bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrosynthesis and characterizations of a multielectrochromic copolymer based on pyrrole and 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene
Authors: Yi‐Jie Tao , Hai‐Feng Cheng , Wen‐Wei Zheng , Zhao‐Yang Zhang
Published: April 2012

A copolymer based on pyrrole and 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) was electrochemically synthesized on an indium tin oxide ITO/glass electrode in acetonitrile containing lithium perchlorate (LiClO4). The resultant copolymer is characterized via cyclic voltammetry, FTIR, SEM, XPS, and spectroelectrochemical analysis. The spectroelectrochemical analysis revealed the copolymer film has distinct electrochromic properties with respect to the homopolymers, and presented four colors (amaranth, brick red, dark grey, and light blue) under various applied potentials. For the copolymer in the neutral state, the calculated onset energy for the π–π* transition (Eg) is 1.69 eV, and the absorption peak (λmax) is located at 508 nm. The maximum transmittance contrast (ΔT%) is 39.2% at 946 nm between the fully oxidized and intermediate(−0.4 V) states. Successive cyclic voltammograms and electrochromic switching experiment indicate the good stability of the copolymer because of the incorporation of EDOT units into the polypyrrole. It retains 81% of the original electroactivity and 71.8% of contrast after 2000 cycles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Morphology and properties of polystyrene/agave fiber composites and foams
Authors: Moscoso Francisco Javier , Martínez Liliana , Canche Gonzalo , Rodrigue Denis , González‐Núñez Rubén
Published: April 2012

In this work, agave fibers were blended with polystyrene to produce foamed and unfoamed composites. The effect of fiber size and density reduction on the morphological, thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties, as well as crystallinity and water absorption kinetics of the composites was assessed. The results show that Young's modulus and tensile strength increased with increasing fiber content, but decreased with density reduction. Increasing fiber content and decreasing the size of the fibers both increased crystallinity of the composites. Finally, water uptake and diffusion coefficient were found to increase with increasing fiber content for all sizes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Crosslinkable fluorinated hyperbranched polyimide for thermo‐optic switches with high thermal stability
Authors: Cao Zijian , Jin Lin , Liu Yu , Jiang Zhenhua , Zhang Daming
Published: April 2012

A series of fluorinated hyperbranched polyimides (FHBPIs) were synthesized by condensation of a triamine monomer, 1,3,5‐tris(2‐trifluoromethyl‐4‐minopheoxy) benzene (TFAPOB) and various aromatic dianhydride monomers with different linear length for application on integrated optical devices. Near infrared absorption measurement shows that it has high transparency in optical communication wavelength region. The glass transition temperature and thermal decomposition temperature were 189°C and 596°C, respectively. According to the atomic force microscopy analysis, the surface roughness of the FHBPI films is 0.208 nm. A classic Mach–Zehnder interferometer thermo‐optic switch with single mode waveguide fabricated by FHBPIs represents excellent switching characteristic. The rise time and fall time of this device are 530 µs for both. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Segmental mobility in the vicinity of Tg in PS/SBR blends: Nanodomain size prediction of the dispersed phase
Authors: Yousefi Ali Akbar
Published: April 2012

The blends of polystyrene (PS) and styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) are melt‐blended at different ratios to form physical thermoplastic elastomers. This polymeric blend is expected to behave more or less similar to chemically synthesized block copolymers such as styrene‐butadiene block copolymers (SBS). In this study, mechanical and the thermomechanical properties of this blend are investigated and compared to those of SBS copolymer. As far as morphology is considered, the blend shows a two‐phase morphology with an interface, which shows very weak interactions. According to the observed morphology and the domain size of dispersed phase the blends are of good integrity. The mechanical properties of the blends confirm the integrity of the blend and effective interface stress transfer. The tensile and Izod impact properties of the blends shows improvements upon increase in SBR content of the blend. As SBR content augments the elongation at break increases, whereas tensile dissipated energy and impact resistance go through a maximum. Therefore, blend with SBR‐content in 60–75% range can be considered as preferred one. In a wide range of concentration a phase inversion was observed and Tg‐depression was detected also for the SBR phase. This Tg‐depression was correlated to the changes in dynamics of segments (segmental mobility) near the surfaces. Using the proposed relationships between Tg‐depression and the thickness of the thin films, it was tried to calculate domain size of SBR inclusions in PS matrix. A rough correlation between SBR domain sizes in SEM images and calculated thicknesses using Tg‐depression in thin films was found. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Fluorinated waterborne shape memory polyurethane urea for potential medical implant application
Authors: Wang Zi , Hou Zhongyu , Wang Yanfang
Published: April 2012

