bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Double Reference Points: the Effects of Social and Financial Reference Points on Decisions Under Risk
Authors: Lu Jingyi , Xie Xiaofei , Wang Mei , Tang Xin
Published: March 2015

The existing literature is inconsistent about how social comparison affects risk attitudes. We propose a framework where the total utility is composed of the social and financial utilities. The financial utility is consistent with prospect theory (i.e., an S‐shaped utility function with a financial reference point), whereas the social utility is affected by both social and financial reference points. Therefore, social risk attitudes are determined by interaction between gains/losses in both social and financial contexts. On the basis of safety‐first principle, we propose that when experiencing financial gains, individuals tend to seek upside potential and take social risks (i.e., a convex social utility function). In contrast, when facing financial losses, people would be more risk seeking in social gains but more risk averse in social losses to maximize security (i.e., an inverse S‐shaped utility function). We also propose that the relative importance of financial and social utilities depends on the saliency of the reference points and size of stakes. Studies 1 and 2 showed that individuals were risk seeking in both social gains and losses with social reference points alone. Studies 3 and 4 demonstrated that when both financial and social reference points were salient, participants were risk averse in both social gains and losses when facing financial gains, but risk seeking in social gains and risk averse in social losses when facing financial losses. The hypotheses derived from the theoretical framework were in general supported by our experiments. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation study of eLGuide: A framework for adaptive e‐learning
Authors: Zafar Aasim , Albidewi Ibrahim
Published: March 2015

This paper outlines the design and development of an intelligent tutoring technique to personalize the navigation of individual users in the course content and generate advice to students. Based on that, a framework for adaptive e‐learning, the e‐Learning Guide system (eLGuide), is implemented and an empirical evaluation of the prototype is conducted to assess the possibility of its integration with web‐based learning systems. The system is tested in a real setting with the SQL—A Database Language course comprising postgraduate students of the computer science program, all new to database systems. The evaluation study shows a positive impact on learning outcomes. The results of the experimental study allowed us to conclude that eLGuide is a useful framework, which can be employed in a web‐based learning environment to support students as well as teachers in a better way. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:542–555, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21625
Breast cyst fluid heparan sulphate is distinctively N‐sulphated depending on apocrine or flattened type
Authors: Mannello Ferdinando , Maccari Francesca , Ligi Daniela , Santi Martina , Gatto Francesco , Linhardt Robert J. , Galeotti Fabio , Volpi Nicola
Published: March 2015

Breast cyst fluid (BCF) contained in gross cists is involved with its many biomolecules in different stages of breast cystic development. Type I apocrine and type II flattened cysts are classified based on biochemical, morphological and hormonal differences, and their different patterns of growth factors and active biocompounds may require different regulation. In a previous paper, hyaluronic acid in a very low content and chondroitin sulphate/dermatan sulphate were identified and characterized in BCF. In this new study, various apocrine and flattened BCFs were analyzed for HS concentration and disaccharide pattern. Apocrine HS was found specifically constituted of N‐acetyl groups contrary to flattened HS richer in N‐sulphate disaccharides with an overall N‐acetylated/N‐sulphated ratio significantly increased in apocrine compared with flattened (13.5 vs 3.7). Related to this different structural features, the charge density significantly decreased (~−30%) in apocrine versus flattened BCFs. Finally, no significant differences were observed for HS amount (~0.9–1.3 µg ml−1) between the two BCF types even if a greater content was determined for flattened samples. The specifically N‐sulphated sequences in flattened BCF HS can exert biologic capacity by regulating growth factors activity. On the other hand, we cannot exclude a peculiar regulation of the activity of biomolecules in apocrine BCF by HS richer in N‐acetylated disaccharides. In fact, the different patterns of growth factors and active biocompounds in the two types of cysts may require different regulation by specific sequences in the HS backbone possessing specific structural characteristics and distinctive chemical groups. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving Capacitance by Introducing Nitrogen Species and Defects into Graphene
Authors: Tian Ke , Liu Wu‐Jun , Zhang Shun , Zeng Raymond J. , Jiang Hong
Published: March 2015

Nitrogen‐doped graphene (NG) materials were prepared with different levels of ammonia modification and their capacitive performances were compared. The surface structure, nitrogen species and contents, as well as the defects and disorders of the as‐prepared NG materials were investigated. Electrochemical measurements showed that the capacitance of the NG materials is significantly higher than that of pristine graphene and varies with the ammonia dosage. Graphene modified with 20 mL of ammonia possesses the highest capacitance among all of the materials studied. Further investigation showed that nitrogen species and defects in NG perform pivotal functions in improving capacitance; by contrast, the surface morphology had little influence on the capacitance of the as‐prepared NG materials. Results suggested that adjusting the N1 pyridinic N content is an efficient method for elevating the capacitive performance of NG materials.
Experimental Evidence of Chemical Components in the Bonding of Helium and Neon with Neutral Molecules
Authors: Cappelletti David , Bartocci Alessio , Grandinetti Felice , Falcinelli Stefano , Belpassi Leonardo , Tarantelli Francesco , Pirani Fernando
Published: March 2015

The complexes of helium and neon with gaseous neutral molecules are generally perceived to be van der Waals adducts held together by physical (non‐covalent) forces, owing to the combination of size (exchange) repulsion with dispersion/induction attraction. Molecular beam experiments confirm that this is the case for He–CF4, Ne–CF4 adducts, but revealed that the interaction of He and Ne with CCl4 features an appreciable contribution of chemical components that arise from the anisotropy of the electron density of CCl4 that enhances a charge transfer from Ng (Ng=He, Ne). These findings furnish a novel assay of the bonding capabilities of helium and neon, and invite to revisit the neutral complexes of these elements as systems of chemical relevance. The CCl4–Ng are also peculiar examples of halogen bonds, a group of interactions of major current concern. Finally, this investigation is a prelude to the development of semi‐empirical models for force fields aimed to the unified description of static and dynamical properties of systems of comparable or higher complexity.
Lewis Acid Behavior of SF4: Synthesis, Characterization, and Computational Study of Adducts of SF4with Pyridine and Pyridine Derivatives
Authors: Chaudhary Praveen , Goettel James T. , Mercier Hélène P. A. , Sowlati‐Hashjin Shahin , Hazendonk Paul , Gerken Michael
Published: March 2015

Sulfur tetrafluoride was shown to act as a Lewis acid towards organic nitrogen bases, such as pyridine, 2,6‐dimethylpyridine, 4‐methylpyridine, and 4‐dimethylaminopyridine. The SF4⋅NC5H5, SF4⋅2,6‐NC5H3(CH3)2, SF4⋅4‐NC5H4(CH3), and SF4⋅4‐NC5H4N(CH3)2adducts can be isolated as solids that are stable below −45 °C. The Lewis acid–base adducts were characterized by low‐temperature Raman spectroscopy and the vibrational bands were fully assigned with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The electronic structures obtained from the DFT calculations were analyzed by the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM). The crystal structures of SF4⋅NC5H5, SF4⋅4‐NC5H4(CH3), and SF4⋅4‐NC5H4N(CH3)2revealed weak SN dative bonds with nitrogen coordinating in the equatorial position of SF4. Based on the QTAIM analysis, the non‐bonded valence shell charge concentration on sulfur, which represents the lone pair, is only slightly distorted by the weak dative SN bond. No evidence for adducts between quinoline or isoquinoline with SF4was found by low‐temperature Raman spectroscopy.
Practical Synthesis of [n]Cycloparaphenylenes (n=5, 7–12) by H2SnCl4‐Mediated Aromatization of 1,4‐Dihydroxycyclo‐2,5‐diene Precursors
Authors: Patel Vijay Kumar , Kayahara Eiichi , Yamago Shigeru
Published: March 2015

Cyclic precursors of cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) containing 1,4‐dihydroxy‐2,5‐cyclohexadien‐1,4‐diyl units are prepared by modifying a synthetic method developed by Jasti and co‐workers for the synthesis of corresponding 1,4‐dimethoxy derivatives. Reductive aromatization of the diyl moieties by SnCl2/2 HCl takes place under mild conditions and affords the CPPs in good yields, incorporating 5 or 7–12 phenylene units. Highly strained [5]CPP is synthesized in greater than 0.3 g scale. 119Sn NMR spectroscopy clarifies the in situ formation of an ate complex, H2SnCl4, upon mixing a 2:1 ratio of HCl and SnCl2, which serves as a highly active reducing agent under nearly neutral conditions. When more than 2 equivalents of HCl, in relation to SnCl2, are used, acid‐catalyzed decomposition of the CPP precursors takes place. The stoichiometry of HCl and SnCl2 is critical in achieving the desired aromatization reaction of highly strained CPP precursors.
Importance of Outer‐Sphere and Aggregation Phenomena in the Relaxation Properties of Phosphonated Gadolinium Complexes with Potential Applications as MRI Contrast Agents
Authors: Elhabiri Mourad , Abada Sabah , Sy Mohamadou , Nonat Aline , Choquet Philippe , Esteban‐Gómez David , Cassino Claudio , Platas‐Iglesias Carlos , Botta Mauro , Charbonnière Loïc J.
Published: March 2015

A series composed of a tetra‐, a tris‐ and a bisphosphonated ligand based on a pyridine scaffold (L4, L3 and L2, respectively) was studied within the frame of lanthanide (Ln) coordination. The stability constants of the complexes formed with lanthanide cations (Ln=La, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Er and Lu) were determined by potentiometry in aqueous solutions (25.0 °C, 0.1 M NaClO4), showing that the tetraphosphonated complexes are among the most stable LnIII complexes reported in the literature. The complexation of L4 was further studied by different titration experiments using mass spectrometry and various spectroscopic techniques including UV/Vis absorption, and steady state and time‐resolved luminescence (Ln=Eu and Tb). Titration experiments confirmed the formation of highly stable [LnL4] complexes. 31P NMR experiments of the LuL4 complex revealed an intramolecular interconversion process which was studied at different temperatures and was rationalized by DFT modelling. The relaxivity properties of the GdIII complexes were studied by recording their 1H NMRD profiles at various temperatures, by temperature dependent 17O NMR experiments (GdL4) and by pH dependent relaxivity measurements at 0.47 T (GdL3 and GdL2). In addition to the high relaxivity values observed for all complexes, the results showed an important second‐sphere contribution to relaxivity and pH dependent variations associated with the formation of aggregates for GdL2 and GdL3. Finally, intravenous injection of GdL4 to a mouse was followed by dynamic MRI imaging at 1.5 T, which showed that the complex can be immediately found in the blood stream and rapidly eliminated through the liver and in large part through the kidneys.
Coordination Chemistry of N‐Heterocyclic Nitrenium‐Based Ligands
Authors: Tulchinsky Yuri , Kozuch Sebastian , Saha Prasenjit , Mauda Assaf , Nisnevich Gennady , Botoshansky Mark , Shimon Linda J. W. , Gandelman Mark
Published: March 2015

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Mark Gandelman at Technion, The Israel Institute of Technology. The image depicts how a wide variety of transition metals in various oxidation states can be “picked up” by tridentate nitrenium ligands to form complexes with potentially interesting properties (cover design by Igor Armiach). Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201405526.
Screening Approach for Chiral Separation of β‐Aminoketones by HPLC on Various Polysaccharide‐Based Chiral Stationary Phases
Authors: Addadi Khadidja , Sekkoum Khaled , Belboukhari Nasser , Cheriti Abdelkrim , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y.
Published: March 2015

Nine β‐aminoketones were synthesized via Mannich reaction when benzaldehyde was condensed with some primary amines and acetophenone. The purified compounds were identified by using spectroscopic methods. The enantiomeric separation of these derivatives was carried out by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using several coated and immobilized polysaccharide stationary phases, namely, Chiralcel® OD‐H, Chiralcel® OD, Chiralcel® OJ, Chiralpak® AD, Chiralpak® IA, and Chiralpak® IB using different mobile phases composed of n‐hexane and alcohol mixed in various ratios or pure ethanol or isopropanol. The retention behavior and selectivity of these chiral stationary phases were examined in isocratic normal phase mode. The results indicate that cellulose derivatives have higher enantioselectivity than amylose derivatives for the separation of racemic β‐amino ketones. Chirality 27:332–338, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Midterm Follow‐up After Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement in Venous Thromboembolism Patients With or Without Malignancy
Authors: Myojo Masahiro , Takahashi Masao , Tanaka Tomofumi , Higashikuni Yasutomi , Kiyosue Arihiro , Ando Jiro , Fujita Hideo , Komuro Issei , Hirata Yasunobu
Published: March 2015

Background

A clear indication and strategy for placement of retrievable inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) have not been established. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and disadvantages of the retrievable IVCF use particularly in venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients with malignancy.

Hypothesis

Retrievable IVCFs might be safe and useful in VTE patients with malignancy.

Methods

The study population consisted of 56 consecutive patients undergoing IVCF placement at our institution from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011. Prognostic data were retrospectively reviewed in April 2013.

Results

Mean follow‐up period was 584.6 (range, 1–1857) days. Twenty‐six of the 56 patients had a malignancy. In 16 of the 30 patients without malignancy, the filter was retrieved, whereas the other 14 patients eventually received permanent implantation. There was no significant difference in the survival rate between the retrieval group and the nonretrieval group in the nonmalignancy patients (1‐year survival rates, 94% vs 85%). In patients with malignancy, the nonretrieval group showed a significantly lower survival rate (P < 0.01). The 1‐year and 2‐year survival rates were 100% vs 46% and 100% vs 18%, respectively. There was no medical record of pulmonary thromboembolism occurrence or recurrence. All deaths in the patients with malignancy were malignancy related. In 4 of 5 malignancy patients who could undergo tumor resection surgery, adequate thrombus regression enabled us to retrieve the IVCF after surgery.

Conclusions

Permanent use of a retrievable IVCF is relatively safe in short‐ or midterm follow‐up regardless of malignancy status. Retrievable filter use might be reasonable in malignancy patients.
Linear Alkane CC Bond Chemistry Mediated by Metal Surfaces
Authors: Cai Zeying , Liu Meizhuang , She Limin , Li Xiaoli , Lee Jason , Yao Dao‐Xin , Zhang Haiming , Chi Lifeng , Fuchs Harald , Zhong Dingyong
Published: March 2015

Linear alkanes undergo different CC bond chemistry (coupling or dissociation) thermally activated on anisotropic metal surfaces depending on the choice of the substrate material. Owing to the one‐dimensional geometrical constraint, selective dehydrogenation and CC coupling (polymerization) of linear alkanes take place on Au(110) surfaces with missing‐row reconstruction. However, the case is dramatically different on Pt(110) surfaces, which exhibit similar reconstruction as Au(110). Instead of dehydrogenative polymerization, alkanes tend to dehydrogenative pyrolysis, resulting in hydrocarbon fragments. Density functional theory calculations reveal that dehydrogenation of alkanes on Au(110) surfaces is an endothermic process, but further CC coupling between alkyl intermediates is exothermic. On the contrary, due to the much stronger CPt bonds, dehydrogenation on Pt(110) surfaces is energetically favorable, resulting in multiple hydrogen loss followed by CC bond dissociation.
Photocatalytic Direct Conversion of Ethanol to 1,1‐ Diethoxyethane over Noble‐Metal‐Loaded TiO2 Nanotubes and Nanorods
Authors: Zhang Hongxia , Wu Yupeng , Li Li , Zhu Zhenping
Published: March 2015

As one of the most important biomass platform molecules, ethanol needs to have its product chain chemically extended to meet future demands in renewable fuels and chemicals. Additionally, chemical conversion of ethanol under mild and green conditions is still a major challenge. In this work, ethanol is directly converted into 1,1‐diethoxyethane (DEE) and H2 under mild photocatalytic conditions over platinum‐loaded TiO2 nanotubes and nanorods. The reaction follows a tandem dehydrogenation–acetalization mechanism, in which ethanol is first dehydrogenated into acetaldehyde and H+ ion by photogenerated holes, and then acetalization between acetaldehyde and ethanol proceeds through promotion by H+ ions formed in real time. Excess H+ ions are simultaneously reduced into H2 by photogenerated electrons. This photocatalytic process has a very high reaction rate over nanosized tubular and rod‐like TiO2 photocatalysts, reaching 157.7 mmol g−1 h−1 in relatively low photocatalyst feeding. More importantly, the reaction is highly selective, with a nearly stoichiometric conversion of reacted ethanol into DEE. This photocatalytic dehydrogenation CO coupling of ethanol is a new green approach to the direct efficient conversion of ethanol into DEE and provides a promising channel for sustainable bioethanol applications.
Analysis and Prediction of Stacking Sequences in Intercalated Lamellar Vanadium Phosphates
Authors: Gautier Romain , Fourré Yoann , Furet Eric , Gautier Régis , Le Fur Eric
Published: March 2015

An approach is presented that enables the analysis and prediction of stacking sequences in intercalated lamellar vanadium phosphates. A comparison of previously reported vanadium phosphates reveals two modes of intercalation: (i) 3d transition metal ions intercalated between VOPO4 layers and (ii) alkali/alkaline earth metal ions between VOPO4·H2O layers. Both intercalations were investigated using DFT calculations in order to understand the relative shifts of the vanadium phosphate layers. These calculations in addition to an analysis of the stacking sequences in previously reported materials enable the prediction of the crystal structures of Mx(VOPO4)·yH2O (M = Cs+, Cd2+ and Sn2+). Experimental realization and structural determination of Cd(VOPO4)2·4H2O by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction confirmed the predicted stacking sequences.
ITO‐ITO Dual‐Plate Microgap Electrodes: E and EC′ Generator‐Collector Processes
Authors: Gross Andrew J. , Marken Frank
Published: March 2015

Tin‐doped indium oxide electrodes are fabricated and employed in a dual‐plate microtrench geometry with the inter‐electrode gap controlling the mass transport conditions in generator‐collector mode. Electrodes are fabricated with 2–50 µm gap sizes and variable trench depths by controlling assembly parameters. Non‐ideal behaviour is observed for three aqueous redox systems: Ru(bpy)${{{3+/2+\hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$, 1,1′‐ferrocenedimethanol and Ru(NH3)${{{3+/2+\hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$. Under fast mass transport conditions, the former two systems exhibit slower oxidation features. For Ru(NH3)${{{3+/2+\hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$, non‐steady‐state behaviour is observed due to irreversible (ECirrev′) consumption of oxygen in the microtrench. A mechanism leading to hydrogen peroxide formation via superoxide in Ru(NH3)${{{2+\hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$ solution is proposed. Under optimised conditions all three redox systems provide reliable trench depth calibration information.
Electrochemical Sensor Based on Carbon Nanotubes for the Simultaneous Detection of Phenolic Pollutants
Authors: Govindhan Maduraiveeran , Lafleur Todd , Adhikari Bal‐Ram , Chen Aicheng
Published: March 2015

A mediator‐free electrochemical sensing platform was designed by utilizing single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) modified glassy carbon (GC) electrodes for the electrocatalytic oxidation of phenolic compounds. The proposed sensing platform permits the sensitive simultaneous detection of catechol, p‐cresol and p‐nitrophenol with the lowest detection limits of 2.3, 3.7 and 7.7 nM, and high sensitivities of 135.08, 94.90 and 110.38 µA/µM, respectively. The non‐enzymatic electrochemical sensor designed in this study also exhibited high stablility and reproducible as well as rapid response, providing new opportunities for the development of sensing devices in the detection of multiple phenolic compounds simultaneously for practical environmental applications.
Impact of preferential sampling on exposure prediction and health effect inference in the context of air pollution epidemiology
Authors: Lee A. , Szpiro A. , Kim S.Y. , Sheppard L.
Published: March 2015

Preferential sampling has been defined in the context of geostatistical modeling as the dependence between the sampling locations and the process that describes the spatial structure of the data. It can occur when networks are designed to find high values. For example, in networks based on the US Clean Air Act, monitors are sited to determine whether air quality standards are exceeded. We study the impact of the design of monitor networks in the context of air pollution epidemiology studies. The effect of preferential sampling has been illustrated in the literature by highlighting its impact on spatial predictions. In this paper, we use these predictions as input in a second‐stage analysis, and we assess how they affect health effect inference. Our work is motivated by data from two US regulatory networks and health data from the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution. The two networks were designed to monitor air pollution in urban and rural areas, and we found that the health analysis results based on the two networks can lead to different scientific conclusions. We use preferential sampling to gain insight into these differences. We designed a simulation study and found that the validity and reliability of the health effect estimate can be greatly affected by how we sample the monitor locations. To better understand its effect on second‐stage inference, we identify two components of preferential sampling that shed light on how preferential sampling alters the properties of the health effect estimate. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patient‐Satisfaction Surveys on a Scale of 0 to 10: Improving Health Care, or Leading It Astray?
Authors: Junewicz Alexandra , Youngner Stuart J.
Published: March 2015

