bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(Alkylsulfanyl)bithiophene‐alt‐Fluorene: π‐Conjugated Polymers for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Parenti Francesca , Morvillo Pasquale , Bobeico Eugenia , Diana Rosita , Lanzi Massimiliano , Fontanesi Claudio , Tassinari Francesco , Schenetti Luisa , Mucci Adele
Published: September 2011

We describe the synthesis of alternating bithiophene–fluorene copolymers (P1–P3) with different regiochemistry of the bithienyl unit and different alkylsulfanyl chain lengths. The structural, electrochemical and photophysical properties of these polymers were investigated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), NMR, UV/Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV), and the polymers were used to assemble organic solar cells (OSCs), in combination with the fullerene derivative methyl [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyrate (PCBM). P3, with a head‐to‐head bithienyl unit, shows a broader absorption and a lower band gap with respect to P1 and P2, which have tail‐to‐tail bithienyl units. The PL intensity of P1–P3 is dramatically quenched in the presence of PCBM, demonstrating that an efficient charge transfer between donor and acceptor occurs. The best OSC device was obtained with P3.
Enantioselective Palladium‐Catalyzed Allylic Substitution of Sodium Benzotriazolide
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Dazhi , Zheng Shengcai , Yue Yinshuang , Liu Dongge , Zhao Xiaoming
Published: September 2011

Chiral allylic benzotriazole‐containing regioisomers 4 and 5 were synthesized by enantioselective palladium‐catalyzed allylation of sodium benzotriazolide with a range of allylic carbonates in 50–89 % yields, regioselectivities of 2.2:1 to 1:3.4, and ee values of up to 95 %.
Thiophene‐Inserted Aryl–Dicyanovinyl Compounds: The Second Generation of Fluorescent Molecular Rotors with Significantly Redshifted Emission and Large Stokes Shift
Authors: Shao Jingyin , Ji Shaomin , Li Xiaolian , Zhao Jianzhang , Zhou Fuke , Guo Huimin
Published: September 2011

Fluorescent molecular rotors can be used as molecular sensors for the viscosity of a microenvironment. However, these molecular rotors are limited to 9‐(dicyanovinyl)julolidine (DCVJ) and a few derivatives. Furthermore, these traditional rotors show short absorption/emission wavelengths and small Stokes shifts. To address these drawbacks, we have developed a small library of new molecular rotors for viscosity sensing, prepared by incorporating a thiophene unit into the conventional fluorescent molecular rotors with the aim of accessing molecular rotors with redshifted excitation/emission wavelengths and larger Stokes shifts compared with the known rotors. The new rotors show substantially improved photophysical properties. For example, rotor4shows absorption/emission wavelengths of 559/697 nm, respectively, and a very large Stokes shift of 138 nm compared with the absorption/emission wavelengths (465/503 nm) and very small Stokes shift (38 nm) of the traditional fluorescent molecular rotor DCVJ. The photophysical properties of the rotors were rationalized by DFT calculations.
Unusual Reaction of Macrocyclic Uracils with Paraformaldehyde
Authors: Semenov Vyacheslav E. , Giniyatullin Rashit Kh. , Mikhailov Anatoly S. , Nikolaev Anton E. , Kharlamov Sergey V. , Latypov Shamil K. , Reznik Vladimir S.
Published: September 2011

The ability of simple uracils to afford bis(uracil‐5‐yl)methanes upon reaction with paraformaldehyde is well documented. This reaction has been used in the preparation of pyrimidinophanes. The extension of the scope of this reaction to the synthesis of multipyrimidinophanes has been reported. Starting with isomeric pyrimidinophane containing 6‐methyluracil and 5‐methyluracil (thymine) moieties, linearly arranged multimacrocycles were prepared. A completely unexpected result was that the reactions of isomeric pyrimidinophanes containing 6‐methyluracil moieties with paraformaldehyde produced only cyclic‐arranged macrocycles, in particular, cryptand‐like pyrimidinophanes and multipyrimidinophanes with a cyclic topology.
Simultaneous discrimination of jasmonic acid stereoisomers by CE‐QTOF‐MS employing the partial filling technique
Authors: Han Yehua , Bai Yu , Xiao Yiling , Du Fuyou , Liang Yuan , Tan Zhijing , Zhao Meiping , Liu Huwei
Published: September 2011

Jasmonic acid (JA), an essential plant hormone controlling the plant defense signaling system and developmental processes, has stereospecific bioactivities that have not been well understood mainly due to the limitation in separation and detection methodologies. In this work, a fast CE‐UV method based on short‐end injection technique and a sensitive CE‐QTOF‐MS method based on partial filling technique were successfully developed for the enantioseparation of racemic JA. The successive coating technique was also involved by modifying the capillary with multiple ionic polymer layers of polybrene‐dextran sulfate‐polybrene. This was the first report on the direct resolution of both pairs of JA enantiomers, including two naturally occurring JA stereoisomers. Although no pure JA stereoisomers were commercially available, all the separated JA stereoisomers were identified indirectly by comparing the difference between the racemic standard and plant samples based on the presence and the ratio of each stereoisomer. Satisfactory results were obtained in terms of sensitivity (LOD, 24 ng/mL or 0.7 fmol for single JA stereoisomer) using 45 mmol/L ammonium acetate at pH 4.5 containing 70 mmol/L α‐CD as the buffer system. This established CE‐QTOF‐MS method was later successfully applied for the study of the naturally occurring JA stereoisomers in wounded tobacco leaves.
Selective concentration of human cancer cells using contactless dielectrophoresis
Authors: Henslee Erin A. , Sano Michael B. , Rojas Andrea D. , Schmelz Eva M. , Davalos Rafael V.
Published: September 2011

