bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using internet groups in situations of information poverty: Topics and information needs
Authors: Hasler Laura , Ruthven Ian , Buchanan Steven
Published: November 2013

This study explores the use of online newsgroups and discussion groups by people in situations of information poverty. Through a qualitative content analysis of 200 posts across Internet groups, we identify topics and information needs expressed by people who feel they have no other sources of support available to them. We uncover various health, well‐being, social, and identity issues that are not only crucial to the lives of the people posting but which they are unwilling to risk revealing elsewhere—offering evidence that these online environments provide an outlet for the expression of critical and hidden information needs. To enable this analysis, we first describe our method for reliably identifying situations of information poverty in messages posted to these groups and outline our coding approach. Our work contributes to the study of both information seeking within the context of information poverty and the use of Internet groups as sources of information and support, bridging the two by exploring the manifestation of information poverty in this particular online setting.
Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Synthesis of Organometallic Bis(helicene)s by a Combination of CH Activation and Dynamic Isomerization
Authors: Shen Chengshuo , Anger Emmanuel , Srebro Monika , Vanthuyne Nicolas , Toupet Loïc , Roussel Christian , Autschbach Jochen , Réau Régis , Crassous Jeanne
Published: October 2013

Homochiral and heterochiral cis‐bis‐cycloplatinated‐[6]helicene derivatives 1 b1, 2, as representative examples of platina[6]helicenes that share a common platinum center, have been prepared. A diastereo‐ and enantioselective synthesis, which combines CH activation and dynamic isomerization from heterochiral structure 1 b2 into homochiral structure 1 b1, is also described. Overall, this isomerization process results in the transfer of chiral information from one helicene moiety to the other one. The chiroptical properties of homochiral (P)‐ and (M)‐1 b1 were greatly modified upon oxidation into their corresponding (P)‐ and (M)‐diiodo‐PtIV complexes (5). The changes were also analyzed by performing theoretical calculations. CH activation in the synthesis of organometallic helicenes is further demonstrated by the preparation of cis‐bis‐cycloplatinated‐[8]helicene 1 c.
Chronotropic incompetence in exercise testing
Authors: Chin C.‐F. , Messenger J. C. , Greenberg P. S. , Ellestad M. H.
Published: October 2013

Patients with chronotropic incompetence, defined as a failure of the heart rate response to exercise to rise to within two standard deviations of the expected increase with exercise, were studied and compared to patients with known coronary disease by angiogram with and without ST segment depression.

72 % of the patients with chronotropic incompetence but without ST depression had significant coronary heart disease. The demonstration of chronotropic incompetence in exercise testing has important predictive implications and should be looked upon as carefully as ST segment changes. There was no evidence of SA node ischemia in these patients. Intrinsic heart rate measurements done in this study suggest autonomic dysfunction as a possible pathophysiologic mechanism for chronotropic imcompetence.

The heart rate response to exercise may be a useful predictor of the presence and severity of coronary disease. Therefore, a predicted heart rate response with standard deviation for age and sex should be included as part of the stress test protocol.
Angina, aortic stenosis and coronary heart disease
Authors: Thompson R. H. , Ahmed M. S. , Mitchell A. G. , Towers M. K. , Yacoub M. H.
Published: October 2013

The pre‐operative clinical and haemodynamic findings of 139 consecutive patients with aortic stenosis were analysed in an attempt to determine the incidence and influence of coronary heart disease on the mode of presentation of patients with aortic stenosis. The overall incidence of coronary heart disease was 32%. 105 patients (76%) presented with angina and of these, 41 patients (39%) had significant coronary heart disease as compared to 4 (13%) of the remaining 34 patients who did not present with angina. Clinical parameters including age, sex, severity of angina together with the presence of associated symptoms and precipitating factors were unhelpful in distinguishing those patients with coronary heart disease. Evidence of previous transmural myocardial infarction or the presence of ST‐T abnormalities in the absence of digitalis and the changes of left ventricular hypertrophy were reliable electrocardiographic signs of coronary heart disease. Although peak systolic aortic valve gradient tended to decrease with increasing severity of coronary heart disease, the severity of aortic stenosis was not a reliable indicator of the presence of coronary disease. Patients with coronary heart disease in the absence of angina all had a combination of moderate aortic stenosis and single vessel disease. It is concluded that coronary heart disease cannot be predicted in patients with angina and, in the absence of angina occurs with an incidence sufficiently high to advocate the use of coronary angiography as part of the investigation of all patients with aortic stenosis being considered for valve replacement.
Prenylamine. Autoradiographic and neuropathological studies on myocardial mechanisms of action
Authors: Milei J. , Faccio E.
Published: October 2013

Myocardial localization of prenylamine (PNL), a well known antianginal drug, was studied by means of an autoradiographic technique to detect microscopical distribution of tritiated PNL (3H‐PLN). Forty Wistar rats received 35 μCi/kg b. w. 3H‐PNL i. p., the animals being killed 30 min after injection.

Heart slices, 1 mm thick, were processed for both autoradiographic and conventional histological techniques.

3H‐PNL was observed, mainly, as striae along sarcolemma; sarcolemmatic/intramyocardial 3H‐PNL distribution ratio was 6:1. Preferential membrane deposition of 3H‐PNL is probably related to the calcium transport inhibiting action of the drug, previously described.
Removal of Tartrazine Dye onto Mixed‐Waste Activated Carbon: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies
Authors: Habila Mohamed Abdelaty , ALOthman Zeid Abdullah , Ali Rahmat , Ghafar Ayman Abdel , Hassouna Mohamed Slah El‐Din
Published: October 2013

Numerous studies have been performed on the conversion of individual types of waste into activated carbon (AC). However, this study focused on the evaluation of the simultaneous conversion of different types of wastes (palm, paper, and plastic wastes) into AC via copyrolysis. The tartrazine adsorption capacity onto the produced AC was optimized. The results showed that the carbon content of the AC improved as the calcium hydroxide concentration varied from 0.0 to 2.0 mol L−1. In addition, the volatile matter and ash content were reduced as the concentration of calcium hydroxide was increased from 0.0 to 2.0 mol L−1. The tartrazine adsorption capacity of the prepared AC samples increased as the calcium hydroxide concentration increased from 0.5 to 2 mol L−1 at a carbonization temperature of 400°C for 2 h and a final activation temperature of 500°C for 1 h. Effective adsorption occurred at pH 2. The maximum adsorption capacity (74.9 mg g−1) was obtained with a contact time of 300 min and an initial tartrazine concentration of 150 ppm. The adsorption kinetics of tartrazine were modeled with pseudo‐first order, pseudo‐second order, and intraparticle diffusion models, which revealed that the tartrazine adsorption onto the AC showed a best fit with the pseudo‐second order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters ΔG0, ΔH0, and ΔS0 indicated that the adsorption of tartrazine onto the AC was spontaneous and endothermic. The values of ΔG0 were between −1.3 and −2.3 kJ mol−1, and the ΔH0 and ΔS0 values, in the temperature range of 25–50°C, were 9.12 kJ mol−1 and 35.5 J mol−1 K−1, respectively. In general, the thermodynamic parameters indicate that the adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic.
Maternal choline supplementation differentially alters the basal forebrain cholinergic system of young‐adult Ts65Dn and disomic mice
Authors: Kelley Christy M. , Powers Brian E. , Velazquez Ramon , Ash Jessica A. , Ginsberg Stephen D. , Strupp Barbara J. , Mufson Elliott J.
Published: November 2013

Down syndrome (DS), trisomy 21, is a multifaceted condition marked by intellectual disability and early presentation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathological lesions including degeneration of the basal forebrain cholinergic neuron (BFCN) system. Although DS is diagnosable during gestation, there is no treatment option for expectant mothers or DS individuals. Using the Ts65Dn mouse model of DS that displays age‐related degeneration of the BFCN system, we investigated the effects of maternal choline supplementation on the BFCN system in adult Ts65Dn mice and disomic (2N) littermates at 4.3–7.5 months of age. Ts65Dn dams were maintained on a choline‐supplemented diet (5.1 g/kg choline chloride) or a control, unsupplemented diet with adequate amounts of choline (1 g/kg choline chloride) from conception until weaning of offspring; post weaning, offspring were fed the control diet. Mice were transcardially perfused with paraformaldehyde, and brains were sectioned and immunolabeled for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) or p75‐neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). BFCN number and size, the area of the regions, and the intensity of hippocampal labeling were determined. Ts65Dn‐unsupplemented mice displayed region‐ and immunolabel‐dependent increased BFCN number, larger areas, smaller BFCNs, and overall increased hippocampal ChAT intensity compared with 2N unsupplemented mice. These effects were partially normalized by maternal choline supplementation. Taken together, the results suggest a developmental imbalance in the Ts65Dn BFCN system. Early maternal‐diet choline supplementation attenuates some of the genotype‐dependent alterations in the BFCN system, suggesting this naturally occurring nutrient as a treatment option for pregnant mothers with knowledge that their offspring is trisomy 21. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:1390–1410, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Complete study of traditional thai colors used in mural paintings: Traditional thai color name dictionary
Authors: Katemake Pichayada , Preda Razvan I.
Published: November 2013

The major obstacle in identifying traditional Thai colors used in mural paintings is that most exist today only as names in old textbooks. The textbooks mention the name of each color without giving quantitative information about it. Mural paintings in Thailand have never been restored by matching the original colors, and, therefore, it is impossible to gather colorimetric data from any mural painting. Only few artists posses today the knowledge, inherited from their elders, to produce traditional Thai color names from natural pigments. However, there is no general accepted recipe among artists to produce any of these colors by means of pigment proportions and dilutions. For this reason, there is no other way to identify traditional Thai color names except for studying the color characteristics of samples painted by artists who still know how the colors look. Thai mural painting colors will be one of Thai's lost cultural treasures once these artists disappear. Therefore, the identification and quantitative description of these colors became a high priority. In this article, we review the method used in our research for identifying more than half of the studied traditional Thai mural painting colors and describe an improved method for identifying the rest of the colors. We show calculation processes used in the software that we created as part of the improved method. We also suggest a way for restoring the mural paintings, using the identified color names, given the fact that the latest restorations totally destroyed the old paintings in Lampang province. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 39, 616–629, 2014
Differentiation in neutral genes and a candidate gene in the pied flycatcher: using biological archives to track global climate change
Authors: Kuhn Kerstin , Schwenk Klaus , Both Christiaan , Canal David , Johansson Ulf S. , van der Mije Steven , Töpfer Till , Päckert Martin
Published: November 2013

Global climate change is one of the major driving forces for adaptive shifts in migration and breeding phenology and possibly impacts demographic changes if a species fails to adapt sufficiently. In Western Europe, pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) have insufficiently adapted their breeding phenology to the ongoing advance of food peaks within their breeding area and consequently suffered local population declines. We address the question whether this population decline led to a loss of genetic variation, using two neutral marker sets (mitochondrial control region and microsatellites), and one potentially selectively non‐neutral marker (avian Clock gene). We report temporal changes in genetic diversity in extant populations and biological archives over more than a century, using samples from sites differing in the extent of climate change. Comparing genetic differentiation over this period revealed that only the recent Dutch population, which underwent population declines, showed slightly lower genetic variation than the historic Dutch population. As that loss of variation was only moderate and not observed in all markers, current gene flow across Western and Central European populations might have compensated local loss of variation over the last decades. A comparison of genetic differentiation in neutral loci versus the Clock gene locus provided evidence for stabilizing selection. Furthermore, in all genetic markers, we found a greater genetic differentiation in space than in time. This pattern suggests that local adaptation or historic processes might have a stronger effect on the population structure and genetic variation in the pied flycatcher than recent global climate changes.
A Simple Method to Tune Up Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrodes Applicable to the Design of Disposable Electrochemical Sensors
Authors: Su Ya‐Ling , Tai Chun‐Yen , Zen Jyh‐Myng
Published: October 2013

We report an easy method to tune up screen‐printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) for application in fabricating disposable electrochemical sensors. Simply by ultrasonic polishing a bare SPCE in a γ‐Al2O3 slurry, the surface roughness was drastically smoothed coupled with a large increase in hydrophilicity. The as‐generated micromorphology on the surface of the SPCE was found to be ideal for the immobilization of catechol to minimize the overpotential in the sensitive detection of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and hydrazine. Physical characterization by both XPS and AFM studies specify that the adsorption behavior is related to the carbon surface functionalities and the trapping of γ‐Al2O3 on the polished‐SPCE.
Sox2 promotes tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells
Authors: Piva Marco , Domenici Giacomo , Iriondo Oihana , Rábano Miriam , Simões Bruno M , Comaills Valentine , Barredo Inmaculada , López‐Ruiz Jose A , Zabalza Ignacio , Kypta Robert , Vivanco Maria d M
Published: October 2013

Development of resistance to therapy continues to be a serious clinical problem in breast cancer management. Cancer stem/progenitor cells have been shown to play roles in resistance to chemo‐ and radiotherapy. Here, we examined their role in the development of resistance to the oestrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen. Tamoxifen‐resistant cells were enriched for stem/progenitors and expressed high levels of the stem cell marker Sox2. Silencing of the SOX2 gene reduced the size of the stem/progenitor cell population and restored sensitivity to tamoxifen. Conversely, ectopic expression of Sox2 reduced tamoxifen sensitivity in vitro and in vivo. Gene expression profiling revealed activation of the Wnt signalling pathway in Sox2‐expressing cells, and inhibition of Wnt signalling sensitized resistant cells to tamoxifen. Examination of patient tumours indicated that Sox2 levels are higher in patients after endocrine therapy failure, and also in the primary tumours of these patients, compared to those of responders. Together, these results suggest that development of tamoxifen resistance is driven by Sox2‐dependent activation of Wnt signalling in cancer stem/progenitor cells.
Effects of a natural toxin on life history and gene expression of Eisenia andrei
Authors: van Ommen Kloeke A.E. Elaine , Gong Ping , Ellers Jacintha , Roelofs Dick
Published: October 2013

Earthworms perform key functions for a healthy soil ecosystem, such as bioturbation. The soil ecosystem can be challenged by natural toxins such as isothiocyanates (ITCs), produced by many commercial crops. Therefore, the effects of 2-phenylethyl ITC were investigated on the earthworm Eisenia andrei using an ecotoxicogenomics approach. Exposure to 2-phenylethyl ITC reduced both survival and reproduction of E. andrei in a dose-dependent manner (median effective concentration [EC50] = 556 nmol/g). Cross-species comparative genomic hybridization validated the applicability of an existing 4 × 44 000 Eisenia fetida microarray to E. andrei. Gene expression profiles revealed the importance of metallothionein (MT) as an early warning signal when E. andrei was exposed to low concentrations of 2-phenylethyl ITC. Alignment of these MT genes with the MT-2 gene of Lumbricus rubellus showed that at least 2 MT gene clusters are present in the Eisenia sp. genome. At high-exposure concentrations, gene expression was mainly affected by inhibiting chitinase activity, inducing an oxidative stress response, and stimulating energy metabolism. Furthermore, analysis by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway implied that the high concentration may have caused impaired light sensitivity, angiogenesis, olfactory perception, learning, and memory. Increased levels of ITCs may be found in the field in the near future. The results presented call for a careful investigation to quantify the risk of such compounds before allowing them to enter the soil on a large scale. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:412–420. © 2013 SETAC
Uncoated and coated ZnO nanoparticle life cycle in synthetic seawater
Authors: Gelabert Alexandre , Sivry Yann , Ferrari Roselyne , Akrout Assia , Cordier Laure , Nowak Sophie , Menguy Nicolas , Benedetti Marc F.
Published: October 2013

