bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of complications on long‐term survival after resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Spolverato Gaya , Yakoob Mohammad Y. , Kim Yuhree , Alexandrescu Sorin , Marques Hugo P. , Lamelas Jorge , Aldrighetti Luca , Gamblin T. Clark , Maithel Shishir K. , Pulitano Carlo , Bauer Todd W. , Shen Feng , Poultsides George A. , Marsh J. Wallis , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

The impact of postoperative complications on the long‐term outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for cancer is unclear. The objective of the current study was to define the incidence of complications among patients undergoing surgery for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and identify the association between morbidity and long‐term outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 583 patients undergoing surgery with curative intent for ICC between 1990 and 2013 at 1 of 12 participating institutions were identified. The association between the occurrence and severity of postoperative complications on long‐term survival was analyzed.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 59.9 years and the majority of patients were male (52.3%). A total of 91 patients (15.6%) and 153 patients (26.2%) developed a major and minor postoperative complication, respectively; 18 patients (3.5%) died within 90 days of surgery. Median, 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year recurrence‐free survival were 10.0 months, 43.3%, 16.7%, and 11.1%, respectively. Postoperative complications (hazard ratio [HR], 1.37, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.08‐1.73 [P = .01]) and severity of complications (major vs none: HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.14‐2.11 [P = .01]; minor vs none: HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.99‐1.70 [P = .06]) independently predicted shorter recurrence‐free survival. Median, 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year overall survival was 27.8 months, 76.8%, 39.0%, and 23.4%, respectively. Postoperative complications (HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.30‐2.08 [P<.001]) and severity of complications (major vs none: HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.31‐2.44 [P<.001]; minor vs none: HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.15‐1.95 [P<.01]) independently predicted shorter overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative complications were found to be independent predictors of worse long‐term outcomes. The prevention and management of postoperative complications is crucial to increase both short‐term and long‐term survival. Cancer 2015;121:2730‐2739. © 2015 American Cancer Society
Signals from the brain induce variation in avian facial shape
Authors: Hu Diane , Young Nathan M. , Xu Qiuping , Jamniczky Heather , Green Rebecca M. , Mio Washington , Marcucio Ralph S. , Hallgrimsson Benedikt
Published: April 2015

Background: How developmental mechanisms generate the phenotypic variation that is the raw material for evolution is largely unknown. Here, we explore whether variation in a conserved signaling axis between the brain and face contributes to differences in morphogenesis of the avian upper jaw. In amniotes, including both mice and avians, signals from the brain establish a signaling center in the ectoderm (the Frontonasal ectodermal zone or “FEZ”) that directs outgrowth of the facial primordia. Results: Here we show that the spatial organization of this signaling center differs among avians, and these correspond to Sonic hedgehog (Shh) expression in the basal forebrain and embryonic facial shape. In ducks this basal forebrain domain is present almost the entire width, while in chickens it is restricted to the midline. When the duck forebrain is unilaterally transplanted into stage matched chicken embryos the face on the treated side resembles that of the donor. Conclusions: Combined with previous findings, these results demonstrate that variation in a highly conserved developmental pathway has the potential to contribute to evolutionary differences in avian upper jaw morphology. Developmental Dynamics 244:1133–1143, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The inorganic anatomy of the mammalian preimplantation embryo and the requirement of zinc during the first mitotic divisions
Authors: Kong Betty Y. , Duncan Francesca E. , Que Emily L. , Xu Yuanming , Vogt Stefan , O'Halloran Thomas V. , Woodruff Teresa K.
Published: April 2015

Background: Zinc is the most abundant transition metal in the mammalian oocyte, and dynamic fluxes in intracellular concentration are essential for regulating both meiotic progression and fertilization. Whether the defined pathways of zinc utilization in female meiosis directly translate to mitotic cells, including the mammalian preimplantation embryo, has not been studied previously. Results: We determined that zinc is the most abundant transition metal in the preimplantation embryo, with levels an order of magnitude higher than those of iron or copper. Using a zinc‐specific fluorescent probe, we demonstrated that labile zinc is distributed in vesicle‐like structures in the cortex of cells at all stages of preimplantation embryo development. To test the importance of zinc during this period, we induced zinc insufficiency using the heavy metal chelator N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (TPEN). Incubation of embryos in media containing TPEN resulted in a developmental arrest that was specific to zinc chelation and associated with compromised mitotic parameters. The developmental arrest due to zinc insufficiency was associated with altered chromatin structure in the blastomere nuclei and decreased global transcription. Conclusions: These results demonstrate for the first time that the preimplantation embryo requires tight zinc regulation and homeostasis for the initial mitotic divisions of life. Developmental Dynamics 244:935–947, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Overexpression of LINCR in the developing mouse lung epithelium inhibits distal differentiation and induces cystic changes
Authors: Londhe Vedang A. , Tomi Tomoko , Nguyen Tam T. , Lopez Benjamin , Smith Jeffrey B.
Published: April 2015

Background: Lung maturation can be disrupted through pro‐inflammatory processes including intra‐uterine amniotic infection, mechanical ventilation, or oxidative stress. Lincr, originally identified as a gene induced in the lung by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is also expressed in the developing lung. The Lung‐inducible Neuralized‐related C3HC4 RING domain (LINCR) protein is structurally related to Drosophila Neuralized, a regulator of the developmentally important Notch signaling pathway. LINCR is expressed in alveolar epithelial type II cells in the mature lung, and its expression is markedly increased by LPS and inflammatory cytokines. To test the hypothesis that targeted overexpression of LINCR in lung epithelium would interfere with normal lung development, we generated double transgenic mice that conditionally overexpress LINCR in lung epithelium under the control of doxycycline.

Results: Single transgenic controls and double transgenic mice not treated with doxycycline were unaffected, but double transgenic mice exposed to doxycycline starting at embryonic day 6 developed markedly hypoplastic lungs with decreased numbers of alveoli and large cysts lined with a proximalized and poorly differentiated epithelium expressing Hairy/Enhancer of Split 1, an effector of Notch signaling. The phenotype was similar to that caused by overexpression of activated Notch1 in lung epithelium.

Conclusions: LINCR may exert its effects on distal lung development in this model through activation of the Notch signaling pathway. Developmental Dynamics 244:827–838, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling ecological traps for the control of feral pigs
Authors: Dexter Nick , McLeod Steven R.
Published: April 2015

Ecological traps are habitat sinks that are preferred by dispersing animals but have higher mortality or reduced fecundity compared to source habitats. Theory suggests that if mortality rates are sufficiently high, then ecological traps can result in extinction. An ecological trap may be created when pest animals are controlled in one area, but not in another area of equal habitat quality, and when there is density‐dependent immigration from the high‐density uncontrolled area to the low‐density controlled area. We used a logistic population model to explore how varying the proportion of habitat controlled, control mortality rate, and strength of density‐dependent immigration for feral pigs could affect the long‐term population abundance and time to extinction. Increasing control mortality, the proportion of habitat controlled and the strength of density‐dependent immigration decreased abundance both within and outside the area controlled. At higher levels of these parameters, extinction was achieved for feral pigs. We extended the analysis with a more complex stochastic, interactive model of feral pig dynamics in the Australian rangelands to examine how the same variables as the logistic model affected long‐term abundance in the controlled and uncontrolled area and time to extinction. Compared to the logistic model of feral pig dynamics, the stochastic interactive model predicted lower abundances and extinction at lower control mortalities and proportions of habitat controlled. To improve the realism of the stochastic interactive model, we substituted fixed mortality rates with a density‐dependent control mortality function, empirically derived from helicopter shooting exercises in Australia. Compared to the stochastic interactive model with fixed mortality rates, the model with the density‐dependent control mortality function did not predict as substantial decline in abundance in controlled or uncontrolled areas or extinction for any combination of variables. These models demonstrate that pest eradication is theoretically possible without the pest being controlled throughout its range because of density‐dependent immigration into the area controlled. The stronger the density‐dependent immigration, the better the overall control in controlled and uncontrolled habitat combined. However, the stronger the density‐dependent immigration, the poorer the control in the area controlled. For feral pigs, incorporating environmental stochasticity improves the prospects for eradication, but adding a realistic density‐dependent control function eliminates these prospects.
Impact of a nurse‐led home and clinic‐based secondary prevention programme to prevent progressive cardiac dysfunction in high‐risk individuals: the Nurse‐led Intervention for Less Chronic Heart Failure (NIL‐CHF) randomized controlled study
Authors: Stewart Simon , Chan Yih‐Kai , Wong Chiew , Jennings Garry , Scuffham Paul , Esterman Adrian , Carrington Melinda ,   on behalf of the NIL‐CHF Investigators
Published: April 2015

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a long‐term, nurse‐led, multidisciplinary programme of home/clinic visits in preventing progressive cardiac dysfunction in individuals at risk of developing de novo chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods and results

A pragmatic, single‐centre (tertiary‐referral hospital with specialist cardiological services), open‐label, randomized controlled trial with blinded endpoint adjudication was carried out. In total, 624 cardiac inpatients (66 ± 11 years, 71% male, and 70% with CAD) were randomly allocated (1:1) to standard care or the study intervention. The intention‐to‐treat cohort comprised 310 standard care and 301 intervention participants. During 51.0 ± 8.2 months follow‐up, 38/310 (12%) standard care [mean event‐free survival 1865 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1817–1913 days] vs. 41/301 (14%) intervention participants (1855 days, 95% CI 1804–1906 days) experienced the primary composite endpoint of de novo CHF hospitalization or all‐cause mortality (P = 0.574). Although there were no statistically significant differences in the rate of cardiovascular‐related and emergency hospitalizations, the NIL‐CHF (Nurse‐led Intervention for Less Chronic Heart Failure) group accumulated 478 (0.214 ± 0.70 vs. 0.095 ± 0.284 days/participant/month; P = 0.052) and 1097 fewer days of hospital stay (0.391 ± 1.80 vs. 0.199 ± 0.47 days/participant/month; P = 0.023), respectively, compared with standard care. The intervention group also showed better cardiac recovery on echocardiography at 3 years [81/226 (35.8%) vs. 56/225 (24.9%), odds ratio 1.44, 95% CI 1.08–1.92, P = 0.011].

Conclusions

Relative to a high level of standard care, the NIL‐CHF intervention was ineffective in preventing CHF and rehospitalization. On the other hand, it was associated with reduced hospital stay and improved cardiac function over the long term.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (No. 12608000022369)
Copper(I)‐Mediated Direct Trifluoromethylthiolation of Allylic Halides with Elemental Sulfur and (Trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane
Authors: Li Jue , Wang Peiqiang , Xie Fei‐Fei , Yang Xi‐Gang , Song Xiao‐Nan , Chen Wei‐Dong , Ren Jiangmeng , Zeng Bu‐Bing
Published: April 2015

A new method has been developed for the copper‐mediated trifluoromethylthiolation of allylic halides by using potassium fluoride, elemental sulfur, and (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane in anhydrous N,N‐dimethylformamide. This protocol provides facile access to a variety of allylic trifluoromethyl thioethers in moderate to good yields under mild, ligand‐free reaction conditions.
Respond to increase in transcript fraud involving international students
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: April 2015

ST. PETERSBURG BEACH, FLA. — The 3.2 percent growth in international student enrollment in the last academic year at U.S. colleges and universities has brought with it an unwelcome and often unseen partner — an increasing number of fraudulent international applications.
Changing the organizational culture: Critical or risky for an ERP conversion?
Authors: Armoza Marcela
Published: April 2015

The culture of any organization is a complex set of informal mandates forged through many years. This set of implicit expectations is not limited to the interpersonal relations that frame the social environment of the organization. Instead, it reaches much further. In fact, the established culture drives the way business processes are designed, implemented and conducted.
The effect of sublethal concentrations of the water-soluble fraction of crude oil on the chemosensory function of Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus (YAKOVLEV, 1870)
Authors: Lari Ebrahim , Abtahi Behrooz , Hashtroudi Mehri Seyed , Mohaddes Effat , Døving Kjell B.
Published: April 2015

The water-soluble fraction of crude oil is a complex and toxic mixture of hydrocarbons. Because aquatic organisms directly encounter it, the water-soluble fraction plays an important role in the toxicity of crude oil in aquatic environments. To determine whether fish are attracted to or avoid the water-soluble fraction, Caspian roaches (Rutilus caspicus) were exposed to different concentrations of the water-soluble fraction in a choice maze apparatus. The results showed that Caspian roaches can detect and avoid 2 mg/L of the water-soluble fraction. To study the effect of the water-soluble fraction on the olfactory function of fish, Caspian roaches were exposed to 3.2 mg/L and 16 mg/L of the water-soluble fraction for 96 h; afterward, exposed fish encountered food extract in a choice maze apparatus. The present study showed that the water-soluble fraction significantly impairs the olfactory function of roaches. To investigate the effect of olfactory system dysfunction on the feeding behavior of fish, Caspian roaches were exposed to 3.2 mg/L and 16 mg/L of the water-soluble fraction. After 4 d, 8 d, and 12 d of exposure, the feeding behavior toward the food extract was tested. The results showed that both 3.2 mg/L and 16 mg/L of the water-soluble fraction suppress the feeding behavior of Caspian roaches. The present study demonstrates that sublethal concentrations of crude oil's water-soluble fraction impair the olfactory function of fish and consequently suppress the feeding behavior. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1826–1832. © 2015 SETAC
Fast object identification with mode switching for coexistence of NFC and RFID
Authors: Park Chul Wan , Ahn Ji Hyoung , Lee Tae‐Jin
Published: April 2015

The Near Field Communication (NFC) standard is based on the radio‐frequency identification (RFID) standard. Because NFC and High Frequency RFID share the same frequency band, an NFC device cannot operate normally when they coexist. In this letter, we propose a fast identification protocol for the coexistence of NFC and RFID systems. When an RFID reader identifies an NFC device in the tag mode, the RFID reader stops identifying RFID tags and reserves the next slot for the NFC device in the proposed scheme. The NFC device changes its mode to the reader mode and identifies an RFID tag nearby at the allocated slot. We show that the NFC identification delay is reduced by our proposed scheme via analysis and simulations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Profitability of Volatility Spread Trading on ASX Equity Options
Authors: Do Binh Huu , Foster Anthony , Gray Philip
Published: April 2015

Goyal and Saretto (2009) conjecture that deviations of option implied volatility from long‐run historical levels—the volatility spread—provide a signal of option mispricing. This paper re‐examines the profitability of trading the volatility spread, with a particular focus on assessing the authenticity of returns. While, at face value, portfolios of option straddles designed to exploit this mispricing appear highly profitable, our findings cast doubt over whether these profits can be genuinely attained in real‐world settings. Drawing on the tick history of bid–ask quotes, our analysis suggests that transaction costs erode much of the profitability. Further, we demonstrate that ignoring the existence of initial margins dramatically overstates estimated returns to short option positions. Ultimately, the profitability of volatility spread trading appears to hinge on the ability of traders to achieve effective spreads well inside the quoted spreads and to intelligently time their trades. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 36:107–126, 2016
Reference Pricing with Endogenous or Exogenous Payment Limits: Impacts on Insurer and Consumer Spending
Authors: Brown Timothy T. , Robinson James C.
Published: April 2015

