bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genomic psychiatry cohort: Partners in discovery
Authors: Pato Michele T. , Sobell Janet L. , Medeiros Helena , Abbott Colony , Sklar Brooke M. , Buckley Peter F. , Bromet Evelyn J. , Escamilla Michael A. , Fanous Ayman H. , Lehrer Douglas S. , Macciardi Fabio , Malaspina Dolores , McCarroll Steve A. , Marder Stephen R. , Moran Jennifer , Morley Christopher P. , Nicolini Humberto , Perkins Diana O. , Purcell Shaun M. , Rapaport Mark H. , Sklar Pamela , Smoller Jordan W. , Knowles James A. ,   The Genomic Psychiatry Cohort Consortium, Pato Carlos N.
Published: May 2013

The Genomic Psychiatry Cohort (GPC) is a longitudinal resource designed to provide the necessary population‐based sample for large‐scale genomic studies, studies focusing on Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) and/or other alternate phenotype constructs, clinical and interventional studies, nested case–control studies, long‐term disease course studies, and genomic variant‐to‐phenotype studies. We provide and will continue to encourage access to the GPC as an international resource. DNA and other biological samples and diagnostic data are available through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Repository. After appropriate review and approval by an advisory board, investigators are able to collaborate in, propose, and co‐lead studies involving cohort participants. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of epoxies cured with bimodal blends of polyetheramines
Authors: McAninch Ian M. , Palmese Giuseppe R. , Lenhart Joseph L. , La Scala John J.
Published: May 2013

DGEBA was cured with bimodal blends of polyetheramines as well as with single molecular weight amines while maintaining stoichiometry. Glass transition temperatures (Tgs) and moduli were measured using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Fracture properties were measured using the compact tension geometry and testing was performed at both ambient and non‐ambient temperatures, investigating toughness changes as a function of temperature. For constant amine average molecular weights, the addition of high molecular weight amines caused increased glassy moduli at a constant T − Tg and decreased densities while broadening the glass transition without changing the fracture toughness. The fracture behavior, specifically the slip‐stick to brittle transition, was affected by the broadened transitions. Tg, breadth of Tg, and total damping were found to be proportional to the volume fraction of amine in the system. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1621–1631, 2013
Effect of low‐concentration alkali solution pretreatment on the properties of bamboo particles reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites
Authors: Qian Shaoping , Mao Hailiang , Sheng Kuichuan , Lu Jun , Luo Yifan , Hou Congyu
Published: May 2013

Bamboo particles (BP) were treated with 0.3N (1.20 wt %) low‐concentration alkali solution for different times (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 24 h) as reinforcements in poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biodegradable composites. Characteristics of BP by composition analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer‐Emmett Teller test, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, showed that low‐concentration alkali treatment had a significant influence on the microstructure, specific surface area, and chemical groups of BP. PLA/treated‐BP and PLA/untreated‐BP composites were both produced with 30 wt % BP contents. Mechanical measurements showed that tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break of PLA/BP composites increased when the alkali treatment time reached 3.0 h with maximal values of 44.21, 406.41 MPa, and 6.22%, respectively. Maximal flexural strength and flexural modulus of 83.85 MPa and 4.50 GPa were also found after 3.0‐h alkali treatment. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis illustrated that PLA/BP composites had a better compatibility and larger PLA crystallinity after 3.0‐h treatment. Overall, low concentration alkali treatment was a feasible technology in creating BP reinforced PLA composites. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1667–1674, 2013
Effects of annealing on structure and deformation mechanism of isotactic polypropylene film with row‐nucleated lamellar structure
Authors: Ding Zhitian , Bao Ruiying , Zhao Bo , Yan Jing , Liu Zhengying , Yang Mingbo
Published: May 2013

The effects of annealing on structure and deformation mechanism of isotactic polypropylene films with row‐nucleated lamellar structure were investigated. The microstructure developments of the lamellar structure and amorphous during annealing were detected by differential scanning calorimeter and Fourier transform infrared. As annealing went on, the “core–shell sandwich” lamellar structure was proposed to explain the unique tensile property and the microstructure changes of the annealed films. The recrystallized lamellar structure improved the ability of slipping resistance of original lamellar structure during stretching. Microporous membranes were produced through melt extrusion/annealing/uniaxial stretching way. The uniformities of micropore structure of microporous membranes were improved as the annealing time increased for the annealed films. As the “core–shell sandwich” structure developed during annealing, the shapes and diameters of micropore structure were getting more uniform. The annealing time for annealed films improved the water vapor transmission of the microporous membranes, indicating the increased interconnectivity of the pore structure. The pore dimensions of the microporous membranes measured by mercury porosimetry increased with the annealing time for annealed films. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1659–1666, 2013
Medical students' understanding of the concept of a soul
Authors: Martyn Helen , Barrett Anthony , Nicholson Helen D.
Published: May 2013

The concept of a soul has been discussed throughout religious, philosophical, and scientific circles, yet no definitive description exists. Recent interviews with medical students during the production of a documentary film identified that many believed in the concept of a soul. This study explores students' understanding of the concept of a soul. The 2011 cohort of second‐year medical students at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand were invited to participate in an online survey with a free text response asking students to describe their understanding of the soul. The descriptions of the soul included the soul as a “spirit” or “life force” and some described the soul as giving a person their “values” and “personality.” Students discussed the location of a soul with most stating that the soul was not attached to the body, but others mentioned the heart or the brain as the seat of the soul. A common theme related to the mortality of the soul emerged, with most believing that the soul left the body at death. Some students' concept of a soul was related to their religious beliefs, while others who did not believe in the concept of a soul described it as a “myth” used to bring comfort at the time of death. Medical students have varied opinions on the concept and importance of the soul. It is important to recognize the diversity of views when exploring the process of death and spirituality with medical students. Anat Sci Educ 6: 410–414. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.
Feasibility of robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Boggi U , Signori S , De Lio N , Perrone V G , Vistoli F , Belluomini M , Cappelli C , Amorese G , Mosca F
Published: May 2013

Background

Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is feasible, but requires adaptations to established surgical techniques. The improved dexterity offered by robotic assistance provides the opportunity to see whether laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy can be performed safely when faithfully reproducing the open operation.

Methods

Patients were selected for robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy when generally suitable for laparoscopy. Obese patients were excluded, and those with pancreatic cancer were highly selected. A prospectively designed database was used for data collection and analysis.

Results

Of 238 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, 34 (14·3 per cent) were operated on robotically. No procedure was converted to conventional laparoscopy or open surgery, despite three patients requiring segmental resection of the superior mesenteric/portal vein and reconstruction. The mean duration of operation was 597 (range 420–960) min. The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved and analysed from patients with neoplasia was 32 (range 15–76). Four patients required blood transfusions and five developed postoperative complications exceeding Clavien–Dindo grade II. There were four grade B pancreatic fistulas. One patient died on postoperative day 40. Excess mean operative cost compared with open resection was €6193.

Conclusion

Selected patients can safely undergo robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy. The main downsides are high costs and prolonged operating times compared with open resection.
Systematic review of central pancreatectomy and meta-analysis of centralversusdistal pancreatectomy
Authors: Iacono C , Verlato G , Ruzzenente A , Campagnaro T , Bacchelli C , Valdegamberi A , Bortolasi L , Guglielmi A
Published: May 2013

Background

Central pancreatectomy (CP) is a parenchyma-sparing surgical procedure that enables the removal of benign and/or low-grade malignant lesions from the neck and proximal body of the pancreas. The aim of this review was to evaluate the short- and long-term surgical results of CP from all published studies, and the results of comparative studies of CP versus distal pancreatectomy (DP).

Methods

Eligible studies published between 1988 and 2010 were reviewed systematically. Comparisons between CP and DP were pooled and analysed by meta-analytical techniques using random- or fixed-effects models, as appropriate.

Results

Ninety-four studies, involving 963 patients undergoing CP, were identified. Postoperative morbidity and pancreatic fistula rates were 45·3 and 40·9 per cent respectively. Endocrine and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was reported in 5·0 and 9·9 per cent of patients. The overall mortality rate was 0·8 per cent. Compared with DP, CP had a higher postoperative morbidity rate and a higher incidence of pancreatic fistula, but a lower risk of endocrine insufficiency (relative risk (RR) 0·22, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·14 to 0·35; P < 0·001). The risk of exocrine failure was also lower after CP, although this was not significant (RR 0·59, 0·32 to 1·07; P = 0·082).

Conclusion

CP is a safe procedure with good long-term functional reserve. In situations where DP represents an alternative, CP is associated with a slightly higher risk of early complications.
Health-related quality of life after laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal cancer in a randomized trial
Authors: Andersson J , Angenete E , Gellerstedt M , Angerås U , Jess P , Rosenberg J , Fürst A , Bonjer J , Haglind E
Published: May 2013

Background

Previous studies comparing laparoscopic and open surgical techniques have reported improved health-related quality of life (HRQL). This analysis compared HRQL 12 months after laparoscopic versus open surgery for rectal cancer in a subset of a randomized trial.

Methods

The setting was a multicentre randomized trial (COLOR II) comparing laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal cancer. Involvement in the HRQL study of COLOR II was optional. Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38, and EuroQol – 5D (EQ-5D™) before surgery, and 4 weeks, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation. Analysis was done according to the manual for each instrument.

Results

Of 617 patients in hospitals participating in the HRQL study of COLOR II, 385 were included. The HRQL deteriorated to moderate/severe degrees after surgery, gradually returning to preoperative values over time. Changes in EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38, and EQ-5D™ were not significantly different between the groups regarding global health score or any of the dimensions or symptoms at 4 weeks, 6 or 12 months after surgery.

Conclusion

In contrast to previous studies in patients with colonic cancer, HRQL after rectal cancer surgery was not affected by surgical approach. Registration number: NCT0029779 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Rapid quantification of amlodipine enantiomers in human plasma by LC‐MS/MS: application to a clinical pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Hotha Kishore Kumar , Roychowdhury Swapan , Mullangi Ramesh , Ravindranath L. K.
Published: May 2013

A rapid, simple, specific and sensitive LC‐MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the enantiomeric quantification of amlodipine (AML) isomers [R‐amlodipine (R‐AML) and S‐amlodipine (S‐AML)] with 200 μL of human plasma using R‐AML‐d4 and S‐AML‐d4 as corresponding internal standards as per regulatory guidelines. A simple liquid–liquid extraction process was used to extract these analytes from human plasma. The total run time was 3.5 min and the elution of R‐AML, S‐AML, R‐AML‐d4 and S‐AML‐d4 occurred at 1.62, 2.51, 1.63 and 2.53 min, respectively. This was achieved with a mobile phase consisting of 0.2% ammonia–acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min on a Chiralcel OJ RH column. A linear response function was established for the range of concentrations 0.1–10 ng/mL (r >0.998) for each enantiomer. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision values for both enantiomers met the acceptance criteria. Both enantiomers were stable in a set of stability studies, viz. bench‐top, auto‐sampler, freeze–thaw cycles and long‐term. The current assay was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study to quantitate AML enantiomers following oral administration of 10 mg AML tablet to humans. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glycosyl‐Modified Diporphyrins for in Vitro and in Vivo Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Wu Ming , Yu Zuo‐Wei , Liu Yang , Feng Dao‐Fu , Yang Jia‐Jia , Yin Xue‐Bo , Zhang Tao , Chen Dong‐Yan , Liu Tian‐Jun , Feng Xi‐Zeng
Published: May 2013

The application of probes for optical imaging is becoming popular as they have high safety and good biocompatibility. We prepared two kinds of glycosyl‐modified diporphyrins, and their potentials as fluorescent probes were tested for the first time. After preparation of the glycosyl‐modified porphyrin monomers, Ag‐promoted coupling of the monomers was used to obtain glucose‐modified porphyrin dimer (GPD) and lactose‐modified porphyrin dimer (LPD). The strong interaction between the two porphyrin rings achieves red‐shifted emission, and thus circumvents autofluorescence and light‐scattering in biological samples. Although the glycosylation improves solubility, it also yielded selective attachment to cell membranes, and to chorions of early developmental‐stage zebrafish. Patch‐clamp experiments revealed the biocompatibility and low toxicity of GPD and LPD. Moreover, an in vivo imaging experiment provided direct evidence that zebrafish chorion contains sugar‐binding proteins. The modification and derivatization make porphyrins potential bioimaging probes for specific optical imaging.
Bioactivity‐Guided Genome Mining Reveals the Lomaiviticin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in Salinispora tropica
Authors: Kersten Roland D. , Lane Amy L. , Nett Markus , Richter Taylor K. S. , Duggan Brendan M. , Dorrestein Pieter C. , Moore Bradley S.
Published: May 2013

The use of genome sequences has become routine in guiding the discovery and identification of microbial natural products and their biosynthetic pathways. In silico prediction of molecular features, such as metabolic building blocks, physico‐chemical properties or biological functions, from orphan gene clusters has opened up the characterization of many new chemo‐ and genotypes in genome mining approaches. Here, we guided our genome mining of two predicted enediyne pathways in Salinispora tropica CNB‐440 by a DNA interference bioassay to isolate DNA‐targeting enediyne polyketides. An organic extract of S. tropica showed DNA‐interference activity that surprisingly was not abolished in genetic mutants of the targeted enediyne pathways, ST_pks1 and spo. Instead we showed that the product of the orphan type II polyketide synthase pathway, ST_pks2, is solely responsible for the DNA‐interfering activity of the parent strain. Subsequent comparative metabolic profiling revealed the lomaiviticins, glycosylated diazofluorene polyketides, as the ST_pks2 products. This study marks the first report of the 59 open reading frame lomaiviticin gene cluster (lom) and supports the biochemical logic of their dimeric construction through a pathway related to the kinamycin monomer.
Detection of miRNA in Live Cells by Using Templated RuII‐Catalyzed Unmasking of a Fluorophore
Authors: Sadhu Kalyan K. , Winssinger Nicolas
Published: May 2013

Reactions templated by cellular nucleic acids are attractive for nucleic acid sensing or responsive systems. Herein we report the use of a photocatalyzed reductive cleavage of an immolative linker to unmask a rhodamine fluorophore, and its application to miRNA imaging. The reaction was found to proceed with a very high turnover (>4000) and provided reliable detection down to 5 pM of template by using γ‐serine‐modified peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes. The reaction was used for the selective detection of miR‐21 in BT474 cells and miR‐31 in HeLa cells following irradiation for 30 min. The probes were introduced by using reversible permeation with streptolysin‐O (SLO) or a transfection technique.
Distinct glutamatergic and GABAergic subsets of hypothalamic pro‐opiomelanocortin neurons revealed by in situ hybridization in male rats and mice
Authors: Wittmann Gábor , Hrabovszky Erik , Lechan Ronald M.
Published: May 2013

Pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti‐related protein (AGRP) neurons in the hypothalamus regulate various aspects of energy homeostasis and metabolism. POMC and AGRP neurons, respectively, agonize and antagonize melanocortin receptors on their common downstream neurons. However, it is unknown whether they also reciprocally stimulate and inhibit the same neurons by amino acid transmitters. Whereas AGRP neurons are mostly GABAergic, surprisingly, only a small population of POMC neurons has been found to be glutamatergic, and a significantly larger subpopulation to be GABAergic. To further examine amino acid phenotypes of POMC neurons, we studied mRNA expression for the glutamatergic marker, type 2 vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT2), and the GABA synthetic enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), in POMC neurons of both rats and mice by using in situ hybridization techniques. In rats, approximately 58% of POMC neurons were labeled for VGLUT2 and 37% for GAD67 mRNA. In mice, approximately 43% of POMC neurons contained VGLUT2, and 54% contained GAD67 mRNA. In both species, a prominent mediolateral distribution pattern was observed at rostral and mid levels of the POMC cell group with VGLUT2–POMC neurons dominating in lateral portions and GAD67–POMC neurons in medial portions. These data demonstrate that both glutamatergic and GABAergic cells are present in comparably significant numbers among POMC neurons. Their glutamatergic or GABAergic phenotype may represent a major functional division within the POMC cell group. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:3287–3302, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of the trunk neural crest in the bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum
Authors: Juarez Marilyn , Reyes Michelle , Coleman Tiffany , Rotenstein Lisa , Sao Sothy , Martinez Darwin , Jones Matthew , Mackelprang Rachel , De Bellard Maria Elena
Published: May 2013

The neural crest is a population of mesenchymal cells that after migrating from the neural tube gives rise to structure and cell types: the jaw, part of the peripheral ganglia, and melanocytes. Although much is known about neural crest development in jawed vertebrates, a clear picture of trunk neural crest development for elasmobranchs is yet to be developed. Here we present a detailed study of trunk neural crest development in the bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum. Vital labeling with dioctadecyl tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) and in situ hybridization using cloned Sox8 and Sox9 probes demonstrated that trunk neural crest cells follow a pattern similar to the migratory paths already described in zebrafish and amphibians. We found shark trunk neural crest along the rostral side of the somites, the ventromedial pathway, the branchial arches, the gut, the sensory ganglia, and the nerves. Interestingly, C. punctatum Sox8 and Sox9 sequences aligned with vertebrate SoxE genes, but appeared to be more ancient than the corresponding vertebrate paralogs. The expression of these two SoxE genes in trunk neural crest cells, especially Sox9, matched the Sox10 migratory patterns observed in teleosts. Also of interest, we observed DiI cells and Sox9 labeling along the lateral line, suggesting that in C. punctatum, glial cells in the lateral line are likely of neural crest origin. Although this has been observed in other vertebrates, we are the first to show that the pattern is present in cartilaginous fishes. These findings demonstrate that trunk neural crest cell development in C. punctatum follows the same highly conserved migratory pattern observed in jawed vertebrates. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:3303–3320, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Visual exploration of data by using multidimensional scaling on multicore CPU, GPU, and MPI cluster
Authors: Pawliczek Piotr , Dzwinel Witold , Yuen David A.
Published: May 2013

Visual and interactive data exploration requires fast and reliable tools for embedding of an original data space in 3(2)‐dimensional Euclidean space. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) is a good candidate. However, owing to at least O(M2) memory and time complexity, MDS is computationally demanding for interactive visualization of data sets consisting of order of 104 objects on computer systems, ranging from PC with multicore CPU processor, graphics processing unit (GPU) board to midrange MPI clusters. To explore interactively data sets of that size, we have developed novel efficient parallel algorithms for MDS mapping based on virtual particle dynamics. We demonstrate that the performance of our MDS algorithms implemented in compute unified device architecture environment on a PC equipped with a modern GPU board (Tesla M2090, GeForce GTX 480) is considerably faster than its MPI/OpenMP parallel implementation on the modern midrange professional cluster (10 nodes, each equipped with 2x Intel Xeon X5670 CPUs). We also show that the hybridized two‐level MPI/CUDA implementation, run on a cluster of GPU nodes, can additionally provide a linear speedup. Copyright 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cosmological natural selection and the purpose of the universe
Authors: Gardner Andy , Conlon Joseph P.
Published: May 2013

The cosmological natural selection (CNS) hypothesis holds that the fundamental constants of nature have been fine‐tuned by an evolutionary process in which universes produce daughter universes via the formation of black holes. Here, we formulate the CNS hypothesis using standard mathematical tools of evolutionary biology. Specifically, we capture the dynamics of CNS using Price's equation, and we capture the adaptive purpose of the universe using an optimization program. We establish mathematical correspondences between the dynamics and optimization formalisms, confirming that CNS acts according to a formal design objective, with successive generations of universes appearing designed to produce black holes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 18: 48–56, 2013
Fast synthesis of Cu‐doped ZnO nanosheets at ambient condition
Authors: Wang J. P. , Xu C. H. , You Y. F. , Si Z. S. , Li D. L. , Shi S. Q.
Published: May 2013

A new, fast and low cost method to produce Cu‐doped ZnO nanosheets is reported for the first time in this paper. Zinc foil specimens were immersed into CuSO4 aqueous solutions with various concentrations for 3 seconds and then dried at ambient condition. The immersed specimens were characterized with a scanning electron microscope, an X‐ray diffractometer and a transmission electron microscope. The results show that Cu‐doped ZnO nanosheets with a multilayer structure on a cupper layer are formed. Cu‐doped ZnO nanosheets show hexagonal crystalline structure and comprises polycrystalline grains with diameters of 5∼10 nm. A physical modal is suggested to explain the prepared Cu‐doped ZnO nanosheet structure, based on the chemical reactions and a metallurgical cell.
Label switching over IEEE802.15.4e networks
Authors: Morell A. , Vilajosana X. , Vicario J. L. , Watteyne T.
Published: May 2013

An open issue still to be addressed in low‐power lossy networks (LLNs) is how the application requirements, the available transport services, the network layer routes, and the data link‐layer resources are mapped efficiently. This can be explained by the fact that, in most LLNs, link‐layer resources cannot be easily managed; this results in a best effort IP layer, and traffic engineering performed solely through flow control at the transport layer. The new IEEE802.15.4e standard defines a link‐layer mechanism by which motes in the network synchronise and communicate by following a schedule. Each slot in that schedule can be seen as an atomic link‐layer resource, which can be allocated to any arbitrary link in the network. The schedule can be built to match the bandwidth, latency and power requirements of each mote in the network. Managing that schedule is performed centrally in IEEE802.15.4e networks today. This paper explores a solution to achieve the same goal in a distributed manner. Specifically, we argue that this problem is very similar to traffic engineering on today's Internet. We show how multiprotocol label switching can be mapped to LLNs to manage the network's schedule. By using the completely fair distributed scheduler, we show by simulation how this novel link‐layer resource allocation scheme yields a proper distribution of end‐to‐end delays among the motes and an average throughput that achieves the 70% of the maximum possible throughput in the worst conditions tested. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of fluid flow in a shear band in porous rock using neutron radiography
Authors: Hall Stephen A
Published: May 2013

The challenge of understanding how localized deformation modifies fluid flow in porous rock is addressed. New approaches are presented, based on neutron radiography and digital image analyses, to track fluid flow in rock specimens and to calculate flow velocity fields providing local flow measurements. The results show that neutron radiography, backed up by appropriate image analysis, is a very powerful tool in this context, being far more sensitive to the fluids in the rock than X‐ray radiography. Analysis of neutron radiography images of water imbibition into a laboratory‐deformed sandstone specimen has provided new measurements of local fluid flow velocities within a shear band, indicating that flow is faster and water storage is higher in the band (attributed to higher capillary forces associated with damage).
Mortality risk in former smokers with breast cancer: Pack‐years vs. smoking status
Authors: Saquib Nazmus , Stefanick Marcia L. , Natarajan Loki , Pierce John P.
Published: May 2013

It is unclear why successful quitting at time of breast cancer diagnosis should remove risk from a significant lifetime of smoking. Studies concluding this may be biased by how smoking is measured in many epidemiological cohorts. In the late 1990s, a randomized trial of diet and breast cancer outcomes enrolled early‐stage female breast cancer survivors diagnosed within the previous 4 years. Smoking history and key covariate measures were available at study entry for 2,953 participants. Participants were followed for an average of 7.3 years (96% response rate). There were 10.1% deaths (83% from breast cancer). At enrollment, 55.2% were never smokers, 41.2% former smokers and 4.6% current smokers. Using current smoking status in a Cox regression, there was no increased risk for former smokers for either all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87–1.41; p‐value = 0.42) or breast cancer mortality. However, when we categorized on extensive lifetime exposure, former smokers with 20+ pack‐years of smoking (25.8%) had a significantly higher risk of both all‐cause (HR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.17–2.48; p‐value = 0.0007) and breast cancer‐specific mortality (HR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.11–2.37; p‐value = 0.01). Lifetime smoking exposure, not current status, should be used to assess mortality risk among former smokers.
A population‐based prospective study of energy‐providing nutrients in relation to all‐cause cancer mortality and cancers of digestive organs mortality
Authors: Argos Maria , Melkonian Stephanie , Parvez Faruque , Rakibuz‐Zaman Muhammad , Ahmed Alauddin , Chen Yu , Ahsan Habibul
Published: May 2013

The effect of dietary composition on mortality in low‐income countries is largely unknown. We evaluated whether percentages of dietary energy derived from protein, fat and carbohydrates were associated with all‐cause and cancer mortalities in a Bangladeshi population. Data from a prospective population‐based cohort study of 17,244 men and women were used. Percentages of dietary energy derived from protein, fat and carbohydrates, assessed using a validated food‐frequency questionnaire at baseline, were analyzed in relation to mortality over an average of 9 years (155,126 person‐years) of follow‐up. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios for all cause, all cancer and cancers of the digestive organs mortalities. Percentage of dietary energy from protein appeared to be significantly associated with cancer mortality. Fully adjusted hazard ratios for cancer mortality in increasing tertiles of percentage of dietary energy from protein were 1.0 (reference), 1.21 (0.73, 2.00) and 1.84 (1.08, 3.15) (p for trend = 0.023). These associations were much stronger for deaths from cancers of the digestive organs with fully adjusted hazard ratios in increasing tertiles of percentage of dietary energy from protein being 1.0 (reference), 2.25 (0.91, 5.59) and 4.85 (1.88, 12.51) (p for trend = 0.001). No significant associations in relation to cancer‐related mortality were observed for percentage of dietary energy from fat. Novel findings from this prospective study show protein is an important risk factor or proxy to an important risk factor for cancer mortality especially from digestive organ cancers in Bangladesh. © 2013 UICC
Genetic variants in C‐type lectin genes are associated with colorectal cancer susceptibility and clinical outcome
Authors: Lu Shun , Bevier Melanie , Huhn Stefanie , Sainz Juan , Lascorz Jesus , Pardini Barbara , Naccarati Alessio , Vodickova Ludmila , Novotny Jan , Hemminki Kari , Vodicka Pavel , Försti Asta
Published: May 2013

Inflammatory responses play a vital role at different stages of colorectal carcinogenesis. C‐type lectins mediate inflammatory/immune responses and participate in immune escape of pathogens and tumors. Our study aimed to evaluate the correlation between polymorphisms in three C‐type lectin genes, CD209, MBL2 and REG4, and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and clinical outcome. We genotyped 15 potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and assessed their associations with CRC risk in a case‐control study of 1353 CRC cases and 767 healthy controls from the Czech Republic. We also analyzed these SNPs in relation to overall and event‐free survival in 414 patients. Two CD209 SNPs were associated with CRC risk after adjustment for multiple comparison. Minor allele carriers of the promoter SNP rs2287886 had an increased risk of CRC (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.08–1.56), while minor allele carriers of the 3′UTR SNP, rs7248637, had a decreased risk (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.60–0.91). Multivariate survival analyses, including age, gender, TNM stage and grade, showed that patients without distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis and carrying the rs2994809 T allele had a decreased overall and event‐free survival (HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.20–3.72 and HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.18–3.39, respectively). We show that SNPs in CD209 may affect CRC risk, while a SNP in REG4 may be a useful marker for CRC progression.
Matriptase‐2 gene (TMPRSS6) variants associate with breast cancer survival, and reduced expression is related to triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Tuhkanen Hanna , Hartikainen Jaana M. , Soini Ylermi , Velasco Gloria , Sironen Reijo , Nykopp Timo K. , Kataja Vesa , Eskelinen Matti , Kosma Veli‐Matti , Mannermaa Arto
Published: May 2013

Matriptase‐2 (TMPRSS6) has been identified as a breast cancer risk factor. Here, we examined relationships between TMPRSS6 genetic variations and breast cancer risk and survival, and determined the gene and protein expressions in breast tumors and assessed their clinical importance. Thirteen TMPRSS6 polymorphisms were genotyped in 462 invasive breast cancer cases and 458 controls. Gene expression was analyzed from 83 tumors and protein expression from 370 tumors. We then assessed the statistical significance of associations among genotypes, clinicopathological characteristics and survival. The TMPRSS6 variant rs2543519 was associated with breast cancer risk (p = 0.032). Multivariate analysis showed that four variants had effects on survival—rs2543519 (p = 0.017), rs2235324 (p = 0.038), rs14213212 (p = 0.044) and rs733655 (p = 0.021)—which were used to create a group variable that was associated with poorer prognosis correlating with more alleles related to reduced survival (p = 0.006; risk ratio, 2.375; 95% confidence interval, 1.287–4.382). Low gene expression was related to triple‐negative breast cancer (p = 0.0001), and lower protein expression was detected in undifferentiated (p = 0.019), large (p = 0.014) and ductal or lobular tumors (p = 0.036). These results confirm the association of TMRRSS6 variants with breast cancer risk and survival. Matriptase‐2 levels decrease with tumor progression, and lower gene expression is seen in poor‐prognosis‐related triple‐negative breast cancers. Our study is the first to show that matriptase‐2 gene variants are related to breast cancer prognosis, supporting matriptase‐2 involvement in tumor development.
Multicompartment micelle‐structured peptide nanoparticles: A new biocompatible gene‐ and drug‐delivery tool
Authors: de Bruyn Ouboter Dirk , Schuster Thomas , Shanker Vijay , Heim Markus , Meier Wolfgang
Published: May 2013

Self‐assembled, biodegradable materials that embed fragile, soluble, or insoluble compounds of therapeutic interest have potential use as drug delivery systems. The bead‐forming peptide Ac‐X3‐gT can embed hydrophobic and hydrophilic payloads. Loaded peptide beads were internalized by human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP‐1) macrophages, THP‐1 monocytes, and hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Huh7). Furthermore, paclitaxel and doxorubicin coencapsulated in the peptide beads were delivered to THP‐1 monocytes, causing a decrease in cell viability due to the activity of the anticancer drugs. In addition to the bead‐forming peptide Ac‐X3‐gT, the use of a positively charged peptide analogue increased the RNA/DNA embedding efficiency to 99% by charge compensation and micellar complexation. Internalization of the resulting gene delivery systems by Huh7 cells led to specific gene silencing either by embedded small interfering RNA or by plasmid‐encoding small hairpin RNA delivered in cells. The new class of purely peptidic material caused no measurable toxicity during in vitro experiments, thereby indicating potential use as a drug delivery system for multidrug delivery and gene therapy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 1155–1163, 2014.
Swedish mutant APP suppresses osteoblast differentiation and causes osteoporotic deficit, which are ameliorated by N-acetyl-L-cysteine
Authors: Xia Wen-Fang , Jung Ji-Ung , Shun Cui , Xiong Shan , Xiong Lei , Shi Xing-Ming , Mei Lin , Xiong Wen-Cheng
Published: May 2013

Reduced bone mineral density and hip fracture are frequently observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, mechanisms underlying their association remain poorly understood. Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a transmembrane protein that is ubiquitously expressed in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), osteoblasts (OBs), macrophages (BMMs), and osteoclasts (OCs). Mutations in the APP gene identified in early-onset AD patients are believed to cause AD. But little is known about APP's role in bone remodeling. Here, we present evidence for Swedish mutant APP (APPswe) in suppression of OB differentiation and function in culture and in mouse. APP expression in BMSCs increases during aging. Ubiquitous expression of APPswe in young adult Tg2576 transgenic mice (under the control of a prion promoter) recaptured skeletal “aging-like” deficits, including decreased OB genesis and bone formation, increased adipogenesis and bone marrow fat, and enhanced OC genesis and bone resorption. Remarkably, selective expression of APPswe in mature OB-lineage cells in TgAPPswe-Ocn mice (under the control of osteocalcin [Ocn] promoter-driven Cre) also decreased OB genesis and increased OC formation, resulting in a trabecular bone loss. These results thus suggest a cell-autonomous role for APPswe in suppressing OB formation and function, but a nonautonomous effect on OC genesis. Notably, increased adipogenesis and elevated bone marrow fat were detected in young adult Tg2576 mice, but not in TgAPPswe-Ocn mice, implying that APPswe in BMSCs and/or multicell types in bone marrow promotes bone marrow adipogenesis. Intriguingly, the skeletal aging-like deficits in young adult Tg2576 mice were prevented by treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may underlie APPswe-induced osteoporotic deficits. Taken together, these results demonstrate a role for APPswe in suppressing OB differentiation and bone formation, implicate APPswe as a detrimental factor for AD-associated osteoporotic deficit, and reveal a potential clinical value of NAC in the treatment of osteoporotic deficits. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Material and structural properties of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Zwischensubstanz
Authors: Pinto Sheldon J.D. , Shadwick Robert E.
Published: May 2013

The oral anatomy of the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) consists of several major structures crucial to its engulfment method of feeding, such as stiff keratinized baleen plates, a large flaccid tongue, and a prominent vomer. One under‐documented part of this anatomy is the cream white Zwischensubstanz that holds the baleen plates to the rostrum at their dorsal base. The mechanical and structural properties of Zwischensubstanz play a key role in baleen plate dynamics and, on the grand scale, contribute to baleen whales' filtration efficiency and attainment of large body size. Compression and tensile tests on the Zwischensubstanz sampled from an 18 m fin whale showed that this material unexpectedly exhibits linear isotropic behaviour with Elastic Modulus of 2.56 ± 0.60 MPa and hysteresis of 0.44 ± 0.02 in compression despite apparent unidirectional growth. Acting similar to a soft rubber, the Zwischensubstanz absorbs and dissipates the enormous forces acting on baleen plates during engulfment feeding while maintaining spacing between the plates to maximize filtration efficiency. Microscopic analysis provided images of connective tissue papillae penetrating the base of the Zwischensubstanz and developing within it to emerge as fully formed, keratinized baleen plates. The plates develop from the papillae and a connective tissue sheet within the 5–7 cm deep Zwischensubstanz. The Zwischensubstanz provides a keratin matrix of concentrically oriented fibers around each papilla forming the hard baleen plates and frayed fringes used for filter feeding. During this formation, the Zwischensubstanz remains unchanged and appears to slough away to allow the baleen plate to grow unhindered. J. Morphol. 274:947–955, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Incorporation of soybean by‐product okara and inulin in a probiotic soy yoghurt: texture profile and sensory acceptance
Authors: Bedani Raquel , Campos Marina MS , Castro Inar A , Rossi Elizeu A , Saad Susana MI
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the effect of inulin and okara flour on textural and sensory properties of probiotic soy yoghurt (SY) throughout 28 days of storage at 4 °C. Employing a 22 design, four formulations of SY produced from soymilk and fermented with an ABT‐4 culture (Lactobacillus acidophilus La‐5, Bifidobacterium animalis Bb‐12 and Streptococcus thermophilus) were studied: SY‐C (control); SY‐I (with inulin); SY‐O (with okara); SY‐IO (with inulin + okara).

RESULTS

The addition of okara and the refrigerated storage led to significant differences in the instrumental texture parameters of SY (P < 0.05). Inulin and okara did not affect SY sensory acceptability (P > 0.05), but there was a tendency for higher scores in the presence of inulin. On the other hand, the storage period, particularly at 21 days, was unfavourable regarding the acceptance of the different SY.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the addition of okara flour and the storage were significant factors to increase firmness of the soy yoghurts. SY acceptability was not affected by the incorporation of inulin or okara. These results suggest that okara, discarded as industrial waste, may be used in probiotic soy yoghurt, helping to increase the nutritional and functional properties without altering its acceptability. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Perspectives and Potential Applications of Mitochondria‐Targeted Antioxidants in Cardiometabolic Diseases and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Rocha Milagros , Apostolova Nadezda , Herance Jose Raul , Rovira‐Llopis Susana , Hernandez‐Mijares Antonio , Victor Victor M.
Published: May 2013

There is abundant evidence to suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction is a main cause of insulin resistance and related cardiometabolic comorbidities. On the other hand, insulin resistance is one of the main characteristics of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Lipid and glucose metabolism require mitochondria to generate energy, and when O2 consumption is low due to inefficient nutrient oxidation, there is an increase in reactive oxygen species, which can impair different types of molecules, including DNA, lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, thereby inducing proinflammatory processes. Factors which contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction, such as mitochondrial biogenesis and genetics, can also lead to insulin resistance in different insulin‐target tissues, and its association with mitochondrial dysfunction can culminate in the development of cardiovascular diseases. In this context, therapies that improve mitochondrial function may also improve insulin resistance. This review explains mechanisms of mitochondrial function related to the pathological effects of insulin resistance in different tissues. The pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases will be explained from a mitochondrial perspective and the potential beneficial effects of mitochondria‐targeted antioxidants as a therapy for modulating mitochondrial function in cardiometabolic diseases, especially diabetes, will also be considered.
Improved baseline in 29Si NMR spectra of water glasses
Authors: Schraml Jan , Sandor Peter , Korec Stefan , Krump Martin , Foller Bronislav
Published: May 2013

It is shown by experiments that replacing one‐pulse sequence by RIDE (ring down elimination) pulse sequence may dramatically improve the baseline of 29Si NMR spectra and eliminate the signal from the probe. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Derivatives of maximum‐entropy basis functions on the boundary: Theory and computations
Authors: Greco F. , Sukumar N.
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we obtain explicit expressions to evaluate the derivatives of maximum‐entropy (max‐ent) basis function on the boundary of a convex domain. In the max‐ent formulation, the basis functions are obtained by maximizing a concave functional subjected to linear constraints (reproducing conditions). In doing so, it is found that the Lagrange multipliers blow up when x ∈ ∂Ω, and the expressions for the derivatives of the max‐ent basis functions in Ω are of an indeterminate form for points on ∂Ω. We appeal to l'Hôpital's rule to derive expressions to determine the derivatives of the basis functions. We consider the Shannon entropy functional and the relative entropy functional with different choices of the prior weight function. The first‐order derivatives of all basis functions are bounded. In contrast, on an irregular grid with a certain nodal spacing, some of the second derivatives of the basis functions are unbounded on the boundary. Necessary and sufficient conditions on the priors to obtain bounded Lagrange multipliers are established. Optimal convergence rates for fourth‐order problems are demonstrated for a Galerkin approach with a quadratically complete partition‐of‐unity enriched max‐ent approximation.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How great thy brand: the impact of church branding on perceived benefits
Authors: Casidy Riza
Published: May 2013

There are mixed opinions in the literature in regards of the appropriateness, relevance and significance of church branding in the context of church participation. This pilot study applied the ‘perceived brand orientation’ (PBO) construct in church context and examines its impact on perceived benefits among regular church goers of one Pentecostal denomination and non‐regular church goers. The results indicate that PBO is significantly related to perceived spiritual, social and purpose‐in‐life benefits in both sample groups. A multigroup analysis also found that PBO has a stronger effect on perceived benefits among non‐regular church goers. This study highlights the importance of being brand‐oriented to attract members' participation. Relevant implications for church leaders and managers of nonprofit organizations are also identified.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Greater weight loss with increasing age in the weight loss maintenance trial
Authors: Svetkey Laura P. , Clark Jeanne M. , Funk Kristine , Corsino Leonor , Batch Bryan C. , Hollis Jack F. , Appel Lawrence J. , Brantley Phillip J. , Loria Catherine M. , Champagne Catherine M. , Vollmer William M. , Stevens Victor J.
Published: May 2013

Objective

To determine the effect of age on weight loss and weight loss maintenance in participants in the Weight Loss Maintenance trial (WLM).

Design and Methods

Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of overweight/obese adults with CVD risk factors was conducted. Participants were 1685 adults with baseline BMI 25‐45 kg m2 with hypertension and/or dyslipidemia. Those who lost at least 4kg in an initial 6‐month behavioral weight loss intervention (N = 1,032) were randomly assigned to a 30‐month maintenance phase of self‐directed control (SD), monthly personal counseling (PC), or unlimited access to an internet‐based intervention (IT). Age groups were defined post‐hoc and weight change was compared among age groups.

Results

Participants ≥60 years old initially lost more weight than younger individuals, and sustained greater weight loss in IT and PC but not in SD (P value for trend 0.024, 0.002, and 0.36, respectively).

Conclusions

In WLM, adults age ≥60 years had greater initial weight loss and greater sustained weight loss over 3 years, compared to younger adults. Older adults had greater weight loss maintenance with either personal counseling or internet‐based intervention. Future research should determine optimal implementation strategies and effects of weight loss on health outcomes in older adults.