bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the analysis of phylogenetically paired designs
Authors: Funk Jennifer L. , Rakovski Cyril S. , Macpherson J. Michael
Published: January 2015

As phylogenetically controlled experimental designs become increasingly common in ecology, the need arises for a standardized statistical treatment of these datasets. Phylogenetically paired designs circumvent the need for resolved phylogenies and have been used to compare species groups, particularly in the areas of invasion biology and adaptation. Despite the widespread use of this approach, the statistical analysis of paired designs has not been critically evaluated. We propose a mixed model approach that includes random effects for pair and species. These random effects introduce a “two‐layer” compound symmetry variance structure that captures both the correlations between observations on related species within a pair as well as the correlations between the repeated measurements within species. We conducted a simulation study to assess the effect of model misspecification on Type I and II error rates. We also provide an illustrative example with data containing taxonomically similar species and several outcome variables of interest. We found that a mixed model with species and pair as random effects performed better in these phylogenetically explicit simulations than two commonly used reference models (no or single random effect) by optimizing Type I error rates and power. The proposed mixed model produces acceptable Type I and II error rates despite the absence of a phylogenetic tree. This design can be generalized to a variety of datasets to analyze repeated measurements in clusters of related subjects/species.
Interactions with successional stage and nutrient status determines the life‐form‐specific effects of increased soil temperature on boreal forest floor vegetation
Authors: Hedwall Per‐Ola , Skoglund Jerry , Linder Sune
Published: January 2015

The boreal forest is one of the largest terrestrial biomes and plays a key role for the global carbon balance and climate. The forest floor vegetation has a strong influence on the carbon and nitrogen cycles of the forests and is sensitive to changes in temperature conditions and nutrient availability. Additionally, the effects of climate warming on forest floor vegetation have been suggested to be moderated by the tree layer. Data on the effects of soil warming on forest floor vegetation from the boreal forest are, however, very scarce. We studied the effects on the forest floor vegetation in a long‐term (18 years) soil warming and fertilization experiment in a Norway spruce stand in northern Sweden. During the first 9 years, warming favored early successional species such as grasses and forbs at the expense of dwarf shrubs and bryophytes in unfertilized stands, while the effects were smaller after fertilization. Hence, warming led to significant changes in species composition and an increase in species richness in the open canopy nutrient limited forest. After another 9 years of warming and increasing tree canopy closure, most of the initial effects had ceased, indicating an interaction between forest succession and warming. The only remaining effect of warming was on the abundance of bryophytes, which contrary to the initial phase was strongly favored by warming. We propose that the suggested moderating effects of the tree layer are specific to plant life‐form and conclude that the successional phase of the forest may have a considerable impact on the effects of climate change on forest floor vegetation and its feedback effects on the carbon and nitrogen cycles, and thus on the climate.
Iron therapy for the treatment of iron deficiency in chronic heart failure: intravenous or oral?
Authors: McDonagh Theresa , Macdougall Iain C.
Published: January 2015

This article considers the use and modality of iron therapy to treat iron deficiency in patients with heart failure, an aspect of care which has received relatively little attention compared with the wider topic of anaemia management. Iron deficiency affects up to 50% of heart failure patients, and is associated with poor quality of life, impaired exercise tolerance, and mortality independent of haematopoietic effects in this patient population. The European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for heart failure 2012 recommend a diagnostic work‐up for iron deficiency in patients with suspected heart failure. Iron absorption from oral iron preparations is generally poor, with slow and often inefficient iron repletion; moreover, up to 60% of patients experience gastrointestinal side effects. These problems may be exacerbated in heart failure due to decreased gastrointestinal absorption and poor compliance due to pill burden. Evidence for clinical benefits using oral iron is lacking. I.v. iron sucrose has consistently been shown to improve exercise capacity, cardiac function, symptom severity, and quality of life. Similar findings were observed recently for i.v. ferric carboxymaltose in patients with systolic heart failure and impaired LVEF in the double‐blind, placebo‐controlled FAIR‐HF and CONFIRM‐HF trials. I.v. iron therapy may be better tolerated than oral iron, although confirmation in longer clinical trials is awaited. Routine diagnosis and management of iron deficiency in patients with symptomatic heart failure regardless of anaemia status is advisable, and, based on current evidence, prompt intervention using i.v. iron therapy should now be considered.
Enantiopure Conducting Salts of Dimethylbis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (DM‐BEDT‐TTF) with the Hexachlororhenate(IV) Anion
Authors: Pop Flavia , Allain Magali , Auban‐Senzier Pascale , Martínez‐Lillo José , Lloret Francesc , Julve Miguel , Canadell Enric , Avarvari Narcis
Published: January 2015

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Narcis Avarvari (CIMI team) at the Laboratory MOLTECH‐Anjou, UMR 6200 CNRS – Université d'Angers, France. The cover image shows the enantiopure tetrathiafulvalene precursors used for the preparation of chiral radical cation conducting salts, together with an artwork of their packing diagrams and the suggested mirror image relationship between them.
Synthesis and Redox Properties of PNP Pincer Complexes Based on N‐Methyl‐4,4′‐bipyridinium
Authors: Miyake Yoshihiro , Nakajima Kazunari , Higuchi Yu , Nishibayashi Yoshiaki
Published: January 2015

