bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacteriocin activity against various pathogens produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus VJ13 isolated from Idly batter
Authors: Vidhyasagar Venkatasubramanian , Jeevaratnam Kadirvelu
Published: June 2013

Bacteriocins, an antimicrobial peptide, is known to have wide spectrum antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. Because they are easily digested in the intestine, they are considered as safe and are widely used as food preservatives. Hence their purification and characterization have attracted considerable attraction, especially for those having activity against human pathogens. In this study, the bacteriocin produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus VJ13 was precipitated with cold acetone and purified by gel permeation chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The bacteriocin exhibited antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, like Mycobacterium smegmatis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The activity of bacteriocin was lost completely after treatment with protease, which revealed its proteinaceous nature. The bacteriocin was stable up to 100°C and exhibited antilisterial property which is a characteristic feature of class IIa bacteriocins. It was active within the pH range of 2–8 and stable against various chemicals and denaturants. Tricine SDS–PAGE revealed its molecular weight to be 4.0 kDa, where the corresponding activity against Listeria monocytogenes was also noted. Treatment of L. monocytogenes with bacteriocin decreased the viable cell count, and scanning electron microscope analysis revealed membrane pore formation that resulted in the release of intracellular content, suggesting its bactericidal effect. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validated LC‐MS method for simultaneous quantitation of catalpol and harpagide in rat plasma: application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study in normal and diabetic rats after oral administration of Zeng‐Ye‐Decoction
Authors: Feng Yukun , Liu Zhenzhen , Peng Ying , Zhang Lunhui , Ju Ping , Bi Kaishun , Chen Xiaohui
Published: June 2013

A simple and efficient liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantitation of catalpol and harpagide in normal and diabetic rat plasma. Protein precipitation extraction with acetonitrile was carried out using salidroside as the internal standard (IS). The LC separation was performed on an Elite C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water within a runtime of 12.0 min. The analytes were detected without endogenous interference in the selected ion monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization. Calibration curves offered satisfactory linearity (r > 0.99) at linear range of 0.05–50.0 µg/mL for catalpol and 0.025–5.0 µg/mL for harpagide with the lower limits of quantitation of 0.05 and 0.025 µg/mL, respectively. Intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (RSD) were <9.4%, and accuracy (RE) was in the −6.6 to 4.9% range. The extraction efficiencies of catalpol, harpagide and IS were all >76.5% and the matrix effects of the analytes ranged from 86.5 to 106.0%. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of catalpol and harpagide after oral administration of Zeng‐Ye‐Decoction to normal and diabetic rats, respectively. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of early pathogenesis in the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS: part I, background and methods
Authors: Vinsant Sharon , Mansfield Carol , Jimenez‐Moreno Ramon , Moore Victoria Del Gaizo , Yoshikawa Masaaki , Hampton Thomas G. , Prevette David , Caress James , Oppenheim Ronald W. , Milligan Carol
Published: June 2013

Charcot first described amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1869; however, its causes remain largely unknown and effective, long‐term treatment strategies are not available. The first mouse model of ALS was developed after the identification of mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene in 1993, and accordingly most of our knowledge of the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease comes from studies carried out using this animal model. Although numerous preclinical trials have been conducted in the mutant SOD1 mouse models, the results have been disappointing because they did not positively translate to clinical trials. One explanation may be that current understanding of when and where pathogenesis begins is insufficient to accurately guide preclinical trials. Further characterization of these early events may provide insight into disease onset, help in the discovery of presymptomatic diagnostic disease markers, and identify novel therapeutic targets. Here, we describe the rationale, approach, and methods for our extensive analysis of early changes that included an ultrastructural examination of central and peripheral components of the neuromuscular system in the SOD1G93A mouse and correlated these alterations with early muscle denervation, motor dysfunction, and motoneuron death. We also provide a discussion of published work to review what is known regarding early pathology in the SOD1 mouse model of ALS. The significance of this work is that we have examined early pathology simultaneously in both the spinal cord and peripheral neuromuscular system, and the results are presented in the companion paper (Part II, Results and Discussion). Our results provide evidence as to why a thorough characterization of animal models throughout the life span is critical for a strong foundation to design preclinical trials that may produce meaningful results.
Jury Panel Member Perceptions of Interpersonal‐Affective Traits of Psychopathy Predict Support for Execution in a Capital Murder Trial Simulation
Authors: Cox Jennifer , Clark John C. , Edens John F. , Smith Shannon Toney , Magyar Melissa S.
Published: June 2013

Recent research with college undergraduate mock jurors suggests that how psychopathic they perceive a criminal defendant to be is a powerful predictor of whether they will support a death verdict in simulated capital murder trials. Perceived affective and interpersonal traits of psychopathy are especially predictive of support for capital punishment, with perceived remorselessness explaining a disproportionate amount of variance in these attitudes. The present study attempted to extend these findings with a more representative sample of community members called for jury duty (N = 304). Jurors reviewed a case vignette based on an actual capital murder trial, provided sentencing verdicts, and rated the defendant on several characteristics historically associated with the construct of psychopathy. Consistent with prior findings, remorselessness predicted death verdicts, as did the affective and interpersonal features of psychopathy – though the latter effect was more pronounced among jurors who were Caucasian and/or who described their political beliefs as moderate rather than conservative or liberal. Results are discussed in terms of the potentially stigmatizing effects of psychopathy evidence in capital cases. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ionic Liquid‐Mediated α‐Fe2O3 Shape‐Controlled Nanocrystal‐Supported Noble Metals: Highly Active Materials for CO Oxidation
Authors: Hou Liwei , Zhang Qinghua , Jérôme François , Duprez Daniel , Can Fabien , Courtois Xavier , Zhang Hui , Royer Sébastien
Published: June 2013

Shape‐controlled iron oxide nanocrystals were prepared by using an ionic liquid‐mediated hydrothermal process. Different morphologies can be synthesised, such as cubes and porous nanotubes. Owing to the different morphologies developed, accessible surface area varies from a few m2 g−1 to more than 50 m2 g−1. These differences result in different oxygen mobilities, and the porous nanorods demonstrate the highest bulk oxygen mobility. Thus, all these shaped materials demonstrate higher activity for the oxidation reaction compared to the commercial reference. In addition, the favourable physical properties, that is high surface area, enable the easy dispersion of noble metal nanoparticles (platinum, palladium and gold); some of these high‐surface area noble metal‐containing materials demonstrate remarkable catalytic activities. Porous nanorod‐supported gold nanoparticles enable the conversion of CO below 100 °C, which is far better than on commercial α‐Fe2O3‐supported gold for which dispersion of gold remains difficult owing to the low surface area of the commercial support.
Structural and Catalytic Properties of Alkaline Post‐Treated Ru/ZrO2 Catalysts for Partial Hydrogenation of Benzene to Cyclohexene
Authors: Zhou Gongbing , Tan Xiaohe , Pei Yan , Fan Kangnian , Qiao Minghua , Sun Bin , Zong Baoning
Published: June 2013

Partial hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexene is attractive in terms of feedstock accessibility, atomic economy, and operational simplicity. Herein, a series of Ru/ZrO2 catalysts were prepared by post‐treatment of a binary Ru–Zn/ZrO2 catalyst using 5–30 wt % NaOH aqueous solutions. Alloying between Ru and Zn was evidenced for the catalyst post‐treated only by water (Ru/ZrO2‐0). Alkaline post‐treatment removed metallic Zn, forming smaller Ru nanoparticles. Concomitantly, the hydrophilicity of the catalysts was increased and maximized on the 10 wt % NaOH‐treated catalyst (Ru/ZrO2‐10). In partial hydrogenation of benzene, the Ru/ZrO2‐0 catalyst displayed the highest turnover frequency but the lowest initial selectivity to cyclohexene, whereas the Ru/ZrO2‐10 catalyst exhibited the highest initial selectivity (86 %) and yield of cyclohexene (51 %) among the catalysts investigated. A quantitative relationship between the initial selectivity to cyclohexene and the hydrophilicity of these catalysts was identified, which rationalizes the significant impact of alkaline post‐treatment on selectivity enhancement in partial hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexene over Ru/ZrO2 catalysts.
Performance of a UV‐assisted Hydrogen‐peroxide‐fed Spray Tower for Sulfur Dioxide Abatement
Authors: Codolo M. , Bizzo W. , Bertazzoli R.
Published: June 2013

Spray towers are widely used for controlling air pollution by gases such as SO2, CO2, NOx, and HCl. Results of sulfur dioxide absorption in a spray tower using solutions of 1 g L–1 and 2 g L–1 of hydrogen peroxide are reported. For comparison, a water and sodium hydroxide solution was also used for SO2 abatement. The results indicate that H2O2 may be an important alternative for SO2 removal in spray towers. A set of experimental removal efficiency data was obtained as a function of gas and liquid flow rates. Volumetric mass transfer coefficients (kga) were calculated and an experimental relationship among kga, gas, and liquid flow rates was proposed. As a final experiment, an oxidation process assisted by UV radiation using a 1 g L–1 solution of H2O2 was carried out to speed up the SO2 removal rate. The results obtained in this condition are similar to those achieved with a solution of 2 g L–1 H2O2.
Modeling nutrient impacts on microalgae cells via image analyses
Authors: McConico Morgan B. , Vogt Frank
Published: June 2013

A nonlinear multivariate regression methodology is presented for modeling the responses of microalgae cells regarding their physical appearance (size, shape) to shifts in their chemical environment. This chemometric approach builds on a novel image analysis method recently published in this Journal and augments it such that: (i) the measured effect is expressed mathematically rather than described empirically and (ii) incorporates effects of multiple ambient parameters so that their interactions can be investigated. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental and Computational Probes of the Nature of Halogen Bonding: Complexes of Bromine‐Containing Molecules with Bromide Anions
Authors: Rosokha Sergiy V. , Stern Charlotte L. , Ritzert Jeremy T.
Published: June 2013

The nature of halogen bonding is examined via experimental and computational characterizations of a series of associates between electrophilic bromocarbons RBr (RBr=CBr3F, CBr3NO2, CBr3COCBr3, CBr3CONH2, CBr3CN, etc.) and bromide anions. The [RBr, Br−] complexes show intense absorption bands in the 200–350 nm range which follow the same Mulliken correlation as those observed for the charge‐transfer associates of bromide anions with common organic π‐acceptors. For a wide range of the associates, intermolecular RBr⋅⋅⋅Br− separations decrease and intramolecular CBr bond lengths increase proportionally to the Br−→RBr charge transfer; and the energies of RBr⋅⋅⋅Br− bonds are correlated with the linear combination of orbital (charge‐transfer) and electrostatic interactions. On the whole, spectral, structural and thermodynamic characteristics of the [RBr, Br−] complexes indicate that besides electrostatics, the orbital (charge‐transfer) interactions play a vital role in the RBr⋅⋅⋅Br− halogen bonding. This indicates that in addition to controlling the geometries of supramolecular assemblies, halogen bonding leads to electronic coupling between interacting species, and thus affects reactivity of halogenated molecules, as well as conducting and magnetic properties of their solid‐state materials.
Inversion of Effective Pore Aspect Ratios for Porous Rocks and Its Applications
Authors: Hong‐Bing LI , Jia‐Jia ZHANG , Feng‐Chang YAO
Published: June 2013

By integrating Gassmann equations with the dry rock frame model, which is called the DEM analytical model, derived from the differential effective medium theory, this paper presents a method for pore structure evaluation and shear wave velocity prediction from the effective pore aspect ratios inverted from P‐wave (and S‐wave) velocity. First, we build a link among P‐wave and S‐wave velocity, density, porosity, saturation and mineral compositions through Gassmann equations and the DEM analytical model. Then, by assuming that the porous rock contains spheroidal pores with a single aspect ratio, we apply nonlinear global optimization algorithm to find the best estimate for the effective pore aspect ratio in terms of minimizing the error between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements. Finally, we estimate the S‐wave velocity from the inverted effective pore aspect ratios. The experimental and well logging examples show that the inverted aspect ratio can be used to accurately indicate the pore structure of the reservoir. For fracture reservoirs, such as granite, its pore aspect ratio is typically less than 0.025, and for pore reservoirs such as sandstone, the pore aspect ratio is usually greater than 0.08. Comparison of the inversion of pore aspect ratio between only from P‐wave and from both P‐wave and S‐wave indicates that the pore aspect ratios from these two methods are almost the same. And, the predicted shear‐velocity only from P‐wave is in good agreement with the measured one. These results show that our method of the shear‐velocity prediction by using the pore aspect ratio inverted from P‐wave is effective.
Analysis on the Thermal History and Uplift Process of Zijinshan Intrusive Complex in the Eastern Ordos Basin
Authors: Gang CHEN , Chao DING , Li‐Ming XU , Hui‐Ruo ZHANG , Yan‐Xu HU , Fu YANG , Nan LI , Xiao‐Ni MAO , Yan LI
Published: June 2013

Thermochronological data of in‐situ zircon U‐Pb, hornblende and biotite 40Ar/39Ar, and zircon and apatite fission track (FT) are presented for studying the thermal history and uplift‐cooling process of Zijinshan (ZJS) intrusive complex at the eastern Ordos basin (OB) next to the central North China Craton (NCC). Alkaline intrusive rocks dominate the complex with the diopside monzonite and syenite, which are used as the dating samples in this work. Zircon U‐Pb dating of the monzonite provides the initial crystallization age of the magmatic emplacement to be ca. 136.7 Ma, and 40Ar/39Ar dating of hornblendes and biotites indicates the late crystallization to solidification age of the emplaced magma to be mainly in a range of 133.1∼130.4 Ma. It is concluded that the ZJS intrusive complex was mainly formed in 136.7∼130.4 Ma of the Early Cretaceous. Based on the comprehensive analyses of the thermochronological T‐t curve and the apatite FT modeling thermal path of the complex and its altered sandstone, it can be further inferred that the ZJS complex as well as its intruded area of the eastern OB has experienced at least three tectono‐thermal stages during magmatic emplacement to later uplift‐cooling process. They are: (1) the magmatic emplacement crystallization to consolidation stage of 136∼120 Ma at an extremely high cooling rate of 52 °C/Ma; (2) the slow uplift‐cooling stage of 120∼30 Ma at a low average cooling rate of 2.5°C/Ma, and (3) the rapid uplift‐cooling stage of ca. 30 Ma at an average cooling rate of 3.6°C/Ma, especially with a more rapid cooling rate of 7°C/Ma since ca. 10 Ma. Further considering the regional tectono‐dynamics of the NCC, ZJS magmatic activity of the eastern OB is an expression of the dynamic transition and its related large‐scale magmatism of NCC during the Early Cretaceous. Then, the later differential uplift process with slow to rapid cooling rate is dynamically associated with the integrated effects of the multi‐direction convergence, toward the central NCC, of the (Paleo‐)Pacific plate and Tethys or Indian plate at variable subduction rates during the Late Cretaceous to Quaternary.
Optimal 15‐Point Finite Difference Forward Modeling in Frequency‐Space Domain
Authors: Lu LIU , Hong LIU , Hong‐Wei LIU
Published: June 2013

Forward modeling is fundamental to waveform inversion in the frequency‐space domain. Fast and effective difference schemes can guarantee the precision and efficiency of waveform inversion. In this paper, aiming at suppressing dispersion effectively with a smaller impedance matrix bandwidth in frequency‐space domain, we utilize three techniques: weighted averaging operator, averaging the mass acceleration term and optimizing the coefficient, and then propose an optimal 15‐point difference scheme. And we use a compressed storage method to store the huge impedance matrix so that significantly decrease the memory consumption. In order to suppress the reflection from the boundary, we apply a perfectly matched layer boundary condition. Finally, through the comparison between our difference scheme and previous methods, it is proved that our method can effectively suppress dispersion without increasing too much calculation amount.
Data Processing of the Middle and Upper Atmospheric Wind Retrieval Based on the Fabry‐Perot Interferometer
Authors: Hou‐Mao WANG , Yong‐Mei WANG , Ying‐Jian WANG
Published: June 2013

Since the Doppler shifts of airglow orauroralemission lines due to neutral winds are extremely small, it is essential to determine the center position and radius of fringes with the uppermost accuracy. In this paper, a new method is presented for the center position and radius determination of incomplete interference fringes of Fabry‐Perot Interferometer (FPI). Due to the data noise comes from FPI instrument and space environment, the data pre‐processing was firstly carried out including mean filtering and wiener weightingadaptive filtering. Then, according to the Gauss distribution of fringe intensity, interference fringe peak coordinates were derived from both radius obtained using Gaussian fitting and fringe center coordinates. Subsequently, based on the peak coordinates, new center position and radius were estimated by using circular coordinate fitting with the least square method. Finally, the center coordinate and radius were determined by using the iterative operation between Gaussian fitting and circular coordinate fitting. The new method was applied to Fabry‐Perot interferometer data processing for wind velocity estimation of the middle and upper atmosphere. The retrieval results are 96.9537 m/s (actual wind velocity ∼100 m/s) and 7.5282 m/s (actual wind velocity ∼10 m/s), lower by 2.977 m/s and 2.465 m/s, respectively. Compared with theoretical values, both of them are less than 3 m/s, which suggests a tentatively reliable and practicable method of circle center and radius determination for wind retrieval of the middle and upper atmosphere.
Finite Difference Tomography of Crustal Velocity Structure Beneath Tengchong, Yunnan Province
Authors: Ling‐Min CAO , Yi XU , Shi‐Guo WU
Published: June 2013

This work applies the finite difference tomographic method to invert P‐wave velocity structure beneath the Tengchong area using earthquake data from a temporary network and other permanent stations, and analyzes the magmatic activity of Tengchong volcanoes and the deep structural genesis of the Longling M7.3/M7.4 earthquakes. The results show the velocity structure of the crust in this area has a pronounced heterogeneity. The lower velocities in the shallow subsurface are caused by unconsolidated basin deposits, Cenozoic volcanic deposits, fluid fractures and hot springs. The high‐velocity zone at 5∼15 km depth probably represents cooled and solidified magmatic intrusions or less volatile ultramafic remnants. The low‐velocity structure in the deep crust indicates molten or semi‐molten magma. It is probable that the magmatic activity beneath volcanoes and magma intrusions in the deep crust of the Longling earthquake zone are from the same magmatic hearth area, which is the main area of the present magmatic activities. A strongly lateral heterogeneity is observed in the Longling earthquake zone. The east of the Nujiang fault belt and the west of the Longling fault belt are characterized by high velocity, implying large strain strength of rocks, which are the main carriers of stress accumulation. The low‐velocity anomalies between the two faults extend to lower crust, probably caused by magmatic intrusions in the deep crust. The magmatic activity in this area is controlled clearly by the Longling fault and the Nujiang fault. The Longling M7.3 and M7.4 earthquakes occurred near the velocity boundary beneath the faults. The main reasons for the strong earthquakes in the Longling area inlcude the heterogeneity of stress accumulation caused by the lateral variation of the crustal medium strength, the deep magmatic aggregation and dynamic actions.
Statistical Analysis of Noise in GPS Time Series of Sichuan Province Before and After the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake
Authors: Hua LIAO , Rui XU , Wei‐Feng CHEN , Cong CHEN , Tie GU
Published: June 2013

In order to explore the long‐term influence of seismic events on the GPS time series, 10 a long processing results of the Sichuan GPS network before and after the 2008 Wenchuan M8.0 earthquake were used for the multi‐parameter noise model analysis. Based on the maximum likelihood estimator method and spectrum analysis, the noise components in the station coordinate time series were extracted. Through Λ‐statistical tests, we found ‘white noise+ flicker noise’ is the best combination that can best fit the Sichuan local area network. Meanwhile, it is noted that apparent variations in the noise component of GPS, including white noise, flicker noise, and random walk nose, occurred before and after the seismic event, which demonstrates that the traditional processing mode which simply splices and resolves the pre‐seismic and post‐seismic data together is unacceptable. The common mode error analytical method and velocity variation information were used for the initial physical interpretation of such apparent noise component change.
Study on Anisotropy of Shale in Shale Gas Exploration Using Seismic Forward Modeling
Authors: Wei‐Jia SUN , Li‐Yun FU , Xi‐Zhu GUAN , Wei WEI
Published: June 2013

The accuracy of numerical methods is challenged by strong anisotropies of shale, especially for high‐frequency components (> 100 Hz). Since the shale gas exploration still employs acoustic seismic data, we first introduce an arbitrary even‐order differential solution to VTI acoustic wave equation. The high‐order solution can improve the computational accuracy and suppress numerical dispersion effectively. To show the effect of strong anisotropy of shale, we compare the seismic response of VTI acoustic wave equation with that of acoustic wave equation for different models. Numerical results show that anisotropy has large influences on the kinetics (phases) and the dynamics (amplitudes) of seismic waves. We conclude that the anisotropy must be considered when processing seismic data.
Research on the Charge Inducing Regularity of Coal Rock at Different Loading Rates in Uniaxial Compression Tests
Authors: Yi‐Shan PAN , Zhi TANG , Zhong‐Hua Li , Li‐Yuan ZHU , Guo‐Zhen LI
Published: June 2013

The coal rock charge induction test system under the condition of uniaxial compression is established using the self‐developed charge induction instrument. And the charge induction laws at different loading rates of coal, granite, sandstone are researched. The experiment results show that the value maximum of coal rock charge induction appears before the stress reaches its peak and increases with the loading rate. The strength ahead of time of the maximum value of charge presents a time shortening trend compared with the stress peak. The maximum value of coal rock charge induction differs greatly among coal rocks of different properties. The maximum value of granite charge is greater than that of coal charge, and maximum value of coal charge is greater than that of sandstone. Trace charge signals are generated when the stress is small, and when the stress reaches about 90% of the ultimate stress of coal rock, large amounts of charge signals are generated. It illustrates that stress threshold exists in the coal rock charge induction. So the charge induction method can be applied to forecast dynamic disasters and deserves further research.
A Laboratory Study of Seismic Wave Velocities in Sandstones Bearing Different Pore Fluids at Different Pressures
Authors: Er‐Wei QIAO , Wei‐Hua ZHAO , Chang‐Xing LONG
Published: June 2013

Seismic properties of rocks have wide applications in regional tectonic research and shallow seismic exploration. The Yanchang oilfield is one of the important production bases for oil and gas in China, but lacks basic data of seismic wave properties of rocks. This work applied the AutoLab 2000 computer‐controlled servo hydraulic triaxial test system to measure accurate P‐ and S‐wave velocities at pressures up to 180 MPa on three kinds of core samples of sandstones in dry, water and oil‐saturated conditions from the Yanchang oilfield. The results show the wave velocities Vp, Vs1 and Vs2 for the three kinds of samples of sandstones change basically logarithmically with increasing (or decreasing) pressures. The relationships between wave velocities in dry, water and oil‐saturated conditions indicates obvious differences for three kinds of core samples of sandstones, mainly because rock elastic modulus, pore fluid property, and rock structure are different. For the different kinds of sandstones, the pressure dependence of the Vp, Vs1 and Vs2 in the same pore fluid condition is controlled by the porosity and grain size, and for the same kind of sandstone, the pressure dependence of the Vp, Vs1 and Vs2 in the different pore fluid conditions is affected by the effective modulus of elasticity and density. Moreover, Vs1 and Vs2 hardly vary with water and oil saturation. The experimental results can provide an important basis for the interpretation of seismic data and comparing with well log data in that region.
The Value of Quantitative Real‐Time Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography for Detection of Angiographically Significant Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Li Dong‐ye , Liang Li , Xu Tong‐da , Zhang Hui , Pan De‐feng , Chen Jun‐hong , Chen Jing , Wang Xiao‐ping
Published: June 2013

Background

Real‐time (RT) myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is a novel method for the assessment of regional myocardial perfusion. We sought to evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of quantitative RT‐MCE in predicting significant coronary stenosis, with reference to quantitative coronary angiography.

Hypothesis

RT‐MCE can identify anatomically significant coronary artery stenosis in selected patients. RT‐MCE is probably an effective method for detection of angiographically significant coronary artery stenosis.

Methods

Thirty‐five patients (mean age, 59.94 ± 10.63 years; 25 males) scheduled for coronary angiography underwent RT‐MCE at rest, and shortly afterward underwent gated single‐photon emission computed tomography (gated‐SPECT). Coronary angiography was performed within 1 week after RT‐MCE in all patients. The observing indexes included the images of RT‐MCE that were analyzed quantitatively from microbubble replenishment curves for myocardial perfusion by using the Q‐Lab software. The sensitivity and specificity of RT‐MCE for quantitative detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) were obtained. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the differences of accuracy in ischemic segments with A, β and A × β respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of gated‐SPECT and RT‐MCE for assessment of CAD were calculated using a 4‐score method.

Results

A total of 513 segments among 595 segments in 35 patients were obtained. The cutoffs for A, β and A × β were 4.58, 0.64, and 2.73, and the sensitivity and specificity of quantitative RT‐MCE for detection of CAD were 86.0%, 80.2%, 88.9%, and 84.1%, 64.6%, 79.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, the sensitivity and specificity of semiquantitative analysis for assessment of CAD were 66.7% and 61.8%. The ROC curve area of A and A × β was 0.91 and 0.90 in the middle segments. The ROC area of A was 0.52 in the base segments. The sensitivity and specificity of gated‐SPECT for assessment of CAD were 84.8% and 82.7%, respectively. The sensitivity of multi‐indexes RT‐MCE increased. The sensitivity was 89.1%, 90.4%, and 96.3% by A + β, A + A × β, and β + A × β.

