bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the in‐plane response of earthen masonry infill panels partitioned by sliding joints
Authors: Preti Marco , Bettini Nicola , Migliorati Laura , Bolis Valentino , Stavridis Andreas , Plizzari Giovanni A.
Published: February 2016

The vulnerability of infilled frames represents a critical issue in many regions with high seismicity around the world where infills are typically made of heavy masonry as they are used for thermal control of the buildings because of their thermal inertia. In this context, the use of earthen masonry infills can give a superior performance because of their ability to regulate thermal‐hygrometric performance of the building and sustainability of its life‐cycle.

This paper presents a numerical study on the seismic behaviour of infill walls made of earthen masonry and partitioned with horizontal wooden planks that allow the relative sliding of the partitions. The combination of the deformability of earthen masonry and the sliding mechanism occurring along the wooden planks gives a high ductility capacity to the in‐plane response of the infill and, at the same time, significantly reduces its stiffness and strength, as compared with traditional solid infills made of fired clay units. As a result, the detrimental interaction with the frame and the damage in the infill when subjected to in‐plane loading can be minimized.

The numerical model is validated with results from an experimental study and is used to perform a parametric analysis to examine the influence of variations in the geometry and mechanical properties of the infill walls, as well as the configuration of the sliding joints. Based on the findings of this study, design guidelines for practical applications are provided, together with simple formulation for evaluating their performance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human impact on Holocene sediment dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean – the example of the Roman harbour of Ephesus
Authors: Stock Friederike , Knipping Maria , Pint Anna , Ladstätter Sabine , Delile Hugo , Heiss Andreas G. , Laermanns Hannes , Mitchell Piers D. , Ployer René , Steskal Martin , Thanheiser Ursula , Urz Ralf , Wennrich Volker , Brückner Helmut
Published: February 2016

During the past millennia, many erosion and accumulation processes have been modified by anthropogenic impact. This holds especially true for the environs of ancient settlements and their harbours along the Mediterranean coasts. Our multi‐proxy investigations in the Roman harbour and the harbour canal of Ephesus (western Turkey) reveals that humans have significantly triggered soil erosion during the last three millennia. Since the eighth century bc, and especially since the Hellenistic period, a high sedimentation rate indicates fast alluviation and delta progradation of the Küçük Menderes. Deforestation, agriculture (especially ploughing) and grazing (especially goats) were the main reasons for erosion of the river catchment area. One consequence was significant siltation of the Hellenistic/Roman harbour basin. This sediment trap archives the human impact, which was strongly enhanced from Hellenistic/Roman to Byzantine times (second/first centuries bc to the sixth/seventh centuries ad), evidenced by high sedimentation rates, raised values of heavy metal contaminations [lead (Pb), copper (Cu)], the occurrence of fruit tree pollen and of intestinal parasites. From the middle to the end of the first millennium ad, the influence of Ephesus declined, which resulted in a decrease of human impact. Studies of several ancient settlements around the Mediterranean Sea tell a comparable story. They also confirm that during their most flourishing periods the human impact totally overprinted the climatic one. To detect the latter, geo‐bio‐archives of relatively pristine areas have to be investigated in detail. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Barrier‐spit geomorphology and inlet dynamics in absence of tides: evolution of the North Pond system, eastern Lake Ontario, New York State
Authors: Mattheus Christopher R. , Fowler Joshua K. , Diggins Thomas P. , Allen Derrick F.
Published: February 2016

Barrier systems have received much attention along microtidal oceanic coastlines, where countless studies discuss their evolution in response to Holocene sea‐level rise, storm influence, and anthropogenic impacts. Lacustrine barrier evolution is not as well investigated and little is known about how lake‐specific hydrodynamic processes shape barrier morphology. This study evaluates the evolution of a highly dynamic barrier section along eastern Lake Ontario in the context of varying water levels and winter‐ice covers. Paleoshoreline reconstructions and volumetric analyses of nearshore sedimentation indicate the central portion of the studied North Pond barrier has been breached many times in different locations throughout the last century. Ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) data corroborate mapped locations of former inlets, bound at the surface by recurved spit and dune ridges. Subsurface structural controls on inlet position are inferred from a spatial correlation with buried incised fluvial channels, formed during a Holocene lake‐level lowstand. While subsurface controls caused two separate historical inlets to remain stationary while open, an episode of rapid inlet migration elsewhere along the barrier was facilitated by the prevailing direction of coastal currents and high lake levels, which favored overwash and rapid longshore sediment mobility across a low‐gradient barrier section. Additionally, the sudden closing of an inlet after many decades of operation coincidental with the opening of another suggestively occurred alongside unusually high lake levels. These correlations suggest the degree of coastal inundation, predominantly a function of fluctuating lake levels and antecedent topography, represent strong controls on overall barrier geomorphology over decadal timescales. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Apparent dynamic stability of the southeast African coast despite sea level rise
Authors: Smith Alan M , Bundy Simon C , Cooper J Andrew G
Published: February 2016

The coast of southeast Africa is dominated by sandy beaches that tend to be confined within log‐spiral or headland‐bound embayments. Investigations using serendipitous air imagery data set have been previously undertaken and conclusions drawn about the stability of the coast. We show that conclusions drawn from this data, with respect to the high water mark (HWM) position are fraught with errors, which include tidal state, pressure regime, beach slope, high‐swell erosion, seasonal and multi‐annual changes. We highlight and discuss these sources of error, together with their magnitudes. The most significant of these are the high‐swell, seasonal and multi‐annual variations. From case studies we show that the seasonal beach rotation and long‐term beach width variation are responsible for tens of metres of unaccounted HWM variation, 30 to 50 m is common, with maximums reaching 60 to 100 m. Overall the southeast African coastline appears to be in a state of long‐term dynamic equilibrium. There is no evidence of any sea‐level rise‐forced transgression in the coastal sediment budget, despite sea‐level rise (SLR). If such a signal is, in fact present, it is lost within the beach width variation. Some southeast African coastal reaches are suffering chronic erosion, but these are related to anthropogenic impacts. The extreme difficulty of placing a HWM, with any temporal validity on this coast precludes the routine use of the Bruun Rule. Although no transgressive signature is found, there is evidence of a decreasing coastal sand budget as a result of anthropogenic or natural climate change, or both. This decrease in the coastal sand volume is likely to result in increased future erosion. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pattern of lymph node metastasis in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and indications for level VI lymph node dissection
Authors: Chung Eun‐Jae , Kim Go‐Woon , Cho Bum‐Ki , Park Hae Sang , Rho Young‐Soo
Published: February 2016

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and prognostic significance of level VI lymph node metastases from hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods

A retrospective review of 68 previously untreated patients with hypopharyngeal SCC who underwent level VI node dissection was performed.

Results

Level VI lymph node metastases occurred in 27.9% of patients. The occult metastasis rate of level VI node was 14.3%. Patients with level VI metastasis had significantly lower disease‐specific (55.1% vs 26.3%) and overall survival rates (73.5% vs 31.6%). Level VI lymph node metastasis was significantly correlated with regional recurrence (83.7% vs 63.2%) and distant metastasis (67.3% vs 47.4%). Multivariate analysis revealed that pyriform sinus apex invasion (odds ratio [OR] = 5.106) was an independent factor for level VI nodal metastasis.

Conclusion

Level VI lymph nodes should be removed in patients with pyriform sinus apex invasion, especially in those with advanced nodal disease. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1969–E1973, 2016
Use of shallow groundwater temperature profiles to infer climate and land use change: interpretation and measurement challenges
Authors: Colombani Nicolò , Giambastiani Beatrice Maria Sole , Mastrocicco Micòl
Published: February 2016

Temperature is often used to infer the effect of land use and climate conditions on aquifers. Reliable data are needed to examine the temperature behaviour in the subsurface; thus, the use of robust acquisition techniques is unavoidable. Three temperature measurement techniques were applied to assess the sources of bias that could occur during temperature logging in a shallow Quaternary coastal aquifer in Ferrara (Northern Italy). Open borehole temperature logging, multilevel sampling straddle packers isolated temperature measurements within a flow cell above ground and multilevel sampling straddle packers isolated temperature measurements via an in‐well level logger (MLS‐IW) were compared for several coastal monitoring wells to gain insights on the limitations of each technique. Results show that the source of bias between the three applied techniques are different: (i) the open borehole temperature logging method tends to record heat convection through the open borehole and is not representative of the aquifer temperature distribution; (ii) the multilevel sampling straddle packers isolated temperature measurements within a flow cell above ground method is swayed by the air temperature and the heating of the submersible pump used to lift groundwater above ground; and (iii) the MLS‐IW provides the most reliable vertical thermal profiling both in summer and winter, because groundwater temperature is directly measured at the selected monitoring depth. The implementation of a 1D flow model demonstrates that if precise temperature profiles are needed to infer the influence that land use and climate changes have on groundwater, the MLS‐IW method is a reliable method that could be applied to existing monitoring wells. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An alternative Boussinesq equation considering the effect of hysteresis on coastal groundwater waves
Authors: Kong Jun , Luo Zhaoyang , Shen Chengji , Hua Guofen , Zhao Hongjun
Published: February 2016

This paper presents an alternative Boussinesq equation considering hysteresis effect via a third‐order derivative term. By introducing an improved moisture–pressure retention function, this equation describes, with reasonable precision, groundwater propagation in coastal aquifers subject to Dirichlet boundary condition of different oscillation frequencies. Test results confirmed that it is necessary to consider horizontal and vertical flows in unsaturated zone, because of their variable influences on hysteresis. Hysteresis in unsaturated zone can affect the water table wave number of groundwater wave motion, such as wave damping rate and phase lag. Oscillations with different periods exert different hysteresis effect on wave propagation. Truncation/shrinkage of unsaturated zones also affects the strength of hysteresis. These impacts can be reflected in the alternative Boussinesq equation by adjusting the parameter representing the variation rate of moisture associated with pressure change, as opposed to traditional computationally expensive hysteresis algorithms. The present Boussinesq equation is simple to use and can provide feasible basis for future coupling of groundwater and surface water models. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reproductive factors, hormone use and gastric cancer risk: The Singapore Chinese Health Study
Authors: Wang Zhensheng , Butler Lesley M. , Wu Anna H. , Koh Woon‐Puay , Jin Aizhen , Wang Renwei , Yuan Jian‐Min
Published: February 2016

Gastric cancer incidence varies greatly worldwide, but is consistently twice as high in men than in women. The hormone‐related factors hypothesized to be associated with lower risk of gastric cancer in women have not been fully explored in populations with a high background risk of gastric cancer. The Singapore Chinese Health Study (SCHS) is a prospective cohort study in which 34,022 of the participants enrolled between 1993 and 1998 were women between 45 and 74 years of age. Information on reproductive histories, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and oral contraceptive (OC) use was collected through in‐person interviews at baseline. As of December 31, 2013, 269 incident gastric cancer cases were identified. Multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate gastric cancer risk associations. Older age at natural menopause (≥55 versus <45 years: HR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.25–0.99), type of menopause (other versus natural: HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27–0.87) and greater years of menstrual cycling (fourth versus first quartile: HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.46–0.96) were associated with a decreased risk of gastric cancer. Ever use of OCs and HRT was also associated with reduced risk of gastric cancer; the multivariable‐adjusted HRs (95% CIs) were 0.40 (0.17–0.90) for use of HRT >3 years and 0.67 (0.47–0.94) for ever use of OCs, compared with never use. Reproductive factors associated with a longer window of fertility and the use of exogenous hormones were shown to reduce gastric cancer development in a cohort of Chinese women with a high background risk of gastric cancer.
Cytotoxic activity against human neuroblastoma and melanoma cells mediated by IgM antibodies derived from peripheral blood of healthy donors
Authors: Devarapu Satish Kumar , Mamidi Srinivas , Plöger Frank , Dill Othmar , Blixt Ola , Kirschfink Michael , Schwartz‐Albiez Reinhard
Published: February 2016

A small percentage of healthy donors identified in the Western population carry antibodies in their peripheral blood which convey cytotoxic activity against certain human melanoma and neuroblastoma cell lines. We measured the cytotoxic activity of sera and plasmas from healthy donors on the human neuroblastoma cell line Kelly and various melanoma cell lines. Antibodies of IgM isotype, presumably belonging to the class of naturally occurring antibodies, exerted cytotoxic activity in a complement‐dependent fashion. Apart from complement‐dependent tumor cell lysis, we observed C3 opsonization in all tumor cell lines upon treatment with cytotoxic plasmas. Cell lines tested primarily expressed membrane complement regulatory proteins (mCRP) CD46, CD55 and CD59 to various extents. Blocking of mCRPs by monoclonal antibodies enhanced cell lysis and opsonization, though some melanoma cells remained resistant to complement attack. Epitopes recognized by cytotoxic antibodies were represented by gangliosides such as GD2 and GD3, as evidenced by cellular sialidase pretreatment and enhanced expression of distinct gangliosides. It remains to be clarified why only a small fraction of healthy persons carry these antitumor cytotoxic antibodies.
SNPs in transporter and metabolizing genes as predictive markers for oxaliplatin treatment in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Kap Elisabeth J. , Seibold Petra , Scherer Dominique , Habermann Nina , Balavarca Yesilda , Jansen Lina , Zucknick Manuela , Becker Natalia , Hoffmeister Michael , Ulrich Alexis , Benner Axel , Ulrich Cornelia M. , Burwinkel Barbara , Brenner Hermann , Chang‐Claude Jenny
Published: February 2016

Oxaliplatin is frequently used as part of a chemotherapeutic regimen with 5‐fluorouracil in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). The cellular availability of oxaliplatin is dependent on metabolic and transporter enzymes. Variants in genes encoding these enzymes may cause variation in response to oxaliplatin and could be potential predictive markers. Therefore, we used a two‐step procedure to comprehensively investigate 1,444 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from these pathways for their potential as predictive markers for oxaliplatin treatment, using 623 stage II–IV CRC patients (of whom 201 patients received oxaliplatin) from a German prospective patient cohort treated with adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy. First, all genes were screened using the global test that evaluated SNP*oxaliplatin interaction terms per gene. Second, one model was created by backward elimination on all SNP*oxaliplatin interactions of the selected genes. The statistical procedure was evaluated using bootstrap analyses. Nine genes differentially associated with overall survival according to oxaliplatin treatment (unadjusted p values < 0.05) were selected. Model selection resulted in the inclusion of 14 SNPs from eight genes (six transporter genes, ABCA9, ABCB11, ABCC10, ATP1A1, ATP1B2, ATP8B3, and two metabolism genes GSTM5, GRHPR), which significantly improved model fit. Using bootstrap analysis we show an improvement of the prediction error of 3.7% in patients treated with oxaliplatin. Several variants in genes involved in metabolism and transport could thus be potential predictive markers for oxaliplatin treatment in CRC patients. If confirmed, inclusion of these variants in a predictive test could identify patients who are more likely to benefit from treatment with oxaliplatin.
Acceleration of bone formation during fracture healing by poly(pro–hyp–gly)10 and basic fibroblast growth factor containing polycystic kidney disease and collagen‐binding domains from Clostridium histolyticum collagenase
Authors: Sekiguchi Hiroyuki , Uchida Kentaro , Inoue Gen , Matsushita Osamu , Saito Wataru , Aikawa Jun , Tanaka Keisuke , Fujimaki Hisako , Miyagi Masayuki , Takaso Masashi
Published: February 2016

Growth factor delivered in combination with animal‐derived collagen materials has been used to accelerate bone fracture healing in human patients. However, the introduction of bovine proteins into humans carries the risk of zoonotic and immunologic complications. Here, we developed a collagen‐like polypeptide‐based bone formation system consisting of poly(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly)10, which mimics the triple helical conformation of collagen, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) fused to the polycystic kidney disease (PKD) domain and collagen‐binding domain (CBD) of Clostridium histolyticum collagenase. Circular dichroism spectral analysis showed that when pepsin‐soluble bovine type I collagen was treated at 50°C, a positive signal corresponding to the collagen triple helix at 220 nm was not detected. In contrast, poly(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly)10 retained the 220‐nm positive peak, even when treated at 80°C. The combination of the collagen binding‐bFGF fusion protein (bFGF‐PKD‐CBD) with poly(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly)10 induced greater bone formation compared to bFGF alone in mice bone fracture models. Taken together, these properties suggest that the bFGF‐PKD‐CBD/poly(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly)10 composite is a promising material for bone repair in the clinical setting. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1372–1378, 2016.
Influence of collagen concentration and glutaraldehyde on collagen‐based scaffold properties
Authors: Perez‐Puyana V. , Romero A. , Guerrero A.
Published: February 2016

Several studies have shown the influence of the physical properties of scaffolds on their mechanical properties. An initial characterization of a type of collagen protein was carried out by studying its composition andits solubility at different pH values and infrared spectroscopy. Subsequently, porosity and scaffold pore size were studied, assessing how varying the composition of the initial solution (increasing the protein concentration or adding glutaraldehyde) changed the properties of the final scaffolds obtained. Lastly, rheological measurements were performed to evaluate the mechanical strength of the scaffolds. The initial characterization revealed that the type I collagen protein used is considerably denatured. In addition, increasing the protein content in the scaffold decreases the porosity, related to an increase in the elastic modulus producing an enhancement of its mechanical strength, while adding glutaraldehyde to the scaffold increases its mechanical strength without lowering its pore size or porosity. The results obtained are useful in that they demonstrate that it is possible to design a scaffold with specific properties, by just controlling the collagen concentration or adding glutaraldehyde to the initial solution. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1462–1468, 2016.
SIMPRE1.2: Considering the hyperfine and quadrupolar couplings and the nuclear spin bath decoherence
Authors: Cardona‐Serra Salvador , Escalera‐Moreno Luis , Baldoví José J. , Gaita‐Ariño Alejandro , Clemente‐Juan Juan M. , Coronado Eugenio
Published: February 2016

SIMPRE is a fortran77 code which uses an effective electrostatic model of point charges to predict the magnetic behavior of rare‐earth‐based mononuclear complexes. In this article, we present SIMPRE1.2, which now takes into account two further phenomena. First, SIMPRE now considers the hyperfine and quadrupolar interactions within the rare‐earth ion, resulting in a more complete and realistic set of energy levels and wave functions. Second, and to widen SIMPRE's predictive capabilities regarding potential molecular spin qubits, it now includes a routine that calculates an upper‐bound estimate of the decoherence time considering only the dipolar coupling between the electron spin and the surrounding nuclear spin bath. Additionally, SIMPRE now allows the user to introduce the crystal field parameters manually. Thus, we are able to demonstrate the new features using as examples (i) a Gd‐based mononuclear complex known for its properties both as a single ion magnet and as a coherent qubit and (ii) an Er‐based mononuclear complex. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First Evidence of DAAM1 Localization During the Post‐Natal Development of Rat Testis and in Mammalian Sperm
Authors: Pariante Paolo , Dotolo Raffaele , Venditti Massimo , Ferrara Diana , Donizetti Aldo , Aniello Francesco , Minucci Sergio
Published: February 2016

Dishevelled‐associated activator of morphogenesis 1 (DAAM1) is a formin‐family protein involved in nucleation of unbranched actin filaments and in cytoskeletal organization through Wnt‐Dishevelled PCP pathway, which participates in essential biological processes, such as cell polarity, movement, and adhesion during morphogenesis and organogenesis. While its role has been investigated during development and in somatic cells, its potential association with the germinal compartment and reproduction is still unexplored. In this work, we assessed the possible association of DAAM1 with the morphogenesis of rat testis. We studied its expression and profiled its localization versus actin and tubulin, during the first wave of spermatogenesis and in the adult gonad (from 7 to 60 dpp). We show that, in mitotic phases, DAAM1 shares its localization with actin in Sertoli cells, gonocytes, and spermatogonia. Later, during meiosis, both proteins are found in spermatocytes, while only actin is detectable at the forming blood‐testis barrier. DAAM1, then, follows the development of the acrosome system throughout spermiogenesis, and it is finally retained inside the cytoplasmic droplet in mature gametes, as corroborated by additional immunolocalization data on both rat and human sperm. Unlike the DAAM1, actin keeps its localization in Sertoli cells, and tubulin is associated with their protruding cytoplasm during the process. Our data support, for the first time, the hypothesis of a role for DAAM1 in cytoskeletal organization during Mammalian testis morphogenesis and gamete progression, while also hinting at its possible investigation as a morphological marker of germ cell and sperm physiology. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2172–2184, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Potential of zebrafish as a model for exploring the role of the amygdala in emotional memory and motivational behavior
Authors: Perathoner Simon , Cordero‐Maldonado Maria Lorena , Crawford Alexander D.
Published: February 2016