This work is the first to demonstrate the ability of contactless dielectrophoresis (cDEP) to isolate target cell species from a heterogeneous sample of live cells. Since all cell types have a unique molecular composition, it is expected that their dielectrophoretic (DEP) properties are also unique. cDEP is a technique developed to improve upon traditional and insulator‐based DEP devices by replacing embedded metal electrodes with fluid electrode channels positioned alongside desired trapping locations. Through the placement of the fluid electrode channels and the removal of contact between the electrodes and the sample fluid, cDEP mitigates issues associated with sample/electrode contact. MCF10A, MCF7, and MDA‐MB‐231 human breast cells were used to represent early, intermediate, and late‐staged breast cancer, respectively. Trapping frequency responses of each cell type were distinct, with the largest difference between the cells found at 20 and 30 V. MDA‐MB‐231 cells were successfully isolated from a population containing MCF10A and MCF7 cells at 30 V and 164 kHz. The ability to selectively concentrate cells is the key to development of biological applications using DEP. The isolation of these cells could provide a workbench for clinicians to detect transformed cells at their earliest stage, screen drug therapies prior to patient treatment, increasing the probability of success, and eliminate unsuccessful treatment options.
Enantioselective capillary electrophoresis for the assessment of CYP3A4‐mediated ketamine demethylation and inhibition in vitro
Authors: Kwan Hiu Ying , Thormann Wolfgang
Published: September 2011

Enantioselective CE with sulfated cyclodextrins as chiral selectors was used to determine the CYP3A4‐catalyzed N‐demethylation kinetics of ketamine to norketamine and its inhibition in the presence of ketoconazole in vitro. Ketamine, a chiral phencyclidine derivative, was incubated with recombinant human CYP3A4 from a baculovirus expression system as racemic mixture and as single enantiomer. Alkaline liquid/liquid extracts of the samples were analyzed with a pH 2.5 buffer comprising 50 mM Tris and phosphoric acid together with either multiple isomer sulfated β‐cyclodextrin (10 mg/mL) or highly sulfated γ‐cyclodextrin (2%, w/v). Data obtained in the absence of ketoconazole revealed that the N‐demethylation occurred stereoselectively with Michaelis–Menten (incubation of racemic ketamine) and Hill (separate incubation of single enantiomers) kinetics. Data generated in the presence of ketoconazole as the inhibitor could best be fitted to a one‐site competitive model and inhibition constants were calculated using the equation of Cheng and Prusoff. No stereoselective difference was observed, but inhibition constants for the incubation of racemic ketamine were found to be larger compared with those obtained with the incubation of single ketamine enantiomers.
Synthesis, analytical characterization and initial capillary electrophoretic use in an acidic background electrolyte of a new, single‐isomer chiral resolving agent: Heptakis(2‐O‐sulfo‐3‐O‐methyl‐6‐O‐acetyl)‐β‐cyclodextrin
Authors: Tutu Edward , Vigh Gyula
Published: September 2011

The sodium salt of heptakis(2‐O‐sulfo‐3‐O‐methyl‐6‐O‐acetyl)cyclomaltoheptaose (HAMS), the first single‐isomer sulfated β‐CD that carries the sulfo group exclusively at the C2 position, has been synthesized. The purity of each synthetic intermediate and of the final product was determined by hydrophilic interaction (HILIC) and reversed‐phase HPLC. The structural identity of each intermediate and of the final product was verified by 1‐D and 2‐D NMR spectroscopy and MALDI‐TOF MS. HAMS was used for the capillary electrophoretic separation of the enantiomers of a set of non‐ionic and weak base analytes in pH 2.5 background electrolytes. Rapid separations with satisfactory peak resolution values were obtained for most enantiomers using low concentrations of HAMS. The effective mobilities and separation selectivities were dependent on the concentration of HAMS according to the predictions of the charged resolving agent migration model. The separation selectivities observed with HAMS, heptakis(2‐O‐methyl‐3‐O‐acetyl‐6‐O‐sulfo)cyclomaltoheptaose and heptakis(2‐O‐methyl‐3,6‐di‐O‐sulfo)cyclomaltoheptaose were different for some of the analytes studied in detail.
Dielectrophoresis in microfluidics technology
Authors: Çetin Barbaros , Li Dongqing
Published: September 2011

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is the movement of a particle in a non‐uniform electric field due to the interaction of the particle's dipole and spatial gradient of the electric field. DEP is a subtle solution to manipulate particles and cells at microscale due to its favorable scaling for the reduced size of the system. DEP has been utilized for many applications in microfluidic systems. In this review, a detailed analysis of the modeling of DEP‐based manipulation of the particles is provided, and the recent applications regarding the particle manipulation in microfluidic systems (mainly the published works between 2007 and 2010) are presented.
Electrokinetic DNA transport in 20 nm‐high nanoslits: Evidence for movement through a wall‐adsorbed
Authors: Castillo‐Fernandez Oscar , Salieb‐Beugelaar Georgette B. , van Nieuwkasteele Jan W. , Bomer Johan G. , Arundell Martin , Samitier Josep , van den Berg Albert , Eijkel Jan C. T.
Published: September 2011

