bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The rotifer community and its functional role in lakes of a neotropical floodplain
Authors: Dias Juliana D. , Bonecker Cláudia C. , Miracle María R.
Published: January 2014

Aquatic communities vary depending on local factors, such as environmental conditions and biological interactions and regional factors, such as the hydrological regime in floodplains. This study analyzed the community structure of rotifers and their secondary production in two lakes of an Upper Paraná River floodplain (Brazil) differing in their hydrology: one connected to the river and the other isolated. Integrated samples of the water column were collected daily during 15 days in the low and high water periods. Three statistical methods, ANOVA, MRT, and IndVal were applied to distinguish the structure, biomass, and secondary production of their rotifer communities. The rotifer fauna was rich (91 species). Temperature, an indicator of seasonal change, and hydrological connection to river were major factors structuring rotifer communities. The community presented differences between periods in the isolated lake, but had a higher stability in the connected lake. We identified 34 indicator species of the groups formed by the MRT analysis. Production was low and consistent in the connected lake (∼1.5 µg DW m−3 day−1), being higher and more variable in the isolated lake (peaking at ca. 60–90 µg DW m−3 day−1). Results also showed that changing environmental conditions verified in the low water period and in the isolated lake were determinant for both the community structure and the secondary production of rotifers. We demonstrate that not only flooding but also the levels of isolation from the river during low water period are the driving forces for the structure and dynamics of organisms in floodplains. Thus, the isolated lakes represent important areas for rotifer biodiversity.
The sirtuin class of histone deacetylases: Regulation and roles in lipid metabolism
Authors: Fiorino Erika , Giudici Marco , Ferrari Alessandra , Mitro Nico , Caruso Donatella , De Fabiani Emma , Crestani Maurizio
Published: February 2014

After the completion of the human genome sequence and that from many other organisms, last decade has witnessed a spectacular gain of knowledge on gene functions. These studies provided new insights on the roles of genes in physiology and disease. Nonetheless, the availability of genetically modified models and of “omics” technologies such as next generation sequencing unveiled clear evidences on epigenetic regulation of many cellular functions. At this regard, sirtuins, belonging to class III histone deacetylase family, have emerged as regulators of metabolism as well as other cellular processes and seem ideally suited as targets of future therapeutical interventions. This review deals on general aspects of the biology of sirtuins and focuses on their relevance in lipid metabolism in different tissues, pointing to their exploitation as potential pharmacological targets of compounds that could be used as new therapeutic alternatives in several disorders ranging from type 2 diabetes and obesity to age‐related cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. © 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(2):89–99, 2014
Zinc sulfide nanoparticles selectively induce cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on leukemic cells: involvement of reactive oxygen species and tumor necrosis factor alpha
Authors: Dash Sandeep Kumar , Ghosh Totan , Roy Soumyabrata , Chattopadhyay Sourav , Das Debasis
Published: January 2014

The aim of the present study was to develop zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) and to study their cytotoxicity against the KG‐1A (human acute myeloid leukemia) cell line. ZnS NPs were synthesized using the pyrolytic method and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, surface zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Cell viability study and flow cytometric analysis confirmed the potent cytotoxic effects of ZnS NPs on cancer cells in a dose‐dependent fashion. Successful uptakes of ZnS NPs by leukemic cells were confirmed by phase contrast fluorescence microscopy. pH‐dependent dissolution of ZnS NPs was done using atomic absorption microscopy to understand the cell‐specific internalization of Zn+. This internalization of NPs facilitated the generation of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), followed by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) secretion which caused severe DNA damage as observed in the comet assay and altered the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in leukemic cells. Surprisingly ZnS NPs had no toxic effects on normal lymphocytes at doses up to 50 µg ml–1. Pre‐treatment with ROS and TNF‐α inhibitor confirmed that these nanoparticles were able to kill leukemic cells by generating an excess amount of ROS and thereby initiated TNF‐α mediated apoptosis pathway. These findings clarify the mechanism with which ZnS NPs induced anticancer activities in vitro. To elicit its utilities and its application to cancer treatment in vivo is under investigation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential effect of methyl‐, butyl‐ and propylparaben and 17β‐estradiol on selected cell cycle and apoptosis gene and protein expression in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells and MCF‐10A non‐malignant cells
Authors: Wróbel Anna Maria , Gregoraszczuk Ewa Łucja
Published: January 2014

Parabens are alkyl esters of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid used widely as antimicrobial preservatives in consumer products, including pharmaceuticals, foods and cosmetics. We showed previously that methyl‐, butyl‐ and propylparaben parabens, even at low doses, stimulate the proliferation of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells and non‐transformed MCF‐10A breast epithelial cells. The present study was undertaken to determine whether this represents a direct effect on cell cycle and apoptotic gene expression. MCF‐7 and MCF‐10A cells were exposed to methyl, butyl‐ and propylparaben (20 nm) or 17β‐estradiol (10 nm). Cell cycle and apoptotic gene expression were evaluated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and protein expression by Western blot. 17β‐estradiol upregulated G1/S phase genes and downregulated cell cycle progression inhibitors in both MCF‐7 and MCF‐10A. Upregulation of Bcl‐xL and downregulation of caspase 9 was observed in MCF‐7, while upregulation of Bcl‐xL, BCL2L2 and caspase 9 was noted in MCF‐10A. Cyclins in MCF‐7 cells were not affected by any of the parabens. Methyl‐ and butylparaben had no effect on the expression of selected apoptotic genes in MCF‐7. In MCF‐10A, all parabens tested increased the expression of G1/S phase genes, and downregulated cell cycle inhibitors. Methylparaben increased pro‐survival gene. Butylparaben increased BCL2L1 gene, as did 17β‐estradiol, while propylparaben upregulated both the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. There are differences in cell cycle and apoptosis gene expression between parabens and 17β‐estradiol in MCF‐7 cells. In MCF‐10A cells, most of the genes activated by parabens were comparable to those activated by 17β‐estradiol. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benchmark dose of cadmium concentration in rice for renal effects in a cadmium‐polluted area in Japan
Authors: Nogawa Kazuhiro , Kido Teruhiko , Nishijo Muneko , Nakagawa Hideaki , Suwazono Yasushi
Published: January 2014

The aim of this study was to estimate the reference level of cadmium in rice as the benchmark doses (BMD) and their 95% lower confidence limits (BMDL) for various renal effects by applying an updated hybrid approach. The participants were 1120 men and 1274 women aged 50 years or older who lived in the environmentally exposed Kakehashi river basin for at least 30 years. As indicators of renal dysfunction, glucose, protein, aminonitrogen, metallothionein and β2‐microgrobulin in urine were measured. Cadmium concentration was determined for rice samples stored in warehouses of the farmers in all of the polluted hamlets. The BMD and BMDL that corresponded to an additional risk of 5% were calculated with background risk at a zero exposure set at 5%. The obtained BMDLs were 0.39 (aminonitrogen), 0.26 (metallothionein), 0.25 (β2‐microgrobulin) mg kg–1 in men and 0.44 (glucose), 0.32 (protein), 0.33 (aminonitrogen), 0.28 (metallothionein) and 0.24 (β2‐microgrobulin) mg kg–1 in women. The lowest BMDL was 0.25 and 0.24 mg kg–1 (β2‐microgrobulin) in men and women respectively. These values were lower than the maximum level (0.4 mg kg–1) determined by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, indicating that these BMDLs may contribute to further discussion on the health risk assessment of cadmium exposure. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Er:YAG laser on bond strength of self‐etching adhesives to caries‐affected dentin
Authors: Koyuturk Alp Erdin , Ozmen Bilal , Cortcu Murat , Tokay Ugur , Tosun Gul , Erhan Sari Mustafa
Published: January 2014

The erbium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG) laser may be effective the bond strength of adhesive systems on dentine surfaces, the chemical composition and aggressiveness of adhesive systems in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Er:YAG laser system with the bonding ability of two different self‐etching adhesives to caries‐affected dentine in primary molars. Ninety mid‐coronal flat dentine surfaces obtained from sound and caries‐affected human primary dentine were treated with an Er:YAG laser or a bur. The prepared surfaces were restored with an adhesive system (Xeno V; Clearfil S3) and a compomer (Dyract Extra). The restored teeth were sectioned with a low‐speed saw and 162 samples were obtained. The bond strength of the adhesive systems was tested using the micro‐tensile test method. The data were statistically analyzed. A restored tooth in each group was processed for scanning electron microscopy evaluation. The values of the highest bond strength were obtained from the Clearfil S3‐Er:YAG laser‐sound dentine group in all groups. (24.57 ± 7.27 MPa) (P > 0.05). The values of the lowest bond strength were obtained from the Xeno V‐Er:YAG laser‐sound dentine group in all groups (11.01 ± 3.89 MPa). It was determined that the Clearfil S3 increased the bond strength on the surface applied with Er:YAG laser according to the Xeno V. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:282–288, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Iodine‐enhanced micro‐CT imaging: Methodological refinements for the study of the soft‐tissue anatomy of post‐embryonic vertebrates
Authors: Gignac Paul M. , Kley Nathan J.
Published: January 2014

The now widespread use of non‐destructive X‐ray computed tomography (CT) and micro‐CT (µCT) has greatly augmented our ability to comprehensively detail and quantify the internal hard‐tissue anatomy of vertebrates. However, the utility of X‐ray imaging for gaining similar insights into vertebrate soft‐tissue anatomy has yet to be fully realized due to the naturally low X‐ray absorption of non‐mineralized tissues. In this study, we show how a wide diversity of soft‐tissue structures within the vertebrate head—including muscles, glands, fat deposits, perichondria, dural venous sinuses, white and gray matter of the brain, as well as cranial nerves and associated ganglia—can be rapidly visualized in their natural relationships with extraordinary levels of detail using iodine‐enhanced (i‐e) µCT imaging. To date, Lugol's iodine solution (I2KI) has been used as a contrast agent for µCT imaging of small invertebrates, vertebrate embryos, and certain isolated parts of larger, post‐embryonic vertebrates. These previous studies have all yielded promising results, but visualization of soft tissues in smaller invertebrate and embryonic vertebrate specimens has generally been more complete than that for larger, post‐embryonic vertebrates. Our research builds on these previous studies by using high‐energy µCT together with more highly concentrated I2KI solutions and longer staining times to optimize the imaging and differentiation of soft tissues within the heads of post‐embryonic archosaurs (Alligator mississippiensisandDromaius novaehollandiae). We systematically quantify the intensities of tissue staining, demonstrate the range of anatomical structures that can be visualized, and generate a partial three‐dimensional reconstruction of alligator cephalic soft‐tissue anatomy.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 322B: 166–176, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Mechanistic Study of Triheterocyclic 4H‐Pyrimido[2,1‐b]benzothiazole derivatives, One‐Pot Three‐component Reaction under Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Sahu Pramod Kumar , Sahu Praveen Kumar , Sharma Yogesh , Agarwal Dau Dayal
Published: January 2014

An efficient method has been developed for the preparation of 4H‐pyrimido[2,1‐b]benzothiazole derivatives by the condensation of aldehydes, β‐ketoester, and 2‐amino benzothiazole under solvent and solvent‐free conditions using various catalysts. The reaction uses benzothiazole as a new component, and good yield is obtained at 60–65°C under solvent‐free conditions. Atom economies, good yield, environmentally benign, and easy to work‐up are some of the important features of this protocol. The present study suggests that acetic acid and metal catalysts follow different mechanism. In acetic acid, 2‐amino benzothiazole reacts with benzaldehyde, and resultant intermediate reacts with ethyl acetoacetate to give final product, whereas in the presence of metal catalysts, 2‐amino benzothiazole first reacts with ethyl acetoacetate, and resultant intermediate reacts with benzaldehyde to give pyrimido[2,1‐b]benzothiazole.
Syntheses, Spectroscopic and DFT Studies of Two New D‐π‐A Compounds
Authors: Zhu Yu‐Lan , Yu Cheng‐Xiang , Ma Kui‐Rong , Chen Zhao‐Xiang , Wang Kun
Published: January 2014

Two novel 1,3‐dithiole‐2‐ylidene derivatives with a push–pull structures, 3‐(4,5‐dicarbomethoxy‐1,3‐dithiol‐2‐ylidene)naphthopyranone 1 and 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthio‐1,3‐dithiol‐2‐ylidene)naphthopyranone 2, have been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, IR, MS. The UV–vis spectra of 1, 2 in CH2Cl2, the lowest‐energy absorption bands, are centered at 280, 316, and 430 nm for 1 and 284, 317, and 450 nm for 2, respectively, which are caused by the HOMO → LUMO single electron promotion. Furthermore, the steady‐state fluorescence originating states of 1, 2 from the excited charge‐transfer were observed. To estimate the position and energies of frontier orbitals for 1, 2, DFT calculations were performed using the Gaussian 03 program at the B3LYP/6‐31 G* level. The calculated vertical excitation energies are in good agreement with the experimental data. The high HOMO–LUMO gaps of 1 (3.08 eV) and 2 (3.00 eV) indicate high kinetic stability of the title compounds.
Synthesis of 5‐Amino‐3,3‐dimethyl‐7‐phenyl‐3H‐[1,2]oxathiolo[4,3‐b]pyridine‐6‐carbonitrile 1,1‐Dioxides
Authors: Chioua Mourad , Samadi Abdelouahid , Postel Denis , Balzarini Jan , Marco‐Contelles José
Published: January 2014

The reaction of 4‐amino‐5,5‐dimethyl‐5H‐1,2‐oxathiole 2,2‐dioxide (1) with 2‐(arylidene)malononitriles 2 in ethanol, at reflux, using piperidine as catalyst, afforded 5‐amino‐3,3‐dimethyl‐7‐aryl‐3H‐[1,2]oxathiolo[4,3‐b]pyridine‐6‐carbonitrile 1,1‐dioxides (3) in moderate chemical yields.
TiO2–SiO2 in PEG: A Highly Efficient Green Catalytic System for One‐Pot Synthesis of Benzo[a]xanthen‐11‐ones
Authors: Reddy Mudumala Veeranarayana , Son Se Mo , Jeong Yeon Tae
Published: January 2014

Polyethylene glycol was found to be an inexpensive non‐toxic and effective medium for the one‐pot synthesis of benzo[a]xanthen‐11‐ones in the presence of TiO2–SiO2 as the catalyst in good to excellent yield. The salient features of this protocol are the simplicity of the procedure, the ready accessibility of the catalyst, its cost effectiveness, and reusable catalyst in relatively short reaction times.
Synthesis of Various Nitrogen Heterocycles as Antimicrobial Surface Agents
Authors: El‐Sayed Refat , Asghar Basim H.
Published: January 2014

A number of novel, thiazole 5, oxadiazole 6, thiadiazole 7, triazole 8, 9, and fused triazole derivatives 10, 11, 12 were obtained from a valuable and inexpensive fatty acids (stearic acid). Propoxylation of these compounds using 5 moles of propylene oxide produced nonionic surface active agents (13, 14,15 16, 17,18,19,20). The surface properties and the biodegradability of the latter compounds were evaluated. Some of the synthesized compounds were investigated for their antimicrobial activities.
Simultaneous detection of stable isotope‐labeled and unlabeled l‐tryptophan and of its main metabolites, l‐kynurenine, serotonin and quinolinic acid, by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Sano Mitsue , Ferchaud‐Roucher Véronique , Nael Charlotte , Aguesse Audrey , Poupeau Guillaume , Castellano Blandine , Darmaun Dominique
Published: February 2014

A method for the detection of unlabeled and 15N2‐labeled l‐tryptophan (l‐Trp), l‐kynurenine (l‐Kyn), serotonin (5‐HT) and quinolinic acid (QA) in human and rat plasma by GC/MS is described. Labeled and unlabeled versions of these four products were analyzed as their acyl substitution derivatives using pentafluoropropionic anhydride and 2,2,3,3,3‐pentafluoro‐1‐propanol. Products were then separated by GC and analyzed by selected ion monitoring using negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. l‐[13C11, 15N2]‐Trp, methyl‐serotonin and 3,5‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid were used as internal standards for this method. The coefficients of variation for inter‐assay repeatability were found to be approximately 5.2% for l‐Trp and 15N2‐Trp, 17.1% for l‐Kyn, 16.9% for 5‐HT and 5.8% for QA (n = 2).

We used this method to determine isotope enrichments in plasma l‐Trp over the course of a continuous, intravenous infusion of l‐[15N2]Trp in pregnant rat in the fasting state. Plasma 15N2‐Trp enrichment reached a plateau at 120 min. The free Trp appearance rate (Ra) into plasma was 49.5 ± 3.35 µmol/kg/h.

The GC/MS method was applied to determine the enrichment of 15N‐labeled l‐Trp, l‐Kyn, 5‐HT and QA concurrently with the concentration of non‐labeled l‐Trp, l‐Kyn, 5‐HT and QA in plasma. This method may help improve our understanding on l‐Trp metabolism in vivo in animals and humans and potentially reveal the relative contribution of the four pathways of l‐Trp metabolism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does low‐dose prolonged steroid therapy affect the natural history of chronic hepatitis C?
Authors: Romero Gutiérrez Marta , del Campo Terrón Santos , Moreno Zamora Ana , Sánchez Ruano Juan José , Artaza Varasa Tomás , Bárcena Marugán Rafael
Published: January 2014

Chronic hepatitis C patients may require steroids due to other comorbidities. However, there is not enough information to consider steroids as beneficial or harmful drugs on natural history of chronic hepatitis C. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of low‐dose prolonged therapy with corticosteroids with or without azathioprine on these study patients. A retrospective–prospective observational study was established. Twenty‐eight patients with chronic hepatitis C and treated with corticosteroids at low‐dose (≤30 mg/day) with or without azathioprine for more than 6 months were included. AST, ALT, HCV RNA, and liver fibrosis were determined, and results were compared with a control group of non‐treated chronic hepatitis C patients. The mean age was 47 ± 10 years. The male proportion was 43%. The mean dose of prednisone was 9 ± 5 mg/day (range: 2.5–30 mg/day). The mean treatment time was 76 ± 80 months (range: 7–349 months). Thirty six percent received concomitant azathioprine. Transaminases decreased significantly only within the first 3 months of treatment, with non‐significant changes thereafter. Corticosteroids led to a non‐significant increase in HCV RNA. Knodell Histology Activity Index decreased (from 8.5 ± 3.7 to 4.7 ± 1.7;P = 0.1). Fibrosis progression per year (final fibrosis stage—initial fibrosis stage/time between explorations, in years), was lower in treated cases than in control group (0.054 ± 0.25 units vs. 0.196 ± 0.6 units,P = 0.26). In conclusion, corticosteroid treatment caused a significant initial decrease in transaminases, non‐significant changes in HCV RNA, and a trend to a slower fibrosis progression in comparison to a control group. Therefore, corticosteroids did not accelerate progression of chronic hepatitis C.J. Med. Virol. 86:758–764, 2014.© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with herpes zoster: A population‐based study
Authors: Wu Po‐yuan , Lin Cheng‐Li , Sung Fung‐Chang , Chou Tzu‐Chieh , Lee Yuan‐Teh
Published: January 2014

The association between herpes zoster and cardiovascular complications remains vague with limited study on the association between these two disorders. This study evaluated the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with herpes zoster. From insurance claims data of Taiwan, 19,483 patients with herpes zoster diagnosed in 1998–2008 and 77,932 subjects without herpes zoster were identified in this study. Both cohorts were followed up until the end of 2010 to measure the incidence of arrhythmia and coronary artery disease. The incidence rate ratio and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of the cardiovascular complications with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated. The incidence of arrhythmia was 1.17‐fold greater in the herpes zoster cohort than in the non‐herpes zoster cohort (13.2 vs. 11.3 per 1,000 person‐years), with an adjusted HR of 1.16 (P < 0.01). The coronary artery disease incidence in the herpes zoster cohort was 1.16‐fold higher than that in the non‐herpes zoster cohort (9.02 vs. 7.83 per 1,000 person‐years), with an adjusted HR of 1.11 (P < 0.01). Over the stratified follow‐up years, adjusted HRs were 1.22 (95% CI = 1.12–1.34) for arrhythmia and 1.14 (95% CI = 1.02–1.28) for coronary artery disease within 2 years after herpes zoster diagnosis. The risk measured for these disorders declined over time. Comorbidities of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia also contributed to these cardiovascular disorders with greater extent. It is concluded that the contribution of herpes zoster to the risk of arrhythmia and cardiovascular diseases is less strong than that of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. J. Med. Virol. 86:772–777, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mitochondrial diversity supports multiple origins for invasive pigs
Authors: Mccann Blake E. , Malek Mathew J. , Newman Robert A. , Schmit Brandon S. , Swafford Seth R. , Sweitzer Richard A. , Simmons Rebecca B.
Published: January 2014

Our objective was to identify and evaluate mitochondrial diversity of wild pigs in the United States (U.S.). We obtained tissue samples from 81 individual pigs in 30 U.S. states and amplified a 403 base‐pair region of mitochondrial DNA. We then downloaded overlapping sequences (n = 904) from public repositories to create a global reference. We used parsimony and Bayesian techniques to evaluate phylogenetic relationships, and we used origins of published sequences from Eurasian wild boar to establish a phylogeographic reference. We then compared gene and nucleotide diversity measures for introduced pigs in North America with those of domestic swine, Eurasian wild boar, and feral pigs within broad‐scale geographic groupings. We identified 15 haplotypes for introduced pigs, representing wild and domestic animals from >30 countries spanning the indigenous range of S. scrofa. Mitochondrial diversity measures and phylogenetic relationships indicated a strong association between introduced pigs and European domestic breeds, reflecting the known history of human colonization, trade, and settlement in the United States. Based on the geographic distribution of haplotypes in North America, we found that range expansion is a product of translocation from historical populations and introduction from new genetic sources. Finally, haplotype network analyses provided evidence of past demographic expansions within lineages, contributing to observed mtDNA variation among introduced pigs in North America. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Forecasting eradication of bovine tuberculosis in Michigan white‐tailed deer
Authors: Ramsey David S. L. , O'brien Daniel J. , Cosgrove Melinda K. , Rudolph Brent A. , Locher Alexandra B. , Schmitt Stephen M.
Published: January 2014

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis infection in Michigan white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has proven resistant to current management practices. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is faced with managing a protracted bTB outbreak with shrinking economic resources, its initial control strategies approaching, or having reached, the limits of their effectiveness. Planning tools are needed to project the outbreak's future course and forecast the likely outcomes of proposed controls. We describe development of a spatially explicit, individual‐based stochastic simulation model of bTB in Michigan white‐tailed deer. We sought to 1) characterize whether eradication of bTB is possible by increasing hunter harvest or via vaccination, and how long it is likely to take to achieve eradication; 2) characterize the effect of concurrent deer baiting; and 3) assess the effect of baiting on the probability of bTB establishment in uninfected areas. Simulations indicated that current MDNR management strategies are unlikely to eradicate bTB from the core outbreak area's deer population within the next 30 years. A 50–100% increase (over current rates) of both antlered and antlerless deer harvest was required to achieve eradication if baiting was occurring, compared to only a 50% increase in harvest required if baiting was eliminated. Vaccination strategies required frequent application and high exposure rates (>90%) to achieve eradication, which baiting delayed. Simulations indicated that if bTB was eradicated from the core outbreak area, a single infected deer introduced into the area would be 8 times more likely to re‐establish bTB if baiting was occurring. The ability to forecast likely outcomes of disease management can be critical for wildlife managers to assess whether specific strategies are likely to be successful. Because current policy appears unlikely to achieve the stated goal of eradicating bTB from Michigan in the foreseeable future, reorienting the bTB program from eradication to controlling geographic spread and transmission to cattle may be more realistic goals. Spatial models such as ours are ideally suited to investigating spatial heterogeneity of disease transmission, and how transmission is influenced by aggregating factors such as baiting or supplemental feeding. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Gender, race, and electrophysiologic characteristics of the branched recurrent laryngeal nerve
Authors: Fontenot Tatyana E. , Randolph Gregory W. , Friedlander Paul L. , Masoodi Hammad , Yola Ibrahim M. , Kandil Emad
Published: February 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

The extralaryngeal branching of recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN) conveys an increased risk of nerve injury during thyroid surgery. We hypothesized that racial and gender variations in prevalence of branched RLN exist.

Study Design

A retrospective review of all patients who underwent thyroid surgery in a 4‐year period in a single surgeon practice.

Methods

The RLN was routinely identified during thyroid surgery. Presence of RLN branching, its distance from the laryngeal nerve entry point (NEP), and functionality of the branches were ascertained. Patient demographics, rates of neural branching, and distance of bifurcation from the NEP were evaluated using statistical analysis.

Results

We identified 719 RLNs at risk in 491 patients who underwent central neck surgery. Four hundred and five (82.5%) patients were female and 86 (17.5%) patients were male. There were 218 (44.4%) African American patients and 251 (51.1 %) Caucasian patients.

In African American patients, 42.1% RLNs bifurcated compared to 33.2% RLNs in Caucasian (P = 0.017) patients. The RLNs of African American and Caucasian patients bifurcated at comparable distances (P = 0.30).

In male patients, 39.1% RLNs bifurcated; whereas in female patients 36.2% RLNs bifurcated (P = 0.53). On average, RLN bifurcation in female patients was at a longer distance from NEP compared to that of male patients (P = 0.012). Electrophysiologic testing found motor fibers in all anterior branches and three posterior extralaryngeal RLN branches.

Conclusion

African American patients have a higher rate of RLN bifurcation compared to Caucasian patients but no statistically significant difference in distance from NEP. Female patients tend to have longer branching variants of bifid RLNs. RLN motor fibers reside primarily in the anterior branch but may occur in the posterior branch.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope 124:2433–2437, 2014
Stable and super‐low friction of amorphous carbon nitride coatings in nitrogen gas by using two‐step ball‐on‐disk friction test
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Sugo Masakatsu , Adachi Koshi
Published: January 2014

Effect of running‐in process on friction behaviour of carbon nitride (CNx) coating in N2 gas stream was investigated with a newly introduced two‐step ball‐on‐disk friction test, where the rubbed Si3N4 ball in the pre‐sliding (step 1) was replaced by a new CNx‐coated Si3N4 ball in the subsequent sliding stage under N2 gas (step 2). The two‐step friction test is clarified to be a simple but effective technique for obtaining contact material combination of self‐mated CNx coatings and for achieving stable and low frictions of CNx coatings. Friction coefficients of CNx/CNx in N2 gas stream decrease greatly from 0.07 without pre‐sliding to less than 0.025 in two‐step friction tests. The minimum friction coefficient of 0.004 was obtained by introducing 500 cycles of pre‐sliding in ambient air. These stable and low frictions are attributed to the generation of self‐mated CNx coatings and the formation of a lubricious layer on the disk surface. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
National assessment of early biliary complications following liver transplantation: Incidence and outcomes
Authors: Axelrod David A. , Lentine Krista L. , Xiao Huiling , Dzebisashvilli Nino , Schnitzler Mark , Tuttle-Newhall Janet E. , Segev Dorry L.
Published: January 2014

Despite improved overall liver transplant outcomes, biliary complications remain a significant cause of morbidity. A national data set linking transplant registry and Medicare claims data for 17,012 liver transplant recipients was used to identify all recipients with a posttransplant biliary diagnosis code within the first 6 months after transplantation. Patients were further categorized as follows: a diagnosis without a procedure, a diagnosis and an associated radiological or endoscopic procedure, or a diagnosis treated with surgery. Overall, 15.0% had a biliary diagnosis, 11.2% required a procedure, and 2.2% had a surgical revision. Factors independently associated with biliary complications included donation after cardiac death (DCD), donor age, recipient age, split grafts, and long cold ischemia times. Graft loss was significantly more common for patients with biliary diagnoses [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.89, confidence interval (CI) = 1.63-2.19], interventions (aHR = 2.08, CI = 1.77-2.44), and surgical procedures (aHR = 1.80, CI = 1.31-2.49). Mortality after transplantation was also markedly increased for patients with biliary diagnoses (aHR = 2.18, CI = 1.97-2.40), procedures (aHR = 2.21, CI = 1.99-2.46), and surgeries (aHR = 1.77, CI = 1.41-2.23). In stratified analyses, the impact of early biliary complications was greater for DCD liver recipients, but they remained highly significant for recipients of allografts from brain-dead donors as well. Reducing biliary complications should improve posttransplant survival and reduce graft loss. Liver Transpl 20:446-456, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Long-term outcomes after liver transplantation for deoxyguanosine kinase deficiency: A single-center experience and a review of the literature
Authors: Grabhorn Enke , Tsiakas Konstantinos , Herden Uta , Fischer Lutz , Freisinger Peter , Marquardt Thorsten , Ganschow Rainer , Briem-Richter Andrea , Santer René
Published: January 2014

Deoxyguanosine kinase (DGUOK) deficiency is a well-known cause of hepatocerebral mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes, which include a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. Affected patients often develop life-threatening liver failure, but the benefits of liver transplantation (LT) are controversial because of the frequently severe neurological involvement due to the underlying mitochondrial disease. We describe the long-term clinical course of 2 patients from our institution and provide an update on their outcomes after LT with this condition. Another 12 pediatric patients were identified through a systematic search of the literature. All 14 reported patients underwent transplantation in infancy despite mild to moderate neurological impairment in some cases. The 2 DGUOK-deficient patients from our center displayed liver failure and mild to moderate neurological involvement. At the time of this writing, they had been followed for 5 and 8 years after LT, both patients were alive, and they had only mild neurological symptoms. Three of the 12 patients identified through the literature review survived for a long time (17, 12, and 23 years); 8 died during early follow-up; and for 1 patient, no follow-up information was available. The 1-year survival rate was 64%; 36% survived for more than 5 years. The long-term survivors had good quality of life. In conclusion, although survival after LT for DGUOK deficiency is lower than survival after LT for other indications, a significant proportion of patients benefit from LT with long-term survival and a stable neurological situation despite initial neurological abnormalities. Nevertheless, a decision to carry out LT for patients with DGUOK deficiency remains difficult because neurological symptoms may occur and worsen after LT despite their absence before transplantation. Liver Transpl 20:464–472, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Operative outcomes of adult living donor liver transplantation and deceased donor liver transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wan Ping , Yu Xin , Xia Qiang
Published: January 2014

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has emerged as an alternative to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) because of the increasing number of patients waiting for liver transplantation (LT). However, whether it can achieve operative outcomes similar to those achieved with DDLT for adult patients remains controversial. We conducted this meta-analysis to compare the operative outcomes of LDLT and DDLT recipients. A literature search was performed to identify clinical controlled studies comparing LDLT and DDLT that were published before October 2013. Four perioperative outcomes [duration of the recipient operation (DRO), red blood cell (RBC) transfusion requirement, length of the hospital stay, and cold ischemia time (CIT)] and 5 postoperative complication outcomes (biliary complications, vascular complications, intra-abdominal bleeding, perioperative death, and retransplantation) were the main outcomes assessed. Nineteen studies with a total of 5450 patients were included in the meta-analysis. In comparison with DDLT, LDLT was associated with a significantly longer DRO and a shorter CIT. We found that biliary complications [odds ratio (OR) = 3.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.97-4.81, P < 0.001], vascular complications (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.32-3.54, P = 0.002), and retransplantation (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.09-2.83, P = 0.02) occurred more frequently for LDLT recipients, and the subgroup analysis indicated that the biliary complication rate decreased dramatically with greater LDLT experience. No significant difference was observed in RBC transfusion requirements, the lengths of hospital stays, intra-abdominal bleeding rates, or perioperative mortality between LDLT and DDLT recipients. In conclusion, LDLT is associated with a higher rate of surgical complications after transplantation. A reduction of postoperative complication rates can be achieved as centers gain greater experience with LDLT. However, LDLT is still an excellent alternative to DDLT because it facilitates access to LT. Liver Transpl 20:425-436, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Effects of air embolism size and location on porcine hepatic microcirculation in machine perfusion
Authors: Izamis Maria-Louisa , Efstathiades Andreas , Keravnou Christina , Georgiadou Soteria , Martins Paulo N. , Averkiou Michalakis A.
Published: January 2014

The handling of donor organs frequently introduces air into the microvasculature, but little is known about the extent of the damage caused as a function of the embolism size and distribution. Here we introduced embolisms of different sizes into the portal vein, the hepatic artery, or both during the flushing stage of porcine liver procurement. The outcomes were evaluated during 3 hours of machine perfusion and were compared to the outcomes of livers with no embolisms. Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCEUS) was used to assess the perfusion quality, and it demonstrated that embolisms tended to flow mostly into the left lobe, occasionally into the right lobe, and rarely into the caudate lobe. Major embolisms could disrupt the flow entirely, whereas minor embolisms resulted in reduced or heterogeneous flow. Embolisms occasionally migrated to different regions of the same lobe and, regardless of their size, caused a general deterioration in the flow over time. Histological damage resulted primarily when both vessels of the liver were compromised, whereas bile production was diminished in livers that had arterial embolisms. Air embolisms produced a dose-dependent increase in vascular resistance and a decline in oxygen consumption. This is the first article to quantify the impact of air embolisms on microcirculation in an experimental model, and it demonstrates that air embolisms have the capacity to degrade the integrity of donor organs. The extent of organ damage is strongly dependent on the size and distribution of air embolisms. The diagnosis of embolism severity can be safely and easily made with DCEUS. Liver Transpl 20:601-611, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Fourier Multipliers and Littlewood‐Paley for modulation spaces
Authors: Mohanty Parasar , Shrivastava Saurabh
Published: February 2014

In this paper we have studied Fourier multipliers and Littlewood‐Paley square functions in the context of modulation spaces. We have also proved that any bounded linear operator from modulation space into itself possesses an l2‐valued extension. This is an analogue of a well known result due to Marcinkiewicz and Zygmund on classical ‐spaces.
Yamabe flow on manifolds with edges
Authors: Bahuaud Eric , Vertman Boris
Published: February 2014

Let be a compact oriented Riemannian manifold with an incomplete edge singularity. This article shows that it is possible to evolve g by the Yamabe flow within a class of singular edge metrics. As the main analytic step we establish parabolic Schauder‐type estimates for the heat operator on certain Hölder spaces adapted to the singular edge geometry. We apply these estimates to obtain local existence for a variety of quasilinear equations, including the Yamabe flow. This provides a setup for a subsequent discussion of the Yamabe problem using flow techniques in the singular setting.
Temporal discrimination, a cervical dystonia endophenotype: Penetrance and functional correlates
Authors: Kimmich Okka , Molloy Anna , Whelan Robert , Williams Laura , Bradley David , Balsters Joshua , Molloy Fiona , Lynch Tim , Healy Daniel G. , Walsh Cathal , O'Riordan Seán , Reilly Richard B. , Hutchinson Michael
Published: January 2014

The pathogenesis of adult‐onset primary dystonia remains poorly understood. There is variable age‐related and gender‐related expression of the phenotype, the commonest of which is cervical dystonia. Endophenotypes may provide insight into underlying genetic and pathophysiological mechanisms of dystonia. The temporal discrimination threshold (TDT)—the shortest time interval at which two separate stimuli can be detected as being asynchronous—is abnormal both in patients with cervical dystonia and in their unaffected first‐degree relatives. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have shown that putaminal activation positively correlates with the ease of temporal discrimination between two stimuli in healthy individuals. We hypothesized that abnormal temporal discrimination would exhibit similar age‐related and gender‐related penetrance as cervical dystonia and that unaffected relatives with an abnormal TDT would have reduced putaminal activation during a temporal discrimination task. TDTs were examined in a group of 192 healthy controls and in 158 unaffected first‐degree relatives of 84 patients with cervical dystonia. In 24 unaffected first‐degree relatives, fMRI scanning was performed during a temporal discrimination task. The prevalence of abnormal TDTs in unaffected female relatives reached 50% after age 48 years; whereas, in male relatives, penetrance of the endophenotype was reduced. By fMRI, relatives who had abnormal TDTs, compared with relatives who had normal TDTs, had significantly less activation in the putamina and in the middle frontal and precentral gyri. Only the degree of reduction of putaminal activity correlated significantly with worsening of temporal discrimination. These findings further support abnormal temporal discrimination as an endophenotype of cervical dystonia involving disordered basal ganglia circuits. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A semi‐Lagrangean time‐integration approach for extended finite element methods
Authors: Henke F. , Winklmaier M. , Gravemeier V. , Wall W. A.
Published: January 2014

Many computational problems incorporate discontinuities that evolve in time. The eXtendend Finite Element Method (XFEM) is able to represent discontinuities sharply on fixed arbitrary meshes, but numerical difficulties arise if these discontinuities move in time. We point out that this issue is crucial for interface problems with strongly discontinuous fields on fixed grids. A method using semi‐Lagrangean techniques is proposed to adequately handle time integration based on finite difference schemes in the context of the XFEM. The basic idea is to adapt previous numerical solutions to the current interface position by tracking back virtual Lagrangean particles to their previous positions, where an appropriate solution can be extrapolated from a smooth field. Convergence properties of the proposed method in time and space are thoroughly studied for two one‐dimensional model problems. Finally, the method is applied to the particularly challenging problem of premixed combustion, where the discontinuity appears at the flame front separating the burnt from the unburnt gases. A two‐dimensional and a three‐dimensional expanding flame demonstrates that the method is sufficiently accurate to retain the properties of the overall Nitsche‐type formulation for interface problems with embedded strong discontinuities. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceptions of Adolescents, Parents, and School Personnel From a Predominantly Cuban American Community Regarding Dating and Teen Dating Violence Prevention
Authors: Gonzalez‐Guarda Rosa M. , Cummings Amanda M. , Pino Karen , Malhotra Krithika , Becerra Maria M. , Lopez Jessica E.
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of dating relationships and teen dating violence prevention within a predominantly Cuban American community in Miami‐Dade County. Eight focus groups (n = 74 participants) with adolescents of Hispanic origin (n = 29), their parents (n = 29), and school personnel (n = 16) were conducted and analyzed using content analysis. Four themes characterized the nature and context of dating relationships among adolescents of Hispanic origin: YOLO—You Only Live Once, cultural unity but social division, dating is not going out, and the social environment challenges healthy relationships. The information generated from this study can be used to develop culturally tailored teen dating violence prevention programs targeting youth of Hispanic origin. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neurological findings and genetic alterations in patients with Kostmann syndrome and HAX1 mutations
Authors: Roques Gaëlle , Munzer Martine , Barthez Marie‐Anne Carpentier , Beaufils Sandrine , Beaupain Blandine , Flood Terry , Keren Boris , Bellanné‐Chantelot Christine , Donadieu Jean
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To describe the clinical profile and the prevalence of severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) and HAX1 mutations, so‐called Kostmann syndrome, in France.

Study Design

Two pedigrees were identified from the French registry.

Results

The study included five subjects (three males), which represent 0.7% of the 759 SCN cases registered in France. The age at diagnosis was 0.3 years (range: 0.1–1.2 years) and the median age at the last follow‐up was 7.3 years (range: 1.2–17.8 years). A novel large homozygous deletion of the HAX1 gene (exons 2–5) was found in one pedigree; while, a homozygous frameshift mutation was identified in exon 3 (c.430dupG, p.Val144fs) in the second pedigree. Severe bacterial infections were observed in four patients, including two cases of sepsis, one case of pancolitis, a lung abscess, and recurrent cellulitis and stomatitis. During routine follow‐up, the median neutrophil value was 0.16 × 109/L, associated with monocytosis (2 × 109/L). Bone marrow (BM) smears revealed a decrease of the granulocytic lineage with no mature myeloid cells above the myelocytes. One patient died at age 2 from neurological complications, while two other patients, including one who underwent a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) at age 5, are living with very severe neurological retardation.

Conclusions

SCN with HAX1 mutations, is a rare sub type of congenital neutropenia, mostly observed in population from Sweden and Asia minor, associating frequently neurological retardation, when the mutations involved the B isoform of the protein. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1041–1048. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Research updates on graphene oxide‐based polymeric nanocomposites
Authors: Maheshkumar K.V. , Krishnamurthy K. , Sathishkumar P. , Sahoo S. , Uddin E. , Pal S.K. , Rajasekar R.
Published: January 2014

Graphene oxide (GO) is a carbon‐based material, which is one atom thick sheet of graphite. The nanofillers have exceptional stiffness and strength owing to the presence of two‐dimensional graphene backbone. Especially owing to this reason, nanocomposites have been developed using GO for several applications. This review article explores the synthesis of GO from flake graphite. Main emphasis has been afforded on the preparation and characterization of GO nanocomposites, utilizing various industrial polymers for wide application in aerospace, biomedical, military, supercapacitors, electrical, sensor, and so on. Morphological characterization exploring the interaction and extent of dispersion of GO nanosheets in the polymer matrices is extensively accounted. From the reports, it is clear that exfoliation and strong interaction of GO tremendously improved the physical, mechanical, thermal, electrochemical, biocompatibility, and tribological properties of the added polymer. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:2297–2310, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers