bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of evapotranspiration over the terrestrial ecosystems in China
Authors: Li Xianglan , Liang Shunlin , Yuan Wenping , Yu Guirui , Cheng Xiao , Chen Yang , Zhao Tianbao , Feng Jinming , Ma Zhuguo , Ma Mingguo , Liu Shaomin , Chen Jiquan , Shao Changliang , Li Shenggong , Zhang Xudong , Zhang Zhiqiang , Sun Ge , Chen Shiping , Ohta Takeshi , Varlagin Andrej , Miyata Akira , Takagi Kentaro , Saiqusa Nobuko , Kato Tomomichi
Published: November 2012

Quantifying regional evapotranspiration (ET) and environmental constraints are particularly important for understanding water and carbon cycles of terrestrial ecosystems. However, a large uncertainty in the regional estimation of ET still remains for the terrestrial ecosystems in China. This study used ET measurements of 34 eddy covariance sites within China and adjacent regions to examine the performance of the revised Remote Sensing‐Penman Monteith (RS‐PM) model over various ecosystem types including forests, grasslands, wetlands and croplands. No significant systematic error was found in the revised RS‐PM model predictions, which explained 61% of the ET variations at all of the validation sites. Regional patterns of ET at a spatial resolution of 10 × 10 km were quantified using a meteorology dataset from 753 meteorological stations, Modern Era Retrospective‐analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis products and satellite data such as the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) leaf area index. ET decreased from the southeast of China toward the northwest. Relatively high ET values were found in the southern China such as Yunnan, Hainan, Fujian and Guangdong Provinces, whereas low ET values occurred in northwestern China such as in the Xinjiang autonomous region. On average, the annual ET presented an increasing trend during the 1982–2009, with relatively low ET in 1985, 1993, 1997, 2000 and 2009. We found that the mean annual ET was higher than world average, ranging spatially between 484 and 521 mm yr−1, with a mean value of 500 mm yr−1, which accounted for approximately 5·6–8·3% of the world's total land‐surface ET. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of spatiotemporal variability of tree water uptake using stable isotopes (δ18O, δ2H) in an alluvial system supplied by a high‐altitude watershed, Pfyn forest, Switzerland
Authors: Bertrand Guillaume , Masini Jean , Goldscheider Nico , Meeks Jessica , Lavastre Véronique , Celle‐Jeanton Hélène , Gobat Jean‐Michel , Hunkeler Daniel
Published: November 2012

Sources of water use by 10 alluvial trees in various hydrogeological and ecological situations at the Pfyn forest (Wallis canton, Switzerland) were assessed by analysing 18O and 2H isotopes of precipitation, soil water at different depths, surface water, groundwater and xylem sap. The soil water line in a δ18O versus δ2H diagram shows evidence of kinetic fractionation related to evaporation. The tree water line is close to the soil trend; however, an additional enrichment may occur and could be related to xylem–phloem communication under water stress. At sites where the water table was at least 2 m below the ground surface, isotopic temporal variability of soils and trees was strongly linked with seasonal variation of soil water content. When soil water content was low and water table shallow, trees used both soil water and groundwater. When soil water content was high, this source was usually the dominant source for transpiration. In addition, some ecological strategies, reproduction or growth competition, could explain shifts in the utilization of different water sources, for example, from soil water to a mix of soil water and groundwater. At one site where soil water and groundwater were abundant throughout the year (next to the river course), neighbouring trees permanently used distinct water sources. This is consistent with a strategy of competition limitation, which would favour bank colonization. These results provide insight into the ecohydrological functioning of this system and will aid future management responses to both local and climate changes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What Are the Parameters Controlling Inter‐ vs. Intra‐Strand DNA Photodamage with Ru‐TAP Oligonucleotides?
Authors: Le Gac Stéphane , Surin Mathieu , Defrancq Eric , Moucheron Cécile , Kirsch‐De Mesmaeker Andrée
Published: November 2012

The special photoreactivity of Ru‐TAP (TAP = 1,4,5,8‐tetraazaphenanthrene, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline) complexes anchored to G‐containing oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN) probes prompted us to investigate thoroughly the parameters that influence their selectivity in two competing processes: the intermolecular photoreaction with the target complementary sequence, leading to crosslinking at G sites of the target, and the intramolecular photoreaction leading to a self‐inhibition also called the Seppuku process. It is indeed particularly important to favour self‐inhibition in the presence of mismatch‐containing target sequences. It was found that any parameter reinforcing the association of the Ru‐ODN conjugate with a sequence possessing impaired complementarity, such as a low temperature (22 °C), high sodium chloride concentration ([NaCl] = 150 mM), and the presence of an intercalating ligand in the Ru complex, led to increases in undesired photocrosslinking with the wrong target (i.e. that sequence bearing impaired complementarity). In contrast, less favorable conditions for hybridization (T = 33 °C, [NaCl] = 50 mM, a non‐intercalating complex), led to a rather good selectivity; up to a 3:1 self‐inhibition/photocrosslinking ratio was obtained with a target sequence containing only two mismatches. It is shown that this selectivity as well as the selectivity in the photocrosslinking sites, result from subtle changes in the probe and target interactions. These findings provide the basis for further improvements in selective DNA photoreagents (seppuku conjugates) for cancer research and elaborate the guidelines for selecting appropriate target sequences in a gene to be silenced.
Synthesis and Regioselective Functionalization of Piperazin‐2‐ones Based on Phe‐Gly Pseudodipeptides
Authors: Valdivielso Angel M. , Ventosa‐Andrés Pilar , García‐López M. Teresa , Herranz Rosario , Gutiérrez‐Rodríguez Marta
Published: November 2012

The synthesis of 1,4‐unsubstituted piperazin‐2‐ones by one‐pot reductive cyclization of PheΨ[CH(CN)NH]Gly pseudodipeptides is described. Studies on the reactivity of the piperazin‐2‐one ring showed a higher reactivity at the N4 position than at the N1 position. The stepwise regioselective functionalization of piperazin‐2‐one derivatives showed great potential for molecular diversity generation.
New Robust Redox and Conducting Polymer Modified Electrodes for Ascorbate Sensing and Glucose Biosensing
Authors: Kakhki Somayeh , Barsan Madalina M. , Shams Esmaeil , Brett Christopher M. A.
Published: November 2012

A novel modified electrode with a conducting film containing poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) plus poly(methylene blue) (PMB) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) (PEDOT/PMB/GCE) has been developed, and application illustrated as electrochemical sensor for ascorbate and biosensor for glucose. Electrocatalytic oxidation at 0.0 V vs. SCE was successfully used for the determination of ascorbate in real samples. Glucose biosensors containing glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilized on PMB/PEDOT electrodes exhibit enhanced sensitivity relative to PEDOT ones. The new robust biosensor architecture shows a far superior operational and storage stability relative to PMB alone, enabling excellent preservation of enzyme activity during more than one month.
Electrochemical DNA Biosensor Based on Graphene and TiO2 Nanorods Composite Film for the Detection of Transgenic Soybean Gene Sequence of MON89788
Authors: Gao Hongwei , Sun Min , Lin Chao , Wang Shubai
Published: November 2012

Based on graphene (GR), TiO2 nanorods, and chitosan (CTS) nanocomposite modified carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) as substrate electrode, a new electrochemical DNA biosensor was effectively fabricated for the detection of the transgenic soybean sequence of MON89788. By using methylene blue (MB) as hybridization indicator for monitoring the hybridization with different ssDNA sequences, the differential pulse voltammetric response of MB on DNA modified electrodes were recorded and compared. Due to the synergistic effects of TiO2 nanorods and GR on the electrode surface, the electrochemical responses of MB were greatly increased. Under optimal conditions the differential pulse voltammetric response of the target ssDNA sequence could be detected in the range from 1.0×10−12 to 1.0×10−6 mol/L with a detection limit of 7.21×10−13 mol/L (3σ). This electrochemical DNA biosensor was further applied to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of transgenic soybeans with satisfactory results.
Dual role of phenols as fragrances and antioxidants: mechanism, kinetics and drastic solvent effect
Authors: Marteau Clémentine , Nardello‐Rataj Véronique , Favier Dominique , Aubry Jean‐Marie
Published: November 2012

The antioxidant activity of 18 phenols, including standard antioxidants (e.g. butylated hydroxytoluene, α‐tocopherol) and fragrance molecules (e.g. eugenol, thymol) has been evaluated by measuring the rate constants for their reaction with the DPPH• (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical in m‐xylene. Correlation with the bond dissociation energies supports the involvement of the hydrogen atom transfer mechanism. The radical trapping ability of α‐tocopherol, eugenol and isoeugenol has been investigated in five solvents of different polarity and in a series of homologous alcohols. In comparison to α‐tocopherol, the increase of the observed scavenging kinetics for eugenol and isoeugenol in alcohols suggests that the sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) takes place. The addition of acetic acid eliminates the SPLET mechanism and confirms its predominance in polar solvent. The major effects of the pKa of fragrant phenols and of the solvent dielectric constant on the SPLET mechanism are discussed. Some fragrance phenols, such as mesitol and eugenol, show a significant reactivity towards the DPPH• radical in m‐xylene, which is more pronounced for eugenol derivatives in alcohols. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An expedient preparation of enantio‐enriched ambergris odorants starting from commercial ionone alpha
Authors: Serra Stefano
Published: November 2012

We report the enantioselective synthesis of the ambergris odorants (+)‐(S)‐γ‐ionone, (+)‐(S)‐γ‐dihydroionone, (−)‐α‐ambrinol, (+)‐(S)‐γ‐coronal, (−)‐(S)‐γ‐homocyclogeranyl chloride and (+)‐(S)‐γ‐homocyclogeraniol. At first, the enantio‐enriched (4R,6S)‐4‐acetoxy‐γ‐ionone was prepared starting from commercial racemic ionone alpha by means of a chemo‐enzymatic process. This chiral building block was then converted into (S)‐γ‐dihydroionone which was used as the starting material for the synthesis of the aforementioned odorants. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection: New estimates of age-specific antibody to HCV seroprevalence
Authors: Mohd Hanafiah Khayriyyah , Groeger Justina , Flaxman Abraham D. , Wiersma Steven T.
Published: November 2012

In efforts to inform public health decision makers, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors 2010 (GBD2010) Study aims to estimate the burden of disease using available parameters. This study was conducted to collect and analyze available prevalence data to be used for estimating the hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden of disease. In this systematic review, antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) seroprevalence data from 232 articles were pooled to estimate age-specific seroprevalence curves in 1990 and 2005, and to produce age-standardized prevalence estimates for each of 21 GBD regions using a model-based meta-analysis. This review finds that globally the prevalence and number of people with anti-HCV has increased from 2.3% (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 2.1%-2.5%) to 2.8% (95% UI: 2.6%-3.1%) and >122 million to >185 million between 1990 and 2005. Central and East Asia and North Africa/Middle East are estimated to have high prevalence (>3.5%); South and Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Andean, Central, and Southern Latin America, Caribbean, Oceania, Australasia, and Central, Eastern, and Western Europe have moderate prevalence (1.5%-3.5%); whereas Asia Pacific, Tropical Latin America, and North America have low prevalence (<1.5%).

Conclusion

: The high prevalence of global HCV infection necessitates renewed efforts in primary prevention, including vaccine development, as well as new approaches to secondary and tertiary prevention to reduce the burden of chronic liver disease and to improve survival for those who already have evidence of liver disease.
Inhibition of hedgehog signaling attenuates carcinogenesis in vitro and increases necrosis of cholangiocellular carcinoma
Authors: El Khatib Mona , Kalnytska Anna , Palagani Vindhya , Kossatz Uta , Manns Michael P. , Malek Nisar P. , Wilkens Ludwig , Plentz Ruben R.
Published: November 2012

The Hedgehog signaling pathway plays a pivotal role during embryonic development, stem cell maintenance, and wound healing. Hedgehog signaling also is deregulated in many cancers. However, the role of this signaling pathway in the carcinogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of Hedgehog inhibition by cyclopamine and 5E1 in cultured human CCC cell lines and

in vivo

using a xenograft mouse model. We also investigated the involvement of Hedgehog in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and CCC tumor growth. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) ligand was highly expressed in 89% of human CCC tissues and in CCC cell lines. Cyclopamine and 5E1 treatments effectively inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by down-regulating the Hedgehog target genes glioblastoma 1 and glioblastoma 2.

In vitro

and

in vivo,

we detected an increase in epithelial marker, E-cadherin, after Hedgehog inhibition. In addition, we saw an increase in necrotic areas and a decrease in mitotic figures in cyclopamine and 5E1-treated CCC xenograft tumors.

Conclusion
: This study supports the presence of autocrine Hedgehog signaling in human CCC, where CCC cells produce and respond to Shh ligand. Blocking the Hedgehog pathway inhibited EMT and decreased the viability of CCC cells. In addition, cyclopamine and 5E1 inhibited the growth of CCC xenograft tumors. (Hepatology 2013)
Association between noninvasive fibrosis markers and mortality among adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the United States
Authors: Kim Donghee , Kim Ray W. , Kim Hwa Jung , Therneau Terry M.
Published: November 2012

The clinical and public health significance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not well established. We investigated the long-term effect of NAFLD on mortality. This analysis utilized the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 1988-1994 and subsequent follow-up data for mortality through December 31, 2006. NAFLD was defined by ultrasonographic detection of hepatic steatosis in the absence of other known liver diseases. The presence and severity of hepatic fibrosis in subjects with NAFLD was determined by the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and FIB-4 score. Of 11,154 participants, 34.0% had NAFLD—the majority (71.7%) had NFS consistent with lack of significant fibrosis (NFS <−1.455), whereas 3.2% had a score indicative of advanced fibrosis (NFS >0.676). After a median follow-up of 14.5 years, NAFLD was not associated with higher mortality (age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-1.19). In contrast, there was a progressive increase in mortality with advancing fibrosis scores. Compared to subjects without fibrosis, those with a high probability of advanced fibrosis had a 69% increase in mortality (for NFS: HR, 1.69, 95% CI: 1.09-2.63; for APRI: HR, 1.85, 95% CI: 1.02-3.37; for FIB-4: HR, 1.66, 95% CI: 0.98-2.82) after adjustment for other known predictors of mortality. These increases in mortality were almost entirely from cardiovascular causes (for NFS: HR, 3.46, 95% CI: 1.91-6.25; for APRI: HR, 2.53, 95% CI: 1.33-4.83; for FIB-4: HR, 2.68, 95% CI: 1.44-4.99).

Conclusions
: Ultrasonography-diagnosed NAFLD is not associated with increased mortality. However, advanced fibrosis, as determined by noninvasive fibrosis marker panels, is a significant predictor of mortality, mainly from cardiovascular causes, independent of other known factors.
MicroRNA-657 promotes tumorigenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting transducin-like enhancer protein 1 through nuclear factor kappa B pathways
Authors: Zhang Lisheng , Yang Lixin , Liu Xiyong , Chen Wei , Chang Lufen , Chen Linling , Loera Sofia , Chu Peiguo , Huang Wei-Chien , Liu Yun-Ru , Yen Yun
Published: November 2012

Growing evidence indicates that deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) contributes to tumorigenesis. Dysregulation of miR-657 has been observed in several types of cancers, but its biological function is still largely unknown. Our results showed that miR-657 expression can be induced by hepatitis viral proteins and is significantly increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. Moreover, introduction of miR-657 dramatically increases proliferation and colony formation of HCC cells

in vitro

and induces tumor development in immunodeficient mice. Further studies showed that miR-657 directly targets the transducin-like enhancer protein 1 (TLE1) 3′ untranslated region (UTR) and activates nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways that contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis.

Conclusion :

This study identified a mechanism whereby miRNA-657 contributed to HCC through novel cancer pathways and provides new insights into the potential molecular mechanisms of hepatic carcinogenesis.
Discrete nature of EpCAM+ and CD90+ cancer stem cells in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yamashita Taro , Honda Masao , Nakamoto Yasunari , Baba Masayo , Nio Kouki , Hara Yasumasa , Zeng Sha Sha , Hayashi Takehiro , Kondo Mitsumasa , Takatori Hajime , Yamashita Tatsuya , Mizukoshi Eishiro , Ikeda Hiroko , Zen Yoh , Takamura Hiroyuki , Wang Xin Wei , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: November 2012

Recent evidence suggests that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is organized by a subset of cells with stem cell features (cancer stem cells; CSCs). CSCs are considered a pivotal target for the eradication of cancer, and liver CSCs have been identified by the use of various stem cell markers. However, little information is known about the expression patterns and characteristics of marker-positive CSCs, hampering the development of personalized CSC-targeted therapy. Here, we show that CSC markers EpCAM and CD90 are independently expressed in liver cancer. In primary HCC, EpCAM+ and CD90+ cells resided distinctively, and gene-expression analysis of sorted cells suggested that EpCAM+ cells had features of epithelial cells, whereas CD90+ cells had those of vascular endothelial cells. Clinicopathological analysis indicated that the presence of EpCAM+ cells was associated with poorly differentiated morphology and high serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), whereas the presence of CD90+ cells was associated with a high incidence of distant organ metastasis. Serial xenotransplantation of EpCAM+/CD90+ cells from primary HCCs in immune-deficient mice revealed rapid growth of EpCAM+ cells in the subcutaneous lesion and a highly metastatic capacity of CD90+ cells in the lung. In cell lines, CD90+ cells showed abundant expression of c-Kit and

in vitro

chemosensitivity to imatinib mesylate. Furthermore, CD90+ cells enhanced the motility of EpCAM+ cells when cocultured

in vitro

through the activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling, whereas imatinib mesylate suppressed

TGFB1

expression in CD90+ cells as well as CD90+ cell-induced motility of EpCAM+ cells.

Conclusion

: Our data suggest the discrete nature and potential interaction of EpCAM+ and CD90+ CSCs with specific gene-expression patterns and chemosensitivity to molecular targeted therapy. The presence of distinct CSCs may determine the clinical outcome of HCC.
Why risk professional fulfilment: a grounded theory of physician engagement in healthcare development
Authors: Lindgren Åsa , Bååthe Fredrik , Dellve Lotta
Published: November 2012

The need for trans‐professional collaboration when developing healthcare has been stressed by practitioners and researchers. Because physicians have considerable impact on this process, their willingness to become involved is central to this issue.

Objective

This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of how physicians view their engagement in healthcare development.

Method

Using a grounded theory approach, the study developed a conceptual model based on empirical data from qualitative interviews with physicians working at a hospital (n = 25).

Results

A continual striving for experiences of usefulness and progress, conceptualized as ‘striving for professional fulfilment’ (the core category), emerged as a central motivational drive for physician engagement in healthcare development. Such experiences were gained when achieving meaningful results, having impact, learning to see the greater context and fulfilling the perceived doctor role. Reinforcing organizational preconditions that facilitated physician engagement in healthcare development were workplace continuity, effective strategies and procedures, role clarity regarding participation in development and opportunities to gain knowledge about organization and development. Two opposite role‐taking tendencies emerged: upholding a traditional doctor role with high autonomy in relation to organization and management, clinical work serving as the main source of fulfilment, or approaching a more complete ‘employeeship’ role in which organizational engagement also provides a sense of fulfilment.

Conclusion

Experiencing professional fulfilment from participation in healthcare development is crucial for sustainable physician engagement in such activities.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Olanzapine and food craving: a case control study
Authors: Abbas Mohammed J. , Liddle Peter F.
Published: November 2012

Background

Antipsychotic‐induced weight gain is a problematic side effect. The mechanism is still not fully understood. Carbohydrate (and possibly other food) cravings have been suggested in literature, but not been systematically investigated.

Objectives

To investigate the hypothesis that food cravings, especially for carbohydrate, are responsible for olanzapine‐induced weight gain.

Method

A case control design was used to measure general and specific food cravings using Food Craving Inventory (White et al., 2002) in three groups: patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia taking olanzapine (Number = 20) or typical antipsychotics (Number = 20) and in a healthy control group (Number = 20).

Results

No statistically significant differences were found between the three groups in the craving scores. There was a trend in the typical group to show more cravings than other groups.