The electrokinetic transport behavior of λ‐DNA (48 kbp) in 20 nm‐high fused‐silica nanoslits in the presence of short‐chain PVP is investigated. Mobility and video data show a number of phenomena that are typical of DNA transport through gels or polymer solutions, thus indicative of rigid migration obstacles in the DNA pathway. Calculations show that a several nanometer thin layer of wall‐adsorbed PVP (‘nano‐gel’) can provide such a rigid obstacle matrix to the DNA. Such ultrathin wall‐adsorbed polymer layers represent a new type of matrix for electrokinetic DNA separation.
Assessment of micronucleus frequency in the peripheral blood of female rats in persistent estrus treated with selective estrogen receptor modulators
Authors: Mendes Rodrigues Junior Dorival , Ribeiro dos Santos Alesse , Amelia de Carvalho Melo Cavalcante Ana , Pereira Alencar Airlane , Vitor Lopes‐Costa Pedro , Borges da Silva Benedito
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate micronucleus (MN) frequency in polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) of female rats in persistent estrus (a model developed to mimic polycystic ovary syndrome) treated with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs, tamoxifen, and raloxifene). Forty female Wistar‐Hannover rats were divided into four groups of 10 animals each: Group I (normally cycling rats) and Group II (persistent estrus) both received only vehicle, while Group III (persistent estrus) was treated with tamoxifen (250 μg/animal/day) and Group IV (persistent estrus) was treated with raloxifene (750 μg/animal/day). Tamoxifen and raloxifene were given by oral gavage beginning on postnatal day 90 and continuing for 30 consecutive days. Peripheral blood samples were collected from tails 1 day following the last exposure. Blood smears were made on glass slides and stained with 10% Giemsa solution. ANOVA and a Tukey post‐hoc test were used for data analysis. Mean percentages of MN were 1.82 ± 0.13, 5.20 ± 0.24, 3.32 ± 0.13, and 3.04 ± 0.12 in Groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The results indicate that tamoxifen and raloxifene similarly reduced the formation of MNPCE of female rats in persistent estrus (P < 0.0001 for Groups III and IV vs. Group II), using the dosages and time periods applied in the present study. The data suggest possibly antimutagenic effects of SERMs under high levels of estrogens. The findings also suggest that this is an interesting animal model for studying the genotoxicity of estrogens. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A group lasso approach for non‐stationary spatial–temporal covariance estimation
Authors: Hsu Nan‐Jung , Chang Ya‐Mei , Huang Hsin‐Cheng
Published: September 2011

We develop a new approach for modeling non‐stationary spatial–temporal processes on the basis of data sampled at fixed locations over time. The approach applies a basis function formulation and a constrained penalized least squares method recently proposed for estimating non‐stationary spatial‐only covariance functions. In this article, we further incorporate the temporal dependence into this framework and model the spatial–temporal process as the sum of a spatial–temporal stationary process and a linear combination of known basis functions with temporal dependent coefficients. A group lasso penalty is devised to select the basis functions and estimate the parameters simultaneously. In addition, a blockwise coordinate descent algorithm is applied for implementation. This algorithm computes the constrained penalized least squares solutions along a regularization path very rapidly. The resulting dynamic model has a state‐space form, thereby the optimal spatial–temporal predictions can be computed efficiently using the Kalman filter. Moreover, the methodology is applied to a wind speed data set observed at the western Pacific Ocean for illustration. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Building pounding damage observed in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake
Authors: Cole Gregory L. , Dhakal Rajesh P. , Turner Fred M.
Published: September 2011

Building pounding damages observed in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake are described in this paper. The extent and severity of pounding damage is presented based on a street survey of Christchurch's central business district. Six damage severity levels and two confidence levels are defined to classify the observed damage. Generally, pounding was observed to be a secondary effect. However, over 6% of the total surveyed buildings were observed to have significant or greater pounding damage. Examples of typical and exceptional pounding damage are identified and discussed. Extensive pounding damage was observed in low‐rise unreinforced masonry buildings that were constructed with no building separation. Modern buildings were also endangered by pounding when building separations were infilled with solid architectural flashings. The damage caused by these flashings was readily preventable. The observed pounding damage is compared to that observed in the September 2010 Darfield earthquake to explore if the damage could have been predicted. It is found that pounding prone buildings can be identified with reasonable accuracy by comparing configurations to characteristics previously noted by researchers. However, detailed pounding damage patterns cannot currently be precisely predicted by these methods. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can avoidance behavior of the mite Oppia nitens be used as a rapid toxicity test for soils contaminated with metals or organic chemicals?
Authors: Owojori Olugbenga J , Healey Janell , Princz Juliska , Siciliano Steven D
Published: September 2011