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Yoshiaki Nishibayashi at The University of Tokyo, Japan. The cover image shows the synthesis of novel “metalloviologens” bearing PNP pincer ligands based on N‐methyl‐4,4′‐bipyridinium. These complexes are stable toward two steps of single electron transfer, where p‐quinoid‐type complexes play a key role.
Synthesis of RhIII Anilido, Hydroxide, and Methoxide Complexes
Authors: Burgess Samantha A. , Bolaño Tamara , Gunnoe T. Brent , Sabat Michal , Myers William H.
Published: January 2015

The octahedral RhIII complexes [(tbpy)2Rh(XH)2][OTf]3 (tbpy = 4,4′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl; X = NHPh or OH; OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate), [(tbpy)2Rh(X)2][OTf] (X = NHPh or OH), [(tbpy)2Rh(NHPh)(NH2Ph)][OTf]2, [(tbpy)2Rh(Me)(NH2Ph)][OTf][BAr′4] (BAr′4 = tetrakis[(3,5‐bis‐trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate), [(tbpy)2Rh(Me)(NHPh)][BAr′4], [(tbpy)2Rh(OMe)(Cl)]Cl, and [(bpy)Rh(X)2][PF6] (bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridyl; X = OH, OMe) have been synthesized and characterized by 1H, 13C{1H}, and 19F NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, or high‐resolution mass spectrometry as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction for some complexes. A comparison of the solid‐state structural data for [(tbpy)2Rh(Me)(NH2Ph)]2+, [(tbpy)2Rh(NH2Ph)2]3+, [(tbpy)2Rh(NHPh)2]+, and [(tbpy)2Rh(NHPh)(NH2Ph)]2+ is included.
A Ruthenium‐Based Catalytic System for a Mild Borrowing‐Hydrogen Process
Authors: Jumde Varsha R. , Gonsalvi Luca , Guerriero Antonella , Peruzzini Maurizio , Taddei Maurizio
Published: January 2015

The alkylation of arylamines using stoichiometric amounts of aliphatic and benzylic alcohols in the presence of tBuOK was carried out at 55 °C using a low catalyst loading of [Ru(cod)Cl2]n/PTA (1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane). The overall borrowing‐hydrogen process does not require a controlled nitrogen atmosphere, and it could also be carried out at room temperature using higher loading of base. A wide range of substrates can be used in this transformation, and it has a good tolerance of different substituents. This catalytic system proved also to be efficient for other hydrogen‐transfer reactions such as a tandem oxidation/C–C coupling between 1‐phenylethanol and primary alcohols.
Authors' reply to the discussion by Brendon A. Bradley of ‘A framework for the evaluation of ground motion selection and modification procedures’
Authors: Kwong N. Simon , Chopra Anil K. , McGuire Robin K.
Published: January 2015

In this short communication, we respond to the comments made by Dr Brendon A. Bradley and provide additional context to our paper under discussion.Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional characterization of NTRK1 mutations identified in melanoma
Authors: Miranda Claudia , Mazzoni Mara , Sensi Marialuisa , Pierotti Marco A. , Greco Angela
Published: January 2015

Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, with a complex and heterogeneous aetiology. Deregulation of the mitogen activated protein kinase cascade is common in melanoma, due to activating mutations in the BRAF and NRAS genes. Genetic studies and high‐throughput screening technologies have recently identified several somatic mutations affecting different receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) genes. For the majority of these, however, the contribution to the complexity of melanoma biology has not been assessed. Among these, two novel missense somatic mutations (M379I and R577G) have recently been identified in the gene encoding the neurotrophic RTK NTRK1. The NTRK1 melanoma‐associated point mutations were introduced in a NTRK1 expression plasmid. Functional characterization of mutants was assessed after transient and stable transfection in HeLa and NIH3T3 cells, respectively. We showed that M379I and R577G NTRK1 receptors do not display the kinase as constitutively activated and are functionally indistinguishable from the wild‐type NTRK1 receptor. Our results indicate that a causative role for M379I and R577G NTRK1 mutations in melanoma development is highly unlikely. This supports the issue that, in parallel to systematic large scale cancer genome screening, functional studies are required to distinguish between mutations that play a causative role in tumor development and others that may only be passenger changes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Basal ganglia‐cortical structural connectivity in Huntington's disease
Authors: Novak Marianne J.U. , Seunarine Kiran K. , Gibbard Clare R. , McColgan Peter , Draganski Bogdan , Friston Karl , Clark Chris A. , Tabrizi Sarah J.
Published: January 2015

Huntington's disease is an incurable neurodegenerative disease caused by inheritance of an expanded cytosine‐adenine‐guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeat within the Huntingtin gene. Extensive volume loss and altered diffusion metrics in the basal ganglia, cortex and white matter are seen when patients with Huntington's disease (HD) undergo structural imaging, suggesting that changes in basal ganglia‐cortical structural connectivity occur. The aims of this study were to characterise altered patterns of basal ganglia‐cortical structural connectivity with high anatomical precision in premanifest and early manifest HD, and to identify associations between structural connectivity and genetic or clinical markers of HD. 3‐Tesla diffusion tensor magnetic resonance images were acquired from 14 early manifest HD subjects, 17 premanifest HD subjects and 18 controls. Voxel‐based analyses of probabilistic tractography were used to quantify basal ganglia‐cortical structural connections. Canonical variate analysis was used to demonstrate disease‐associated patterns of altered connectivity and to test for associations between connectivity and genetic and clinical markers of HD; this is the first study in which such analyses have been used. Widespread changes were seen in basal ganglia‐cortical structural connectivity in early manifest HD subjects; this has relevance for development of therapies targeting the striatum. Premanifest HD subjects had a pattern of connectivity more similar to that of controls, suggesting progressive change in connections over time. Associations between structural connectivity patterns and motor and cognitive markers of disease severity were present in early manifest subjects. Our data suggest the clinical phenotype in manifest HD may be at least partly a result of altered connectivity. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1728–1740, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disrupted resting‐state functional connectivity and its changing trend in migraine suffers
Authors: Liu Jixin , Zhao Ling , Lei Fangfei , Zhang Yi , Yuan Kai , Gong Qiyong , Liang Fanrong , Tian Jie
Published: January 2015

Chronic pain has been linked with learning and memory processes and functional changes in brain plasticity in its development and maintenance via neuroimaging studies. However, the principle of reorganization of the migraine brain network as the brain progresses into chronic pain remain poorly understood. Here, using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) and graph theory approaches, we aimed to investigate the dynamic dysfunctional connectivity in 108 patients with migraine without aura (MWoA) and 30 gender‐matched healthy controls (HC). All patients were divided into 40 groups using a sliding boxcar grouping of subjects in disease duration order. As compared with HC, nonparametric permutation tests were applied for between‐group comparisons of functional connectivity strength in each patient group. We focused only on the between‐group differences of functional connections in MWoA, and the situation how these different connections were organized along with the changing trend. As the disease duration increased, the presence of chronic headache altered the functional connectivity from the local central nervous system (CNS) to a disruption in the whole‐brain networks. These dysfunctional connections integrated into a connected component in relatively longer migraine duration groups, suggesting an abnormal integrated network configuration with ongoing central changes for long‐term migraine. Within these between‐group differences of the connected component, there were contained a small number of brain regions that had disproportionately numerous connections. Moreover, these brain regions exhibited a tendency to link to each other were organized into a strongly interconnected community. These interconnected brain regions were mainly located in the sensory‐discriminative brain areas. Our results exhibited a working model of the central mechanisms of migraine where the brain functional connectivity was altered from the local central nervous system to a densely interconnected center, which may extend our understanding of the role of learning mechanisms which are likely involved in maintenance of chronic pain. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1892–1907, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Socioemotional processing of morally‐laden behavior and their consequences on others in forensic psychopaths
Authors: Decety Jean , Chen Chenyi , Harenski Carla L. , Kiehl Kent A.
Published: January 2015

A large body of evidence supports the view that psychopathy is associated with anomalous emotional processing, reduced guilt and empathy, which are important risk factors for criminal behaviors. However, the precise nature and specificity of this atypical emotional processing is not well understood, including its relation to moral judgment. To further our understanding of the pattern of neural response to perceiving and evaluating morally‐laden behavior, this study included 155 criminal male offenders with various level of psychopathy, as assessed with the Psychopathy Check List‐Revised. Participants were scanned while viewing short clips depicting interactions between two individuals resulting in either interpersonal harm or interpersonal assistance. After viewing each clip, they were asked to identify the emotions of the protagonists. Inmates with high levels of psychopathy were more accurate than controls in successfully identifying the emotion of the recipient of both helpful and harmful actions. Significant hemodynamic differences were detected in the posterior superior temporal sulcus, amygdala, insula, ventral striatum, and prefrontal cortex when individuals with high psychopathy viewed negative versus positive scenarios moral scenarios and when they evaluated the emotional responses of the protagonists. These findings suggest that socioemotional processing abnormalities in psychopathy may be somewhat more complicated than merely a general or specific emotional deficit. Rather, situation‐specific evaluations of the mental states of others, in conjunction with sensitivity to the nature of the other (victim vs. perpetrator), modulate attention to emotion‐related cues. Such atypical processing likely impacts moral decision‐making and behavior in psychopaths. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2015–2026, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of Novel Phosphorus‐Containing calix[4]resorcinols Based on Polyphenols with Phosphonium Fragment
Authors: Knyazeva Irina R. , Sokolova Victoria I. , Sharafutdinova Dilyara R. , Burilov Alexander R. , Pudovik Michael A. , Gazizov Mukattis B.
Published: January 2015

The reactions of linear polyphenols containing phosphonium fragment with formaldehyde and morpholine (Mannich reaction), as well as with propionic aldehyde, have been studied. As a result, calix[4]resorcinols of novel type have been synthesized, which contain alternating methylphosphonium and ethyl substituents. The structure and composition of the products obtained were confirmed according to 1H and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis data.
Sensitive Voltammetric Determination of Cadmium(II) with 8‐Hydroxyquinoline and Ionic Liquid Modified Carbon Paste Electrode
Authors: Jia Shaohui , Gong Shixing , Cheng Yong , Wang Huiyuhn , Liu Hejian , Zhang Bo , Sun Wei
Published: January 2015