The increasing production of nanoparticles has raised strong concerns regarding their environmental release. In life cycle scenarios of nanoparticles, marine systems constitute one of the main final compartments, and the fate of nanoparticles in marine environments needs to be assessed. The dissolution kinetics of commercial uncoated and organic-coated ZnO nanoparticles in synthetic seawater were investigated using the Donnan membrane technique and 1000-Da pore size ultrafiltration. Uncoated nanoparticles reach a maximum dissolution within the first hour, approximately 24% of total ZnO at pH 8.2, and 4% at pH 7.7, followed by secondary carbonated phase precipitation (hydrozincite) until the system reaches a steady state after 30 d of interaction. Assuming a pseudo first-order kinetics for hydrozincite precipitation allowed calculation of kinetics constant values k′p of −208 × 10−4 mol L−1 h−1 ± 15 × 10−4 mol L−1 h−1 (standard deviation) at pH 7.7, and −57 × 10−4 mol L−1 h−1 ± 11 × 10−4 mol L−1 h−1 at pH 8.2. The presence of an organic coating drastically modifies the life cycle of nanoparticles, with a maximum dissolution reached after 7 d of interaction, followed by a stationary phase lasting from 1 wk to 3 wk, and a subsequent Zn carbonate precipitation until a steady state is reached after 1.5 mo. Monitoring changes in the physicochemical parameters of nanoparticles after exposure to synthetic seawater constitutes an important step in predicting their fate in environmental systems, with major implications for ecotoxicological studies in which metallic speciation is required for toxicity evaluation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:341–349. © 2013 SETAC
Quantitative Allelic Test—A Fast Test for Very Large Association Studies
Authors: Lee Sang Mee , Karrison Theodore G. , Cox Nancy J. , Im Hae Kyung
Published: November 2013

Advances in high throughput technology have enabled the generation of unprecedented amounts of genomic data (e.g., next‐generation sequence data, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics), which promises to unravel the genetic architecture of complex traits. These discoveries may lead to novel therapeutic targets, guide disease prevention, and enable personalized medicine. However, the pace of data generation surpasses the ability to process and analyze the vast amounts of data. For example, in a typical study of transcription regulation, the relationship between more than 1 million genetic variants and 10,000 transcript levels are explored, requiring tens of billions of tests. In order to address this problem, we propose a fast, accurate, and robust method that can assess the significance of associations between quantitative phenotypes and genotypes. The method is an extension of the allelic test commonly used in case–control studies for the analysis of quantitative traits. We show the asymptotic equivalence of the proposed test to linear regression results. We also reduce a generalized linear regression problem to the comparison of two groups, which can handle nonnormal and survival time phenotypes.
Hepatitis C disease severity in living versus deceased donor liver transplant recipients: An extended observation study
Authors: Terrault Norah A. , Stravitz Todd R. , Lok Anna S.F. , Everson Greg T. , Brown Robert S. , Kulik Laura M. , Olthoff Kim M. , Saab Sammy , Adeyi Ovedele , Argo Curtis K. , Everhart Jay E. , Rodrigo Del R.
Published: October 2013

Donor factors influence hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease severity in liver transplant (LT) recipients. Living donors, because they are typically young and have short cold ischemic times, may be advantageous for HCV-infected patients. Among HCV-infected patients in the Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study (A2ALL) surviving >90 days and followed for a median 4.7 years, advanced fibrosis (Ishak stage ≥3) and graft loss were determined. The 5-year cumulative risk of advanced fibrosis was 44% and 37% in living donor LT (LDLT) and deceased donor LT (DDLT) patients (P = 0.16), respectively. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity at LT (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.38 for doubling of AST, P = 0.005) and biliary strictures (HR = 2.68, P = 0.0001) were associated with advanced fibrosis, but LDLT was not (HR = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-1.69, P = 0.63). The 5-year unadjusted patient and graft survival probabilities were 79% and 78% in LDLT, and 77% and 75% in DDLT (P = 0.43 and 0.32), with 27% and 20% of LDLT and DDLT graft losses due to HCV (P = 0.45). Biliary strictures (HR = 2.25, P = 0.0006), creatinine at LT (HR = 1.74 for doubling of creatinine, P = 0.0004), and AST at LT (HR = 1.36 for doubling of AST, P = 0.004) were associated with graft loss, but LDLT was not (HR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.49-1.18, P = 0.23). Conclusion: Donor type does not affect the probability of advanced fibrosis or patient and graft survival in HCV-infected recipients. Thus, while LDLT offers the advantage of shorter wait times, there is no apparent benefit for HCV disease progression. Biliary strictures have a negative effect on HCV fibrosis severity and graft survival, and a high AST at LT may be an important predictor of fibrosis risk post-LT. (HEPATOLOGY 2014;59:1311-1319)
Impact of self‐assembled monolayer films with specific chemical group on bFGF adsorption and endothelial cell growth on gold surface
Authors: Wu Gang , Wang Jiahui , Chen Xiaofeng , Wang Yingjun
Published: November 2013

