bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guanidinated Thiourea‐Decorated Polyethylenimines for Enhanced Membrane Penetration and Efficient siRNA Delivery
Authors: Li Yuce , Tian Huayu , Ding Jianxun , Lin Lin , Chen Jie , Gao Shiqian , Chen Xuesi
Published: April 2015

RNA interference (RNAi) provides the promising treatments of gene‐related diseases while hindered by the lack of highly efficient delivery platform with low cytotoxicity. Moreover, the intracellular fates of nonviral gene carriers are closely related to their internalization pathway, and eventually influence their RNAi efficiency. Herein, a series of guanidinated thiourea‐modified polyethylenimines (PEI‐MTU‐Gs) are synthesized and utilized as the efficient carriers of small interfering RNA (siRNA) with up to 71.6% inhibition of luciferase activity in the luciferase‐expressing cell lines (i.e., HeLa/Luc cells). The introduction of noncationic hydrogen bond donors, that is, thiourea groups, provides the carriers with much lower cytotoxicities and relatively looser complex structures that facilitate the intracellular release of siRNAs. Furthermore, the multiguanidino structures endow the PEI‐MTU‐G/siRNA complexes with the ability to directly penetrate cell membrane, which facilitates the cellular internalization while avoiding them suffering from the rigorous lysosomes. The results demonstrate PEI‐MTU35‐Gs as promising siRNA carriers for further gene therapy.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of probiotics for the treatment of allergic rhinitis
Authors: Zajac Alexander E. , Adams Austin S. , Turner Justin H.
Published: April 2015

Background

Probiotics have proven beneficial in a number of immune‐mediated and allergic diseases. Several human studies have evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in allergic rhinitis; however, evidence for their use has yet to be firmly established. The current systematic review seeks to synthesize the results of available randomized trials.

Methods

In a systematic review and meta‐analysis, the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were reviewed and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were extracted based on defined inclusion criteria. The effect of probiotics on Rhinitis Quality of Life (RQLQ) scores, Rhinitis Total Symptom Scores (RTSS), as well as total and antigen‐specific serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were evaluated by meta‐analysis.

Results

A total of 23 studies with 1919 patients were identified, including 21 double‐blind RCTs and 2 randomized crossover studies. Multiple probiotic strains, study populations, and outcome measures were used in individual trials. Seventeen studies showed a significant clinical benefit from the use of probiotics in at least 1 outcome measure when compared to placebo, whereas 6 trials showed no benefit. Among the trials eligible for meta‐analysis, the use of probiotics resulted in a significant improvement in RQLQ scores compared to placebo (standard mean difference [SMD] −2.23; p = 0.02). Probiotics had no effect on RTSS (SMD −0.36; p = 0.13) or total IgE levels (SMD 0.01; p = 0.94), although there was a trend toward a reduction in antigen‐specific IgE (SMD 0.20; p = 0.06) in the placebo group compared to probiotic.

Conclusion

Probiotics may be beneficial in improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis; however, current evidence remains limited due to study heterogeneity and variable outcome measures. Additional high‐quality studies are needed to establish appropriate recommendations.
Idarucizumab Improves Outcome in Murine Brain Hemorrhage Related to Dabigatran
Authors: Na Shin‐Young , Mracsko Eva , van Ryn Joanne , Veltkamp Roland
Published: April 2015

Lack of specific antidotes is a major concern in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) related to direct anticoagulants including dabigatran (OAC‐ICH). We examined the efficacy of idarucizumab, an antibody fragment binding to dabigatran, in a mouse model of OAC‐ICH. Dabigatran etexilate (DE) dose‐dependently prolonged diluted thrombin time and tail‐vein bleeding time, which were reversed by idarucizumab. Pretreatment with DE increased intracerebral hematoma volume and cerebral hemoglobin content. Idarucizumab in equimolar dose prevented excess hematoma expansion for both DE doses. In more extensive ICH, idarucizumab significantly reduced mortality. Thus, idarucizumab prevents excess intracerebral hematoma formation in mice anticoagulated with dabigatran and reduces mortality. Ann Neurol 2015;78:137–141
Thalamic and extrathalamic mechanisms of consciousness after severe brain injury
Authors: Lutkenhoff Evan S. , Chiang Jeffrey , Tshibanda Luaba , Kamau Evelyn , Kirsch Murielle , Pickard John D. , Laureys Steven , Owen Adrian M. , Monti Martin M.
Published: April 2015

Objective

What mechanisms underlie the loss and recovery of consciousness after severe brain injury? We sought to establish, in the largest cohort of patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) to date, the link between gold standard clinical measures of awareness and wakefulness, and specific patterns of local brain pathology—thereby possibly providing a mechanistic framework for patient diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment development.

Methods

Structural T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images were collected, in a continuous sample of 143 severely brain‐injured patients with DOC (and 96 volunteers), across 2 tertiary expert centers. Brain atrophy in subcortical regions (bilateral thalamus, basal ganglia, hippocampus, basal forebrain, and brainstem) was assessed across (1) healthy volunteers and patients, (2) clinical entities (eg, vegetative state, minimally conscious state), (3) clinical measures of consciousness (Coma Recovery Scale–Revised), and (4) injury etiology.

