bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient perspectives on breast cancer treatment plan and summary documents in community oncology care
Authors: Blinder Victoria S. , Norris Virginia W. , Peacock Nancy W. , Griggs Jennifer J. , Harrington David P. , Moore Anne , Theriault Richard L. , Partridge Ann H. ,   on behalf of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer Registry Pilot Steering Group
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND:

Although the routine use of treatment plans and summaries (TPSs) has been recommended to improve the quality of cancer care, limited data exist about their impact on quality, including patient satisfaction and coordination of care.

METHODS:

Patients received TPSs as part of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer Registry (BCR) pilot program of 20 community oncology practices. Participants were surveyed 2 to 4 weeks after receiving a TPS to evaluate their perceptions of the document. Patients who were receiving chemotherapy received the TPS as separate plan and summary documents (at the start and the end of treatment) and could complete 2 surveys. Others received a single integrated TPS. Eligible survey participants had stage 0 through III breast cancer and were enrolled in the BCR.

RESULTS:

Of 292 consented patients, 174 (60%) completed at least 1 survey. Of 157 patients who recalled receiving a TPS, 148 (94%) believed that the documents improved patient‐physician communication, and 128 (82%) believed that they improved communication between physicians; 113 (72%) said the documents increased their peace of mind, whereas 2 (1%) had less peace of mind. Of 152 patients (97%) who still had their documents, 147 (97%) said they were useful, and 94 (62%) had given or planned to give the documents to another physician. All 63 patients who were surveyed after receiving a summary recommended that practices continue to provide TPSs to patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

Participants in this study expressed high satisfaction with TPSs. Additional research is needed to study the broad‐scale implementation of the BCR and to evaluate the impact of routine use of TPSs on the quality of care delivered. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Face memory deficits in patients deprived of early visual input by bilateral congenital cataracts
Authors: de Heering Adélaïde , Maurer Daphne
Published: November 2012

Patients treated for bilateral congenital cataract are later impaired on several hallmarks of adults' expertise with upright faces but report no problem with remembering faces. Here, we provide the first formal data on their face memory. We compared 12 adults with a history of visual deprivation from bilateral congenital cataracts to 24 age‐matched controls with normal vision on their ability to recognize famous and recently learned faces, and on their subjective impression of their face memory. Bilateral congenital cataract patients demonstrated a prosopagnosic‐like deficit, being slower and less accurate in recognizing both famous faces and recently learned faces, despite not differing on most questions about their impression of their face memory. Patients' results on three perceptual tasks (the composite face effect, the Benton test of recognizing faces through a change in point of view, and the Jane test of sensitivity to feature spacing) were also not correlated with their face memory deficits. These results suggest that early visual input is necessary not only for perceptual expertise in differentiating among unfamiliar upright faces, but also for normal accuracy in remembering the identity of individual faces. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 96–108, 2014.
Spatial genetic analysis reveals high connectivity of tiger (Panthera tigris) populations in the Satpura–Maikal landscape of Central India
Authors: Sharma Sandeep , Dutta Trishna , Maldonado Jesús E. , Wood Thomas C. , Panwar Hemendra Singh , Seidensticker John
Published: November 2012

We investigated the spatial genetic structure of the tiger meta‐population in the Satpura–Maikal landscape of central India using population‐ and individual‐based genetic clustering methods on multilocus genotypic data from 273 individuals. The Satpura–Maikal landscape is classified as a global‐priority Tiger Conservation Landscape (TCL) due to its potential for providing sufficient habitat that will allow the long‐term persistence of tigers. We found that the tiger meta‐population in the Satpura–Maikal landscape has high genetic variation and very low genetic subdivision. Individual‐based Bayesian clustering algorithms reveal two highly admixed genetic populations. We attribute this to forest connectivity and high gene flow in this landscape. However, deforestation, road widening, and mining may sever this connectivity, impede gene exchange, and further exacerbate the genetic division of tigers in central India.
Impaired dendritic cell differentiation of CD16‐positive monocytes in tuberculosis: Role of p38 MAPK
Authors: Balboa Luciana , Romero María M. , Laborde Evangelina , Sabio y García Carmen A. , Basile Juan I. , Schierloh Pablo , Yokobori Noemí , Musella Rosa M. , Castagnino Jorge , de la Barrera Silvia , Sasiain María C. , Alemán Mercedes
Published: November 2012

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world's most pernicious diseases mainly due to immune evasion strategies displayed by its causative agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Blood monocytes (Mos) represent an important source of DCs during chronic infections; consequently, the alteration of their differentiation constitutes an escape mechanism leading to mycobacterial persistence. We evaluated whether the CD16+/CD16− Mo ratio could be associated with the impaired Mo differentiation into DCs found in TB patients. The phenotype and ability to stimulate Mtb‐specific memory clones DCs from isolated Mo subsets were assessed. We found that CD16− Mos differentiated into CD1a+DC‐SIGNhigh cells achieving an efficient recall response, while CD16+ Mos differentiated into a CD1a−DC‐SIGNlow population characterized by a poor mycobacterial Ag‐presenting capacity. The high and sustained phosphorylated p38 expression observed in CD16+ Mos was involved in the altered DC profile given that its blockage restored DC phenotype and its activation impaired CD16− Mo differentiation. Furthermore, depletion of CD16+ Mos indeed improved the differentiation of Mos from TB patients toward CD1a+DC‐SIGNhigh DCs. Therefore, Mos from TB patients are less prone to differentiate into DCs due to their increased proportion of CD16+ Mos, suggesting that during Mtb infection Mo subsets may have different fates after entering the lungs.
Influence of oil phase concentration on droplet size distribution and stability of oil‐in‐water emulsions
Authors: Dapčević Hadnađev Tamara , Dokić Petar , Krstonošić Veljko , Hadnađev Miroslav
Published: November 2012