A series of crosslinked fluorinated waterborne shape memory polyurethane urea (PUU) ionomers were synthesized from polycaprolactone diol, perfluoropolyether (PFPE) diol, dimethylolproionic acid, isophorone diisocyanate, ethylenediamine (EDA), and diethylenetriamine (DETA). The effect of PFPE content in the soft segment and the degree of crosslinking on the molecular structure and the properties of these PUU films was examined and studied. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the transition temperature for these Tm type shape memory PUU could be fine tuned by PFPE weight percentage and EDA/DETA ratio in the range between 33 and 44°C, covering the range of body temperature. Although incorporating amorphous fluorinated units into semicrystalline soft segment compromised the shape memory performance of PUU with linear structure as expected, the introduction of crosslinking structure using DETA as a trifunctional chain extender could still retain quite high strain recovery rate (above 90%) at 100% stretching deformation. Furthermore, the relationship of these properties as well as thermal stability with hydrogen bonding was also discussed by evaluation of the carbonyl stretching region in Fourier transform infrared spectra. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
The Microvascular Anatomy of the Trachea in Adult Xenopus laevis Daudin (Lissamphibia; Anura): Scanning Electron Microscopy of Vascular Corrosion Casts and Correlative Light Microscopy
Authors: Tangphokhanon Wasan , Lametschwandtner Alois
Published: April 2012

Studies on the amphibian respiratory tract microvascular anatomy are few and contradictory. Using scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts, correlative light microscopy of paraplast‐embedded Goldner‐stained serial tissue sections, and three‐dimensional morphometry, we studied the topographic microvascular anatomy in the trachea of the adult South African Clawed Toad, Xenopus laevis Daudin. Histomorphology showed that the cartilaginous portion of the trachea contained irregularly shaped hyaline cartilage plates in its cranial and caudal portions and C‐shaped hyaline cartilage rings in the middle portion. Tracheal cartilages formed large continuous plates on the ventral circumference, numerous small discontinuous plates on the dorsal circumference, and large vertical plates on the caudolateral circumference. The muscular portion of the trachea consisted of bands of smooth muscle that joined the free ends of cartilage plates. The supply of the trachea was via pulmonal artery—tracheobronchial trunk artery—tracheobronchial artery—tracheal artery. The subepithelial capillary network consisted of rectangular meshes which are in the area of the tracheal cartilages located between the cartilages and the respiratory epithelium. Small tracheal veins merged into a single tracheal vein that emptied into the pulmonary vein. Because of its dense subepithelial capillary network and its drainage into the pulmonal vein, the trachea could actively take part in respiration. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Promotion of bone repair by implantation of cryopreserved bone marrow–derived mononuclear cells in a rabbit model of steroid‐associated osteonecrosis
Authors: Xie Xin‐Hui , Wang Xin‐Luan , He Yi‐Xin , Liu Zhong , Sheng Hui , Zhang Ge , Qin Ling
Published: April 2012

Objective

Cytotherapy is an insufficient method for promoting bone repair in steroid‐associated osteonecrosis (SAON), and this has been attributed to impairment of the bioactivity of bone marrow–derived stem cells (BMSCs) after pulsed administration of steroids. Cryopreserved autologous bone marrow–derived mononuclear cells (BMMNCs), which contain BMSCs, might maintain their bioactivity in vitro. This study sought to investigate the effects of cryopreserved BMMNCs, before steroid administration, on the enhancement of bone repair in an established rabbit model of SAON.

Methods

For in vitro study, bone marrow was harvested 4 weeks before SAON induction from the iliac crests of rabbits (n = 10) to isolate fresh BMMNCs, and the BMMNCs were then cryopreserved for 8 weeks. Both the fresh and the cryopreserved BMMNCs were evaluated for their bioactivity and osteogenic differentiation capacity. In addition, BMMNCs were isolated 2 weeks after SAON induction and subjected to the same evaluations. For in vivo study, cryopreserved BMMNCs were implanted into the bone tunnel during core decompression of the femur (n = 12 rabbits) after the induction of SAON, and tissue regeneration was evaluated by micro–computed tomography and histologic analyses at 12 weeks postoperation.

Results

In vitro, there were no significant differences in the bioactivity or ability to undergo osteogenic differentiation between fresh BMMNCs and cryopreserved BMMNCs, but after SAON induction, both features were decreased significantly. In vivo, the bone mineral density, ratio of bone volume to total volume of bone, and volume and diameter of neovascularization within the bone tunnel were significantly higher in the BMMNC‐treated group compared to the nontreated control group at 12 weeks postoperation.

Conclusion

Cryopreserved BMMNCs maintained their bioactivity and promoted bone regeneration and neovascularization within the bone tunnel after core decompression in this rabbit model of SAON.
Variant alleles of the Wnt antagonist FRZB are determinants of hip shape and modify the relationship between hip shape and osteoarthritis
Authors: Baker‐LePain Julie C. , Lynch John A. , Parimi Neeta , McCulloch Charles E. , Nevitt Michael C. , Corr Maripat , Lane Nancy E.
Published: April 2012

Objective

To test whether single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the FRZB gene are associated with hip shape, and to determine whether FRZB variant alleles affect the relationship between hip shape and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip.

Methods

A nested case–control study of Caucasian women, age ≥65 years, from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures cohort was performed. Cases (n = 451) were defined as subjects with radiographic evidence of incident hip OA during followup, while controls (n = 601) were subjects in whom no radiographic hip OA was identified at baseline or followup. Statistical shape modeling (SSM) of the digitized hip radiographs was performed to assess the shape of the proximal femur, using 10 independent modes of shape variation generated by principal components analysis. In addition, center‐edge angle and acetabular depth were assessed as geometric measurements of acetabular shape. The association of the rs288326 and rs7775 FRZB variant alleles with hip shape was analyzed using linear regression. The effect of these alleles on the relationship between hip shape and radiographic hip OA was analyzed using a logistic regression model with or without inclusion of interaction terms.

