bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lesinurad Combined With Allopurinol: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Study in Gout Patients With an Inadequate Response to Standard‐of‐Care Allopurinol (a US‐Based Study)
Authors: Saag Kenneth G. , Fitz‐Patrick David , Kopicko Jeff , Fung Maple , Bhakta Nihar , Adler Scott , Storgard Chris , Baumgartner Scott , Becker Michael A.
Published: August 2016

Objective

Lesinurad is a selective uric acid reabsorption inhibitor used for the treatment of gout in combination with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. The Combining Lesinurad with Allopurinol Standard of Care in Inadequate Responders (CLEAR 1) study, a 12‐month, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase III trial, was conducted to investigate daily lesinurad (200 mg or 400 mg orally) added to allopurinol versus placebo plus allopurinol in patients with serum urate (UA) levels above a target of <6.0 mg/dl.

Methods

Patients receiving ≥300 mg of allopurinol (≥200 mg in those with moderate renal impairment) who had serum UA levels ≥6.5 mg/dl at screening and ≥2 gout flares during the previous year were studied. The primary end point was the proportion of patients achieving a serum UA level of <6.0 mg/dl at month 6. Key secondary end points were the mean gout flare rate requiring treatment (months 7–12) and the proportions of patients with complete resolution of ≥1 target tophus (month 12). Safety assessments included adverse events and laboratory data.

Results

The study patients (n = 603) were predominantly male and had a mean ± SD age of 51.9 ± 11.3 years, a gout duration of 11.8 ± 9.4 years, a baseline serum UA level of 6.94 ± 1.27 mg/dl, and were receiving an allopurinol dosage of 306.6 ± 59.58 mg/day. Lesinurad at doses of 200 mg or 400 mg added to allopurinol therapy significantly increased the proportions of patients who achieved serum UA target levels by month 6 as compared with those receiving allopurinol alone (54.2%, 59.2%, and 27.9%, respectively, P < 0.0001). Lesinurad was not significantly superior to allopurinol alone in terms of the secondary end points: rates of gout flares and complete resolution of tophi. Lesinurad was generally well‐tolerated; the safety profile of the 200‐mg dose was comparable to that of allopurinol alone, except for higher incidences of predominantly reversible elevations of serum creatinine levels.

Conclusion

Lesinurad added to allopurinol provided benefit as compared with allopurinol alone in reducing serum UA levels and represents a new treatment option for patients needing additional urate‐lowering therapy.
Reduced Osteoarthritis Severity in Aged Mice With Deletion of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor
Authors: Rowe Meredith A. , Harper Lindsey R. , McNulty Margaret A. , Lau Anthony G. , Carlson Cathy S. , Leng Lin , Bucala Richard J. , Miller Richard A. , Loeser Richard F.
Published: August 2016

Objective

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that is elevated in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). This study was undertaken to investigate the potential role of MIF in OA in human joint tissues and in vivo in mice with age‐related and surgically induced OA.

Methods

MIF in conditioned media from human chondrocytes and meniscal cells and from cartilage explants was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The severity of OA was analyzed histologically in male wild‐type and MIF−/− mice at 12 and 22 months of age and following destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery in 12‐week‐old MIF−/− mice as well as in wild‐type mice treated with a neutralizing MIF antibody. Synovial hyperplasia was graded in S100A8‐immunostained histologic sections. Bone morphometric parameters were measured by micro–computed tomography.

Results

Human OA chondrocytes secreted 3‐fold higher levels of MIF than normal chondrocytes, while normal and OA meniscal cells produced equivalent amounts. Compared to age‐ and strain‐matched controls, the cartilage, bone, and synovium in older adult mice with MIF deletion were protected against changes of naturally occurring age‐related OA. No protection against DMM‐induced OA was seen in young adult MIF−/− mice or in wild‐type mice treated with anti‐MIF. Increased bone density in 8‐week‐old mice with MIF deletion was not maintained at 12 months.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate a differential mechanism in the pathogenesis of naturally occurring age‐related OA compared to injury‐induced OA. The inhibition of MIF may represent a novel therapeutic target in the reduction of the severity of age‐related OA.
Formlogik an Brücken – Teil 2
Authors: Kleiser Michael
Published: August 2016

Der allgemeine Trend im konzeptionellen Brückenentwurf zur Wahl dauerhafter, fugenloser Rahmensysteme erfordert nicht nur vertiefte, statisch konstruktive Überlegungen zur Kraft‐ und Momentenweiterleitung vom Überbau in den Unterbau, sondern auch erweiterte Betrachtungen hinsichtlich einer ganzheitlich ästhetischen Lösung. Um zu authentischen Entwürfen zu gelangen, muss eine Kohärenz zwischen der Form der Brücke und dem ihr zugrunde liegenden statischen System erkennbar sein. In diesem Aufsatz werden Formüberlegungen von biegesteifen Stützenanschlüssen an Überbauten einerseits als zusammenhängende, kontinuierlich wirkende und anderseits als getrennt wirkende Funktionseinheiten erläutert. Anschließend wird auf die Sonderstellung der eingespannten Rundstütze und deren Anwendungsgrenzen sowie auf hybride Stützenanschlüsse eingegangen. Dem planenden Ingenieur werden Anregungen zum Brückenentwurf über seine ingenieurtechnische Kernaufgabe hinaus hin zu einer ingeniösen Herangehensweise gegeben, mit dem Ziel, bewusst Verantwortung als Gestalter unseres Lebensraums übernehmen zu können. Die Formüberlegungen werden mit Beispielen untermauert.
Developmental trajectories of emotional disengagement from schoolwork and their longitudinal associations in England
Authors: Symonds Jennifer , Schoon Ingrid , Salmela‐Aro Katariina
Published: August 2016