In this study, thiols ended with methyl, carboxyl, hydroxy, and amino groups are self‐assembled on gold surfaces. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy test results show that chemical components on the self‐assembled surface are similar to those in the theoretical calculations. The atomic force microscope test results show that the molecule assembled on the surface causes no significant variation in the surface roughness before and after the molecule assembly. The water surface contact angle increases with the increasing hydrophilicity of the end groups of the self‐assembled monolayer. The surface zeta potential reveals that COOH surface has the most electronegativity. The resulting substrates are then made to adsorb base fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The quartz crystal microbalance test results show that the amounts of bFGF adsorbed onto different self‐assembled surfaces are COOH≈OH>CH3>NH2. According to cell culture experiments, endothelial cells have different morphologies after adhering to different surfaces. Furthermore, endothelial cells achieve the quickest proliferation on the COOH self‐assembled surface and the slowest proliferation on the CH3 self‐assembled surface. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3439–3445, 2014.
Facile and highly efficient approach for the fabrication of multifunctional silk nanofibers containing hydroxyapatite and silver nanoparticles
Authors: Sheikh Faheem A. , Woo Ju Hyung , Mi Moon Bo , Jung Park Hyun , Kim Jung‐Ho , Joo Lee Ok , Hum Park Chan
Published: November 2013

In this study, a good combination consisting of electrospun silk fibroin nanofibers incorporated with high‐purity hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles (NPs) and silver NPs is introduced as antimicrobial for tissue engineering applications. The variable pressure field emission scanning electron microscope results confirmed randomly placed nanofibers are produced with highly dispersed HAp and silver NPs in nanofibers after electrospinning. The X‐ray diffraction results demonstrated crystalline features of each of the three components used for electrospinning. Moreover, the TEM‐EDS analysis confirmed the presence and chemical nature of each component over individual silk nanofiber. The FT‐IR analyses was used confirm the different vibration modes caused due to functional groups present in silk fibroin, Hap, and silver NPs. The obtained nanofibers were checked for antimicrobial activity by using two model organisms Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Subsequently, the antimicrobial tests have indicated that prepared nanofibers do possess good bactericidal activity. The ability of N,N‐dimethylformamide and silk fibroin used to reduce silver nitrate into silver metal was evaluated using MTT assay. The nanofibers were grown in presence of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, which revealed toxic behavior to fibroblasts at higher concentrations of silver nitrate used in this study. Furthermore, cell attachment studies on nanofibers for 3 and 12 days of incubation time were minutely observed and correlated with the results of MTT assay. The reported results confirmed the high amounts of silver nitrate can lead to toxic effects on viability of fibroblasts and had bad effect in cell attachment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3459–3469, 2014.
Endothelialization of implanted cardiovascular biomaterial surfaces: The development from in vitro to in vivo
Authors: Liu Tao , Liu Shihui , Zhang Kun , Chen Junying , Huang Nan
Published: November 2013

Restenosis and thrombosis formation after cardiovascular devices implantation continue to be problematic. Although various platforms and parameters of cardiovascular devices have been designed and optimized over the years, postoperative complications are hard to avoid. The native vascular endothelium always provide a nonthrombogenic surface as well as prevent intimal overproliferation, thereby, the presence of a confluent endothelial cell layer on material surfaces have been widely accepted as an ideal approach to improve the biocompatibility of implanted cardiovascular materials. Endothelialization on biomaterial surfaces is initially developed by in vitro cell seeding. However, numerous no‐perfect parts of this method are existed for clinical use. The emergency of endothelial progenitor cells may provide a promising way for setting these limitations. Over the last decades, countless researches about EPCs‐based in vivo induced self‐endothelialization have been reported and mainly focused on cellular therapy, pharmacological therapy, materials designing, or surface biofunctional modification. This review details the development of endothelialization on cardiovascular material surfaces from in vitro to in vivo. Endothelialization progress on the basis of molecular biological level and bioinformatics theory is expected to be the key point in the coming decades. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3754–3772, 2014.
Efficient biosynthesis of a chitinase from Halobacterium salinarum expressed in Escherichia coli
Authors: Moscoso Fatima , Sieira Myriam , Domínguez Alberto , Deive Francisco J. , Longo Maria A. , Sanromán Maria A.
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Chitinases have been widely studied and can be produced by various groups of microorganisms, in particular, marine bacteria. The exploration of extremophilic marine microorganisms bears advantageous and unique biotechnological implications and the scaling up of the production process is a decisive stage to be researched.