Emotion is a key aspect of behavior, enabling humans and animals to assign either positive or negative values to sensory inputs and thereby to make appropriate decisions. Classical experiments in mammalian models, mainly in primates and rodents, have shown that the amygdala is essential for appetitive and aversive associative processing and that dysfunction of this brain region leads to various psychiatric conditions, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, autism, and posttraumatic stress disorder. In the past 2 decades, the zebrafish (Danio rerio; Cyprinidae) has emerged as a versatile, reliable vertebrate model organism for the in vivo study of development, gene function, and numerous aspects of human pathologies. Small size, high fecundity, rapid external development, transparency, genetic tractability, and high genetic and physiologic homology with humans are among the factors that have contributed to the success with this small fish in different biomedical research areas. Recent findings indicate that, despite the anatomical differences in the brain structure of teleosts and tetrapods, fish possess a structure homologous to the mammalian amygdala, a hypothesis that is supported by the expression of molecular markers, analyses of neuronal projections in different brain areas, and behavioral studies. This Review summarizes this evidence and highlights a number of relevant bioassays in zebrafish to study emotional memory and motivational behavior. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Updated long‐term survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with liver resection followed by hepatic arterial infusion and systemic chemotherapy
Authors: Kemeny Nancy E. , Chou Joanne F. , Boucher Taryn M. , Capanu Marinela , DeMatteo Ronald P. , Jarnagin William R. , Allen Peter J. , Fong Yuman C. , Cercek Andrea , D'Angelica Michael I.
Published: February 2016

Background and Objectives

Patients who undergo liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) have reported 5‐year survivals ranging from 25% to 50%. The current study updated long‐term survival for patients with resected liver metastases treated with adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) and systemic (SYS) chemotherapy.

Methods

Updated survival and recurrence free survival for patients treated on four consecutive adjuvant protocols with HAI and SYS from 1991 to 2009. Patients were divided into two groups: those treated on protocols before 2003 and after 2003. Median follow‐up for all patients was 11 years.

Results

All 287 patients enrolled in four prospective protocols after liver resection are included. Patients treated before 2003 had a median follow‐up of 15 years, 5 and 10‐year survivals of 56% [95%CI: 49–64%] and 40% [95%CI: 32–47%], respectively, and median survival of 71 months. Patients treated after 2003 had a median follow‐up of 9 years, 5 and 10‐year survivals of 78% [95%CI: 70–84%] and 61% [95%CI: 51–70%], respectively, and median survival has not been reached.

Conclusions

Survival is improving for patients with mCRC who undergo liver resection. These data support the durability of long‐term survival in patients who undergo resection followed by adjuvant HAI and SYS therapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:477–484. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enantioselective separation and pharmacokinetic dissipation of cyflumetofen in field soil by ultra‐performance convergence chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Na , Dong Fengshou , Xu Jun , Liu Xingang , Chen Zenglong , Pan Xinglu , Chen Xixi , Zheng Yongquan
Published: February 2016

Little data on the enantioselective separation of cyflumetofen exists, despite the fact that such data are essential to the assessment of the fate and potential toxic effects of cyflumetofen enantiomers. To address this issue, a simple and sensitive method for the enantioselective determination of cyflumetofen enantiomers in soil has been established using ultra performance convergence chromatography tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The effects of the chiral stationary phases, mobile phase, auto backpressure regulator pressure, column temperature, flow rate of the mobile phase, and compensation pump solvent were evaluated. The proposed method was applied to the study of the pharmacokinetic dissipation of cyflumetofen stereoisomers in soil under greenhouse conditions. The estimated half‐life of cyflumetofen isomers ranged from 12.2 to 13.6 days, and statistically significant enantioselective degradation was observed. This study not only demonstrates that there is an efficient and sensitive method for cyflumetofen enantioseparation, but also provides the first experimental evidence of the pharmacokinetic dissipation of cyflumetofen stereoisomers in the environment.
Quality assessment of traditional Chinese medicine herb couple by high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry combined with chemometrics
Authors: Cheng Tao‐fang , Jia Yu‐ran , Zuo Zheng , Dong Xin , Zhou Ping , Li Ping , Li Fei
Published: February 2016

This study was designed to develop a simple, specific and reliable method to overall analyze the chemical constituents in clematidis radix et rhizome/notopterygii rhizome et radix herb couple using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry and multiple chemometric analysis. First, the separation and qualitative analysis of herb couple was achieved on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), and 69 compounds were unambiguously or tentatively identified. Moreover, in quantitative analysis, eight ingredients including six coumarins and two triterpenoid sapogenins were quantified by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. In terms of good linearity (r2 ≥ 0.9995) with a relatively wide concentration range, recovery (85.40–102.50%) and repeatability (0.99–4.45%), the validation results suggested the proposed method was reliable, and successfully used to analyze ten batches of herb couple samples. Then, hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to classify samples and search significant ingredients. The results showed that ten batches of herb couple samples were classified into three groups, and six compounds were found for its better quality control.
Factors Affecting Grafting Density in Surface‐Initiated ATRP: A Simulation Study
Authors: Mastan Erlita , Xi Li , Zhu Shiping
Published: February 2016

In surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization, knowledge of grafting density is of significant interest because it is one of the determining properties of grafted polymer. It is well known that not all of the immobilized initiators can grow into polymer chains. However, little is known about why this happens and what affects the grafting efficiency. The lack of information is partly due to the difficulty in experimental determination of grafting density on flat substrates. To circumvent the problem, Monte Carlo simulation with bond fluctuation model is used in this study to investigate the effects of various reaction conditions on the grafting density. The simulation results show lower grafting density when less deactivator is present. In systems with lower deactivator concentration, the number of monomer added per activation cycle is higher. Coupling this with close proximity of immobilized initiators results in chains initiated at earlier time to shield their neighboring initiator moieties from adding mono­mers, thus lowering the grafting density in such a system. These simulation results also provide an explanation to the seemingly conflicting trend reported in the literatures.

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Nanocomposites specifically penetrate and inhibit tumor cells
Authors: Goltsev A. N. , Malyukin Y. V. , Dubrava T. G. , Babenko N. N. , Gaevskaya Y. A. , Chelombytko O. V. , Bondarovich N. A. , Ostankova L. V. , Dimitrov A. Y. , Klochkov V. K. , Kavok N. S.
Published: February 2016

A most important task in oncology today is the search for structures capable of specific targeting and inactivating the cancer stem cells determining the tumor growth. We describe the investigation of the ability of the synthesized hybrid nanocomplexes containing rare earth‐based nanoparticles of GdYVO4 : Eu3+ orthovanadates, cholesterol and the hydrophobic luminescent dye DiI to visualize and inactivate the cancer stem cells of the Ehrlich carcinoma. The spectral analysis revealed an intracellular accumulation of nanoparticles in the Ehrlich carcinoma cells. This fact suggested the implementation of antitumor effect of the nanoparticles in vivo. The treatment of the Ehrlich carcinoma cells with spherical nanoparticles at a concentration of 1.30 g/L was found to reduce the intensity of tumor growth by 58.2 %. Ehrlich carcinoma cell processing with a three component hybrid complex resulted in a maximum decrease in the concentration of the most carcinogenic CD44hi cells with a simultaneous increase in the number of CD117+ cells, which reduced the intensity of tumor growth by 76.6 %. When applying hybrid nanocomplexes, a reduced expression rate of the oct4, sox2 and nanog genes in Ehrlich carcinoma cells was observed which may be a mechanism for the antitumor action of orthovanadates.
Copper(II), zinc(II) and copper(II)/zinc(II)‐containing carbonate‐substituted hydroxyapatite: synthesis, characterization and thermal behaviour
Authors: Livitska O. , Strutynska N. , Zatovsky I. , Nikolenko I. , Slobodyanik N. , Prylutskyy Y. , Epple M. , Prymak Oleg , Byeda Alexander
Published: February 2016

A new approach for the preparation of nanoscale copper‐ and zinc‐containing sodium‐ and carbonate‐substituted apatites is presented. The thermal transformations of the samples in the temperature range 80–1000 °C were determined by temperature‐programmed desorption mass spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. The chemical and phase compositions of the copper‐ and zinc‐containing sodium‐ and carbonate‐substituted apatites were studied by atomic absorption spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction, respectively. The degree and nature of the carbonate substitution were determined by elemental analysis (C, H, N) and infrared spectroscopy, respectively. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed nanoparticles (about 10–20 nm in diameter) with a stability to aggregation under processes by microwave radiation. Samples annealed at 700 °C were crystalline and had an apatite structure.
Single‐walled carbon nanotubes affect the expression of the CCND2 gene in human U87 glioma cells
Authors: Minchenko O. H. , Tsymbal D. O. , Minchenko D. O. , Prylutska S. V. , Cherepanov V. V. , Prylutskyy Y. I. , Tsierkezos N. G.
Published: February 2016

The effect of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on the expression level of several genes, related to cell cycle control, cell proliferation and migration in human glioma cell line U87 was investigated. The exposure of human U87 glioma cells to single‐walled carbon nanotubes in different concentrations during 24 of 48 h affects the expression of CCND2 (Cyclin D2), DTNA (Dystrobrevin alpha), PARVB (parvin beta), DUSP1 (dual specificity phosphatase 1), PFKFB3 (6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase/fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase‐3) and PFKFB4 genes at mRNA level, as well as the expression of alternative splice variants of DTNA, PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 transcripts. In case of CCND2 gene a strong, time and dose‐dependent suppressive effect was observed. The effect of single‐walled carbon nanotubes on the expression level of PFKFB3, PFKFB4, and PARVB was also suppressive but less prominent. At the same time, the expression of DUSP1 and DTNA genes is up‐regulated in cells treated by single‐walled carbon nanotubes. Thus, single‐walled carbon nanotubes exert anti‐proliferative properties in U87 glioma cells, as they down‐regulate the expression of proliferation‐related genes (CCND2, PARVB, PFKFB3, and PFKFB4) and up‐regulate DUSP1 and DTNA genes, which control apoptosis.
Interaction of C60 fullerene complexed to cisplatin with model bilipid membranes and its uptake by HeLa cells
Authors: Bychko A. , Sokolova V. , Prylutska S. , Bogutska K. , Rybalchenko V. , Evstigneev M. , Prylutskyy Y. , Epple M. , Ritter U. , Scharff P.
Published: February 2016