Reference pricing (RP) theories predict different outcomes when reference prices are fixed (exogenous) versus being a function of market prices (MPs) (endogenous). Exogenous RP results in MPs at both high‐price and low‐price firms converging towards the reference price from above and below, respectively. Endogenous RP results in MPs at both high‐price and low‐price firms decreasing, with low‐price firms acting strategically to decrease the reference price in order to gain market share. We extend these models to a hospital context focusing on insurer and consumer payments. Under exogenous RP, insurer and consumer payments to low‐price hospitals increase, and insurer payments to high‐price hospitals decrease, but predictions regarding consumer payments are ambiguous for high‐price hospitals. Under endogenous RP, insurer payments to high‐price and low‐price hospitals decrease, and consumer payments to low‐price hospitals decrease, but predictions regarding consumer payments are ambiguous for high‐price hospitals. We test these predictions with difference‐in‐differences specifications using 2008–2013 data on patients undergoing joint replacement. For 2 years following RP implementation, insurer payments to high‐price and low‐price hospitals moved downward, consistent with endogenous RP. However, when the reference price was not reset to account for changes in MPs, insurer payments to low‐price hospitals reverted to pre‐implementation levels, consistent with exogenous RP. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical study of l‐asparaginase in the treatment of extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type
Authors: Yong Weiben
Published: April 2015

Extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type, (ENKTL) is a rare distinct entity of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. It is prevalent in Asia and Latin America but rare in North America and Europe. ENKTL represents an aggressive clinical course and a poor prognosis especially for advanced disease. There is no standard chemotherapeutic regimen for ENKTL. Recently, the efficacy of l‐asparaginase in ENKTL has been confirmed. A series of l‐asparaginase‐containing chemotherapeutic regimens have been studied in clinical trials and have significantly improved the efficacy and prognosis for patients with ENKTL. This review will focus on pharmacology of l‐asparaginase, the efficacy of a series of l‐asparaginase‐containing regimens in the treatment of ENKTL and future clinical study directions of l‐asparaginase‐containing regimens in ENKTL. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hyperglycemia induced expression, phosphorylation, and translocation of αB‐crystallin in rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Reddy Vadde Sudhakar , Jakhotia Sneha , Reddy P. Yadagiri , Reddy G. Bhanuprakash
Published: April 2015

αB‐Crystallin (αBC) is a member of the small heat shock protein family that responds to a variety of stress and prevents the aggregation of partially unfolded proteins. Chronic hyperglycemia created during diabetes results in skeletal muscle atrophy and leads to diabetic myopathy. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of αBC under chronic hyperglycemia in rat skeletal muscle. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by a single i.p injection of streptozotocin and maintained for a period of 12 weeks at the end of which the animals were sacrificed and the muscle was collected. The protein levels of αBC and its phosphorylation status in gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed by immunoblotting. The translocation of phosphorylated αBC was analyzed by detergent solubility assay, co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP), and immunohistochemistry. The cell death was analyzed by TUNEL assay and by apoptotic markers. The interaction of αBC with Bax was analyzed by Co‐IP. Chronic hyperglycemia significantly increased the protein levels of αBC and its phosphorylation at S59 by activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and at S45 by activation of the extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Further, phosphorylated αBC translocated and interacted with desmin indicating that phosphorylated αBC forms might be involved in protection of sarcomere structures from disruption in chronic hyperglycemia. Further, Co‐IP studies showed an impaired interaction of αBC with Bax which could be one of the possible factors for increased cell death as evidenced by TUNEL assay in diabetic muscle. These results suggest that an increased expression, phosphorylation, translocation of αBC, and its involvement in apoptosis might play a significant role in maintenance of cytoskeletal architecture and protection of cells from apoptosis in diabetic skeletal muscle. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(4):291–299, 2015
Investigation on the potential of Mueller matrix imaging for digital staining
Authors: Wang Wenfeng , Lim Lee Guan , Srivastava Supriya , Bok‐Yan So Jimmy , Shabbir Asim , Liu Quan
Published: April 2015

Digital staining based on Mueller matrix measurements and their derivatives was investigated. Mueller matrix imaging was performed at the microscopic level on gastric tissue sections. Full Mueller matrices (4 × 4) were reconstructed using recorded images, followed by the extraction of polarization parameters. The most effective parameters and their combinations were extracted from Mueller matrix elements, principal component scores and polarization parameters respectively to classify samples into three categories – i.e. cancer, dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia/normal glands for various regions of interest sizes. It was observed that two‐step classification yielded higher classification accuracy than the traditional one‐step classification and that pixel classification based on Mueller matrix elements yielded higher accuracy than that based on polarization parameters and derived principal components. Moreover, Mueller matrix images with a lower spatial resolution generated higher classification accuracy but those with a higher spatial resolution revealed more morphological details.ns.

The original stained image (top) and the digital staining image (bottom).

magnified image

The original stained image (top) and the digital staining image (bottom).
in vivo degradation of polyurethane foam with 55 wt % polyethylene glycol
Authors: Broekema Ferdinand I. , Van Leeuwen M. Barbara M. , Van Minnen Baucke , Bos Rudolf R. M.
Published: April 2015

Most topical hemostatic agents are based on animal‐derived products like collagen and gelatin. They carry the potential risk of pathogen transmission while adjustments in the production process of these materials are limited. A synthetic hemostatic agent based on polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was developed to overcome these disadvantages. The goal of this study was to compare the degradation process of this biomaterial to collagen and gelatin hemostatic agents. Samples of the test materials were implanted subcutaneously in both rats and rabbits. The animals were sacrificed at certain time intervals up to three years and the explanted samples were microscopically assessed. The histological examination showed a comparable pattern of degradation for the different test materials. Remnants of gelatin and collagen were seen up to 26 and 39 weeks, respectively. For PU, it took up to three years before micro‐particles of the material were no longer detected. All biomaterials showed a good biocompatibility and no severe foreign body reactions occurred. The good biocompatibility and predictable pattern of resorption indicate that PU can be used as a topical hemostatic agent. However, a degradation time comparable to collagen and gelatin would be favorable. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3666–3675, 2015.
How to Effectively Implement Change
Authors: Suran Sandra
Published: April 2015

Mergers mean big change. But while you may have the vision of where you want to be, how do you get there? And why is it so difficult to implement major change? © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Your Guide to Authenticating Mobile Devices
Authors: Mooney J. Lowell , Parham Abbie Gail , Cairney Timothy D.
Published: April 2015

New information technology (IT) mobile devices—such as the iPhone and iPad—are increasingly emerging in the consumer market first. Then, they spread to the workplace. But this is creating major privacy and security headaches for corporate executives. Surveys show that IT groups significantly underestimate—by as much as 50%—how many employees use their own mobile devices for work purposes. So what is to be done? The authors take an in‐depth look at one vitally important security measure: user authentication. Companies need to go beyond just using passwords if they want to stay safe and secure. This article shows you how. It includes step‐by‐step instructions and a series of valuable checklists. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Why Analytics Will Be the Next Competitive Edge
Authors: Maisel Lawrence , Cokins Gary
Published: April 2015

Analytics simplify data to amplify its value. The power of analytics is to reduce huge volumes of data into revealing and actionable insight. More traditional business intelligence (BI), by contrast, mainly summarized historical data, typically in table reports and graphs. BI consumes stored information, whereas analytics produces new information. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Business Strategy—Creation, Execution and Monetization
Authors: Stroh Patrick J.
Published: April 2015

Good leaders understand strategy, and good strategists need to be good leaders. Strong leadership, insightful strategy, and effective innovation are critical links to staying ahead. This article explains how great models and exceptional concepts can be put into play in the real world. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of minimized mixing molecular orbital method for designing organic ferromagnets
Authors: Zhu Xun , Aoki Yuriko
Published: April 2015

Predicting the high spin stability of organic radicals correctly for designing organic ferromagnets remains a significant challenge. We have developed a method with an index (Lmin) for predicting the high spin stability of conjugated organic radicals at the restricted open‐shell Hartree–Fock level. Unitary transformations were performed for localizing the coefficients of nonbonding molecular orbitals, and subsequently the localized coefficients were used to calculate Lmin that indicates the high spin stability of conjugated organic radicals. This method can be combined with the elongation method to treat huge high spin open‐shell systems. Thus, this method is useful for designing organic ferromagnets. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Para‐cresyl sulfate acutely impairs vascular reactivity and induces vascular remodeling
Authors: Gross Priscilla , Massy Ziad A. , Henaut Lucie , Boudot Cédric , Cagnard Joanna , March Cécilia , Kamel Saïd , Drueke Tilman B. , Six Isabelle
Published: April 2015

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by vascular remodeling and the retention of uremic toxins, several of which are independently associated with the high cardiovascular mortality rate in CKD patients. Whether the association between these uremic toxins and cardiovascular mortality is due to induction of vascular dysfunction and resulting vascular remodeling remains to be determined. This study evaluates the effects of para‐cresyl sulfate (PCS), a newly identified uremic toxin, on vascular function and remodeling. PCS acutely induced oxidative stress in both endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells, with a maximal effect at 0.15 mM, corresponding to the mean “uremic” concentration found in dialysis patients. PCS significantly increased within 30 min phenylephrine‐induced contraction of mouse thoracic aorta, through direct activation of rho‐kinase, independently of oxidative stress induction, as demonstrated by the capacity of rho‐kinase inhibitor Y‐27632 to abolish this effect. After exposure of the aorta to PCS for 48 h, we observed inward eutrophic remodeling, a hallmark of uremic vasculopathy characterized by a reduction of the area of both lumen and media, with unchanged media/lumen ratio. In conclusion, elevated PCS concentrations such as those observed in CKD patients, by promoting both vascular dysfunction and vascular remodeling, may contribute to the development of hypertension and to cardiovascular mortality in CKD. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2927–2935, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transgenic Expression of Osteoactivin/gpnmb Enhances Bone Formation In Vivo and Osteoprogenitor Differentiation Ex Vivo
Authors: Frara Nagat , Abdelmagid Samir M. , Sondag Gregory R. , Moussa Fouad M. , Yingling Vanessa R. , Owen Thomas A. , Popoff Steven N. , Barbe Mary F. , Safadi Fayez F.
Published: April 2015