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of oil phase concentration, at different emulsification conditions concerning homogenization time and emulsifier content, on droplet size distribution and stability of corn oil‐in‐water emulsions. Emulsions were prepared with 3, 5, 10, and 20% w/w triethanolamine oleate (calculated on oil amount), 0.53% w/w carboxymethylcellulose (calculated on water amount), and 5, 10, 20, 30, or 40% w/w oil, and homogenized 5, 10, 20, and 60 min. It was found that increase in oil phase concentration led to decrease in specific surface area and increase in polydispersity of emulsion at lower emulsifier concentration and less intense homogenization. At emulsifier concentrations ≤10% and homogenization time ranges of 20–60 min the non‐monotonous variation in droplet size parameters with oil concentration was observed, as a result of the interaction between triethanolamine oleate and carboxymethylcellulose, which were confirmed by viscosity measurements. However, at emulsifier concentration of 20% an increase in specific surface area and decrease in polydispersity with the increase in oil concentration occurred due to an increase in equilibrium concentration of emulsifier in the continuous phase. Further, influence of oil concentration on emulsion creaming stability was found to be independent on emulsifier concentration and homogenization time. Therefore, a decrease in creaming with increase in oil concentration was observed in all the examined triethanolamine oleate (TEAO) concentration and homogenization time ranges.

Practical applications: Emulsions are colloidal systems which can be encountered in different industrial sectors, such as food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, oil industry, etc. Determination of the droplet size of emulsion is probably the most important way of their characterization, since it influences the properties of emulsion such as rheology, texture, shelf life stability, appearance, taste, etc. The size of the droplets depends on a wide range of parameters. One of them is certainly the concentration of the oil phase. However, since the impact of one parameter is often influenced with the intensity of the other variable involved in the emulsion generation, the aim of the present work was to examine the effect of corn oil concentration on droplet size parameters and stability of oil‐in‐water emulsions at different emulsification conditions. Therefore a step toward creation of emulsions with desired final properties was made.
Are we ready to use oxidative stress in clinical practice?
Authors: Grabowski Marcin
Published: November 2012

See accompanying article http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejlt.201200107

The relationship between atherosclerosis, intravascular inflammation, and oxidative stress has fascinated scientists and clinicians for a long time and is still the subject of continuing research. The hypothesis is very attractive, both from the pathophysiological and therapeutic point of view and has perspective for new therapeutic strategies.
Stereodivergent Total Synthesis of (+)‐Aspergillide B and (+)‐7‐epi‐Aspergillide A
Authors: Sridhar Y. , Srihari P.
Published: November 2012

The stereoselective total syntheses of (+)‐aspergillide B and (+)‐7‐epi‐aspergillide A were achieved. The key reactions include Noyori's asymmetric transfer hydrogenation, an Achmatowicz rearrangement, a Ferrier‐type alkynylation, a hydrosilylation–protodesilylation, a CBS (Corey–Bakshi–Shibata) oxazaborolidine reduction, a Yamaguchi macrolactonization, and a Mitsunobu macrolactonization.
Synthesis of Planar Chiral N‐Heterocyclic‐Substituted Pyridinophanes
Authors: Kramer Joshua J. P. , Nieger Martin , Bräse Stefan
Published: November 2012

Four new planar chiral N‐heterocyclic‐substituted [2](1,4)benzene[2](2,5)pyridinophanes have been synthesized. With the attached pyrazole, triazole, tetrazole, and pyrimidine moieties, different N,N‐chelating ligands that vary in the number of enclosed nitrogen atoms, ring size, and electronic properties were added to a mostly neglected class of pyridinophanes. Additionally, the known synthesis of the pyridinophane scaffold was simplified considerably. With the acetyl, amino, and amido pyridinophane, various useful intermediates for new pyridinophane ligands were synthesized, which would allow for further investigations of this ligand system.
Simultaneous Determination of Zn(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) in Soil Samples Employing an Array of Potentiometric Sensors and an Artificial Neural Network Model
Authors: Wilson Deivy , Gutiérrez Juan Manuel , Alegret Salvador , del Valle Manel
Published: November 2012

A sensor array of 9 potentiometric PVC sensors has been employed for the simultaneous determination of heavy metals in soil. Sensors were firstly characterized in their response: Nernstian behavior, a concentration range from ca. 10−6 to 10−2 M and selectivity coefficients confirming that all sensors had cross‐response for the target ions. The mixed response system was modeled employing Artificial Neural Networks. The proposed tool was applied to the determination of Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ in soils at the mg kg−1 level with satisfactory performance. Results were compared and validated against AAS reference methodology, with correlations R2>0.948 for the four heavy metals considered.
Genetic polymorphisms in 12 autosomal STRs in a Shanghai Han population from China
Authors: Zhang Suhua , Zhang Zheren , Zhao Shumin , Zhao Zhenmin , Li Chengtao
Published: November 2012

In this study, a total of 484 unrelated healthy individuals and 359 two‐generation families in the Han population in Shanghai, China were successfully analyzed with the Investigator HDplex Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium tests demonstrated no significant deviation from expected values (p > 0.05) for the 12 autosomal STRs included in this kit. A total of 173 alleles were detected in 12 autosomal STR loci; the largest number of alleles (32) was detected for the SE33 locus. The combined power of discrimination was 0.99999999992. The combined mean exclusion chance in duo cases was 0.99982, whereas the combined mean exclusion chance in trio cases was 0.9999986. The average mutation rate across all loci was 0.0023 (95% confidence intervals: 0.0013–0.0039). These results suggest that the 12 autosomal STR loci can provide highly informative polymorphic data for paternity testing and forensic identification in the Han population in Shanghai, China.
Numerical modeling of Joule heating effects in insulator‐based dielectrophoresis microdevices
Authors: Kale Akshay , Patel Saurin , Hu Guoqing , Xuan Xiangchun
Published: November 2012

Insulator‐based DEP (iDEP) has been established as a powerful tool for manipulating particles in microfluidic devices. However, Joule heating may become an issue in iDEP microdevices due to the local amplification of electric field around the insulators. This results in an electrothermal force that can manifest itself in the flow field in the form of circulations, thus affecting the particle motion. We develop herein a transient, 3D, full‐scale numerical model to study Joule heating and its effects on the coupled transport of charge, heat, and fluid in an iDEP device with a rectangular constriction microchannel. This model is validated by comparing the simulation results with the experimentally obtained fluid flow patterns and particle images that were reported in our recent works. It identifies a significant difference in the time scales of the electric, temperature, and flow fields in iDEP microdevices. It also predicts the locations of electrothermal flow circulations in different halves of the channel at the upstream and downstream of the constriction.
Influence of streaming potential on pulsatile pressure‐gradient driven flow through an annulus
Authors: Shenoy Anish , Chakraborty Jeevanjyoti , Chakraborty Suman
Published: November 2012

We study pulsatile pressure‐gradient driven flow through an annular confinement under the influence of streaming potential. Our study considers zeta potentials beyond the traditional Debye–Hückel limits, and takes care against aphysical predictions stemming from traditional Boltzmann statistics through modifications involving the finite size of the ionic species (steric effects). With these considerations, we demonstrate, rather non‐intuitively, that an intrinsic asymmetry may be manifested in the velocity profile of the flow through the annulus, as a consequence of the streaming potential effects in presence of Steric interactions. Our findings are likely to provide a new design basis for micro‐ and nano‐scale flow devices involving annular geometries.
Sustained expression of the transcription factor GLIS3 is required for normal beta cell function in adults
Authors: Yang Yisheng , Chang Benny Hung‐Junn , Chan Lawrence
Published: November 2012

Genome‐wide association studies identified GLIS3 as a susceptibility locus for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Global Glis3 deficiency in mice leads to congenital diabetes and neonatal lethality. In this study, we explore the role of Glis3 in adulthood using Glis3+/− and conditional knockout animals. We challenged Glis3+/− mice with high fat diet for 20 weeks and found that they developed diabetes because of impaired beta cell mass expansion. GLIS3 controls beta cell proliferation in response to high‐fat feeding at least partly by regulating Ccnd2 transcription. To determine if sustained Glis3 expression is essential to normal beta cell function, we generated Glis3fl/fl/Pdx1CreERT+ animal by intercrossing Glis3fl/fl mice with Pdx1CreERT+ mice and used tamoxifen (TAM) to induce Glis3 deletion in adults. Adult Glis3fl/fl/Pdx1CreERT+ mice are euglycaemic. TAM‐mediated beta cell‐specific inactivation of Glis3 in adult mice downregulates insulin expression, leading to hyperglycaemia and subsequently enhanced beta cell apoptosis. We conclude that normal Glis3 expression is required for pancreatic beta cell function and mass maintenance during adulthood, which impairment leads to diabetes in adults.
Review of odorants in human axillary odour and laundry malodour: The importance of branched C7 chain analogues in malodours perceived by humans
Authors: Takeuchi Kohei , Yabuki Masayuki , Hasegawa Yoshihiro
Published: November 2012

In our daily lives we are confronted with various kinds of malodour problems. Detailed analysis at the molecular level of the malodorous constituents with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–olfactometry can be used to identify the key chemicals responsible for the malodours, and such information can provide novel starting points for the development of new deodorants. This paper describes two characteristic sources of malodour in daily life: axillary and laundry malodour. Detailed analytical studies identified specific major contributors to these malodours: 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylhexanoic acid, 3‐mercapto‐3‐methylhexan‐1‐ol and 4‐methyl‐3‐hexenoic acid. Biochemical and microbiological studies then elucidated the mechanisms generating these odours and proved the involvement of microbes in odour formation. In this review, we discuss the importance of the branched C7 chain, which is common to all the major volatile substances identified in these studies and perceived by the human nose with an extraordinary sensitivity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive mechanisms of memory for order in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Templer Victoria L. , Hampton Robert R.
Published: November 2012

One important aspect of episodic memory is the ability to remember the order in which events occurred. Memory for sequences in rats and has been shown to rely on the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (DeVito and Eichenbaum (2011) J Neuro 31:3169‐3175; Fortin et al. (2002) Nat Neuro 5:458‐462). Rats with hippocampal lesions were impaired in selecting the odor that had appeared earlier in a sequence of five odors but were not impaired in recognition of previously sampled odors (Fortin et al., 2002; Kesner et al. (2002) Behav Neuro 116:286‐290). These results suggest that order is not represented by relative familiarity or memory strength. However, the cognitive mechanisms underlying memory for order have not been determined. We presented monkeys with lists of five images drawn randomly from a pool of 6,000 images. At test, two images were presented and monkeys were rewarded for selecting the image that had appeared earlier in the studied list. Monkeys learned to discriminate the order of the images, even those that were consecutive in the studied list. In subsequent experiments, we found that discrimination of order was not controlled by list position or relative memory strength. Instead, monkeys used temporal order, a mechanism that appears to encode order of occurrence relative to other events, rather than in absolute time. We found that number of intervening images, rather than passage of time per se, most strongly determined the discriminability of order of occurrence. Better specifying the cognitive mechanisms nonhuman primates use to remember the order of events enhances this animal model of episodic memory, and may further inform our understanding of the functions of the hippocampus. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An evaluation of the hydrologic relevance of lateral flow in snow at hillslope and catchment scales
Authors: Eiriksson David , Whitson Michael , Luce Charles H. , Marshall Hans Peter , Bradford John , Benner Shawn G. , Black Thomas , Hetrick Hank , McNamara James P.
Published: November 2012

Lateral downslope flow in snow during snowmelt and rain‐on‐snow (ROS) events is a well‐known phenomenon, yet its relevance to water redistribution at hillslope and catchment scales is not well understood. We used dye tracers, geophysical methods, and hydrometric measurements to describe the snow properties that promote lateral flow, assess the relative velocities of lateral flow in snow and soil, and estimate volumes of downslope flow. Results demonstrate that rain and melt water can travel tens of metres downslope along layers within the snowpack or at the snowpack base within tens of hours. Lateral flow within the snowpack becomes less likely as the snowpack becomes saturated and stratigraphic boundaries are destroyed. Flow along the base can be prevalent in all snowpack conditions. The net result of lateral flow in snow can be the deposition of water on the soil surface in advanced downslope positions relative to its point of origin, or direct discharge to a stream. Although both melt and ROS events can redistribute water to downslope positions, ROS events produced the most significant volumes of downslope flow. Direct stream contributions through the snowpack during one ROS event produced up to 12% of streamflow during the event. This can help explain rapid delivery of water to streams during ROS events, as well as anomalously high contributions of event water during snowmelt hydrographs. In catchments with a persistent snowpack, lateral redistribution of water within the snowpack should be considered a relevant moisture redistribution mechanism. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrating toxicity reduction strategies for materials and components into product design: A case study on utility meters
Authors: Lam Carl W , Lim Seong-Rin , Ogunseitan Oladele A , Shapiro Andrew A , Saphores Jean-Daniel M , Brock Andrew , Schoenung Julie M
Published: November 2012

Using RIO Tronics utility meter products as an industrial case study, the numeric Fraunhofer Toxic Potential Indicator (TPI) assessment tool is used to determine high impact materials with the aim of reducing the content of inherently toxic substances in these products. However, because product redesign with alternative materials affects entire components, overall component toxicity potential must also be explored. To achieve this, material TPI scores are aggregated into component TPI scores by 2 methods: 1) the Sum-Weighted Component TPI method, which considers the mass of materials in the component to assign an overall score, and 2) the Max Component TPI method, which scores the component with the highest impact material. With consideration of uncertainties from materials' toxicity information and mass estimates, key results from both scoring methods prioritized components that contain acrylonitrile-based polymers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and stainless steel. Furthermore, an alternative materials assessment is carried out to identify less-toxic substitutes to meet cost and technical constraints. Substitute materials such as Al alloys for stainless steel and high-density polyethylene for PVC show promise for a combination of toxicity reduction and cost-effectiveness. The new screening methodology described can help product designers systematically benchmark toxicity potential in parallel to cost and functionality. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013; 9: 319–328. © 2012 SETAC
Monitoring LITT thermal penetration depth using real‐time analysis of backscattered light
Authors: Shacham Ranit , Steinberg Idan , Gandjbakhche Amir H. , Gannot Israel
Published: November 2012

