bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Metal‐Organic Frameworks as Single‐Site Solid Catalysts for Asymmetric Reactions
Authors: Falkowski Joseph M. , Liu Sophie , Lin Wenbin
Published: November 2012

Review: 92 refs.
Super‐resolution in magnetic resonance imaging: A review
Authors: Van Reeth Eric , Tham Ivan W. K. , Tan Cher Heng , Poh Chueh Loo
Published: November 2012

For the last 15 years, super‐resolution (SR) algorithms have successfully been applied to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to increase the spatial resolution of scans after acquisition has been performed, thus facilitating the doctors' diagnosis. The variety of application and techniques has grown ever since, especially in the MRI modality, showing the interest of the community to such postacquisition processing. This article presents a review of the general principle of SR as well as how this principle has been adapted to MRI data. The main algorithms and the principal acquisition protocols are detailed for both static and moving subjects. The presented strategies are discussed and compared according to the data specificities. Later, different ways of measuring the resolution enhancement and quantify the benefit of SR are detailed. Finally, unexplored perspectives on the application of SR to MRI data are discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 40A: 306–325, 2012.
Oxygen Migration Pathways in NO‐bound Truncated Hemoglobin
Authors: Cazade Pierre‐André , Meuwly Markus
Published: November 2012

Atomistic simulations of dioxygen (O2) dynamics and migration in nitric oxide‐bound truncated Hemoglobin N (trHbN) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are reported. From more than 100 ns of simulations the connectivity network involving the metastable states for localization of the O2 ligand is built and analyzed. It is found that channel I is the primary entrance point for O2 whereas channel II is predominantly an exit path although access to the protein active site is also possible. For O2 a new site compared to nitric oxide, from which reaction with the heme group can occur, was found. As this site is close to the heme iron, it could play an important role in the dioxygenation mechanism as O2 can remain there for hundreds of picoseconds after which it can eventually leave the protein, while NO is localized in Xe2. The present study supports recent experimental work which proposed that O2 docks in alternative pockets than Xe close to the reactive site. Similar to other proteins, a phenylalanine residue (Phe62) plays the role of a gate along the access route in channel I. The most highly connected site is the Xe3 pocket which is a “hub” and free energy barriers between the different metastable states are ≈1.5 kcal mol−1 which allows facile O2 migration within the protein.
Uniformity, Structure, and Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Films Deposited by Atmospheric‐Pressure Linear Cold Plasma
Authors: Di Lan‐Bo , Shi Chuan , Li Xiao‐Song , Liu Jing‐Lin , Zhu Ai‐Min
Published: November 2012

Atmospheric‐pressure (AP) linear cold plasma CVD is employed to deposit TiO2 photocatalytic films uniformly on a moving substrate. The in‐plane and in‐depth uniformities of the as‐deposited TiO2 films are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV‐vis spectroscopy. The chemical binding states and compositions of the as‐deposited TiO2 films are characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Raman, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra prove the structures of the as‐deposited and calcined TiO2 films are mainly hydro‐oxygenated amorphous (a‐TiOx:OH), and exclusively anatase, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the as‐deposited and calcined TiO2 films is evaluated in a continuous flow reactor for HCHO removal with simulated air. The activity of the as‐deposited TiO2 films increases with film thickness, leveling off at about 780 nm. The activity of the as‐deposited TiO2 film is lower than that of the calcined one.
UHPLC/ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS method for the measurement of dopamine in rodent striatal tissue: A comparative effects of intranasal administration of ropinirole solution over nanoemulsion
Authors: Mustafa Gulam , Ahmad Niyaz , Baboota Sanjula , Ali Javed , Ahuja Alka
Published: November 2012

An ultra high performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometric method (UHPLC/ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS) for the analysis of dopamine (DA) in Wistar rat brain homogenate has been developed and validated. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC™ BEH C18 (100.0 mm × 2.1 mm; 1.7 µm) column using isocratic mobile phase, consisting of acetonitrile and Formic acid (0.1% w/v) (10: 90; v/v), at a flow rate of 0.15 ml min‐1. The transitions occurred at m/z 154.04 → 137.006 for DA, and m/z 184.204 → 166.08 for the internal standard. The recovery of the analytes from Wistar rat brain homogenate was optimized using liquid‐liquid extraction technique (LLE) in ethyl acetate. The total run time was 3.5 min and the elution of DA occurred at 1.44 ± 0.05 min. The linear dynamic range was established over the concentration range 75–750 ng mL‐1 (r2; 0.9921 ± 0.0005) for DA. The intra‐assay and inter‐assay accuracy in terms of % CV was in the range 0.73–2.80. The lower limit of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) for DA was 0.278 and 0.844 ng mL‐1, respectively. Analytes were stable under various conditions (in autosampler, during freeze–thaw, at room temperature, and under deep‐freeze conditions). The developed method was successfully applied for in vivo profiling in rodents. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulation of the natural killer cell KIR repertoire by cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Charoudeh Hojjatollah N. , Terszowski Grzegorz , Czaja Karol , Gonzalez Asensio , Schmitter Karin , Stern Martin
Published: November 2012

Patients carrying activating killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) genes are significantly protected from CMV‐associated complications after solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Whether previous infection with CMV affects NK‐cell function in healthy donors is unknown. We studied the KIR repertoire and alterations of KIR expression after in vitro exposure to CMV in 54 healthy donors. The expression of neither activating nor inhibitory KIRs was different at baseline between 23 seropositive and 31 seronegative donors. However, after co‐culture of NK cells with CMV‐infected fibroblast cells, expression of the inhibitory receptors KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3 and the activating receptor KIR3DS1 significantly increased in CMV‐seropositive donors. In CMV‐seronegative donors, changes were subtle and restricted to the subset of NK cells expressing NK‐cell group antigen 2C (NKG2C). Expansion of inhibitory KIRs occurred exclusively in donors carrying the cognate HLA class I ligands, whereas the presence of the putative ligand HLA‐Bw4 was not necessary for the expansion of KIR3DS1‐expressing NK cells. Our data show that previous infection with CMV does not alter the resting NK‐cell receptor repertoire, but appears to modify how NK cells respond to re‐exposure to CMV in vitro.
Evaluation of Different Electrochemical Transducers Based on Polystyrene Sulfonate – Carbon Composites with Nickel Catalyst for Rapid Detection of Fragrance Allergens
Authors: Cantalapiedra Alberto , Gismera Ma Jesús , da Silva Ma Pilar , Procopio Jesús R. , Sevilla Teresa
Published: November 2012

Novel electrochemical transducers have been prepared in a polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) matrix introducing carbon nanopowder (CnP) as conductive filler and nickel as catalyst. Composite materials were incorporated on commercial screen‐printed devices. Higher catalytic activities were obtained for composites prepared in 2.6 % PSS containing 2 % CnP in which nickel was incorporated as NiO particles synthesized by a microemulsion procedure (PSS‐NiO‐ME‐CnP sensor) or by immersion of the devices in a Ni(II) solution (PSS‐Ni‐CnP sensor). The PSS‐Ni‐CnP sensor was employed in geraniol analysis with a LOD of 12 mg L−1 and RSD<1.5 %.
Activation of serum/glucocorticoid‐induced kinase 1 (SGK1) is important to maintain skeletal muscle homeostasis and prevent atrophy
Authors: Andres‐Mateos Eva , Brinkmeier Heinrich , Burks Tyesha N. , Mejias Rebeca , Files Daniel C. , Steinberger Martin , Soleimani Arshia , Marx Ruth , Simmers Jessica L. , Lin Benjamin , Finanger Hedderick Erika , Marr Tom G. , Lin Brian M. , Hourdé Christophe , Leinwand Leslie A. , Kuhl Dietmar , Föller Michael , Vogelsang Silke , Hernandez‐Diaz Ivan , Vaughan Dana K. , Alvarez de la Rosa Diego , Lang Florian , Cohn Ronald D.
Published: November 2012

Maintaining skeletal muscle mass is essential for general health and prevention of disease progression in various neuromuscular conditions. Currently, no treatments are available to prevent progressive loss of muscle mass in any of these conditions. Hibernating mammals are protected from muscle atrophy despite prolonged periods of immobilization and starvation. Here, we describe a mechanism underlying muscle preservation and translate it to non‐hibernating mammals. Although Akt has an established role in skeletal muscle homeostasis, we find that serum‐ and glucocorticoid‐inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) regulates muscle mass maintenance via downregulation of proteolysis and autophagy as well as increased protein synthesis during hibernation. We demonstrate that SGK1 is critical for the maintenance of skeletal muscle homeostasis and function in non‐hibernating mammals in normal and atrophic conditions such as starvation and immobilization. Our results identify a novel therapeutic target to combat loss of skeletal muscle mass associated with muscle degeneration and atrophy.
Velocity Mapping Toolbox (VMT): a processing and visualization suite for moving‐vessel ADCP measurements
Authors: Parsons D. R. , Jackson P. R. , Czuba J. A. , Engel F. L. , Rhoads B. L. , Oberg K. A. , Best J. L. , Mueller D. S. , Johnson K. K. , Riley J. D.
Published: November 2012

The use of acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) for discharge measurements and three‐dimensional flow mapping has increased rapidly in recent years and has been primarily driven by advances in acoustic technology and signal processing. Recent research has developed a variety of methods for processing data obtained from a range of ADCP deployments and this paper builds on this progress by describing new software for processing and visualizing ADCP data collected along transects in rivers or other bodies of water. The new utility, the Velocity Mapping Toolbox (VMT), allows rapid processing (vector rotation, projection, averaging and smoothing), visualization (planform and cross‐section vector and contouring), and analysis of a range of ADCP‐derived datasets. The paper documents the data processing routines in the toolbox and presents a set of diverse examples that demonstrate its capabilities. The toolbox is applicable to the analysis of ADCP data collected in a wide range of aquatic environments and is made available as open‐source code along with this publication. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Simulating Realistic Genomic Data With Rare Variants
Authors: Xu Yaji , Wu Yinghua , Song Chi , Zhang Heping
Published: November 2012

Increasing evidence suggests that rare and generally deleterious genetic variants might have a strong impact on disease risks of not only Mendelian disease, but also many common diseases. However, identifying such rare variants remains challenging, and novel statistical methods and bioinformatic software must be developed. Hence, we have to extensively evaluate various methods under reasonable genetic models. Although there are abundant genomic data, they are not most helpful for the evaluation of the methods because the disease mechanism is unknown. Thus, it is imperative that we simulate genomic data that mimic the real data containing rare variants and that enable us to impose a known disease penetrance model. Although resampling simulation methods have shown their advantages in computational efficiency and in preserving important properties such as linkage disequilibrium (LD) and allele frequency, they still have limitations as we demonstrated. We propose an algorithm that combines a regression‐based imputation with resampling to simulate genetic data with both rare and common variants. Logistic regression model was employed to fit the relationship between a rare variant and its nearby common variants in the 1000 Genomes Project data and then applied to the real data to fill in one rare variant at a time using the fitted logistic model based on common variants. Individuals then were simulated using the real data with imputed rare variants. We compared our method with existing simulators and demonstrated that our method performed well in retaining the real sample properties, such as LD and minor allele frequency, qualitatively.
Synthesis and Structure Revision of Goupiolone A: A Benzotropolone Natural Product
Authors: Fukui Nobuaki , Ohmori Ken , Suzuki Keisuke
Published: November 2012

Goupiolone A, a benzotropolone natural product, has been synthesized by assembling a benzocyclobutene derivative and a silyl‐substituted cyclopropane unit, followed by thermal ring enlargement. The synthetic sample did not correspond to the reported data. On the basis of biogenetic considerations, an alternative structure with a catechol moiety was proposed, and the synthesis established it as the correct structure.
Asymmetric Proline‐Catalyzed Addition of Aldehydes to 3H‐Indol‐3‐ones: Enantioselective Synthesis of 2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐indol‐3‐ones with Quaternary Stereogenic Centers
Authors: Rueping Magnus , Rasappan Ramesh , Raja Sadiya
Published: November 2012

The proline‐catalyzed addition of various aliphatic aldehydes to sterically hindered 2‐aryl‐substituted 3H‐indol‐3‐ones affords 2,2‐disubstituted 2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indol‐3‐one derivatives with excellent enantioselectivities. In addition, the synthesis of a chiral derivative, (S)‐2‐(2‐bromophenyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐one, which can be used as an intermediate for the preparation of the natural product hinckdentine A was accomplished with a high level of enantioselectivity.
EphrinB2/EphB4 inhibition in the osteoblast lineage modifies the anabolic response to parathyroid hormone
Authors: Takyar Farzin M , Tonna Stephen , Ho Patricia WM , Crimeen-Irwin Blessing , Baker Emma K , Martin T John , Sims Natalie A
Published: November 2012

Previous reports indicate that ephrinB2 expression by osteoblasts is stimulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH) and its related protein (PTHrP) and that ephrinB2/EphB4 signaling between osteoblasts and osteoclasts stimulates osteoblast differentiation while inhibiting osteoclast differentiation. To determine the role of the ephrinB2/EphB4 interaction in the skeleton, we used a specific inhibitor, soluble EphB4 (sEphB4), in vitro and in vivo. sEphB4 treatment of cultured osteoblasts specifically inhibited EphB4 and ephrinB2 phosphorylation and reduced mRNA levels of late markers of osteoblast/osteocyte differentiation (osteocalcin, dentin matrix protein-1 [DMP-1], sclerostin, matrix-extracellular phosphoglycoprotein [MEPE]), while substantially increasing RANKL. sEphB4 treatment in vivo in the presence and absence of PTH increased osteoblast formation and mRNA levels of early osteoblast markers (Runx2, alkaline phosphatase, Collagen 1α1, and PTH receptor [PTHR1]), but despite a substantial increase in osteoblast numbers, there was no significant change in bone formation rate or in late markers of osteoblast/osteocyte differentiation. Rather, in the presence of PTH, sEphB4 treatment significantly increased osteoclast formation, an effect that prevented the anabolic effect of PTH, causing instead a decrease in trabecular number. This enhancement of osteoclastogenesis by sEphB4 was reproduced in vitro but only in the presence of osteoblasts. These data indicate that ephrinB2/EphB4 signaling within the osteoblast lineage is required for late stages of osteoblast differentiation and, further, restricts the ability of osteoblasts to support osteoclast formation, at least in part by limiting RANKL production. This indicates a key role for the ephrinB2/EphB4 interaction within the osteoblast lineage in osteoblast differentiation and support of osteoclastogenesis. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Lower fracture risk in older men with higher sclerostin concentration: A prospective analysis from the MINOS study
Authors: Szulc Pawel , Bertholon Cindy , Borel Olivier , Marchand Francois , Chapurlat Roland
Published: November 2012

Sclerostin is synthesized by osteocytes and inhibits bone formation. We measured serum sclerostin levels in 710 men aged 50 years and older. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine, hip, and distal forearm. Serum sclerostin increased with age (unadjusted r = 0.30, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, weight, and bioavailable 17β-estradiol, serum sclerostin correlated positively with BMD (r = 0.24 to 0.35, p < 0.001) and negatively with the levels of bone turnover markers (r = − 0.09 to − 0.23, p < 0.05 to 0.001). During a 10-year follow-up, 75 men sustained fragility fractures. Fracture risk was lower in the two upper quintiles of sclerostin combined versus three lower quintiles combined (6.1 versus 13.5%, p < 0.01). We compared fracture risk in the two highest quintiles combined versus three lower quintiles combined using the Cox model adjusted for age, weight, leisure physical activity, BMD, bone width (tubular bones), prevalent fracture, prevalent falls, ischemic heart disease, and severe abdominal aortic calcification. Men with higher sclerostin concentration had lower fracture risk (adjusted for hip BMD, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31 to 0.96, p < 0.05). The results were similar in 47 men with major fragility fractures (adjusted for lumbar spine BMD: HR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.90, p < 0.05). Men who had higher sclerostin and higher BMD (two highest quintiles) had lower risk of fracture compared with men who had lower BMD and lower sclerostin levels (three lower quintiles) (HR = 0.24, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.62, p < 0.005). Circulating sclerostin was not associated with mortality rate or the incidence of major cardiovascular events. Thus, in older men, higher serum sclerostin levels are associated with lower risk of fracture, higher BMD, and lower bone turnover rate. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Dicer‐Processed Small RNAs: Rules and Exceptions
Authors: Langenberger David , Çakir M. Volkan , Hoffmann Steve , Stadler Peter F.
Published: November 2012

Canonical microRNAs are excised from their hairpin‐shaped precursors by Dicer. In order to find possible exceptions to this rule and to identify additional substrates for Dicer processing we re‐evaluate the small RNA sequencing data of the Dicer knockdown experiment in MCF‐7 cells orignally published by Friedländer et al. [Friedländer et al., 2012, Nucleic Acids Res 40:37–52]. While the well‐known non‐Dicer mir‐451 is not sufficiently expressed in these experiments, there are several additional Dicer‐independent microRNAs, among them the important tumor supressor mir‐663a. We recover previously described examples of non‐miRNA Dicer substrates such as tRNA‐Gln and several snoRNAs. Interestingly, sdRNAs derived from box C/D snoRNAs are Dicer‐independent, while those derived from box H/ACA snoRNAs are often Dicer dependent. Several pol‐III transcripts, in particular the vault RNAs and the great ape specific snaRs are processed by Dicer, while the small RNAs originating from Y RNAs seem to be Dicer independent. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 320B:35–46, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Matrix effects in the determination of β‐receptor agonists in animal‐derived foodstuffs by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with immunoaffinity solid‐phase extraction
Authors: Wang Guomin , Zhao Jian , Peng Tao , Chen Dongdong , Xi Cunxian , Wang Xiong , Zhang Jinzhong
Published: November 2012

Matrix effects in determination of three β‐receptor agonists including salbutamol (SAL), clenbuterol, and terbutaline in animal‐derived foodstuffs were studied by ultra‐performance LC‐MS/MS with cleanup of immunoaffinity SPE column (IAC). Some animal tissue samples including pig liver, swine muscle, and fish muscle were hydrolyzed by the mixed enzyme solution or HCl solution, and the cleanup efficiencies with SAL IAC, MCX SPE column, and C18‐SCX tandem columns were examined and compared by using spiked experiments. The results showed that the matrix effects in the determination of SAL and terbutaline can be eliminated with SAL IAC cleanup, and the average recoveries of SAL were 77.4∼81.5%, 79.0∼80.3%, and 85.0∼87.2% in pig liver, swine muscle, and fish muscle, respectively. The decision limit (ccα) and detection capability (ccβ) for SAL in pig liver were 0.02 and 0.05 μg/kg, respectively.
Mitochondrial membrane protein associated neurodegenration: A novel variant of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation
Authors: Schulte Eva C. , Claussen Malte C. , Jochim Angela , Haack Tobias , Hartig Monika , Hempel Maja , Prokisch Holger , Haun‐Jünger Ursula , Winkelmann Juliane , Hemmer Bernhard , Förschler Annette , Ilg Rüdiger
Published: November 2012

Background

Recently, mutations in an open‐reading frame on chromosome 19 (C19orf12) were identified as a novel genetic factor in neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA). Because of the mitochondrial localization of the derived protein, this variant is referred to as mitochondrial membrane protein‐associated neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (MPAN).

Methods/Results

We describe the clinical phenotype and MRI of 3 newly identified individuals with MPAN due to either previously reported or novel homozygous or compound heterozygous genetic alterations in C19orf12.

Conclusions

MPAN is characterized by a juvenile‐onset, slowly progressive phenotype with predominant lower limb spasticity, generalized dystonia, and cognitive impairment. Typical additional features include axonal motor neuropathy and atrophy of the optic nerve. MRI showed iron deposition in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra without the eye‐of‐the‐tiger sign, which is typical for PKAN, the most frequent form of NBIA. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Is Quantum Tunneling Relevant in Free‐Radical Polymerization?
Authors: Cuccato Danilo , Dossi Marco , Polino Daniela , Cavallotti Carlo , Moscatelli Davide
Published: November 2012

Quantum tunneling in hydrogen transfer reactions active in FRP is investigated theoretically. Three systems are examined: polyethylene, polystyrene, and poly(vinyl chloride). Kinetic parameters of backbiting reactions are evaluated adopting quantum chemistry. Tunneling corrections are estimated adopting the one‐dimensional Eckart model, which provides a reasonable accuracy along with a limited computational effort. The relevance of quantum tunneling in the investigated systems is highlighted, with focus on the temperature dependence of the tunneling correction in the typical polymerization conditions of the investigated monomers. Obtained results clearly show that tunneling plays an important role in the kinetics estimation of hydrogen abstractions in FRP.

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Small‐Particle High‐Solid‐Content Bimodal Latexes: Highly Crosslinked Small Particles as Pseudo‐Inert Nanofillers
Authors: Moraes Raul P. , Hutchinson Robin A. , McKenna Timothy F. L.
Published: November 2012

High‐solid‐content low‐viscosity bimodal latexes with very small particles (<200 nm) are obtained using two emulsion polymerization approaches. In the first approach, the PSD is controlled by using highly crosslinked nanolatex particles (<30 nm) as seeds for the small mode to minimize their growth during the growth of the large mode. These particles are shown to grow at a volumetric rate that is 25 times lower than the larger particles. Latexes with 57 wt% solids content and viscosities <1400 mPa · s at 20 s−1 are produced. The second approach is based on the re‐nucleation of the small particles by addition of a shot of surfactant in the presence of large particles to produce bimodal latexes. Latexes with 60 wt% solid content with viscosity of 490 mPa · s at 20 s−1 are produced using this approach.

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Effectiveness of second corticosteroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Ashworth Nigel L. , Bland Jeremy D.P.
Published: November 2012

Introduction

A single local corticosteroid injection is an effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. No study has specifically examined the effectiveness of a second injection on relapse after primary injection.

Methods

We identified a cohort of patients who had received an initial corticosteroid injection into 1 wrist and then, at a later date, a second injection into the same wrist. We compared the change in the Boston Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and Functional Status Scale (FSS) between first and second injections.

Results

In 229 patients who received 2 injections the mean improvement on the SSS was 1.2 (SD = 0.8) for the first injection and 1.3 (SD = 0.9) for the second, which was not statistically significant. Improvement in FSS for the first injection was 0.4 (SD = 0.8) and 0.7 (SD = 0.8) for the second, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Second corticosteroid injections appear to be at least as effective as the first. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Fatal Clindamycin‐Induced Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome
Authors: Miller Quidley April , Bookstaver P. Brandon , Gainey Andrew B. , Gainey Matthew D.
Published: November 2012

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare, complex, idiosyncratic drug reaction that can be fatal. Systemic symptoms include lymphadenopathy, hepatic failure, and possibly renal failure. The syndrome has been primarily associated with anticonvulsants, whereas antimicrobials are less commonly associated. We describe a 63‐year‐old woman who initially presented with rash and acute kidney injury secondary to treatment with clindamycin for a methicillin‐susceptible Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic hip infection. Her rash progressed to desquamation of over 90% of her body surface area. Her renal function progressively declined during her hospital stay, and continuous renal replacement therapy was started. Peripheral eosinophilia was present, and urine studies were consistent with intrinsic renal failure. The patient also developed pancreatitis, hepatic failure with elevated liver enzyme levels and coagulopathy, respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation, and hypotension. After a 16‐day hospitalization, life‐sustaining measures were withdrawn, and the patient died. Use of a cutaneous adverse drug reaction scale indicated that clindamycin was the definite cause of this patient's DRESS syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of fatal clindamycin‐induced DRESS syndrome and only the second case report of DRESS attributable to clindamycin therapy. Although commonly linked with anticonvulsants, clinicians should consider the possibility of this reaction with antimicrobials, including clindamycin.
LG3 fragment of endorepellin is a possible biomarker of severity in IgA nephropathy
Authors: Surin Brigitte , Sachon Emmanuelle , Rougier Jean‐Philippe , Steverlynck Céline , Garreau Christelle , Lelongt Brigitte , Ronco Pierre , Piedagnel Rémi
Published: November 2012

IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the most common primary glomerulonephritis, is characterized by deposition of IgA in the glomerular mesangium. The diagnosis of IgAN still requires a kidney biopsy that cannot easily be repeated in the same patient during follow‐up. Therefore, identification of noninvasive urinary biomarkers would be very useful for monitoring patients with IgAN. We first used bidimensional electrophoresis (2DE) coupled to MALDI‐TOF‐TOF and Western blot to identify some urinary biomarkers associated with IgAN. Urine of IgAN patients showed an increase of albumin fragments, α‐1‐antitrypsin and α‐1‐β‐glycoprotein, along with a decrease of a single spot that was identified as the laminin G‐like 3 (LG3) fragment of endorepellin. The urinary proteomes of 43 IgAN patients were compared to those of 30 healthy individuals by ELISA. Quantification of LG3 confirmed a significant decrease in the urine of IgAN patients compared to healthy controls, except in ten patients in whom LG3 was increased. These ten patients had a more severe disease with lower glomerular filtration rate values. We found a significant inverse correlation between LG3 levels and glomerular filtration rate in the 43 patients with IgAN, which was not observed in 65 patients with other glomerular diseases including membranous nephropathy (23), lupus nephropathy (13), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (15), diabetic nephropathy (14), and six patients with nonglomerular diseases. Therefore, we suggest that the LG3 fragment of endorepellin could be associated with IgAN severity and might be related to pathogenesis of IgAN.
A novel andrographolide derivative AL‐1 exerts its cytotoxicity on K562 cells through a ROS‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Zhu Yong‐Yang , Yu Guangchuang , Zhang Ye , Xu Zheng , Wang Yu‐Qiang , Yan Guang‐Rong , He Qing‐Yu
Published: November 2012

Andrographolide‐lipoic acid conjugate (AL‐1) is a new in‐house synthesized chemical entity, which was derived by covalently linking andrographolide with lipoic acid. However, its anti‐cancer effect and cytotoxic mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we found that AL‐1 could significantly inhibit cell viability of human leukemia K562 cells by inducing G2/M arrest and apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. Thirty‐one AL‐1‐regulated protein alterations were identified by proteomics analysis. Gene ontology and ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that a cluster of proteins of oxidative redox state and apoptotic cell death‐related proteins, such as PRDX2, PRDX3, PRDX6, TXNRD1, and GLRX3, were regulated by AL‐1. Functional studies confirmed that AL‐1 induced apoptosis of K562 cells through a ROS‐dependent mechanism, and anti‐oxidant, N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine, could completely block AL‐1‐induced cytotoxicity, implicating that ROS generation played a vital role in AL‐1 cytotoxicity. Accumulated ROS resulted in oxidative DNA damage and subsequent G2/M arrest and mitochondrial‐mediated apoptosis. The current work reveals that a novel andrographolide derivative AL‐1 exerts its anticancer cytotoxicity through a ROS‐dependent DNA damage and mitochondrial‐mediated apoptosis mechanism.
Comparison of gel‐based phosphoproteomic approaches to analyse scarce oviductal epithelial cell samples
Authors: Steinberger Birgit , Besenfelder Urban , Brem Gottfried , Mayrhofer Corina
Published: November 2012

The reversible change of the phosphorylation state of proteins regulates key cellular processes. In the present study, three different gel‐based approaches were compared with regard to their applicability to quantitatively analyse the phosphoproteome of scarce biological material obtained ex vivo. Our results show that the phosphoproteome characterisation of oviductal epithelial cells isolated from the female reproductive tract requires affinity enrichment and pre‐electrophoretic labelling using fluorescence dyes. Using this approach, 30 μg of enriched phosphoproteins proved to be sufficient for the phosphoproteome characterisation. In contrast, sequential fluorescence staining of 2D‐separated total cell lysates as well as sequential staining in conjunction with a pre‐enrichment step led to detection discrepancies and excluded further analysis steps. Information gained from this study provides a successful approach for the phosphoproteome analysis of scarce samples. In addition, the cellular processes taking place in the female reproductive tract can be monitored ex vivo.
Prognostic utility of autoantibodies to α‐enolase and Hsp70 for cancer of the gingivo‐buccal complex using immunoproteomics
Authors: Pranay Atul , Shukla Sanjeev , Kannan Sadhana , Malgundkar Siddhi A. , Govekar Rukmini B. , Patil Asawari , Kane Shubhada V. , Chaturvedi Pankaj , D'Cruz Anil K. , Zingde Surekha M.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Studies from our laboratory have reported 14 tumor antigens that elicit an autoantibody response in patients with cancer of the gingivobuccal complex (GBC) In this study, utility of the autoantibody response has been evaluated for prognosis of cancer of the GBC.

Experimental design

Autoantibody response was evaluated using immunoproteomics and the prognostic significance was assessed by Kaplan‐Meier survival and multivariate analysis.

Results

Autoantibody response against α‐enolase isoforms a, b, and c and Hsp70 was detected in 27, 53, 64, and 26% of the 78 patients, respectively. Patients positive for autoantibody response to α‐ENO and Hsp70 individually and in combination, showed significantly reduced disease‐free survival (DFS) compared to those who do not show autoantibody response to either of them. Further the patients, who exhibit autoantibody response to α‐ENO and Hsp70 in combination with nodal involvement and/or differentiation status, have significantly lowered DFS. The relative risk of recurrence is 3.41 for patients who exhibit autoantibody response to both the antigens.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Autoantibody response against α‐ENO and Hsp70 provides an additional parameter and may be utilized along with nodal involvement and differentiation status for better prognosis of cancer of GBC.
Solar cell efficiency enhancement via light trapping in printable resonant dielectric nanosphere arrays
Authors: Grandidier Jonathan , Weitekamp Raymond A. , Deceglie Michael G. , Callahan Dennis M. , Battaglia Corsin , Bukowsky Colton R. , Ballif Christophe , Grubbs Robert H. , Atwater Harry A.
Published: November 2012

Resonant dielectric structures are a promising platform for addressing the key challenge of light trapping in thin‐film solar cells. We experimentally and theoretically demonstrate efficiency enhancements in solar cells from dielectric nanosphere arrays. Two distinct amorphous silicon photovoltaic architectures were improved using this versatile light‐trapping platform. In one structure, the colloidal monolayer couples light into the absorber in the near‐field acting as a photonic crystal light‐trapping element. In the other, it acts in the far‐field as a graded index antireflection coating to further improve a cell which already included a state‐of‐the‐art random light‐trapping texture to achieve a conversion efficiency over 11%. For the near‐field flat cell architecture, we directly fabricated the colloidal monolayer on the device through Langmuir–Blodgett deposition in a scalable process that does not degrade the active material. In addition, we present a novel transfer printing method, which utilizes chemical crosslinking of an optically thin adhesion layer to tether sphere arrays to the device surface. The minimally invasive processing conditions of this transfer method enable the application to a wide range of solar cells and other optoelectronic devices.

magnified image

False‐color SEM image of an amorphous silicon solar cell with resonant spheres on top.
International assessment: A Rasch model and teachers' evaluation of TIMSS science achievement items
Authors: Glynn Shawn M.
Published: November 2012

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is a comparative assessment of the achievement of students in many countries. In the present study, a rigorous independent evaluation was conducted of a representative sample of TIMSS science test items because item quality influences the validity of the scores used to inform educational policy in those countries. The items had been administered internationally to 16,009 students in their eighth year of formal schooling. The evaluation had three components. First, the Rasch model, which emphasizes high quality items, was used to evaluate the items psychometrically. Second, readability and vocabulary analyses were used to evaluate the wording of the items to ensure they were comprehensible to the students. And third, item development guidelines were used by a focus group of science teachers to evaluate the items in light of the TIMSS assessment framework, which specified the format, content, and cognitive domains of the items. The evaluation components indicated that the majority of the items were of high quality, thereby contributing to the validity of TIMSS scores. These items had good psychometric characteristics, readability, vocabulary, and compliance with the assessment framework. Overall, the items tended to be difficult: constructed response items assessing reasoning or application were the most difficult, and multiple choice items assessing knowledge or application were less difficult. The teachers revised some of the sampled items to improve their clarity of content, conciseness of wording, and fit with format specifications. For TIMSS, the findings imply that some of the non‐sampled items may need revision, too. For researchers and teachers, the findings imply that the TIMSS science items and the Rasch model are valuable resources for assessing the achievement of students. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 49: 1321–1344, 2012
Impacts of enemy‐mediated effects and the additivity of interactions in an insect trophic system
Authors: Reigada Carolina , Araujo Sabrina Borges Lino , de Aguiar Marcus Aloizio Martinez , Gião Juliana Zibordi , Guimarães Paulo Roberto , Trinca Luzia Aparecida , Godoy Wesley Augusto Conde
Published: November 2012

In this study, we used data from both experiments and mathematical simulations to analyze the consequences of the interacting effects of intraguild predation (IGP), cannibalism and parasitism occurring in isolation and simultaneously in trophic interactions involving two blowfly species under shared parasitism. We conducted experiments to determine the short‐term response of two blowfly species to these interactions with respect to their persistence. A mathematical model was employed to extend the results obtained from these experiments to the long‐term consequences of these interactions for the persistence of the blowfly species. Our experimental results revealed that IGP attenuated the strength of the effects of cannibalism and parasitism between blowfly host species, increasing the probability of persistence of both populations. The simulations obtained from the mathematical model indicated that IGP is a key interaction for the long‐term dynamics of this system. The presence of different species interacting in a tri‐trophic system relaxed the severity of the effects of a particular interaction between two species, changing species abundances and promoting persistence through time. This pattern was related to indirect interactions with a third species, the parasitoid species included in this study.
Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment subtypes in patients attending a memory outpatient clinic—comparison of two modes of mild cognitive impairment classification. Results of the Vienna Conversion to Dementia Study
Authors: Pusswald Gisela , Moser Doris , Gleiß Andreas , Janzek‐Hawlat Stefan , Auff Eduard , Dal‐Bianco Peter , Lehrner Johann
Published: November 2012

Background

Early detection of dementia is becoming more and more important owing to the advent of pharmacologic treatment.

Objective

The goals of this study were to establish prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes in an outpatient memory clinic cohort using two different modes of MCI determination.

Design

Consecutive patients complaining of cognitive problems who came to the memory outpatient clinic for assessment of a possible cognitive disorder were included in the study.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Participants

Six hundred eighty consecutive patients complaining about cognitive problems who came to the memory outpatient clinic for assessment of a possible cognitive disorder and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. For 676 patients, sufficient data for MCI classification were available.

Results

Categorizing MCI patients into MCI subtypes according to the minimum mode of MCI classification revealed the following results: 106 patients (15.7%) were categorized as cognitively healthy, whereas 570 patients (84.3%) met the criteria for MCI. MCI patients were subtyped as amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) single domain (31 patients; 4.6%), aMCI multiple domain (226 patients; 33.4%), non‐aMCI single domain (125 patients; 18.5%), and non‐aMCI multiple domain (188 patients; 27.8%). Categorizing MCI patients into MCI subtypes according to the mean mode of MCI classification revealed the following results: 409 patients (60.5%) were categorized as cognitively healthy, whereas 267 patients (39.5%) met the criteria for MCI. MCI patients were subtyped as aMCI single domain (47 patients; 6.9%), aMCI multiple domain (57 patients; 8.5%), non‐aMCI single domain (97 patients; 14.3%), and non‐aMCI multiple domain (66 patients; 9.8%).

Conclusion

MCI diagnosis frequencies are substantially affected by the criteria used for estimation of MCI. The effect of modifying the presence of impairment on a single cognitive measure versus the presence of impairment on a mean composite score of a certain domain differed considerably, ranging from 39.5% to 84.3%, indicating the importance of the development of guidelines for operationalizing MCI.
Effects of Maternal Worm Infections and Anthelminthic Treatment during Pregnancy on Infant Motor and Neurocognitive Functioning
Authors: Nampijja Margaret , Apule Barbara , Lule Swaib , Akurut Hellen , Muhangi Lawrence , Webb Emily L. , Lewis Charlie , Elliott Alison M. , Alcock Katie J.
Published: November 2012

We tested the hypothesis that maternal worm infections in pregnancy affect infant motor and neurocognitive development, and that anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy can reverse these effects. We used measures which examine infant motor, cognitive and executive function, including inhibition. We assessed 983 Ugandan infants aged 15 months, using locally appropriate measures within the Entebbe Mother and Baby Study, a trial of anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy. Key exposures were maternal worm infections and anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy. Effects of other health and social factors were controlled for statistically. Of the five major worm species found in the pregnant women, two had influences on the developmental measures: MaternalMansonella perstansandStrongyloides stercoralisinfections showed negative associations with the A-not B-task, and Language, respectively. Performance on other psychomotor and cognitive measures was associated with illnesses during infancy and infants’ behavior during assessment, but not with maternal worm infections. There were no positive effects of maternal anthelminthic treatment on infant abilities.Mansonella perstansandStrongyloides stercoralisinfection during pregnancy seem associated with impaired early executive function and language, respectively, but single-dose anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy was not beneficial. The biological mechanisms that could underlie these neurocognitive effects are discussed. (JINS, 2012,18, 1019–1030)
Acute Cognitive and Behavioral Effects of Systemic Corticosteroids in Children Treated for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Mrakotsky Christine , Forbes Peter W. , Bernstein Jane Holmes , Grand Richard J. , Bousvaros Athos , Szigethy Eva , Waber Deborah P.
Published: November 2012

Systemic corticosteroids are a mainstay of treatment for many pediatric medical conditions. Although their impact on the central nervous system has been well-studied in animal models and adults, less is known about such effects in pediatric populations. The current study investigated acute effects of corticosteroids on memory, executive functions, emotion, and behavior in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients 8–17 years with IBD (Crohn's disease, CD; ulcerative colitis, UC) on high-dose prednisone (n= 33) and IBD patients in remission off steroids (n= 33) completed standardized neuropsychological tests and behavior rating scales. In the IBD sample as a whole, few steroid effects were found for laboratory cognitive measures, but steroid-treated patients were rated as exhibiting more problems with emotional, and to a lesser extent with cognitive function in daily life. Steroid effects, assessed by laboratory measures and questionnaires, were more prevalent in CD than UC patients; UC patients on steroids sometimes performed better than controls. Sleep disruption also predicted some outcomes, diminishing somewhat the magnitude of the steroid effects. Corticosteroid therapy can have acute effects on cognition, emotion, and behavior in chronically ill children; the clinical and long-term significance of these effects require further investigation. (JINS, 2012,19, 1–14)
Predictors of 1-Month and 1-Year Neurocognitive Functioning from the UCLA Longitudinal Mild, Uncomplicated, Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Study
Authors: Babikian Talin , McArthur David , Asarnow Robert F.
Published: November 2012

Although more severe brain injuries have long been associated with persisting neurocognitive deficits, an increasing body of literature has shown that children/adolescents with single, uncomplicated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) do not exhibitlong-lastingneurocognitive impairments. Nonetheless, clinical experience and our previous report (Babikian, 2011) showed that a minority of children/adolescents exhibit persistent cognitive problems using performance based measures following what appear to be relatively mild injuries. Predictors of poor neurocognitive outcomes were evaluated in 76 mTBI and 79 Other Injury subjects to determine the relative contributions of indices of injury severity, clinical symptomatology, demographic factors, and premorbid functioning in predicting 1-month and 12-month neurocognitive impairment on computerized or paper and pencil measures. Injury severity indicators or type of injury (headvs.other body part) did not predict either 1-month or 12-month cognitive impairment status. Rather, premorbid variables that antedated the injury (parental education, premorbid behavior and/or learning problems, and school achievement) predicted cognitive impairments. When post-injury neurocognitive impairments are observed in survivors of mild injuries (head or other body part), a sound understanding of their etiology is critical in designing appropriate intervention plans. Clinical and research implications are discussed. (JINS, 2012,18, 1–10)