bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of kisspeptin expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Yuan Tai‐Ze , Zhang Huan‐Huan , Tang Qiong‐Fen , Zhang Qiong , Li Jian , Liang Yin , Huang Lai‐Ji , Zheng Rong‐Hui , Deng Jin , Zhang Xiu‐Ping 
Published: November 2013

Objectives/HypothesisThe KiSS‐1 gene has been reported to serve as a metastasis suppressor gene in various human malignancies. However, no information is available regarding the role of the KiSS‐1 gene or its gene product kisspeptin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Study DesignRetrospective study.MethodsKisspeptin and its receptor AXOR12 expression were assessed using immunohistochemistry in paraffin‐embedded tumor tissues from 140 patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Immunoreactivity was quantified, and its relationships with patients' clinical parameters and survival were analyzed.ResultsUsing a 50% cutoff level, the immunoreactivities of kisspeptin and AXOR12 were divided into low and high expression. The expression levels of kisspeptin and AXOR12 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma were well correlated with each other (rs = 19.31, P < 0.01). Low expression of kisspeptin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma was correlated with clinical stage (P = 0.01), N stage (P = 0.03), and metastasis (P = 0.02). Patients with low kisspeptin expression had poorer distant metastasis‐free survival than those with high kisspeptin expression (75.32% vs. 83.79%, P = 0.02). Although neither kisspeptin nor AXOR12 were found to be prognostic factors for overall survival, kisspeptin was determined to be an independent prognostic factor for distant metastasis‐free survival (P = 0.03) using multivariate analysis.ConclusionIn this study, we report for the first time that low kisspeptin expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma is correlated with poor clinical outcome; kisspeptin could serve as an independent prognostic marker for metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Level of EvidenceN/A. Laryngoscope, 124:E167–E174, 2014
Using Static and Dynamic Indicators to Evaluate Soil Physical Quality in a Sicilian Area
Authors: Iovino Massimo , Castellini Mirko , Bagarello Vincenzo , Giordano Giuseppe 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBoth capacitive indicators derived from the water retention curve and dynamic measurements of the flow‐weighted mean pore radius, R0, were used to assess the soil physical quality of two agricultural areas (cropland and olive orchard) and two natural areas (grassland and managed woodlot plantation) potentially subject to soil degradation. The overall idea of the study was to investigate whether a dynamic indicator quantitatively derived from hydraulic conductivity measurements could be used to supplement the traditionally applied capacitive indicators retrieved from water retention measurements. According to the available criteria, only the surface layer of the cropland site showed optimal soil physical quality. In the grassland and woodlot sites, the physical quality was deteriorated also as a consequence of compaction because of grazing. Overall, the physical quality was better in tilled than nontilled soils. The optimal soil in terms of capacitive indicators had hydraulic conductivity close to saturation that was intermediate among the different land uses, and it remained 1·3–1·9 times higher than that observed in the natural sites even when the largest pores emptied. A depth effect on R0 was observed only when larger macropores were activated. It was suggested that water transmission parameters are more affected by changes in large pore domain. The plant available water content and Dexter's S‐index showed inverse statistically significant regressions with R0. The empirical relationships were physically convincing given that, at increasing R0, the contribution of macropores increases, water is transmitted faster below the root zone and the soil's ability to store water is reduced. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanoparticle‐Loaded Cylindrical Micelles from Nanopore Extrusion of Block Copolymer Spherical Micelles
Authors: Chen Qianjin , Wang Jianqi , Shao Lei 
Published: November 2013

Hybrid cylindrical micelles loaded with nanoparticles are fabricated via extrusion of spherical micelles in solution phase through small long cylindrical pores. Small gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are pre‐coated with thiol‐terminated polystyrene and then further encapsulated in the core part of block copolymer spherical micelles by a precipitation method. By varying the starting mass ratio of AuNPs and the diblock copolymers polystyrene‐b‐polyisoprene (PS‐b‐PI) during the encapsulation, the AuNPs loading density along the cylindrical micelles can be controlled. The mechanism for this sphere‐to‐cylinder transition induced by extruding hybrid spherical micelles through small cylindrical nanopores is discussed. These findings provide a novel way to manufacture high‐quality and functional polymeric nano­wires, which may open the door to new applications such as in plasmonic waveguides.
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Benzo[a]pyrene‐7,8‐diol‐9,10‐epoxide inhibits gap junction intercellular communication via phosphorylation of tumor progression locus 2 in WB‐F344 rat liver epithelial cells
Authors: Lee Bo Kyung , Chung Min‐Yu , Lee Ki Won 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBenzo[a]pyrene‐7,8‐diol‐9,10‐epoxide (B[a]PDE), a major metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene, has been reported to function as a human carcinogen. However, the molecular mechanism of how B[a]PDE regulates signaling pathways during tumor promotion remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of B[a]PDE on the regulation of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC), one of the major carcinogenic processes, and its main regulatory signaling pathways using WB‐F344 rat liver epithelial (WB‐F344 RLE) cells. Treatment of benzo[a]pyrene or B[a]PDE resulted in GJIC inhibition, and B[a]PDE was more active at lower concentrations than benzo[a]pyrene in the suppression of GJIC. This suggests that B[a]PDE is a stronger GJIC inhibitor. B[a]PDE at 1 µM reversibly inhibited GJIC in WB‐F344 RLE cells, which was attributable to hyperphosphorylation of connexin43 (Cx43) via phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK). We found that B[a]PDE induced phosphorylation of tumor progression locus 2 (Tpl2), a direct upstream regulator of MEK. Tpl2 inhibitor recovered B[a]PDE‐induced GJIC inhibition and attenuated B[a]PDE‐induced MEK/ERK phosphorylation in WB‐F344 RLE cells. Collectively, our results suggest that B[a]PDE suppresses GJIC by activating Tpl2 and subsequently the MEK/ERK pathway and Cx43 phosphorylation in WB‐F344 RLE cells. These results outline the potential importance of Tpl2 as a novel therapeutic target for B[a]PDE‐induced GJIC inhibition during cancer promotion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hyperpolarized H2O MR angiography
Authors: Ardenkjaer‐Larsen Jan H. , Laustsen Christoffer , Bowen Sean , Rizi Rahim 
Published: November 2013

PurposeThe aim of this study was to demonstrate that dissolution‐ dynamic nuclear polarization is capable of hyperpolarizing water protons and that the signal from the hyperpolarized bolus injection can be exploited in angiographic applications.MethodsWe hyperpolarized water/glycerol using dynamic nuclear polarization followed by dissolution in D2O.ResultsA water 1H signal enhancement of 77 times compared with 4.7 Tesla was obtained. This corresponds to a polarization of 3.5% for the 3.9 mol/L 1H in D2O . Moreover, a T1 in excess of 20 s was achieved.ConclusionThe use of hyperpolarized water as a contrast agent presents a new opportunity to obtain MRA images with high contrast‐to‐noise in a fraction of a second. Magn Reson Med 71:50–56, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tools Made of Chicken (Gallus gallus f. domestica) Tibiotarsi Dating to the Early Islamic Period from al‐Hadir, Syria
Authors: Studer J. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTTwo modified chicken tibiotarsi have been discovered in a rubbish pit dated to the second half of the 7th century AD (Early Islam, Umayyad period) at al‐Hadir, in north‐west Syria. They both exhibit similar use‐wear marks. A detailed description of cut marks, fine striae and polish allows to reconstruct the processing of the bones. Extracted from two cocks' carcasses, the tibiotarsi were used in their entirety with slight manufacturing modifications. Use marks in the form of polish and fine scratches indicate that the bones were held in the hand and probably served as a spool for thread. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depictions of Birds in the Cucuteni–Tripolye Civilisation
Authors: Bejenaru L. , Monah D. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTNotwithstanding the fact that few avian osteological remains have been found in the settlements of the Cucuteni–Tripolye cultural complex, birds seem to have played an important role in Cucuteni–Tripolye imagery. The earliest representation dates from the Precucuteni I phase, an ornithomorphic protome (a sculptural ornament in the form of a bird) on a vessel lid. Several vessels, known as askoï, depicting ducks exist from the Precucuteni II–Tripolye A and ornithomorphic askoï, statuettes, figurines, vessels and protomes were used during all the Cucuteni–Tripolye cultural complex phases. Starting with the Cucuteni A‐B–Tripolye CI‐CII phase, three‐dimensional representations are supplemented by painted ornithomorphic images. They became widespread from this moment on, eventually becoming the predominant form of representation. On the face of it, ornithomorphic representations seem to be rare, but the authors managed to identify over 150 statuettes, figurines, vessels, protomes and painted images. Most of them seem to relate to ritual practices or to have cosmogonic significance. Some of the representations, but not many, are realistic enough to permit approximate species‐level taxonomic identification. Most of the ornithomorphic representations are fragmentary, but the breakage may be due to deliberate, ritualistic fragmenting. They were also particularly concerned with the meanings of the ornithomorphic imagery. Taking into account the discovery conditions, the fragmentation of the artefacts and the themes depicted, the authors consider that most of the Cucuteni–Tripolye ornithomorphic representations played a key role in certain religious rituals. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unrecognized hepatitis B in pre‐screened children with hematologic and oncologic conditions
