bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotype-Phenotype Relationships in the Low-Phospholipid-Associated Cholelithiasis Syndrome: A Study of 156 Consecutive Patients
Authors: Poupon Raoul , Rosmorduc Olivier , Boëlle Pierre Yves , Chrétien Yves , Corpechot Christophe , Chazouillères Olivier , Housset Chantal , Barbu Véronique
Published: March 2013

The low-phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis syndrome (LPAC; OMIM 171060) is a peculiar form of intrahepatic cholelithiasis occurring in young adults, associated with ABCB4/MDR3 gene sequence variations. Our aim was to determine the genotype-phenotype relationships in 156 consecutive patients with the criteria of LPAC syndrome. A variant was detected in 79 (61 missense and 18 truncating sequence variants), 63 being monoallelic. The clinical features (age at onset, high prevalence in women, frequency and severity of acute and chronic complications, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy [ICP]) were similar in the patients with or without ABCB4 gene sequence variation. Truncating variations were associated with an earlier onset of symptoms both in women and men. Acute and chronic biliary complications were variant-independent. Half of the women who had pregnancy developed ICP. The frequency of ICP and fetal complications were similar in patients with missense and truncating variants. Conclusion: The LPAC syndrome is more frequent in women and highly associated with ICP. Half of the patients harbored missense or truncating variants of the ABCB4 gene. The characteristics of the patients without detectable variant are similar to those with variant, indicating that yet unexplored regions of the ABCB4 and other genes may be involved. (Hepatology 2013;53:1105–1110)
Analysis of heat and chemical reaction on an asymmetric laminar flow between slowly expanding or contracting walls
Authors: Subramanyam Reddy A. , Srinivas S. , Ramamohan T.R.
Published: March 2013

The present study investigates the effects of heat and mass transfer on asymmetric laminar flow in a porous channel with expanding or contracting walls in the presence of a chemical reaction. Both walls are assumed to have different permeabilities and expand or contract uniformly at a time‐dependent rate. The governing equations are reduced to ordinary differential equations by using similarity transformation. A perturbation technique in the permeation Reynolds number and wall dilation ratio is employed to obtain the analytical solutions. The effects of various emerging parameters on flow variables have been discussed numerically and explained graphically. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21036

PACS: 47.15, 47.63.mf, 44.25+f, 47.70. Fw
Thermosolutal convection in a fluid‐porous composite medium
Authors: Jena Sofen K. , Mahapatra Swarup K. , Sarkar Amitava
Published: March 2013

In the present study analysis has been performed for thermosolutal convection in a fluid‐porous composite medium, consisting of a fluid‐saturated porous medium followed by an overlaying clean medium. The fluid‐porous composite medium is subjected to both a horizontal solutal and a thermal gradient. Top and bottom walls of the fluid‐porous composite medium are assumed to be impermeable and adiabatic. The Darcy‐Brinkman‐Forchheimer model is used to study the flow through the fluid‐porous composite medium. A single domain approach is taken into consideration for numerical simulation. The solution is done by control volume integration. A comprehensive analysis has been performed for various pertinent parameters to delineate their behavior. Results of the transport phenomenon have been provided in graphical and tabular form, for the complete understanding of the complex phenomenon. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21048
Effects of land use intensity on stormwater runoff and its temporal occurrence in cold climates
Authors: Valtanen Marjo , Sillanpää Nora , Setälä Heikki
Published: March 2013

The impacts of land use intensity, here defined as the degree of imperviousness, on stormwater volumes, runoff rates and their temporal occurrence were studied at three urban catchments in a cold region in southern Finland. The catchments with ‘High’ and ‘Intermediate’ land use intensity, located around the city centre, were characterized by 89% and 62% impervious surfaces, respectively. The ‘Low’ catchment was situated in a residential area of 19% imperviousness. During a 2‐year study period with divergent weather conditions, the generation of stormwater correlated positively with catchment imperviousness: The largest annual stormwater volumes and the highest runoff coefficients and number of stormwater runoff events occurred in the High catchment. Land use intensity also altered the seasonality of stormwater runoff: Most stormwater in the High catchment was generated during the warm period of the year, whereas the largest contribution to annual stormwater generation in the Low catchment took place during the cold period. In the two most urbanized catchments, spring snow melt occurred a few weeks earlier than in the Low catchment. The rate of stormwater runoff in the High and Intermediate catchments was higher in summer than during spring snow melt, and summer runoff rates in these more urbanized catchments were several times higher than in the Low catchment. Our study suggests that the effects of land use intensity on stormwater runoff are season dependent in cold climates and that cold seasons diminish the differences between land use intensities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR REVITALISATION OF SMALL‐SCALE IRRIGATION SCHEMES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Authors: Mwendera Emmanuel , Chilonda Pius
Published: March 2013

This paper presents a conceptual framework for revitalising small‐scale irrigation schemes which are either performing poorly or have partially collapsed due to a combination of infrastructural, social‐economic, institutional and governance problems, among others. The framework is based on the understanding that an irrigation scheme consists of four mutually interlinked systems: the physical system, the cropping system, the economic system and the social‐organisational system. The conceptual approach has two main elements: defining the methodology for revitalisation and implementation of the revitalisation process. The methodology is defined by conducting diagnostic studies to assess water availability, irrigation system, socio‐organisation, economic, and market conditions of the scheme. The implementation process involves rehabilitating physical infrastructure, building the capacity of the farmers and extension workers to sustain the revitalised scheme and developing a framework for monitoring and evaluating the performance of that scheme. The whole revitalisation process is built on the foundations of learning from past experience (historical perspective) and continuous stakeholder consultation. The application of the framework and the hypothesis that improved understanding of existing schemes and improved training for farmers results in improved performance of small‐scale irrigation schemes are yet to be investigated. The authors invite readers' reaction to the proposed framework. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The l‐kynurenine–probenecid combination reduces neuropathic pain in rats
Authors: Pineda‐Farias J.B. , Pérez‐Severiano F. , González‐Esquivel D.F. , Barragán‐Iglesias P. , Bravo‐Hernández M. , Cervantes‐Durán C. , Aguilera P. , Ríos C. , Granados‐Soto V.
Published: March 2013

Background

l‐Kynurenine has antinociceptive effects in acute and inflammatory pain. This study determined the effect of l‐kynurenine and its metabolite (kynurenic acid) on rats subjected to neuropathic pain.

Methods

L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation induced tactile allodynia as measured with von Frey filaments using the up‐down method. High‐performance liquid chromatography and Western blot analysis determined kynurenic acid levels and expression of kynurenine amino transferase II (KAT II), respectively.

Results

l‐Kynurenine (50–200 mg/kg, i.p.) or probenecid (100 mg/kg, i.p.) did not affect allodynia in neuropathic rats. In contrast, l‐kynurenine (50–200 mg/kg, i.p.) in combination with probenecid (100 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of organic anion transport, reversed allodynia. Furthermore, intrathecal kynurenic acid (1–30 μg) reversed allodynia. Probenecid (100 mg/kg, i.p.) supplementation enhanced the maximal antiallodynic effect of intrathecal kynurenic acid (10 μg). Only the combined administration of l‐kynurenine (200 mg/kg)/probenecid (100 mg/kg) increased the kynurenic acid concentration in cerebrospinal fluid. KAT II is expressed in dorsal root ganglia and dorsal spinal cord. KAT II expression was unchanged by the spinal nerve ligation or l‐kynurenine/probenecid combination. The kynurenine/probenecid combination did not affect motor activity.

Conclusions

l‐Kynurenine produces its antiallodynic effect in the central nervous system through kynurenic acid. This effect may result from blockade of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors. KAT II is expressed in dorsal root ganglion and dorsal spinal cord. Combined l‐kynurenine and probenecid therapy has the potential to reduce neuropathic pain in humans.
Aflatoxin B1 modulates the expression of phenotypic markers and cytokines by splenic lymphocytes of male F344 rats
Authors: Qian Guoqing , Tang Lili , Guo Xia , Wang Franklin , Massey Michael E. , Su Jianjia , Guo Tai L. , Williams Jonathan H. , Phillips Timothy D. , Wang Jia‐Sheng
Published: March 2013

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is immunotoxic to animals and a suspected immunosuppressant in humans. In this study, we investigated the effects of AFB1 on splenic lymphocyte phenotypes and the inflammatory cytokine expression in male F344 rats. Exposure of animals to AFB1 [5–75 µg kg–1 body weight (BW)] for 1 week showed dose‐dependent decreases in the percentage of splenic CD8+ T cells and CD3‐CD8a+ NK cells. A general inhibition of the expression of interleukin (IL)‐4 and interferon (IFN)‐γ by CD4+ T cells, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ by CD8a+ cells, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α expression by natural killer (NK) cells was also found; however, no concurrent histological changes in spleen tissue were present, suggesting acute immunosuppression without overt toxicity. Five‐week exposure with AFB1 significantly increased the percentages of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells, especially at low doses (≤ 25 µg kg–1). AFB1 treatment significantly decreased the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐4 expression by CD4+ T cells and significantly increased the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IFN‐γ expression by CD4+ T cells and TNF‐α expression by NK cells. These results indicated that repeated AFB1 exposure promotes inflammatory responses by regulating cytokine expression. Our data provides novel insights into the mechanisms by which AFB1 exposure differentially modulates the cell‐mediated immune responses and suggests the involvement of an inflammatory response upon repeated exposure. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma electrolytic oxidation of titanium and improvement in osseointegration
Authors: Chung Chi‐Jen , Su Rein‐Teng , Chu Hou‐Jen , Chen Hsien‐Te , Tsou Hsi‐Kai , He Ju‐Liang
Published: March 2013

Reducing the osseointegration time for biomedical titanium implants in surgical patients is an important goal. However, a huge controversy exists over the effectiveness of osseointegration of the surface layer by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), which is a widely favored surface modification for titanium‐based implants. In this study, various surface coatings, including anatase‐TiO2 (A‐TiO2), rutile‐TiO2 (R‐TiO2), hydroxyapatite (HAp), strontium‐containing hydroxyapatite (Sr‐HAp), and dual‐phase HAp‐TiO2 were synthesized on titanium implants by PEO. A comparative study of osseointegration performance (both in vitro and in vivo) and bone/implant adhesion strength conducted using push‐out thrust tests were demonstrated. The in vitro experimental test results agree strongly with the in vivo test results: the dual‐phase HAp‐TiO2 coating exhibits the superior cell adhesion and differentiation condition among all of the coatings in the in vitro tests and therefore has the highest push‐out bonding strength of 5.37 MPa after 12 wk of implantation in the in vivo test. The HAp‐containing coatings benefit from its bioactivity and therefore perform the others in terms of long‐term osteocyte growth (from the in vitro results) and the extent of osseointegration (from the in vivo results). The dual‐phase HAp‐TiO2 coating provides the advantages of both the bioactive HAp and structural enhancement by the TiO2, effectively promoting osseointegration. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Enclosings of λ‐Fold 5‐Cycle Systems: Adding One Vertex
Authors: Asplund John , Rodger C. A. , Keranen Melissa S.
Published: March 2013

A k‐cycle system of a multigraph G is an ordered pair (V, C) where V is the vertex set of G and C is a set of k‐cycles, the edges of which partition the edges of G. A k‐cycle system of is known as a λ‐fold k‐cycle system of order V. A k‐cycle system of (V, C) is said to be enclosed in a k‐cycle system of if and . We settle the difficult enclosing problem for λ‐fold 5‐cycle systems with u = 1.
Thawing of massive ground ice in mega slumps drives increases in stream sediment and solute flux across a range of watershed scales
Authors: Kokelj S. V. , Lacelle D. , Lantz T. C. , Tunnicliffe J. , Malone L. , Clark I. D. , Chin K. S.
Published: March 2013

Ice‐cored permafrost landscapes are highly sensitive to disturbance and have the potential to undergo dramatic geomorphic transformations in response to climate change. The acceleration of thermokarst activity in the lower Mackenzie and Peel River watersheds of northwestern Canada has led to the development of large permafrost thaw slumps and caused major impacts to fluvial systems. Individual “mega slumps” have thawed up to 106 m3of ice‐rich permafrost. The widespread development of these large thaw slumps (up to 40 ha area with headwalls of up to 25 m height) and associated debris flows drive distinct patterns of stream sediment and solute flux that are evident across a range of watershed scales. Suspended sediment and solute concentrations in impacted streams were several orders of magnitude greater than in unaffected streams. In summer, slump impacted streams displayed diurnal fluctuations in water levels and solute and sediment flux driven entirely by ground‐ice thaw. Turbidity in these streams varied diurnally by up to an order of magnitude and followed the patterns of net radiation and ground‐ice ablation in mega slumps. These diurnal patterns were discernible at the 103 km2 catchment scale, and regional disturbance inventories indicate that hundreds of watersheds are already influenced by slumping. The broad scale impacts of accelerated slumping are indicated by a significant increase in solute concentrations in the Peel River (70,000 km2). These observations illustrate the nature and magnitude of hydrogeomorphic changes that can be expected as glaciogenic landscapes underlain by massive ice adjust to a rapidly changing climate.
Migration of non intentionally added substances from adhesives by UPLC–Q‐TOF/MS and the role of EVOH to avoid migration in multilayer packaging materials
Authors: Isella Francesca , Canellas Elena , Bosetti Osvaldo , Nerin Cristina
Published: March 2013

Polyurethane adhesives are commonly used to laminate multilayer packaging materials for food. Since these materials are in direct contact with the food, compounds could migrate from adhesive into it. For this reason, it is important to identify all the potential migrants and verify their migration. Ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight–mass spectrometry analyses and ChemSpider database are used to identify the potential migrants from polyurethane adhesives, and these techniques were demonstrated to be very powerful and useful tools for this purpose. Migration tests were carried out using Tenax® as food simulant. Nine out of fifteen non‐volatile compounds, identified in the cured adhesives, migrated. Most of them were identified as cyclic compounds, adipic based, which is the most commonly used monomer to make the polyester/polyol resins for polyurethane bi‐component adhesives. In this work, the use of EvOH layer in several multilayer materials to minimize or avoid migration was evaluated too. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
c‐Myc‐mediated overexpression of miR‐17‐92 suppresses replication of hepatitis B virus in human hepatoma cells
Authors: Jung Yong Jin , Kim Jin‐Wook , Park Soo Jin , Min Bo Young , Jang Eun Sun , Kim Nam Young , Jeong Sook‐Hyang , Shin Cheol Min , Lee Sang Hyub , Park Young Soo , Hwang Jin‐Hyeok , Kim Nayoung , Lee Dong Ho
Published: March 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate post‐transcriptional gene expression in various physiological and pathological processes, including viral infections. The miR‐17‐92 cluster encodes six miRNAs (miR‐17‐5p, miR‐18a, miR‐19a, miR‐19b, miR‐20a, and miR‐92a‐1) which are transactivated by c‐Myc. Because hepatitis B virus transactivates c‐Myc, the interaction between the miR‐17‐92 cluster and HBV replication was examined in this study. Inducing HBV replication in a human hepatoma cell line increased miR‐17‐5p, miR‐20a and miR‐92a‐1 expression. HBV‐induced overexpression of miR‐17‐92 was reversed by c‐Myc knockdown. Antisense peptide nucleic acids against miR‐20a and miR‐92a‐1 augmented HBV replication. A computational analysis yielded potential binding sites for miR‐20a and miR‐92a‐1 in the HBV genome. The direct interaction between these two miRNAs and target regions in HBV transcripts was confirmed by luciferase reporter analysis. These results demonstrated negative feedback suppression of HBV replication by the miR‐17‐92 polycistron. J. Med. Virol. 85: 969–978, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bear historical ranges revisited: Documenting the increase of a once‐extirpated population in Nevada
Authors: Lackey Carl W. , Beckmann Jon P. , Sedinger James
Published: March 2013

Black bears (Ursus americanus) were once abundant in Nevada and distributed throughout the state, yet recognition of the species' historical occurrence in the state is uncommon and has therefore been ignored in published distribution maps for North America. The lack of representation on distribution maps is likely due to the lack of any scientific data or research on bears in Nevada until 1987. Historical records dating back to the 1840s compiled by Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) biologist Robert McQuivey indicate presence of black bears throughout the state in the 1800s through about 1930. The paucity of historical references after 1931 suggest extirpation of black bears from Nevada's interior mountain ranges by this time. We report on historical records of black bears in the state of Nevada and the results of a current population estimate of black bears derived from a sample of marked bears (n = 420) captured 707 times between 1997 and 2008. Using Pradel and Cormack–Jolly–Seber models in Program MARK, we estimated overall population size, finite rate of growth (λ = 1.16), quarterly and annual survival rates for males and females, seasonal capture probabilities, and recruitment rates. Our results indicate an overall population size of 262 ± 31 adult black bears in western Nevada. These results suggest that the once abundant, then extirpated population of black bears in Nevada is increasing at an annual average rate of 16%. Although the current distribution is limited to the western part of the state, our findings suggest possible expansion of the population into historical habitat within the interior and eastern portions of the state that have been absent of bears for >80 years. Finally, based on historical records, we present suggested revised historical distribution maps for black bears that include the Great Basin ranges in Nevada. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Rational Design and Synthesis of Hybrid Porous Polymers Derived from Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes via Heck Coupling Reactions
Authors: Wang Dengxu , Xue Lei , Li Liguo , Deng Bei , Feng Shengyu , Liu Hongzhi , Zhao Xian
Published: March 2013

Heck coupling reactions are introduced as an efficient method to prepare porous polymers. Novel inorganic‐organic hybrid porous polymers (HPPs) were constructed via Heck coupling reactions from cubic functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS), iodinated octaphenylsilsesquioxanes (OPS) and octavinylsilsesquioxanes (OVS) using Pd(OAc)2/PPh3 as the catalyst. Here, two iodinated OPS were used, IOPS and p‐I8OPS. IOPS was a mixture with 90% octasubstituted OPS (I8) and some nonasubstituted OPS (I9), while p‐I8OPS was a nearly pure compound with ≥99% I8 and ≥93% para‐substitution. IOPS and p‐I8OPS reacted with OVS to produce the porous materials HPP‐1 and HPP‐2, which exhibited comparable specific surface areas with SBET of 418 ± 20 m2 g−1 and 382 ± 20 m2 g−1, respectively, with total pore volumes of 0.28 ± 0.01 cm3 g−1 and 0.23 ± 0.01 cm3 g−1, respectively. HPP‐1 showed a broader pore size distribution and possessed a more significant contribution from the mesopores, when compared with HPP‐2, thereby indicating that IOPS may induce more disorder because of the geometrical asymmetry. HPP‐1 and HPP‐2 possessed moderate carbon dioxide uptakes of 134 and 124 cm3 g−1 at 1 bar at 195 K, making them promising candidates for CO2 capture and storage. The synthesized porous polymers may be easily post‐functionalized using the retained ethenylene groups.

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Maternal serum placental growth factor and α‐fetoprotein testing in first trimester screening for Down syndrome
Authors: Donalson Kim , Turner Steve , Morrison Lesley , Liitti Päivi , Nilsson Christel , Cuckle Howard
Published: March 2013

Objective

The aim of this research was to evaluate the addition of first trimester maternal serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) to the combined test for Down syndrome and a serum only protocol of PlGF, AFP, free β‐human chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A.

Methods

Samples were from 92 Down syndrome cases with 552 matched controls. All women had a combined test at 11–14 weeks gestation. PlGF and AFP were measured and expressed in multiples of the gestation‐specific median (MoM), adjusting for maternal weight and smoking status. Multivariate Gaussian modeling was used to predict detection and false‐positive rates.

Results

The median PlGF level in the cases was 0.694 MoM and controls 1.000 MoM (p = <0.0001). The corresponding values for AFP were 0.764 MoM and 0.990 MoM (p < 0.0001). Statistical modeling predicted that for a given false‐positive rate, the addition of PlGF to the combined test increases the detection rate by 4–7%. For a given detection rate, the false‐positive rate could be almost halved. When both PlGF and AFP are used, the detection rate increase is 5–8%. A serum only protocol had a predicted a detection rate of 71% for a false‐positive rate of 5%.

Conclusions

Results suggest a substantial benefit of adding PlGF to the combined test. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of evidence‐based drug therapy on long‐term outcomes in patients discharged after myocardial infarction: a nested case–control study in Italy
Authors: Kirchmayer Ursula , Di Martino Mirko , Agabiti Nera , Bauleo Lisa , Fusco Danilo , Belleudi Valeria , Arcà Massimo , Pinnarelli Luigi , Perucci Carlo Alberto , Davoli Marina
Published: March 2013

Purpose

There are some methodological concerns regarding results from observational studies about the effectiveness of evidence‐based (EB) drug therapy in secondary prevention after myocardial infarction. The present study used a nested case–control approach to address these major methodological limitations.

Methods

A cohort of 6880 patients discharged from hospital after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in 2006–2007 was enrolled and followed‐up throughout 2009. Exposure was defined as adherence to each drug in terms of the proportion of days covered (cutoff ≥ 75%). Composite treatment groups, that is, groups with no EB therapy or therapy with one, two, three, or four EB drugs), were analyzed. Outcomes were overall mortality and reinfarction. Nested case–control studies were performed for both outcomes, matching four controls to every case (841 deaths, 778 reinfarctions) by gender, age, and individual follow‐up. The association between exposure to EB drug therapy and outcomes was analyzed using conditional logistic regression, adjusting for revascularization procedures, comorbidities, duration of index admission, and use of the study drugs prior to admission.

Results

Mortality and reinfarction risk decreased with the use of an increasing number of EB drugs. Combinations of two or more EB drugs were associated with a significant protective effect (p < 0.001) versus no EB drugs (mortality: 4 EB drugs: ORadj = 0.35; 95%CI: 0.21–0.59; reinfarction: 4 EB drugs: ORadj = 0.23; 95%CI: 0.15–0.37).

Conclusions

These findings of the beneficial effects of EB polytherapy on mortality and morbidity in a population‐based setting using a nested case–control approach strengthen existing evidence from observational studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hybrid inorganic–organic poly(carborane‐siloxane‐arylacetylene) structural isomers with in‐chain aromatics: Synthesis and properties
Authors: Kolel‐Veetil Manoj K. , Dominguez Dawn D. , Klug Christopher A. , Fears Kenan P. , Qadri Syed B. , Fragiadakis Daniel , Keller Teddy M.
Published: March 2013

Structural isomers of thermo‐oxidatively stable poly(carborane‐siloxane‐arylacetylene) (PCSAA), namely, m‐PCSAA and p‐PCSAA, were synthesized by the reaction of the dimagnesium salts of m‐diethynylbenzene or p‐diethynylbenzene with 1,7‐bis(chlorotetramethyldisiloxyl)‐m‐carborane. The developed polymers have exceptional thermo‐oxidative properties similar to their diacetylene counterpart poly(carborane‐siloxane‐acetylene), PCSA. Thermal treatment of either of the PCSAAs results in a fully crosslinked thermoset by 500 °C resulting from the cycloaddition reactions involving the acetylene and aryl functionalities and subsequent formation of bridging disilylmethylene entities as discerned from Fourier transform infrared, 13C and 29Si solid‐state NMR, and XPS studies. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the thermosets obtained from p‐PCSAA possess enhanced crystallinity when compared to that obtained from m‐PCSAA possibly due to more efficient packing interactions of the p‐diethynylbenzene groups during thermoset formation. The presence of the aryl groups in the backbone of the PCSAAs' chains appeared to have enhanced the storage and bulk moduli of their thermosets when compared to the thermoset of PCSA. Dielectric studies of m‐PCSAA and p‐PCSAA revealed segmental relaxation peaks, α, above their glass transition temperatures with p‐PCSAA exhibiting a broader peak with a slower relaxation rate than m‐PCSAA. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.† J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2638–2650
One‐step synthesis of block‐graft copolymers via simultaneous reversible‐addition fragmentation chain transfer and ring‐opening polymerization using a novel macroinitiator
Authors: Öztürk Temel , Atalar Mehmet Nuri , Göktaş Melahat , Hazer Baki
Published: March 2013

One‐step synthesis of block‐graft copolymers by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) and ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) by using a novel initiator was reported. Block‐graft copolymers were synthesized in one‐step by simultaneous RAFT polymerization of n‐butylmethacrylate (nBMA) and ROP of ε‐caprolacton (CL) in the presence of a novel macroinitiator (RAFT‐ROP agent). For this purpose, first epichlorohydrin (EPCH) was polymerized by using H2SO4 via cationic ring‐opening mechanism. And then a novel RAFT‐ROP agent was synthesized by the reaction of potassium ethyl xanthogenate and polyepichlorohydrin (poly‐EPCH). By using the RAFT‐ROP agent, poly[CL‐b‐EPCH‐b‐CL‐(g‐nBMA)] block‐graft copolymers were synthesized. The principal parameters such as monomer concentration, initiator concentration, and polymerization time that affect the one‐step polymerization reaction were evaluated. The block lengths of the block‐graft copolymers were calculated by using 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectrum. The block length could be adjusted by varying the monomer and initiator concentrations. The characterization of the products was achieved using 1H NMR, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, gel‐permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, elemental analysis, and fractional precipitation (γ) techniques. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2651–2659
Optimization of direct arylation polymerization conditions for the synthesis of poly(3‐hexylthiophene)
Authors: Rudenko Andrey E. , Wiley Calvin A. , Tannaci John F. , Thompson Barry C.
Published: March 2013

Direct arylation polymerization (DArP) is an emerging alternative to Stille and Suzuki polymerizations. This method is attractive as it allows preparation of high‐molecular‐weight conjugated polymers in good yield without the need to metallate monomers. Despite this promise, for poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and related polymers that have β‐protons on the thiophene ring, DArP is known to produce β‐defects, which make the polymer properties different from polymers produced by traditional methods. Here, we demonstrate that DArP conditions based on simple, inexpensive, and bench‐stable reagents can be tuned to limit the amount of defects and produce P3HT with properties remarkably similar to Stille P3HT. Specifically, lowering the reaction temperature, lowering the amount of catalyst, and using a bulkier carboxylate ligand is critical. Optimized conditions include reacting 2‐bromo‐3‐hexylthiophene with 0.25 mol % of Pd(OAc)2, 1.5 equivalents of K2CO3, and 0.3 equivalents of neodecanoic acid in N,N‐dimethylacetamide at 70 °C and give DArP P3HT with ∼60% yield, regioregularity of 93.5%, molecular weight of 20 kDa, polydispersity of 2.8, and melting point of 217 °C, providing a very close match to Stille P3HT, which is obtained with 70–80% yield, 91–94% regioregularity, molecular weight of 15–25 kDa, polydispersity of 2.5–2.8, and melting point of 214–221 °C. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2660–2668
Lung manifestations in MPO‐ANCA associated vasculitides in children
Authors: Ben Ameur Salma , Niaudet Patrick , Baudouin Véronique , Bourgeois Muriel Le. , Houdouin Véronique , Delacourt Christophe , Hadchouel Alice
Published: March 2013

Objective

To describe lung manifestations in MPO‐ANCA associated vasculitides in children.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with MPO‐ANCA associated vasculitis, who were followed in two pediatric nephrology departments from January 2000 to December 2010.

Results

Twelve patients were identified with MPO‐ANCA over the study period. Their median age (IQR) at diagnosis was 10.5 (6.3–12.0) years, and their median duration of follow‐up was 4.8 (1.2–7.5) years. Only five of them had pulmonary involvement with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Lung involvement was inaugural for four of five children. One child with severe chronic respiratory disease and renal failure died after 6 years of disease progression. Pulmonary function tests were available for 10 children. They were within normal ranges in four of five patients without clinical lung manifestations, and no significant impairment was observed in children with pulmonary complications.

Conclusions

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage complicates 40% of cases of MPO‐ANCA associated vasculitides in children with renal involvement. After an acute potentially severe phase, a complete recovery without significant functional impairment was observed in four of five affected children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:285–290. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reference values of exhaled nitric oxide in healthy children 1–5 years using off‐line tidal breathing
Authors: Van Der Heijden Hylke H.A.C.M. , Brouwer Marianne L. , Hoekstra Franka , Van Der Pol Peggy , Merkus Peter J.F.M.
Published: March 2013

Measurement of the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a useful test to diagnose and/or monitor eosinophilic airway inflammation. The off‐line tidal breathing method is used for measurements in young children, but reference values for preschool children are scarce. The objective of this study was to establish reference values for FeNO in healthy children 1–5 years old. We included 51 healthy children (23 males), mean age 32.5 months, from the general population and measured FeNO, using an off‐line tidal breathing method with a chemiluminescence analyzer. The method proved feasible in 100% of the children. Geometric mean FeNO was 7.1 parts per billion (ppb), 95% confidence interval 2.8–11.5 ppb, with the 95th percentile 22.6 ppb. No significant difference was found between boys and girls, and no correlations were observed between FeNO and age, height, or weight. This study demonstrates that the off‐line tidal breathing method is feasible to measure FeNO in preschool children and provides reference values of FeNO in healthy children 1–5 years of age. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:291–295. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy to the pelvis and androgen deprivation in men with locally advanced prostate cancer: A study of adverse effects and their relation to quality of life
Authors: Lilleby Wolfgang , Stensvold Andreas , Dahl Alv A.
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND

To study, adverse effects, quality of life (QoL), fatigue, and mental distress when intensity‐modulated radiotherapy combined with androgen deprivation was applied to the whole pelvis as management of men with locally advanced prostate cancer.

METHODS

In this prospective follow‐up study 91 patients were treated by modern pelvic intensity‐modulated radiotherapy and followed for 12 months. The patients completed a questionnaire with well‐established instruments for adverse effects on urinary, bowel, and sexual function and bother, QoL, fatigue, and mental distress before treatment, and at 3 and 12 months follow‐up.

RESULTS

After pelvic intensity‐modulated radiotherapy the mean levels of sexual urinary and bowel function and bother were significantly reduced from baseline. Only urinary bother improved from 3 to 12‐month follow‐up. The levels of fatigue and QoL increased significantly from baseline to 3‐month. Mental distress, fatigue, and QoL were significantly associated with both urinary and bowel function and bother at most time points, while so was not observed for sexual bother and function.

CONCLUSIONS

Men treated with pelvic intensity‐modulated radiotherapy and androgen deprivation have significant reductions of all types of function and bother at 3 months, with minimal improvement to 12 months except for urinary bother. Fatigue possibly due to pelvic intensity‐modulated radiotherapy increased at follow‐ups. Prostate 73: 1038–1047, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (HGPIN) and topographical distribution in 1,374 prostatectomy specimens: Existence of HGPIN near prostate cancer
Authors: Eminaga Okyaz , Hinkelammert Reemt , Abbas Mahmoud , Titze Ulf , Eltze Elke , Bettendorf Olaf , Semjonow Axel
Published: March 2013

PURPOSE

High‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) is believed to be a precursor of prostate cancer (PCa). This study evaluated whether HGPIN was located close to PCa in whole radical prostatectomy specimens (RPSs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated 1,374 prostate specimens from 1999 to 2010 using a cMDX‐based map model of the prostate. The distribution of 10,439 PCa foci was analyzed and visualized on a heat map. The color gradient of the heat map was reduced to six colors representing the frequency classification of the relative frequency of PCa using an image posterization effect. We defined 22 regions in the prostate according to the frequency of PCa occurrence. Seven hundred ninety RPSs containing 6,374 PCa foci and 4,502 HGPIN foci were evaluated. The topographical association between PCa and HGPIN in the RPSs was analyzed by estimating the frequencies of PCa and HGPIN in 22 regions. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the odds ratios of HGPIN for the presence of PCa in 22 regions.

RESULTS

Fifty‐eight percent of PCa specimens included HGPIN and had significantly more favorable Gleason scores, lower PSA levels and smaller relative tumor volumes than isolated PCa specimens. HGPIN (68%) and PCa (69%) were predominantly localized to the apical half of the prostate. HGPIN was mainly concentrated in the peripheral zone medial to regions with high PCa frequencies. Upon logistic regression analysis, HGPIN was a significant predictor of PCa co‐existence in 11 regions.

CONCLUSIONS

HGPIN was located adjacent to PCa in whole RPSs. PCa concomitant with HGPIN had more favorable pathologic features than isolated PCa. Prostate 73: 1115–1122, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cluster‐Based Bounded Influence Regression
Authors: Lawrence David E. , Birch Jeffrey B. , Chen Yajuan
Published: March 2013

A regression methodology is introduced that obtains competitive, robust, efficient, high‐breakdown regression parameter estimates as well as providing an informative summary regarding possible multiple outlier structure. The proposed method blends a cluster analysis phase with a controlled bounded influence (BI) regression phase, thereby referred to as cluster‐based bounded influence regression, or CBI. Representing the data space via a special set of anchor points, a collection of point‐addition OLS regression estimators forms the basis of a metric used in defining the similarity between any two observations. Cluster analysis then yields a main cluster ‘half‐set’ of observations, with the remaining observations comprising one or more minor clusters. An initial regression estimator arises from the main cluster, with a group‐additive DFFITS argument used to carefully activate the minor clusters through a BI regression frame work. CBI achieves a 50% breakdown point, is regression equivariant, scale and affine equivariant and distributionally is asymptotically normal. Case studies and Monte Carlo results demonstrate the performance advantage of CBI over other popular robust regression procedures regarding coefficient stability, scale estimation and standard errors. The dendrogram of the clustering process and the weight plot are graphical displays available for multivariate outlier detection. Overall, the proposed methodology represents advancement in the field of robust regression, offering a distinct philosophical view point towards data analysis and the marriage of estimation with diagnostic summary. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dependable Low‐altitude Obstacle Avoidance for Robotic Helicopters Operating in Rural Areas
Authors: Merz Torsten , Kendoul Farid
Published: March 2013

This paper presents a system enabling robotic helicopters to fly safely without user interaction at low altitude over unknown terrain with static obstacles. The system includes a novel reactive behavior‐based method that guides rotorcraft reliably to specified locations in sparsely occupied environments. System dependability is, among other things, achieved by utilizing proven system components in a component‐based design and incorporating safety margins and safety modes. Obstacle and terrain detection is based on a vertically mounted off‐the‐shelf two‐dimensional LIDAR system. We introduce two flight modes, pirouette descent and waggle cruise, which extend the field of view of the sensor by yawing the aircraft. The two flight modes ensure that all obstacles above a minimum size are detected in the direction of travel. The proposed system is designed for robotic helicopters with velocity and yaw control inputs and a navigation system that provides position, velocity, and attitude information. It is cost effective and can be easily implemented on a variety of helicopters of different sizes. We provide sufficient detail to facilitate the implementation on single‐rotor helicopters with a rotor diameter of approximately 1.8 m. The system was extensively flight‐tested in different real‐world scenarios in Queensland, Australia. The tests included flights beyond visual range without a backup pilot. Experimental results show that it is feasible to perform dependable autonomous flight using simple but effective methods. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Universal Rule on Chirality‐Dependent Bandgaps in Graphene Antidot Lattices
Authors: Liu Xiaofei , Zhang Zhuhua , Guo Wanlin
Published: March 2013

Graphene with periodically patterned antidots has attracted intense research attention as it represents a facile route to open a bandgap for graphene electronics. However, not all graphene antidot lattices (GALs) can open a bandgap and a guiding rule is missing. Here, through systematic first‐principles calculations, it is found that bandgaps in triangular GALs are surprisingly well defined by a chirality vector R = n a1 + ma2 connecting two neighboring antidots, where a1 and a2 are the basis vectors of graphene. The bandgap opens in the GALs with (n‐m)mod3 = 0 but remains closed in those with (n‐m)mod3 = ±1, reminiscent of the gap‐chirality rule in carbon nanotubes. Remarkably, the gap value in GALs allows ample modulation by adjusting the length of chirality vectors, shape and size of the antidots. The gap–chirality relation in GALs stems from the chirality‐dependent atomic structures of GALs as revealed by a super‐atom model as well as Clar sextet analyses. This chirality‐dependent bandgap is further shown to be a generic behavior in any parallelogram GAL and thus serves as an essential stepping stone for experimenters to realize graphene devices by antidot engineering.
Natriuretic Peptide Receptor A Signaling Regulates Stem Cell Recruitment and Angiogenesis: A Model to Study Linkage Between Inflammation and Tumorigenesis
Authors: Mallela Jaya , Ravi Sowndharya , Jean Louis Frantz , Mulaney Bianca , Cheung Michael , Sree Garapati Ujjwala , Chinnasamy Vignesh , Wang Chunyan , Nagaraj Srinivas , Mohapatra Shyam S. , Mohapatra Subhra
Published: March 2013

Natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA), the signaling receptor for the cardiac hormone, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), is expressed abundantly in inflamed/injured tissues and tumors. NPRA deficiency substantially decreases tissue inflammation and inhibits tumor growth. However, the precise mechanism of NPRA function and whether it links inflammation and tumorigenesis remains unknown. Since both injury repair and tumor growth require stem cell recruitment and angiogenesis, we examined the role of NPRA signaling in tumor angiogenesis as a model of tissue injury repair in this study. In in vitro cultures, aortas from NPRA-KO mice show significantly lower angiogenic response compared to wild-type counterparts. The NPRA antagonist that decreases NPRA expression, inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced angiogenesis. The reduction in angiogenesis correlates with decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) implicating a cell recruitment defect. To test whether NPRA regulates migration of cells to tumors, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were administered i.v., and the results showed that MSCs fail to migrate to the tumor microenvironment in NPRA-KO mice. However, coimplanting tumor cells with MSCs increases angiogenesis and tumorigenesis in NPRA-KO mice, in part by promoting expression of CXCR4 and its ligand, stromal cell-derived factor 1α. Taken together, these results demonstrate that NPRA signaling regulates stem cell recruitment and angiogenesis leading to tumor growth. Thus, NPRA signaling provides a key linkage between inflammation and tumorigenesis, and NPRA may be a target for drug development against cancers and tissue injury repair.
Endogenous Distal Airway Progenitor Cells, Lung Mechanics, and Disproportionate Lobar Growth Following Long-Term Postpneumonectomy in Mice
Authors: Eisenhauer Philip , Earle Benjamin , Loi Roberto , Sueblinvong Viranuj , Goodwin Meagan , Allen Gilman B. , Lundblad Lennart , Mazan Melissa R. , Hoffman Andrew M. , Weiss Daniel J.
Published: March 2013

Using a model of postpneumonectomy (PNY) compensatory lung growth in mice, we previously observed an increase in numbers of a putative endogenous distal airway progenitor cell population (CCSPpos/pro-SPCpos cells located at bronchoalveolar duct junctions [BADJs]), at 3, 7, and 14 days after pneumonectomy, returning to baseline at 28 days post-PNY. As the origin of these cells is poorly understood, we evaluated whether bone marrow cells contributed to the pool of these or other cells during prolonged post-PNY lung regrowth. Naïve and sex-mismatched chimeric mice underwent left PNY and were evaluated at 1, 2, and 3 months for numbers of BADJ CCSPpos/pro-SPCpos cells and presence of donor-derived marrow cells engrafted as airway or alveolar epithelium. Nonchimeric mice were also examined at 12 months after PNY for numbers of BADJ CCSPpos/pro-SPCpos cells. Notably, the right accessory lobe (RAL) continued to grow disproportionately over 12 months, a novel finding not previously described. Assessment of lung mechanics demonstrated an increase in lung stiffness following PNY, which significantly diminished over 1 year, but remained elevated relative to 1-year-old naïve controls. However, the number of CCSPpos/pro-SPCpos BADJ cells ≥1-month following PNY was equivalent to that found in naïve controls even after 12 months of continued RAL growth. Notably, no donor bone marrow-derived cells engrafted as airway or alveolar epithelial cells, including those at the BADJ, up to 3 months after PNY. These studies suggest that lung epithelial cells, including CCSPpos/pro-SPCpos cells, are not replenished from marrow-derived cells during post-PNY lung growth in mice.
Refined exhumation history of the northern Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina
Authors: Löbens Stefan , Sobel Edward R. , Bense Frithjof A. , Wemmer Klaus , Dunkl István , Siegesmund Siegfried
Published: March 2013

The Sierra de Aconquija and Cumbres Calchaquíes in the thick‐skinned northern Sierras Pampeanas, NW Argentina present an ideal setting to investigate the tectonically and erosionally controlled exhumation and uplift history of mountain ranges using thermochronological methods. Although these ranges are located along strike of one another, their spatiotemporal evolution varies significantly. Integrating modeled cooling histories constrained by K‐Ar ages of muscovite and biotite, apatite fission track data as well as (U‐Th)/He measurement of zircon and apatite reveal the structural evolution of these ranges beginning in the late stage of the Paleozoic Famatinian Orogeny. Following localized rift‐related exhumation in the central part of the study area and slow erosion elsewhere, growth of the modern topography commenced in the Cenozoic during Andean deformation. The main activity occurred during the late Miocene, with varying magnitudes of rock uplift, surface uplift, and exhumation in the two mountain ranges. The Cumbres Calchaquíes is characterized by a total of 5–7 km of vertical rock uplift, around 3 km of crestal surface uplift, and a maximum exhumation of 2–4 km since that time. The Sierra de Aconquija experienced 10–13 km of vertical rock uplift, ~4–5 km of peak surface uplift, and 6–8 km of exhumation since around 9 Ma. Much of this exhumation occurred along a previously poorly recognized fault. Miocene reactivation of Cretaceous rift structures may explain along‐strike variations within these ranges. Dating of sedimentary samples from adjacent basins supports the evolutionary model developed for the mountain ranges.