bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photocatalysis of a [2+2] Cycloaddition in Aqueous Solution Using DNA Three‐Way Junctions as Chiral PhotoDNAzymes
Authors: Gaß Nadine , Gebhard Julian , Wagenknecht Hans‐Achim
Published: November 2016

Two DNA three‐way junctions bearing 4‐methylbenzophenone and 4‐methoxybenzophenone as C‐nucleosides at the hydrophobic binding pocket were synthesized. They were applied as aptamers and photoDNAzymes to gain enantioselectivity for the photosensitized intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition of a quinolinone substrate in aqueous solution. Irradiation by two λ=369 nm LEDs for 10 h yielded 58 % of the regioisomeric product mixture with an enantiomeric excess of 28 %. The enantiomeric excess in the presence of the three‐way junction with 4‐methylbenzophenone yields higher enantiomeric excess than that with 4‐methoxybenzophenone which can be explained by differences in binding of the substrate according to melting temperature analysis. This is the first time that the chirality of double‐stranded DNA can be transferred to an asymmetric photosensitized reaction and opens the way for in vivo applications of chiral photosensitizing in biology.
Graphite//LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cells Based on Environmentally Friendly Made‐in‐Water Electrodes
Authors: De Giorgio Francesca , Laszczynski Nina , von Zamory Jan , Mastragostino Marina , Arbizzani Catia , Passerini Stefano
Published: November 2016

The performance of graphite//LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) cells, both electrodes of which are made using water‐soluble sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder, is reported for the first time. The full cell performed outstandingly over 400 cycles in the conventional electrolyte ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate–1 m LiPF6, and the delivered specific energy at the 100th, 200th, 300th, and 400th cycle corresponded to 82, 78, 73, and 66 %, respectively, of the initial energy value of 259 Wh kg−1 (referring to the sum of the two electrode‐composite weights). The good stability of high‐voltage, LNMO–CMC‐based electrodes upon long‐term cycling is discussed and the results are compared to those of LNMO‐composite electrodes with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF). LNMO–CMC electrodes outperformed those with PVdF binder, displaying a capacity retention of 83 % compared to 62 % for the PVdF‐based electrodes after 400 cycles at 1 C. CMC promotes a more compact and stable electrode surface than PVdF; undesired interfacial reactions at high operating voltages are mitigated, and the thickness of the passivation layer on the LNMO surface is reduced, thereby enhancing its cycling stability.
The Feasibility of Energy Extraction from Acidic Wastewater by Capacitive Mixing with a Molecular‐Sieving Carbon Electrode
Authors: Shapira Barak , Avraham Eran , Aurbach Doron
Published: November 2016

Capacitive mixing is a newly emerging technique for the production of renewable energy from differences in salinity, usually of wastewater streams. The method is based on the controlled mixing of two streams with different salt concentrations, which are alternatingly brought into contact with precharged porous electrodes, thus taking advantage of the fact that modification of the electrical double layer of the electrodes results in changes in the solution salinity. Usually, the renewable energy resources are seawater and river water streams. Here, we demonstrated that electrical energy can be extracted by capacitive mixing of acidic wastewater and seawater. This concept is proven by the use of proton‐selective carbon as the cation‐capturing electrode, fabricated by carbonization of cellulose filter paper followed by mild activation in concentrated nitric acid. Considerable energy extraction was demonstrated even if the concentration of the NaCl solution was tenfold higher than that of the acidic solution.
Long‐term success results from innovation, teamwork
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: November 2016

John F. O'Brien has served as dean of the New England School of Law since 1988. That makes him the longest continuously serving dean of any law school in the country. And he served as a faculty member and associate dean at New England Law before he became dean.
Population demographic history of a temperate shrub, Rhododendron weyrichii (Ericaceae), on continental islands of Japan and South Korea
Authors: Yoichi Watanabe , Tamaki Ichiro , Sakaguchi Shota , Song Jong‐Suk , Yamamoto Shin‐ichi , Tomaru Nobuhiro
Published: November 2016

Continental islands provide opportunities for testing the effects of isolation and migration on genetic variation in plant populations. In characteristic of continental islands is that the geographic connections between these islands, which are currently distinguished by seaways, have experienced fluctuations caused by sea‐level changes due to climate oscillations during the Quaternary. Plant populations on the islands have migrated between these islands via the exposed seafloors or been isolated. Here, we examined the demographic history of a temperate shrub, Rhododendron weyrichii, which is distributed in the southwestern parts of the Japanese archipelago and on an island of South Korea, using statistical phylogeographic approaches based on the DNA sequences of two chloroplast and eight nuclear loci in samples analyzed from 18 populations on eight continental islands, and palaeodistribution modeling. Time estimates for four island populations indicate that the durations of vicariance history are different between these populations, and these events have continued since the last glacial or may have predated the last glacial. The constancy or expansion of population sizes on the Japanese islands, and in contrast a bottleneck in population size on the Korean island Jeju, suggests that these islands may have provided different conditions for sustaining populations. The result of palaeodistribution modeling indicates that the longitudinal range of the species as a whole has not changed greatly since the last glacial maximum. These results indicate that exposed seafloors during the glacial period formed both effective and ineffective migration corridors. These findings may shed light on the effects of seafloor exposure on the migration of plants distributed across continental islands.
Sensitivity analysis of Repast computational ecology models with R/Repast
Authors: Prestes García Antonio , Rodríguez‐Patón Alfonso
Published: November 2016

Computational ecology is an emerging interdisciplinary discipline founded mainly on modeling and simulation methods for studying ecological systems. Among the existing modeling formalisms, the individual‐based modeling is particularly well suited for capturing the complex temporal and spatial dynamics as well as the nonlinearities arising in ecosystems, communities, or populations due to individual variability. In addition, being a bottom‐up approach, it is useful for providing new insights on the local mechanisms which are generating some observed global dynamics. Of course, no conclusions about model results could be taken seriously if they are based on a single model execution and they are not analyzed carefully. Therefore, a sound methodology should always be used for underpinning the interpretation of model results. The sensitivity analysis is a methodology for quantitatively assessing the effect of input uncertainty in the simulation output which should be incorporated compulsorily to every work based on in‐silico experimental setup. In this article, we present R/Repast a GNU R package for running and analyzing Repast Simphony models accompanied by two worked examples on how to perform global sensitivity analysis and how to interpret the results.
Using multiple traits to assess the potential of introduced and native vines to proliferate in a tropical region
Authors: Delgado Diana L. , Figueroa Josimar , Restrepo Carla
Published: November 2016

Predicting the invasive potential of introduced species remains an ongoing challenge due to the multiple interacting regional and global processes that facilitate the introduction and proliferation of alien species. This may be particularly true in regions where native species are increasingly reported as expanding and impacting ecosystems in ways indistinguishable from alien ones. Current approaches to assess the invasive potential of plants may be limited by the choice of traits used and the exclusion of native species. To overcome these limitations, we develop a novel approach that focuses on all species—native and alien—within a functional group of plants to predict their proliferation status. Our approach relied on the development of an extensive database of extrinsic and intrinsic traits for Puerto Rican vines with the goal of generating a predictive model of vine proliferation status. We test three hypotheses linking origin, extrinsic and intrinsic traits, and proliferation status. We found that the origin of proliferating vines was associated with only one out of seven traits, namely plant use. We also found that proliferation status was associated with all but two traits, namely life span and climbing mechanism. Finally, a classification tree analysis identified five variables as good predictors of proliferation status and used them to split the species into six groups characterized by a unique suite of traits, three of them included proliferating species. The development of tools to identify potential proliferating species is critical for management and conservation purposes. Tools that can minimize biases and make predictions based on trait data easily obtainable are particularly needed in regions with a high taxonomic and functional diversity, and with limited ecological knowledge of individual species. In addition, these tools should be capable of incorporating native species since an increasing number of native species are behaving like invasive aliens.
Informing management with monitoring data: the value of Bayesian forecasting
Authors: Ketz Alison C. , Johnson Therese L. , Monello Ryan J. , Hobbs N. Thompson
Published: November 2016

Inventory and Monitoring Programs in the National Park Service (NPS) provide information needed to support wise planning, management, and decision making. Mathematical and statistical models play a critical role in this process by integrating data from multiple sources in a way that is honest about uncertainty. We show the utility of Bayesian hierarchical models for supporting decisions on managing natural resources of national parks. These models can assimilate monitoring data to provide true forecasts, resulting in probabilistic predictions of future states of park ecosystems accompanied by rigorous estimates of uncertainty. We discuss a novel approach for communicating these forecasts to decision makers who need to evaluate the probability that NPS goals will be met given different management actions, including the null model of no action. We illustrate how this approach has been used successfully to inform decisions on the elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) population management in Rocky Mountain National Park based on 47 yr of monitoring data. Forecasts from a discrete time, stage‐structured population model assimilated with annual census and sex and age classifications are being used annually to help park managers decide on actions needed to meet goals for elk and vegetation. In particular, park managers were able to determine the probability that the elk population would fall within a desired population range, which led to both population reduction actions and no action depending on the year of interest. Moreover, this approach allowed multiple survey methodologies from the last 47 years to be incorporated into a single model with associated estimates of uncertainty. Models like this one are especially useful for adaptive management where continuous improvement in models and data results in long‐term improvement in the wisdom of policy and management.
Inter‐patch connectivity and intra‐patch structure differentially alter prey consumption by multiple predators
Authors: Pitcher Kristopher A. , Soluk Daniel A.
Published: November 2016

Structural habitat complexity (SHC) and functional habitat connectivity (FHC) have important effects on predator–prey interactions and exert a strong influence on community structure/dynamics in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Although these factors vary simultaneously in most systems, their interactive effects are poorly understood. Using artificial pond mesocosms and multiple prey types, we manipulated plant density (SHC: low, high) and inter‐patch distance (FHC: short, long) in a full factorial design to test for potential interactive effects of these factors on competition and predation by a dragonfly larva (Anax junius) and fish predator (Lepomis cyanallus). When inter‐patch distances (FHC) were short, A. junius consumed more amphipods (36% ± 4.6%) compared with long treatments (19% ± 4.8%). We detected no significant effects of plant density (SHC) on prey consumption by A. junius. There were significant interactive effects of FHC and SHC on Lepomis cyanellus consumption of amphipods and damselflies. The most counterintuitive of these effects was that sunfish consumed more larval damselflies at high plant density (64% ± 6.0%) than at low plant density (38% ± 8.6%) but only in short connection treatments. This interactive effect of SHC and FHC on damselfly predation by L. cyanellus was likely because damselflies exhibited riskier behavior at higher SHC. Prey consumption with both predators present was additive, but no significant effect of either SHC or FHC on interspecific predation was detected, suggesting compensatory foraging responses. Structural habitat complexity and FHC interactively influence predator foraging behavior in complex, non‐intuitive ways that are highly dependent on the predator/prey combination in question. Structural habitat complexity and FHC are currently being influenced by anthropogenic factors in multiple ways (e.g., habitat loss, global climate change), and being able to predict the responses of biotic communities to these changes should be an important consideration in restoration and conservation efforts.
Inflammation enhances the vaccination potential of CD40‐activated B cells in mice
Authors: Mathieu Mélissa , Odagiu Livia , Gaudot Léa , Daudelin Jean‐François , Melichar Heather J. , Lapointe Réjean , Labrecque Nathalie
Published: November 2016

Vaccination with antigen‐pulsed CD40‐activated B (CD40‐B) cells can efficiently lead to the in vivo differentiation of naive CD8+ T cells into fully functional effectors. In contrast to bone marrow‐derived dendritic cell (BMDC) vaccination, CD40‐B cell priming does not allow for memory CD8+ T‐cell generation but the reason for this deficiency is unknown. Here, we show that compared to BMDCs, murine CD40‐B cells induce lower expression of several genes regulated by T‐cell receptor signaling, costimulation, and inflammation (signals 1–3) in mouse T cells. The reduced provision of signals 1 and 2 by CD40‐B cells can be explained by a reduction in the quality and duration of the interactions with naive CD8+ T cells as compared to BMDCs. Furthermore, CD40‐B cells produce less inflammatory mediators, such as IL‐12 and type I interferon, and increasing inflammation by coadministration of polyriboinosinic‐polyribocytidylic acid with CD40‐B‐cell immunization allowed for the generation of long‐lived and functional CD8+ memory T cells. In conclusion, it is possible to manipulate CD40‐B‐cell vaccination to promote the formation of long‐lived functional CD8+ memory T cells, a key step before translating the use of CD40‐B cells for therapeutic vaccination.
Oxidizing Rhodium with Sulfuric Acid: The Sulfates Rh2(SO4)3 and Rh2(SO4)3·2H2O
Authors: Schwarzer Stefan , Betke Annika , Logemann Christian , Wickleder Mathias S.
Published: November 2016

The reaction of elemental rhodium and concentrated sulfuric acid (97 %) at 400 °C leads to red plate‐shaped single crystals of Rh2(SO4)3 [trigonal, R3, Z = 6, a = 806.8(1) pm, c = 2204.8(4) pm, V = 1242.8(4) × 106 pm3]. The same reaction carried out at a temperature of 475 °C leads to orange crystals of Rh2(SO4)3·2H2O [orthorhombic, Pnma, Z = 4, a = 920.46(2) pm, b = 1244.47(3) pm, c = 833.37(2) pm, V = 954.61(4) × 106 pm3]. Thermal analysis and X‐ray powder diffraction measurements were performed to investigate the decomposition and resulting residues of the compounds. For both compounds the decomposition occurs through two steps and is finished at around 1000 °C at the stage of elemental rhodium. Additionally both sulfates were characterized by means of IR spectroscopy.
Incorporating the Beige Book into a Quantitative Index of Economic Activity
Authors: Balke Nathan S. , Fulmer Michael , Zhang Ren
Published: November 2016

We apply customized text analytics to the written description of economic activity contained in the Beige Book (BB) in order to obtain a quantitative measure of current economic conditions. This quantitative BB measure is then incorporated into a dynamic factor index model that also contains other commonly used quantitative economic data. We find that at the time the BB is released it has information about current economic activity not contained in other quantitative data. This informational advantage is relatively short lived. By 3 weeks after their release date, ‘old’ BBs contain little additional information about economic activity not already contained in other quantitative data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crowdfunding FOR MEDICAL CARE: Ethical Issues in an Emerging Health Care Funding Practice
Authors: Snyder Jeremy
Published: November 2016

Crowdfunding websites allow users to post a public appeal for funding for a range of activities, including adoption, travel, research, participation in sports, and many others. One common form of crowdfunding is for expenses related to medical care. Medical crowdfunding appeals serve as a means of addressing gaps in medical and employment insurance, both in countries without universal health insurance, like the United States, and countries with universal coverage limited to essential medical needs, like Canada. For example, as of 2012, the website Gofundme had been used to raise a total of 8.8 million dollars (U.S.) for seventy‐six hundred campaigns, the majority of which were health related. This money can make an important difference in the lives of crowdfunding users, as the costs of unexpected or uninsured medical needs can be staggering. In this article, I offer an overview of the benefits of medical crowdfunding websites and the ethical concerns they raise. I argue that medical crowdfunding is a symptom and cause of, rather than a solution to, health system injustices and that policy‐makers should work to address the injustices motivating the use of crowdfunding sites for essential medical services. Despite the sites’ ethical problems, individual users and donors need not refrain from using them, but they bear a political responsibility to address the inequities encouraged by these sites. I conclude by suggesting some responses to these concerns and future directions for research.
Lawrence Gostin's Enthusiastic Globalism
Authors: Latham Stephen R.
Published: November 2016

These are hard days for globalism. A major candidate for the United States presidency ran on an anti‐immigration, anti‐free‐trade platform and denounced such venerable international institutions as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“obsolete”) and the United Nations (“a political game”). The European Union is under threat after the vote for Brexit; the Euro is under strain. China is denouncing and ignoring the result of an international arbitration over its claims to the South China Sea. Nationalist, xenophobic political parties are in the ascendency around the world, buoyed by the fears and pains of populations for whom global trade has been no boon and to whom waves of new immigrants seem threatening both economically and socially. So it is both strange and uplifting, in this atmosphere, to encounter the ambitious and enthusiastic globalism of Lawrence Gostin's important, field‐founding work, Global Health Law. Equal parts encyclopedia and manifesto, the book seeks both to provide exhaustive and up‐to‐date descriptions of the already‐substantial body of international health law and of its implementing institutions and to chart Gostin's vision for their vigorous expansion. And that vision is nothing if not expansive.
Hearing the Mermaids Singing: The Possibility and Limits of Moral Enhancement
Authors: Hauskeller Michael
Published: November 2016

The possibility of moral bioenhancement, and the alleged need for it, have been widely discussed both in ethics journals and the media since this type of enhancement was first proposed in the Journal of Medical Ethics in 2008. Most prominently, Ingmar Persson and Julian Savulescu have argued that humans in their current condition are simply not good enough to deal effectively with the global problems we face today and that, if we want to have any hope of saving the world from “ultimate harm,” we need to find ways to morally enhance people, using psychopharmaceuticals, neurostimulation, gene editing, or whatever other biological method we can think of that might do the trick. Persson and Savulescu's 2012 book on the subject, Unfit for the Future: The Need for Moral Enhancement, has very much determined the direction of the debate. However, what remains contentious is the question of whether the kind of enhancement that Persson and Savulescu envisage is really desirable and actually feasible. Earlier in 2016, two books on moral bioenhancement were published, namely John Harris's How to Be Good: The Possibility of Moral Enhancement and Harris Wiseman's The Myth of the Moral Brain: The Limits of Moral Enhancement. Harris's book focuses on the desirability of moral bioenhancement, and Wiseman's primarily (though by no means exclusively) on its feasibility. Both reject Persson and Savulescu's proposal and approach, but for very different reasons.
The differentiation of oral soft‐ and hard tissues using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy – a prospect for tissue specific laser surgery
Authors: Rohde Maximilian , Mehari Fanuel , Klämpfl Florian , Adler Werner , Neukam Friedrich‐Wilhelm , Schmidt Michael , Stelzle Florian
Published: November 2016

Compared to conventional techniques, Laser surgery procedures provide a number of advantages, but may be associated with an increased risk of iatrogenic damage to important anatomical structures. The type of tissue ablated in the focus spot is unknown. Laser‐Induced Breakdown‐Spectroscopy (LIBS) has the potential to gain information about the type of material that is being ablated by the laser beam. This may form the basis for tissue selective laser surgery. In the present study, 7 different porcine tissues (cortical and cancellous bone, nerve, mucosa, enamel, dentine and pulp) from 6 animals were analyzed for their qualitative and semiquantitative molecular composition using LIBS. The so gathered data was used to first differentiate between the soft‐ and hard‐tissues using a Calcium‐Carbon emission based classifier. The tissues were then further classified using emission‐ratio based analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The relatively higher concentration of Calcium in the hard tissues allows for an accurate first differentiation of soft‐ and hard tissues (100% sensitivity and specificity). The ratio based statistical differentiation approach yields results in the range from 65% (enamel‐dentine pair) to 100% (nerve‐pulp, cancellous bone‐dentine, cancellous bone‐enamel pairs) sensitivity and specificity.

Experimental LIBS measuring setup

magnified image

Experimental LIBS measuring setup
Combined delivery of FGF‐2, TGF‐β1, and adipose‐derived stem cells from an engineered periosteum to a critical‐sized mouse femur defect
Authors: Romero Raimundo , Travers John K. , Asbury Emilie , Pennybaker Attie , Chubb Laura , Rose Ruth , Ehrhart Nicole P. , Kipper Matt J.
Published: November 2016

Critical‐sized long bone defects suffer from complications including impaired healing and non‐union due to substandard healing and integration of devitalized bone allograft. Removal of the periosteum contributes to the limited healing of bone allografts. Restoring a periosteum on bone allografts may provide improved allograft healing and integration. This article reports a polysaccharide‐based tissue engineered periosteum that delivers basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐2), transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), and adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) to a critical‐sized mouse femur defect. The tissue engineered periosteum was evaluated for improving bone allograft healing and incorporation by locally delivering FGF‐2, TGF‐β1, and supporting ASCs transplantation. ASCs were successfully delivered and longitudinally tracked at the defect site for at least 7 days post operation with delivered FGF‐2 and TGF‐β1 showing a mitogenic effect on the ASCs. At 6 weeks post implantation, data showed a non‐significant increase in normalized bone callus volume. However, union ratio analysis showed a significant inhibition in allograft incorporation, confirmed by histological analysis, due to loosening of the nanofiber coating from the allograft surface. Ultimately, this investigation shows our tissue engineered periosteum can deliver FGF‐2, TGF‐β1, and ASCs to a mouse critical‐sized femur defect and further optimization may yield improved bone allograft healing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 900–911, 2017.
Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) associated with cervical myelomeningocele
Authors: Adin Mehmet Emin
Published: November 2016

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is a rare and potentially fatal entity resulting from complete or near complete developmental airway obstruction. Although most reported cases of CHAOS are sporadic, the condition may also be associated with certain syndromes and a variety of cervical masses. Meningocele and myelomeningocele have not yet been reported in association with CHAOS. We describe the typical constellation of sonographic findings in a case of early diagnosis of CHAOS associated with cervical myelomeningocele. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:507–510, 2017
Personal Life Satisfaction of China's Rural Elderly: Effect of the New Rural Pension Programme
Authors: Ding Ya
Published: November 2016

This paper studies the effects of China's newly established rural pension programme on personal life satisfaction of the rural elderly along with other social, economic and demographic factors. The results indicate that old‐age security is a key component of personal life satisfaction for the rural elderly, and the New Rural Pension Programme can significantly improve their subjective well‐being. The importance of sons is declining given the wider availability of rural pension programmes. Additionally, the study finds that a poorly designed pension programme could not only result in low participation rate but also negatively affect personal life satisfaction of nonparticipants. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D printing from MRI Data: Harnessing strengths and minimizing weaknesses
Authors: Ripley Beth , Levin Dmitry , Kelil Tatiana , Hermsen Joshua L , Kim Sooah , Maki Jeffrey H , Wilson Gregory J
Published: November 2016

3D printing facilitates the creation of accurate physical models of patient‐specific anatomy from medical imaging datasets. While the majority of models to date are created from computed tomography (CT) data, there is increasing interest in creating models from other datasets, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI, in particular, holds great potential for 3D printing, given its excellent tissue characterization and lack of ionizing radiation. There are, however, challenges to 3D printing from MRI data as well. Here we review the basics of 3D printing, explore the current strengths and weaknesses of printing from MRI data as they pertain to model accuracy, and discuss considerations in the design of MRI sequences for 3D printing. Finally, we explore the future of 3D printing and MRI, including creative applications and new materials.

Level of Evidence: 5

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:635–645.
Analyzing if and how international organizations contribute to the sustainable development goals: Combining power and behavior
Authors: Cormier Ben
Published: November 2016

Can International Organizations (IOs) such as the World Bank, United Nations, and International Labor Organization contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? This article argues that this is best analyzed by simultaneously considering two sets of factors: the international political constraints external to IOs and the organizational processes and structures internal to IOs. More specifically, this article suggests that such analyses can take place by combining scholarship on International Relations (IR) and Organizational Behavior (OB). The article defines international power, outlines various constraints on IO autonomy, and suggests that OB and IR are well positioned to jointly improve the study of IO employment practices, organizational structures, bureaucratic politics, and inter‐organizational effects. The core aim is to provide justification and material for combining IR and OB in further research on IOs.
Characterisation of a novel cellobiose 2‐epimerase from thermophilic Caldicellulosiruptor obsidiansis for lactulose production
Authors: Chen Qiuming , Levin Roman , Zhang Wenli , Zhang Tao , Jiang Bo , Stressler Timo , Fischer Lutz , Mu Wanmeng
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Lactulose, a bioactive lactose derivative, has been widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries. Isomerisation of lactose to lactulose by cellobiose 2‐epimerase (CE) has recently attracted increasing attention, since CE produces lactulose with high yield from lactose as a single substrate. In this study, a new lactulose‐producing CE from Caldicellulosiruptor obsidiansis was extensively characterised.

RESULTS

The recombinant enzyme exhibited maximal activity at pH 7.5 and 70 °C. It displayed high thermostability with Tm of 86.7 °C. The half‐life was calculated to be 8.1, 2.8 and 0.6 h at 75, 80, and 85 °C, respectively. When lactose was used as substrate, epilactose was rapidly produced in a short period, and afterwards both epilactose and lactose were steadily isomerised to lactulose, with a final ratio of 35:11:54 for lactose:epilactose:lactulose. When the reverse reaction was investigated using lactulose as substrate, both lactose and epilactose appeared to be steadily produced from the start.

CONCLUSION

The recombinant CE showed both epimerisation and isomerisation activities against lactose, making it an alternative promising biocatalyst candidate for lactulose production. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Monitoring of compositional changes during berry ripening in grape seed extracts of cv. Sangiovese (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: Bombai Giuseppe , Pasini Federica , Verardo Vito , Sevindik Onur , Di Foggia Michele , Tessarin Paola , Bregoli Anna Maria , Caboni Maria F , Rombolà Adamo D
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Seed oil and flours have been attracting the interest of researchers and industry, since they contain various bioactive components. We monitored the effects of ripening on lipids, monomeric flavan‐3‐ols, proanthocyanidins and tocols concentration in seed extracts from organically cultivated cv. Sangiovese vines.

RESULTS

Linoleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid, followed by oleic, palmitic and stearic acids. The tocols detected were α‐tocopherol, α‐tocotrienol and γ‐tocotrienol. The proanthocyanidins degree of polymerisation ranged from dimers to dodecamers; moreover, monomeric flavan‐3‐ols and polymeric proanthocyanidins were detected. Total flavan‐3‐ols (monomers, oligomers and polymers) concentration in grape seeds decreased during ripening.

CONCLUSIONS

Fatty acids reached the highest level in post‐veraison. The concentration of these compounds varied considerably during ripening. Capric acid has been found for the first time in grape seeds. α‐Tocopherol and γ‐tocotrienol decreased during ripening, while α‐tocotrienol increased. The HPLC analysis with fluorimetric detection, conducted for the first time on cv. Sangiovese, revealed that the concentration of flavan‐3‐ols monomers, oligomeric proanthocyanidins and polymers greatly changed during ripening. These results suggest that the timing of bunch harvest plays a crucial role in the valorisation of grape seed flour. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultra high performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry and pharmacokinetic analysis of justicidin B and 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C in rats
Authors: Luo Jiaoyang , Hu Yichen , Qin Jia'an , Yang Meihua
Published: November 2016

Arylnaphthalene lignans have attracted considerable interest with the discovery of their antineoplastic activities. Two such compounds are justicidin B and 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C, both of which have been isolated from the herb Justicia procumbens. We sought to develop and validate a sensitive and accurate, ultra high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method for the structural determination and pharmacokinetics of justicidin B and 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent 300SB‐C18 column using water (0.5% formic acid, 10 mM NH4COOH) methanol as the mobile phase. The plasma samples obtained after oral administration of the active extract of Justicia procumbens were successfully analyzed with our novel method, thereby demonstrating its sound applicability and reliability. The lower limit of quantification for justicidin B and 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C was 0.50 and 1.00 ng/mL in 50 μL rat plasma, respectively. The elimination half‐life and clearance of justicidin B was estimated to be 1.27 ± 0.61 h and 5.40 ± 0.22 L/h/kg while that of 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C was 2.07 ± 0.70 h and 11.84 ± 1.06 L/h/kg. This newly developed and validated method was successfully applied to the quantification and pharmacokinetic study of justicidin B and 6′‐hydroxy justicidin C in rats.
Cost‐effectiveness of transfacial gland‐preserving removal of parotid sialoliths
Authors: Ong Adrian A. , Carroll William W. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Gillespie M. Boyd
Published: November 2016

Objective

Examine outcomes of transfacial gland‐preserving removal of difficult parotid stones and compare the cost and operative time to traditional parotidectomy.

Study Design

Cost‐effectiveness analysis and retrospective chart review.

Methods

Patients who underwent transfacial removal of symptomatic parotid sialoliths at a tertiary medical center from June 2010 to July 2015 were evaluated. Outcomes included operative technique, stone size, stone location, complications, and symptom relief. In addition, patients who underwent traditional parotidectomy for chronic sialadenitis were identified. The charges and times for both procedures were reviewed and compared.