Survival and reproduction soil toxicity tests for a new mite test species, Oppia nitens, have recently been developed for boreal ecosystems; however, the tests require 28 to 35 d. Avoidance tests have the potential to allow for rapid preliminary screening assessments of soils. The objective of this investigation was to determine the relevance of the avoidance test with the oribatid mite O. nitens as a short screening test in lower-tier environmental risk assessment. We assessed the effects of soil properties and chemicals on O. nitens avoidance behavior as well as the minimum time required to obtain a significant avoidance response from the mite. Specimens of this mite were exposed in Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) artificial soils that had been adjusted to achieve varying soil properties as well as to a range of concentrations of the following contaminants: Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, phenanthrene, benzo[a]pyrene, geraniol, and boric acid over 1, 2, or 5 d. The results were then compared with those of parallel life-cycle toxicity studies. The results showed that 24 h was adequate to obtain a significant response of the mites and that the soil properties tested (moisture, pH, organic matter, and clay content) had little influence on mite avoidance. The median effective concentration (EC50) for avoidance response was lower than or in the same range as the reproduction EC50 values for the organic compounds (phenanthrene and geraniol) and metals (Cu and Zn) or the median lethal concentration (LC50) values for Pb. The 24-h mite avoidance test is a suitable screening method across a range of soil properties and chemicals. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2594–2601. © 2011 SETAC
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surface soils from e-waste recycling areas and industrial areas in South China: Concentration levels, congener profile, and inventory
Authors: Gao Shutao , Hong Jianwen , Yu Zhiqiang , Wang Jingzhi , Yang Guoyi , Sheng Guoying , Fu Jiamo
Published: September 2011

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in 60 surface soils from two e-waste recycling sites (Qingyuan and Guiyu, China) and their surrounding areas to assess the extent and influence of PBDEs from e-waste recycling sites on the surrounding areas. A total of 32 surface soils from industrial areas in South China were also investigated for comparison. The mean concentrations of total PBDEs in the e-waste recycling sites of Guiyu and Qingyuan were 2,909 and 3,230 ng/g dry weight, respectively, whereas the PBDE concentrations decreased dramatically (1–2 orders of magnitude) with increasing distance from the recycling site, suggesting that the e-waste recycling activities were the major source of PBDEs in the surrounding areas. Decabromodiphenyl ethers accounted for 77.0 to 85.8% of total PBDEs in e-waste recycling areas, whereas it accounted for 90.2% in industrial areas. Principal component analysis showed that the major source of PBDEs in e-waste recycling areas were a combination of penta-, octa-, and deca-BDE commercial formulations, whereas deca-BDE commercial formulations were the major source of PBDE congeners in industrial areas. The inventories of PBDEs gave preliminary estimates of 6.22 tons and 13.4 tons for the e-waste recycling areas and industrial areas. The results suggested that significantly higher PBDEs in the e-waste recycling sites have already affected surrounding areas negatively within a relatively large distance. Because of the environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of PBDEs, improving the recycling techniques employed at such facilities and developing e-waste management policies are necessary. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2688–2696. © 2011 SETAC
VCAT synchroniser—reduction of buffer size in VCAT enabled next generation SDH networks
Authors: Manke Sunanda , Khare Kavita , Sapre S.D.
Published: September 2011

Next generation synchronous digital hierarchy is a popular transport technology for integrated voice and data communication. It typically uses virtual concatenation (VCAT) for dynamic bandwidth management. This paper discusses different issues related to VCAT. Paper mainly focuses on the differential delay that occurs as all the VCAT members traverse through different path to reach the destination. These streams do not reach the destination at the same time and thus incur differential delay. Buffers are provided at the receiver to compensate for differential delay. The larger the differential delay, the larger is the buffer requirement at the receiver. Differential delay/buffer size can be reduced by proper routing of the traffic. In the existing receiver circuits, all incoming streams are allocated the same buffer space, specifying the maximum differential delay it can compensate. This results in a large buffer requirement. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a novel scheme of allocating buffers dynamically to all the streams. To achieve this, differential delay between the streams is computed by extracting the multiframe indicator and then as per the delay, each stream is allocated buffer space from a common buffer pool. The common buffer pool consists of a number of buffer modules. The size of each module is equal to the frame size for the specific virtual channel, and the size of the common buffer pool is architecture dependent. Sixty per cent reduction in the buffer requirement is predicted using this scheme, at the receiver. For functional verification of the concept, a hardware circuit is designed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The CDKN2A/CDKN2B/CDK4/CCND1 pathway is pivotal in well‐differentiated and dedifferentiated liposarcoma oncogenesis. An analysis of 104 tumors
Authors: Louis‐Brennetot Caroline , Coindre Jean‐Michel , Ferreira Céline , Pérot Gaëlle , Terrier Philippe , Aurias Alain
Published: September 2011

The MDM2 and CDK4 genes are the main targets of chromosome 12 amplification in well‐differentiated and dedifferentiated liposarcomas. Nevertheless, around 10% of these tumors do not amplify CDK4. To find substitutive alterations of CDK4 amplification, we analyzed a large series of liposarcomas by array‐CGH, real‐time genomic PCR, gene expression array, and real‐time RT‐PCR. We demonstrate that an alteration in the CDKN2A/CDKN2B/CDK4/CCND1 pathway is present in almost all cases without CDK4 amplification, thereby confirming the pivotal role of this pathway in liposarcoma oncogenesis. Moreover, we show that cell cycle and differentiation are driven by a subtle and complex balance between members of this pathway. Finally, we demonstrate that in tumors without amplification/overexpression of CDK4, the chromosome 1q21‐1q23 region is a preferential partner of chromosome 12 amplicon, suggesting that the mechanism of amplification is slightly different in this group of tumors. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel EWSR1‐CREB3L1 fusion transcript in a case of small cell osteosarcoma
Authors: Debelenko Larisa V. , McGregor Lisa M. , Shivakumar Bangalore R. , Dorfman Howard D. , Raimondi Susana C.
Published: September 2011

