bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Disubstituted Furans
Authors: Wysocki Jędrzej , Ortega Nuria , Glorius Frank
Published: February 2014

An enantioselective hydrogenation of disubstituted furans has been developed by using a chiral ruthenium catalyst with N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands. This reaction converts furans into valuable enantioenriched disubstituted tetrahydrofurans.
Proline‐Tetrazole‐Catalyzed Enantioselective N‐Nitroso Aldol Reaction of Aldehydes with In Situ Generated Nitrosocarbonyl Compounds
Authors: Maji Biplab , Yamamoto Hisashi
Published: February 2014

A highly enantioselective method (up to 98 % ee) for the preparation of β‐amino alcohols was achieved by using the readily available proline‐tetrazole as the catalyst for the N‐nitroso aldol reaction of aldehydes with in situ generated nitrosocarbonyl compounds. The key to success of this reaction is the use of MnO2 as an oxidant and catechol as a Brønsted acid additive.
Potent Biphalin Analogs with µ/δ Mixed Opioid Activity: In Vivo and In Vitro Biological Evaluation
Authors: Costante Roberto , Pinnen Francesco , Stefanucci Azzurra , Mollica Adriano
Published: February 2014

Biphalin [(Tyr‐D‐Ala‐Gly‐Phe‐NH‐)2] is an octapeptide with mixed μ/δ opioid activity. Its structure is based on two identical enkephalin‐like portions linked “tail‐to‐tail” by a hydrazine bridge. This study presents the synthesis and in vitro and in vivo bioassays of two biphalin analogs that do not present the toxicity connected with the presence of the hydrazine moiety and are able to elicit a higher antinociceptive effect than biphalin.
Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Some Substituted Indazole Derivatives
Authors: Abbassi Najat , Rakib El Mostapha , Chicha Hakima , Bouissane Latifa , Hannioui Abdellah , Aiello Cinzia , Gangemi Rosaria , Castagnola Patrizio , Rosano Camillo , Viale Maurizio
Published: February 2014

Some new N‐[6‐indazolyl]arylsulfonamides and N‐[alkoxy‐6‐indazolyl]arylsulfonamides were prepared by the reduction of 2‐alkyl‐6‐nitroindazoles with SnCl2 in different alcohols, followed by coupling the corresponding amine with arylsulfonyl chlorides in pyridine. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative and apoptotic activities against two human tumor cell lines: A2780 (ovarian carcinoma) and A549 (lung adenocarcinoma). Preliminary in vitro pharmacological studies revealed that N‐(2‐allyl‐2H‐indazol‐6‐yl)‐4‐methoxybenzenesulfonamide 4 and N‐[7‐ethoxy‐2‐(4‐methyl‐benzyl)‐2H‐indazol‐6‐yl]‐4‐methyl‐benzenesulfonamide 9 exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against the A2780 and A549 cell lines with IC50 values in the range from 4.21 to 18.6 µM, and also that they trigger apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, both active compounds were able to cause an arrest of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, typical but not exclusive of tubulin interacting agents, although only infrequent interactions with the microtubule network were observed by immunofluorescence microscopy, while docking analysis showed a possible different behavior between the two active compounds.
Plasminogen Is a Joint‐Specific Positive or Negative Determinant of Arthritis Pathogenesis in Mice
Authors: Raghu Harini , Jone Alice , Cruz Carolina , Rewerts Cheryl L. , Frederick Malinda D. , Thornton Sherry , Degen Jay L. , Flick Matthew J.
Published: February 2014

Objective

A fundamental metric in the diagnosis of arthropathies is the pattern of joint involvement, including differences in proximal versus distal joints and patterns of symmetric or asymmetric disease. The basis for joint selectivity among arthritides and/or within a defined disease such as rheumatoid arthritis remains enigmatic. Coagulation and fibrinolytic activity are observed in both experimental animals with inflammatory joint disease and patients with inflammatory arthritis. However, the contribution of specific hemostatic factors to joint disease is not fully defined. We sought to determine the contribution of the fibrinolytic protease, plasminogen, to tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)–driven arthritis in distinct joints in mice.

Methods

The impact of plasminogen and/or fibrinogen genetic deficiencies on arthritis progression was evaluated in Tg197 mice genetically predisposed to spontaneous, nonabating, and erosive polyarthritis due to exuberant human TNFα expression.

Results

Elimination of plasminogen in Tg197 mice significantly exacerbated the incidence and severity of arthritis within the paw joints, but simultaneously and dramatically diminished the entire spectrum of pathologies within the knee joints of the same animals. These opposing outcomes were both mechanistically linked to fibrin(ogen), in that superimposing fibrinogen deficiency reversed both the proarthritic phenotype in the paws and arthritis resistance in the knees of plasminogen‐deficient mice. Intriguingly, the change in disease severity in the knees, but not the paws, was associated with a plasminogen‐dependent reduction in matrix metalloproteinase 9 activity.

Conclusion

Plasminogen is a key molecular determinant of inflammatory joint disease capable of simultaneously driving or ameliorating arthritis pathogenesis in distinct anatomic locations in the same subject.
Histomorphologic and Histomorphometric Characteristics of Zygapophyseal Joint Remodeling in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Bleil Janine , Maier Rene , Hempfing Axel , Schlichting Uwe , Appel Heiner , Sieper Joachim , Syrbe Uta
Published: February 2014

Objective

To unravel the mechanisms that control bony ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

Histomorphologic and histomorphometric analyses were performed on zygapophyseal joints obtained from 18 patients with AS, 9 patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and 10 cadaver donors without a rheumatic disease (controls). The proteoglycan content of the cartilage was determined by Safranin O staining and the chondrocyte apoptosis according to caspase 3 expression.

Results

AS joints were categorized into 3 groups according to the morphology of the joint surfaces and joint space: group 1 were joints with an open joint space, group 2 were joints with cartilaginous fusion, and group 3 were joints with bony fusion of the joint surfaces. Progressive loss of the joint space from group 1 joints to group 3 joints suggests that this grouping corresponds to sequential stages of joint remodeling. Cartilage thickness and subchondral bone plate thickness declined from group 1 to group 3 (P < 0.01). Increased chondrocyte apoptosis rates were found in groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05), while in group 3, a reduction in the proteoglycan content was found (P < 0.001). Bone marrow replacement and invasion of the subchondral bone plate by fibrous tissue was found predominantly in AS joints in group 2.

Conclusion

Cartilage degeneration, indicated by cartilage thinning, enhanced chondrocyte apoptosis, and proteoglycan loss, and subchondral bone thinning, promoted by invasion of the subchondral bone plate by a fibrous tissue originating from the bone marrow, are hallmarks of joint remodeling in AS.
Plasmonic measurements of monoclonal antibody self‐association using self‐interaction nanoparticle spectroscopy
Authors: Jayaraman Jayapriya , Wu Jiemin , Brunelle Molly C. , Cruz Anna Marie M. , Goldberg Deborah S. , Lobo Brian , Shah Ambarish , Tessier Peter M.
Published: February 2014

One of the most significant challenges in developing therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is their unpredictable solubilities and viscosities at the high concentrations required for subcutaneous delivery. This challenge has motivated the development of screening assays that rapidly identify mAb variants with minimal self‐association propensities and/or formulation conditions that suppress mAb self‐association. Here we report an improved version of self‐interaction nanoparticle spectroscopy (SINS) capable of characterizing both repulsive and attractive self‐interactions between diverse mAbs. The basis of SINS is that self‐interactions between mAbs immobilized on gold nanoparticles increase (repulsion) or decrease (attraction) interparticle distances, which shift the wavelength of maximum absorbance (plasmon wavelength) in opposite directions. We find that the robustness of SINS is improved by varying the amount of immobilized mAb by co‐adsorbing a polyclonal antibody. The slopes of the plasmon wavelength shifts as a function of the amount of immobilized mAb (0.01–0.1 mg/mL) are correlated with diffusion interaction parameters measured at two to three orders of magnitude higher antibody concentrations. The ability of SINS to rapidly screen mAb self‐association in a microplate format using dilute mAb solutions makes it well suited for use in diverse settings ranging from antibody discovery to formulation. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 1513–1520. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fluorescence‐based soft sensor for at situ monitoring of chinese hamster ovary cell cultures
Authors: Ohadi Kaveh , Aghamohseni Hengameh , Legge Raymond L. , Budman Hector M.
Published: February 2014

Multi‐wavelength fluorescence spectroscopy was investigated as a potential tool for use in monitoring key process variables that include: viable and dead cells, recombinant protein, glucose, and ammonia concentrations for Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells during cultivation. For the purpose of calibrating the fluorescence‐based empirical model, cells were grown in batch mode with different initial glucose and glutamine concentrations. Spectrofluorometer settings were optimized to ensure reproducibility and accuracy of the acquired spectra. With the purpose of gaining qualitative insight into the evolution of the spectra, the trajectories of individual fluorophore peaks were studied during the cultivation process. Spectral changes related to biomass and secreted proteins were investigated by comparing the spectra at various stages during the downstream processing. A partial least square regression (PLSR) was used to formulate empirical models that related the input data set, i.e., the fluorescence excitation–emission matrix, to the actual state of the system including viable cell and dead cells and recombinant protein, glucose, and ammonia concentrations. The models exhibited accurate prediction ability for the process variables of interest. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 1577–1586. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self‐Force in 1D Electrostatic Particle‐in‐Cell Codes for NonEquidistant Grids
Authors: Duras J. , Matyash K. , Tskhakaya D. , Kalentev O. , Schneider R.
Published: February 2014

Effects of non‐equidistant grids on momentum conservation is studied for simple test cases of an electrostatic 1D PIC code. The aim is to reduce the errors in energy and momentum conservation. Assuming an exact Poisson solver only numerical errors for the particle mover are analysed. For the standard electric field calculation using a central‐difference scheme, artificial electric fields at the particle position are generated in the case when the particle is situated next to a cell size change. This is sufficient to destroy momentum conservation. A modified electric field calculation scheme is derived to reduce this error. Independent of the calculation scheme additional fake forces in a two‐particle system are found which result in an error in the total kinetic energy of the system. This contribution is shown to be negligible for many particle systems. To test the accuracy of the two electric field calculation schemes numerical tests are done to compare with an equidistant grid set‐up. All tests show an improved momentum conservation and total kinetic energy for the modified calculation scheme of the electric field. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Improved method to retain cytosolic reporter protein fluorescence while staining for nuclear proteins
Authors: Heinen André P. , Wanke Florian , Moos Sonja , Attig Sebastian , Luche Hervé , Pal Prajna Paramita , Budisa Nediljko , Fehling Hans Jörg , Waisman Ari , Kurschus Florian C.
Published: February 2014

