bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A functional screening identifies five micrornas controlling glypican-3: role of mir-1271 down-regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Maurel Marion , Jalvy Sandra , Ladeiro Yannick , Combe Chantal , Vachet Laetitia , Sagliocco Francis , Bioulac-Sage Paulette , Pitard Vincent , Jacquemin-Sablon Hélène , Zucman-Rossi Jessica , Laloo Benoît , Grosset Christophe F.
Published: August 2012

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major primary liver cancer. Glypican-3 (GPC3), one of the most abnormally expressed genes in HCC, participates in liver carcinogenesis. Based on data showing that GPC3 expression is posttranscriptionally altered in HCC cells compared to primary hepatocytes, we investigated the implication of microRNAs (miRNAs) in GPC3 overexpression and HCC. To identify GPC3-regulating miRNAs, we developed a dual-fluorescence FunREG (functional, integrated, and quantitative method to measure posttranscriptional regulations) system that allowed us to screen a library of 876 individual miRNAs. Expression of candidate miRNAs and that of GPC3 messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured in 21 nontumoral liver and 112 HCC samples. We then characterized the phenotypic consequences of modulating expression of one candidate miRNA in HuH7 cells and deciphered the molecular mechanism by which this miRNA controls the posttranscriptional regulation of GPC3. We identified five miRNAs targeting GPC3 3′-untranslated region (UTR) and regulating its expression about the 876 tested. Whereas miR-96 and its paralog miR-1271 repressed GPC3 expression, miR-129-1-3p, miR-1291, and miR-1303 had an inducible effect. We report that miR-1271 expression is down-regulated in HCC tumor samples and inversely correlates with GPC3 mRNA expression in a particular subgroup of HCC. We also report that miR-1271 inhibits the growth of HCC cells in a GPC3-dependent manner and induces cell death. Conclusion: Using a functional screen, we found that miR-96, miR-129-1-3p, miR-1271, miR-1291, and miR-1303 differentially control GPC3 expression in HCC cells. In a subgroup of HCC, the up-regulation of GPC3 was associated with a concomitant down-regulation of its repressor miR-1271. Therefore, we propose that GPC3 overexpression and its associated oncogenic effects are linked to the down-regulation of miR-1271 in HCC. (Hepatology 2013)
On the reliability of spatially disaggregated global ensemble rainfall forecasts
Authors: Gaborit Étienne , Anctil François , Fortin Vincent , Pelletier Geneviève
Published: August 2012

Ensemble rainfall forecasts are of high interest for decision making, as they provide an explicit and dynamic assessment of the uncertainty in the forecast. However, for hydrological forecasting, their low resolution currently limits their use to large watersheds. To bridge this gap, various implementations of a spatial statistical downscaling method were compared, bringing Environment Canada's global ensemble rainfall forecasts from a 100 × 70‐km resolution down to 6 × 4‐km while increasing each pixel's rainfall variance and preserving its original mean. This was applied for nine consecutive days of summer 2009 with strong rain events over Quebec City, Canada. For comparison purposes, simpler methods were also implemented such as the bilinear interpolation, which disaggregates global forecasts without modifying their variance.

The meteorological products were evaluated, using different scores and diagrams, against observed values taken from Quebec City rain gauge network. The most important conclusions of this work are that the overall quality of the forecasts was preserved during the disaggregation procedure and that the disaggregated products using the variance‐enhancing method were of similar quality than bilinear interpolation products. However, variance and dispersion of the different members were, of course, much improved for the variance‐enhanced products, compared with the bilinear interpolation, which is a decisive advantage. Therefore, there is an interest in implementing variance‐enhancing methods to disaggregate global ensemble rainfall forecasts. Copyright © 2012 Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Roles of galectin‐7 and S100A9 in cervical squamous carcinoma: Clinicopathological and in vitro evidence
Authors: Zhu Hong , Wu Tian‐Cong , Chen Wei‐Qiong , Zhou Li‐Jun , Wu Yue , Zeng Liang , Pei Hai‐Ping
Published: August 2012

In our study, we for the first time assessed the association of galectin‐7 and S100A9 with clinicopathological variables and survival outcomes in cervical squamous carcinoma patients and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms in cervical squamous carcinoma cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis of 243 patient samples showed that the positive staining rate for galectin‐7 and S100A9 gradually decreased from normal cervical tissue to intraepithelial neoplasia and to cervical squamous carcinoma. Both galectin‐7 and S100A9 showed significant negative association with lymph node metastasis and staging of cervical squamous carcinoma. Cervical squamous carcinoma patients with negative staining of galectin‐7 or S100A9 showed significantly lower 5‐year overall survival rate than those with positive staining. Multivariate analysis with the Cox's proportional hazards model indicated that both galectin‐7 and S100A9 had significant protective effect on cervical squamous carcinoma patients. Subsequent in vitro study in SiHa and C‐33A human cervical squamous carcinoma cell lines revealed that knocking down galectin‐7 or S100A9 enhanced tumor cell invasion and tumor cell viability against paclitaxel‐induced apoptotic stress, likely through increasing the matrix metalloproteinase‐9 expression and activating the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt signaling pathway, respectively. Knocking down both galectin‐7 and S100A9 produced a synergistic effect, with galectin‐7 displaying more significant and consistent protective effects than S100A9 on cervical squamous carcinoma cells. In summary, our study for the first time provides clinicopathological and in vitro evidence showing that both galectin‐7 and S100A9 play important protective roles in cervical squamous carcinoma, which provides fresh insights into the biology of cervical squamous carcinoma.
A FRAMEWORK FOR STATE TRANSITIONS ON THE SELF‐ORGANIZING MAP: SOME TEMPORAL FINANCIAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: Sarlin Peter , Yao Zhiyuan , Eklund Tomas
Published: August 2012

Self‐organizing maps (SOMs) have commonly been used in temporal applications. This paper enhances the SOM paradigm for temporal data by presenting a framework for computing, summarizing and visualizing transition probabilities on the SOM. The framework includes computing matrices of node‐to‐node and node‐to‐cluster transitions and summarizing maximum state transitions. The computations are linked to the SOM grid using transition‐plane visualizations. We demonstrate the usefulness of the framework on two SOM models for temporal financial analysis: financial performance comparison of banks and monitoring indicators of currency crises. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterizations of additive manufactured porous titanium implants
Authors: Basalah Ahmad , Shanjani Yaser , Esmaeili Shahrzad , Toyserkani Ehsan
Published: August 2012

This article describes physical, chemical, and mechanical characterizations of porous titanium implants made by an additive manufacturing method to gain insight into the correlation of process parameters and final physical properties of implants used in orthopedics. For the manufacturing chain, the powder metallurgy technology was combined with the additive manufacturing to fabricate the porous structure from the pure tanium powder. A 3D printing machine was employed in this study to produce porous bar samples. A number of physical parameters such as titanium powder size, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) amount, sintering temperature and time were investigated to control the mechanical properties and porosity of the structures. The produced samples were characterized through porosity and shrinkage measurements, mechanical compression test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed a level of porosity in the samples in the range of 31–43%, which is within the range of the porosity of the cancelluous bone and approaches the range of the porosity of the cortical bone. The results of the mechanical test showed that the compressive strength is in the wide range of 56–509 MPa implying the effect of the process parameters on the mechanical strengths. This technique of manufacturing of Ti porous structures demonstrated a low level of shrinkage with the shrinkage percentage ranging from 1.5 to 5%. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Comparative evaluation of three calcium phosphate synthetic block bone graft materials for bone regeneration in rabbit calvaria
Authors: Hwang Ji‐Wan , Park Jae‐Sub , Lee Jung‐Seok , Jung Ui‐Won , Kim Chang‐Sung , Cho Kyoo‐Sung , Lee Yong‐Keun , Choi Seong‐Ho
Published: August 2012

Various synthetic materials were developed to be used for implant dentistry and periodontal treatments. Among the various synthetic bone substitutes, calcium phosphate ceramics have been extensively investigated because their mineral chemistry resembles that of human bone. We evaluated the regeneration of three calcium phosphate synthetic block bone grafts in rabbit calvarial noncritical size defects. Four 8‐mm‐diameter defects were created in each rabbit (N = 10). Three defects, hydroxyapatite (HA), beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP), and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), were randomly filled with one of three fabricated synthetic block bone graft materials. The fourth defect was filled with blood clots. Specimens were harvested at 4 and 8 weeks postsurgery. Histological and histometrical findings indicated that all three calcium phosphate block bone graft materials were able to maintain space significantly better than the control group at both 4 and 8 weeks. In the BCP group, the amount of newly formed bone was increased more than for the other groups. Additionally, β‐TCP showed a large resorption of graft materials after 4 weeks postsurgery, while there were only small resorption for HA and BCP. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Factors associated with kyphosis progression in older women: 15 years' experience in the study of osteoporotic fractures
Authors: Kado Deborah M , Huang Mei-Hua , Karlamangla Arun S , Cawthon Peggy , Katzman Wendy , Hillier Teresa A , Ensrud Kristine , Cummings Steven R
Published: August 2012

Age-related hyperkyphosis is thought to be a result of underlying vertebral fractures, but studies suggest that among the most hyperkyphotic women, only one in three have underlying radiographic vertebral fractures. Although commonly observed, there is no widely accepted definition of hyperkyphosis in older persons, and other than vertebral fracture, no major causes have been identified. To identify important correlates of kyphosis and risk factors for its progression over time, we conducted a 15-year retrospective cohort study of 1196 women, aged 65 years and older at baseline (1986 to 1988), from four communities across the United States: Baltimore County, MD; Minneapolis, MN; Portland, OR; and the Monongahela Valley, PA. Cobb angle kyphosis was measured from radiographs obtained at baseline and an average of 3.7 and 15 years later. Repeated measures, mixed effects analyses were performed. At baseline, the mean kyphosis angle was 44.7 degrees (SE = 0.4, SD = 11.9) and significant correlates included a family history of hyperkyphosis, prevalent vertebral fracture, low bone mineral density, greater body weight, degenerative disc disease, and smoking. Over an average of 15 years, the mean increase in kyphosis was 7.1 degrees (SE = 0.25). Independent determinants of greater kyphosis progression were prevalent and incident vertebral fractures, low bone mineral density and concurrent bone density loss, low body weight, and concurrent weight loss. Thus, age-related kyphosis progression may be best prevented by slowing bone density loss and avoiding weight loss. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
C library for topological study of the electronic charge density
Authors: Vega David , Aray Yosslen , Rodríguez Jesús
Published: August 2012

The topological study of the electronic charge density is useful to obtain information about the kinds of bonds (ionic or covalent) and the atom charges on a molecule or crystal. For this study, it is necessary to calculate, at every space point, the electronic density and its electronic density derivatives values up to second order. In this work, a grid‐based method for these calculations is described. The library, implemented for three dimensions, is based on a multidimensional Lagrange interpolation in a regular grid; by differentiating the resulting polynomial, the gradient vector, the Hessian matrix and the Laplacian formulas were obtained for every space point. More complex functions such as the Newton–Raphson method (to find the critical points, where the gradient is null) and the Cash–Karp Runge–Kutta method (used to make the gradient paths) were programmed. As in some crystals, the unit cell has angles different from 90°, the described library includes linear transformations to correct the gradient and Hessian when the grid is distorted (inclined). Functions were also developed to handle grid containing files (grd from DMol® program, CUBE from Gaussian® program and CHGCAR from VASP® program). Each one of these files contains the data for a molecular or crystal electronic property (such as charge density, spin density, electrostatic potential, and others) in a three‐dimensional (3D) grid. The library can be adapted to make the topological study in any regular 3D grid by modifying the code of these functions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of archaeological environment factors in alteration processes of copper alloy artifacts
Authors: Sandu Ioan Gabriel , Mircea Otilia , Vasilache Viorica , Sandu Ion
Published: August 2012

The article presents the experimental results obtained by combining noninvasive techniques (OM, SEM/EDX, XRF) to analyze three artifacts made of copper alloys discovered in a inhumation tomb (2) and in the soil profile (1) in archaeological sites from Neamt County Romania. To uncover the mechanism of alteration thereof during their longtime underground stay in specific chemical conditions and under the influence of other pedological factors, the corrosion products must be identified. The excess of the chloride ion, from burial site, disturbs the Liesegang effect, transforming the bulk in a stratified sponge structure with chlorapatite and hydroxyapatite. Some of the compounds from primary and secondary patina can be found on the surface of the bulk, as color stains. The presence of alloy components (Cu, Sn, Pb, Zn, Fe, etc.) and of the underground contamination components, allowed us to establish the origin of the ore, the manufacture technology and we identified other materials which affected the artifacts after abandonment. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Utilization of cellulose microcapillary tubes as a model system for culturing and viral infection of mammalian cells
Authors: Venter Eudri , Van Der Merwe Christiaan F. , Van Staden Vida
Published: August 2012

Cryofixation by high‐pressure freezing (HPF) and freeze substitution (FS) gives excellent preservation of intracellular membranous structures, ideal for ultrastructural investigations of virus infected cells. Conventional sample preparation methods of tissue cultured cells can however disrupt the association between neighboring cells or of viruses with the plasma membrane, which impacts upon the effectiveness whereby virus release from cells can be studied. We established a system for virus infection and transmission electron microscopy preparation of mammalian cells that allowed optimal visualization of membrane release events. African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is a nonenveloped virus that employs two different release mechanisms from mammalian cells, i.e., lytic release through a disrupted plasma membrane and a nonlytic budding‐type release. Cellulose microcapillary tubes were used as support layer for culturing Vero cells. The cells grew to a confluent monolayer along the inside of the tubes and could readily be infected with AHSV. Sections of the microcapillary tubes proved easy to manipulate during the HPF procedure, showed no distortion or compression, and yielded well preserved cells in their native state. There was ample cell surface area available for visualization, which allowed detection of both types of virus release at the plasma membrane at a significantly higher frequency than when utilizing other methods. The consecutive culturing, virus infection and processing of cells within microcapillary tubes therefore represent a novel model system for monitoring intracellular virus life cycle and membrane release events, specifically suited to viruses that do not grow to high titers in tissue culture. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antimicrobial use in the ICU: Indications and accuracy—an observational trial
Authors: Levin Phillip D. , Idrees Suhel , Sprung Charles L. , Weissman Charles , Weiss Yoram , Moses Allon E. , Benenson Shmuel
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND:

In intensive care unit (ICU) patients, signs of infection and inflammation are similar, making diagnosis of bacterial infections difficult. Antimicrobials may therefore be overused, contributing to development of antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria.

OBJECTIVES:

To measure the accuracy of clinician decisions to start antimicrobials; to correlate clinician certainty with the presence of infection; and to examine whether physiological variables correlate with clinician certainty.

DESIGN:

Prospective observational study.

SETTING AND PATIENTS:

Patients staying >48 hours in a general ICU of a tertiary care hospital.

MEASUREMENTS:

The ICU clinician's certainty for the presence of infection was recorded when starting antimicrobials. An independent infectious diseases (ID) specialist determined if antimicrobials were required and if infection was present. Clinician antibiotic start decisions were tested for accuracy according to the ID determination for the presence of infection.

RESULTS:

Empirical antimicrobial therapy was justified by the presence of infection on 67/125 (54%) occasions. Clinician certainty for infection correlated well with the presence of defined infection (r2 = 0.78), however, infection was defined on 6/19 (31%) occasions when ICU clinician certainty was low (≤2), and antimicrobials were prescribed even when clinician certainty was minimal. Antimicrobial course length was similar whether infection was defined or not (11.5 ± 9.2 vs 10.7 ± 9.1 days; P = 0.65). Physiological variables were not associated with clinician certainty of infection.

CONCLUSIONS:

Antimicrobial therapy is probably overused in the ICU, possibly resulting from difficulties in diagnosis and the perceived greater risk of untreated infection when compared to the risks of potentially unnecessary antimicrobial therapy. Efforts to improve antimicrobial‐related decision‐making should be mandatory. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Quantification of DNT isomers by capillary liquid chromatography using at‐line SERS detection or multivariate analysis of SERS spectra of DNT isomer mixtures
Authors: Zachhuber Bernhard , Carrillo‐Carrión Carolina , Simonet Suau Bartolomé M. , Lendl Bernhard
Published: August 2012

With the global surge of terrorism and the increased use of bombs in terrorist attacks, national defence and security departments now demand techniques for quick and reliable analysis, in particular, for detection of toxic and explosive substances. One approach is to separate different analytes and matrix material before detection. In this work microliquid chromatography was used to separate two dinitrotoluene (DNT) isomers prior to detection via online UV–Vis spectroscopy. For identification, retention times were compared with reference samples and quantification was done by integration of UV–Vis absorption. Because UV detection is not particularly selective, Raman microscopic analysis was coupled to the liquid chromatography using a flow‐through microdispenser. Because DNT is difficult to detect with conventional Raman spectroscopy, the sensitivity was increased via surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) using silver‐quantum dots. Different analytical approaches to identify and quantify mixtures of two DNT isomers were evaluated. Good quantitative results were obtained using UV detection after microchromatographic separation (Limit of Detection: 0.11 and 0.06 for 2,4‐DNT and 2,6‐DNT). Coupling with SERS allowed for more confident differentiation between the highly structurally similar DNT isomers because of the additional spectral information provided by SERS. The application of a partial least squares algorithm also allowed direct SERS detection of DNT mixtures (root mean square error of prediction: 0.82 and 0.79 mg·L–1 for 2,4‐DNT and 2,6‐DNT), circumventing the time‐consuming separation step completely. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of cell wall‐degrading enzymes on water‐holding capacity and solubility of dietary fibre in rye and wheat bran
Authors: Petersson Karin , Nordlund Emilia , Tornberg Eva , Eliasson Ann‐Charlotte , Buchert Johanna
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND: Rye and wheat bran were treated with several xylanases and endoglucanases, and the effects on physicochemical properties such as solubility, viscosity, water‐holding capacity and particle size as well as the chemical composition of the soluble and insoluble fractions of the bran were studied. A large number of enzymes with well‐defined activities were used. This enabled a comparison between enzymes of different origins and with different activities as well as a comparison between the effects of the enzymes on rye and wheat bran.

RESULTS: The xylanases derived from Bacillus subtilis were the most effective in solubilising dietary fibre from wheat and rye bran. There was a tendency for a higher degree of degradation of the soluble or solubilised dietary fibre in rye bran than in wheat bran when treated with most of the enzymes.

CONCLUSION: None of the enzymes increased the water‐holding capacity of the bran or the viscosity of the aqueous phase. The content of insoluble material decreased as the dietary fibre was solubilised by the enzymes. The amount of material that may form a network to retain water in the system was thereby decreased. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of wheat flour characteristics on sponge cake quality
Authors: Moiraghi Malena , de la Hera Esther , Pérez Gabriela T , Gómez Manuel
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND: To select the flour parameters that relate strongly to cake‐making performance, in this study the relationship between sponge cake quality, solvent retention capacity (SRC) profile and flour physicochemical characteristics was investigated using 38 soft wheat samples of different origins. Particle size average, protein, damaged starch, water‐soluble pentosans, total pentosans, SRC and pasting properties were analysed. Sponge cake volume and crumb texture were measured to evaluate cake quality. Cluster analysis was applied to assess differences in flour quality parameters among wheat lines based on the SRC profile.

RESULTS: Cluster 1 showed significantly higher sponge cake volume and crumb softness, finer particle size and lower SRC sucrose, SRC carbonate, SRC water, damaged starch and protein content. Particle size, damaged starch, protein, thickening capacity and SRC parameters correlated negatively with sponge cake volume, while total pentosans and pasting temperature showed the opposite effect.

