bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Array CGH analysis identifies two distinct subgroups of primary angiosarcoma of bone
Authors: Verbeke Sofie L. J. , de Jong Danielle , Bertoni Franco , Sciot Raf , Antonescu Cristina R. , Szuhai Karoly , Bovée Judith V. M. G.
Published: September 2014

Molecular genetic studies on vascular tumors are rare. Recently, possible involvement of MYC and KDR has been documented in a subset of angiosarcomas of soft tissue. We performed a cytogenetic analysis of primary angiosarcomas of bone (n = 13) and soft tissue (n = 5) using high density array‐comparative genomic hybridization (array‐CGH). Regions of interest were validated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Antibodies for candidate genes (SKI, MYC, KDR, and MAPK9) were selected and immunohistochemistry was performed. Six angiosarcomas of bone and four angiosarcomas of soft tissue showed chromosomal losses, gains, and high level amplifications. Cluster analysis identified two groups: a group with a complex genetic profile and a group with only few genetic aberrations. Five regions of interest were selected, which were located at chromosome bands 1p36.23, 2q32‐34, 5q35, 8q24, and 17q21.32‐24.2. Interphase FISH confirmed the high‐level amplifications. Immunohistochemical analysis showed high expression of MYC (16/60), MAPK9 (63/69), and SKI (52/62). There were no differences between the two groups with regards to location, immunohistochemical expression nor survival. In summary, we identified two subgroups of angiosarcoma: those with few or no gross aberrations and those which show numerous genetic aberrations consisting of chromosomal losses, gains and high level amplifications or complex aberrations. The most common finding was amplification of 2q and 17q in both angiosarcoma of bone and soft tissue, suggesting overlap in tumorigenesis irrespective of their location. We show MYC amplification in primary angiosarcoma indicating this is not entirely specific for radiation‐induced angiosarcoma. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of age and Alzheimer's disease on hippocampal subfields
Authors: de Flores Robin , La Joie Renaud , Landeau Brigitte , Perrotin Audrey , Mézenge Florence , de La Sayette Vincent , Eustache Francis , Desgranges Béatrice , Chételat Gaël
Published: September 2014

Growing interest has developed in hippocampal subfield volumetry over the past few years and an increasing number of studies use the automatic segmentation algorithm implemented in FreeSurfer. However, this approach has not been validated on standard resolution T1‐weighted magnetic resonance (MR) as used in most studies. We aimed at comparing hippocampal subfield segmentation using FreeSurfer on standard T1‐weighted images versus manual delineation on dedicated high‐resolution hippocampal scans. Hippocampal subfields were segmented in 133 individuals including 98 cognitively normal controls aged 19–84 years, 17 mild cognitive impairment and 18 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients using both methods. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland–Altman plots were computed to assess the consistency between both methods, and the effects of age and diagnosis were assessed from both measures. Low to moderate ICC (0.31–0.74) were found for the subiculum and other subfields as well as for the whole hippocampus, and the correlations were very low for cornu ammonis (CA)1 (<0.1). FreeSurfer CA1 volume estimates were found to be much lower than those obtained from manual segmentation, and this bias was proportional to the volume of this structure so that no effect of age or AD could be detected on FreeSurfer CA1 volumes. This study points to the differences in the anatomic definition of the subfields between FreeSurfer and manual delineation, especially for CA1, and provides clue for improvement of this automatic technique for potential clinical application on standard T1‐weighted MR. Hum Brain Mapp 36:463–474, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What Happens to Patterns of Food Consumption when Food Prices Change? Evidence from A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Food Price Elasticities Globally
Authors: Cornelsen Laura , Green Rosemary , Turner Rachel , Dangour Alan D. , Shankar Bhavani , Mazzocchi Mario , Smith Richard D.
Published: September 2014

Recent years have seen considerable interest in examining the impact of food prices on food consumption and subsequent health consequences. Fiscal policies targeting the relative price of unhealthy foods are frequently put forward as ways to address the obesity epidemic. Conversely, various food subsidy interventions are used in attempts to reduce levels of under‐nutrition. Information on price elasticities is essential for understanding how such changes in food prices affect food consumption. It is crucial to know not only own‐price elasticities but also cross‐price elasticities, as food substitution patterns may have significant implications for policy recommendations. While own‐price elasticities are common in analyses of the impact of food price changes on health, cross‐price effects, even though generally acknowledged, are much less frequently included in analyses, especially in the public health literature. This article systematically reviews the global evidence on cross‐price elasticities and provides combined estimates for seven food groups in low‐income, middle‐income and high‐income countries alongside previously estimated own‐price elasticities. Changes in food prices had the largest own‐price effects in low‐income countries. Cross‐price effects were more varied and depending on country income level were found to be reinforcing, undermining or alleviating own‐price effects. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Author's reply to Van Metre and Mahler (2014)
Authors: O'Reilly Kirk T , Pietari Jaana , Boehm Paul D
Published: September 2014

Key Point

The results of the application EPA's Chemical Mass Balance model do not support the hypothesis that refined tar pavement sealers are an important source of PAHs in urban sediment.
Ecological risk assessment for residual coal fly ash at Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee: Site setting and problem formulation
Authors: Walls Suzanne J , Jones Daniel S , Stojak Amber R , Carriker Neil E
Published: September 2014