Staining of transcription factors (TFs) together with retention of fluorescent reporter proteins is hindered by loss of fluorescence using current available methods. In this study, it is shown that current TF staining protocols do not destroy fluorescent proteins (FPs) but rather that fixation is not sufficient to retain FPs in the cytosol of the permeabilized cells. In this article, a simple and reliable protocol is elaborated, which allows efficient TF and cytokine staining while retaining FPs inside fixed cells. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Grassland invaders and their mycorrhizal symbionts: a study across climate and invasion gradients
Authors: Bunn Rebecca A. , Lekberg Ylva , Gallagher Christopher , Rosendahl Søren , Ramsey Philip W.
Published: February 2014

Controlled experiments show that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can increase competitiveness of exotic plants, potentially increasing invasion success. We surveyed AMF abundance and community composition in Centaurea stoebe and Potentilla recta invasions in the western USA to assess whether patterns were consistent with mycorrhizal‐mediated invasions. We asked whether (1) AMF abundance and community composition differ between native and exotic forbs, (2) associations between native plants and AMF shift with invading exotic plants, and (3) AMF abundance and/or community composition differ in areas where exotic plants are highly invasive and in areas where they are not. We collected soil and roots from invaded and native forb communities along invasion gradients and in regions with different invasion densities. We used AMF root colonization as a measure of AMF abundance and characterized AMF communities in roots using 454‐sequencing of the LSU‐rDNA region. All plants were highly colonized (>60%), but exotic forbs tended to be more colonized than natives (P < 0.001). We identified 30 AMF operational taxonomic units (OTUs) across sites, and community composition was best predicted by abiotic factors (soil texture, pH). Two OTUs in the genera Glomus and Rhizophagus dominated in most communities, and their dominance increased with invasion density (r = 0.57, P = 0.010), while overall OTU richness decreased with invasion density (r = −0.61, P = 0.006). Samples along P. recta invasion gradients revealed small and reciprocal shifts in AMF communities with >45% fungal OTUs shared between neighboring native and P. recta plants. Overall, we observed significant, but modest, differences in AMF colonization and communities between co‐occurring exotic and native forbs and among exotic forbs across regions that differ in invasion pressure. While experimental manipulations are required to assess functional consequences, the observed patterns are not consistent with those expected from strong mycorrhizal‐mediated invasions.
An ecological cost associated with protective symbionts of aphids
Authors: Polin Sarah , Simon Jean‐Christophe , Outreman Yannick
Published: February 2014

Beneficial symbioses are widespread and diverse in the functions they provide to the host ranging from nutrition to protection. However, these partnerships with symbionts can be costly for the host. Such costs, so called “direct costs”, arise from a trade‐off between allocating resources to symbiosis and other functions such as reproduction or growth. Ecological costs may also exist when symbiosis negatively affects the interactions between the host and other organisms in the environment. Although ecological costs can deeply impact the evolution of symbiosis, they have received little attention. The pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum benefits a strong protection against its main parasitoids from protective bacterial symbionts. The ecological cost of symbiont‐mediated resistance to parasitism in aphids was here investigated by analyzing aphid behavior in the presence of predatory ladybirds. We showed that aphids harboring protective symbionts expressed less defensive behaviors, thus suffering a higher predation than symbiont‐free aphids. Consequently, our study indicates that this underlined ecological cost may affect both the coevolutionary processes between symbiotic partners and the prevalence of such beneficial bacterial symbionts in host natural populations.
Fault tolerant, energy efficient and secure clustering scheme for mobile machine‐to‐machine communications
Authors: Karim Lutful , Anpalagan Alagan , Nasser Nidal , Almhana Jalal , Woungang Isaac
Published: February 2014

Designing energy efficient, fault tolerant and secure clustering scheme is important for machine‐to‐machine (M2M) communications that comprise a large number of sensors. Existing works on M2M communications include designing M2M layered architecture, device model, Quality of Service (QoS) categorisation of M2M services and potential M2M applications. However, designing secure and fault tolerant clustering schemes has not received much attention in M2M research. Thus, this paper introduces a fault tolerant, energy efficient and secure clustering scheme for M2M (FESM) area networks that minimises the number of cluster heads (CHs) and active nodes to reduce network energy consumption. The machine type communication gateway and CHs transmit beacon messages to discover the failure of CHs and member nodes, respectively. The security mechanism is lightweight but efficient. It uses simple permutation‐based shared keys between (i) member nodes and CHs; (ii) gateway nodes and CHs; and (iii) CHs and machine type communication gateway. Experimental results demonstrate that the FESM clustering scheme reduces network energy consumption and increases network lifetime as compared with the existing Fault Tolerant and Energy Efficient Clustering Protocol (FTEEC), Dynamic Static Clustering Protocol (DSC) and Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) protocols. We also analyse the security mechanism of the FESM protocol and find that it is very effective against well‐known attacks such as sybil, wormhole and black hole. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Chimera method for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Houzeaux G. , Eguzkitza B. , Aubry R. , Owen H. , Vázquez M.
Published: February 2014

The Chimera method was developed three decades ago as a meshing simplification tool. Different components are meshed independently and then glued together using a domain decomposition technique to couple the equations solved on each component. This coupling is achieved via transmission conditions (in the finite element context) or by imposing the continuity of fluxes (in the finite volume context). Historically, the method has then been used extensively to treat moving objects, as the independent meshes are free to move with respect to the others. At each time step, the main task consists in recomputing the interpolation of the transmission conditions or fluxes. This paper presents a Chimera method applied to the Navier–Stokes equations. After an introduction on the Chimera method, we describe in two different sections the two independent steps of the method: the hole cutting to create the interfaces of the subdomains and the coupling of the subdomains. Then, we present the Navier–Stokes solver considered in this work. Implementation aspects are then detailed in order to apply efficiently the method to this specific parallel Navier–Stokes solver. We conclude with some examples to demonstrate the reliability and application of the proposed method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CO2 storage safety and leakage monitoring in the CCS demonstration project of Jilin oilfield, China
Authors: Zhang Liang , Huang Haidong , Wang Yanqing , Ren Bo , Ren Shaoran , Chen Guoli , Zhang Hua
Published: February 2014

Jilin oilfield is conducting the first large‐scale demonstration project on CO2 storage and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the northeast of China. A comprehensive monitoring program has been designed and deployed in the target reservoir of block H‐59 using a wide range of techniques to monitor the injection and production systems, the CO2 migration fronts, and potential CO2 leakage pathways. Tube fault detection, corrosion inhibitors, anti‐CO2 corrosion cement, and production dynamic analysis have been adopted to guarantee the safety at the well site. CO2 movement in the reservoir is detected mainly by gas tracer, electric spontaneous potential measurement, and fluid sampling. Near‐surface environmental monitoring is also conducted around the injection site. Field experience has shown that the monitoring targets should be focused on the reservoir, near‐surface, and injection and production systems. Applying monitoring techniques to ensure the integrity of wellbores can not only prevent the leakage of CO2, but also avoid the blind expansion of monitoring program scopes. It is reliable and economical to take full advantage of techniques based on wellbores to monitor CO2 movement in oil reservoirs with dense well patterns. Up to April 2013, nearly 21.7 × 104 tons of CO2 has been injected without obvious leakage caused by integrity failure of wells or the geological structure of reservoir. More than 96% of injected CO2 has been safely stored with the rest of injected CO2 normally breakthrough in the production wells. The preliminary monitoring experience obtained can provide valuable guidance for the future enlarged Jilin project and other CO2 EOR and storage operations.
Are power calculations useful? A multicentre neuroimaging study
Authors: Suckling John , Henty Julian , Ecker Christine , Deoni Sean C. , Lombardo Michael V. , Baron‐Cohen Simon , Jezzard Peter , Barnes Anna , Chakrabarti Bhismadev , Ooi Cinly , Lai Meng‐Chuan , Williams Steven C. , Murphy Declan G.M. , Bullmore Edward ,   for the MRC AIMS Consortium
Published: February 2014

There are now many reports of imaging experiments with small cohorts of typical participants that precede large‐scale, often multicentre studies of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Data from these calibration experiments are sufficient to make estimates of statistical power and predictions of sample size and minimum observable effect sizes. In this technical note, we suggest how previously reported voxel‐based power calculations can support decision making in the design, execution and analysis of cross‐sectional multicentre imaging studies. The choice of MRI acquisition sequence, distribution of recruitment across acquisition centres, and changes to the registration method applied during data analysis are considered as examples. The consequences of modification are explored in quantitative terms by assessing the impact on sample size for a fixed effect size and detectable effect size for a fixed sample size. The calibration experiment dataset used for illustration was a precursor to the now complete Medical Research Council Autism Imaging Multicentre Study (MRC‐AIMS). Validation of the voxel‐based power calculations is made by comparing the predicted values from the calibration experiment with those observed in MRC‐AIMS. The effect of non‐linear mappings during image registration to a standard stereotactic space on the prediction is explored with reference to the amount of local deformation. In summary, power calculations offer a validated, quantitative means of making informed choices on important factors that influence the outcome of studies that consume significant resources. Hum Brain Mapp 35:3569–3577, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional lateralization of the anterior insula during feedback processing
Authors: Späti Jakub , Chumbley Justin , Brakowski Janis , Dörig Nadja , Grosse Holtforth Martin , Seifritz Erich , Spinelli Simona
Published: February 2014

Effective adaptive behavior rests on an appropriate understanding of how much responsibility we have over outcomes in the environment. This attribution of agency to ourselves or to an external event influences our behavioral and affective response to the outcomes. Despite its special importance to understanding human motivation and affect, the neural mechanisms involved in self‐attributed rewards and punishments remain unclear. Previous evidence implicates the anterior insula (AI) in evaluating the consequences of our own actions. However, it is unclear if the AI has a general role in feedback evaluation (positive and negative) or plays a specific role during error processing. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging and a motion prediction task, we investigate neural responses to self‐ and externally attributed monetary gains and losses. We found that attribution effects vary according to the valence of feedback: significant valence × attribution interactions in the right AI, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the midbrain, and the right ventral putamen. Self‐attributed losses were associated with increased activity in the midbrain, the ACC and the right AI, and negative BOLD response in the ventral putamen. However, higher BOLD activity to self‐attributed feedback (losses and gains) was observed in the left AI, the thalamus, and the cerebellar vermis. These results suggest a functional lateralization of the AI. The right AI, together with the midbrain and the ACC, is mainly involved in processing the salience of the outcome, whereas the left is part of a cerebello‐thalamic‐cortical pathway involved in cognitive control processes important for subsequent behavioral adaptations. Hum Brain Mapp 35:4428–4439, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Algorithm to predict postoperative complications in oropharyngeal and oral cavity carcinoma
Authors: Santoro Luigi , Tagliabue Marta , Massaro Maria Angela , Ansarin Mohssen , Calabrese Luca , Giugliano Gioacchino , Alterio Daniela , Cossu Rocca Maria , Grosso Enrica , Plànicka Marek , Benazzo Marco , Chiesa Fausto
Published: February 2014

Background

Preoperative data in patients with oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancer may predict postoperative complications that may modify therapeutic choices and improve patient care.

Method

We reviewed 320 consecutive patients with oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancer, operated on 2003 through 2006 at the European Institute of Oncology. By multivariate analysis of preoperative patient and tumor characteristics, we developed an algorithm to predict postoperative complications. We tested the algorithm on a new series of 307 patients operated on 2007 through 2010.

Results

The final algorithm used to produce a nomogram was comprised of: alcohol consumption (p = .01), site of primary (p = .03), interaction of clinical T classification to sex (p = .007), and type of neck dissection (p < .0001). The algorithm had good ability to predict complications (concordance index [c‐index] 0.74) in the new series.

Conclusion

The nomogram accurately predicts presurgical risk of postoperative local/systemic complications in patients with oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancer and can be used to adapt therapy to patient characteristics, optimize ward admissions, and improve care. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 548–556, 2015
Distinct Seromarkers Predict Different Milestones of Chronic Hepatitis B Progression
Authors: Liu Jessica , Yang Hwai-I , Lee Mei-Hsuan , Batrla-Utermann Richard , Jen Chin-Lan , Lu Sheng-Nan , Wang Li-Yu , You San-Lin , Hsiao Chuhsing Kate , Chen Chien-Jen
Published: February 2014

Spontaneous seroclearance of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA undetectability are important milestones of chronic hepatitis B and major treatment endpoints of antiviral therapy. This study investigated the role of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels and established models for predicting HBeAg seroclearance and HBV DNA undetectability. A total of 2,139 HBsAg-seropositive, anti-HCV-seronegative, and treatment-naïve participants without liver cirrhosis at study entry were included. Spontaneous HBeAg seroclearance and HBV DNA undetectability were analyzed in 431 HBeAg-seropositive participants and 1,708 HBeAg-seronegative participants, respectively. Regression coefficients of predictors in Cox proportional hazard models were converted into integer scores for predicting seroclearance and predictive accuracy was assessed with time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The HBV DNA level was the most important predictor of HBeAg seroclearance but serum HBsAg level was the most significant predictor of HBV DNA undetectability. Compared to individuals with HBsAg levels ≥10,000 IU/mL, the multivariate-adjusted rate ratio (95% confidence interval) of HBV DNA undetectability was 1.20 (0.62-2.30), 2.49 (1.31-4.75), and 6.08 (3.19-11.61) for those with serum HBsAg levels of 1,000-9,999, 100-999, and <100 IU/mL, respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of the prediction models for predicting the 5- and 10-year probabilities of HBeAg seroclearance and HBV DNA undetectability were 0.85 (0.80-0.90) and 0.78 (0.73-0.83) for HBeAg seroclearance, and 0.77 (0.72-0.82) and 0.73 (0.70-0.76) for HBV DNA undetectability.

Conclusion :

Prediction models incorporating important host and virus factors can predict HBeAg seroclearance and HBV DNA undetectability. Serum HBsAg levels rather than HBV DNA is the most important predictor of spontaneous HBV DNA undetectability. Serum HBsAg levels should be monitored in the management of patients with HBeAg-seronegative chronic hepatitis B. (Hepatology 2014;60:77–86)
Effects of the mixture of two endocrine disruptors (ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel) on selected ecological endpoints ofAnuraeopsis fissaandBrachionus calyciflorus(Rotifera)
Authors: García‐García Gerardo , Sarma S. S. S. , Núñez‐Orti Alma Rosa , Nandini S.
Published: February 2014

In Mexico ethinylestradiol (ETE) and levonorgestrel (LEV) are regularly produced and utilized for birth control by women. In this work, we tested the effect of both hormones on the life table demography (LTD) of the rotifersAnuraeopsis fissaandBrachionus calyciflorus, exposed to different concentrations of mixed LEV and ETE in a ratio of 5:1 (500/100, 250/50, 125/25, 62.5/12.5, 31.25/6.25 for the rotifers but with an additional level of 15.625/3.125 µg L−1forB. calyciflorus). We also tested the effect of these endocrine disruptors on the population growth rate ofA. fissa. Our results showed that significant differences with respect to the control in the lower concentrations of the hormones corresponding to 31.25/6.25 and 62.5/12.5 µg L−1of LEV/ETE. Among the life history variables ofA. fissa, the average lifespan and net reproductive rate were stimulated by the mixed hormones at 31.25/6.25 of LEV/ETE. Both gross and net reproductive rates and the rate of population increase per day ofB. calycifloruswere stimulated by the higher levels (250/50 and 500/100 µg L−1) of endocrine disruptors.
A polarizable empirical force field for molecular dynamics simulation of liquid hydrocarbons
Authors: Szklarczyk Oliwia M. , Bachmann Stephan J. , van Gunsteren Wilfred F.
Published: February 2014

Electronic polarizability is usually treated implicitly in molecular simulations, which may lead to imprecise or even erroneous molecular behavior in spatially electronically inhomogeneous regions of systems such as proteins, membranes, interfaces between compounds, or mixtures of solvents. The majority of available molecular force fields and molecular dynamics simulation software packages does not account explicitly for electronic polarization. Even the simplest charge‐on‐spring (COS) models have only been developed for few types of molecules. In this work, we report a polarizable COS model for cyclohexane, as this molecule is a widely used solvent, and for linear alkanes, which are also used as solvents, and are the precursors of lipids, amino acid side chains, carbohydrates, or nucleic acid backbones. The model is an extension of a nonpolarizable united‐atom model for alkanes that had been calibrated against experimental values of the density, the heat of vaporization and the Gibbs free energy of hydration for each alkane. The latter quantity was used to calibrate the parameters governing the interaction of the polarizable alkanes with water. Subsequently, the model was tested for other structural, thermodynamic, dielectric, and dynamic properties such as trans/gauche ratios, excess free energy, static dielectric permittivity, and self‐diffusion. A good agreement with the experimental data for a large set of properties for each considered system was obtained, resulting in a transferable set of polarizable force‐field parameters for CH2, CH3, and CH4 moieties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A marriage of convenience: Hybridization of surface plasmon and dielectric waveguide modes
Authors: Alam Muhammad Z. , Aitchison J. Stewart , Mojahedi Mo
Published: February 2014

Plasmonics has attracted a lot of interest in the past few years because of its unique features, especially for its ability to confine light in extremely small volumes. However, application of plasmonics is restricted by the large propagation loss associated with plasmonic waveguides. On the other hand, dielectric waveguides enjoy low loss, although the mode confinement is relatively weaker. Hybrid plasmonic waveguides (HPWGs), which combine these two guiding mechanisms, allow one to utilize the benefits of both technologies. Over the past few years there have been intense research activities around the world on this new guiding scheme. In this work the operating principle of HPWGs, various HPWG structures proposed by different research groups, and their potentail applications are reviewed.
Boundary value problems for Dirac operators and Maxwell's equations in fractal domains
Authors: Abreu Blaya R. , Ávila Ávila R. , Bory Reyes J.
Published: February 2014

Some boundary value problems are solved for time‐harmonic electromagnetic fields on fractal domains, in the framework of exploiting hypercomplex function theory. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global bifurcation of solutions for a predator–prey model with prey‐taxis
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Wang Wendi , Zhang Guohong
Published: February 2014

We study pattern formations in a predator–prey model with prey‐taxis. It is proved that a branch of nonconstant solutions can bifurcate from the positive equilibrium only when the chemotactic is repulsive. Furthermore, we find the stable bifurcating solutions near the bifurcation point under suitable conditions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
General exact solutions for linear and nonlinear waves in a Thirring model
Authors: Van Gorder Robert A.
Published: February 2014

In the present paper, we construct exact solutions to a system of partial differential equations iux + v + u | v | 2 = 0, ivt + u + v | u | 2 = 0 related to the Thirring model. First, we introduce a transform of variables, which puts the governing equations into a more useful form. Because of symmetries inherent in the governing equations, we are able to successively obtain solutions for the phase of each nonlinear wave in terms of the amplitudes of both waves. The exact solutions can be described as belonging to two classes, namely, those that are essentially linear waves and those which are nonlinear waves. The linear wave solutions correspond to waves propagating with constant amplitude, whereas the nonlinear waves evolve in space and time with variable amplitudes. In the traveling wave case, these nonlinear waves can take the form of solitons, or solitary waves, given appropriate initial conditions. Once the general solution method is outlined, we focus on a number of more specific examples in order to show the variety of physical solutions possible. We find that radiation naturally emerges in the solution method: if we assume one of u or v with zero background, the second wave will naturally include both a solitary wave and radiation terms. The solution method is rather elegant and can be applied to related partial differential systems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uniqueness and exponential stability of almost periodic positive solution for Lasota‐Wazewska model with impulse and infinite delay
Authors: Yao Zhijian
Published: February 2014

In this paper, impulsive Lasota‐Wazewska model with infinite delay is studied. By using fixed point theorem of decreasing operator, we obtain sufficient conditions for the existence of unique almost periodic positive solution. Particularly, we give iterative sequence, which converges to the almost periodic positive solution. Moreover, we investigate exponential stability of the almost periodic positive solution by Liapunov functional. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bounds, monotonicity, uniqueness, and analytical calculation of a class of similarity solutions for the fluid flow over a nonlinearly stretching sheet
Authors: Van Gorder Robert A.
Published: February 2014

Invoking some estimates obtained in [F.T. Akyildiz et al., Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences 33 (2010) 601–606] (which presented an alternate method of proof for the present problem), we correct the parameter regime considered in [R.A. Van Gorder, K. Vajravelu, and F. T. Akyildiz, Existence and uniqueness results for a nonlinear differential equation arising in viscous flow over a nonlinearly stretching sheet, Applied Mathematics Letters 24 (2011) 238–242] and add some details, which were omitted in the original proof. After this is done, we formulate a more elegant method of proof, converting the nonlinear ODE into a first nonlinear order system. This gives us a more natural way to view the problem and lends insight into the behavior of the solutions. Finally, we give a new way to approximate the shooting parameter α = f ′ ′ (0) analytically, through minimization of the L2([0, ∞ )) norm of residual errors. This approximation demonstrates the behavior of the parameter α we expect from the proved theorems, as well as from numerical simulations. In this way, we obtain a concise analytical approximation to the similarity solution. In summary, from this analysis, we find that monotonicity of solutions and their derivatives is essential in determining uniqueness, and these monotone solutions can be approximated analytically in a fairly simple way. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Derivation of human embryonic stem cell lines without any exogenous growth factors
Authors: Liu Cai Xia , Zhang Ren Li , Gao Jun , Li Tao , Ren Zi , Zhou Can Quan , Wen An Min
Published: February 2014

Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines are traditionally derived through immunosurgery. Their maintenance in culture requires the presence of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) as feeder cells and media supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or other growth factors—both of which might introduce animal‐derived culture components. The drawbacks associated with immunosurgery, MEF co‐culture, and the cost of growth factors necessitate the exploration of a xeno‐free method to maintain the self‐renewal capacity of hESCs. Here, we describe an isolation method for the human inner cell mass (ICM), which was then cultured in the absence of exogenous growth factors and in the presence of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) as feeder cells. Three hESC lines were obtained from poor‐quality embryos by this near‐xeno‐free protocol. After culturing for more than 10 months, the hESCs retained normal morphology, expressed all expected cell surface markers, could differentiate to embryoid bodies upon culture in vitro, and formed teratomas in vivo. Furthermore, secretion of bFGF by HFFs was observed. In conclusion, this is the first study to describe an inexpensive, xeno‐free culture system for the isolation and maintenance of hESCs that does not require bFGF supplementation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 9999: XX–XX, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pooled analysis of large and long‐term safety data from the human papillomavirus‐16/18‐AS04‐adjuvanted vaccine clinical trial programme
Authors: Angelo Maria‐Genalin , David Marie‐Pierre , Zima Julia , Baril Laurence , Dubin Gary , Arellano Felix , Struyf Frank
Published: February 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to further evaluate the safety of the human papillomavirus (HPV)‐16/18‐AS04‐adjuvanted vaccine (HPV‐16/18‐vaccine Cervarix®, GlaxoSmithKline, Belgium) through a pooled analysis of data from 42 completed/ongoing clinical studies.

Methods

Unsolicited adverse events (AEs) were reported for 30 days after each dose. Medically significant conditions, serious AEs (SAEs), potential immune‐mediated diseases (pIMDs) and pregnancy outcomes were captured until study completion. Events leading to subject withdrawal were reviewed. Relative risks compared incidences of spontaneous abortion and pIMDs in controlled studies.

Results

Thirty one thousand one hundred seventy‐three adolescent girls/women received HPV‐16/18‐vaccine alone (HPV group), 2166 received HPV‐16/18‐vaccine coadministered with another vaccine and 24 241 were controls. Mean follow‐up was 39 months (range 0–113.3). Incidences of unsolicited AEs reported within 30 days after any dose were similar between HPV and Control groups (30.8%/29.7%). During the entire study period, reports of medically significant conditions (25.0%/28.3%) and SAEs (7.9%/9.3%) were also similarly distributed between groups. Deaths were rare: HPV (alone/coadministered) n = 25, controls n = 20 (n = 18 in blinded groups). pIMDs within 1 year were reported by 0.2% of HPV‐16/18 vaccinees and controls. For each pIMD event category, no increased relative risks were reported for HPV‐16/18 vaccinees versus controls. Coadministration did not change the overall safety profile. Pregnancy outcomes and withdrawal rates were similar between groups.

Conclusions

Analysis of safety data arising from 57 580 subjects and 96 704 HPV‐16/18‐vaccine doses shows that the incidences and distribution of AEs were similar among HPV‐16/18‐vaccine recipients and controls. No new safety signals were identified. The data confirm previous findings that HPV‐16/18‐vaccine has an acceptable benefit‐risk profile in adolescent girls and adult women. © 2014 GlaxoSmithKline. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Post‐licensure safety surveillance for human papillomavirus‐16/18‐AS04‐adjuvanted vaccine: more than 4 years of experience
Authors: Angelo Maria‐Genalin , Zima Julia , Tavares Da Silva Fernanda , Baril Laurence , Arellano Felix
Published: February 2014

Purpose

To summarise post‐licensure safety surveillance over more than 4 years of routine use of the human papillomavirus‐16/18‐AS04‐adjuvanted vaccine (HPV‐16/18 vaccine: Cervarix®, GlaxoSmithKline, Belgium).

Methods

We describe global post‐licensure passive surveillance data based on routine pharmacovigilance from 18 May 2007 until 17 November 2011 and enhanced surveillance implemented during the 2‐year national immunisation programme in the UK (school years 2008–2010).

Results

Spontaneous reports from countries worldwide showed a similar pattern for the most frequently reported adverse events after HPV‐16/18 vaccination. No patterns or trends were observed for potential immune‐mediated diseases after vaccination. Observed incidences of Bell's palsy and confirmed Guillain–Barré syndrome were within the expected range in the general population. Outcomes of pregnancy in women who were inadvertently exposed to HPV‐16/18 vaccine during pregnancy, were in line with published reports for similar populations. Enhanced surveillance of adverse events in the UK triggered a review of cases of anaphylaxis, angioedema and syncope reports, leading to an update to the prescribing information.

Conclusion

Collaborative partnerships between industry and national regulatory agencies facilitated rapid notification and transfer of safety information, allowing for rapid responses in the event of a safety signal of adverse event of concern. More than 4 years of post‐licensure experience may provide confidence to providers and the public about the safety profile of HPV‐16/18 vaccine in routine use. The safety profile appears to be consistent with pre‐licensure data reporting that HPV‐16/18 vaccine has an acceptable benefit–risk profile in adolescent girls and women. © 2014 The Authors. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential Sensitivity of Mammalian Cell Lines to Non‐Thermal Atmospheric Plasma
Authors: Naciri Mariam , Dowling Denis , Al‐Rubeai Mohamed
Published: February 2014

In vitro experiments demonstrated a differential sensitivity to non‐thermal atmospheric plasma among three mammalian cell lines. The highest proliferation rates, osteoblast cells (MG63) were the most sensitive; Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO), with the lowest proliferation rate, were the least sensitive; and colon cancer cells (SW480) were in between. Apoptosis was found to increase in all cell lines and at all levels of exposure in comparison to the controls. Cells grown in batch cultures, following plasma exposure, demonstrated similar trends of decreasing proliferation rates and ATP concentrations as exposure time increased. The investigation demonstrated that plasma exposure increases the propensity of surviving cells to adhere to surfaces. SEM and fluorescence studies showed that plasma‐exposed cells exhibited better cell spreading and cell adhesion.
p‐wave superconductors in dilaton gravity
Authors: Fan Z.Y.
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we study peculiar properties of p‐wave superconductors in dilaton gravity. The scale invariance of the bulk geometry is effectively broken due to the existence of a dilaton. By coupling the dilaton to the non‐Abelian gauge field, i.e., ‐1/4 e‐β Φ FaμνFaμν, we find that the dissipative conductivity of the normal phase decreases and approaches zero at the zero frequency as β increases. Intuitively, the system behaves more and more like an insulator. When the hairy solution is turned on, the system crosses a critical point to the superconducting phase. We find that the critical chemical potential decreases with the increasing of β and the maximum height of the conductivity is suppressed gradually which are consistent with our intuition for insulator/supercondutor transition.
Plasmonic‐enhanced crystalline silicon/organic heterojunction cells by incorporating gold nanoparticles
Authors: Tang Zeguo , Liu Qiming , Chen Qiang , Khatri Ishwor , Shirai Hajime
Published: February 2014

Poly‐(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS)/c‐Si heterojunction solar cells are studied with and without gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) incorporation into PEDOT:PSS layer. The results show that the devices with 10–15% AuNPs incorporation achieve an efficiency of 10.28%, an enhancement of about 10% compared with the reference cell without AuNPs incorporation, which exhibits a conversion efficiency of 9.29%. The local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) originated from incorporated AuNPs is thought to be one of the reasons why the short‐circuit current density improves. Meanwhile, the C–V characteristic results suggest that an improvement in built‐in potential leads to promote the carrier‐collection efficiency, thereby resulting in improved photovoltaic performance.
Polarizable embedding based on multiconfigurational methods: Current developments and the road ahead
Authors: Hedegård Erik D. , Jensen Hans Jørgen Aa. , Kongsted Jacob
Published: February 2014

This perspective gives a brief overview of recent developments within the polarizable embedding (PE) method — a multiscale approach developed over the last years. In particular, we are concerned with a recent coupling of the PE method to a multiconfiguration self‐consistent field (MCSCF) code. Current applications and target systems are outlined, and methods to incorporate dynamical correlation are discussed. With respect to dynamical correlation, the focus is on perturbative treatments as well as a range‐separated multiconfigurational hybrid between MCSCF and density functional theory (MC‐srDFT). A short discussion of CAS active spaces is also given. A few sample results using a retinal chromophore surrounded by a protein environment illustrate both the importance of the choice of active space and the importance of dynamical correlation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.