This study identified the varied ways in which emotional disengagement from schoolwork typically developed between 14 and 16 years of age, in the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England. Using growth mixture modelling we found eight main trajectories of (dis)engagement, with four trajectories of either increasing or stable emotional disengagement with schoolwork (41% of the sample). Using propensity score matching to create groups balanced on a wide range of covariates at Wave 1, we compared disengaged students to their engaged counterparts to identify the longitudinal effects of disengagement‐trajectory membership on behavioural engagement, psychological wellbeing, substance use, career pathways and achievement. Using linear and binary logistic regressions, we established that students in disengagement trajectories developed lower achievement across compulsory secondary school, and participated less in education and more in employment at age 17 years. In young adulthood (age 19–20 years) they were less likely to attend university and more likely to be unemployed. During secondary schooling, they developed higher levels of substance use and poorer psychological wellbeing, which persisted in the year after compulsory school. However, in young adulthood, the differences in substance use dissipated and students in most of the disengagement trajectories had relatively similar life satisfaction to their counterparts. These findings suggest that students (except perhaps those who became unemployed) were able to develop healthily and happily after leaving the schoolwork environments from which they were emotionally disengaged.
Helices with additional H‐bonds: crystallographic conformations of α,γ‐hybrid peptides helices composed of β‐hydroxy γ‐amino acids (statines)
Authors: Malik Ankita , Kumar Mothukuri Ganesh , Bandyopadhyay Anupam , Gopi Hosahudya N.
Published: August 2016

β‐Hydroxy‐γ‐amino acids (Statines) are a class of naturally occurring non‐ribosomal amino acids frequently found in many peptide natural products. Peptidomimetics constituted with statines have been used as inhibitors for various aspartic acid proteases. In contrast to the synthetic γ‐amino acids, very little is known about the folding behavior of these naturally occurring β‐hydroxy γ‐amino acids. To understand the folding behavior of statines, three α,γ‐hybrid peptides P1 (Ac‐Aib‐γPhe‐Aib‐(R, S)Phesta‐Aib‐γPhe‐Aib‐CONH2), P2 (Ac‐Aib‐γPhe‐Aib‐(S, S)Phesta‐Aib‐γPhe‐Aib‐CONH2), and P3 (Ac‐Aib‐γPhe‐Aib‐(S, S)Phesta‐Aib‐(S, S)Phesta‐Aib‐CONH2) were synthesized on solid phase and their helical conformations in single crystals were studied. Results suggest that both syn and anti diastereoisomers of statines can be accommodated into the helix without deviating overall helical conformation of α,γ‐hybrid peptides. In comparison with syn diastereoisomer, the anti diastereoisomer was found to be directly involved in the intramolecular H‐bonding with the backbone carbonyl groups (i to i + 3) similar to the backbone amide NHs in the helix.
Randomized clinical trial comparing surgery, endovenous laser ablation and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for the treatment of great saphenous varicose veins
Authors: Venermo M , Saarinen J , Eskelinen E , Vähäaho S , Saarinen E , Railo M , Uurto I , Salenius J , Albäck A ,   the Finnish Venous Study Collaborators, Suominen V P , Vikatmaa P , Aho P , Lepäntalo M , Halmesmäki K , Laukontaus S , Weselius E M , Vuorisalo S
Published: August 2016

Background

Endovenous ablation techniques and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) have largely replaced open surgery for treatment of great saphenous varicose veins. This was a randomized trial to compare the effect of surgery, endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) (with phlebectomies) and UGFS on quality of life and the occlusion rate of the great saphenous vein (GSV) 12 months after surgery.

Methods

Patients with symptomatic, uncomplicated varicose veins (CEAP class C2–C4) were examined at baseline, 1 month and 1 year. Before discharge and at 1 week, patients reported a pain score on a visual analogue scale. Preoperative and 1-year assessments included duplex ultrasound imaging and the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Severity Score (AVVSS).

Results

The study included 214 patients: 65 had surgery, 73 had EVLA and 76 had UGFS. At 1 year, the GSV was occluded or absent in 59 (97 per cent) of 61 patients after surgery, 71 (97 per cent) of 73 after EVLA and 37 (51 per cent) of 72 after UGFS (P < 0·001). The AVVSS improved significantly in comparison with preoperative values in all groups, with no significant differences between them. Perioperative pain was significantly reduced and sick leave shorter after UGFS (mean 1 day) than after EVLA (8 days) and surgery (12 days).

Conclusion

In comparison with open surgery and EVLA, UGFS resulted in equivalent improvement in quality of life but significantly higher residual GSV reflux at 12-month follow-up.
BioCatNet: A Database System for the Integration of Enzyme Sequences and Biocatalytic Experiments
Authors: Buchholz Patrick C. F. , Vogel Constantin , Reusch Waldemar , Pohl Martina , Rother Dörte , Spieß Antje C. , Pleiss Jürgen
Published: August 2016

The development of novel enzymes for biocatalytic processes requires knowledge on substrate profile and selectivity; this can be derived from databases and from publications. Often, these sources lack time‐course data for the substrate or product, and an unambiguous link between experiment and enzyme sequence. The lack of integrated, original data hampers the comprehensive analysis of enzyme kinetics and the evaluation of sequence–function relationships. In order to accelerate enzyme engineering, BioCatNet integrates protein sequence, protein structure, and experimental data for a given enzyme family. BioCatNet explicitly assigns the enzyme sequence to the experimental data, which consists of information on reaction conditions and time‐course data. BioCatNet facilitates the consistent documentation of reaction conditions, the archiving of time‐course data, and the efficient exchange of experimental data among collaborators. Data integration is demonstrated for three case studies by using the TEED (Thiamine diphosphate‐dependent Enzymes Engineering Database).
Importance of genetic testing in global health during the evaluation of familial microcephaly
Authors: Molinero Isaac , Broman‐Fulks Jordan , Lyons Michael J. , Matheus Maria Gisele , Chaubey Alka , DuPont Barbara R. , Friez Michael J. , Skinner Steve A. , Holden Kenton R.
Published: August 2016

Key Clinical Message

A focused genetic workup is useful in determining the cause of familial microcephaly, especially in the setting of mildly different phenotypes. As illustrated by this case from an impoverished international urban location, one must not assume the etiology for the apparent familial microcephaly is the same for all affected members.
Ultrasmall Fe2O3 Nanoparticles Anchored on Three‐Dimensional Hierarchical Porous Graphene‐like Networks for High Rate Capability Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Zhiping , Zhang Haiyan , Chen Yiming , Li Zhenghui , Li Yunyong , Luo Tao , Wu Qibai , Xu Yawen , Zhi Chunyi
Published: August 2016

An ultrasmall Fe2O3 nanoparticle/three‐dimensional hierarchical porous graphene‐like (Fe2O3/3D HPG) composite has been synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method, which is investigated as a high performance electrode material for supercapacitors. In the composite, the ultra‐small‐sized Fe2O3 nanoparticles, with an average size of approximately 5 nm, are uniformly distributed on the 3D HPG substrate. The as‐prepared Fe2O3/3D HPG composite electrode exhibits good electrochemical performance with a maximum specific capacitance of 967 F g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 in the three‐electrode system in 2.0 mol L−1 KOH aqueous solution, and an outstanding rate capability (74 % capacitance retention at 30 A g−1). In addition, the composite electrode also exhibits an excellent cycling performance with 92 % capacitance retention of the initial capacity after 5000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1.
Simple Isocratic HPLC Method for Determination of Enantiomeric Impurity in Besifloxacin Hydrochloride
Authors: Kumar G. Pradeep , Srivastava Vishal , Khandelwal Kiran , Kumar Rajesh , Hiriyanna S.G. , Kumar Ajay , Kumar Pramod
Published: August 2016

Besifloxacin is a unique chiral broad‐spectrum flouroquinolone used in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. R‐form of besifloxacin hydrochloride shows higher antibacterial activity as compared to the S‐isomer. Therefore, it is necessary to establish chiral purity. To establish chiral purity a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for determination of R‐besifloxacin and S‐besifloxacin (BES impurity A) was developed and validated for in‐process quality control and stability studies. The analytical performance parameters such as linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, limit of detection (LOD), and lower limit of quantification (LOQ) were determined according to International Council for Harmonization ICH Q2(R1) guidelines. HPLC separation was achieved on Chiralpak AD‐H (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column using n‐heptane: ethanol: ethylenediamine: acetic acid (800:200:0.5:0.5) (v/v/v/v) as the mobile phase in an isocratic elution. The eluents were monitored by UV/Visible detector at 290 nm. The resolution between S‐isomer and besifloxacin hydrochloride was more than 2.0. Based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 and 10 the LOD of besifloxacin was 0.30 μg/mL, while the LOQ was 0.90 μg/mL. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.9–7.5 μg/mL. Precision of the method was established within the acceptable range. The method was suitable for the quality control enantiomeric impurity in besifloxacin hydrochloride. Chirality 28:628–632, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Air‐blown bubbling fluidized bed co‐gasification of woody biomass and refuse derived fuel
Authors: Robinson Travis , Bronson Benjamin , Gogolek Peter , Mehrani Poupak
Published: August 2016

Air‐blown auto‐thermal bubbling fluidized bed gasification of refuse derived fuel (RDF) and wood pellet mixtures was investigated at 725 °C, 800 °C, and 875 °C. Gasification of mixtures containing RDF at 875 °C resulted in agglomeration of bed material, which prevented steady state operation of the gasifier. Results from the analysis of produced gases, equivalence ratios, and feed rates, did not indicate significant interactions between the two different types of fuel pellets during gasification. RDF was found to yield more tar than wood pellets, but wood pellets tended to produce more problematic tar compounds. Only small variations in the lower heating value of produced gases were observed, though a greater portion of the heating value of the gases produced with RDF was provided by C2 and C3 hydrocarbons.
Optimisation de la stabilité d'une émulsion de Pickering H/E à l'aide de la méthodologie des surfaces de réponses
Authors: Touzouirt Saida , Limani Chimci , Oukaci Fetta , Ahmed Zaïd Toudert , Nabiev Mais
Published: August 2016

L’émulsion est une forme très répandue dans les applications pharmaceutiques et cosmétiques, et les tensio‐actifs synthétiques utilisés pour stabiliser ce système dispersé posent un problème écologique. L’émulsion stabilisée par des particules solides (émulsion de Pickering) vient pour régler ce problème.

Cette étude vise à réduire la teneur en tensio‐actif dans les formulations des émulsions pharmaceutiques et cosmétiques.

La stabilité physique (stabilité au crémage) d'une émulsion de Pickering H/E utilisant des particules solides de bentonite en combinaison avec un tensio‐actif cationique (CTAB) et en présence de sel (NaCl) a été optimisée à l'aide de la méthodologie des surfaces de réponses.

Les résultats montrent qu'une teneur de 7 % de particules solides en présence de faibles concentrations en tensio‐actif cationique (CTAB, 0.02 %) et en sel (NaCl, 0.015 mol/L) permet d'obtenir une stabilité physique satisfaisante après 22 mois de vieillissement.

En outre, la température qui a une influence directe sur la viscosité du milieu lors de la préparation, est déterminante pour l'obtention d'une émulsion stable. Ainsi, une émulsion de Pickering préparée à 50 °C montre une stabilité comparable à celle d'une émulsion préparée à 20 °C et contenant deux fois plus d'agents stabilisants.
Oxidation of aqueous organic pollutants using a stable copper nanoparticle suspension
Authors: Kalidhasan Sethu , Ben‐Sasson Moshe , Dror Ishai , Carmieli Raanan , Schuster Elaine M. , Berkowitz Brian
Published: August 2016

Many applications of copper nanoparticles (Cu‐NPs) have been suggested in recent years, although the potential for use of Cu‐NPs in water treatment processes has received relatively little attention. This work highlights the preparation, characterization, and application of polyethylenimine capped copper nanoparticles for use in oxidative degradation of organic pollutants in aqueous solutions; atrazine was selected as a representative pollutant. A stable aqueous Cu‐NP suspension was prepared, with polyethylenimine (PEI) as capping agent, under ambient conditions. The Cu:PEI ratio during Cu‐NP synthesis has a significant influence on nanoparticle properties as well as on the degradation of atrazine. The synthesized Cu‐NPs, which comprised a mixture of Cu0 and Cu2O, induced rapid atrazine degradation (> 99 % in 1 h) and significantly superior performance over commercial nano‐copper oxide powder. Mechanistic insight into the atrazine degradation, via electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements, demonstrated (i) that significant hydroxyl radicals were generated only in the presence of Cu‐NPs, (ii) longevity of radical generation, and (iii) regeneration of hydroxide radicals. The efficiency of the Cu‐NPs applied to oxidative degradation was further demonstrated on eight other representative organic water pollutants.
Survey estimation of domain means that respect natural orderings
Authors: Wu Jiwen , Meyer Mary C. , Opsomer Jean D.
Published: August 2016

Many variables in surveys follow natural orderings that should be respected in estimates of domain means. For instance the U.S. National Compensation Survey estimates mean wages for many job categories, and these mean wages are expected to be non‐decreasing according to job level. In this type of situation isotonic regression can be applied to give constrained estimators satisfying the monotonicity. We combine domain estimation and the pooled adjacent violators algorithm to construct new design‐weighted constrained estimators. The resulting estimator is the classical design‐based domain estimator but after adaptive pooling of neighbouring domains, so that it is both readily implemented in large‐scale surveys and easy to explain to data users. Under mild conditions on the sampling design and the population we obtain the asymptotic properties of the estimator. Simulation results also demonstrate improved point estimators and confidence intervals for domain means using linearization‐ and replication‐based variance estimation compared to survey estimators that do not incorporate the constraints. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 44: 431–444; 2016 © 2016 Statistical Society of Canada
Eight‐channel decoupled array for cervical spinal cord imaging at 3T: six‐channel posterior and two‐channel anterior array coil
Authors: Sapkota Nabraj , Thapa Bijaya , Lee YouJung , Kim Taeho , Bisson Erica F. , Shah Lubdha M. , Rose John W. , Jeong Eun‐Kee
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this study was to develop a dedicated high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) radio frequency coil for cervical spinal cord (CSC) imaging without using the preamp decoupling technique. A novel eight‐channel CSC array was constructed using butterfly, loop (circular), and rectangular elements. The adjacent elements were decoupled by the critical geometrical overlapping, and most non‐adjacent elements were decoupled using the loop and butterfly elements. The performance of the proposed CSC coil was compared with the performance of the standard manufacturer's coil (Siemens' head, neck, and spine array) at 3T MRI system in T2‐weighted images, diffusion tensor images, and ultrahigh‐b diffusion‐weighted images. In T2‐weighted images, the SNR improvement of the eight‐channel CSC coil was 1.4–2.0 times over the manufacturer's coil at the different levels of the CSC vertebrae. Higher contrast between white matter and gray matter was observed in the diffusion‐weighted (b = 500 s/mm2) images and the fractional anisotropy maps obtained using the eight‐channel CSC coil compared with the manufacturer's coil. The eight‐channel CSC coil yielded 2.0 times higher SNR compared with the manufacturer's coil from the white matter region of the ultrahigh‐b (b = 7348 s/mm2) radial diffusion‐weighted images.
Lay health educators increase colorectal cancer screening among Hmong Americans: A cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tong Elisa K. , Nguyen Tung T. , Lo Penny , Stewart Susan L. , Gildengorin Ginny L. , Tsoh Janice Y. , Jo Angela M. , Kagawa‐Singer Marjorie L. , Sy Angela U. , Cuaresma Charlene , Lam Hy T. , Wong Ching , Tran Mi T. , Chen Moon S.
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND

Asian Americans have lower colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates than non‐Hispanic white individuals. Hmong Americans have limited socioeconomic resources and literacy. The current randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine whether bilingual/bicultural lay health educator (LHE) education could increase CRC screening among Hmong Americans.

METHODS

A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted among Hmong Americans in Sacramento, California. LHEs and recruited participants were randomized to intervention or control groups. The intervention group received CRC education over 3 months delivered by an LHE. The control group received education regarding nutrition and physical activity delivered by a health educator. The outcomes were changes in self‐reported ever‐screening and up‐to‐date CRC screening after 6 months.

RESULTS

All 329 participants were foreign‐born with mostly no formal education, limited English proficiency, and no employment. The majority of the participants were insured and had a regular source of health care. The intervention group experienced greater changes after the intervention than the control group for ever‐screening (P = .068) and being up‐to‐date with screening (P<.0001). In multivariable regression analyses, the intervention group demonstrated a greater increase than the control group in reporting ever‐screening (adjusted odds ratio, 1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.07‐2.79) and being up‐to‐date with screening (adjusted odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.26‐2.32). Individuals who had health insurance were found to have >4 times the odds of receiving screening, both ever‐screening and up‐to‐date screening. A higher CRC knowledge score mediated the intervention effect for both screening outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

A culturally and linguistically appropriate educational intervention delivered by trained LHEs was found to increase CRC screening in an immigrant population with low levels of education, employment, English proficiency, and literacy. Cancer 2017;98–106. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Detection of lymph node metastases in pediatric and adolescent/young adult sarcoma: Sentinel lymph node biopsy versus fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging—A prospective trial
Authors: Wagner Lars M. , Kremer Nathalie , Gelfand Michael J. , Sharp Susan E. , Turpin Brian K. , Nagarajan Rajaram , Tiao Gregory M. , Pressey Joseph G. , Yin Julie , Dasgupta Roshni
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND

Lymph node metastases are an important cause of treatment failure for pediatric and adolescent/young adult (AYA) sarcoma patients. Nodal sampling is recommended for certain sarcoma subtypes that have a predilection for lymphatic spread. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) may improve the diagnostic yield of nodal sampling, particularly when single‐photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT‐CT) is used to facilitate anatomic localization. Functional imaging with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET‐CT) is increasingly used for sarcoma staging and is a less invasive alternative to SLNB. To assess the utility of these 2 staging methods, this study prospectively compared SLNB plus SPECT‐CT with PET‐CT for the identification of nodal metastases in pediatric and AYA patients.

METHODS

Twenty‐eight pediatric and AYA sarcoma patients underwent SLNB with SPECT‐CT. The histological findings of the excised lymph nodes were then correlated with preoperative PET‐CT imaging.

RESULTS

A median of 2.4 sentinel nodes were sampled per patient. No wound infections or chronic lymphedema occurred. SLNB identified tumors in 7 of the 28 patients (25%), including 3 patients who had normal PET‐CT imaging of the nodal basin. In contrast, PET‐CT demonstrated hypermetabolic regional nodes in 14 patients, and this resulted in a positive predictive value of only 29%. The sensitivity and specificity of PET‐CT for detecting histologically confirmed nodal metastases were only 57% and 52%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

SLNB can safely guide the rational selection of nodes for biopsy in pediatric and AYA sarcoma patients and can identify therapy‐changing nodal disease not appreciated with PET‐CT. Cancer 2017;155–160. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Graphene/Sulfur Composites with a Foam‐Like Porous Architecture and Controllable Pore Size for High Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Deng Wei , Zhou Xufeng , Fang Qile , Liu Zhaoping
Published: August 2016

3D macroporous graphene foams are extensively used as sulfur supports for high‐performance lithium–sulfur batteries owing to their high electrical conductivity and porous structures. Herein, we investigate the electrochemical properties of foam‐like porous‐graphene‐supported sulfur with two distinctive pore sizes as a cathode material in lithium–sulfur batteries. The smaller pore size (∼500 nm) remarkably increases the electron pathways to facilitate fast electron transport and alleviate polarization of electrodes during charge–discharge processes, and relatively abundant graphene cages in porous graphene with smaller pore size spatially inhibit the shuttle of polysulfides into the electrolyte. Meanwhile, the high specific surface area and pore volume arising from small pores are beneficial for ultrathin sulfur layer deposition on the graphene surface, which effectively alleviates the formation of Li2S deposition composites and physically suppresses the dissolution of polysulfides. Consequently, the foam‐like graphene/sulfur composite cathode with small pore size and high sulfur content (65 wt %) displays higher specific capacity, better rate capability and cycling stability than those of the samples with larger pores. It can retain a high reversible capacity of 606.7 mAh g−1 after 300 charge–discharge cycles at 1C with 99.0 % Coulombic efficiency.
Titanium‐Carbide‐Decorated Carbon Nanofibers as Hybrid Electrodes for High Performance Li‐S Batteries
Authors: Zhou Fei , Song Lu‐Ting , Lu Lei‐Lei , Yao Hong‐Bin , Yu Shu‐Hong
Published: August 2016

Li‐S batteries are among the most promising candidates for the next generation of energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy densities and reasonable kinetics. However, the poor electronic conductivity of sulfur and the dissolution of lithium polysulfide intermediates lead to the low practical capacity and the fast capacity decay of sulfur cathode. Herein, we report a hybrid electrode design based on titanium carbide nanoparticles (TiC NPs) attached to carbon nanofibers (CNFs) to improve the sulfur cathode performance via the synergistic effect of the strong binding of TiC NPs and the high conductivity of CNFs. The TiC NPs‐CNFs hybrid electrode provides both a high electron transfer pathway and deposition active sites for sulfur species, and thus largely enhances the cycling stability and rate performance of the sulfur cathode. This hybrid electrode material will have a great potential application in future Li‐S batteries due to its facile preparation and high efficiency.
Genomewide Approach Validates Thiopurine Methyltransferase Activity Is a Monogenic Pharmacogenomic Trait
Authors: Liu C , Yang W , Pei D , Cheng C , Smith C , Landier W , Hageman L , Chen Y , Yang JJ , Crews KR , Kornegay N , Karol SE , Wong FL , Jeha S , Sandlund JT , Ribeiro RC , Rubnitz JE , Metzger ML , Pui C‐H , Evans WE , Bhatia S , Relling MV
Published: August 2016

We performed a genomewide association study (GWAS) of primary erythrocyte thiopurine S‐methyltransferase (TPMT) activity in children with leukemia (n = 1,026). Adjusting for age and ancestry, TPMT was the only gene that reached genomewide significance (top hit rs1142345 or 719A>G; P = 8.6 × 10‐61). Additional genetic variants (in addition to the three single‐nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs], rs1800462, rs1800460, and rs1142345, defining TPMT clinical genotype) did not significantly improve classification accuracy for TPMT phenotype. Clinical mercaptopurine tolerability in 839 patients was related to TPMT clinical genotype (P = 2.4 × 10‐11). Using 177 lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), there were 251 SNPs ranked higher than the top TPMT SNP (rs1142345; P = 6.8 × 10‐5), revealing a limitation of LCLs for pharmacogenomic discovery. In a GWAS, TPMT activity in patients behaves as a monogenic trait, further bolstering the utility of TPMT genetic testing in the clinic.
Rational Design of Zirconium‐doped Titania Photocatalysts with Synergistic Brønsted Acidity and Photoactivity
Authors: Ma Runyuan , Wang Liang , Zhang Bingsen , Yi Xianfeng , Zheng Anmin , Deng Feng , Yan Xuhua , Pan Shuxiang , Wei Xiao , Wang Kai‐Xue , Su Dang Sheng , Xiao Feng‐Shou
Published: August 2016

The preparation of photocatalysts with high activities under visible‐light illumination is challenging. We report the rational design and construction of a zirconium‐doped anatase catalyst (S‐Zr‐TiO2) with Brønsted acidity and photoactivity as an efficient catalyst for the degradation of phenol under visible light. Electron microscopy images demonstrate that the zirconium sites are uniformly distributed on the sub‐10 nm anatase crystals. UV‐visible spectrometry indicates that the S‐Zr‐TiO2 is a visible‐light‐responsive catalyst with narrower band gap than conventional anatase. Pyridine‐adsorption infrared and acetone‐adsorption 13C NMR spectra confirm the presence of Brønsted acidic sites on the S‐Zr‐TiO2 sample. Interestingly, the S‐Zr‐TiO2 catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity in the degradation of phenol under visible‐light illumination, owing to a synergistic effect of the Brønsted acidity and photoactivity. Importantly, the S‐Zr‐TiO2 shows good recyclability.
Decorating CoP and Pt Nanoparticles on Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets to Promote Overall Water Splitting by Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Pan Zhiming , Zheng Yun , Guo Fangsong , Niu Pingping , Wang Xinchen
Published: August 2016

The splitting of water into H2 and O2 using solar energy is one of the key steps in artificial photosynthesis for the future production of renewable energy. Here, we show the first use of CoP and Pt nanoparticles as dual co‐catalysts to modify graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) polymer to achieve overall water splitting under visible light irradiation. Our findings demonstrate that loading dual co‐catalysts on delaminated g‐C3N4 imparts surface redox sites on the g‐C3N4 nanosheets that can not only promote catalytic kinetics but also promote charge separation and migration in the soft interface, thus improving the photocatalytic efficiency for overall water splitting. This robust, abundant, and stable photocatalyst based on covalent organic frameworks is demonstrated to hold great promise by forming heterojunctions with CoP and Pt for catalyzing the direct splitting of water into stoichiometric H2 and O2 using energy from photons.
Improved Ambient‐Stable Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by a Hybrid Polymeric Electron‐Transporting Layer
Authors: Zhu Zonglong , Chueh Chu‐Chen , Zhang Guangye , Huang Fei , Yan He , Jen Alex K.‐Y.
Published: August 2016

In this work, an efficient inverted perovskite solar cell with decent ambient stability is successfully demonstrated by employing an n‐type polymer, poly{[N,N′‐bis(2‐octyldodecyl)‐1,4,5,8‐naphthalene diimide‐2,6‐diyl]‐alt‐5,5′‐(2,2′‐bithiophene)} (N2200), as the electron‐transporting layer (ETL). The device performance can be further enhanced from a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15 to 16.8 % by tailoring the electronic properties of N2200 with a polymeric additive, poly[9,9‐bis(6′‐(N,N‐diethylamino)propyl)‐fluorene‐alt‐9,9‐bis(3‐ethyl(oxetane‐3‐ethyloxy)‐hexyl) fluorene] (PFN‐Ox). More importantly, the device derived from this hybrid ETL can maintain good ambient stability inherent from the pristine N2200 ETL, for which 60–70 % of initial PCE can be retained after being stored in air with 10–20 % humidity for 45 days.
Utilization of ancillary studies in the cytologic diagnosis of respiratory lesions: The papanicolaou society of cytopathology consensus recommendations for respiratory cytology
Authors: Layfield Lester J. , Roy‐Chowdhuri Sinchita , Baloch Zubair , Ehya Hormoz , Geisinger Kim , Hsiao Susan J. , Lin Oscar , Lindeman Neal I. , Roh Michael , Schmitt Fernando , Sidiropoulos Nikoletta , VanderLaan Paul A.
Published: August 2016

The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology has developed a set of guidelines for respiratory cytology including indications for sputum examination, bronchial washings and brushings, CT‐guided FNA and endobronchial ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EBUS‐FNA), as well as recommendations for classification and criteria, ancillary testing and post‐cytologic diagnosis management and follow‐up. All recommendation documents are based on the expertise of committee members, an extensive literature review, and feedback from presentations at national and international conferences. The guideline documents selectively present the results of these discussions.

The present document summarizes recommendations for ancillary testing of cytologic samples. Ancillary testing including microbiologic, immunocytochemical, flow cytometric, and molecular testing, including next‐generation sequencing are discussed. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:1000–1009. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Giant cell‐rich osteosarcoma of the parotid gland: An exceptionally rare entity at an unusual site
Authors: Huang Eric C. , Ghazikhanian Varand , Qian Xiaohua
Published: August 2016

Giant cell‐rich osteosarcoma is a rare histologic variant of conventional osteosarcoma that affects mainly the extremities. Extraskeletal giant cell‐rich osteosarcoma is therefore exceedingly rare. Here, we report the first case of this uncommon tumor involving the parotid gland in a 62‐year‐old male who presented with initial right jaw swelling. Radiologic work‐up revealed a 6.2 cm mass involving the right parotid gland. Fine‐needle aspiration cytology showed numerous multinucleated giant cells in a background of dyshesive epithelioid cells and rare clusters of spindle stromal cells, suspicious for malignancy. The subsequent excisional biopsy showed histopathologic features diagnostic for giant cell‐rich osteosarcoma. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:1107–1111. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The proportion of impervious surfaces at the landscape scale structures wild bee assemblages in a densely populated region
Authors: Geslin Benoît , Le Féon Violette , Folschweiller Morgane , Flacher Floriane , Carmignac David , Motard Eric , Perret Samuel , Dajoz Isabelle
Published: August 2016

Given the predicted expansion of cities throughout the world, understanding the effect of urbanization on bee fauna is a major issue for the conservation of bees. The aim of this study was to understand how urbanization affects wild bee assemblages along a gradient of impervious surfaces and to determine the influence of landscape composition and floral resource availability on these assemblages. We chose 12 sites with a proportion of impervious surfaces (soil covered by parking, roads, and buildings) ranging from 0.06% to 64.31% within a 500 m radius. We collected using pan trapping and estimated the landscape composition of the sites within a 500 m radius and the species richness of plant assemblages within a 200 m radius. We collected 1104 bees from 74 species. The proportion of impervious surfaces at the landscape scale had a negative effect on wild bee abundance and species richness, whereas local flower composition had no effect. Ground‐nesting bees were particularly sensitive to the urbanization gradient. This study provides new evidences of the impact of urbanization on bee assemblages and the proportion of impervious surfaces at the landscape scale emerged as a key factor that drives those assemblages.
CD40L expression by CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells regulates antiviral immune responses in acute LCMV infection in mice
Authors: Durlanik Sibel , Loyal Lucie , Stark Regina , Sercan Alp Özen , Hartung Anett , Radbruch Andreas , von Herrath Matthias , Matzmohr Nadine , Frentsch Marco , Thiel Andreas
Published: August 2016

CD40‐CD40 ligand (CD40L) signaling plays multiple indispensable roles in cellular and humoral immunity. Impaired memory T‐cell responses in the absence of CD40L have been well documented, but the requirement of this interaction for efficient priming of CD8+ T cells especially under inflammatory conditions has been under debate. In contrast to previous publications, we report here that virus‐specific CD8+ T‐cell responses as well as viral clearance are affected not only in the memory but also in the effector phase in CD40L−/− mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) Armstrong strain. Interestingly, a considerable part of the LCMV‐specific effector and memory T cells consists of CD40L+ CD8+ T cells. However, deficiency of CD40L in CD8+ T cells did influence neither the quantity nor the quality of primary T‐cell responses in LCMV infection. Virus‐specific CD8+ T cells in conditional knockout mice, with a selective deletion of the CD40L in CD8+ T cells, were fully functional regarding cytokine production and efficient pathogen clearance. Thus, our results unambiguously demonstrate that while CD40L is critical to generate effective primary CD8+ T‐cell responses also under inflammatory conditions, CD40L expression by CD8+ T cells themselves is dispensable in acute LCMV infection.
Activation of CO2, CS2, and Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid Catalyzed by Iron(II) Hydride Complexes
Authors: Wang Lin , Sun Hongjian , Zuo Zhenyu , Li Xiaoyan , Xu Weiqin , Langer Robert , Fuhr Olaf , Fenske Dieter
Published: August 2016

Fluoroarylimine‐stabilized iron(II) hydrides were used for the activation of CO2. The resulting iron(II) formate complex 6, which was obtained by formal CO2 insertion into the Fe–H bond, turned out to be unstable in solution. CO was suitable for the formation of stable analogues of complex 6. From the three‐component reaction of CO, CO2, and iron hydride, a series of stable carbonyl formate iron(II) complexes 7–9 were generated. Iron(II) formate complex 6 could also be obtained from the reaction of the iron(II) hydride complex with formic acid. On the basis of this result, the dehydrogenation of formic acid catalyzed by iron(II) hydrides was explored. The reaction was monitored by in situ 1H NMR spectroscopy, and a possible mechanism was proposed. In addition, iron(II) hydrides also reacted with CS2 to generate thiocarboxy iron(II) complexes 12, 13, 14, and 16. Unexpected complex 17 was produced from the three‐component reaction of CS2, complex 4, and compound 15. The possible mechanism of the three‐component reaction was also studied by operando IR spectroscopy.
Synthesis and in vitro Toxicity of d‐Glucose and d‐Fructose Conjugated Curcumin–Ruthenium Complexes
Authors: Pröhl Michael , Bus Tanja , Czaplewska Justyna A. , Traeger Anja , Deicke Michael , Weiss Henning , Weigand Wolfgang , Schubert Ulrich S. , Gottschaldt Michael
Published: August 2016

A series of carbohydrate‐conjugated bis(demethoxy)curcumin (BDC) ligands were synthesized by using the Huisgen copper(I)‐catalyzed cycloaddition between azido‐functionalized d‐glucose and d‐fructose as well as propargyl‐modified BDC. The unprotected sugar ligands were treated with Ru(bpy)2Cl2 to form curcumin‐conjugated Ru complexes of general formula Ru(bpy)2(L)Cl. The ligands as well as Ru complexes were analyzed by NMR, IR, UV/Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry as well as by elemental analysis (EA). Incubation of L929, HepG2 and the breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB‐231 revealed lower cytotoxicity of all carbohydrate‐conjugated ligands compared with BDC. The Ru complexes exhibited higher cytotoxicity than the parent ligands, in particular against HepG2 cells, whereas the noncancerous L929 cell line remained unaffected. Unexpectedly, the d‐fructose‐conjugated ligand and its corresponding Ru complex did not show any significant toxicity against MDA‐MB‐231 cells.
Syntheses of Sterically Bulky Schiff‐Base Magnesium Complexes and Their Application in the Hydrosilylation of Ketones
Authors: Ma Mengtao , Shen Xingchao , Wang Weifan , Li Jia , Yao Weiwei , Zhu Lijun
Published: August 2016

The sterically bulky Schiff‐base ligand 1 (L1H) was treated with CH3MgI in toluene to give the unexpected homoleptic magnesium complex 2 (L1MgL1) in good yield. However, the reaction of sterically more bulky ligand 3 (L2H) with CH3MgI in diethyl ether yielded the desired heteroleptic magnesium iodide 4 [L2MgI(OEt2)], which was further reduced with sodium to produce the Mg–Na heterodimetallic complex 5. The crystal structures of all new magnesium complexes were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. All new magnesium complexes have been investigated as catalysts for the hydrosilylation of ketones with (EtO)3SiH. The study showed that catalytic activity of the Mg–Na dimetallic complex 5 is superior to those of monometallic magnesium complexes 2 and 4 and is applicable to a series of subatrates.
Tandem Silver‐Catalyzed Cyclization/Nucleophilic Functionalization of 2‐Alkynylindole‐3‐carbaldehyde Oximes to Afford New 2,4‐Disubstituted γ‐Carbolines
Authors: Rodrigues Nuno , Boiaryna Liliana , Vercouillie Johnny , Guilloteau Denis , Suzenet Franck , Buron Frederic , Routier Sylvain
Published: August 2016

Highly substituted pyrido[4,3‐b]indole derivatives were synthesized through a straightforward one‐pot silver‐catalyzed process involving 2‐alkynylindole‐3‐carbaldehyde oximes. The tandem cyclization/nucleophilic addition sequence was optimized and applied to a wide range of nucleophiles, which reacted regioselectively at the pyrido[4,3‐b]indole C4 position. The scope and limitations of the methodology were evaluated and the final compounds were obtained in fair to very good yields. This versatile method proved to be compatible with various chemical functionalities or (hetero)cycles.
A Divergent Synthesis of l‐arabino‐ and d‐xylo‐Configured Cyclophellitol Epoxides and Aziridines
Authors: Schröder Sybrin P. , Petracca Rita , Minnee Hugo , Artola Marta , Aerts Johannes M. F. G. , Codée Jeroen D. C. , van der Marel Gijsbert A. , Overkleeft Herman S.
Published: August 2016

A divergent synthesis to eight d‐xylo‐ and l‐arabino‐cyclophellitol and cyclophellitol aziridine derivatives is described. The syntheses start from d‐xylose and feature asymmetric allylation followed by ring‐closing metathesis as key steps. Reaction of the cyclohexenes with methyl(trifluoromethyl)dioxirane yielded the title epoxides. The aziridines were prepared either from the epimeric epoxides or by direct aziridination of the cyclohexenes. Finally, beta‐xylosylation of 2,3‐di‐O‐benzyl‐xylo‐cyclophellitol yielded the corresponding cyclitol epoxide disaccharide, thereby expanding the utility of our strategy to the synthesis of potential endoglycosidase inhibitors.
Expectation influences the interruptive function of pain: Behavioural and neural findings
Authors: Sinke C. , Schmidt K. , Forkmann K. , Bingel U.
Published: August 2016

Background

Expectations can dramatically influence the perception of pain, as has been shown in placebo analgesia or nocebo hyperalgesia. Here, we investigated the role of expectation on the interruptive function of pain – the negative consequences of pain on cognitive task performance – in 42 healthy human subjects.

Methods

Verbal and written instructions were used to manipulate the subjects’ expectation of how pain would influence their task performance in an established visual categorization task which was performed with or without concomitant painful thermal stimulation during 3T fMRI scanning. The categorization task was followed by a surprise recognition task.

Results

We observed a significant interaction between stimulation (pain/no pain) and expectancy (positive expectation/negative expectation): categorization accuracy decreased during painful stimulation in the negative expectancy group (N = 21), while no difference was observed in the positive expectancy group (N = 21). On the neural level, the positive expectancy group showed stronger activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and hippocampus during painful stimulation compared to the negative group. Moreover, we detected a decrease in connectivity between ACC and fusiform gyrus during painful stimulation in the negative expectancy group, which was absent in the positive expectancy group.

Conclusion

Taken together, our data show that expectation can modulate the effect of pain on task performance and that these expectancy effects on the interruptive function of pain are mediated by activity and connectivity changes in brain areas involved in pain processing and task performance. The possibility of changing cognitive task performance by verbal information in clinical population warrants further investigation.

Significance

We show that the interruptive function of pain on concurrent visual task performance is influenced by expectation. Positive expectation can abolish the detrimental effects of pain on cognition. These expectancy effects on the interruptive function of pain are mediated by changes in functional connectivity between rostral ACC, posterior fusiform cortex and the hippocampus.