A baseline ecological risk assessment (BERA) was performed for residual ash in the Watts Bar Reservoir following a release of fly ash from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston Fossil Plant. The site consists of parts of 3 rivers in eastern Tennessee comprising over 32 river kilometers. The purpose of the assessment was to determine if residual ash negatively impacts maintenance and reproduction of balanced communities or populations of potentially exposed ecological receptor groups in these rivers. This introductory article summarizes the site and environmental setting, assessment and measurement endpoints, risk characterization methods, and the study approach. Subsequent articles describe ecological risks to fish, benthic invertebrates, aquatic- and riparian-feeding wildlife, and aerial-feeding insectivores; and the role ecological risk characterization played in determining the most effective management of the residual ash, setting project remediation objectives and targets, and designing long-term monitoring to measure the effectiveness of the selected removal action. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:32–42. © 2014 SETAC

Key Points

This manuscript provides an introduction to the TVA Kingston Ash Release that occurred in 2008. This framework outlines a series of papers on the results of the baseline ecological risk assessment on residual ash in a river system. Metals contamination from coal fly ash is evaluated for a host of ecological receptors. A unique weight of evidence approach is outlined and applied to numerous lines of evidence.
Artificial Metalloenzymes for Asymmetric Catalysis by Creation of Novel Active Sites in Protein and DNA Scaffolds
Authors: Drienovská Ivana , Roelfes Gerard
Published: September 2014

Artificial metalloenzymes have emerged as a promising new approach to asymmetric catalysis. In our group, we are exploring novel artificial metalloenzyme designs involving creation of a new active site in a protein or DNA scaffold that does not have an existing binding pocket. In this review, we give an overview of the developments in the two approaches to artificial metalloenzymes for asymmetric catalysis investigated in our group: creation of a novel active site on a peptide or protein dimer interface and using DNA as a scaffold for artificial metalloenzymes.
Running with emotion: When affective content hampers working memory performance
Authors: Fairfield Beth , Mammarella Nicola , Di Domenico Alberto , Palumbo Rocco
Published: September 2014

This study tested the hypothesis that affective content may undermine rather than facilitate working memory (WM) performance. To this end, participants performed a running WM task with positive, negative and neutral words. In typical running memory tasks, participants are presented with lists of unpredictable length and are asked to recall the last three or four items. We found that accuracy with affective words decreased as lists lengthened, whereas list length did not influence recall of neutral words. We interpreted this pattern of results in terms of a limited resource model of WM in which valence represents additional information that needs to be manipulated, especially in the context of difficult trials.
Boron nitride nanotubes chemically functionalized with glycol chitosan for gene transfection in eukaryotic cell lines
Authors: Ferreira T. H. , Hollanda L. M. , Lancellotti M. , de Sousa E. M. B.
Published: September 2014

Nanostructured materials have been widely studied concerning their potential biomedical applications, primarily to selectively carry specific drugs or molecules within a tissue or organ. In this context, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have generated considerable interest in the scientific community because of their unique properties, presenting good chemical inertness and high thermal stability. Among the many applications proposed for BNNTs in the biomedical field in recent years, the most important include their use as biosensors, nanovectors for the delivery of proteins, drugs, and genes. In the present study, BNNTs were synthesized, purified, and functionalized with glycol chitosan through a chemical process, yielding the BNNT‐GC. The size of BNNT‐GC was reduced using an ultrasound probe. Two samples with different sizes were selected for in vitro assays. The nanostructures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TGA), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The in vitro assays MTT and neutral red (NR) were performed with NIH‐3T3 and A549 cell lines and demonstrated that this material is not cytotoxic. Furthermore, the BNNT‐GC was applied in gene transfection of plasmid pIRES containing a gene region that express a green fluorescent protein (GFP) in NIH‐3T3 and A549 cell lines. The gene transfection was characterized by fluorescent protein produced in the cells and pictured by fluorescent microscopy. Our results suggest that BNNT‐GC has moderate stability and presents great potential as a gene carrier agent in nonviral‐based therapy, with low cytotoxicity and good transfection efficiency. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 2176–2185, 2015.
Analysis of microbial fuel cell operation in acidic conditions using the flocculating agent ferric chloride
Authors: Winfield Jonathan , Greenman John , Dennis Julian , Ieropoulos Ioannis
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND

Ferric chloride (FeCl3) is widely used as a flocculating agent during wastewater treatment but can detrimentally lower pH and increase iron concentration. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology for treating waste while concomitantly producing electricity and so were tested under the extreme conditions imposed by the addition of FeCl3. MFCs were fed eight concentrations of FeCl3 over two 8‐week periods and the effects on power, pH, conductivity, metal content and COD were examined.

RESULTS

MFCs generated highest power (3.58 W m‐3) at 1.6 mmol L‐1 FeCl3 (pH 3.46), however cells reversed when fed 2 mmol L‐1 (pH 3.29). During the second run, power almost doubled and MFCs were more resilient at higher loadings up to 2.8 mmol L‐1 (pH 3.02). Conductivity and pH increased following treatment while soluble phosphorus, sulphur and iron levels decreased significantly in all feedstock up to 1.6 mmol L‐1 FeCl3. COD reduction was observed but efficiency may have been affected by the presence of alternative electron donors such as hydrogen sulphide.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate the robustness and versatility of MFCs in hostile conditions. They also confirm that MFCs can complement current wastewater treatment processes, even downstream from FeCl3 dosing where conditions might be deemed unsuitable for operation. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Primary recovery of bioactive compounds from stressed carrot tissue using aqueous two‐phase systems strategies
Authors: Sánchez‐Rangel Juan C , Jacobo‐Velázquez Daniel A , Cisneros‐Zevallos Luis , Benavides Jorge
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND

The application of controlled postharvest abiotic stresses in carrots induces the production of phenolic compounds, mainly chlorogenic acids, which present diverse biological functions. Aqueous two‐phase systems (ATPS) is a liquid–liquid extraction technique that has demonstrated its potential for the fractionation and recovery of bioactive compounds. ATPS have the advantages of using environmentally friendly constituents, ease of scale‐up and process integration capability. This experimental work addresses for the first time the recovery of bioactive compounds (mainly hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives) from abiotically stressed carrot tissue using ATPS strategies, including in situ extraction, in alcohol–salt and ionic liquid–salt systems.

RESULTS

The partitioning of chlorogenic acid was favored in the ethanol–potassium phosphate system achieving a recovery yield of 81.9%. Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives fractioning was favored in 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate (EMIM‐Ac)–potassium phosphate ATPS, where recovery yields up to 85.4% were achieved. The in situ extraction strategy not only demonstrated potential for merging extraction and recovery in the same system but also, depending on ATPS used, allowed differential phenolic profiles to be obtained.

CONCLUSION

ATPS strategies (either solid–liquid extraction followed by ATPS or in situ extraction) were shown to have great potential for the recovery of bioactives from stressed carrot tissue. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of inoculation with multiple composite microorganisms on characteristics of humic fractions and bacterial community structure during biogas residue and livestock manure co‐composting
Authors: Song Caihong , Li Mingxiao , Wei Zimin , Jia Xuan , Xi Beidou , Liu Dongming , Zhu Chaowei , Pan Hongwei
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND

It is necessary to inoculate microbes in the composting of special materials. Biogas residue (BR) is rich in refractory lignocellulose. To improve humification processes of BR composting, composite microorganisms (CMs), with multiple functions, were added to the mixture of BR and animal manure.

RESULTS

The results indicated that four humification indices (DP, PHA, HR, HI) were all markedly higher in the inoculated compost (0.46, 27.5, 43.34, 11.92) than in the uninoculated compost (0.39, 22.53, 28.56, 6.49) (P < 0.05). The inoculation increased the degree of polycondensation and aromatization, and molecular size, as well as the humification degree of BR compost as determined by fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence regional integration analysis of humic acids, fulvic acids and hydrophilic fraction, three chemically isolated fractions. Additionally, the inoculation increased the quantity and diversity of indigenous microorganisms and accelerated their proliferation by adjusting environmental conditions to optimize their growth.

CONCLUSION

The CMs inoculant is suitable for BR composting and inoculating based on the composition of the composting substrate could enhance composting efficiency and improve compost quality. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Monoclonal antibody‐targeted polymeric nanoparticles for cancer therapy – future prospects
Authors: Goodall Stephen , Jones Martina L. , Mahler Stephen
Published: September 2014

Although combination therapy for cancer utilising monoclonal antibodies in conjunction with chemotherapeutic drugs has resulted in increases in 5 year survivals, there nevertheless remains significant morbidity and mortality associated with systemic delivery of cytotoxic drugs. The advent of living radical polymerisation has resulted in complex and elegant nanoparticle structures that can be engineered to passively target a drug payload for cancer treatment. This presents a therapeutic modality whereby biodistribution and consequently systemic toxicity can be reduced, while focusing drug delivery to the tumour site. Nanoparticle delivery can be enhanced by attachment of a targeting monoclonal antibody fragment to facilitate tumour cell uptake through endocytosis, and so increase therapeutic efficacy. In this way, monoclonal antibodies can be supercharged by carrying a payload consisting of a cocktail of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs and siRNA. This review will focus on antibody‐targeted polymeric nanoparticles to cancer cells, and methods and technologies for synthesising such antibody‐targeted nanoparticles. The review is confined to polymeric‐based nanoparticles as these offer some advantages over liposomal nanoparticles and may circumvent some of the pitfalls in nanomedicine. Development of these antibody based polymeric nanoparticles and future directions for therapy are highlighted in this review. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Ex vivo application of endocytoscopy for determining the longitudinal extent of bile duct cancer: a pathological analysis of 28 resected cases
Authors: Yoshikawa Toru , Hakamada Kenichi , Ogasawara Hiroshi , Kimura Norihisa , Kudo Daisuke , Sakamoto Yoshiyuki , Ishido Keinosuke , Toyoki Yoshikazu , Morohashi Satoko , Kijima Hiroshi
Published: September 2014

Background

The aim was to examine the diagnostic ability of an endocytoscope system (ECS) for detecting the longitudinal extent of bile duct cancer.