Results

Compared to volunteers, patients exhibited significant atrophy across all structures (p < 0.05, corrected). Strikingly, we found almost no significant differences across clinical entities. Nonetheless, the clinical measures of awareness and wakefulness upon which differential diagnosis rely were systematically associated with tissue atrophy within thalamic and basal ganglia nuclei, respectively; the basal forebrain was atrophied in proportion to patients’ response to sensory stimulation. In addition, nontraumatic injuries exhibited more extensive thalamic atrophy.

Interpretation

These findings provide, for the first time, a grounding in pathology for gold standard behavior‐based clinical measures of consciousness, and reframe our current models of DOC by stressing the different links tying thalamic mechanisms to willful behavior and extrathalamic mechanisms to behavioral (and electrocortical) arousal. Ann Neurol 2015 Ann Neurol 2015;78:68–76
Polyoxometalate Complexes of Anatase‐Titanium Dioxide Cores in Water
Authors: Raula Manoj , Gan Or Gal , Saganovich Marina , Zeiri Offer , Wang Yifeng , Chierotti Michele R. , Gobetto Roberto , Weinstock Ira A.
Published: April 2015

Polyoxometalate (POM) cluster anions are shown to serve as covalently coordinated ligands for anatase‐TiO2 nanocrystals, giving isolable assemblies uniquely positioned between molecular macroanions and traditional colloidal nanoparticles. Na+ salts of the water‐soluble polyanionic structures are obtained by reacting amorphous TiO2 with the 1 nm lacunary ion, Na7[α‐XW11O39] (X=P5+), at 170 °C, after which an average of 55 α‐PW11O397− clusters are found as pentadentate ligands for TiIV ions covalently linked to 6 nm single‐crystal anatase cores. The attached POMs are reversible electron acceptors, the reduction potentials of which shift in a predictable fashion by changing the central heteroatom, X, directly influencing a model catalytic reaction. Just as POM cluster anions control the reactivities of metal centers in molecular complexes, directly coordinated POM ligands with tunable redox potentials now provide new options for rationally controlling the reactions of semiconductor nanocrystals.
Spectrofluorimetric determination of dopamine receptor antagonist LE 300 in mice plasma
Authors: Hefnawy Mohamed , Mohamed Mostafa , Abunassif Mohamed , Alanazi Amer , Al‐Majed Abdulrahman , Jochen Lehmann , Mostafa Gamal Abdel‐Hafiz
Published: April 2015

A simple, rapid and highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric method was developed for determination of a novel type of dopamine receptor antagonist LE300 in mouse plasma. The method is based on measuring the native fluorescence of LE‐300 in methanol at 343 nm after excitation at 280 nm. The fluorescence concentration plot was rectilinear over the range of 3.5–100 ng/mL with a lower detection limit of 1.0 ng/mL and quantification limit of 3.5 ng/mL. The method was statistically validated for linearity, accuracy, precision and selectivity according to the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The accuracy and precision results was expressed as % recovery and relative standard deviation (RSD). The accuracy for LE‐300 was in the range 95.5–103.6% and RSD values were in the range of 0.21–1.55% of the theoretical value. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of LE‐300 in mice plasma. The results were compared statistically with those obtained by the reported method and were found to be in good agreement, which could be applied in a pharmacokinetic study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probing effects of pressure release on virus capture during virus filtration using confocal microscopy
Authors: Dishari Shudipto K. , Venkiteshwaran Adith , Zydney Andrew L.
Published: April 2015

Virus filtration is used to ensure drug safety in the production of biotherapeutics. Several recent studies have shown a dramatic decrease in virus retention as a result of a process disruption, e.g., a transient pressure release. In this work, a novel two‐label fluorescence technique was developed to probe virus capture within virus filtration membranes using confocal microscopy. Experiments were performed with Ultipor® DV20, Viresolve® Pro, and Viresolve® NFP membranes using bacteriophage φx174 as a model virus. The filters were challenged with two batches of fluorescently labeled phage: one labeled with red dye (Cy5) and one with green dye (SYBR Gold) to visualize captured phage from before and after the pressure release. The capture patterns seen in the confocal images were a strong function of the underlying membrane morphology and pore structure. The DV20 and Viresolve® NFP showed migration of previously captured phage further into the filter, consistent with the observed loss of virus retention after the pressure release. In contrast, there was no migration of captured virus in the Viresolve® Pro membranes, and these filters were also the only ones to show stable virus retention after a pressure release. The direct visualization of virus capture using the two‐label fluorescence technique provides unique insights into the factors controlling the retention characteristics of virus filters with different pore structure. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 2115–2122. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of Leukemic Cells by using Jacalin as the Biorecognition Layer: A New Strategy for the Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Cancino‐Bernardi Juliana , Marangoni Valeria S. , Faria Henrique A. M. , Zucolotto Valtencir
Published: April 2015

The possibility of early cancer diagnosis has inspired the development of electrochemical systems that could improve both cell detection and activity monitoring, especially for circulating tumor cells. In this study, we propose an impedimetric leukemia sensor based on the use of immobilized jacalin, which is a lectin overexpressed in most types of human cancers. The biosensor is prepared through the chemical adsorption of (3‐aminopropil)trimetoxisilano on indium tin oxide electrodes, followed by immersion in a jacalin solution. The performance of the jacalin‐modified electrodes toward monocytic leukemic cells, THP‐1, and myeloblastic leukemic cells, OCI‐AMI3, was investigated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Our results revealed that, upon using the jacalin biorecognition layer, the sensors were able to differentiate leukemic cells from healthy monocyte cells, even at low percentage ranges, with limits of detection of 4±1 cells mL−1 for OCI‐AMI3 and 3±1 cells mL−1 for THP‐1.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Chiral Polycyclic Indolic Architectures through Pd0‐Catalyzed Tandem Deprotection/Cyclization of Tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines on Allenes
Authors: Gobé Valérian , Guinchard Xavier
Published: April 2015

Enantioenriched N‐allyl tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines were prepared by chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed Pictet–Spengler reactions. The compounds undergo Pd0‐catalyzed cyclizations through a tandem deprotection/cyclization process. The regioselectivity of the attack is controlled by the chain length and by the substitution pattern of the allene function. Products resulting from 5‐exo‐ or 6‐exo‐attack were obtained with diastereoisomeric ratio up to 95:5. Azepinopyrrido[3,4‐b]indoles were obtained by 7‐endo‐cyclizations.
Geometry and Spin Change at the Heart of a Cobalt(II) Complex: A Special Case of Solvatomorphism
Authors: Cibian Mihaela , Hanan Garry S.
Published: April 2015

Structural analysis and spectroscopic methods revealed a special case of solvatomorphism: hydrogen‐bonding‐induced geometry and spin change within a same N,O‐(bis)chelate of cobalt(II). Solid‐state structures are presented for both the tetrahedral and the solvated square‐planar forms of the complex. Magnetic‐moment measurements and ESR spectroscopy confirmed the high‐spin state of the tetrahedral form (μeff=4.7 μB) and the low‐spin state of the square‐planar solvatomorph. Specific hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the solvent molecules and the complex chelate ring (O1⋅⋅⋅HCHCl2 (d=2.26 Å, D=3.24 Å, θ=173°); O2⋅⋅⋅HCHCl2 (d=2.22 Å, D=3.19 Å, θ=165°)) play a pivotal role in biasing the system toward the low‐spin ground state.
Inhibition of prostacyclin and thromboxane biosynthesis in healthy volunteers by single and multiple doses of acetaminophen and indomethacin
Authors: Schwartz Jules I. , Musser Bret J. , Tanaka Wesley K. , Taggart William V. , Mehta Anish , Gottesdiener Keith M. , Greenberg Howard E.
Published: April 2015

This double‐blind, randomized crossover study assessed the effect of acetaminophen (1000 mg every 8 hours) versus indomethacin (50 mg every 8 hours) versus placebo on cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX‐1 and COX‐2). Urinary excretion of 2,3‐dinor‐6‐keto‐PGF1α, (prostacyclin metabolite, PGI‐M; COX‐2 inhibition) and 11‐dehydro thromboxane B2 (thromboxane metabolite, Tx‐M; COX‐1 inhibition) were measured after 1 dose and 5 days of dosing. Peak inhibition of urinary metabolite excretion across 8 hours following dosing was the primary end point. Mean PGI‐M excretion was 33.7%, 55.9%, and 64.6% on day 1 and 49.4%, 65.1%, and 80.3% on day 5 (placebo, acetaminophen, and indomethacin, respectively). Acetaminophen and indomethacin inhibited PGI‐M excretion following single and multiple doses (P = .004 vs placebo). PGI‐M excretion inhibition after 1 dose was similar for indomethacin and acetaminophen, but significantly greater with indomethacin after multiple doses (P = .006). Mean Tx‐M excretion was 16.2%, 45.2%, and 86.6% on day 1 and 46.2%, 58.4%, and 92.6% on day 5 (placebo, acetaminophen, and indomethacin, respectively). Tx‐M excretion inhibition following 1 dose was reduced by acetaminophen (P ≤ .003). Indomethacin reduced Tx‐M excretion significantly more than acetaminophen and placebo after single and multiple doses (P ≤ .001). Acetaminophen and indomethacin inhibited COX‐1 and COX‐2 following a single dose, but acetaminophen was a less potent COX‐1 inhibitor than indomethacin.
Holey Graphene Nanosheets with Surface Functional Groups as High‐Performance Supercapacitors in Ionic‐Liquid Electrolyte
Authors: Yang Cheng‐Hsien , Huang Po‐Ling , Luo Xu‐Feng , Wang Chueh‐Han , Li Chi , Wu Yi‐Hsuan , Chang Jeng‐Kuei
Published: April 2015

Pores and surface functional groups are created on graphene nanosheets (GNSs) to improve supercapacitor properties in a butylmethylpyrrolidinium–dicyanamide (BMP–DCA) ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte. The GNS electrode exhibits an optimal capacitance of 330 F g−1 and a satisfactory rate capability within a wide potential range of 3.3 V at 25 °C. Pseudocapacitive effects are confirmed using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Under the same conditions, carbon nanotube and activated carbon electrodes show capacitances of 80 and 81 F g−1, respectively. Increasing the operation temperature increases the conductivity and decreases the viscosity of the IL electrolyte, further improving cell performance. At 60 °C, a symmetric‐electrode GNS supercapacitor with the IL electrolyte is able to deliver maximum energy and power densities of 140 Wh kg−1 and 52.5 kW kg−1 (based on the active material on both electrodes), respectively, which are much higher than the 20 Wh kg−1 and 17.8 kW kg−1 obtained for a control cell with a conventional organic electrolyte.
Removal of tetracycline and the degradation products by Lemna gibba L. exposed to secondary effluents
Authors: Topal Murat , Uslu Şenel Gülşad , Öbek Erdal , Arslan Topal E. Işıl
Published: April 2015

The aims of this study were the determination of (i) tetracycline (TC) and the degradation products removal efficiency of Elazığ Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (ii) the removal of TC and the degradation products in a pilot scale constructed wetland reactor planted with Lemna gibba L., which takes the effluent of the treatment plant (iii) the comparison of the removal of TC and the degradation products in the treatment plant and pilot scale reactor and (iv) the contribution of the planted rector to the treatment plant in terms of removal of TC and the degradation products. For these aims, composite samples were taken from both the influent and effluent of the treatment plant and the pilot scale reactor and then TC and degradation products analyses were done by UFLC/MS‐MS. TC, 4‐epianhydrotetacycline (EATC) and anhydrotetracycline (ATC) removal efficiencies of the treatment plant were determined as 79.65, 64.42, and 80.19%, respectively. 4‐epitetracycline (ETC) removal efficiency was not seen. TC, ETC, EATC, and ATC removal efficiencies in the planted reactor were obtained as 55.42, 89.85, 39.31 and 63.42%, respectively. The data obtained from the results of the analyses were also evaluated statistically. As a result, it was seen that Lemna gibba L. was efficient to remove TC and the degradation products and improved the treatment plant TC and the degradation products removal efficiency. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1311–1321, 2015
Analyzing and Comparing Reading Stimulus Materials Across the TOEFL® Family of Assessments
Authors: Chen Jing , Sheehan Kathleen M.
Published: April 2015

The TOEFL® family of assessments includes the TOEFL® Primary™, TOEFL Junior®, and TOEFL iBT® tests. The linguistic complexity of stimulus passages in the reading sections of the TOEFL family of assessments is expected to differ across the test levels. This study evaluates the linguistic complexity of each passage in a corpus of TOEFL stimulus passages. The analysis was conducted using the TextEvaluator®, a comprehensive text analysis system developed at Educational Testing Service (ETS). For each TOEFL reading passage, TextEvaluator provides an overall complexity score and 8 component scores that measure text complexity in specific domains. The results suggest that the overall complexity scores of the reading passages selected for use at different test levels are significantly different. According to the analysis of the component scores, the TOEFL Primary, TOEFL Junior, and TOEFL iBT passages are similar with respect to some aspects of text variation and distinct with respect to others. Score ranges based on the distributions of the overall complexity scores and the distributions of the component scores of all the passages at each test level can be used as guidelines to develop or select new passages.
Comparing Anode Gas Recirculation with Hydrogen Purge and Bleed in a Novel PEMFC Laboratory Test Cell Configuration
Authors: Koski P. , Pérez L. C. , Ihonen J.
Published: April 2015

In automotive‐type polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems, impurities and inert gases accumulate in the anode gas recirculation loop. Therefore, the impurity limits, dictated by the current hydrogen fuel specification (ISO 14687‐2:2012), also require quantification with representative fuel cell test systems applying anode gas recirculation, that enables high fuel utilization rates and accumulation of impurities.We report a novel PEMFC laboratory test cell configuration mimicking automotive conditions. This setup enabled comparison of two operation modes, hydrogen bleed and purge, within 84.4%–98.6% fuel utilizations. The results indicate that similar enrichment dynamics apply to both bleed and purge modes.The configuration employed a membrane dryer to circumvent the 60 °C limit of commercially available recirculation pumps. The membrane dryer allows heat and humidity extraction from the anode exit gas stream, enabling the adoption of conventional recirculation pumps, minimizing water condensation, and making sampling with on‐line gas analysis instruments easier. The results show that anode gas recirculation systems with hydrogen bleed can be implemented in conventional test stations by resorting to commercially available recirculation pumps. This enables realistic and cost‐effective determination of impurity effects for fuel cell system development and new hydrogen fuel standards.
Multidisciplinary management of locally advanced and widely metastatic paraganglioma in a patient with life‐threatening compressive symptoms
Authors: Neychev Vladimir , Straughan David , Pacak Karel , Kebebew Electron
Published: April 2015

Background

Patients presenting with locally advanced, metastatic paraganglioma with life‐threatening compressive symptoms of critical anatomic structure pose a significant management challenge.

Methods

We present a case of a 15‐year‐old patient with enlarging right neck mass causing dysphagia and respiratory compromise from near complete obstruction of the oropharynx.

Results

Evaluation of the patient's family history led to the identification of a mutation in the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDSD) gene (G725A). Laboratory and imaging workup revealed an 8.8 × 6.6 × 4.1 cm metabolically and biochemically active right neck mass, a tumor in the left para‐aortic region, and multiple bony lesions consistent with widely metastatic disease. Multidisciplinary management included preoperative clinical optimization, coil embolization, and palliative resection of the neck mass.

Conclusion

Although the currently available treatment options for patients with advanced metastatic paraganglioma render no survival benefit, a multidisciplinary management approach aimed at relief of tumor‐related symptoms and catecholamine excess should be undertaken. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: E205–E208, 2015
Mutational landscape of lacrimal gland carcinomas and implications for treatment
Authors: Bell Diana , Sniegowski Matthew C. , Wani Khalida , Prieto Victor , Esmaeli Bita
Published: April 2015

Background

Lacrimal gland carcinomas are rare. Identification of molecular abnormalities underlying lacrimal gland carcinogenesis is critical to the development of new targeted therapies for lacrimal gland carcinomas. The purpose of our study was to look for mutations that can be targeted as new treatments for lacrimal gland carcinomas.