Real‐time monitoring of the thermal penetration depth (TPD) is essential in various clinical procedures, such as Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT). MRI is commonly used to this end, though bulky and expensive. In this paper, we present an alternative novel method for an optical feedback system based on changes in the diffused reflection from the tissue during treatment. Monte‐Carlo simulation was used to deduce the relations between the backscattered pattern and the TPD. Several methods of image analysis are developed for TPD estimation. Each yields a set of parameters which are linearly dependent on the TPD. In order to test these experimentally, tissue samples were monitored in‐vitro during treatment at multiple wavelengths. The SNR and coefficient of determination were used to compare the various methods and wavelengths and to determine the preferred method. Such system and algorithms may be used for real‐time in‐vivo control during laser thermotherapy and other clinical procedures. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Feature‐based recognition of Surface‐enhanced Raman spectra for biological targets
Authors: Pavillon Nicolas , Bando Kazuki , Fujita Katsumasa , Smith Nicholas I.
Published: November 2012

We propose and compare multiple approaches to automatically process data measured through surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), in the context of intracellular molecule probing. It relies on locally detecting the most relevant spectra to retrieve all data independently through indexing, thus avoiding any pre‐filtering which occurs with standard processing methods. We first assess our approach on simulated data of the spectrum of Rhodamine 6G, and then validate high‐performing methods on experimental measurements of this compound. The optimized method is then utilized to extract and classify the complex SERS response behavior of gold nanoparticles taken in live cells. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chemically‐specific dual/differential CARS micro‐spectroscopy of saturated and unsaturated lipid droplets
Authors: Di Napoli Claudia , Masia Francesco , Pope Iestyn , Otto Cees , Langbein Wolfgang , Borri Paola
Published: November 2012

We have investigated the ability of dual‐frequency Coherent Antistokes Raman Scattering (D‐CARS) micro‐spectroscopy, based on femtosecond pulses (100 fs or 5 fs) spectrally focussed by glass dispersion, to distinguish the chemical composition of micron‐sized lipid droplets consisting of different triglycerides types (poly‐unsaturated glyceryl trilinolenate, mono‐unsaturated glyceryl trioleate and saturated glyceryl tricaprylate and glyceryl tristearate) in a rapid and label‐free way. A systematic comparison of Raman spectra with CARS and D‐CARS spectra was used to identify D‐CARS spectral signatures which distinguish the disordered poly‐unsaturated lipids from the more ordered saturated ones both in the CH‐stretch vibration region and in the fingerprint region, without the need for lengthy CARS multiplex acquisition and analysis. D‐CARS images of the lipid droplets at few selected wavenumbers clearly resolved the lipid composition differences, and exemplify the potential of this technique for label‐free chemically selective rapid imaging of cytosolic lipid droplets in living cells. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Interplay of reactive oxygen species, intracellular Ca2+ and mitochondrial homeostasis in the apoptosis of prostate cancer cells by deoxypodophyllotoxin
Authors: Kim Kwang‐Youn , Cho Hyo‐Jin , Yu Sun‐Nyoung , Kim Sang‐Hun , Yu Hak‐Sun , Park Yeong‐Min , Mirkheshti Nooshin , Kim So Young , Song Chung Seog , Chatterjee Bandana , Ahn Soon‐Cheol
Published: November 2012

The limited treatment option for recurrent prostate cancer and the eventual resistance to conventional chemotherapy drugs has fueled continued interest in finding new anti‐neoplastic agents of natural product origin. We previously reported anti‐proliferative activity of deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) on human prostate cancer cells. Using the PC‐3 cell model of human prostate cancer, the present study reveals that DPT induced apoptosis via a caspase‐3‐dependent pathway that is activated due to dysregulated mitochondrial function. DPT‐treated cells showed accumulation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular Ca surge, increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ΔΨm), Bax protein translocation to mitochondria and cytochrome c release to the cytoplasm. This resulted in caspase‐3 activation, which in turn induced apoptosis. The antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced ROS accumulation, MMP and Ca surge, on the other hand the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA inhibited the Ca overload and MMP without affecting the increase of ROS, indicating that the generation of ROS occurred prior to Ca2+ flux. This suggested that both ROS and Ca signaling play roles in the increased MMP via Ca‐dependent and/or ‐independent mechanisms, since ΔΨm elevation was reversed by NAC and BAPTA. This study provides the first evidence for the involvement of both ROS‐ and Ca‐activated signals in the disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis and the precedence of ROS production over the failure of Ca2+ flux homeostasis. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1124–1134, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anti‐adhesive property of P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 (PSGL‐1) due to steric hindrance effect
Authors: Umeki Saori , Suzuki Ryoichi , Ema Yasuo , Shimojima Masayuki , Nishimura Yorihiro , Okuda Masaru , Mizuno Takuya
Published: November 2012

P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 (PSGL‐1) is an adhesive molecule that is known to be a ligand for P‐selectin. An anti‐adhesive property of PSGL‐1 has not been previously reported. In this study, we show that PSGL‐1 expression is anti‐adhesive for adherent cells and we have elucidated the underlying mechanism. Overexpression of PSGL‐1 induced cell rounding and floating in HEK293T cells. Similar phenomena were demonstrated in other adherent cell lines with overexpression of PSGL‐1. PSGL‐1 overexpression inhibits access of antibodies to cell surface molecules such as integrins, HLA and CD25. Cells transfected with PSGL‐1 deletion mutants that lack a large part of the extracellular domain and chimeric construct expressing extracellular CD86 and intracellular PSGL‐1 only showed rounded morphology, but there are no floating cells. These results indicated that PSGL‐1 causes steric hindrance due to the extended structure of its extracellular domain that is highly O‐glycosylated, but intracellular domain also has some effect on cell rounding. This study implies that PSGL‐1 has Janus‐faced functions, being both adhesive and anti‐adhesive. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1271–1285, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The other gastropod larvae: Larval morphogenesis in a marine neritimorph
Authors: Page Louise R. , Ferguson Samuel J.
Published: November 2012

Two of the three major gastropod clades with feeding larvae are sister groups and larval morphogenesis for members of these clades, the Caenogastropoda and Heterobranchia, has been well studied. The third clade, the Neritimorpha, has an unstable phylogenetic position and little is known about development of their planktotrophic larvae. Information about larval morphology of neritimorphs and resolution of their controversial phylogenetic placement is critically important for understanding evolution of larval feeding within the Gastropoda. We describe larval morphogenesis to metamorphic competence for laboratory‐reared larvae of Nerita melanotragus (Smith, 1884) (Neritimorpha: Neritidae). Preliminary observations suggest that prehatch larvae are capable of delayed hatching, possibly by entering a diapause state. Our description of larval morphogenesis, as based on tissue sections for light and transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, three‐dimensional‐reconstructions of sectioned tissue, and labeling of muscles with fluorphore‐tagged phalloidin, revealed four features that are unprecedented among both feeding and nonfeeding gastropod larvae. Larvae of N. melanotragus have muscles on the left and right side that both meet current criteria of a larval retractor muscle; shell‐anchored muscles with oblique striations that project inside the visceral nerve loop to insert mainly on the velar lobes. They also have left and right digestive glands of similar size and a left and right hypobranchial gland. A larval “heart” is absent, but water circulation through the mantle cavity may be facilitated by large circular orifices, lined by patches of motile cilia, leading in and out of the mantle cavity. Comparison of larval traits among all three groups of gastropods with feeding larvae indicates that larvae of N. melanotragus have many unique characteristics, but they show more similarities to caenogastropod than to heterobranch larvae. These results are a significant step toward the goal of identifying primitive versus derived larval traits among feeding gastropod larvae. © J. Morphol., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence and clinical characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus in Chinese adults with acute respiratory tract infection
Authors: Xiang Zichun , Gonzalez Richard , Ren Lili , Xiao Yan , Chen Lan , Zhang Jing , Wang Wei , Yang Qingqing , Li Jianguo , Zhou Hongli , Vernet Guy , Paranhos‐Baccalà Gláucia , Wang Zhong , Wang Jianwei
Published: November 2012

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory tract illnesses worldwide. Although the prevalence and clinical manifestations of the two subtypes, RSV‐A and RSV‐B, have been studied in some detail in infants and young children, they have not been determined in adults. To evaluate the prevalence of the RSV subtypes and disease severity between RSV‐A and RSV‐B infections in adults, nasal and throat swabs that were collected from patients ≥15 years old who sought medical care for acute respiratory infections at the Fever Clinic of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing, China between May 2005 and April 2010. The samples were tested for RSV infection using PCR and sequencing analysis. RSV was detected in 95 (1%) of the adult patients, of whom 53 (55.8%) were positive for RSV‐A and 42 (44.2%) for RSV‐B. The incidence of RSV infections increased with age (χ2 = 37.17, P = 1.66E−07). Demographic data and clinical manifestations of RSV‐A were similar to those of RSV‐B. Although RSV‐A and RSV‐B co‐circulated during the 2005–2006 and 2008–2009 seasons, RSV‐A was predominant in the 2006–2008 seasons, whereas RSV‐B was predominant in the 2009–2010 season. Upper respiratory tract infections were diagnosed in most RSV‐infected patients (n = 80, 84.2%), and three patients suffered from pulmonary infection. This is the first study to provide data on the prevalence and clinical manifestations of RSV subgroups among Chinese adults with fever and acute illness, over five successive epidemic seasons. J. Med. Virol. 85:348–353, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimizing the design of a tactile display based on a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer array
Authors: Chouvardas V. G. , Hatalis M. K. , Miliou A. N.
Published: November 2012

In this paper, the design and simulation of a tactile display that is based on a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array is presented. The array implements a ‘pixel’ of the display and is used to focus airborne ultrasound energy on the skin surface. The pressure field generated by the focused ultrasound waves excites the mechanoreceptors under the skin and transmits tactile information. The geometry of the individual transducer and the array are optimized so that the medium presents maximum impedance and the membrane oscillates with maximum deflection. Optimization is achieved using an electrical equivalent circuit model and the Berkeley Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis (SPICE) code. Finite element analysis of the CMUT and the CMUT phased array is used to verify the SPICE results. The pressure at focal point is compared with the pressure threshold required for mechanoreceptor excitation in order to verify the feasibility of the design. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural, compositional, and biomechanical alterations of the lumbar spine in rats with mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome)
Authors: Lai Alon , Simonaro Calogera M. , Schuchman Edward H. , Ge Yi , Laudier Damien M. , Iatridis James C.
Published: November 2012

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder resulting from deficiency of N‐acetylgalactosamine‐4‐sulfatase activity and subsequent accumulation of incompletely degraded dermatan sulfate (DS) containing glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Painful spinal deformities are commonly found in MPS VI patients. We characterized lumbar spine structure, composition, and biomechanics in a naturally occurring rat MPS VI model and evaluated the role of MMP‐13, ADAMTS‐5 and TNF‐α in modulating the observed changes. MPS VI rats had discs with large vacuolated cells and sizable nuclear defects. MPS spine segments also had structural and functional changes suggestive of spinal instability, including decreased nuclear pressurization, increased joint laxity and increased disc height index. These functional changes were at least partly associated with elevated ADAMTS‐5, MMP‐13, and TNF‐α. Vertebral and endplate biomechanics were also affected by MPS VI with decreased failure load and stiffness. The discal and vertebral dysfunctions observed in MPS VI rats are likely to be associated with pathological spinal conditions, similar to those that afflict MPS patients. Our findings also suggest more broadly that abnormal accumulation of GAGs and the associated chronic pro‐inflammatory and catabolic cascade may also be a source of spinal dysfunction. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 621–631, 2013
Seed phosphorus remobilization is not a major limiting step for phosphorus nutrition during early growth of maize
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Mollier Alain , Morel Christian , Vives Alain , Prud'homme Loïc , Pellerin Sylvain
Published: November 2012

Phosphorus (P) is the least mobile nutrient in the soil as compared to other macronutrients and therefore frequently limits crop growth. During germination and early growth, seed‐phytate hydrolysis and seed‐P remobilization is the major P source for developing seedlings. The objective of this paper was to investigate whether seed‐P hydrolysis and remobilization of nonphytate P are sufficient for seedling P nutrition during early growth stages of maize. A large part of initial maize endogenous seed P reserves are mainly in the form of phytate. Till 70 cumulated degree days after sowing, nearly all the phytate (98%) was hydrolyzed and caused an increase in nonphytate P in seeds. Phytate hydrolysis and remobilization of nonphytate P was the main source of P supply for the newly growing seedlings and was not a limiting step for seedling P nutrition during the first four weeks of early growth.
The influence of impurity formation on electron inelastic scattering of suspended graphene
Authors: Chen Chang‐Jiang
Published: November 2012

This study reports on controlling the formation of nanoimpurities on suspended graphene to investigate the inelastic scattering of electrons using a two‐phonon Raman process. Results were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning Raman spectroscopy in the same region of suspended graphene. The findings revealed that the area with a higher concentration of impurities shown in the TEM image corresponds directly to the area with a lower integrated intensity and a wider full width at half maximum in the Raman mapping of the 2D band and vice versa. The same trend is also apparent in the 2D′ and D + D″ bands. In conclusion, the results are explained by an increase in the electronic scattering rate due to impurities, which affects two‐phonon Raman scattering. Combining the TEM image and Raman mapping image effectively demonstrates how electron behavior is affected by the distribution of impurities in graphene systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temperature measurements in condensed phases using non‐resonant femtosecond stimulated Raman scattering
Authors: Dang N. C. , Bolme C. A. , Moore D. S. , McGrane S. D.
Published: November 2012

We have previously demonstrated the capability of femtosecond stimulated Raman scattering (FSRS) data to measure the temperature (T) of condensed matter at the molecular vibrational level. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 2011, 107, 43001] In this paper, we expand the theory for the FSRS temperature dependence by considering the effects of an isolated change of T as well as a coupled change of T and chemical concentration. We point out that the origin of the temperature sensitivity of the Stokes to anti‐Stokes ratio of FSRS lies in the exponential nonlinearity of the gain and loss. We establish that FSRS of two Raman modes can be used to simultaneously determine the vibrational temperature and the change in concentration of the species contributing to those two modes. Single‐shot experimental results using FSRS are presented to demonstrate over four orders of magnitude higher efficiency than spontaneous Raman in small volume samples with picosecond resolution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The greater effectiveness of Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices in improving productivity, oil content and tolerance of salt‐stressed menthol mint (Mentha arvensis)
Authors: Bharti Nidhi , Baghel Savita , Barnawal Deepti , Yadav Anju , Kalra Alok
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

Mentha arvensis is cultivated in large parts of the world for its menthol‐rich essential oil. The study investigates the potential of four mycorrhizal fungi, viz. Glomus mosseae (Gm), Glomus aggregatum (Ga), Glomus fasciculatum (Gf) and Glomus intraradices (Gi) in alleviating NaCl‐induced salt stress in Mentha arvensis cv. Kosi and establishes the specificity of interaction between different mycorrhizal species and their effectiveness in mitigating salt stress in Mentha arvensis. Mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal Mentha plants were subjected to NaCl‐induced salinity.