In this paper 8‐hydroxyquinoline (HQ) and ionic liquid (IL) modified carbon paste electrode was fabricated and used for the sensitive determination of cadmium(II) with differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). The modified electrode was prepared by the addition of HQ and IL 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazoliam ethylsulphate as the modifiers into the traditional carbon paste mixture. Cd(II) was preconcentrated and reduced on the surface of the modified electrode at the potential of ‐1.0 V (vs. SCE) by the co‐contributions from the formation of HQ‐Cd(II) complex and the accumulation effect of IL. Then the reduced Cd on the electrode surface was reoxidized by DPASV with a sensitive oxidation peak appeared at ‐0.79 V (vs. SCE). Under the optimal conditions the oxidation peak current was proportional to the Cd(II) concentration in the range from 0.03 to 2.0 mol/L with the detection limit as 5.0 nmol/L (3σ). The proposed method was successfully applied to the water samples detection with the recovery in the range from 95.6% to 96.6%.
A Note on the Domination Number of Triangulations
Authors: Furuya Michitaka , Matsumoto Naoki
Published: January 2015

In this note, we prove that every triangulation G on any closed surface has domination number at most . This unifies some results on the domination number of a triangulation on a closed surface.
A complex sensory organ in the nose skin of the prosimian primate Lemur catta
Authors: Elofsson Rolf , Tuminaite Inga , Kröger Ronald H. H.
Published: January 2015

Most mammals have nose tips covered by glabrous skin, a labronasal area, or rhinarium. The surface of the rhinarium of Lemur catta has a dermatoglyphic pattern consisting of epidermal domes. Below the domes, epidermal pegs dip down into the dermis. In and below the tip of the epidermal peg, a complex sensory organ is found. It consists of an association of innervated Merkel cells, lamellate (Pacini‐like) bodies with a central nerve, and a ring of unmyelinated nerve endings in the epidermis. The Merkel cells are situated basally in the epidermis and the lamellated bodies just below the epidermis. The unmyelinated nerve endings related to the organ ascend in a circle straight through the epidermis ending below the corneal layer. From these nerve terminals, horizontal spikes enter the keratinocytes. The three components occur together forming an organ and are innervated from a common nerve plexus. The morphology of the complex sensory organ of the lemur shares most crucial components with Eimer's organs in moles, echidna, and platypus, while some structures are lacking, for example, the specific central pillar of keratinocytes, the cuticular cap, and a central unmyelinated fiber. The presence of the essentials of an Eimer's organ in many mammals suggests that a wider definition is motivated. J. Morphol. 276:649–656, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unilateral heat accelerates bone elongation and lengthens extremities of growing mice
Authors: Serrat Maria A. , Schlierf Thomas J. , Efaw Morgan L. , Shuler Franklin D. , Godby Justin , Stanko Laura M. , Tamski Holly L.
Published: January 2015

Linear growth failure results from a broad spectrum of systemic and local disorders that can generate chronic musculoskeletal disability. Current bone lengthening protocols involve invasive surgeries or drug regimens, which are only partially effective. Exposure to warm ambient temperature during growth increases limb length, suggesting that targeted heat could noninvasively enhance bone elongation. We tested the hypothesis that daily heat exposure on one side of the body unilaterally increases femoral and tibial lengths. Mice (N = 20) were treated with 40 °C unilateral heat for 40 min/day for 14 days post‐weaning. Non‐treated mice (N = 6) served as controls. Unilateral increases in ear (8.8%), hindfoot (3.5%), femoral (1.3%), and tibial (1.5%) lengths were obtained. Tibial elongation rate was > 12% greater (15 μm/day) on the heat‐treated side. Extremity lengthening correlated with temperature during treatment. Body mass and humeral length were unaffected. To test whether differences persisted in adults, mice were examined 7‐weeks post‐treatment. Ear area, hindfoot, femoral, and tibial lengths were still significantly increased ∼6%, 3.5%, 1%, and 1%, respectively, on the heat‐treated side. Left‐right differences were absent in non‐treated controls, ruling out inherent side asymmetry. This model is important for designing noninvasive heat‐based therapies to potentially combat a range of debilitating growth impediments in children. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:692–698, 2015.
Examination of survivin expression in 50 chordoma specimens—A histological and in vitro study
Authors: Froehlich Elke V. , Rinner Beate , Deutsch Alexander J. A. , Meditz Katharina , Knausz Heike , Troppan Katharina , Scheipl Susanne , Wibmer Christine , Leithner Andreas , Liegl Bernadette , Lohberger Birgit
Published: January 2015

Chordomas mainly arise along the axial skeleton and are characterized by their slow but destructive growth. Prognosis and quality of life are poor because treatment options are mainly limited to surgery and radiotherapy. Survivin, a member of the apoptosis inhibitor protein family, functions as a key regulator of mitosis and programmed cell death, and is overexpressed in many tumor types. The aim of this study was to determine the role of survivin in chordomas. Survivin expression was investigated in 50 chordoma samples and three chordoma cell lines using immunohistochemistry. The intensity of immunostaining was evaluated in regard to the development of recurrences. The immunohistochemical results were correlated with clinical parameters like gender, age, tumor size, and location and were performed in primary chordomas as well as in recurrent lesions. Furthermore, survivin knockdown experiments on chordoma cell lines were performed. YM155 decreased the growth behavior of chordoma cells dose‐ and time dependently. Transient knockdown of survivin led to a G2/M arrest, decreased proliferation, consistently induced an increase of polyploidy and morphological changes, and induced apoptosis. The resultant data from this study suggest that survivin plays a cell cycle‐progressive role in chordomas. Hence, regulation of survivin by YM155 is a promising new target for the development of new therapeutic drugs. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:771–778, 2015.
Treatment of horizontal canal BPPV: Pathophysiology, available maneuvers, and recommended treatment
Authors: Oron Yahav , Cohen‐Atsmoni Smadar , Len Assaf , Roth Yehudah
Published: January 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

To describe the pathophysiology of horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, the available maneuvers for its management, and the recommended treatment.