Conclusions

Quantitative RT‐MCE is an effective method for the detection of coronary artery stenosis. Quantitative RT‐MCE is segmented for assessment to ischemic myocardium. RT‐MCE with multi‐indexes has a valuable application for assessment of CAD surpassing SPECT.
Impact of Atorvastatin Treatment in First‐Degree Relatives of Patients With Premature Coronary Artery Disease With Endothelial Dysfunction: A Double‐Blind, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Crossover Trial
Authors: Hong Sung‐Jin , Chang Hyuk‐Jae , Park Sungha , Kang Dae Ryong , Shin Sanghoon , Cho In‐Jeong , Shim Chi Young , Hong Geu‐Ru , Ha Jong‐Won , Chung Namsik
Published: June 2013

Background

A family history of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) is a well‐known risk factor for cardiovascular events.

Hypothesis

Atorvastatin may improve endothelial dysfunction (ED) in the first‐degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with premature CAD with ED.

Methods

Thirty‐five FDRs (median age, 52 years [interquartile range (IQR), 46–57 years], 21 male) of patients with premature CAD with ED were recruited in a prospective trial with a crossover double‐blind design: 6 weeks of treatment with atorvastatin 40 mg/day followed by placebo, or vice versa. After each treatment, the digital pulse wave amplitude was determined by EndoPAT to obtain the reactive hyperemia index (RHI), a measure for endothelial function. The primary outcome was the difference of RHI between atorvastatin and placebo treatment.

Results

Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower after atorvastatin compared with placebo treatment (124 [102–145] mg/dL vs 67 [50–73] mg/dL, P < 0.001). However, RHI was not different after atorvastatin compared with placebo treatment (1.9 [1.5–2.4] vs 1.9 [1.6–2.2], P = 0.902). Also, the augmentation index was similar after each treatment. These results were observed both in subjects who had indications for statin treatment (31%) and those who did not (69%) according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines.

Conclusions

Despite improvement in the lipid profile, atorvastatin failed to improve ED in the FDRs of patients with premature CAD with ED. Although we identified those with ED in FDRs of patients with premature CAD as a high‐risk group for future cardiovascular events, atorvastatin treatment may not be a beneficial primary prevention strategy for this population.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of WC5 Analogues as Inhibitors of Human Cytomegalovirus Immediate‐Early 2 Protein, a Promising Target for Anti‐HCMV Treatment
Authors: Massari Serena , Mercorelli Beatrice , Sancineto Luca , Sabatini Stefano , Cecchetti Violetta , Gribaudo Giorgio , Palù Giorgio , Pannecouque Christophe , Loregian Arianna , Tabarrini Oriana
Published: June 2013

Although human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is mostly asymptomatic for immunocompetent individuals, it remains a serious threat for those who are immunocompromised, in whom it is associated with various clinical manifestations. The therapeutic utility of the few available anti‐HCMV drugs is limited by several drawbacks, including cross‐resistance due to their common mechanism of action, i.e., inhibition of viral DNA polymerase. Therefore, compounds that target other essential viral events could overcome this problem. One example of this is the 6‐aminoquinolone WC5, which acts by directly blocking the transactivation of essential viral Early genes by the Immediate‐Early 2 (IE2) protein. In this study, the quinolone scaffold of the lead compound WC5 was investigated in depth, defining more suitable substituents for each of the scaffold positions explored and identifying novel, potent and nontoxic compounds. Some compounds showed potent anti‐HCMV activity by interfering with IE2‐dependent viral E gene expression. Among them, naphthyridone 1 was also endowed with potent anti‐HIV activity in latently infected cells. Their antiviral profile along with their innovative mechanism of action make these anti‐HCMV quinolones a very promising class of compounds to be exploited for more effective antiviral therapeutic treatment.
Influence of the Delocalization Error and Applicability of Optimal Functional Tuning in Density Functional Calculations of Nonlinear Optical Properties of Organic Donor–Acceptor Chromophores
Authors: Sun Haitao , Autschbach Jochen
Published: June 2013

Nonempirically tuned hybrid density functionals with range‐separated exchange are applied to calculations of the first hyperpolarizability (β∥) and charge‐transfer (CT) excitations of linear “push–pull” donor–acceptor‐substituted organic molecules with extended π‐conjugated bridges. An unphysical delocalization with increasing chain length in density functional calculations can be reduced significantly by enforcing an asymptotically correct exchange‐correlation potential adjusted to give frontier orbital energies representing ionization potentials. The delocalization error for a number of donor–acceptor systems is quantified by calculations with fractional electron numbers and from orbital localizations. Optimally tuned hybrid variants of the PBE functional incorporating range‐separated exchange can produce similar magnitudes for β∥ as Møller–Plesset second‐order perturbation (MP2) correlated calculations. Improvements are also found for CT excitation energies, with results similar to an approximate coupled‐cluster model (CC2).
Rolling up a Graphene Sheet
Authors: Calvaresi Matteo , Quintana Mildred , Rudolf Petra , Zerbetto Francesco , Prato Maurizio
Published: June 2013

Carbon Nanotubes, CNTs, have been described as rolled‐up graphene layers. Matching this concept to experiments has been a great experimental challenge for it requires a method to exfoliate graphite, generate ordered and stable dangling carbon bonds, and roll up the layer without affecting the unpaired electrons of the dangling bonds that finally have to zip up in an orderly fashion: A tall order for any synthetic strategy. The combined use of ultrasonication of graphite in dimethylformamide and addition of ferrocene aldehyde just does it!
Liquid‐based cytology improves preoperative diagnostic accuracy of the tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Lee Sung Hak , Jung Chan Kwon , Bae Ja Seong , Jung So Lyung , Choi Yeong Jin , Kang Chang Suk
Published: June 2013

The tall cell variant (TCV) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common among the aggressive variants of the disease. We aimed to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of TCV, and evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of liquid‐based cytology (LBC) in TCV detection compared with conventional smear in thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA). A total of 266 consecutive patients (220 women and 46 men) with PTC were enrolled. We analyzed tumor characteristics according to histologic growth patterns as classic, classic PTC with tall cell features, and TCV. The cytomorphologic features of these subtypes were investigated according to the preparation methods of conventional smear and LBC. TCV and classic PTC with tall cell features comprised 4.9% and 6.0% of all tumors, respectively, and were significantly associated with older age at presentation, larger tumor size, high frequency of extrathyroid extension, and BRAF mutation in comparison with classic PTC. However, there was no statistically significant difference in clinicopathologic features between TCV and classic PTC with tall cell features. Tall cells were more easily detected by LBC than by conventional smear. The percentage of tall cells identified using LBC was well correlated with three histologic subtypes. Our results demonstrate that TCV is more common than previously recognized in Korea and any PTC containing tall cells may have identical biological behavior regardless of the precise proportions of tall cells. It is possible to make a preoperative diagnosis of TCV using LBC. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:11–17. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An evaluation of the diagnostic and prognostic significance of p16INK4a/p21WAF1/Cip1 immunostaining in squamous intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix using liquid‐based cytology specimens
Authors: Ishida Katsunari , Araki Asuka , Kobayashi Masayuki , Taniyama Kiyomi , Nabika Toru , Nagasaki Makoto
Published: June 2013

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection frequently causes squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) of the uterine cervix and consequently gives rise to squamous cell carcinoma. It is therefore important to identify cases that potentially develop higher grades of SIL at an early stage of the disease. In this study, we thus investigated whether immunocytochemistry for p21WAF1/Cip1 and p16INK4a could be applicable in the diagnosis and the prognostic prediction of SIL in combination with genomic analyses of HPV. The genomic analysis of high‐risk HPV (hrHPV), which was done by reversed dot blotting and by in situ hybridization, and immunocytochemistry were performed on liquid‐based cytological specimens. A cross‐sectional study comprising 145 cases of NILM, ASC‐US, LSIL, and HSIL indicated that the incidence of the positive cases for p16INK4a and p21WAF1/Cip1 and hrHPV increased with the grade of SIL. A double positive status for p16INK4a and p21WAF1/Cip1 was a significant discriminator between HSIL and LSIL/NILM, even when applied in conjunction with the genomic test for hrHPV (P = 0.006 by logistic regression analysis). However, a prospective study employing 61 NILM/ASC‐US cases, revealed that the p16INK4a/p21WAF1/Cip1 immunostaining was not a significant predictor for the progression of SIL, whereas the cytological diagnosis (NILM vs. ASC‐US) and the infection status of hrHPV conferred significant effects on the prognosis. Immunostaining of p16INK4a and p21WAF1/Cip1 provides additional information on the cytological diagnosis of SIL. A further analysis using a larger population is warranted to obtain a conclusive result regarding the prognostic significance of p16INK4a/p21WAF1/Cip1 immunocytochemistry in the diagnosis of SIL. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42: 125–133. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relevance of microscopic indicators of chromosomal instability in routine reporting of malignancies
Authors: Bhatia Alka , Kumar Yashwant
Published: June 2013

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is the defining feature of most human cancers. The role of CIN has been suggested in diagnosis and prognostication of the tumors since long. However, the molecular methods used for its identification are costly, require expertise and may not be available in many of the laboratories. Therefore, this article tries to revisit the already described morphological indicators of CIN like multipolar mitoses, chromatin bridges, chromatin strings, nuclear heterogeneity, laggards, nuclear buds, micronuclei, and multinucleated micronucleated cells. The role of above as morphological biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of various cancers has been reviewed and the possibility of their inclusion in day to day reporting of malignancies is also discussed. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42: 181–188. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Autonomic functioning in mothers with interpersonal violence‐related posttraumatic stress disorder in response to separation–reunion
Authors: Schechter Daniel S. , Moser Dominik A. , McCaw Jaime E. , Myers Michael M.
Published: June 2013

This study characterizes autonomic nervous system activity reactive to separation–reunion among mothers with Interpersonal Violence‐Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (IPV‐PTSD). Heart‐rate (HR) and high frequency heart‐rate‐variability (HF‐HRV) were measured in 17 IPV‐PTSD‐mothers, 22 sub‐threshold‐mothers, and 15 non‐PTSD mother‐controls while interacting with their toddlers (12–48 months). Analyses showed IPV‐PTSD‐mothers having generally lower HR than other groups. All groups showed negative correlations between changes in HR and HF‐HRV from sitting‐ to standing‐baseline. During initial separation, controls no longer showed a negative relationship between HR and HF‐HRV. But by the second reunion, the negative relationship reappeared. IPV‐PTSD‐ and sub‐threshold‐mothers retained negative HR/HF‐HRV correlations during the initial separation, but stopped showing them by the second reunion. Results support that mother‐controls showed a pattern of autonomic regulation suggestive of hypervigilance during initial separation that resolved by the time of re‐exposure. PTSD‐mothers showed delayed onset of this pattern only upon re‐exposure, and were perhaps exhibiting defensive avoidance or numbing during the initial separation/reunion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 748–760, 2014.
Emotion dysregulation and symptoms of anorexia nervosa: The unique roles of lack of emotional awareness and impulse control difficulties when upset
Authors: Racine Sarah E. , Wildes Jennifer E.
Published: June 2013

Objective

Extant research suggests that individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) have deficits in emotion regulation across a variety of domains. The current study investigated associations between specific difficulties with emotion regulation and the core symptoms of AN.

Method

Participants were 192 patients with AN presenting to an intensive eating disorder treatment facility. Emotion regulation was assessed using the multidimensional Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and associations with body mass index (BMI) at admission, eating disorder cognitions, objective binge eating, subjective binge eating, and purging were examined.

Results

Eating disorder cognitions were significantly associated with multiple forms of emotion dysregulation; however, only lack of emotional awareness was independently related to these symptoms. In contrast, impulse control difficulties when upset was the only emotion regulation impairment associated with the presence of recurrent objective binge eating and recurrent purging in AN. No significant relationships between emotion regulation and BMI or subjective binge eating were detected.

Discussion

Results point to differential associations between specific emotion regulation deficits and core symptoms of AN. These findings suggest that parsing the construct of emotion regulation as well as the AN phenotype can help to identify the unique ways in which eating disorder symptoms may function to regulate emotions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013; 46:713–720)
Quantifying the biomass of parasites to understand their role in aquatic communities
Authors: Lambden Jason , Johnson Pieter T. J.
Published: June 2013

By infecting multiple host species and acting as a food resource, parasites can affect food web topography and contribute to ecosystem energy transfer. Owing to the remarkable secondary production of some taxa, parasite biomass – although cryptic – can be comparable to other invertebrate and vertebrate groups. More resolved estimates of parasite biomass are therefore needed to understand parasite interactions, their consequences for host fitness, and potential influences on ecosystem energetics. We developed an approach to quantify the masses of helminth parasites and compared our results with those of biovolume‐based approaches. Specifically, we massed larval and adult parasites representing 13 species and five life stages of trematodes and cestodes from snail and amphibian hosts. We used a replicated regression approach to quantify dry mass and compared these values with indirect biovolume estimates to test the validity of density assumptions. Our technique provided precise estimates (R2from 0.69 to 0.98) of biomass across a wide range of parasite morphotypes and sizes. Individual parasites ranged in mass from 0.368 ± 0.041 to 320 ± 98.1 μg. Among trematodes, adult parasites tended to be the largest followed by rediae, with nonclonal larval stages (metacercariae and cercariae) as the smallest. Among similar morphotypes, direct estimates of dry mass and the traditional biovolume technique provided generally comparable estimates (although important exceptions also emerged). Finally, we present generalized length‐mass regression equations to calculate trematode mass from length measurements, and discuss the most efficient use of limited numbers of parasites. By providing a novel method of directly estimating parasite biomass while also helping to validate more traditional methods involving length‐mass conversion, our findings aim to facilitate future investigations into the ecological significance of parasites, particularly with respect to ecosystem energetics. In addition, this novel technique can be applied to a wide range of difficult‐to‐mass organisms.
IL‐15 modulates the balance between Bcl‐2 and Bim via a Jak3/1‐PI3K‐Akt‐ERK pathway to promote CD8αα+ intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte survival
Authors: Lai Yein‐Gei , Hou Mau‐Sheng , Lo Albert , Huang Shih‐Ting , Huang Yen‐Wen , Yang‐Yen Hsin‐Fang , Liao Nan‐Shih
Published: June 2013

IL‐15 is an essential survival factor for CD8αα+ intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (iIELs) in vitro and in vivo. However, the IL‐15‐induced survival signals in primary CD8αα+ iIELs remains elusive. Although Bcl‐2 level in CD8αα+ iIELs positively correlates with IL‐15Rα expression in the intestinal epithelial cells, overexpression of Bcl‐2 only moderately restores CD8αα+ γδ iIELs in Il15−/− mice. Here, we found that IL‐15 promptly activated a Jak3‐Jak1‐PI3K‐Akt pathway that led to the upregulation of Bcl‐2 and Mcl‐1. This pathway also induced a delayed but sustained ERK1/2 activation, which not only was necessary for the maintenance of Bcl‐2 but also resulted in the phosphorylation of extra‐long Bim at Ser65. The latter event facilitated the dissociation of Bim from Bcl‐2 without affecting Bim abundance in IL‐15‐treated CD8αα+ iIELs. Using an adoptive cell transfer approach, we found that either overexpression of Bcl‐2 or removal of Bim from CD8αα+ iIELs promoted their survival in Il15ra−/− mice. Taken together, IL‐15 promotes CD8αα+ iIEL survival by both increasing Bcl‐2 levels and dissociating Bim from Bcl‐2 through activation of a Jak3‐Jak1‐PI3K‐Akt‐ERK1/2 pathway, which differs from a previously reported IL‐15‐induced survival signal.