Cellular morphology of small cell osteosarcoma, an aggressive variant of osteosarcoma, is similar to Ewing sarcoma, but its molecular pathogenesis is largely unknown. We report the case of a 12‐year‐old girl with multifocal small cell osteosarcoma positive for the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1) gene rearrangement by interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization and negative for EWSR1‐FLI1, EWSR1‐ERG, and EWSR1‐WT1 fusion transcripts by reverse transcriptase PCR. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends revealed exon 6 of the cAMP‐responsive element binding protein 3‐like 1 gene (CREB3L1, also known as “OASIS,” NM_52854.2) fused in‐frame to the EWSR1 exon 11, consistent with the EWSR1‐CREB3L1 fusion transcript expressed in tumor tissue. The corresponding chimeric gene was confirmed by amplification and subsequent sequencing of the genomic breakpoint between introns 11 and 5 of EWSR1 and CREB3L1, respectively. An ∼70 kDa product in the tumor tissue lysate reacted with the CREB3L1 carboxyterminal antibody, consistent with a 656‐amino acid predicted chimeric protein. Immunohistochemistry with the same antibody showed signal translocation from the physiologic perinuclear compartment observed in glia and unrelated osteoblasts to nuclei of tumor cells, consistent with the likely function of EWSR1‐CREB3L1 as a transcriptional regulator predicted by its structure. This is the first report of a fusion transcript in osteogenic sarcoma; it demonstrates a relation between molecular mechanisms of small cell osteogenic and Ewing sarcomas. The 3′‐end partner and the inferred structure of EWSR1‐CREB3L1, however, are different from those of Ewing sarcoma, suggesting different targets of the new oncogene. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nrf2 deficiency potentiates methamphetamine‐induced dopaminergic axonal damage and gliosis in the striatum
Authors: Granado Noelia , Lastres‐Becker Isabel , Ares‐Santos Sara , Oliva Idaira , Martin Eduardo , Cuadrado Antonio , Moratalla Rosario
Published: September 2011

Oxidative stress that correlates with damage to nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and reactive gliosis in the basal ganglia is a hallmark of methamphetamine (METH) toxicity. In this study, we analyzed the protective role of the transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2), a master regulator of redox homeostasis, in METH‐induced neurotoxicity. We found that Nrf2 deficiency exacerbated METH‐induced damage to dopamine neurons, shown by an increase in loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐ and dopamine transporter (DAT)‐containing fibers in striatum. Consistent with these effects, Nrf2 deficiency potentiated glial activation, indicated by increased striatal expression of markers for microglia (Mac‐1 and Iba‐1) and astroglia (GFAP) one day after METH administration. At the same time, Nrf2 inactivation dramatically potentiated the increase in TNFα mRNA and IL‐15 protein expression in GFAP+ cells in the striatum. In sharp contrast to the potentiation of striatal damage, Nrf2 deficiency did not affect METH‐induced dopaminergic neuron death or expression of glial markers or proinflammatory molecules in the substantia nigra. This study uncovers a new role for Nrf2 in protection against METH‐induced inflammatory and oxidative stress and striatal degeneration. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Screening for cognitive impairment in older general hospital patients: comparison of the Six‐Item Cognitive Impairment Test with the Mini‐Mental State Examination
Authors: Tuijl Jolien P. , Scholte Evert M. , de Craen Anton J.M. , van der Mast Roos C.
Published: September 2011

Objective

To investigate the performance and usability of the Six‐Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT) as a screening instrument for cognitive impairment in older, general hospital inpatients/outpatients.

Method

In 253 general hospital patients aged ≥ 70 years, diagnostic accuracy of the 6CIT and time required to administer it were assessed using the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) as the criterion standard.

Results

The (negative) correlation between the 6CIT and the MMSE was very high (r = −0.82). Optimal comparability was found using a MMSE cutoff of ≤19 for lower and ≤23 for higher educated patients, at a cutoff of ≥11 on the 6CIT that was not sensitive to educational level. The sensitivity of the 6CIT was 0.90 and the specificity was 0.96, whereas the positive predictive value was 0.83 and the negative predictive value was 0.98. The area under the curve was 0.95. The mean administration time was 5.8 min for the MMSE and 2.5 min for the 6CIT (p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusions

Diagnostic accuracy of the 6CIT was high. As the 6CIT is not sensitive to educational level, does not require advanced language skills, only takes a few minutes to administer and is very easy to use, it appears to be a suitable screening instrument for cognitive impairment in older patients in the general hospital. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of medial cortical networks for anticipatory processing in obsessive‐compulsive disorder
Authors: Ciesielski Kristina T. , Rauch Scott L. , Ahlfors Seppo P. , Vangel Mark E. , Wilhelm Sabine , Rosen Bruce R. , Hämäläinen Matti S.
Published: September 2011

Recurrent anticipation of ominous events is central to obsessions, the core symptom of obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD), yet the neural basis of intrinsic anticipatory processing in OCD is unknown. We studied nonmedicated adults with OCD and case matched healthy controls in a visual‐spatial working memory task with distractor. Magnetoencephalography was used to examine the medial cortex activity during anticipation of to‐be‐inhibited distractors and to‐be‐facilitated retrieval stimuli. In OCD anticipatory activation to distractors was abnormally reduced within the posterior cingulate and fusiform gyrus compared to prominent activation in controls. Conversely, OCD subjects displayed significantly increased activation to retrieval stimuli within the anterior cingulate and supplementary motor cortex. This previously unreported discordant pattern of medial anticipatory activation in OCD was accompanied by normal performance accuracy. While increased anterior cortex activation in OCD is commonly viewed as failure of inhibition, the current pattern of data implicates the operation of an anterior compensatory mechanism amending the posterior medial self‐regulatory networks disrupted in OCD. Hum Brain Mapp 33:2125–2134, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Midlife obesity and trajectories of brain volume changes in older adults
Authors: Driscoll Ira , Beydoun May A. , An Yang , Davatzikos Christos , Ferrucci Luigi , Zonderman Alan B. , Resnick Susan M.
Published: September 2011

Although obesity has been linked to structural brain changes, little is known about its associations with the rates of brain atrophy. We examined associations between global (BMI) and central (waist circumference) midlife obesity and subsequent trajectories of regional brain atrophy in 152 individuals [M (age) = 69 ± 7.8] prospectively followed through the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging; 21 individuals became impaired during follow‐up. We report no associations (P > 0.05) between either global or central midlife obesity and subsequent rates of regional brain volume changes against a background of age‐related atrophy in older individuals who remained nondemented. When looking at the entire sample, greater decline was observed in the volume of gray matter, precuneus, cingulate and orbito‐frontal gyri for globally obese (P < 0.03), even though only data up to the point of dementia diagnosis were included in the analyses (i.e., while still considered clinically normal). Moreover, when trajectories of regional volume changes were examined across the range of BMI and waist circumference values instead of employing a cut‐off point to define obesity, a different pattern of results emerged. Overall, our results suggest that midlife obesity may be an important modifier of brain atrophy in individuals who are developing cognitive impairment and dementia, while it has little effect on structural brain integrity in nondemented older adults. Moreover, the discrepancies in findings between studies may be in part due to participant sampling and methodological differences. Hum Brain Mapp 33:2204–2210, 2012. Published 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stimulating creativity via the exposure to other people's ideas
Authors: Fink Andreas , Koschutnig Karl , Benedek Mathias , Reishofer Gernot , Ischebeck Anja , Weiss Elisabeth M. , Ebner Franz
Published: September 2011

As it is the case in brainstorming, each single idea a person generates to a specific problem may stimulate new ideas or solutions in others. In this fMRI study, we investigate the effects of cognitive stimulation via the exposure to other people's ideas on the originality of generated ideas. Participants are requested to generate alternative uses of conventional everyday objects subsequent to a short cognitive stimulation intervention in which they are exposed to other ideas, which were either common or highly original. In a control condition, meaningless pseudowords are shown. Results suggest that cognitive stimulation via common or moderately creative ideas was effective in improving creativity. At the neurophysiological level, temporo‐parietal brain regions (primarily right‐hemispheric) turned out to be particularly sensitive to cognitive stimulation, possibly indicating that cognitive stimulation via relevant memory cues results in a state of heightened focused attention to memory that facilitates efficient retrieval and recombination of existing knowledge. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
RESPONSE TO REGULATORY STRINGENCY: THE CASE OF ANTIPSYCHOTIC MEDICATION USE IN NURSING HOMES
Authors: Bowblis John R. , Crystal Stephen , Intrator Orna , Lucas Judith A.
Published: September 2011

This paper studies the impact of regulatory stringency, as measured by the statewide deficiency citation rate over the past year, on the quality of care provided in a national sample of nursing homes from 2000 to 2005. The quality measure used is the proportion of residents who are using antipsychotic medication. Although the changing case‐mix of nursing home residents accounts for some of the increase in the use of antipsychotics, we find that the use of antipsychotics by nursing homes is responsive to state regulatory enforcement in a manner consistent with the multitasking incentive problem. Specifically, the effect of the regulations is dependent on the degree of complementarity between the regulatory deficiency and the use of antipsychotics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of ultrasound‐guided core‐needle biopsy in the assessment of head and neck lesions: A meta‐analysis and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Novoa Eva , Gürtler Nicolas , Arnoux André , Kraft Marcel
Published: September 2011

Background

Core‐needle biopsy (CNB) has occasionally been used in the work‐up of head and neck lesions. However, no systematic review of this simple, minimally invasive method has yet been performed.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature and meta‐analysis of data extracted from 16 included studies were performed. A total of 1291 cervical lesions in 1267 patients were examined by CNB. This resulted in 1232 adequate samples, from which 554 were subsequently confirmed by excisional biopsy.