CONCLUSION: The negative correlations between cake volume and SRC parameters along with the cluster analysis results indicated that flours with smaller particle size, lower absorption capacity and higher pasting temperature had better cake‐making performance. Some simple analyses, such as SRC, particle size distribution and pasting properties, may help to choose flours suitable for cake making. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Hysteresis analysis in excimer‐laser‐annealed low‐temperature polycrystalline‐silicon thin‐film transistors
Authors: Kim Yu‐Mi , Jeong Kwang‐Seok , Yun Ho‐Jin , Yang Seung‐Dong , Lee Sang‐Youl , Kim Moo‐Jin , Kwon Oh‐Seob , Jeong Chul‐Woo , Kim Jae‐Yong , Kim Sung‐Chul , Lee Ga‐Won
Published: August 2012

To analyze the hysteresis phenomenon in p‐channel low‐temperature polycrystalline‐silicon thin‐film transistors (LTPS TFTs), the direct correlation between the hysteresis and the interface (Nit) and the grain‐boundary trap density (Ntrap) has been investigated. To fabricate LTPS TFTs with different electrical properties and trap types, the thickness of a‐Si was varied from 30 to 80 nm and crystallized by the excimer‐laser‐anneal (ELA) method. The interface trap density is extracted from the subthreshold slope (SS) and low‐high‐frequency C‐V analysis, while the grain‐boundary trap density is extracted by the Levinson and Proano method. The LTPS TFTs with smaller hysteresis exhibited a lower trap density. From the correlation between extracted parameters, the hysteresis seems to be more dependent on Nit and decreases when the film thickness increases to 80 nm while the Ntrap is almost the same in all devices.
Development of a dual‐lamp projector with higher brightness
Authors: Yamada Akihiro , Kojima Kuniko , Minami Koji , Sugiura Hiroaki , Kida Hiroshi , Samejima Kenji
Published: August 2012

Stationary projectors mainly used in system applications have recently gained a wider application range, including general presentations in halls and large conference rooms and being used, for example, in digital signage and for monitoring purposes. Consequently, they are required to meet new market demands for durability, reliability, and flexibility in installation in addition to their conventional basic performance such as especially high brightness. To achieve especially high brightness, a new optical system with two lamps is proposed; the profile of the cover glass that prevents the glass from scattering is made aspherical, the profile of the beam‐combining mirror is improved with its position optimized, and the size of the incident plane of the integrator rod is made larger (1.1 times).

These measures resulted in an optical system of an even higher efficiency with 7000 lm, which is the highest in its class (according to a June 2010 investigation). Also, the arrangement of two parallel lamps completely eliminated the effect of heat passing from one lamp to the other, which helped secure durability, reliability, and flexibility in installation. Furthermore, the combined use of the unique non‐telecentric optical system, adopted from the conventional single‐lamp model, helps maintain the class‐highest contrast ratio.1,2
Preparative purification of five bioactive components from Agrimonia pilosaLedeb by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Wang Yan , Liu Mozhen , Zheng Lingli , Yin Lianhong , Xu Lina , Qi Yan , Ma Xiaochi , Liu Kexin , Peng Jinyong
Published: August 2012

High‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) coupled with ultraviolet (UV) detection or evaporative light‐scattering detection was successfully applied for preparative separation of five bioactive compounds from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. In preliminary process, D101 macroporous resin was used to separate the crude extract of the plant and four fractions (20, 40, 50, and 60% aqueous ethanol elutions) were produced. Then, these fractions were directly subjected to HSCCC purification. Five chemicals including taxifolin‐3‐glucoside (6.4 mg), quercetin‐3‐rhamnoside (13.0 mg), tiliroside (14.7 mg), agrimonolide (21.4 mg), and tormentic acid (29.8 mg) with the purities of 94.24, 95.37, 97.42, 95.29, and 96.34% were separated from each 200 mg prepared fraction. The purities were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography, and the chemical structures of the products were identified by UV detection, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and the standards. This paper used a simple method to separate five bioactive compounds from A. pilosa Ledeb, and it could provide a new idea for the purification of bioactive compounds from other medicinal plants.
Evaluation of the solid‐phase extraction (SPE) cartridge method in combination with thermal desorption‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (TD‐GC‐MS) for the analysis of different VOCs in liquid matrices in varying pH conditions
Authors: Kumar Pandey Sudhir , Kim Ki‐Hyun
Published: August 2012

In this study, the solid‐phase extraction (SPE) method combined with thermal desorption‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (TD‐GC‐MS) method is evaluated for the analysis of liquid‐phase volatile organic compounds (LVOCs). Calibration experiments were performed on a number of polar and nonpolar LVOCs (including aromatic compounds, ester, ketones, and alcohol) as a function of solution pH. If the relative sensitivity of the SPE‐TD‐GC‐MS method is compared between different VOCs across a wide range of pH (1, 4, 7, 10, and 13), optimum sensitivities for most VOCs are derived at the neutral pH. However, there were some exceptions to the general trend with the maximum sensitivity occurring either at a moderately basic pH (methyl isobutyl ketone and butyl acetate) or extremely acidic conditions (isobutyl alcohol). It was also noticed that the relative ordering of sensitivity was changed, as the pH conditions of the solution vary. The use of internal standard (IS: chlorobenzene) resulted in a notable improvement in both relative sensitivity and reproducibility for most compounds.
Preparation of cyano‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes as solid‐phase extraction sorbent for preconcentration of phenolic compounds in environmental water
Authors: Gao Wenhua , Sun Ximeng , Chen Tufeng , Lin Yuejuan , Chen Yaowen , Lu Fushen , Chen Zhanguang
Published: August 2012

In the present work, we showed a novel method to synthesize cyano‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs‐CN) and utilize it as a solid‐phase extraction sorbent for preconcentration of phenolic compounds in environmental water samples. MWCNTs‐CN was synthesized through surface functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The functional groups on the surface of modified MWCNTs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The analytical procedure was based on a conventional solid‐phase extraction step for which 100 mg of MWCNTs‐CN were packed in a 3 mL polypropylene cartridge. Analytes were thus isolated and preconcentrated from the pretreated samples and subsequently detected on high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet detection. The results showed the proposed method exhibited good sensitivity and precision for the extraction and elution of analytes. The limit of detections (S/N = 3) of the method were 0.45, 0.09, 0.08, and 3.00 ng mL−1 for p‐chlorophenol, 1‐naphthol, 2‐naphthol, and 2,4‐dichlorophenol, respectively. The mean relative recoveries (n = 3) were between 80.28 and 103.13%, and the repeatability (RSD ≤ 5.10%) and reproducibility (RSD ≤ 7.68%) were accepted. This developed method was applied to determine phenolic compounds in environmental water samples. There is a positive result only for 2‐naphthol with concentration of 0.38 ng mL−1 in seawater sample.
A novel chiral mesoporous binaphthyl‐silicas: Preparation, characterization, and application in HPLC
Authors: Ran Ruixue , You Linjun , Di Bin , Hao Weiqiang , Su Mengxiang , Yan Fang , Huang Lili
Published: August 2012

Mesoporous organosilicas with both R‐(+)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diamine and ethane moieties bridging in the framework were synthesized. This mesoporous material was prepared via the one‐step co‐condensation of N,N′‐bis‐[(triethoxysilyl)propyl]‐(R)‐bis‐(ureido)‐binaphthyl (Si‐DABN) with 1,2‐bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTSE) using octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (C18TMACl) as a structural directing agent with the aid of a co‐solvent (ethanol) in basic medium. The morphology of these bifunctionalized mesoporous organosilicas is sensitive to the Si‐DABN mole fraction and the base concentration. And the mesostructure becomes less ordered as the mole fraction of Si‐DABN in the initial mixture increases from 10 to 40%. Elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectrometer indicate that the binaphthyl diamine was successfully introduced to the mesoporous organosilicas. Acidic conditions are more suitable than basic ones for the hydrolysis and condensation of (R)‐2,2′‐dicyanomethoxy‐6,6′‐di[(2‐triethoxysilyl)ethenyl]‐1,1′‐binaphthyl, a chiral silane precursors with a short silane side chain on the binaphthyl group. A column packed with these bifunctionalized mesoporous organosilica spheres exhibits greater selectivity for R/S‐1,1′‐bi‐2,2′‐naphthol than one packed with commercial SiO2 grafted with N,N′‐bis‐[(triethoxysilyl)propyl]‐(R)‐bis‐(ureido)–binaphthyl. Binaphthol and bromosubstituted binaphthol were fully resolved, but two ether derivatives were only partially enantioseparated and the other three ester derivatives were no fully resolved on the column via co‐condensation method.
Mental health 15 years after the killings in Rwanda: Imprisoned perpetrators of the genocide against the Tutsi versus a community sample of survivors
Authors: Schaal Susanne , Weierstall Roland , Dusingizemungu Jean‐Pierre , Elbert Thomas
Published: August 2012

Objectives of this study were to compare rates of mental health disorders in Rwandan genocide perpetrators with those of genocide survivors and to investigate potential predictors of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression for both groups. We expected high rates of mental disorders in both study groups and hypothesized that symptom severity would be predicted by female gender, older age, lower level of education, higher level of trauma exposure, lower level of agreement to reconciliation, and the participation in killing. Structured clinical interviews were carried out with 269 imprisoned perpetrators (66% men) and 114 survivors (64% women). Significantly more survivors than perpetrators met symptom criteria for PTSD (46% vs. 14%) and suffered from anxiety symptoms (59% vs. 36%). A substantial proportion of both groups suffered from clinically significant depression (46% vs. 41%). PTSD severity in perpetrators was associated with trauma exposure, high levels of agreement to reconciliation, and no participation in killing; the severity of depression was associated with trauma exposure and no participation in killing. In the survivor sample, the severity of PTSD and depression were both correlated with female gender, trauma exposure, and low levels of agreement to reconciliation. Results suggest that both groups exhibit considerable psychiatric morbidity.
Endolymphatic space imaging in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhang Xiao‐Dong , Gu Xi , Fang Zhe‐Ming , Zhang Rong
Published: August 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To investigate endolymphatic space images in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISNHL) and vertigo using three‐dimensional fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D‐FLAIR MRI).

Study Design:

This is a prospective study of an analysis using the imaging technology of 3D‐FLAIR MRI for patients with ISNHL and vertigo.

Methods:

3D‐FLAIR MRI was performed 24 hours after intratympanic injection of gadolinium–diethylenetriamine penta‐acetic acid.

Results:

In four of seven cases of ISNHL with vertigo, endolymphatic hydrops were confirmed in the cochlea and/or the vestibule of the affected ears.

Conclusions:

The results of the study imply that there may be some relationship between endolymphatic hydrops and ISNHL with vertigo. Laryngoscope, 2012
Surgery for obstructive sleep apnea: Sleep endoscopy determinants of outcome
Authors: Koutsourelakis Ioannis , Safiruddin Faiza , Ravesloot Madeline , Zakynthinos Spyros , de Vries Nico
Published: August 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Although drug‐induced sleep endoscopy is often employed to determine the site of obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who will undergo upper airway surgery, it remains unknown whether its findings are associated with surgical outcome. This study tested the hypothesis that drug‐induced sleep endoscopy variables can predict the outcome of upper airway surgery in OSA patients.

Study Design:

Case series retrospective analysis.

Methods:

Forty‐nine OSA patients (41 male; mean apnea‐hypopnea index [AHI] 30.9 ± 18.5 events/hour) underwent propofol‐induced sleep endoscopy followed by upper airway surgery (palatal surgery, and/or radiofrequency ablation of the tongue base, and/or hyoid suspension) and subsequently a follow‐up polysomnography to assess surgical outcome.

Results:

Twenty‐three patients (47%) were responders, and twenty‐nine were nonresponders (53%). Nonresponders had a higher occurrence of complete or partial circumferential collapse at velum and complete antero‐posterior collapse at tongue base or epiglottis in comparison with responders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that among baseline clinical and polysomnographic characteristics (e.g., AHI, body mass index) and sleep endoscopy findings, the presence of complete circumferential collapse at velum, and of complete antero‐posterior collapse at tongue base were the only independent predictors of upper airway surgery failure.

Conclusions:

Drug‐induced sleep endoscopy can be used to predict higher likelihood of response to upper airway surgery in OSA. Laryngoscope, 2012
Short‐time cold dry air exposure: A useful diagnostic tool for nasal hyperresponsiveness
Authors: Van Gerven Laura , Boeckxstaens Guy , Jorissen Mark , Fokkens Wytske , Hellings Peter W.
Published: August 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Demonstration of nasal hyperreactivity (NHR) in allergic and nonallergic rhinitis remains a diagnostic challenge because of the lack of a clinically attractive protocol with high sensitivity and specificity. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a shortened cold dry air (CDA) provocation protocol for the diagnosis of NHR in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and idiopathic rhinitis (IR).

Study Design:

Twelve AR patients, 12 IR patients, and 12 controls were exposed to air at −10°C and <10% humidity for 15 minutes.

Methods:

Nasal symptoms were subjectively evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), and nasal obstruction was objectively measured by peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) before and after CDA exposure. NHR was defined as a drop in PNIF larger than 20% from baseline upon CDA challenge.

Results:

Nasal CDA exposure induced nasal obstruction in AR and IR patients but not in controls. The VAS for nasal obstruction increased significantly in IR patients (post‐CDA: 9.1 cm [6.9, 9.7] vs. pre‐CDA: 5.5 cm [5.0, 8.9], P = .004) as well as in AR patients (post‐CDA: 5.0 cm [1.3, 6.6] vs. pre‐CDA: 0.8 cm [0.0, 1.7], P = .001). PNIF values showed a significant decrease in the AR (post‐CDA: 50.0 L/min [37.5, 97.5] vs. pre‐CDA: 95.0 L/min [52.5, 127.5], P = .002) and IR (post‐CDA: 75.0 L/min [47.5, 102.5] vs. pre‐CDA: 100.0 L/min [67.5, 130.0], P = .002) group after CDA provocation, which was not observed in the controls (P = 1.000). The sensitivity and specificity of CDA provocation for diagnosis of NHR were 66.7% and 100%, respectively, for both IR and AR. In contrast to nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea and sneezing were not induced by CDA exposure.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that a short nasal CDA exposure is a reliable method for the diagnosis of NHR in rhinitis patients, with a high sensitivity and specificity. Laryngoscope, 2012
Minimally invasive approach to laryngeal cleft
Authors: Watters Karen , Ferrari Lynne , Rahbar Reza
Published: August 2012

Laryngeal cleft is a rare congenital anomaly that is recently being diagnosed with increased frequency. The objective of this report is to present a comprehensive description of endoscopic laser repair of a laryngeal cleft, using both the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser via a micromanipulator (Carl Zeiss Microimaging Inc., Thornwood, NY) and the flexible CO2 laser fiber (OmniGuide, Inc.; Cambridge, MA), from both an anesthesia and surgical perspective. Laryngoscope, 2013
Waiting for thyroid surgery: A study of psychological morbidity and determinants of health associated with long wait times for thyroid surgery
Authors: Eskander Antoine , Devins Gerald M. , Freeman Jeremy , Wei Alice C. , Rotstein Lorne , Chauhan Nitin , Sawka Anna M. , Brown Dale , Irish Jonathan , Gilbert Ralph , Gullane Patrick , Higgins Kevin , Enepekides Danny , Goldstein David
Published: August 2012

Objectives:

Patients with thyroid pathology tend have longer surgical wait times. Uncertainty during this wait can have negative psychologically impact. This study aims to determine the degree of psychological morbidity in patients waiting for thyroid surgery.

Study Design:

Prospectively assessing patients pre‐ and postoperative psychological morbidity (level 2c).

Methods:

Patients waiting for thyroidectomy were mailed a sociodemographic and four psychological morbidity questionnaires: Impact of Events Scale–Revised (IES‐R), Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale (IIRS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). We assessed whether anxiety was related to length of wait and a number of clinical/sociodemographic factors.

RESULTS:

We achieved a 53% response rate over a 3‐year period, with 176 patients providing complete preoperative data; and 74 (42%) completed postoperative data. The average age was 53 (±12) years; 82% were female. Respondents with a suspicious or known malignancy waited an average of 107 days while those with benign neoplastic biopsies waited an average of 218 days for thyroidectomy. Respondents reported substantial psychological morbidity with high IES‐R, IIRS, PSS, and HADS scores. There was no significant association between psychological morbidity and wait times, clinical or sociodemographic factors. Postoperative anxiety decreased significantly in all psychological morbidity measures except for the IIRS.

Conclusions:

Patients waiting for thyroid surgery have mild to moderate psychological morbidity and long wait times for surgery. These appear not to be related. Psychological morbidity decreases after surgery. Reducing wait time can potentially reduce the time that patients have to live with unnecessary stress and anxiety. Laryngoscope, 2012
Use of N -acetylcysteine during liver procurement: A prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: D'Amico Francesco , Vitale Alessandro , Piovan Donatella , Bertacco Alessandra , Ramirez Morales Rafael , Chiara Frigo Anna , Bassi Domenico , Bonsignore Pasquale , Gringeri Enrico , Valmasoni Michele , Garbo Greta , Lodo Enrico , D'Amico Francesco Enrico , Scopelliti Michele , Carraro Amedeo , Gambato Martina , Brolese Alberto , Zanus Giacomo , Neri Daniele , Cillo Umberto
Published: August 2012

Antioxidant agents have the potential to reduce ischemia/reperfusion damage to organs for liver transplantation (LT). In this prospective, randomized study, we tested the impact of an infusion of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) during liver procurement on post-LT outcomes. Between December 2006 and July 2009, 140 grafts were transplanted into adult candidates with chronic liver disease who were listed for first LT, and according to a sequential, closed-envelope, single-blinded procedure, these patients were randomly assigned in a 1/1 ratio to an NAC protocol (69 patients) or to the standard protocol without NAC [71 patients (the control group)]. The NAC protocol included a systemic NAC infusion (30 mg/kg) 1 hour before the beginning of liver procurement and a locoregional NAC infusion (300 mg through the portal vein) just before cross-clamping. The primary endpoint was graft survival. The graft survival rates at 3 and 12 months were 93% and 90%, respectively, in the NAC group and 82% and 70%, respectively, in the control group (P = 0.02). An adjusted Cox analysis showed a significant NAC effect on graft survival at both 3 months [hazard ratio = 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-2.93, P = 0.04] and 12 months (hazard ratio = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.14-2.76, P ≤ 0.01). The incidence of postoperative complications was lower in the NAC group (23%) versus the control group (51%, P < 0.01). In the subgroup of 61 patients (44%) receiving suboptimal grafts (donor risk index > 1.8), the incidence of primary dysfunction of the liver was lower (P = 0.09) for the NAC group (15%) versus the control group (32%). In conclusion, the NAC harvesting protocol significantly improves graft survival. The effect of NAC on early graft function and survival seems higher when suboptimal grafts are used. Liver Transpl 19:135–144, 2013. © 2012 AASLD.
Rogers semilattices of families of two embedded sets in the Ershov hierarchy
Authors: Badaev Serikzhan A. , Manat Mustafa , Sorbi Andrea
Published: August 2012

Let a be a Kleene's ordinal notation of a nonzero computable ordinal. We give a sufficient condition on a, so that for every \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\Sigma ^{-1}_a$\end{document}‐computable family of two embedded sets, i.e., two sets A, B, with A properly contained in B, the Rogers semilattice of the family is infinite. This condition is satisfied by every notation of ω; moreover every nonzero computable ordinal that is not sum of any two smaller ordinals has a notation that satisfies this condition. On the other hand, we also give a sufficient condition on a, that yields that there is a \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\Sigma ^{-1}_a$\end{document}‐computable family of two embedded sets, whose Rogers semilattice consists of exactly one element; this condition is satisfied by all notations of every successor ordinal bigger than 1, and by all notations of the ordinal ω + ω; moreover every computable ordinal that is sum of two smaller ordinals has a notation that satisfies this condition. We also show that for every nonzero n ∈ ω, or n = ω, and every notation a of a nonzero ordinal there exists a \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\Sigma ^{-1}_a$\end{document}‐computable family of cardinality n, whose Rogers semilattice consists of exactly one element.
Definability of the ring of integers in some infinite algebraic extensions of the rationals
Authors: Fukuzaki Kenji
Published: August 2012

Let K be an infinite Galois extension of the rationals such that every finite subextension has odd degree over the rationals and its prime ideals dividing 2 are unramified. We show that its ring of integers is first‐order definable in K. As an application we prove that \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}${\mathbb Q}(\lbrace \cos (2\pi /\ell ^n) : \ell \in \Delta , n \in {\mathbb N}\rbrace )$\end{document} together with all its Galois subextensions are undecidable, where Δ is the set of all the prime integers which are congruent to −1 modulo 4.