The current institutional focus on patient satisfaction and on surveys designed to assess this could eventually compromise the quality of health care while simultaneously raising its cost. We begin this paper with an overview of the concept of patient satisfaction, which remains poorly and variously defined. Next, we trace the evolution of patient‐satisfaction surveys, including both their useful and problematic aspects. We then describe the effects of these surveys, the most troubling of which may be their influence on the behavior of health professionals. The pursuit of high patient‐satisfaction scores may actually lead health professionals and institutions to practice bad medicine by honoring patient requests for unnecessary and even harmful treatments. Patient satisfaction is important, especially when it is a response to being treated with dignity and respect, and patient‐satisfaction surveys have a valuable place in evaluating health care. Nonetheless, some uses and consequences of these surveys may actively mislead health care.

Our critique of patient‐satisfaction surveys takes into consideration three different ways patients may be “satisfied.” First is the provision of medically necessary care that actually improves their outcomes. The second concerns interventions that patients or families want but that are medically unnecessary and may negatively affect health outcomes. The third category—comprising factors that are less likely to affect health outcomes but may certainly contribute to a sense of dignity and well‐being—includes “humanistic” aspects of health care, such as good communication and treating patients with respect, as well as peripheral aspects, such as convenient parking and designer hospital gowns. These distinctions are important as we explore patient satisfaction and its implications.
Iminosugars as Immunomodulating Agents: Synthesis and Biological Activities of 1‐Deoxynojirimycin and Related Compounds
Authors: Li Qin , Ye Xin‐Shan
Published: March 2015

Iminosugars are an extremely interesting and versatile class of compounds and have many potential therapeutic applications. However, the use of iminosugar derivatives as immunomodulating agents is an area that is less explored. This review describes recent advances in the field of iminosugars as immunomodulating agents with a particular emphasis on 1‐deoxynojirimycin analogues and related compounds. Both chemical and biological aspects concerning their preparation and/or occurrence in nature, as well as their immunomodulatory properties, are discussed.
Modelling Hospital Admission and Length of Stay by Means of Generalised Count Data Models
Authors: Herwartz Helmut , Klein Nadja , Strumann Christoph
Published: March 2015

For a large heterogeneous group of patients, we analyse probabilities of hospital admission and distributional properties of lengths of hospital stay conditional on individual determinants. Bayesian structured additive regression models for zero‐inflated and overdispersed count data are employed. In addition, the framework is extended towards hurdle specifications, providing an alternative approach to cover particularly large frequencies of zero quotes in count data. As a specific merit, the model class considered embeds linear and nonlinear effects of covariates on all distribution parameters. Linear effects indicate that the quantity and severity of prior illness are positively correlated with the risk of hospital admission, while medical prevention (in the form of general practice visits) and rehabilitation reduce the expected length of future hospital stays. Flexible nonlinear response patterns are diagnosed for age and an indicator of a patients' socioeconomic status. We find that social deprivation exhibits a positive impact on the risk of admission and a negative effect on the expected length of future hospital stays of admitted patients. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
T‐helper cell‐mediated factors in drug‐induced liver injury
Authors: Wang Xinzhi , Zhang Luyong , Jiang Zhenzhou
Published: March 2015

Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) leads to a large burden on the healthcare system due to its potential morbidity and mortality. The key for predicting and preventing DILI is to understand the underlying mechanisms. Hepatic inflammation is one of the most common features of DILI. The inflammation can be attributed to the innate immune response. The adaptive immune system is also affected by the innate immune response resulting in liver damage. T‐helper cells are important regulators of acquired immunity. T‐helper cell‐mediated immune responses play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of a variety of liver disorders. This review summarizes recent advances in the T‐helper cell‐mediated factors in DILI and potential mechanisms, which may lead to a better understanding of DILI. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative toxicity of silicon dioxide, silver and iron oxide nanoparticles after repeated oral administration to rats
Authors: Yun Jun‐Won , Kim Seung‐Hyun , You Ji‐Ran , Kim Woo Ho , Jang Ja‐June , Min Seung‐Kee , Kim Hee Chan , Chung Doo Hyun , Jeong Jayoung , Kang Byeong‐Cheol , Che Jeong‐Hwan
Published: March 2015

