bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor‐gamma stimulation for prevention of 5‐fluorouracil‐induced oral mucositis in mice
Authors: Sottili Mariangela , Mangoni Monica , Gerini Chiara , Salvatore Giulia , Castiglione Francesca , Desideri Isacco , Bonomo Pierluigi , Meattini Icro , Greto Daniela , Loi Mauro , Francolini Giulio , Perna Marco , Grassi Roberta , Biti Giampaolo , Livi Lorenzo
Published: November 2017

Background

Oral mucositis is a side effect of treatment regimens containing 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). The purpose of this study was to present our evaluation to see if rosiglitazone (RGZ) protected normal tissues from chemotherapy‐induced oral mucositis.

Methods

C57BL/6J mice were treated with 5‐FU for 5 days, with or without RGZ. Mice were euthanized after 5, 8, 11, or 15 days, and mucosal segments were collected.

Results

The RGZ did not affect the 5‐FU‐induced decrease in mouse body weight. The 5‐FU caused loss of epithelial architecture, collagen fiber impairment, and inflammatory infiltration. The RGZ reduced leukocyte infiltration, preserved tissue structure, and dampened the 5‐FU‐induced expression of p53 and matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp)‐2 after 5 days, and of Mmp‐2 and interleukin (Il‐1β after 15 days. The RGZ inhibited the 5‐FU‐induced increase of transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) and nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) proteins and restored collagen protein levels.

Conclusion

The RGZ had a protective effect on oral mucosa damaged by chemotherapy. These data encourage the further study of RGZ for the prevention of 5‐FU‐induced mucositis in patients with cancer.
Hippocampal CA1 activity correlated with the distance to the goal and navigation performance
Authors: Spiers Hugo J. , Olafsdottir H. Freyja , Lever Colin
Published: November 2017

Coding the distance to a future goal is an important function of a neural system supporting navigation. While some evidence indicates the hippocampus increases activity with proximity to the goal, others have found activity to decrease with proximity. To explore goal distance coding in the hippocampus we recorded from CA1 hippocampal place cells in rats as they navigated to learned goals in an event arena with a win‐stay lose‐shift rule. CA1 activity was positively correlated with the distance ‐ decreasing with proximity to the goal. The stronger the correlation between distance to the goal and CA1 activity, the more successful navigation was in a given task session. Acceleration, but not speed, was also correlated with the distance to the goal. However, the relationship between CA1 activity and navigation performance was independent of variation in acceleration and variation in speed. These results help clarify the situations in which CA1 activity encodes navigationally relevant information and the extent to which it relates to behavior.
Complex Molecule Synthesis, a Personal View
Authors: Hoffmann Reinhard W.
Published: November 2017

Our ability to synthesize complex molecules reflects the capabilities and status of synthetic methodology at a given time. Accordingly the targets of actual syntheses have become ever more challenging over the last fifty years. This is showcased in this review with reference to five syntheses, the author chose as his personal preference.
Iron Dihydride Complexes: Synthesis, Reactivity, and Catalytic Applications
Authors: Dai Huiguang , Guan Hairong
Published: November 2017

Iron dihydride complexes often play important roles in catalytic reactions that employ reducing agents such as H2, boranes, and silanes. Development of more efficient and selective iron‐based catalysts for these processes requires effective synthetic strategies and a deeper understanding of the reactivity of the dihydride complexes. The purpose of this review is to provide the readers with an overview of different ligand systems that have been used to support iron dihydride complexes.
N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Iron Silyl Hydride Complexes
Authors: Quintero‐Duque Samuel , Li Haoquan , Misal Castro Luis C. , Dorcet Vincent , Roisnel Thierry , Clot Eric , Grellier Mary , Sortais Jean‐Baptiste , Darcel Christophe
Published: November 2017

Reaction of N‐heterocyclic carbene iron(0) tetracarbonyl complexes with hydrosilanes (triphenylsilane, methyldiphenylsilane and diphenylsilane) under UV irradiation (350 nm) afforded the octahedral N‐heterocyclic carbene iron(II) silyl hydride complexes in yields up to 95 %, resulting from the oxidative addition of the hydrosilane. Eight iron silyl hydrides were obtained and characterized by NMR and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Noticeably, the geometry of the iron‐hydride complexes and the bent structures of the carbonyl ligands were rationalized by DFT calculations.
A machine learning approach for brain image enhancement and segmentation
Authors: Fenshia Singh J. , Magudeeswaran V.
Published: November 2017

In brain MRI analysis, image segmentation is commonly used for measuring and visualizing the brain's anatomical structures, for surgical planning, etc. However, due to presence of noise and uncertainty between different tissues in the brain image, the segmentation of brain is a challenging task. This problem is rectified in this article using two stages. In the first stage an enhancement technique called contrast limited fuzzy adaptive histogram equalization (CLFAHE) which is a combination of CLAHE and fuzzy enhancement is used to improve the contrast of MRI Brain images. Contrast of the image is controlled using contrast intensification operator (Clip limit). The second stage deals with the segmentation of enhanced image. The enhanced brain images are segmented using new level‐set method which has the property of both local and global segmentation. Signed pressure force (SPF) function is also used here which stops the contours at weak and blurred edged efficiently.
Three‐dimensional FDTD modeling of neurons to solve EEG and MEG forward problem
Authors: Hashemi Soheil , Abdolali Ali
Published: November 2017

Neuronal activities including calcium sodium current, ligands current, and synaptic transmembrane current create electromagnetic fields. Here, an analytic method is suggested to obtain the electromagnetic fields and potential signals resulting from the function of nerve cells inside the brain. Modeling simulates the behavior of cells three‐dimensionally. The proposed method employs the electric scalar potential and magnetic vector potential to solve the time‐domain three‐dimensional equations using the partial differential method. All ion flows are considered as electrical current densities. In this method, the brain and desired cells are meshed to solve the problem using the numerical method. As an example, the electric fields, magnetic fields, and signals generated by cingulum nerve fibers are illustrated and compared in Cz, Fz, and T3 electrode positions. A direct analysis method based on the same mechanism and biophysics of the nervous system is proposed. Employing this direct method leads not only to a better understanding of neuronal activity but also to a more accurate vision regarding the accuracy/inaccuracy of experimental and inverse methods. The analysis of these data provides insights into the brain function processes.
Metabolic effects of p,p′‐DDE on Atlantic salmon hepatocytes
Authors: Olsvik Pål A. , Søfteland Liv
Published: November 2017

Decades after being banned in many countries, DDT and its metabolites are still considered major environmental hazards. The p,p′‐DDE isomer, the DDT metabolite found in highest concentration in aquaculture feeds, is an endocrine disruptor with demonstrated ability to induce epigenetic effects. This study aimed at examining the impact of p,p′‐DDE on Atlantic salmon. Primary hepatocytes were exposed to four concentrations of p,p′‐DDE (0.1, 1, 10, 100 μm) for 48 hours, and endpoints included cytotoxicity, global DNA methylation, targeted transcription and metabolomics profiling (100 μm). p,p′‐DDE was moderately cytotoxic at 100 μm. No impact was seen on global DNA methylation. Vtg1 and esr1 transcription, markers of endocrine disruption, was most strongly induced at 10 μm p,p′‐DDE, while ar showed strongest response at 100 μm. Metabolomics profiling showed that p,p′‐DDE at 100 μm most strongly affected carbohydrate metabolism, primary bile acid metabolism, leucine, isoleucine and valine metabolism, diacylglycerol and sphingolipid metabolism. Observed changes in lipid levels suggest that p,p′‐DDE interferes with phospholipid membrane biosynthesis. Elevation of bile acid levels in p,p′‐DDE‐exposed hepatocytes indicates upregulation of synthesis of bile acids after cytochrome P450 activation. Pathway analysis showed that the superpathway of methionine degradation was the most significantly affected pathway by p,p′‐DDE exposure, while endocrine system disorder topped the diseases and disorder ranking. In conclusion, this work predicts an endocrine response to p,p′‐DDE exposure, and demonstrates how this legacy pesticide might interfere with mechanisms linked to DNA methylation in Atlantic salmon hepatocytes.
Simultaneous Determination of Mixtures of Nitrite and Nitrate by Reversed‐Phase Ion‐Pair Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Qiu Shiming , Xi Hongjuan , Qing Shaojun , Hou Xiaoning , Gao Zhixian
Published: November 2017

To overcome the relatively low resolution in the separation and quantitative analysis of mixtures of nitrite and nitrate, a reversed‐phase ion‐pair liquid chromatographic method is developed with advantages of high accuracy, good selectivity, high efficiency, and low cost. By employing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the ion‐pair reagent, this method can work excellently in situations where one component in the mixture is highly in excess (e.g., molar ratio of n( NO2−):n(NO3−) ranging from 1:99 to 95:5). The operation parameters were optimized on a Shim‐pack VP‐ODS(150 L × 4.6) analytical column using a methanol/water ratio of 50:50 (v/v) mobile phase containing 7.0 mmol/L CTAB and 3.1 mmol/L potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4).The column works at a temperature of 35 °C with a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. Such a protocol can be applied to monitor the formation of trace nitrous acid during the oxidative decomposition of nitric acid.
‘You opened my mind’: Latinx immigrant and receiving community interactional dynamics in the United States
Authors: Buckingham Sara L. , Emery Lindsay , Godsay Surbhi , Brodsky Anne E. , Scheibler Jill E.
Published: November 2017

Communities are continually shaped by immigration. As immigrants join receiving community members as members of the same community, all must co‐navigate emergent and evolving relationships. These intergroup relations can range from quite positive, marked by mutual enrichment and engagement, to quite negative, marked by prejudice and discrimination. This study seeks to illuminate immigrant and receiving community member relations by exploring what factors play a role in each group's attitudes and actions toward, and experiences with, one another. Thirty first‐ and second‐generation immigrants from Latin America and 30 third‐generation or more U.S.‐born respondents participated in semistructured interviews, which were thematically analyzed. Results indicated that while both intergroup contact (Allport, 1954) and the formation of common in‐group identities (Gaertner, Dovidio, & Bachman, 1996) helped to create positive intergroup relations, numerous personal characteristics–including values and beliefs, visible features, and relative power–affected experiences and attitudes. Further, in the absence of knowledge based on direct contact, media played a strong role in shaping attitudes toward both groups of community members. These findings show how attitudes and actions of immigrants and receiving community members are each shaped by experiences, or lack thereof, between these groups. Moreover, this pathway is iterative and reciprocal. Therefore, efforts aimed at increasing and improving positive intergroup relations must consider the bidirectional iterative process and experiences of both groups.
ΔFosB regulates rosiglitazone‐induced milk fat synthesis and cell survival
Authors: Wei Xuefeng , Li Hui , Zhao Guangwei , Yang Jiameng , Li Lihui , Huang Yongzhen , Lan Xianyong , Ma Yun , Hu Linyong , Zheng Huiling , Chen Hong
Published: November 2017

Rosiglitazone induces adipogenesis in adipocyte and regulates cell survival and differentiation in number of cell types. However, whether PPARγ regulates the synthesis of milk fat and cell survival in goat mammary gland remains unknown. Rosiglitazone strongly enhanced cellular triacylglycerol content and accumulation of lipid droplet in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMEC). Furthermore, ΔFosB decreased the expression of PPARγ at both mRNA and protein levels, and rosiglitazone‐induced milk fat synthesis was abolished by ΔFosB overexpression. ΔFosB reduced milk fat synthesis and enhanced saturated fatty acid concentration. Rosiglitazone increased the number of GMEC in G0/G1 phase and inhibited cell proliferation, and these effects were improved by overexpression of ΔFosB. ΔFosB was found to promote the expression of Bcl‐2 and suppress the expression of Bax, and protected GMEC from apoptosis induced by rosiglitazone. Intracellular calcium trafficking assay revealed that rosiglitazone markedly increased intracellular calcium concentration. ΔFosB protected GMEC from apoptosis induced by intracellular Ca2+ overload. ΔFosB increased MMP‐9 gelatinolytic activity. SB‐3CT, an MMP‐9 inhibitor, suppressed the expression of Bcl‐2, and increased intracellular calcium levels, and this effect was abolished by ΔFosB overexpression. SB‐3CT induced GMEC apoptosis and this effect was inhibited by ΔFosB overexpression. These findings suggest that ΔFosB regulates rosiglitazone‐induced milk fat synthesis and cell survival. Therefore, ΔFosB may be an important checkpoint to control milk fat synthesis and cell apoptosis.
Molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in ovarian cancer
Authors: Norouzi‐Barough Leyla , Sarookhani Mohammad Reza , Sharifi Mohammadreza , Moghbelinejad Sahar , Jangjoo Saranaz , Salehi Rasoul
Published: November 2017

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal malignancy among the gynecological cancers, with a 5‐year survival rate, mainly due to being diagnosed at advanced stages, recurrence and resistance to the current chemotherapeutic agents. Drug resistance is a complex phenomenon and the number of known involved genes and cross‐talks between signaling pathways in this process is growing rapidly. Thus, discovering and understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in chemo‐resistance are crucial for management of treatment and identifying novel and effective drug targets as well as drug discovery to improve therapeutic outcomes. In this review, the major and recently identified molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in ovarian cancer from relevant literature have been investigated. In the final section of the paper, new approaches for studying detailed mechanisms of chemo‐resistance have been briefly discussed.
Effects of influent loads on performance and microbial community dynamics of aerobic granular sludge treating piggery wastewater
Authors: Chen Guoke , Huang Jun , Tian Xueping , Chu Qian , Zhao Yonggui , Zhao Hai
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Understanding how influent loads affect the microbial community may promote applications of aerobic granular sludge (AGS). Herein, performance and microbial community dynamics of the AGS were assessed with stepwise increasing influent loads.

RESULTS

AGS exhibited good structure stability and effective removal efficiency; when the influent load increased from 6.5 kg COD m‐3 d‐1 (0.255 NH4+‐N m‐3 d‐1) to 10.1 kg COD m‐3 d‐1 (0.455 kg NH4+‐N m‐3 d‐1). COD and NH4+‐N removal efficiencies reached 97.1–97.9% and 84.5–98%, respectively. As indicated from the PCR‐DGGE results, the microbial community and dominant species in the AGS also gradually evolved along with the increase of influent loads. A coincidence was observed, namely, three main distinct clusters of the phylogenetic tree appeared respectively in the three stages of influent loads. The microbial diversity attained a maximum in the medium loads stage. The identified bacteria mainly belonged to Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. The dominant species were responsible for the AGS stability and pollutant removal.

CONCLUSION

Variation in the influent load strongly affected the microbial community dynamics, and hence the AGS performance. These results and understanding could lead to potential improvements in guiding AGS wastewater treatment. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Effective bioremediation of Cu(II) contaminated waters with immobilized sulfate‐reducing bacteria‐microalgae beads in a continuous treatment system and mechanism analysis
Authors: Li Yongchao , Yang Xiaoyan , Geng Bing , Liu Xue
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Microalgae which have greater biodegradable fractions than other organics were chosen as a carbon source for sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB). Immobilized SRB–microalgae beads were then prepared and used for bioremediation of synthetic copper mine wastewater.

RESULTS

Hydrolysis fermentation of the microalgae was observed and it was noted that the microalgae were first degraded to volatile fatty acids by co‐existing fermentative bacteria; they then served as a carbon source for SRB. Freshly prepared immobilized SRB beads not only possessed high mechanical strength and mass transfer ability, but also showed better sulfate reduction than that of suspended SRB. Immobilized SRB‐Scenedesmus obliquus beads packed in the upflow bioreactor were suitable for the treatment of copper mine wastewater, as shown by the high removal efficiency of their sulfate (182.17 mg SO42‐ g‐1 microalgae day‐1) and copper ions (45.28 mg Cu2+ g‐1 microalgae day‐1), and low discharge of chemical oxygen demand. After the reaction, metal sulfides were not produced on the bead surfaces, but likely within them.

CONCLUSIONS

The anaerobic bioreactor, filled with immobilized SRB‐Scenedesmus obliquus beads, demonstrated excellent removal efficiency and low discharge of chemical oxygen demand, which may provide a promising strategy for dealing with heavy metal pollution in water. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Increasing mass transfer of volatile organic compounds in air scrubbers: a fundamental study for different gas–liquid systems
Authors: Bruneel Joren , Walgraeve Christophe , Dumortier Stefanie , Stockman Jonas , Demeyer Peter , Van Langenhove Herman
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Air scrubbers are commonly used as treatment techniques for industrial waste gases containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Mass transfer of hydrophobic compounds to liquid can be increased using water soluble additives in the scrubbing liquid or applying water‐miscible or immiscible solvents. The design of air scrubbers requires reliable partition data, which are limited in the literature. This manuscript provides partitioning data of new scrubber liquids and subsequent research will link the partitioning data with mass transfer characteristics in a pilot‐scale scrubber.

RESULTS

The DynAb method was applied for the first time to a broad set of gas–liquid systems to study the partitioning behaviour of volatile organic sulphides and aldehydes. Cyclodextrins (CD) were chosen as water soluble additives. Silicone oil (SO) and isopropylmyristate (IPM) were used as water immiscible solvents, whereas dipropylene glycol methyl ether was applied as a water‐miscible solvent. The inclusion of VOCs into the CD structure is very compound specific. Binding constants were calculated to quantify the CD‐VOC affinity and the partitioning behaviour of the VOCs with oils and solvents was quantified. The air‐to‐water partition coefficient of hexanal could be reduced more than 50 times with a concentration of 72 g L‐1 α‐CD. IPM (100% v/v) could reduce the air‐to‐IPM partitioning coefficient by a factor of 120 for dimethyl disulphide.

CONCLUSION

The determined partition coefficients can be used for suitability evaluation for the design and modelling of air treatment systems. A broad range of evaluated gas–liquid systems provides quantitative knowledge about VOC behaviour. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrasound‐guided reduction of an incarcerated obturator hernia in an elderly patient
Authors: de Kok Bente M. , Puylaert Julien B.C.M. , Zijta Frank. M.
Published: November 2017

Obturator hernia is a rare but clinically relevant cause of intestinal obstruction, usually found in elderly, thin, multiparous women. It is difficult to diagnose, leading to diagnostic delay with a high incidence of strangulation and a high mortality rate. Surgery is the only reported treatment. We report the case of an 86‐year‐old woman, in whom an early diagnosis of incarcerated obturator hernia was made with subsequent reduction by compression with an ultrasound transducer. When the risk of strangulation is presumed to be low, ultrasound‐guided reduction of an obturator hernia is achievable and worth considering.
Sounding‐derived parameters associated with tornadic storms in Catalonia
Authors: Rodríguez Oriol , Bech Joan
Published: November 2017

Catalonia, a southern Europe coastal region in the western Mediterranean basin, is regularly affected by severe local storms which every year produce an average of 5 tornadoes and 12 waterspouts, based on data recorded from 2000 to 2016. Despite these tornadoes mostly being weak – not exceeding EF1 on the enhanced Fujita (EF) damage intensity scale – they occasionally reach stronger intensities, posing an evident threat to population and socio‐economic activity, particularly in densely populated coastal conurbations such as Tarragona or Barcelona. This study provides analysis of upper air conditions that favour the formation of tornadic storms in the region, considering five different stations in Spain and France to build a database of 333 soundings which included 49 tornadic soundings, 104 waterspout soundings (WAT) as well as non‐tornadic thunderstorms and dry period soundings. For each one, 12 different parameters were calculated and analysed to test their potential capacity to discriminate non‐tornadic from tornadic environments and also to assess the feasibility of stratifying tornado intensity (EF0, and EF1 or stronger, on the EF scale). The results indicate that storm‐relative helicity for the layer 0–3 km, with a threshold value of 150 m2 s−2, wind shear for the same layer, with a threshold of 15 m s−1, and composite parameters such as the supercell composite parameter with a threshold of 1.2 and universal tornadic index with a threshold of 0.3 are all useful to distinguish between non‐tornadic thunderstorms and EF1 or stronger tornadic events. These results contribute to a better description of the climatology of upper air conditions that favour tornadic storms in the region and can also help operational weather forecasting and surveillance tasks, thus increasing situational awareness in severe convective weather events.
Individual Goal Orientations, Team Empowerment, and Employee Creative Performance: A Case of Cross‐level Interactions
Authors: Liu Yi , Wang Shuhong , Yao Xiang
Published: November 2017

Intrigued by relationship between team motivational context and individual characteristics in the organizational reality, we developed and tested a cross‐level model to investigate the interactive effects of team empowerment and individual goal orientations on individual creative performance through the mediating mechanism of an individual's creative self‐efficacy. Using multi‐wave multi‐source data from 63 R&D teams in three IT companies, we found that (1) team empowerment, individual learning goal orientation, and individual performance orientation are all positively related to individual creative performance through mediation of creative self‐efficacy; (2) learning orientation and performance approach orientation could both supplement the effects of team empowerment on individual creative self‐efficacy. Our findings point to the importance of individual goal orientation in shaping the effects of team motivation climates and provide insights for both scholars and practitioners. The specific practical implications include but are not limited to (1) individuals with learning and performance approach orientations should be identified during hiring procedures given that they could still thrive in less empowered teams and maintain a relatively high level of creative self‐efficacy and creative outcomes; (2) managers should consider assigning employees who are more learning oriented to more empowering and open‐ended tasks in order to obtain better creative results.
Burden and bother
Authors: Sallis James A. , Wagner Tasma J. , May Frank W.
Published: November 2017

As polypharmacy continues to be a key issue for pharmacy in the care of older people, understanding an older person‘s perceived bother from medication‐related side effects is important for informed clinical decision making. In a small study of hospitalised people over 65, perceived ‘bother’ from anticholinergic side‐effects did not appear to be correlated with differing degrees of exposure in the week prior to admission.
Raman spectroscopic measurements of ν1 band of hydrogen sulfide over a wide range of temperature and density in fused‐silica optical cells
Authors: Jiang Lei , Xin Yang , Chou I‐Ming , Chen Ying
Published: November 2017

A method was developed to determine the fluid density of pure hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at a fixed temperature using Raman spectroscopic measurements. The positions of the H2S Raman ν1 band were measured at a wide range of temperatures (188.15 K ≤ T ≤ 633.15 K) and pressures (P ≤ 506 bar) using fused‐silica capillary capsules and high‐pressure optical cells. The relation among H2S density (ρ), H2S ν1 peak position, and T can be represented by ρ = 2447.680 + 0.127 × T − 1.876 × ν1 − 0.000001 × T2 − 0.000048 × T × ν1 + 0.00036 × ν12 (root‐mean‐square error = 0.0197 g/cm3 and correlation coefficient = 0.9963). This equation can be applied to calculate the density of the H2S fluid from the measured H2S ν1 peak position at a given temperature. Finally, the effects of temperature and H2S density on ν1 peak position were examined using isochoric and isothermal experiments.
Effects of tartary buckwheat polysaccharide combined with nisin edible coating on the storage quality of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets
Authors: Wang Fengping , Zhang Huijun , Jin Wengang , Li Lirong
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effect of tartary buckwheat polysaccharide (TBP) combined with nisin edible coatings on the preservation of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets, fillets were dip treated with different concentrations of TBP (5, 10 and 15 g kg–1) combined with nisin and stored at 4 °C for 12 days. The pH values, thiobarbituric acid contents, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N) content, total viable count (TVC), surface colors, textures and sensory properties of the tilapia fillets at storage were all periodically investigated.

RESULTS

TBP combined with nisin‐treated groups significantly improved the bacteriological, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of the tilapia fillets to a greater extent compared to the control group and presented better quality preservation effects than nisin coating alone. Based on the limits of the TVB‐N, TVC and sensory scores, the shelf life of the control tilapia fillets was 4 days, whereas that for nisin with TBP‐coated fillets was 8–10 days.

CONCLUSION

Edible coatings made from TBP combined with nisin are suitable for maintaining qualities and enhancing the shelf lives of tilapia fillets stored at 4 °C. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of high temperatures and drought during anthesis and grain filling period on wheat processing quality and underlying gluten structural changes
Authors: Mastilović Jasna , Živančev Dragan , Lončar Eva , Malbaša Radomir , Hristov Nikola , Kevrešan Žarko
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Climate changes do not only affect wheat yield, but also its quality. Information on this topic gathered so far is somewhat contradictory and insufficient. Climate changes also affect wheat indirectly through their influence on the ecosystem, including insects and fungi that affect wheat technological quality. The aim of this study was to examine trends in structural and technological changes of wheat quality under conditions typical of climate changes. With this in mind, three groups of wheat varieties with the same Glu‐score were examined in three production years, characterized by different production conditions.

RESULTS

A production season characterized by climate change conditions results in lower activity of amylolytic enzymes. What is more, it results in lower content of gluten, higher gluten index value, its decrease after 1 h to 37 °C, lower number of free SH groups and higher content of free amino groups, which result in lower alveographW, lower farinograph WA and higher extensograph dough resistance.

CONCLUSION

Variability in wheat quality produced under different climatic conditions is mainly influenced by the production conditions, including their influence on ecosystem factors. The influence of wheat cultivar genetic predisposition is much less expressed. This indicates that differences among cultivars with different Glu‐score might be diminished under the influence of altered production conditions, as a consequence of climate change. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Intrinsic Subtypes of Breast Cancers Initially Assessed as Probably Benign or of Low Suspicion on Ultrasonography Differ According to Tumor Size
Authors: Koh Jieun , Kim Min Jung , Moon Hee Jung , Yoon Jung Hyun , Park Vivian Youngjean , Kim Eun‐Kyung
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To investigate whether the intrinsic subtypes of breast cancers initially assessed as American College of Radiology Breast Imaging and Reporting System (BI‐RADS) category 3 or 4a differ according to tumor size.

Methods

A total of 444 breast cancers in 439 patients initially assessed as BI‐RADS 3 or 4a through ultrasound‐guided core needle biopsy were included. Tumors were classified by the size criterion of 10 mm or smaller or larger than 10 mm and categorized as the luminal type (estrogen receptor [ER] positive and/or progesterone receptor [PR] positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2] negative), HER2 type (HER2 positive regardless of ER or PR status), or triple‐negative type (ER negative, PR negative, and HER2 negative). The relationships between tumor size and breast cancer intrinsic subtypes were analyzed.

Results

A total of 247 (55.6%) cancers were 10 mm or smaller, and 197 (44.4%) were larger than 10 mm. The luminal type was more frequently present in tumors of 10 mm or smaller (185 of 247 [74.9%]) than those larger than 10 mm (112 of 197 [56.9%]; P < .001). No significant difference was noted in the frequency of the HER2 type in tumors of 10 and mm smaller and those larger than 10 mm (27 of 247 [10.9%] versus 36 of 197 [18.3%]; P = .084). The triple‐negative type was more frequently present in tumors larger than 10 mm than those of 10 mm or smaller (49 of /197 [24.9%] versus 35 of 247 [14.2%]; P = .012).

Conclusions

Breast cancers assessed as BI‐RADS category 3 or 4a had differing intrinsic subtypes according to tumor size, as the luminal type was more frequently present in tumors of 10 mm or smaller than those larger than 10 mm, whereas the triple‐negative type was more frequently present in tumors larger than 10 mm.
Comparison of pediatric adenoidectomy techniques
Authors: Sjogren Phayvanh P. , Thomas Andrew J. , Hunter Benjamin N. , Butterfield James , Gale Craig , Meier Jeremy D.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Evaluate the effects of electrocautery, microdebrider, and coblation techniques on outpatient pediatric adenoidectomy costs and complications.

Study Design

Observational retrospective cohort study.

Methods

An observational cohort study was performed in a multihospital network using a standardized accounting system. Children < 18 years of age who underwent outpatient adenoidectomy were included from January 2008 to September 2015. Cases with additional procedures were excluded. The cohorts were divided into children who underwent electrocautery, microdebrider, or coblator adenoidectomy. Data regarding costs, postoperative complications, and revision surgeries were analyzed.

Results

A total of 1,065 cases of adenoidectomy were performed with electrocautery (34.9%), microdebrider (26.1%), and coblation (39.0%). There was an increased after direct cost associated with the microdebrider, $833 (standard deviation [SD] $363) and the coblator, $797 (SD $262) compared to the electrocautery, $597 (SD $361) (P < 0.0001). There was a greater overall operating room (OR) time associated with use of the microdebrider (mean 28.7, SD 11.0 minutes) compared with both the electrocautery (mean 24.7, SD 8.1 minutes) and coblator (mean 26.2, SD 9.8 minutes) (P < 0.0001). No significant difference was found with regard to complication rates. The incidence of repeat adenoidectomies was significantly greater for microdebrider (9.7%) compared to electrocautery (2.7%; P = 0.0002) and coblator (5.3%; P = 0.0336) techniques.

Conclusion

These results suggest that adenoidectomy with electrocautery is significantly less expensive than microdebrider and coblator, with no differences in complication rates or surgical times among the techniques. Microdebrider adenoidectomy was associated with a longer overall OR time and a higher rate of adenoid regrowth, requiring revision surgery.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:745–749, 2018
Hirano's cover–body model and its unique laryngeal postures revisited
Authors: Vahabzadeh‐Hagh Andrew M. , Zhang Zhaoyan , Chhetri Dinesh K.
Published: November 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

In 1974, Minoru Hirano proposed his theory of voice production that is now known as the cover–body theory. He described the thyroarytenoid (TA) and cricothyroid (CT) muscles as the major determinants of vocal fold shape and stiffness, and theorized four typical laryngeal configurations resulting from unique TA/CT activations, with implications for the resulting voice quality. In this study, we directly observed the vocal fold medial surface shape under Hirano's unique TA/CT activation conditions to obtain a three‐dimensional (3D) understanding of these laryngeal configurations during muscle activation.

Study Design

In vivo canine hemilarynx model.

Methods

Flesh points were marked along the medial surface of the vocal fold. Selective TA and CT activation were performed via respective laryngeal nerves. 3D reconstructions of the vocal fold medial surface were derived using digital image correlation.

Results

Low level TA and CT activation yielded anteroposterior lengthening and vertical thinning of the vocal fold. When TA activation is far greater than CT, the vocal fold shortens and thickens. With slightly greater TA than CT, activation the vocal length is maintained on average, whereas its vertical thickness decreases. With CT far greater than TA activation, the vocal fold lengthens and thins. In all conditions, glottal contour changes remained minimal.

Conclusions

Analysis of the 3D geometry of the vocal fold medial surface under Hirano's four typical laryngeal configurations revealed that the key geometric changes during TA/CT interactions lie within the anteroposterior length and the vertical thickness of the vocal fold.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 128:1412–1418, 2018
The national landscape of unplanned 30‐day readmissions after total laryngectomy
Authors: Ferrandino Rocco , Garneau Jonathan , Roof Scott , Pacheco Caitlin , Poojary Priti , Saha Aparna , Chauhan Kinsuk , Miles Brett
Published: November 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Examine rates of readmission after total laryngectomy and determine primary etiologies, timing, and risk factors for unplanned readmission.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

The Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried for patients who underwent total laryngectomy between January 2013 and November 2013. Patient‐, procedure‐, admission‐, and institution‐level characteristics were compared for patients with and without unplanned 30‐day readmission. Outcomes of interest included rates, etiology, and timing of readmission. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of 30‐day readmission.

Results

There were 2,931 total laryngectomies performed in 2013 with an unplanned readmission rate of 17.5%. Postoperative fistula accounted for 13.7% of readmissions. The odds of readmission were elevated for patients undergoing concurrent procedures, including primary tracheoesophageal fistulization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15‐5.18, P = .02) and/or pedicle graft or flap procedures (aOR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.13‐2.66, P = .01). Additionally, patients with comorbid coagulopathy (aOR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.13‐8.22, P = .03), liver disease (aOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.08‐5.71, P = .03), and valvular heart disease (aOR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.20‐8.41, P = .02) had increased risk for unplanned 30‐day readmission. Private insurance and longer lengths of stay were associated with decreased odds of readmission.

Conclusions

Nearly one‐fifth of total laryngectomy patients are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. Risk factors identified in this nationally representative cohort should be carefully considered during the postoperative period to reduce preventable readmissions after total laryngectomy.

Level of Evidence

2c Laryngoscope, 1842–1850, 2018
The hospital otolaryngologist: The louisiana state university experience
Authors: Allen Phillip G. , Hetzler Laura T. , Nuss Daniel W. , Walvekar Rohan R. , Penton Gretchen , Sharbaugh Elona
Published: November 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

To describe the implementation and impact of a hospital otolaryngologist in an academic medical center setting. Our hypothesis was that the hospital otolaryngologist would increase productivity of the Louisiana State University (LSU) faculty otolaryngologists and provide more timely access to inpatient otolaryngology services.

Study Design

Retrospective clinical and administrative database review.

Methods

A comparative database review was performed with data from the year predating the initiation of the hospitalist program (2013) to the first full year after initiation of the program (2014). A clinical database review including diagnoses and procedures was also performed.

Results

Overall outpatient clinic relative value units for the aggregated LSU faculty increased 16% (despite the fact that the direct outpatient contribution of the hospital otolaryngologist was negligible). Overall capture of inpatient consult codes increased 128%. The hospital otolaryngologist was responsible for 84.5% of inpatient consult codes. There was a 100% increase in outpatient consult codes for the LSU faculty, of which <1% was attributed to the otolaryngology hospitalist. No significant impact was seen on length of stay over the study interval. Clinical database review of the first 2 years of the program showed 3,707 total encounters with postoperative encounters the most common. Four hundred fifty‐four inpatient procedures were logged. The most common surgical procedure was tracheostomy.

Conclusions

The otolaryngology hospitalist program is a viable clinical and economic model.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 1851–1857, 2018
Microfibers as Physiologically Relevant Platforms for Creation of 3D Cell Cultures
Authors: McNamara Marilyn C. , Sharifi Farrokh , Wrede Alex H. , Kimlinger Daniel F. , Thomas Deepak‐George , Vander Wiel Jonathan B. , Chen Yuanfen , Montazami Reza , Hashemi Nicole N.
Published: November 2017

Microfibers have received much attention due to their promise for creating flexible and highly relevant tissue models for use in biomedical applications such as 3D cell culture, tissue modeling, and clinical treatments. A generated tissue or implanted material should mimic the natural microenvironment in terms of structural and mechanical properties as well as cell adhesion, differentiation, and growth rate. Therefore, the mechanical and biological properties of the fibers are of importance. This paper briefly introduces common fiber fabrication approaches, provides examples of polymers used in biomedical applications, and then reviews the methods applied to modify the mechanical and biological properties of fibers fabricated using different approaches for creating a highly controlled microenvironment for cell culturing. It is shown that microfibers are a highly tunable and versatile tool with great promise for creating 3D cell cultures with specific properties.
Hierarchical Porous Phenolic Resin and Its Supported Pd‐Catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Reactions in Water Medium
Authors: Deng Gaoyang , Wang Zhonggang
Published: November 2017

The motivation of this work is to build micro and mesopores within phenolic resins to extend their applications to the heterogeneous catalysis field. For this purpose, porous hyper‐cross‐linked phenolic resin (PFN‐P) with Brunauer−Emmett−Teller (BET) surface area of 775 m2 g−1 is synthesized through one‐step polycondensation from tri(4‐formylphenyl)phosphine and 2,5‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐benzoquinone, which simultaneously contains abundant hydroxyl and triphenylphosphine moieties in the network. The resultant palladium‐coordinated Pd@PFN‐P possesses hierarchical porous structure with pore sizes ranging from 1.3 to 42.6 nm. The good hydrophilicity and broad pore sizes are advantageous for the accessibility of reactants to the catalyzing sites in the water medium for Suzuki–Miyaura reactions. As a result, high conversions for reactions between various aryl halides and phenylboronic acid are achieved under both oxygen‐free and aerobic conditions. Moreover, the reaction conversions are almost unchanged after repeatedly using Pd@PFN‐P for five times, showing promising potential for application in heterogeneous catalysis.
Military spending and entrepreneurship: Spatial effects of cross‐country spillovers
Authors: Goel Rajeev K. , Saunoris James W.
Published: November 2017

This paper uses a large cross‐country panel data sample to examine the effects of military spending on entrepreneurship. The other major contribution of this work lies in studying the spatial cross‐country influences of military spending on entrepreneurship. Placing the econometric model in the broader literature on the determinants of entrepreneurship, results show that while own military spending crowds out entrepreneurship in a country, bordering military spending promotes entrepreneurship. In other findings, we find interesting contrasts between the effects of government size and government quality, and between economic freedom and political freedom.
Proteases and protease inhibitors in infectious diseases
Authors: Agbowuro Ayodeji A. , Huston Wilhelmina M. , Gamble Allan B. , Tyndall Joel D. A.
Published: November 2017

There are numerous proteases of pathogenic organisms that are currently targeted for therapeutic intervention along with many that are seen as potential drug targets. This review discusses the chemical and biological makeup of some key druggable proteases expressed by the five major classes of disease causing agents, namely bacteria, viruses, fungi, eukaryotes, and prions. While a few of these enzymes including HIV protease and HCV NS3‐4A protease have been targeted to a clinically useful level, a number are yet to yield any clinical outcomes in terms of antimicrobial therapy. A significant aspect of this review discusses the chemical and pharmacological characteristics of inhibitors of the various proteases discussed. A total of 25 inhibitors have been considered potent and safe enough to be trialed in humans and are at different levels of clinical application. We assess the mechanism of action and clinical performance of the protease inhibitors against infectious agents with their developmental strategies and look to the next frontiers in the use of protease inhibitors as anti‐infective agents.
Lie symmetry analysis of Burgers‐type systems
Authors: Kontogiorgis Stavros , Sophocleous Christodoulos
Published: November 2017

Lie group classification for 2 Burgers‐type systems is obtained. Systems contain 2 arbitrary elements that depend on the 2 dependent variables. Equivalence transformations for the systems are derived. Examples of nonclassical reductions are given. A Hopf‐Cole–type mapping that linearizes a nonlinear system is presented.
Dynamics of BAM neural networks with mixed delays and leakage time‐varying delays in the weighted pseudo–almost periodic on time‐space scales
Authors: Arbi Adnène
Published: November 2017

Bidirectional associative memory models are 2‐layer heteroassociative networks. In this work, we prove the existence and the global exponential stability of the unique weighted pseudo–almost periodic solution of bidirectional associative memory neural networks with mixed time‐varying delays and leakage time‐varying delays on time‐space scales. Some sufficient conditions are given for the existence, the convergence, and the global exponential stability of the weighted pseudo–almost periodic solution by using fixed‐point theorem and differential inequality techniques. The results of this paper complement the previous outcomes. An example is given to show the effectiveness of the derived results via computer simulations.
Analysis and simulations of the discrete fragmentation equation with decay
Authors: Banasiak J. , Joel L. O. , Shindin S.
Published: November 2017

Fragmentation‐coagulation processes, in which aggregates can break up or get together, often occur together with decay processes in which the components can be removed from the aggregates by a chemical reaction, evaporation, dissolution, or death. In this paper, we consider the discrete decay‐fragmentation equation and prove the existence and uniqueness of physically meaningful solutions to this equation using the theory of semigroups of operators. In particular, we find conditions under which the solution semigroup is analytic, compact, and has the asynchronous exponential growth property. The theoretical analysis is illustrated by a number of numerical simulations.
Automatic differential analysis of NMR experiments in complex samples
Authors: Margueritte Laure , Markov Petar , Chiron Lionel , Starck Jean‐Philippe , Vonthron‐Sénécheau Catherine , Bourjot Mélanie , Delsuc Marc‐André
Published: November 2017

Liquid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful tool for the analysis of complex mixtures of unknown molecules. This capacity has been used in many analytical approaches: metabolomics, identification of active compounds in natural extracts, and characterization of species, and such studies require the acquisition of many diverse NMR measurements on series of samples.

Although acquisition can easily be performed automatically, the number of NMR experiments involved in these studies increases very rapidly, and this data avalanche requires to resort to automatic processing and analysis.

We present here a program that allows the autonomous, unsupervised processing of a large corpus of 1D, 2D, and diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy experiments from a series of samples acquired in different conditions. The program provides all the signal processing steps, as well as peak‐picking and bucketing of 1D and 2D spectra, the program and its components are fully available. In an experiment mimicking the search of a bioactive species in a natural extract, we use it for the automatic detection of small amounts of artemisinin added to a series of plant extracts and for the generation of the spectral fingerprint of this molecule.

This program called Plasmodesma is a novel tool that should be useful to decipher complex mixtures, particularly in the discovery of biologically active natural products from plants extracts but can also in drug discovery or metabolomics studies.