bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current laboratory practices in flow cytometry for the enumeration of CD 4+T‐lymphocyte subsets
Authors: Whitby L. , Whitby A. , Fletcher M. , Barnett D.
Published: April 2015

Background

CD4+ T‐lymphocyte subset enumeration is routinely used for monitoring HIV disease progression, with approximately 300,000 tests performed annually in the UK alone. Technical variables can impact upon any laboratory test and therefore the final result obtained. Here, we report the findings of a survey questionnaire issued to 1,587 clinical flow cytometry laboratories to: (a) determine if the UK NEQAS for Leucocyte Immunophenotyping (UK NEQAS LI) lymphocyte subset external quality assessment (EQA) programme was suitable for current laboratory needs and practices; and (b) assess the impact of these responses on clinical practice where CD4+ T‐lymphocyte subsets analysis is undertaken. The survey covered areas not traditionally examined by EQA such as: staffing numbers, flow cytometer age and service intervals, plus six test specific sections covering: leukaemia immunophenotyping, CD4+ T‐lymphocyte subsets analysis (reported here), CD34+ stem cell testing, low level leucocyte enumeration, minimal residual disease testing and PNH testing.

Results

The responses revealed major methodological variations between centres undertaking CD4+ T‐lymphocyte subset analysis. Significant differences existed in basic laboratory practices such as: normal range derivation; pipetting techniques; instrument maintenance and units of reporting, all of which results in non‐adherence to international guidelines.

Discussion

Despite the availability of international guidelines our survey highlighted a lack of concordance amongst laboratory techniques. Such variation could adversely impact on patient care and clinical trial data. Therefore, it is recommended centres undertaking flow cytometric CD4+ T‐lymphocyte subsets analysis urgently review their methodologies and normal ranges to ensure they are fit for purpose and meet current international guidelines. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Anionic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Gold(I) as Precatalysts for Silver‐Free Cycloisomerization of Enynes
Authors: Bastin Stéphanie , Barthes Cécile , Lugan Noël , Lavigne Guy , César Vincent
Published: April 2015

The anionic malonate‐derived N‐heterocyclic carbene maloNHC readily and efficiently reacts with AuCl(tht) to generate the corresponding anionic gold(I) complexes of type [(maloNHC)AuCl](M). A stoichiometric reaction of these complexes with triphenylphosphine affords the zwitterionic complex [(maloNHC)Au(PPh3)]. Although totally insoluble in the reaction medium, the [(maloNHC)AuCl](M) salts were shown to be suitable precatalysts for the cycloisomerization of 1,6‐enynes through the in situ generation of soluble zwitterionic catalytic species of the type [(maloNHC)Au].
Comparative evaluation of structured oil systems: Shellac oleogel, HPMC oleogel, and HIPE gel
Authors: Patel Ashok R. , Dewettinck Koen
Published: April 2015

In lipid‐based food products, fat crystals are used as building blocks for creating a crystalline network that can trap liquid oil into a 3D gel‐like structure which in turn is responsible for the desirable mouth feel and texture properties of the food products. However, the recent ban on the use of trans‐fat in the US, coupled with the increasing concerns about the negative health effects of saturated fat consumption, has resulted in an increased interest in the area of identifying alternative ways of structuring edible oils using non‐fat‐based building blocks. In this paper, we give a brief account of three alternative approaches where oil structuring was carried out using wax crystals (shellac), polymer strands (hydrophilic cellulose derivative), and emulsion droplets as structurants. These building blocks resulted in three different types of oleogels that showed distinct rheological properties and temperature functionalities. The three approaches are compared in terms of the preparation process (ease of processing), properties of the formed systems (microstructure, rheological gel strength, temperature response, effect of water incorporation, and thixotropic recovery), functionality, and associated limitations of the structured systems. The comparative evaluation is made such that the new researchers starting their work in the area of oil structuring can use this discussion as a general guideline.

Practical applications: Various aspects of oil binding for three different building blocks were studied in this work. The practical significance of this study includes (i) information on the preparation process and the concentrations of structuring agents required for efficient gelation and (ii) information on the behavior of oleogels to temperature, applied shear, and presence of water. This information can be very useful for selecting the type of structuring agents keeping the final applications in mind. For detailed information on the actual edible applications (bakery, chocolate, and spreads) which are based on the oleogel systems described in this manuscript, the readers are advised to refer our recent papers published elsewhere. (Food & Function 2014, 5, 645–652 and Food & Function 2014, 5, 2833–2841).

Photographs and comparative rheological evaluation of shellac oleogel, HPMC oleogel, and HIPE gel.
Pilot Study Comparing Multi‐family Therapy to Single Family Therapy for Adults with Anorexia Nervosa in an Intensive Eating Disorder Program
Authors: Dimitropoulos Gina , Farquhar Jamie C. , Freeman Victoria Emily , Colton Patricia Anne , Olmsted Marion Patricia
Published: April 2015

Multi‐family therapy (MFT) has yet to be evaluated in families of adults with anorexia nervosa (AN). The study aims were: (i) assess the feasibility of MFT for AN; and, (ii) assess whether MFT is associated with improved outcomes for families compared with single‐family therapy (SFT). Adult patients with AN consecutively referred to an eating disorder treatment program were assigned (non‐randomly) to receive eight sessions of SFT or MFT. Assessment occurred pre‐therapy, immediately post‐therapy, and at 3‐month follow‐up. A total of 37 female patients (13 SFT, 24 MFT) and 45 family members (16 SFT, 29 MFT) completed treatment. There were significant time effects for patients' BMI, eating disorder‐related psychopathology and multiple family outcome measures. There were no differences between MFT and SFT on family outcome measures at end of treatment and 3 months post treatment. MFT is a feasible intervention that can be used in adult intensive treatment for those with AN. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
A Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics discretization for the modelling of free surface flows and rigid body dynamics
Authors: Canelas Ricardo B. , Domínguez Jose M. , Crespo Alejandro J.C. , Gómez‐Gesteira Moncho , Ferreira Rui M.L.
Published: April 2015

This work describes a unified discretization of rigid solids and fluids, allowing for spatially detailed and time‐resolved simulations of fluid–solid interaction. The model is based on a Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) discretization of the Navier–Stokes equations and Newton's equations for rigid body dynamics. A δ‐SPH term is added to the continuity equation, allowing for an effective interface description. The benchmark case of the buoyancy‐driven motion of an unrestricted rigid body allows for experimenting new computational approaches for the more general case of fluid–solid interactions, in the case of solid objects larger than the smallest flow scales. Numerical experiments and analytical solutions are recovered from the literature and compared with the numerical results from the proposed model. Experimental measurements were performed and numerical results are compared, resulting in a wide range study of the fundamental properties of fluid–solid systems. After an investigation on the influence of the stabilizing δ‐SPH terms, the model is shown to respect free stream consistency, the correct dynamics of a buoyant body, for a range of positive and negative relative densities and the correct recovery of equilibrium states. This work addresses these topics in an attempt to characterise the presented model with regard to the quality of its solutions and possible limitations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Missing data in spatiotemporal datasets: the UK rainfall chemistry network
Authors: Cape J. N. , Smith R. I. , Leaver D.
Published: April 2015

Rainfall chemistry networks inevitably report some missing data, caused by contamination or loss of samples. However, there are no universally accepted rules about how such data, particularly from samples contaminated in the field, are identified and reported, leading to uncertainties in data usage by third parties, and possible incorrect inferences based on the reported data. This paper describes how the UK rainfall chemistry network data have been analysed for contamination, and how missing values can be estimated based on cross‐correlations in time and space, using data from 20 sites over 26 years. The final flagged dataset is available through the CEH Environmental Information Data Centre (EIDC). Erroneous data values are identified through consideration of ion balance (internal consistency), and evidence of contamination by birds or windblown dust based on the reported chemical analysis. Overall data capture with the erroneous data excluded and no replacement of missing data was 86%, but with much smaller data capture at some sites in some years, to <30% in some cases. The use of estimated data to replace missing values resulted in an increase in overall data capture to 96%, with only one site having data capture <70% in an individual year, and all sites achieving a data capture of 88% or more over the full period. The implications of using the reported ‘official’ annual data, as opposed to the dataset with missing values replaced by estimates, are illustrated by consideration of the temporal trend in nitrate at one site, which shows twice the value in the ‘official’ reported annual data compared with the ‘estimated’ data, part of a consistent pattern across all sites. Use of the uncorrected ‘raw’ sample data leads to large errors.
Measurement of retromolar space dimensions using dental pantomograms for intubation feasibility
Authors: Truong Angela T. , Ahmad Bader , Cata Juan P. , Martin Jack W. , Truong Dam‐Thuy , Rahlfs Thomas F.
Published: April 2015

Background

The purpose of this study was to measure the dimensions of the retromolar space of a patient population. If the dimensions were found to exceed the outside diameters of commonly used tracheal tubes, the results could increase use of the retromolar approach for oral intubation in patients with trismus.

Methods

We reviewed 311 dental pantomograms. Retromolar space height was measured from the lowest point of the maxillary tuberosity to the mandibular alveolar ridge. Width was measured from the last mandibular molar to the junction of the anterior border of the ramus with the body of the mandible.

Results

Mean height and width were 17.87 mm and 17.48 mm for the right space and 18.07 mm and 16.51 mm for the left.

Conclusion

These dimensions were usually larger than the outside diameters of commonly used tracheal tubes. The retromolar approach can be considered an option for flexible fiberoptic intubation in patients with trismus. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E638–E642, 2016
Evaluation of combinations of in vitro sensitization test descriptors for the artificial neural network‐based risk assessment model of skin sensitization
Authors: Hirota Morihiko , Fukui Shiho , Okamoto Kenji , Kurotani Satoru , Imai Noriyasu , Fujishiro Miyuki , Kyotani Daiki , Kato Yoshinao , Kasahara Toshihiko , Fujita Masaharu , Toyoda Akemi , Sekiya Daisuke , Watanabe Shinichi , Seto Hirokazu , Takenouchi Osamu , Ashikaga Takao , Miyazawa Masaaki
Published: April 2015

The skin sensitization potential of chemicals has been determined with the use of the murine local lymph node assay (LLNA). However, in recent years public concern about animal welfare has led to a requirement for non‐animal risk assessment systems for the prediction of skin sensitization potential, to replace LLNA. Selection of an appropriate in vitro test or in silico model descriptors is critical to obtain good predictive performance. Here, we investigated the utility of artificial neural network (ANN) prediction models using various combinations of descriptors from several in vitro sensitization tests. The dataset, collected from published data and from experiments carried out in collaboration with the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association (JCIA), consisted of values from the human cell line activation test (h‐CLAT), direct peptide reactivity assay (DPRA), SH test and antioxidant response element (ARE) assay for chemicals whose LLNA thresholds have been reported. After confirming the relationship between individual in vitro test descriptors and the LLNA threshold (e.g. EC3 value), we used the subsets of chemicals for which the requisite test values were available to evaluate the predictive performance of ANN models using combinations of h‐CLAT/DPRA (N = 139 chemicals), the DPRA/ARE assay (N = 69), the SH test/ARE assay (N = 73), the h‐CLAT/DPRA/ARE assay (N = 69) and the h‐CLAT/SH test/ARE assay (N = 73). The h‐CLAT/DPRA, h‐CLAT/DPRA/ARE assay and h‐CLAT/SH test/ARE assay combinations showed a better predictive performance than the DPRA/ARE assay and the SH test/ARE assay. Our data indicates that the descriptors evaluated in this study were all useful for predicting human skin sensitization potential, although combinations containing h‐CLAT (reflecting dendritic cell‐activating ability) were most effective for ANN‐based prediction. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gene expression profiling of the hippocampal dentate gyrus in an adult toxicity study captures a variety of neurodevelopmental dysfunctions in rat models of hypothyroidism
Authors: Shiraki Ayako , Saito Fumiyo , Akane Hirotoshi , Akahori Yumi , Imatanaka Nobuya , Itahashi Megu , Yoshida Toshinori , Shibutani Makoto
Published: April 2015

We previously found that developmental hypothyroidism changed the expression of genes in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus, a brain region where adult neurogenesis is known to occur. In the present study, we performed brain region‐specific global gene expression profiling in an adult rat hypothyroidism model to see if it reflected the developmental neurotoxicity we saw in the developmental hypothyroidism model. Starting when male rats were 5 weeks old, we administered 6‐propyl‐2‐thiouracil at a doses of 0, 0.1 and 10 mg kg−1 body weight by gavage for 28 days. We selected four brain regions to represent both cerebral and cerebellar tissues: hippocampal dentate gyrus, cerebral cortex, corpus callosum and cerebellar vermis. We observed significant alterations in the expression of genes related to neural development (Eph family genes and Robo3) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal dentate gyrus and in the expression of genes related to myelination (Plp1 and Mbp) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. We observed only minor changes in the expression of these genes in the corpus callosum and cerebellar vermis. We used real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction to confirm Chrdl1, Hes5, Mbp, Plp1, Slit1, Robo3 and the Eph family transcript expression changes. The most significant changes in gene expression were found in the dentate gyrus. Considering that the gene expression profile of the adult dentate gyrus closely related to neurogenesis, 28‐day toxicity studies looking at gene expression changes in adult hippocampal dentate gyrus may also detect possible developmental neurotoxic effects. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hindlimb Skeletal Muscle Function and Skeletal Quality and Strength in +/G610CMice With and Without Weight-Bearing Exercise
Authors: Jeong Youngjae , Carleton Stephanie M , Gentry Bettina A , Yao Xiaomei , Ferreira J Andries , Salamango Daniel J , Weis MaryAnn , Oestreich Arin K , Williams Ashlee M , McCray Marcus G , Eyre David R , Brown Marybeth , Wang Yong , Phillips Charlotte L
Published: April 2015

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous heritable connective tissue disorder associated with reduced bone mineral density and skeletal fragility. Bone is inherently mechanosensitive, with bone strength being proportional to muscle mass and strength. Physically active healthy children accrue more bone than inactive children. Children with type I OI exhibit decreased exercise capacity and muscle strength compared with healthy peers. It is unknown whether this muscle weakness reflects decreased physical activity or a muscle pathology. In this study, we used heterozygous G610C OI model mice (+/G610C), which model both the genotype and phenotype of a large Amish OI kindred, to evaluate hindlimb muscle function and physical activity levels before evaluating the ability of +/G610C mice to undergo a treadmill exercise regimen. We found +/G610C mice hindlimb muscles do not exhibit compromised muscle function, and their activity levels were not reduced relative to wild-type mice. The +/G610C mice were also able to complete an 8-week treadmill regimen. Biomechanical integrity of control and exercised wild-type and +/G610C femora were analyzed by torsional loading to failure. The greatest skeletal gains in response to exercise were observed in stiffness and the shear modulus of elasticity with alterations in collagen content. Analysis of tibial cortical bone by Raman spectroscopy demonstrated similar crystallinity and mineral/matrix ratios regardless of sex, exercise, and genotype. Together, these findings demonstrate +/G610C OI mice have equivalent muscle function, activity levels, and ability to complete a weight-bearing exercise regimen as wild-type mice. The +/G610C mice exhibited increased femoral stiffness and decreased hydroxyproline with exercise, whereas other biomechanical parameters remain unaffected, suggesting a more rigorous exercise regimen or another exercise modality may be required to improve bone quality of OI mice. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
TGF‐β Suppresses Ift88 Expression in Chondrocytic ATDC5 Cells
Authors: Kawasaki Makiri , Ezura Yoichi , Hayata Tadayoshi , Notomi Takuya , Izu Yayoi , Noda Masaki
Published: April 2015

Ift88 is an intraflagella transport protein, critical for the cilium, and has been shown to be required for the maintenance of chondrocytes and cartilage. However, how Ift88 is controlled by cytokines that play a role in osteoarthritis is not well understood. Therefore, we examined the effects of TGF‐β on the expression of Ift88. We used ATDC5 cells as chondrocytes and analyzed the effects of TGF‐β on gene expression. TGF‐β treatment suppresses the levels of Ift88 mRNA in a dose‐dependent manner starting from as low as 0.5 ng/mL and reaching the nadir at around 2 ng/mL. TGF‐β treatment also suppresses the protein levels of Ift88. TGF‐β suppression of Ift88 is still observed when the cells are cultured in the presence of a transcriptional inhibitor while the TGF‐β suppression is weakened in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide. TGF‐β treatment suppresses the levels of Ift88 mRNA stability suggesting the presence of posttranscriptional regulation. TGF‐β treatment reduces the number of cilia positive cells and suppresses average length of cilia. Knockdown of Ift88 by siRNA enhances TGF‐β‐induced increase in type II collagen mRNA expression in ATDC5 cells revealing the suppressive role of Ift88 on TGF‐β‐induced regulation of extracellular matrix protein expression. TGF‐β also suppresses Ift88 mRNA expression in primary culture of rib chondrocytes. These data indicate that TGF‐β regulates Ift88 gene expression at least in part via posttrascriptional manner. J. Cell. Physiol. 9999: 2788–2795, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In vitro metabolism of canagliflozin in human liver, kidney, intestine microsomes, and recombinant uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) and the effect of genetic variability of UGT enzymes on the pharmacokinetics of canagliflozin in humans
Authors: Francke Stephan , Mamidi Rao N. V. S. , Solanki Bhavna , Scheers Ellen , Jadwin Andrew , Favis Reyna , Devineni Damayanthi
Published: April 2015

O‐glucuronidation is the major metabolic elimination pathway for canagliflozin. The objective was to identify enzymes and tissues involved in the formation of 2 major glucuronidated metabolites (M7 and M5) of canagliflozin and subsequently to assess the impact of genetic variations in these uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) on in vivo pharmacokinetics in humans. In vitro incubations with recombinant UGTs revealed involvement of UGT1A9 and UGT2B4 in the formation of M7 and M5, respectively. Although M7 and M5 were formed in liver microsomes, only M7 was formed in kidney microsomes. Participants from 7 phase 1 studies were pooled for pharmacogenomic analyses. A total of 134 participants (mean age, 41 years; men, 63%; white, 84%) were included in the analysis. In UGT1A9*3 carriers, exposure of plasma canagliflozin (Cmax,ss, 11%; AUCτ,ss, 45%) increased relative to the wild type. An increase in exposure of plasma canagliflozin (Cmax,ss, 21%; AUCt,ss, 18%) was observed in participants with UGT2B4*2 genotype compared with UGT2B4*2 noncarriers. Metabolites further delineate the role of both enzymes. The pharmacokinetic findings in participants carrying the UGT1A9*3 and UGT2B4*2 allele implicate that UGT1A9 and UGT2B4 are involved in the metabolism of canagliflozin to M7 and M5, respectively.
Improved body weight and performance status and reduced serum PGE2 levels after nutritional intervention with a specific medical food in newly diagnosed patients with esophageal cancer or adenocarcinoma of the gastro‐esophageal junction
Authors: Faber Joyce , Uitdehaag Madeleen J. , Spaander Manon , van Steenbergen‐Langeveld Sabine , Vos Paul , Berkhout Marloes , Lamers Cor , Rümke Hans , Tilanus Hugo , Siersema Peter , van Helvoort Ardy , van der Gaast Ate
Published: April 2015

Background

The majority of cancer patients loses weight and becomes malnourished during the course of their disease. Metabolic alterations and reduced immune competence lead to wasting and an increased risk of infectious complications. In the present study, the effect of a nutritionally complete medical food, which is high in protein and leucine and enriched with fish oil and specific oligosaccharides, was investigated on immune function, nutritional status, and inflammation in patients with esophageal cancer and compared with routine care.

Methods

In this exploratory double‐blind study, 64 newly diagnosed esophageal cancer patients were randomized. All patients received dietary counselling and dietary advice. In the Active group, all patients received the specific medical food for 4 weeks before the start of anticancer therapy. In the routine care control arm, patients with <5% weight loss received a non‐caloric placebo product, and patients with weight loss ≥5% received an iso‐caloric control product to secure blinding of the study. The required study parameters of body weight and performance status were recorded at baseline and after 4 weeks of nutritional intervention, and patients were asked to complete quality of life questionnaires. In addition, blood samples were taken for the measurement of several immune, nutritional, and safety‐parameters.

Results

No effect of the specific nutritional intervention could be detected on ex vivo stimulations of blood mononuclear cells. By contrast, body weight was significantly increased (P < 0.05) and ECOG performance status was improved after intervention with the specific medical food (P < 0.05). In addition, serum Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were significantly decreased in the specific medical food group and increased in the control group (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Nutritional intervention with the specific medical food significantly increased body weight and improved performance status compared with routine care in newly diagnosed esophageal cancer patients. This effect was accompanied by significantly reduced serum PGE2 levels.
Hypermetabolism and symptom burden in advanced cancer patients evaluated in a cachexia clinic
Authors: Dev Rony , Hui David , Chisholm Gary , Delgado‐Guay Marvin , Dalal Shalini , Del Fabbro Egidio , Bruera Eduardo
Published: April 2015

Background

Elevated resting energy expenditure (REE) may contribute to weight loss and symptom burden in cancer patients.

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the velocity of weight loss, symptom burden (fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and anorexia—combined score as measured by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Score), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, and survival among cancer patients referred to a cachexia clinic with hypermetabolism, elevated REE > 110% of predicted, with normal REE.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 60 advanced cancer patients evaluated in a cachexia clinic for either >5% weight loss or anorexia who underwent indirect calorimetry to measure REE. Patients were dichotomized to either elevated or normal REE. Descriptive statistics were generated, and a two‐sample Student's t‐tests were used to compare the outcomes between the groups. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression methodology were used to examine the survival times between groups.

Results

Thirty‐seven patients (62%) were men, 41 (68%) were White, 59 (98%) solid tumours, predominantly 23 gastrointestinal cancers (38%), with a median age of 60 (95% confidence interval 57.0–62.9). Thirty‐five patients (58%) were hypermetabolic. Non‐Caucasian patients were more likely to have high REE [odds ratio = 6.17 (1.56, 24.8), P = 0.01]. No statistical difference regarding age, cancer type, gender, active treatment with chemotherapy, and/or radiation between hypermetabolic and normal REE was noted. The velocity of weight loss over a 3 month period (−8.5 kg vs. −7.2 kg, P = 0.68), C‐reactive protein (37.3 vs. 55.6 mg/L, P = 0.70), symptom burden (4.2 vs. 4.5, P = 0.54), and survival (288 vs. 276 days, P = 0.68) was not significantly different between high vs. normal REE, respectively.

Conclusion

Hypermetabolism is common in cancer patients with weight loss and noted to be more frequent in non‐Caucasian patients. No association among velocity of weight loss, symptom burden, C‐reactive protein, and survival was noted in advanced cancer patients with elevated REE.
Hydrogen peroxide obtained via direct synthesis as alternative raw material for ultrapurification process to produce electronic grade chemical
Authors: Abejón Ricardo , Abejón Azucena , Biasi Pierdomenico , Gemo Nicola , Garea Aurora , Salmi Tapio , Irabien Jose Angel
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

The catalytic direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide is a highly interesting alternative process to avoid the current anthraquinone route because it implies significant sustainability improvements. Among all the peroxide applications, its use as an electronic chemical requires very low metallic content. The employment of direct synthesis peroxide as raw material for the ultrapurification process has not been investigated before, so its viability is still pending evaluation.

RESULTS

Although the improvements of catalyst or reactor performance of the direct synthesis process were not defined as objectives of the work, a maximum peroxide concentration of 2.3% was obtained, which is a very good result considering the low pressure used. Some relationships between the measured metallic concentrations in the obtained chemical and the operating conditions have been very useful to identify the most important conditions (selection of appropriate quality chemicals and proper materials for the installation) to promote the production of hydrogen peroxide with low metallic content. The technical competitiveness of this alternative ultrapurification process was clearly demonstrated as the number of required membrane stages (from 1 to 6 depending on the product quality) is lower than that required by the traditional case. Besides, the process can be considered economically viable if the direct synthesis peroxide can be produced with a total cost below 36.5 $ m−3.

CONCLUSION

Further investigation, specifically focused on holistic approaches, is still necessary in order to assess the total costs of hydrogen peroxide production by direct synthesis. This way, the current available information could be complemented and the competitiveness of this direct route to obtain hydrogen peroxide for electronic grade chemical production could be more clearly defined. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Numerical study of particle chains of a large number of randomly distributed DEP particles using iterative dipole moment method
Authors: Liu Le , Xie Chuanchuan , Chen Bo , Wu Jiankang
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) has widely been used to manipulate bio‐particles in microfluidic system. The calculation of DEP interaction of a large number of dense particles has been a challenging issue. The Maxwell stress tensor (MST) method is strictly accurate in theory for DEP forces, but the complicated numerical computation is very difficult to implement. An iterative dipole moment method (IDM) is proposed in this paper to study the interaction forces and particle chains of a large number of dense particles in a uniform electrical field.

RESULTS

The numerical example of ten particles interaction confirms that the IDM is able to calculate particle interaction forces in good agreement with the MST method. Particle chains of fifty randomly distributed dense particles in a uniform electrical field were simulated using the IDM method and were well consistent with experimental observations. Particle chains of different particle sizes are also investigated.

CONCLUSION

The interaction forces of DEP particles calculated by the IDM method are found to be in good agreement with those obtained using the Maxwell stress tensor (MST) method and easy to implement. The simulated particle chains show essential characteristics well consistent with experimental observations. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
A Versatile Approach for the Synthesis of Thiobarbiturate Analogues
Authors: Zhou Xiaokun , Chen Ling‐Yan , Sun Zhihua
Published: April 2015

A variety of 5‐substituted thiobarbiturates can be efficiently prepared in moderate to good yields. This protocol is broadly applicable and versatile, starting from substituted malonates and thiourea.
Purification and characterization of a ∼43 kDa antioxidant protein with antitumor activity from Pholiota nameko
Authors: Qian Lei , Zhang Yeni , Liu Fang
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Pholiota nameko water‐soluble protein (PNWSP), isolated from the dried fruiting bodies of Pholiota nameko, was purified by a successive chromatographic process using Q anion exchange column, SP cation exchange column and Superdex 200 gel filtration column. PNWSP was assessed for antioxidant activities in different assay systems, and the effect on cell proliferation of human breast cancer MCF7 cells was investigated.

RESULTS

Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation analysis revealed the homogeneity of PNWSP with apparent molecular weight of ∼43 kDa, and the identification was confirmed by peptide mass fingerprint analysis. It showed potential antioxidant activities in scavenging free radicals, reducing power and chelating effect on Fe2+, and had a protective effect against DNA amage. Moreover, it inhibited the proliferation of MCF7 cells by inducing apoptosis, in which the change in cell cycle distribution and the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential were observed by flow cytometry.

ConcluSIONS

The results showed that PNWSP could be a natural antioxidant and developed as a potential chemotherapeutic agent candidate against human breast cancer. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
New Structural Model of PANI/CSA Conducting Polymer System Obtained by Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Śniechowski Maciej , Borek Remigiusz , Piwowarczyk Konrad , Łużny Wojciech
Published: April 2015

Structural properties of polyaniline (PANI) protonated with camphorsulfonic acid (CSA) have been investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. New OPLS‐AA based force field has been applied to calculations done within the Gromacs package. All partial charges were derived from DFT quantum calculations using NWChem package. After testing the force field applied to the simulated macromolecules and ions, we have performed a series of long calculations for the system containing (at least) 42 PANI chains of 7 monomers each, doped with 294 CSA ions (equal amounts of both enantiomers). Our calculations show that the only stable and highly ordered structure of the system studied is characterized by double layers of PANI separated by double layers of CSA. The most important conclusion is that identical final result is reached while starting from several quite different initial arrangements. Here the new model is discussed and justified.
The Lignan Pinoresinol Induces Nuclear Translocation of DAF‐16 in Caenorhabditis elegans but has No Effect on Life Span
Authors: Koch Karoline , Büchter Christian , Havermann Susannah , Wätjen Wim
Published: April 2015

The lignan pinoresinol is a constituent of flaxseed, sesame seeds and olive oil. Because of different molecular effects reported for this compound, e.g. antioxidative activity, pinoresinol is suggested to cause positive effects on humans. Because experimental data are limited, we have analysed the effects of the lignan on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans: in spite of a strong antioxidative capacity detected in an in vitro assay, no antioxidative effects were detectable in vivo. In analogy to this result, no modulation of the sensitivity against thermal stress was detectable. However, incubation with pinoresinol caused an enhanced nuclear accumulation of the transcription factor DAF‐16 (insulin/IGF‐like signalling pathway). Using a strain with an enhanced oxidative stress level (mev‐1 mutant), we clearly see an increase in stress resistance caused by this lignan, but no change in reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of pinoresinol on the life span of the nematode, but no modulation was found, neither in wild‐type nor in mev‐1 mutant nematodes. These results suggest that pinoresinol may exert pharmacologically interesting effects via modulation of the insulin‐like signalling pathway in C. elegans as well as in other species like mammals due to the evolutionary conservation of this signalling pathway. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive neural control for a class of stochastic nonlinear time‐delay systems with unknown dead zone using dynamic surface technique
Authors: Li Zifu , Li Tieshan , Feng Gang
Published: April 2015

This paper investigates the problem of adaptive control for a class of stochastic nonlinear time‐delay systems with unknown dead zone. A neural network‐based adaptive control scheme is developed by using the dynamic surface control (DSC) technique and the minimal learning parameters algorithm. The dynamic surface control technique, which can avoid the problem of ‘explosion of complexity’ inherent in the conventional backstepping design procedure, is first extended to the stochastic nonlinear time‐delay system with unknown dead zone. The unknown nonlinearities are approximated by the function approximation technique using the radial basis function neural network. For the purpose of reducing the numbers of parameters, which are updated online for each subsystem in the process of approximating the unknown functions, the minimal learning parameters algorithm is then introduced. Also, the adverse effects of unknown time‐delay are removed by using the appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals. In addition, the proposed control scheme is systematically derived without requiring any information on the boundedness of the dead zone parameters and avoids the possible controller singularity problem in the approximation‐based adaptive control schemes with feedback linearization technique. It is shown that the proposed control approach can guarantee that all the signals of the closed‐loop system are bounded in probability, and the tracking errors can be made arbitrary small by choosing the suitable design parameters. Finally, a simulation example is provided to illustrate the performance of the proposed control scheme. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unusually High Optical Transparency in Hexagonal Nanopatterned Graphene with Enhanced Conductivity by Chemical Doping
Authors: Choi Duyoung , Kuru Cihan , Choi Chulmin , Noh Kunbae , Hwang Sookhyun , Choi Wonbong , Jin Sungho
Published: April 2015

Graphene has received appreciable attention for its potential applications in flexible conducting film due to its exceptional optical, mechanical, and electrical properties. However increasing transmittance of graphene without sacrificing the electrical conductivity has been difficult. The fabrication of optically highly transparent (≈98%) graphene layer with a reasonable electrical conductivity is demonstrated here by nanopatterning and doping. Anodized aluminium oxide nanomask prepared by facile and simple self‐assembly technique is utilized to produce an essentially hexagonally nanopatterned graphene. The electrical resistance of the graphene increases significantly by a factor of ≈15 by removal of substantial graphene regions via nanopatterning into hexagonal array pores. However, the use of chemical doping on the nanopatterned graphene almost completely recovers the lost electrical conductivity, thus leading to a desirably much more optically transparent conductor having ≈6.9 times reduced light blockage by graphene material without much loss of electrical conductivity. It is likely that the availability of large number of edges created in the nanopatterned graphene provides ideal sites for chemical dopant attachment, leading to a significant reduction of the sheet resistance. The results indicate that the nanopatterned graphene approach can be a promising route for simultaneously tuning the optical and electrical properties of graphene to make it more light‐transmissible and suitable as a flexible transparent conductor.
IER3 Promotes Expansion of Adipose Progenitor Cells in Response to Changes in Distinct Microenvironmental Effectors
Authors: Ravaud Christophe , Esteve David , Villageois Phi , Bouloumie Anne , Dani Christian , Ladoux Annie
Published: April 2015

Adipose tissue expansion is well-orchestrated to fulfill the energy demand. It results from adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia due to adipose progenitor cell (APC) expansion and differentiation. Chronic low grade inflammation and hypoxia take place in obese adipose tissue microenvironment. Both of these events were shown to impact the APC pool by promoting increased self-renewal along with a decrease in the APC differentiation potential. However, no common target has been identified so far. Here we show that the immediate early response 3 gene (IER3) is preferentially expressed in APCs and is essential for APC proliferation and self-renewal. Experiments based on RNA interference revealed that impairing IER3 expression altered cell proliferation through ERK1/2 phosphorylation and clonogenicity. IER3 expression was induced by Activin A, which plays a crucial role in adipocyte differentiation as well as by a decrease in oxygen tension through HIF1-induced transcriptional activation. Interestingly, high levels of IER3 were detected in native APCs (CD34+/CD31− cells) isolated from obese patients and conditioned media from obese adipose tissue-macrophages stimulated its expression. Overall, these results indicate that IER3 is a key player in expanding the pool of APC while highlighting the role of distinct effectors found in an obese microenvironment in this process. Stem Cells  2015;33:2564–2573
Transcriptional Hallmarks of Heterogeneous Neural Stem Cell Niches of the Subventricular Zone
Authors: Azim Kasum , Hurtado-Chong Anahí , Fischer Bruno , Kumar Nitin , Zweifel Stefan , Taylor Verdon , Raineteau Olivier
Published: April 2015

Throughout postnatal life in mammals, neural stem cells (NSCs) are located in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles. The greatest diversity of neuronal and glial lineages they generate occurs during early postnatal life in a region-specific manner. In order to probe heterogeneity of the postnatal SVZ, we microdissected its dorsal and lateral walls at different postnatal ages and isolated NSCs and their immediate progeny based on their expression of Hes5-EGFP/Prominin1 and Ascl1-EGFP, respectively. Whole genome comparative transcriptome analysis revealed transcriptional regulators as major hallmarks that sustain postnatal SVZ regionalization. Manipulation of single genes encoding for locally enriched transcription factors (loss-of-function or ectopic gain-of-function in vivo) influenced NSC specification indicating that the fate of regionalized postnatal SVZ-NSCs can be readily modified. These findings reveal the pronounced transcriptional heterogeneity of the postnatal SVZ and provide targets to recruit region-specific lineages in regenerative contexts. Stem Cells 2015;33:2232–2242
Demethylation of IGFBP5 by Histone Demethylase KDM6B Promotes Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Periodontal Tissue Regeneration by Enhancing Osteogenic Differentiation and Anti-Inflammation Potentials
Authors: Liu Dayong , Wang Yuejun , Jia Zhi , Wang Liping , Wang Jinsong , Yang Dongmei , Song Jianqiu , Wang Songlin , Fan Zhipeng
Published: April 2015

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-mediated periodontal tissue regeneration is considered a promising method for periodontitis treatment. The molecular mechanism underlying directed differentiation and anti-inflammatory actions remains unclear, thus limiting potential MSC application. We previously found that insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) is highly expressed in dental tissue-derived MSCs compared with in non-dental tissue-derived MSCs. IGFBP5 is mainly involved in regulating biological activity of insulin-like growth factors, and its functions in human MSCs and tissue regeneration are unclear. In this study, we performed gain- and loss-of-function assays to test whether IGFBP5 could regulate the osteogenic differentiation and anti-inflammatory potential in MSCs. We found that IGFBP5 expression was upregulated upon osteogenic induction, and that IGFBP5 enhanced osteogenic differentiation in MSCs. We further showed that IGFBP5 prompted the anti-inflammation effect of MSCs via negative regulation of NFκB signaling. Depletion of the histone demethylase lysine (K)-specific demethylase 6B (KDM6B) downregulated IGFBP5 expression by increasing histone K27 methylation in the IGFBP5 promoter. Moreover, IGFBP5 expression in periodontal tissues was downregulated in individuals with periodontitis compared with in healthy people, and IGFBP5 enhanced MSC-mediated periodontal tissue regeneration and alleviated local inflammation in a swine model of periodontitis. In conclusion, our present results reveal a new function for IGFBP5, provide insight into the mechanism underlying the directed differentiation and anti-inflammation capacities of MSCs, and identify a potential target mediator for improving tissue regeneration. Stem Cells  2015;33:2523–2536
Novel Pathway for Hypoxia-Induced Proliferation and Migration in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Involvement of HIF-1α, FASN, and mTORC1
Authors: Lee Hyun Jik , Ryu Jung Min , Jung Young Hyun , Oh Sang Yub , Lee Sei-Jung , Han Ho Jae
Published: April 2015

The control of stem cells by oxygen signaling is an important way to improve various stem cell physiological functions and metabolic nutrient alteration. Lipid metabolism alteration via hypoxia is thought to be a key factor in controlling stem cell fate and function. However, the interaction between hypoxia and the metabolic and functional changes to stem cells is incompletely described. This study aimed to identify hypoxia-inducible lipid metabolic enzymes that can regulate umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) proliferation and migration and to demonstrate the signaling pathway that controls functional change in UCB-hMSCs. Our results indicate that hypoxia treatment stimulates UCB-hMSC proliferation, and expression of two lipogenic enzymes: fatty acid synthase (FASN) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1). FASN but not SCD1 is a key enzyme for regulation of UCB-hMSC proliferation and migration. Hypoxia-induced FASN expression was controlled by the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α)/SCAP/SREBP1 pathway. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was phosphorylated by hypoxia, whereas inhibition of FASN by cerulenin suppressed hypoxia-induced mTOR phosphorylation as well as UCB-hMSC proliferation and migration. RAPTOR small interfering RNA transfection significantly inhibited hypoxia-induced proliferation and migration. Hypoxia-induced mTOR also regulated CDK2, CDK4, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and F-actin expression as well as that of c-myc, p-cofilin, profilin, and Rho GTPase. Taken together, the results suggest that mTORC1 mainly regulates UCB-hMSC proliferation and migration under hypoxia conditions via control of cell cycle and F-actin organization modulating factors. In conclusion, the HIF-1α/FASN/mTORC1 axis is a key pathway linking hypoxia-induced lipid metabolism with proliferation and migration in UCB-hMSCs. Stem Cells 2015;33:2182–2195
CXCR7 Mediates Neural Progenitor Cells Migration to CXCL12 Independent of CXCR4
Authors: Chen Qiang , Zhang Min , Li Yuju , Xu Dongsheng , Wang Yi , Song Aihong , Zhu Bing , Huang Yunlong , Zheng Jialin C.
Published: April 2015

Neural progenitor cell (NPC) migration is an essential process for brain development, adult neurogenesis, and neuroregeneration after brain injury. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1, CXCL12) and its traditional receptor CXCR4 are well known to regulate NPC migration. However, the discovery of CXCR7, a newly identified CXCL12 receptor, adds to the dynamics of the existing CXCL12/CXCR4 pair. Antagonists for either CXCR4 or CXCR7 blocked CXCL12-mediated NPC migration in a transwell chemotaxis assay, suggesting that both receptors are required for CXCL12 action. We derived NPC cultures from Cxcr4 knockout (KO) mice and used transwell and stripe assays to determine the cell migration. NPCs derived from Cxcr4 KO mice polarized and migrated in response to CXCL12 gradient, suggesting that CXCR7 could serve as an independent migration receptor. Furthermore, Cxcr4 KO NPCs transplanted into the adult mouse striatum migrated in response to the adjacent injection of CXCL12, an effect that was blocked by a CXCR7 antagonist, suggesting that CXCR7 also mediates NPC migration in vivo. Molecular mechanism studies revealed that CXCR7 interact with Rac1 in the leading edge of the polarized NPCs in the absence of CXCR4. Both CXCR7 and Rac1 are required for extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 activation and subsequent NPC migration, indicating that CXCR7 could serve as a functional receptor in CXCL12-mediated NPC migration independent of CXCR4. Together these results reveal an essential role of CXCR7 for CXCL12-mediated NPC migration that will be important to understand neurogenesis during development and in adulthood. Stem Cells  2015;33:2574–2585
Structural Chemistry of Basic Magnesium Acetates, Mg5(μ3‐OH)2(OAc)8·nL and Mg3(μ4‐O)(OAc)4
Authors: Scheurell Kerstin , Troyanov Sergey I. , Kemnitz Erhard
Published: April 2015

Thermal dehydration of Mg(OAc)2·4H2O in atmospheric air or dehydration in EtOH produces basic magnesium acetate Mg5(μ3‐OH)2(OAc)8·nL (I) with an open three‐dimensional cage structure. X‐ray diffraction study with the use of synchrotron radiation reveals the structure of the hydrated compound Ia with partial occupancy of channels with water molecules (nL = 1.19H2O) as well as the structure of the solvate with EtOH (n = 2), Ib. All Mg atoms exhibit CNMg = 6. Heating of Ia in vacuo affords magnesium oxoacetate Mg3(μ4‐O)(OAc)4 (II). The crystal structure of II consists of linear μ4‐O‐bridged ribbons further connected to layers by bridging acetate groups, in which Mg atoms exhibit CNMg = 5 and 6.