Authors: Leung Daniel H. , Ahamba David C. , Pillai Lekshmi N. , Khan Mahjabeen F. , Smith E. O'Brian , Mahoney Donald H. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundThis study evaluates the effectiveness and interpretation of hepatitis B (HBV) screening in an at‐risk cohort of children with cancer or blood disorders.ProcedureWe conducted a retrospective epidemiologic analysis of children who screened positive for HBV (HBsAg, HbcAb) from 1999 to 2009 at a quaternary children's hospital, focusing on patients with hematologic and oncologic conditions. Descriptive statistics were generated for demographics and serologies. Follow‐up of positive serologies and clinical outcomes were analyzed.ResultsA total of 12,754 children were screened for HBV. Of 391 that screened positive, 118 had a hematologic or oncologic diagnosis. Leukemia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia comprised 84% of diagnoses. The majority (98%) tested HBcAb positive but only 20% received confirmatory HBV DNA testing. Three patients (13% of those HBV DNA tested) were identified to have chronic disease. HBV was not a known pre‐existing condition, and chemotherapy preceded HBV diagnosis in all cases.ConclusionsThe majority of children with cancer or blood disorders who screened HBV positive did not receive follow‐up DNA testing, exposing them to reactivation risk and delaying definitive therapy. HBcAb may be the only indicator of chronic HBV infection and DNA confirmation should be routine. Our findings suggest a significant number of additional patients eligible for HBV treatment may have been identified with reflexive DNA testing. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:865–868. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Safety of high dose trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: McManus Meghann , Frangoul Haydar , McCullers Jonathan A. , Wang Li , O'Shea Alice , Halasa Natasha 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundAlthough children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) mount immune responses after vaccination with the trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV), these responses are lower compared to controls. Recently, a high dose (HD) TIV was found to increase the level of antibody response in elderly patients compared to the standard dose (SD) TIV. We hypothesized that the HD TIV would be well‐tolerated and more immunogenic compared to the SD TIV in pediatric subjects with ALL.ProcedureThis was a randomized, double‐blind, phase I safety trial comparing the HD to the SD TIV in children with ALL. Our secondary objective was immunogenicity. Subjects were randomized 2:1 to receive either the HD (60 µg) or the SD (15 µg) TIV. Local and systemic reactions were solicited, hemagglutinin inhibition titers to influenza virus antigens were measured, and monitoring labs were collected prior to and/or after each vaccination.ResultsFifty subjects were enrolled (34 HD, 16 SD). Mean age was 8.5 years; 63% were male, and 80% were in maintenance therapy. There were no significant differences reported in local or systemic symptoms. No severe adverse events were attributed to vaccination. No significant differences between the HD and SD TIV groups were noted for immune responses.ConclusionsNo differences were noted between the HD and SD TIV groups for solicited systemic and local reactions. Since this study was not powered for immunogenicity, a phase II trial is needed to determine the immunogenicity of HD versus SD TIV in the pediatric ALL population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:815–820. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Axial symmetric Kähler manifolds, the D‐map of inflaton potentials and the Picard‐Fuchs equation
Authors: Fré P. , Sorin A.S. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn this paper we provide a definition of the D‐map, namely of the mathematical construction implicitly utilized by supergravity that associates an axial symmetric Kähler surface to every positive definite potential function V (ϕ). The properties of the D‐map are discussed in general. Then the D‐map is applied to the list of integrable cosmological potentials classified by us in a previous publication with A. Sagnotti. Several interesting geometrical and analytical properties of the manifolds in the image of this D‐map are discovered and illustrated. As a by‐product of our analysis we demonstrate the existence of (integrable) Starobinsky–like potentials that can be embedded into supergravity. Some of them follow from constant curvature Kähler manifolds. In the quest for a microscopic interpretation of inflaton dynamics we present the Ariadne's thread provided by a new mathematical concept that we introduce under the name of axial symmetric descendants of one dimensional special Kähler manifolds. By means of this token we define a clearcut algorithm that to each potential function V (φ) associates a unique 4th order Picard‐Fuchs equation of restricted type. Such an equation encodes information on the chiral ring of a superconformal field theory to be sought for, unveiling in this way a microscopic interpretation of the inflaton potential. We conjecture that the physical mechanism at the basis of the transition from a special manifold to its axial symmetric descendant is probably the construction of an Open String descendant of a Closed String model.
Simplified analysis of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in water, vegetation and soil by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Marek LeEtta J , Koskinen William C 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDThere is a need for a simple, fast, efficient and sensitive method for analysis of glyphosate and its degradate aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in diverse matrices such as water, vegetation and soil.RESULTSAqueous extracts from water, vegetation and soil were passed through reverse‐phase and cation‐exchange columns and directly injected into a tandem mass spectrometer using only a guard column for separation. Extraction efficiencies from the three matrices were >80% for both glyphosate and AMPA. The method reporting levels (MRLs) for glyphosate in water, vegetation and soil were 3.04 µg L−1, 0.05 mg kg−1 and 0.37 mg kg−1 respectively. AMPA MRLs were 5.06 µg L−1 for water, 0.08 mg kg−1 for vegetation and 0.61 mg kg−1 for soil.CONCLUSIONSA validated, simple and efficient liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method for routine analysis of glyphosate and AMPA in water, vegetation and soil that uses minimal sample handling and clean‐up will facilitate the additional environmental research needed to address the continuing concerns related to increasing glyphosate use. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Synchrotron radiation photoemission study of interface formation between MgO and the atomically clean In0.53Ga0.47As surface
Authors: Chauhan Lalit , Hughes Greg 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe evolution of interface formation between MgO and the atomically clean In0.53Ga0.47As is studied by synchrotron radiation based photoemission. The deposition of MgO in a step wise fashion on the decapped In0.53Ga0.47As surface at room temperature results in the growth of an ultrathin interfacial oxide layer. Subsequent thermal annealing at 400 °C led to the reduction of the As and In oxides and the appearance of a Ga oxide component. The deposition of metallic Mg resulted in the further removal of the interfacial oxide and the out diffusion of In into the overlayer indicating severe disruption of the interface. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Organophosphate pesticides‐induced changes in the redox status of rat tissues and protective effects of antioxidant vitamins
Authors: Mishra Vibhuti , Srivastava Nalini 
Published: November 2013

ABSTACTOrganophosphates (OPs) pesticides are among the most toxic synthetic chemicals purposefully added in the environment. The common use of OP insecticides in public health and agriculture results in an environmental pollution and a number of acute and chronic poisoning events. Present study was aimed to evaluate the potential of monocrotophos and quinalphos to effect the redox status and glutathione (GSH) homeostasis in rat tissues and find out whether antioxidant vitamins have some protection on the pesticide‐induced alterations. The results showed that these pesticides alone or in combination, caused decrease in the levels of GSH and the corresponding increase in the levels of GSSG, decreasing the GSH/GSSG ratio. The results also showed that NADPH/NADP+ and NADH/NAD+ ratios were decreased in the liver and brain of rats on exposure with mococrotophos, quinalphos, and their mixture. These pesticides, alone or in combination, caused alterations in the activities of GSH reductase and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase in the rat tissues. However, the expression of the GSH recycling enzymes did not show significant alterations as compared to control. From the results, it can be concluded that these pesticides generate oxidative stress but their effects were not synergistic when given together and prior feeding of antioxidant vitamins tend to reduce the toxicities of these pesticides. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 472–482, 2015.
Pelvic floor biometry in Chinese primiparous women 1 year after delivery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Chan S. S. C. , Cheung R. Y. K. , Yiu K. W. , Lee L. L. , Chung T. K. H. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo evaluate pelvic floor biometry in Chinese women 1 year following childbirth and to explore factors that affect it.MethodsTranslabial ultrasound examination was performed at rest, on Valsalva maneuver (VM) and on pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC) in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy and at 8 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after delivery in a cohort of women delivering at term their first child. Offline analysis was undertaken to measure the position of the bladder neck, cervix, anorectal junction and hiatal dimensions at each posture and at each visit, and to detect levator ani muscle (LAM) injury on PFMC 8 weeks and 12 months after delivery. Results were analyzed according to mode of delivery.ResultsWe recruited 442 women, of whom 328 (74.2%) completed the study; there was LAM injury in 48 women at 8 weeks and in only 38 women at 12 months. When comparing first‐trimester biometry to that at 12 months after delivery, the bladder neck was more distal on VM and bladder neck displacement was increased, and the cervix was lower at rest and on VM in the vaginal delivery group. In the Cesarean section group, bladder neck and anorectal junction were more distal on VM, the cervix was lower at rest, on VM and on PFMC, and the hiatal area was increased on VM. There was a greater increase in hiatal area after vaginal delivery. Overall, 34.8% had irreversible hiatal distension (> 20% increase in hiatal area after delivery as compared to first trimester). LAM injury was significantly associated with irreversible hiatal distension (odds ratios, 5.2–9.5 at different postures).ConclusionsPregnancy beyond 35 weeks of gestation has an effect on the pelvic floor of Chinese women, irrespective of mode of delivery. The pelvic organs remain more mobile after delivery when compared to in the first trimester, and there is no clear difference between the findings observed following vaginal delivery or Cesarean section, except in hiatal distension, which is greater after vaginal delivery. LAM injury is the factor most strongly associated with irreversible hiatal distension. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Biomass gasification for synthesis gas production and applications of the syngas
Authors: Rauch Reinhard , Hrbek Jitka , Hofbauer Hermann 
Published: November 2013

Synthesis gas from biomass can be produced and utilized in different ways. Conversion of biomass to synthesis gas can be done either in fluidized bed or entrained flow reactors. As gasification agent oxygen, steam, or mixtures are used. The most common use of biomass gasification in the last decades has been for heat and/or power production. Nowadays, the importance of transportation fuels from renewables is increased due to environmental aspects and growing fossil fuels prices. That is why the production of Fischer–Tropsch (FT) liquids, methanol, mixed alcohols, substitute natural gas (SNG), and hydrogen from biomass is now in focus of view. The most innovative and interesting ways of synthesis gas utilization and projects, BioTfueL or GoBiGas, BioLiq, Choren, etc. are discussed here. Further the microchannel technology by Oxford Catalysts and distributed production of SNG in decentral small scale are presented. The synthesis platform in Güssing, Austria is also presented. The FT liquids, hydrogen production, mixed alcohols, and BioSNG, these are the projects associated with the FICFB gasification plant in Güssing. Also the principle and examples of sorption‐enhanced reforming to adjust H2/CO ratio in product gas during the gasification is described. Finally, in the conclusion also an outlook for the thermochemical pathway to transportation fuels is given. WIREs Energy Environ 2014, 3:343–362. doi: 10.1002/wene.97This article is categorized under:

Bioenergy > Science and Materials
Bioenergy > Systems and Infrastructure