Methods

Genomic DNA from patients with lacrimal gland epithelial neoplasms was analyzed. The Sequenom matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass ARRAY platform was used to profile 168 common oncogenic point mutations in 40 genes. Mutation frequency was assessed overall and by histologic diagnosis. These genetic mutations were then correlated with clinical outcomes in the patients.

Results

The study included 14 men and 10 women with a median age of 45 years (range, 17–75 years). The histologic diagnoses were as follows: adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 16), low‐grade carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (n = 2), high‐grade carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (n = 2), squamous carcinoma (n = 1), and pleomorphic adenoma (n = 3). Analysis revealed 18 oncogenic mutations in 13 patients: KRAS mutations in 10 patients (46%), NRAS mutations in 2 patients (8%), MET mutations in 3 patients (13%), PIK3CA mutation in 1 patient (4%), and BRAF mutation in no patients. About half of the patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma had oncogenic mutations (7 of 16; 44%). Of the 16 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma, 5 had KRAS mutations, 1 had MET mutations, and 1 had an NRAS mutation.

Conclusion

KRAS, NRAS, and MET mutations are frequent in epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland, with the highest rate of mutations found in adenoid cystic carcinoma. Therapies targeting these genes may be effective treatments for lacrimal gland carcinomas. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Head Neck 38: E–E, 2016
Oral lichen planus patients exhibit consistent chromosomal numerical aberrations: A follow‐up analysis
Authors: Yahalom Ran , Yarom Noam , Shani Tali , Amariglio Ninet , Kaplan Ilana , Trakhtenbrot Luba , Hirshberg Abraham
Published: April 2015

Background

Oral lichen planus (OLP) carries an increased risk for malignant transformation with aneuploid cells (ACs) being found in brush samples of a quarter of patients with OLP.

Methods

Patients with OLP were followed and repeated brush samples were simultaneously analyzed for morphology and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using centromeric probes for chromosomes 2 and 8.

Results. Three patients with a high proportion of ACs developed oral cancer. Fifteen patients had ≥1% ACs (13 in affected sites and 2 in nonaffected sites), whereas only 2 of the 15 patients with <1% ACs in the first sample had ≥1% ACs in the second sample. A strong positive correlation between the results of the initial and repeated samples was found.

Conclusion

High proportion of ACs in brush samples from patients with OLP may imply an impending malignant transformation. As FISH analysis is consistent over time, it can be used to identify a subgroup of patients who would require close follow‐up. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E741–E746, 2016
Recurrent sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid: Outcome after postoperative reirradiation
Authors: Sahai Puja , Shukla Nootan Kumar , Arora Saurabh , Mohanti Bidhu Kalyan
Published: April 2015

Background

The purpose of this study was for us to describe a case of recurrent sebaceous carcinoma treated with postoperative reirradiation.

Methods

A 38‐year‐old man was diagnosed with sebaceous carcinoma of the right lower eyelid. The patient developed local recurrence 4 times, with the first one at 30 months after the excision. The first local recurrence was treated with excision and postoperative radiotherapy with 60 Gy/30 fractions/6 weeks. He manifested preauricular nodal metastasis with the third local recurrence, which was confirmed with 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography‐CT (18F‐FDG PET‐CT). He received 2 courses of adjuvant reirradiation to the right orbit with 45 Gy/25 fractions/5 weeks and 30 Gy/15 fractions/3 weeks, respectively.

Results

The patient was successfully treated with no evidence of locoregional recurrence at 2 years after the cancer‐directed therapy. The patient's follow‐up from the date of diagnosis has been 9 years.

Conclusion

Adjuvant reirradiation with modest doses may be considered with a view to provide disease control and long‐term survival. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E16–E19, 2016
Coding in pigeons: Multiple‐coding versus single‐code/default strategies
Authors: Pinto Carlos , Machado Armando
Published: April 2015

To investigate the coding strategies that pigeons may use in a temporal discrimination tasks, pigeons were trained on a matching‐to‐sample procedure with three sample durations (2s, 6s and 18s) and two comparisons (red and green hues). One comparison was correct following 2‐s samples and the other was correct following both 6‐s and 18‐s samples. Tests were then run to contrast the predictions of two hypotheses concerning the pigeons’ coding strategies, the multiple‐coding and the single‐code/default. According to the multiple‐coding hypothesis, three response rules are acquired, one for each sample. According to the single‐code/default hypothesis, only two response rules are acquired, one for the 2‐s sample and a “default” rule for any other duration. In retention interval tests, pigeons preferred the “default” key, a result predicted by the single‐code/default hypothesis. In no‐sample tests, pigeons preferred the key associated with the 2‐s sample, a result predicted by multiple‐coding. Finally, in generalization tests, when the sample duration equaled 3.5s, the geometric mean of 2s and 6s, pigeons preferred the key associated with the 6‐s and 18‐s samples, a result predicted by the single‐code/default hypothesis. The pattern of results suggests the need for models that take into account multiple sources of stimulus control.
Expression of spermidine/spermine N1‐acetyl transferase (SSAT) in human prostate tissues is related to prostate cancer progression and metastasis
Authors: Huang Wei , Eickhoff Jens C. , Mehraein‐Ghomi Farideh , Church Dawn R. , Wilding George , Basu Hirak S.
Published: April 2015

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer (PCa) in many patients remains indolent for the rest of their lives, but in some patients, it progresses to lethal metastatic disease. Gleason score is the current clinical method for PCa prognosis. It cannot reliably identify aggressive PCa, when GS is ≤ 7. It is shown that oxidative stress plays a key role in PCa progression. We have shown that in cultured human PCa cells, an activation of spermidine/spermine N1‐acetyl transferase (SSAT; EC 2.3.1.57) enzyme initiates a polyamine oxidation pathway and generates copious amounts of reactive oxygen species in polyamine‐rich PCa cells.

METHOD

We used RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry methods to detect SSAT mRNA and protein expression in two tissue microarrays (TMA) created from patient's prostate tissues. We analyzed 423 patient's prostate tissues in the two TMAs.

RESULTS

Our data show that there is a significant increase in both SSAT mRNA and the enzyme protein in the PCa cells as compared to their benign counterpart. This increase is even more pronounced in metastatic PCa tissues as compared to the PCa localized in the prostate. In the prostatectomy tissues from early‐stage patients, the SSAT protein level is also high in the tissues obtained from the patients who ultimately progress to advanced metastatic disease.

DISCUSSION

Based on these results combined with published data from our and other laboratories, we propose an activation of an autocrine feed‐forward loop of PCa cell proliferation in the absence of androgen as a possible mechanism of castrate‐resistant prostate cancer growth. Prostate 75: 1150–1159, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Annealing temperature dependence of photovoltaic properties of solar cells containing Cu2SnS3 thin films produced by co‐evaporation
Authors: Kanai Ayaka , Araki Hideaki , Takeuchi Akiko , Katagiri Hironori
Published: April 2015

The ternary compound Cu2SnS3 (CTS) is composed of elements that are low in cost, non‐toxic, and abundant in the Earth's crust. In addition, CTS is a p‐type semiconductor with a high reported absorption coefficient of more than 104 cm−1 and a band gap energy of 0.92–1.77 eV. It is, therefore, considered to be a suitable candidate for the absorber layer in thin film solar cells. In the present study, CTS thin films were produced by first depositing precursor films by co‐evaporation of Cu, Sn, and S, and then annealing them. Solar cells were then fabricated using the CTS films as absorber layers, and the dependence of their photovoltaic properties on the annealing temperature was investigated. The solar cell using the CTS thin film annealed at 570 °C exhibited an open‐circuit voltage of 248 mV, a short‐circuit current density of 33.5 mA/cm2, a fill factor of 0.439, and a conversion efficiency of 3.66%.
Observation of picosecond electron spin relaxation in InGaAsP by time‐resolved spin‐dependent pump and probe reflection measurement
Authors: Harasawa Ryo , Yamamoto Naoki , Wu Hao , Aritake Takanori , Lu Shulong , Ji Lian , Tackeuchi Atsushi
Published: April 2015

We have investigated the electron spin relaxation in undoped InGaAsP grown on an InP substrate. Time‐resolved spin‐dependent pump and probe reflection measurements revealed a spin relaxation behavior between 10 and 300 K. We have observed the electron spin relaxation times of 980 ps at 10 K and 95 ps at room temperature. The observed presence of the carrier density dependence and the weak temperature dependence of spin relaxation time imply that the Bir–Aronov–Pikus (BAP) process is effective at 10–30 K. At 100–300 K, the observed presence of the temperature dependence and the absence of the carrier density dependence of spin relaxation time indicate that the D'yakonov–Perel' (DP) and Elliott–Yafet (EY) processes are effective.
CO2 adsorption on silver nanoparticle/carbon nanotube nanocomposites: A study of adsorption characteristics
Authors: Barberio Marianna , Barone Pasquale , Imbrogno Alessandra , Xu Fang
Published: April 2015

In this work, we present the analysis of adsorption properties of CO2 on Ag nanoparticle/carbon nanotube nanocomposites compared to those of N2 and O2. We observe for all gases an identical kinetic behavior, indicating that the nonwetting properties of CO2 on a carbon surface do not influence the gas adsorption. We perform the analysis in conditions of low pressure and temperature to better observe the physical properties of the system. We observe a first kinetic order for all gases, indicating the absence of gas–gas interactions on the composite surface. The desorption curves for all gases present several desorption temperatures, indicating the presence of different kinds of adsorption sites.
A balanced hazard ratio for risk group evaluation from survival data
Authors: Branders Samuel , Dupont Pierre
Published: April 2015

Common clinical studies assess the quality of prognostic factors, such as gene expression signatures, clinical variables or environmental factors, and cluster patients into various risk groups. Typical examples include cancer clinical trials where patients are clustered into high or low risk groups. Whenever applied to survival data analysis, such groups are intended to represent patients with similar survival odds and to select the most appropriate therapy accordingly. The relevance of such risk groups, and of the related prognostic factors, is typically assessed through the computation of a hazard ratio. We first stress three limitations of assessing risk groups through the hazard ratio: (1) it may promote the definition of arbitrarily unbalanced risk groups; (2) an apparently optimal group hazard ratio can be largely inconsistent with thep‐value commonly associated to it; and (3) some marginal changes between risk group proportions may lead to highly different hazard ratio values. Those issues could lead to inappropriate comparisons between various prognostic factors. Next, we propose the balanced hazard ratio to solve those issues. This new performance metric keeps an intuitive interpretation and is as simple to compute. We also show how the balanced hazard ratio leads to a natural cut‐off choice to define risk groups from continuous risk scores. The proposed methodology is validated through controlled experiments for which a prescribed cut‐off value is defined by design. Further results are also reported on several cancer prognosis studies, and the proposed methodology could be applied more generally to assess the quality of any prognostic markers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving the Lifecycle Performance of Engineering Projects with Flexible Strategies: Example of On‐Shore LNG Production Design
Authors: Cardin Michel‐Alexandre , Ranjbar‐Bourani Mehdi , de Neufville Richard
Published: April 2015

This paper presents an innovative flexibility analysis as a practical, effective procedure to improve the expected value of large‐scale, capital‐intensive projects when there is market uncertainty. Its novelty lies in its approach and scope. Its approach develops understanding of the drivers of the value of flexibility, so as to build acceptance among decision‐makers. Its scope explicitly considers the combined effects of uncertainty, economies of scale, learning, and geographic distribution. It demonstrates how these factors combine to impact the benefits of flexibility in the early stages of design and project evaluation in the context of uncertainty. It makes this point through a specific example: the long‐term deployment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology to supply the transportation market. It contrasts the base case fixed design (a big centralized production facility) with flexible modular designs that phase capacity additions over time and space. The proposed flexibility method compares design alternatives based on several indicators of economic lifecycle performance (Net Present Value (NPV), Initial Capex, etc.). Results indicate that flexible modular deployment strategies can significantly improve the economic performance of large, expensive projects. As sensitivity analyses show, the improvements can be significant over a wide range of analytical assumptions. An important insight is that higher learning rates increase the benefits of flexibility, counteracting the effects of economies of scale. Overall, the study shows that flexibility in engineering design of major production facilities such as LNG plants has multiple, supporting advantages due to uncertainty, learning, and location.
Hexagrid – hexagonal tube structures for tall buildings: patterns, modeling, and design
Authors: Montuori Giovanni Maria , Fadda Monica , Perrella Gianpaolo , Mele Elena
Published: April 2015

This paper provides a first insight on tube configurations based on the hexagonal shape (hexagrid) for tall buildings. The idea is to investigate the mechanical properties of hexagrid to assess their applicability in tall buildings and to compare their potential efficiency to the more popular diagrid systems.

For the above purposes, a general homogenization approach has been established for dealing with any structural patterns, and a methodology for characterizing the structural patterns from the mechanical point of view has been developed and specified for hexagrids and diagrids. Then on the basis of a simple stiffness criterion, a design procedure has been proposed and applied to a tall building case study, and several structural solutions (both hexagrids and diagrids) have been designed and assessed by varying the major geometrical parameters of the patterns. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association between fetal growth, cerebral blood flow and neurodevelopmental outcome in univentricular fetuses
Authors: Hahn E. , Szwast A. , Cnota J. , Levine J. C. , Fifer C. G. , Jaeggi E. , Andrews H. , Williams I. A.
Published: April 2015

Objective

To investigate the association of fetal growth and cerebrovascular resistance at different periods in gestation with neurodevelopment (ND) at 14 months in the univentricular subject.

Methods

We reviewed serial prenatal ultrasound (US) examinations from 133 infants enrolled in the Pediatric Heart Network's Single Ventricle Reconstruction or Infants with Single Ventricle trials, including a subset of 82 infants in whomNDwas assessed at 14 months using mental (MDI) and psychomotor (PDI) developmental indices.USexaminations were assigned to one of four gestational time periods: (1) 20–23 weeks, (2) 24–29 weeks, (3) 30–33 weeks and (4) ≥ 34 weeks. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow velocity was measured and pulsatility index (PI), a measure of downstream resistance, was calculated. Data on fetal head circumference (HC), femur length, abdominal circumference (AC) and estimated fetal weight (EFW) were collected and theirZ‐scores were calculated. We evaluated the rate of change of these parameters over time within individuals, tested correlations between fetal growth andNDand assessed predictors ofNDusing linear regression.

Results

The mean prenatalHCZ‐score was < 0 at each gestational‐age period and became more negative later in pregnancy. There was less growth inHCfrom time period 3 to period 4 compared with from period 2 to 3 (ΔHCZ‐score, −0.07 ± 0.1vs0.11 ± 0.22,P= 0.03). ThoughNDdid not correlate withHC,HCZ‐score orMCA‐PIZ‐score,HCgrowth from period 2 to period 3 correlated withMDI(r= 0.45,P= 0.047).ACZ‐score in period 4 predictedMDI(β = 4.02,P= 0.04).EFWZ‐score andACZ‐score in period 2 predictedPDI(β = 10.6,P= 0.04 and β = 3.29,P= 0.047, respectively). LowerMCA‐PIat initialUSpredicted higherPDI(β = −14.7,P= 0.03).

Conclusion

In univentricular fetuses, lower cerebrovascular resistance may be protective forND. Decreased fetal somatic growth may predict developmental abnormalities. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Behavioral effects of neonatal lesions on the cerebellar system
Authors: Lalonde Robert , Strazielle Catherine
Published: April 2015

Several rodent models with spontaneous mutations causing cerebellar pathology are impaired in motor functions during the neonatal period, including Grid2Lc, Rorasg, Dab1scm, Girk2Wv, Lmx1adr‐sst, Myo5adn, Inpp4awbl, and Cacna1arol mice as well as shaker and dystonic rats. Deficits are also evident in murine null mutants such as Zic1, Fgfr1/FgFr2, and Xpa/Ercc8. Behavioral deficits are time‐dependent following X‐irradiated‐ or aspiration‐induced lesions of the cerebellum in rats. In addition, motor functions are deficient after lesions in cerebellar‐related pathways. As in animal subjects, sensorimotor disturbances have been described in children with cerebellar lesions. These results underline the importance of the cerebellum and its connections in the development of motor functions.
WELFARE EFFECTS OF U.S. LIBERTY LINK RICE CONTAMINATION
Authors: THOMPSON JADA , WAILES ERIC , DURAND-MORAT ALVARO , LEISTER AMANDA
Published: April 2015

United States consumer confidence in food safety is an increasingly more prominent issue in food production and marketing. Estimating the welfare effects of a breakdown in the supply chain can provide a benchmark for the cost of potential future events. In 2006, United States long grain rice stocks were contaminated with an unapproved genetically modified rice variety causing trade disruptions predominantly between the United States and the European Union. Using a spatial partial equilibrium model the economic effects of European policy on bilateral trade flows and prices during this event was an estimated loss of $421.3 million US dollars.
Detachment of droplets from cylinders in flow using an experimental analogue
Authors: Hotz C. J. , Mead-Hunter R. , Becker T. , King A. J. C. , Wurster S. , Kasper G. , Mullins B. J.
Published: April 2015

This work experimentally examines the detachment of liquid droplets from both oleophilic and oleophobic fibres, using an atomic force microscope. The droplet detachment force was found to increase with increasing fibre diameter and forces were higher for philic fibres than phobic fibres. We also considered the detachment of droplets situated on the intersection of two fibres and arrays of fibres (such as found in fibrous mats or filters) and found that the required detachment forces were higher than for similarly sized droplets on a single fibre, though not as high as expected based on theory. A model was developed to predict the detachment force, from single fibres, which agreed well with experimental results. It was found that the entire dataset (single and multiple fibres) could be best described by power law relationships.
Initial surface deformations during impact on a liquid pool
Authors: Bouwhuis Wilco , Hendrix Maurice H. W. , van der Meer Devaraj , Snoeijer Jacco H.
Published: April 2015

A tiny air bubble can be entrapped at the bottom of a solid sphere that impacts onto a liquid pool. The bubble forms due to the deformation of the liquid surface by a local pressure buildup inside the surrounding gas, as also observed during the impact of a liquid drop on a solid wall. Here, we perform a perturbation analysis to quantitatively predict the initial deformations of the free surface of a liquid pool as it is approached by a solid sphere. We study the natural limits where the gas can be treated as a viscous fluid (Stokes flow) or as an inviscid fluid (potential flow). For both cases we derive the spatiotemporal evolution of the pool surface, and recover some of the recently proposed scaling laws for bubble entrapment. On inserting typical experimental values for the impact parameters, we find that the bubble volume is mainly determined by the effect of gas viscosity.
Evaluation of a nutrient-rich food index score in the Netherlands
Authors: Sluik Diewertje , Streppel Martinette T. , van Lee Linde , Geelen Anouk , Feskens Edith J. M.
Published: April 2015

Nutrient-rich food (NRF) index scores are dietary quality indices based on nutrient density. We studied the design aspects involved in the development and validation of NRF index scores, using the Dutch consumption data and guidelines as an example. We evaluated fifteen NRF index scores against the Dutch Healthy Diet Index (DHD-index), a measure of adherence to the Dutch dietary guidelines, and against energy density. The study population included 2106 adults from the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey 2007–2010. The index scores were composed of beneficial nutrients (protein, fibre, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals), nutrients to limit (saturated fat, sugar, Na) or a combination. Moreover, the influence of methodological decisions was studied, such as the choice of calculation basis (100 g or 100 kcal (418 kJ)). No large differences existed in the prediction of the DHD-index by the fifteen NRF index scores. The score that best predicted the DHD-index included nine beneficial nutrients and three nutrients to limit on a 100-kcal basis, the NRF9.3 with a model R2 of 0·34. The scores were quite robust with respect to sex, BMI and differences in calculation methods. The NRF index scores were correlated with energy density, but nutrient density better predicted the DHD-index than energy density. Consumption of vegetables, cereals and cereal products, and dairy products contributed most to the individual NRF9.3 scores. In conclusion, many methodological considerations underlie the development and evaluation of nutrient density models. These decisions may depend upon the purpose of the model, but should always be based upon scientific, objective and transparent criteria.
Actual Agreement Contractualism
Authors: BORMAN DAVID
Published: April 2015

In this paper, I defend a metaethical position described as ‘actual agreement contractualism’: the view that norms arise from actual attempts to arrive at legitimate terms for social cooperation among all those affected. I distinguish the actual agreement approach from hypothetical approaches to contractualism, and defend the former against objections from Thomas Scanlon, in particular. The attractiveness of a focus on actual agreements, I argue, is seen in the way it resolves problems internal to the hypothetical approach as well as in its implications for the purpose of moral theory and for the obligation to justify our actions to others.