bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wildlife:
DNA
Authors: Webster Lucy M.I.
Published: June 2014

Wildlife crimes relate to the illegal exploitation of animals and plants. By their very nature, these crimes involve the exchange of biological material from the exploited species—including their DNA. Analyzing wildlife DNA evidence can be hugely informative, from establishing whether a crime has been committed to tying a suspect to a specific crime scene. A range of different laboratory tests can be applied to answer different investigative questions. For example, the identification of a species using DNA extracted from various parts (e.g., skin, feathers, scales, claws, and leaves) or trace evidence (e.g., blood and saliva) can determine whether the species involved is legally protected, or whether the parts can be traded freely. Likewise, parentage analysis from animal DNA profiles can establish whether records of captive breeding are accurate or whether the nominal offspring may have been taken illegally from wild populations. Illustrated with examples of wildlife crime investigations where forensic DNA analysis of nonhuman samples has been employed, this article outlines the different types of testing available before discussing the potential of new technology and the testing standards required from wildlife DNA forensic laboratories.
Drug Dogs: Limitations and Admissibility of Canine Alerts for Controlled Substances
Authors: Shelton Donald E.
Published: June 2014

Until recently, courts generally allowed the government to rely on trained dog scent responses to provide probable cause for searches, especially in narcotics or explosives cases. The Supreme Court had consistently held that a narcotics dog sniff of a vehicle was not a search. In two recent cases, the Supreme Court affirmed the “not‐a–search” proposition for vehicles but held that a sniff of a home is indeed a search. Further, the Court clarified, and apparently reduced, the amount of evidence the prosecution must produce to establish the reliability of narcotics dog evidence. Some conclusions about the use of trained dogs to detect narcotics emerge. The use of a narcotics dog to detect odors emanating from a home, including a porch or presumably other portions of the curtilage of the home, is itself a search within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment and therefore requires probable cause. The use of a narcotics dog to detect odors emanating from a vehicle, or luggage, or other personal property exposed to the public does not violate a reasonable expectation of privacy and is therefore not a search. Evidence of a dog's training and certification by a training organization presumptively establishes the reliability to ascertain probable cause for a subsequent search. The prosecution is not required as a condition of admissibility to present the dog's field‐performance records.
DNA
Quantitation
Authors: O'Brien Robert I.
Published: June 2014

DNA quantitation, the process by which the quantity of DNA present in a sample is determined, is the first crucial step in the development of a DNA profile. Quantitation allows an analyst to make adjustments before amplification so that the best possible profile is developed. This article provides background on the initial method of quantitation, its deficiencies, and the development of the present quantitation method, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The principles of real‐time PCR are presented, along with a discussion of the challenges posed, especially during analysis of samples containing low levels of DNA material. In addition, the various methods employed by commercially available quantitation kits for determining the quantity of DNA available in low‐level samples are discussed.
Cadmium: Inorganic Chemistry
Authors: Borsari Marco
Published: June 2014

This article provides an overview on the inorganic chemistry of cadmium. Cadmium is a bluish‐white metal, the 67th most abundant element in the Earth's crust, and found in some minerals. The structure of the stable form at room temperature (γ form) is hexagonal. Occurrence, production, and applications have been surveyed. CdIIforms relatively few minerals: the most important are two sulfides, greenockite, and hawleyite. CdII, however, gives isomorphous replacement in several Zn minerals. For this reason, sphalerite (ZnS) is the main industrial source of cadmium. The metal is mainly obtained as a by‐product of the metallurgy of Zn. Cadmium and its compounds find applications in several industrial materials: electrode materials in Ni–Cd batteries and solar cells; pigments in ceramics, glasses, paper, plastics, artist colors; coatings on steel, aluminum, and other nonferrous metals; specialized alloys; polymer stabilizers, and in nuclear industry and lab applications.111Cd and113Cd NMR spectroscopy can be used to study complexes, both in solid state and in solution, mostly to investigate the binding site of the metal ion in different metalloproteins. Toxicological and environmental risks are associated with its use. Cadmium compounds are highly toxic, and human exposure to this metal is known to be involved in cancer and other diseases. The targets are the body's cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems. Cadmium does not seem to play any important role in higher organisms. The usual oxidation state of cadmium is 2+ and its chemistry closely resembles that of zinc and, to a lesser extend, mercury. Few compounds of CdIhave been prepared and identified. CdIIwithin zeolites is easily reduced by exposure to metal vapors to form cationic clusters containing Cd0and CdI. The versatile coordination ability of CdIIallows a wide variety of structures. The main compounds, ordered by metal oxidation state and bound anion, have been examined for their properties and structural aspects, both in solution and in the solid state. Several technologies have been developed to obtain cadmium compounds as nanocrystals or nanostructures. Cadmium glasses can find applications for their nonlinear optical properties.
Copper: Hemocyanin/Tyrosinase Models
Authors: Rolle Clarence J. , Saracini Claudio , Karlin Kenneth D.
Published: June 2014

Copper‐containing enzymes catalyze a wide variety of chemical reactions involving O
2
activation and transport. Among the active sites responsible for these processes, those containing binuclear copper moieties where the copper ions are bridged by a μ–η
2
:η
2
peroxo fragment play a central role in the activity of tyrosinase (Tyr) and catechol oxidase (CatOx) performing
o
‐phenol aromatic hydroxylations and dehydrogenation of
o
‐catechols, respectively. Dicopper centers also perform O
2
transport through the enzyme hemocyanin (Hc) in mollusks and arthropods. A common structural feature of these active sites is a dicopper(II) center having three histidine residues coordinating each of the coppers through their imidazole side chains. Studies on synthetic model compounds greatly improved our understanding of structure, coordination, stability, reactivity, and spectroscopic properties of the active sites present in these enzymes. Several synthetic 2:1 copper:O
2
compounds forming μ–η
2
:η
2
and also bis‐μ‐oxo di copper(III) moieties have been found to be capable of hydroxylating or/and oxidizing external monophenolic substrates performing a chemistry similar to that observed in Tyr and/or CatOx. Hydroxylation of such phenolic substrates proceeds via electrophilic aromatic substitution into the
ortho
‐position of the phenol, whereas different mechanistic pathways have been proposed for the reactivity of CatOx with catechols, such as those involving proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). Recent insights suggest the possibility that bis‐μ‐oxo di copper(III) species may have biological relevance.
Fluorides: Solid‐State Chemistry
Authors: Schlöder Tobias , Kraus Florian , Riedel Sebastian
Published: June 2014

Inorganic solid fluorides and fluorometalates play a unique role in inorganic chemistry. The preparation, mostly using aqueous or anhydrousHF(aHF) or even elemental F2, requires special conditions: no glass or silicate‐containing vessels can be used. Their structural chemistry is governed by the outsider role of the fluoride anion. It is the smallest and least polarizable anion, and mainly, its ionic compounds follow the rules of hard spheres packing better than any other class of substances. Nearly, all metal ions except those with the largest ionic radii form fluoride structures with octahedral [Mn+F6](6–n) –units. If the metal:fluorine ratio is less than six, these octahedra share common vertices or, in rare cases, edges or even faces to account for electroneutrality, the more the lower the oxidation state of the metal. In this way, a variety of1Dchain,2Dnet, and3Dframework structures are formed, which can be classified into a few large structure families. In binary fluorides, for example, VF5has an octahedralcis‐chain structure, VF4a layer structure based on a square net of corner‐connected octahedra, VF3an ReO3‐related3Dstructure with all corners of octahedra connected, and VF2the rutile‐type structure with partial edge‐sharing of octahedra. In ternary or quaternary compounds, for example, alkali or alkaline earth fluorometalates, the same principles are valid for the anionic substructure while the countercations fill interstices and stabilize at the same time the structure. The main structure families are grouped according to the basic principles of octahedral nets. These are the ReO3‐related trifluorides, the fluoride perovskites AMF3, their relatives elpasolites A2A′ MF6, and cryolites A3MF6, as well as some layer structures with square nets. A second large family is based on mixed octahedral nets including triple units: it includes, for example, the pyrochlores, the weberites, the hexagonal and tetragonal tungsten bronze structures, and some derivable layer structures. Recent developments deal with “tailoring” of low dimensional or framework structures using “soft‐chemistry” methods. The relatively simple structural chemistry of fluorides invoked their use as model systems, for instance, for the investigation of electronic effects such as Jahn–Teller ordering or for magnetic investigations. Besides the cryolite Na3AlF6used in Al production, some fluorides are of technical interest owing to their special optical properties (e.g., laser optics and fluoride glasses), their ability for fluoride ion conductivity, or their role as catalysts for fluorinations or halogen exchange in organic systems.
Nutritional Aspects of Metals and Trace Elements
Authors: Yokoi Katsuhiko
Published: June 2014

The essential inorganic nutrients are dietary components that exert nutritional function when they are consumed as inorganic substances. Some essential inorganic nutrients such as selenium and iodine act as organic active constituents after metabolic conversion in vivo when they are consumed as organic and inorganic substances. Inadequate intake of essential inorganic nutrients results in deficiency diseases and/or interruption of life cycles. The essential inorganic nutrients consist of the major elements (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine, phosphorus, and sulfur) and the trace elements (iron, copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, nickel, arsenic, selenium, iodine, fluorine, silicon, boron, tin, cadmium, lead, rubidium, and lithium). Evidence of essentiality is limited for arsenic, boron, cadmium, fluorine, lead, lithium, nickel, rubidium, silicon, tin, and vanadium. If the requirement is <1 mg day−1for humans or 1 mg kg−1diet for animals, the inorganic nutrients are calledultratrace elements. Further investigation may increase the number of essential inorganic nutrients. Deficiencies of inorganic nutrients such as iodine, iron, and zinc occur worldwide. To prevent deficiencies and toxicosis, the United States and other nations have established the dietary reference intakes or the equivalents that are composed of reference values including estimated average requirements, recommended dietary allowances, adequate intakes, and tolerable upper intake levels. Essential inorganic nutrients function in vivo through various modalities such as catalytic centers of enzymes, metabolic regulation, modulation of ion channels and receptors. The regulation and control of inorganic nutrients are a function of eight parameters: availability, solubility, permeability, ligand exchange, transport, assimilation, storage, and excretion. Excessive intakes, genetic abnormalities, and other etiologies cause pathologies of metal overload. Functions of selenium, nickel, and chromium were reviewed. Selenium manifests antioxidant activity as an active site of glutathione peroxidase. Other important selenium‐containing proteins include thioredoxin reductase, iodothyronine deiodinases, and selenoprotein P. Nickel occupies the metal centers of urease, carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, and other enzymes. Nickel deprivation results in impaired reproduction (rats and goats) and decreased spermatozoa motility and density (rats). In six clinical cases, prolonged total parenteral nutrition low in chromium caused glucose intolerance and/or neuropathy reversed by chromium supplementation. It is our challenge to determine optimal intakes of inorganic nutrients for ensuring optimal health for all.
Metal Coordination ofCO2
Authors: Mascetti Joëlle
Published: June 2014

Even though carbon dioxide is used in a great number of industrial applications, it remains a molecule with low reactivity. Its activation by coordination to metal complexes is used in both stoichiometric and catalytic reactions. This article describes the different kinds of metal carbon dioxide complexes observed in the gas phase, in cryogenic solids, and in solution, and briefly presents the reactivity of coordinated CO2toward electrophiles and nucleophiles.
Entire Respiratory Complex
I
from
Thermus Thermophilus
Authors: Berrisford John M , Baradaran Rozbeh , Sazanov Leonid A
Published: June 2014

Complex I (
NADH
:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) plays a central role in cellular energy production, coupling electron transfer between
NADH
and quinone to proton translocation. It is the largest protein assembly of bacterial and mitochondrial respiratory chains, and bacterial enzyme provides its important ‘minimal’ model. Dysfunction of mitochondrial complex I is implicated in many human neurodegenerative diseases. It is also a major source of reactive oxygen species (
ROS
), which may be one of the causes of Parkinson's disease and aging. The L‐shaped complex consists of a hydrophilic arm, where electron transfer occurs, and a membrane arm, where proton translocation takes place. Previously, we had solved the crystal structures of the hydrophilic domain of complex I from
Thermus thermophilus
and of the membrane domain from
Escherichia coli
. Recently, we determined the atomic structure of the intact entire complex I from
T. thermophilus
(536 kDa, 16 subunits, 9 iron–sulfur (Fe‐S) clusters, 64 transmembrane helices). The 95 Å long electron transfer pathway through the enzyme proceeds from the primary electron acceptor flavin mononucleotide, through seven conserved Fe‐S clusters, to the unusually elongated quinone‐binding site at the interface with the membrane domain. Four putative proton translocation channels are found in the membrane domain, all linked by the central flexible axis containing charged residues. The redox energy of electron transfer is coupled to proton translocation by the mechanism proposed to involve long‐range conformational changes.
A Prokaryotic (6‐4) Photolyase with a
DMRL
Chromophore and an Iron–Sulfur Cluster
Authors: Lamparter Tilman , Zhang Fan , Graf Dominik , Wesslowski Janine , Oberpichler Inga , Schünemann Volker , Krauß Norbert , Scheerer Patrick
Published: June 2014

Photolyases are flavoproteins that repair
UV
‐damaged
DNA
using the energy of sunlight. The flavin adenine dinucleotide (
FAD
) chromophores of photolyases and the related cryptochromes are bound to the chromophore pocket in a U‐shaped conformation. Often, a second cofactor serves as antenna chromophore in photolyases. This can be methenyltetrahydrofolate (
MTHF
), 8‐hydroxy‐7,8‐didemethyl‐5‐deazariboflavin (8‐
HDF
),
FAD,
or flavin mononucleotide (
FMN
). Two kinds of
DNA
lesions are produced by
UV
light, cyclobutan‐pyrimidine dimers (
CPDs
) or (6‐4) photoproducts. These lesions are repaired by two different types of photolyases, namely the
CPDs
and (6‐4) photolyases.

Recently, a new phylogenetic group of the photolyase cryptochrome family termed
iron–sulfur bacterial cryptochromes/photolyases
(FeS‐BCP) was discovered. Two members of this group, CryB from
Rhodobacter sphaeroides
and ‘photolyase related protein’ (PhrB) from
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
, carry a new antenna chromophore, 6,7‐dimethyl 8‐ ribityl‐lumazin (
DMRL
), and incorporate an 4Fe‐4S cluster. PhrB acts as a (6‐4) photolyase with a repair activity that is higher for double‐stranded than for single‐stranded
DNA
. There are presently more than 900 prokaryotic PhrB homologs in the database in which the characteristic cysteine residues for incorporation of the Fe‐S cluster and other key amino acids are conserved. This new group of (6‐4) photolyases with an Fe‐S cluster is thus widely distributed among prokaryotes. Unlike in other photolyases, the loop connecting the N‐terminal and the C‐terminal domains of PhrB interacts with the
DNA
lesion. A C‐terminal extension, which could have a regulatory function, interacts with the
DNA
. The comparison between PhrB and eukaryotic (6‐4) photolyases highlights a conserved His residue which is located next to the
DNA
lesion. This residue serves probably as proton donor/acceptor during the repair cycle.
Dye‐Decolorizing Peroxidase (
DyP
)
Authors: Strittmatter Eric , Plattner Dietmar A , Piontek Klaus
Published: June 2014

The fairly recently discovered dye‐decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs) form a distant lineage within the large group of heme peroxidases. DyPs catalyze,
inter alia
, the degradation of complex anthraquinone dyes. Their structure is predominantly helical with a prominent β‐sheet fold, a motif with no equivalent in other heme peroxidases. Lately, intensified research has revealed that the DyP superfamily is widespread in microorganisms and a lot more multifaceted with regard to function than previously imagined. This overview gives an up‐to‐date account on DyP‐type peroxidases and their known biological, chemical, and structural features.
Enzyme Prodrug Therapy Engineered into Biomaterials
Authors: Mendes Ana C. , Zelikin Alexander N.
Published: June 2014

In this work, enzyme‐prodrug therapy (EPT) is engineered into hydrogel biomaterials to achieve localized synthesis of the drugs and their delivery to the adhering cells. The use of EPT in the context of drug delivery mediated by biomaterials significantly empowers the latter in that the same hydrogel is used to successfully synthesize several drugs with dissimilar structures and therapeutic effects. The concentration of the synthesized drugs is conveniently controlled by the concentration of the administered prodrugs. Using prodrugs for two therapeutic agents allows their synthesis and delivery with independent control over the concentration and the time of administration of each of the drugs. Using these tools, sequential delivery of drugs for anti‐inflammatory and anti‐proliferative activity is accomplished whereby the synthesis of drugs is mediated by the same enzyme‐functionalized hydrogel. The use of EPT to perform combination therapy mediated by an implantable biomaterial is also reported. Taken together, these results contribute significantly to the development of flexible and highly powerful tools of substrate‐mediated drug delivery with applications in the design of therapeutic implants and tissue engineering.
Aza‐[4+3] and Aza‐[3+2] Annulations for Synthesis of Dihydroazepines and Dihydropyrroles from Alkynes, Sulfonyl Azides, and 1,3‐Dienes
Authors: Kim Sanghyuck , Mo Juntae , Kim Jaeeun , Ryu Taekyu , Lee Phil Ho
Published: June 2014

We report aza‐[4+3] annulation through sequential [3+2]‐[2+1] cycloadditions‐aza‐Cope rearrangement for the synthesis of dihydroazepines. Aza‐[3+2] annulation was achieved through [3+2]‐[2+1]‐aza‐Cope rearrangement‐1,3‐migration or [3+2]‐[2+1]‐Clock rearrangement, leading to the formation of dihydropyrroles. In addition, dihydroazepines thermally 1,3‐migrated to give dihydropyrroles. This method affords a straightforward synthetic pathway from simple triazoles to produce dihydroazepines and dihydropyrroles together with N2 as the single byproduct. This procedure can be successfully applied to a one‐pot process starting from terminal alkynes, azides, and dienes.
C9orf72 and UNC13A are shared risk loci for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia: A genome‐wide meta‐analysis
Authors: Diekstra Frank P. , Van Deerlin Vivianna M. , van Swieten John C. , Al‐Chalabi Ammar , Ludolph Albert C. , Weishaupt Jochen H. , Hardiman Orla , Landers John E. , Brown Robert H. , van Es Michael A. , Pasterkamp R. Jeroen , Koppers Max , Andersen Peter M. , Estrada Karol , Rivadeneira Fernando , Hofman Albert , Uitterlinden André G. , van Damme Philip , Melki Judith , Meininger Vincent , Shatunov Aleksey , Shaw Christopher E. , Leigh P. Nigel , Shaw Pamela J. , Morrison Karen E. , Fogh Isabella , Chiò Adriano , Traynor Bryan J. , Czell David , Weber Markus , Heutink Peter , de Bakker Paul I. W. , Silani Vincenzo , Robberecht Wim , van den Berg Leonard H. , Veldink Jan H.
Published: June 2014

Objective

Substantial clinical, pathological, and genetic overlap exists between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). TDP‐43 inclusions have been found in both ALS and FTD cases (FTD‐TDP). Recently, a repeat expansion in C9orf72 was identified as the causal variant in a proportion of ALS and FTD cases. We sought to identify additional evidence for a common genetic basis for the spectrum of ALS‐FTD.

Methods

We used published genome‐wide association studies data for 4,377 ALS patients and 13,017 controls, and 435 pathology‐proven FTD‐TDP cases and 1,414 controls for genotype imputation. Data were analyzed in a joint meta‐analysis, by replicating topmost associated hits of one disease in the other, and by using a conservative rank products analysis, allocating equal weight to ALS and FTD‐TDP sample sizes.

Results

Meta‐analysis identified 19 genome‐wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in C9orf72 on chromosome 9p21.2 (lowest p = 2.6 × 10−12) and 1 SNP in UNC13A on chromosome 19p13.11 (p = 1.0 × 10−11) as shared susceptibility loci for ALS and FTD‐TDP. Conditioning on the 9p21.2 genotype increased statistical significance at UNC13A. A third signal, on chromosome 8q24.13 at the SPG8 locus coding for strumpellin (p = 3.91 × 10−7) was replicated in an independent cohort of 4,056 ALS patients and 3,958 controls (p = 0.026; combined analysis p = 1.01 × 10−7).

Interpretation

We identified common genetic variants in C9orf72, but in addition in UNC13A that are shared between ALS and FTD. UNC13A provides a novel link between ALS and FTD‐TDP, and identifies changes in neurotransmitter release and synaptic function as a converging mechanism in the pathogenesis of ALS and FTD‐TDP. Ann Neurol 2014;76:120–133
Heterogeneously Porous γ‐MnO2‐Catalyzed Direct Oxidative Amination of Benzoxazole through CH Activation in the Presence of O2
Authors: Pal Provas , Giri Arnab Kanti , Singh Harshvardhan , Ghosh Subhash Chandra , Panda Asit Baran
Published: June 2014

Oxidative amination of azoles through catalytic CH bond activation is a very important reaction due to the presence of 2‐aminoazoles in several biologically active compounds. However, most of the reported methods are performed under homogeneous reaction conditions using excess reagents and additives. Herein, we report the heterogeneous, porous γ‐MnO2‐catalyzed direct amination of benzoxazole with wide range of primary and secondary amines. The amination was carried under mild reaction conditions and using molecular oxygen as a green oxidant, without any additives. The catalyst can easily be separated by filtration and reused several times without a significant loss of its catalytic performance. Of note, the reaction tolerates a functional group such as alcohol, thus indicating the broad applicability of this reaction.
Biofeedback‐based training for stress management in daily hassles: an intervention study
Authors: Kotozaki Yuka , Takeuchi Hikaru , Sekiguchi Atsushi , Yamamoto Yuki , Shinada Takamitsu , Araki Tsuyoshi , Takahashi Kei , Taki Yasuyuki , Ogino Takeshi , Kiguchi Masashi , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: June 2014

Background

The day‐to‐day causes of stress are called daily hassles. Daily hassles are correlated with ill health. Biofeedback (BF) is one of the tools used for acquiring stress‐coping skills. However, the anatomical correlates of the effects of BF with long training periods remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate this.

Methods

Participants were assigned randomly to two groups: the intervention group and the control group. Participants in the intervention group performed a biofeedback training (BFT) task (a combination task for heart rate and cerebral blood flow control) every day, for about 5 min once a day. The study outcomes included MRI, psychological tests (e.g., Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Brief Job Stress Questionnaire), and a stress marker (salivary cortisol levels) before (day 0) and after (day 28) the intervention.

Results

We observed significant improvements in the psychological test scores and salivary cortisol levels in the intervention group compared to the control group. Furthermore, voxel‐based morphometric analysis revealed that compared to the control group, the intervention group had significantly increased regional gray matter (GM) volume in the right lateral orbitofrontal cortex, which is an anatomical cluster that includes mainly the left hippocampus, and the left subgenual anterior cingulate cortex. The GM regions are associated with the stress response, and, in general, these regions seem to be the most sensitive to the detrimental effects of stress.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that our BFT is effective against the GM structures vulnerable to stress.
Production of a sterol esterase from Ophiostoma piceae in batch and fed‐batch bioprocesses using different Pichiapastoris phenotypes as cell factory
Authors: Cedillo Víctor Barba , Martínez María Jesús , Arnau Carolina , Valero Francisco
Published: June 2014

The potential biotechnological applications for the Ophiostoma piceae sterol esterase (OPE) are conditioned to the availability of high enzyme amounts at low prices. This enzyme is a versatile biocatalyst with different biotechnological applications. In this work a systematic study on its heterologous production in different Pichia pastoris strains and operational strategies is presented. The best results were obtained using an AOX1 defective yeast strain in a fed‐batch bioprocess using methanol as inducer substrate at a set point of 2.5 g L−1 and sorbitol as cosubstrate by means of a preprogramed exponential feeding rate at a μ = 0.02 h−1, reaching 30 U mL−1 of enzyme and a volumetric productivity of 403.5 U L−1 h−1. These values are twofold higher than those obtained with a Mut+ phenotype using methanol a sole carbon source. OPE was the main protein secreted by the yeast, 55% for Muts versus 25% for Mut+. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:1012–1020, 2014
The expression of the 14D9 catalytic antibody in suspended cells ofNicotiana tabacumcultures increased by the addition of protein stabilizers and by transference from erlenmeyer flasks to a 2‐L bioreactor
Authors: Marconi Patricia L. , Alvarez María Alejandra
Published: June 2014

The effect of two protein stabilizers (polyvinylpyrrolidone [PVP] and gelatine) on growth and 14D9 yield ofNicotiana tabacumcell suspension cultures (Ab‐KDEL and sec‐Ab) was analyzed. The addition of PVP at a concentration of 1.0 g L−1produced the highest total 14D9 yield (biomass + culture medium) in the Ab‐KDEL line (4.82% total soluble protein [TSP]). With the addition of gelatine, the highest total 14D9 yield (2.48% TSP) was attained in the Ab‐KDEL line at 5.0 g L−1gelatine. When the Ab‐KDEL suspended cells were cultured in a 2‐L bioreactor, the highest 14D9 yield was 8.1% TSP at a 5% w/v inoculum size, which was the best 14D9 yield so far obtained in the platforms tested (E. coli,N. tabacumleaves and seeds,N. tabacumhairy roots, and cell suspension cultures). © 2014 American Institute of Chemical EngineersBiotechnol. Prog., 30:1185–1189, 2014
Mixed reverse micelles facilitated downstream processing of lipase involving water‐oil‐water liquid emulsion membrane
Authors: Bhowal Saibal , Priyanka B. S. , Rastogi Navin K.
Published: June 2014

Our earlier work for the first time demonstrated that liquid emulsion membrane (LEM) containing reverse micelles could be successfully used for the downstream processing of lipase fromAspergillus niger. In the present work, we have attempted to increase the extraction and purification fold of lipase by using mixed reverse micelles (MRM) consisting of cationic and nonionic surfactants in LEM. It was basically prepared by addition of the internal aqueous phase solution to the organic phase followed by the redispersion of the emulsion in the feed phase containing enzyme, which resulted in globules of water‐oil‐water (WOW) emulsion for the extraction of lipase. The optimum conditions for maximum lipase recovery (100%) and purification fold (17.0‐fold) were CTAB concentration 0.075 M, Tween 80 concentration 0.012 M, at stirring speed of 500 rpm, contact time 15 min, internal aqueous phase pH 7, feed pH 9, KCl concentration 1 M, NaCl concentration 0.1 M, and ratio of membrane emulsion to feed volume 1:1. Incorporation of the nonionic surfactant (e.g., Tween 80) resulted in remarkable improvement in the purification fold (3.1–17.0) of the lipase. LEM containing a mixture of nonionic and cationic surfactants can be successfully used for the enhancement in the activity recovery and purification fold during downstream processing of enzymes/proteins. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical EngineersBiotechnol. Prog., 30:1084–1092, 2014
A chemometric approach: characterization of quality and authenticity of artisanal honeys from Argentina
Authors: Rios Francisco , Sanchez Ana Carina , Lobo Manuel , Lupo Liliana , Coelho Inês , Castanheira Isabel , Samman Norma
Published: June 2014

The demand of honey with defined quality has increased around the world; therefore, an adequate description of the traceability and authenticity of honeys is necessary. The pollen and physicochemical characteristics of 58 honey samples collected from five different environmental units (EUs) of the Jujuy province (Argentine) were determined, in order to differentiate them by geographical origin through the application of chemometric methods. A qualitative pollen analysis was performed by microscopy. The physicochemical characteristics were determined by Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods. Correspondence analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were performed. Forty‐five per cent of honeys were monofloral; nearly half of them correspond to native species—among which, Salix humboldtiana, Baccharis sp. and Ziziphus mistol stood out. Physicochemical and microbiological analysis showed acceptable quality for honeys. CA characterized significantly honeys from four different EUs using all pollen data. While forward stepwise coupled to LDA identified 14 significant variables to build a discriminatory model with three significant discriminant functions, a cumulative variance of 94% was reached. Thus, 86% of the samples were correctly classified. PCA and LDA applied to physicochemical data allowed to distinguish three different groups with a significant function (p < 0.01) that explained 90% of the total variability. Honey corresponding to EU III Subandean Hills of Santa Bárbara was the most accurately classified by pollen and physicochemical data. The application of chemometric methods to pollen data and physicochemical parameters may be a useful tool to determine honey geographical origin. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nesprin‐1 and nesprin‐2 regulate endothelial cell shape and migration
Authors: King Samantha J. , Nowak Karolin , Suryavanshi Narendra , Holt Ian , Shanahan Catherine M. , Ridley Anne J.
Published: June 2014

Nesprins are large multi‐domain proteins that link the nuclear envelope to the cytoskeleton and nucleoskeleton. Here we show that nesprin‐1 and nesprin‐2 play important roles in regulating cell shape and migration in endothelial cells. Nesprin‐1 or nesprin‐2 depletion by RNAi increased endothelial cell spread area and the length of cellular protrusions, as well as stimulating stress fibre assembly which correlated with an increase in F‐actin levels. Nuclear area was also increased by nesprin depletion, and localization of the inner nuclear membrane protein emerin to the nuclear envelope was reduced. Depletion of nesprin‐1 or nesprin‐2 reduced migration of endothelial cells into a cell‐free area, and decreased loop formation in an in vitro angiogenesis assay. Taken together, our results indicate that nesprin‐1 and nesprin‐2 both regulate nuclear and cytoplasmic architecture, which we propose leads to their effects on endothelial cell migration and angiogenic loop formation. © 2014 The Authors Cytoskeleton Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Formation of Octameric Methylaluminoxanes by Hydrolysis of Trimethylaluminum and the Mechanisms of Catalyst Activation in Single‐Site α‐Olefin Polymerization Catalysis
Authors: Hirvi Janne T. , Bochmann Manfred , Severn John R. , Linnolahti Mikko
Published: June 2014

Hydrolysis of trimethylaluminum (TMA) leads to the formation of methylaluminoxanes (MAO) of general formula (MeAlO)n(AlMe3)m. The thermodynamically favored pathway of MAO formation is followed up to n=8, showing the major impact of associated TMA on the structural characteristics of the MAOs. The MAOs bind up to five TMA molecules, thereby inducing transition from cages into rings and sheets. Zirconocene catalyst activation studies using model MAO co‐catalysts show the decisive role of the associated TMA in forming the catalytically active sites. Catalyst activation can take place either by Lewis‐acidic abstraction of an alkyl or halide ligand from the precatalyst or by reaction of the precatalyst with an MAO‐derived AlMe2+ cation. Thermodynamics suggest that activation through AlMe2+ transfer is the dominant mechanism because sites that are able to release AlMe2+ are more abundant than Lewis‐acidic sites. The model catalyst system is demonstrated to polymerize ethene.
Effect of imperfect channel state information and co‐channel interferences on two‐hop fixed gain amplify‐and‐forward relay networks with beamforming
Authors: Lin Min , Wei Heng , An Kang , Ouyang Jian , Huang Yongming
Published: June 2014

This letter investigates the joint effects of imperfect channel state information and co‐channel interferences on a two‐hop fixed gain amplify‐and‐forward (AF) relay network with beamforming. Specifically, the analytical expressions of the outage probability and the average symbol error rate for the AF relaying are derived. Moreover, the asymptotic analysis at high signal‐to‐noise ratio is also presented to reveal the diversity order and array gain of the considered AF relay system. Finally, computer simulations are given to confirm the validity of the analytical results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cochrane in context: Honey for acute cough in children
Authors: Oduwole Olabisi , Meremikwu Martin M. , Oyo‐Ita Angela , Udoh Ekong E.
Published: June 2014

Cochrane Review: Honey for acute cough in children Oduwole O, Meremikwu MM, Oyo‐Ita A, Udoh EE. Honey for acute cough in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD007094. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub3.

This companion piece to the review, “Honey for acute cough in children,“ contains the following pieces:

The abstract of the review

A commentary from one or more of the review authors, explaining why the review team felt the review was an important one to produce

A review of clinical practice guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Paediatric Society
Enantioseparation of benzofurys and other novel psychoactive compounds by CE and sulfobutylether β‐cyclodextrin as chiral selector added to the BGE
Authors: Taschwer Magdalena , Hofer Manfred G. , Schmid Martin G.
Published: June 2014

The illicit drug market of psychoactive substances for human abuse is continuously expanding and developing. Besides already known substance classes like cathinones, amphetamines or synthetic cannabinoids, further derivatives such as benzofurys, thiophenes, and structural analogues of methylphenidate entered the global market recently. As many of these new compounds contain a stereogenic centre it is supposed that their isomers may differ in their pharmacological effects as it is the case with amphetamines or several chiral active pharmaceutical ingredients, for instance. In the course of this study, a method for the chiral separation of a set of 16 recreational drugs by CE was developed. The aim was to separate the analytes into their enantiomers at equal conditions within short time. Sulfobutylether β‐cyclodextrin served as chiral selector in an aqueous ammonium acetate solution containing ACN. For method optimization, methedrone and ethylphenidate were used as model compounds to find the appropriate concentration of chiral selector. Moreover, the influence of the pH value on enantioseparation was tested. Fourteen or 16 mM sulfobutylether β‐cyclodextrin, 50 mM ammonium acetate solution (pH 4.5) with 10% ACN were found to be optimal for enantioseparation of seven benzofurys, four cathinones, two diphenidines, ethylphenidate, methiopropamine, and thiothinone. Most of them were baseline resolved at migration times below 25 min.
Size‐matched alkyne‐conjugated cyanine fluorophores to identify differences in protein glycosylation
Authors: Burnham‐Marusich Amanda R. , Plechaty Anna M. , Berninsone Patricia M.
Published: June 2014

Currently, there are few methods to detect differences in posttranslational modifications (PTMs) in a specific manner from complex mixtures. Thus, we developed an approach that combines the sensitivity and specificity of click chemistry with the resolution capabilities of 2D‐DIGE. In “Click‐DIGE”, posttranslationally modified proteins are metabolically labeled with azido‐substrate analogs, then size‐ and charge‐matched alkyne‐Cy3 or alkyne‐Cy5 dyes are covalently attached to the azide of the PTM by click chemistry. The fluorescently‐tagged protein samples are then multiplexed for 2DE analysis. Whereas standard DIGE labels all proteins, Click‐DIGE focuses the analysis of protein differences to a targeted subset of posttranslationally modified proteins within a complex sample (i.e. specific labeling and analysis of azido glycoproteins within a cell lysate). Our data indicate that (i) Click‐DIGE specifically labels azido proteins, (ii) the resulting Cy‐protein conjugates are spectrally distinct, and (iii) the conjugates are size‐ and charge‐matched at the level of 2DE. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by detecting multiple differentially expressed glycoproteins between a mutant cell line defective in UDP‐galactose transport and the parental cell line. We anticipate that the diversity of azido substrates already available will enable Click‐DIGE to be compatible with analysis of a wide range of PTMs.
Transformation and Reactivity of a Potassium Catalyst during Coal–Steam Catalytic Pyrolysis and Gasification
Authors: Wang Xingjun , Zhu Huaili , Wang Ximin , Liu Haifeng , Wang Fuchen , Yu Guangsuo
Published: June 2014

The transformation of potassium catalyst during coal pyrolysis and steam gasification has been studied in a fixed‐bed reactor. The gasification residues were obtained by leaching in the water and drying in an oven. The crystallite constituents and ash constituent of the gasification residue were identified by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). The results showed that potassium aluminum silicate crystallites were derived from the interaction of potassium with mineral matter. The amount of reduced potassium in the gasification residue was measured by adding steam at low‐temperature conditions. The transformation of potassium catalyst and amount of metallic potassium intermediate were determined during pyrolysis and gasification. The amount of K2CO3 pyrolysis residue decreased as the pyrolysis temperature increased, and the reaction activity increased as the amount of reduced‐state potassium increased.
Abrasive notches along the Atlantic Patagonian coast and their potential use as sea level markers: the case of Puerto Deseado (Santa Cruz, Argentina)
Authors: Bini M. , Isola I. , Pappalardo M. , Ribolini A. , Favalli M. , Ragaini L. , Zanchetta G.
Published: June 2014

Patagonia Argentina is a key area for the study of sea level changes in the southern hemisphere, but the availability of reliable sea level markers in this area is still problematic. In fact the storm deposits (beach ridge) commonly used here to reconstruct past sea level oscillations introduce a wide error. Along the Puerto Deseado coast (Santa Cruz), morphometric analyses of 11 features were carried out using traditional measurement tools and a digital software‐based method (tested on one selected feature) with the aim to investigate the possibility of their use as sea level markers. By undertaking accurate topographic profiles we identified the relationship between notches and current sea level. In detail, we identified two clusters of notch retreat point elevations, with a very low internal variability. The lower was located a little below the mean high tide level (mHT) and the upper located at least 0.5 m above the maximum high tide level (MHT). Field observations of tidal levels and the position of notches suggest that the lower notches are active and the upper are inactive. This study on the abrasive notches attests their quality as sea level markers and opens up the use of fossil abrasive notches as palaeo sea level markers because the error linked to these features is substantially smaller than that introduced by beach ridges commonly used in the study area. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How significant (p < 0.05) is geomorphic research?
Authors: Hutton Christopher J.
Published: June 2014

The pervasive application of the Null Hypothesis Significance Test in geomorphic research runs counter to widespread, long running, and often severe criticism of the method in the broader scientific literature. The application of the methodology typically leads to a binary separation of evidence into ‘significant’ and ‘not significant’ results based on a p‐value that is dependent on the null hypothesis being true. The method should not therefore be used to provide statistical support for substantive hypotheses, and is unsuitable for scientific inference in open systems where confirmation can only ever be partial. Alternative approaches based on Bayesian statistics can importantly be applied to measure partial support for hypotheses, conditional on the available data. Though not without their own assumptions, wider application of such methods can help facilitate a transition towards a broader approach to statistical, and in turn, scientific inference in geomorphic systems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ore geology and fluid inclusion study of the Donggebi giant porphyry Mo deposit, Eastern Tianshan, NW China
Authors: Wu Yan‐Shuang , Wang Pin , Yang Yong‐fei , Xiang Nan , Li Nuo , Zhou Ke‐fa
Published: June 2014

The Donggebi giant porphyry Mo deposit in Hami city, Xinjiang Province, NW China, was formed in the Triassic in the Jueluotage metallogenic belt of Eastern Tianshan. Mo mineralization is associated with the Donggebi porphyritic granite, occurring as numerous stockworks in the altered wall rocks. The hydrothermal ore‐forming process can be divided into four stages, from early to late, characterized by veinlets composed of (1) quartz + K‐feldspar ± beryl ± pyrite ± tourmaline; (2) quartz + molybdenite ± K‐feldspar ± tourmaline ± fluorite ± beryl; (3) quartz + polymetallic sulphides ± fluorite; and (4) quartz + calcite ± fluorite. Three types of fluid inclusions (FIs) are distinguished in this study based on petrographic and microthermometric criteria, i.e. carbonic (C‐type), aqueous (W‐type) and solid‐bearing fluid inclusions (S‐type). All three types of FIs can be observed in the quartz, beryl and fluorite formed in stages 1, 2 and 3, while the stage 4 minerals only contain aqueous inclusions. The FIs in minerals of stages 1, 2, 3 and 4 yield homogenization temperatures of 261–443, 210–385, 152–304 and 159–263 °C, respectively, and salinities of ≤9.3 wt.% NaCl equiv., without consideration of the contribution from daughter minerals. The maximum estimated pressure decrease from 193 MPa in stage 1, through 182 MPa in stage 2, to 129 MPa in stage 3, suggesting the maximum mineralizing depths decreased from 8.4, through 7.9, to 5.6 km, and possibly occurred at 5.6–7.9 km. Therefore, the ore‐forming fluids at Donggebi are characterized by high‐temperature, CO2‐bearing and NaCl‐poor and then progressively evolved to CO2‐poor and lower‐temperature. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An exploration of worry content and catastrophic thinking in middle‐aged and older‐aged adults with and without Parkinson's disease
Authors: Wright Anwen , Hurt Catherine S. , Gorniak Sarah , Brown Richard G.
Published: June 2014

Objective

Worry is a common and distressing problem in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known about the nature and content of worry in PD and how it might differ to non‐PD populations. The study aimed to explore the content and nature of worry in middle‐aged and older‐aged adults with and without PD.

Method

Four groups of participants, 20 PD patients (10 high worry and 10 low worry) and 19 middle‐aged and older‐aged adults (10 high worry and nine low worry), completed the catastrophising interview (CI) for three worry topics. Worriers were classified (high/low) on the basis of Penn State Worry Questionnaire scores. Data were analysed using framework analysis.

Results

High worriers showed a greater diversity of worry topics than low worriers. Health worries differentiated high and low worriers in the non‐PD sample but were common across all PD participants. The CI revealed that the root concern of worry was often different to that initially described. In particular, PD high worriers were more likely to express underlying concerns about negative self‐perception and death/severe incapacity.

Conclusion

The CI was able to identify the root cause of worry, demonstrating the value of this technique in the exploration and treatment of worry and psychological distress. Exploring worry content may help to distinguish patients with problematic worry, with worries about self‐perception and death/severe incapacity characteristic of high worriers. Therapeutic interventions designed to alleviate problematic worry and distress in PD need to take account of the realities of living with PD and the potentially realistic nature of worries that may appear catastrophic in a healthy population. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.