bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanomaterials and processes for carbon capture and conversion into useful by‐products for a sustainable energy future
Authors: Ashley Michael , Magiera Charles , Ramidi Punnamchandar , Blackburn Gary , Scott Timothy G , Gupta Rajeev , Wilson Kerry , Ghosh Anindya , Biswas Abhijit
Published: December 2012

This review provides a comprehensive reflection of the recent advances in nanomaterials and processes for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and conversion. It is divided into two sections: carbon capture, and conversion into useful by‐products. The latest developments in nanotechnology‐enabled carbon capture processes along with an overview of the conventional technologies for carbon capture are described. Descriptions of by‐product conversion include conversion into important chemicals, liquid fuels, and hydrocarbon such as carbonate, methane, methanol, and formic acid. Finally, perspectives on the future directions in carbon capture and storage technology are presented. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The current and future state of CCS and its deployment around the world
Authors: Taylor Mark
Published: December 2012

The SBC Energy Institute, a non‐profit organization founded in 2011 as an initiative of Schlumberger Business Consulting (SBC), has produced what is the first in a series of studies looking at carbon capture and storage (CCS). The first report, Leading the Energy Transition: Bringing Carbon Capture and Storage to Market, highlights the status of current technologies, analyzes the situation of demonstration and deployment projects, and gives perspectives on the future of CCS projects. The CCS Insight team at Bloomberg New Energy Finance, led by Mark Taylor, was instrumental in providing data and reviewing the report. Taylor discusses some of the report's main findings.
(2‐Bromoethyl)sulfonium Trifluoromethanesulfonates in Stereoselective Annulation Reactions for the Formation of Fused Bicyclic Epoxides and Aziridines
Authors: Fritz Sven P. , Ali Zulfiquar , Unthank Matthew G. , McGarrigle Eoghan M. , Aggarwal Varinder K.
Published: December 2012

A versatile and simple method is reported for the synthesis of bicyclic epoxide and aziridinefused heterocycles (up to 98% yield, up to 96 : 4 er or up to 15 : 1 dr), using a tandem Michael addition/JohnsonCoreyChaykovsky annulation approach. A new chiral (2‐bromoethyl)sulfonium reagent is described, based on an easily available chiral sulfide; it promotes or enhances stereoselectivity in the reaction.
cis‐trans Peptide‐Bond Isomerization in α‐Methylproline Derivatives
Authors: Torbeev Vladimir Y. , Fumi Erik , Ebert Marc‐Olivier , Schweizer W. Bernd , Hilvert Donald
Published: December 2012

α‐Methyl‐L‐proline is an α‐substituted analog of proline that has been previously employed to constrain prolyl peptide bonds in a trans conformation. Here, we revisit the cis‐trans prolyl peptide bond equilibrium in derivatives of α‐methyl‐L‐proline, such as N‐Boc‐protected α‐methyl‐L‐proline and the hexapeptide H‐Ala‐Tyr‐αMePro‐Tyr‐Asp‐Val‐OH. In Boc‐α‐methyl‐L‐proline, we found that both cis and trans conformers were populated, whereas, in the short peptide, only the trans conformer was detected. The energy barrier for the cis‐trans isomerization in Boc‐α‐methyl‐L‐proline was determined by line‐shape analysis of NMR spectra obtained at different temperatures and found to be 1.24 kcal/mol (at 298 K) higher than the corresponding value for Boc‐L‐proline. These findings further illuminate the conformationally constraining properties of α‐methyl‐L‐proline.
Ring‐Extended Gramicidin S Analogs Containing cis δ‐Sugar Amino Acid Turn Mimetics with Varying Ring Size
Authors: Knijnenburg Annemiek D. , Spalburg Emile , de Neeling Albert J. , Mars‐Groenendijk Roos H. , Noort Daan , Grotenbreg Gijsbert M. , van der Marel Gijs A. , Overkleeft Herman S. , Overhand Mark
Published: December 2012

This article presents a series of ring‐extended gramicidin S derivatives, 9–14, that have four ornithine residues as polar protonated side chains and one modified turn region containing a mono‐functionalized cis‐δ‐oxetane, δ‐furanoid, or δ‐pyranoid sugar amino acid residue. Of the GS analogs evaluated, we identified compound 7, which contains the mono‐benzyloxy cis‐δ‐pyranoid sugar amino acid, as having a better biological profile than the clinically applied topical antibiotic gramicidin S.
A Study on the Diastereoselective Synthesis of α‐Fluorinated β3‐Amino Acids by α‐Fluorination
Authors: Peddie Victoria , Abell Andrew D.
Published: December 2012

The treatment of a β3‐amino acid methyl ester with 2.2 equiv. of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA), followed by reaction with 5 equiv. of N‐fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) at −78° for 2.5 h and then 2 h at 0°, gives syn‐fluorination with high diastereoisomeric excess (de). The de and yield in these reactions are somewhat influenced by both the size of the amino acid side chain and the nature of the amine protecting group. In particular, fluorination of N‐Boc‐protected β3‐homophenylalanine, β3‐homoleucine, β3‐homovaline, and β3‐homoalanine methyl esters, 5 and 9–11, respectively, all proceeded with high de (>86% of the syn‐isomer). However, fluorination of N‐Boc‐protected β3‐homophenylglycine methyl ester (16) occurred with a significantly reduced de. The use of a Cbz or Bz amine‐protecting group (see 3 and 15) did not improve the de of fluorination. However, an N‐Ac protecting group (see 17) gave a reduced de of 26%. Thus, a large N‐protecting group should be employed in order to maximize selectivity for the syn‐isomer in these fluorination reactions.
Minimally Competent Lewis Acid Catalysts: Indium(III) and Bismuth(III) Salts Produce Rhamnosides (=6‐Deoxymannosides) in High Yield and Purity
Authors: Coss Clifford , Carrocci Tucker , Maier Raina M. , Pemberton Jeanne E. , Polt Robin
Published: December 2012

Glycosylation of decan‐1‐ol (2), (±)‐decan‐2‐ol (3), and (±)‐methyl 3‐hydroxydecanoate (4) with L‐rhamnose peracetate 5 to produce rhamnosides (=6‐deoxymannosides) 6, 7, and 8 in the presence of Lewis acids BF3⋅Et2O, Sc(OTf)3, InBr3, and Bi(OTf)3 was studied (Table 1). While the strong Lewis acids BF3⋅Et2O and Sc(OTf)3 were effective as glycosylation promoters, they had to be used in excess; however, glycosylation required careful control of reaction times and temperatures, and these Lewis acids produced impurities in addition to the desired glycosides. Enantiomerically pure rhamnosides (R)‐1 and (S)‐1 (Fig.) were obtained from L‐rhamnose peracetate 5 and (±)‐benzyl 3‐hydroxydecanoate (9) via the diastereoisomeric rhamnosides 10 (Table 2; Scheme 3). The much weaker Lewis acids InBr3 and Bi(OTfl)3 produced purer products in high yield under a wider range of conditions (higher temperatures), and were effective glycosylation promoters even when used catalytically (<10% catalyst; Table 2). We refer to these Lewis acids as ‘minimally competent Lewis acids’ (cf. Scheme 4).
Design and Synthesis of Nucleoproline Amino Acids for the Straightforward Preparation of Chiral and Conformationally Constrained Nucleopeptides
Authors: Kramer Rolf A. , Bleicher Konrad H. , Wennemers Helma
Published: December 2012

A straightforward synthesis of orthogonally protected nucleoproline (Nup) amino acids and their coupling to oligomers are described. A key step is the attachment of alkynylated nucleobases to Fmoc‐protected 4‐azidoproline (Fmoc‐Azp‐OH) by a Cu‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition (‘click reaction’). The developed protocol allows preparation of the nucleoprolines in scales of >30 g. Solid‐phase peptide synthesis proved to be straightforward with these Nup amino acids. The resulting oligonucleoproline peptides adopt defined helices, are very well H2O soluble, and show comparable cell‐penetrating properties as recently reported α‐nucleoalanine peptides.
Biochemically and topographically engineered poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogels with biomimetic characteristics as substrates for human corneal epithelial cells
Authors: Yañez‐Soto B. , Liliensiek S. J. , Murphy C. J. , Nealey P. F.
Published: December 2012

Incorporation of biophysical and biochemical cues into the design of biomaterials is an important strategy for tissue engineering, the design of biomedical implants and cell culture. Hydrogels synthesized from poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) were investigated as a platform to simultaneously present human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs)in vitrowith topography and adhesion peptides to mimic the native physical and chemical attributes of the basement membrane underlying the epitheliumin vivo. Hydrogels synthesized from aqueous solutions of 20% PEGDA (Mw= 3400 g/mol) prevented nonspecific cell adhesion and were functionalized with the integrin‐binding peptide Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) in concentrations from 5 to 20 mM. The hydrogels swelled minimally after curing and were molded with ridge and groove features with lateral dimensions from 200 to 2000 nm and 300‐nm depth. HCECs were cultured on topographic surfaces functionalized with RGD and compared with control unfunctionalized topographic substrates. HCEC alignment, either parallel or perpendicular to ridges, was influenced by the culture media on substrates promoting nonspecific attachment. In contrast, the alignment of HCECs cultured on RGD hydrogels showed substantially less dependence on the culture media. In the latter case, the moldable RGD‐functionalized hydrogels allowed for decoupling the cues from surface chemistry, soluble factors, and topography that simultaneously impact HCEC behavior. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Cell–material interactions on biphasic polyurethane matrix
Authors: Dicesare Patrick , Fox Wade M. , Hill Michael J. , Krishnan G. Rajesh , Yang Shuying , Sarkar Debanjan
Published: December 2012

Cell–matrix interaction is a key regulator for controlling stem cell fate in regenerative tissue engineering. These interactions are induced and controlled by the nanoscale features of extracellular matrix and are mimicked on synthetic matrices to control cell structure and functions. Recent studies have shown that nanostructured matrices can modulate stem cell behavior and exert specific role in tissue regeneration. In this study, we have demonstrated that nanostructured phase morphology of synthetic matrix can control adhesion, proliferation, organization and migration of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Nanostructured biodegradable polyurethanes (PU) with segmental composition exhibit biphasic morphology at nanoscale dimensions and can control cellular features of MSCs. Biodegradable PU with polyester soft segment and hard segment composed of aliphatic diisocyanates and dipeptide chain extender were designed to examine the effect polyurethane phase morphology. By altering the polyurethane composition, morphological architecture of PU was modulated and its effect was examined on MSC. Results show that MSCs can sense the nanoscale morphology of biphasic polyurethane matrix to exhibit distinct cellular features and, thus, signifies the relevance of matrix phase morphology. The role of nanostructured phases of a synthetic matrix in controlling cell–matrix interaction provides important insights for regulation of cell behavior on synthetic matrix and, therefore, is an important tool for engineering tissue regeneration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Influence of processing parameters on microstructure and biocompatibility of surface laser sintered hydroxyapatite–SiO2 composites
Authors: Kivitz E. , Görke R. , Schilling A. F. , Zhang J. , Heinrich J. G.
Published: December 2012

Silica‐doped hydroxyapatite (HA) is a promising material concerning biocompatibility to natural bone, bioactivity and osteoconductive characteristics. HA exhibits phase transformations during sintering which are attendant to the change in volume and thermal strain. To avoid cracks during sintering, the exact knowledge of the phase transition temperatures is necessary. The sintering behavior of HA can be improved by adding amorphous silica with a low coefficient of thermal expansion. Therefore, the phase transformations in the system HA–SiO2 were analyzed by using differential scanning calorimetry followed by quantitative phase analysis by X‐ray diffraction with the Riedveld method. The maximum sintering temperature without reversible phase transformation was defined as 1265°C. In laser surface sintered (LSS) samples, amorphous SiO2, HA, and Si‐α‐TCP (or α‐TCP) were detected. By comparison, only crystalline phases, such as cristobalite, HA, β‐TCP, and Si‐α‐TCP (or α‐TCP), were determined after furnace sintering. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of furnace sintered and LSS samples show the differences in the resulting microstructures. Biocompatibility was determined by measuring cell activity of osteoblasts cultivated on four laser‐sintered materials in the HA–SiO2 system in comparison to normal cell culture plastic. Cell proliferation was similar on all surfaces. The level of the cell activity on day 8 varied depending on the composition of the material and increased linearly as the amorphous SiO2 content rose. Taken together a laser‐based method to develop novel biocompatible HA–SiO2 ceramics with adjustable properties and possible applications as orthopedic bioceramics are discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Starved for Credit? Bank Lending Strategies and Constraints
Authors: Sagner James S.
Published: December 2012

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) often require financing and bank loans. But the problem that corporations face in obtaining loans hasn't been much relieved in the years since the 2008 credit crisis. The author of this article, a financial consultant, reports that clients are constantly complaining about the difficulty in obtaining financing. And many clients blame the banks for their plight. This article discusses the complex issues impacting this situation and strategies that corporate treasurers can take to cope with the problem. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
U.S. Firms: Still Too Much Cash?
Authors: Marcum Bill , Martin Dale R. , Strickland Deon
Published: December 2012

U.S. firms have been accumulating cash fairly steadily since the 1980s. Has this changed four years after the “official” end of the recession? And are both large and small firms continuing to retain cash? © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Auditing Treasury Operations: Risks and Traps
Authors: Nogler George , Jang Inwon
Published: December 2012

Auditing a company's treasury operations can now be a maze of risks and traps. For a small company, a treasury audit may be as simple as verifying the cash balances. But today's increasingly complex global financial environment produces many challenges for the auditor. The authors discuss the situation and suggest how auditors can better cope with it. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Repeated subrupture overload causes progression of nanoscaled discrete plasticity damage in tendon collagen fibrils
Authors: Veres Samuel P. , Harrison Julia M. , Lee J. Michael
Published: December 2012

A critical feature of tendons and ligaments is their ability to resist rupture when overloaded, resulting in strains or sprains instead of ruptures. To treat these injuries more effectively, it is necessary to understand how overload affects the primary load‐bearing elements of these tissues: collagen fibrils. We have investigated how repeated subrupture overload alters the collagen of tendons at the nanoscale. Using scanning electron microscopy to examine fibril morphology and hydrothermal isometric tension testing to look at molecular stability, we demonstrated that tendon collagen undergoes a progressive cascade of discrete plasticity damage when repeatedly overloaded. With successive overload cycles, fibrils develop an increasing number of kinks along their length. These kinks—discrete zones of plastic deformation known to contain denatured collagen molecules—are accompanied by a progressive and eventual total loss ofD‐banding along the surface of fibrils, indicating a loss of native molecular packing and further molecular denaturation. Thermal analysis of molecular stability showed that the destabilization of collagen molecules within fibrils is strongly related to the amount of strain energy dissipated by the tendon after yielding during tensile overload. These novel findings raise new questions about load transmission within tendons and their fibrils and about the interplay between crosslinking, strain‐energy dissipation ability, and molecular denaturation within these structures. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 731–737, 2013
Biomechanical and rheological characterization of mild intervertebral disc degeneration in a large animal model
Authors: Detiger Suzanne E.L. , Hoogendoorn Roel J.W. , van der Veen Albert J. , van Royen Barend J. , Helder Marco N. , Koenderink Gijsje H. , Smit Theo H.
Published: December 2012

Biomechanical properties of healthy and degenerated nucleus pulposus (NP) are thought to be important for future regenerative strategies for intervertebral disc (IVD) repair. However, which properties are pivotal as design criteria when developing NP replacement materials is ill understood. Therefore, we determined and compared segmental biomechanics and NP viscoelastic properties in normal and mildly degenerated discs. In eight goats, three lumbar IVDs were chemically degenerated using chondroitinase ABC (CABC), confirmed with radiography and MRI after euthanasia 12 weeks post‐operative. Neutral zone (NZ) stiffness and range of motion (ROM) were determined sagitally, laterally, and rotationally for each spinal motion segment (SMS) using a mechanical testing device. NPs were isolated for oscillatory shear experiments; elastic and viscous shear moduli followed from the ratio between shear stress and strain. Water content was quantified by weighing before and after freeze‐drying. Disc height on radiographs and signal intensity on MRI decreased (6% and 22%, respectively, p < 0.01) after CABC treatment, confirming that chemical degeneration provides a good model of disc degeneration. Furthermore, CABC‐injected IVDs had significantly lower NZ stiffness and larger ROM in lateral bending (LB) and axial rotation (AR) than controls. Rheometry consistently revealed significantly lower (10–12%) viscoelastic moduli after mild degeneration within goats, though the inter‐animal differences were relatively large (complex modulus ∼12 to 41 kPa). Relative water content in the NP was unaffected by CABC, remaining at ∼75%. These observations suggest that viscoelastic properties have a marginal influence on mechanical behavior of the whole SMS. Therefore, when developing replacement materials the focus should be on other design criteria, such as biochemical cues and swelling pressure. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 703–709, 2013
Tonsilloplasty versus tonsillectomy in children with sleep‐disordered breathing: Short‐ and long‐term outcomes
Authors: Chaidas Konstantinos S. , Kaditis Athanasios G. , Papadakis Chariton E. , Papandreou Nikolaos , Koltsidopoulos Petros , Skoulakis Charalampos E.
Published: December 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis

Adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy (TE) is the standard treatment for obstructive sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Tonsilloplasty (TP) is a new surgical technique that includes partial TE. The purpose of this study was to assess the short‐ and long‐term outcomes of TP compared to TE.

Study Design

A comparison study.

Methods

Children with SDB and tonsillar hypertrophy underwent TP or TE. The two groups were compared regarding immediate postoperative course and long‐term effects.

Results

Fifty‐one children (age, 6.3 ± 2.5 years) underwent TE, and 50 children (age, 5.9 ± 2.1 years) had TP. The TP group had significantly less intraoperative bleeding compared to the TE group (25.6 ± 8.2 vs. 38.3 ± 12.3 mL, P < .001). Subjects with TP were pain free earlier than children with TE (4.5 ± 0.4 vs. 7.7 ± 0.4 days, P < .001) and returned to a normal diet sooner (3.8 ± 0.2 vs. 7.1 ± 0.3 days, P < .001). By the 3rd to 4th postoperative night, upper airway obstruction was relieved in all participants. Six years postoperatively, 48 of 51 children in the TE group and 43 of 50 children in the TP group participated in a telephone survey. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the frequency of recurrent snoring (30.2% in TP vs. 25% in TE), apneas (4.7% vs. 0%), and upper airway infections per year (P > .05).

Conclusions

TP is an alternative surgical method for treatment of SDB related to tonsillar hypertrophy with favorable postoperative course and comparable long‐term results.

Level of Evidence

2c.
Differential proteomics identifies PDIA3 as a novel chemoprevention target in human colon cancer cells
Authors: Ménoret Antoine , Drew David A. , Miyamoto Shingo , Nakanishi Masako , Vella Anthony T. , Rosenberg Daniel W.
Published: December 2012

Chemoprevention offers a promising strategy to prevent or delay the development of various cancers. Critical to this approach is the identification of molecular targets that may track with chemopreventive efficacy. To address this issue, we screened a panel of chemoprevention agents, including resveratrol, epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate, ursodeoxycholic acid, and sulindac sulfide for their effects on human colon cancer cell viability. Resveratrol elicited the most potent effect in HCT116 cells and was selected for further study. Proteomic PF 2D maps were generated from HCT116 cells treated with resveratrol versus vehicle alone. Analysis of proteomic maps using tandem mass spectrometry (MS) identified a panel of differentially modified proteins. Two proteins, actin and Hsp60, were previously shown in other cell culture systems to be affected by resveratrol, validating our approach. PDIA3, RPL19, histone H2B and TCP1β were uniquely identified by our proteomic discovery platform. PDIA3 was of particular interest given its potential role in regulating chemosensitivity of cancer cells. Total levels of PDIA3 in HCT116 cells were unchanged following 24 h of resveratrol treatment, confirmed by Western blot analysis. Immunoprecipitation of PDIA3 revealed a new set of client proteins following resveratrol treatment, including α, β, and δ‐catenins, and cellular fractionation identified decreased nuclear localization of α‐catenin by resveratrol. These data establish differential proteomic mapping as a powerful tool for identifying novel molecular targets of chemopreventive agents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reconstruction of large composite buccal defects using single soft tissue flap—analysis of functional outcome
Authors: Kekatpure Vikram D. , Manjula B.V. , Mathias Smita , Trivedi Nirav P. , Selvam Sumithra , Kuriakose Moni Abraham
Published: December 2012

Resection of advanced gingivo‐buccal tumors results in a posterolateral mandibular and large soft tissue defect. Because of large soft tissue requirement, these defects are difficult to reconstruct using a single osteocutaneous flap. A double free flap reconstruction of such defects is recommended. However, double flap may not be feasible in certain situations. In this study, we objectively evaluated functional and cosmetic outcomes following single soft‐tissue flap reconstruction in a group of patients where double flap reconstruction was not feasible. Patient and defect characteristics were obtained from charts. The speech and swallowing functions of patients were prospectively assessed by a dedicated therapist. The cosmetic outcome of reconstruction was evaluated by an independent observer. Fifty‐six patients with large soft tissue and segmental posterolateral mandible defect, reconstructed with anterolateral thigh or pectoralis major flap from May 2009 till December 2010 were included. In this series, none of the flaps were lost; two patients with pectoralis major flap developed partial skin paddle loss. Most of the patients developed mandibular drift; however, majority of these patients had no postoperative trismus. All patients resumed regular or soft solid oral diet. The mean speech intelligibility was more than 70%. Majority of patients had satisfactory cosmetic outcome. The defects were classified into regions resected to develop a reconstruction algorithm for optimal reconstruction using a free or pedicle flap. In conclusion, patients with large oro‐mandibular defect undergoing single soft tissue flap reconstruction have satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcome. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.
Latissimus dorsi flap harvest with a short incision
Authors: Tan Onder , Aydin Osman Enver , Cinal Hakan , Barin Ensar Zafer , Algan Said , Kuduban Selma Denktas , Kara Murat , Inaloz Akin
Published: December 2012

Latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is one of the most common options utilized in reconstructive armamentarium. In this report, we present our experience on harvest of the full LD muscle flap through a short incision. Twelve free and two pedicled full LD muscle flaps were raised in 14 patients (9 males and 5 females). In this technique, an oblique incision was placed 5–7 cm caudal to axillary apex, beginning from the posterior axillary line, so as to center the neurovascular hilus. The length of incision was 10 cm in adults and 8 cm in children. Mean dissection time was 45 min. All flaps survived totally. Seroma formation developed in two cases and treated with syringe aspiration and compressive dressing. In late postoperative period, donor site scars became inconspicuous and patient satisfaction was high. Short incision technique may be a good option to overcome scar problems in donor site of the LD flap. The technique reduces the dissection time and does not require sophisticated surgical devices and skill, when compared to endoscopic LD flap harvesting from the literature. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.
A metabonomics investigation of multiple sclerosis by nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Mehrpour Masoud , Kyani Anahita , Tafazzoli Mohsen , Fathi Fariba , Joghataie Mohammad‐Taghi
Published: December 2012

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a nervous system disease that affects the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord, leading to demyelination and a broad range of signs and symptoms. MS can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms may be similar to other medical problems. To find out which metabolites in serum are effective for the diagnosis of MS, we utilized metabolic profiling using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐NMR). Random forest (RF) was used to classify the MS patients and healthy subjects. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to measure the serum levels of selenium. The results showed that the levels of selenium were lower in the MS group, when compared with the control group. RF was used to identify the metabolites that caused selenium changes in people with MS by building a correlation model between these metabolites and serum levels of selenium. For the external test set, the obtained classification model showed a 93% correct classification of MS and healthy subjects. The regression model of levels of selenium and metabolites showed the correlation (R2) value of 0.88 for the external test set. The results indicate the suitability of NMR as a screen for identifying MS patients and healthy subjects. A novel model with good prediction outcomes was constructed between serum levels of selenium and NMR data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High rates of recurrent biliary tract obstruction in children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Amoako Martha O. , Casella James F. , Strouse John J.
Published: December 2012

Background

Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have an increased risk of cholelithiasis from bilirubin stones. Symptomatic biliary tract disease (BTD) includes acute and chronic cholecystitis, obstruction of the common bile duct (CBD), cholangitis, and gallstone pancreatitis. Cholecystectomy is the main treatment strategy for symptomatic patients; however, the prevalence of recurrent BTD following cholecystectomy has not been systematically evaluated. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to describe the recurrence of BTD after cholecystectomy and characterize risk factors for recurrent disease.

Procedure

We identified patients <22 years of age who presented to the Johns Hopkins Children Center with symptomatic BTD from July 1993 to June 2008.

Results

We identified 56 patients with a total of 76 episodes of symptomatic BTD (median age at first event 15.9, range 4.6–21.5 years). Eleven of the 56 patients (19.6%) had at least one episode of recurrent symptomatic BTD (median follow‐up of 5.3 years). Baseline characteristics were similar between the patients with a single episode of BTD and those with recurrent BTD.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that recurrent BTD is a frequent complication of SCD (20% by age 4 years) and often presents as CBD obstruction by stone, despite cholecystectomy. In our cohort, recurrence was not associated with age at first episode, baseline total bilirubin, gender, or genotype of SCD. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 650–652. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of TP53 as an acute lymphocytic leukemia susceptibility gene through exome sequencing
Authors: Powell Bradford C. , Jiang Lichun , Muzny Donna M. , Treviño Lisa R. , Dreyer ZoAnn E. , Strong Louise C. , Wheeler David A. , Gibbs Richard A. , Plon Sharon E.
Published: December 2012

Although acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer, genetic predisposition to ALL remains poorly understood. Whole‐exome sequencing was performed in an extended kindred in which five individuals had been diagnosed with leukemia. Analysis revealed a nonsense variant of TP53 which has been previously reported in families with sarcomas and other typical Li Fraumeni syndrome‐associated cancers but never in a familial leukemia kindred. This unexpected finding enabled identification of an appropriate sibling bone marrow donor and illustrates that exome sequencing will reveal atypical clinical presentations of even well‐studied genes. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: E1–E3. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Children's Oncology Group's 2013 blueprint for research: Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Kelly Kara M. , Hodgson David , Appel Burton , Chen Lu , Cole Peter D. , Horton Terzah , Keller Frank G. ,   on behalf of the COG Hodgkin Lymphoma Committee
Published: December 2012

In childhood Hodgkin lymphoma, estimated 5 years survival rates exceed 90%. Long‐term survival continues to decline from delayed toxicities. Key findings from recent Children's Oncology Group trials include: (1) Radiotherapy selection may be based on early chemotherapy response assessed by both FDG‐PET and CT imaging, (2) A new prognostic factor score stratifies patients into risk categories; and (3) novel retrieval regimens were identified. A phase I/II trial is investigating Brentuximab vedotin (Bv) with gemcitabine in relapsed patients. A phase 3 trial will modify conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy approaches through the addition of Bv, while incorporating translational biology to identify molecular targets. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 972–978. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Children's Oncology Group's 2013 blueprint for research: Radiation oncology
Authors: Merchant Thomas E. , Hodgson David , Laack Nadia N.I. , Wolden Suzanne , Indelicato Danny J. , Kalapurakal John A. ,   on behalf of the COG Radiation Oncology Discipline Committee
Published: December 2012

Radiation therapy (RT) is used to treat children with CNS tumors, solid tumors or Hodgkin lymphoma. Pediatric radiation oncologists have provided critical input into the development and implementation of concepts for clinical trials to further define the modality's role and test newer methods to reduce side effects or intensify therapy. The quality of pediatric oncology clinical trials that include radiation therapy is linked to the quality of guidelines. Radiation oncology is an adult medical specialty; thus, pediatric radiation oncologists are uniquely positioned to work with adult cancer investigators in the reorganized US National Cancer Institute Clinic Trials Network. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 1037–1043. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Children's Oncology Group's 2013 blueprint for research: Cancer control and supportive care
Authors: Sung Lillian , Zaoutis Theo , Ullrich Nicole J. , Johnston Donna , Dupuis Lee , Ladas Elena ,   on behalf of the Children's Oncology Group Cancer Control and Supportive Care Committee
Published: December 2012

In cancer control research, the objective is to reduce overall morbidity and mortality by decreasing acute and delayed treatment‐related toxicities in all children with cancer. To date, the Children's Oncology Group (COG) has focused on infection, neurocognition, quality of life (QoL), and nutrition/antiemetics. COG is conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine prophylaxis strategies that will reduce infections in high‐risk populations. Two RCTs are determining if modafinil or computerized cognitive training improve cognitive functioning in pediatric brain tumor patients. QoL is being assessed in acute leukemia patients. Improved supportive care outcomes will only occur when the most effective interventions are established. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 1027–1030. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Children's Oncology Group's 2013 blueprint for research: Acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Gamis Alan S. , Alonzo Todd A. , Perentesis John P. , Meshinchi Soheil ,   on behalf of the COG Acute Myeloid Leukemia Committee
Published: December 2012

For the 365 children diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in the US annually, 5‐year survival for patients on COG trials with low, intermediate, and high risk disease is 83%, 62%, and 23%, respectively. Recent advances include improved therapeutic stratification, improved survival with dose intensification, and further elucidation of the heterogeneity specific to childhood AML. These discoveries now guide current strategy incorporating targeted agents to pathways specific to childhood AML as well as evaluating methods to increase the sensitivity of the leukemic stem cell, first in Phase II feasibility trials followed by Phase III efficacy trials of the most promising agents. Acute myeloid leukemia in children, though with similar subgroups to adults, remains uniquely different based upon quite different prevalence of subtypes as well as overall response to therapy. The Children's Oncology Group's research agenda builds upon earlier efforts to better elucidate the leukemogenic steps distinct to childhood AML in order to more scientifically develop and test novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment and ultimate cure for children with this disorder. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 964–971. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Children's Oncology Group's 2013 blueprint for research: Neuroblastoma
Authors: Park Julie R. , Bagatell Rochelle , London Wendy B. , Maris John M. , Cohn Susan L. , Mattay Katherine M. , Hogarty Michael ,   on behalf of the COG Neuroblastoma Committee
Published: December 2012

Estimated 5‐year survival rates for patients with non‐high‐risk and high‐risk neuroblastoma are 90% and 50%, respectively. Recent clinical trials have shown excellent outcomes with reduced therapy for non‐high‐risk disease. For patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma treated with chemoradiotherapy, surgery, and stem cell transplantation, the addition of anti‐disialoganglioside (GD2) immunotherapy plus cytokines improves survival. Upcoming trials will study the incorporation of targeted radionuclide therapy prior to myeloablative chemotherapy into high‐risk treatment. Phase 2 trials will investigate druggable target(s) including mTOR inhibition and GD2‐directed therapy in combination with chemotherapy for patients with recurrent neuroblastoma, and ALK inhibition for those with ALK‐aberrant tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 985–993. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Children's Oncology Group's 2013 blueprint for research: Soft tissue sarcomas
Authors: Hawkins Douglas S. , Spunt Sheri L. , Skapek Stephen X. ,   on behalf of the COG Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee
Published: December 2012

In the US, approximately 850–900 children are diagnosed each year with soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Key findings from recent Children's Oncology Group (COG) clinical trials include safe reduction in therapy for low risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), validation of FOXO1 fusion as a prognostic factor, a modest improvement in outcome for high‐risk RMS, and a biologically designed non‐cytotoxic therapy for pediatric desmoid tumor. Planned Phase 2 trials include targeted agents for VEGF/PDGF, mTOR, and IGF‐1R for children with RMS and VEGF for children with non‐RMS STS (NRSTS). For RMS, COG Phase 3 trials potentially will explore VEGF/mTOR inhibition or chemotherapy interval compression. For NRSTS, a COG Phase 3 trial will explore VEGF inhibition. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 1001–1008. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clofarabine salvage therapy for refractory high‐risk langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: Abraham Allistair , Alsultan Abdulrahman , Jeng Michael , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos , Campbell Patrick K.
Published: December 2012

Pediatric patients with refractory multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) have a poor prognosis despite aggressive chemotherapy. Salvage therapy with cytarabine and cladribine has shown promise as an effective treatment but is associated with significant toxicity. A previous report described two patients with refractory LCH who had a rapid response to single‐agent clofarabine with minimal toxicity. In this report, we describe four children with refractory, risk‐organ‐positive LCH who were treated with clofarabine and provide follow‐up for the two previously reported cases. The results support development of a formal trial evaluating clofarabine as front‐line salvage for refractory LCH. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: E19–E22. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Children's Oncology Group's 2013 blueprint for research: Stem cell transplantation
Authors: Grupp Stephan A. , Dvorak Christopher C. , Nieder Michael L. , Levine John E. , Wall Donna A. , Langholz Bryan , Pulsipher Michael A. ,   on behalf of the COG Stem Cell Transplant Scientific Committee
Published: December 2012

The role of SCT in pediatric oncology has continued to evolve with the introduction of new therapeutic agents and immunological insights into cancer. COG has focused its efforts on the study of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of pediatric malignancies in several major multi‐institutional Phase II and Phase III studies. These studies include addressing the impact of allogenicity in ALL (ASCT0431), and establishing autologous stem cell transplant as the standard of care in neuroblastoma. Reducing transplant‐associated toxicity was addressed in the ASCT0521 study, where the TNFα inhibitor etanercept was tested for the treatment of idiopathic pneumonia syndrome. Impact of cell dose was explored in the single versus tandem umbilical cord blood study CTN‐0501, in close collaboration with the BMT‐CTN. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 1044–1047. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhaled lipid cisplatin (ILC) in the treatment of patients with relapsed/progressive osteosarcoma metastatic to the lung
Authors: Chou Alexander J. , Gupta Renu , Bell Moshe D. , Riewe Kathleen O'Day , Meyers Paul A. , Gorlick Richard
Published: December 2012

Background

Osteosarcoma treatment failure is most often from the inability to control metastatic disease in the lungs. Encapsulating cisplatin within lipid complexes and delivering the agent via inhalation targets lung metastases with minimal systemic exposure. An open‐label, phase Ib/IIa study was performed to characterize the safety and efficacy of inhaled lipid cisplatin (ILC) in recurrent osteosarcoma patients who only had pulmonary metastases.

Procedure

ILC was administered via nebulizer every 2 weeks (=1 cycle). Response was evaluated radiographically every 2 cycles. Cisplatin levels were measured in patients. When possible, metastasectomy was undertaken in patients after 2 cycles.

Results

Nineteen patients were treated. No patients experienced hematologic toxicity, nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity. Nausea/vomiting (≥grade 3) was attributed to study drug in one patient. Respiratory symptoms were observed in 13/19 patients with only one patient experiencing a ≥grade 3 respiratory symptom (not related to study drug). Systemic cisplatin exposure was minimal. Eleven patients had bulky disease, and all progressed prior to cycle 7. Eight patients had all lesions ≤2 cm. One patient had a sustained partial response. An additional two patients had stable disease after 2 cycles, underwent metastasectomy, and remained free from pulmonary recurrence 1 year after initiation of therapy.

Conclusions

ILC is well tolerated in heavily treated osteosarcoma patients and did not appear to have the typical toxicities associated with intravenous cisplatin. Three of eight patients with less bulky disease had sustained benefit. Further study of ILC is warranted. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 580–586. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Psychological resilience in adolescent and young adult survivors of lower extremity bone tumors
Authors: Teall Tanya , Barrera Maru , Barr Ronald , Silva Mariana , Greenberg Mark
Published: December 2012

Background

The psychosocial outcomes of young adult survivors of childhood bone tumors are not well known. This study: (a) examined perceived social support (SS) and benefit‐finding (BF) with respect to surgical intervention, gender, and age; (b) compared SS and psychological outcomes to normative values; and (c) examined the relationship between these social and psychological outcomes and sexual functioning.

Procedure

Twenty‐eight participants (18–32 years) completed outcome‐specific questionnaires for SS, BF, depression, self‐worth, and sexual functioning. Surgical intervention was grouped into limb sparing (LS; allograft‐fusion and endoprosthesis) and ablative procedures (AMP; amputation or Van Nes rotationplasty). Age at study was grouped into ≤25 or ≥26 years of age.

Results

Compared to normative values, survivors reported significantly less depressive symptoms (P = 0.005), and higher self‐evaluations of intellectual capabilities (P = 0.009). No significant differences in SS and BF were found between surgical and age groups. Males perceived significantly higher SS than females (P = 0.027). Significant positive correlations were found between perceived SS and sexual functioning (r = 0.397), sexual experiences (r = 0.423), and satisfaction with sexual relationships (r = 0.408). Negative correlation was found between global SS and depression scores (r = −0.397). Similar correlations were found with the subscales of the SS, depression, and self‐worth measures. BF was significantly positively correlated only to SS (r = 0.552).

Conclusions

Bone tumor survivors, particularly males, demonstrated remarkable psychosocial resiliency with SS possibly serving as a protective factor for survivors' psychological and sexual functioning. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 1223–1230. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrospun poly(ethylene oxide)/hydrated iron oxide/sodium alginate composite nanofibers with multi‐functional properties
Authors: Moon SungCheal , Lee Jung‐lim
Published: December 2012

Electrospun poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/hydrated iron oxide (HIO)/sodium alginate (SA) composite nanofibers with high ultimate tensile strength of ∼31.6 ± 0.4 MPa and good morphologies, such as smooth surface appearance and average diameter of 159 ± 55 to 475 ± 55 nm, were produced in the range of 50% HIO, with significant bacteria decontamination property (92.5% removal of Vibrio vulnificus) from high specific surface area and absorption property, and 10% SA, with anti‐bacterial property, based on PEO polymer content. This approach, using HIO and SA, is an effective method to possess the multi‐functional properties such as anti‐bacterial/bacterial decontamination properties and good mechanical property for various applications in clinical, food, environmental, biomedical, protective clothing, and other areas. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Chemical cross‐linkers for protein structure studies by mass spectrometry
Authors: Paramelle David , Miralles Guillaume , Subra Gilles , Martinez Jean
Published: December 2012

The cross‐linking approach combined with MS for protein structure determination is one of the most striking examples of multidisciplinary success. Indeed, it has become clear that the bottleneck of the method was the detection and the identification of low‐abundance cross‐linked peptides in complex mixtures. Sample treatment or chromatography separation partially addresses these issues. However, the main problem comes from over‐represented unmodified peptides, which do not yield any structural information. A real breakthrough was provided by high mass accuracy measurement, because of the outstanding technical developments in MS. This improvement greatly simplified the identification of cross‐linked peptides, reducing the possible combinations matching with an observed m/z value. In addition, the huge amount of data collected has to be processed with dedicated software whose role is to propose distance constraints or ideally a structural model of the protein. In addition to instrumentation and algorithms efficiency, significant efforts have been made to design new cross‐linkers matching all the requirements in terms of reactivity and selectivity but also displaying probes or reactive systems facilitating the isolation, the detection of cross‐links, or the interpretation of MS data. These chemical features are reviewed and commented on in the light of the more recent strategies.
RAFT‐mediated emulsion polymerization of styrene using brush copolymer as surfactant macro‐RAFT agent: Effect of the brush copolymer sequence and chemical composition
Authors: Xu Jianxiong , Xiao Xin , Zhang Yaoyao , Zhang Wangqing , Sun Pingchuan
Published: December 2012

The nonionic amphiphilic brush polymers such as poly[poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether vinylphenyl‐co‐styrene] trithiocarbonate [P(mPEGV‐co‐St)‐TTC] and poly[poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether vinylphenyl‐b‐styrene‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether vinylphenyl] trithiocarbonate [P(mPEGV‐b‐St‐b‐mPEGV)‐TTC] with different monomer sequence and chemical composition are synthesized and their application as macro‐RAFT agent in the emulsion RAFT polymerization of styrene is explored. It is found that the monomer sequence in the brush polymers exerts great influence on the emulsion RAFT polymerization kinetics, and the fast polymerization with short induction period in the presence of P(mPEGV‐co‐St)‐TTC is demonstrated. Besides, the chemical composition in the brush polymer macro‐RAFT agent effect on the emulsion RAFT polymerization is investigated, and the macro‐RAFT agent with high percent of the hydrophobic PS segment leads to fast and well controlled polymerization. The growth of triblock copolymer colloids in the emulsion polymerization is checked, and it reveals that the colloidal morphology is ascribed to the hydrophobic PS block extension, and the P(mPEGV‐co‐St) block almost have no influence just on the size of the colloids. This may be the first example to study the monomer sequence and the chemical composition in the macro‐RAFT agent on emulsion RAFT polymerization, and will be useful to reveal the block copolymer particle growth. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013