Results

Forty‐four patients underwent transfacial resection for symptomatic parotid sialolithiasis. Stones were most often located in the main duct and hilum (53.3%), with fewer intraglandular stones (46.7%). No facial nerve weakness was observed. Of those with follow‐up, 33 (87%) patients reported at least partial resolution of symptoms. Overall transfacial technique charges were significantly less expensive (U.S.$) than parotidectomy (mean difference −8,064.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] −13,472.78 to −2,655.40; P = 0.033). Anesthesia charges (mean difference −2,997.85; 95% CI, −5,748.81 to −246.89; P = 0.035) and operating room charges (mean difference −4,793.91; 95% CI, −8,958.09 to −629.72; P = 0.028) were also less expensive for the transfacial technique. Finally, mean procedure time for transfacial removal of parotid stones was shorter than for parotidectomy (120.2 ± 49.9 vs. 178.4 ± 41.3 minutes, respectively; P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Transfacial gland‐preserving removal of difficult parotid stones is a well tolerated and effective alternative to parotidectomy. Moreover, it is faster and less expensive than parotidectomy, maximizing both surgeon time and hospital resources.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 127:1080–1086, 2017
Dynamic nanomechanical analysis of the vocal fold structure in excised larynges
Authors: Dion Gregory R. , Coelho Paulo G. , Teng Stephanie , Janal Malvin N. , Amin Milan R. , Branski Ryan C.
Published: November 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

Quantification of clinical outcomes after vocal fold (VF) interventions is challenging with current technology. High‐speed digital imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT) of excised larynges assess intact laryngeal function, but do not provide critical biomechanical information. We developed a protocol to quantify tissue properties in intact, excised VFs using dynamic nanomechanical analysis (nano‐DMA) to obtain precise biomechanical properties in the micrometer scale.

Study Design

Experimental animal study.

Methods

Three pig larynges were bisected in the sagittal plane, maintaining an intact anterior commissure, and subjected to nano‐DMA at nine locations with a 250‐μm flat‐tip punch and frequency sweep load profile (10–105 Hz, 1,000 μN peak force) across the free edge of the VF and inferiorly along the conus elasticus.

Results

Storage, loss, and complex moduli increased inferiorly from the free edge. Storage moduli increased from a mean of 32.3 kPa (range, 6.5–55.38 kPa) at the free edge to 46.3kPa (range, 7.4–71.6) 5 mm below the free edge, and 71.4 kPa (range, 33.7–112 kPa) 1 cm below the free edge. Comparable values were 11.6 kPa (range, 5.0–20.0 kPa), 16.7 kPa (range, 5.7–26.8 kPa), and 22.6 kPa (range, 9.7–38.0 kPa) for loss modulus, and 35.7 kPa (range, 14.4–56.4 kPa), 50.1 kPa (range, 18.7–72.8 kPa), and 75.4 kPa (range, 42.0–116.0 kPa) for complex modulus. Another larynx repeatedly frozen and thawed during technique development had similarly increased storage, loss, and complex modulus trends across locations.

Conclusions

Nano‐DMA of the intact hemilarynx provides a platform for quantification of biomechanical responses to a myriad of therapeutic interventions to complement data from high‐speed imaging and OCT.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 127:E225–E230, 2017
Complications of turbinate reduction surgery in combination with tonsillectomy in pediatric patients
Authors: Yuen Sonia N. , Leung Peggy P. , Funamura Jamie , Kawai Kosuke , Roberson David W. , Adil Eelam A.
Published: November 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

To examine whether the addition of turbinoplasty to tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) increases the risk of postoperative complications.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study of children (18 years old and younger) who underwent tonsillectomy and/or turbinoplasty between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2015 using the 2016 Pediatric Health Information System administrative database

Methods

Patients were divided into three groups: 1) T&A and turbinoplasty, 2) T&A alone, and 3) turbinoplasty alone. Postoperative revisit, hemorrhage requiring cautery, and blood transfusion rates were compared between groups.

Results

A total of 75,761 patients met inclusion criteria: 3,079 underwent both T&A and turbinoplasty, 72,043 underwent T&A alone, and 639 underwent turbinoplasty alone. The rate of 14‐day relevant revisits after T&A in combination with turbinate reduction surgery was not significantly higher than that of T&A alone (9.4% vs. 8.6%; P = .11). The revisit rate after turbinoplasty alone was 1.4%. Indications for revisits did not differ between the T&A and turbinoplasty group versus T&A alone group (P = .23). Furthermore, the rates of hemorrhage requiring cauterization was similar between the two groups (1.4% vs. 1.5%; P = .64). Twenty‐one patients who underwent T&A alone required blood transfusion after they were readmitted; no cases in the other two groups required blood transfusion.

Conclusions

Turbinoplasty and T&A performed together do not increase the risk of postoperative revisit or hemorrhage requiring cauterization, and can therefore be considered as a combined procedure. Pediatric patients will benefit from avoiding the additional risk of multiple anesthetics and repeated intubation.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 127:1920–1923, 2017
Human peripheral blood mononuclear cell in vitro system to test the efficacy of food bioactive compounds: Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids and their relation with BMI
Authors: Cifre Margalida , Díaz‐Rúa Rubén , Varela‐Calviño Rubén , Reynés Bàrbara , Pericás‐Beltrán Jordi , Palou Andreu , Oliver Paula
Published: November 2016

Scope

To analyse the usefulness of isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to rapidly/easily reflect n–3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) effects on lipid metabolism/inflammation gene profile, and evaluate if these effects are body mass index (BMI) dependent.

Methods and results

PBMC from normoweight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW/OB) subjects were incubated with physiological doses of docosahexaenoic (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or their combination. PBMC reflected increased beta‐oxidation‐like capacity (CPT1A expression) in OW/OB but only after DHA treatment. However, insensitivity to n–3 LCPUFA was evident in OW/OB for lipogenic genes: both PUFA diminished FASN and SREBP1C expression in NW, but no effect was observed for DHA in PBMC from high‐BMI subjects. This insensitivity was also evident for inflammation gene profile: all treatments inhibited key inflammatory genes in NW; nevertheless, no effect was observed in OW/OB after DHA treatment, and EPA effect was impaired. SLC27A2, IL6 and TNFα PBMC expression analysis resulted especially interesting to determine obesity‐related n–3 LCPUFA insensitivity.

Conclusion

A PBMC‐based human in vitro system reflects n–3 LCPUFA effects on lipid metabolism/inflammation which is impaired in OW/OB. These results confirm the utility of PBMC ex vivo systems for bioactive‐compound screening to promote functional food development and to establish appropriate dietary strategies for obese population.
Adaptively Optimized Combination (AOC) of Phased‐Array MR Spectroscopy Data in the Presence of Correlated Noise: Compared with Noise‐Decorrelated or Whitened Methods
Authors: Wu Minjie , Fang Liang , Ray Charles E. , Kumar Anand , Yang Shaolin
Published: November 2016

Purpose

A method for adaptively optimized combination (AOC) of MR spectroscopic data from a coil array was recently introduced. The superior performance of the AOC method is evident when compared with the methods that assume uncorrelated noise between coil elements. However, it is unclear whether the AOC method represents the most optimal combination in the presence of correlated noise, when compared with the noise‐decorrelated or whitened methods that specifically tackle the correlated noise between coil elements.

Methods

A new, unified theoretical framework was developed to illustrate the relationship between the AOC method and three noise‐decorrelated or whitened methods, namely, noise‐decorrelated combination (nd‐comb), whitened singular value decomposition (WSVD), and improved WSVD (WSVD+Apod). Simulation‐based comparisons and in vivo human brain experiments on a 3 Tesla (T) MRI scanner were performed using an 8‐channel phased‐array head coil.

Results

Compared with the noise‐decorrelated or whitened methods, the AOC method consistently yielded the best combination in terms of the robustness against noise and maintaining the combined spectrum from distortion, and the superior performance was most evident at a low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR).

Conclusion

The AOC method represents the theoretical optimal combination in the presence of correlated noise between coil elements, whereas the three noise‐decorrelated or whitened methods are asymptotically optimal. Magn Reson Med 78:848–859, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Double peak sensory nerve action potentials to single stimuli in nerve conduction studies
Authors: Leote Joao , Pereira Pedro , Valls‐Sole Josep
Published: November 2016

Introduction

In humans, sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) can show 2 separate deflections, i.e., double peak potentials (DPp), which necessarily means that 1 peak is delayed with respect to the other. DPps may have various origins and be due to either physical or physiological properties.

Methods

We review the nature of commonly encountered DPps in clinical practice, provide the most likely interpretations for their physiological origin, and assess their reproducibility and clinical utility.

Results

We classified the DPps into 3 categories: (1) simultaneous anodal and cathodal stimulation. (2) simultaneous recording from 2 different nerves at the same site, and (3) SNAP desynchronization.

Conclusions

Although the recording of DPps is not a standardized neurophysiological method, their study brings interesting cues about the physiology of nerve stimulation and paves the way for clinical application of such an observation. Muscle Nerve 55: 619–625, 2017
Fast failure detection and recovery in SDN with stateful data plane
Authors: Cascone Carmelo , Sanvito Davide , Pollini Luca , Capone Antonio , Sansò Brunilde
Published: November 2016

When dealing with node or link failures in software‐defined networking (SDN), the network capability to establish an alternative path depends on controller reachability and on the round‐trip times between controller and involved switches. Moreover, current SDN data plane abstractions for failure detection, such as OpenFlow “Fast‐failover,” do not allow programmers to tweak switches' detection mechanism, thus leaving SDN operators relying on proprietary management interfaces (when available) to achieve guaranteed detection and recovery delays. We propose SPIDER, an OpenFlow‐like pipeline design that provides (i) a detection mechanism based on switches' periodic link probing and (ii) fast reroute of traffic flows even in the case of distant failures, regardless of controller availability. SPIDER is based on stateful data plane abstractions such as OpenState or P4, and it offers guaranteed short (few milliseconds or less) failure detection and recovery delays, with a configurable trade‐off between overhead and failover responsiveness. We present here the SPIDER pipeline design, behavioral model, and analysis on flow tables' memory impact. We also implemented and experimentally validated SPIDER using OpenState (an OpenFlow 1.3 extension for stateful packet processing) and P4, showing numerical results on its performance in terms of recovery latency and packet loss.