bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Benzo[b]furans as Inhibitors of Tubulin Polymerization and Inducers of Apoptosis
Authors: Kamal Ahmed , Reddy N. V. Subba , Nayak V. Lakshma , Reddy V. Saidi , Prasad B. , Nimbarte Vijaykumar D. , Srinivasulu Vunnam , Vishnuvardhan M. V. P. S. , Reddy C. Suresh 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA series of benzo[b]furans was synthesized with modification at the 5‐position of the benzene ring by introducing C‐linked substituents (aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, etc.). These compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activities, inhibition of tubulin polymerization, and cell‐cycle effects. Some compounds in this series displayed excellent activity in the nanomolar range against lung cancer (A549) and renal cell carcinoma (ACHN) cancer cell lines. (6‐Methoxy‐5‐((4‐methoxyphenyl)ethynyl)‐3‐methylbenzofuran‐2‐yl)(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)methanone (26) and (E)‐3‐(6‐methoxy‐3‐methyl‐2‐(1‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)vinyl)benzofuran‐5‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐ol (36) showed significant activity in the A549 cell line, with IC50 values of 0.08 and 0.06 μM, respectively. G2/M cell‐cycle arrest and subsequent apoptosis was observed in the A549 cell line after treatment with these compounds. The most active compound in this series, 36, also inhibited tubulin polymerization with a value similar to that of combretastatin A‐4 (1.95 and 1.86 μM, respectively). Furthermore, detailed biological studies such as Hoechst 33258 staining, DNA fragmentation and caspase‐3 assays, and western blot analyses with the pro‐apoptotic protein Bax and the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2 also suggested that these compounds induce cell death by apoptosis. Molecular docking studies indicated that compound 36 interacts and binds efficiently with the tubulin protein.
Synthesis and Characterization of Glycol Chitosan DNA Nanoparticles for Retinal Gene Delivery
Authors: Mitra Rajendra N. , Han Zongchao , Merwin Miles , Al Taai Muhammed , Conley Shannon M. , Naash Muna I. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractGiven the number of monogenic ocular diseases and the number of non‐monogenic degenerative ocular diseases for which gene therapy is considered as a treatment, the development of effective therapeutic delivery strategies for DNA is a critical research goal. In this work, nonviral nanoparticles (NPs) composed of glycol chitosan (GCS) and plasmid DNA (pDNA) were generated, characterized, and evaluated. These particles are stable, do not aggregate in saline, are resistant to DNases, and have a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 250 nm. Furthermore, the plasmid in these NPs was shown to maintain its proper conformation and can be released and expressed inside the cell. To determine whether these NPs would be suitable for intraocular use, pDNA carrying the ubiquitously expressed CBA‐eGFP expression cassette was compacted and subretinally injected into adult wild‐type albino mice. At day 14 post‐injection (PI), substantial green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was observed exclusively in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in eyes treated with GCS NPs but not in those treated with uncompacted pDNA or vehicle (saline). No signs of gross retinal toxicity were observed, and at 30 days PI, there was no difference in electroretinogram function between GCS NP‐, pDNA‐, or vehicle‐treated eyes. These results suggest that with further development, GCS NPs could be a useful addition to the available repertoire of genetic therapies for the treatment of RPE‐associated diseases.
Analyzing Sector‐Specific CSR Reporting: Social and Environmental Disclosure to Investors in the Chemicals and Banking and Insurance Industry
Authors: Lock Irina , Seele Peter 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThis paper aims to deepen the understanding of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting practices toward stakeholder group investors. Quantitative content analysis was applied to 437 articles of CSR reports from the chemicals, and banking and insurance industries in Germany and Switzerland. The results were benchmarked to the Sarasin sustainability rating's weighting of social and environmental industry risks. It was found that the chemicals industry's CSR reports meet the benchmark, whereas those from the banking and insurance industry do not (RQ1). Swiss chemicals producers perform well in reporting on their specific industry risks, while German companies mirror the sector‐specific risks in the banking and insurance industry (RQ2). The results thus indicate the appropriateness of investor‐specific reporting and suggest – in line with GRI and the European Union – further standardization in order to level the playing field of CSR in Europe. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Dynamic occupancy models for analyzing species' range dynamics across large geographic scales
Authors: Bled Florent , Nichols James D. , Altwegg Res 
Published: November 2013

AbstractLarge‐scale biodiversity data are needed to predict species' responses to global change and to address basic questions in macroecology. While such data are increasingly becoming available, their analysis is challenging because of the typically large heterogeneity in spatial sampling intensity and the need to account for observation processes. Two further challenges are accounting for spatial effects that are not explained by covariates, and drawing inference on dynamics at these large spatial scales. We developed dynamic occupancy models to analyze large‐scale atlas data. In addition to occupancy, these models estimate local colonization and persistence probabilities. We accounted for spatial autocorrelation using conditional autoregressive models and autologistic models. We fitted the models to detection/nondetection data collected on a quarter‐degree grid across southern Africa during two atlas projects, using the hadeda ibis (Bostrychia hagedash) as an example. The model accurately reproduced the range expansion between the first (SABAP1: 1987–1992) and second (SABAP2: 2007–2012) Southern African Bird Atlas Project into the drier parts of interior South Africa. Grid cells occupied duringSABAP1 generally remained occupied, but colonization of unoccupied grid cells was strongly dependent on the number of occupied grid cells in the neighborhood. The detection probability strongly varied across space due to variation in effort, observer identity, seasonality, and unexplained spatial effects. We present a flexible hierarchical approach for analyzing grid‐based atlas data using dynamical occupancy models. Our model is similar to a species' distribution model obtained using generalized additive models but has a number of advantages. Our model accounts for the heterogeneous sampling process, spatial correlation, and perhaps most importantly, allows us to examine dynamic aspects of species ranges.
Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue of the salivary glands: A population‐based study from 1994 to 2009
Authors: Vazquez Alejandro , Khan Mohemmed N. , Sanghvi Saurin , Patel Neal R. , Caputo Joseph L. , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTBackgroundExtranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) arising from the salivary glands is rare.MethodsFive hundred seven cases were available for frequency/incidence analysis, and 712 for relative survival and regression analysis in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database.ResultsOf the total patients, 72.98% were women, 80.47% were white, and 74.75% were ≥50 years old. The parotid gland was involved in 80.87% of cases. Ann Arbor stage at diagnosis was 53.85% IE, 18.54% IIE, and 10.06% IIIE/IV. Overall, 15‐year relative survival was 78.40%. Relative survival was worst among blacks and those with advanced‐stage disease. No difference was noted between those treated with surgery, radiation, or both. Statistically significant poor prognosticators included black race (hazard ratio [HR], 2.3961; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54–3.72; p = .0001) and stage IIIE/IV (HR, 2.3677; 95%CI, 1.36–4.11; p = .0022).ConclusionEarly‐stage salivary gland MALT lymphoma disease may be amenable to unimodality treatment. Even patients with advanced disease have relatively high survivals. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 18–22, 2015
Impact of nodal ratio on survival in recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Chan Richie Chiu‐Lung , Chan Jimmy Yu Wai 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate if nodal ratio has a prognostic role in the survival of patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the neck.MethodsPatients with recurrent NPC in the neck who were treated in Queen Mary Hospital from 2000 to 2011 were identified. Clinical data, pathological results, and survival outcome were analyzed.ResultsOnly nodal ratio remained as a statistically significant predictor in multivariate analysis for nodal recurrence (p = .045) and nodal recurrence‐free survival (p = .010). All other predictors lost significance when compared with each other and with nodal ratio. Nodal ratio was also a significant predictor for overall survival (OS) in univariate analysis (p = .001) but lost its significance in multivariate analysis. The cutoff points 10% and 15% effectively stratified the patients into 3 risk groups (p = .02).ConclusionIn patients with NPC with neck recurrence, nodal ratio (the ratio of positive nodes to the total number of nodes examined) is a strong predictor of further nodal recurrence and nodal recurrence‐free survival. Nodal ratio also impacts the OS but loses its significance in multivariate analysis, including concurrent local recurrence. Stratification of patients into low, medium, and high‐risk groups according to nodal ratio may have a potential role in guiding therapeutic decision‐making. Therefore, further exploration in this area is warranted. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 12–17, 2015
Distillation technology – still young and full of breakthrough opportunities
Authors: Kiss Anton A. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThroughout history, distillation has been the most widespread separation method. However, despite its simplicity and flexibility, distillation still remains very energy inefficient. Novel distillation concepts based on process intensification, can deliver major benefits, not just in terms of significantly lower energy use, but also in reducing capital investment and improving eco‐efficiency. While very likely to remain the separation technology of choice for the next decades, there is no doubt that distillation technology needs to make radical changes in order to meet the demands of the energy‐conscious modern society. This article aims to show that in spite of its long age, distillation technology is still young and full of breakthrough opportunities. Moreover, it provides a broad overview of the recent developments in distillation based on process intensification principles, for example heat pump assisted distillation (e.g. vapor compression or compression–resorption), heat‐integrated distillation column, membrane distillation, HiGee distillation, cyclic distillation, thermally coupled distillation systems (Petlyuk), dividing‐wall column, and reactive distillation. These developments as well as the future perspectives of distillation are discussed in the context of changes towards a more energy efficient and sustainable chemical process industry. Several key examples are also included to illustrate the astonishing potential of these new distillation concepts to significantly reduce the capital and operating cost at industrial scale. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Estimation of aortic pulse pressure using fourier velocity encoded M‐mode MR
Authors: Taviani Valentina , Hickson Stacey S. , Hardy Christopher J. , Patterson Andrew J. , Young Victoria E. , McEniery Carmel M. , Wilkinson Ian B. , Gillard Jonathan H. , Graves Martin J. 
Published: November 2013

PurposeTo use a simplified hemodynamic model and Fourier‐encoded velocity data to measure pulse pressure (PP) in the descending aorta.Materials and MethodsA one‐dimensional, cylindrically localized pulse sequence with Fourier velocity encoding (FVE) was used to obtain time‐dependent velocity distributions along the descending aorta. Numerical evaluation of a simplified hemodynamic model, based on a cross‐sectionally averaged form of the mass conservation equation, allowed estimation of the average pressure waveform and PP along 6‐cm‐long segments located within the descending aorta. Magnetic resonance (MR)‐derived pressures were compared against applanation tonometry (AT) performed in healthy subjects (n = 18) and intravascular pressure measurements (IVPM) obtained in patients (n = 4) undergoing diagnostic cardiac angiography and then found to be either normal or with clinically insignificant coronary artery disease.ResultsThe root mean square (RMS) error between MR‐ and AP‐derived pressure waveforms was 11.7 ± 5.8%. With respect to IVPM, the RMS error ranged from 4.2% to 14.7%. In terms of pulse pressures, there was good agreement with both AT (bias = 0.99 mmHg; 95% limits of agreement (LOA) = [−5.0 to 7.0 mmHg]; range = 12.0 mmHg) and IVPM (bias = −1.82 mmHg; 95% LOA = [−7.2 to 3.5 mmHg]; range = 10.7 mmHg).ConclusionFVE M‐mode and numerical evaluation of a simplified flow model can be used to estimate central pulse pressures noninvasively and accurately with respect to well‐established gold standards. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:85–93. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sclerosed hemangioma of the liver: Concordance of MRI features with histologic characteristics
Authors: Ridge Carole A. , Shia Jinru , Gerst Scott R. , Do Richard K.G. 
Published: November 2013

PurposeTo correlate the MRI features of sclerosed hemangiomas with histologic appearance.Materials and MethodsA medical record search identified patients with sclerosed hemangioma who underwent MRI and biopsy/resection from January 2000 to March 2012 for this retrospective institutional review board approved study. Two radiologists independently performed image analysis. A pathologist evaluated lesion histologic characteristics.ResultsTwelve patients (median age 65; range 41–78 years) were included; 7/12 patients had typical hemangiomas which were also analyzed. Sclerosed hemangiomas were less often moderately T2 hyperintense (5/11 45%; compared with 7/7, 100%; P = 0.0377) and demonstrated moderate arterial phase enhancement less frequently (4/12, 33% compared with 7/7, 100%; P = 0.0128) than typical hemangiomas. Markedly sclerosed hemangiomas (N = 7) exhibited the least “typical” findings, including mild T2 hyperintensity (5/7; 71%), absent arterial phase enhancement (4/7; 57%), mild portal venous phase enhancement (6/7; 86%), and absent centripetal fill‐in (6/7; 86%). Arterial phase hyperenhancement occurred more often in mild/moderately sclerosed hemangiomas (3/5; 60%) compared with markedly sclerosed hemangiomas (1/7; 14%).ConclusionSclerosed hemangiomas exhibit MRI features that appear to correspond with the degree of sclerosis. These features coupled with the presence of other typical hemangiomas may aid in prospectively diagnosing sclerosed hemangioma. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:812–818. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
White matter segmentation based on a skeletonized atlas: Effects on diffusion tensor imaging studies of regions of interest
Authors: Zhang Shengwei , Arfanakis Konstantinos 
Published: November 2013

PurposeTo compare the influence of conventional and skeletonized atlas‐based white matter (WM) segmentation on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) region‐of‐interest (ROI) investigations.Materials and MethodsA conventional WM atlas was skeletonized by thinning the corresponding fractional anisotropy (FA) map and labels. The conventional and skeletonized versions of the atlas were used for WM segmentation. The percentage of non‐WM voxels assigned to WM labels, as well as statistical summaries of tensor‐derived quantities, were compared between segmentation approaches. The ability to detect small differences in diffusion properties across groups of subjects was also compared between segmentation approaches.ResultsSkeletonized segmentation resulted in significantly lower non‐WM percentage (P < 0.05), higher mean FA and lower trace (P < 0.05) in most WM labels, and mainly lower standard deviation of FA and trace in labels neighboring the ventricles. In terms of maximizing the ability to detect intergroup DTI differences, skeletonized segmentation was superior in the corpus callosum, but the optimal approach varied for other WM labels.ConclusionConventional and skeletonized atlas‐based segmentation probe different portions of brain tissue and lead to different statistical summaries of diffusion characteristics in WM labels. Careful selection of segmentation approach is required for DTI investigations of WM ROIs. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;l40:1189–1198. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantification of left ventricular dyssynchrony in patients with systolic dysfunction: A comparison of circumferential strain MR‐tagging metrics
Authors: El Ghannudi Soraya , Germain Philippe , Jeung Mi‐Young , Breton Elodie , Croisille Pierre , Durand Emmanuel , Roy Catherine , Gangi Afshin 
Published: November 2013

PurposeTo define which circumferential strain MR‐tagging metrics of left intraventricular dyssynchrony better identifies patients with systolic dysfunction against control subjects.Materials and MethodsOne hundred fifty subjects were studied: (i) controls with ejection fraction (EF) > 55% (n = 84), (ii) patients with EF ≤ 55% not eligible for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) (n = 52), and (iii) patients eligible for CRT according to the ESC guidelines (n = 14). Tagging cine MR‐based circumferential filtered strain curves were extracted. Six dyssynchrony indices were studied: standard deviation (SD) of peak strain (SD_Ecc_ES), SD of time‐to‐peak (SD_TTP), strain delay index (LIM), regional variance vector (RVV), circumferential uniformity ratio estimate (CURE), and uniformity of strain TTP (US_TTP).ResultsAll metrics show significant differences between the three groups (ANOVA, P < 10−4) and are correlated with EF. Significantly higher AUC values of ROC curves between patients with normal vs. decreased EF were obtained with SD_TTP (0.998) and CURE (0.995). Agreement among different methods was fair to good (kappa 0.32 to 0.89). Interobserver variability was best for CURE (1.2%) and US_TTP (0.8%) while more than 3‐times larger for other metrics.ConclusionSD_TTP and CURE are the most discriminant dyssynchrony metrics for systolic dysfunction. However, taking into account the method's variability argues in favor of indices of uniformity of the strain, ie, CURE and US_TTP.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:1238–1246. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MRI‐guided high‐intensity focused ultrasound ablation of bone: Evaluation of acute findings with MR and CT imaging in a swine model
Authors: Bucknor Matthew D. , Rieke Viola , Do Loi , Majumdar Sharmila , Link Thomas M. , Saeed Maythem 
Published: November 2013

PurposeTo evaluate hyperacute (<1 hour) changes on magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging following MR‐guided high‐intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU) in a swine bone model as a function of sonication number and energy.Materials and MethodsExperimental procedures received approval from the local Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. MRgHIFU was used to create distal and proximal ablations in the right femur of eight pigs. Each target was dosed with four or six sonications within similar volumes. The energy dosed to the distal target was higher (419 ± 19 J) than the proximal target (324 ± 17 J). The targeted femur and contralateral control were imaged before and after ablation using MR at 3T. Qualitative changes in signal on T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, and T1‐weighted postcontrast images were assessed. Ablation dimensions were calculated from postcontrast MRI. The 64‐slice CT images were also obtained before and after ablation and qualitative changes were assessed.ResultsMRgHIFU bone ablation size measured on average 8.5 × 21.1 × 16.2 mm (transverse × craniocaudal × anteroposterior). Interestingly, within similar prescribed volumes, increasing the number of sonications from 4 to 6 increased the depth of the intramedullary hypoenhanced zone from 2.9 mm to 6.5 mm (P < 0.001). There was no difference in the appearance of low versus high energy ablations. CT imaging did not show structural abnormalities.ConclusionThe number of MRgHIFU focal sonications can be used to increase the depth of treatment within the targeted bone. Unlike CT, T2‐weighted and contrast‐enhanced MR demonstrated the hyperacute structural changes in the femur and surrounding soft tissue.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:1174–1180 © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural motifs in primary oxidation products of palmitoyl‐arachidonoyl‐phosphatidylcholines by LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Reis A. , Domingues P. , Domingues M. R. M. 
Published: November 2013

Oxidative modifications to phospholipids (OxPL) play a major role in modulating signaling events in inflammation and infection, and complete understanding on the induced biological effects can only be understood based on knowledge of the oxidative motifs present.Specific neutral losses observed in tandem mass spectrometry data (LC‐MS/MS) of primary peroxidation products in oxidized palmitoyl‐arachidonoyl‐phosphatidylcholines (OxPAPC) provide information on the prevailing structural motifs regarding the oxidized acyl carbon chain, the nature of oxidized group and the site of carbon oxidation. The higher hydrophobicity of hydroperoxides compared to di‐hydroxy derivatives under reverse‐phase conditions together with specific fragmentation patterns enabled the identification of 12 structurally different OxPAPC structural (di‐hydroxy and hydroperoxide derivatives) and positional isomers as well as the presence of poly‐hydroxy together with isoprostanes derivatives.The fragmentation patterns described in quadrupole time‐of‐flight and linear ion trap instruments complement the m/z value and retention time parameters in the identification of oxidative composition in OxPAPC products becoming a valuable tool for the exploratory screening of oxidized phosphatidylcholines in OxPAPC extracts, distinction of native and modified PC isobaric structures in complex samples contributing to the increased understanding of redox lipidomics in inflammation and infection. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.