bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contralateral breast cancers: Independent cancers or metastases?
Authors: Begg Colin B. , Ostrovnaya Irina , Geyer Felipe C. , Papanastasiou Anastasios D. , Ng Charlotte K.Y. , Sakr Rita A. , Bernstein Jonine L. , Burke Kathleen A. , King Tari A. , Piscuoglio Salvatore , Mauguen Audrey , Orlow Irene , Weigelt Britta , Seshan Venkatraman E. , Morrow Monica , Reis‐Filho Jorge S.
Published: September 2017

A cancer in the contralateral breast in a woman with a previous or synchronous breast cancer is typically considered to be an independent primary tumor. Emerging evidence suggests that in a small subset of these cases the second tumor represents a metastasis. We sought to investigate the issue using massively parallel sequencing targeting 254 genes recurrently mutated in breast cancer. We examined the tumor archives at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for the period 1995–2006 to identify cases of contralateral breast cancer where surgery for both tumors was performed at the Center. We report results from 49 patients successfully analyzed by a targeted massively parallel sequencing assay. Somatic mutations and copy number alterations were defined by state‐of‐the‐art algorithms. Clonal relatedness was evaluated by statistical tests specifically designed for this purpose. We found evidence that the tumors in contralateral breasts were clonally related in three cases (6%) on the basis of matching mutations at codons where somatic mutations are rare. Clinical data and the presence of similar patterns of gene copy number alterations were consistent with metastasis for all three cases. In three additional cases, there was a solitary matching mutation at a common PIK3CA locus. The results suggest that a subset of contralateral breast cancers represent metastases rather than independent primary tumors. Massively parallel sequencing analysis can provide important evidence to clarify the diagnosis. However, given the inter‐tumor mutational heterogeneity in breast cancer, sufficiently large gene panels need to be employed to define clonality convincingly in all cases.
Anti‐Müllerian hormone and risk of ovarian cancer in nine cohorts
Authors: Jung Seungyoun , Allen Naomi , Arslan Alan A. , Baglietto Laura , Barricarte Aurelio , Brinton Louise A. , Egleston Brian L. , Falk Roni T. , Fortner Renée T. , Helzlsouer Kathy J. , Gao Yutang , Idahl Annika , Kaaks Rudolph , Krogh Vittorio , Merritt Melissa A. , Lundin Eva , Onland‐Moret N. Charlotte , Rinaldi Sabina , Schock Helena , Shu Xiao‐Ou , Sluss Patrick M. , Staats Paul N. , Sacerdote Carlotta , Travis Ruth C. , Tjønneland Anne , Trichopoulou Antonia , Tworoger Shelley S. , Visvanathan Kala , Weiderpass Elisabete , Zeleniuch‐Jacquotte Anne , Dorgan Joanne F.
Published: September 2017

Animal and experimental data suggest that anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) serves as a marker of ovarian reserve and inhibits the growth of ovarian tumors. However, few epidemiologic studies have examined the association between AMH and ovarian cancer risk. We conducted a nested case‐control study of 302 ovarian cancer cases and 336 matched controls from nine cohorts. Prediagnostic blood samples of premenopausal women were assayed for AMH using a picoAMH enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariable‐adjusted conditional logistic regression. AMH concentration was not associated with overall ovarian cancer risk. The multivariable‐adjusted OR (95% CI), comparing the highest to the lowest quartile of AMH, was 0.99 (0.59–1.67) (Ptrend: 0.91). The association did not differ by age at blood draw or oral contraceptive use (all Pheterogeneity: ≥0.26). There also was no evidence for heterogeneity of risk for tumors defined by histologic developmental pathway, stage, and grade, and by age at diagnosis and time between blood draw and diagnosis (all Pheterogeneity: ≥0.39). In conclusion, this analysis of mostly late premenopausal women from nine cohorts does not support the hypothesized inverse association between prediagnostic circulating levels of AMH and risk of ovarian cancer.
Stem cells and differentiated cells differ in their sensitivity to urine in vitro
Authors: Pokrywczyńska Marta , Kloskowski Tomasz , Balcerczyk Daria , Buhl Monika , Jundziłł Arkadiusz , Nowacki Maciej , Męcińska‐Jundziłł Kaja , Drewa Tomasz
Published: September 2017

Urinary tract regeneration using tissue engineering is one of the most challenging issues in the field of reconstructive urology. Cells seeded on scaffold are exposed to urine immediately after the implantation. The outcome of urinary bladder regeneration is depended on the ability of these cells to survive, proliferate, and regenerate. The aim of this study was to compare a sensitivity of three different cell lines to urine in vitro. Three different cell lines were isolated from porcine bladder (urothelial cells, UCs and smooth muscle cells, SMCs) and adipose tissue (adipose‐derived stem cells, ADSCs). Cell viability (MTT assay), proliferation (real‐time cell analysis using xCELLigence system) and apoptosis/necrosis (flow cytometry) were analyzed after exposition to urine. ADSCs were the most sensitive to urine compared to two other tested cell lines. Among the bladder cell lines the UCs were more resistant to urine than SMCs. Twenty four hour incubation of UCs, SMCs, and ADSCs with urine lead to ∼40%, ∼70%, and ∼90% reduction of their viability, respectively. The mechanism of urine mediated cytotoxicity differed depending on the tested cell type. Urothelial and SMCs seems to be more suitable for urinary bladder regeneration compared to mesenchymal stem cells, however, these cells have limited application especially in the case of urinary bladder cancer.
The influence of the metal cations and microhydration on the reaction trajectory of the N3 ↔ O2 thymine proton transfer: Quantum mechanical study
Authors: Šebesta Filip , Brela Mateusz Z. , Diaz Silvia , Miranda Sebastian , Murray Jane S. , Gutiérrez‐Oliva Soledad , Toro‐Labbé Alejandro , Michalak Artur , Burda Jaroslav V.
Published: September 2017