Results

CNB was able to identify true neoplasms and detect malignancy in head and neck lesions with an overall accuracy of 94% and 96%, respectively, even though there was a significant difference between the histologically verified and all adequate samples. CNB provided a correct specific diagnosis in 87% of cases without major complications and achieved a higher accuracy than that of fine‐needle aspiration in detecting malignancy.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis confirms that CNB is an excellent method in the assessment of salivary gland lesions and lymphadenopathies inclusive of malignant lymphoma, but it is not ideal for evaluating thyroid lesions. Head Neck, 2011
Observer variation in the histopathologic assessment of extranodal tumor spread in lymph node metastases in the neck
Authors: van den Brekel Michiel W. M. , Lodder Wouter L. , Stel Herbert V. , Bloemena Elisabeth , Leemans C. René , van der Waal Isaäc
Published: September 2011

Background

Extranodal spread (ENS) of tumors is widely used as a prognosticator for patients with head and neck cancer and is used as an indicator for postoperative treatment. However, the histopathologic agreement among pathologists on the assessment of the presence or absence of this criterion has never been studied.

Methods

The interobserver and intraobserver agreement among 10 pathologists on the diagnosis of ENS in 41 tumor‐positive lymph nodes was evaluated.

Results

The kappa value of the interobserver agreement among pathologists varied between 0.14 and 0.75, the overall kappa value was 0.42 and 0.49 in the 2 scoring sessions. The intraobserver kappa value varied between 0.49 and 0.95.

Conclusion

The intraobserver and interobserver agreement among pathologists in the assessment of the presence of ENS was low in metastatic lymph nodes in the neck. Because of the widely accepted prognostic significance and therapeutic consequences of ENS, there is a need for internationally accepted reproducible criterion for the histopathologic assessment of ENS in metastatic lymph nodes in the neck. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Serum thyrotropin as a risk factor for thyroid malignancy in euthyroid subjects with thyroid micronodule
Authors: Moon Seong‐Su , Lee Young‐Sil , Lee In‐Kyu , Kim Jung‐Guk
Published: September 2011

Background

An elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level is a risk factor for differentiated thyroid cancer. The present study investigated whether TSH is a risk factor for thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) in euthyroid subjects with a micronodule.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, 483 euthyroid subjects (77 males patients, 406 females patients) with a thyroid micronodule were enrolled and underwent ultrasound guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy. Serum TSH level was measured in every subject. The final diagnostic outcome (malignant or benign) was defined in conjunction with cytology and histology.

Results

Compared with the patients below the population mean, patients above the population mean had a significantly higher malignancy rate (10.8% vs 4.8%, p = .025). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed TSH as an independent risk factor for malignancy in euthyroid patients with a micronodule (odds ratio, 1.449; 95% confidence interval, 1.033–2.033; p = .031).

Conclusions

Measurement of TSH in subjects with a thyroid micronodule is helpful to estimate cancer risk. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Voice quality after organ‐preservation therapy with definitive radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer
Authors: Lau Valerie H. , Leonard Rebecca J. , Goodrich Susan , Luu Quang , Farwell D. Gregory , Lau Derick H. , Purdy James A. , Chen Allen M.
Published: September 2011

Background

The purpose of this study was to analyze voice quality among patients treated by definitive radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer.

Methods

Ten patients with laryngeal cancer who had completed radiotherapy were involved in this pilot study. A standardized protocol was administered assessing: (1) sustained vowel production following maximal inspiration, (2) sustained vowel production for a 7‐second duration repeated 5 times, and (3) spontaneous speech for 10 seconds.

Results

The acoustic parameters among patients with early‐stage cancer were not statistically different from healthy age‐corresponding controls, except for shimmer (0.20 vs 0.16 dB, ρ = 0.01) and maximum phonation duration (24.37 vs 30.10 seconds, ρ = 0.04). For patients with locally advanced cancer, differences with controls were observed with shimmer (2.29 vs 0.16 dB, ρ = 0.01), jitter (7.49% vs 1.04%, ρ = 0.01), harmonics‐to‐noise ratio (2.67 vs 9.22, ρ = 0.01), and maximum phonation duration (14.12 vs 30.10 seconds, ρ = 0.01).

Conclusions

Despite the subtle differences in voice quality that existed, radiotherapy as a curative treatment for laryngeal cancer allows maintenance of a functional voice. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Incidence and survival in patients with sinonasal cancer: A historical analysis of population‐based data
Authors: Turner Justin H. , Reh Douglas D.
Published: September 2011

Background

The present study uses population‐based data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to evaluate the behavior of sinonasal tumors.

Methods

Data for all sinonasal malignancies reported between 1973 and 2006 (n = 6739) were extracted from the database. Time‐dependent trends in incidence and survival were analyzed by linear regression.

Results

The overall incidence of sinonasal cancer was 0.556 cases per 100,000 population per year with a male:female ratio of 1.8:1. The most common histologies were squamous cell carcinoma (51.6%) and adenocarcinoma (12.6%), whereas the most common primary sites were the nasal cavity (43.9%) and maxillary sinus (35.9%). The incidence of sinonasal cancer remained relatively stable during the study period. No significant changes in overall relative survival were noted. The best relative survival was noted in patients treated with surgery or a combination of surgery and radiotherapy.

Conclusions

The prognosis of patients with sinonasal cancer is generally poor, and has not changed substantially over the last 3 decades. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Skull base surgery for pediatric parameningeal sarcomas
Authors: Deneuve Sophie , Teissier Natacha , Jouffroy Thomas , Helfre Sylvie , Boissonnet Hervé , Freneaux Paul , Peuchmaur Michel , Brisse Hervé , Van Den Abbeele Thierry , Orbach Daniel
Published: September 2011

Background

Localized pediatric parameningeal sarcomas are usually treated exclusively by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In this location, surgery is complicated but sometimes attempted to improve local control.

Methods

A retrospective bicentric study was conducted to examine its place with particular reference to acute and long‐term morbidity. Fifteen patients under the age of 20 years with parameningeal sarcoma underwent surgery between 2000 and 2007.

Results

Surgery was performed for 8 primary sarcomas and 7 radiation‐induced sarcomas, mainly in infratemporal fossa. Three children had intracranial extension, 3 had metastases, and 1 had both. Median follow‐up was 46 months (16–154 months). Five children experienced local relapse. Eight presented sequelae. Eleven children are alive with no evidence of disease, and 4 died.

Conclusion

Skull base surgery should be considered as a possible treatment in pediatric parameningeal sarcomas. Surgery is the only option in radiation‐induced sarcoma. Larger studies are necessary to more clearly define surgical indications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Toll–Like Receptor 2–Mediated Innate Immune Response in Human Nonparenchymal Liver Cells Toward Adeno–Associated Viral Vectors
Authors: Hösel Marianna , Broxtermann Mathias , Janicki Hanna , Esser Knud , Arzberger Silke , Hartmann Pia , Gillen Sonja , Kleeff Jörg , Stabenow Dirk , Odenthal Margarete , Knolle Percy , Hallek Michael , Protzer Ulrike , Büning Hildegard
Published: September 2011

Adeno–associated viral vectors (rAAV) are frequently used in gene therapy trials. Although rAAV vectors are of low immunogenicity, humoral as well as T cell responses may be induced. While the former limits vector reapplication, the expansion of cytotoxic T cells correlates with liver inflammation and loss of transduced hepatocytes. Because adaptive immune responses are a consequence of recognition by the innate immune system, we aimed to characterize cell autonomous immune responses elicited by rAAV in primary human hepatocytes and nonparenchymal liver cells. Surprisingly, Kupffer cells, but also liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, mounted responses to rAAV, whereas neither rAAV2 nor rAAV8 were recognized by hepatocytes. Viral capsids were sensed at the cell surface as pathogen–associated molecular patterns by Toll–like receptor 2. In contrast to the Toll–like receptor 9–mediated recognition observed in plasmacytoid dendritic cells, immune recognition of rAAV in primary human liver cells did not induce a type I interferon response, but up–regulated inflammatory cytokines through activation of nuclear factor κB.

Conclusion

: Using primary human liver cells, we identified a novel mechanism of rAAV recognition in the liver, demonstrating that alternative means of sensing rAAV particles have evolved. Minimizing this recognition will be key to improving rAAV–mediated gene transfer and reducing side effects in clinical trials due to immune responses against rAAV. (Hepatology 2012;55:287–297)
End–Stage Liver Disease Candidates at the Highest Model for End–Stage Liver Disease Scores Have Higher Wait–List Mortality Than Status–1A Candidates
Authors: Sharma Pratima , Schaubel Douglas E. , Gong Qi , Guidinger Mary , Merion Robert M.
Published: September 2011

Candidates with fulminant hepatic failure (Status–1A) receive the highest priority for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States. However, no studies have compared wait–list mortality risk among end–stage liver disease (ESLD) candidates with high Model for End–Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores to those listed as Status–1A. We aimed to determine if there are MELD scores for ESLD candidates at which their wait–list mortality risk is higher than that of Status–1A, and to identify the factors predicting wait–list mortality among those who are Status–1A. Data were obtained from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for adult LT candidates (n = 52,459) listed between September 1, 2001, and December 31, 2007. Candidates listed for repeat LT as Status–1 A were excluded. Starting from the date of wait listing, candidates were followed for 14 days or until the earliest occurrence of death, transplant, or granting of an exception MELD score. ESLD candidates were categorized by MELD score, with a separate category for those with calculated MELD > 40. We compared wait–list mortality between each MELD category and Status–1A (reference) using time–dependent Cox regression. ESLD candidates with MELD > 40 had almost twice the wait–list mortality risk of Status–1A candidates, with a covariate–adjusted hazard ratio of HR = 1.96 (

P

= 0.004). There was no difference in wait–list mortality risk for candidates with MELD 36–40 and Status–1A, whereas candidates with MELD < 36 had significantly lower mortality risk than Status–1A candidates. MELD score did not significantly predict wait–list mortality among Status–1A candidates (

P

= 0.18). Among Status–1A candidates with acetaminophen toxicity, MELD was a significant predictor of wait–list mortality (

P

< 0.0009). Posttransplant survival was similar for Status–1A and ESLD candidates with MELD > 20 (

P

= 0.6).

Conclusion

: Candidates with MELD > 40 have significantly higher wait–list mortality and similar posttransplant survival as candidates who are Status–1A, and therefore, should be assigned higher priority than Status–1A for allocation. Because ESLD candidates with MELD 36–40 and Status–1A have similar wait–list mortality risk and posttransplant survival, these candidates should be assigned similar rather than sequential priority for deceased donor LT. (Hepatology 2012)