Data Sources

PubMed, Cochrane library.

Review Methods

Review of the available literature.

Results

Two theories of pathophysiology underlying the disease are described, along with available maneuvers reflecting those theories; and videos of the maneuvers are provided. A comparison of available treatments is made.

Conclusion

A variety of maneuvers is available related to the pathophysiology underlying the disease. The treatment chosen should be appropriate to the patients' ages, general conditions, and other diseases they may have. No treatment was found to be superior over the others regarding the success rate. In the case of geotropic nystagmus, the Gufoni maneuver is superior in its ease of performance. When it comes to apogeotropic nystagmus, the Barbecue and Gufoni maneuvers have comparable success rates. Laryngoscope, 125:1959–1964, 2015
Feasibility of septal body volume reduction for patients with nasal obstruction
Authors: Yu Myeong Sang , Kim Jong‐Yeup , Kim Bo‐Hyung , Kang Sung‐Ho , Lim Dae Jun
Published: January 2015

Objective

Septal body hypertrophy, like inferior turbinate hypertrophy, can result in changes to the nasal cross‐sectional area and resistance to airflow. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of septal body volume reduction (SBVR) for the treatment of septal body hypertrophy in patients with nasal obstruction.

Study Design

Prospective randomized study.

Methods

The study was conducted on two groups (51 patients) with symptoms and signs of nasal obstruction associated with septal body and inferior turbinate hypertrophy that were refractory to medical therapy. In the turbinoplasty only (ITR) group (n = 25), conventional turbinoplasty was only performed on the inferior turbinate. In the septal body reduction (SBR) group (n = 26), concurrent bilateral microdebrider‐assisted SBVR was performed during the turbinate surgery.

Results

The nasal symptoms, including nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, itching, and sneezing, had significantly improved at 3 months after treatment in both groups (P < 0.001). Improvement of nasal obstruction in the SBR group was greater than that in the ITR group at 3 months (P < 0.05). Acoustic rhinometry demonstrated a significant increase in the cross‐sectional area and nasal volume in both groups 3 months after surgery. The postoperative change in nasal volume was higher in the SBR group (P < 0.05). No adverse reactions such as bleeding, infection, adhesions, or olfactory changes were encountered in the SBR group.

Conclusions

Combined SBVR and turbinoplasty appears to be more effective than turbinoplasty alone for the treatment of nasal obstruction in patients with inferior turbinate and septal body hypertrophy.

Level of Evidence

1b. Laryngoscope, 125:1523–1528, 2015
Level of secreted HMGB1 correlates with severity of inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Min Hyun Jin , Kim Su Jin , Kim Tae Hoon , Chung Hyo Jin , Yoon Joo‐Heon , Kim Chang‐Hoon
Published: January 2015

Objective

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein is a chromatin protein that functions as a proinflammatory cytokine when secreted in response to inflammatory stimuli. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the HMGB1 level in nasal secretions and the severity of inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Study Design

This was a cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Nasal secretions were obtained by irrigation of the affected sinonasal cavities with normal saline. Total 63 nasal lavage fluid samples were collected from 38 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery. Levels of HMGB1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)−1β, and IL‐8 were determined by enzyme‐linked immunoassay. Severity of inflammation was assessed by the Lund‐Mackay scoring system, which is based on preoperative computed tomography scans. Concurrent medical disorders, presence of nasal polyps, septal deviation, and allergic rhinitis were also investigated.

Results

The level of HMGB1 in nasal lavage fluid was positively correlated with the Lund‐Mackay score. The score was the only factor associated with HMGB1 by univariate and multivariate analysis. Other cytokines, with the exception of IL‐8, were not correlated with the Lund‐Mackay score.

Conclusion

Our results showed that HMGB1 is secreted into the extracellular area space in the upper airway, and HMGB1 levels in nasal lavage fluid correlate with severity of inflammation, as assessed by the Lund‐Mackay staging system for chronic rhinosinusitis. These results provide evidence for HMGB1 as an inflammatory mediator associated with the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 125:E225–E230, 2015
Olfactory performance after Crenotherapy in chronic rhinosinusitis in the elderly
Authors: Cantone Elena , Maione Nunzia , Di Rubbo Vittoria , Esposito Fabrizio , Iengo Maurizio
Published: January 2015

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of crenotherapy on the olfactory performance of elderly patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Study Design

A longitudinal case‐control study of a cohort of elderly patients affected by CRS and olfactory dysfunction assessed with the Sniffin' Sticks (Burghart Medical Technology, Wedel, Germany) (SS) olfactory test.

Methods

One hundred and thirty‐seven elderly subjects with CRS were divided into two groups. The investigational arm (n = 69) underwent crenotherapy with hyperthermal water, rich in mineral salts, and the control group (n = 68) underwent NaCl 0.9% both for 12 days. At baseline and at 1 and 6 months after treatment, both groups underwent ear nose and throat assessment and SS. Self‐report questionnaires were administered at baseline to evaluate the patients' own olfactory response, and after treatment to evaluate their degree tolerability. Olfactory performance was then evaluated in elderly subjects with hyposmia without CRS (n = 40) and in younger subjects with both hyposmia and CRS (n = 40).

Results

No adverse reactions were reported after crenotherapy. The SS total score showed that crenotherapy induced a statistically significant improvement in the olfactory function of both the elderly and the younger subjects with hyposmia and CRS. By contrast, no improvement was observed in the control arm and in the elderly with hyposmia without CRS. All subjects showed a good degree of tolerability.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that crenotherapy effectively improves olfactory function in elderly patients with CRS. Finally, our study suggests that crenotherapy represents a safe therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CRS and olfactory dysfunction in the elderly.

Level of Evidence

3B. Laryngoscope, 125:1529–1534, 2015
Cost of adult chronic rhinosinusitis: A systematic review
Authors: Smith Kristine A. , Orlandi Richard R. , Rudmik Luke
Published: January 2015

Objective/Study Design

The objective of this systematic review was to summarize the literature evaluating the costs associated with the management of adult chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines.

Methods

Two separate authors systematically searched eight commonly used medical databases. Included articles were categorized into seven domains: 1) overall healthcare cost (direct and indirect), 2) resource utilization, 3) medical management strategies, 4) overall procedure cost of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), 5) intraoperative technologies, 6) ESS litigation, and 7) CRS diagnostics. To maintain a common currency for comparison, all costs were converted to 2014 United States dollars (USD) using an inflation calculator in September 2014.

Results

Forty‐four studies were identified for inclusion. The range for overall CRS‐related healthcare costs was $6.9 to $9.9 billion 2014 USD per year. Indirect costs were estimated as $13 billion 2014 USD per year. Annual medication costs prior to ESS ranged between $1,547 and $2,700 2014 USD per patient, with a uniform reduction in costs after ESS. The overall US cost of outpatient ESS ranged from $8,200 to $10,500 2014 USD per case. The overall annual economic burden of CRS in the United States was estimated to be $22 billion 2014 USD (direct and indirect costs).

Conclusion

The results of this systematic review have demonstrated substantial direct and indirect costs associated with the management of adult CRS. Future research should continue to improve the costing data, which can be used to improve the value of care provided for this chronic inflammatory disease.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 125:1547–1556, 2015
Recovery of hearing after surgical removal of Intralabyrinthine schwannoma
Authors: Lee Jong Joo , Lim Hye Jin , Park Hun Yi , Choung Yun‐Hoon
Published: January 2015

Intralabyrinthine schwannomas (ILSs) are rare benign tumors arising from the distal part of the cochleovestibular nerve confined within the labyrinth. Patients with ILSs complain of hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, and ear fullness. Surgical treatment of ILS is performed in special cases such as in cases of patients with nonserviceable hearing, progressive hearing loss, intractable vertigo, or tumor extension. We present an unusual case of a patient with intralabyrinthine schwannoma who underwent surgery to treat progressive hearing loss and recovered his hearing after surgery. Laryngoscope, 125:1968–1971, 2015
Examination of tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) changes associated with vascular pedicle occlusion in a rat Island flap model using near‐Infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Kagaya Yu , Ohura Norihiko , Kurita Masakazu , Takushima Akihiko , Harii Kiyonori
Published: January 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to perform continuous StO2 monitoring of rat island flaps during pedicle vessel occlusion using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in order to collect experimental data for StO2 flap monitoring under optimized conditions.

Materials and methods

Twenty rats were used in this study. The 3 × 3 cm2 epigastric skin island flaps were elevated on either side. The animals were randomly assigned to two groups; an arterial occlusion group (n = 10) and a venous occlusion group (n = 10). The StO2 values of the flaps were observed for over 30 min for the pedicle artery or venous occlusion, followed by an additional 30 min release.

Results

The baseline StO2 value was 78.4% ± 3.2% in the arterial occlusion group, compared to 78.5% ± 5.8% in the venous occlusion group, with no significant differences (P > 0.05). The StO2 values decreased immediately after arterial occlusion, whereas a temporal StO2 increase was initially observed after venous occlusion, followed by a StO2 decrease. The StO2 values decreased 27.3% ± 7.1% after arterial occlusion and 28.4% ± 19.1% after venous occlusion at 30 min after pedicle vessel clamping (P > 0.05). The StO2 values were 0.4% ± 5.8% lower than baseline 30 min after arterial release (P > 0.05), while 18.9% ± 11.3% lower than baseline 30 min after venous release (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

NIRS can be used to indicate StO2 changes in flaps with the pedicle vessel occlusion and differentiate between pedicle artery and vein occlusion. Further investigations are needed to obtain definitive evidence associated with predicting the degree of flap viability and determine the practical use of this technique. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:393–398, 2015.
Predicting Novel Antitumor Agents: 3D‐Pharmacophore Mapping of β‐N‐biaryl Ether Sulfonamide‐Based Hydroxamates as Potentially MMP‐2 Inhibitors
Authors: Medeiros Turra Kely , Pineda Rivelli Diogo , Berlanga de Moraes Barros Silvia , Fernanda Mesquita Pasqualoto Kerly
Published: January 2015

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are a group of enzymes related to extracelular matrix remodeling. Some types of MMP are overexpressed by malignant tumors, mainly the MMP‐2 subtype, and have been associated to cancer invasiveness and metastasis. A receptor‐independent (RI) 4D‐QSAR formalism was applied, herein, to a set of forty β‐N‐biaryl ether sulfonamide hydroxamates, previously reported as potent MMP‐2 inhibitors, in order to map 3D‐pharmacophore models and predict novel antitumor agents. The best RI 4D‐QSAR model was statistically significant (N=30, r2=0.93, q2=0.88, five occupancy descriptors (GCOD), LSE=0.04, LOF=0.11, outliers=0), robust and not obtained by chance. The external predictability was 75 % (test set; N=8). A different orientation (binding mode) in the MMP‐2 catalytic site was suggested regarding the most hydrophobic portion (R1) of the compounds’ structure. Compounds were predicted and their inhibitory activity against MMP‐2 was calculated by using the optimum RI 4D‐QSAR model. The findings have provided interesting information to drive the designing and synthesis of novel potentially MMP‐2 inhibitors against melanoma invasion.
Hit Expansion from Screening Data Based upon Conditional Probabilities of Activity Derived from SAR Matrices
Authors: Gupta‐Ostermann Disha , Balfer Jenny , Bajorath Jürgen
Published: January 2015

A new methodology for activity prediction of compounds from SAR matrices is introduced that is based upon conditional probabilities of activity. The approach has low computational complexity, is primarily designed for hit expansion from biological screening data, and accurately predicts both active and inactive compounds. Its performance is comparable to state‐of‐the‐art machine learning methods such as support vector machines or Bayesian classification. Matrix‐based activity prediction of virtual compounds further extends the spectrum of computational methods for compound design.
About the notion of non‐T‐resonance and applications to topological multiplicity results for ODEs on differentiable manifolds
Authors: Bisconti Luca , Spadini Marco
Published: January 2015

By using topological methods, mainly the degree of a tangent vector field, we establish multiplicity results for T‐periodic solutions of parametrized T‐periodic perturbations of autonomous ODEs on a differentiable manifold M. In order to provide insights into the key notion of T‐resonance, we consider the elementary situations
and
. Doing so, we provide more comprehensive analysis of those cases and find improved conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plastik, das den Flammen trotzt
Authors: Osterath Brigitte
Published: January 2015

Die meisten Kohlenwasserstoffe brennen gut — Kunststoffe sind keine Ausnahme. Aber der Sicherheit wegen dürfen Computergehäuse, Flugzeugsitze und Kabelisolierungen kein Feuer fangen — hier ist Chemie gefragt.
Die Brennstoffzelle der Knallgasbakterien
Authors: Michael Groß
Published: January 2015

Manche Bakterienarten gewinnen Energie für ihren Stoffwechsel, indem sie Wasserstoff mit Sauerstoff reagieren lassen. Dafür müssen sich die wasserstoffspaltenden Enzyme, die Hydrogenasen, anpassen, deren häufigere Versionen keinen Sauerstoff vertragen. Sauerstofftolerante Hydrogenasen könnten auch in biotechnischen Brennstoffzellen und der lichtgetriebenen Wasserstoffproduktion nützlich sein.
Den Vertrieb optimieren
Authors: Griese‐Michels Carolin , Stemmer Robert , Dominik Möchel
Published: January 2015

Wie behaupten sich Spezialchemieunternehmen in einem zunehmend umkämpften Marktumfeld, um die Basis für profitables Wachstum zu schaffen? Commercial Excellence ist hierfür unerlässlich.
Energieeffizienz und Prozessbeschleunigung
Authors: Bazzanella Alexis , Schulz Linus
Published: January 2015

Modular aufgebaute Anlagen erleichtern die Entwicklung neuer Herstellprozesse, Lieferketten lassen sich flexibler gestalten. Die Anlagenkomponenten unterstützen auch kleine und mittlere Unternehmen.
Mykotoxine in Lebens‐ und Futtermitteln
Authors: Berthiller Franz , Binder Eva Maria , Krska Rudolf
Published: January 2015

Schimmelpilzgifte zählen zu den wichtigsten Kontaminanten in Lebensmitteln. Zum Stand der Technik beim analytischen Nachweis dieser Toxine wurden in den letzten zehn Jahren hochempfindliche auf LC‐MS/(MS) basierende Multianalytmethoden.
Efficacy of CPX‐351, (cytarabine:daunorubicin) liposome injection, against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) xenograft models of the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program
Authors: Carol Hernan , Fan Mannie M. Y. , Harasym Troy O. , Boehm Ingrid , Mayer Lawrence D. , Houghton Peter , Smith Malcolm A. , Lock Richard B.
Published: January 2015

Background

CPX‐351, a liposomal formulation of cytarabine and daunorubicin co‐encapsulated at an optimized synergistic 5:1 molar ratio, has demonstrated improved clinical outcomes over conventional cytarabine/daunorubicin treatment in a randomized phase 2 trial in patients with AML as well as superior efficacy against preclinical leukemia models when compared to the free drugs in combination.

Procedures

Given the promising phase 2 data, limited toxicities observed, and the known clinical activities of cytarabine/daunorubicin, we assessed the efficacy of CPX‐351 against a panel of childhood ALL xenograft models. Plasma pharmacokinetics of cytarabine and daunorubicin following CPX‐351 treatment were determined by HPLC in order to correlate efficacy with drug exposure.

Results

CPX‐351, at a dose of 5 units/kg (corresponding to 5 mg/kg cytarabine and 2.2 mg/kg daunorubicin), was highly efficacious against all xenografts tested, inducing complete responses in four B‐lineage xenografts and partial response in one T‐lineage xenograft. These therapeutic responses were achieved with CPX‐351 doses that provided drug exposures (based on Cmax and AUC) comparable to those observed in patients with AML.

Conclusions

These results suggest that CPX‐351 may be a promising chemotherapeutic to be utilized in the treatment of ALL and support its testing in pediatric patients with leukemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:65–71. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new method of characterizing material viscoelastic property by using vector fitting
Authors: Li Huimin , Zhang Boming , Bai Guanghui
Published: January 2015

A numerical algorithm is first established to characterize viscoelastic properties of materials by using vector fitting which is used more commonly for system identification in the field of electronic and automatic control. Combining with correspondence principle, the present numerical algorithm is employed to predict the viscoelastic properties of no‐flow underfill material. The predicted results are compared with the experiment data. Very good agreement between numerical algorithm and experiment results is illustrated for the materials. As the form is simple, the relaxation modulus can be easily switched from frequency domain to time domain by using inverse Laplace transformation. The present algorithm can also be used to characterize viscoelastic properties of other materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1848–1853, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Sonoprocessing of LiFePO4 nanoparticles and nanocomposites for cathode material in lithium ion batteries
Authors: Bhagawat L.I. , Patil V.S. , Kale B.B. , Sonawane S.H. , Bhanvase B.A. , Pinjari D.V. , Ashokkumar M.
Published: January 2015

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) nanoparticles and lithium iron phosphate/halloysite (inorganic nanotubes) (LiFePO4/INT) nanocomposites were prepared by ultrasound‐assisted synthesis in an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide containing ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and ferrous chloride and used as cathode materials in lithium ion batteries. The performance of the cathode material was measured using cyclic voltammetry. The oxidation potential for LiFePO4 polyaniline/nanotubes/anode cell was found to be in the range of −1.12 to 1.063 V while the reduction potential for lithium iron phosphate cell was in the range of −1.03 to 1.15 V. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1874–1880, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Influences of degradability, bioactivity, and biocompatibility of the calcium sulfate content on a calcium sulfate/poly(amino acid) biocomposite for orthopedic reconstruction
Authors: Li Shuyang , Li Hong , Lv Guoyu , Duan Hong , Jiang Dianming , Yan Yonggang
Published: January 2015

The inorganic content in a bioceramic/polymer composite is considered to play an important role in promoting bone healing after implantation in vivo. In this study, two calcium sulfate/poly(amino acid) (CS/PAA) composites with CS content proportions of 50% (mass fraction, 50CS/PAA) and 65% (65CS/PAA) were synthesized via the in situ melting polymerization method, and the degradability, bioactivity, and biocompatibility of the composites were evaluated. The results indicated that 41.5% of weight loss of the 50CS/PAA was observed after soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 16 weeks, whereas 56.2% of weight loss of the 65CS/PAA was observed. These results suggested that the CS content in the composite affected the degradability of the composite. After being soaked in SBF for 1 week, formation of an apatite layer was observed on the surfaces of both composites without obvious differences. The co‐culture results of the composites and the MG‐63 cells confirmed that 65CS/PAA exhibited higher proliferation and a higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity than did 50CS/PAA. The implantations in bone defects of rabbits for 3 months revealed that both composites had good biocompatibility and were capable of guiding new bone formation without causing any inflammation. However, faster degradability of the 65CS/PAA composite was observed in vivo, indicating that the higher CS content in the composite results in higher degradability. In conclusion, the CS content in the composite for orthopedic reconstruction has distinct effects on the degradability, OD value, and ALP activity of the composites, whereas it has little effect on the bioactivity and bone formation. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1886–1894, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation of polypyrrole nanoparticles and their composites: effect of electronic properties on hydrogen adsorption
Authors: Attia Nour F , Lee Sang M , Kim Hae J , Geckeler Kurt E
Published: January 2015

A facile method for the preparation of electrically conducting polypyrrole nanoparticles and their nanocomposites with single‐walled and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes was developed. The polypyrrole nanoparticle size and conductivity varied as a function of reaction time with an average size of 143–195 nm and a conductivity of 0.43–0.82 S cm−1. The change in the electronic properties of the conducting nanocomposites and the influence of this change on the adsorption of hydrogen molecules onto the nanocomposites were investigated by considering the effect of the π‐electron system on the hydrogen adsorption mechanism. The nanocomposite materials were characterized using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, thermogravimetric analysis and electrical conductivity measurements. The hydrogen adsorption was measured volumetrically using a commercial computer‐controlled pressure–composition–temperature method and was found to be 1.14 to 2.75 wt% at cryogenic conditions. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry