bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bridging the Two Worlds: A Universal Interface between Enzymatic and DNA Computing Systems
Authors: Mailloux Shay , Gerasimova Yulia V. , Guz Nataliia , Kolpashchikov Dmitry M. , Katz Evgeny
Published: April 2015

Molecular computing based on enzymes or nucleic acids has attracted a great deal of attention due to the perspectives of controlling living systems in the way we control electronic computers. Enzyme‐based computational systems can respond to a great variety of small molecule inputs. They have the advantage of signal amplification and highly specific recognition. DNA computing systems are most often controlled by oligonucleotide inputs/outputs and are capable of sophisticated computing as well as controlling gene expressions. Here, we developed an interface that enables communication of otherwise incompatible nucleic‐acid and enzyme‐computational systems. The enzymatic system processes small molecules as inputs and produces NADH as an output. The NADH output triggers electrochemical release of an oligonucleotide, which is accepted by a DNA computational system as an input. This interface is universal because the enzymatic and DNA computing systems are independent of each other in composition and complexity.
Influence of hydroxyapatite and BMP‐2 on bioactivity and bone tissue formation ability of electrospun PLLA nanofibers
Authors: Yang Xiaozhan , Li Zhensheng
Published: April 2015

An excellent bioactive scaffold material which could induce and promote new bone formation is essential in the bone repair field. In this study, the bioactive material hydroxyapatite (HA) and the bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) were added to poly‐l‐lactic acid (PLLA) using the electrospinning method. Scanning electron microscopy investigations performed on four different fiber scaffolds, PLLA, PLLA/HA, PLLA/BMP‐2 and PLLA/HA/BMP‐2, revealed that the fibers of all scaffolds are closely interwoven, and the presence of large interconnected voids between the fibers, resulting in a three‐dimensional porous network structure that was similar to the structure of the extracellular matrix of healthy bones. In the MG63 cell culture growth experiments, the composite scaffold material PLLA/HA/BMP‐2 showed a higher bioactivity than the other three scaffold materials. The four scaffold materials were implanted in rabbits’ tibia for 30 and 90 days. The results of the animal experiments indicate that the capability of the PLLA/HA/BMP‐2 composite to induce and promote bone tissue formation was better compared with PLLA/HA or PLLA/BMP‐2, suggesting that PLLA combined with HA/BMP‐2 is a promising material for bone tissue repair. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42249.
Doped poly (2,5‐dimethyl aniline) for the detection of ethanol
Authors: Stewart Katherine M. E. , Chen Wei Ting , Mansour Raafat R. , Penlidis Alexander
Published: April 2015

Poly (2,5‐dimethyl aniline) (P25DMA), with and without NiO and ZnO as dopants, is evaluated as a sensing material for ethanol to detect transdermal ethanol emissions. Three sensing materials—P25DMA, P25DMA doped with 20 wt % NiO, and P25DMA doped with 20 wt % ZnO—are eventually deposited onto a radio frequency identification sensor. The limit of detection for the materials is found to be 3, 24, and 420 ppm, respectively. Also, all three sensing materials are selective toward ethanol with benzene and methanol used as interferents. The response and recovery times are also measured for the three sensing materials and are in the order of seconds, which is acceptable for a transdermal ethanol sensor. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42259.
Differences Exist in the Left and Right Sciatic Nerves of Naïve Rats and Cats
Authors: Christensen Michael B. , Tresco Patrick A.
Published: April 2015

The sciatic nerve of rats and cats is commonly used in experimental models of peripheral nerve injury and repair, as well as experiments involving peripheral nerve electrode implantation. In such experiments, morphometric parameters from the implanted nerve are commonly evaluated and compared to control values obtained from the contralateral nerves. However, this may not be an appropriate approach as differences may naturally exist in the structure of the two nerves owing to developmental or behavioral asymmetry. Additionally, in the cat, baseline values for standard morphometric parameters are not well established. In this study, we characterized fascicle area, fiber count, fiber density, fiber packing, mean g‐ratio, and fiber diameter distributions in the rat and cat, as well as investigated the potential for naturally occurring sided differences in these parameters in both species. We also investigated whether animal age or location along the nerve influenced these parameters. We found that sided or left/right leg differences exist in some parameters in both the rat and the cat, calling into question the validity of using the contralateral nerve as a control. We also found that animal age and location along the nerve can make significant differences in the parameters tested, establishing the importance of using control nerves from age‐ and behaviorally matched animals whose morphometric parameters are collected and compared from the same location. Anat Rec, 298:1492–1501, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multistage aqueous two‐phase extraction of a monoclonal antibody from cell supernatant
Authors: Muendges Jan , Zalesko Alexej , Górak Andrzej , Zeiner Tim
Published: April 2015

This article presents results of continuous multistage aqueous two‐phase extraction of an immunoglobulin G1 from cell supernatant in a mixer‐settler unit. An aqueous two‐phase system consisting of polyethylene glycol 2000, phosphate salt, and water was applied without and with sodium chloride (NaCl). Influences of different parameters such as throughput, phase ratio, and stage number on the extraction performance were analyzed. For systems without NaCl, the extraction was carried out as a washing step. An increase of stage number from one to five stages enabled to increase the immunoglobulin G1 purity from 11.8 to 32.6% at a yield of nearly 90%. Furthermore, a reduction of product phase volume due to a higher phase ratio led to an increase of purity from 20.8 to 29.6% in a three‐stage countercurrent extraction. For experiments with NaCl moderate partitioning conditions were adjusted by adding 8 wt% NaCl. In that case, the extraction was carried out as a stripping step. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:925–936, 2015
Late breaking trials of 2014 in structural heart disease and peripheral arterial disease: Commentary covering ACC, EuroPCR, SCAI, TCT, VIVA, ESC, and AHA
Authors: Cilingiroglu Mehmet , Patel Raj .A.G. , Dean Larry S.
Published: April 2015

With the plethora of clinical trials, it is difficult for busy interventional cardiologists to stay up to date. Therefore, the SCAI Publications Committee concisely summarizes and provides editorial commentary on the most important structural heart and peripheral arterial disease trials from the large international meetings of 2014. The intent is to allow quick assimilation of trial results into interventional practice. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Patient‐specific finite element models to support clinical decisions: A lesson learnt from a case study of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation
Authors: Bosi Giorgia M. , Capelli Claudio , Khambadkone Sachin , Taylor Andrew M. , Schievano Silvia
Published: April 2015

Objectives and Background

Patient‐specific finite element (FE) simulations were used to assess different transcatheter valve devices and help select the most appropriate treatment strategy for a patient (17‐year‐old male) with borderline dimensions for Melody® percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI).

Methods and Results

Patient‐specific implantation site morphology was derived from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) images along with the implantation site mechanical behavior by coupling systolic/diastolic dimensions and the pressure gradient in a linear elastic model, and iterative tuning. In this way, the model accounted for the mechanical response not only of the arterial wall, but also of the surrounding tissue. Four stents (2 balloon‐expandable including prestenting and 2 self‐expandable) were virtually implanted and the stent final configuration, anchoring, migration forces, arterial wall stresses, paravalvular regurgitation, and device mechanical performance were evaluated. A Sapien29 device with prestenting was indicated as the optimal approach for this specific patient as it had a fully open valve, safe anchoring along the entire circumference, low risk of paravalvular leak, and arterial rupture. However, at the time of the PPVI procedure, after balloon sizing, device implantation was suspended due to perceived high risk of device embolization.

Conclusions

FE analysis allows a comparison between different treatment scenarios to add information to the clinical decision making process. However, further studies are required to fully predict patient‐specific response to stenting and therefore true clinical outcomes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prolonged neuropsychiatric effects following management of chloroquine intoxication with psychotropic polypharmacy
Authors: Maxwell Nicole M. , Nevin Remington L. , Stahl Stephen , Block Jerald , Shugarts Sarah , Wu Alan H. B. , Dominy Stephen , Solano‐Blanco Miguel Alonso , Kappelman‐Culver Sharon , Lee‐Messer Christopher , Maldonado Jose , Maxwell Andrew J.
Published: April 2015

Key Clinical Message

Susceptibility to quinoline antimalarial intoxication may reflect individual genetic and drug‐induced variation in neuropharmacokinetics. In this report, we describe a case of chloroquine intoxication that appeared to be prolonged by subsequent use of multiple psychotropic medications. This case highlights important new considerations for the management of quinoline antimalarial intoxication.
MLL‐ELL fusion gene in an acute myelomonocytic leukemia patient transformed from acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Hu Wang Qiang , Wang Xiao Xia , Yang Rong Rong , Yu Kang
Published: April 2015

Key Clinical Message

We report an extremely rare case of acute myelomonocytic leukemia (M4) with an MLL‐ELL fusion gene lacking the PML‐RARα rearrangement that transformed from hypergranular acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) without showing any karyotypic evolution. The treatment was effective with chemotherapy for M4 and idarubicin plus a cytarabine‐based chemotherapy protocol without ATRA.
Topiramate‐induced nephrolithiasis
Authors: Giannopoulou Eleni Z. , Gortner Ludwig , Peterlini Sylvia , Gottschling Sven , Yilmaz Umut , Meyer Sascha
Published: April 2015

Key Clinical Message

Nephrolithiasis is a less common side effect of the antiepileptic drug topiramate. We report the case of a 3‐year‐old boy who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain; examinations revealed a large calcification in the left kidney. Regular ultrasound examinations are recommended in children using topiramate.
Ammonia Decomposition over Iron Phthalocyanine‐Based Materials
Authors: Tüysüz Harun , Schüth Ferdi , Zhi Linjie , Müllen Klaus , Comotti Massimiliano
Published: April 2015

Iron phthalocyanine‐based materials have been used herein as efficient catalysts for the ammonia decomposition reaction. These materials showed high activity, even superior to that showed by the commercial nickel‐based catalyst and iron‐doped carbon nanotubes, which were used as benchmarks in this study. Catalyst stability under reaction conditions appeared satisfactory, because no deactivation phenomena were observed. The type of the phthalocyanine precursor did not affect the catalytic performance; however, the preparation method had a strong effect. If the resulting material was exposed to the reaction conditions, some structural modification occurred. No clear correlation between phase composition and activity could be established because similar nitrogen content and similar crystalline domains in the sample led to different behaviors. However, the results of extensive characterization suggested that catalytic activities and conversion profiles were most likely dependent on material textural properties and thus on the preparation method used. The accessibility of iron species seems to be limited for catalysts prepared under vacuum. These phenomena are most likely responsible for the activation profile and for the low catalytic activity typical of these materials. In contrast, higher accessibility of iron species, typical of materials prepared under argon, would lead to improved and stable catalytic performance.
Genetic algorithm based task reordering to improve the performance of batch scheduled massively parallel scientific applications
Authors: Sankaran Ramanan , Angel Jordan , Brown W. Michael
Published: April 2015

The growth in size of networked high performance computers along with novel accelerator‐based node architectures has further emphasized the importance of communication efficiency in high performance computing. The world's largest high performance computers are usually operated as shared user facilities due to the costs of acquisition and operation. Applications are scheduled for execution in a shared environment and are placed on nodes that are not necessarily contiguous on the interconnect. Furthermore, the placement of tasks on the nodes allocated by the scheduler is sub‐optimal, leading to performance loss and variability. Here, we investigate the impact of task placement on the performance of two massively parallel application codes on the Titan supercomputer, a turbulent combustion flow solver (S3D) and a molecular dynamics code (LAMMPS). Benchmark studies show a significant deviation from ideal weak scaling and variability in performance. The inter‐task communication distance was determined to be one of the significant contributors to the performance degradation and variability. A genetic algorithm‐based parallel optimization technique was used to optimize the task ordering. This technique provides an improved placement of the tasks on the nodes, taking into account the application's communication topology and the system interconnect topology. Application benchmarks after task reordering through genetic algorithm show a significant improvement in performance and reduction in variability, thereby enabling the applications to achieve better time to solution and scalability on Titan during production. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topic discovery of clusters from documents with geographical location
Authors: Zhang Li , Sun Xiaoping , Zhuge Hai
Published: April 2015

As smart phones with GPS become popular, more and more textual documents with geographical locations are published on the Web. Keyword‐based location services like vehicle navigation, tour planning, nearby object querying, and location pattern discovering of spatial objects are becoming popular and important. However, processing both text and geographical locations brings more challenges to information‐retrieval techniques. In this paper, we focus on the problem of finding textual topics of clusters containing spatial objects with text descriptions. The key is how to combine clustering techniques with topic‐retrieval models to integrate both geo‐location information and text information. We investigated methods that combine clustering methods with the Latent Dirichlet Allocation model to discover topics of clusters of documents with geo‐locations. Six different methods of combination are investigated, each having outputs with different meanings, which can be further leveraged to answer different types of queries over spatial documents. Experiments are conducted on both synthetic and real data. The results show that the combination of the probabilistic topic model with clustering algorithms is an efficient and effective way to discover meaningful clusters in different facets and levels of documents with textual and geographical information. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tandem Arylation/Friedel–Crafts Reactions of o‐Acylanilines with Diaryliodonium Salts: A Modular Synthesis of Acridine Derivatives
Authors: Pang Xinlong , Lou Zhenbang , Li Ming , Wen Lirong , Chen Chao
Published: April 2015

A modular method to synthesize acridine derivatives was developed with o‐acylanilines and diaryliodonium salts. The reactions proceeded smoothly under Cu‐catalyzed or metal‐free reaction conditions at elevated temperature through tandem arylation/Friedel–Crafts reactions.
Regioisomerically Pure 1,7‐Dibromo‐Substituted Perylene Bisimide Dyes: Efficient Synthesis, Separation, and Characterization
Authors: Ma Jiajun , Yin Leicheng , Zou Gang , Zhang Qijin
Published: April 2015

1,7‐Dibromo‐substituted perylene bisimides have been obtained in yields of at least 60 % in regioisomerically pure form by treating the commonly used dibromoperylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride with 2‐(diethylamino)ethylamine or 2‐(dimethylamino)ethylamine and then separating the 1,7‐isomer from the regioisomeric mixtures by conventional column chromatography and without recrystallization. The individual regioisomers were fully characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and HRMS. The signals of the protons located in the aromatic region and neighboring the imide nitrogen atom were utilized to confirm the chemical structures of the isomers. The 1,7‐dibromo isomer obtained with 2‐(dimethylamino)ethylamine in such a convenient and efficient way was further used to prepare 1,7‐disubstituted perylene bisimide derivatives by saponification, amidation, and then bay‐position substitution reactions. These compounds exhibited a significant redshift and broadening of their absorption and emission in optical spectroscopy analysis.
Altered levels of endocrine biomarkers in juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer; Bloch) following exposure to commercial herbicide and surfactant formulations
Authors: Kroon Frederieke J. , Hook Sharon E. , Metcalfe Suzanne , Jones Dean
Published: April 2015

Agricultural pesticides that are known endocrine disrupting chemicals have been detected in waters in the Great Barrier Reef catchment and lagoon. Altered transcription levels of liver vitellogenin (vtg) have been documented in wild populations of 2 Great Barrier Reef fisheries species and were strongly associated with pesticide-containing runoff from sugarcane plantations. The present study examined endocrine and physiological biomarkers in juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer) exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of commercial herbicide (ATRADEX® WG Herbicide, DIUREX® WG Herbicide) and surfactant (ACTIVATOR® 90) formulations commonly used on sugarcane in the Great Barrier Reef catchment. Estrogenic biomarkers (namely, liver vtg messenger RNA and plasma 17β-estradiol) increased following exposure to commercial mixtures but not to the analytical grade chemical, suggesting an estrogenic response to the additives. In contrast, brain aromatase (cyp19a1b) transcription levels, plasma testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone concentrations, and gill ventilation rates were not affected by any of the experimental exposures. These findings support the assertion that exposure to pesticide-containing runoff from sugarcane plantations is a potential causative agent of altered liver vtg transcription levels in wild barramundi. Whether exposure patterns in the Great Barrier Reef catchment and lagoon are sufficient to impair fish sexual and reproductive development and ultimately influence fish population dynamics remains to be determined. These findings highlight the need to consider both active and so-called inert ingredients in commercial pesticide formulations for environmental risk assessments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1881–1890. © 2015 SETAC
Die Stunde der Preisträger … / … und der Tag des Preises
Authors: Finetti Marco , Unterstell Rembert
Published: April 2015

Festivitäten zu Ehren herausragender Forscher und eines erstklassigen Programms
Winterschläfer auf Madagaskar
Authors: Dausmann Kathrin H.
Published: April 2015

Dass nicht nur in unseren Breiten Säugetiere die unwirtliche Jahreszeit in Höhlen zubringen, sondern auch die Fettschwanzmakis in den Tropen — diese Entdeckung war eine echte Überraschung. Neue Studien zeigen, dass sich diese Lemurenart dank ihrer besonderen Thermoregulation sogar viel flexibler an klimatische Gegebenheiten, Habitate und Schlafplätze anpassen kann.
Die Vermessung des Unsichtbaren
Authors: Reiprich Thomas
Published: April 2015

Dunkle Energie macht den Großteil des Universums aus, durchsetzt ferne Galaxien und auch unser Sonnensystem — und ist doch immer noch weitgehend unerforscht. Das internationale Röntgenteleskop‐Konsortium eROSITA verspricht nun spektakuläre Einblicke in grundlegende Zusammenhänge der Astrophysik.
Functional brain changes underlying irritability in premanifest Huntington's disease
Authors: Van den Stock Jan , De Winter François‐Laurent , Ahmad Rawaha , Sunaert Stefan , Van Laere Koen , Vandenberghe Wim , Vandenbulcke Mathieu
Published: April 2015

The clinical phenotype of Huntington's disease (HD) consists of motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms, of which irritability is an important manifestation. Our aim was to identify the functional and structural brain changes that underlie irritability in premanifest HD (preHD). Twenty preHD carriers and 20 gene‐negative controls from HD families took part in the study. Although the 5‐year probability of disease onset was only 11%, the preHD group showed striatal atrophy and increased clinical irritability ratings. Functional MRI was performed during a mood induction experiment by means of recollection of emotional (angry, sad, and happy) and neutral autobiographical episodes. While there were no significant group differences in the subjective intensity of the emotional experience, the preHD group showed increased anger‐selective activation in a distributed network, including the pulvinar, cingulate cortex, and somatosensory association cortex, compared to gene‐negative controls. Pulvinar activation during anger experience correlated negatively with putaminal grey matter volume and positively with irritability ratings in the preHD group. In addition, the preHD group showed a decrease in anger‐selective activation in the amygdala, which correlated with putaminal and caudate grey matter volume. In conclusion, compared to gene‐negative controls, anger experience in preHD is associated with activity changes in a distributed set of regions known to be involved in emotion regulation. Increased activity is related to behavioral and volumetric measures, providing insight in the pathophysiology of early neuropsychiatric symptoms in preHD. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2681–2690, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling correction of severe urea cycle defects in the growing murine liver using a hybrid recombinant adeno‐associated virus/piggyBac transposase gene delivery system
Authors: Cunningham Sharon C. , Siew Susan M. , Hallwirth Claus V. , Bolitho Christine , Sasaki Natsuki , Garg Gagan , Michael Iacovos P. , Hetherington Nicola A. , Carpenter Kevin , de Alencastro Gustavo , Nagy Andras , Alexander Ian E.
Published: April 2015

Liver‐targeted gene therapy based on recombinant adeno‐associated viral vectors (rAAV) shows promising therapeutic efficacy in animal models and adult‐focused clinical trials. This promise, however, is not directly translatable to the growing liver, where high rates of hepatocellular proliferation are accompanied by loss of episomal rAAV genomes and subsequently a loss in therapeutic efficacy. We have developed a hybrid rAAV/piggyBac transposon vector system combining the highly efficient liver‐targeting properties of rAAV with stable piggyBac‐mediated transposition of the transgene into the hepatocyte genome. Transposition efficiency was first tested using an enhanced green fluorescent protein expression cassette following delivery to newborn wild‐type mice, with a 20‐fold increase in stably gene‐modified hepatocytes observed 4 weeks posttreatment compared to traditional rAAV gene delivery. We next modeled the therapeutic potential of the system in the context of severe urea cycle defects. A single treatment in the perinatal period was sufficient to confer robust and stable phenotype correction in the ornithine transcarbamylase–deficient Spfash
mouse and the neonatal lethal argininosuccinate synthetase knockout mouse. Finally, transposon integration patterns were analyzed, revealing 127,386 unique integration sites which conformed to previously published piggyBac data. Conclusion: Using a hybrid rAAV/piggyBac transposon vector system, we achieved stable therapeutic protection in two urea cycle defect mouse models; a clinically conceivable early application of this technology in the management of severe urea cycle defects could be as a bridging therapy while awaiting liver transplantation; further improvement of the system will result from the development of highly human liver‐tropic capsids, the use of alternative strategies to achieve transient transposase expression, and engineered refinements in the safety profile of piggyBac transposase‐mediated integration. (Hepatology 2015;62:417–428
Hillslope–riparian‐stream connectivity and flow directions at the Panola Mountain Research Watershed
Authors: van Meerveld H. J. , Seibert J. , Peters N. E.
Published: April 2015

To obtain a better understanding of water's journey from the hillslope to the stream, water level time series from 26 groundwater wells in a hillslope–riparian study area in the Panola Mountain Research Watershed, Georgia, USA, were examined with respect to the occurrence of perched groundwater and groundwater flow directions. A connected groundwater table was taken as an indication of a hydrologic connection between the hillslope and the stream. Flow directions were determined based on observed water levels at different combinations of three neighbouring wells. The analyses indicated that the hillslope was disconnected from the stream most of the time but that almost the entire hillslope became connected to the stream during large rainfall events. This coincided with more sustained streamflow during these events. There were clear differences in the timing of the groundwater response between the upper hillslope, lower hillslope and riparian zone, with water levels near the stream and on the upper hillslope rising earlier than on the midslope. The flow directions were generally downslope and were most variable around a bedrock depression on the midslope. On the hillslope, the direction of the water table followed the local bedrock topography when the water level was low at the start and end of an event and the overall surface topography when water levels were high. In the riparian zone, flow directions either did not change significantly during events or turned from a more downstream (i.e. downvalley) direction to a more downslope (i.e. towards the stream) direction. These results highlight the competing influence of surface and bedrock topography on hillslope flow directions and improve our understanding of hillslope–riparian‐stream connectivity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alcohol consumption and the risk of renal cancers in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC)
Authors: Wozniak Magdalena B. , Brennan Paul , Brenner Darren R. , Overvad Kim , Olsen Anja , Tjønneland Anne , Boutron‐Ruault Marie‐Christine , Clavel‐Chapelon Françoise , Fagherazzi Guy , Katzke Verena , Kühn Tilman , Boeing Heiner , Bergmann Manuela M. , Steffen Annika , Naska Androniki , Trichopoulou Antonia , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Saieva Calogero , Grioni Sara , Panico Salvatore , Tumino Rosario , Vineis Paolo , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H. B(as) , Peeters Petra H. , Hjartåker Anette , Weiderpass Elisabete , Arriola Larraitz , Molina‐Montes Esther , Duell Eric J. , Santiuste Carmen , Alonso de la Torre Ramón , Barricarte Gurrea Aurelio , Stocks Tanja , Johansson Mattias , Ljungberg Börje , Wareham Nick , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Travis Ruth C. , Cross Amanda J. , Murphy Neil , Riboli Elio , Scelo Ghislaine
Published: April 2015

Epidemiologic studies have reported that moderate alcohol consumption is inversely associated with the risk of renal cancer. However, there is no information available on the associations in renal cancer subsites. From 1992 through to 2010, 477,325 men and women in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort were followed for incident renal cancers (n = 931). Baseline and lifetime alcohol consumption was assessed by country‐specific, validated dietary questionnaires. Information on past alcohol consumption was collected by lifestyle questionnaires. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated from Cox proportional hazard models. In multivariate analysis, total alcohol consumption at baseline was inversely associated with renal cancer; the HR and 95% CI for the increasing categories of total alcohol consumption at recruitment versus the light drinkers category were 0.78 (0.62–0.99), 0.82 (0.64–1.04), 0.70 (0.55–0.90), 0.91 (0.63–1.30), respectively, (ptrend = 0.001). A similar relationship was observed for average lifetime alcohol consumption and for all renal cancer subsites combined or for renal parenchyma subsite. The trend was not observed in hypertensive individuals and not significant in smokers. In conclusion, moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a decreased risk of renal cancer.
Circulating adiponectin, leptin and adiponectin–leptin ratio and endometrial cancer risk: Evidence from a meta‐analysis of epidemiologic studies
Authors: Gong Ting‐Ting , Wu Qi‐Jun , Wang Yong‐Lai , Ma Xiao‐Xin
Published: April 2015

We performed this meta‐analysis of epidemiologic studies to investigate the associations between circulating adiponectin, leptin and adiponectin–leptin (A/L) ratio and endometrial cancer risk. Relevant manuscripts were identified by searching PubMed and ISI Web of Science databases as well as by manual searching the references cited in retrieved manuscripts. Random‐effects models were used to estimate summary odds ratio (SOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for aforementioned associations. Fourteen manuscripts with 13 studies (five nested case–control and eight case–control studies) cumulatively involving a total of 1,963 endometrial cancer cases and 3,503 noncases were included in the analyses. Overall, comparing persons with circulating concentrations of adiponectin, leptin and A/L ratio in the top tertile with persons with concentrations of these biomarkers in the bottom tertile yielded SORs of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.34–0.65; I2 = 63.7%; n = 13), 2.19 (95% CI: 1.44–3.31; I2 = 64.2%; n = 7),and 0.45 (95% CI: 0.24–0.86; I2 = 90.1%; n = 5), respectively. Notably, there was an 18% reduction in risk for per each 5 μg/mL increment in circulating adiponectin concentrations (SOR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.74–0.90; I2 = 49%; n = 8). Stratifying by study characteristics and whether these studies considered or adjusted for potential confounders, the findings were robust in the analyses of circulating adiponectin and leptin. No evidence of publication bias was detected. In conclusion, the findings from this meta‐analysis suggest that increased circulating adiponectin and A/L ratio or decreased leptin concentrations were associated with reduced risk of endometrial cancer. Further prospective designed studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
Proteomic analysis of exosomes from nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell identifies intercellular transfer of angiogenic proteins
Authors: Chan Yuk‐Kit , Zhang Huoming , Liu Pei , Tsao Sai‐Wah , Lung Maria Li , Mak Nai‐Ki , Ngok‐Shun Wong Ricky , Ying‐Kit Yue Patrick
Published: April 2015

Exosomes, a group of secreted extracellular nanovesicles containing genetic materials and signaling molecules, play a critical role in intercellular communication. During tumorigenesis, exosomes have been demonstrated to promote tumor angiogenesis and metastasis while their biological functions in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are poorly understood. In this study, we focused on the role of NPC‐derived exosomes on angiogenesis. Exosomes derived from the NPC C666‐1 cells and immortalized nasopharyngeal epithelial cells (NP69 and NP460) were isolated using ultracentrifugation. The molecular profile and biophysical characteristics of exosomes were verified by Western blotting, sucrose density gradient and electron microscopy. We showed that the C666‐1 exosomes (10 and 20 μg/ml) could significantly increase the tubulogenesis, migration and invasion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a dose‐dependent manner. Subsequently, an iTRAQ‐based quantitative proteomics was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins in C666‐1 exosomes. Among the 640 identified proteins, 51 and 89 proteins were considered as up‐ and down‐regulated (≥ 1.5‐fold variations) in C666‐1 exosomes compared to the normal counterparts, respectively. As expected, pro‐angiogenic proteins including intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and CD44 variant isoform 5 (CD44v5) are among the up‐regulated proteins, whereas angio‐suppressive protein, thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1) was down‐regulated in C666‐1 exosomes. Further confocal microscopic study and Western blotting clearly demonstrated that the alteration of ICAM‐1 and TSP‐1 expressions in recipient HUVECs are due to internalization of exosomes. Taken together, these data strongly indicated the critical roles of identified angiogenic proteins in the involvement of exosomes‐induced angiogenesis, which could potentially be developed as therapeutic targets in future.
Pooled genetic analysis reveals an association of snps of only a few genes with risk predisposition to ischemic stroke in a Chinese population
Authors: Zhang Zhenchang , Su Gang , Guo Jia , Li Jiong , Wu Hua , Wang Manxia , Xie Xiaodong
Published: April 2015

Up to date, series of studies on ischemic stroke had resulted in inconsistent conclusion. In this study, we aimed to evaluate which specific genes were associated with increased predisposition to stroke in a Chinese population. To identify the specific genes and polymorphisms associated with predisposition to ischemic stroke, we performed high throughput sequenom based next‐generation sequencing from 743 patient with history of ischemic stroke. Variants SNPs in nNOS, renalase, MTHFR, CELSR1 and XYLB genes were found significantly associated with IS, thus suggesting involvement of these loci to IS in Chinese patients. Because of different locations on chromosomes, haplotype analyses were not feasible. Our results demonstrate the top level genes that are related to normal vascular physiology, viz. genes of nitric oxide synthesis, endothelial health and smooth muscle biology. Further validation studies are awaited. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(3):170–174, 2015
Planning an MR suite: What can be done to enhance safety?
Authors: Gilk Tobias , Kanal Emanuel
Published: April 2015

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), frequently touted as the "the safe modality," suffers from significant, and growing, numbers of preventable adverse events. Improvements in MR safety can result from enhancements to expected operational elements: training, screening, and patient‐management protocols. Less frequently considered is the safety benefits that may be realized through smart design of MR facilities. Through conscientious and thorough prospective site planning involving MR staff and radiologists in the design process for MR physical facilities, MR providers can have a positive impact on improving safety as well as efficiency for the benefit of their patients, for ancillary healthcare workers, and for themselves. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:566–571.
Placental perfusion in uterine ischemia model as evaluated by dynamic contrast enhanced MRI
Authors: Drobyshevsky Alexander , Prasad P.V.
Published: April 2015

Background

To validate DCE MRI method of placental perfusion estimation and to demonstrate application of the method in a rabbit model of fetal antenatal hypoxia‐ischemia.

Methods

Placental perfusion was estimated by dynamic contrast imaging with bolus injection of Gd‐DTPA in 3 Tesla GE magnet in a rabbit model of placental ischemia–reperfusion in rabbit dams at embryonic day 25 gestation age. Placental perfusion was measured using steepest slope method on DCE MRI before and after intermittent 40 min uterine ischemia. Antioxidants (n = 2 dams, 9 placentas imaged) or vehicle (n = 5 dams, 23 placenta imaged) were given systemically in a separate group of dams during reperfusion–reoxygenation. Placental perfusion was also measured in two dams from the antioxidant group (10 placentas) and two dams from the control group (12 placentas) by fluorescent microspheres method.

Results

While placental perfusion estimates between fluorescent microspheres and DCE MRI were significantly correlated (R2 = 0.85; P < 0.01), there was approximately 33% systematic underestimation by the latter technique. DCE MRI showed a significant decrease in maternal placental perfusion in reperfusion–reoxygenation phase in the saline, 0.44 ± 0.06 mL/min/g (P = 0.012, t‐test), but not in the antioxidant group, 0.62 ± 0.06 mL/min/g, relative to pre‐occlusion values (0.77 ± 0.07 and 0.84 ± 0.12 mL/min/g, correspondingly).

Conclusion

Underestimation of true perfusion in placenta by steepest slope DCE MRI is significant and the error appears to be systematic. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:666–672.
Patient adaptive maximal resolution magnetic resonance myocardial stress perfusion imaging
Authors: Ripley David P. , McDiarmid Adam K. , Kidambi Ananth , Uddin Akhlaque , Swoboda Peter P. , Musa Tarique A. , Erhayiem Bara , Bainbridge Gavin J. , Greenwood John P. , Plein Sven , Higgins David M.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To demonstrate the feasibility of an automatic adaptive acquisition sequence. Magnetic resonance perfusion pulse sequences often leave potential acquisition time unused in patients with lower heart‐rates (HR) and smaller body size.

Materials and Methods

A perfusion technique was developed that automatically adapts to HR and field‐of‐view by maximizing in‐plane spatial resolution while maintaining temporal resolution every cardiac cycle. Patients (n = 10) and volunteers (n = 10) were scanned with both a standard resolution and adaptive method. Image quality was scored, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) calculated, and width of dark‐rim artifact (DRA) measured.

Results

The acquired spatial resolution of the adaptive sequence (1.92 × 1.92 mm2 ± 0.34) was higher than the standard resolution (2.42 × 2.42 mm2) (P < 0.0001). Mean DRA width was reduced using the adaptive pulse sequence (1.94 ± 0.60 mm vs. 2.82 ± 0.65 mm, P < 0.0001). The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) was higher with the standard pulse sequence (6.7 ± 2.2 vs. 3.8 ± 1.8, P < 0.0001). There was no difference in image quality score between sequences in either volunteers (1.1 ± 0.31 vs. 1.0 ± 0.0, P = 0.34) or patients (1.3 ± 0.48 vs. 1.3 ± 0.48, P = 1.0).

Conclusion

Optimizing the use of available imaging time during first‐pass perfusion with a magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence that adapts image acquisition duration to HR and patient size is feasible. Acquired in‐plane spatial resolution is improved, the DRA is reduced, and while SNR is reduced with the adaptive sequence consistent with the lower voxel size used, image quality is maintained. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:946–953.
Feasibility of ASL spinal bone marrow perfusion imaging with optimized inversion time
Authors: Xing Dong , Zha Yunfei , Yan Liyong , Wang Kejun , Gong Wei , Lin Hui
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To assess the correlation between flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) and dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) in the measurement of spinal bone marrow (SBM) perfusion; in addition, to assess for an optimized inversion time (TI) as well as the reproducibility of SBM FAIR perfusion.

Materials and Methods

The optimized TI of a FAIR SBM perfusion experiment was carried out on 14 volunteers; two adjacent vertebral bodies were selected from each volunteer to measure the change of signal intensity (ΔM) and the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of FAIR perfusion MRI with five different TIs. Then, reproducibility of FAIR data from 10 volunteers was assessed by the reposition SBM FAIR experiments. Finally, FAIR and DCE‐MRI were performed on 27 subjects. The correlation between the blood flow on FAIR (BFASL) and perfusion‐related parameters on DCE‐MRI was evaluated.

Results

The maximum value of ΔM and SNR were 36.39 ± 12.53 and 2.38 ± 0.97, respectively; both were obtained when TI was near 1200 msec. There were no significant difference between the two successive measurements of SBM BFASL perfusion (P = 0.879), and the within‐subject coefficients of variation (wCV) of the measurements was 3.28%. The BFASL showed a close correlation with Ktrans (P < 0.001) and Kep (P = 0.004), and no correlation with Ve (P = 0.082) was found.

Conclusion

1200 msec was the optimal TI for the SBM ASL perfusion image, which led to the maximum ΔM and a good quality perfusion image. The SBM FAIR perfusion scan protocol has good reproducibility, and as blood flow measurement on FAIR is reliable and closely related with the parameters on DCE‐MRI, FAIR is feasible for measuring SBM blood flow. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:1314–1320.
Investigation of local flow features in Istanbul. Part II: high‐resolution real case simulations
Authors: Ezber Yasemin , Sen Omer Lutfi , Boybeyi Zafer , Karaca Mehmet
Published: April 2015

This paper reports the second part of a study that aims to understand the thermally driven local flows and their interaction with each other over the province of Istanbul. The first part of the research evaluates a series of sensitivity simulations involving perturbations to the landscape. The present one includes an analysis of the real case simulations with an evaluation of the model performance. The second part also uses the same meso‐scale model (OMEGA) with the same model configuration as in the first part. The model is able to reproduce the large‐scale fields. Comparison of model‐estimated fields with the radiosonde measurements over Istanbul also yields satisfactory results. The model is also able to capture the diurnal change of surface meteorological parameters such as temperature and wind speed, but there are over‐ and underestimations. The real case simulations indicate a clear cycle of land and sea breeze circulations in both summer and winter. In agreement with the sensitivity cases, a convergence zone occurs over the province due to the merge of two sea breezes in both seasons. In summer case, the convergence takes place at 1100 LST, and in winter case, it occurs at 1500 LST. Development of a channeled flow along the Bosphorus is also observed in the real case simulations. Return flows are observed above 1 km height during the summer case and above 300 m height during the winter case. The northerly flow induced by the urban heat island effect prevents the inland penetration of the southerly sea breeze over the province. Thus, the northerly sea breeze moves faster, surmounts the southerly one over the south of the province, where the urban area is located, and dominates the airflow over Istanbul, especially in the afternoon.
Hyphenated low‐field NMR techniques: combining NMR with NIR, GPC/SEC and rheometry
Authors: Räntzsch Volker , Wilhelm Manfred , Guthausen Gisela
Published: April 2015

Hyphenated low‐field NMR techniques are promising characterization methods for online process analytics and comprehensive offline studies of soft materials. By combining different analytical methods with low‐field NMR, information on chemical and physical properties can be correlated with molecular dynamics and complementary chemical information. In this review, we present three hyphenated low‐field NMR techniques: a combination of near‐infrared spectroscopy and time‐domain NMR (TD‐NMR) relaxometry, online 1H‐NMR spectroscopy measured directly after size exclusion chromatographic (SEC, also known as GPC) separation and a combination of rheometry and TD‐NMR relaxometry for highly viscous materials. Case studies are reviewed that underline the possibilities and challenges of the different hyphenated low‐field NMR methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical analysis of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells with high defect density layer at back side of absorber
Authors: Ashida Naoki , Murata Masashi , Hironiwa Daisuke , Chantana Jakapan , Uegaki Hikaru , Minemoto Takashi
Published: April 2015

The 2‐µm‐thick Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) absorber is divided into two areas, low defect density layer (front side) and high defect density layer (back side). In this paper, the optimized thickness of the low defect density layer and the high defect density layer is estimated for high cell performance. The optimization is performed by using device simulator. As a result, the high defect density layer (back side) has no influence on cell performance in the case of CIGS with high optical‐absorption coefficient owing to almost no photocarriers, which are generated in the high defect density layer. In addition, the necessary thickness for absorbing all light to obtain high conversion efficiency is considered. CIGS with graded band profile can be thinner than that with flat band profile for high cell performance owing to the aid of back surface field. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
GnRH agonist during luteal phase in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques: systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Martins W. P. , Ferriani R. A. , Navarro P. A. , Nastri C. O.
Published: April 2015

Objective

To identify, evaluate and summarize the available evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of administering a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist during the luteal phase in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, we searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the addition of a GnRH agonist during the luteal phase, compared with standard luteal‐phase support. We searched seven electronic databases and hand‐searched the reference lists of included studies and related reviews. Our primary outcome was live birth or ongoing pregnancy per randomized woman. Our secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy per randomized woman, miscarriage per clinical pregnancy, adverse perinatal outcome and congenital malformations.

Results

The evidence from eight studies examining 2776 women showed a relative risk (RR) for live birth or ongoing pregnancy of 1.26 (95% CI, 1.04–1.53; I2 = 58%). Sensitivity analysis when excluding the studies that did not report live birth and those at high risk of bias resulted in one study examining 181 women with an RR of 1.07 (95% CI, 0.73–1.58). Subgroup analysis separating the studies by single/multiple doses of GnRH agonists or by ovarian stimulation with GnRH agonist/antagonist was unable to explain the observed heterogeneity. The quality of the evidence was deemed to be very low: it was downgraded because of the limitation of the included studies, imprecision, inconsistency across the studies' results, and suspicion of publication bias. None of the included studies reported adverse perinatal outcomes or congenital malformations.

Conclusions

There is evidence that adding GnRH agonist during the luteal phase improves the likelihood of ongoing pregnancy. However, this evidence is of very low quality and there is no evidence for adverse perinatal outcome and congenital malformations. We therefore believe that including this intervention in clinical practice would be premature. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.