclization of (2‐aminoaryl)‐2‐ynols for the regioselective synthesis of 3‐organoseleno quinolines. The optimized reaction conditions were applied to (2‐aminoaryl)‐2‐ynols that contain a wide range of functional groups, including electron‐rich and electron‐poor substituents. The reaction showed regioselectivity for six‐membered quinoline products, which were formed by a 6‐endo‐dig ring closure, instead of a 5‐exo‐dig process for the formation of indole products. In addition, we also found that (2‐aminoaryl)‐2‐ynols and a catalytic amount of iron(III) chloride, in the absence of diorganyl diselenides, afforded the corresponding quinoline derivatives without the organoseleno moiety at the 3‐position.
The structural, geometric and volumetric changes of a polythermal Arctic glacier during a surge cycle: Comfortlessbreen, Svalbard
Authors: King Owen , Hambrey Michael J. , Irvine‐Fynn Tristram D. L. , Holt Tom O.
Published: August 2015

Various parameters of the most recent surge of the polythermal glacier Comfortlessbreen in northwest Svalbard, have been assessed through a combination of remote sensing and ground observations. Analysis of a digital elevation model time‐series shows a marked change in the geometry of the glacier from quiescence (1990 and earlier) into the late surge phase (2009). The transfer of 0.74 km3 of ice caused up to 80 m of surface drawdown in the reservoir area, above the equilibrium line, whilst ice built up in a spatially concentrated manner in the receiving zone, below the equilibrium line. A ramp of ice, c. 100 m above quiescent level, developed in the lower reaches of the glacier late in the surge. Also in the lower reaches of the glacier, structures attributable to the passage of a kinematic wave are identified and the migration of a surge front on the glacier is thus inferred. In a conceptual model, we consider that a bend in the valley, in which the glacier resides, and convergence with tributary glaciers, to be significant factors in the style of surge evolution. Their flow‐restrictive interference results in slow initial mass‐transfer and the growth of a surge front within 3–4 km of the terminus. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 3–positive B cells link interleukin‐17 inflammation to protumorigenic macrophage polarization in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Rui‐Xian , Wei Yuan , Zeng Qiu‐Hui , Chan Ka‐Wo , Xiao Xiao , Zhao Xiao‐Yu , Chen Min‐Min , Ouyang Fang‐Zhu , Chen Dong‐Ping , Zheng Limin , Lao Xiang‐Ming , Kuang Dong‐Ming
Published: August 2015

B cells consistently represent abundant cellular components in tumors; however, direct evidence supporting a role for B cells in the immunopathogenesis of human cancers is lacking, as is specific knowledge of their trafficking mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 3–positive (CXCR3+) B cells constitute approximately 45% of B‐cell infiltrate in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and that their levels are positively correlated with early recurrence of HCC. These cells selectively accumulate at the invading edge of HCC and undergo further somatic hypermutation and immunoglobulin G–secreting plasma cell differentiation. Proinflammatory interleukin‐17+ cells are important for the induction of epithelial cell–derived CXCR3 ligands CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11, which subsequently promote the sequential recruitment and further maturation of CXCR3+ B cells. More importantly, we provide evidence that CXCR3+ B cells, but not their CXCR3– counterparts, may operate in immunoglobulin G–dependent pathways to induce M2b macrophage polarization in human HCC. Depletion of B cells significantly suppresses M2b polarization and the protumorigenic activity of tumor‐associated macrophages and restores the production of antitumorigenic interleukin‐12 by those cells in vivo. Conclusion: Selective recruitment of CXCR3+ B cells bridges proinflammatory interleukin‐17 response and protumorigenic macrophage polarization in the tumor milieu, and blocking CXCR3+ B‐cell migration or function may help defeat HCC.(Hepatology 2015;62:1779–1790)
Wakeful rest promotes the integration of spatial memories into accurate cognitive maps
Authors: Craig Michael , Dewar Michaela , Harris Mathew A. , Della Sala Sergio , Wolbers Thomas
Published: August 2015

Flexible spatial navigation, e.g. the ability to take novel shortcuts, is contingent upon accurate mental representations of environments‐cognitive maps. These cognitive maps critically depend on hippocampal place cells. In rodents, place cells replay recently travelled routes, especially during periods of behavioural inactivity (sleep/wakeful rest). This neural replay is hypothesised to promote not only the consolidation of specific experiences, but also their wider integration, e.g. into accurate cognitive maps. In humans, rest promotes the consolidation of specific experiences, but the effect of rest on the wider integration of memories remained unknown. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that cognitive map formation is supported by rest‐related integration of new spatial memories. We predicted that if wakeful rest supports cognitive map formation, then rest should enhance knowledge of overarching spatial relations that were never experienced directly during recent navigation. Forty young participants learned a route through a virtual environment before either resting wakefully or engaging in an unrelated perceptual task for 10 min. Participants in the wakeful rest condition performed more accurately in a delayed cognitive map test, requiring the pointing to landmarks from a range of locations. Importantly, the benefit of rest could not be explained by active rehearsal, but can be attributed to the promotion of consolidation‐related activity. These findings (i) resonate with the demonstration of hippocampal replay in rodents, and (ii) provide the first evidence that wakeful rest can improve the integration of new spatial memories in humans, a function that has, hitherto, been associated with sleep. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is groundwater response timing in a pre‐alpine catchment controlled more by topography or by rainfall?
Authors: Rinderer Michael , van Meerveld Ilja , Stähli Manfred , Seibert Jan
Published: July 2015

Groundwater levels in steep headwater catchments typically respond quickly to rainfall, but the timing of the response may vary spatially across the catchment. In this study, we investigated the topographic controls and the effects of rainfall and antecedent conditions on the groundwater response timing for 51 groundwater monitoring sites in a 20‐ha pre‐alpine catchment with low permeability soils. The median time to rise and median duration of recession for the 133 rainfall events were highly correlated to the topographic characteristics of the site and its upslope contributing area. The median time to rise depended more on the topographic characteristics than on the rainfall characteristics or antecedent soil wetness conditions. The median time to rise decreased with Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) for sites with TWI < 6 and was almost constant for sites with a higher TWI. The slope of this relation was a function of rainfall intensity. The rainfall threshold for groundwater initiation was also a function of TWI and allowed extrapolation of point measurements to the catchment scale. The median lag time between the rainfall centroid and the groundwater peak was 75 min. The groundwater level peaked before peak streamflow at the catchment outlet for half of the groundwater monitoring sites, but only by 15 to 25 min. The stronger correlations between topographic indices and groundwater response timing in this study compared to previous studies suggest that surface topography affects the groundwater response timing in catchments with low permeability soils more than in catchments with more transmissive soils. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A2B adenosine receptor activation switches differentiation of bone marrow cells to a CD11c+Gr‐1+ dendritic cell subset that promotes the Th17 response
Authors: Liang Dongchun , Zuo Aijun , Shao Hui , Chen Mingjiazi , Kaplan Henry J. , Sun Deming
Published: July 2015

Adenosine is one of the major molecules associated with inflammation. We have previously reported that an adenosine receptor (AR) agonist has an enhancing effect on Th17 autoimmune responses, even though it suppressed Th1 responses. To determine the mechanism involved, we have examined the effect of AR agonists on mouse bone marrow dendritic cell (BMDC) differentiation and function. We show that mouse bone marrow cells (BMCs) differentiated into CD11c+Gr‐1+ dentritic cells (DCs) when cultured in granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF)‐containing medium containing an AR agonist. The non‐selective AR agonist NECA and an A2BR‐specific agonist had a similar effect, and the effect of NECA could be blocked by an A2BR‐specific antagonist. Unlike CD11c+Gr‐1− BMDCs, which have a greater stimulatory effect on Th1 T cells than Th17 cells, CD11c+Gr‐1+ BMDCs had a greater stimulatory effect on Th17 autoreactive T cells than on Th1 autoreactive T cells and this effect depended on γδ T cell activation.
Two Rare Mutations in theCOL1A2Gene Associate With Low Bone Mineral Density and Fractures in Iceland
Authors: Styrkarsdottir Unnur , Thorleifsson Gudmar , Eiriksdottir Berglind , Gudjonsson Sigurjon A , Ingvarsson Thorvaldur , Center Jacqueline R , Nguyen Tuan V , Eisman John A , Christiansen Claus , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Sigurdsson Gunnar , Stefansson Kari
Published: August 2015

We conducted a genome-wide association study of low bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and spine utilizing sequence variants found through whole-genome sequencing of 2636 Icelanders. We found two rare missense mutations, p.Gly496Ala and p.Gly703Ser, in the COL1A2 gene that associate with measures of osteoporosis in Icelanders. Mutations in COL1A2 are known to cause the autosomal dominant disorder osteogenesis imperfecta. Both variants associate with low BMD and with osteoporotic fractures. p.Gly496Ala (frequency of 0.105%) shows the strongest association with low BMD at the spine (p = 1.8 × 10−7, odds ratio [OR] = 4.61 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.59, 8.18]), whereas p.Gly703Ser (frequency of 0.050%) is most strongly associated with low BMD at the hip (p = 1.9 × 10−8, OR = 9.34 [95% CI 4.28, 20.3]). Association with fractures was p = 2.2 × 10−5, OR = 3.75 (95% CI 2.03, 6.93) and p = 0.0023, OR = 4.32 (95% CI 1.69, 11.1), respectively. The carriers of these variants do not have signs of osteogenesis imperfecta other than low BMD, demonstrating that similar mutations in COL1A2 can affect skeletal phenotypes in more than one way. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The Initial Slope of the Variogram, Foundation of the Trabecular Bone Score, Is Not or Is Poorly Associated With Vertebral Strength
Authors: Maquer Ghislain , Lu Yongtao , Dall'Ara Enrico , Chevalier Yan , Krause Matthias , Yang Lang , Eastell Richard , Lippuner Kurt , Zysset Philippe K
Published: August 2015

Trabecular bone score (TBS) rests on the textural analysis of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to reflect the decay in trabecular structure characterizing osteoporosis. Yet, its discriminative power in fracture studies remains incomprehensible because prior biomechanical tests found no correlation with vertebral strength. To verify this result possibly owing to an unrealistic setup and to cover a wide range of loading scenarios, the data from three previous biomechanical studies using different experimental settings were used. They involved the compressive failure of 62 human lumbar vertebrae loaded 1) via intervertebral discs to mimic the in vivo situation (“full vertebra”); 2) via the classical endplate embedding (“vertebral body”); or 3) via a ball joint to induce anterior wedge failure (“vertebral section”). High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) scans acquired from prior testing were used to simulate anterior-posterior DXA from which areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and the initial slope of the variogram (ISV), the early definition of TBS, were evaluated. Finally, the relation of aBMD and ISV with failure load (Fexp) and apparent failure stress (σexp) was assessed, and their relative contribution to a multilinear model was quantified via ANOVA. We found that, unlike aBMD, ISV did not significantly correlate with Fexp and σexp, except for the “vertebral body” case (r2 = 0.396, p = 0.028). Aside from the “vertebra section” setup where it explained only 6.4% of σexp (p = 0.037), it brought no significant improvement to aBMD. These results indicate that ISV, a replica of TBS, is a poor surrogate for vertebral strength no matter the testing setup, which supports the prior observations and raises a fortiori the question of the deterministic factors underlying the statistical relationship between TBS and vertebral fracture risk. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Of consent, informed refusal, and measles vaccination
Authors: Rozovsky Fay A.
Published: July 2015

This article provides a discussion of the historic context for measles vaccination and the impact of the 2015 outbreak of measles. Seven practical risk management strategies are offered for vaccination consent.
A preoperative metabolic marker of parkinsonian apathy following subthalamic nucleus stimulation
Authors: Gesquière‐Dando Aude , Guedj Eric , Loundou Anderson , Carron Romain , Witjas Tatiana , Fluchère Frédérique , Delfini Marie , Mundler Laura , Regis Jean , Azulay Jean‐Philippe , Eusebio Alexandre
Published: July 2015

Background

Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN‐DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) has been associated with the development of postoperative apathy. Debate on the causes of postoperative apathy continues, and the dominant hypothesis is that stimulation or dopaminergic drug reductions are causal in its development. We hypothesized that a preoperative predisposition to apathy also could exist. To this end, we sought to identify a preoperative metabolic pattern using [18]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which could be associated with the occurrence of postoperative apathy after STN‐DBS for PD.

Methods

Thirty‐four patients with PD, not clinically apathetic, underwent an [18]Fluorodeoxyglucose‐PET scan before surgery of STN‐DBS, and were tested for the occurrence of apathy 1 y after surgery. Whole‐brain voxel‐based PET intergroup comparison (P < 0.005; corrected for the cluster) was evaluated between patients who developed apathy at 1 y and those who did not.

Results

Eight patients (23.5%) became apathetic after surgery. Motor improvement and decrease in dopaminergic treatment were similar in both postoperative apathy and non‐apathy groups. We found a cluster of significantly greater metabolism in the postoperative apathy group within the cerebellum, brainstem (in particular ventral tegmental area), temporal lobe, insula, amygdala, lentiform nucleus, subgenual anterior cingulate, and inferior frontal gyrus. A metabolic value above 68 could discriminate patients who would develop postoperative apathy with 100% sensitivity and 88.5% specificity.

Conclusions

We describe a preoperative metabolic pattern associated with the development of apathy after STN‐DBS in PD. This suggests the existence of a predisposition to apathy, which may further be triggered by perioperative drug modifications. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Repair of complex vesicovaginal fistulas by combining a rotational bladder flap and full thick vascular peritoneal interposition
Authors: Chen Yuke , Yu Wei , Yang Yang , Jin Jie , Wu Shiliang , Xiao Yunxiang
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To present the experience of repairing iatrogenic vesicovaginal fistulas (VVFs) using a rotational bladder flap and peritoneal interposition technique.

Methods

Between January 2009 and June 2014, a total of 18 patients (mean age, 44.0 years; age range, 29–51 years) with VVFs were treated using a transperitoneal approach. All VVFs were complications of gynecologic procedures. Twelve patients experienced recurrent VVFs and one patient had a concomitant rectovaginal fistula after radiotherapy. The fistula was approached transabdominally. The peritoneum covering the bladder was isolated to expose the bladder and prepare for the interposition. The bladder was opened along the sagittal plane to the fistula and a bladder flap was rotated downward to fill the fistula defect. The vaginal defect was closed, then a flap using the isolated peritoneum was interposed and fixed between the vagina and bladder. A ureteral re‐implantation was performed in one patient. All VVF procedures were performed by one urologist (SW). Repair of the rectovaginal fistula was performed by a general surgeon at the same time.

Results

Seventeen patients (success rate = 94% [100% for primary cases and 92% for recurrent cases]) had no evidence of recurrent VVF at a mean follow‐up of 20 months (range, 6–36 months). The only patient who had previously undergone a repair procedure failed.

Conclusions

A transperitoneal approach with the use of a rotational bladder flap and peritoneal interposition might be a feasible and reliable procedure for surgical management of iatrogenic VVFs, especially in complicated cases. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:934–938, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Carboplatin Rechallenge After Hypersensitivity Reactions in Pediatric Patients With Low‐Grade Glioma
Authors: Shah Amish C. , Minturn Jane E. , Li Yimei , Belasco Jean B. , Phillips Peter C. , Kang Tammy I. , Cole Kristina A. , Waanders Angela J. , Pollack Rosanna , Didomenico Concetta , Wildes Cynthia , Fisher Michael J.
Published: July 2015

Background

The high prevalence of carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) significantly affects the treatment of pediatric patients with low‐grade glioma (LGG). Rechallenging patients is an option that must balance the risks of repeat allergic reaction to the benefits of retaining an effective anti‐tumor regimen.

Procedure

We performed a retrospective review of children with LGG treated with carboplatin and vincristine between October 2000 and April 2013, who had a documented HSR to carboplatin. Patients were re‐exposed to carboplatin using either precautionary measures (prolonged infusion time and premedication with H1 antagonists, H2 antagonists, and corticosteroids), a desensitization protocol, or both.

Results

We report the results of our institutional experience of carboplatin re‐exposure using both premedication with a prolonged infusion time and a desensitization protocol. Overall, 40 of 55 (73%) patients were successfully rechallenged with carboplatin, including 19 of 25 (76%) patients who underwent desensitization.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate re‐exposure to be a safe alternative to abandoning carboplatin for patients with a hypersensitivity reaction. We propose a clinical algorithm for treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015; 9999:1–6 © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibition of hERG potassium channel by the antiarrhythmic agent mexiletine and its metabolite m‐hydroxymexiletine
Authors: Gualdani Roberta , Tadini‐Buoninsegni Francesco , Roselli Mariagrazia , Defrenza Ivana , Contino Marialessandra , Colabufo Nicola Antonio , Lentini Giovanni
Published: August 2015

Mexiletine is a sodium channel blocker, primarily used in the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated its therapeutic value to treat myotonic syndromes and to relieve neuropathic pain. The present study aims at investigating the direct blockade of hERG potassium channel by mexiletine and its metabolite m‐hydroxymexiletine (MHM). Our data show that mexiletine inhibits hERG in a time‐ and voltage‐dependent manner, with an IC50 of 3.7 ± 0.7 μmol/L. Analysis of the initial onset of current inhibition during a depolarizing test pulse indicates mexiletine binds preferentially to the open state of the hERG channel. Looking for a possible mexiletine alternative, we show that m‐hydroxymexiletine (MHM), a minor mexiletine metabolite recently reported to be as active as the parent compound in an arrhythmia animal model, is a weaker hERG channel blocker, compared to mexiletine (IC50 = 22.4 ± 1.2 μmol/L). The hERG aromatic residues located in the S6 helix (Tyr652 and Phe656) are crucial in the binding of mexiletine and the different affinities of mexiletine and MHM with hERG channel are interpreted by modeling their corresponding binding interactions through ab initio calculations. The simulations demonstrate that the introduction of a hydroxyl group on the meta‐position of the aromatic portion of mexiletine weakens the interaction of the drug xylyloxy moiety with Tyr652. These results provide further insights into the molecular basis of drug/hERG interactions and, in agreement with previously reported results on clofilium and ibutilide analogs, support the possibility of reducing hERG potency and related toxicity by modifying the aromatic pattern of substitution of clinically relevant compounds.
Non‐oral contraceptive options: how to find the right fit
Authors: Everett Marian , Wokoma Tonye
Published: July 2015

With an increasing choice of non‐oral contraceptives available it is important that patients understand the risks and benefits of each option. Our drug review discusses the properties, efficacy and suitability of currently available non‐oral contraceptives.
Otezla for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Chaplin Steve , Dunnill Giles
Published: July 2015

Apremilast (Otezla), a new oral PDE4 inhibitor, is licensed for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Steve Chaplin presents the clinical data relating to its efficacy and adverse events and Dr Giles Dunnill discusses its place in therapy.
Fano‐like resonance and scattering in dielectric(core)–metal(shell) composites embedded in active host matrices
Authors: Jule Leta , Mal'nev Vadim , Mesfin Belayneh , Senbeta Teshome , Dejene Francis , Rorro Kittesa
Published: July 2015

We investigate light scattering by core–shell consisting of metal/dielectric composites considering spherical and cylindrical nanoinclusions, within the framework of the conventional Rayleigh approximation. By writing the electric potential distribution of the dielectric core, metal shell and host matrices in the core–shell composites, we have derived an analytical expression for the polarization of individual metal cover spherical and cylindrical inclusions, under long wave approximation. Moreover, we demonstrated that modeling the dielectric function of the dispersive core for both frequency dependent (the scattering cross‐section) and frequency independent dielectric function of the core, one can tune Fano regions in the core–shell composites. We find that Fano‐like resonances can occur at the same input volume fraction of the metal coated provided the dielectric function of active host medium () has negative values. Such Fano‐like resonance are induced by interaction between dipolar modes of the inner core, and multipolar plasmon modes of the coated shell. These findings provide a new and promising direction which are highly desirable in ultra thin films, for designing selective solar cell absorber, sensing, lasing, nonlinear switching which have high contrast and low threshold.
Lean Six Sigma Implementation in a Food Processing SME: A Case Study
Authors: Dora Manoj , Gellynck Xavier
Published: July 2015

Lean manufacturing has been acknowledged as a methodology to eliminate waste, while Six Sigma has been regarded as a diagnostic tool to improve processes by eliminating variation. The important objective of both of the methodologies is to identify the most critical processes to generate savings for an organization. Lean Six Sigma integrates these two approaches into an effective hybrid method, which combines the variability elimination tools from Six Sigma with the waste elimination practices from lean manufacturing. This paper aims to study the application of Lean Six Sigma in a medium‐sized confectionary. The results show that the company successfully applied the Lean Six Sigma methodology and saved a considerable sum of money by reducing overfilling of final product (ginger bread). This study proposes a Lean Six Sigma framework to reduce overfill and rework. The proposed framework integrates lean tools and Six Sigma Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control methodology to reduce overfill and rework to enhance the bottom‐line results. The result of this study will help food small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises to effectively apply Lean Six Sigma to reduce variability and consequent waste in their production process. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A high‐resolution accurate mass (HR/AM) approach to identification, profiling and characterization of in vitro nefazodone metabolites using a hybrid quadrupole Orbitrap (Q‐Exactive)
Authors: Perry Simon J. , Nász Szilárd , Saeed Mansoor
Published: July 2015

Rationale

This paper describes a strategy for the profiling and identification of metabolites based on chemical group classification using high‐resolution accurate mass (HR/AM) full scan mass spectrometry (MS) and All‐Ion fragmentation (AIF) MS2 data.

Methods

The proposed strategy uses a hybrid quadrupole Orbitrap (Q‐Exactive) employing stepped normalised collision energy (NCE) at 35% and 80% to produce key chemically diagnostic product ions from full coverage of the product ion spectrum. This approach allows filtering of high‐resolution AIF MS2 data in order to identify parent‐related compounds produced following incubation in rat liver microsomes (RLMs).

Results

An antidepressant drug, nefazodone (NEF), was selected as the model test compound to demonstrate the proposed workflow for metabolite profiling. This resulted in the identification of three indicative chemical groups within NEF: triazolone, phenoxy and chlorophenylpiperazine. High‐resolution mass spectrometry provides increased specificity to distinguish between two characteristic product ion masses m/z 154.0975 (C7H12N3O) and 154.0419 (C8H9NCl), which are not fully resolved by spectrometers operating at nominal mass resolution, indicative of compounds containing the triazolone and chlorophenylpiperazine moieties, respectively.

Conclusions

This post‐acquisition processing strategy provides comprehensive detection and identification of high‐ and low‐level metabolites from an 'all‐in‐one' analysis. This enables functional groups to be systematically traced across a wide range of metabolites, leading to the successful identification of 28 in vitro NEF‐related metabolites. In our hands this approach has been applied to agrochemical environmental fate and dietary metabolism studies, as well as metabolomics and biomarker analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of flower‐like gold nanoparticles in time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Kolářová Lenka , Kučera Lukáš , Vaňhara Petr , Hampl Aleš , Havel Josef
Published: July 2015

Rationale

Many kinds of nanoparticles (NPs) have been used for mass spectrometry (MS) so far. Here we report the first use of flower‐like gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a mediator to enhance ionization in MS of peptides and proteins.

Methods

Flower‐like AuNPs were characterized using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, UV‐VIS spectrophotometry, and laser desorption/ionization (LDI)‐MS and compared with polyhedral AuNPs. Mass spectra were obtained in positive ion mode using a time‐of‐flight (TOF) analyzer coupled with either matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) or surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) methods.

Results

The intensities of peptide peaks (m/z 500–3500) were up to 7.5× and up to 7× higher using flower‐like AuNPs and flower‐like AuNPs‐enriched α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) matrix respectively, than the classical CHCA matrix. The signals of higher mass peptide/protein peaks (m/z 3600–17000) were up to 2× higher with using flower‐like AuNPs‐enriched CHCA matrix than conventional CHCA matrix. The signal of profile peaks generated by intact cell MALDI‐TOFMS of fibroblast suspension (m/z 4000–20000) was 2× higher with using flower‐like AuNPs combined with sinapinic acid (SA) compared to SA matrix alone. The use of flower‐like AuNPs as internal calibration standard for the calibration of MS spectra of peptides was performed.

Conclusions

Flower‐like AuNPs and flower‐like AuNPs combined with CHCA or SA as combined matrices for MS measurement of peptides and proteins were used. Comparison of the conventional MALDI method and our method with flower‐like AuNPs was carried out. In addition, gold clusters generated from flower‐like AuNPs by SALDI provide a suitable internal calibration standard for MS analysis of peptides. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The two ∇6R4 type invariants and their higher order generalisation
Authors: Bossard Guillaume , Verschinin Valentin
Published: July 2015

Abstract

We show that there are two distinct classes of ∇6
R
4 type supersymmetry invariants in maximal supergravity. The second class includes a coupling in F
2∇4
R
4 that generalises to 1/8 BPS protected F
2k
∇4
R
4 couplings. We work out the supersymmetry constraints on the corresponding threshold functions, and argue that the functions in the second class satisfy to homogeneous differential equations for arbitrary k ≥ 1, such that the corresponding exact threshold functions in type II string theory should be proportional to Eisenstein series, which we identify. This analysis explains in particular that the exact ∇6
R
4 threshold function is the sum of an Eisenstein function and a solution to an inhomogeneous Poisson equation in string theory.
Neutrino and photon lensing by black holes: radiative lens equations and post-Newtonian contributions
Authors: Corianò Claudio , Costantini Antonio , Dell’Atti Marta , Rose Luigi Delle
Published: July 2015

Abstract

We extend a previous phenomenological analysis of photon lensing in an external gravitational background to the case of a massless neutrino, and propose a method to incorporate radiative effects in the classical lens equations of neutrinos and photons. The study is performed for a Schwarzschild metric, generated by a point-like source, and expanded in the Newtonian potential at first order. We use a semiclassical approach, where the perturbative corrections to neutrino scattering, evaluated at one-loop in the Standard Model, are compared with the Einstein formula for the deflection using an impact parameter formulation. For this purpose, we use the renormalized expression of the graviton/fermion/fermion vertex presented in previous studies. We show the agreement between the classical and the semiclassical formulations, for values of the impact parameter b

h
of the neutrinos of the order of b

h
∼ 20, measured in units of the Schwarzschild radius. The analysis is then extended with the inclusion of the post Newtonian corrections in the external gravity field, showing that this extension finds application in the case of the scattering of a neutrino/photon off a primordial black hole. The energy dependence of the deflection, generated by the quantum corrections, is then combined with the standard formulation of the classical lens equations. We illustrate our approach by detailed numerical studies, using as a reference both the thin lens and the Virbhadra-Ellis lens.
Microwave Energy Increases Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Yield in Human Whole Blood Due to Increased Sphingomyelin Transesterification
Authors: Metherel Adam H. , Aristizabal Henao Juan J. , Ciobanu Flaviu , Taha Ameer Y. , Stark Ken D.
Published: August 2015

Dried blood spots (DBS) by fingertip prick collection for fatty acid profiling are becoming increasingly popular due to ease of collection, minimal invasiveness and its amenability to high‐throughput analyses. Herein, we assess a microwave‐assisted direct transesterification method for the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from DBS. Technical replicates of human whole blood were collected and 25‐μL aliquots were applied to chromatography strips prior to analysis by a standard 3‐h transesterification method or microwave‐assisted direct transesterification method under various power (variable vs constant), time (1–5 min) and reagent (1–10 % H2SO4 in methanol) conditions. In addition, a standard method was compared to a 5‐min, 30‐W power microwave in 1 % H2SO4 method for FAME yield from whole blood sphingomyelin, and sphingomyelin standards alone and spiked in whole blood. Microwave‐assisted direct transesterification yielded no significant differences in both quantitative (nmol/100 µL) and qualitative (mol%) fatty acid assessments after as little as 1.5‐ and 1‐min reaction times, respectively, using the variable power method and 5 % H2SO4 in methanol. However, 30‐W power for 5 min increased total FAME yield of the technical replicates by 14 %. This increase appears largely due to higher sphingomyelin‐derived FAME yield of up to 109 and 399 % compared to the standard method when determined from whole blood or pure standards, respectively. In conclusion, microwave‐assisted direct transesterification of DBS achieved in as little as 1‐min, and 5‐min reaction times increase total fatty acids primarily by significantly improving sphingomyelin‐derived fatty acid yield.
What are you Mixed with: The Effect of Multiracial Identification on Perceived Attractiveness
Authors: Reece Robert L.
Published: August 2015

Studies consistently show that attractiveness is racialized, and in a racial hierarchy that privileges whites at the expense of blacks, white phenotypic characteristics are deemed more attractive than black phenotypic characteristics. This study seeks to examine whether the racialized nature of attractiveness is based on more than just appearance. To that end, I use Add Health data to analyze whether black people who identify as mixed race rather than as a single race are perceived as more attractive even when controlling for phenotype, particularly skin tone, eye color, and hair color.
Smart tourism: foundations and developments
Authors: Gretzel Ulrike , Sigala Marianna , Xiang Zheng , Koo Chulmo
Published: July 2015

Smart tourism is a new buzzword applied to describe the increasing reliance of tourism destinations, their industries and their tourists on emerging forms of ICT that allow for massive amounts of data to be transformed into value propositions. However, it remains ill-defined as a concept, which hinders its theoretical development. The paper defines smart tourism, sheds light on current smart tourism trends, and then lays out its technological and business foundations. This is followed by a brief discussion on the prospects and drawbacks of smart tourism. The paper further draws attention to the great need for research to inform smart tourism development and management.
Chediak-Higashi syndrome presenting in accelerated phase
Authors: Maaloul I. , Talmoudi J. , Chabchoub I. , Ayadi L. , Kamoun T.H. , Boudawara T. , Kallel C.H. , Hachicha M.
Published: August 2015

Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal disorder characterized by frequent infections, oculocutaneous albinism, bleeding diathesis, and progressive neurologic deterioration. In 85% of cases, CHS patients develop the accelerated phase characterized by pancytopenia, high fever, and lymphohistiocytic infiltration of liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Treatment of accelerated-phase CHS is difficult and the prognosis is poor. Here, we report a case of CHS in a 2-year-old boy who presented in the accelerated phase of the disease. CHS diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical characteristics, hair analysis, and identification of pathognomonic giant azurophilic granules in peripheral blood and bone marrow.
The “Right Sector” and others: The behavior and role of radical nationalists in the Ukrainian political crisis of late 2013 — Early 2014
Authors: Likhachev Vyacheslav
Published: August 2015

Civil protests of Ukrainian citizens during winter 2013–2014 were accompanied by an intense informational campaign, which had not always corresponded to the reality. In the course of this campaign, Maidan’s activists, the political opposition — and, correspondingly, the new government that was formed after the revolution ended in victory — were depicted as ultra-nationalistic, extremist, and xenophobic. Under these circumstances, it is extremely important for both Ukrainian citizens and foreign observers to understand the real role of national-radicals in the Maidan protests and the events that followed. What were the reasons for the Ukrainian people to begin the protests? Is it true that the “banderovtsy” made up the bulk of the protesters? Is the victory of the Maidan also the victory of the political ultra-right? Does the Ukrainian ultra-nationalism have a strong support in the society, according to the results of the elections? What kind of future does the far right have in the new Ukrainian political reality?