RESULTS

Among the four Glomus species, Gm and Gi reduced salt‐induced herb yield losses: a loss of 27.53% and 25.58% respectively under salt stress in comparison to 51.00% in non‐mycorrhizal M. arvensis salt‐stressed plants. Gm‐ and Gi‐inoculated plants also recorded higher leaf:stem ratio, oil content, and oil yield and menthol concentration in essential oil under both saline and non‐saline conditions.

CONCLUSION

Better performance in terms of herb yield, and oil content and yield was observed in Gi‐ and Gm‐inoculated M. arvensis plants, suggesting the capability of Gi and Gm in protecting plants from the detrimental effects of salt stress; beneficial effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, however, may vary with host and environment. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of disease‐specific survival in the United States and Korea after resection for early‐stage node‐negative gastric carcinoma
Authors: Strong Vivian E. , Song Kyo Young , Park Cho Hyun , Jacks Lindsay M. , Gonen Mithat , Shah Manish A. , Coit Daniel G. , Brennan Murray F.
Published: November 2012

Background and Objectives

Disease‐specific survival (DSS) for GC patients differs in Eastern and Western countries. The aim is to compare outcomes of US and Korean patients following resection of early‐stage, node‐negative gastric carcinoma (GC).

Methods

All patients (1995–2005) with T1N0 gastric carcinoma, excluding gastroesophageal tumors, were evaluated. DSS was compared by adjusting for prognostic variables from an internationally validated GC nomogram.

Results

The cohort included 598 Korean patients and 159 US patients. Age and BMI were significantly higher in US patients. Distal tumor location was more frequent in Korea (60% vs. 52%) and proximal location in the US (19% vs. 5%, P < 0.0001). Five‐year DSS did not differ significantly between Korea and the US. After multivariate analysis, DSS of Korean patients persisted, with no significant differences when compared to US patients (HR = 1.2, 95% CI: 0.3–5.2, P = 0.83).

Conclusions

Despite widespread speculations that GC differs in the East and West, when we compare similarly staged, node‐negative GC patients, survival did not differ significantly between Korea and the US. This suggests that GC is a heterogeneous disease and when similar subtypes of gastric cancer are compared, these differences disappear. This study suggests more similarities than previously hypothesized between US and Korean GC patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:634–640. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Estimating the adjuvant chemotherapy effect in elderly stage II and III colon cancer patients in an observational study
Authors: Kim Ki‐Yeol , Cha In‐Ho , Ahn Joong Bae , Kim Nam Kyu , Rha Sun Young , Chung Hyun Cheol , Roh Jae Kyung , Shin Sang Joon
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Adjuvant chemotherapy has been known as a standard treatment for patients with resected colon cancer. However, in elderly colon cancer patients, the characteristics of patients are heterogeneous with regard to life expectancy and comorbidities. Thus, with regard to the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer, it is difficult to extrapolate data of clinical trials from the younger into the older general population.

Methods

Data for 382 elderly colon cancer patients were analyzed: 217 in Stage II and 165 in Stage III. The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy was evaluated in elderly colon cancer patients after a match by the propensity score method.

Results

For matched patients with Stage II colon cancer, there was no significant efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in the risk of death during all follow‐up periods (P‐value, 0.06–0.37). Though there was a tendency that the adjuvant chemotherapy reduces the death rate during the follow‐up periods, it was not statistically significant. In the case of Stage III, the adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly effective in matched patients for 5‐year (hazard ratio [HR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30–0.90) and overall survival (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.34–0.94).

Conclusions

Adjuvant chemotherapy for elderly patients with Stage II colon cancer is not effective, whereas elderly patients with Stage III with adjuvant chemotherapy appear to have a better survival rate in the general population. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:613–618. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nodal status is not a prognostic factor in patients with HPV‐positive oral/oropharyngeal tumors
Authors: Klozar Jan , Koslabova Eva , Kratochvil Vit , Salakova Martina , Tachezy Ruth
Published: November 2012

Objectives

The primary aim is to compare the prognostic parameters in patients with HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative tumors. The secondary aim is to compare the patterns of treatment failure between these groups.

Methods

Analysis of prognostic factors in a group of 170 patients.

Results

High‐risk HPV DNA was detected in 98 cases, 72 tumors were HPV negative. Both the overall and disease‐specific survival rates were better in HPV‐positive patients. In patients with HPV‐negative tumors, the prognostic factors in univariate analysis were pT and pN classification, tumor stage, number of positive nodes, and extracapsular spread. Stage, pT, higher pN, and number of nodes maintained statistical significance after adjustment. None of the studied prognostic factors was significant in the group of patients with HPV‐positive tumors. There was a significant difference in the local—regional recurrence rates—37% in HPV‐negative cases and 18% in HPV‐positive cases.

Conclusion

The characteristics of the extent of the disease in general and of regional lymph node metastasis in particular are probably much less important in the prediction of the outcome of HPV‐positive than of HPV‐negative tumors. Improved survival of patients with HPV‐positive tumors is due mostly to the difference in the local–regional failure rates. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:625–633. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.