Methods

We observed the surfaces of the bile duct of 28 consecutive patients undergoing biliary surgery both directly and under methylene blue staining by using an ECS. Based on the change in the microvascular caliber, abnormal vascularity, structural atypia, and cellular atypia, we created an ECS score.

Results

The ECS score produced a median value of 1 (range 0–3) point in normal bile ducts, 3 (0–6) points in cholangitis, 9 (1–10) points in carcinoma in situ (CIS), and 8 (3–11) points in invasive cancer. A significant difference in the scores between cancerous and non‐cancerous lesions was found (P < 0.001). The ECS score was able to distinguish non‐cancerous lesions from cancerous lesions using the cut‐off value of a score less than 5, the accuracy being 92.1%, with a sensitivity of 91.1% and specificity of 93.5%.

Conclusions

With ECS observation of bile duct specimens, the newly created ECS score was able to clearly distinguish non‐cancerous lesions from cancerous lesions. This ECS score method should be validated in the differentiation of various BilIN lesions in the future.
Volumetric muscle loss: Persistent functional deficits beyond frank loss of tissue
Authors: Garg Koyal , Ward Catherine L. , Hurtgen Brady J. , Wilken Jason M. , Stinner Daniel J. , Wenke Joseph C. , Owens Johnny G. , Corona Benjamin T.
Published: September 2014

Open fracture is a common occurrence in civilian and military populations. Though great strides have been made in limb salvage efforts, persistent muscle strength deficits can contribute to a diminished limb function after the bone has healed. Over the past decade, a growing effort to establish therapies directed at de novo muscle regeneration has produced several therapeutic approaches. As this effort progresses and as therapies reach clinical testing, many questions remain regarding the pathophysiology of the volumetric loss of skeletal muscle. The current study demonstrates, in a rat “open fracture” model, that the volumetric loss of skeletal muscle results in persistent functional deficits that are dependent on muscle length and joint angle. Moreover, the injured muscle has an increased stiffness during passive stretch and a reduced functional excursion. A case study of a patient with an open type III tibia fracture resulting in volumetric muscle loss in the anterior and posterior compartment is also presented. Eighteen months after injury and tibia healing, persistent functional deficits are apparent with many of the same qualities demonstrated in the animal model. Muscle architectural adaptations likely underlie the altered intrinsic functional characteristics of the remaining musculature. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. J Orthop Res 33:40–46, 2015.
Susceptibility to large‐joint osteoarthritis (hip and knee) is associated with BAG6 rs3117582 SNP and the VNTR polymorphism in the second exon of the FAM46A gene on chromosome 6
Authors: Etokebe Godfrey E. , Jotanovic Zdravko , Mihelic Radovan , Mulac‐Jericevic Biserka , Nikolic Tamara , Balen Sanja , Sestan Branko , Dembic Zlatko
Published: September 2014

Family with sequence similarity 46, member A (FAM46A) gene VNTR and BCL2‐Associated Athanogene 6 (BAG6) gene rs3117582 polymorphisms were genotyped in a case–control study with 474 large‐joint (hip and knee) osteoarthritis (OA) patients and 568 controls in Croatian population by candidate‐gene approach for association with OA. We found that BAG6 rs3117582 SNP genotypes were associated with protection (major allele homozygote) and susceptibility (major–minor allele heterozygote) to OA. BAG6 rs3117582 major allele (A) was associated with reduced risk to OA while the minor allele (C) was associated with increased risk to OA. We identified 6 alleles harboring 2 to 7 repeats making 20 genotypes for FAM46A. A rare FAM46A VNTR genotype comprising VNTR alleles with four and seven repeats (c/f) was associated with increased OA risk in both genders. The genotype with four and six repeats (c/e) was also associated with increased risk to OA in males. A polymorphic FAM46A allele with six repeats (e) was associated with reduced risk to OA in females. Our results suggest association between the FAM46A gene, BAG6 gene and OA in Croatian population, respectively. This is the first study to show associations between these genetic loci and OA. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:56–62, 2015.
C18‐bound porous silica monolith particles as a low‐cost high‐performance liquid chromatography stationary phase with an excellent chromatographic performance
Authors: Ali Faiz , Cheong Won Jo
Published: September 2014

Ground porous silica monolith particles with an average particle size of 2.34 μm and large pores (363 Å) exhibiting excellent chromatographic performance have been synthesized on a relatively large scale by a sophisticated sol–gel procedure. The particle size distribution was rather broad, and the d(0.1)/d(0.9) ratio was 0.14. The resultant silica monolith particles were chemically modified with chlorodimethyloctadecylsilane and end‐capped with a mixture of hexamethyldisilazane and chlorotrimethylsilane. Very good separation efficiency (185 000/m) and chromatographic resolution were achieved when the C18‐bound phase was evaluated for a test mixture of five benzene derivatives after packing in a stainless‐steel column (1.0 mm × 150 mm). The optimized elution conditions were found to be 70:30 v/v acetonitrile/water with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid at a flow rate of 25 μL/min. The column was also evaluated for fast analysis at a flow rate of 100 μL/min, and all the five analytes were eluted within 3.5 min with reasonable efficiency (ca. 60 000/m) and resolution. The strategy of using particles with reduced particle size and large pores (363 Å) combined with C18 modification in addition to partial‐monolithic architecture has resulted in a useful stationary phase (C18‐bound silica monolith particles) of low production cost showing excellent chromatographic performance.
Application of an optimized dispersive nanomaterial ultrasound‐assisted microextraction method for preconcentration of carbofuran and propoxur and their determination by high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection
Authors: Khodadoust Saeid , Talebianpoor Mohammad Sharif , Ghaedi Mehrorang
Published: September 2014

An extraction method based on dispersive nanomaterial ultrasound‐assisted microextraction was used for the preconcentration of carbofuran and propoxur insecticides in water samples prior to high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. ZnS:Ni nanoparticles were synthesized based on the reaction of the mixture of zinc acetate and nickel acetate with thioacetamide in aqueous media and then loaded on activated carbon (ZnS:Ni‐AC). Different methods were used for recognizing the properties of ZnS:Ni‐AC and then this nanomaterial was used for extraction of carbamate insecticide as new adsorbent. The influence of variables on the extraction method (such as amount of adsorbent (mg: NiZnS‐AC), pH and ionic strength of sample solution, vortex and ultrasonic time (min), ultrasound temperature and desorption volume (mL) was investigated by a screening 27–4Plackett–Burman design. Then the significant variables were optimized by using a central composite design combined with a desirability function. At optimum conditions, this method had linear response >0.0060–10 μg/mL with detection limit 0.0015 μg/mL and relative standard deviations <5.0% (n= 3).
Effects of Land Management on Different Forms of Soil Carbon in Olive Groves in Mediterranean Areas
Authors: Fernández‐Romero María Luisa , Lozano‐García Beatriz , Parras‐Alcántara Luis , Collins Chris D. , Clark Joanna M.
Published: September 2014

This study analyses soil organic carbon (SOC) and hot‐water extractable carbon, both measures of soil quality, under different land management—(i) conventional tillage (CT); (ii) CT plus the addition of oil mill waste alperujo (A); (iii) CT plus the addition of oil mill waste olive leaves (L); (iv) no tillage with chipped pruned branches (NT1); and (v) no tillage with chipped pruned branches and weeds (NT2)—in a typical Mediterranean agricultural area: the olive groves of Andalusia, southern Spain. SOC values in CT, A, NT1 and NT2 decreased with depth, but in NT2, the surface horizon (0–5 cm) had higher values than the other treatments, 47% more than the average values in the other three soils. In L, SOC also decreased with depth, although there was an increase of 88·5% from the first (0–10 cm) to the second horizon (10–16 cm). Total SOC stock values were very similar under A (101·9 Mg ha−1), CT (101·7 Mg ha−1), NT1 (105·8 Mg ha−1) and NT2 (111·3 Mg ha−1, if we consider the same depth of the others). However, SOC under L was significantly higher (p < 0·05) at 250·2 Mg ha−1. Hot‐water extractable carbon decreased with depth in A, CT and NT1. NT2 and L followed the same pattern as the other management types but with a higher value in the surface horizon (2·3 and 4·9 mg g−1, respectively). Overall, our results indicate that application of oil mill waste olive leaves under CT (L) is a good management practice to improve SOC and reduce waste. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adverse cardiac events after orthotopic liver transplantation: A cross‐sectional study in 389 consecutive patients
Authors: Nicolau‐Raducu Ramona , Gitman Marina , Ganier Donald , Loss George E. , Cohen Ari J. , Patel Hamang , Girgrah Nigel , Sekar Krish , Nossaman Bobby
Published: September 2014

Current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines caution that preoperative noninvasive cardiac tests may have poor predictive value for detecting coronary artery disease in liver transplant candidates. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the role of clinical predictor variables for early and late cardiac morbidity and mortality and the predictive values of noninvasive cardiac tests for perioperative cardiac events in a high‐risk liver transplant population. In all, 389 adult recipients were retrospectively analyzed for a median follow‐up time of 3.4 years (range = 2.3‐4.4 years). Overall survival was 83%. During the first year after transplantation, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates were 15.2% and 2.8%. In patients who survived the first year, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates were 3.9% and 2%, with cardiovascular etiology as the third leading cause of death. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and single‐photon emission computed tomography had respective sensitivities of 9% and 57%, specificities of 98% and 75%, positive predictive values of 33% and 28%, and negative predictive values of 89% and 91% for predicting early cardiac events. A rate blood pressure product less than 12,000 with DSE was associated with an increased risk for postoperative atrial fibrillation. Correspondence analysis identified a statistical association between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis/cryptogenic cirrhosis and postoperative myocardial ischemia. Logistic regression identified 3 risk factors for postoperative acute coronary syndrome: age, history of coronary artery disease, and pretransplant requirement for vasopressors. Multivariable analysis showed statistical associations of the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score and the development of acute kidney injury as risk factors for overall cardiac‐related mortality. These findings may help in identifying high‐risk patients and may lead to the development of better cardiac tests. Liver Transpl 21:13‐21, 2015. © 2014 AASLD.
Molecular Dynamics of Major Allergens from Alternaria, Birch Pollen and Peach
Authors: Garrido‐Arandia María , Gómez‐Casado Cristina , Díaz‐Perales Araceli , Pacios Luis F.
Published: September 2014

