bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin expression in HPV‐negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: García‐Pedrero Juana M. , García‐Cabo Patricia , Ángeles Villaronga M. , Hermida‐Prado Francisco , Granda‐Díaz Rocío , Allonca Eva , Rodrigo Juan P.
Published: August 2017

Background

The purpose of this work was to investigate the prognostic significance of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin expression in surgically treated human papillomavirus (HPV)‐negative patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods

Consecutive patients with oropharyngeal SCC who underwent surgical treatment between 1990 and 2009 were retrospectively collected. Immunohistochemical analysis of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin expression was performed on tissue microarrays.

Results

E‐cadherin and β‐catenin expression was evaluable in 232 cases. Low membranous E‐cadherin, low membranous β‐catenin expression, and nuclear β‐catenin expression were associated with a poorer disease‐specific and overall survival, although the differences were only significant for β‐catenin membranous expression (P = .024 and P = .016, respectively). In multivariate analysis, nodal metastasis and low membranous β‐catenin expression were significant independent predictors of reduced disease‐specific and overall survival.

Conclusion

Low membranous β‐catenin expression is a significant independent predictor of both reduced disease‐specific and overall survival in patients with HPV‐negative oropharyngeal SCC.
Survival following hospitalization with hepatocellular carcinoma among people notified with hepatitis B or C virus in Australia (2000‐2014)
Authors: Waziry Reem , Grebely Jason , Amin Janaki , Alavi Maryam , Hajarizadeh Behzad , George Jacob , Matthews Gail V. , Law Matthew , Dore Gregory J.
Published: August 2017

We assessed trends in HCC survival in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in New South Wales, Australia. Data on HBV (n = 54,399) and HCV (n = 96,908) notifications (1993‐2012) were linked to a hospitalization database (July 2000‐June 2014), the New South Wales Cancer Registry, and the New South Wales Death Registry. A total of 725 (1.3%) first HBV‐hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 1,309 (1.4%) first HCV‐HCC hospitalizations were included. Death occurred in 60.4% of HBV‐HCC and 69.6% of HCV‐HCC patients. Median survival following first HBV‐HCC hospitalization improved from 0.6 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39‐1.28) in 2000‐2004 to 2.8 years (1.54‐5.54) in 2010‐2014. Median survival following first HCV‐HCC hospitalization was 0.8 years (0.45‐1.33) in 2000‐2004 and 0.9 (0.67‐1.18) in 2010‐2014. One‐year HBV‐HCC survival in 2010‐2014 compared to 2000‐2004 improved for those with (94% versus 81%) and without (42% versus 33%) potentially curative procedures (liver resection, liver transplantation, and radiofrequency ablation). Factors associated with improved survival following HBV‐HCC were later study period (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.57‐0.97) and potentially curative procedures (liver resection, liver transplantation, and radiofrequency ablation) (HR = 0.23; 95% CI, 0.17‐0.29), while male gender (HR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.03‐1.82), human immunodeficiency virus coinfection (HR = 3.06; 95% CI, 1.36‐6.88), and Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥3 (HR = 1.81; 95% CI, 1.35‐2.40) were associated with reduced survival. Factors associated with improved survival following HCC‐HCV were Asia‐Pacific country of birth (HR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.55‐0.84) and potentially curative procedures (HR = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.17‐0.25), while age (HR = 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.02), rural place of residence (HR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.22‐1.74), and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection (HR = 2.71; 95% CI, 1.19‐6.15) were associated with reduced survival. Conclusion: All‐cause survival following HBV‐HCC has improved considerably, suggesting an impact of more effective antiviral therapy and earlier HCC diagnosis; in contrast, all‐cause survival for HCV‐HCC is unchanged. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:736–747)
A computer‐aided approach for meningioma brain tumor detection using CANFIS classifier
Authors: Kathirvel R. , Batri K.
Published: August 2017

Abnormal growth of cells in brain leads to the formation of tumors in brain. The earlier detection of the tumors in brain will save the life of the patients. Hence, this article proposes a computer‐aided fully automatic methodology for brain tumor detection using Co‐Active Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (CANFIS) classifier. The internal region of the brain image is enhanced using image normalization technique and further contourlet transform is applied on the enhanced brain image for the decomposition with different scales. The grey level and heuristic features are extracted from the decomposed coefficients and these features are trained and classified using CANFIS classifier. The performance of the proposed brain tumor detection is analyzed in terms of classification accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and segmentation accuracy.
Performance analysis of computer aided brain tumor detection system using ANFIS classifier
Authors: Rufus N. Herald Anantha , Selvathi D.
Published: August 2017

The abrupt changes in brain cells due to the environmental effects or genetic disorders leads to form the abnormal lesions in brain. These abnormal lesions are combined as mass and known as tumor. The detection of these tumor cells in brain image is a complex task due to the similarities between normal cells and tumor cells. In this paper, an automated brain tumor detection and segmentation methodology is proposed. The proposed method consists of feature extraction, classification and segmentation. In this paper, Grey Level Co‐Occurrence Matrix (GLCM), Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Law's texture features are used as features. These features are fed to Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) classifier as input pattern, which classifies the brain image. Morphological operations are now applied on the classified abnormal brain image to segment the tumor regions. The proposed system achieves 95.07% of sensitivity, 99.84% of specificity and 99.80% of accuracy for tumor segmentation.
CAREGIVER–CHILD INTERACTION, CAREGIVER TRANSITIONS, AND GROUP SIZE AS MEDIATORS BETWEEN INTERVENTION CONDITION AND ATTACHMENT AND PHYSICAL GROWTH OUTCOMES IN INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILDREN
Authors: Warner Hilary A. , McCall Robert B. , Groark Christina J. , Kim Kevin H. , Muhamedrahimov Rifkat J. , Palmov Oleg I. , Nikiforova Natalia V.
Published: August 2017

This report describes a secondary analysis of data from a comprehensive intervention project which included training and structural changes in three Baby Homes in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. Multiple mediator models were tested according to the R.M. Baron and D.A. Kenny () causal‐steps approach to examine whether caregiver–child interaction quality, number of caregiver transitions, and group size mediated the effects of the intervention on children's attachment behaviors and physical growth. The study utilized a subsample of 163 children from the original Russian Baby Home project, who were between 11 and 19 months at the time of assessment. Results from comparisons of the training and structural changes versus no intervention conditions are presented. Caregiver–child interaction quality and number of caregiver transitions fully mediated the association between intervention condition and attachment behavior. No other mediation was found. Results suggest that the quality of interaction between caregivers and children in institutional care is of primary importance to children's development, but relationship context may play a less direct mediational role, supporting caregiver–child interactions.
Regioselective Mono‐aza‐Michael Additions of Divinyl Ketones with Benzotriazole and Other N‐Heterocycles
Authors: Li Zheng , Li Jiasheng , Fu Rugang , Xie Demeng , Song Geyang , Song Wenli , Yang Jingya
Published: August 2017

The mono‐aza‐Michael additions of divinyl ketones with benzotriazole and other N‐heterocycles in the presence of cesium carbonate were described. This protocol has advantages of high regioselectivity, high yield, and mild condition.
Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted imaging in assessing bladder cancer invasiveness and cell proliferation
Authors: Wang Fang , Wu Lian‐Ming , Hua Xiao‐Lan , Zhao Zi‐Zhou , Chen Xiao‐Xi , Xu Jian‐Rong
Published: August 2017

Background

Nonmuscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC, Stage T1 or lower) is treated with transurethral resection (TUR), while muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC, Stage T2 or more) requires neoadjuvant chemotherapy before radical cystectomy. Hence, preoperative differentiation is vital.

Purpose

To investigate whether intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) can differentiate NMIBC from MIBC and to assess whether there were correlations between IVIM parameters and the Ki‐67 labeling index (LI).

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

Thirty‐six patients diagnosed with bladder cancer confirmed by histopathological findings.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) DWI with eight b‐values ranging from 0 to 1000 s/mm2.

Assessment

Molecular diffusion coefficient (D), perfusion‐related diffusion coefficient (D*), perfusion fraction (f), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were calculated by biexponential and monoexponential models fits, respectively.

Statistical Tests

Comparisons were made between the MIBC and NMIBC group, and differences were analyzed by comparing the areas under the receiver‐operating characteristic curves (AUCs). The correlations between these parameters and Ki‐67 LI were assessed by Spearman's rank correlation analysis.

Results

The ADC and D value were significantly lower in patients with MIBC compared to those with NMIBC (P < 0.01). No significant (P > 0.05) differences were observed in D* and f. The AUC of D value (0.894) was significantly (P < 0.05) larger than the ADC value (0.786), with sensitivities and specificities of 95% and 87.5% (D) and 80% and 68.7% (ADC), respectively. In addition, the D and ADC values were significantly correlated with Ki‐67 LI (r = –0.785, r = –0.643, respectively; both P < 0.01).

Data Conclusion

The D value obtained from IVIM exhibited better performance than conventional DWI for distinguishing NMIBC from MIBC and may serve as a potential imaging biomarker for bladder cancer invasion.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1054–1060.
Deep gray matter iron measurement in patients with liver cirrhosis using quantitative susceptibility mapping: Relationship with pallidal T1 hyperintensity
Authors: Lee Song , Nam Yoonho , Jang Jinhee , Na Gun Hyung , Kim Dong Goo , Shin Na‐Young , Choi Hyun Seok , Jung So‐Lyung , Ahn Kook‐Jin , Kim Bum‐soo
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

The liver is a central organ for the metabolism of iron and manganese and the places where those metals are commonly deposited overlap in the brain.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS

To elucidate the relationship between pallidal T1 hyperintensity and iron deposition in the deep gray matter of liver cirrhosis patients using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective case–control study

SUBJECTS: In all, 38 consecutive liver cirrhosis patients who received brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as pretransplant evaluation.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

QSM was reconstructed from 3D multi‐ or single‐echo phase images at 3T. T1‐weighted images were used for the assessment of pallidal hyperintensity and pallidal index (PI).

ASSESSMENT

Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of pallidal hyperintensity by consensus of two radiologists. Susceptibility values were acquired for five deep gray matter structures.

STATISTICAL TEST

QSM measures were compared between two groups using the t‐test. We also calculated Pearson correlations between QSM measures and PI.

RESULTS

In all, 26 patients showed pallidal hyperintensity (T1h group) and 12 did not (T1n group). The susceptibility of the globus pallidus (GP) in the T1h group (120.6 ± 38.1 ppb) was significantly lower than that in the T1n group (150.0 ± 35.2, P = 0.030). The susceptibility of the dentate nucleus (DN) in the T1h group (88.1 ± 31.0) was significantly lower than that in the T1n group (125.6 ± 30.6, P = 0.001). Negative correlation between the susceptibility of GP (r = –0.37, P = 0.022) and the PI, and between DN (r = –0.43, P < 0.001) and the PI was found.

DATA CONCLUSION

Liver cirrhosis patients with pallidal T1 hyperintensity had lower susceptibility values in the GP and DN than those without it. This suggests a possible interaction between iron and manganese in the brains of liver cirrhosis patients.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1342–1349.
Varus knee osteoarthritis: Elevated synovial CD15 counts correlate with inferior biomechanical properties of lateral‐compartment cartilage
Authors: Koller Ulrich , Waldstein Wenzel , Krenn Veit , Windhager Reinhard , Boettner Friedrich
Published: August 2017

The study analyzed the influence of synovitis on the histological and biomechanical properties of lateral‐compartment cartilage. In a prospective cohort study, 84 patients (100 knees) with varus deformity of the knee were included. Osteochondral samples from the distal lateral femur underwent biomechanical and histologic analysis. Synovial tissue was sampled for histological (chronic synovitis score) and immunohistochemical evaluation of the degree of synovitis. CD15 (neutrophils), Ki‐67 (dividing cells), and CD68 (macrophages) were tested in all synovial samples. While the histological synovitis score did not correlate with the degree of cartilage degeneration (histological OARSI grades), both CD15 (rs = 0.297, p = 0.006) and Ki‐67 (rs = 0.249, p = 0.023) correlated with histological OARSI grades. There was a weak negative correlation of CD15 with biomechanical properties of cartilage of the distal lateral femur (aggregate modulus (Ha): rs = −0.125; p = 0.257; dynamic modulus (DM): rs = −0.216; p = 0.048). No correlations were observed for Ki‐67 and CD68. In addition, biomechanical properties were inferior in knees with a CD15 of >8/high power field compared to knees with a CD15 of ≤8/high power field (Ha: p = 0.031, d = 0.46; DM: p = 0.005, d = 0.68). The study demonstrates an association of increased inflammatory activity with advanced cartilage degeneration. Lateral‐compartment cartilage in knees with elevated synovial CD15 counts has a reduced ability to withstand compressive loads. CD15 might serve as an indicator for inferior biomechanical cartilage properties. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:841–846, 2018.
Characteristics and functionality of appetite‐reducing thylakoid powders produced by three different drying processes
Authors: Östbring Karolina , Sjöholm Ingegerd , Sörenson Henrietta , Ekholm Andrej , Erlanson‐Albertsson Charlotte , Rayner Marilyn
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

Thylakoids, a chloroplast membrane extracted from green leaves, are a promising functional ingredient with appetite‐reducing properties via their lipase‐inhibiting effect. Thylakoids in powder form have been evaluated in animal and human models, but no comprehensive study has been conducted on powder characteristics. The aim was to investigate the effects of different isolation methods and drying techniques (drum‐drying, spray‐drying, freeze‐drying) on thylakoids' physicochemical and functional properties.

RESULTS

Freeze‐drying yielded thylakoid powders with the highest lipase‐inhibiting capacity. We hypothesize that the specific macromolecular structures involved in lipase inhibition were degraded to different degrees by exposure to heat during spray‐drying and drum‐drying. We identified lightness (Hunter's L‐value), greenness (Hunter's a‐value), chlorophyll content and emulsifying capacity to be correlated to lipase‐inhibiting capacity. Thus, to optimize the thylakoids functional properties, the internal membrane structure indicated by retained green colour should be preserved. This opens possibilities to use chlorophyll content as a marker for thylakoid functionality in screening processes during process optimization.

CONCLUSION

Thylakoids are heat sensitive, and a mild drying technique should be used in industrial production. Strong links between physicochemical parameters and lipase inhibition capacity were found that can be used to predict functionality. The approach from this study can be applied towards production of standardized high‐quality functional food ingredients. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
A flow‐through column electrolytic cell for supercritical fluid chromatography*
Authors: Yamamoto Kazuhiro , Ueki Tatsuya , Higuchi Naoyuki , Takahashi Kouji , Kotani Akira , Hakamata Hideki
Published: August 2017

A novel flow‐through column electrolytic cell was proposed as a detector to obtain current signals for supercritical fluid chromatography. The electrochemical cell consisted of two electrodes and its holder, and a working and a counter electrode were fabricated from 192 carbon strings, which were composed of 400 carbon fibers of 10 μm in diameter filled into a heat‐shrinkable tube. These electrodes were placed in the center of a holder made from polyether ether ketone blocks and they were separated by polytetrafluoroethylene membrane filters. To evaluate the sensitivity of this cell, a standard solution of ferrocene was injected into the supercritical fluid chromatography system connected to the electrolytic cell. The ferrocene was eluted through a silica gel column using a mixture of a mobile phase of supercritical CO2 and a modifier of methanol containing ammonium acetate. The current peak area of ferrocene correlated to the ferrocene concentration in the range of 10–400 μmol/L (r = 0.999). Moreover, the limit of detection on the column estimated from a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 was 9.8  × 10−13 mol.
The stochastic resonance algorithm with the direct current signal as external force and its application to the detection of weak chromatographic peaks
Authors: Li Rui , Xiang Bingren , Deng Haishan , Xie Shaofei
Published: August 2017

As a potential tool for amplifying weak chromatographic peaks, the stochastic resonance algorithm was developed based upon a counterintuitive physical phenomenon. Therefore, the essential step, parameter optimization, was perplexing and difficult for analysts. In order to avoid optimizing the system parameters on a case‐by‐case basis, an improved algorithm was proposed by introducing a constant or direct current signal into the signal to be measured as the external force. The weak chromatographic peak can be amplified and detected by the new algorithm using the same set of parameters. Two sets of our previous experimental data were reanalyzed by using the developed algorithm and the results were satisfactory. A generalized solution was expected to come into being on account of the new algorithm.
Responsiveness and Morphology Study of Dual Stimuli‐Controlled Supramolecular Polymer
Authors: Xiong Chenxiao , Xie Meiran , Sun Ruyi
Published: August 2017

The synthesis and characterization of a linear supramolecular polymer formed by dual host–guest recognitions is presented. The polymer linked by the orthogonal interactions of azobenzene with β‐cyclodextrin and methyl viologen with sulfonatocalix[4]arene is constructed, and the morphology change along with the formation and vanishment of host–guest interaction is investigated. The reversible disassembly–reassembly of the polymer induced by light and the redox process are monitored by UV–vis and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. The interesting morphology differences between the monomer guest (G), supramolecular polymer (P), and light dissembled product pseudorotaxane (D1) are observed and analyzed. G conducts self‐assembly into a short rod with average width of 83 nm due to the molecular amphipathy and π–π interaction between naphthalene nucleuses, while P exhibits 20 nm wide line morphology. Irradiating P with 365 nm light, the corresponding aggregation D1 shows as 35 nm wide short rod.
Development of Low‐Shrinkage Polymers by Using Expanding Monomers
Authors: Acosta Ortiz Ricardo , Savage Gomez Amy Grace , García Valdez Aída E. , Aguirre Flores Rafael , Sangermano Marco
Published: August 2017

This review reports advances in research related to the development of novel spiroorthocarbonates and the study of their performance in reducing or eliminating the shrinkage observed in the polymerization of epoxy and acrylic monomers.
Chemical States of Plasma Polypyrrole Coatings on Stainless Steel Stents
Authors: Gómez Lidia M. , Olayo Maria Guadalupe , González‐Torres Maribel , González‐Salgado Francisco , Basurto Rafael , Cruz Guillermo J.
Published: August 2017

Polypyrrole synthesized and doped with iodine by plasma was used to cover stainless steel stents in order to reduce the contact of blood with the metallic surfaces in the circulatory system. This study was directed to identify the chemical states in the first 95 nm depth of the polymeric coatings using XPS with Ar erosion. The results showed that the coatings have percentages of chemical states of pyrrole that did and others that did not participate in the polymerization. Oxidation was found along the depth profile of the coatings and not only on the surface, which suggests atmospheric oxidation and the formation of oxygen bridges due to the sensitization step applied previously to the polymerization, that could improve the adhesion with the metallic surfaces. The interaction of iodine with the polymer was also identified in the polymers. In general, the coatings have functional groups that are typically found in compatible polypyrroles.
Carbonization, Hydrogenation, Oxidation and Electromagnetic Absorption of TiOx‐Pyrrole Compounds
Authors: González‐Salgado Francisco , Olayo Maria Guadalupe , García‐Rosales Genoveva , Gómez Lidia M. , González‐Torres Maribel , Basurto Rafael , Cruz Guillermo J.
Published: August 2017

This work presents a morphologic, structural and electromagnetic absorption study in plasma‐synthesized organometallic hybrid compounds based on titanium oxide and pyrrole, which could potentially be used as photoconductive materials in solar cells. The synthesis was carried out with the combination in liquid phase of titanium tetra isopropoxide and pyrrole with 1:1 mass ratio in a glass vacuum tubular reactor with resistive electric discharges and reaction intervals from 60 to 240 min. Films and particles were formed with mean particle diameter of 438 nm. The hybrid compounds presented functional groups with multiple bonds related with pyrrole and TiOx structures. Organic and inorganic phases were detected in the hybrid matrices in which carbonization, hydrogenation, oxidation and nitridation were quantified which suggested strong dehydrogenation and the formation of multiple bonds in the plasma reactions. The compounds absorbed electromagnetic radiation in two regions with different intensity. The first and most intense one was between 190 and 350 nm wavelength, the second one was identified from 350 to 800 nm, this effect suggests that the titanium oxide is the dominant fraction in the first region and pyrrole in the second.
Solution Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate in an Ionic Liquid Employing Cyclic Multifunctional Initiators
Authors: Delgado Rodríguez Karla , Acuña Pablo , Enríquez‐Medrano Francisco J. , Barreto Gastón P. , Morales Graciela
Published: August 2017

1‐Butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]) was used as a solvent during the methyl methacrylate polymerization, in a temperature range of 110 to 130°C, employing two multifunctional cyclic peroxides as initiators, the pinacolone diperoxide and the diethylketone triperoxide, and results were compared with those obtained in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) as a solvent under the same reaction conditions. The polymerization rate was approximately four times faster in [BMIM][BF4] than in DMF, and this behavior is supported by the higher decomposition rate constants calculated for both initiators in pure ionic liquid in comparison with those calculated in DMF. The average molecular weights values were nearly three times lower in DMF than in the ionic liquid, and this is explained by the reduction in the propagation activation energy in the presence of the ionic liquid.
Chemical Interaction of Dapsone Absorbed in Polyallylamine
Authors: Gonzalez‐Torres Maribel , Cruz Guillermo J. , Gomez Lidia M. , Gonzalez‐Salgado Francisco , Basurto Rafael , Olayo Maria Guadalupe.
Published: August 2017

A study on the absorption, chemical interaction and release of dapsone (Dp) in iodine doped polyallylamine (PAl/I) is presented in this work. Dp and PAl/I are being studied as implants in the central nervous system with severe injuries to reduce secondary destruction of healthy tissue. The absorption was performed by immersion of Dp in ethanol with a 10:1 (PAl/I:Dp) mass ratio, supported by a previous PAl/I lyophilization. Morphology and chemical structures were studied before and after adding the drug to the polymer in which Dp covered most of the surface. Once in contact, Dp and PAl/I had enough physicochemical interaction to lose their highest oxidized or resonant chemical states with the respective creation of other reduced configurations. Dp release was tested in Krebs‐Ringer solutions obtaining two mechanisms, one rapid in the first 5 min and another much slower after that, which apparently depends on the Dp solution saturation.
The Solidification Rheology of Amorphous Polymers − Vitrification as Compared to Gelation
Authors: Winter Henning H.
Published: August 2017

The liquid‐to‐solid transition of polymeric materials results from the growth of a heterogeneous, percolating internal structure. The increased connectivity reduces the mobility of internal constituents and dominates the macroscopic rheological properties, which often appear to be very similar for gelation and vitrification. An example near the liquid‐to‐solid transition is the diverging shear viscosity, which is accompanied by high elasticity and a diverging relaxation time (critical slow down). Gelation and vitrification are hard to distinguish in this way. A distinctive difference, however, was found in the distribution of relaxation modes. Short relaxation modes dominate gelation since most internal constituents maintain their high mobility while, in comparison, the percolating structure is too weak to significantly contribute to the macroscopic behavior. The opposite is found for vitrification, which originates from large, cooperatively‐moving regions which finally connect into a percolating structure at the glass transition. As a consequence, the long relaxation modes dominate the approach of the glass transition. Surprisingly, the relaxation time spectrum adopts the same format for both phenomena near the transition, except that the relaxation exponent, n, is negative for gelation and positive for vitrification. Mathematically, one is the inverse of the other. The spectrum is cut off by the diverging longest relaxation time. Examples will be shown for these phenomena.
Formation, Stability and Cytotoxicity of Precursor Microemulsions to Prepare Core‐Shell Polymeric Nanoparticles for Pharmaceutical Applications
Authors: Peralta‐Rodríguez René D. , Flores‐Villaseñor Sergio E. , Ramirez‐Contreras Jorge C. , de Araujo Daniele Ribeiro , Rodrigues Tiago
Published: August 2017

The preparation of biocompatible normal (oil‐in‐water, o/w) microemulsions (ME) with different oil phases (peppermint oil, trans‐anethole, vitamin E, jojoba oil) and stabilized with d‐α polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS‐1000) and isobutanol (iso‐BuOH) is presented. Results of average particle diameter determination, Dp, indicated 6.35 ≤ Dp ≤ 10.24 nm. These ME showed excellent colloidal stability (−40 and +40 °C) and, without any drug loaded, decreased dramatically the viability of leukemia cells (K562), 60–90 %, in 24 hours. Besides, this behavior was potentiated when paclitaxel (PTX, an anticancer drug) was loaded in the transanethole microemulsion, where the cell viability decreased until 2 % at 0.5 μg/mL of PTX. These MEs are precursors to synthetize polymeric nanocapsules when coated with a thermo or pH – sensible polymer with potential for cancer treatment.
Aveiro method in reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces under complete dictionary
Authors: Mai Weixiong , Qian Tao
Published: August 2017

Aveiro method is a sparse representation method in reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces, which gives orthogonal projections in linear combinations of reproducing kernels over uniqueness sets. It, however, suffers from determination of uniqueness sets in the underlying reproducing kernel Hilbert space. In fact, in general spaces, uniqueness sets are not easy to be identified, let alone the convergence speed aspect with Aveiro method. To avoid those difficulties, we propose an new Aveiro method based on a dictionary and the matching pursuit idea. What we do, in fact, are more: The new Aveiro method will be in relation to the recently proposed, the so‐called pre‐orthogonal greedy algorithm involving completion of a given dictionary. The new method is called Aveiro method under complete dictionary. The complete dictionary consists of all directional derivatives of the underlying reproducing kernels. We show that, under the boundary vanishing condition bring available for the classical Hardy and Paley‐Wiener spaces, the complete dictionary enables an efficient expansion of any given element in the Hilbert space. The proposed method reveals new and advanced aspects in both the Aveiro method and the greedy algorithm.
Construction of a new family of Bernstein‐Kantorovich operators
Authors: Mohiuddine S. A. , Acar Tuncer , Alotaibi Abdullah
Published: August 2017

In the present paper, we construct a new sequence of Bernstein‐Kantorovich operators depending on a parameter α. The uniform convergence of the operators and rate of convergence in local and global sense in terms of first‐ and second‐order modulus of continuity are studied. Some graphs and numerical results presenting the advantages of our construction are obtained. The last section is devoted to bivariate generalization of Bernstein‐Kantorovich operators and their approximation behaviors.
A method for data‐driven exploration to pinpoint key features in medical data and facilitate expert review
Authors: Juhlin Kristina , Star Kristina , Norén G. Niklas
Published: August 2017

Purpose

To develop a method for data‐driven exploration in pharmacovigilance and illustrate its use by identifying the key features of individual case safety reports related to medication errors.

Methods

We propose vigiPoint, a method that contrasts the relative frequency of covariate values in a data subset of interest to those within one or more comparators, utilizing odds ratios with adaptive statistical shrinkage. Nested analyses identify higher order patterns, and permutation analysis is employed to protect against chance findings. For illustration, a total of 164 000 adverse event reports related to medication errors were characterized and contrasted to the other 7 833 000 reports in VigiBase, the WHO global database of individual case safety reports, as of May 2013. The initial scope included 2000 features, such as patient age groups, reporter qualifications, and countries of origin.

Results

vigiPoint highlighted 109 key features of medication error reports. The most prominent were that the vast majority of medication error reports were from the United States (89% compared with 49% for other reports in VigiBase); that the majority of reports were sent by consumers (53% vs 17% for other reports); that pharmacists (12% vs 5.3%) and lawyers (2.9% vs 1.5%) were overrepresented; and that there were more medication error reports than expected for patients aged 2‐11 years (10% vs 5.7%), particularly in Germany (16%).

Conclusions

vigiPoint effectively identified key features of medication error reports in VigiBase. More generally, it reduces lead times for analysis and ensures reproducibility and transparency. An important next step is to evaluate its use in other data.
Growth Mechanism and Optical Properties of Phosphorus‐Doped ZnO Nanorods Synthesized by Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Wang Dongbo , Jiao Shujie , Zhang Si , Li Haili , Gao Shiyong , Wang Jinzhong , Ren Jinxian , Yu Qing J. , Zhang Yong
Published: August 2017

Phosphorus‐doped ZnO nanorods were successfully prepared by hydrothermal method using ammonium dihydrogen phosphate as the dopant source. The effects of different Zn sources, zinc nitrate concentration, reaction duration, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate concentration, and annealing temperature on the morphologies and phosphorus content of ZnO nanorods were investigated. The doping mechanism of phosphorus‐doped ZnO nanorods has been discussed. Detailed photoluminescence studies of phosphorus‐doped ZnO revealed characteristic phosphorus acceptor‐related peaks: neutral acceptor‐bound exciton emission at 3.347 eV, and donor‐to‐acceptor pair emission at 3.232 eV, free‐electron to neutral‐acceptor emission at 3.312 eV. This means that stable acceptor levels with a binding energy of about 126 meV were formed by phosphorus doping.
(N‐doped) Carbon Nanotube Nanostructuring of the Hole Transport Electrode for Reduced Space‐Charge Accumulation in Polymer‐Fullerene Solar Cells
Authors: Bepete George , Khan Laila , Chiguvare Zivayi , Coville Neil J.
Published: August 2017

Here, it is shown that by placing a thin film of N‐CNTs on top of the transparent ITO hole collecting electrode of a polymer solar cell, the short circuit current density and efficiency are enhanced by 25 and 50%, respectively, and the usual efficiency losses in polymer solar cells as a function of incident light illumination intensity are significantly reduced. Nanostructuring the anode improves the mobility and collection of holes toward the anode, and as a result reduces space‐charge accumulation in the polymer solar cell.
Growth of Au Nanoparticles in NiO via Short Annealing of Precursor Material Thin Film and Optimization of Plasmonics
Authors: Grammatikopoulos Spyridon , Stamatelatos Alkeos , Delimitis Andreas , Sousanis Andreas , Chrisanthopoulou Athanasia , Trachylis Dimitrios , Politis Constantin , Poulopoulos Panagiotis
Published: August 2017

Au‐Ni‐O thin films are produced by co‐deposition of Au and Ni in a simple sputter coater with a base pressure of 2.5 × 10−2 mbar. The as‐deposited material is comprised of a mixture of tiny grains of crystalline gold, metallic hexagonal nickel and nickel oxide. Part of the material is still amorphous. Post‐deposition annealing at 530 °C in a furnace in air leads to the formation of nanocomposite thin films of Au and NiO. The plasmonic behavior evolution was studied with annealing time between 2 min and 30 h in films with an initial thickness between 3 and 54 nm. Films with thickness of up to 10 nm show broad localized surface plasmon resonances already in the as‐deposited state, due to the presence of nanograins of gold in the dielectric matrix of NiO. Plasmonic resonances become sharp and have a blue shift tendency as the annealing time increases. This plasmonic system produced via a cost‐effective way may well be useful for a variety of technological applications.
The In Vitro and In Vivo Antiangiogenic Effects of Flavokawain B
Authors: Rossette Mariana C. , Moraes Débora C. , Sacramento Erika K. , Romano‐Silva Marco Aurélio , Carvalho Juliana L. , Gomes Dawidson A. , Caldas Hanna , Friedman Eitan , Bastos‐Rodrigues Luciana , De Marco Luiz
Published: August 2017

Angiogenesis is implicated in the development of a variety of pathological processes, most commonly cancer. It is essential for tumor growth and metastasis, making it an important cancer therapeutic target. Naturally occurring substances have led to the discovery of anticancer agents. Flavokawain B (FKB), a chalcone isolated from the root extracts of kava‐kava plant, inhibits proliferation and causes apoptosis in vitro and in vivo of various cancer cell lines. The antimetastatic potential of FKB has also been suggested. In our study, we confirm the antiangiogenic action of FKB in vitro and, for the first time, demonstrate its strong antiangiogenic activity in vivo, using a zebrafish model. Our data show that FKB inhibits human brain endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration and tube formation even at very low and non‐toxic concentrations. Moreover, FKB blocks angiogenesis process in zebrafish, with a dramatic reduction of subintestinal vein formation in a dose‐dependent manner. Flavokawain B at the concentration of 2.5 μg/mL did not exhibit any toxic effects in zebrafish larvae and caused a markedly or complete obliteration of subintestinal vein formation. Our findings along with previously published data confirm that FKB may form the basis for creating an additional tool in the treatment of cancer and other neovascularization‐related diseases. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zebrafish heart regeneration: 15 years of discoveries
Authors: González‐Rosa Juan Manuel , Burns Caroline E. , Burns C. Geoffrey
Published: August 2017

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Compared to other organs such as the liver, the adult human heart lacks the capacity to regenerate on a macroscopic scale after injury. As a result, myocardial infarctions are responsible for approximately half of all cardiovascular related deaths. In contrast, the zebrafish heart regenerates efficiently upon injury through robust myocardial proliferation. Therefore, deciphering the mechanisms that underlie the zebrafish heart's endogenous regenerative capacity represents an exciting avenue to identify novel therapeutic strategies for inducing regeneration of the human heart. This review provides a historical overview of adult zebrafish heart regeneration. We summarize 15 years of research, with a special focus on recent developments from this fascinating field. We discuss experimental findings that address fundamental questions of regeneration research. What is the origin of regenerated muscle? How is regeneration controlled from a genetic and molecular perspective? How do different cell types interact to achieve organ regeneration? Understanding natural models of heart regeneration will bring us closer to answering the ultimate question: how can we stimulate myocardial regeneration in humans?
A clinical trial design using the concept of proportional time using the generalized gamma ratio distribution
Authors: Phadnis Milind A. , Wetmore James B. , Mayo Matthew S.
Published: August 2017

Traditional methods of sample size and power calculations in clinical trials with a time‐to‐event end point are based on the logrank test (and its variations), Cox proportional hazards (PH) assumption, or comparison of means of 2 exponential distributions. Of these, sample size calculation based on PH assumption is likely the most common and allows adjusting for the effect of one or more covariates. However, when designing a trial, there are situations when the assumption of PH may not be appropriate. Additionally, when it is known that there is a rapid decline in the survival curve for a control group, such as from previously conducted observational studies, a design based on the PH assumption may confer only a minor statistical improvement for the treatment group that is neither clinically nor practically meaningful. For such scenarios, a clinical trial design that focuses on improvement in patient longevity is proposed, based on the concept of proportional time using the generalized gamma ratio distribution. Simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proportional time method and to identify the situations in which such a design will be beneficial as compared to the standard design using a PH assumption, piecewise exponential hazards assumption, and specific cases of a cure rate model. A practical example in which hemorrhagic stroke patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms in a putative clinical trial demonstrates the usefulness of this approach by drastically reducing the number of patients needed for study enrollment.
Efficient Ferric Citrate‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Novel Dihydropyrimidin‐(1H)‐ones Sulfonamide Conjugates and Their Evaluation as Potential Antimicrobials
Authors: Quadri Syed Aziz Imam , Malik Mohammed Shaheer , Seddigi Zaki Shakir , Farooqui Mazahar
Published: August 2017

An efficient ferric citrate catalyzed Biginelli reaction is reported to synthesize novel dihydropyrimidin‐(1H)‐ones with free amino group. Diversifying this free amino element provides an access to new and interesting DHMPs for pharmacological profiling. A series of novel dihydropyrimidin‐(1H)‐ones–sulphonamide conjugates were synthesized and evaluated against a panel of Gram positive as well as Gram negative bacteria and fungi. Among the series, the DHMP conjugate 6 a with a 2‐napthyl sulphonamide moiety exhibited excellent antibacterial activity with potency at least four times higher than the standard drugs such as ciprofloxacin, ampicillin and chloramphenicol against the tested bacterial strains.
Pacman‐Like Alkaliated Actinyl Complexes of a Polypyrrolic Macrocycle: A Relativistic DFT Study
Authors: Bi Yan‐Ting , Zhong Yu‐Xi , Zhou Bai‐Bin , Pan Qing‐Jiang
Published: August 2017

A series of doubly alkaliated actinyl complexes, [(thf)(AnmO2)(A2L)]n– (Anm‐A; An=U, Np and Pu; m=VI and n=0; m=V and n=1; A=Li, Na and K; L is an octadentate polypyrrolic tetraanion) have been investigated for their structures, transformation reaction energies and redox property using relativistic density functional theory. The study confirms experimental results of the synthesized lithiated uranyl complexes and the proposed potassiated uranyl ones, and furthermore extends to more toxic and radioactive transuranics that are difficultly handled in experiment. Comparison with hydrogen analogues, [(thf)(AnmO2)(H2L)]n– (Anm‐H), finds that the introduction of alkali atoms lengthens An=Oendo and An=Oexo bonds. Transformation reaction of Anm‐A (A=Li, Na and K) starting from the respective Anm‐H was calculated to be exothermic. The alkaliated complex shows more positive reduction potential in most cases. All the results unravel the alkali‐mediated activation on the inert uranyl(VI) U=O bonding; the lithium complex, for instance, possesses the largest reduction potential (E0corr), which indicates the strongest lithium activation. Further comparison was also made with the alkaliated uranyl complexes where the alkali metals are saturated by thf molecules.
Ruthenium‐Carbon(Aryl) Bond Cleavage and Change in the Ligand Coordination Mode in a Four‐Membered Ortho‐Metalated Ruthenium(II) Organometallics Promoted by Thiolato Ligands
Authors: Ghosh Mrinal K. , Mandal Suman , Islam Anikul , Mohapatra Sudip , Chattopadhyay Swarup
Published: August 2017

The reaction of Ru(η2‐RL)(PPh3)2(CO)Cl [η2‐RL is C6H2O‐2‐CHNHC6H4R(p)‐3‐Me‐5 and R=Me, OMe, Cl] with excess sodium p‐chlorothiophenolate (p‐ClC6H4SNa) in dichloromethane–tetrahydrofuran medium afforded the binuclear complexes of the type [Ru(PPh3)(η2‐RL)(CO)(p‐ClC6H4S)]2 [η2‐RL is C6H3O‐2‐CHNC6H4R(p)‐3‐Me‐5] in excellent yield. The binding of the thiolato ligands is attended with the cleavage of the Ru–C(aryl) and Ru–Cl bonds in Ru(η2‐RL)(PPh3)2(CO)Cl and the RL ligands are now coordinated with the metals in [Ru(PPh3)(η2‐RL)(CO)(p‐ClC6H4S)]2 via the imine nitrogen and the phenolato oxygen atoms. The CO ligand in [Ru(PPh3)(η2‐RL)(CO)(p‐ClC6H4S)]2 remains trans to the phenolato function as in Ru(η2‐RL)(PPh3)2(CO)Cl. The spectral (UV‐vis, IR, NMR, mass) and electrochemical data of the complexes are included. In dichloromethane solution the complexes display two successive one‐electron oxidation waves. The comproportionation constants (KC) as calculated by the ▵E1/2 values of the complexes are in the order of 105 indicating that the two metal centers in [Ru(PPh3)(η2‐RL)(CO)(p‐ClC6H4S)]2 are only weakly coupled by the bridging thiolato liagnds. Structure determinations of [Ru(PPh3)(η2‐RL)(CO)(p‐ClC6H4S)]2 (R=Me, OMe) have revealed a distorted octahedral RuCONPS2 coordination sphere with the pairs (P, S), (C, O), and (N, S) defining the three trans directions. The Ru⋅⋅⋅⋅Ru distances in the complexes are clearly outside of the range for a Ru‐Ru single bond. The electronic structures and the absorption spectra of the complexes are also scrutinized by the density functional theory (DFT) and Time‐dependent DFT analysis.
The Concentration Control of Magnetic Fullerene C60•‐ Radical Anions in a Crystal Lattice of the (Bu4N+)2{(C60•‐)⋅C6H4Cl2}x{[CpMo(CO)2C60]−}2‐x (x=1, 0.74) Complexes
Authors: Konarev Dmitri V. , Khasanov Salavat S. , Troyanov Sergey I. , Otsuka Akihiro , Yamochi Hideki , Kitagawa Hiroshi , Lyubovskaya Rimma N.
Published: August 2017

Interaction of the (Bu4N+)(C60•‐) salt with {CpMo(CO)3}2 at a different molar ratio allows one to obtain isostructural (Bu4N+)2{(C60•‐)⋅C6H4Cl2}x{[CpMo(CO)2C60]−}2‐x complexes with x=1 (1) and 0.74 (2). The complexes contain the solvated C60•‐ radical anions and the coordination [CpMo(CO)2C60]− anions which share one position in the crystal structure with different occupancies. Molybdenum atom coordinates by the η2‐type to the 6–6 bond of C60 in the [CpMo(CO)2(η2‐C60)]− anions. The length of the Mo−C(C60) bonds is 2.241(6)‐2.244(6) Å. Optical spectrum of 1 supports the presence of uncoordinated C60•‐ and neutral coordinated C60 in [CpMo(CO)2(η2‐C60)]−. Paramagnetism of C60•‐ in 1 provides effective magnetic moment of 1.2 μB whereas coordination [CpMo(CO)2(η2‐C60)]− anions are diamagnetic and EPR silent. Fullerenes form closely packed double ribbons with triangular fullerene lattice. 1 shows antiferromagnetic coupling of spins with a small Weiss temperature of −7 K. That can be explained by magnetic dilution of paramagnetic C60•‐ species by diamagnetic [CpMo(CO)2(η2‐C60)]− anions.
Et2NH‐Mediated 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition: Synthesis of 1‐(2‐(Organylselanyl)pyridin‐3‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxylate Derivatives
Authors: Duarte Luis Fernando B. , Nascimento Nelson M. , Perin Gelson , Luque Rafael , Alves Diego , Schumacher Ricardo F.
Published: August 2017

The use of Et2NH as organocatalyst for 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions of 3‐azido‐2‐organylselanyl‐pyridines with 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds is reported in this work. Reactions were conducted using DMSO as solvent at room temperature in air. All products were obtained in good to excellent yields. The reaction took place under very mild conditions and tolerated a range of functionalities. 1‐(2‐(Phenylselanyl)pyridin‐3‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxylate containing an alkyne substituent was selected as candidate for a Cu‐catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition reaction, affording the bis‐triazole in good yields.
Effect of Titanium Content in MWCNT@Sn1‐xTixO2 Composites on the Lithium Ion Storage Process
Authors: Ramírez‐Vargas Mirna , Calva Julio C. , de la Fuente Mauricio Solís , Jaramillo‐Quintero Oscar A. , Herrera‐Garza José R. , Acevedo‐Peña Próspero , Rincón Marina E.
Published: August 2017

We report the synthesis of multiwall carbon nanotubes@metal oxide composites (MWCNT@Sn1‐xTixO2) and explore the lithium storage capacity and mechanisms in a broad range of compositions. The composite structures were synthesized by hydrothermal method using SnCl4 and TiCl4 as Sn and Ti sources, respectively. Oxide adherence on the carbon surface, as well as an optimum ratio between surface area and porosity, seem to be promoted by Sn content, with MWCNT@Sn0.75Ti0.25O2 showing the best performance in terms of Li capacity and structure stability. Cycled in a potential range of 3 to 1 V vs Li/Li+, the composite shows an insertion mechanism reported for solid solutions with low Sn content, whereas at cut off potential of 0 V vs Li/Li+ the alloying mechanism expected for SnO2 is dominant. Nevertheless, the presence of Ti during the transformation of the solid solution impacts positivily the performance of these electrodes.