bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of four 3D conformal treatment techniques to optimise radiotherapy treatment for anal cancer
Authors: Cray Alison , Markham Cathy , Ryan Michelle , Herschtal Alan , Ngan Samuel Y. , Chander Sarat 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIntroductionChemoradiotherapy is the standard of care for anal cancer. Sizeable target volume leads to significant toxicity. We compared four different 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) techniques with the aim of finding the best technique to achieve the lowest dose to the organs at risk (OAR) without compromising the planning target volume (PTV) coverage.MethodsFifteen computed tomography (CT) data sets from previously treated anal cancer patients (five male and 10 female) were re‐contoured according to the Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group (AGITG) anal cancer contouring guidelines for N3 disease. Four different 3DCRT plans for each CT data set (standard, V‐shape, diamond shape and alternate diamond shape) were generated. Comparisons of the radiation dose to non‐rectal bowel (NRB), urinary bladder, genitalia, and femurs were performed.ResultsV‐shape technique achieved significantly lower NRB V40 (mean = 59.6% SD = 11%) than diamond (63.8% SD = 13%), standard (63.8% SD = 11%) and alternate diamond (63.6% SD = 12%) techniques. V‐shape technique achieved the lowest mean bladder dose (mean = 45.3 Gy SD = 1.4 Gy). Diamond technique achieved the lowest femur V40 (mean = 32.4%) P < 0.001 for all comparisons between diamond and all other techniques. For genitalia V40, diamond technique (mean = 26.4% SD = 20%) and alternate diamond technique (mean = 27.6% SD = 20%) achieved significantly lower dose than V‐shape technique (mean = 43.2% SD = 26%) and standard technique (mean = 76.1% SD = 16%) P < 0.001 for all comparisons.ConclusionsSophisticated 3DCRT techniques are superior to conventional techniques. Different 3DCRT techniques provide varying levels of dose reduction to OAR, with none of the four techniques investigated capable of reducing dose to all OAR. A combination of techniques may provide the best solution. Further refinement of these techniques should be explored.
Mouse synovial mesenchymal stem cells increase in yield with knee inflammation
Authors: Matsukura Yu , Muneta Takeshi , Tsuji Kunikazu , Miyatake Kazumasa , Yamada Jun , Abula Kahaer , Koga Hideyuki , Tomita Makoto , Sekiya Ichiro 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTEven though mouse studies have various advantages, harvesting an adequate number of synovial mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is difficult in mice. We investigated whether the total yield of MSCs increased in synovium with inflammation in mice. Infrapatellar fat pads (IFPs) were harvested from 10 knees of 5 mice 3, 7, and 14 days after intraarticular injection of carrageenan. Ten IFPs were also harvested from untreated knees as a control. Seven days after initial plating, the total yield of cells was compared among the 4 groups (n = 4–6). The harvested cells were analyzed for multipotentiality and surface epitopes. Furthermore, knee synovitis was compared among the 4 groups in histology. The number of cells in the 3 and 7 days treated group was significantly higher than the other groups. The harvested cells had characteristics of MSCs. Synovitis in the 3 and 7 days treated groups was significantly severer than the other groups. There seemed to be a relationship between the synovitis score and the total yield of cells derived from IFPs. In mice, it became possible to increase the yield 50‐fold by inducing inflammation. This method makes it possible to analyze the molecular mechanisms of cartilage regeneration of synovial MSCs in mice models. © 2014 The Authors. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res 33:246–253, 2015.