In the search for factors that make a protein allergenic (an issue that remains so far elusive) some common features of allergens such as small size, high stability and lipid binding are recognized in spite of their structural diversity. Other relevant but still poorly understood feature is their capability to form homodimers. We investigated by means of Molecular Dynamics (MD) calculations the stability in solution of several dimers of three major allergens from Alternaria mold, birch pollen, and peach fruit known to play essential roles in allergic disease. By running 20 ns MD simulations we found essential properties on solution that provide information of interest on their dimerization, stability of their epitopes and dynamical features of ligand binding cavities. Our results show that three essential allergen proteins display a distinct behavior on their trends to form homodimers in solution.
Functional molecular imaging of tumors by chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI of 3‐O‐Methyl‐D‐glucose
Authors: Rivlin Michal , Tsarfaty Ilan , Navon Gil
Published: September 2014

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility to detect tumors and metastases by the chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI technique using 3‐O‐Methyl‐D‐glucose (3OMG), a nonmetabolizable derivative of glucose that is taken up rapidly and preferentially by tumors and is entirely excreted by the kidneys.

Methods

In vivo CEST MRI experiments were performed on a Bruker 7 Tesla Biospec on implanted orthotopic mammary tumors of mice before and following i.p. injection of 3OMG. The CEST images were generated by a series of gradient‐echo images collected from a single 1 mm coronal slice after a 1.2 s presaturation pulse, applied at offsets of ±1.2 ppm from the water and at B1 power of 2.5 µT.

Results

Following 3OMG (1.5 g/kg) i.p. injection, an enhanced CEST effect of approximately 20% was visualized at the tumor within a few minutes. The signal slowly declined reaching half of its maximum at approximately 80 min.

Conclusion

Due to the large CEST effect of 3OMG and its low toxicity 3OMG‐CEST may serve for the detection of tumors and metastases in the clinic. Magn Reson Med 72:1375–1380, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Toothpick use among Epigravettian Humans from Grotta Paglicci (Italy)
Authors: Ricci S. , Capecchi G. , Boschin F. , Arrighi S. , Ronchitelli A. , Condemi S.
Published: September 2014

This paper deals with two teeth (an upper right M1 and an upper right dM2) from the Epigravettian found in the site of Paglicci (Southern Italy) showing interproximal grooves that are situated below the crown, on the root walls just apical to the cementum–enamel junction. These grooves have been examined on a digital microscope which displays 3D images of the analysed surfaces. The images obtained made it possible to interpret these interproximal grooves as tooth picking activities that can be interpreted as an attempt to alleviate sore gums. The comparison with experimental images from available literature made it possible to form hypotheses concerning the nature of the probes that might have been used by the humans. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and microwave absorbing characteristics of flake‐like polypyrrole filled composites in X‐band
Authors: Jin Junhong , Song Jian , Deng Sisi , Li Guang
Published: September 2014

Polypyrrole (PPy)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocompounds were prepared by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of MMT. The results indicate PPy is intercalated into MMT interlayers and the morphology of obtained PPy in nanocompounds is changed to flake‐like rather than granular particles as pristine PPy. The resultant PPy/MMT nanocompounds and pristine PPy were used as microwave absorbing filler separately to prepare microwave absorbing PPy/MMT and PPy epoxy composites. The results indicate PPy/MMT epoxy composites exhibit much better microwave absorbing properties than those filled by pristine PPy. The maximum reflection loss of 20 wt% PPy/MMT filled composite is −32.63 dB at 10.55 GHz with a matching thickness of 2.8 mm, and the effective absorption bandwidth with the reflection loss below −10 dB is from 8.6 GHz to 12.4 GHz, which almost covers the whole X‐band. We postulated that the morphology change of PPy in PPy/MMT and its better dispersion may be responsible for the enhancement of microwave absorption. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:532–538, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
High strength nanocomposite hydrogels with outstanding UV‐shielding property
Authors: Xu Bo , Li Huanjun , Wang Yuyang , Zhang Gongzheng , Zhang Qingshan
Published: September 2014

A novel series of nanocomposite hydrogels (TAD gels) with high mechanical strength and excellent UV‐shielding property were prepared by in situ free‐radical copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) and N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) in aqueous solutions of TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). It was found that the TiO2 NPs were uniformly dispersed in the copolymer matrix and acted as inorganic crosslinking agents in TAD gels owing to their hydrogen bonding interactions with polymer chains. The TAD gels exhibited excellent mechanical properties such as large elongations at break, high elastic moduli, and ultimate stresses, all of these properties as well as swelling ratios of TAD gels could be easily controlled by changing the AM ratios and TiO2 contents in the initial solutions. In addition, the TAD gels with low AM ratios could be prepared into thin films in a customized Teflon model and these films showed high transparency in visible light but could completely block the UV light with wavelength below 366 nm and prevent the methylene blue from degradation under UV irradiation. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:810–817, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Enhancing the thermal conductivities of SiO2/Epoxy composites by orientation
Authors: Mu Qiwu , Li Qiaomei , Liu Hui
Published: September 2014

To improve the thermal conductivity of epoxy resin, tensile way was used to orient the molecular chain of epoxy resin with SiO2 particles filled. In this article, SiO2/Epoxy composites which had approximately one‐dimensional lattice structure were prepared. The heat generated by LED chip rapidly passed along the direction of the one‐dimensional orientation in SiO2/Epoxy composites. The results showed that the thermal conductivity of oriented composites increased with the increase of silica concentration and draw ratio (If S is the cross‐sectional areas of composites at the mold outlet, S0 is the cross‐sectional areas of composites after molding set, and draw ratio is S/S0). With the addition of 50 wt% SiO2 to the epoxy resin, the thermal conductivity of oriented SiO2/Epoxy composites with the draw ratio of 4 was 0.873 W/m K, which was 2.55 times that of unoriented SiO2/Epoxy composites. And a thermal conductivity, 5.97 times that of the epoxy resin, was obtained with 80 wt% SiO2 and the draw ratio of 4. Nevertheless, the relative permittivities of epoxy composites which had 50 wt% SiO2 with the draw ratio of 4 are stable with increasing frequency. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:818–823, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Microwave assisted functionalization of carboxylated‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes with 5‐aminoisophthalic acid and its application for the preparation of chiral poly(ester‐imide)/CNT nanocomposites
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour , Soltanian Samaneh
Published: September 2014

This article presents the results of investigation into surface modification of carboxylated‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)s by 5‐aminoisophthalic acid under microwave irradiation as a fast, safe, and simple method. The different contents of functionalized MWCNTs (5, 10, 15 wt%) were effectively dispersed in an aromatic polymer through ultrasonic irradiation to prepare MWCNT reinforced polymer nanocomposites (NC)s. The chiral poly(ester‐imide) (PEI) was prepared by a direct polycondensation of chiral diacid with 4,4′‐thiobis(2‐tert‐butyl‐5‐methylphenol). The effect of the presence of MWCNTs on morphological and thermal properties of the NCs was investigated by X‐ray diffraction, FT‐IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. According to TGA data, the PEI/MWCNT NCs showed a much better thermal stability than pristine polymer. The microstructure study of the NCs indicated the compatibility of functionalized MWCNTs with PEI and uniform distribution of them in the polymer matrices. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:835–843, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
The length of the linker between the epidermal growth factor‐like domains in factor VIIa is critical for a productive interaction with tissue factor
Authors: Persson Egon , Madsen Jesper J. , Olsen Ole H.
Published: September 2014

Formation of the factor VIIa (FVIIa)‐tissue factor (TF) complex triggers the blood coagulation cascade. Using a structure‐based rationale, we investigated how the length of the linker region between the two epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐like domains in FVIIa influences TF binding and the allosteric activity enhancement, as well as the interplay between the γ‐carboxyglutamic acid (Gla)‐containing and protease domains. Removal of two residues from the native linker was compatible with normal cofactor binding and accompanying stimulation of the enzymatic activity, as was extension by two (Gly‐Ser) residues. In sharp contrast, truncation by three or four residues abolished the TF‐mediated stabilization of the active conformation of FVIIa and abrogated TF‐induced activity enhancement. In addition, FVIIa variants with short linkers associated 80‐fold slower with soluble TF (sTF) as compared with wild‐type FVIIa, resulting in a corresponding increase in the equilibrium dissociation constant. Molecular modeling suggested that the shortest FVIIa variants would have to be forced into a tense and energetically unfavorable conformation in order to be able to interact productively with TF, explaining our experimental observations. We also found a correlation between linker length and the residual intrinsic enzymatic activity of Ca2+‐free FVIIa; stepwise truncation resulting in gradually higher activity with des(83–86)‐FVIIa reaching the level of Gla‐domainless FVIIa. The linker appears to determine the average distance between the negatively charged Gla domain and a structural element in the protease domain, presumably of opposite charge, and proximity has a negative impact on apo‐FVIIa activity.
Dissociative adsorption of molecular deuterium on polycrystalline diamond films activated by medium surface temperature
Authors: Michaelson Shaul , Berkovitz Tiran , Akhvlediani Roza , Hoffman Alon
Published: September 2014

In this work we report on an investigation of thermally induced dissociative adsorption of molecular deuterium onto hydrogenated and bare polycrystalline diamond film surfaces studied by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HR‐EELS). Hydrogenated diamond films (grown from CH4 and H2 gases) were heated at various temperatures in molecular D2 ambient at 5 × 10−6 Torr and then studied by HR‐EELS. This study clearly shows the formation of C–D bonding on hydrogenated polycrystalline diamond surface and gradual disappearance of C–H mode as a function of annealing temperature. The C–D bonding configurations and thermal stability of adsorbed deuterium resulting from dissociate adsorption were compared to those occurring on deuterated diamond films (grown from CD4 and D2 gases). We report and assign at least three contributions to C–D stretching HR‐EELS mode associated to (111), (100) crystallographic orientations as well as grain boundary associated vibrations in accordance with similar vibrations of C–H stretching vibrations, reported previously.
Photocurrent imaging of semiconducting carbon nanotube devices with local mirrors
Authors: Alam Asiful , Flavel Benjamin S. , Dehm Simone , Lemmer Uli , Krupke Ralph
Published: September 2014

