bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetrische Katalyse über die Ligandensphäre von oktaedrischen Komplexen mit chiralem Metallzentrum
Authors: Gong Lei , Chen Liang‐An , Meggers Eric
Published: August 2014

Aufgrund der Beziehung zwischen Struktur und Funktion in der Chemie ist der Zugang zu neuartigen chemischen Strukturen ein treibender Faktor für die Entdeckung neuer chemischer Funktionen. Unter diesem Blickwinkel betrachtet, liegt die beachtliche Nützlichkeit der oktaedrischen Geometrie sechsfach koordinierter Metallkomplexe darin begründet, dass ihre stereochemische Vielseitigkeit mit der Fähigkeit gepaart wird, Zugang zu chemischem Raum zu ermöglichen, der für rein organische Verbindungen möglicherweise nicht erreichbar ist. In diesem Kurzaufsatz möchten wir inerte oktaedrische Metallkomplexe mit metallzentrierter Chiralität als aufkommende Klasse metallgestützten asymmetrischer “Organokatalysatoren” vorstellen. Die Ausnutzung der oftmals starren und globulären Gerüste sowie die vielfältige Stereochemie versprechen neue Anwendungsmöglichkeiten auf dem Gebiet der Katalyse.
Solving the Problem of Forbidden States in Discrete Event Systems: A Novel Systematic Method for Reducing the Number of Control Places
Authors: Zareiee Meysam , Dideban Abbas , Orouji Ali A. , Soltanizadeh Hadi
Published: August 2014

This paper deals with the problem of forbidden states in Discrete Event Systems modelled by non‐safe Petri Nets. To avoid these states, some Generalized Mutual Exclusion Constraints can be assigned to them. These constraints limit the weight sum of tokens in some places and can be enforced on the system using control places. When the number of these constraints is large, a large number of control places should be added to the system. In this paper, a method is presented to assign the small number of constraints to forbidden states using some states which cover the forbidden states. So, a small number of control places are added to the system leading to obtaining a maximally permissive controller.
Altered brain‐gut axis in autism: Comorbidity or causative mechanisms?
Authors: Mayer Emeran A. , Padua David , Tillisch Kirsten
Published: August 2014

The concept that alterated communications between the gut microbiome and the brain may play an important role in human brain disorders has recently received considerable attention. This is the result of provocative preclinical and some clinical evidence supporting early hypotheses about such communication in health and disease. Gastrointestinal symptoms are a common comorbidity in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), even though the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. In addition, alteration in the composition and metabolic products of the gut microbiome has long been implicated as a possible causative mechanism contributing to ASD pathophysiology, and this hypothesis has been supported by several recently published evidence from rodent models of autism induced by prenatal insults to the mother. Recent evidence in one such model involving maternal infection, that is characterized by alterations in behavior, gut physiology, microbial composition, and related metabolite profile, suggests a possible benefit of probiotic treatment on several of the observed abnormal behaviors.
Transient Mechanistic Studies of Methane Steam Reforming over Ceria‐Promoted Rh/Al2O3 Catalysts
Authors: Duarte R. B. , Olea M. , Iro E. , Sasaki T. , Itako K. , van Bokhoven J. A.
Published: August 2014

Transient‐pulse experiments in temporal‐analysis‐of‐product (TAP) and conventional mode were performed to determine elementary reaction steps involved in the methane steam reforming reaction over Rh/Al2O3 and Rh/12 CeO2–Al2O3. TAP pulse experiments demonstrated that both catalysts dissociate methane at 773 K leading to hydrogen, carbon, and CHx adspecies. Conventional transient pulse experiments with alternating methane/argon and water pulses with a delay between them of 86, 73, and 5 s, respectively, showed that the reactivity of adspecies over the promoted and nonpromoted catalysts decrease with time. Ceria catalyzes the oxidation of carbon species by water.
Insights on Hybrid Glucose Biofuel Cells Based on Bilirubin Oxidase Cathode and Gold‐Based Anode Nanomaterials
Authors: Holade Yaovi , Both Engel Adriana , Tingry Sophie , Cherifi Aziz , Cornu D. , Servat Karine , Napporn Têko W. , Kokoh Kouakou B.
Published: August 2014

We report a straightforward design for a hybrid glucose biofuel cell (h‐GBFC) operating at pH 7.4 with 10 mM glucose at 37 °C. Homemade electrospun carbon nanofibers were used as electrode support. Clean and highly active gold‐based nanomaterials (3–6 nm) were synthesized for glucose electrooxidation. Enhanced catalytic activity toward glucose oxidation has been highlighted. Bilirubin oxidase enzyme was used to catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction. The constructed h‐GBFCs exhibit an unexpected and highly improved open circuit voltage of 0.92 V, which is the best value so far reported for such cells. The abiotic Au60Pt20Pd20/C anode induces high electrical performance with a maximum power density of 91 µW cm−2 at 0.365 V. This improvement over monometallic anode catalysts has been assigned to synergistic effects between gold, platinum, and palladium. Strategies developed herein will serve as guidelines for the development of new rational pathways to more powerful, stable, and promising GBFC designs.
Organocatalytic Stereoselective Iodoamination of Alkenes
Authors: Mizar Pushpak , Burrelli Alessandra , Günther Erika , Söftje Martin , Farooq Umar , Wirth Thomas
Published: August 2014

A new chiral thiohydantoin catalyst is used for the stereoselective iodoamination of alkenes. N‐iodosuccinimide as the source of the electrophilic iodine is activated by catalytic amounts of different additives which also influence the regioselectivity of some cyclizations.
Retrograde intraciliary trafficking of opsin during the maintenance of cone‐shaped photoreceptor outer segments of Xenopus laevis
Authors: Tian Guilian , Lodowski Kerrie H. , Lee Richard , Imanishi Yoshikazu
Published: August 2014

Photoreceptor outer segments (OSs) are essential for our visual perception, and take either rod or cone forms. The cell biological basis for the formation of rods is well established; however, the mechanism of cone formation is ill characterized. While Xenopus rods are called rods, they exhibit cone‐shaped OSs during the early process of development. To visualize the dynamic reorganization of disk membranes, opsin and peripherin/rds were fused to a fluorescent protein, Dendra2, and expressed in early developing rod photoreceptors, in which OSs are still cone‐shaped. Dendra2 is a fluorescent protein which can be converted from green to red irreversibly, and thus allows spatiotemporal labeling of proteins. Using a photoconversion technique, we found that disk membranes are assembled at the base of cone‐shaped OSs. After incorporation into disks, however, Opsin‐Dendra2 was also trafficked from old to new disk membranes, consistent with the hypothesis that retrograde trafficking of membrane components contributes to the larger disk membrane observed toward the base of the cone‐shaped OS. Such retrograde trafficking is cargo‐specific and was not observed for peripherin/rds‐Dendra2. The trafficking is unlikely mediated by diffusion, since the disk membranes have a closed configuration, as evidenced by CNGA1 labeling of the plasma membrane. Consistent with retrograde trafficking, the axoneme, which potentially mediates retrograde intraflagellar trafficking, runs through the entire axis of OSs. This study provides an insight into the role of membrane reorganization in developing photoreceptor OSs, and proves that retrograde trafficking of membrane cargoes can occur there. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:3577–3589, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PDNOC: Partially diagonal network‐on‐chip for high efficiency multicore systems
Authors: Xu Thomas Canhao , Leppänen Ville , Liljeberg Pasi , Plosila Juha , Tenhunen Hannu
Published: August 2014

With the constantly increasing of number of cores in multicore processors, more emphasis should be paid to the on‐chip interconnect. Performance and power consumption of an on‐chip interconnect are directly affected by the network topology. Researchers have proposed various topologies to optimize these metrics. The efficiency can also be optimized by proper mapping of applications. Therefore in this paper, we propose a novel partially diagonal network‐on‐chip (PDNOC) design that takes advantage of both heterogeneous network topology and congestion‐aware application mapping. We analyse the partially diagonal network in terms of interconnect structure, area usage, power consumption, routing algorithm and implementation complexity. The key insight that enables the PDNOC is that most communication patterns in real‐world applications are hot‐spot and bursty. We implement a full system simulation environment using SPLASH‐2 benchmarks. Performance metrics of standard mesh, concentrated mesh, full diagonal mesh and four types of the proposed PDNOC are measured in terms of network latency, application execution time and energy delay product. Evaluation results show that on average, the proposed PDNOC designs provide up to 36% improvement in execution time over concentrated mesh, and 3.6× better energy delay product over fully connected diagonal network. PDNOC design with two adjacent PD networks is a better candidate for higher efficiency, while four PD networks provide better performance. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Change in Identity Diffusion and Psychopathology in a Specialized Inpatient Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Sollberger Daniel , Gremaud‐Heitz Daniela , Riemenschneider Anke , Agarwalla Puspa , Benecke Cord , Schwald Oliver , Küchenhoff Joachim , Walter Marc , Dammann Gerhard
Published: August 2014

Objectives

Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) show various psychopathological symptoms and suffer especially from disturbance in their identity. The purpose of the study was to investigate changes—particularly in affective BPD symptoms and identity diffusion—during a structured, disorder‐specific inpatient treatment (DST) that combined a psychodynamic transference‐focused psychotherapy approach with modules of dialectical behavioural skills training.

Method

In a prospective, two‐group comparison trial, 44 patients with BPD were assessed with questionnaires addressing identity diffusion and state, as well as trait affective psychopathology, before and after 12 weeks of inpatient treatment. Thirty‐two patients received DST, whereas 12 patients were given inpatient treatment‐as‐usual (TAU). The patients were allocated in a non‐random procedure for two groups, in order of admission and availability of treatment options in the DST unit.

Results

In the pre‐post‐comparison, the DST group showed a significant decrease in identity diffusion (p < 0.001) and improvements in instability of the image of self and others (p < 0.008), as well as in pathological (trait and state) symptoms. However, there was no significant improvement in the TAU group.

Conclusions

After a 12‐week inpatient treatment, the findings indicate significant improvements in the DST group in typical affective borderline symptomatology and in the personality structure feature of identity diffusion. This highlights the significance of a short‐term specific inpatient therapy for BPD.

Key Practitioner Message

A structured, disorder‐specific inpatient treatment of patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) combined a psychodynamic transference‐focused psychotherapy treatment approach (focusing on pathological features in personality organization, particularly on non‐integrated images of self and others) with modules of dialectical behavioural skills training. This treatment is associated with a decrease in identity diffusion of these patients after 12 weeks of treatment.

The treatment is also related to a significant decrease in borderline typical psychopathological symptoms such as depressive symptoms, as well as an improvement in state anger.

The outcomes of this structured, disorder‐specific inpatient treatment of severely ill BPD patients indicated the relevance of intensive short‐term inpatient psychotherapy in terms of psychopathological improvements as well as initial changes in structural personality organization.

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of calcium sulfate whiskers by carbide slag through hydrothermal method
Authors: Wang Yongqian , Li Yinchang , Yuan Ao , Yuan Bo , Lei Xinrong , Ma Qun , Han Jun , Wang Junxia , Chen Jieyu
Published: August 2014

In this work, a series of calcium sulfate whiskers were prepared successfully using carbide slag as raw material through hydrothermal method. The prepared gypsum observed is hemihydrate calcium sulfate and the formation of the calcium sulfate whiskers are influenced by preparation parameters. The optimal preparation conditions are as follows: seriflux concentration, 4 %; hydrothermal reaction time, 10 h; hydrothermal reaction temperature, 130°C; seriflux pH, 7; calcium‐magnesium ratio, 12 : 1. Some nanowires appear when seriflux pH is very low (e.g. 1). The length‐diameter ratio of the whiskers is about 60‐80.
Central coherence in adolescents with bulimia nervosa spectrum eating disorders
Authors: Darcy Alison M. , Fitzpatrick Kathleen Kara , Manasse Stephanie M. , Datta Nandini , Klabunde Megan , Colborn Danielle , Aspen Vandana , Stiles‐Shields Colleen , Labuschagne Zandre , Le Grange Daniel , Lock James
Published: August 2014

Background

Weak central coherence—a tendency to process details at the expense of the gestalt—has been observed among adults with bulimia nervosa (BN) and is a potential candidate endophenotype for eating disorders (EDs). However, as BN behaviors typically onset during adolescence it is important to assess central coherence in this younger age group to determine whether the findings in adults are likely a result of BN or present earlier in the evolution of the disorder. This study examines whether the detail‐oriented and fragmented cognitive inefficiency observed among adults with BN is observable among adolescents with shorter illness duration, relative to healthy controls.

Method

The Rey‐Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) was administered to a total of 47 adolescents with DSM5 BN, 42 with purging disorder (PD), and 25 healthy controls (HC). Performance on this measure was compared across the three groups.

Results

Those with BN and PD demonstrated significantly worse accuracy scores compared to controls in the copy and delayed recall condition with a moderate effect size. These findings were exacerbated when symptoms of BN increased.

Discussion

Poorer accuracy scores reflect a fragmented and piecemeal strategy that interferes with visual‐spatial integration in BN spectrum disorders. This cognitive inefficiency likely contributes to broad difficulties in executive functioning in this population especially in the context of worsening bulimic symptoms. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that poor global integration may constitute a cognitive endophenotype for BN.
A K2CO3‐Mediated Regioselective Synthesis of Indole/Pyrrole‐Fused 1,4‐Oxazines: An Unexpected Indole‐Fused Azlactone Synthesis
Authors: Vandavasi Jaya Kishore , Hu Wan‐Ping , Senadi Gopal Chandru , Boominathan Siva Senthil Kumar , Chen Hsing‐Yin , Wang Jeh‐Jeng
Published: August 2014

A highly regioselective and efficient base‐catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of primary and secondary alkynyl alcohols was developed to afford 1,4‐oxaza heterocycles. Although the rates of cyclization for terminal alkynyl alcohols were significantly greater than those for internal ones, our method tolerated both terminal and internal alkynes. In addition, an unprecedented one‐pot hydroamination reaction was found to proceed with high chemo‐ and regioselectivity to form indole‐fused azlactones in the presence of base.
A forensic perspective on the genetic identification of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties using STR markers
Authors: Santos Sara , Oliveira Manuela , Amorim António , van Asch Barbara
Published: August 2014

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera) is one of the most important agricultural crops worldwide. A long interest in the historical origins of ancient and cultivated current grapevines, as well as the need to establish phylogenetic relationships and parentage, solve homonymies and synonymies, fingerprint cultivars and clones, and assess the authenticity of plants and wines has encouraged the development of genetic identification methods. STR analysis is currently the most commonly used method for these purposes. A large dataset of grapevines genotypes for many cultivars worldwide has been produced in the last decade using a common set of recommended dinucleotide nuclear STRs. This type of marker has been replaced by long core‐repeat loci in standardized state‐of‐the‐art human forensic genotyping. The first steps toward harmonized grapevine genotyping have already been taken to bring the genetic identification methods closer to human forensic STR standards by previous authors. In this context, we bring forward a set of basic suggestions that reinforce the need to (i) guarantee trueness‐to‐type of the sample; (ii) use the long core‐repeat markers; (iii) verify the specificity and amplification consistency of PCR primers; (iv) sequence frequent alleles and use these standardized allele ladders; (v) consider mutation rates when evaluating results of STR‐based parentage and pedigree analysis; (vi) genotype large and representative samples in order to obtain allele frequency databases; (vii) standardize genotype data by establishing allele nomenclature based on repeat number to facilitate information exchange and data compilation.
Visualization of controlled fragrance release from cyclodextrin inclusion complexes by fluorescence imaging
Authors: Liu Chuanjun , Hayashi Kenshi
Published: August 2014

Evaluation of odour release is important for the development of encapsulated fragrances. However, the use of existing instrumental analysis or gas‐sensor technologies for odour‐release evaluation is time‐ and labour‐consuming. This paper introduces a fluorescence imaging system that can be used as a simple but effective tool to visualize the moisture‐activated release of fragrance from cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. The visualization is based on the fluorescence changes of samples caused by the release of fragrance molecules from the cavity of cyclodextrin. Fluorescence spectroscopy investigations proved that different strategies could be used in the visualization depending on the molecular characters of the encapsulated fragrances. In the case of fragrance molecules with fluorescence (typically methyl anthranilate: MA), the change of fluorescence intensity was derived from the changed microenvironment of MA – from the encapsulated state to the released state. For the fragrance molecules without fluorescence (typically menthol), an appropriate fluorescent probe (7‐amino‐4‐methylcoumarin: AMC) was used, and the fluorescence change was observed due to the interactions between AMC and the released menthol molecules. The real‐time releases were visualized by two‐dimensional/three‐dimensional surface plots of the fluorescence images using image‐processing software. Both the burst release occurring on the short time scale and the slow, natural release in ambient conditions can be demonstrated by the proposed visualization technique. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Environmental Strategies: Strategies for Compliance With Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
Authors: Sebor Stephanie
Published: August 2014

The Environmental Protection Agency's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule comes into effect for existing coal‐ and oil‐fired electric utility steam generating units (EGUs) on April 16, 2015. This article summarizes the rule's requirements and sets forth considerations for affected sources evaluating their compliance options under the rule.
Depression and anxiety symptoms in male veterans and non‐veterans: the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Gould Christine E. , Rideaux Tiffany , Spira Adam P. , Beaudreau Sherry A.
Published: August 2014

Objectives

We examined whether veteran status was associated with elevated depression and anxiety symptoms in men aged 50 and older after adjusting for sociodemographic factors.

Methods

Participants were 6577 men aged 50 years and older who completed the 2006 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Forty‐nine percent of participants were veterans. A randomly selected subset of participants completed the HRS Psychosocial Questionnaire (N = 2957), which contained the anxiety items. Elevated depression and anxiety symptoms were determined based on brief versions of Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale (CES‐D total score ≥ 4) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI total score ≥ 12).

Results

Elevated depression and anxiety symptoms were found in 11.0 and 9.9% of veterans, respectively, compared with 12.8 and 12.3% of non‐veterans. Veteran status was not associated with increased odds of anxiety or depression symptoms in the multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression analyses. Additional analyses indicated that Vietnam War veterans were more than twice as likely as World War II or Korean War veterans to have elevated depression symptoms (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.54–3.00) or anxiety symptoms (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.28–3.51).

Conclusions

In a community‐based sample of men aged 50 and older, veteran status was not associated with the presence of elevated depression and anxiety symptoms. Rather, these symptoms were associated with age, ethnicity, education, and medical conditions. Among veterans, cohort effects accounted for differences in psychiatric symptoms. Including younger cohorts from the Global War on Terror may yield different results in future studies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Myeloid‐specific disruption of recombination signal binding protein Jκ ameliorates hepatic fibrosis by attenuating inflammation through cylindromatosis in mice
Authors: He Fei , Guo Feng‐Cheng , Li Zhi , Yu Heng‐Chao , Ma Peng‐Fei , Zhao Jun‐Long , Feng Lei , Li Wei‐Na , Liu Xiao‐Wei , Qin Hong‐Yan , Dou Ke‐Feng , Han Hua
Published: August 2014

Macrophages play multidimensional roles in hepatic fibrosis, but their control has not been fully understood. The Notch pathway mediated by recombination signal binding protein Jκ (RBP‐J), the transcription factor transactivated by signals from four mammalian Notch receptors, is implicated in macrophage activation and plasticity. In this study, by using mouse hepatic fibrosis models, we show that myeloid‐specific disruption of RBP‐J resulted in attenuated fibrosis. The activation of hepatic stellate cells and production of profibrotic factors including platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐B and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF‐β1) reduced significantly in myeloid‐specific RBP‐J deficient mice. The infiltration of inflammatory cells and production of proinflammatory factors were reduced in liver of myeloid‐specific RBP‐J‐deficient mice during fibrosis. In RBP‐J‐deficient macrophages, the nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) activation was remarkably attenuated as compared with the control. This could be attributed to the up‐regulation of cylindromatosis (CYLD), a negative regulator of NF‐κB, in Notch signal‐compromised macrophages, because the knockdown of CYLD in RBP‐J‐deficient macrophages or overexpression of p65 in RBP‐J knockdown cells both restored NF‐κB activation and the production of proinflammatory and/or profibrotic factors by macrophages. In human hepatic fibrosis biopsies, stronger Notch activation is correlated with more severe fibrosis, which is accompanied by a lower level of CYLD but irrespective of etiological reasons. Conclusion: RBP‐J‐mediated Notch signaling is required for macrophages to promote hepatic fibrosis by up‐regulation of NF‐κB activation through CYLD. (Hepatology 2015;61:303–314)
4EBP1/eIF4E and p70S6K/RPS6 axes play critical and distinct roles in hepatocarcinogenesis driven by AKT and N‐Ras proto‐oncogenes in mice
Authors: Wang Chunmei , Cigliano Antonio , Jiang Lijie , Li Xiaolei , Fan Biao , Pilo Maria G. , Liu Yan , Gui Bing , Sini Marcella , Smith Jeffrey W. , Dombrowski Frank , Calvisi Diego F. , Evert Matthias , Chen Xin
Published: August 2014

Concomitant expression of activated forms of v‐akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT) and Ras in mouse liver (AKT/Ras) leads to rapid tumor development through strong activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. mTORC1 functions by regulating p70S6K/ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E‐binding protein 1/ eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (4EBP1/eIF4E) cascades. How these cascades contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis remains unknown. Here, we show that inhibition of the RPS6 pathway by rapamycin effectively suppressed, whereas blockade of the 4EBP1/eIF4E cascade by 4EBP1A4, an unphosphorylatable form of 4EBP1, significantly delayed, AKT/Ras‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Combined treatment with rapamycin and 4EBP1A4 completely inhibited AKT/Ras hepatocarcinogenesis. This strong antineoplastic effect was successfully recapitulated by ablating regulatory associated protein of mTORC1, the major subunit of mTORC1, in AKT/Ras‐overexpressing livers. Furthermore, we demonstrate that overexpression of eIF4E, the proto‐oncogene whose activity is specifically inhibited by 4EBP1, resulted in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in cooperation with activated Ras. Mechanistically, we identified the ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 5/ adenylate kinase 1/cytidine monophosphate kinase 1 axis and the mitochondrial biogenesis pathway as targets of the 4EBP1/eIF4E cascade in AKT/Ras and Ras/eIF4E livers as well as in human HCC cell lines and tissues. Conclusions: Complete inhibition of mTORC1 is required to suppress liver cancer development induced by AKT and Ras proto‐oncogenes in mice. The mTORC1 effectors, RPS6 and eIF4E, play distinct roles and are both necessary for AKT/Ras hepatocarcinogenesis. These new findings might open the way for innovative therapies against human HCC. (Hepatology 2015;61:200–213)
A New and Convenient Synthesis of Amino‐phthalimide (1H‐Isoindole‐1,3(2H)‐dione) Derivatives and Their Photoluminescent Properties
Authors: Tan Ayse , Bozkurt Ebru , Kishali Nurhan , Kara Yunus
Published: August 2014

A new and convenient synthesis for amino‐phthalimide (1H‐isoindole‐1,3(2H)‐dione) derivatives has been developed starting from an α,β‐unsaturated ketone. The ketones were reacted with amines to give aromatic amine products. This is the first time that substituted amine groups have been incorporated in aromatic rings. The mechanism of the product formation is rationalized by the 1,2‐addition of amines to ketones. All aromatic compounds exhibited high fluorescence properties at the blue‐green region.
Copper‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Alkynyl Hydrazones from Alkynes and Hydrazonyl Chlorides
Authors: Yavari Issa , Nematpour Manijeh , Yavari Sima , Sadeghizadeh Fatemeh
Published: August 2014

A novel ligand‐free synthesis of alkynyl hydrazones via coupling reaction of hydrazonyl chlorides and terminal alkynes, catalyzed by CuI led to excellent yields.
Two New Acidic Diterpenoids from the Heartwood of Pinus massonianaLamb.
Authors: Abd. Mohamed H. , Hsieh Chin‐Lin , Hsu Chin , Kuo Ching‐Chuan , Chang Hsuan‐Shuo , Lee Ching‐Kuo , Lee Tzon‐Huei , Wu Jin‐Bin , Chang Chi‐I , Kuo Yueh‐Hsiung
Published: August 2014

A new abietane diterpene, named abietopinoic acid, and a new podocarpane diterpene, named podopinoic acid, were isolated from the acetone extract of the heartwood of Pinus massoniana. Their structures were established as 12‐hydroxy‐7‐oxoabieta‐8,11,13‐trien‐18‐oic acid (1) and 13‐hydroxy‐7‐oxopodocarpane (2) by means of spectroscopic analyses including 2D‐NMR. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report of a podocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐18‐oic acid diterpene, isolated from the genus Pinus.
Cortical Thickness of the Femur and Long-Term Bisphosphonate Use
Authors: Niimi Rui , Kono Toshibumi , Nishihara Atsushi , Hasegawa Masahiro , Matsumine Akihiko , Kono Toshihiko , Sudo Akihiro
Published: August 2014

Femoral cortical thickening has been mentioned in reports of atypical subtrochanteric/femoral shaft (ST/FS) fractures, which are associated with long-term bisphosphonate (BP) use. However, whether thickening precedes BP use or results from BP use, as well as the role BPs may play in cortical thickening remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cortical thickness and BP use. We enrolled 142 patients (mean age 79 years) who had taken BPs for more than 5 years, and enrolled 426 osteoporosis patients who had not used BPs as controls. We performed a case-control study of patients with long-term BP use and controls matched for age, sex, and levels of activities of daily living (ADLs) (1:3 ratio). On femoral radiographs, we measured femoral cortical thickness in three regions: 5 cm and 12.5 cm below the lesser trochanter and in the region of maximal cortical thickness. We compared cortical thicknesses between patients taking BP and controls and evaluated longitudinal changes in cortical thickness. There were no significant differences in cortical thickness between long-term BP users and controls. In addition, after further use of BP for a minimum of 1 year, we observed no significant differences in the changes in cortical thickness at any level of the femur. In conclusion, our study did not find evidence of cortical thickening at the ST/FS area of the femur with long-term BP use. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Intraoperative ultrasound to facilitate removal of a submucosal foreign body
Authors: Smith Matthew E. , Riffat Faruque , Berman Laurence H. , Jani Piyush
Published: August 2014

A 61‐year‐old man with a history of fish bone ingestion and poorly localized symptoms was seen. His clinical examination was unremarkable, but CT demonstrated a foreign body deeply embedded within his tongue. Intraoperative ultrasound (US) guidance facilitated identification of a bone, allowing a needle to be placed as a guide to dissection. Repeat US scanning through the incision permitted precisely targeted surgery. CT and US are the most effective imaging techniques for localizing fish bones. Intraoperative US can be used to accurately locate a submucosal fish bone in mobile tissue such as the tongue, and focused, image‐guided dissection can reduce surgical tissue trauma. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:565–568, 2014
Effect ofAloe veraapplication on the content and molecular arrangement of glycosaminoglycans during calcaneal tendon healing
Authors: De Aro Andrea Aparecida , Esquisatto Marcelo Augusto Marretto , Nishan Umar , Perez Mylena Oliveira , Rodrigues Rodney Alexandre Ferreira , Foglio Mary Ann , De Carvalho João Ernesto , Gomes Laurecir , Vidal Benedicto De Campos , Pimentel Edson Rosa
Published: August 2014

Although several treatments for tendon lesions have been proposed, successful tendon repair remains a great challenge for orthopedics, especially considering the high incidence of re‐rupture of injured tendons. Our aim was to evaluate the pharmacological potential ofAloe veraon the content and arrangement of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) during tendon healing, which was based on the effectiveness ofA. veraon collagen organization previously observed by our group. In rats, a partial calcaneal tendon transection was performed with subsequent topicalA. veraapplication at the injury site. The tendons were treated withA. veraointment for 7 days and excised on the 7th, 14th, or 21stday post‐surgery. Control rats received ointment withoutA. vera. A higher content of GAGs and a lower amount of dermatan sulfate were detected in theA. vera‐treated group on the 14thday compared with the control. Also at 14 days post‐surgery, a lower dichroic ratio in toluidine blue stained sections was observed inA. vera‐treated tendons compared with the control. No differences were observed in the chondroitin‐6‐sulfate and TGF‐β1 levels between the groups, and higher amount of non‐collagenous proteins was detected in theA. vera‐treated group on the 21stday, compared with the control group. No differences were observed in the number of fibroblasts, inflammatory cells and blood vessels between the groups. The application ofA. veraduring tendon healing modified the arrangement of GAGs and increased the content of GAGs and non‐collagenous proteins.Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:964–973, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sustained favourable HIV viral load response in South African patients during concomitant HAART and cancer therapy
Authors: Musyoki Andrew M. , Msibi Thembeni L. , Motswaledi Mojakgomo H. , Selabe Selokela G. , Mphahlele M. Jeffrey
Published: August 2014

HIV infection has led to an increase of both AIDS defining and non‐AIDS defining cancers. Immunosuppressive cancer therapy had been noted for increased HIV viral load in cancer patients infected with HIV before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Assessing the outcome of concomitant HAART and cancer treatment in regions endemic for HIV is thus important. From a cohort of 34 cancer patients infected with HIV, 10 (six underwent radiotherapy and four chemotherapy) had at least three serial samples collected before, during and after treatment. From each sample, HIV viral load, CD4 +  and CD8 +  cell count was investigated. HIV genotypic drug resistance was assessed for six patients with a detectable HIV viral load at baseline. Of the 10 patients; one was HIV positive only, three were HIV and HBV co‐infected and six were HIV, HBV and HCV triple infected. Four patients were HAART experienced at recruitment, while six were HAART naive with detectable HIV viral loads. A significant HIV viral load decrease (P = 0.0128) was observed in all six patients with detectable baseline HIV viral loads. The four patients on HAART at recruitment maintained lower than detectable HIV viral load status throughout cancer therapy. A positive correlation between the rise in CD4 +  cell count and attaining a lower than detectable HIV viral load was also observed (P = 0.0439). This pilot study supports concomitant treatment of HIV/AIDS and cancer in HIV endemic regions irrespective of the type of cancer diagnosed, prescribed cancer therapy or other viral (HBV, HCV or both) co‐infections. J. Med. Virol. 87:192–198, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Are metabolites of Fusarium oxysporum responsible for fungal skin invasion? A morphological and Raman spectroscopy monitoring
Authors: Sibin Melo Kátia Cristina , Svidzinski Terezinha Inez Estivalet , Zapater Mariana Cristina Vicente Umada , da Silva Thiago Honório Dutra , de Morais Gutierrez Rodrigues , Sato Francielle , Baesso Mauro Luciano , Hernandes Luzmarina
Published: August 2014

Fusarium is an emerging pathogen with high levels of morbidity and mortality. A significant tissue response is observed in infected patients, and the condition has been associated with the production of toxic metabolites. The aim of the present study was to identify a major fraction of crude metabolic extract of Fusarium oxysporum and investigate its effects on the skin of healthy rats. Fraction F1 was obtained from the cultivation of F. oxysporum in Czapek–Dox. In the treatment groups, fraction F1 (0.05 mg/ ml) was injected intradermally, while (50 µl) 0.9% of saline solution was injected in the control groups. The animals were killed 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after inoculation. The skin was fixed for inclusion in paraffin to obtain histological sections and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Sirius red, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling. Samples were analyzed using Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy. The tissue reactions were classified and compared over time and by treatment. In the treatment group, inflammatory reaction peaked at 6 h, being classified as moderate, with infiltrate composed mainly of neutrophils. terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling staining was negative. The area occupied by types I and III collagen in the treatment group increased over time. There was a change in the area occupied by amide I and the ratios of the –CH2 and –CH3 molecules. It can be argued that the fraction F1 contains elements that contribute to the invasion of Fusarium in the skin, destructurizing the organization of the extracellular matrix. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the lipophilicity of selected sunscreens—A chemometric analysis of thin‐layer chromatographic retention data
Authors: Sobanska Anna W. , Wójcicka Kamila , Brzezinska Elżbieta
Published: August 2014

The lipophilicities of 22 selected sunscreens, preservatives, and vitamins used in topical skin products were measured by thin‐layer chromatography. Lipophilicity was calculated in silico from the sunscreen molecular structures and compared to the experimental octanol/water partition coefficients found in the literature. The retention of the compounds was investigated on an RP‐18 stationary phase with mobile phases consisting of water and one of six organic modifiers (dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, acetonitrile, methanol, and dimethylformamide) at different concentrations. The theoretical lipophilicities were calculated by several computational algorithms and the results of these calculations were compared using cluster analysis. The results showed that two out of the six investigated organic modifiers (dioxane and acetone) may be used to estimate the octanol/water partition coefficients of highly lipophilic compounds having lipophilicities that cannot be measured directly by the shake‐flask method.
Systematic review of the use of bone cement in ossicular chain reconstruction and revision stapes surgery
Authors: Wegner Inge , van den Berg Jelle W.G. , Smit Adriana L. , Grolman Wilko
Published: August 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate the effectiveness of bone cement on mean postoperative air–bone gap (ABG) and the proportion of ABG closure to within 20 dB in patients undergoing ossicular chain reconstruction or revision stapes surgery.

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, and Central.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted. Studies reporting original study data were included. Relevance and risk of bias (RoB) of the selected articles were assessed. Studies with low relevance, high RoB, or both were excluded. Mean differences, risk differences, and their 95% confidence intervals were extracted for the outcomes of interest.

Results

Twelve studies with high relevance and moderate RoB were included for data extraction. Seven of these were two‐armed studies, and five were one‐armed studies. ABG closure to within 20 dB was assessed in 11 studies and achieved in 60% to 94% of patients who were treated with bone cement. Mean ABG closure ranged from 15 dB to 23 dB in patients treated with bone cement across 11 studies. Most of the two‐armed studies did not show a statistically significant difference between the use of bone cement and various conventional rebridging techniques, including allograft or autograft interposition and partial ossicular replacement prosthesis.

Conclusion

There is no sufficient evidence to support superiority of use of bone cement compared to conventional techniques. It seems from the available evidence that bone cement does not underachieve in ossiculoplasty compared to conventional rebridging techniques. Laryngoscope, 125:227–233, 2015
No association between apolipoprotein E or N‐Acetyltransferase 2 gene polymorphisms and age‐related hearing loss
Authors: Dawes Piers , Platt Hazel , Horan Michael , Ollier William , Munro Kevin , Pendleton Neil , Payton Antony
Published: August 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Age‐related hearing loss has a genetic component, but there have been limited genetic studies in this field. Both N‐acetyltransferase 2 and apolipoprotein E genes have previously been associated. However, these studies have either used small sample sizes, examined a limited number of polymorphisms, or have produced conflicting results. Here we use a haplotype tagging approach to determine association with age‐related hearing loss and investigate epistasis between these two genes.

Study Design

Candidate gene association study of a continuous phenotype.

Methods

We investigated haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms in the N‐acetyltransferase 2 gene and the presence/absence of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele for association with age‐related hearing loss in a cohort of 265 Caucasian elderly volunteers from Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. Hearing phenotypes were generated using principal component analysis of the hearing threshold levels for the better ear (severity, slope, and concavity). Genotype data for the N‐acetyltransferase 2 gene was obtained from existing genome‐wide association study data from the Illumina 610‐Quadv1 chip. Apolipoprotein E genotyping was performed using Sequenom technology. Linear regression analysis was performed using Plink and Stata software.

Results

No significant associations (P value, > 0.05) were observed between the N‐acetyltransferase 2 or apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms and any hearing factor. No significant association was observed for epistasis analysis of apolipoprotein E ε4 and the N‐acetyltransferase 2 single nucleotide polymorphism rs1799930 (NAT2*6A).

Conclusion

We found no evidence to support that either N‐acetyltransferase 2 or apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms are associated with age‐related hearing loss in a cohort of 265 elderly volunteers.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 125:E33–E38, 2015
Esophageal perforation caused by edible foreign bodies: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Aronberg Ryan M. , Punekar Salman R. , Adam Stewart I. , Judson Benjamin L , Mehra Saral , Yarbrough Wendell G.
Published: August 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Presentation of a case of esophageal perforation caused by ingestion of a foreign body that was difficult to visualize endoscopically, and systematic review of the current literature with a focus on available diagnostic modalities and missed diagnoses.

Data Sources

MEDLINE (1946–2014)

Review Methods

We conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE for cases and studies of esophageal perforation due to foreign bodies.

Results

A systematic review of esophageal perforations caused by foreign bodies revealed 40 studies that included 168 patients. Neck/chest pain, odynophagia, and dysphagia were the most common presenting symptoms—each occurring in the majority of patients. Where reported, diagnostic sensitivity of lateral neck X‐rays was 56%, and computed tomography (CT) scan was 100%. Nine of 168 cases specifically mentioned a missed diagnosis. Very few studies reported a failure to visualize the foreign object at the time of primary rigid or flexible esophagoscopy. No studies reported nonvisualization of the foreign body at the time of open surgery.

Conclusion

Esophageal perforations due to foreign bodies are rare but carry potentially devastating complications. Delays in diagnosis are common, and no standard diagnostic algorithm exists. Lateral neck X‐rays are an easy but insensitive screening test. Laryngoscopy is an excellent screening test but not always diagnostic. CT is a more sensitive diagnostic method, which can also help guide management based on the detection of complications. Although seldom described, if an object is not visualized at the time of endoscopic or surgical intervention, follow‐up CT may be useful in determining the persistence of effects of the perforation or the foreign body. Laryngoscope, 125:371–378, 2015
Moraxella catarrhalis is susceptible to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with Photofrin
Authors: Luke‐Marshall Nicole R. , Mang Thomas S. , Hansen Lisa A. , Campagnari Anthony A.
Published: August 2014

Background and Objective

Moraxella catarrhalis is a significant cause of pediatric otitis media (OM), which is the most prevalent bacterial infection in children and primary reason for antibiotic administration in this population. Moreover, biofilm formation has been implicated as a primary mechanism of chronic or recurrent OM disease. As bacterial biofilms are inherently resistant to most antibiotics and these complex structures also present a significant challenge to the immune system, there is a clear need to identify novel antimicrobial approaches to treat OM infections. In this study, we evaluated the potential efficacy of antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) with porfimer sodium (Photofrin (PF)) against planktonic as well as biofilm‐associated M. catarrhalis.

Materials and Methods

The bactericidal activity of aPDT with PF was assessed against multiple recent clinical isolates of M. catarrhalis grown planktonically as well as in biofilms. The bactericidal activity of PF‐aPDT was quantified by enumeration of colony forming units post‐treatment. The effect of aPDT on M. catarrhalis biofilms was further investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging.

Results

aPDT with PF significantly reduced M. catarrhalis viability. Although PF‐aPDT caused higher killing in planktonic grown organisms (5–6 log kill), biofilm grown bacteria also demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in viable organisms (3–4 log decrease in recoverable bacteria) following treatment as compared to saline only controls (P < 0.01). SEM studies indicated the PF‐aPDT treated bacteria exhibited prominent morphological changes with visibly distorted cell membranes.

Conclusions

aPDT with PF elicits significant bactericidal activity against both planktonic and biofilm‐associated M. catarrhalis, suggesting this technology warrants further analysis as a potential novel antimicrobial treatment for acute or recurrent OM. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:712–717, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The allelic spectrum of Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease in over 17,000 individuals with neuropathy
Authors: DiVincenzo Christina , Elzinga Christopher D. , Medeiros Adam C. , Karbassi Izabela , Jones Jeremiah R. , Evans Matthew C. , Braastad Corey D. , Bishop Crystal M. , Jaremko Malgorzata , Wang Zhenyuan , Liaquat Khalida , Hoffman Carol A. , York Michelle D. , Batish Sat D. , Lupski James R. , Higgins Joseph J.
Published: August 2014

We report the frequency, positive rate, and type of mutations in 14 genes (PMP22, GJB1, MPZ, MFN2, SH3TC2, GDAP1, NEFL, LITAF, GARS, HSPB1, FIG4, EGR2, PRX, and RAB7A) associated with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) in a cohort of 17,880 individuals referred to a commercial genetic testing laboratory. Deidentified results from sequencing assays and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were analyzed including 100,102 Sanger sequencing, 2338 next‐generation sequencing (NGS), and 21,990 MLPA assays. Genetic abnormalities were identified in 18.5% (n = 3312) of all individuals. Testing by Sanger and MLPA (n = 3216) showed that duplications (dup) (56.7%) or deletions (del) (21.9%) in the PMP22 gene accounted for the majority of positive findings followed by mutations in the GJB1 (6.7%), MPZ (5.3%), and MFN2 (4.3%) genes. GJB1 del and mutations in the remaining genes explained 5.3% of the abnormalities. Pathogenic mutations were distributed as follows: missense (70.6%), nonsense (14.3%), frameshift (8.7%), splicing (3.3%), in‐frame deletions/insertions (1.8%), initiator methionine mutations (0.8%), and nonstop changes (0.5%). Mutation frequencies, positive rates, and the types of mutations were similar between tests performed by either Sanger (n = 17,377) or NGS (n = 503). Among patients with a positive genetic finding in a CMT‐related gene, 94.9% were positive in one of four genes (PMP22, GJB1, MPZ, or MFN2).