Results

The rs288326 and rs7775 alleles were associated with the shape of the proximal femur (SSM mode 2). There was a significant interaction between the rs288326 SNP and proximal femur shape (SSM mode 2) in predicting radiographic hip OA (P for interaction = 0.022). Among subjects with the rs288326 variant allele, there was an increased likelihood of radiographic hip OA in association with increasing quartiles of proximal femur shape mode 2 (for the fourth quartile of mode 2, odds ratio 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.15, 5.25; P for linear trend = 0.02).

Conclusion

The rs288326 and rs7775 FRZB SNPs are associated with the shape of the proximal femur. The presence of the rs288326 SNP alters the relationship between proximal femur shape and incident radiographic hip OA. These findings suggest that FRZB may serve an important role in determining hip shape and may modify the relationship between hip shape and OA.
Childhood primary angiitis of the central nervous system: Identifying disease trajectories and early risk factors for persistently higher disease activity
Authors: Cellucci Tania , Tyrrell Pascal N. , Sheikh Shehla , Benseler Susanne M.
Published: April 2012

Objective

To compare clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics of childhood primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) subtypes at diagnosis and during followup; to characterize disease activity trajectories in childhood PACNS subtypes; and to identify early risk factors for higher disease activity.

Methods

We performed a single‐center cohort study of consecutive children diagnosed as having childhood PACNS. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected at diagnosis and during standardized clinic visits. Outcome measures included disease activity measured by physician's global assessment. Descriptive statistics were used to assess characteristics of the study cohort, and longitudinal data were analyzed using linear mixed‐effects regression.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 45 patients with childhood PACNS; 26 had angiography‐negative childhood PACNS and 19 had angiography‐positive childhood PACNS. There were 24 females, the median age at diagnosis was 9.8 years, and the median followup period was 1.8 years. Patients with angiography‐negative childhood PACNS were more likely to be female and to present with seizures, cognitive dysfunction, vision abnormalities, high levels of inflammatory markers, and bilateral findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Motor deficits and ischemic MRI lesions were more common in angiography‐positive disease. Disease activity decreased significantly after treatment in all patients. Distinct trajectories of disease activity over time were identified for both childhood PACNS subtypes. Patients with angiography‐negative childhood PACNS had persistently higher disease activity. Seizures at presentation also predicted higher disease activity over time.

Conclusion

Distinct subtypes of childhood PACNS have unique disease activity trajectories. Patients with angiography‐negative disease and seizures at presentation experience higher disease activity. Early recognition of this high‐risk cohort may enable the treating physician to initiate targeted therapies and prevent long‐term brain injury.
Simplified metrics for the identification of the Madden–Julian oscillation in models
Authors: Sperber Kenneth R. , Kim Daehyun
Published: April 2012

We propose simplified metrics to evaluate the fidelity with which the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is simulated in climate models. These metrics are based on lag correlation analysis of principal component time series (PCs). The PCs are obtained by projecting simulated 20–100 day bandpass filtered daily outgoing longwave radiation onto the two leading empirical orthogonal functions of observed MJO variability. The simplified MJO metrics, the maximum positive correlation and time lag at which it occurs, provide consistent information relative to more complex diagnostics developed by the Madden–Julian Oscillation Working Group (CLIVAR MJOWG) and by Kim et al. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Prognostic‐cloud‐scheme increment diagnostics: a novel addition to the case‐study tool kit
Authors: Morcrette Cyril J.
Published: April 2012

Cloud increment diagnostics, from a simulation of present‐day climate using a prognostic cloud scheme and from a case‐study of a mid‐latitude system, are used to highlight the variation in parametrized processes contributing to the creation and removal of cloud in the model. The diagnostics show that the initialization of the cloud fields away from cloud fractions of zero and one is a significant contribution to their evolution, drawing attention to the importance of the assumptions made when calculating those increments and highlighting a part of the cloud scheme where future development should be focused. © 2012 British Crown copyright, the Met Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Using the Cre/loxsystem for targeted integration into the human genome:loxFAS‐loxP pairing and delayed introduction of Cre DNA improve gene swapping efficiency
Authors: Lanza Amanda M. , Dyess Timothy J. , Alper Hal S.
Published: April 2012

Cre recombinase is a commonly‐used genome editing tool suitable for site‐specific integrations in mammalian genomes; however, the efficiency of transgenic swapping events compared to excision remains limited. Here we sought to identify important parameters and limiting factors that influence swapping propensity in this system, especially when using one wild‐typeloxPsite. To modulate and increase the occurrence of swapping events, we identified two novel parameters. First, we identified theloxFAS‐loxPpairing, a sequence never before used in mammalian systems, as the best choice for increasing swapping events in human cell lines. Second, for the first time we implicate the importance of delayed introduction of Cre DNA for optimal swapping efficiency. This same modification could potentially be of use to other systems catalyzing trimolecular reactions such as ΦC31 integrase and FLP recombinase where we hypothesize that transport of the exchange cassette is likewise initially rate limiting. The total number of recombination events, but not the ratio of swapping to excision, was found to be influenced by the quantity of Cre DNA transfected. Through this study, we were able to obtain Cre‐mediated swapping frequencies of 8–12% without antibiotic enrichment, which represents nearly an order of magnitude increase over prior reports in the literature.
Selective hepatic vascular exclusion versus Pringle manoeuvre in liver resection for tumours encroaching on major hepatic veins
Authors: Zhang J , Lai E C H , Zhou W-P , Fu S , Pan Z , Yang Y , Lau W Y , Wu M-C
Published: April 2012

Background

Control of bleeding is crucial during liver resection, and several techniques have been developed to achieve this. This study compared the safety and efficacy of selective hepatic vascular exclusion (SHVE) and Pringle manoeuvre in partial hepatectomy for liver tumours compressing or involving major hepatic veins.