With an aim to elucidate the effects of C60 fullerene complexed with anticancer agent cisplatin (Cis) on model bilipid membranes, the investigation of electric properties of bilipid membranes under the action of Cis and C60 fullerene alone and their complex, C60 + Cis, was performed. It was found that the complex itself as well as its components alone exert clearly detected influence on bilipid membranes, which depends on the concentration and the composition of phospholipid. The mechanism of this effect originates either from intermolecular interaction of the drug with fatty‐acid residues of phospholipids or from membranotropic effects of the drug‐induced lipid peroxidation, or from the sum of these two effects. By means of fluorescence microscopy, the uptake of C60 + Cis complex into HeLa cells has been directly evidenced which stimulates further use of the C60 fullerene‐drug mixture in pre‐clinical tests.
Cerium and europium nanospecies in quartz glass: synthesis and spectral study
Authors: Ignatovych M. , Borysenko M. , Davydenko L. , Borysenko L. , Veres M. , Himics L. , Koos M.
Published: February 2016

Quartz glass doped with cerium (0.02–0.36 wt%) and europium (0.01–0.04 wt%) nanoparticles were prepared by a modified sol‐gel method. Ultraviolet‐visible optical absorption and steady‐state photoluminescence excitation‐emission techniques were applied for spectral characterization of samples. Absorption spectra for Ce/SiO2 samples showed two intense and broad bands of charge‐transfer (CT) character at 240 and 300 nm that were attributed to the O2– → Ce3+ and O2– → Ce4+ transitions, respectively. For Eu/SiO2 and CeEu/SiO2 samples, CT bands O2– → Eu3+ at 225 nm and non‐resolved ones O2– → Ce3+ at 245 nm were registered, respectively. Photoluminescence spectra of Ce/SiO2 samples showed the presence of Ce3+ ions emitting in the range of 413–438 nm caused by the 5d–4f transition. Photoluminescence spectra of Eu/SiO2 and CeEu/SiO2 samples featured the characteristic orange‐red emission arising from 5D0 → 7Fn manifolds (570–750 nm) of Eu3+ ions. The electric‐dipole 5D0 → 7F2 transition at 615 nm dominated in the Eu/SiO2 samples while the magnetic‐dipole transition 5D0 → 7F1 at 591 nm dominated in the CeEu/SiO2 double‐doped samples.
Synthesis and luminescence of europium(III)‐doped potassium calcium pyrophosphate
Authors: Terebilenko K. V. , Slobodyanik N. S. , Dotsenko V. P. , Khomenko O. V.
Published: February 2016

Both pure and doped with Eu3+ potassium calcium pyrophosphate have been prepared by solid state synthesis and by flux growth from K4P2O7–K2Mo2O7 molten salts. For solid solutions K2Ca1–XEuXP2O7 (X = 0.01–0.10) synthesized by a ceramic method the admixture of Ca3(PO4)2 has been observed for values above X = 0.05. For a range of X = 0.01–0.03 well defined nanoparticles has been prepared with the size about 100 nm. In case of molten salts approach both crystalline and vitreous material have been studied by luminescence spectroscopy. Their emission spectra consist of a well‐known set of peaks which are associated with radiation transitions from excited 5D0 level on 7FJ (J = 0–4) manifold levels of the ground state of the Eu3+ ion, showing the strongest emission lines in a region 590–625 nm. In comparison to crystalline, vitreous host is characterized by more reddish luminescence due to a more asymmetric environment of luminescence centers. The luminescence decay curve for a vitreous sample is characterized by a lifetime value of 1.7 ms.
Synthesis and properties of ferrite nanopowders for epoxy‐barium hexaferrite‐nanocarbon composites for microwave applications
Authors: Vovchenko L. , Matzui L. , Brusylovets O. , Oliynyk V. , Launets V. , Shames A. , Yakovenko O. , Skoryk N.
Published: February 2016

The effect of the synthesis conditions (type of chemical reagents, temperature of treatment) on phase composition and morphology of ferrite nanopowders containing barium hexaferrite was investigated. X‐ray diffraction studies confirm the presence of two phases in synthesized powders – Fe2O3 and BaFe12O19 (BaM) – and ratio between these phases depends on the temperature of powder treatment at last stage of the synthesis. Electron microscopy studies showed that prepared ferrite powders consist of hexagonal particles having 20–50 nm thickness and 80–400 nm diameter, with exact values depending on the synthesis parameters. Measurements of magnetic susceptibility in the temperature range 300–850 K as well as the ferromagnetic resonance study confirm the presence of two phases in the prepared ferrite powders and correlate with the X‐ray diffraction data. It was found that the addition of conductive carbon nanotubes or graphite nanoplatelets into the hybrid epoxy‐barium hexaferrite composites allows to control the parts of absorbed and reflected microwave electromagnetic radiation in these composites.
Distinct physiological, plasma amino acid, and liver transcriptome responses to purified dietary beef, chicken, fish, and pork proteins in young rats
Authors: Song Shangxin , Hooiveld Guido J. E. J. , Li Mengjie , Zhao Fan , Zhang Wei , Xu Xinglian , Müller Michael , Li Chunbao , Zhou Guanghong
Published: February 2016

Scope

We report on the impact of purified dietary meat proteins from four species on plasma insulin, lipid and amino acid (AA) concentrations, and hepatic transcriptome (RNA‐sequencing).

Methods and results

Young rats received semi‐synthetic diets for 1 wk that differed only regarding protein source; casein (reference) was replaced by beef, chicken, fish, or pork proteins. Compared to casein, all proteins, except pork, increased total plasma AA concentrations. Pork protein reduced adipose tissue mass and liver triacylglycerol, which was accompanied by increased plasma triacylglycerol concentrations. Plasma cholesterol was reduced by fish protein. The number of differentially expressed genes ranged between 609 (pork) and 1258 (chicken); on average one‐third of the changes were specific for each meat protein. Pathway responses were most similar for beef and chicken, followed by pork and fish. Although the extent varied, all meat proteins induced mRNA translation, antigen processing/presentation, intracellular vesicular trafficking, and oxidoreductive‐transformation pathways, and suppressed signal‐transduction (Notch, TGFB/SMAD, insulin) and mitochondrial biogenesis pathways. Lipid‐ and AA‐metabolic pathways were repressed, except by pork. AA‐transport pathways were induced by beef and fish only, and complement/coagulation‐pathways were suppressed by chicken and beef. Fish suppressed nuclear‐transport and cofactor metabolism.

Conclusion

To conclude, short‐term feeding of different meat proteins resulted in distinct physiological and transcriptome changes in young rats.
Metabolism of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate through alternate pathways in rat liver
Authors: Jin Eunsook S. , Moreno Karlos X. , Wang Jian‐Xiong , Fidelino Leila , Merritt Matthew E. , Sherry A. Dean , Malloy Craig R.
Published: February 2016

The source of hyperpolarized (HP) [13C]bicarbonate in the liver during metabolism of HP [1‐13C]pyruvate is uncertain and likely changes with physiology. Multiple processes including decarboxylation through pyruvate dehydrogenase or pyruvate carboxylase followed by subsequent decarboxylation via phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (gluconeogenesis) could play a role. Here we tested which metabolic fate of pyruvate contributed to the appearance of HP [13C]bicarbonate during metabolism of HP [1‐13C]pyruvate by the liver in rats after 21 h of fasting compared to rats with free access to food. The 13C NMR of HP [13C]bicarbonate was observed in the liver of fed rats, but not in fasted rats where pyruvate carboxylation and gluconeogenesis was active. To further explore the relative fluxes through pyruvate carboxylase versus pyruvate dehydrogenase in the liver under typical conditions of hyperpolarization studies, separate parallel experiments were performed with rats given non‐hyperpolarized [2,3‐13C]pyruvate. 13C NMR analysis of glutamate isolated from the liver of rats revealed that flux from injected pyruvate through pyruvate dehydrogenase was dominant under fed conditions whereas flux through pyruvate carboxylase dominated under fasted conditions. The NMR signal of HP [13C]bicarbonate does not parallel pyruvate carboxylase activity followed by subsequent decarboxylation reaction leading to glucose production. In the liver of healthy well‐fed rats, the appearance of HP [13C]bicarbonate exclusively reflects decarboxylation of HP [1‐13C]pyruvate via pyruvate dehydrogenase. © 2016 The Authors. NMR in Biomedicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Interpregnancy weight change and risk of preterm delivery
Authors: Villamor Eduardo , Cnattingius Sven
Published: February 2016

Objective

Prepregnant weight gain increases risk of obstetric complications, but its effect on preterm delivery is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the associations between change in body mass index (BMI) from first to second pregnancies and risk of preterm delivery in the second pregnancy according to the type and severity of preterm delivery.

Methods

A nationwide cohort study was conducted in 465,836 Swedish women with their first two consecutive singleton live births between 1992 and 2012. Rates of very (22‐31 gestational weeks) and moderately (32‐36 gestational weeks) preterm delivery in the second pregnancy, classified as spontaneous or medically indicated, were compared between categories of interpregnancy BMI change.

Results

Among women with first pregnancy BMI < 25, BMI gain ≥ 4 kg/m2 and BMI loss > 2 kg/m2 were related to 24% (95% CI, 5‐46%) and 18% (95% CI, 5‐33%) higher rates of spontaneous moderately preterm delivery, respectively. BMI gain ≥ 4 kg/m2 was related to increased risk of medically indicated very preterm delivery. Weight loss was associated with reduced rates of medically indicated moderately preterm delivery among women with BMI ≥ 25.

Conclusions

High weight gain or loss in normal‐weight women is associated with spontaneous moderately preterm delivery. High interpregnancy weight gain is related to increased risks of medically indicated preterm delivery.