bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral squamous cell carcinoma arising in background of oral submucous fibrosis: a clinicopathologically distinct disease
Authors: Chaturvedi Pankaj , Vaishampayan Sagar S. , Nair Sudhir , Nair Deepa , Agarwal J. P. , Kane S. V. , Pawar Prashant , Datta Sourav
Published: September 2012

Background

Oral cancer is the most common cancer in Indian males and is the third most common cancer in Indian females. Tobacco, alcohol, areca nut, and human papillomavirus (HPV) are the common etiologic factors. Each of these agents follows a unique model of carcinogenesis that leads to a certain distinct presentation and behavior. For example, HPV is strongly associated with oropharyngeal cancers in younger age and is known to have a better outcome and specific histopathologic characteristics. A high incidence of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is linked to areca nut (group 1 human carcinogen) chewing in the Indian subcontinent.

Methods

We prospectively studied 371 consecutive patients with proven squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Of these, 112 patients had oral cancer with OSMF and 259 had oral cancer without OSMF. All patients underwent standard management and their clinicopathologic findings were recorded.

Results

We found that patients of oral cancer with OSMF are younger males with better prognostic factors such as better grade of tumor differentiation, lesser incidence of nodal metastases, and extracapsular spread. This difference was maintained even after matching for stage. We also report that presence of OSMF is an independent factor influencing nodal metastases.

Conclusions

Based on these findings we propose that oral cancers with OSMF constitute a clinicopathologically distinct disease. Since all patients with OSMF had chewed areca nut with or without smokeless tobacco, we believe that the differences in the 2 groups emanate from differential mechanisms of areca nut carcinogenesis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: 1404–1409, 2013
Metastasis over implantable venous access ports
Authors: Lee Chun‐Hong , Day An‐Shiou , Hwang Tzer‐Zen
Published: September 2012

Background

The totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) is an important device for patients receiving chemotherapy. We have reported, to our knowledge, the first case of a metastatic tumor over a TIVAP implanted via the Seldinger technique with a subclavian vein puncture.

Methods

Our patient, a 48‐year‐old man with hard palate cancer, had metastasis over the TIVAP. CT studies showed that the tumor had spread along the catheter from the neck to the chest wall.

Results

The cause of death was multiple lung metastases and intractable tumor bleeding over the TIVAP.

Conclusions

We present a novel case of metastasis over the TIVAP implanted by use of the Seldinger technique. This technique is used for patients receiving prolonged cytotoxic therapy for malignancy. Although the Seldinger technique is quick and more effective, we prefer the cephalic vein cut‐down technique when an aggressive, advanced cancer of head and neck is involved. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: E314–E316, 2013
Case of pediatric acute promyelocytic leukemia presenting as extramedullary tumor of the mandible
Authors: Yamashita Yoshio , Isomura Naoko , Hamasaki Yuhei , Goto Masaaki
Published: September 2012

Background

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a malignant subtype of acute myeloid leukemia caused by the PML‐retinoic acid receptor (RAR)α fusion gene. APL may be discovered in adulthood and diagnosed after spontaneous gingival bleeding or difficulty in hemostasis after oral surgery such as tooth extraction. However, APL is extremely rare in children.

Methods and Results

A 1‐year‐old boy presented with a mass on the mentum of the mandible. The marked periosteal reaction was seen on CT and MRI, leading to strong suspicion of a malignant bone‐derived tumor such as a sarcoma. Chromosome banding by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed PML‐RARα, confirming the diagnosis of APL. Treatment with tretinoin was immediately initiated. No signs of recurrence have been noted 1 year after treatment.

Conclusions

We report herein a rare case involving an infant with APL who presented with an extramedullary tumor of the mandible, whom we treated with good results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: E310–E313, 2013
Buried free flaps in head and neck surgery: Outcome analysis
Authors: Lindau Robert H. , Detwiller Kara , Wax Mark K.
Published: September 2012

Background

Over the last several decades, reconstruction of the head and neck oncologic defect has been revolutionized by the use of microvascular free tissue transfer. The majority of these defects can be reconstructed with the ability to visually monitor the flap, to intervene as soon as vascular compromise becomes evident. Occasionally, it is necessary to use a flap that has no visual external monitor: a buried free flap. A belief has circulated within the microvascular community that buried free flaps do not do as well as visible flaps. By our review, there are no recent data in the literature to support this position. We present our data on the outcomes of buried free flaps in microvascular reconstruction.

Methods

A single institutional retrospective review of 1492 flaps was performed between January 1999 and December 2011. A total of 103 free flaps (7.2%) were identified as meeting the criteria for a buried flap. It should be noted that all flaps with or without an external segment were monitored with an implantable Doppler. The flap failure and complications are defined as those failures or complications occurring within 2 weeks of surgery and related to the operation or to the flap itself.

Results

In all, 5 of the 103 patients (4.9%) had complications requiring reoperative intervention. There were no instances of flap failure within the first 2 weeks of surgery.

Conclusion

In our series, there are no differences in flap failure rates comparing buried flaps to externally monitored flaps. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: 1468–1470, 2013
Recognition memory and synaptic plasticity in the perirhinal and prefrontal cortices
Authors: Banks P.J. , Bashir Z.I. , Brown M.W.
Published: September 2012

Work is reviewed that relates recognition memory to studies of synaptic plasticity mechanisms in perirhinal and prefrontal cortices. The aim is to consider evidence that perirhinal cortex and medial prefrontal cortex store rather than merely transmit information necessary for recognition memory and, if so, to consider what mechanisms are potentially available within these cortices for producing such storage through synaptic change. Interventions with known actions on plasticity mechanisms are reviewed in relation to their effects on recognition memory processes. These interventions importantly include those involving antagonism of glutamatergic and cholinergic receptors but also inhibition of plasticity consolidation and expression mechanisms. It is concluded that there is strong evidence that perirhinal cortex is involved in information storage necessary for object recognition memory and, moreover, that such storage involves synaptic weakening mechanisms including the removal of AMPA glutamate receptors from synapses. There is good evidence that medial prefrontal cortex is necessary for associative and temporal order recognition memory and that this cortex expresses plasticity mechanisms that potentially allow the storage of information. However, the case for medial prefrontal cortex acting as a store requires further support. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Age‐related impairment in a complex object discrimination task that engages perirhinal cortex
Authors: Ryan L. , Cardoza J.A. , Barense M.D. , Kawa K.H. , Wallentin‐Flores J. , Arnold W.T. , Alexander G.E.
Published: September 2012

Previous lesion studies have shown compromised complex object discrimination in rats, monkeys, and human patients with damage to the perirhinal cortical region (PRC) of the medial temporal lobe. These findings support the notion that the PRC is involved in object discrimination when pairs of objects have a high degree of overlapping features but not when object discrimination can be resolved on the basis of a single feature (e.g., size or color). Recent studies have demonstrated age‐related functional changes to the PRC in animals (rats and monkeys) resulting in impaired complex object discrimination and object recognition. To date, no studies have compared younger and older humans using paradigms previously shown to engage the PRC. To investigate the influence of age on complex object discrimination in humans, the present study used an object matching paradigm for blob‐like objects that have previously been shown to recruit the PRC. Difficulty was manipulated by varying the number of overlapping features between objects. Functional MRI data was acquired to determine the involvement of the PRC in the two groups during complex object discrimination. Results indicated that while young and older adults performed similarly on the easy version of the task, most older adults were impaired relative to young participants when the number of overlapping features increased. fMRI results suggest that older adults do not engage bilateral anterior PRC to the same extent as young adults. Specifically, complex object matching performance in older adults was predicted by the degree to which they engage left anterior PRC. These results provide evidence for human age‐related changes in PRC function that impact complex object discrimination. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential effects of experience on tuning properties of macaque MTL neurons in a passive viewing task
Authors: Thome Alexander , Erickson Cynthia A. , Lipa Peter , Barnes Carol A.
Published: September 2012

The structures of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) have been shown to be causally involved in episodic and recognition memory. However, recent work in a number of species has demonstrated that impairments in recognition memory seen following lesions of the perirhinal cortex (PRh) can be accounted for by deficits in perceptual discrimination. These findings suggest that object representation, rather than explicit recognition memory signals, may be crucial to the mnemonic process. Given the large amount of visual information encountered by primates, there must be a reconsideration of the mechanisms by which the brain efficiently stores visually presented information. Previous neurophysiological recordings from MTL structures in primates have largely focused on tasks that implicitly define object familiarity (i.e., novel vs. familiar) or contain significant mnemonic demands (e.g., conditional associations between two stimuli), limiting their utility in understanding the mechanisms underlying visual object recognition and information storage. To clarify how different regions in the MTL may contribute to visual recognition, we recorded from three rhesus macaques performing a passive viewing task. The task design systematically varies the relative familiarity of different stimuli enabling an examination of how neural activity changes as a function of experience. The data collected during this passive viewing task revealed that neurons in the MTL are generally not sensitive to the relative familiarity of a stimulus. In addition, when the specificity (i.e., which images a neuron was selective for) of individual neurons was analyzed, there was a significant dissociation between different medial temporal regions, with only neurons in TF, but not CA3 or the PRh, altering their activity as stimuli became familiar. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of how MTL structures process information during a passive viewing paradigm. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The First Stereoselective Total Synthesis of a Naturally Occurring Bioactive Diarylheptanoid, (3R,6E)‐1,7‐Bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)hept‐6‐en‐3‐ol, through Two Different Approaches
Authors: Kashanna Jajula , Jangili Paramesh , Kumar Rathod Aravind , Das Biswanath
Published: September 2012

The stereoselective total synthesis of a naturally occurring bioactive diarylheptanoid, (3R,6E)‐1,7‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)hept‐6‐en‐3‐ol, has been accomplished starting from 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde through two different approaches involving Wittig olefination, hydrolytic kinetic resolution of a racemic epoxide, and olefin cross‐metathesis reaction as the key steps.
Two New Neolignans from the Stems of Syringa pinnatifoliaHemsl. var. alashanensis
Authors: Wang Qing‐Hu , Ao Wu‐Li‐Ji , Wu Qishishan , Ying Xin
Published: September 2012

Two new neolignans, syripinnalignins A and B (1 and 2, resp.), were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the stem of Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl. var. alashanensis. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including UV, IR, HR‐ESI‐MS, and extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques.
Transitioning sediment quality assessment into regulations: Challenges and solutions in implementing California's sediment quality objectives
Authors: Beegan Chris , Bay Steven M
Published: September 2012

Development and promulgation of sediment quality criteria represents a substantial challenge for water quality agencies. Unlike water quality programs that rely on individual chemical thresholds to assess water quality, the complex processes affecting contaminant bioavailability in sediments preclude the use of contaminant concentrations to independently assess impacts or identify cause. Various multiple line of evidence approaches (e.g., sediment quality triad) have been developed for sediment quality assessment, but such frameworks are rarely fully incorporated into statewide regulatory programs due to a lack of standardized and validated tools. In 2003, California's State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) initiated development of sediment quality criteria and an assessment framework that required the developers to resolve many challenging technical and policy related issues to the satisfaction of stakeholders, scientists, and the general public. The first part of this multiyear effort has been completed and resulted in the development and validation of an integrated collection of tools, thresholds, and a data interpretation framework for assessing sediment contamination impacts on benthic community condition. The State Water Board's narrative sediment quality criteria and assessment framework became effective in 2009, following US Environmental Protection Agency approval. The results of this effort are described in a series of 6 articles published in this issue of Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. The articles describe: 1) a multiple line of evidence framework for data integration and assessment, 2) calibration and evaluation of sediment quality guidelines for predicting toxic responses, 3) development and evaluation of sediment quality guidelines with respect to benthic macrofauna responses, 4) selection of toxicity test methods and thresholds, 5) identification and characterization of benthic community assemblages, 6) the effect of sampling methods on benthic community assessment, and 7) recommendations on improving the assessment of contaminant exposure in sediment quality assessment. This collection of articles illustrates the steps needed to improve the scientific foundation for sediment quality assessment in regulatory applications. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2012; 8: 586–588. © 2012 SETAC
Initial preclinical safety of non‐replicating human endogenous retrovirus envelope protein‐coated baculovirus vector‐based vaccines against human papillomavirus
Authors: Han Su‐Eun , Kim Mi‐Gyeong , Lee Soondong , Cho Hee‐Jeong , Byun Youngro , Kim Sujeong , Kim Young Bong , Choi Yongseok , Oh Yu‐Kyoung
Published: September 2012

Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) envelope protein‐coated, baculovirus vector‐based HPV 16 L1 (AcHERV‐HPV16L1) is a non‐replicating recombinant baculoviral vaccine. Here, we report an initial evaluation of the preclinical safety of AcHERV‐HPV16L1 vaccine. In an acute toxicity study, a single administration of AcHERV‐HPV16L1 DNA vaccine given intramuscularly (i.m.) to mice at a dose of 1 × 108 plaque‐forming units (PFU) did not cause significant changes in body weight compared with vehicle‐treated controls. It did cause a brief increase in the weights of some organs on day 15 post‐treatment, but by day 30, all organ weights were not significantly different from those in the vehicle‐treated control group. No hematological changes were observed on day 30 post‐treatment. In a range‐finding toxicity study with three doses of 1 × 107, 2 × 107 and 5 × 107 PFU once daily for 5 days, the group treated with 5 × 107 PFU showed a transient decrease in the body weights from day 5 to day 15 post‐treatment, but recovery to the levels similar to those in the vehicle‐treated control group by post‐treatment day 20. Organ weights were slightly higher for lymph nodes, spleen, thymus and liver after repeated dosing with 5 × 107 PFU on day 15, but had normalized by day 30. Moreover, repeated administration of AcHERV‐HPV16L1 did not induce myosin‐specific autoantibody in serum, and did not cause immune complex deposition or tissue damage at injection sites. Taken together, these results provide preliminary evidence of the preclinical safety of AcHERV‐based HPV16L1 DNA vaccines in mice. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiphoton imaging of freezing and heating effects in plant leaves
Authors: Breunig Hans Georg , Tümer Fatma , König Karsten
Published: September 2012

Thermally‐induced changes in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves were investigated with a novel cryo microscope by multiphoton, fluorescence lifetime and spectral imaging as well as micro spectroscopy. Samples were excited with fs pulses in the near‐infrared range and cooled/heated in a cryogenic chamber. The results show morphological changes in the chloroplast distribution as well as a shift from chlorophyll to cell‐wall fluorescence with decreasing temperature. At temperatures below –40 °C, also second harmonic generation was observed. The measurements illustrate the suitability of multiphoton imaging to investigate thermally‐induced changes at temperatures used for cryopreservation as well as for basic investigations of thermal effects on plant tissue in general (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Imaging of ex vivo nonmelanoma skin cancers in the optical and terahertz spectral regions Optical and Terahertz skin cancers imaging
Authors: Joseph Cecil S. , Patel Rakesh , Neel Victor A. , Giles Robert H. , Yaroslavsky Anna N.
Published: September 2012

We tested the hypothesis that polarization sensitive optical and terahertz imaging may be combined for accurate nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) delineation. Nine NMSC specimens were imaged. 513 μm and 440 nm wavelengths were used for terahertz and optical imaging, respectively. Histopathology was processed for evaluation. Terahertz reflectance of NMSC was quantified. Our results demonstrate that cross‐polarized terahertz images correctly identified location of the tumours, whereas cross‐polarized and polarization difference optical images accurately presented morphological features. Cross‐polarized terahertz images exhibited lower reflectivity values in cancer as compared to normal tissue. Combination of optical and terahertz imaging shows promise for intraoperative delineation of NMSC (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evaluation of silver‐containing activated carbon fiber for wound healing study: In vitro and in vivo
Authors: Lin Yu‐Hsin , Lin Jui‐Hsiang , Wang Shih‐Hao , Ko Tse‐Hao , Tseng Guan‐Chin
Published: September 2012

Silver has antiseptic properties, anti‐inflammatory properties, and is a broad‐spectrum antibiotic for multidrug‐resistant strains of bacteria. The commercially available product, Silverlon®, is a silver‐plated three‐dimensional polyamide fabric with a high silver concentration of 546 mg/100 cm2. Thus, fibroblast cell growth is affected when exposed to the Silverlon® treated cell medium. Our study produced an activated carbon fiber wound dressing that incorporated various silver concentrations (in cooperation of Bio‐Medical Carbon Technology) to examine antimicrobial properties and determine fibroblast cell viability upon exposure to the silver impregnated dressing material as compared to other commercially available products such as calcium alginate dressing, Sorbalgon®, and silver‐polyamide fabric dressing, Silverlon®. The silver impregnated activated carbon fiber dressing induced less damage to fibroblast cells compared to the effect produced by Silverlon® and exhibited similar antibacterial abilities in vitro. An in vivo analysis showed that various silver concentrations impregnated activated carbon fiber dressings promoted tissue reconstruction for wound healing in rats with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infected wounds. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Press Pause Before Send: A Case in Point
Authors: Levy‐Warren Marsha H.
Published: September 2012

There are many ways in which our digital era is influencing development. There is greater difficulty in delaying gratification, interference in the growth of the capacity for empathy, more trouble in developing the ability to relate face‐to‐face, and overuse of two‐dimensional communication. All of these have implications for clinical work. This article presents a case in point, and some suggestions for ways to attempt to address these difficulties. It is suggested that the clinical situation itself is uniquely valuable as an antidote to the problems posed by the technological world of today.
Liquefied biomass derived plasticizer for polylactide
Authors: Azwar Edwin , Yin Bo , Hakkarainen Minna
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND: The valorization of renewable agro‐industrial residues and their further utilization for production of polymers and polymer additives is a highly attractive alternative for replacement of oil‐based materials.

RESULTS: Liquefied wood flour and rice bran derived esters were synthesized and evaluated as novel green plasticizers for polylactide (PLA). The liquefied wood flour ester (PWF) showed good miscibility with PLA and good plasticization efficiency as shown by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and tensile testing. Tensile strain at break increased from a few percent for pure PLA to over 100 and 300% for the materials containing 10 and 30 wt‐% of PWF. The addition of PWF accelerated the hydrolysis rate of PLA as shown by faster weight loss during aging in water and faster formation of water‐soluble lactic acid oligomers, which was shown by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) analysis of the migrants. The liquefied rice bran based product (PRB) was not miscible with PLA and it did not improve the elongation at break of PLA. Rice bran is generally rich in arabinoxylans with only secondary less reactive alcohol groups. The larger number of un‐reacted hydroxyl‐groups in PRB was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and could explain the immiscibility with PLA.

CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that the synthesized liquefied wood flour derived plasticizer could have great potential as a biobased polylactide plasticizer. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Architectural specialization of the intrinsic thoracic limb musculature of the American badger (Taxidea taxus)
Authors: Moore Alexis L. , Budny Joseph E. , Russell Anthony P. , Butcher Michael T.
Published: September 2012

Evaluation of the relationships between muscle structure and digging function in fossorial species is limited. Badgers and other fossorial specialists are expected to have massive forelimb muscles with long fascicles capable of substantial shortening for high power and applying high out‐force to the substrate. To explore this hypothesis, we quantified muscle architecture in the thoracic limb of the American badger (Taxidea taxus) and estimated the force, power, and joint torque of its intrinsic musculature in relation to the use of scratch‐digging behavior. Architectural properties measured were muscle mass, belly length, fascicle length, pennation angle, and physiological cross‐sectional area. Badgers possess hypertrophied shoulder flexors/humeral retractors, elbow extensors, and digital flexors. The triceps brachii is particularly massive and has long fascicles with little pennation, muscle architecture consistent with substantial shortening capability, and high power. A unique feature of badgers is that, in addition to elbow joint extension, two biarticular heads (long and medial) of the triceps are capable of applying high torques to the shoulder joint to facilitate retraction of the forelimb throughout the power stroke. The massive and complex digital flexors show relatively greater pennation and shorter fascicle lengths than the triceps brachii, as well as compartmentalization of muscle heads to accentuate both force production and range of shortening during flexion of the carpus and digits. Muscles of most functional groups exhibit some degree of specialization for high force production and are important for stabilizing the shoulder, elbow, and carpal joints against high limb forces generated during powerful digging motions. Overall, our findings support the hypothesis and indicate that forelimb muscle architecture is consistent with specializations for scratch‐digging. Quantified muscle properties in the American badger serve as a comparator to evaluate the range of diversity in muscle structure and contractile function that exists in mammals specialized for fossorial habits. J. Morphol. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Advances in musculoskeletal MRI: Technical considerations
Authors: Shapiro Lauren , Harish Monica , Hargreaves Brian , Staroswiecki Ernesto , Gold Garry
Published: September 2012

The technology of musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is advancing at a dramatic rate. MRI is now done at medium and higher field strengths with more specialized surface coils and with more variable pulse sequences and postprocessing techniques than ever before. These innumerable technical advances are advantageous as they lead to an increased signal‐to‐noise ratio and increased variety of soft‐tissue contrast options. However, at the same time they potentially produce more imaging artifacts when compared with past techniques. Substantial technical advances have considerable clinical challenges in musculoskeletal radiology such as postoperative patient imaging, cartilage mapping, and molecular imaging. In this review we consider technical advances in hardware and software of musculoskeletal MRI along with their clinical applications. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:775–787. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Endogenous lipase catalyzed transesterification of olive oil fats. The formation of isomeric and oligomeric triacyleglycerols
Authors: Attya Mohamed , Russo Anna , Perri Enzo , Sindona Giovanni
Published: September 2012

The role of lipase to catalyze hydrolysis and transesterification of triacylglycerols (TAGs) was evaluated in model systems as well as in virgin olive oil. Tandem mass spectrometry was applied in the identification of modified TAGs, ionized by electrospray, formed during the incubation of selected TAGs with mono and di carboxylic acids. The oligomerization of TAGs was observed in authentic olive oil samples and verified in model systems under catalysis exerted by lipase, whose presence in olive oil was already documented. The hydrolytic pathways taken under enzymatic treatment is balanced by the formation of TAG oligomers that should not alter the nutritional value of the aliment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling of electromechanical devices by GPU‐accelerated integral formulation
Authors: Musolino Antonino , Rizzo Rocco , Tripodi Ernesto , Toni Michele
Published: September 2012

This paper discusses the practical implementation on graphics processing unit (GPU) of a computer code for the analysis of electromechanical devices. The software is based on a low frequency integral formulation of the Maxwell equations coupled with the rigid body dynamic equations. The formulation here considered is based on the development of an equivalent network whose parameters are functions of the relative positions and of the velocities of the subparts of the device. Positions and velocities on their turn depend on the force between them that are functions of the electromagnetic quantities. The choice of the numerical methods to manage such a complex coupled problem is an open issue in the electromagnetic community. The use of multicore CPUs can reduce the computation times, but a true breakthrough is achieved by running these codes on GPUs. The practical implementation of an existing code is used as a case study for discussing a number of issues that may arise in the implementation of other GPU‐accelerated electromagnetic codes. The implementation here reported has been designed for a multi‐GPUs environment where the efficient cooperation between GPUs is a further aspect to be considered. The overall performance of the accelerated code has been evaluated by considering the dynamic analysis of a passive magnetic bearing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 2 in children with orthopedic diseases: Potential role in predicting bone healing
Authors: Granchi Donatella , Devescovi Valentina , Pratelli Loredana , Verri Elisabetta , Magnani Marina , Donzelli Onofrio , Baldini Nicola
Published: September 2012

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2) plays an important role in the early phases of bone healing. In this study, we measured FGF‐2 serum levels in 88 children undergoing surgical treatment for congenital (n = 49) or acquired (n = 39) orthopedic conditions, which were associated (n = 35) or not (n = 53) with bone lesions, to assess whether serum levels of FGF‐2 varied according to the underlying disease and may predict clinical outcomes. FGF‐2 serum levels were significantly lower in patients who did not heal after surgery (p = 0.008). Diagnostic accuracy was validated statistically, and the ROC curve provided a threshold value useful in discriminating good versus poor outcomes. The relationship between FGF‐2 and bone healing was supported by in vitro experiments. A mineralization assay was performed on bone marrow stromal cells from three patients with congenital pseudarthrosis, who had low serum levels of FGF‐2 and a poor clinical outcome after surgical treatment. Autologous serum alone was not sufficient to induce in vitro mineralization, but it did occur when cells were cultured with different sources of exogenous growth factors (GFs), including recombinant FGF‐2 and homologous serum collected from children with fractures, high FGF‐2 levels, and a good clinical outcome. In conclusion, our findings suggest that osteoinductive GFs are essential for bone repair, and that the amount of circulating FGF‐2 may predict bone healing. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 249–256, 2013
Reversible oxygen‐tolerant hydrogenase carried by free‐living N2‐fixing bacteria isolated from the rhizospheres of rice, maize, and wheat
Authors: Roumagnac Philippe , Richaud Pierre , Barakat Mohamed , Ortet Philippe , Roncato Marie‐Anne , Heulin Thierry , Peltier Gilles , Achouak Wafa , Cournac Laurent
Published: September 2012

Hydrogen production by microorganisms is often described as a promising sustainable and clean energy source, but still faces several obstacles, which prevent practical application. Among them, oxygen sensitivity of hydrogenases represents one of the major limitations hampering the biotechnological implementation of photobiological production processes. Here, we describe a hierarchical biodiversity‐based approach, including a chemochromic screening of hydrogenase activity of hundreds of bacterial strains collected from several ecosystems, followed by mass spectrometry measurements of hydrogenase activity of a selection of the H2‐oxidizing bacterial strains identified during the screen. In all, 131 of 1266 strains, isolated from cereal rhizospheres and basins containing irradiating waste, were scored as H2‐oxidizing bacteria, including Pseudomonas sp., Serratia sp., Stenotrophomonas sp., Enterobacter sp., Rahnella sp., Burkholderia sp., and Ralstonia sp. isolates. Four free‐living N2‐fixing bacteria harbored a high and oxygen‐tolerant hydrogenase activity, which was not fully inhibited within entire cells up to 150–250 μmol/L O2 concentration or within soluble protein extracts up to 25–30 μmol/L. The only hydrogenase‐related genes that we could reveal in these strains were of the hyc type (subunits of formate hydrogenlyase complex). The four free‐living N2‐fixing bacteria were closely related to Enterobacter radicincitans based on the sequences of four genes (16S rRNA, rpoB, hsp60, and hycE genes). These results should bring interesting prospects for microbial biohydrogen production and might have ecophysiological significance for bacterial adaptation to the oxic–anoxic interfaces in the rhizosphere.
Intra‐flap thrombosis secondary to acute sickle crisis: A case report
Authors: Mcanneny Alison , Durden Frederick , Pearson Gregory D. , Tiwari Pankaj
Published: September 2012

We present the case of a 40‐year‐old patient with sickle cell trait who underwent bilateral breast reconstruction with microvascular TRAM flap transfer. Intraoperatively, the patient developed arterial anastomotic thrombosis of the right breast flap. The left breast flap had already been harvested and was placed on ice. Both anastomoses were then successfully completed. Postoperatively, the patient developed a pulmonary embolism and heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia. On postoperative day 12, the left cutaneous Doppler signals were lost, and exploration revealed a thrombosed pedicle and nonviable left breast flap. Pathologic specimen evaluation revealed sickled cells within the flap microvasculature. We believe that prolonged ischemia time and hypothermia precipitated erythrocyte sickling within the flap, causing intra‐flap thrombosis that propagated to the pedicle. While sickle cell diseases are not a contraindication to free tissue transfer, we believe that flap cooling should be utilized with caution in this circumstance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microsurgical reconstruction of the smile—contemporary trends
Authors: Momeni Arash , Chang James , Khosla Rohit K.
Published: September 2012

The treatment of facial palsy is a complex and challenging area of plastic surgery. Microsurgical innovation has introduced the modern age of dynamic reconstruction for facial palsy. This review will focus on microsurgical reconstruction for smile restoration in patients with long‐standing facial palsy. The most common donor muscles and nerves will be presented. The advantages and disadvantages of single‐stage versus multi‐stage reconstruction will be discussed. Contemporary trends will be highlighted and the authors' preferred practice outlined. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013
Vascularized periosteal graft from the first metatarsal bone: A new technique to prevent collapse of osteonecrosis of the talus in children. A case report
Authors: Soldado Francisco , Barrera‐Ochoa Sergi , Fontecha Cesar Garcia , Haddad Sleiman , Barastegui David , Barber Ignasi , Rego Paulo
Published: September 2012

Several microsurgical techniques have been described for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the talus (ONT). Recently reported in children, vascularized periosteal grafts showed promising revascularizing properties. We report a novel technique using a pedicled periosteal graft from the first metatarsal bone to treat steroid‐induced early Ficat‐Arlet stage III ONT in an 11‐year‐old boy. The patient presented initial favorable clinical and radiological results which were maintained at 34 months during the last follow‐up. Through this original technique, and basing on the powerful osteogenic and vasculogenic propreties of periosteal flaps, we could effectively induce bone revascularization and prevent further collapse of the talar dome. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013
Revised structures of avenacosides A and B and a new sulfated saponin from Avena sativa L.
Authors: Pecio Łukasz , Jędrejek Dariusz , Masullo Milena , Piacente Sonia , Oleszek Wiesław , Stochmal Anna
Published: September 2012

The revised structures of avenacosides A and B and a new sulfated steroidal saponin isolated from grains of Avena sativa L. were elucidated. Their structures and complete NMR assignments are based on 1D and 2D NMR studies and identified as nuatigenin 3‐O‐{α‐l‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside}‐26‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (1), nuatigenin 3‐O‐{α‐l‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐d‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside}‐26‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (2), and nuatigenin 3‐O‐{α‐l‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d‐6‐O‐sulfoglucopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside}‐26‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (3). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CNP/NPR2 signaling maintains oocyte meiotic arrest in early antral follicles and is suppressed by EGFR‐mediated signaling in preovulatory follicles
Authors: Tsuji Takehito , Kiyosu Chiyo , Akiyama Kouyou , Kunieda Tetsuo
Published: September 2012

Oocyte meiosis is arrested at prophase I by factors secreted from surrounding somatic cells after oocytes acquire meiotic competence at an early antral stage, and meiosis resumes in preovulatory follicles as a result of the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. Recently, signaling by C‐type natriuretic peptide (CNP) through its receptor, natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2), was found to be essential for meiotic arrest at the late antral stage. Whether or not CNP/NPR2 signaling maintains oocyte meiotic arrest in earlier follicular stages and how it is associated with meiotic resumption induced by the LH surge is unclear. In this study, we examined the expression of Nppc and Npr2, respectively encoding CNP and NPR2, in the ovaries of immature mice. Nppc and Npr2 mRNA were specifically expressed in the outer and inner granulosa cell layers, respectively, in early antral follicles. Histological analysis of mice with a mutation in Npr2 revealed precocious resumption of oocyte meiosis in early antral follicles. Ovaries of mice treated with excess human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) exhibited markedly decreased Nppc mRNA levels in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles. Moreover, we found that amphiregulin, a mediator of LH/hCG activity through epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), suppressed Nppc mRNA levels in cultured granulosa cells. These results suggest that CNP/NPR2 signaling is essential for oocyte meiotic arrest in early antral follicles and that activated LH/amphiregulin/EGFR signaling pathway suppresses this signal by downregulating Nppc expression. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 795–802, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Family Medicine: A Specialty for All Ages
Authors: Calman Neil S. , Hauser Diane , Leanza Francesco , Schiller Robert
Published: September 2012

After a diminishing of its ranks following the post–World War II explosion of growth in medical discoveries, advanced medical technology, and the concomitant specialization of the physician workforce, family medicine is re‐establishing itself as a leading medical specialty that has garnered growing interest among recent medical‐school graduates. Family physicians provide care for patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. In addition to its wide scope of practice, family medicine is characterized by its emphasis on understanding of the whole person, its partnership approach with patients over many years, and its command of medical complexity. Family physicians are trained both to use community resources to assist individual patients in meeting medical or social needs and to identify and address community‐wide needs. The specialty of family medicine is uniquely positioned to provide a leadership role in health‐reform efforts that are accelerating across the country. Health care models that are gaining traction, such as the patient‐centered medical home model, health homes, and accountable care organizations, share the characteristics of providing comprehensive, coordinated patient care with an emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion. This model of care, provided in the context of family and community, has been the hallmark of family medicine since its creation as a distinct medical specialty more than 40 years ago. In addition, family physicians' ability to care for patients of all ages make them particularly cost‐effective as the new models of care move to improve access to care through expanded hours and locations. Mt Sinai J Med 79:603–609, 2012. © 2012 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Bone Degradation and Environment: Understanding, Assessing and Conducting Archaeological Experiments Using Modern Animal Bones
Authors: Karr L. P. , Outram A. K.
Published: September 2012

Archaeological experiments that use modern bones to replicate past animal bone assemblages have often failed to consider the effects of environment, storage and preparation on modern bones. Often, these experiments make little mention of the conditions to which bones were subject during their storage and preparation for use in experiments. In other instances, these variables are reported but not considered as factors that contribute to the nature of the results obtained. This study considers previously reported data concerning the degradation of frozen bones (−20°C), and bones exposed to hot, dry conditions (40°C), and presents new data for bones exposed to room temperature environments (22°C) and refrigerated environments (2°C), and bones that are frozen (−20°C) and then thawed (22°C). These conditions are all relevant to understanding the nature of bone degradation and the use of bones in modern archaeological experimentation. This article also surveys a range of previously reported experiments that utilise modern bones to create analogies to the past and considers different methodological approaches and their relationship to the condition of bones at the time of their fracture and fragmentation. The longitudinal data presented in this study demonstrate differential rates of bone degradation over time in various environmental conditions. This degradation results in dramatic changes in bone fracture morphology, bone strength and utility for bone tool production. These observations have significant implications for experiments that utilise modern bones, especially when experimental data are used to create analogies to the archaeological past. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HPLC–ESI–QTOF–MS as a Powerful Analytical Tool for Characterising Phenolic Compounds in Olive‐leaf Extracts
Authors: Quirantes‐Piné Rosa , Lozano‐Sánchez Jesús , Herrero Miguel , Ibáñez Elena , Segura‐Carretero Antonio , Fernández‐Gutiérrez Alberto
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Olea europaea L. leaves may be considered a cheap, easily available natural source of phenolic compounds. In a previous study we evaluated the possibility of obtaining bioactive phenolic compounds from olive leaves by pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) for their use as natural anti‐oxidants. The alimentary use of these kinds of extract makes comprehensive knowledge of their composition essential.

Objective

To undertake a comprehensive characterisation of two olive‐leaf extracts obtained by PLE using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–QTOF–MS).

Method

Olive leaves were extracted by PLE using ethanol and water as extraction solvents at 150°C and 200°C respectively. Separation was carried out in a HPLC system equipped with a C18‐column working in a gradient elution programme coupled to ESI–QTOF–MS operating in negative ion mode.

Results

This analytical platform was able to detect 48 compounds and tentatively identify 31 different phenolic compounds in these extracts, including secoiridoids, simple phenols, flavonoids, cinnamic‐acid derivatives and benzoic acids. Lucidumoside C was also identified for the first time in olive leaves.

Conclusion

The coupling of HPLC–ESI–QTOF–MS led to the in‐depth characterisation of the olive‐leaf extracts on the basis of mass accuracy, true isotopic pattern and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra. We may conclude therefore that this analytical tool is very valuable in the study of phenolic compounds in plant matrices. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dielectric properties of copolymers based on cyano monomers and methyl α‐acetoxyacrylate
Authors: Raihane Mustapha , Zerroukhi Amar , Kaddami Hamid , Lahcini Mohammed , Boiteux Gisèle
Published: September 2012

With the aim of developing dielectric polymers containing CN groups with strong dipole moment, alternating and statistical copolymers of the cyano monomers vinylidene cyanide (VCN), acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile with methyl α‐acetoxyacrylate (MAA) were synthesized and characterized. The copolymer's composition and microstructure were analysed by NMR spectroscopy, SEC and elemental analysis. The reactivity ratios calculated from the Q–e Alfrey–Price parameters for these copolymers indicated the alternating and statistical structures confirmed by NMR analysis. The copolymers have glass transition temperatures Tg in the range 83–146 °C and are stable up to 230 °C. The thermal stability of the copolymers depends on the nature of the cyano monomers. Their molecular dynamics were investigated by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. We revealed a weak relaxation β at sub‐Tg temperature for poly(VCN‐co‐MAA) usually originating from molecular motions that are restricted to the scale of a few bond lengths. Strong α‐relaxation processes occurred above Tg for these copolymers. This primary relaxation was associated with cooperative movements of the polar groups (CN) at the time of mobility of the principal chains. The activation energy of the α‐relaxation process was also calculated. The values of the dielectric increment Δε for these copolymers were determined by Cole–Cole plots and indicated that the copolymers exhibit interesting dielectric properties compared with similar cyano materials. The polarity–permittivity relationship was also established. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
AB, BAB and (AB)3 poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐based block copolymers with functionalized poly(meth)acrylate segments
Authors: Neugebauer Dorota , Bury Katarzyna , Maksym‐Bȩbenek Paulina , Biela Tadeusz
Published: September 2012

Linear and star‐shaped poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) block copolymers containing poly(meth)acrylate segments with glycidyl, 2‐(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl and tert‐butyl pendant groups were synthesized using mono‐, di‐ and trifunctional PCL macroinitiators and appropriate (meth)acrylate monomers by controlled radical polymerization. The well‐defined structures with narrow molecular weight distributions indicate the coexistence of semi‐crystalline PCL and amorphous poly(meth)acrylic phases. The hydrophobic nature of the block copolymers can be easily converted to amphiphilic, which with biodegradable and biocompatible PCL segments are promising as polymeric carriers in drug delivery systems. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry