bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of plateletpheresis on the Fenwal Amicus, Fresenius COM.TEC, and Trima Accel Cell separators
Authors: Keklik Muzaffer , Eser Bulent , Kaynar Leylagul , Sivgin Serdar , Keklik Ertugrul , Solmaz Musa , Ozturk Ahmet , Buyukoglan Ruksan , Yay Mehmet , Cetin Mustafa , Unal Ali
Published: September 2014

Blood component donations by apheresis have become more common in modern blood transfusion practices. We compared three apheresis instruments (Fenwal Amicus, Fresenius COM.TEC, and Trima Accel) with regard to platelet (PLT) yield, collection efficiency (CE), and collection rate (CR). The single‐needle or double‐needle plateletpheresis procedures of the three instruments were compared in a retrospective, randomized study in 270 donors. The blood volume processed was higher in the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. Also there was a significantly higher median volume of ACD used in collections on the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. The PLT yield was significantly lower with the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. Additionally, the CE was significantly lower with the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. There was no significant difference in median separation time and CR between the three groups. When procedures were compared regarding CE by using Amicus device, it was significantly higher in single‐needle than double‐needle plateletpheresis. When double‐needle Amicus system was compared with double‐needle COM.TEC system, CE and PLT yield were significantly higher with Amicus system. When single‐needle Amicus system was compared with single‐needle Trima system, CE and PLT yield were significantly higher with Trima system. All instruments collected PLTs efficiently. However, the CE was lower with the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. Also, we found Amicus single‐needle system collected PLTs more efficiently compared with the double‐needle system. CE and PLT yields were significantly higher with the single‐needle Trima instrument compared with the single‐needle Amicus device. J. Clin. Apheresis 30:171–175, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinico‐biochemical investigations of aging effects on normoglycemic and hyperglycemic murine retinal tissues
Authors: Shin Jae‐Ho , Choi Jeong Han , Choi Samjin , Jung Gyeong Bok , Park Hun‐Kuk , Moon Sang Woong
Published: September 2014

Purpose

This study used five clinical assessments and Raman spectroscopy to investigate the age‐ and hyperglycemia‐related properties of the murine retina over an eight‐week experimental period.

Method

Acute hyperglycemia and chronic hyperglycemia were assessed with blood glucose (BG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, respectively. Changes in the retinal thickness and neovascularization were evaluated with optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography (FAG). Histological changes in the retina were studied after periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) staining. Raman spectroscopy was used to examine the molecular structures and chemical compositions of the retinal tissues.

Results

The young hyperglycemic group had acute hyperglycemia with a BG level of 576 ± 22 mg/dL and HbA1c of 5.9 ± 0.6%, while the aged hyperglycemic group displayed chronic hyperglycemia with a BG level of 607 ± 28 mg/dL and HbA1c of 11.2 ± 1.5%. Aged hyperglycemic retinas showed an insignificant (5%) decrease in thickness and no presence of vascular leaky lesions with FAG. There was no histological evidence of the retinal neovascularization with PAS staining of these aged hyperglycemic retinas. In the aged group, Raman intensities assigned to the C–C symmetric breathing of the aromatic ring in phenylalanine (1003 cm−1), the NH2 amide III α‐helix deformation in the protein structure (1265 cm−1), and the C=O stretching vibration of amide I α‐helix structure in collagen (1657 cm−1) were all decreased.

Conclusion

These decreased Raman intensities indicate elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage to proteins such as those involved in cell apoptosis. A decrease in these ROS‐related Raman peaks indicates an aging effect on the retina. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:1023–1030, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microscopic analysis of the quality of obturation and physical properties of MTAFillapex
Authors: Amoroso‐Silva Pablo Andrés , Guimarães Bruno Martini , Marciano Marina AngéLica , Duarte Marco Antonio Hungaro , Cavenago Bruno Cavalini , Ordinola‐Zapata Ronald , De Almeida Marcela Milanezi , De Moraes Ivaldo Gomes
Published: September 2014

This study analyzed the quality of obturation and physical properties of MTA Fillapex and AH Plus sealer. A sample of 30 human maxillary central incisors were instrumented with Protaper until a F5 (50/05) file. Both sealers were mixed with Rhodamine‐B dye to allow visualization on a confocal laser‐scanning microscope (CLSM). Next, the canals were filled using the single cone technique. After setting, all samples were sectioned at 2, 4, and 6 mm from the apex. CLSM was used to analyze the gaps and sealer penetration into the dentinal tubules. All samples were scanned 10 µm below the dentin surface and images were recorded at 100× magnification using the fluorescent mode. Additionally, the solubility, flowability and setting time of the sealers were evaluated. All the measured quantities of the examined materials were evaluated for significant differences by means of statistical analysis. The CLSM analysis of the MTA Fillapex showed the highest percentage of gaps at all sections (P = 0.0001). Physical tests revealed adequate properties for both sealers except for a higher solubility of the MTA Fillapex (P = 0.0001). The MTA Fillapex presented flowability and intratubular penetration similar to the AH Plus. Nevertheless, the MTA Fillapex sealer presented a higher solubility and considerable quantity of gaps between the sealer/dentin interface in relation to the AH Plus sealer. Clinicians must take into consideration, the quality of endodontic sealers as it is essential in the outcome of the root canal filling. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:1031–1036, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of the position of a hospital‐acquired condition diagnosis code with changes in medicare severity diagnosis‐related group assignment
Authors: Johnson Tricia , Kane Jason M. , Odwazny Richard , McNutt Robert
Published: September 2014

CONTEXT

Incentives to improve quality include paying less for adverse events, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' policy to not pay additionally for events classified as hospital‐acquired conditions (HACs). This policy is controversial, as variable coding practices at hospitals may lead to differences in the inclusion and position of HACs in the list of codes used for Medicare Severity Diagnosis‐Related Group (MS‐DRG) assignment.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate changes in MS‐DRG assignment for patients with an HAC and test the association of the position of an HAC in the list of International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD‐9) diagnosis codes with change in MS‐DRG assignment.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective analysis of patients discharged from hospital members of the University HealthSystem Consortium's Clinical Data Base between October 2007 and April 2008. Comparisons were made between the MS‐DRG assigned when the HAC was not included in the list of ICD‐9 diagnosis codes and the MS‐DRG that would have been assigned had the HAC code been included in the assignment.

RESULTS

Of the 7027 patients with an HAC, 13.8% changed MS‐DRG assignment when the HAC was removed. An HAC in the second position versus third position or lower was associated with a 40‐fold increase in the likelihood of MS‐DRG change.

CONCLUSIONS

The position of an HAC in the list of diagnosis codes, rather than the presence of an HAC, is associated with a change in MS‐DRG assignment. HACs have little effect on reimbursement unless the HAC is in the second position and patients have minor severity of illness. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:707–713. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Development of a direct in‐matrix extraction (DIME) protocol for MALDI‐TOF‐MS detection of glycated phospholipids in heat‐treated food samples
Authors: Calvano Cosima D. , De Ceglie Cristina , Zambonin Carlo G.
Published: September 2014

In foodstuffs, one of the main factors inducing modifications in phospholipids (PLs) structure is the heat treatment. Among PLs, only phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylserines, due to their free amino group, can be involved in Maillard reaction and can form adducts with reducing sugars, besides other by‐products called advanced glycation end‐products. To date, glycated lipid products are less characterized in comparison to proteins.

The aim of this work was to develop a novel, rapid and sensitive extraction protocol for the detection and characterization of modified PLs (glycated and oxidized) by means of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS).

At first, to investigate the formation of glycated and/or short chain by‐products in different classes of PLs, representative standards were heated with or without sugar (lactose or glucose) and subjected to traditional lipid extraction methods as Bligh and Dyer and to the novel direct in matrix extraction (DIME) using 1,8‐bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene as preconcentrating matrix. MALDI‐MS analysis in negative ion mode allowed detecting glycation and oxidation products both on fatty acid and glucose moieties.

Then, the procedure was successfully applied to different heat‐treated and powdered samples (milk powders, pasteurized milk, ultra‐high‐temperature milk and soy flour) for the detection of modified PLs in complex foods. The currently developed DIME protocol could be a powerful tool for understanding lipid glycation also in biological samples. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl p‐methoxybenzoate as suitable derivative reagent for isotopic dilution assay of biogenic amines in food
Authors: Mazzotti Fabio , Di Donna Leonardo , Napoli Anna , Aiello Donatella , Siciliano Carlo , Athanassopoulos Constantinos M. , Sindona Giovanni
Published: September 2014

We present a simple methodology for the simultaneous identification and determination of biogenic amines in food matrices, based on the use of a stable isotope‐coded derivatization and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The tagging reagent is N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl ester of d0/d4‐4‐methoxybenzoic acid (d0/d4‐4‐MBA‐OSu) which mainly functionalizes primary amines. The identification and structural characterization of tagged biogenic amines were exploited by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–mass spectrometry (MS) and MS/MS. Multiple‐reaction monitoring has been applied in the assay of biogenic amines in different foodstuffs, providing a method whose reliability is confirmed by the values of accuracy (12%) and by the calculated analytical parameters. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous screening of targeted and non‐targeted contaminants using an LC‐QTOF‐MS system and automated MS/MS library searching
Authors: Herrera‐Lopez S. , Hernando M. D. , García‐Calvo E. , Fernández‐Alba A. R. , Ulaszewska M. M.
Published: September 2014

Simultaneous high‐resolution full‐scan and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis using time of flight mass spectrometry brings an answer for increasing demand of retrospective and non‐targeted data analysis. Such analysis combined with spectral library searching is a promising tool for targeted and untargeted screening of small molecules. Despite considerable extension of the panel of compounds of tandem mass spectral libraries, the heterogeneity of spectral data poses a major challenge against the effective usage of spectral libraries. Performance evaluation of available LC‐MS/MS libraries will significantly increase credibility in the search results. The present work was aimed to evaluate fluctuation of MS/MS pattern, in the peak intensities distribution together with mass accuracy measurements, and in consequence, performance compliant with ion ratio and mass error criteria as principles in identification processes for targeted and untargeted contaminants at trace levels. Matrix effect and ultra‐trace levels of concentration (from 50 ng l−1 to 1000 ng l−1) were evaluated as potential source of inaccuracy in the performance of spectral matching. Matrix‐matched samples and real samples were screened for proof of applicability. By manual review of data and application of ion ratio and ppm error criteria, false negatives were obtained; this number diminished when in‐house library was used, while with on‐line MS/MS databases 100% of positive samples were found. In our experience, intensity of peaks across spectra was highly correlated to the concentration effect and matrix complexity. In turn, analysis of spectra acquired at trace concentrations and in different matrices results in better performance in providing correct and reliable identification. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–ion‐trap mass spectrometer for the on‐line analysis of volatile compounds in foods: a tool for linking aroma release to aroma perception
Authors: Le Quéré Jean‐Luc , Gierczynski Isabelle , Sémon Etienne
Published: September 2014

An atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion‐trap mass spectrometer was set up for the on‐line analysis of aroma compounds. This instrument, which has been successfully employed for some years in several in vitro and in vivo flavour release studies, is described for the first time in detail. The ion source was fashioned from polyether ether ketone and operated at ambient pressure and temperature making use of a discharge corona pin facing coaxially the capillary ion entrance of the ion‐trap mass spectrometer. Linear dynamic ranges (LDR), limits of detection (LOD) and other analytical characteristics have been re‐evaluated. LDRs and LODs have been found fully compatible with the concentrations of aroma compounds commonly found in foods. Thus, detection limits have been found in the low ppt range for common flavouring aroma compounds (for example 5.3 ppt (0.82 ppbV) for ethyl hexanoate and 4.8 ppt (1.0 ppbV) for 2,5‐dimethylpyrazine). This makes the instrument applicable for in vitro and in vivo aroma release investigations. The use of dynamic sensory techniques such as the temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) method conducted simultaneously with in vivo aroma release measurements allowed to get some new insights in the link between flavour release and flavour perception. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of chemical solvents on the properties of CVD graphene
Authors: Wu Zhang Ting , Zhao Wei Wei , Chen Wei Yu , Jiang Jie , Nan Hai Yan , Guo Xi Tao , Liang Zheng , Chen Yu Ming , Chen Yun Fei , Ni Zhen Hua
Published: September 2014

The ultra‐clean and defect‐free transfer of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene is essential for its application in electronic devices. Here, we study the influence of commonly used etching solvents during the transfer process, i.e. ammonium persulfate, ferric chloride, and ferric nitrate, on the properties of CVD graphene by Raman spectroscopy. Obvious blue shift and broadening of Raman G and 2D peaks were observed for graphene transferred by ferric chloride and ferric nitrate, as compared to that transferred by ammonium persulfate. These changes are attributed to p‐doping as well as reduction of phonon lifetime of graphene in the presence of residue iron compounds during the transfer process. The latter would also introduce a great reduction of thermal conductivity of graphene, e.g. with 76% reduction for graphene transferred by ferric nitrate as compared to that transferred by ammonium persulfate. This work would provide valuable information for the transfer of high‐quality CVD graphene. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major constituents in Jin‐Mu‐Gan‐Mao tablet by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection and quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Huang Mingqing , Xu Shuyu , Xu Wen , Chen Daxing , Chu Kedan , Xu Wei , Peng Jun , Lu Jinjian
Published: September 2014

Jin‐Mu‐Gan‐Mao tablet is a well‐known traditional Chinese medicinal preparation, which has been used to treat the common cold in China. In this study, a systematic method was established for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major constituents in Jin‐Mu‐Gan‐Mao tablet. First, a method of high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry was developed for identification of the multi‐constituents. Thirty‐one compounds including ten phenolic acids, 18 flavonoids, and three iridoid glycosides were clearly identified by comparison with the reference standards, and 11 compounds were deduced by comparison with the literature data. Second, a new quantitative analysis method of Jin‐Mu‐Gan‐Mao tablet was established by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection. Twelve compounds, either with high contents or strong bioactivities, were chosen as marker components. This analytical method was validated through intra‐ and interday precision, repeatability, and stability, with respective relative standard deviations less than 1.74, 2.54, 2.44, and 2.48%. The limits of detection and quantification were less than 0.327 and 0.881 μg/mL, respectively. The overall recoveries ranged from 97.04–102.76% (relative standard deviation ≤ 2.91%). Then this validated method was applied to determine ten batches of Jin‐Mu‐Gan‐Mao tablet. The results indicated that these new approaches can be applicable for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Jin‐Mu‐Gan‐Mao tablet.
Inactivation of agmatinase expressed in vegetative cells alters arginine catabolism and prevents diazotrophic growth in the heterocyst‐forming cyanobacterium Anabaena
Authors: Burnat Mireia , Flores Enrique
Published: September 2014

Arginine decarboxylase produces agmatine, and arginase and agmatinase are ureohydrolases that catalyze the production of ornithine and putrescine from arginine and agmatine, respectively, releasing urea. In the genome of the filamentous, heterocyst‐forming cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120, ORF alr2310 putatively encodes an ureohydrolase. Cells of Anabaena supplemented with [14C]arginine took up and catabolized this amino acid generating a set of labeled amino acids that included ornithine, proline, and glutamate. In an alr2310 deletion mutant, an agmatine spot appeared and labeled glutamate increased with respect to the wild type, suggesting that Alr2310 is an agmatinase rather than an arginase. As determined in cell‐free extracts, agmatinase activity could be detected in the wild type but not in the mutant. Thus, alr2310 is the Anabaena speB gene encoding agmatinase. The ∆alr2310 mutant accumulated large amounts of cyanophycin granule polypeptide, lacked nitrogenase activity, and did not grow diazotrophically. Growth tests in solid media showed that agmatine is inhibitory for Anabaena, especially under diazotrophic conditions, suggesting that growth of the mutant is inhibited by non‐metabolized agmatine. Measurements of incorporation of radioactivity from [14C]leucine into macromolecules showed, however, a limited inhibition of protein synthesis in the ∆alr2310 mutant. Analysis of an Anabaena strain producing an Alr2310‐GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion showed expression in vegetative cells but much less in heterocysts, implying compartmentalization of the arginine decarboxylation pathway in the diazotrophic filaments of this heterocyst‐forming cyanobacterium.
Hirsutenone in Alnus extract inhibits akt activity and suppresses prostate cancer cell proliferation
Authors: Kang Soouk , Kim Jong‐Eun , Li Yan , Jung Sung Keun , Song Nu Ry , Thimmegowda N.R. , Kim Bo Yeon , Lee Hyong Joo , Bode Ann M. , Dong Zigang , Lee Ki Won
Published: September 2014

Although specific compounds found in some East Asian traditional medicines have been shown to exhibit bioactive properties, their molecular mechanisms of action remain elusive. The bark of the Alnus species has been used for the treatment of various pathological conditions including hemorrhage, alcoholism, fever, diarrhea, skin diseases, inflammation, and cancer in East Asia for centuries. In this study, we show that hirsutenone, a bioactive compound in Alnus japonica, exhibits anti‐cancer effects against prostate cancer through a direct physical inhibition of Akt1/2. Hirsutenone suppressed anchorage‐dependent and independent cell growth of PC3 and LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. Annexin V and Propidium iodide (PI) staining results demonstrated that hirsutenone strongly induces apoptotic cell death in both PC3 and LNCaP cells. Furthermore, treatment of hirsutenone attenuated phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a downstream substrate of Akt, without affecting Akt phosphorylation. Kinase and pull‐down assay results clearly show that hirsutenone inhibits Akt1 and 2 by direct binding in an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐noncompetitive manner in vitro and ex vivo. Our results show that hirsutenone suppresses human prostate cancer by targeting Akt1 and 2 as a key component to explain for anti‐cancer activity of Alnus species. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of coding microsatellite frameshift mutations in DNA mismatch repair‐deficient mouse intestinal tumors
Authors: Woerner Stefan M. , Tosti Elena , Yuan Yan P. , Kloor Matthias , Bork Peer , Edelmann Winfried , Gebert Johannes
Published: September 2014

Different DNA mismatch repair (MMR)‐deficient mouse strains have been developed as models for the inherited cancer predisposing Lynch syndrome. It is completely unresolved, whether coding mononucleotide repeat (cMNR) gene mutations in these mice can contribute to intestinal tumorigenesis and whether MMR‐deficient mice are a suitable molecular model of human microsatellite instability (MSI)‐associated intestinal tumorigenesis. A proof‐of‐principle study was performed to identify mouse cMNR‐harboring genes affected by insertion/deletion mutations in MSI murine intestinal tumors. Bioinformatic algorithms were developed to establish a database of mouse cMNR‐harboring genes. A panel of five mouse noncoding mononucleotide markers was used for MSI classification of intestinal matched normal/tumor tissues from MMR‐deficient (Mlh1−/−, Msh2−/−, Msh2LoxP/LoxP) mice. cMNR frameshift mutations of candidate genes were determined by DNA fragment analysis. Murine MSI intestinal tumors but not normal tissues from MMR‐deficient mice showed cMNR frameshift mutations in six candidate genes (Elavl3, Tmem107, Glis2, Sdccag1, Senp6, Rfc3). cMNRs of mouse Rfc3 and Elavl3 are conserved in type and length in their human orthologs that are known to be mutated in human MSI colorectal, endometrial and gastric cancer. We provide evidence for the utility of a mononucleotide marker panel for detection of MSI in murine tumors, the existence of cMNR instability in MSI murine tumors, the utility of mouse subspecies DNA for identification of polymorphic repeats, and repeat conservation among some orthologous human/mouse genes, two of them showing instability in human and mouse MSI intestinal tumors. MMR‐deficient mice hence are a useful molecular model system for analyzing MSI intestinal carcinogenesis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long non‐coding RNA‐LET is a positive prognostic factor and exhibits tumor‐suppressive activity in gallbladder cancer
Authors: Ma Ming‐zhe , Kong Xiang , Weng Ming‐zhe , Zhang Ming‐di , Qin Yi‐yu , Gong Wei , Zhang Wen‐jie , Quan Zhi‐wei
Published: September 2014

The identification of cancer‐associated long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the investigation of their molecular and biological functions are vital for understanding the molecular biology and progression of cancer. The lncRNA‐LET, a newly identified lncRNA, was demonstrated to be down‐regulated in hepatocellular cancer. However, little is known about its role in gallbladder cancer. In the present study, an obvious down‐regulation of lncRNA‐LET was observed in gallbladder cancer compared to their adjacent normal tissues. Meanwhile, patients with low expression of lncRNA‐LET have significantly poorer prognosis than those with high expression. We confirmed that hypoxia decreased lncRNA‐LET levels in gallbladder cancer cells. Moreover, lncRNA‐LET overexpression was further validated to inhibit the invasion of gallbladder cancer cells under hypoxic or normoxic conditions in vitro. We demonstrated that lncRNA‐LET overexpression conferred a proliferative advantage to tumor cells under hypoxic conditions. The ectopic expression of lncRNA‐LET led to the promotion of cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and to the induction of apoptosis under hypoxic conditions. Ectopic expression of LncRNA‐LET also suppressed gallbladder tumor growth in vivo. Our findings indicate that lncRNA‐LET may represent a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for gallbladder cancer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correlation 2D‐NMR experiments involving both 13C and 2H isotopes in oriented media: methodological developments and analytical applications
Authors: Lesot Philippe , Lafon Olivier , Berdagué Philippe
Published: September 2014

Correlation 2D‐NMR experiments for 13C and 2H isotopes turn out to be powerful methods for the assignment of the quadrupolar doublets in the 2H NMR spectra of isotopically modified (polydeuterated or perdeuterated) or unmodified solutes in homogeneously oriented solvents, such as thermotropic systems or lyotropic liquid crystals. We review here the different pulse sequences, which have been employed, their properties, and their most salient applications. These 2D‐NMR sequences have been used for (i) 13C–2H correlation with and without 1H relay and (ii) 2H–2H correlation with 13C relay. The 13C–2H correlation experiments without 1H relay have been achieved for specifically deuterated or non‐selectively deuterated analytes, but also more recently for isotopically unmodified ones thanks to the high sensitivity of very high‐field NMR spectrometers (21.1 T) equipped with cryogenic probes. The 13C–2H correlation 2D‐NMR experiments are especially useful for the assignment of overcrowded deuterium spectra because the 2H signals are correlated to 13C signals, which benefit from a much larger dispersion of chemical shifts. In this contribution, particular attention will be paid to the use of correlation 2D‐NMR experiments for 2H and 13C nuclei in weakly aligning, polypeptide oriented chiral solvents, because these methods are useful and original tools for enantiomeric and enantiotopic analyses. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application unit for the administration of contrast gases for pulmonary magnetic resonance imaging: optimization of ventilation distribution for 3He‐MRI
Authors: Güldner M. , Becker St. , Wolf U. , Düber C. , Friesenecker A. , Gast K. K. , Heil W. , Hoffmann C. , Karpuk S. , Otten E. W. , Rivoire J. , Salhi Z. , Scholz A. , Schreiber L. M. , Terekhov M.
Published: September 2014

Purpose

MRI of lung airspaces using gases with MR‐active nuclei (3He, 129Xe, and 19F) is an important area of research in pulmonary imaging. The volume‐controlled administration of gas mixtures is important for obtaining quantitative information from MR images. State‐of‐the‐art gas administration using plastic bags (PBs) does not allow for a precise determination of both the volume and timing of a 3He bolus.

Methods

A novel application unit (AU) was built according to the requirements of the German medical devices law. Integrated spirometers enable the monitoring of the inhaled gas flow. The device is particularly suited for hyperpolarized (HP) gases (e.g., storage and administration with minimal HP losses). The setup was tested in a clinical trial (n = 10 healthy volunteers) according to the German medicinal products law using static and dynamic ventilation HP‐3He MRI.

Results

The required specifications for the AU were successfully realized. Compared to PB‐administration, better reproducibility of gas intrapulmonary distribution was observed when using the AU for both static and dynamic ventilation imaging.

Conclusion

The new AU meets the special requirements for HP gases, which are storage and administration with minimal losses. Our data suggest that gas AU‐administration is superior to manual modes for determining the key parameters of dynamic ventilation measurements. Magn Reson Med 74:884–893, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of aging on laser evoked potentials
Authors: Creac'H Christelle , Bertholon Alexandre , Convers Philippe , Garcia‐Larrea Luis , Peyron Roland
Published: September 2014

Introduction: Aging has been reported to reduce the amplitude of laser evoked potentials. However, it is unknown whether this effect depends on the length of the sensory fibers. This is an important issue, because most painful neuropathies are length‐dependent. Methods: We conducted a study of 40 healthy subjects, half of whom were older than age 50 years. Nociceptive stimuli were delivered to the feet and thighs using a CO2 laser stimulator. Results: Detection and pain perception thresholds did not correlate with age. Latencies of N1, N2, and P2 correlated positively with age on the feet but not on the thighs, whereas the amplitude of N2‐P2 decreased with age for both areas. Conclusions: The effects of aging on latencies may reflect a distal loss of peripheral inputs and a length‐dependent de‐synchronization of the ascending nociceptive volley. Additional changes in peripheral and central processes may explain the diffuse decrease of N2‐P2 amplitudes observed with aging. Muscle Nerve 51:736–742, 2015
An implicit adaptive node‐splitting algorithm to assess the failure mechanism of inelastic elastomeric continua
Authors: Özenç K. , Kaliske M.
Published: September 2014

This contribution presents a mesh adaptive crack propagation scheme for the evaluation of the viscoelastic fracture response of elastomers at large strains and up to high loading rates. The approach accounts for micromechanical based features of both elastic and viscoelastic bulk responses of idealized polymer networks. To this end, the Bergstörm–Boyce model is considered to introduce hyperelastic and nonlinear finite viscoelastic responses. Moreover, the crack driving force and the crack driving direction are predicted by the material force approach. A consistent thermodynamic framework for the combined configurational motion in viscoelastic continua at finite strain regime is discussed.

The fracture toughness of non‐strain‐crystallizing elastomers shows strong rate dependency and the energy release rate versus the rate of tearing to be a fundamental material property. Therefore, in this contribution, a dynamic fracture criterion, which is a function of the rate of crack growth, is shown to be adequate in numerical simulations. The use of the presented method enables to study fracture behaviour of any material nonlinearity within the implicit time integration. Main feature of the proposed algorithm is restructuring the overall discrete system by duplication of crack front DOFs based on minimization of the overall energy via the Griffith criterion. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Individual characteristics and the arousal of mixed emotions: consequences for the effectiveness of charity fundraising advertisements
Authors: Bennett Roger
Published: September 2014

Charities that deal with emotionally upsetting issues (severe physical disfigurement, cruelty to animals, etc.) frequently include in their fundraising materials images and messages with the potential to cause substantial psychological distress to some members of the public. Often, the materials presented arouse mixed positive and negative emotions within viewers. This study examined the influences of a number of potential antecedents of the stimulation of mixed emotions among individuals confronted with highly emotional charity fundraising advertisements. The research sought to identify the type of person most likely to experience mixed emotions when observing an emotional charity advertisement, the specific kinds of emotion felt most deeply by individuals with various characteristics, and the consequences of mixed emotions for a person's attitude towards the advertisement and for the individual's behavioural intention vis‐à‐vis future donations. Three made‐up charity advertisements were presented to a sample of 771 respondents. A model was constructed to predict the participants' emotional reactions to the advertisements and was estimated, the results suggesting that mixed emotions represented an important determinant of both attitude towards the advertisement and the sample members' behavioural intention.

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chirality Sensing and Size Discrimination of Anions by Macrotricyclic Cyclen–Disodium Complexes
Authors: Ito Hiroshi , Shinoda Satoshi
Published: September 2014

Two macrotricyclic ligands composed of two face‐to‐face octadentate metal chelates were synthesized. These cage‐shaped disodium complexes had special recognition ability for various counter anions. Specific chiral dicarboxylates bound to the complexes within the cavity and exhibited chirality induction properties. For instance, N‐Boc‐Asp dianion strongly induced circular dichroism (CD) signals, but N‐Boc‐Glu dianion, which is one carbon longer, did not.
Animal models of disease shed light on Nipah virus pathogenesis and transmission
Authors: de Wit Emmie , Munster Vincent J
Published: September 2014

Nipah virus is an emerging virus infection that causes yearly disease outbreaks with high case fatality rates in Bangladesh. Nipah virus causes encephalitis and systemic vasculitis, sometimes in combination with respiratory disease. Pteropus species fruit bats are the natural reservoir of Nipah virus and zoonotic transmission can occur directly or via an intermediate host; human‐to‐human transmission occurs regularly. In this review we discuss the current state of knowledge on the pathogenesis and transmission of Nipah virus, focusing on dissemination of the virus through its host, known determinants of pathogenicity and routes of zoonotic and human‐to‐human transmission. Since data from human cases are sparse, this knowledge is largely based on the results of studies performed in animal models that recapitulate Nipah virus disease in humans. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Wilms tumour in Malawi: Surgical staging to stratify postoperative chemotherapy?
Authors: Borgstein Eric , Kamiza Steve , Vujanic Gordan , Pidini Dalida , Bailey Simon , Tomoka Tamiwe , Banda Kondwani , Kaspers Gertjan , Molyneux Elizabeth , Israels Trijn
Published: September 2014

Background

Wilms tumour postoperative chemotherapy is ideally stratified according to the pathologist's assessment of tumour stage and risk classification (tumour type). In sub‐Saharan Africa results are often not available in time to influence therapy and in Malawi surgical staging has been used to stratify postoperative chemotherapy. Here we compare the results from surgical and both local pathology and central pathology review.

Procedure

Children diagnosed with a Wilms tumour in Blantyre, Malawi between 2007 and 2011 were included if they had a nephrectomy and the pathology slides were available. All tumour specimens were assessed in three different ways: the local surgeon documented the surgical stage of the tumour, and the risk classification and pathology stage were assessed both by the local pathologist and by a SIOP central review pathologist in Europe.

Results

Fifty patients had complete data available and were included in the analyses. Tumour risk classification differed between the local and central pathology review in only two patients (4%). Using central pathology review as the gold standard 60% of patients received the correct postoperative chemotherapy treatment based on surgical staging and 84% based on the local pathology stage and risk classification.

Conclusion

Local pathology capacity building is needed to enable timely assessment and reporting. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2180–2184. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Revealing Metabolomic Variations in Cortex Moutan from Different Root Parts using HPLC–MS method
Authors: Xiao Chaoni , Wu Man , Chen Yongyong , Zhang Yajun , Zhao Xinfeng , Zheng Xiaohui
Published: September 2014

Introduction

The distribution of metabolites in the different root parts of Cortex Moutan (the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews) is not well understood, therefore, scientific evidence is not available for quality assessment of Cortex Moutan.

Objective

To reveal metabolomic variations in Cortex Moutan in order to gain deeper insights to enable quality control.

Methods

Metabolomic variations in the different root parts of Cortex Moutan were characterised using high‐performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS) and multivariate data analysis. The discriminating metabolites in different root parts were evaluated by the one‐way analysis of variance and a fold change parameter.

Results

The metabolite profiles of Cortex Moutan were largely dominated by five primary and 41 secondary metabolites . Higher levels of malic acid, gallic acid and mudanoside‐B were mainly observed in the second lateral roots, whereas dihydroxyacetophenone, benzoyloxypaeoniflorin, suffruticoside‐A, kaempferol dihexoside, mudanpioside E and mudanpioside J accumulated in the first lateral and axial roots. The highest contents of paeonol, galloyloxypaeoniflorin and procyanidin B were detected in the axial roots. Accordingly, metabolite compositions of Cortex Moutan were found to vary among different root parts.

Conclusion

The axial roots have higher quality than the lateral roots in Cortex Moutan due to the accumulation of bioactive secondary metabolites associated with plant physiology. These findings provided important scientific evidence for grading Cortex Moutan on the general market. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanistic Study on the Reduction of SWCNT‐induced Cytotoxicity by Albumin Coating
Authors: Liu Yang , Ren Lei , Yan Dong , Zhong Wenwan
Published: September 2014

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are utilized in many areas, accompanied with the ever rising safety concerns. Coating the SWCNTs by serum albumin has shown promises in reduction of their cytotoxicity. The cause of toxicity reduction can be due to the blockage of cellular protein adsorption by bovine serum albumin (BSA). Here, the mechanism of toxicity reduction is explored from the point of view of protein adsorption. Different loadings of BSA lead to varied surface coverage of the SWCNTs, which is positively related to the level of cytotoxicity. In addition, the BSA‐coated SWCNTs are tested for their surface morphology change, cellular uptake, and adsorption of cellular proteins. BSA can be competed off the SWCNT surface by the cytosol proteins, and thus a higher BSA loading is needed to provide better protection to the cells. Cellular uptake is also reduced with a higher BSA loading. Moreover, the BSA coating changes the surface property of SWCNTs, and as a consequence, alters the types of proteins adsorbed by the SWCNTs. Our results support that adsorption of BSA reduces cellular uptake of SWCNTs as well as adsorption of cellular proteins on SWCNTs, both contributing to the much lower cytotoxicity observed for the BSA‐coated SWCNTs.
Effects of the primary explosion site and bulk cloud in VCE prediction: A comparison with historical accidents
Authors: Bauwens Carl Regis , Dorofeev Sergey B.
Published: September 2014

A model for predicting vapor cloud explosion blast loads is described extending a previously developed model. The model considers the contribution of a Primary Explosion Site (PES) as well as the bulk effect of the total flammable cloud. The model results are then compared with historical accidents and other commonly used models considering a single PES. Four historical events are examined: the Flixborough accident of 1974, the Texas City accident of 2005, the Phillips 66 accident of 1989, and the Buncefield incident of 2005. It is found that the combined model produced pressure and impulse values consistent with the damage observed. If the contribution of the total cloud is not considered, the far field pressure, which included overpressures up to 0.35 bar, was underpredicted and impulse was significantly underpredicted. The other methods, produced, in general, significantly lower overpressures and impulses when compared with the damage indicators seen in the explosion accidents. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 34: 147–153, 2015
Fabrication of periodically ordered diamond nanostructures by microsphere lithography
Authors: Domonkos Maria , Izak Tibor , Stolcova Lucie , Proska Jan , Kromka Alexander
Published: September 2014

Structured diamond films are required for several uses as photonic crystals, (bio‐) sensors, biomedicine, etc. Often, these uses require fabrication of nano‐sized features with the assistance of lithographic techniques. In this paper, we demonstrate the growth of diamond structures well ordered in periodic arrays. The technological process starts with ultrasonic seeding of Si substrates by ultra‐dispersed detonation diamond nanoparticles. Then, a monolayer of polystyrene microspheres (PS) is deposited on seeded Si substrates by Langmuir–Blodgett method. The primary diameter of PS varies from 253 to 940 nm. The self‐assembled PS are employed as a mechanical mask for reactive ion etching of the seeding layer via reducing the PS diameter down. The seeding structures remained under reduced PS were used for growing periodically ordered diamond arrays by microwave plasma‐assisted chemical vapor deposition from a hydrogen rich gas mixture. Cross‐section SEM images reveal that the diameter and size of the formed diamond structures increase both in vertical and lateral direction. At a certain deposition time, the structures start to coalesce into a continuous layer.
Optical properties of single‐walled carbon nanotubes filled with CuCl by gas‐phase technique
Authors: Fedotov Pavel V. , Tonkikh Alexander A. , Obraztsova Ekaterina A. , Nasibulin Albert G. , Kauppinen Esko I. , Chuvilin Andrey L. , Obraztsova Elena D.
Published: September 2014

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have unique electronic and optical properties, which are attractive in various applications. These properties can be further improved by functionalization. In this work, it is shown that filling nanotubes with CuCl leads to improvement of their electro‐conductive and optical transmission properties up to outstanding level. The improvement is due to the significant p‐type doping of the functionalized nanotubes. That leads to a huge increase in nanotubes charge carrier density and the considerable decrease of the nanotubes absorption via Pauli blocking. The functionalization was realized via a gas‐phase filling of SWCNTs with CuCl. We demonstrate the effect of huge doping on optical properties of nanotubes with different average diameters. The observed sufficient stability of the CuCl@SWCNT composite is proved to be due to the formation of quasi‐one‐dimensional (1D) CuCl crystal inside nanotubes.

AC‐HRTEM image of 1D CuCl crystal formed inside SWCNT.
Strain glass and ferroic glass – Unusual properties from glassy nano‐domains
Authors: Ren Xiaobing
Published: September 2014

The present article serves as a concise review of strain glass and its broader concept – ferroic glass. Strain glass is a frozen disordered strain state composed of nano‐sized strain domains, which is formed due to the frustration created by point defects or dopants. Such frustration creates glassy nano‐sized martensite‐like domains that do not grow into a macroscopic martensite during cooling and instead show typical glass‐freezing dynamics. Strain glass bears much resemblance with the glass phenomena found in other two types of ferroic systems, relaxor ferroelectric, and spin glass. These three ferroics‐based glasses are thus called ferroic glasses. Characteristics of strain glass, including recent in situ high‐resolution TEM images, are shown. Unusual properties associated with strain glass, such as superelasticity with narrow hysteresis, high‐damping, and low modulus, as well as Invar and Elinvar effect in cold‐rolled β‐Ti alloys are demonstrated.
ASR Bending Force Mathematical Model for the Same Width Strip Rolling Campaigns in Hot Rolling
Authors: Li Yan‐Lin , Cao Jian‐Guo , Yang Guang‐Hui , Wen Dun , Zhou Yi‐Zhong , Ma Heng‐Hao
Published: September 2014

According to the requirement and condition of schedule‐free rolling (SFR) for non‐oriented electrical steel production with a large number of the same width strip rolling campaigns, asymmetry self‐compensating work rolls (ASR) bending force mathematical model for different rolling schedules is established. Based on ANSYS software package, a 3D finite element model of roll stacks is established on the consideration of roll wear and thermal contour of work rolls. The effects of the bending force, the strip width, the rolling force, the diameters of backup and work rolls, the work roll shifting stroke on the loaded roll gap crown in rolling process are quantitatively analyzed. The developed ASR bending force mathematical model for different conditions is proved to be reasonable and has been applied to the 1700 hot strip mills.
AC shunt calibration using a current‐bridge method and its validation
Authors: Kon Saytaro , Yamada Tatsuji
Published: September 2014

An AC shunt calibration system using a current‐bridge method is developed, and its measurement uncertainties are estimated. A comparison of the calibration results obtained using the current‐bridge method with the results using DC resistance and AC–DC difference methods was performed to verify the system. These comparison results show that the current‐bridge‐based system performs well with small measurement uncertainties for both the AC resistance and phase angle of the AC shunts up to 1 kHz. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Asia’s little divergence: state capacity in China and Japan before 1850
Authors: Sng Tuan-Hwee , Moriguchi Chiaki
Published: September 2014

This paper explores the role of state capacity in the comparative economic development of China and Japan. Before 1850, both nations were ruled by stable dictators who relied on bureaucrats to govern their domains. We hypothesize that agency problems increase with the geographical size of a domain. In a large domain, the ruler’s inability to closely monitor bureaucrats creates opportunities for the bureaucrats to exploit taxpayers. To prevent overexploitation, the ruler has to keep taxes low and government small. Our dynamic model shows that while economic expansion improves the ruler’s finances in a small domain, it could lead to lower tax revenues in a large domain as it exacerbates bureaucratic expropriation. To check these implications, we assemble comparable quantitative data from primary and secondary sources. We find that the state taxed less and provided fewer local public goods per capita in China than in Japan. Furthermore, while the Tokugawa shogunate’s tax revenue grew in tandem with demographic trends, Qing China underwent fiscal contraction after 1750 despite demographic expansion. We conjecture that a greater state capacity might have prepared Japan better for the transition from stagnation to growth.