bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biological evaluation of chitosan‐based in situ‐forming hydrogel with low phase transition temperature
Authors: Dang Qi Feng , Yan Jing Quan , Lin Hong , Liu Cheng Sheng , Chen Xi Guang , Ji Qiu Xia , Li Jing , Liu Ya 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThe aims of current study were to choose a method for preparing sterile chitosan‐α,β‐glycerophosphate (CS‐α,β‐GP) in situ‐forming hydrogel which had potential applications in tissue engineering and evaluated its biocompatibility and degradation characteristics. The results of sterilization stability tests indicated that sterile formulations could be obtained by ultraviolet irradiation of CS powders, 0.22 µm filtration of α,β‐GP and lactic acid solutions, and sterile preparation of CS‐α,β‐GP formulations. The obtained sterile CS‐α,β‐GP formulations showed low hemolysis rates and low BSA adsorption at physiological conditions. When injected in vivo the CS‐α,β‐GP sol turned into gel implant in situ and could be degraded gradually. A minimal inflammatory reaction which could not be found by macroscopic evaluation was induced after injection and new capillary formation was found around the hydrogel humps, making the CS‐α,β‐GP hydrogel worthwhile to be considered for tissue engineering and biomedical applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41594.
Retinal Anatomy of the New Zealand Kiwi: Structural Traits Consistent With Their Nocturnal Behavior
Authors: Corfield Jeremy R. , Parsons Stuart , Harimoto Yoshitetsu , Acosta Monica L. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTKiwi (Apteryx spp.) have a visual system unlike that of other nocturnal birds, and have specializations to their auditory, olfactory, and tactile systems. Eye size, binocular visual fields and visual brain centers in kiwi are proportionally the smallest yet recorded among birds. Given the many unique features of the kiwi visual system, we examined the laminar organization of the kiwi retina to determine if they evolved increased light sensitivity with a shift to a nocturnal niche or if they retained features of their diurnal ancestor. The laminar organization of the kiwi retina was consistent with an ability to detect low light levels similar to that of other nocturnal species. In particular, the retina appeared to have a high proportion of rod photoreceptors as compared to diurnal species, as evidenced by a thick outer nuclear layer, and also numerous thin photoreceptor segments intercalated among the conical shaped cone photoreceptor inner segments. Therefore, the retinal structure of kiwi was consistent with increased light sensitivity, although other features of the visual system, such as eye size, suggest a reduced reliance on vision. The unique combination of a nocturnal retina and smaller than expected eye size, binocular visual fields, and brain regions make the kiwi visual system unlike that of any bird examined to date. Whether these features of their visual system are an evolutionary design that meets their specific visual needs or are a remnant of a kiwi ancestor that relied more heavily on vision is yet to be determined. Anat Rec, 298:771–779, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lignin‐based Microporous Materials as Selective Adsorbents for Carbon Dioxide Separation
Authors: Meng Qing Bo , Weber Jens 
Published: October 2014

AbstractSuitable solid adsorbents are demanded for carbon capture and storage (CCS) processes. In this work, a novel microporous polymer is developed by hypercrosslinking of organosolv lignin, which is a renewable resource. Reaction with formaldehyde dimethyl acetal (FDA) via Friedel–Crafts reaction gives microporous networks, with moderate capacity of carbon dioxide but excellent selectivity towards CO2/N2 mixture as predicted on the basis of ideal adsorption–solution theory (IAST). Pyrolysis of pure organosolv lignin results in microporous carbon powders, while pyrolysis of hypercrosslinked organosolv lignin yields shape‐persistent materials with increased CO2 capacity while maintaining very good selectivity.
Birth weight and two possible types of maternal effects on male sexual orientation: A clinical study of children and adolescents referred to a Gender Identity Service
Authors: VanderLaan Doug P. , Blanchard Ray , Wood Hayley , Garzon Luisa C. , Zucker Kenneth J. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThis study tested predictions regarding two hypothesized maternal immune responses influencing sexual orientation: one affecting homosexual males with high fraternal birth order and another affecting firstborn homosexual individuals whose mothers experience repeated miscarriage after the birth of the first child. Low birth weight was treated as a marker of possible exposure to a maternal immune response during gestation. Birth weight was examined relative to sibship characteristics in a clinical sample of youth (N = 1,722) classified as heterosexual or homosexual based on self‐reported or probable sexual orientation. No female sexual orientation differences in birth weight were found. Homosexual, compared to heterosexual, males showed lower birth weight if they had one or more older brothers—and especially two or more older brothers—or if they were an only‐child. These findings support the existence of two maternal immune responses influencing male sexual orientation and possibly also cross‐gender behavior and identity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 57: 25–34, 2015.
Population structure and phylogeography reveal pathways of colonization by a migratory marine reptile (Chelonia mydas) in the central and eastern Pacific
Authors: Dutton Peter H. , Jensen Michael P. , Frey Amy , LaCasella Erin , Balazs George H. , Zárate Patricia , Chassin‐Noria Omar , Sarti‐Martinez Adriana Laura , Velez Elizabeth 
Published: October 2014

AbstractClimate, behavior, ecology, and oceanography shape patterns of biodiversity in marine faunas in the absence of obvious geographic barriers. Marine turtles are an example of highly migratory creatures with deep evolutionary lineages and complex life histories that span both terrestrial and marine environments. Previous studies have focused on the deep isolation of evolutionary lineages (>3 mya) through vicariance; however, little attention has been given to the pathways of colonization of the eastern Pacific and the processes that have shaped diversity within the most recent evolutionary time. We sequenced 770 bp of the mtDNA control region to examine the stock structure and phylogeography of 545 green turtles from eight different rookeries in the central and eastern Pacific. We found significant differentiation between the geographically separated nesting populations and identified five distinct stocks (FST = 0.08–0.44, P < 0.005). Central and eastern Pacific Chelonia mydas form a monophyletic group containing 3 subclades, with Hawaii more closely related to the eastern Pacific than western Pacific populations. The split between sampled central/eastern and western Pacific haplotypes was estimated at around 0.34 mya, suggesting that the Pacific region west of Hawaii has been a more formidable barrier to gene flow in C. mydas than the East Pacific Barrier. Our results suggest that the eastern Pacific was colonized from the western Pacific via the Central North Pacific and that the Revillagigedos Islands provided a stepping‐stone for radiation of green turtles from the Hawaiian Archipelago to the eastern Pacific. Our results fit with a broader paradigm that has been described for marine biodiversity, where oceanic islands, such as Hawaii and Revillagigedo, rather than being peripheral evolutionary “graveyards”, serve as sources and recipients of diversity and provide a mechanism for further radiation.
The prevalence and burden of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in rural Tanzania
Authors: Paddick S.‐M. , Kisoli A. , Longdon A. , Dotchin C. , Gray W. K. , Chaote P. , Teodorczuk A. , Walker R. 
Published: October 2014

ObjectivesBehavioural and psychological symptoms (BPS) in dementia are common in high‐income countries, but there are few data from sub‐Saharan Africa. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence and pattern of BPS and associated caregiver distress in rural Tanzania.MethodsPrevalent cases of dementia (aged 70 and over) were identified during a community‐based door‐to‐door study in six rural villages in Tanzania. Following cognitive screening, a stratified sample (over‐sampled for people with dementia) of cases underwent a detailed clinical assessment including the brief 12 item neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI‐Q), which assesses BPS and associated caregiver distress over the preceding 30 days.ResultsOf 78 people with dementia, at least one current BPS was reported by 69 (88.4%), with 40 (51.3%) reporting 3 or more symptoms. In 172 people with no cognitive impairment, 110 (64.0%) reported at least one symptom and 48 (27.9%) reported 3 or more. In dementia cases, the most frequent symptoms reported were anxiety (47.4%), agitation/aggression (38.5%), night‐time behavioural disturbance (34.6%), irritability (33.3%) and depression (33.3%).ConclusionThe frequency of BPS in dementia in this rural Tanzanian population is high and comparable to that reported in prevalence studies from high income countries. Symptoms were also common, although to a lesser degree, amongst cognitively intact subjects. BPS are likely to have a significant impact on quality of life for elderly persons and their carers in low‐income settings. Low‐cost interventions, such as community‐based therapy and education, are needed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Derivation of human health‐based ambient water quality criteria: A consideration of conservatism and protectiveness goals
Authors: Tatum Vickie , Wiegand Paul , Stratton Steve , Louch Jeffrey , Ebert Ellen , Anderson Paul 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTUnder the terms of the Clean Water Act, criteria for the protection of human health (Human Health Ambient Water Quality Criteria [HHWQC]) are traditionally derived using equations recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that include parameters for exposure assessment. To derive “adequately protective” HHWQC, USEPA proposes the use of default values for these parameters that are a combination of medians, means, and percentile estimates targeting the high end (90th percentile) of the general population. However, in practice, in nearly all cases, USEPA's recommended default assumptions represent upper percentiles. This article considers the adequacy of the exposure assessment component of USEPA‐recommended equations to yield criteria that are consistent with corresponding health protection targets established in USEPA recommendations or state policies, and concludes that conservative selections for exposure parameters can result in criteria that are substantially more protective than the health protection goals for HHWQC recommended by USEPA, due in large part to the compounding effect that occurs when multiple conservative factors are combined. This situation may be mitigated by thoughtful selection of exposure parameter values when using a deterministic approach, or by using a probabilistic approach based on data distributions for many of these parameters. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:298–305. © 2014 SETAC
Effects of coal fly ash on tree swallow reproduction in Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee
Authors: Walls Suzanne J , Meyer Carolyn B , Iannuzzi Jacqueline , Schlekat Tamar H 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Coal-fly ash was released in unprecedented amounts (4.1 × 106 m3) into the Emory River from the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant on Watts Bar Reservoir in Tennessee. Tree swallows were exposed to ash-related constituents at the ash release via their diet of emergent aquatic insects, whose larval forms can accumulate constituents from submerged river sediments. Reproduction of tree swallow colonies was assessed over a 2-year period by evaluating whether 1) ash constituent concentrations were elevated in egg, eggshell, and nestling tissues at colonies near ash-impacted river reaches compared to reference colonies, 2) production of fledglings per nesting female was significantly lower in ash-impacted colonies versus reference colonies, and 3) ash constituent concentrations or diet concentrations were correlated with nest productivity measures (clutch size, hatching success, and nestling survival, and fledglings produced per nest). Of the 26 ash constituents evaluated, 4 (Se, Sr, Cu, and Hg) were significantly elevated in tissues potentially from the ash, and 3 (Se, Sr, and Cu) in tissues or in swallow diet items were weakly correlated to at least one nest-productivity measure or egg weight. Tree swallow hatching success was significantly reduced by 12%, but fledgling production per nest was unaffected due to larger clutch sizes in the impacted than reference colonies. Bioconcentration from the ash to insects in the diet to tree swallow eggs appears to be low. Overall, adverse impacts of the ash on tree swallow reproduction were not observed, but monitoring is continuing to further ensure Se from the residual ash does not adversely affect tree swallow reproduction over time. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:56–66. © 2014 SETAC
Key Points
Tree swallow hatching success was significantly reduced at colonies exposed to coal fly ash. Some selenium concentrations in eggs exceeded a toxic threshold of 7.7 mg/kg dw. Productivity was not significantly correlated to selenium. Adverse impacts of ash to tree swallow reproduction were minor.
Application of ecological risk assessment in managing residual fly ash in TVA's Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee
Authors: Carriker Neil E , Jones Daniel S , Walls Suzanne J , Stojak Amber R 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
The Tennessee Valley Authority conducted a Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment (BERA) for the Kingston Fossil Plant ash release site to evaluate potential effects of residual coal ash on biota in Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee. The BERA was in response to a release of 4.1 million m3 of coal ash on December 22, 2008. It used multiple lines of evidence to assess risks for 17 different ecological receptors to approximately 400 000 m3 of residual ash in the Emory and Clinch rivers. Here, we provide a brief overview of the BERA results and then focus on how the results were used to help shape risk management decisions. Those decisions included selecting monitored natural recovery for remediation of the residual ash in the Emory and Clinch rivers and designing a long-term monitoring plan that includes adaptive management principles for timely adjustment to changing conditions. This study demonstrates the importance of site-specific ecological data (e.g., tissue concentrations for food items, reproductive data, and population data) in complex ecological risk assessments. It also illustrates the value of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) data quality objectives process in building consensus and identifying multiple uses of results. The relatively limited adverse effects of this likely worst-case scenario for ash-related exposures in a lotic environment provide important context for the USEPA's new coal combustion residue disposal rules. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:80–87. © 2014 SETAC
Key Points
Ecological risks of residual ash in the river system were found to be at most moderate and generally low or negligible. Risk-management was deemed necessary for benthic invertebrates and birds that consume them, due to ash, arsenic, and selenium. These results contrast starkly with the catastrophic predictions by respected researchers and others The results were critical to the selection of monitored natural recovery as the remedy and are important benchmarks for the ongoing debate about coal combustion residuals disposal regulations.
Assessing ecological risks to the fish community from residual coal fly ash in Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee
Authors: Rigg David K , Wacksman Mitch N , Iannuzzi Jacqueline , Baker Tyler F , Adams Marshall , Greeley Mark S 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Extensive site-specific biological and environmental data were collected to support an evaluation of risks to the fish community in Watts Bar Reservoir from residual ash from the December 2008 Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston ash release. This article describes the approach used and results of the risk assessment for the fish community, which consists of multiple measurement endpoints (measures of exposure and effects) for fish. The lines of evidence included 1) comparing postspill annual fish community assessments with nearby prespill data and data from other TVA reservoirs, 2) evaluating possible effects of exposures of fish eggs and larval fish to ash in controlled laboratory toxicity tests, 3) evaluating reproductive competence of field-exposed fish, 4) assessing individual fish health through physical examination, histopathology, and blood chemistry, 5) comparing fish tissue concentrations with literature-based critical body residues, and 6) comparing concentrations of ash-related contaminants in surface waters with US Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) Ambient Water Quality Standards for Fish and Aquatic Life. These measurement endpoints were treated as independent lines of evidence that were integrated into an overall weight-of-evidence estimate of risk to the fish community. Collectively, the data and analysis presented here indicate that ash and ash-related constituents pose negligible risks to the fish communities in Watts Bar Reservoir. This conclusion contradicts the predictions by some researchers immediately following the ash release of devastating effects on the aquatic ecology of Watts Bar Reservoir. The information presented in this article reaffirms the wisdom of carefully evaluating the evidence before predicting probable ecological effects of a major event such as the TVA Kingston ash release. This study demonstrates that a thorough and detailed investigation using multiple measurement endpoints is needed to properly evaluate ecological effects. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:88–101. © 2014 SETAC
Key Points
The manuscript describes a weight-of-evidence approach to evaluate multiple lines of evidence for fish, including detailed fish community, fish toxicity, and fish reproduction studies. The results indicate that levels of some ash-related constituents exceeded water quality criteria in surface waters and critical body residues in fish tissues. However, given the uncertainty using comparisons with these literature-derived effects values contribute little to the overall assessment of risks to fish. Conversely, the lack of effects observed for the community surveys, toxicity tests, and reproductive competence evaluations suggest that ash and ash-related constituents pose negligible risks to the fish communities in the Watts Bar Reservoir.
BRAF V600E mutations are frequent in dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas
Authors: Lee Dakeun , Cho Young Hye , Kang So Young , Yoon Nara , Sung Chang Ohk , Suh Yeon‐Lim 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundBRAF mutation has received a great deal of attention in neuro‐oncology field, recently. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and the clinical significance of BRAFV600E in low‐grade glial tumors.MethodsAn institutional cohort of 105 brain tumors (51 dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNTs), 14 subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs), 12 glioblastoma with neuronal marker expression (GBM‐N), and 28 pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXAs)) from 100 patients were investigated for the presence of BRAFV600E by direct sequencing.ResultsWe found frequent BRAFV600E in DNTs (26/51, 51%), SEGAs (6/14, 42.9%), and PXAs (14/28, 50%). In DNTs, BRAFV600E was more commonly detected in tumors with extra‐temporal location (68.2% vs. 37.9%; P = 0.032). The diagnostic subgroups of tuberous sclerosis complex were not correlated with BRAFV600E in patients with SEGA (P = 0.533). One PXA case revealed a unique duplication mutation (p.Thr599dup) of codon 599. All GMB‐N cases did not carry BRAF mutation.ConclusionsOur data indicate that BRAFV600E is a common genetic alteration in low‐grade glial tumors with neuronal component or differentiation. High frequency of BRAFV600E in DNTs and SEGAs would be useful in the differential diagnosis, and also offers a potential specific treatment targeting BRAFV600E. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:359–364. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Raman spectroscopy differentiates squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from normal skin following treatment with a high‐powered CO2 laser
Authors: Fox Sara A. , Shanblatt Ashley A. , Beckman Hugh , Strasswimmer John , Terentis Andrew C. 
Published: October 2014

Background and ObjectivesThe number of cases of non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), which include squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), continues to rise as the aging population grows. Mohs micrographic surgery has become the treatment of choice in many cases but is not always necessary or feasible. Ablation with a high‐powered CO2 laser offers the advantage of highly precise, hemostatic tissue removal. However, confirmation of complete cancer removal following ablation is difficult. In this study we tested for the first time the feasibility of using Raman spectroscopy as an in situ diagnostic method to differentiate NMSC from normal tissue following partial ablation with a high‐powered CO2 laser.Materials and MethodsTwenty‐five tissue samples were obtained from eleven patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery to remove NMSC tumors. Laser treatment was performed with a SmartXide DOT Fractional CO2 Laser (DEKA Laser Technologies, Inc.) emitting a wavelength of 10.6 μm. Treatment levels ranged from 20 mJ to 1200 mJ total energy delivered per laser treatment spot (350 μm spot size). Raman spectra were collected from both untreated and CO2 laser‐treated samples using a 785 nm diode laser. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Binary Logistic Regression (LR) were used to classify spectra as originating from either normal or NMSC tissue, and from treated or untreated tissue.ResultsPartial laser ablation did not adversely affect the ability of Raman spectroscopy to differentiate normal from cancerous residual tissue, with the spectral classification model correctly identifying SCC tissue with 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity following partial laser ablation, compared with 92% sensitivity and 60% selectivity for untreated NMSC tissue. The main biochemical difference identified between normal and NMSC tissue was high levels of collagen in the normal tissue, which was lacking in the NMSC tissue.ConclusionThe feasibility of a combined high‐powered CO2 laser ablation, Raman diagnostic procedure for the treatment of NMSC is demonstrated since CO2 laser treatment does not hinder the ability of Raman spectroscopy to differentiate normal from diseased tissue. This combined approach could be employed clinically to greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness of NMSC treatment in many cases. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:757–772, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.