Initial identification of osteoactivin (OA)/glycoprotein non‐melanoma clone B (gpnmb) was demonstrated in an osteopetrotic rat model, where OA expression was increased threefold in mutant bones, compared to normal. OA mRNA and protein expression increase during active bone regeneration post‐fracture, and primary rat osteoblasts show increased OA expression during differentiation in vitro. To further examine OA/gpnmb as an osteoinductive agent, we characterized the skeletal phenotype of transgenic mouse overexpressing OA/gpnmb under the CMV‐promoter (OA‐Tg). Western blot analysis showed increased OA/gpnmb in OA‐Tg osteoblasts, compared to wild‐type (WT). In OA‐Tg mouse femurs versus WT littermates, micro‐CT analysis showed increased trabecular bone volume and thickness, and cortical bone thickness; histomorphometry showed increased osteoblast numbers, bone formation and mineral apposition rates in OA‐Tg mice; and biomechanical testing showed higher peak moment and stiffness. Given that OA/gpnmb is also over‐expressed in osteoclasts in OA‐Tg mice, we evaluated bone resorption by ELISA and histomorphometry, and observed decreased serum CTX‐1 and RANK‐L, and decreased osteoclast numbers in OA‐Tg, compared to WT mice, indicating decreased bone remodeling in OA‐Tg mice. The proliferation rate of OA‐Tg osteoblasts in vitro was higher, compared to WT, as was alkaline phosphatase staining and activity, the latter indicating enhanced differentiation of OA‐Tg osteoprogenitors. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis showed increased TGF‐β1 and TGF‐β receptors I and II expression in OA‐Tg osteoblasts, compared to WT. Together, these data suggest that OA overexpression has an osteoinductive effect on bone mass in vivo and stimulates osteoprogenitor differentiation ex vivo. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 72–83, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional Characterization of Nupr1L, A Novel p53‐Regulated Isoform of the High‐Mobility Group (HMG)‐Related Protumoral Protein Nupr1
Authors: Lopez Maria Belen , Garcia Maria Noé , Grasso Daniel , Bintz Jennifer , Molejon Maria Inés , Velez Gabriel , Lomberk Gwen , Neira Jose Luis , Urrutia Raul , Iovanna Juan
Published: April 2015

We have previously demonstrated a crucial role of nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) in tumor development and progression. In this work, we report the functional characterization of a novel Nupr1‐like isoform (NUPR1L) and its functional interaction with the protumoral factor NUPR1. Through the use of primary sequence analysis, threading, and homology‐based molecular modeling, as well as expression and immunolocalization, studies reveal that NUPR1L displays properties, which are similar to member of the HMG‐like family of chromatin regulators, including its ability to translocate to the cell nucleus and bind to DNA. Analysis of the NUPR1L promoter showed the presence of two p53‐response elements at positions −37 and −7, respectively. Experiments using reporter assays combined with site‐directed mutagenesis and using cells with controllable p53 expression demonstrate that both of these sequences are responsible for the regulation of NUPR1L expression by p53. Congruently, NUPR1L gene expression is activated in response to DNA damage induced by oxaliplatin treatment or cell cycle arrest induced by serum starvation, two well‐validated methods to achieve p53 activation. Interestingly, expression of NUPR1L downregulates the expression of NUPR1, its closely related protumoral isoform, by a mechanism that involves the inhibition of its promoter activity. At the cellular level, overexpression of NUPR1L induces G1 cell cycle arrest and a decrease in their cell viability, an effect that is mediated, at least in part, by downregulating NUPR1 expression. Combined, these experiments constitute the first functional characterization of NUPR1L as a new p53‐induced gene, which negatively regulates the protumoral factor NUPR1. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2936–2950, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of hemoglobin responsiveness to epoetin alfa in patients on hemodialysis using a population pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic model
Authors: Wu Liviawati , Mould Diane R. , Perez Ruixo Juan Jose , Doshi Sameer
Published: April 2015

A population pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model describing the effect of epoetin alfa on hemoglobin (Hb) response in hemodialysis patients was developed. Epoetin alfa pharmacokinetics was described using a linear 2‐compartment model. PK parameter estimates were similar to previously reported values. A maturation‐structured cytokinetic model consisting of 5 compartments linked in a catenary fashion by first‐order cell transfer rates following a zero‐order input process described the Hb time course. The PD model described 2 subpopulations, one whose Hb response reflected epoetin alfa dosing and a second whose response was unrelated to epoetin alfa dosing. Parameter estimates from the PK/PD model were physiologically reasonable and consistent with published reports. Numerical and visual predictive checks using data from 2 studies were performed. The PK and PD of epoetin alfa were well described by the model.
Novel Indole‐Quinazolinone Based Amides as Cytotoxic Agents
Authors: Gokhale Nikhila , Panathur Naveen , Dalimba Udayakumar , Nayak Pawan G. , Pai K. Sreedhar Ranganath
Published: April 2015

Indole‐quinazolinone hybrids with active amides were synthesized, characterized, and assessed for their cytotoxicity. Two molecules displayed substantial activity in sulphorhodamine B assay method.
Tuning Crystalline Morphology of High‐Density Polyethylene by Tailoring its Molecular Weight Distribution for Coupling with a Secondary Flow Field
Authors: Zhang Quan‐Ping , Xia Xiao‐Chao , He Shan , Feng Jian‐Min , Yang Ming‐Bo , Li Yin‐Tao , Zhou Yuan‐Lin
Published: April 2015

Designing a material from the chain architecture to achieve a tailored crystalline morphology in a molding condition is a grand challenge. Here, the crystalline morphology of high‐density polyethylene is tuned by tailoring its molecular weight distribution for coupling with the secondary flow field under gas‐assisted injection molding (GAIM). The selected N‐PE and the tailored B‐PE have similar weight‐average molecular weights (Mw), but the latter possesses a broader molecular weight distribution (MWD). Although a weaker flow field is triggered due to the slightly slower melt advance rate in the cavity, B‐PE is capable of better coupling with secondary flow field in comparison with N‐PE, which causes much more oriented crystals in molded parts, such as shish kebab, and shows higher orientation behaviors in the corresponding zones. These significant results provide an important step to explore the coupling of chain architectures and secondary flow field for designing desired crystalline morphology.
Numerical study of the behaviour of masonry walls with different height‐length ratio under static and seismic loads
Authors: Radnić J. , Smilović M. , Sunara M. , Buklijaš‐Kobojević D.
Published: April 2015

The effect of the height‐to‐length ratio of unreinforced and confined masonry walls under horizontal static and seismic loads was numerically investigated by using a previously developed numerical model of the authors for nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of masonry structures. The model can simulate the main nonlinear effects of construction materials and large displacements of structures. Masonry walls without openings were analysed, with variants of rigid and soft masonry. It was assumed that wall foundation uplifting is possible, without its slipping beyond subsoil. Masonry walls with equal height and different length, and masonry walls with equal length and different height were analysed. It was concluded that the height‐to‐length ratio of masonry walls has a significant influence on their ultimate bearing capacity under static and seismic loads.
Comparison of results between chitosan hollow tube and autologous nerve graft in reconstruction of peripheral nerve defect: An experimental study
Authors: Shapira Yuval , Tolmasov Michael , Nissan Moshe , Reider Evgeniy , Koren Akiva , Biron Tali , Bitan Yifat , Livnat Mira , Ronchi Giulia , Geuna Stefano , Rochkind Shimon
Published: April 2015

Object

This study evaluated a chitosan tube for regeneration of the injured peripheral nerve in a rodent transected sciatic nerve model in comparison to autologous nerve graft repair.

Methods

Chitosan hollow tube was used to bridge a 10‐mm gap between the proximal and distal ends in 11 rats. In the control group, an end‐to‐end coaptation of 10‐mm long autologous nerve graft was performed in 10 rats for nerve reconstruction.

Results

SFI showed an insignificant advantage to the autologous group both at 30 days (P = 0.177) and at 90 days post procedure (P = 0.486). Somato‐sensory evoked potentials (SSEP) and compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) tests showed similar results between chitosan tube (group 1) and autologous (group 2) groups with no statistically significant differences. Both groups presented the same pattern of recovery with 45% in group 1 and 44% in group 2 (P = 0.96) showing SSEP activity at 30 days. At 90 days most rats showed SSEP activity (91% vs.80% respectively, P = 0.46). The CMAP also demonstrated no statistically significant differences in latency (1.39 ms in group 1 vs. 1.63 ms in group 2; P = 0.48) and amplitude (6.28 mv vs. 6.43 mv respectively; P = 0.8). Ultrasonography demonstrated tissue growth inside the chitosan tube. Gastrocnemius muscle weight showed no statistically significant difference. Histomorphometry of the distal sciatic nerve, 90 days post reconstructive procedure, showed similar number of myelinated fibers and size parameters in both groups (P ≥ 0.05).

Conclusions

Chitosan hollow tube used for peripheral nerve reconstruction of rat sciatic nerve showed similar results in comparison to autologous nerve grafting. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:664–671, 2016.
Personality, Communication, and Depressive Symptoms across the Transition to Parenthood: A Dyadic Longitudinal Investigation
Authors: Marshall Emma M. , Simpson Jeffry A. , Rholes W. Steven
Published: April 2015

This study adopted a person (actor) by partner perspective to examine how actor personality traits, partner personality traits, and specific actor by partner personality trait interactions predict actor's depressive symptoms across the first 2 years of the transition to parenthood. Data were collected from a large sample of new parents (both partners in each couple) 6 weeks before the birth of their first child, and then at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postpartum. The results revealed that higher actor neuroticism and lower partner agreeableness predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms in actors. Moreover, the specific combination of high actor neuroticism and low partner agreeableness was a particularly problematic combination, which was intensified when prepartum dysfunctional problem–solving communication and aggression existed in the relationship. These results demonstrate the importance of considering certain actor by partner disposition pairings to better understand actors’ emotional well–being during major life transitions. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology
Felt Security in Daily Interactions as a Mediator of the Effect of Attachment on Relationship Satisfaction†Some of the Results Reported in this Article Were Previously Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Interpersonal Theory and Research in Montreal, Canada (May 2012).
Authors: Sadikaj Gentiana , Moskowitz D. S. , Zuroff David C.
Published: April 2015

This study examined how felt security in interpersonal situations with one's romantic partner mediated the effect of global (dispositional) attachment on relationship satisfaction. Felt security was measured using an event–contingent recording (ECR) methodology with a sample of 93 cohabiting couples who reported their social interactions with each other during a 20–day period. Global attachment was measured at the beginning of the ECR procedure. Relationship satisfaction was measured at the end of the ECR procedure (T1) and approximately 7 months after the ECR procedure (T2). Results confirmed the established links between attachment and relationship satisfaction such that higher attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety were associated with decline in satisfaction over time. Results also indicated that attachment avoidance but not attachment anxiety was negatively related to felt security, both within–partner and across–partners. As expected, lower felt security exerted a negative effect on relationship satisfaction at T1 and T2, and partly mediated the effect of attachment avoidance on relationship satisfaction at T1 and T2, both within–partner and across–partners. Partners’ gender emerged as a moderator of these results. Findings suggest higher attachment avoidance leads to less felt security in daily social interactions, which leads to less satisfaction with the romantic relationship. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology
Why Not Everyone Gets Their Fair Share of Stress: Adolescent'S Perceived Relationship Affection Mediates Associations between Temperament and Subsequent Stressful Social Events
Authors: Laceulle O. M. , Jeronimus B. F. , van Aken M. A. G. , Ormel J.
Published: April 2015

Temperamental differences are associated with subsequent stressful life events, a phenomenon that has in part been attributed to evocation. However, we remain ignorant about the mechanisms that mediate this process. In the current paper, we test whether differences in ‘perceived relationship affection’ accounted for part of the prospective association between temperament and stressful social event evocation in three social domains, viz. parents, peers and romantic partners. Data were derived from the Tracking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey, a large population cohort of Dutch adolescents ( n = 1158). Parent–reported adolescent temperament and adolescent's perceived affection were assessed at age 11 years. Stressful social events that occurred between age 11 and 16 years were captured using the event history calendar. Results indicate that adolescents evoke subsequent stressful social events based on their temperament, and that this association is partially mediated by perceived affection. Importantly, we found evidence for both generic and domain–specific associations, which indicates that social domains are related yet distinct. Taken together, the findings suggest that a search for mediating variables may be a promising way to increase our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the social stress selection principle, and that perceived relationship affection is one of the candidates. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology
Cyber Hate Speech on Twitter: An Application of Machine Classification and Statistical Modeling for Policy and Decision Making
Authors: Burnap Pete , Williams Matthew L.
Published: April 2015

The use of “Big Data” in policy and decision making is a current topic of debate. The 2013 murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, London, UK led to an extensive public reaction on social media, providing the opportunity to study the spread of online hate speech (cyber hate) on Twitter. Human annotated Twitter data was collected in the immediate aftermath of Rigby's murder to train and test a supervised machine learning text classifier that distinguishes between hateful and/or antagonistic responses with a focus on race, ethnicity, or religion; and more general responses. Classification features were derived from the content of each tweet, including grammatical dependencies between words to recognize “othering” phrases, incitement to respond with antagonistic action, and claims of well‐founded or justified discrimination against social groups. The results of the classifier were optimal using a combination of probabilistic, rule‐based, and spatial‐based classifiers with a voted ensemble meta‐classifier. We demonstrate how the results of the classifier can be robustly utilized in a statistical model used to forecast the likely spread of cyber hate in a sample of Twitter data. The applications to policy and decision making are discussed.
Preparation of europium‐doped GaN and AlGaN films grown by radical‐nitrogen‐assisted compound‐source MBE
Authors: Yudate Shinji , Koyama Yuki , Shirakata Sho
Published: April 2015

By the compound‐source molecular beam epitaxy (CS‐MBE), GaN:Eu and AlGaN films grown on both Al2O3(0001) and GaAs(100) substrates were prepared. Under RHEED observation, streak RHEED patterns from GaN were observed. This result shows that the surface of the film grown by CS‐MBE is atomically flat. From the XRD measurements, for GaN:Eu/Al2O3(0001), the film was oriented to c‐axis. On the other hands, for GaN:Eu/GaAs(100), the layer includes both the hexagonal and cubic phases. From the PL measurements, the PL spectra of both GaN:Eu/Al2O3 and GaN:Eu/GaAs(100) showed PL peaks related to Eu3+ ion. For GaN:Eu/GaAs(100), it is possible that part of Eu atom incorporates cubic‐GaN site (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)