This study involves the intramolecular proton transfer (PT) process on a thymine nucleobase between N3 and O2 atoms. We explore a mechanism for the PT assisted by hexacoordinated divalent metals cations, namely Mg2+, Zn2+, and Hg2+. Our results point out that this reaction corresponds to a two‐stage process. The first involves the PT from one of the aqua ligands toward O2. The implications of this stage are the formation of a hydroxo anion bound to the metal center and a positively charged thymine. To proceed to the second stage, a structural change is needed to allow the negatively charged hydroxo ligand to abstract the N3 proton, which represents the final product of the PT reaction. In the presence of the selected hexaaqua cations, the activation barrier is at most 8 kcal/mol. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combined use of Clauss and prothrombin time‐derived methods for determining fibrinogen concentrations: Screening for congenital dysfibrinogenemia
Authors: Xiang Liqun , Luo Meiling , Yan Jie , Liao Lin , Zhou Weijie , Deng Xuelian , Deng Donghong , Cheng Peng , Lin Faquan
Published: September 2017

Background

In this study, the significance of fibrinogen concentration assessed by a combination of Clauss and prothrombin time (PT)‐derived methods for screening for congenital dysfibrinogenemia were investigated, and the screening efficiency of fibrinogen PT‐derived/Clauss ratio on congenital dysfibrinogenemia was analyzed.

Methods

We compared fibrinogen concentrations determined by the Clauss, PT‐derived, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods in 73 patients with congenital dysfibrinogenemia and 81 normal controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were utilized to evaluate the efficacy of fibrinogen PT‐derived/Clauss ratio in screening for congenital dysfibrinogenemia.

Results

Fibrinogen concentrations determined by the Clauss method were dramatically lower than by the PT‐derived method and ELISA, and correlated poorly with the latter two methods in patients with congenital dysfibrinogenemia. Fibrinogen concentrations in normal controls were slightly lower according to the Clauss method than to the PT‐derived method and ELISA; however, each method yielded results within the normal range and the correlation was good. The area under the ROC curve of fibrinogen PT‐derived/Clauss ratio for diagnosis of congenital dysfibrinogenemia was 1 with a standard error of 0, 95% confidence interval of 0.976‐1.00, and optimal critical diagnosis point of 1.43. When fibrinogen PT‐derived/Clauss ratio was >1.43, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of congenital dysfibrinogenemia were both 100%.

Conclusions

The combined use of Clauss and PT‐derived methods for determining fibrinogen concentrations improves the efficiency of screening for congenital dysfibrinogenemia, as the fibrinogen PT‐derived/Clauss ratio has high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of congenital dysfibrinogenemia. This ratio could serve an important screening tool for this disease.
Evaluation of the new restandardized Abbott Architect 25‐OH Vitamin D assay in vitamin D‐insufficient and vitamin D‐supplemented individuals
Authors: Annema Wijtske , Nowak Albina , von Eckardstein Arnold , Saleh Lanja
Published: September 2017

Background

Recently, Abbott Diagnostics has restandardized the Architect 25(OH)D assay against the NIST SRM 2972. We have evaluated the analytical and clinical performance of the restandardized Architect 25(OH)D assay and compared its performance with a NIST‐traceable liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method and the Roche total 25(OH)D assay in vitamin D‐insufficient individuals before and after vitamin D3 supplementation.

Methods

Frozen serum samples were obtained from 88 healthy subjects with self‐perceived fatigue and vitamin D‐insufficiency <50 nmol L−1 who were randomized to receive a single 100 000 IU dose of vitamin D3 (n = 48) or placebo (n = 40). Total 25(OH)D concentrations were measured before and 4 weeks after supplementation by the restandardized Architect 25(OH)D assay, LC‐MS/MS, and Roche assay.

Results

The Architect 25(OH)D assay showed an intra‐ and inter‐assay imprecision of <5%. Comparison of the Architect assay with the LC‐MS/MS method showed a good correlation in both vitamin D‐insufficient and vitamin D‐supplemented subjects, however, with a negative mean bias of 17.4% and 8.9%, respectively. As compared to the Roche assay, the Abbott assay underestimated 25(OH)D results in insufficient subjects (<50 nmol L−1) with a mean negative bias of 17.1%, this negative bias turned into a positive bias in supplemented subjects. Overall there was a moderate agreement in classification of vitamin D‐insufficient and ‐supplemented individuals into different vitamin D states between the Architect 25(OH)D method and LC‐MS/MS.

Conclusion

The routine use of the restandardized Architect 25(OH)D results in a slight underestimation of circulating total 25(OH)D levels at lower concentrations and thus potential misclassification of vitamin D status.
Long non‐coding RNA LINC00968 acts as oncogene in NSCLC by activating the Wnt signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Yíng , Zhou Jun , Xu Yu‐Jun , Hu Hai‐Bo
Published: September 2017

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have played critical roles in a variety of cancers, including non‐small cell lung cancer (N SCLC). In our study, we focused on the biological function and clinical significance of lncRNA LINC00968 in NSCLC. It was indicated that LINC00968 was significantly increased in LUAD tissues, LUSC tissues and NSCLC cells compared to their corresponding controls. Inhibition of LINC00968 was able to repress NSCLC growth, migration, and invasion in vitro while upregulation of LINC00968 reversed this process. Additionally, downregulation of LINC00968 induced apoptosis capacity of A549 cell. Apoptosis‐related proteins BCL‐2 were decreased and BAX was increased by knockdown of LINC00968, respectively. Meanwhile we observed that Wnt signaling pathway was involved in the LINC00968‐induced NSCLC progression. Finally, in vivo tumor xenografts were established using A549 cells to detect the function of LINC00968 in NSCLC tumorigenesis. Silencing LINC00968 greatly inhibited NSCLC tumor progression, which was consistent with the in vitro tests. In conclusion, we have uncovered that LINC00968 could be regarded as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in NSCLC diagnosis and treatment.
Curcumin regulates proliferation, autophagy, and apoptosis in gastric cancer cells by affecting PI3K and P53 signaling
Authors: Fu Hongbing , Wang Changming , Yang Dejun , Wei Ziran , Xu Jiapeng , Hu Zunqi , Zhang Yu , Wang Weimin , Yan Ronglin , Cai Qingping
Published: September 2017

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on cell activities of gastric cancer (GC), and the connection between curcumin and P53, as well as, PI3K signaling. This study was conducted with two cell lines SGC‐7901 and BGC‐823, both were exposed to curcumin at the concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and 40 μm. MTT assay, flow cytometry (FCM) assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to study the underlying mechanisms of curcumin in respective of proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. Western blot assay was also employed to detect impacts of curcumin on tophosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K) and P53 signaling pathways‐related proteins. MTT assay displayed that curcumin inhibited GC cell proliferation. FCM results indicated that curcumin induced the apoptosis of GC cells. TEM revealed that curcumin induced autophagy in GC cells. Western blot results showed that curcumin activated P53 signaling pathway and inhibited PI3K signaling pathway. Curcumin may inhibit proliferation and induce the autophagy and apoptosis in GC cells. Additionally, curcumin activated the P53 signaling pathway by up‐regulating P53 and P21, which also inhibited PI3K pathway through down‐regulating PI3K, p‐Akt, and p‐mTOR.
Bones Morphogenic Protein‐4 and retinoic acid combined treatment comparative analysis for in vitro differentiation potential of murine mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue into germ cells
Authors: Shirzeyli Maryam H. , Khanlarkhani Neda , Amidi Fardin , Shirzeyli Farshad H. , Aval Fereydoon S. , Sobhani Aligholi
Published: September 2017

Nowadays, infertility is no longer considered as an unsolvable disorder due to progresses in germ cells derived from stem lineage with diverse origins. Technical and ethical challenges push researchers to investigate various tissue sources to approach more efficient gametes. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the efficacy of a combined medium, retinoic acid (RA) together with Bone Morphogenic Protein‐4 (BMP4), on differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMMSCs) and adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) into germ cells. Murine MSCs were obtained from both Bone Marrow (BM) and Adipose Tissue (AT) samples and were analyzed for surface markers to get further verification of their nature. BMMSCs and ADMSCs were induced into osteogenic and adipogenic lineage cells respectively, to examine their multipotency. They were finally differentiated into germ cells using media enriched with BMP4 for 4 days followed by addition of RA for 7 days (11 days in total). Analyzing of differentiation potential of BMMSCs‐ and ADMSCs were performed via Immunofluorescence, Flowcytometry and Real time‐PCR techniques for germ cell‐specific markers (Mvh, Dazl, Stra8 and Scp3). Mesenchymal surface markers (CD90 and CD44) were expressed on both BMMSCs and ADMSCs, while endothelial and hematopoietic cell markers (CD31 and CD45) had no expression. Finally, all germ‐specific markers were expressed in both BM and AT. Although germ cells differentiated from ADMSCs showed faster growth and proliferation as well as easy collection, they significantly expressed germ‐specific markers lower than BMMSCs. This suggests stronger differentiation potential of murine BMMSCs than ADMSCs.
Relationships between parasitic infection and natural antibodies, age, and sex in a long‐lived vertebrate
Authors: Stromsland Katie , Zimmerman Laura M.
Published: September 2017

Reptilian immune systems are believed to rely more heavily on the innate response than the adaptive response. Past research on reptilian immune systems has indicated that natural antibodies (NAbs) play an important role in fighting antigens as the first responder and initiating the innate immune response. However, there is a gap in research on NAbs in reptiles as there is little data on how they may influence parasite prevalence in reptiles. Furthermore, no studies have examined NAbs at mucosal sites, which represent an important point of entry for parasites. We investigated NAbs in male and female red‐eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) in order to begin to fill this gap in our understanding. Plasma and mucosal samples were collected from T. scripta to determine total immunoglobulin levels in relation to intestinal parasite load, which was determined from fecal samples. We also determined antibody levels to various antigens to examine if NAbs are present in mucosal samples and how levels compare to plasma NAbs. In female turtles, parasite intensity decreased with increasing host age and mucosal antibody levels. We also found that the levels of antibodies that bind to a novel antigen and an antigen they are likely to have encountered were significantly related in both plasma and mucosal samples, indicating a NAb response. This study contributes to our understanding of how reptiles may rely on a broad innate response that allows them to resist potential pathogens while potentially avoiding some negative consequences of immunosenescence.
One‐step synthesis of [18F]cabozantinib for use in positron emission tomography imaging of c‐Met
Authors: Lien Vegard Torp , Klaveness Jo , Olberg Dag Erlend
Published: September 2017

Cabozantinib is an FDA‐approved kinase inhibitor for the treatment of medullary thyroid cancer and advanced renal cell carcinoma, which exerts its therapeutic effect by inhibiting, among others, the tyrosine kinase c‐Met. Noninvasive imaging techniques are becoming increasingly important clinically to ensure drug efficacy, staging, monitoring, and patient stratification. PET isotope labelled tyrosine kinase inhibitors have, for the same reason, potential as PET tracers for imaging of various cancers. On the basis of cabozantinib, we synthesized the novel boronic acid pinacol ester 4 as a labelling precursor, where the boronic ester moiety replaces the fluorine native to this kinase inhibitor. By this, we wanted to explore whether recently developed Cu‐mediated fluorination methods are adaptable to more complex substrates and thereby provide easy access to [18F]cabozantinib directly. Hydrolysis was implemented before preparative purification due to challenges with on‐column hydrolysis of the precursor 4, and [18F]cabozantinib was obtained in ≥99% radiochemical purity and in 2.8 ± 0.05% (n = 4) isolated decay corrected yield in a synthesis time of 90 minutes. The molar activity of representative batches was determined to be 17 ± 8 GBq/μmol.
Developmental mechanisms of longitudinal stripes in the Japanese four‐lined snake
Authors: Murakami Arata , Hasegawa Masami , Kuriyama Takeo
Published: September 2017

The developmental mechanisms of color patterns formation and its evolution remain unclear in reptilian sauropsids. We, therefore, studied the pigment cell mechanisms of stripe pattern formation during embryonic development of the snake Elaphe quadrivirgata. We identified 10 post‐ovipositional embryonic developmental stages based on external morphological characteristics. Examination for the temporal changes in differentiation, distribution, and density of pigment cells during embryonic development revealed that melanophores first appeared in myotome and body cavity but not in skin surface at Stage 5. Epidermal melanophores were first recognized at Stage 7, and dermal melanophores and iridophores appeared in Stage 9. Stripe pattern first appeared to establish at Stage 8 as a spatial density gradient of epidermal melanophores between the regions of future dark brown longitudinal stripes and light colored background. Our study, thus, provides a comprehensive pigment‐cell‐based understanding of stripe pattern formation during embryonic development. We briefly discuss the importance of the gene expression studies by considering the biologically relevant theoretical models with standard developmental staging for understanding reptilian color pattern evolution.
Response features for low‐cost statistical analysis and tolerance‐aware design of antennas
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Bekasiewicz Adrian , Cheng Qingsha S.
Published: September 2017

In this work, we discuss a methodology for rapid statistical analysis of antenna structures. The approach exploits response features, which are appropriately selected characteristic points of the antenna response that are important to determine satisfaction/violation of given performance requirements. As the dependence of the feature point coordinates on antenna geometry parameters is much less nonlinear than for original responses (here, reflection versus frequency), a reliable surrogate can be constructed at the level of the features. The surrogate is further used to conduct fast yield estimation through Monte Carlo analysis and, when coupled with sequential approximate optimization, allows for rapid tolerance‐aware design. The purpose of the latter is to maximize the probability of satisfying given performance requirements under the assumed distribution of manufacturing tolerances. Our methodology is demonstrated using a planar dual‐band antenna and compared with direct EM‐based statistical analysis as well as yield estimation using data‐driven surrogates.
Evaluating reanalyses performance in the Baltic Sea region by using assimilated radiosonde data
Authors: Keernik Hannes , Jakobson Erko
Published: September 2017

The comparison between seven reanalyses – ERA‐Interim, National Centres for Environmental Predictions (NCEP)–National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis, NCEP Department of Energy reanalysis, NCEP–Climate Forecast System Reanalysis, Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Application (MERRA), MERRA‐2 and JRA‐55 – and assimilated radiosonde measurements was performed for eight radiosonde stations in the Baltic Sea region during 1980–2015 at five levels. In addition to raw radiosonde measurements, data sets corrected for temperature‐dependence (TD) and time‐lag errors in RS80‐A humidity measurements were investigated. While temperature differences between reanalyses and radiosonde stayed below 0.1 °C at the higher levels, differences up to 1.2 and 2.3 °C were revealed for the 2 m level at 00 UTC and 12 UTC, respectively. At the same time, biases in relative humidity increased with height. The new techniques assimilated in reanalyses were found to be in a disagreement and in unison with radiosonde data, depending on the level, time of the day and reanalysis investigated. The RS80‐A TD correction had a significant effect on tropospheric humidity measurements, increasing specific humidity up to 0.3 g kg−1 at the 2 m level. Based on the ranking results, JRA‐55 is the most accurate reanalysis in representing the radiosonde measurements.
Methane delays the senescence and browning in daylily buds by re‐established redox homeostasis
Authors: Hu Huali , Liu Dan , Li Pengxia
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

During the postharvest senescence of fruits and vegetables, redox imbalance occurs. Although the release of methane (CH4) has been observed for a long time and its antioxidant properties have recently been demonstrated in animals and plants, the corresponding physiological role of CH4 in regulating plant senescence has not yet been elucidated.

RESULTS

Our results indicate that the postharvest deterioration of daylily buds during storage is greatly ameliorated by the exogenous application of CH4, particularly in the inhibition of tissue browning. The results are supported by a decrease in the degree of browning and by the corresponding phenotype, which are correlated with the suppressed polyphenoloxidase activity. CH4 also maintains the re‐establishment of redox balance, as indicated by the lower relative leakage rate, lipid peroxidation level, and reactive oxygen species accumulation in daylily buds. Furthermore, the decrease of the unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio and energy charge during storage was also attenuated.

CONCLUSION

These results clearly suggest that the postharvest treatment with CH4 is an effective means of prolonging the storage life of daylily buds. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
A design of high optical efficiency wedge type light guide plate adopting twin inclined cylindrical surface
Authors: Itoga Kenji , Takaira Kazutada , Sakai Seiji , Fujino Toshiaki , Satake Tetsuya , Yuuki Akimasa
Published: September 2017

We propose wedge type light guide plate (LGP) adopting twin inclined cylindrical surfaces (TICS) at the incident part of a LGP. It has higher optical efficiency than conventional wedge type LGP. In dimension of LGP which the thickness of incident part is 1.5 mm and that of luminance part is 0.7 mm, the optical efficiency of wedge type LGP adopting TICS is expected to be 96% in comparison with a normal flat LGP. In addition, there is an advantage to reduce the non‐uniformity of vicinity of light emitted diodes (LEDs) by TICS reflecting light laterally. However, it is necessary that the LED centers are aligned with the intersections of TICS. The misalignment of LED causes non‐uniformity of optical profile that is slightly larger than a normal LGP.
A study on a driving method of OLED displays for better motion image quality with adaptive temporal aperture control
Authors: Usui Takenobu , Takano Yoshimichi , Yamamoto Toshihiro
Published: September 2017

Degradation of motion image quality by motion blur on hold‐type displays, such as liquid‐crystal displays and organic light‐emitting diode displays, is a well‐known issue. To improve motion image quality, a driving method with a shorter temporal aperture has been proposed. However, a shorter temporal aperture requires higher instantaneous luminance on displays. Higher instantaneous luminance accelerates the lifetime degradation of organic light‐emitting diode. Therefore, we have been developing a driving method with adaptive temporal aperture control for a longer lifetime and better motion image quality. However, two image quality degradations were perceived when this driving method was applied. One of these degradations was caused at the boundary between the different temporal apertures. The other degradation was caused by switching the temporal aperture between frames. Hence, we have also proposed transition area and period insertion methods to suppress these degradations. In this paper, we discuss the mechanism of these degradations and confirm the effectiveness of our proposed methods by subjective evaluations. In the results, the degradations were suppressed by inserting 80 lines of transition area and by inserting 50 frames of transition period.
Strategies for analysis of isomeric peptides
Authors: Jansson Erik T.
Published: September 2017

This review presents an overview and recent progress of strategies for detecting isomerism in peptides, with focus on d/l epimerization and the various isomers that the presence of an aspartic acid residue may yield in a protein or peptide. While mass spectrometry has become a majorly used method of choice within proteomics, isomerism is inherently difficult to analyze because it is a modification that does not yield any change in mass of the analyte. Here, several techniques used for analysis of peptide isomerism are discussed, including enzymatic assays, liquid chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis. Recent progress in method development using mass spectrometry is also discussed, including labeling strategies, fragmentation techniques, and ion‐mobility spectrometry.
Evolution of the endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Shih Liang‐Chun , Patel Vishal S. , Choby Garret W. , Nakayama Tsuguhisa , Hwang Peter H.
Published: September 2017

Objective

Since first described in the 1990s, the endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) has been the subject of a growing body of literature. We performed a review to compare indications and outcomes of EMLP in an early cohort of publications (1990–2008) versus a contemporary cohort (2009–2016) and compare outcomes associated with follow‐up ≥2 years versus <2 years.

Data Sources

PubMed, SCOPUS and Cochrane databases.

Review Methods

An English‐language search of the PubMed and Ovid databases was conducted to identify publications from 1990 to 2016 reporting clinical outcomes of EMLP. Meta‐analysis was performed using Statistical Analysis System 9.4.

Results

A total of 1,205 patients were abstracted from 29 articles with a mean follow‐up of 29.1 ± 10.3 months. The overall rate of significant or complete symptom improvement was 86.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 84.2%‐88.7%). The overall patency rate was 90.7% (95% CI: 89.1%‐92.3%), with a revision rate of 12.6% (95% CI: 10.6%‐14.3%). Compared to the early cohort, patients in the contemporary cohort underwent EMLP more often for tumors (P < .001), had higher rates of complete or significant symptom improvement (90.0% vs. 82.6 %, P < .001); and trended toward greater patency rates (92.1% vs. 88.6%, P = .052). Compared to the short‐term follow‐up cohort, the long‐term cohort showed no differences in symptom improvement or patency, but the revision rate was higher (14.5% vs. 9.2%, P = .016).

Conclusions

In the last decade, EMLP has been performed more frequently for tumors. Recent studies have demonstrated improved symptom outcomes and a trend toward improved patency rates. The revision rate increased significantly when follow‐up exceeded 2 years. Laryngoscope, 128:317–326, 2018
Processing of Highly Reflective Materials
Authors: Keller Christian
Published: September 2017

Fiber lasers have become more accepted for industrial laser applications all around the world. For many years, companies and universities have developed new generations of fiber lasers which compete with other laser types such as CO2 lasers. As the market for CO2 lasers shrinks, the solid‐state laser market expands due to advantages such as higher efficiency, high beam quality and the ability to process highly reflective material such as copper and copper‐alloys. Processing such materials would be difficult with a CO2 laser due to the lower absorption characteristics of these metals at their wavelength, but opens a whole new range of laser applications for fiber lasers.
Variations in carbon burial and sediment accretion along a tidal creek in a Florida salt marsh
Authors: Arriola Jill M. , Cable Jaye E.
Published: September 2017

Salt marshes store large quantities of carbon in the form of buried organic matter (OM) and consequently play a major role in the global carbon cycle, yet vertical accretion and carbon burial rates (CBRs) can vary by orders of magnitude on small spatial scales. The goal of this study was to provide insight into carbon burial variability of a single tidal salt marsh. Six marsh sediment cores were collected along a tidal creek in the Big Bend of Florida from the mouth to the coastal forest within the marsh levee and plain. Each was analyzed for porosity, % OM, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), δ13C, δ15N, and excess 210Pb to determine vertical accretion and CBRs. Porosity, % OM, and TOC and TN were found to be highest in the low marsh and within the marsh levee. Stable isotopes of OM indicate the source is dominated by C3 plant species in both the levee and plain. Average vertical accretion ranges from 0.9 mm yr−1 to 2.2 mm yr−1 with the slowest rates in the low marsh. Average carbon burial ranges from 49.5 g OC m−2 yr−1 to 109.5 g OC m−2 yr−1. High carbon burial associated with low sediment accumulation in the Low Marsh and low carbon burial associated with high sediment accumulation rates in the High Marsh are typical in this marsh. These variations imply that the highest carbon burial occurs in the zone most vulnerable to loss via inundation and erosion.
Investigating large‐scale invasion patterns using‐small scale invasion successions—phenotypic differentiation of the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) at invasion fronts
Authors: Thorlacius Magnus , Brodin Tomas
Published: September 2017

Species invasions are an ever‐growing problem that increases with globalization through increased frequency of unintentional introductions. Between establishment and spread, a lag phase often occurs in which population growth is exponential and dispersal frequency low. Individual variation in behavioral traits, consistent through time and context, have been found crucial for understanding ecological processes such as density dependent dispersal during species invasions. In a previous study of the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), we found population differentiation between old and new populations in the Baltic Sea with individuals in new populations being more asocial, bold, and active. Here, we investigate if behavioral differentiations are created already during the initial spread from newly established populations. Hence, we monitored population growth and subsequent small‐scale spread (< 800 m) in two newly invaded areas, as well as the behavioral traits previously connected to dispersal, over two successional seasons. We found phenotypic differentiation between dispersing and resident individuals with small‐scale dispersers being smaller and more asocial. In addition, our catch‐per‐unit‐effort data suggest a lag‐phase of 3–5 yr, following initial colonization, before the round goby start spreading into the surrounding environment. This suggests that, at least in species that grow to high densities fast, sociability is more important than boldness and activity for triggering density‐dependent dispersal.
Photodissolution of copper from resuspended coastal marine sediments
Authors: Skrabal Stephen A. , McBurney Alyssa M. , Webb Linda A. , Brooks Avery G. , Kieber Robert J. , Mead Ralph N.
Published: September 2017

Total dissolved Cu (TDCu) was photoproduced from suspensions of estuarine and coastal marine sediments from varied biogeochemical settings after exposure to the equivalent of 1 day of sunlight. Net photorelease (defined as the difference between mean light and dark concentrations) of TDCu occurred in 10 of 13 experiments and ranged from 1.1 nM to 11.8 nM (0.88–46.1 nmol Cu g−1 dry sediment). Photorelease was observed over environmentally relevant total suspended sediment concentrations ranging from 38 mg L−1 to 460 mg L−1. The magnitude of photorelease was directly correlated to the 1 M HCl‐extractable Cu and Fe contents of sediments. Photoreleased Cu was likely associated with organic matter and/or Fe oxyhydroxides, both of which are photoreactive. Photoreleased TDCu persisted for at least 24 h after irradiation indicating that the Cu was not immediately scavenged back onto particles, most likely because it was stabilized by complexation with dissolved organic matter. Results of this study are important because a conservative estimate of the areal flux of TDCu from irradiation of a modest suspended sediment loading of 100 mg L−1 in the top 100 cm of a sunlit water column would be 460 nmol m−2 d−1, which is comparable to or significantly larger than benthic and riverine fluxes of the metal in estuarine and coastal environments. These results suggest that photolytic fluxes are a significant yet previously unrecognized source of bioactive Cu to natural waters.
Imaging FlowCytobot modified for high throughput by in‐line acoustic focusing of sample particles
Authors: Olson Robert J. , Shalapyonok Alexi , Kalb Daniel J. , Graves Steven W. , Sosik Heidi M.
Published: September 2017

Imaging FlowCytobot, a submersible instrument that measures optical properties and captures images of nano‐ and microplankton‐sized particles, has proved useful in plankton studies, but its sampling rate is limited by the ability of hydrodynamic focusing to accurately position flowing sample particles. We show that IFCB's sampling rate can be increased at least several‐fold by implementing in‐line acoustic focusing upstream of the flow cell. Particles are forced to the center of flow by acoustic standing waves created by a piezo‐electric transducer bonded to the sample capillary and driven at the appropriate frequency. With the particles of interest confined to the center of the sample flow, the increased size of the sample core that accompanies increased sample flow rate no longer degrades image and signal quality as it otherwise would. Temperature affects the optimum frequency (through its effect on the speed of sound in water), so a relationship between sample temperature and optimum frequency for acoustic focusing was determined and utilized to control the transducer. The modified instrument's performance was evaluated through analyses of artificial particles, phytoplankton cultures, and natural seawater samples and through deployments in coastal waters. The results show that large cells, especially dinoflagellates, are acoustically focused extremely effectively (which could enable, for example, > 10‐fold increased sampling rate of harmful algal bloom species, if smaller cells are ignored), while for nearly all cell types typically monitored by IFCB, threefold faster data accumulation was achieved without any compromises. Further increases are possible with more sophisticated software and/or a faster camera.
Freshwater sample preservation for the analysis of dissolved low molecular mass thiols
Authors: Leclerc Maxime , Planas Dolors , Amyot Marc
Published: September 2017

Low molecular mass (LMM) thiols are ubiquitous organosulfur peptides that play key roles in biogeochemical element cycling. These LMM thiols, found at low concentrations in the water column, are highly sensitive to oxidation and degradation processes which may lead to problems with detection and analysis. Natural water samples should be stored and handled appropriately to reduce thiol loss in the time period from sampling to analysis. Storage temperatures were investigated for optimal preservation of four thiols species. Thiol degradation varied between species and was generally slower in samples stored at −80°C and 4°C compared to −20°C and 21°C. Two natural freshwater matrices were tested, one from a fluvial lake subject to agricultural inputs and one from an oligotrophic pristine lake. After 6 d of storage at −20°C, the most affected thiol species was glutathione with a degradation rate (kD) of (3.0 ± 0.5) × 10−3 h−1 in the fluvial lake water and l‐cysteine‐l‐glycine (CYS‐GLY) with a kD of (3.8 ± 0.8) × 10−3 h−1 in the oligotrophic lake water. Argon purging of samples did not prevent thiol degradation or oxidation after storage for 7 d. Pre‐concentration by freeze‐drying techniques led to significant loss for every thiol species tested (up to 65% for cysteine). We recommend improving storage methods by using temperatures of −80°C or 4°C. The use of correction factors to estimate initial thiol concentrations is possible but should be used with caution due to highly site‐specific kD in natural waters.
Littlewood–Paley characterizations of higher‐order Sobolev spaces via averages on balls
Authors: He Ziyi , Yang Dachun , Yuan Wen
Published: September 2017

In this article, the authors characterize higher‐order Sobolev spaces , with , and , or with , and , via the Lusin area function and the Littlewood–Paley ‐function in terms of ball averages, where denotes the maximal integer not greater than . Moreover, the authors also complement the above results in the endpoint cases of p via establishing some weak type estimates. These improve and develop the corresponding known results for Sobolev spaces with smoothness order .
Graphene Oxide (GO) as Stabilizer for Preparing Chirally Helical Polyacetylene/GO Hybrid Microspheres via Suspension Polymerization
Authors: Li Jun , Deng Jinrui , Li Weifei , Pan Kai , Deng Jianping
Published: September 2017

Hybrid materials consisting of polymers and graphene are gathering ever‐growing interest. This article reports a novel methodology for preparing chirally helical polyacetylene/graphene hybrid microspheres (MPs) via suspension polymerization in which graphene oxide (GO) or alkynylated GO (MGO) serves as a sole stabilizer. Such polymerizations show remarkable advantages in circumventing the difficulties in usual suspension polymerizations and especially in directly providing clean hybrid MPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectra, and electron dispersive spectroscopy indicate that graphene sheets cover the MPs through physical interaction (GO) or covalent bonds (MGO). The hybrid MPs are also characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Circular dichroism spectra demonstrate that the polymer chains constituting the MPs adopt predominantly one‐handed helices, endowing the MPs with intriguing optical activity. The established strategy opens a new approach for preparing hybrid MPs constructed by acetylenic polymers and GO.
Serum HOTAIR and GAS5 levels as predictors of survival in patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Shen Jie , Hodges Tiffany R. , Song Renduo , Gong Ye , Calin George A. , Heimberger Amy B. , Zhao Hua
Published: September 2017

Circulating long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a new class of cancer biomarkers. However, their significance in predicting outcomes in glioblastoma patients is unclear. We measured the levels of six known oncogenic lncRNAs—CRNDE, GAS5, H19, HOTAIR, MALAT1, and TUG1 in serum samples from 106 patients with primary glioblastoma and analyzed their association with outcomes. High levels of HOTAIR were associated with decreased probability of 2‐year overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08‐9.76), and disease‐free survival (adjusted HR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.04‐6.17). High levels of GAS5 were associated with increased probability of 2‐year overall survival (adjusted HR = 0.44; 95% CI = 0.18‐0.99), and disease‐free survival (adjusted HR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.16‐0.98). HOTAIR and GAS5 levels could serve as reciprocal prognostic predictors of survival and disease progression in patients with glioblastoma.
Minimality conditions for wave speed in anisotropic smectic C∗ liquid crystals
Authors: Crooks Elaine C. M. , Grinfeld Michael , McKay Geoff
Published: September 2017

We discuss minimality conditions for the speed of monotone travelling waves in a sample of smectic C∗ liquid crystal subject to a constant electric field, dealing with both isotropic and anisotropic cases. Such conditions are important in understanding the properties of domain wall switching across a smectic layer, and our focus here is on examining how the presence of anisotropy can affect the speed of this switching. We obtain an estimate of the influence of anisotropy on the minimal speed, sufficient conditions for linear and non‐linear minimal speed selection mechanisms to hold in different parameter regimes, and a characterisation of the boundary separating the linear and non‐linear regimes in parameter space.
Voxel‐based multimodel fitting method for modeling time activity curves in SPECT images
Authors: Sarrut David , Halty Adrien , Badel Jean‐Noel , Ferrer Ludovic , Bardiès Manuel
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Estimating the biodistribution and the pharmacokinetics from time‐sequence SPECT images on a per‐voxel basis is useful for studying activity nonuniformity or computing absorbed dose distributions by convolution of voxel kernels or Monte‐Carlo radiation transport. Current approaches are either region‐based, thus assuming uniform activity within the region, or voxel‐based but using the same fitting model for all voxels.

Methods

We propose a voxel‐based multimodel fitting method (VoMM) that estimates a fitting function for each voxel by automatically selecting the most appropriate model among a predetermined set with Akaike criteria. This approach can be used to compute the time integrated activity (TIA) for all voxels in the image. To control fitting optimization that may fail due to excessive image noise, an approximated version based on trapezoid integration, named restricted method, is also studied. From this comparison, the number of failed fittings within images was estimated and analyzed. Numerical experiments were used to quantify uncertainties and feasibility was demonstrated with real patient data.

Results

Regarding numerical experiments, root mean square errors of TIA obtained with VoMM were similar to those obtained with bi‐exponential fitting functions, and were lower (< 5% vs.  > 10%) than with single model approaches that consider the same fitting function for all voxels. Failure rates were lower with VoMM and restricted approaches than with single‐model methods. On real clinical data, VoMM was able to fit 90% of the voxels and led to less failed fits than single‐model approaches. On regions of interest (ROI) analysis, the difference between ROI‐based and voxel‐based TIA estimations was low, less than 4%. However, the computation of the mean residence time exhibited larger differences, up to 25%.

Conclusions

The proposed voxel‐based multimodel fitting method, VoMM, is feasible on patient data. VoMM leads organ‐based TIA estimations similar to conventional ROI‐based method. However, for pharmacokinetics analysis, studies of spatial heterogeneity or voxel‐based absorbed dose assessment, VoMM could be used preferentially as it prevents model overfitting.
Quantitative determination and validation of octreotide acetate using 1H‐NMR spectroscopy with internal standard method
Authors: Yu Chen , Zhang Qian , Xu Peng‐yao , Bai Yin , Shen Wen‐bin , Di Bin , Su Meng‐xiang
Published: September 2017

Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) is a well‐established technique in quantitative analysis. We presented a validated 1H‐qNMR method for assay of octreotide acetate, a kind of cyclic octopeptide. Deuterium oxide was used to remove the undesired exchangeable peaks, which was referred to as proton exchange, in order to make the quantitative signals isolated in the crowded spectrum of the peptide and ensure precise quantitative analysis. Gemcitabine hydrochloride was chosen as the suitable internal standard. Experimental conditions, including relaxation delay time, the numbers of scans, and pulse angle, were optimized first. Then method validation was carried out in terms of selectivity, stability, linearity, precision, and robustness. The assay result was compared with that by means of high performance liquid chromatography, which is provided by Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The statistical F test, Student's t test, and nonparametric test at 95% confidence level indicate that there was no significant difference between these two methods. qNMR is a simple and accurate quantitative tool with no need for specific corresponding reference standards. It has the potential of the quantitative analysis of other peptide drugs and standardization of the corresponding reference standards.