RESULTS

A chitinase gene from Halobacterium salinarum was expressed in Escherichia coli and the protein production process was performed at different scales. In order to determine the most suitable bioreactor, two configurations were investigated: stirred‐tank and airlift. It was demonstrated that the stirred‐tank configuration led to the highest chitinase activities. The effect of stirrer speed (range 150–400 rpm) and aeration rate (range 0.6–2 vvm) was investigated, and maximum activity levels of 20.99 U L‐1 were detected at 300 rpm and 0.66 vvm

CONCLUSION

Chitinase from H. salinarum expressed in E. coli was successfully produced in a mechanically stirred bioreactor, and the optimum conditions of agitation and aeration were ascertained. The chitinase obtained turned out to possess a mass weight of 66 kDa, as determined by SDS‐PAGE. The system was suitably characterized with known mathematical models. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some 1,3‐Disubstituted Indeno[1,2‐c]pyrazoles
Authors: Mohil Rajni , Kumar Devinder , Mor Satbir
Published: November 2013

Synthesis of new 3‐alkyl indeno[1,2‐c]pyrazoles, possessing 4‐substituted thiazole moiety at position‐1 derived from 2‐acyl indane‐1,3‐diones, has been described. These compounds and their precursor were screened for their antibacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli) and antifungal (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans) activities.
A Convenient Synthesis of 2H‐Pyran‐2‐ones, Fused Pyran‐2‐ones, and Pyridones Bearing a Thiazole Moiety
Authors: Bondock Samir , Tarhoni Abd El‐Gaber , Fadda Ahmed A.
Published: November 2013

The versatile enaminonitrile, 2‐cyano‐3‐(dimethylamino)‐N‐(4‐phenylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐acrylamide (2), reacts with some C,O‐binucleophiles (acetylacetone and dimedone) in refluxing acetic acid to afford the pyranone 4, the chromene 6 derivatives, and with C,N‐binucleophiles (2‐(benzothiazol‐2‐yl)acetonitrile and 2‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)acetonitrile) to afford the respective 1H‐pyrido[2,1‐b]benzothiazole 8 and pyrido[1,2‐a]benzimidazole 10 derivatives. Similar treatment of 2 with phenol, resorcinol, α‐naphthol and β‐naphthol in boiling acetic acid gave the coumarin derivatives 12, 14, 16, and 18, respectively. The utility of enaminonitrile 2 for the synthesis of 6H‐pyrano[3,2‐d]isoxazole 20, pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole 22, and pyrano[2,3‐d]pyrimidine 24 derivatives was also explored via its reaction with 3‐phenylisoxazol‐5(4H)‐one, 3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5(4H)‐one, and barbituric acid, respectively. The mechanistic aspects for the formation of the new compounds were also discussed.
Whole‐body MRI, including diffusion‐weighted imaging, for staging lymphoma: Comparison with CT in a prospective multicenter study
Authors: Kwee Thomas C. , Vermoolen Malou A. , Akkerman Erik A. , Kersten Marie José , Fijnheer Rob , Ludwig Inge , Beek Frederik J.A. , van Leeuwen Maarten S. , Bierings Marc B. , Bruin Marrie C.A. , Zsíros József , Quarles van Ufford Henriëtte M.E. , de Klerk John M.H. , Adam Judit , Stoker Jaap , Uiterwaal Cuno S. , Nievelstein Rutger A.J.
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To compare whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), to computed tomography (CT) for staging newly diagnosed lymphoma.

Materials and Methods

In all, 108 patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma prospectively underwent whole‐body MRI (T1‐weighted and T2‐weighted short inversion time inversion recovery [n = 108], and DWI [n = 104]) and CT. Ann Arbor stages were assigned according to whole‐body MRI and CT findings. Staging disagreements were resolved using bone marrow biopsy, FDG‐PET, and follow‐up studies. The results were descriptively analyzed.

Results

Staging results of whole‐body MRI without DWI were equal to those of CT in 66.6%, higher in 24.1%, and lower in 9.3%, with correct/incorrect/unresolved higher staging and incorrect/unresolved lower staging relative to CT in 15/7/4 and 9/1 patient(s), respectively. Staging results of whole‐body MRI with DWI were equal to those of CT in 65.4%, higher in 27.9%, and lower in 6.7%, with correct/incorrect/unresolved higher staging and incorrect/unresolved lower staging relative to CT in 18/6/5 and 6/1 patient(s), respectively.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that whole‐body MRI staging equals CT staging in the majority of patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma. No advantage of additional DWI was demonstrated. Whole‐body MRI can be a good alternative to CT if radiation exposure should be avoided. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:26–36. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An update of high‐resolution monthly climate surfaces for Mexico
Authors: Cuervo‐Robayo Angela P. , Téllez‐Valdés Oswaldo , Gómez‐Albores Miguel A. , Venegas‐Barrera Crystian S. , Manjarrez Javier , Martínez‐Meyer Enrique
Published: October 2013

Climate surfaces are digital representations of climatic variables from a region in the planet estimated via geographical interpolation techniques. Climate surfaces have multiple applications in research planning, experimental design, and technology transfer. Although high‐resolution climatologies have been developed worldwide, Mexico is one of the few countries that have developed several climatic surfaces. Here, we present an updated high‐resolution (30 arc sec) climatic surfaces for Mexico for the average monthly climate period 1910–2009, corresponding to monthly values of precipitation, daily maximum, and minimum temperature, as well as 19 bioclimatic variables derived from the monthly precipitation and temperature values. To produce these surfaces we applied the thin‐plate smoothing spline interpolation algorithm implemented in the ANUSPLIN software to nearly 5000 climate weather stations countrywide. As an additional product and unlike the previous efforts, we generated monthly standard error surfaces for the three climate parameters, which can be used for error assessment when using these climate surfaces. Our climate surface predicted slightly drier and cooler conditions than the previous ones. ANUSPLIN diagnostic statistics indicated that model fit was adequate. We implemented a more recent error assessment, a set of withheld stations to perform an independent evaluation of the model surfaces. We estimate the mean absolute error and mean error, with the withheld data and all the available data. Average RTGCV for monthly temperatures was of 1.26–1.12 °C and 24.67% for monthly precipitation, and a RTMSE of 0.48–0.56 °C and 11.11%. The main advantage of the surfaces presented here regarding the other three developed for the country is that ours cover practically the entire 20th century and almost the entire first decade of the 21st century. It is the most up to date high‐resolution climatology for the country.
Localization of liposomal mTHPC formulations within normal epithelium, dysplastic tissue, and carcinoma of oral epithelium in the 4NQO‐carcinogenesis rat model
Authors: de Visscher Sebastiaan A.H.J. , Witjes Max J.H. , van der Vegt Bert , de Bruijn Henriëtte S. , van der Ploeg – van den Heuvel Angélique , Amelink Arjen , Sterenborg Henricus J.C.M. , Roodenburg Jan L.N. , Robinson Dominic J.
Published: October 2013

Background and Objective

Foslip and Fospeg are liposomal formulations of the photosensitizer mTHPC (Foscan), which is used for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of malignancies. Literature suggests that liposomal mTHPC formulations have better properties and increased tumor uptake compared to Foscan. To investigate this, we used the 4NQO‐induced carcinogen model to compare the localization of the different mTHPC formulations within normal, precancerous, and cancerous tissue. In contrast to xenograft models, the 4NQO model closely mimics the carcinogenesis of human oral dysplasia.

Materials and Methods

Fifty‐four rats drank water with the carcinogen 4NQO. When oral examination revealed tumor, the rats received 0.15 mg/kg mTHPC (Foscan, Foslip, or Fospeg). At 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, or 96 hours after injection the rats were sacrificed. Oral tissue was sectioned for HE slides and for fluorescence confocal microscopy. The HE slides were scored on the severity of dysplasia by the epithelial atypia index (EAI). The calibrated fluorescence intensity per formulation or time point was correlated to EAI.

Results

Fospeg showed higher mTHPC fluorescence in normal and tumor tissue compared to both Foscan and Foslip. Significant differences in fluorescence between tumor and normal tissue were found for all formulations. However, at 4, 8, and 24 hours only Fospeg showed a significant difference. The Pearson's correlation between EAI and mTHPC fluorescence proved weak for all formulations.

Conclusion

In our induced carcinogenesis model, Fospeg exhibited a tendency for higher fluorescence in normal and tumor tissue compared to Foslip and Foscan. In contrast to Foscan and Foslip, Fospeg showed significantly higher fluorescence in tumor versus normal tissue at earlier time points, suggesting a possible clinical benefit compared to Foscan. Low correlation between grade of dysplasia and mTHPC fluorescence was found. Lasers Surg. Med. 45:668–678, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Whole‐heart chemical shift encoded water–fat MRI
Authors: Taviani Valentina , Hernando Diego , Francois Christopher J. , Shimakawa Ann , Vigen Karl K. , Nagle Scott K. , Schiebler Mark L. , Grist Thomas M. , Reeder Scott B.
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To develop and evaluate a free‐breathing chemical‐shift‐encoded (CSE) spoiled gradient‐recalled echo (SPGR) technique for whole‐heart water–fat imaging at 3 Tesla (T).

Methods

We developed a three‐dimensional (3D) multi‐echo SPGR pulse sequence with electrocardiographic gating and navigator echoes and evaluated its performance at 3T in healthy volunteers (N = 6) and patients (N = 20). CSE‐SPGR, 3D SPGR, and 3D balanced‐SSFP with chemical fat saturation were compared in six healthy subjects with images evaluated for overall image quality, level of residual artifacts, and quality of fat suppression. A similar scoring system was used for the patient datasets.

Results

Images of diagnostic quality were acquired in all but one subject. CSE‐SPGR performed similarly to SPGR with fat saturation, although it provided a more uniform fat suppression over the whole field of view. Balanced‐SSFP performed worse than SPGR‐based methods. In patients, CSE‐SPGR produced excellent fat suppression near metal. Overall image quality was either good (7/20) or excellent (12/20) in all but one patient. There were significant artifacts in 5/20 clinical cases.

Conclusion

CSE‐SPGR is a promising technique for whole‐heart water–fat imaging during free‐breathing. The robust fat suppression in the water‐only image could improve assessment of complex morphology at 3T and in the presence of off‐resonance, with additional information contained in the fat‐only image. Magn Reson Med 72:718–725, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Imaging mass spectrometry: A new tool for pathology in a molecular age
Authors: Norris Jeremy L. , Caprioli Richard M.
Published: November 2013

Mass spectrometry (MS) provides unique advantages for the analysis of clinical specimens, and these capabilities have been critical to the advancement of diagnostic medicine. To date, LC‐MS is the MS platform most commonly used for diagnostics; however, LC‐MS based proteomics is very labor intensive and costly to implement for high volume assays. Furthermore, when analyzing tissue samples, additional laborious sample preparation steps must be employed (e.g. extraction methods or laser microdissection). The direct analysis of cells and tissues by MALDI imaging MS has developed significant momentum for applications that have diagnostic potential. MALDI imaging MS provides molecular information from specific cell types within tissue sections; however, this laser‐based approach significantly reduces the analysis time for each location sampled. This Viewpoint discusses the technologies for direct analysis of tissues, the potential for diagnostic applications using MALDI imaging MS, and the challenges faced in the transfer of the technology to the clinical laboratory.
Unexplained right atrial enlargement may be a sign of Holt–Oram syndrome in the fetus
Authors: Paladini D. , Tiesi M. , Buffi D. , Tuo G. , Marasini M.
Published: November 2013

Two cases of ultrasound diagnosis of Holt–Oram syndrome are described. Both were characterized by significant right atrial enlargement that was not due to concurrent tricuspid regurgitation or other cardiac anomalies. In both cases the associated skeletal anomaly was subtle and barely visible using ultrasound. Interestingly, despite the fact that Holt–Oram syndrome is also called atriodigital dysplasia, unexplained right atrial enlargement has not been described in this context in the fetus before. When such a finding is detected, we believe a thorough search for upper limb abnormalities should be carried out and genetic testing for Holt–Oram syndrome should be discussed with the parents. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Accuracy and implications of visually estimating age of male white‐tailed deer using physical characteristics from photographs
Authors: Gee Kenneth L. , Webb Stephen L. , Holman John H.
Published: November 2013

Visually estimating age of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) using physical characteristics, commonly referred to as “aging on the hoof” (AOTH), has gained in popularity as part of management programs. However, AOTH has not been evaluated in reference to its accuracy or the accuracy of its users; and most importantly, AOTH is an unstandardized method for estimating age. To assess accuracy of AOTH as it currently is applied, we developed an accuracy examination consisting of a series of photographs of 70 wild, known‐aged, antlered, male deer from south‐central Oklahoma, USA, ranging in age from approximately 1.5 to ≥7.5 years. We distributed a pre‐assessment questionnaire and the accuracy examination to registrants from the 2009 annual meeting of the Southeast Deer Study Group and to select individuals known to use AOTH. One hundred six wildlife professionals that commonly used the technique completed the assessment and examination. Overall accuracy averaged 36% when placing deer into year classes (min. = 16%; max. = 56%). Accuracy tended to be greater for younger year‐classes (1.5–2.5 yr); accuracy generally declined as age increased. On average, 62%, 43%, 25%, 30%, 25%,15%, and 31% of deer were placed into the correct year‐class for the 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and ≥7.5 year‐classes, respectively. We provide the first known accuracy assessment by users of the AOTH technique. It appears that the AOTH technique lacks accuracy for placing deer into specific year‐classes, which has implications for selective harvest decisions and research use. Accuracy may be improved by developing standardized protocols and criteria for using the technique and training observers. © 2013 The Authors Wildlife Society Bulletin published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society
Strong and weak zinc binding sites in human zinc‐α2‐glycoprotein
Authors: Kumar Aditya Arun , Hati Debolina , Thaker Thana'a Mohajer , Miah Layeque , Cunningham Phil , Domene Carmen , Bui Tam T.T. , Drake Alex F. , McDermott Lindsay C.
Published: November 2013

Zinc‐α2‐glycoprotein (ZAG) is an adipokine with an MHC class I‐like protein fold. Even though zinc causes ZAG to precipitate from plasma during protein purification, no zinc binding has been identified to date. Using mass spectrometry, we demonstrated that ZAG contains one strongly bound zinc ion, predicted to lie close to the α1 and α2 helical groove. UV, CD and fluorescence spectroscopies detected weak zinc binding to holo‐ZAG, which can bind up to 15 zinc ions. Zinc binding to 11‐(dansylamino) undecanoic acid was enhanced by holo‐ZAG. Zinc binding may be important for ZAG binding to fatty acids and the β‐adrenergic receptor.
Achieving Succession Planning and Implementation: One Healthcare Network's Story
Authors: Capuano Terry Ann
Published: November 2013

Frequent transitions in leadership can cause inefficiency, inconsistency, and lack of alignment with priorities and strategy. Retaining management talent and collaboratively planning their succession can help ensure organizational survival. Succession planning, in healthcare and other industries, addresses some of these concerns; however, there is a dearth of descriptive articles emphasizing “how to.” This article demonstrates one healthcare network's comprehensive system for succession planning and implementation. Leaders looking to plan their human resource processes for organizational sustainability would be able to emulate and adapt practices for their networks.
Faciliter le changement émergent dans un établissement de soins
Authors: Dickens Peter M.
Published: November 2013

Pendant mes recherches au doctorat, j'ai cerné de nouvelles façons de réfléchir à la complexité des organisations. Pour ce faire, il faut prendre conscience de la capacité des systèmes complexes à se doter de leur propre forme d'ordre et de cohérence, souvent qualifiée d'auto-organisation, puis poser la question suivante: « Que peuvent faire les leaders organisationnels pour créer les systèmes et les structures qui favorisent le changement émergent? » Le changement émergent provient de l'intérieur, par les membres actifs d'un système, et non d'une incitation ou d'une conception externe. Il en résulte le type de changement de capacité qui permet à une organisation d'être souple et résiliente grâce à un solide engagement des employés. Pour répondre à la question, il a fallu déterminer et valider les facteurs propres à l'organisation qui favorisent le changement émergent.