Photocurrent spectroscopy has recently been used by several research groups to study the light–matter interaction in carbon nanotubes. To achieve this, long‐channel devices with symmetric metallic contacts are typically used, where photocurrent of opposite sign is generated at the two contacts. However, in short‐channel devices (<1 µm) the diffraction‐limited laser spot results in simultaneous excitation of both metal–nanotube contacts and leads to partial cancellation of the photocurrent. In this work, we avoid simultaneous excitation of both metal–nanotube contacts by fabricating an isolated metallic mirror over one of the contacts. With the use of (6,5) carbon nanotubes we demonstrate a unipolar photocurrent signal, that is consistent with the second order interband absorption of a (6,5) nanotube.
The assimilation of horizontal line‐of‐sight wind information into the ECMWF data assimilation and forecasting system. Part I: The assessment of wind impact
Authors: Horányi András , Cardinali Carla , Rennie Michael , Isaksen Lars
Published: September 2014

In preparation for the Aeolus Doppler Wind Lidar satellite mission, single‐component wind information from conventional observations was assimilated into the ECMWF data assimilation system. Various Observing System Experiments have been designed and performed in order to estimate the impact of such information in numerical weather prediction. The evaluation used various adjoint diagnostic tools and traditional statistical verification methods. The importance of assimilating wind observations as either single component or full vector wind is evaluated. Comparisons between the assimilation of wind and mass observations were also made. Wind observations can lead to significant improvement in the upper troposphere, lower stratosphere and in the Tropics. Mass data are more valuable in the midlatitudes, particularly in the lower part of the atmosphere. The comparison of additional mass and wind observations in the Global Observing System is useful to understand the importance of future wind observations. The investigation also highlighted that the impact of zonal wind observations is larger than the meridional wind (Aeolus will mostly measure wind components near the zonal direction). Root mean‐squared errors of temperature and wind forecasts when the single wind component (zonal) is assimilated show around 35% degradation up to day 2 forecasts and around 20% after day 2 as compared to assimilating full vector wind. Therefore the single (zonal) wind components can provide a large fraction of the vector wind impact particularly for the medium‐range forecast, which is promising for Aeolus.
Semi‐Supervised Learning in Inferring Mobile Device Locations
Authors: Duan Rong , Hong Olivia , Ma Guangqin
Published: September 2014

With the development of mobility technology, location information has become collectible by various positioning technologies. Different positioning technologies have their advantages and limitations. In particular, location accuracy varies among different technologies. In this paper, we propose semi‐supervised learning in inferring low‐accuracy location data density from high‐accuracy location data density. We focus on the enormous amount of low‐accuracy cell tower triangulation (CTT) calculated mobile device location data and the small amount of high‐accuracy assisted global positioning system (AGPS) pinpointed location data. The CTT and AGPS mobile device location data are collected for each cell tower that serves the devices, and then, the actual distribution is learned from both CTT and AGPS data by semi‐supervised learning, and the likelihood for low‐accuracy CTT location can be used as an accuracy indicator. The proposed method takes the advantage of the existing extensively collected location data and augments it by a machine‐learning algorithm. The method does not only complement the downside of one technology with the other technology but also considers the computing efficiency by extracting features that can segment the large data naturally, which is the essential in divide‐and‐conquer distributed big data processing. This big data approach improves the location accuracy statistically without the added complexity and cost of upgrading or replacing mobile networks or devices. Moreover, also, the proposed method focuses on the location density alignment, which avoids tracking individual user devices and preserves user privacy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical mechanism for selective catalysis of ruthenium complex catalyzed hydroboration of terminal alkynes to Z‐vinylboronates
Authors: Sun Chuanzhi , Liu Mingshu , Sun Haitao , Hang Fang , Sun Nan , Chen Dezhan
Published: September 2014

Detailed mechanism of the hydroboration of terminal alkynes catalyzed by ruthenium complex was studied using density functional theory. The calculated results suggest that the reaction proceeds in two steps: alkyne rearrangement and catalyst regeneration. Vinylboronate products with E and Z configuration are formed in this reaction. Path A forming Z‐vinylboronate is the preferred pathway. Noncovalent interaction between BH bond and Ru centre determines the preferred pathway of the reaction. The Egap of HOMO‐LUMO for the reactant is lowered with the assistance of ruthenium–borane complex (Ru–Cat) formation. A hypothetical control model using 1, 2‐dimethyl acetylene (internal alkyne) and styrene (terminal alkene) as the reaction substrates was designed. The calculated results suggest that the activation barrier of the rate‐determining process is too high, which make the hydroboration reaction of styrene and 1, 2‐dimethyl acetylene (CH3C‐CCH3) hard to occur. The results uncover the selectivity of the ruthenium complex for hydroboration of terminal alkynes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.