Conclusion

Our study failed to prove the hypothesis that carbohydrate craving is responsible for olanzapine‐induced weight gain. This conclusion is limited by the small number of the subjects included. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silent information regulator (Sir)T1 inhibits NF-κB signaling to maintain normal skeletal remodeling
Authors: Edwards James R , Perrien Daniel S , Fleming Nicole , Nyman Jeffry S , Ono Koichiro , Connelly Linda , Moore Megan M , Lwin Seint T , Yull Fiona E , Mundy Gregory R , Elefteriou Florent
Published: November 2012

Silent information regulator T1 (SirT1) is linked to longevity and negatively controls NF-κB signaling, a crucial mediator of survival and regulator of both osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Here we show that NF-κB repression by SirT1 in both osteoclasts and osteoblasts is necessary for proper bone remodeling and may contribute to the mechanisms linking aging and bone loss. Osteoclast- or osteoblast-specific SirT1 deletion using the Sirtflox/flox mice crossed to lysozyme M-cre and the 2.3 kb col1a1-cre transgenic mice, respectively, resulted in decreased bone mass caused by increased resorption and reduced bone formation. In osteoclasts, lack of SirT1 promoted osteoclastogenesis in vitro and activated NF-κB by increasing acetylation of Lysine 310. Importantly, this increase in osteoclastogenesis was blocked by pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB. In osteoblasts, decreased SirT1 reduced osteoblast differentiation, which could also be rescued by inhibition of NF-κB. In further support of the critical role of NF-κB signaling in bone remodeling, elevated NF-κB activity in IκBα+/− mice uncoupled bone resorption and formation, leading to reduced bone mass. These findings support the notion that SirT1 is a genetic determinant of bone mass, acting in a cell-autonomous manner in both osteoblasts and osteoclasts, through control of NF-κB and bone cell differentiation. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Effect of COD/N and COD/P ratios on the PHA transformation and dynamics of microbial community structure in a denitrifying phosphorus removal process
Authors: Wang Yayi , Geng Junjun , Ren Zhongjia , Guo Gang , Wang Chong , Wang Hong
Published: November 2012

Background

A lab‐scale anaerobic‐anoxic/nitrification (A2N) two‐sludge sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system was operated to assess the relationship among intracellular polymer conversions, bacterial population dynamics and nutrient removal performance in response to the varying influent COD/N/P.

Results

Complete nutrient removal was achieved in the A2N‐SBR in Run 3 where the COD/P and COD/N were 20.6 and 6.9, respectively. This coincides well with the highest P release/HAc uptake ratio occurring in Run 3, confirming high abundance of denitrifying phosphorus accumulating organisms (DPAOs) in the biomass. Under the stress of N or P limitation, more poly‐β‐hydroxyalkanoates (PHA) was synthesized, with the increasing proportion of poly‐hydroxyvalerate (PHV) in PHA. The population biodiversity decreased with increasing carbon loading when P loads were maintained at constant levels, and recovered to the initial level after P loading decreased.

Conclusions

Increasing COD/P promoted anaerobically synthesized PHA amount and favored P removal. Also, PHB seems to be the crucial internal carbon source relating to P release and uptake, whereas high nitrogen and P removal efficiencies always relate to a high proportion of PHV in PHA. Increasing carbon loading led to a decreased biodiversity of the community structure but favored higher PAO enrichments, if only P loading is not limited.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Purification and partial characterization of a novel lectin from Dioclea lasiocarpa Mart seeds with vasodilator effects
Authors: do Nascimento Antônia Sâmia F. , Gondim Ana Cláudia S. , Cajazeiras João B. , Correia Jorge Luis A. , Pires Alana de F. , do Nascimento Kyria S. , da Silva André Luis C. , Nagano Celso S. , Assreuy Ana Maria S. , Cavada Benildo S.
Published: November 2012

A lectin from seeds of Dioclea lasiocarpa (DLL) was purified in a single step by affinity chromatography in a Sephadex G‐50 column. DLL haemagglutinated rabbit erythrocytes showing stability even after 1 h of exposure to a different pH values (optimal between pH 6.0 and 8.0) but was inhibited after incubation with d‐mannose and d‐glucose. The pure protein possessed a molecular weight of 25 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 25,410Da by mass spectrometry. The results analyzed by the software SELCON 3 indicate that β‐sheet secondary structures are predominant in DLL (approximately 40.2% antiparallel β‐sheet, 4.6% parallel β‐sheet, 7.2% α‐helices, 17.3% turns, and 28.7% unordered structures). Mechanical activity of isolated aorta from rat measured by cumulative concentration curves of DLL, performed at the contraction plateau induced by phenylephrine in either endothelium‐intact or denuded aorta. DLL (IC50 = 34.12 ± 3.46 µg/ml) relaxed precontracted endothelized aortic rings by 34.61 ± 9.06%, 55.19 ± 11.9%, and 81.33 ± 14.35%, respectively, at 10 µg/ml (initial concentration), 30 µg/ml, and 100 µg/ml (maximum effect). All effects occurred via interaction with lectin domains and participation of nitric oxide. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance study of protein–protein interactions involving apoptosis regulator Diva (Boo) and the BH3 domain of proapoptotic Bcl‐2 members
Authors: Santiveri Clara M. , Sborgi Lorenzo , de Alba Eva
Published: November 2012

