bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived discrimination and markers of cardiovascular risk among low‐income African American youth
Authors: Goosby Bridget J. , Malone Sarah , Richardson Elizabeth A. , Cheadle Jacob E. , Williams Deadric T.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

Our study examines the relationship between perceived discrimination and levels of C‐reactive protein and blood pressure in low‐income youth ages 10−15 years old.

Methods

Data were collected from 10 to 15 year old focal children and their mothers. Face‐to‐face interviews were implemented to collect data on stressors including experiences of everyday discrimination from youth. High sensitivity CRP in dried blood spot samples and diastolic and systolic blood pressure were also collected at the time of the interview.

Results

Perceived discrimination among youth was significantly associated with higher levels of CRP, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure. CRP, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure remained significant after controlling for age‐adjusted BMI, waist circumference, and other factors.

Conclusions

Discrimination is a salient risk factor for inflammation and cardiovascular health. Early life course inflammation and cardiovascular reactivity are important candidate pathways through which the repeated exposure to discrimination for minority group members contributes to racial and economic health inequities in adulthood. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:546–552, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Birth weight and the risk of overweight in young men born at term
Authors: Eriksen Willy , Sundet Jon Martin , Tambs Kristian
Published: March 2015

Objective

The aim of this birth cohort study was to determine the relationship between birth weight and the risk of overweight in young adulthood. Methods: Data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway were linked with register data from the National Conscript Service. This study used data on the 348,800 males who were born at term in single births in Norway during 1967 to 1984, and who were examined at the mandatory military conscription (98% were examined the year they turned 18 or 19 years of age). Sibling comparisons were conducted in the 11,865 sibships of two or more full brothers in which at least one brother was overweight (body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m2) and at least one brother was not overweight. Results: When all the men in the study population were compared with each other there was a “J”‐shaped association between birth weight and the adjusted odds of overweight. When the men were compared with their brothers, the adjusted odds of overweight increased in an exponential way (linearly in logit) over the entire range of the birth weight scale. A within‐family difference of 100 g in birth weight was associated with a within‐family difference of 3.5% (99% confidence interval: 2.5–4.6) in the odds of overweight. Conclusions: There is a positive within‐family association between birth weight and the odds of overweight in young Norwegian men born at term. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:564–569, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
5′ and 3′ β‐globin haplotypes in purepechas and Tarahumaras, two Mexican indigenous groups
Authors: Casas‐castañeda M. , Ibarra B. , Rizo‐De La Torre L.C. , Sánchez‐López J.Y. , Magaña‐Torres M.T.
Published: March 2015

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the β‐globin cluster haplotype variability of two Mexican indigenous groups—Purepechas (PUR) and Tarahumaras (TAR)—and their relationship with other world populations.

Methods

The 5′ and 3′ haplotypes (Hp) of the β globin cluster in 71 PUR and 53 TAR individuals were analyzed. Five polymorphisms in the 5′Hp (ε, Gγ, Aγ, 5′ψβ and 3′ψβ) and five in the 3′Hp (IVS2: 16, 46, 74, 81 and 3′ end +339) were identified by restriction enzymes and direct DNA sequencing. 5′Hp and 3′Hp frequencies in PUR and TAR were compared with reported frequencies from 47 and 10 worldwide populations, respectively.

Results

Sixteen different 5′Hps were observed in the indigenous Mexican groups, 11 in each population, with the most common being 5′Hp 1. Eight 3′Hps were detected, seven in PUR and six in TAR, the most frequent being 3′Hp C. Three new 3′Hps were found, A8 (CTGCT) in both populations, C9 (GTGCA) in TAR and E1 (GTTCT) in PUR. The comparative analysis showed that 5′Hp frequencies in PUR were significantly different than those in all populations except the Brazilian‐Guarani, while TAR were significantly similar to Aché and North Han Chinese. 3′Hp frequencies were similar between PUR and TAR, as well as with Nuu‐Chah‐Nulth, Mongolian and Sumatran populations.

Conclusions

The 5′Hp analysis showed great variability in worldwide populations, including PUR and TAR, while 3′Hp frequencies were similar among indigenous Mexican and other populations with Asiatic origins. This suggests that 5′Hp exposes the microevolutionary process of each population and the 3′Hp establishes genetic relationships among populations. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:697–703, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Secular trends in body height and body mass in 19‐year‐old polish men based on six national surveys from 1965 to 2010
Authors: Kołodziej Halina , łopuszańska Monika , Lipowicz Anna , Szklarska Alicja , Bielicki Tadeusz
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The aim was to determine whether an intergenerational trend toward increased stature is slowing down, and whether body weight has recently increased among young men in Poland, as it has in Western European countries.

Methods

Data were taken from six national surveys of 19‐year‐old Polish male conscripts from cohorts 1965, 1976, 1986, 1995, 2001, and 2010.

Results

The mean stature of this population increased throughout the last 45 years from 170.5 cm in 1965 to 178.3 in 2010. However, the average gain in stature per decade declined from 2.4 cm in the period 1965 to 1976 to 0.8 cm per decade in 1995 to 2001, but increased to 1.0 cm in the last period. The average of body weight increased from 63.2 kg in 1965 to 73.1 in 2010 and body mass index (BMI) rose from 21.73 to 22.94 in the same period. The tempo of increase varied in different periods; between 1965 and 1986 an insignificant increase was observed (of circa 0.12); in 1986 to 1995 there was no increase, whereas the period of 2001 to 2010 witnessed a significant increase (of circa 0.76).

Conclusions

The trend of body size and stature increase within the Polish population, although decelerating, remained positive and steady during the last 45 years. No significant impact of the past half‐century's socioeconomic crises was observed in these measures of growth. We concluded that during the economic crises some effective mechanism protecting the living conditions of the children and youth were operating within the population. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:704–709, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two new β+‐thalassemia mutation [β ‐56 (G → C); HBBc. −106 G → C] and [β −83 (G → A); HBBc. −133 G → A] described among the Tunisian population
Authors: Douzi Kais , Moumni Imen , Zorai Amine , Ben Mustapha Maha , Ben Mansour Ikbel Mosbahi , Dorra Chaouachi , Salem Abbes
Published: March 2015

Objectives

Different thalassemia mutations have been reported in various ethnic groups and geographical regions in Tunisia. In the present study, we have investigated two rare β+‐thalassemia mutations, that have not previously been reported in the Tunisian population [β −56 (G > C); HBBc. −106 G > C] and [β −83 (G > A); HBBc. −133 G > A].

Methods

The whole β‐globin gene was directly sequenced, and haplotype analysis was conducted through a PCR/RFLP method.

Results: Two new mutations were identified for the first time in Tunisia. They are located within the promoter region of β‐globin gene at position −56 (G > C) and −83 (G > A). Linkage analysis using β‐globin gene cluster haplotypes showed that these two mutations were associated with Mediterranean β‐haplotype IX [− + − + + + +] and framework 2 (FW2) [CCTCT].

Conclusions

The two newly described mutations lead to the β+‐thalassemia among Tunisian patients. The haplotype analysis and framework assignment have helped to identify the chromosomal background associated with these mutations, and determine their origin and spread. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:716–719, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disposable collection kit for rapid and reliable collection of saliva
Authors: Yamaguchi Masaki , Tezuka Yuki , Takeda Kazunori , Shetty Vivek
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To describe and evaluate disposable saliva collection kit for rapid, reliable, and reproducible collection of saliva samples.

Methods

The saliva collection kit comprised of a saliva absorbent swab and an extractor unit was used to retrieve whole saliva samples from 10 subjects. The accuracy and precision of the extracted volumes (3, 10, and 30 μl) were compared to similar volumes drawn from control samples obtained by passive drool. Additionally, the impact of kit collection method on subsequent immunoassay results was verified by assessing salivary cortisol levels in the samples and comparing them to controls.

Results

The recovered volumes for the whole saliva samples were 3.85 ± 0.28, 10.79 ± 0.95, and 31.18 ± 1.72 μl, respectively (CV = 8.76%) and 2.91 ± 0.19, 9.75 ± 0.43, and 29.64 ± 0.91 μl, respectively, (CV = 6.36%) for the controls. There was a close correspondence between the salivary cortisol levels from the saliva samples obtained by the collection kit and the controls (R2 > 0.96).

Conclusions

The disposable saliva collection kit allows accurate and repeatable collection of fixed amounts of whole saliva and does not interfere with subsequent measurements of salivary cortisol. The simple collection process, lack of elaborate specimen recovery steps, and the short turnaround time (<3 min) should render the kit attractive to test subjects and researchers alike. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:720–723, 2015. © 2015 The Authors American Journal of Human Biology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Physical strength and dance attractiveness: Further evidence for an association in men, but not in women
Authors: Weege Bettina , Pham Michael N. , Shackelford Todd K. , Fink Bernhard
Published: March 2015

Objectives

Physical strength provides information about male quality and can be assessed from facial and body morphology. Research on perception of dance movements indicates that body movement also provides information about male physical strength. These relationships have not been investigated for women.

Methods

We investigated relationships of handgrip strength (HGS) and dance attractiveness perception in 75 men and 84 women.

Results

We identified positive relationships between HGS and opposite‐sex assessments of dance attractiveness for men but not women.

Conclusions

The replication of previous research investigating relationships between dance attractiveness and physical strength in men corroborates the hypothesis that dance movements provide information about male quality. We argue that these relationships are interpretable in contexts of inter‐ and intra‐sexual selection. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:728–730, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Time trends in BMI, body fatness, and adiposity rebound among boys from Kraków (Poland) from 1983 to 2010
Authors: Kowal MaŁgorzata , Kryst Łukasz , Woronkowicz Agnieszka , Brudecki Janusz , Sobiecki Jan
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The prevalence of childhood obesity has been increasing during the last decades in many countries, but less is known about secular trends in growth curves covering the whole childhood span. The main purpose of this study was to explore changes in body weight, height, BMI, percent body fat (%BF), adiposity rebound (AR), and pubertal timing in boys from Kraków between 1983 and 2010.

Methods

Totally, 4,986 boys (3–18 years) were measured during cross‐sectional studies. Using the results of height, weight, and skinfold measurements, BMI and %BF were calculated. The LMS method was used to construct BMI and %BF percentiles. Three cut‐off points were distinguished in individual age groups of the subjects—below the 15th percentile, 50th percentile, and above the 85th percentile. The mean age at pubarche was calculated by the probit method.

Results

The boys from 2010 were taller and heavier than the boys from 1983. Before the time of AR, boys from 2010 had lower BMI, but after AR had higher BMI than boys from 1983. An earlier AR appeared in all BMI 2010 percentile curves as compared to 1983. The boys from 2010 also showed an acceleration of sexual maturation and earlier Tanner Stage II, equaling 11.80 years.

Conclusions

In boys from 2010, AR occurs earlier than in boys from 1983. Changes in timing of AR cannot be explained only by changes in degree of body adiposity. Early AR could be a marker of the acceleration of development. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:646–653, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Short interpregnancy interval and low birth weight: A role of parity
Authors: Merklinger‐Gruchala Anna , Jasienska Grazyna , Kapiszewska Maria
Published: March 2015

Objectives

Short interpregnancy intervals (IPI) and high parity may be synergistically associated with the risk of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. This study tests if the effect of short IPI on the odds ratio for low birth weight (LBW, <2,500 g) differs across parity status.

Methods

The study was carried out on the birth registry sample of almost 40,000 singleton, live‐born infants who were delivered between the years 1995 and 2009 to multiparous mothers whose residence at the time of infant's birth was the city of Krakow. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used for testing the effect of IPI on the odds ratio (OR) for LBW, after controlling for employment, educational and marital status, parity, sex of the child, maternal and gestational age. Stratified analyses (according to parity) and tests for interaction were performed.

Results

Very short IPI (0–5 months) was associated with an increased OR for LBW, but only among high parity mothers with three or more births (OR = 2.64; 95% CI 1.45–4.80). The test for interaction between very short IPI and parity on the OR for LBW was statistically significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons (P = 0.04). Among low parity mothers (two births) no statistically significant associations were found between IPI and LBW after standardization.

Conclusion

Parity may modify the association between short birth spacing and LBW. Women with very short IPI and high parity may have a higher risk of having LBW infants than those with very short IPI but low parity. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:660–666, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional morphology of the primate head and neck
Authors: Nalley Thierra K. , Grider‐Potter Neysa
Published: March 2015

The vertebral column plays a key role in maintaining posture, locomotion, and transmitting loads between body components. Cervical vertebrae act as a bridge between the torso and head and play a crucial role in the maintenance of head position and the visual field. Despite its importance in positional behaviors, the functional morphology of the cervical region remains poorly understood, particularly in comparison to the thoracic and lumbar sections of the spinal column. This study tests whether morphological variation in the primate cervical vertebrae correlates with differences in postural behavior. Phylogenetic generalized least‐squares analyses were performed on a taxonomically broad sample of 26 extant primate taxa to test the link between vertebral morphology and posture. Kinematic data on primate head and neck postures were used instead of behavioral categories in an effort to provide a more direct analysis of our functional hypothesis. Results provide evidence for a function‐form link between cervical vertebral shape and postural behaviors. Specifically, taxa with more pronograde heads and necks and less kyphotic orbits exhibit cervical vertebrae with longer spinous processes, indicating increased mechanical advantage for deep nuchal musculature, and craniocaudally longer vertebral bodies and more coronally oriented zygapophyseal articular facets, suggesting an emphasis on curve formation and maintenance within the cervical lordosis, coupled with a greater resistance to translation and ventral displacement. These results not only document support for functional relationships in cervical vertebrae features across a wide range of primate taxa, but highlight the utility of quantitative behavioral data in functional investigations. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:531–542, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Does the correlation between schmorl's nodes and vertebral morphology extend into the lumbar spine?
Authors: Plomp Kimberly , Roberts Charlotte , Strand Vidarsdottir Una
Published: March 2015

Schmorl's nodes are depressions on vertebrae due to herniation of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc into the vertebral body. This study provides an extension of our previous study which analyzed the shape of the lower thoracic spine and found that vertebral morphology was associated with the presence of Schmorl's nodes. Ninety adult individuals from the late Medieval site of Fishergate House, York, and the Post‐Medieval site of Coach Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, England, were analysed using 2D geometric morphometrics to identify possible relationships between vertebral morphology and Schmorl's nodes at the thoraco‐lumbar junction and in the lumbar spine. A significant correlation was found between vertebral shape and the presence of Schmorl's nodes in the twelfth thoracic vertebrae and the first to third lumbar vertebrae. The findings corroborate previous studies and suggest that vertebral shape may be an important factor in spinal health. It is hypothesized that the pedicle shape of affected vertebrae may not provide adequate structural support for the vertebral bodies, resulting in vertical disc herniation. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:526–534, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Orangutans (Pongo spp.) have deeper, more efficient sleep than baboons (Papio papio) in captivity
Authors: Samson David R. , Shumaker Robert W.
Published: March 2015

The nightly construction of arboreal sleeping platforms or “nests” has been observed among every great ape population studied to date. However, this behavior has never been reported in any other nonhuman primate and comparisons between ape and monkey sleep illuminate the link between sleeping substrates, positional behavior, and sleep efficiency. Here, we compare sleep depth and efficiency and night‐time positional behavior between a large‐bodied cercopithecoid (Papio papio) and a large‐bodied hominoid (Pongospp.) at the Indianapolis Zoo. We used infrared videography to assess nightly sleep and awake behavioral states, gross body movements, and postures in baboons (N = 45 nights) and orangutans (N = 128 nights). We calculated thetotal waking time,total sleep time,sleep fragmentation(the number of brief awakenings ≥2 min/h),sleep motor activity(number of motor activity bouts per hour),sleep efficiency(sleep duration/time in bed), and percentage of time spent in each posture. By every measure, orangutans experienced overall deeper, more efficient sleep. Baboons were more likely to sleep in guarded, upright positions (weight bearing on their ischial callosities) and never opted to use additional materials to augment sleep environments, whereas orangutans slept in insouciant, relaxed positions on constructed sleeping materials. Our results suggest that relaxed sleeping postures may have been enabled by sleeping platforms as abehavioral facilitatorto sleep, which could have allowed for greater sleep depth and next‐day cognitive capacities in both great apes and hominins. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:421–427, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Selective pressures in the human bony pelvis: Decoupling sexual dimorphism in the anterior and posterior spaces
Authors: Brown Kirsten M.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

Sexual dimorphism in the human bony pelvis is commonly assumed to be related to the intensity of obstetrical selective pressures. With intense obstetrical selective pressures, there should be greater shape dimorphism; with minimal obstetrical selective pressures, there should be reduced shape dimorphism. This pattern is seen in the nondimorphic anterior spaces and highly dimorphic posterior spaces. Decoupling sexual dimorphism in these spaces may in turn be related to the differential influence of other selective pressures, such as biomechanical ones.

Materials and Methods

The relationship between sexual dimorphism and selective pressures in the human pelvis was examined using five skeletal samples (total female n = 101; male n = 103). Pelvic shape was quantified by collecting landmark coordinate data on articulated pelves. Euclidean distance matrix analysis was used to extract the distances that defined the anterior and posterior pelvic spaces. Sex and body mass were used as proxies for obstetrical and biomechanical selective pressures, respectively.

Results

MANCOVA analyses demonstrate significant effects of sex and body mass on distances in both the anterior and the posterior spaces. A comparison of the relative contribution of shape variance attributed to each of these factors suggests that the posterior space is more influenced by sex, and obstetrics by proxy, whereas the anterior space is more influenced by body mass, and biomechanics by proxy.

Conclusions

Although the overall shape of the pelvis has been influenced by obstetrical and biomechanical selective pressures, there is a differential response within the pelvis to these factors. These results provide new insight into the ongoing debate on the obstetrical dilemma hypothesis. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:428–440, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Micron‐sized membrane reactors: Multicompartment semipermeable polymer particles containing palladium nanoparticles
Authors: Robello Douglas R. , Mis Mark R. , Nair Mridula
Published: March 2015

Multicompartment polymer microparticles are prepared encapsulating palladium nanoparticles within closed‐shell compartments, using a double‐emulsion (W1/O/W2), evaporative limited coalescence process. The encapsulation efficiency in some cases is as high as 99%, and very little Pd leaches from the particles. The Pd nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous environment within the closed‐shell compartments of the microparticles catalyze hydrogenation reactions of low molar mass substrates in water at substantial rates. The microparticle walls serve as semipermeable membranes, permitting diffusion of small molecules into the compartments while retaining the larger metal nanoparticles. The microparticles can be reused after simple filtration. The catalytic activity increases on recycling, possibly because of plasticization of polymer walls by the reactant and products, resulting in increased diffusion. In a second demonstration of catalytic activity, the microparticles efficiently decompose hydrogen peroxide. These nanoparticle‐containing microparticles serve as convenient, reusable catalyst carriers, and prevent inadvertent human and environmental contact with nanoparticles. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42021.
On the use of ball milling to develop PHBV–graphene nanocomposites (I)—Morphology, thermal properties, and thermal stability
Authors: Ambrosio‐Martín Jesús , Gorrasi Giuliana , Lopez‐Rubio Amparo , Fabra María José , Mas Luís Cabedo , López‐Manchado Miguel Angel , Lagaron Jose María
Published: March 2015

In the first part of this work, novel nanocomposites based on poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and functionalized graphene nanosheets (FGS) were prepared through ball milling. As revealed by morphological characterization, this blending methodology was able to allow proper nanofiller dispersion and distribution into the matrix. Thermal properties were studied under non‐isothermal and isothermal conditions and the addition of FGS into PHBV matrix, although no changes in crystallization mechanism were observed, it modified the crystallization kinetics leading to increased crystallinity. Thermal stability analysis revealed that FGS affected the mechanism of oxidative thermal degradation and had no effect on thermal degradation by pyrolysis. Furthermore, an analysis of isothermal degradation kinetics showed that FGS speeded up the degradation rate. The Sestak‐Berggren model was used as a model to explain the isothermal degradation behavior of the obtained materials in good agreement with the experimental data. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42101.
Synthesis and characterization of the polyols by air oxidation of soybean oil and its effect on the morphology and dynamic mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) blends
Authors: Ourique Pedro A. , Gril Jérôme M. L. , Guillaume Gaëlle W. , Wanke Cesar H. , Echeverrigaray Sergio G. , Bianchi Otávio
Published: March 2015

The use of natural additives, with low toxicity and good compatibility, for PVC is becoming increasingly attractive. In this study, soybean oil additives were prepared by air oxidation reactions and blending with PVC. The oxidation reaction produced a significant increase in the number of hydroxyl groups in soybean oil; however, this kind of reaction results in the formation of a heterogeneous structure due to free radical reactions in the medium. The oxidized soybean oil improved the compatibility with PVC due to an increase in the number of polar groups, such as hydroxyls, and thus a reduction in the amount of atactic polymer was observed. Furthermore, an increase in the molecular weight of the oxidized oil, as well as large amounts of polar groups contributes to reducing the migration of oil in the PVC. Regarding the crystallinity of PVC, the use of pure and oxidized soybean oil causes small changes in the crystalline phase of the polymer. Oxidized soybean oil has great potential for usage as a secondary plasticizer for PVC. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2015,132, 42102.
Phase morphology and interfacial characteristics of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile‐ethylene‐propylene‐diene‐styrene blends compatibilized by styrene‐maleic anhydride copolymers
Authors: Li Shengming , Tang Rong , Jing Bo , Dai Wenli , Zou Xiaoxuan
Published: March 2015

Blends of polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile‐ethylene‐propylene‐diene‐styrene (AES) were reactive compatibilized by styrene‐maleic anhydride copolymers (SMA). The changes in phase morphology and interfacial characteristics of the blends as a function of maleic anhydride content of SMA and the concentration of compatibilizer have been systematic studied. The occurrence of reaction between the terminal hydroxyl groups of PC and the maleic anhydride (MA) of compatibilizer was confirmed by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A glass transition temperature (Tg) with an intermediate value between Tg(AES) and Tg(PC) was found on differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) curves of PC/AES blends compatibilized with SMA contains high levels of MA. Furthermore, at lower compatibilizer content, increase of the compatibilizer level in blends result in decreasing gap between two Tgs corresponding to the constituent polymers. Small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) test results indicated that compatibilizer concentration for the minimum of blend interface layer's thickness was exactly the same as it was when compatibilized PC/AES blend exhibited optimal compatibility in DSC test. The observed morphological changes were consistent well with the DSC and SAXS test results. A new mechanism of interfacial structural development was proposed to explain unusual phenomena of SMA compatibilized PC/AES blends. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42103.
Antioxidative properties of irradiated chitosan/vitamin C complex and their use as food additive for lipid storage
Authors: Elbarbary Ahmed M. , El‐Sawy Naeem M. , Hegazy El‐Sayed A.
Published: March 2015

Improving the antioxidant activity of chitosan was achieved by decreasing their molecular weight by γ rays followed by incorporation with vitamin C to prepare chitosan/vitamin C (CSVC) complex in the range of nanoparticles. Transmittance electron microscopy of CSVC complex showed mean diameters ranged from 23.2 to 82 nm. The antioxidant activities of CSVC complexes were examined using scavenging effect on DPPH radicals and reducing power measurements. CSVC complexes have a synergistic effect on increasing the antioxidant properties rather than their individual effects. The effect of CSVC complexes on lipid peroxidation of meat during 21 days of refrigerated storage was investigated using thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assay. Treatment of meat with CSVC complex reduced lipid peroxidation about 75% after 7 days of storage as a result the decrease in TBARS values. The results demonstrate promising use of CSVC complex as antioxidants for lipid storage. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42105.
Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) microgel‐based etalons for determining the concentration of ethanol in gasoline
Authors: Huang Hui , Serpe Michael J.
Published: March 2015

A device composed of a poly (N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐based microgel layer sandwiched between two thin gold layers was used as a platform for determining the amount of ethanol in gasoline (octane number of 87). This device, also known as an etalon, has unique optical properties, which depend on the diameter of the microgels that make up the device. We show that the optical properties of the device depend on the concentration of the ethanol in gasoline samples. Specifically, as the reflectance peaks shift to higher wavelength, the visual color of the device changes from green to red up to 12% (v/v) ethanol. We show that the response was consistent from sample to sample and that the devices are reusable at least three times. We went on to show that the response did not depend on the source of the gasoline, and that the etalon's response is specific to ethanol compared to other common solvents found in gasoline. The performance of these devices make them potentially useful for detecting ethanol in gasoline at the time of gasoline purchase, to determine if the gas being purchased has been adulterated. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42106.
Neuroanatomical Phenotypes Are Consistent With Autism‐Like Behavioral Phenotypes in the 15q11‐13 Duplication Mouse Model
Authors: Ellegood Jacob , Nakai Nobuhiro , Nakatani Jin , Henkelman Mark , Takumi Toru , Lerch Jason
Published: March 2015

Paternally and maternally inherited deletions and duplications of human chromosome 15q11‐13 are relatively common in the human population. Furthermore, duplications in the 15q region are often associated with autism. Both maternal and paternal interstitial 15q11‐13 duplication mouse models have been previously created, where several behavioral differences were found in the paternal duplication (patDp/+) mouse but not in the maternal duplication (matDp/+). These included decreased sociability, behavioral inflexibility, abnormal ultrasonic vocalizations, decreased spontaneous activity, and increased anxiety. Similarly, in the current study, we found several anatomical differences in the patDp/+ mice that were not seen in the matDp/+ mice. Regional differences that are evident only in the paternal duplication are a smaller dentate gyrus and smaller medial striatum. These differences may be responsible for the behavioral inflexibility. Furthermore, a smaller dorsal raphe nucleus could be responsible for the reported serotonin defects. This study highlights consistency that can be found between behavioral and anatomical phenotyping. Autism Res 2015, 8: 545–555. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Point of Departure in the Comparison of Social and Nonsocial Visual Orienting Among Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Flanagan Tara , Brodeur Darlene A. , Burack Jacob A
Published: March 2015

Endogenous visual orienting among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and among typically developing (TD) children was examined using a Posner‐type task that was modified to include social and nonsocial cues and targets to test hypotheses regarding information (social or nonsocial) and cue processing (long or short stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs)). The findings suggest intact endogenous orienting to face and mixed face targets using hand and arrow cues among children with ASDs who were matched to typically developing children (TDC) on the basis of nonverbal mental age (MA) at approximately 8.5 years. The findings from this study challenge the notions of a social orienting impairment and of mechanical social orienting as the children with ASDs in this study demonstrated strong orienting effects in all conditions and social sensitivity in the long stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) condition. Autism Res 2015, 8: 575–582. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A switch from parallel to antiparallel strand orientation in a coiled‐coil X‐ray structure via two core hydrophobic mutations
Authors: Malashkevich Vladimir N. , Higgins Chelsea D. , Almo Steven C. , Lai Jonathan R.
Published: March 2015

The coiled‐coil is one of the most ubiquitous and well studied protein structural motifs. Significant effort has been devoted to dissecting subtle variations of the typical heptad repeat sequence pattern that can designate larger topological features such as relative α‐helical orientation and oligomer size. Here we report the X‐ray structure of a model coiled‐coil peptide, HA2‐Del‐L2seM, which forms an unanticipated core antiparallel dimer with potential sites for discrete higher‐order multimerization (trimer or tetramer). In the X‐ray structure, a third, partially‐ordered α‐helix is weakly associated with the antiparallel dimer and analytical ultracentrifugation experiments indicate the peptide forms a well‐defined tetramer in solution. The HA2‐Del‐L2seM sequence is closely related to a parent model peptide, HA2‐Del, which we previously reported adopts a parallel trimer; HA2‐Del‐L2seM differs by only hydrophobic leucine to selenomethione mutations and thus this subtle difference is sufficient to switch both relative α‐helical topology and number of α‐helices participating in the coiled‐coil. Comparison of the X‐ray structures of HA2‐Del‐L2seM (reported here) with the HA2‐Del parent (reported previously) reveals novel interactions involving the selenomethionine residues that promote antiparallel coiled‐coil configuration and preclude parallel trimer formation. These novel atomic insights are instructive for understanding subtle features that can affect coiled‐coil topology and provide additional information for design of antiparallel coiled‐coils. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 178–185, 2015.
Crown ether helical peptides are preferentially inserted in lipid bilayers as a transmembrane ion channels
Authors: Savoie Jean‐Daniel , Otis François , Bürck Jochen , Ulrich Anne S. , Voyer Normand
Published: March 2015

Oriented circular dichroism was used to study the alignment crown ether‐modified peptides. The influence of different N‐ and C‐functionalities was assessed using at variable peptide:lipid ratios from 1:20 to 1:200. Neither the functionalities nor the concentration had any major effect on the orientation. The alignment of the 21‐mer peptides was also examined with lipid membranes of different bilayer thickness. The use of synchrotron radiation as light source allowed the study of peptide:lipid molar ratios from 1:20 to 1:1000. For all conditions studied, the peptides were found to be predominantly incorporated as a transmembrane helix into the membrane, especially at low peptide concentration, but started to aggregate on the membrane surface at higher peptide:lipid ratios. The structural information on the preferred trans‐bilayer alignment of the crown ether functional groups explains their ion conductivity and is useful for the further development of membrane‐active nanochemotherapeutics. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 427–433, 2015.
Azide‐rich peptides via an on‐resin diazotransfer reaction
Authors: Marine Jeannette E. , Liang Xiaoli , Song Shuang , Rudick Jonathan G.
Published: March 2015

Azide‐containing amino acids are valuable building blocks in peptide chemistry, because azides are robust partners in several bioorthogonal reactions. Replacing polar amino acids with apolar, azide‐containing amino acids in solid‐phase peptide synthesis can be tricky, especially when multiple azide residues are to be introduced in the amino acid sequence. We present a strategy for effectively incorporating multiple azide‐containing residues site‐specifically. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 419–426, 2015.
Solid‐phase synthesis, characterization, and cellular activities of collagen‐model Nanodiamond‐peptide conjugates
Authors: Knapinska Anna M. , Tokmina‐Roszyk Dorota , Amar Sabrina , Tokmina‐Roszyk Michal , Mochalin Vadym N. , Gogotsi Yury , Cosme Patrick , Terentis Andrew C. , Fields Gregg B.
Published: March 2015

Nanodiamonds (NDs) have received considerable attention as potential drug delivery vehicles. NDs are small (∼5 nm diameter), can be surface modified in a controllable fashion with a variety of functional groups, and have little observed toxicity in vitro and in vivo. However, most biomedical applications of NDs utilize surface adsorption of biomolecules, as opposed to covalent attachment. Covalent modification provides reliable and reproducible ND–biomolecule ratios, and alleviates concerns over biomolecule desorption prior to delivery. The present study has outlined methods for the efficient solid‐phase conjugation of ND to peptides and characterization of ND–peptide conjugates. Utilizing collagen‐derived peptides, the ND was found to support or even enhance the cell adhesion and viability activities of the conjugated sequence. Thus, NDs can be incorporated into peptides and proteins in a selective manner, where the presence of the ND could potentially enhance the in vivo activities of the biomolecule it is attached to. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 186–195, 2015.
Long‐term follow‐up is not indicated after routine interventional closure of persistent arterial ducts
Authors: Narayan Srinivas A. , Elmahdi Elfadil , Rosenthal Eric , Qureshi Shakeel A. , Krasemann Thomas
Published: March 2015

Background

Little is known about the necessity for long‐term follow‐up after interventional closure of persistent arterial duct (PDA). Potential side effects and complications include residual shunts, haemolysis, device embolization, and obstruction to flow in the adjoining vessels.

Methods

Single centre retrospective study of paediatric patients undergoing interventional PDA occlusion.

Results

315 patients who underwent interventional occlusion of a PDA between November 2002 and September 2013 were included. Of these, eight needed re‐intervention (three for device embolization, five for residual shunt). Seven had mild obstruction to flow in the adjoining vessels, but did not require any intervention. All sequelae were found latest at the first follow‐up appointment after the procedure (usually within 3 months); whilst none developed during further follow‐up.

Conclusion

Complications of interventional closure of PDA were apparent immediately after the procedure or by three months of follow‐up. Long‐term follow‐up is not indicated in cases when no complications are seen early after the procedure. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A prospective, postmarket study with the Mguard Prime Embolic Protection Stent in ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction: The International MGuard Prime Observational Study (IMOS Prime)
Authors: Amoroso Giovanni , Vos Nicola S. , Van der Heyden Jan A.S. , van der Schaaf Renė J. , Patterson Mark S. , Vink Maarten A. , Herrman Jean‐Paul , Slagboom Ton
Published: March 2015

Aims

We sought to evaluate the procedural and clinical performances of the MGuard Prime Embolic Protection Stent (EPS) in a “real‐world” population with acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Methods and Results

Consecutive STEMI patients meeting the inclusion criteria and undergoing PPCI were enrolled. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days, defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (Q wave and non‐Q wave) or target lesion revascularization (PCI or coronary artery bypass graft). Secondary endpoints included device success, lesion success, and postprocedural reperfusion outcomes: thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow and ST‐segment elevation resolution (STR). A total of 97 patients (62 years, 77% men) were included. Symptom to cathlab time was 238 min. Device and lesion success were 100%. Final TIMI‐3 flow was achieved in 91.8%, and STR > 50% in 87% of the patients. MACE at 30 days was 2.2%, which consisted of one case each of target vessel (TV)‐myocardial infarction (MI), and non–TV‐MI.

Conclusions

The use of the MGuard Prime EPS stent is feasible and safe and could be also effective in achieving myocardial reperfusion in STEMI patients undergoing PPCI. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effectiveness of excimer laser coronary atherectomy with contrast medium for underexpanded stent: The findings of optical frequency domain imaging
Authors: Ashikaga Takashi , Yoshikawa Shunji , Isobe Mitsuaki
Published: March 2015

Stent underexpansion is a risk factor for in‐stent restenosis (ISR) and stent thrombosis. Although excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) with contrast medium was shown to be effective to improve stent underexpansion in undilatable lesions, precise mechanism of this technique was not well understood. We report a case of ISR with stent underoptimal implantation within a circumferential‐calcified atherosclerotic plaque beneath the stent strut that could not be dilated by repeated high‐pressure balloon inflations. After rotational atherectomy, the mechanism of the underexpanded lesion could be obtained by optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI). High‐pressure balloon could not dilate the underexpanded stent. Since ELCA with saline flush only gave intimal erosions and minor dissections, additional high‐pressure balloon was also ineffective. Finally, ELCA with contrast medium could disrupt the calcific lesion beneath the underexpanded stent. The angiographic and OFDI findings confirmed the full stent expansion could be accomplished by further balloon dilatation with an ordinary pressure. ELCA with contrast medium is feasible to improve stent underexpansion by disrupting the calcified plaque behind the stent strut. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In‐hospital mortality risk prediction after percutaneous coronary interventions: Validating and updating the toronto score in Brazil
Authors: Lodi‐Junqueira Lucas , da Silva José L.P. , Ferreira Lorena R. , Gonçalves Humberto L. , Athayde Guilherme R.S. , Gomes Thalles O. , Borges Júlio C. , Nascimento Bruno R. , Lemos Pedro A. , Ribeiro Antônio L.P.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

We aimed to assess the accuracy of the simple, contemporary and well‐designed Toronto PCI mortality risk score in ICP‐BR registry, the first Brazilian PCI multicenter registry with follow‐up information.

Background

Estimating percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) mortality risk by a clinical prediction model is imperative to help physicians, patients and family members make informed clinical decisions and optimize participation in the consent process, reducing anxiety and improving quality of care. At a healthcare system level, risk prediction scores are essential to measure and benchmark performance.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2013, a cohort of 4,806 patients from the ICP‐BR registry, treated with PCI in eight tertiary referral medical centers, was included in the analysis. This population was compared to 10,694 patients of the derivation dataset from the Toronto study. To assess predictive performance, an update of the model was performed by three different methods, which were compared by discrimination, calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and by calibration, assessed through Hosmer–Lemeshow (H‐L) test and graphical analysis.

Results

Death occurred in 2.6% of patients in the ICP‐BR registry and in 1.3% in the Toronto cohort. The median age was 64 and 63 years, 23.8 and 32.8% were female, 28.6 and 32.3% were diabetics, respectively. Through recalibration of intercept and slope (AUC = 0.8790; H‐L P value = 0.3132), we achieved a well‐calibrated and well‐discriminative model.

Conclusions

After updating to our dataset, we demonstrated that the Toronto PCI in‐hospital mortality risk score performed well in Brazilian hospitals. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Organization of TNIK in dendritic spines
Authors: Burette Alain C. , Phend Kristen D. , Burette Susan , Lin Qingcong , Liang Musen , Foltz Gretchen , Taylor Noël , Wang Qi , Brandon Nicholas J. , Bates Brian , Ehlers Michael D. , Weinberg Richard J.
Published: March 2015

Tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 2 (TRAF2)‐ and noncatalytic region of tyrosine kinase (NCK)‐interacting kinase (TNIK) has been identified as an interactor in the psychiatric risk factor, Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1). As a step toward deciphering its function in the brain, we performed high‐resolution light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. We demonstrate here that TNIK is expressed in neurons throughout the adult mouse brain. In striatum and cerebral cortex, TNIK concentrates in dendritic spines, especially in the vicinity of the lateral edge of the synapse. Thus, TNIK is highly enriched at a microdomain critical for glutamatergic signaling. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:1913–1924, 2015 © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Color reproduction on shrink sleeves
Authors: Babaei Vahid , Pelvet Cédric , Hersch Roger D.
Published: March 2015

Wrapping heat‐deformable plastic labels around packages relies on a shrinking process. Shrinking plastic labels distorts not only the shape but also the color of the printed artwork. In this study, we analyze and model the color shifts induced by shrinkage. The ultimate goal is to generate full color images which after shrinking have colors as close as possible to the original colors. For this purpose, we present a thickness enhanced Clapper–Yule prediction model. Its calibration requires spectral measurements of original, nonshrunk samples, as well as the measured shrinkage factors. With the prediction model, we establish a table creating the correspondences between target colors after shrinking and ink area coverages. This enables creating color images which after shrinking match the original images. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 56–63, 2016