Methods

All patients undergoing liver resection between January 2003 and December 2010 for liver tumours compressing or involving one or more major hepatic veins were identified retrospectively from a prospective institutional database. Either SHVE or Pringle manoeuvre was used to minimize blood loss during hepatectomy. Data on demographics and the intraoperative and postoperative course were analysed.

Results

From the database of 3900 patients, 1420 were identified who underwent liver resection for tumours encroaching on major hepatic veins using either SHVE (550) or the Pringle manoeuvre (870). Intraoperative blood loss (mean(s.d.) 480(210) versus 830(340) ml; P = 0·007) and transfusion requirements (mean(s.d.) 1·3(0·6) versus 2·9(1·4) units; P = 0·008) were significantly less in the SHVE group. In the Pringle group, hepatic vein injury resulted in major intraoperative bleeding of over 1000 ml in 65 patients (7·5 per cent) and air embolism in 14 (1·6 per cent), and three patients (0·3 per cent) died during surgery, whereas there was no major bleeding, air embolism or intraoperative death in the SHVE group. Postoperative liver failure, multiple organ failure and in-hospital death were significantly more common in the Pringle group (P = 0·019, P = 0·032 and P = 0·004 respectively).

Conclusion

SHVE was more efficacious than the Pringle manoeuvre in minimizing intraoperative bleeding and air embolism during partial hepatectomy for tumours encroaching on major hepatic veins, and decreased the postoperative liver failure rate.
Water‐Soluble Red‐Emitting Distyryl‐Borondipyrromethene (BODIPY) Dyes for Biolabeling
Authors: Niu Song‐lin , Massif Cédrik , Ulrich Gilles , Renard Pierre‐Yves , Romieu Anthony , Ziessel Raymond
Published: April 2012

A series of water‐soluble red‐emitting distyryl‐borondipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes were designed and synthesized by using three complementary approaches aimed at introducing water‐solubilizing groups on opposite faces of the fluorescent core to reduce or completely suppress self‐aggregation. An additional carboxylic acid functional group was introduced at the pseudo‐meso position of the BODIPY scaffold for conjugation to amine‐containing biomolecules/biopolymers. The optical properties of these dyes were evaluated under simulated physiological conditions (i.e., phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.5) or in pure water. The emission wavelength (λmax) of these labels was found in the 640–660 nm range with quantum yields from modest to unprecedentedly high values (4 to 38 %). The bioconjugation of these distyryl‐BODIPY dyes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the monoclonal antibody (mAb) 12A5 was successfully performed under mild aqueous conditions.
Ferromagnetic Interactions in a 1D Alternating Linear Chain of π‐Stacked 1,3‐Diphenyl‐7‐(thien‐2‐yl)‐1,4‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐benzotriazin‐4‐yl Radicals
Authors: Constantinides Christos P. , Koutentis Panayiotis A. , Rawson Jeremy M.
Published: April 2012

X‐ray studies show that 1,3‐diphenyl‐7‐(thien‐2‐yl)‐1,4‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐benzotriazin‐4‐yl (6) adopts a distorted, slipped π‐stacked structure of centrosymmetric dimers with alternate short and long interplanar distances (3.48 and 3.52 Å). Cyclic voltammograms of 7‐(thien‐2‐yl)benzotriazin‐4‐yl 6 show two fully reversible waves that correspond to the −1/0 and 0/+1 processes. EPR and DFT studies on radical 6 indicate that the spin density is mainly delocalized over the triazinyl fragment. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that radical 6 obeys Curie–Weiss behavior in the 5–300 K region with C=0.378 emu K mol−1 and θ=+4.72 K, which is consistent with ferromagnetic interactions between S=1/2 radicals. Fitting the magnetic susceptibility revealed the behavior is consistent with an alternating ferromagnetic chain (g=2.0071, J1=+7.12 cm−1, J2=+1.28 cm−1).
Mn‐loaded apoferritin: a highly sensitive MRI imaging probe for the detection and characterization of hepatocarcinoma lesions in a transgenic mouse model
Authors: Geninatti Crich Simonetta , Cutrin Juan Carlos , Lanzardo Stefania , Conti Laura , Kálmán Ferenc K. , Szabó Ibolya , Lago Néstor R. , Iolascon Achille , Aime Silvio
Published: April 2012

Mn‐Apo is a highly sensitive MRI contrast agent consisting of ca. 1000 manganese atoms entrapped in the inner cavity of apoferritin. Part of the metallic payload is in the form of Mn2+ ions that endow the nano‐sized system with a very high relaxivity that can be exploited to detect hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. Cellular studies showed that Mn‐Apo is readily taken up by normal hepatocytes via the ferritin transporting route. Conversely, hepatoma cells (HTC) displayed a markedly reduced ability to entrap Mn‐Apo from the culture medium. The i.v. administration of Mn‐Apo into C57BL/6 J mice resulted in a marked liver tissue hyperintensity in T1‐weighted MR image 20 min after injection. When injected into HBV‐tg transgenic mice that spontaneously develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Mn‐Apo allowed a clear delineation of healthy liver tissue and tumor lesions as hyperintense and hypointense T1‐weighted MR images, respectively. Immunohistochemistry analysis correlated Mn‐Apo cellular uptake to SCARA5 receptor expression. When the MRI contrast induced by Mn‐Apo was compared with that induced by Gd–BOPTA (a commercial contrast agent known to enter mouse hepatocytes through organic anion transporters) it was found that only some of the lesions were detected by both agents while others could only be visualized by one of the two. These results suggest that Mn‐Apo may be useful to detect otherwise invisible lesions and that the extent of its uptake directly reports the expression/regulation of SCARA5 receptors. Mn‐Apo contrast‐enhanced MR images may therefore contribute to improving HCC lesion detection and characterization. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying multimodal contrast agent biological activity using near‐infrared flow cytometry
Authors: Hall Mary A. , Aldrich Melissa B. , Azhdarinia Ali , Lachance Pier‐Anne , Robinson Holly , Hazen Amy , Haviland David L. , Sevick‐Muraca Eva M.
Published: April 2012

Prior to imaging agent use in preclinical studies and clinical diagnostics, biological activity must be validated. The Lindmo assay has been used conventionally to quantify radiolabeled antibody (Ab) immunoreactivity, although published findings suggest it does not provide consistently accurate results. We developed and tested a near‐infrared (NIR) flow cytometry (FC) method for quantifying biological activity of a dual‐labeled Ab for use as a multimodal contrast agent in small animal and human positron emission tomography and NIR fluorescence imaging. Antibody specific for epithelial cell adhesion molecule was conjugated to DOTA–NHS–ester, labeled with IRDye 800CW and further labeled with 64Cu or nonradioactive Cu prior to reacting with human prostate cancer cells for testing by the Lindmo or FC method, respectively. Immunoreactivity of the dual‐labeled agent was found to be 76.4 ± 15.7% by the Lindmo assay. When tested with and without Cu labeling using NIR FC, the biological activity was found to be 73.1 ± 7.7 and 79.4 ± 8.1%, respectively. No significant differences were found between these activity levels (p > 0.05), supporting NIR FC as an alternative method for measuring immunoreactivity and demonstrating that Cu labeling does not significantly affect the agent's ability to bind to its target. Biological activity was significantly reduced when the NIR dye‐to‐protein ratio was increased 3‐ to 4‐fold in agent preparations when tested by FC and the Lindmo assay. In summary, NIR FC is an alternative with similar specificity and sensitivity, and greater reproducibility relative to the Lindmo assay for quantifying biological activity of NIR fluorophore‐labeled, multimodal imaging agents. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical significance of large rearrangements in BRCA1 and BRCA2
Authors: Judkins Thaddeus , Rosenthal Eric , Arnell Christopher , Burbidge Lynn Anne , Geary Wade , Barrus Toby , Schoenberger Jeremy , Trost Jeffrey , Wenstrup Richard J. , Roa Benjamin B.
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND:

Current estimates of the contribution of large rearrangement (LR) mutations in the BRCA1 (breast cancer 1, early onset) and BRCA2 (breast cancer 2, early onset) genes responsible for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are based on limited studies of relatively homogeneous patient populations. The prevalence of BRCA1/2 LRs was investigated in 48,456 patients with diverse clinical histories and ancestries, referred for clinical molecular testing for suspicion of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

METHODS:

Sanger sequencing analysis was performed for BRCA1/2 and LR testing for deletions and duplications using a quantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay. Prevalence data were analyzed for patients from different risk and ethnic groups between July 2007 and April 2011. Patients were designated as “high‐risk” if their clinical history predicted a high prior probability, wherein LR testing was performed automatically in conjunction with sequencing. “Elective” patients did not meet the high‐risk criteria, but underwent LR testing as ordered by the referring health care provider.

RESULTS:

Overall BRCA1/2 mutation prevalence among high‐risk patients was 23.8% versus 8.2% for the elective group. The mutation profile for high‐risk patients was 90.1% sequencing mutations versus 9.9% LRs, and for elective patients, 94.1% sequencing versus 5.9% LRs. This difference may reflect the bias in high‐risk patients to carry mutations in BRCA1, which has a higher penetrance and frequency of LRs compared with BRCA2. There were significant differences in the prevalence and types of LRs in patients of different ancestries. LR mutations were significantly more common in Latin American/Caribbean patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

Comprehensive LR testing in conjunction with full gene sequencing is an appropriate strategy for clinical BRCA1/2 analysis. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Assessment of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging (sixth and seventh editions) for clinically localized prostate cancer treated with external beam radiotherapy and comparison with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk‐stratification method
Authors: Zaorsky Nicholas G. , Li Tianyu , Devarajan Karthik , Horwitz Eric M. , Buyyounouski Mark K.
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND:

The objective of this study was to compare the prognostic value of the sixth and seventh editions of the American Joint Cancer Committee (AJCC)Cancer Staging Manualand the risk‐stratification model of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).

METHODS:

Two‐thousand four hundred twenty‐nine men who received definitive radiotherapy with or without androgen‐deprivation therapy (median follow‐up, 74 months) were analyzed.

RESULTS:

There was a migration of stage II patients to stage I with AJCC seventh edition (stage I increased from 1% to 38%, and stage II decreased from 91% to 55%). One pair‐wise comparison (4%) of Kaplan‐Meier estimates of biochemical failure, distant metastasis, prostate cancer‐specific survival, and overall survival between stages was statistically significant for the AJCC sixth edition. Conversely, 16 of 24 comparisons (67%) were significant for the AJCC seventh edition. With the NCCN risk‐stratification model, 9 of 12 comparisons (75%) were significant. Concordance probability estimate (CPE) and standard error (SE) analysis indicated uniform and significant improvement in the predictive power of the AJCC seventh edition versus the sixth edition for all outcomes. CPE ± SE values for the AJCC seventh edition versus the sixth edition were 0.51 ± 0.009 versus 0.59 ± 0.02, respectively, for biochemical failure; 0.54 ± 0.02 versus 0.70 ± 0.05, respectively, for distant metastasis; 0.57 ± 0.009 versus 0.76 ± 0.007, respectively, for prostate cancer‐specific survival; and 0.52 ± 0.006 versus 0.57 ± 0.01, respectively, for overall survival. CPE ± SE values for the NCCN model were 0.59 ± 0.02 for biochemical failure, 0.72 ± 0.05 for distant metastasis, 0.80 ± 0.01 for prostate cancer‐specific survival, and 0.57 ± 0.01 for overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results indicated that the seventh edition of theAJCC Cancer Staging Manualis a major improvement over the sixth edition, because it distributes patients better among the stages and is more prognostic. However, the NCCN model was superior to the AJCC seventh edition and remains the preferred method for risk‐based clinical management of prostate cancer with radiotherapy. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Completion of the human papillomavirus vaccine series among insured females between 2006 and 2009
Authors: Hirth Jacqueline M. , Tan Alai , Wilkinson Gregg S. , Berenson Abbey B.
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND:

Completion of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in a large percentage of young females is an important goal to prevent anogenital cancers associated with HPV. The current study examined whether the percentage of insured women who complete the vaccine series has changed across time, and how provider type and age at initiation affects rates of completion.

METHODS:

This retrospective cohort study used administrative data from a private insurance company. The study included 271,976 females in whom the HPV vaccine series was initiated and who had been continuously enrolled in their respective insurance plan for 365 days after vaccine initiation. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the odds of completing the vaccine series within 365 days after initiation.

RESULTS:

Females aged 13 years to 18 years, 19 years to 26 years, and ≥ 27 years were found to be less likely than those ages 9 years to 12 years to complete their HPV vaccine series. Obstetricians/gynecologists were more likely to administer vaccines to completers than pediatricians, whereas clinics, nurses, family care practitioners, and specialists were less likely to administer initial vaccines to completers compared with pediatricians. The results of the current study also found that females aged 9 years to 12 years and 13 years to 18 years had lower odds of completing the HPV vaccine series for each subsequent year compared with those aged 19 years to 26 years and ≥ 27 years.

CONCLUSIONS:

Among insured females in the United States, the percentage of females who complete the HPV vaccine series is dropping over time, especially among younger females, who are specifically targeted to receive the vaccine. Physicians need to stress the importance of completing all 3 vaccinations to their patients. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Thermal Conductivity of Three‐Dimensional Yukawa Liquids (Dusty Plasmas)
Authors: Shahzad A. , He M.‐G.
Published: April 2012

An improved method is proposed to investigate the behavior of a Yukawa liquid under the action of an external field strength using computer simulated nonequilibrium molecular dynamics. The thermal conductivity calculations with appropriate normalizations, in the limit of low value field strengths, are estimated over a wide range of the Coulomb coupling and screening strengths. The new simulations provide more reliable data for the thermal conductivity than the previously known results for the Yukawa liquids. The calculations show that the thermal conductivity is dependent on both the Coulomb coupling and screening parameters in the three‐dimensional (3D) Yukawa liquids. The low value field strength simulation data are found to obey the universal and quasiuniversal scaling. It is shown that the homogenous nonequilibrium method can be used to predict the thermal conductivity in Yukawa systems and to understand the fundamental features of 3D dusty plasma liquids (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An orthogonalized blind algorithm for hybrid of adaptive array and equalizer
Authors: Leou Maw‐Lin , Wu Chien‐Min , Liaw Yi‐Ching , Su Hui‐Kai
Published: April 2012

The problems generated by the interference will be more complicated in the future. A combination of adaptive array and equalizer has been employed to solve the problems of interference when an adaptive array alone cannot suppress all the interferences. A constant modules algorithm (CMA) of the combination system was proposed to solve the problems of insufficient degrees of freedom and main‐beam multipath interference when no training signal is transmitted. The limitation of the CMA for combination systems is due to its slow rate of convergence. In this paper, an orthogonalized blind algorithm for hybrid of array and equalizer (OBHAE) is proposed to combat the problems of the interference. Because the modified input vector of the adaptive array is orthogonalized by the OBHAE in advance, the convergent rate of the CMA system can be improved by the OBHAE. When the coherent interference presents, the performance of the system will be degraded. In this paper, an orthogonalized spatial smoothing blind (OSSB) algorithm is proposed to further enhance the cancellation of the coherent interference. In the OSSB, we combine the OBHAE with the spatial smoothing method to combat the coherent interference problem. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the merits of the OBHAE and the OSSB. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hepatic lipase activity is increased in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease beyond insulin resistance
Authors: Miksztowicz V. , Lucero D. , Zago V. , Cacciagiú L. , Lopez G. , Gonzalez Ballerga E. , Sordá J. , Fassio E. , Schreier L. , Berg G.
Published: April 2012

Background and objective

Hepatic lipase is a lipolytic enzyme mostly synthesized and localized at the surface of liver sinusoidal capillaries, which hydrolyses triglycerides and phospholipids of intermediate density, large low density (LDL) and high density lipoproteins. Hepatic lipase activity is increased in insulin resistant states. Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by insulin resistance. However, at present, no data are available regarding the behaviour of hepatic lipase with regard to the degree of hepatic steatosis. Our aim was to evaluate hepatic lipase activity in NAFLD patients and its relationship to the severity of hepatic steatosis.

Design and patients

We studied 48 patients with NAFLD (diagnosed by ultrasonography and confirmed by liver biopsy) and 30 controls. Steatosis was semi‐quantitatively assessed and considered as mild or grade 1, moderate or grade 2 and severe or grade 3. Measurements: hepatic lipase activity, lipid and lipoprotein profile (including intermediate density lipoproteins and dense LDL), adiponectin, insulin, glucose and high sensitivity C‐reactive protein were measured. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA) index was calculated.

Results

Patients with hepatic steatosis presented with higher hepatic lipase activity, HOMA and dense LDL and lower levels of adiponectin, high density lipoproteins, cholesterol and apoA‐I. Hepatic lipase activity positively correlated significantly with the severity of hepatic steatosis. Hepatic lipase correlated with a more atherogenic profile and persisted higher in patients even after corrected for age, gender, body mass index, HOMA and adiponectin.

Conclusion

The higher hepatic lipase activity in NAFLD patients contributes to a more atherogenic profile linked to increased cardiovascular risk, beyond the insulin resistance and the reduction in adiponectin. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adipokines and metabolic syndrome risk factors in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Roca‐Rodríguez M. Mar , López‐Tinoco Cristina , Fernández‐Deudero Álvaro , Murri Mora , García‐Palacios María Victoria , García‐Valero M. Amor , Tinahones‐Madueño Francisco J. , Aguilar‐Diosdado Manuel
Published: April 2012

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been recognized as a significant risk factor for metabolic syndrome and CVD. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationships between levels of cytokines, components of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk markers in women with previous gestational diabetes.

Methods

Women (n = 41) with gestational diabetes background (cases) and 21 healthy women (controls) in the postpartum period were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and uric acid and adipokine levels (TNF‐α, IL‐6, leptin and adiponectin) were compared and their relationships analysed. Metabolic syndrome prevalence was calculated by WHO and NCEP‐ATPIII definitions.

Results

There were significant differences between cases and controls: body mass index (kg/m2) 27.4 ± 5.6 vs 23.9 ± 3.6 (p = 0.013), waist circumference (cm) 85.2 ± 12.9 vs 77.5 ± 9.0 (p = 0.017), metabolic syndrome (WHO definition) 14.6% vs 0% (p = 0.012), metabolic syndrome (NCEP‐ATPIII definition) 22% vs 0% (p = 0.002), low HDL 36.6% vs 9.5% (p = 0.024), fasting glucose (mmol/L) 5.4 ± 0.6 vs 4.9 ± 0.2 (p < 0.001), glucose 120′ oral glucose tolerance test (mmol/L) 5.8 ± 1.7vs 4.7 ± 0.8 (p = 0.007), fasting insulin (μU/mL) 13.4 ± 8.1 vs 8.4 ± 4.3 (p = 0.004), HOMA index 3.3 ± 2.3 vs 1.8 ± 1.0 (p = 0.002), HbA1c (%) 5.4 ± 0.2 vs 5.2 ± 0.2 (p = 0.021), uric acid (mg/dL) 4.1 ± 1 vs 3.5 ± 0.6 (p = 0.009), leptin (ng/mL) 32 025.5 ± 19 917.3 vs 20 258.9 ± 16 359.9 (p = 0.023), respectively.

Conclusions

Women with previous gestational diabetes have central adiposity, atherogenic lipid profile, carbohydrate intolerance and adverse adipokine profile, all of which are risk factors for the future development of metabolic disease and CVD. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neurogenesis and progenitor cells in the adult human brain: A comparison between hippocampal and subventricular progenitor proliferation
Authors: Curtis Maurice A. , Low Victoria F. , Faull Richard L.M.
Published: April 2012

For more than a decade, we have known that the human brain harbors progenitor cells capable of becoming mature neurons in the adult human brain. Since the original landmark article by Eriksson etal. in1998 (Nat Med 4:1313‐1317), there have been many studies investigating the effect that depression, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease have on the germinal zones in the adult human brain. Of particular interest is the demonstration that there are far fewer progenitor cells in the hippocampal subgranular zone (SGZ) compared with the subventricular zone (SVZ) in the human brain. Furthermore, the quantity of progenitor cell proliferation in human neurodegenerative diseases differs from that of animal models of neurodegenerative diseases; there is minimal progenitor proliferation in the SGZ and extensive proliferation in the SVZ in the human. In this review, we will present the data from a range of human and rodent studies from which we can compare the amount of proliferation of cells in the SVZ and SGZ in different neurodegenerative diseases. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 72: 990–1005, 2012
Generation of Nkx2.2:lacZ mice using recombination‐mediated cassette exchange technology
Authors: Arnes Luis , Leclerc Kevin , Friel Jessica M. , Hipkens Susan B. , Magnuson Mark A. , Sussel Lori
Published: April 2012

Nkx2.2 encodes a homeodomain transcription factor required for the correct specification and/or differentiation of cells in the pancreas, intestine, and central nervous system (CNS). To follow the fate of cells deleted for Nkx2.2 within these tissues, we generated Nkx2.2:lacZ knockin mice using a recombination‐mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) approach. Expression analysis of lacZ and/or β‐galactosidase in Nkx2.2lacZ/+ heterozygote embryos and adults demonstrates that lacZ faithfully recapitulates endogenous Nkx2.2 expression. Furthermore, the Nkx2.2lacZ/lacZ homozygous embryos display phenotypes indistinguishable from the previously characterized Nkx2.2−/− strain. LacZ expression analyses in the Nkx2.2lacZ/lacZ homozygous embryos indicate that Nkx2.2‐expressing progenitor cells within the pancreas are generated in their normal numbers and are not mislocalized within the pancreatic ductal epithelium or developing islets. In the CNS of Nkx2.2lacZ/lacZ embryos, LacZ‐expressing cells within the ventral P3 progenitor domain display different migration properties depending on the developmental stage and their respective differentiation potential. genesis 50:612–624, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Shifts in morphology and diet of non‐native sticklebacks introduced into Japanese crater lakes
Authors: Adachi Tatsuya , Ishikawa Asano , Mori Seiichi , Makino Wataru , Kume Manabu , Kawata Masakado , Kitano Jun
Published: April 2012

An increasing number of exotic animals are causing ecological problems. Therefore, for better ecosystem management, it is important to understand how exotic species colonize and adapt to novel environments. The threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) can be a good vertebrate model system to explore the ecological and genetic mechanisms of adaptation not only in natural populations, but also in non‐native populations. Although morphological changes have been documented in several introduced populations of stickleback, little is known about the dietary changes during colonization into novel environments. Here, we investigated the morphological and dietary changes of exotic threespine stickleback populations introduced into three Japanese crater lakes (Lake Towada, Lake Kussharo, and Lake Shikotsu). Sticklebacks were introduced into the crater lakes likely along with salmonids transplanted for aquaculture. The stickleback population in Lake Kussharo had multiple mitochondrial haplotypes and had larger phenotypic variances than other crater lake stickleback populations that had only one mitochondrial haplotype. Compilation of historical data on the morphology and stomach contents of the Lake Towada stickleback population showed that substantial shifts in body size and stomach contents occurred after colonization. Some of these changes may be related to an outbreak of theSchistocephalusparasite. These results suggest that sticklebacks can change their morphology and trophic ecology when they colonize novel environments. Therefore, extreme care should be taken when salmonids are transported between watersheds for aquaculture and that long‐term monitoring of exotic species is essential for ecosystem management. In addition, further genetic studies on phenotypic changes in crater lake sticklebacks would help elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying the adaptation of exotic fishes to novel environments.
Proteomics study of rice embryogenesis: Discovery of the embryogenesis‐dependent globulins
Authors: Zi Jin , Zhang Jiyuan , Wang Quanhui , Lin Liang , Tong Wei , Bai Xue , Zhao Jingjing , Chen Zhen , Fu Xiqin , Liu Siqi
Published: April 2012

The plant embryo is the germination center of the seed. How an embryo forms during seed maturation remains unclear, especially in the case of monocotyledonous plants. Generally, the complex processes of embryogenesis result from the action of a coordinated network of genes. Thus, a large‐scale survey of changes in protein abundance during embryogenesis is an effective approach to study the molecular events of embryogenesis. In this study, two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) was applied to separate rice embryo proteins collected during the three phases of embryogenesis: 6 days after pollination (DAP), 12 DAP, and 18 DAP. We then employed matrix‐assisted laser desorption‐ionization time of flight/time of flight mass spectrometry(MALDI TOF/TOF MS) to identify the phase‐dependent differential 2DE spots. A total of 66 spots were discovered to be regulated during embryogenesis, and of these spots, 53 spots were identified. These proteins were further categorized into several functional classes, including storage, embryo development, stress response, glycolysis, and protein metabolism. Intriguingly, the major differential spots originated from three globulins. We further examined the possible mechanism underlying the globulins’ multiple forms using Western blotting, proteolysis, and blue native gel electrophoresis techniques and found that the multiple forms of globulins were produced as a result of enhanced proteolysis during embryogenesis, indicating that these globulin forms may serve as chaperone proteins participating in the formation of multiple protein complexes during embryogenesis.