bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical complications in pediatric surgical oncology
Authors: Warmann Steven W. , Seitz Guido , Fuchs Jörg 
Published: April 2012

AbstractRates of surgical complications in pediatric oncological patients increase with the extension of tumor surgery. Especially in advanced tumors this can mean a relevant challenge to surgeons: The balance between risk of complications and success of surgical treatment is often difficult to accomplish. As a consequence, surgeons not only need profound knowledge about resection techniques and surgical standard procedures but they also have to be able to control and manage surgical complications during and after surgery. This article highlights background and spectrum as well as management of selected surgical complications during or after surgery for abdominal pediatric solid tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:398–404. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation on mechanical and tribological behavior of naturally woven coconut sheath‐reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Siva Irullappasamy , Jappes Jebas Thangiah Winowlin , Suresha Bheemappa 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe article presents the results of experimental investigation on mechanical and dry sliding wear behavior of unsaturated polyester resin (USP), reinforced with naturally woven coconut sheath and glass fibers. The mechanical properties of coconut sheath (N) and glass fiber (G) reinforced polyester composites were studied, and the tribological behaviors were tested on pin‐on‐disc sliding wear tester. Mass loss was determined as a function of sliding distance for a sliding velocity of 3.5 m/s and an applied normal load of 40 N. The experimental result revealed that the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the composites depend on the wt% reinforcement of coconut sheath/glass fiber and sliding distance. The hybrid reinforcement (GGN) greatly increased the mechanical properties of USP. At lower sliding distance, the N‐reinforced USP had lower wear loss, whereas at higher sliding distance, the hybrid fiber‐reinforced (GGN) USP composite had lower wear loss. Furthermore, the work showed that the higher sliding distance bring about changes in the worn surface features such as interface separation, inclined fracture of fibers, loss of matrix, and the appearance of debris with the two different fibers. The worn surfaces were also examined by scanning electron microscopy. The study showed differing trends with load for the two types of reinforcements. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis empowered by high‐throughput sequencing
Authors: Chiu Rossa W. K. , Lo Y. M. Dennis 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTBackgroundNoninvasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal Down syndrome using direct nucleic acid analysis was once an elusive goal. The presence of cell‐free fetal DNA in maternal plasma was discovered in 1997 and offered a new noninvasive source of fetal genetic material.MethodA number of approaches have since been developed for the assessment of fetal chromosome dosage based on cellfree fetal DNA analysis. The most effective approach developed to date is based on massively parallel sequencing of maternal plasma DNA molecules for the detection of an increased representation of chromosome 21 DNA molecules in the plasma of women pregnant with trisomy 21 fetuses when compared with euploid pregnancies.Result and ConclusionA number of multicenter studies have since been conducted to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the sequencing‐based method. To date, the literature contains results for the analysis of a total of 305 trisomy 21 pregnancies and 2061 euploid pregnancies. The overall diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were both 99%. Besides trisomy 21, massively parallel maternal plasma DNA sequencing has also been applied to the noninvasive detection of trisomy 18, trisomy 13 and fetal genetic sequences across the genome. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of amphiphilic A2B star‐shaped copolymers of polystyrene‐b‐[poly(ethylene oxide)]2 via atom transfer nitroxide radical coupling
Authors: Huang Kun , Huang Jian , Pan Mugang , Wang Guowei , Huang Junlian 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe amphiphilic A2B star‐shaped copolymers of polystyrene‐b‐[poly(ethylene oxide)]2 (PS‐b‐PEO2) were synthesized via the combination of atom transfer nitroxide radical coupling (ATNRC) with ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) mechanisms. First, a novel V‐shaped 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl‐PEO2 (TEMPO‐PEO2) with a TEMPO group at middle chain was obtained by ROP of ethylene oxdie monomers using 4‐(2,3‐dihydroxypropoxy)‐TEMPO and diphenylmethyl potassium as coinitiator. Then, the linear PS with a bromine end group (PS‐Br) was obtained by ATRP of styrene monomers using ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate as initiator. Finally, the copolymers of PS‐b‐PEO2 were obtained by ATNRC between the TEMPO and bromide groups on TEMPO‐PEO2 and PS‐Br, respectively. The structures of target copolymers and their precursors were all well‐defined by gel permeation chromatographic and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Reliable stretchable gold interconnects in biocompatible elastomers
Authors: Jahanshahi A. , Salvo P. , Vanfleteren J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractOne of the key issues in realization of stretchable and curvilinear electronics is the fabrication of stretchable interconnects. Stretchable interconnects are basically conductor lines embedded in elastomer substrates. Currently, metal interconnects embedded in polydimethylsiloxane are one of the major candidates. In this work, a novel straightforward method is presented that allows the fabrication of 20 μm wide stretchable gold interconnects starting from commercial double sided flexes (Cu–PI–Cu). These interconnects are still fully functional after a minimum of 100 k cycles at 40% elongation. In addition to outstanding reliability in this method of fabrication, fine pitch and biocompatibility are the added values paving the way for medical grade stretchable electronics. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Managing treatment complexity in cystic fibrosis: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Sawicki Gregory S. , Tiddens Harm 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) is a complex, chronic, multisystem disease for which there is currently no cure. Nonetheless, advances in management have led to dramatic improvements in patient survival. With this development, new issues have arisen for CF patients and their care providers, including an increased symptom burden and increased frequency of co‐morbidities as patients reach older ages, leading to the need for a highly complicated and time‐consuming regimen of treatments. Such high symptom and treatment burden often leads to non‐adherence and low levels of competence with administration of therapy, both of which may have detrimental impacts on CF outcomes. Optimal management is also hindered by other patient‐related factors, including inadequacies in disease education which may lead to issues with self‐management. This is particularly important during the transition from parent‐directed therapy to independent self‐management that occurs during adolescence and early adulthood. Clinicians are also faced with a considerable challenge when selecting interventions for individual patients; although the paradigm of aggressive care necessitates a wide range of therapies, there is a limited evidence base with which to compare available therapeutic regimens. Novel pharmacological agents are being developed to target the underlying cause of CF, while non‐pharmacological interventions aim to improve competence and maximize adherence and health outcomes. Comparative effectiveness research is needed to simplify management and facilitate the implementation of appropriate treatment strategies. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012; 47:523–533. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Characterization of 3,3′‐Bisazidomethyl Oxetane‐3‐Azidomethyl‐3′‐Methyl Oxetane Alternative Block Energetic Thermoplastic Elastomer
Authors: Zhang Chi , Li Jie , Luo Yunjun 
Published: April 2012

Abstract3,3′‐Bisazidomethyl oxetane‐3‐azidomethyl‐3′‐methyl oxetane (BAMO‐AMMO) tri‐block copolymer was successfully synthesized by azidation of a polymeric substrate containing bromo leaving groups, and an alternative block energetic thermoplastic elastomer (ETPE) was prepared by chain extension reaction. The tri‐block copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that the composition of the copolymer is nearly 1 : 1; crystallinity of the copolymer (71.81 %) is less than that of PBAMO (78.30 %). This is due to a partly mixture between soft and hard segments. Kinetic result shows that a crosslinking network is formed after the decomposition of azide group. Tensile strength of alternative block ETPE is 150 % of traditionally synthesized BAMO‐AMMO ETPE.
Purification, characterization of a CkChn134 protein from Cynanchum komarovii seeds and synergistic effect with CkTLP against Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Wang Qinghua , Zhang Yongan , Hou Yuxia , Wang Ping , Zhou Sihong , Ma Xiaowen , Zhang Ning 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCynanchum komarovii Al Iljinski is a desert plant that has been used as analgesic, anthelminthic, and antidiarrheal, but also as herbal medicine to treat cholecystitis in people. In this work, an antifungal protein with sequence homology to chitinase was isolated from C. komarovii seeds and named CkChn134. The three‐dimensional structure prediction of CkChn134 indicated that the protein has a loop domain formed a thin cleft, which is able to bind molecules and substrates. The protein and CkTLP synergistically inhibited the fungal growth of Verticillium dahliae, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea, and Valsa mali in vitro. The full‐length cDNA was cloned by RT‐PCR and RACE‐PCR according to the partial protein sequences obtained by nanoESI‐MS/MS. The real‐time PCR showed that the transcription level of CkChn134 had a significant increase under the stress of ethylene, NaCl, low temperature, drought, and pathogen infection, which indicates that CkChn134 may play an important role in response to abiotic and biotic stresses. The CkChn134 protein was located in the extracellular space/cell wall by CkChn134::GFP fusion protein in transgenic Arabidopsis. Furthermore, overexpression of CkChn134 significantly enhanced the resistance of transgenic Arabidopsis against V. dahliae. Interestingly, the coexpression of CkChn134 and CkTLP showed substantially greater protection against the fungal pathogen V. dahliae than either transgene alone. The results suggest that the CkChn134 is a good candidate protein or gene, and it had a potential synergistic effect with CkTLP for contributing to the development of disease‐resistant crops.
Effects of lysophosphatidic acid on calpain‐mediated proteolysis of focal adhesion kinase in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Park Joshua J. , Rubio Maria V. , Zhang Zhihong , Um Tae , Xie Yuhuan , Knoepp Stewart M. , Snider Ashley J. , Gibbs Terra C. , Meier Kathryn E. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDCalcium‐mediated proteolysis plays an important role in cell migration. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a lipid mediator present in serum, enhances migration of carcinoma cells. The effects of LPA on calpain‐mediated proteolysis were, therefore, examined in PC‐3, a human prostate cancer cell line.METHODSCultured PC‐3 cells were used in studies utilizing pharmacologic interventions, immunoblotting, and confocal immunolocalization.RESULTSFocal adhesion kinase (FAK), a tyrosine kinase involved in cell adhesion, is rapidly proteolyzed in serum‐starved PC‐3 cells exposed to the calcium ionophore, ionomycin; Nck, p130CAS, PKCα, and Ras‐GAP are also degraded. Thapsigargin, which causes more moderate increases in intracellular calcium, induces partial proteolysis of these proteins. Calpain inhibitors block the proteolytic responses to ionomycin and thapsigargin. Ionomycin does not induce proteolysis in cells maintained in serum, suggesting a protective role for growth factors contained in serum. LPA causes minor FAK proteolysis when added alone, but protects against ionomycin‐induced proteolysis in a time‐dependent manner. LPA also protects against the cell detachment that eventually follows ionomycin treatment. The response to LPA is blocked by an LPA receptor antagonist. A similar effect of LPA is observed in ionomycin‐treated Rat‐1 fibroblasts. In PC‐3 cells, the protective effects of LPA and serum are correlated with phosphorylation and redistribution of paxillin, suggesting roles for phosphorylation‐mediated protein–protein interactions.CONCLUSIONSThe complex effects of LPA on calpain‐mediated proteolysis of FAK and other adhesion proteins are likely to play a role in the ability of LPA to promote attachment, migration, and survival of prostate cancer cells. Prostate 72:1595–1610, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Monoamine Oxidase A gene promoter repeat and prostate cancer risk
Authors: White Thomas A. , Kwon Erika M. , Fu Rong , Lucas Jared M. , Ostrander Elaine A. , Stanford Janet L. , Nelson Peter S. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDAmine catabolism by monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) contributes to oxidative stress, which plays a role in prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression. An upstream variable‐number tandem repeat (uVNTR) in the MAOA promoter influences gene expression and activity, and may thereby affect PCa susceptibility.METHODSCaucasian (n = 2,572) men from two population‐based case‐control studies of PCa were genotyped for the MAOA‐VNTR. Logistic regression was used to assess PCa risk in relation to genotype.RESULTSCommon alleles of the MAOA‐VNTR were not associated with the relative risk of PCa, nor did the relationship differ by clinical features of the disease. The rare 5‐copy variant (frequency: 0.5% in cases; 1.8% in controls), however, was associated with a reduced PCa risk (odds ratio, OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.13–0.71).CONCLUSIONSA rare polymorphism of the MAOA promoter previously shown to confer low expression was associated with a reduced risk of developing PCa. This novel finding awaits confirmation in other study populations. Prostate 72:1622–1627, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MUC1‐C oncoprotein confers androgen‐independent growth of human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Rajabi Hasan , Ahmad Rehan , Jin Caining , Joshi Maya Datt , Guha Minakshi , Alam Maroof , Kharbanda Surender , Kufe Donald 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe mucin 1 (MUC1) heterodimeric oncoprotein is overexpressed in human prostate cancers with aggressive pathologic and clinical features. However, few insights are available regarding the functional role of MUC1 in prostate cancer.METHODSEffects of MUC1‐C on androgen receptor (AR) expression were determined by RT‐PCR, immunoblotting and AR promoter activation. Coimmunoprecipitations, direct binding assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) studies were performed to assess the interaction between MUC1‐C and AR. Cells were analyzed for invasion, growth in androgen‐depleted medium, and sensitivity to MUC1‐C inhibitors.RESULTSThe present studies in androgen‐dependent LNCaP and LAPC4 prostate cancer cells demonstrate that the oncogenic MUC1‐C subunit suppresses AR expression. The results show that MUC1‐C activates a posttranscriptional mechanism involving miR‐135b‐mediated downregulation of AR mRNA levels. The results further demonstrate that MUC1‐C forms a complex with AR through a direct interaction between the MUC1‐C cytoplasmic domain and the AR DNA‐binding domain (DBD). In addition, MUC1‐C associates with AR in a complex that occupies the PSA promoter. The interaction between MUC1‐C and AR is associated with induction of the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increased invasion. MUC1‐C also conferred growth in androgen‐depleted medium and resistance to bicalutamide treatment. Moreover, expression of MUC1‐C resulted in sensitivity to the MUC1‐C inhibitor GO‐203 with inhibition of growth in vitro. GO‐203 treatment also inhibited growth of established tumor xenografts in nude mice.CONCLUSIONSThese findings indicate that MUC1‐C suppresses AR expression in prostate cancer cells and confers a more aggressive androgen‐independent phenotype that is sensitive to MUC1‐C inhibition. Prostate 72:1659–1668, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Free radical scavenging activity of caffeine's metabolites
Authors: León‐Carmona Jorge Rafael , Galano Annia 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe reactions of caffeine's main metabolites [paraxanthine, theobromine, theophylline, and 1‐methylxanthine] with •OH, •OCH3, •OOH, and •OOCH3, in nonpolar and polar environments, have been studied using the density functional theory. Different mechanisms of reaction have been taken into account and their relative importance on the antioxidant activity of these compounds has been assessed. The free radical scavenging activity of the studied metabolites was found to be excellent for •OH, moderate for •OCH3, and negligible for peroxy radicals. The results from the present work indicate that the antioxidant activity of caffeine in our body remains almost the same when metabolized to paraxanthine, theobromine, theophylline, and 1‐methylxanthine, while it is increased after being metabolized to 1‐methyluric acid. In addition, the polarity of the environment was found to affect the overall reactivity of the studied compounds, to influence the relative importance of the different mechanisms and channels of reaction, and to have negligible effects on the relative scavenging activity of the studied compounds (theobromine > paraxanthine ≈ theophylline ≈ 1‐methylxanthine). The studied metabolites were found to be better scavengers in nonpolar media than in aqueous solution. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conical intersection structure and dynamics for a model protonated schiff base photoisomerization in solution
Authors: Malhado João Pedro , Spezia Riccardo , Hynes James T. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractHere, we present some highlights of our recent study [Malhado et al. J. Phys. Chem. A 115, 3729 (2011)] of the photoisomerization involving a conical intersection for a model protonated Schiff base (PSB) in modeled water and acetonitrile solvents, in which the inclusion of energy‐ and momentum‐transfer effects is described via a generalized Langevin equation (GLE) frictional approach and surface‐hopping dynamics. Short‐time GLE frictional effects on the model's three coordinates, the intramolecular bond length alternation, and torsional PSB coordinates and a solvent coordinate, have a number of important features. Among these are the general feature of accelerating nonadiabatic transitions to the ground electronic state and a predicted preferential higher proportion of ground‐state trans isomer, that is, a successful cis to trans photoreaction. This preference is solvent‐dependent and is enhanced in water solvent with its higher friction intensity and short time scales. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An iterative algorithm for maximizing robust performance in loop‐shaping design
Authors: Osinuga M. , Patra S. , Lanzon A. 
Published: April 2012

SUMMARYIn this paper, an algorithm that gives the best achievable performance bound on a given control problem is proposed using the loop‐shaping design framework. In view of standard design requirements, the robust performance is maximized at low and high frequencies while keeping the robust stability margin above a specified level, and the robust stability margin is directly improved at mid frequencies (around crossover). The proposed frequency‐dependent optimization problem is cast in an LMI framework. The resulting solution algorithm simultaneously synthesizes loop‐shaping weights and a stabilizing controller that achieve the maximum performance for a given level of robust stability margin corresponding to sufficient gain and phase margins of the closed‐loop system. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Equivalence of sum of squares convex relaxations for quadratic distance problems
Authors: Garulli Andrea , Masi Alfio , Vicino Antonio 
Published: April 2012

SUMMARYThis paper deals with convex relaxations for quadratic distance problems, a class of optimization problems relevant to several important topics in the analysis and synthesis of robust control systems. Some classes of convex relaxations are investigated using the sum of squares paradigm for the representation of positive polynomials. The main contribution is to show that two different relaxations, based respectively on the Positivstellensatz and on properties of homogeneous polynomial forms, are equivalent. Relationships among the considered relaxations are discussed and numerical comparisons are presented, highlighting their degree of conservatism. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust stability of nonlinear model predictive control with extended Kalman filter and target setting
Authors: Huang Rui , Patwardhan Sachin C. , Biegler Lorenz T. 
Published: April 2012

SUMMARYThis work deals with the closed‐loop robust stability of nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) coupled with an extended Kalman filter (EKF). First, we point out the gaps between the practical formulations and theoretical research. Then, we show that the estimation error dynamics of an EKF are input‐to‐state stable (ISS) in the presence of nonvanishing perturbations. Moreover, a target setting optimization problem is proposed to solve the target state corresponding to the desired set points, which are used in the objective function in NMPC formulation. Thus, the objective function is a Lyapunov function candidate, and the input‐to‐state practical stability (ISpS) of the closed‐loop system can be established. Moreover, we see that the stability property deteriorates because of the estimation error. Simulation results of the proposed scheme are presented.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand Promotes Proliferation of a Putative Mammary Stem Cell Unique to the Lactating Epithelium
Authors: Thomas Elizabeth , Lee-Pullen Tracey , Rigby Paul , Hartmann Peter , Xu Jiake , Zeps Nikolajs 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
In mice, CD49fhi mammary stem cells (MaSCs) asymmetrically divide to generate CD49f+ committed progenitor cells that differentiate into CD49f− phenotypes of the milk-secreting tissue at the onset of pregnancy. We show CD49f+ primary mammary epithelial cells (PMECs) isolated from lactating tissue uniquely respond to pregnancy-associated hormones (PAH) compared with CD49f+ cells from nonlactating tissue. Differentiation of CD49f+ PMEC in extracellular matrix produces CD49f− luminal cells to form differentiated alveoli. The PAH prolactin and placental lactogen specifically stimulate division of CD49f− luminal cells, while receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-κB ligand (RANKL) specifically stimulates division of basal CD49f+ cells. In nondifferentiating conditions, we observed a greater proportion of multipotent self-renewing cells, and RANKL treatment activated the RANK pathway in these cultures. Furthermore, we observed the deposition of calcium nodules in a proportion of these cells. These data imply that a MaSC unique to the lactating breast exists in humans, which generates progeny with discrete lineages and distinct response to PAH.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.