According to biochemical assays, the Bcl‐2 protein Diva from mouse regulates programmed cell death by heterodimerizing with other members of the family and by interacting with the apoptotic protease‐activating factor Apaf‐1. In typical Bcl‐2 heterodimers, peptide fragments comprising the Bcl‐2 homology domain 3 (BH3 domain) of proapoptotic members are capable of forming functional complexes with prosurvival proteins. High‐resolution structural studies have revealed that the BH3 peptide forms an α‐helix positioned in a canonical hydrophobic cleft of the antiapoptotic protein. Because Diva shows mutations in conserved residues within this area, it has been proposed to have a different interacting surface. However, we showed previously that Diva binds through the canonical groove the BH3 peptide of the human Bcl‐2 killing member Harakiri. To further test Diva's binding capabilities, here we show Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) data, indicating that Diva binds peptides derived from the BH3 domain of several other proapoptotic Bcl‐2 proteins, including mouse Harakiri, Bid, Bak and Bmf. We have measured the binding affinities of the heterodimers, which show significant variability. Structural models of the protein–peptide complexes based on NMR chemical shift perturbation data indicate that the binding surface is analogous. These models do not rely on NMR NOE (Nuclear Overhauser Effect) data, and thus our results can only suggest that the complexes share similar intermolecular interactions. However, the observed affinity differences correlate with the α‐helical population of the BH3‐peptides obtained from circular dichroism experiments, which highlights a role of conformational selection in the binding mechanism. Altogether, our results shed light on important factors governing Diva‐BH3 peptide molecular recognition mode. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depicting the semicircular canals with inner‐ear MRI: A comparison of the SPACE and TrueFISP sequences
Authors: Kojima Shinya , Suzuki Kazufumi , Hirata Masami , Shinohara Hiroyuki , Ueno Eiko
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To assess the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to depict the semicircular canals of the inner ear by comparing results from the sampling perfection with application‐optimized contrasts by using different flip angle evolutions (SPACE) sequence with those from the true free induction with steady precession (TrueFISP) sequence.

Materials and Methods:

A 1.5‐T MRI system was used to perform an in vivo study of 10 healthy volunteers and 17 patients. A three‐point visual score was employed for assessing the depiction of the semicircular canals and facial and vestibulocochlear nerves and the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) was computed for the vestibule and pons on images with the SPACE and TrueFIPS sequences.

Results:

There were no susceptibility artifact‐related filling defects with the SPACE sequence. However, the TrueFISP sequence showed filling defects for at least one semicircular canal on both sides in seven cases for healthy subjects and in 10 cases for patients. The CNR with the SPACE sequence was significantly higher than with the TrueFISP sequence (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in depicting the facial and the vestibulocochlear nerves (P = 0.32).

Conclusion:

For the depiction of the semicircular canal, the SPACE sequence is superior to the TrueFISP sequence. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:652–659. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Usefulness of Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MR imaging in the evaluation of simple steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Wu Zhuo , Matsui Osamu , Kitao Azusa , Kozaka Kazuto , Koda Wataru , Kobayashi Satoshi , Ryu Yasuji , Minami Tetsuya , Sanada Junichiro , Gabata Toshifumi
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To evaluate the usefulness of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced MR imaging (EOB‐MRI) in differentiating between simple steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as compared with MR in‐phase/out‐of‐phase imaging. The correlations between the MR features and histological characteristics were preliminarily investigated.

Materials and Methods:

From April 2008 to October 2011, 25 patients (13 simple steatosis and 12 NASH) who underwent both EOB‐MRI and in‐phase/out‐of‐phase imaging were analyzed. The hepatobiliary‐phase enhancement ratio and signal intensity loss on opposed‐phase T1‐weighted images (fat fraction) were compared between the simple steatosis and NASH groups. In the simple steatosis and NASH groups, the correlations between enhancement ratio and histological grade/stage were explored. In the NASH group, fat fraction was correlated with the steatosis score.

Results:

The enhancement ratio in NASH was significantly lower than that in simple steatosis (P = 0.03). In the simple steatosis and NASH groups, the enhancement ratio was significantly correlated with the fibrosis stage (r = −0.469, P = 0.018). Fat fraction in NASH was strongly correlated with the steatosis score (r = 0.728, P = 0.007).

Conclusion:

In simple steatosis and NASH, the hepatobiliary‐phase enhancement ratio of EOB‐MRI showed significant association with fibrosis stage, and may be a useful discriminating parameter compared with the fat fraction measured by in‐phase/out‐of‐phase imaging. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;37:1137–1143. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Discrimination of metastatic lymph nodes in patients with gastric carcinoma using diffusion‐weighted imaging
Authors: Cheng Jin , Wang Yi , Deng Jie , McCarthy Robert J. , Wang Gongwei , Wang He , Ye Yingjiang
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To determine the accuracy of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) in discrimination of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) in gastric carcinoma with rigorous histopathological correlation.

Materials and Methods:

With Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, 28 patients with gastric carcinoma underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DWI before surgery. LNs were resected at surgery and thereafter submitted for histopathological analyses. All histopathologically identified LNs (≥5 mm) that exactly matched the location and size of nodes on MRI/DWI were submitted to lesion‐by‐lesion analyses. Short‐axis diameter, border irregularity, enhanced patterns, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of each LN were recorded. Each measurement was compared between metastatic and benign LNs, confirmed by nodal histopathology. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to evaluate the capability of morphological and ADC measurements in distinguishing metastatic lymph nodes.

Results:

The median ADC value of metastatic nodes was significantly lower (1.28 × 10−3 mm2/sec; interquartile range, 1.20–1.31) than that of benign (1.55; 1.47–1.73) nodes (P < 0.001). DWI showed greater diagnostic accuracy in determining metastatic nodes (AUC = 0.857) than the combined morphological measurements of short‐axis, border irregularity, and enhanced patterns (AUC = 0.746, P = 0.03). Adding ADC values to the combined morphologic criteria demonstrated the greatest predictive power (AUC = 0.889).

Conclusion:

DWI may provide great potential in effective discrimination of metastatic LNs in gastric carcinoma. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1436–1444. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Air pressure‐induced susceptibility changes in vascular reactivity studies using BOLD MRI
Authors: Yeung David K.W. , Griffith James F. , Li Alvin F.W. , Ma Heather T. , Yuan Jing
Published: November 2012

Purpose

To investigate whether compressed air during air‐cuff inflation in vascular reactivity studies could induce aberrant blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) signal change.

Materials and Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments were performed on a whole‐body 3 T scanner. The pattern of T2* signal change measured from a phantom simulating the lower limb was assessed while a thigh cuff was inflated and deflated. MR spectroscopy was performed on a head phantom wrapped using a hand‐cuff to determine the relationship between water peak linewidth and applied cuff pressure. Calf muscles from 14 normal subjects were examined to identify aberrant T2* signal changes in the occluded and nonoccluded legs.

Results

A sudden T2* signal drop was observed in the phantom on initiation of cuff inflation with subsequent signal change being dependent on cuff pressure. Water peak linewidth increased linearly with cuff pressure (r2 = 0.94). Aberrant T2* signal changes were observed in both the occluded and nonoccluded legs.

Conclusion

Compressed air due to cuff inflation directly affects local magnetic field susceptibility. The T2* sequence is sensitive to local field disturbances induced by an inflated cuff. Muscle BOLD results are affected by high‐pressure air, with a sudden drop in T2* signal being a characteristic feature of this induced effect. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:976–980. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is DARTEL‐based voxel‐based morphometry affected by width of smoothing kernel and group size? A study using simulated atrophy
Authors: Shen Shan , Sterr Annette
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To quantify to what extent the new registration method, DARTEL (Diffeomorphic Anatomical Registration Through Exponentiated Lie Algebra), may reduce the smoothing kernel width required and investigate the minimum group size necessary for voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) studies.

Materials and Methods:

A simulated atrophy approach was employed to explore the role of smoothing kernel, group size, and their interactions on VBM detection accuracy. Group sizes of 10, 15, 25, and 50 were compared for kernels between 0–12 mm.

Results:

A smoothing kernel of 6 mm achieved the highest atrophy detection accuracy for groups with 50 participants and 8–10 mm for the groups of 25 at P < 0.05 with familywise correction. The results further demonstrated that a group size of 25 was the lower limit when two different groups of participants were compared, whereas a group size of 15 was the minimum for longitudinal comparisons but at P < 0.05 with false discovery rate correction.

Conclusion:

Our data confirmed DARTEL‐based VBM generally benefits from smaller kernels and different kernels perform best for different group sizes with a tendency of smaller kernels for larger groups. Importantly, the kernel selection was also affected by the threshold applied. This highlighted that the choice of kernel in relation to group size should be considered with care. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1468–1475. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correction of eddy current distortions in high angular resolution diffusion imaging
Authors: Zhuang Jiancheng , Lu Zhong‐Lin , Vidal Christine Bouteiller , Damasio Hanna
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To correct distortions caused by eddy currents induced by large diffusion gradients during high angular resolution diffusion imaging without any auxiliary reference scans.

Materials and Methods:

Image distortion parameters were obtained by image coregistration, performed only between diffusion‐weighted images with close diffusion gradient orientations. A linear model that describes distortion parameters (translation, scale, and shear) as a function of diffusion gradient directions was numerically computed to allow individualized distortion correction for every diffusion‐weighted image.

Results:

The assumptions of the algorithm were successfully verified in a series of experiments on phantom and human scans. Application of the proposed algorithm in high angular resolution diffusion images markedly reduced eddy current distortions when compared to results obtained with previously published methods.

Conclusion:

The method can correct eddy current artifacts in the high angular resolution diffusion images, and it avoids the problematic procedure of cross‐correlating images with significantly different contrasts resulting from very different gradient orientations or strengths. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1460–1467. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Histological characteristics of small hepatocellular carcinomas showing atypical enhancement patterns on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MR imaging
Authors: Choi Yoon Seong , Rhee Hyungjin , Choi Jin‐Young , Chung Yong Eun , Park Young Nyun , Kim Ki Whang , Kim Myeong‐Jin
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To define the histological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) showing atypical dynamic enhancement patterns on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (EOB‐MRI).

Materials and Methods:

We evaluated a total of 130 small (≤3 cm) HCCs from 114 patients that were surgically removed after EOB‐MRI. Two radiologists blinded to the histological findings retrospectively classified the HCCs into typical or atypical lesions. Gross morphology, nuclear histological grade, presence of vascular invasion, and capsule formation and infiltration were compared between the two groups using Chi‐square or Fisher tests.

Results:

Atypical dynamic enhancement patterns were seen in 23 HCCs (17.7%). None of the atypical HCC showed vascular invasion (P < 0.001). Atypical HCCs also showed more frequently smaller size (1.6 ± 0.6 cm versus 2.1 ± 0.6 cm, P = 0.001) with 86.9% (n = 20) of which 2 cm or less in diameter (P = 0.001), vaguely nodular appearance (56.5% vs 3.7%, P < 0.001), and nuclear grade I (69.6% versus 6.5%, P < 0.001), while less frequently showed capsule formation (26.1% versus 77.6%, P < 0.001) or capsular infiltration (16.7% versus 77.1%, P = 0.005).

Conclusion:

Atypical HCCs on EOB‐MRI may be characterized by the absence of vascular invasion, smaller (< 2 cm or less) size, vaguely nodular appearance, and well differentiation, and infrequent capsule formation or capsular infiltration. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1384–1391. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transient heating of expressed breast milk up to 65°C inactivates HIV‐1 in milk: A simple, rapid, and cost‐effective method to prevent postnatal transmission
Authors: Hoque Sheikh Ariful , Hoshino Hiroo , Anwar Kazi Selim , Tanaka Atsushi , Shinagawa Masahiko , Hayakawa Yuko , Okitsu Shoko , Wada Yuichi , Ushijima Hiroshi
Published: November 2012

The postnatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from mothers to children occurs through breastfeeding. Although heat treatment of expressed breast milk is a promising approach to make breastfeeding safer, it is still not popular, mainly because the recommended procedures are difficult to follow, or time‐consuming, or because mothers do not know which temperature is sufficient to inactivate HIV without destroying the nutritional elements of milk. To overcome these drawbacks, a simple and rapid method of heat treatment that a mother could perform with regular household materials applying her day‐to‐day art of cooking was examined. This structured experiment has demonstrated that both cell‐free and cell‐associated HIV type 1 (HIV‐1) in expressed breast milk could be inactivated once the temperature of milk reached 65°C. Furthermore, a heating method as simple as heating the milk in a pan over a stove to 65°C inhibited HIV‐1 transmission retaining milk's nutritional key elements, for example, total protein, IgG, IgA, and vitamin B12. This study has highlighted a simple, handy, and cost‐effective method of heat treatment of expressed breast milk that mothers infected with HIV could apply easily and with more confidence. J. Med. Virol. 85:187–193, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterizing unusual metal substrates for gap‐mode tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Stadler Johannes , Oswald Benedikt , Schmid Thomas , Zenobi Renato
Published: November 2012

In this article, the electromagnetic (EM) field in gap‐mode tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is investigated theoretically and experimentally for a range of commonly used and unusual metal and nonmetal substrates. By approaching a metal tip to a substrate, both form a coupled system that confines the EM field created at the tip apex. The influence of the substrate onto the EM field enhancement is observed in a top‐illumination gap‐mode TERS setup for different metal substrates. These include Au, the most commonly used substrate, and also a wide range of rarely or previously unused TERS substrates (Cu, Ag, Al, Pd, Pt, Ni, Ti, Mo, W, stainless steel, Al2O3, SiO2). Self‐assembled monolayers of thiols and brilliant cresyl blue thin film samples are investigated experimentally on nine metal substrates, all showing considerable TERS enhancement. With finite difference time domain and finite element simulations used, the article provides a good estimate of the EM field enhancement for a wide range of substrates for users to estimate how well a substrate of choice will perform in a gap‐mode TERS experiment. The reduction in EM field strength |E2| compared with Au is less than an order of magnitude for many metals (Calculations: Cu 92%, Ag 81%, Ni 53%). This article experimentally shows that a wide variety of conductive substrates can be used, when one is willing to trade a fraction of the EM field enhancement. TERS was seen on all metal substrates including stainless steel, yet quantification was not always possible. These qualitative results were complemented with intensities from calculations. The wider variety of substrates will increase the applicability of TERS and evolve it one step further towards use in standard analytics. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adsorption mode of neurotensin family peptides onto a colloidal silver surface: SERS studies
Authors: Proniewicz Edyta , Ozaki Yukihiro , Kim Younkyoo , Proniewicz Leonard M.
Published: November 2012

Kinetensin (KN) and its amino acids 1–8 fragment ([des‐Leu9]KN), neuromedin N (NMN), and xenopsin (XP) and its two analogs (human XP‐1/xenin‐8 and XP‐2) belong to the neurotensin family of peptides and are known to stimulate the growth of human tumors. In this work, we report surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies of these peptides and discuss their structures, orientation, and mode of adsorption onto a colloidal assembly of apparently randomly adhering Ag spheres with diameters of approximately 20 – 25 nm. We show that small alternations in both the amino acid composition and tertiary structure, which induce striking biological in vitro, were responsible for the observed spectroscopic changes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesizing regression results: a factored likelihood method
Authors: Wu Meng‐Jia , Becker Betsy Jane
Published: November 2012

Regression methods are widely used by researchers in many fields, yet methods for synthesizing regression results are scarce. This study proposes using a factored likelihood method, originally developed to handle missing data, to appropriately synthesize regression models involving different predictors. This method uses the correlations reported in the regression studies to calculate synthesized standardized slopes. It uses available correlations to estimate missing ones through a series of regressions, allowing us to synthesize correlations among variables as if each included study contained all the same variables. Great accuracy and stability of this method under fixed‐effects models were found through Monte Carlo simulation. An example was provided to demonstrate the steps for calculating the synthesized slopes through sweep operators. By rearranging the predictors in the included regression models or omitting a relatively small number of correlations from those models, we can easily apply the factored likelihood method to many situations involving synthesis of linear models. Limitations and other possible methods for synthesizing more complicated models are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.