Mapping the accessibility of the disulfide crosslink network in the wool fiber cortex
Authors: Deb‐Choudhury Santanu , Plowman Jeffrey E. , Rao Kelsey , Lee Erin , van Koten Chikako , Clerens Stefan , Dyer Jolon M. , Harland Duane P. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTThe disulfide bond network within the cortex of mammalian hair has a critical influence on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the fiber. The location, pattern, and accessibility of free and crosslinked cysteines underpin the properties of this network, but have been very difficult to map and understand, because traditional protein extraction techniques require the disruption of these disulfide bonds. Cysteine accessibility in both trichocyte keratins and keratin associated proteins (KAPs) of wool was investigated using staged labeling, where reductants and chaotropic agents were used to expose cysteines in a stepwise fashion according to their accessibility. Cysteines thus exposed were labeled with distinguishable alkylation agents. Proteomic profiling was used to map peptide modifications and thereby explore the role of KAPs in crosslinking keratins. Labeled cysteines from KAPs were detected when wool was extracted with reductant only. Among them were sequences from the end domains of KAPs, indicating that those cysteines were easily accessible in the fiber and could be involved in forming interdisulfide linkages with keratins or with other KAPs. Some of the identified peptides were from the rod domains of Types I and II keratins, with their cysteines positioned on the exposed surface of the α‐helix. Peptides were also identified from keratin head and tail domains, demonstrating that they are not buried within the filament structure and, hence, have a possible role in forming disulfide linkages. From this study, a deeper understanding of the accessibility and potential reactivity of cysteine residues in the wool fiber cortex was obtained. Proteins 2015; 83:224–234. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
iATTRACT: Simultaneous global and local interface optimization for protein–protein docking refinement
Authors: Schindler Christina E. M. , de Vries Sjoerd J. , Zacharias Martin 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTProtein‐protein interactions are abundant in the cell but to date structural data for a large number of complexes is lacking. Computational docking methods can complement experiments by providing structural models of complexes based on structures of the individual partners. A major caveat for docking success is accounting for protein flexibility. Especially, interface residues undergo significant conformational changes upon binding. This limits the performance of docking methods that keep partner structures rigid or allow limited flexibility. A new docking refinement approach, iATTRACT, has been developed which combines simultaneous full interface flexibility and rigid body optimizations during docking energy minimization. It employs an atomistic molecular mechanics force field for intermolecular interface interactions and a structure‐based force field for intramolecular contributions. The approach was systematically evaluated on a large protein‐protein docking benchmark, starting from an enriched decoy set of rigidly docked protein–protein complexes deviating by up to 15 Å from the native structure at the interface. Large improvements in sampling and slight but significant improvements in scoring/discrimination of near native docking solutions were observed. Complexes with initial deviations at the interface of up to 5.5 Å were refined to significantly better agreement with the native structure. Improvements in the fraction of native contacts were especially favorable, yielding increases of up to 70%. Proteins 2015; 83:248–258. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The pharmacokinetic properties of bifenthrin in the rat following multiple routes of exposure
Authors: Gammon Derek , Liu Zhiwei , Chandrasekaran Appavu , ElNaggar Shaaban 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDPyrethroids generally have relatively low oral toxicity but variable inhalation toxicity. The pharmacokinetics of bifenthrin in the rat after oral, inhalation and intravenous administration is described. Pyrethroid acute toxicity via oral and inhalation routes is also presented.RESULTSGroups of male rats were dosed by oral gavage at 3.1 mg kg−1 in 1 mL kg−1 of corn oil (the critical, acute, oral benchmark dose lower limit, BMDL) and at an equivalent dose by inhalation (0.018 mg L−1) for 4 h.  At 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h after dosing initiation, blood plasma and brain bifenthrin concentrations were measured. The maximum concentrations of bifenthrin in plasma were 361 ng mL−1 or 0.853 μM (oral) and 232 ng mL−1 or 0.548 μM (inhalation), and in brain they were 83 and 73 ng g−1. The area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) values were 1969 h ng mL−1 (plasma) and 763 h ng mL−1 (brain) following oral gavage dosing, and 1584 h ng mL−1 (plasma) and 619 h ng mL−1 (brain) after inhalation. Intravenous dosing resulted in apparent terminal half‐life (t1/2) values of 13.4 h (plasma) and 11.1 h (brain) and in AUC0–∞ values of 454 and 1566 h ng mL−1 for plasma and brain. Clearance from plasma was 37 mL min−1 kg−1.CONCLUSIONPeak plasma and brain concentrations were generally a little higher after oral dosing (by ca 14%). Inhalation administration of bifenthrin did not cause increases in exposure in plasma or brain by avoiding first‐pass effects in the liver. The elimination t1/2 was comparable with other pyrethroids and indicated little bioaccumulation potential. These pharmokinetics data allow risks following inhalation exposure to be modeled using oral toxicity data. © 2014 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
The MAST (Manufacture Arts Experimentation Technology) multipurpose building – steel structures for urban transformation
Authors: Imbrenda Andrea 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe linear architecture of the MAST (Manufacture Arts Experimentation Technology) multipurpose building in Bologna hides a complex combination of functions and spaces surrounding the core of the building and forms its raison d’être: the sublimation of innovation in manufacturing industry within the retrospective heritage of art and its projection in human memory. In this way, factors normally regarded as secondary to industrial activity become a central part of it and are acknowledged as its true roots and instinctive vision. The building acts as the vehicle for a declaration that there are no innovative ideas other than those arising from the interaction between memory and the capacity to project. The functional distribution traces a passage from emotive education (nursery) through formal teaching (classrooms) and the conservation of memory (museum and exhibition area) to listening (auditorium). Each function is acknowledged, not as a self‐contained unit, but rather as a component part of the driving force of innovation, which propels a capacity for technological process that is anything but sterile. In such a setting, the steel structures are the very symbol of the transition from tradition to innovation [1].
Second‐trimester cervical length as risk indicator for Cesarean delivery in women with twin pregnancy
Authors: van de Mheen L. , Schuit E. , Liem S. M. S. , Lim A. C. , Bekedam D. J. , Goossens S. M. T. A. , Franssen M. T. M. , Porath M. M. , Oudijk M. A. , Bloemenkamp K. W. M. , Duvekot J. J. , Woiski M. D. , de Graaf I. , Sikkema J. M. , Scheepers H. C. J. , van Eijk J. , de Groot C. J. M. , van Pampus M. G. , Mol B. W. J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether second‐trimester cervical length (CL) in women with a twin pregnancy is associated with the risk of emergency Cesarean section.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of two randomized trials conducted in 57 hospitals in The Netherlands. We assessed the univariable association between risk indicators, including second‐trimester CL in quartiles, and emergency Cesarean delivery using a logistic regression model. For multivariable analysis, we assessed whether adjustment for other risk indicators altered the associations found in univariable (unadjusted) analysis. Separate analyses were performed for suspected fetal distress and failure to progress in labor as indications for Cesarean section.ResultsIn total, 311 women with a twin pregnancy attempted vaginal delivery after 34 weeks' gestation. Emergency Cesarean delivery was performed in 111 (36%) women, of which 67 (60%) were performed owing to arrest of labor. There was no relationship between second‐trimester CL and Cesarean delivery (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.97 for CL 26th–50th percentiles; 0.71 for CL 51st – 75th percentiles; and 0.92 for CL > 75th percentile, using CL ≤ 25th percentile as reference). In multivariable analysis, the only variables associated with emergency Cesarean delivery were maternal age (aOR, 1.07 (95% CI, 1.00–1.13)), body mass index (BMI) (aOR, 3.99 (95% CI, 1.07–14.9) for BMI 20–23 kg/m2; 5.04 (95% CI, 1.34–19.03) for BMI 24–28 kg/m2; and 3.1 (95% CI, 0.65–14.78) for BMI > 28 kg/m2) and induction of labor (aOR, 1.92 (95% CI, 1.05–3.5)).ConclusionIn nulliparous women with a twin pregnancy, second‐trimester CL is not associated with risk of emergency Cesarean delivery. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Synthesis, Structure, and Bio‐activity of a Copper(II)‐OH2 Complex based on N,N′‐Bis(2‐quinolinylmethyl)amantadine
Authors: Zhou Ying‐Hua , Chen Li‐Qing , Lv Qi‐Chun , Tao Jun , Liu Xian‐Wen , Cheng Yong 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIn the superoxide dismutase and metallohydrolase, the complexes containing water as weak ligand are located at the active site since water is easily substituted by substrate or deprontonated to form the metal hydroxyl active species. Herein, a new copper(II) complex, [Cu(bqad)(H2O)](ClO4)2·2H2O (1) [bqad = N,N′‐bis(2‐quinolinylmethyl)adamantine] was synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the P21/m space group, and exhibits a distorted planar configuration engendered by CuN3Ow set. The frontier molecular orbital energies were obtained by DFT calculations with B3LYP method at LanL2DZ basis, indicating that the copper(II) ion has the potential of accepting electron of O2·–. The complex showed quasi‐reversible one‐electron CuII/CuI redox waves with redox potentials of –0.13 V. The SOD‐like activity (IC50) of 1 was measured to be 0.71 ± 0.01 μM by NBT assay at pH 7.8. Moreover, the catalytic hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl acetate (pNA) was performed to be found that the kinetic process could be controlled by an acid‐base equilibrium and exhibited an inflection point at pH 8.37.
Does Sperm Have a Flag? On Biological Relationship and National Membership
Authors: Harder Lois 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Drawing primarily from the Canadian case, this paper explores the process of birthright citizenship determination for children born abroad through the use of assisted reproductive technologies. The determination of parentage is central to these cases, raising issues of how parental status is defined in the law—through biology, intentionality, and/or matrimony. Moreover, the complexities of defining who is a child and who is a parent, in order to determine who is a citizen, reveal fundamental contradictions in the consent-based model of liberal citizenship.
Nonlinear instability and convection in a vertically vibrated granular bed
Authors: Shukla Priyanka , Ansari Istafaul H. , van der Meer Devaraj , Lohse Detlef , Alam Meheboob 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe nonlinear instability of the density-inverted granular Leidenfrost state and the resulting convective motion in strongly shaken granular matter are analysed via a weakly nonlinear analysis of the hydrodynamic equations. The base state is assumed to be quasi-steady and the effect of harmonic shaking is incorporated by specifying a constant granular temperature at the vibrating plate. Under these mean-field assumptions, the base-state temperature decreases with increasing height away from the vibrating plate, but the density profile consists of three distinct regions: (i) a collisional dilute layer at the bottom, (ii) a levitated dense layer at some intermediate height and (iii) a ballistic dilute layer at the top of the granular bed. For the nonlinear stability analysis (Shukla & Alam, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 672, 2011b, pp. 147–195), the nonlinearities up to cubic order in the perturbation amplitude are retained, leading to the Landau equation, and the related adjoint stability problem is formulated taking into account appropriate boundary conditions. The first Landau coefficient and the related modal eigenfunctions (the fundamental mode and its adjoint, the second harmonic and the base-flow distortion, and the third harmonic and the cubic-order distortion to the fundamental mode) are calculated using a spectral-based numerical method. The genesis of granular convection is shown to be tied to a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation from the density-inverted Leidenfrost state. Near the bifurcation point the equilibrium amplitude ($A_{e}$) is found to follow a square-root scaling law, $A_{e}\sim \sqrt{{\it\Delta}}$, with the distance ${\it\Delta}$ from the bifurcation point. We show that the strength of convection (measured in terms of velocity circulation) is maximal at some intermediate value of the shaking strength, with weaker convection at both weaker and stronger shaking. Our theory predicts that at very strong shaking the convective motion remains concentrated only near the top surface, with the bulk of the expanded granular bed resembling the conduction state of a granular gas, dubbed as a floating-convection state. The linear and nonlinear patterns of the density and velocity fields are analysed and compared with experiments qualitatively. Evidence of 2:1 resonance is shown for certain parameter combinations. The influences of bulk viscosity, effective Prandtl number, shear work and free-surface boundary conditions on nonlinear equilibrium states are critically assessed.
Does gestational diabetes result in cochlear damage?
Authors: Selcuk A , Terzi H , Turkay U , Kale A , Genc S 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackground:Glucose metabolism has a significant impact on inner-ear physiology. Therefore, hearing may be affected in gestational diabetes.Method:A matched case–control study was performed to evaluate 27 patients with gestational diabetes and 31 non-diabetic pregnant women with similar demographic characteristics. A medical history was taken for each participant, and otological inspections and high-frequency audiometry tests were performed.Results:There were no significant differences in average pure tone air–bone hearing thresholds between the groups (p > 0.05). However, evaluation of high-frequency hearing thresholds indicated significantly increased auditory thresholds at 10 kHz and 12 kHz for right ears and at 8, 10, 12 and 14 kHz for left ears in the gestational diabetes group (p < 0.001).Conclusion:An investigation into cochlear damage in gestational diabetic patients showed significant high-frequency hearing loss. Further studies are needed to validate these findings in different ethnic groups and geographical populations.
Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis of the nose and sinuses
Authors: Rimmer J , Andrews P , Lund V J 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackground:Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis is a rare benign disorder of the upper respiratory tract. It is slow growing and progressive, with characteristic histological appearances.Methods:We report the largest single-institution case series of sinonasal eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis to date, comprising nine patients. The current literature is reviewed, showing emerging evidence that this condition may belong to the immunoglobulin G4-related disease spectrum.Results:The series comprised five female and four male patients, with a mean age at presentation of 53 years. All were treated surgically. Six patients had no signs of recurrent disease after an average of 8.5 years. One patient went on to develop granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis), which required immunosuppressive therapy.Conclusion:The first-line management of this rare condition is complete surgical excision. Chronic granulomatous conditions, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis, should be excluded before a diagnosis is made, and patients should be carefully followed.
Intratympanic steroid injection as a salvage treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Belhassen S , Saliba I 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjective:To determine the efficacy of intratympanic methylprednisolone injections for treating sudden sensorineural hearing loss.Method:A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients suffering from sudden sensorineural hearing loss with no recovery after oral steroids. Patients were given up to three intratympanic methylprednisolone injections at one-week intervals. They were classified according to their functional hearing class, remission was monitored and potential factors affecting prognosis were analysed.Results:Intratympanic injections provide effective salvage therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (p = 0.039). Changes in pure tone average and speech discrimination score were analysed following intratympanic methylprednisolone injections. The pure tone average reached a plateau after the second injection; however, the speech discrimination score improved until after the third injection. Hearing improvement after intratympanic injections mainly occurred at low frequencies. The interval between symptoms appearing and intratympanic injections starting was not significantly associated with remission (p = 0.680).Conclusion:A delay between symptom onset and the first intratympanic methylprednisolone injection does not seem to affect prognosis.
Lexical characteristics of words and phonological awareness skills of preschool children
Authors: GOODRICH J. MARC , LONIGAN CHRISTOPHER J. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTThe lexical restructuring model (LRM; Metsala & Walley, 1998) can be used to explain the development of phonological awareness (PA). According to LRM, as children's vocabularies increase, children develop a more refined lexical representation of the sounds comprising those words, and in turn children become more sensitive to the detection of specific phonemes. LRM identifies several lexical characteristics of words that influence lexical restructuring: age of acquisition (AoA), word frequency, neighborhood density, and phonotactic probability. In this study, the effects of these lexical characteristics on children's performance on PA tasks were evaluated, as well as moderation of these effects by children's oral language skills and ages, in two independent samples of preschool children who completed measures of PA and oral language. For both samples, AoA and word frequency were negatively related to PA skills, and phonotactic probability was positively related to PA skills. Children's ages and oral language skills were positive predictors of PA skills, and children's ages moderated the relations between AoA and PA skills for children in Sample 2. Children's oral language skills moderated the relations between AoA and PA skills for children in Sample 1. Implications are discussed.