Although silicon dioxide (SiO2), silver (Ag) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles are widely used in diverse applications from food to biomedicine, in vivo toxicities of these nanoparticles exposed via the oral route remain highly controversial. To examine the systemic toxicity of these nanoparticles, well‐dispersed nanoparticles were orally administered to Sprague–Dawley rats daily over a 13‐week period. Based on the results of an acute toxicity and a 14‐day repeated toxicity study, 975.9, 1030.5 and 1000 mg kg–1 were selected as the highest dose of the SiO2, Ag and Fe2O3 nanoparticles, respectively, for the 13‐week repeated oral toxicity study. The SiO2 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles did not induce dose‐related changes in a number of parameters associated with the systemic toxicity up to 975.9 and 1000 mg kg–1, respectively, whereas the Ag nanoparticles resulted in increases in serum alkaline phosphatase and calcium as well as lymphocyte infiltration in liver and kidney, raising the possibility of liver and kidney toxicity induced by the Ag nanoparticles. Compared with the SiO2 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles showing no systemic distribution in all tissues tested, the Ag concentration in sampled blood and organs in the Ag nanoparticle‐treated group significantly increased with a positive and/or dose‐related trend, meaning that the systemic toxicity of the Ag nanoparticles, including liver and kidney toxicity, might be explained by extensive systemic distribution of Ag originating from the Ag nanoparticles. Our current results suggest that further study is required to identify that Ag detected outside the gastrointestinal tract were indeed a nanoparticle form or ionized form. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐clinical safety assessment of single and repeated intramuscular administration of a human papillomavirus‐16/18 vaccine in rabbits and rats
Authors: Segal Lawrence , Morelle Danielle , Kaaber Kari , Destexhe Eric , Garçon Nathalie
Published: March 2015

The human papillomavirus (HPV)‐16/18 vaccine (Cervarix®) is a prophylactic vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer. The vaccine contains recombinant virus‐like particles assembled from the L1 major capsid proteins of the cervical cancer‐causing viral types HPV‐16 and HPV‐18, and Adjuvant System 04 (AS04), which contains the immunostimulant MPL and aluminium salt. To evaluate potential local and systemic toxic effects of the HPV‐16/18 vaccine or AS04 alone, three repeated‐dose studies were performed in rabbits and rats. One rabbit study also included a single‐dose evaluation. In rabbits (~2.5 kg), the full human dose (HD) of the vaccine was evaluated (0.5 ml per injection site), and in rats (~250 g), 1/5 HD of vaccine was evaluated, corresponding to ≥ 12 times the dosage in humans relative to body weight. In both animal models, the treatment‐related changes included a slight transient increase in the number of circulating neutrophils as well as a local inflammatory reaction at the injection site. These treatment‐related changes were less pronounced after four doses of AS04 alone than after four doses of the HPV‐16/18 vaccine. Additional treatment‐related changes in the rat included lower albumin/globulin ratios and microscopic signs of inflammation in the popliteal lymph nodes. In both animal models, 13 weeks after the fourth dose, recovery was nearly complete, although at the injection site in some animals there were signs of discoloration, muscle‐fibre regeneration and focal points of macrophage infiltration. Therefore, in these non‐clinical models, the single and repeated dose administrations of the HPV‐16/18 vaccine or AS04 alone were safe and well tolerated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The behavior of benzene confined in a single wall carbon nanotube
Authors: Fomin Yury D. , Tsiok Elena N. , Ryzhov Valentin N.
Published: March 2015

We present the molecular dynamics study of benzene molecules confined into the single wall carbon nanotube. The local structure and orientational ordering of benzene molecules are investigated. It is found that the molecules mostly group in the middle distance from the axis of the tube to the wall. The molecules located in the vicinity of the wall demonstrate some deviation from planar shape. There is a tilted orientational ordering of the molecules which depends on the location of the molecule. It is shown that the diffusion coefficient of the benzene molecules is very small at the conditions we report here. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chemotherapy for advanced poorly differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma
Authors: Ikeda Masafumi , Okuyama Hiroyuki , Takahashi Hideaki , Ohno Izumi , Shimizu Satoshi , Mitsunaga Shuichi , Kondo Shunsuke , Morizane Chigusa , Ueno Hideki , Okusaka Takuji
Published: March 2015

Pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (P‐NEC) resembles small cell lung carcinoma in its biologic and clinical features, such as rapid growth and relatively high sensitivity to platinum‐based chemotherapy. And, etoposide plus cisplatin (EP) or irinotecan plus cisplatin (IP), recommended by guidelines for the treatment of small cell lung carcinoma, has also been widely used for the treatment of unresectable NEC. Both regimens have been demonstrated to show favorable efficacy and have been acknowledged as de facto standard regimens for unresectable NEC, although it remains unclear which of the two regimens might yield more favorable outcomes. Therefore, a phase III trial of EP vs. IP has been planned for unresectable gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary or pancreatic NEC by the Japan Clinical Oncology Group. For patients with unresectable NEC who are refractory or intolerant to these regimens, no standard regimens have been established. Everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, is likely to be effective in such patients, as there have been sporadic reports of the usefulness of everolimus in the treatment of P‐NEC. A multicenter phase II trial is underway to elucidate the efficacy and safety of everolimus in patients with P‐NEC who are refractory or intolerant to EP or IP.
A time‐lagged investigation of the impact of coworker behavior on the effects of demographic dissimilarity
Authors: David Emily M. , Avery Derek R. , Witt L. A. , McKay Patrick F.
Published: March 2015

Although it is clear that coworker absenteeism, tardiness, and turnover can influence an employee's actions, scholars have yet to consider the impact of relational demography on the adoption of these behavioral norms. Inspired by social identity, situational strength, and attraction‐selection‐attrition theories, we proposed that individuals who differ from their coworkers in age, sex, or racioethnicity would feel threatened by their outnumbered status and subsequently motivated to be absent, tardy, or more likely to turnover. However, we expected coworker withdrawal behavior to moderate whether or not dissimilar personnel act on these desires. Results from hierarchical multilevel modeling analyses of data from 470 U.S. call center workers nested in 51 work groups revealed that racioethnic dissimilarity was positively related to time‐lagged changes in absenteeism and tardiness as well as heightened turnover likelihood. These effects emerged only among employees whose coworkers engaged in greater withdrawal behavior. Importantly, racioethnically dissimilar employees working in more permissive climates (i.e., those with high levels of coworker absenteeism, tardiness, or turnover) exhibited the greatest increases in absenteeism and tardiness over three months and had the highest supervisor‐rated turnover likelihood. Implications for diversity management are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Active learning climate and employee errors: The moderating effects of personality traits
Authors: Naveh Eitan , Katz‐Navon Tal , Stern Zvi
Published: March 2015

This study developed and tested a cross‐level model of the relationship between two components of active learning climate—enactive exploration and guided learning—and employee errors, and the moderating roles of the individual's traits of openness to experience and conscientiousness. The study examined the medical errors made by 142 resident physicians in 22 hospital departments. Results demonstrated significant interactions between climate and traits: when an individual had a low level of the trait of openness to experience, there was a curvilinear relationship between enactive exploration climate and number of errors. With a high level of openness to experience, the enactive exploration climate was positively associated with the number of errors up to a certain point. In addition, when an individual had a low level of conscientiousness, there was a negative association between guided learning climate and number of errors; with a high level of conscientiousness, there was a positive association between guided learning climate and number of errors. Thus, individual performance was better when the climate complemented the individual's lack of a trait. When the level of the individual's trait was high, the climate intensified the already pronounced trait up to an extent that impaired the individual's performance. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interpersonal harmony and creativity in China
Authors: Chen Tingting , Leung Kwok , Li Fuli , Ou Zhanying
Published: March 2015

This research examined the influence of interpersonal harmony on employee creativity in China. The dualistic model of harmony differentiates harmony enhancement, a genuine desire for a harmonious and mutually beneficial interpersonal relationship, from disintegration avoidance, a tendency to avoid the disruption of an interpersonal relationship to protect self‐interest. A survey in China showed that the harmony enhancement motive had a positive relationship, and the disintegration avoidance motive had a negative relationship, with creativity mediated by creative effort. Reward for creativity showed different moderating effects on the two mediated relationships, such that it mitigated the positive relationship between harmony enhancement and creativity mediated by creative effort, and buffered the negative relationship between disintegration avoidance and creativity mediated by creative effort. We replicated some major findings with a multi‐wave survey study and provided direct evidence for the underlying mechanisms that account for the opposite relationships between the two harmony motives and creative effort. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cinnamaldehyde promotes root branching by regulating endogenous hydrogen sulfide
Authors: Xue Yan‐Feng , Zhang Meng , Qi Zhong‐Qiang , Li You‐Qin , Shi Zhiqi , Chen Jian
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

Cinnamaldehyde (CA) has been widely applied in medicine and food preservation. However, whether and how CA regulates plant physiology is largely unknown. To address these gaps, the present study investigated the beneficial effect of CA on root branching and its possible biochemical mechanism.

RESULTS

The lateral root (LR) formation of pepper seedlings could be markedly induced by CA at specific concentrations without any inhibitory effect on primary root (PR) growth. CA could induce the generation of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by increasing the activity of l‐cysteine desulfhydrase in roots. By fluorescently tracking endogenous H2S in situ, it could be clearly observed that H2S accumulated in the outer layer cells of the PR where LRs emerge. Sodium hydrosulfide (H2S donor) treatment induced LR formation, while hypotaurine (H2S scavenger) showed an adverse effect. The addition of hypotaurine mitigated the CA‐induced increase in endogenous H2S level, which in turn counteracted the inducible effect of CA on LR formation.

CONCLUSION

CA showed great potential in promoting LR formation, which was mediated by endogenous H2S. These results not only shed new light on the application of CA in agriculture but also extend the knowledge of H2S signaling in the regulation of root branching. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Functional consequences of transferrin receptor‐2 mutations causing hereditary hemochromatosis type 3
Authors: Joshi Ricky , Shvartsman Maya , Morán Erica , Lois Sergi , Aranda Jessica , Barqué Anna , de la Cruz Xavier , Bruguera Miquel , Vagace José Manuel , Gervasini Guillermo , Sanz Cristina , Sánchez Mayka
Published: March 2015

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) type 3 is an autosomal recessive disorder of iron metabolism characterized by excessive iron deposition in the liver and caused by mutations in the transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2) gene. Here, we describe three new HH type 3 Spanish families with four TFR2 mutations (p.Gly792Arg, c.1606‐8A>G, Gln306*, and Gln672*). The missense variation p.Gly792Arg was found in homozygosity in two adult patients of the same family, and in compound heterozygosity in an adult proband that also carries a novel intronic change (c.1606‐8A>G). Two new nonsense TFR2 mutations (Gln306* and Gln672*) were detected in a pediatric case. We examine the functional consequences of two TFR2 variants (p.Gly792Arg and c.1606‐8A>G) using molecular and computational methods. Cellular protein localization studies using immunofluorescence demonstrated that the plasma membrane localization of p.Gly792Arg TFR2 is impaired. Splicing studies in vitro and in vivo reveal that the c.1606‐8A>G mutation leads to the creation of a new acceptor splice site and an aberrant TFR2 mRNA. The reported mutations caused HH type 3 by protein truncation, altering TFR2 membrane localization or by mRNA splicing defect, producing a nonfunctional TFR2 protein and a defective signaling transduction for hepcidin regulation. TFR2 genotyping should be considered in adult but also in pediatric cases with early‐onset of iron overload.
An alternative proof of the extended Saalschütz summation theorem for the r + 3Fr + 2(1) series with applications
Authors: Kim Yong S. , Rathie Arjun. K. , Paris Richard B.
Published: March 2015

A simple proof is given of a new summation formula recently added in the literature for a terminating r + 3Fr + 2(1) hypergeometric series for the case when r pairs of numeratorial and denominatorial parameters differ by positive integers. This formula represents an extension of the well‐known Saalschütz summation formula for a 3F2(1) series. Two applications of this extended summation formula are discussed. The first application extends two identities given by Ramanujan and the second, which also employs a similar extension of the Vandermonde–Chu summation theorem for the 2F1 series, extends certain reduction formulas for the Kampé de Fériet function of two variables given by Exton and Cvijović & Miller. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative assessment of amide proton transfer (APT) and nuclear overhauser enhancement (NOE) imaging with extrapolated semi‐solid magnetization transfer reference (EMR) signals: Application to a rat glioma model at 4.7 tesla
Authors: Heo Hye‐Young , Zhang Yi , Lee Dong‐Hoon , Hong Xiaohua , Zhou Jinyuan
Published: March 2015

Purpose

To quantify amide proton transfer (APT) and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) contributions to in vivo chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI signals in tumors.

Theory and Methods

Two‐pool (free water and semi‐solid protons) and four‐pool (free water, semi‐solid, amide, and upfield NOE‐related protons) tissue models combined with the super‐Lorentzian lineshape for semi‐solid protons were used to fit wide and narrow frequency‐offset magnetization‐transfer (MT) data, respectively. Extrapolated semi‐solid MT signals at 3.5 and −3.5 ppm from water were used as reference signals to quantify APT and NOE, respectively. Six glioma‐bearing rats were scanned at 4.7 Tesla. Quantitative APT and NOE signals were compared at three saturation power levels.

Results

The observed APT signals were significantly higher in the tumor (center and rim) than in the contralateral normal brain tissue at all saturation powers, and were the major contributor to the APT‐weighted image contrast (based on MT asymmetry analysis) between the tumor and the normal brain tissue. The NOE (a positive confounding factor) enhanced this APT‐weighted image contrast. The fitted amide pool sizes were significantly larger, while the NOE‐related pool sizes were significantly smaller in the tumor than in the normal brain tissue.

Conclusion

The extrapolated semi‐solid magnetization transfer reference provides a relatively accurate approach for quantitatively measuring pure APT and NOE signals. Magn Reson Med 75:137–149, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Arterial spin labeled perfusion imaging using three‐dimensional turbo spin echo with a distributed spiral‐in/out trajectory
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Schär Michael , Wang Dinghui , Zwart Nicholas R. , Madhuranthakam Ananth J. , Karis John P. , Pipe James G.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The three‐dimensional (3D) spiral turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence is one of the preferred readout methods for arterial spin labeled (ASL) perfusion imaging. Conventional spiral TSE collects the data using a spiral‐out readout on a stack of spirals trajectory. However, it may result in suboptimal image quality and is not flexible in protocol design. The goal of this study is to provide a more robust readout technique without such limitation.

Methods

The proposed technique incorporates a spiral‐in/out readout into 3D TSE, and collects the data on a distributed spirals trajectory. The data set is split into the spiral‐in and ‐out subsets that are reconstructed separately and combined after image deblurring.

Results

The volunteer results acquired with the proposed technique show no geometric distortion or signal pileup, as is present with GRASE, and no signal loss, as is seen with conventional spiral TSE. Examples also demonstrate the flexibility in changing the imaging parameters to satisfy various criteria.

Conclusion

The 3D TSE with a distributed spiral‐in/out trajectory provides a robust readout technique and allows for easy protocol design, thus is a promising alternative to GRASE or conventional spiral TSE for ASL perfusion imaging. Magn Reson Med 75:266–273, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of androgens in metabolism, obesity, and diabetes in males and females
Authors: Navarro Guadalupe , Allard Camille , Xu Weiwei , Mauvais‐Jarvis Franck
Published: March 2015

Objective

In men, androgen deprivation contributes to the development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In women, androgen excess predisposes to insulin resistance and T2D. There is a bidirectional modulation of glucose homeostasis by androgens in males and females that is analyzed in this review.

Methods

We reviewed the literature in both rodents and humans on the role of androgens and the androgen receptor (AR) in the control of glucose and energy metabolism in health, obesity, and T2D.

Results

Sex‐specific activation of AR in the hypothalamus, skeletal muscle, liver, adipose tissue, and pancreatic islet β‐cells accounts for maintenance or disruption in energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis.

Conclusions

We argue that AR is a target to prevent androgen‐related metabolic disorders.