bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lipaemia Retinalis
Authors: Chaudhury Debarpita , Meenakshi R. , Ramakrishnan R. , Mitra Arijit , Raju S.
Published: October 2015

Lipaemia retinalis is a rare ocular manifestation of certain types of hyperlipidemias with elevated trigyceride levels. Combined hyperlipidaemia may occur as a primary familial or secondary acquired abnormality. In this report we describe a 3 month old baby with lipaemia retinalis. At presentation there was creamy white appearance of retinal blood vessels with no extravasation of lipid or blood. Triglycerides and cholesterol were raised at presentation. Following low fat diet and treatment serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels decreased significantly with complete resolution of fundus changes.
Recent Advances in Management of Acquired External Punctal Stenosis
Authors: Dudeja Gagan , Khazaei Hadi M , Shetty K Bhujang , Khurana Bhawna Piplani
Published: October 2015

Acquired external punctal stenosis (AEPS) denotes anatomical narrowing of lacrimal punctum, which clinically manifests as epiphora. AEPS may be asymptomatic in a patient with dry eye. Under conditions of normal or excessive tear production; AEPS can produce symptomatic epiphora, which is an indication for intervention. Chronic blepharitis and idiopathic stenosis are the most common etiological factors. Preventable punctal stenosis in patients on long term taxanes or 5-fluorouracil occurs due to systemic absorption of these drugs and secretion in tears. In such cases, AEPS may be prevented by prophylactic lacrimal intubation. AEPS may have associated canalicular stenosis in 45% of cases. This review deals with the etiology, clinical diagnosis and management of AEPS, which has evolved over the years from the earliest description of simple punctal dilatation to present day use of monocanalicular and bicanalicular silicone stents.
OCT Angiography: An Upcoming Tool for Diagnosis and Treatment of Retinal Vascular Diseases
Authors: Sood Purnima , Saxena Nalini , Talwar Dinesh
Published: October 2015

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) angiography is an upcoming non-invasive and dyeless imaging modality which depicts retinal microvasculature by processing scans taken repeatedly at the same location, at different points of time using Split-spectrum Amplitude Decorrelation Angiography (SSADA) algorithm. The currently available Optovue AngioVue System uses spectral-domain technology, an 840-nm laser, and SSADA algorithm. The utility of OCT angiography has been described for diagnosis and management of various chorioretinal disorders like Macular telangiectasia, Choroidal Neovascularisation (CNV), secondary to Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) or multifocal choroiditis, neovascularisation or areas of capillary non-perfusion seen in Diabetic Retinopathy, vascular occlusions, glaucoma and optic disc disorders. It provides fast, 3-dimensional visualization of vascular structures, with the ease of repeated frequent imaging and clearly show extent and morphology of neovascularisation. It is reliable, sensitive and reproducible tool and It can also be used to quantitatively show the course of decrease and re-increase of blood flow in new vessels and changes in the capillary non perfusion areas after treatment in various retinal disorders. However, it has certain limitations. Any movement by the patient causes significant artifact and deterioration of image quality. Projection artifact, where the transit of blood cells in a superficial blood vessel cast flickering shadows on the deeper tissue layer that is indistinguishable from blood flow in deeper layer, is another limitation of this technology making it sometimes difficult to distinguish normal physiological vessels from pathological ones. All neovascular complexes are not visualized because of imprecision in slab segmentation, which requires careful control of depth and thickness of the slab to more precisely identify neovascular membrane. It is an upcoming modality which can help us to diagnose various retinal vascular disorders with ease in the near future. However, improvements in the form of more continuous monitoring of flow, imaging a larger area of fundus and shortening acquisition time can help increase the efficacy and popularity of this modality.
Ocular Drug Delivery Role of Contact Lenses
Authors: Chauhan Anubhav
Published: October 2015

Significant advances have been made in order to optimize drug delivery to ocular tissues. There has been considerable interest in the potential application of contact lenses for ocular drug delivery. Contact lenses are emerging as an alternative ophthalmic drug delivery system to resolve the shortcomings of the conventional topical application methods like eye drops and ointments. Contact lenses are desirable due to advantages in dosing regimen, bioavailability and prolonging the residence time of drugs and therefore, are ideal choice for ophthalmic drug delivery. Extended wear contact lenses that deliver drugs for extended periods could increase patient compliance. This review highlights the drug delivery through contact lens-based ophthalmic drug delivery systems with significanta potential to use in ocular therapeutics.
Infantile Periocular Capillary Hemangioma An Unusual Presentation
Authors: Bhutia Karma L , Gupta Amit
Published: October 2015

A 22 days old infant presented with a large capillary hemangioma involving the right lower eyelid causing a total occlusion of the visual axis. The treatment given was a single intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection (0.4 mg), followed a month later with systemic steroids (4mg) for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, there was a significant reduction in the size of the mass resulting in clearing of the visual axis. We herein report a large infantile periocular capillary hemangioma which was successfully managed with a single injection of intralesional and systemic corticosteroids together.
Identifying cryptotephra units using correlated rapid, nondestructive methods: VSWIR spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence, and magnetic susceptibility
Authors: McCanta Molly C. , Hatfield Robert G. , Thomson Bradley J. , Hook Simon J. , Fisher Elizabeth
Published: October 2015

Understanding the frequency, magnitude, and nature of explosive volcanic eruptions is essential for hazard planning and risk mitigation. Terrestrial stratigraphic tephra records can be patchy and incomplete due to subsequent erosion and burial processes. In contrast, the marine sedimentary record commonly preserves a more complete historical record of volcanic activity as individual events are archived within continually accumulating background sediments. While larger tephra layers are often identifiable by changes in sediment color and/or texture, smaller fallout layers may also be present that are not visible to the naked eye. These cryptotephra are commonly more difficult to identify and often require time‐consuming and destructive point counting, petrography, and microscopy work. Here we present several rapid, nondestructive, and quantitative core scanning methodologies (magnetic susceptibility, visible to shortwave infrared spectroscopy, and XRF core scanning) which, when combined, can be used to identify the presence of increased volcaniclastic components (interpreted to be cryptotephra) in the sedimentary record. We develop a new spectral parameter (BDI1000VIS) that exploits the absorption of the 1 µm near‐infrared band in tephra. Using predetermined mixtures, BDI1000VIS can accurately identify tephra layers in concentrations >15–20%. When applied to the upper ∼270 kyr record of IODP core U1396C from the Caribbean Sea, and verified by traditional point counting, 29 potential cryptotephra layers were identified as originating from eruptions of the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc. Application of these methods in future coring endeavors can be used to minimize the need for physical disaggregation of valuable drill core material and allow for near‐real‐time recognition of tephra units, both visible and cryptotephra.
Friction weakening in granular flows deduced from seismic records at the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat
Authors: Levy Clara , Mangeney Anne , Bonilla Fabian , Hibert Clément , Calder Eliza S. , Smith Patrick J.
Published: October 2015

Accurate modeling of rockfalls and pyroclastic flows is still an open issue, partly due to a lack of measurements related to their dynamics. Using seismic data from the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, and granular flow modeling, we show that the power laws relating the seismic energy Es to the seismic duration ts and relating the loss of potential energy ΔEp to the flow duration tf are very similar, like the power laws observed at Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island. Observations showing that tf≃ts suggest a constant ratio Es/ΔEp≃10−5. This similarity in these two power laws can be obtained only when the granular flow model uses a friction coefficient that decreases with the volume transported. Furthermore, with this volume‐dependent friction coefficient, the simulated force applied by the flow to the ground correlates well with the seismic energy, highlighting the signature of this friction weakening effect in seismic data.
Spatial and temporal variations of the seasonal sea level cycle in the northwest Pacific
Authors: Feng Xiangbo , Tsimplis Michael N. , Marcos Marta , Calafat Francisco M. , Zheng Jinhai , Jordà Gabriel , Cipollini Paolo
Published: October 2015

The seasonal sea level variations observed from tide gauges over 1900–2013 and gridded satellite altimeter product AVISO over 1993–2013 in the northwest Pacific have been explored. The seasonal cycle is able to explain 60–90% of monthly sea level variance in the marginal seas, while it explains less than 20% of variance in the eddy‐rich regions. The maximum annual and semiannual sea level cycles (30 and 6 cm) are observed in the north of the East China Sea and the west of the South China Sea, respectively. AVISO was found to underestimate the annual amplitude by 25% compared to tide gauge estimates along the coasts of China and Russia. The forcing for the seasonal sea level cycle was identified. The atmospheric pressure and the steric height produce 8–12 cm of the annual cycle in the middle continental shelf and in the Kuroshio Current regions separately. The removal of the two attributors from total sea level permits to identify the sea level residuals that still show significant seasonality in the marginal seas. Both nearby wind stress and surface currents can explain well the long‐term variability of the seasonal sea level cycle in the marginal seas and the tropics because of their influence on the sea level residuals. Interestingly, the surface currents are a better descriptor in the areas where the ocean currents are known to be strong. Here, they explain 50–90% of interannual variability due to the strong links between the steric height and the large‐scale ocean currents.
In situ ETEM study of composition redistribution in Pt‐Ni octahedral catalysts for electrochemical reduction of oxygen
Authors: Pan Yung‐Tin , Wu Jianbo , Yin Xi , Yang Hong
Published: October 2015

Dynamics of thermally induced composition redistribution of sandwich‐like Pt‐Ni octahedral electrocatalysts was studied in situ using a variable‐temperature environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM). Dislocations were observed and on heating treatment moved toward the surface over time, resulting in an alloy nanoparticle with significant increase Ni content on the surface, which was confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The thermally treated Pt‐Ni octahedral catalysts showed significant improvement in catalyzing oxygen reduction reaction over the as‐made nanoparticles, reaching values of 1.4 A/mgPt in mass activity and 4.8 mA/
in area specific activity. Our study shows the important effect of postsynthesis treatment on the optimization of Pt and Ni atomic distribution, thus the catalytic activity and stability; and the power of in situ ETEM in understanding the structural origin of enhanced catalytic performance with atomic level of details. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 399–407, 2016
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for myelofibrosis and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Kekre Natasha , Ho Vincent T.
Published: October 2015

The efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is not well established in Philadelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph‐ MPNs). Without randomized prospective trials comparing HSCT to non‐HSCT options or comparing HSCT regimens, physicians must rely on prognostic scoring systems and clinical experience when making decisions about who and when to transplant patients with Ph‐ MPNs. These patients are vulnerable to hepatic toxicity and graft failure after HSCT because of their increased likelihood of portal hypertension, massive splenomegaly, and extensive bone marrow fibrosis related to their disease. In this review, we aim to outline the indications and modalities of HSCT as they pertain to the Ph‐ MPNs and CMML based on the currently available evidence. We will further highlight the challenges of HSCT in these diseases, including but not limited to the incorporation of JAK inhibitors into HSCT for myelofibrosis. Am. J. Hematol. 91:123–130, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic variant in DIP2A gene is associated with developmental dyslexia in Chinese population
Authors: Kong Rui , Shao Shanshan , Wang Jia , Zhang Xiaohui , Guo Shengnan , Zou Li , Zhong Rong , Lou Jiao , Zhou Jie , Zhang Jiajia , Song Ranran
Published: October 2015

Increasing evidence suggests that there is a substantial heritable component including several risk loci and candidate genes for developmental dyslexia (DD). DIP2A has been identified to be partially deleted on chromosome region 21q22.3, which cosegregates with DD. And it fits into a theoretical molecular network of DD implicated in the development of DD. Compared with some DD candidate genes that have been extensively studied (e.g., DYX1C1, DCDC2, KIAA0319, and ROBO1), very little is known about the association between candidate gene DIP2A and DD susceptibility. And given the linguistic and genetic differences between Chinese and other Western populations, it is worthwhile validating the association of DIP2A in Chinese dyslexic children. Here, we investigated two genetic variants, selected by bioinformatics analysis, in DIP2A in a Chinese population with 409 dyslexic cases and 410 healthy controls. We observed a significantly increased DD risk associated with rs2255526 G allele (OR = 1.297, 95% CI = 1.036–1.623, Padjusted = 0.023) and GG genotypes (OR = 1.833, 95% CI = 1.043–3.223, Padjusted = 0.035), compared with their wild‐type counterparts. In addition, it was marginally significantly associated with DD under the recessive model (OR = 1.677, 95% CI = 0.967–2.908, Padjusted = 0.066) and the dominant model (OR = 1.314, 95% CI = 0.992–1.741, Padjusted = 0.057). However, we found no evidence of an association of SNP rs16979358 with DD. In conclusion, this study showed that a genetic variant in the DIP2A gene was associated with increased DD risk in China. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ehlers–Danlos syndrome(s) mimicking child abuse: Is there an impact on clinical practice?
Authors: Castori Marco
Published: October 2015

Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is a heterogeneous group of heritable connective tissue disorders characterized by increased fragility of various non‐ossified tissues. It is usually ascertained due to abnormal skin texture, scarring complications, vascular fragility, or chronic symptoms, such as fatigue and musculoskeletal pain. Sometimes, Ehlers–Danlos syndrome remains undetected until the patient, usually in the pediatric age, shows extensive or severe mucocutaneous injuries after only minor traumas. In this scenario, the misdiagnosis of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome with child abuse is a possibility, as occasionally reported in the literature. Recently, more attention was posed by lay people between the possible association of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome and bone fragility. Literature and personal experience show a strong association between Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, generalized joint hypermobility and reduced bone mass density in older children and adults, especially fertile women. The existence of a true increased risk of fracture in Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is still a matter of debate in children and adults with little and conflicting evidence. In case of suspected child abuse, Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is certainly on the differential for bruising, especially in EDS types with marked cutaneous and capillary involvement. In suspected child abuse cases, careful examination of the index case and her/his extended family is routine, as well as exclusion of other disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta. The hypothesis of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome as an alternative explanation for infantile fractures remains speculative. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of Wall Effects on Filter Upscaling during Solid‐Liquid Filter Tests
Authors: Gursch Johannes , Giner Rafael , Krammer Gernot
Published: October 2015

Industrial solid‐liquid filtration units are upscaled based on laboratory tests, often by a resistance meter. Wall or boundary effects are more pronounced during lab tests compared with full‐scale units where these effects might be negligible. Thus, simply using area‐specific rates from lab tests may lead to a significant upscaling error. Intentional alterations of wall lengths and filtration areas are performed to allow quantitative description of this effect. Smaller area and longer wall length result in faster cake buildup as well as higher air consumption during subsequent cake drying. This indicates that the permeability close to the walls is different. Extrapolation towards negligible specific wall areas is used to improve upscaling calculations.
Electrochemical and Spectroelectrochemical Properties of Free‐Base Pyridyl‐ and N‐Alkyl‐4‐Pyridylporphyrins in Nonaqueous Media
Authors: Cui Yan , Zeng Lihan , Fang Yuanyuan , Zhu Jialiang , Xu Hai‐Jun , Desbois Nicolas , Gros Claude P. , Kadish Karl M.
Published: October 2015

Twelve structurally related pyridyl and meso‐N‐methylpyridylporphyrin derivatives are investigated electrochemically in different nonaqueous media. The UV/Vis spectrum of each newly investigated porphyrin was measured before and after electroreduction and, based on this data, the site of electron transfer is proposed. An interaction occurs between the meso‐pyridyl or meso‐N‐alkyl‐4‐pyridyl substituents and the porphyrin π‐ring system, the magnitude of which depends upon the number of linked pyridyl or N‐alkyl‐4‐pyridyl groups in the compound, the solvent, the supporting electrolyte, and/or other anions added to the solution.
Catalytic Enantioselective Decarboxylative Allylations of a Mixture of Allyl Carbonates and Allyl Esters: Total Synthesis of (−)‐ and (+)‐Folicanthine
Authors: Ghosh Santanu , Chaudhuri Saikat , Bisai Alakesh
Published: October 2015

A highly enantioselective decarboxylative allylation of a mixture of enol carbonates and allyl esters has been achieved. The strategic viability of this methodology has been demonstrated through the total synthesis of cyclotryptamine alkaloids (−)‐ and (+)‐folicanthine (1 a) and the formal total synthesis of (−)‐chimonanthine (1 b), (+)‐calycanthine (1 c), and (−)‐ditryptophenaline (1 d).
Synthesis of 8‐Aminoquinolines by Using Carbamate Reagents: Facile Installation and Deprotection of Practical Amidating Groups
Authors: Gwon Donghyeon , Hwang Heejun , Kim Hye Kyung , Marder Seth R. , Chang Sukbok
Published: October 2015

Described herein is the development of practical routes to 8‐aminoquinolines by using readily installable and easily deprotectable amidating reagents. Two scalable procedures were optimized under RhIII‐catalyzed conditions: i) the use of pre‐generated chlorocarbamates and ii) a two‐step one‐pot process that directly employs carbamates. Both approaches are highly convenient for the gram‐scale synthesis of 8‐aminoquinolines under mild conditions. Facile deprotection of the synthetically versatile amidating groups was achieved under the Pd‐catalyzed transfer hydrogenation conditions with simultaneous deoxygenation of quinoline N‐oxides, thus yielding 8‐aminoquinolines in excellent overall efficiency.
A Tricyclic Hexaphosphane
Authors: Bresien Jonas , Schulz Axel , Villinger Alexander
Published: October 2015

The reaction of the functionalized cyclo‐tetraphosphane [ClP(μ‐PMes*)]2 (Mes*=2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl) with different Lewis bases led to the formation of an unprecedented tricyclic hexaphosphane, Mes*P6Mes*. The formation of this compound was investigated by spectroscopic and theoretical methods, revealing an unusual ring expansion reaction. The title compound was fully characterized by experimental and computational methods.
Proteomic Analysis of Microbial Community Inhabiting Asian Dust Source Region
Authors: Sekhon Simranjeet Singh , Kim Mina , Um Hyun‐Ju , Kobayashi Fumihisa , Iwasaka Yasunobu , Shi Guangyu , Chen Bin , Cho Sung‐Jin , Min Jiho , Kim Yang‐Hoon
Published: October 2015

The Asian desert dust storm originating from desert regions of northern China negatively influences plant and human health causing various diseases. The soil samples collected from the dust storm site were characterized by a meta‐proteomic approach using an automated two‐dimensional liquid phase fractionation system and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Thirty‐eight proteins were detected and identified using Expasy database as a frame of reference. The samples consisted of various bacterial species including plant pathogens and soil bacteria which cause diseases. Soil proteomics provides a deeper analysis and better understanding of the microbial community.
Compartmentalization of Gd liposomes: the quenching effect explained
Authors: Guenoun Jamal , Doeswijk Gabriela N. , Krestin Gabriel P. , Bernsen Monique R.
Published: October 2015

Cationic liposomes carrying high [Gd] can be used as efficient cell‐labeling agents. In a compartmentalized state, Gd can cause signal loss (relaxivity quenching). The contributions of liposomal [Gd], size and compartmentalization state to relaxivity quenching were assessed. The dependency of signal intensity (SI) on intraliposomal [Gd] was assessed comparing three different [Gd] (0.3, 0.6 and 1.0 M Gd) in both small (80 nm) and large (120 nm) cationic liposomes. In addition, five compartmentalization states were compared: free Gd, intact Gd liposomes, ruptured Gd liposomes, Gd liposomes in intact cells and Gd liposomes in ruptured cells (simulating cell death). Gd also causes R2 effects, which is often overlooked. Therefore, both R1 and R2 relaxation rates of a dilution range were measured by T1 and T2 mapping on a 7 T clinical scanner. Less is more. As the unidirectional water efflux rate (outbound across the liposome membrane, κle) is proportional to the surface:volume ratio, smaller liposomes yielded a consistently higher R1 than larger liposomes. For equal voxel [Gd] less concentrated liposomes (0.3 M Gd) yielded higher R1/R2 ratio because of the higher extraliposomal water fraction (vl). Gd exhibits a dualistic behavior: from hypointensity to hyperintensity to hypointensity, with decreasing [Gd]. Regarding compartmentalization, fewer membrane barriers means a higher R1/R2 ratio. Gd liposomes exhibit a versatile contrast behavior, dependent on the compartmentalization state, liposomal size, intraliposomal [Gd] and liposome number. Both R1 and R2 effects contribute to this. The versatility allows one to tailor the optimal liposomal formulation to desired goals in cell labeling and tracking. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cloud service QoS prediction via exploiting collaborative filtering and location‐based data smoothing
Authors: Tang Mingdong , Zhang Tingting , Liu Jianxun , Chen Jinjun
Published: October 2015

To assess the quality of services (QoS) in service selection, collaborative service QoS prediction has recently garnered increasing attention. They focus on exploring the historical QoS information generated by interactions between users and services. However, they may suffer from the data sparsity issue because interactions between users and services are usually sparse in real scenarios. They also seldom consider the network environments of users and services, which surely will affect cloud service QoS. To address the data sparsity issue and improve the QoS prediction accuracy, the following paper proposes a collaborative QoS prediction method with location‐based data smoothing. The method first computes neighborhoods of users and services based on their locations which provide a basis for data smoothing. It then combines user‐based and service‐based collaborative filtering techniques to make QoS predictions. Experiments conducted using a real service invocation dataset validate the performance of the proposed QoS prediction method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Congestion‐free routing strategy in software defined data center networks
Authors: Li Yan , Li Wenxin , Chen Honghui , Guo Deke , Zhang Tian , Qu Ting
Published: October 2015

Large‐scale online services and distributed execution engines (i.e., MapReduce and Dryad) generate large volumes of traffic in data center networks. As a consequence, significant congestion can occur in the data center network. To the best of our knowledge, most existing approaches either focus on local congestion‐aware mechanisms, which have only a poor ability to handle asymmetry or use explicit congestion notification packets, which are difficult to implement directly in switch hardware. These methods are insufficient to solve the congestion problem. In this paper, we focus on a congestion‐free routing strategy, resorting to the global view of the data center network in a software‐defined networking controller. Specifically, a timeslot allocation was first conducted for the coming packets, and then the corresponding routing paths were computed for each packet. In view of the efficiency, the timeslot allocation algorithm follows a heuristic pattern, and the path selection is modeled as a bin‐packing problem. Simulation results showed that the congestion‐free routing strategy proposed here performs well in throughput, queuing, and end‐to‐end round‐trip time. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FRP: a fast resource placement algorithm in distributed cloud computing platform
Authors: Wei Wei , Zhang Yuhong , Liu Yang , Qin Zhiguang
Published: October 2015

We consider a large‐scale online service system of placing resources geographically distributed over multiple regional cloud data centers. Service providers need to place the resources in these regions so as to maximize profit, accounting for demand granting revenues minus resource placement costs. The challenge is how to optimally place these resources to fulfill varying demands (e.g., multidimensional and stochastic demands) among these cloud data centers. Considering demand stochasticity will significantly increase time complexity of resource placement algorithm, resulting in inefficiency when handling a large number of resources. We propose a fast resource placement algorithm (FRP) to obtain the maximum resource revenue from distributed cloud systems. Experiments show that in scenarios with general settings, FRP can achieve up to 99.2% revenue of existed best solution while reducing execution time by two orders of magnitude. Therefore, FRP is an effective supplement to existing algorithms under time‐tense scheduling scenarios with a large number of resources. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Green Synthesis of Nanosheet‐Constructed Pd Particles in an Ionic Liquid and Their Superior Electrocatalytic Performance
Authors: Zhang Baohua , Xue Yiguo , Xue Zhimin , Li Zhonghao , Hao Jingcheng
Published: October 2015

The ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]Ac) is investigated as a solvent for the synthesis of Pd particles. Interestingly, nanosheet‐constructed Pd particles could be successfully synthesized in [EMIM]Ac without any additional reducing agent and template under ionothermal conditions. [EMIM]Ac itself works as the solvent, the reducing agent, and the template for the formation of these interesting Pd particles, making this method complementary to the well‐known ionic‐liquid‐precursor approach. Furthermore, [EMIM]Ac can be recycled with no loss of activity for the formation of nanosheet‐constructed Pd particles within our studied cycles. Specifically, the nanosheet‐constructed Pd particles exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity and stability towards ethanol oxidation and formic acid oxidation compared with commercially available Pd black catalyst, thus demonstrating their promising applications in fuel‐cell area. The current approach, thus, presents a green approach towards the synthesis of Pd particles, using only a simple palladium salt and an ionic liquid.
Neuropilin‐2 genomic elements drive cre recombinase expression in primitive blood, vascular and neuronal lineages
Authors: Wiszniak Sophie , Scherer Michaela , Ramshaw Hayley , Schwarz Quenten
Published: October 2015

We have established a novel Cre mouse line, using genomic elements encompassing the Nrp2 locus, present within a bacterial artificial chromosome clone. By crossing this Cre driver line to R26R LacZ reporter mice, we have documented the temporal expression and lineage traced tissues in which Cre is expressed. Nrp2‐Cre drives expression in primitive blood cells arising from the yolk sac, venous and lymphatic endothelial cells, peripheral sensory ganglia, and the lung bud. This mouse line will provide a new tool to researchers wishing to study the development of various tissues and organs in which this Cre driver is expressed, as well as allow tissue‐specific knockout of genes of interest to study protein function. This work also presents the first evidence for expression of Nrp2 protein in a mesodermal progenitor with restricted hematopoietic potential, which will significantly advance the study of primitive erythropoiesis. genesis 53:709–717, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Systemic IL‐12 burst expands intestinal T‐lymphocyte subsets bearing the α4β7 integrin in mice
Authors: Pedrotti Luciano P. , Barrios Bibiana E. , Maccio‐Maretto Lisa , Bento Allisson F. , Sena Angela A. , Rodriguez‐Galán María Cecilia , Calixto João B. , Correa Silvia G.
Published: October 2015

The intestinal immune system is complex and displays unique anatomic and functional characteristics. Numerous immune cell subsets are located beneath the epithelial barrier and their activity is highly regulated. Using hydrodynamic shear of IL‐12 cDNA to achieve systemic expression of IL‐12 in mice, we evaluated the effect of a transient burst of this cytokine on the activation status of T cells from Peyer's patches (PPs), mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), and colonic lamina propria (LP). Following systemic IL‐12 release, intestinal T lymphocytes became activated, exhibiting a CD44high CD62L− phenotype. After 5 days of the cytokine burst, the frequency of α4β7+ CD4+ and CD8+ cells increased, and CD8+α4β7+ cells mainly expressed T bet, a critical regulator of the Th1 differentiation program. The incremental increase in α4β7 expression involved the IL‐12 receptor‐signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)‐4 axis, and occurred independently of IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐10, and TNF‐α signaling. Moreover, IL‐12 priming exacerbated the outcome of acute dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)‐induced colitis with higher scores of weight loss, blood in stool, and diarrhea and lower hematocrit. Together, our findings demonstrate that systemic polarizing signals could effectively expand the number of effector cells able to home to the LP and contribute to local inflammation.
Depletion of CD11c+ cells in the CD11c.DTR model drives expansion of unique CD64+ Ly6C+ monocytes that are poised to release TNF‐α
Authors: Sivakumaran Shivajanani , Henderson Stephen , Ward Sophie , Santos E. Sousa Pedro , Manzo Teresa , Zhang Lei , Conlan Thomas , Means Terry K. , D'Aveni Maud , Hermine Olivier , Rubio Marie‐Thérèse , Chakraverty Ronjon , Bennett Clare L.
Published: October 2015

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a vital role in innate and adaptive immunities. Inducible depletion of CD11c+ DCs engineered to express a high‐affinity diphtheria toxin receptor has been a powerful tool to dissect DC function in vivo. However, despite reports showing that loss of DCs induces transient monocytosis, the monocyte population that emerges and the potential impact of monocytes on studies of DC function have not been investigated. We found that depletion of CD11c+ cells from CD11c.DTR mice induced the expansion of a variant CD64+ Ly6C+ monocyte population in the spleen and blood that was distinct from conventional monocytes. Expansion of CD64+ Ly6C+ monocytes was independent of mobilization from the BM via CCR2 but required the cytokine, G‐CSF. Indeed, this population was also expanded upon exposure to exogenous G‐CSF in the absence of DC depletion. CD64+ Ly6C+ monocytes were characterized by upregulation of innate signaling apparatus despite the absence of inflammation, and an increased capacity to produce TNF‐α following LPS stimulation. Thus, depletion of CD11c+ cells induces expansion of a unique CD64+ Ly6C+ monocyte population poised to synthesize TNF‐α. This finding will require consideration in experiments using depletion strategies to test the role of CD11c+ DCs in immunity.
Highly sensitive tITP‐CZE determination of l‐histidine and creatinine in human blood plasma using field‐amplified sample injection with mobility‐boost effect
Authors: Hattori Takanari , Fukushi Keiichi
Published: October 2015

2D computer simulation revealed that amino acids and weak electrolytes were cationized because of the migration of counter‐ion from a BGE zone to a sample zone, which encouraged electrokinetic injection (EKI) of these analytes (by the mobility‐boost (MB) effect). To investigate the effects of kinds and concentrations of counter‐ions on the MB effect and the analyte amount injected into the capillary, experiments, and 1D computer simulations were performed. When acetate was used as the counter‐ion, the LODs (S/N = 3) of l‐histidine and creatinine, respectively, reached 0.10 and 0.25 nM because of the concentration effect by transient ITP (tITP). The concentrations of l‐histidine and creatinine in human blood plasma obtained using the proposed method were agreed with those obtained using the conventional methods. The proposed method can be applied to the analysis of amino acids and weak bases that have similar pI and pKa to l‐histidine and creatinine.
Regulation of oligodendrocyte precursor maintenance by chondroitin sulphate glycosaminoglycans
Authors: Karus Michael , Ulc Annika , Ehrlich Marc , Czopka Tim , Hennen Eva , Fischer Julia , Mizhorova Marija , Qamar Naila , Brüstle Oliver , Faissner Andreas
Published: October 2015

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) have been proven to inhibit morphological maturation of oligodendrocytes as well as their myelination capabilities. Yet, it remained unclear, whether CSPGs and/or their respective chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan (CS‐GAG) side chains also regulate the oligodendrocyte lineage progression. Here, we initially show that CS‐GAGs detected by the monoclonal antibody 473HD are expressed by primary rat NG2‐positive oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and O4‐positive immature oligodendrocytes. CS‐GAGs become down‐regulated with ongoing oligodendrocyte differentiation. Enzymatic removal of the CS‐GAG chains by the bacterial enzyme Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) promoted spontaneous differentiation of proliferating rat OPCs toward O4‐positive immature oligodendrocytes. Upon forced differentiation, the enzymatic removal of the CS‐GAGs accelerated oligodendrocyte differentiation toward both MBP‐positive and membrane forming oligodendrocytes. These processes were attenuated on enriched CSPG fractions, mainly consisting of Phosphacan/RPTPβ/ζ and to less extent of Brevican and NG2. To qualify CS‐GAGs as universal regulators of oligodendrocyte biology, we finally tested the effect of CS‐GAG removal on OPCs from different sources such as mouse cortical oligospheres, mouse spinal cord neurospheres, and most importantly human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived radial glia‐like neural precursor cells. For all culture systems used, we observed a similar inhibitory effect of CS‐GAGs on oligodendrocyte differentiation. In conclusion, this study clearly suggests an important fundamental principle for complex CS‐GAGs to regulate the oligodendrocyte lineage progression. Moreover, the use of ChABC in order to promote oligodendrocyte differentiation toward myelin gene expressing cells might be an applicable therapeutic option to enhance white matter repair. GLIA 2016;64:270–286
CXXC5 plays a role as a transcription activator for myelin genes on oligodendrocyte differentiation
Authors: Kim Mi‐Yeon , Kim Hyun‐Yi , Hong Jiso , Kim Daesoo , Lee Hyojung , Cheong Eunji , Lee Yangsin , Roth Jürgen , Kim Dong Goo , Min Do Sik , Choi Kang‐Yell
Published: October 2015

Myelination in corpus callosum plays important role for normal brain functions by transferring neurological information between various brain regions. However, the factors controlling expression of myelin genes in myelination are poorly understood. Here, CXXC5, a recently identified protein with CXXC‐type zinc finger DNA binding motif, was characterized as a transcriptional activator of major myelin genes. We identified expression of CXXC5 expression was increased by Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. CXXC5 specifically expressed in the white matter induced expression of myelin genes through the direct binding of CXXC DNA‐binding motif of CXXC5 on the MBP promoter. During the differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) of CXXC5−/− mice, the expressions of myelin genes were simultaneously reduced. The CXXC5−/− mice exhibited severely reduction of myelin genes expression in corpus callosum as well as abnormalities in myelin structure. The disrupted structural integrity of myelin in the CXXC5−/− mice resulted in reduced electrical conduction amplitudes at corpus callosum. These findings indicate that the regulation of myelin genes expression by CXXC5 is important for forming myelin structure involved with axonal electrical signal transfer in the corpus callosum. GLIA 2016;64:350–362
Detection of Alzheimer's disease signature in MR images seven years before conversion to dementia: Toward an early individual prognosis
Authors: Coupé Pierrick , Fonov Vladimir S. , Bernard Charlotte , Zandifar Azar , Eskildsen Simon F. , Helmer Catherine , Manjón José V. , Amieva Hélène , Dartigues Jean‐François , Allard Michèle , Catheline Gwenaelle , Collins D. Louis ,   The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: October 2015

Finding very early biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) to aid in individual prognosis is of major interest to accelerate the development of new therapies. Among the potential biomarkers, neurodegeneration measurements from MRI are considered as good candidates but have so far not been effective at the early stages of the pathology. Our objective is to investigate the efficiency of a new MR‐based hippocampal grading score to detect incident dementia in cognitively intact patients. This new score is based on a pattern recognition strategy, providing a grading measure that reflects the similarity of the anatomical patterns of the subject under study with dataset composed of healthy subjects and patients with AD. Hippocampal grading was evaluated on subjects from the Three‐City cohort, with a followup period of 12 years. Experiments demonstrate that hippocampal grading yields prediction accuracy up to 72.5% (P < 0.0001) 7 years before conversion to AD, better than both hippocampal volume (58.1%, P = 0.04) and MMSE score (56.9%, P = 0.08). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) supports the efficiency of imaging biomarkers with a gain of 8.4 percentage points for hippocampal grade (73.0%) over hippocampal volume (64.6%). Adaptation of the proposed framework to clinical score estimation is also presented. Compared with previous studies investigating new biomarkers for AD prediction over much shorter periods, the very long followup of the Three‐City cohort demonstrates the important clinical potential of the proposed imaging biomarker. The high accuracy obtained with this new imaging biomarker paves the way for computer‐based prognostic aides to help the clinician identify cognitively intact subjects that are at high risk to develop AD. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4758–4770, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Soil pipe flow tracer experiments: 2. Application of a streamflow transient storage zone model
Authors: Zhou Yan , Wilson G. V. , Fox G.A. , Rigby J.R. , Dabney S.M.
Published: October 2015

Soil pipes are important subsurface flow pathways in many soil erosion phenomena. However, limited research has been performed on quantifying and characterizing their flow and transport characteristics. The objectives of this research were to determine the applicability of a streamflow model with transient storage in deriving flow and transport characteristics of soil pipes. Tracer data from pulse inputs were collected in four different soil pipes after a fluorescein dye was injected in the upstream end of each soil pipe network in three branches (west, middle, and east) of a main catchment and a back catchment in Goodwin Creek Experimental Watershed in Mississippi. Multiple sampling stations were positioned along each soil pipe network. The transient storage zone model OTIS‐P was executed inversely to estimate transport parameters by soil pipe reach such as the soil pipe cross‐sectional area (A), soil storage zone cross‐sectional area (As), and exchange rate between the soil pipe and the soil storage zone (αs). Model convergence was achieved, and simulated breakthrough curves of the reaches were in good agreement with actual tracer data for eight of the nine reaches of the three branches of the Main Catchment and five of the seven reaches of the Back Catchment soil pipe. Simulation parameters for the soil pipe networks were similar to the range of values reported for flow and transport characteristics commonly observed in streams. Inversely, estimated soil pipe flow velocities were higher with increased tortuosity, which led to a smaller cross‐sectional areas predicted for the soil pipe flowpaths, while other parameters were not sensitive to tortuosity. In general, application of One‐Dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage‐P to this unique soil pipe condition suggested larger transient storage (As and αs) compared with most stream systems. This was hypothesized to be because of relatively higher ratio of the wetted perimeter to flow area in the soil pipe, the hydraulic roughness of the soil pipe, potential retention in collapsed portions of the pipe, and interaction with smaller preferential flow systems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perioperative treatment with the new synthetic TLR‐4 agonist GLA‐SE reduces cancer metastasis without adverse effects
Authors: Matzner Pini , Sorski Liat , Shaashua Lee , Elbaz Ely , Lavon Hagar , Melamed Rivka , Rosenne Ella , Gotlieb Neta , Benbenishty Amit , Reed Steve G. , Ben‐Eliyahu Shamgar
Published: October 2015

The use of TLR agonists as an anti‐cancer treatment is gaining momentum given their capacity to activate various host cellular responses through the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and type‐I interferons. It is now also recognized that the perioperative period is a window of opportunity for various interventions aiming at reducing the risk of cancer metastases—the major cause of cancer related death. However, immune‐stimulatory approach has not been used perioperatively given several contraindications to surgery. To overcome these obstacles, in this study, we used the newly introduced, fully synthetic TLR‐4 agonist, Glucopyranosyl Lipid‐A (GLA‐SE), in various models of cancer metastases, and in the context of acute stress or surgery. Without exerting evident adverse effects, a single systemic administration of GLA‐SE rapidly and dose dependently elevated both innate and adaptive immunity in the circulation, lungs and the lymphatic system. Importantly, GLA‐SE treatment led to reduced metastatic development of a mammary adenocarcinoma and a colon carcinoma by approximately 40–75% in F344 rats and BALB/c mice, respectively, at least partly through elevating marginating‐pulmonary NK cell cytotoxicity. GLA‐SE is safe and well tolerated in humans, and currently is used as an adjuvant in phase‐II clinical trials. Given that the TLR‐4 receptor and its signaling cascade is highly conserved throughout evolution, our current results suggest that GLA‐SE may be a promising immune stimulatory agent in the context of oncological surgeries, aiming to reduce long‐term cancer recurrence.
Identification of the Human SULT Enzymes Involved in the Metabolism of Rotigotine
Authors: Jia Chaojun , Luo Lijun , Kurogi Katsuhisa , Yu Juming , Zhou Chunyang , Liu Ming‐Cheh
Published: October 2015

Sulfation has been reported to be a major pathway for the metabolism and inactivation of rotigotine in vivo. The current study aimed to identify the human cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT) enzyme(s) capable of mediating the sulfation of rotigotine. Of the 13 known human SULTs examined, 6 of them (SULT1A1, 1A2, 1A3, 1B1, 1C4, 1E1) displayed significant sulfating activities toward rotigotine. pH dependence and kinetic parameters of the sulfation of rotigotine by relevant human SULTs were determined. Of the 6 human organ samples tested, small intestine and liver cytosols displayed considerably higher rotigotine‐sulfating activity than did brain, lung, and kidney. Moreover, sulfation of rotigotine was shown to occur in HepG2 human hepatoma cells and Caco‐2 human colon adenocarcinoma cells under metabolic conditions. Collectively, the results obtained provided a molecular basis underlying the previous finding of the excretion of sulfated rotigotine by patients undergoing treatment with rotigotine.
Superhydrophobic/superoleophilic corn straw fibers as effective oil sorbents for the recovery of spilled oil
Authors: Zang Deli , Zhang Ming , Liu Feng , Wang Chengyu
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

In recent years, superhydrophobic and superoleophilic materials have attracted great interest and have been applied to the removal of oil contaminants from water. The combined effect of hierarchical coarse structure and low surface free energy is essential for the acquisition of superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity. In the present study, a facile, low‐cost, fluorine‐free and eco‐friendly method is proposed for the development of superhydrophobic/superoleophilic corn straw fibers via conventional impregnation to realize the removal of oil from water.

RESULTS

The simultaneous performances of superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity of the product were attributed to the covalent deposition of hollow spherical zinc oxide (ZnO) particles on the surface of fibers and subsequent hydrophobic modification using hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMOS). In addition, the superhydrophobic and superoleophilic performances of as‐prepared corn straw remained in complex conditions of corrosive solution and long‐time storage. The absorption capacity of superhydrophobic/superoleophilic corn straw for crude oil was 20.4 g g−1, demonstrating high uptake capacity.

CONCLUSION

The superhydrophobic/superoleophilic corn straw fibers possessed excellent stability and enhanced absorption capacity. The as‐prepared product could be widely used as an oil sorbent for oil/water separation. This study provided evidence for the better utilization of waste corn straw in the field of oil spills cleanup. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry