bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A randomized double‐blind placebo controlled phase I–II study on clinical and molecular effects of dietary supplements in men with precancerous prostatic lesions. Chemoprevention or “chemopromotion”?
Authors: Gontero Paolo , Marra Giancarlo , Soria Francesco , Oderda Marco , Zitella Andrea , Baratta Francesca , Chiorino Giovanna , Gregnanin Ilaria , Daniele Lorenzo , Cattel Luigi , Frea Bruno , Brusa Paola
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Antioxidants effectiveness in prostate cancer (PCa) chemoprevention has been severely questioned, especially after the recent results of the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial. We present the results of a double‐blind randomized controlled trial (dbRCT) on the pharmacokinetic, clinical, and molecular activity of dietary supplements containing lycopene, selenium, and green tea catechins (GTCs) in men with multifocal high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (mHGPIN) and/or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP).

METHODS

From 2009 to 2014, we conducted a dbRCT including 60 patients with primary mHGPIN and/or ASAP receiving daily lycopene 35 mg, selenium 55 µg, and GTCs 600 mg, or placebo for 6 months. Pharmacokinetic analysis were performed with UV–Visible spectrophotometric assay under standard (SC) and accelerated (AC) conditions. Upon plasma lycopene concentrations falling within the expected range (1.2–90 mcg/l) and no side‐effects of grade >1, study proceeded to phase II (n = 50). After unblinding of results, eight men (4 per arm, 2 without and 2 with PCa, respectively) were randomly selected and totRNA extracted from “non‐pathological” tissues. MicroRNA profiling was performed with the Agilent platform. Raw data processing used R‐statistical language and linear models for microarray analysis.

RESULTS

Samples were stable except for lycopene, showing significant degradation (SC = 56%, AC = 59%) and consequently stabilized under vacuum in a dark packaging. Mean plasmatic lycopene concentration was 1,45 ± 0,4 μM. At 6 months, 53 men underwent re‐biopsy and 13 (24.5%) were diagnosed with PCa (supplementation n = 10, placebo n = 3 [P = 0.053]). At a mean 37 months follow‐up, 3 additional PCa were found in the placebo group. No significant variations in PSA, IPSS, and PR25 questionnaires were observed. Stronger modulation of miRNAs was present on re‐biopsy in the supplementation group compared to the placebo, including: (i) overexpression of miRNAs present in PCa versus non‐cancer tissue; (ii) underexpression of miRNAs suppressing PCa proliferation; (iii) detection of 35 miRNAs in PCa patients versus disease‐free men, including androgen‐regulated miR‐125b‐5p and PTEN‐targeting miR‐92a‐3p (both upregulated).

CONCLUSION

Administration of high doses of lycopene, GTCs, and selenium in men harboring HGPIN and/or ASAP was associated with a higher incidence of PCa at re‐biopsy and expression of microRNAs implicated in PCa progression at molecular analysis. The use of these supplements should be avoided. Prostate 75: 1177–1186, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A random pattern mixture model for ordinal outcomes with informative dropouts
Authors: Liu Chengcheng , Ratcliffe Sarah J. , Guo Wensheng
Published: April 2015

We extend a random pattern mixture joint model for longitudinal ordinal outcomes and informative dropouts. The patients are generalized to ‘pattern’ groups based on known covariates that are potentially surrogated for the severity of the underlying condition. The random pattern effects are defined as the latent effects linking the dropout process and the ordinal longitudinal outcome. Conditional on the random pattern effects, the longitudinal outcome and the dropout times are assumed independent. Estimates are obtained via the Expectation–maximization algorithm. We applied the model to the end‐stage renal disease data. Anemia was found to be significantly affected by the baseline iron treatment when the dropout information was adjusted via the study model; as opposed to an independent or shared parameter model. Simulations were performed to evaluate the performance of the random pattern mixture model under various assumptions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of phenolic compounds on the hydrolysis of red sorghum starch by extracted red sorghum malt α‐ and β‐amylases
Authors: Bwanganga Tawaba Jean‐Claude , Tshiala Hervé , Kibal Irène , Buetusiwa Thomas , de Dieu Minengu Jean
Published: April 2015

In this study, red sorghum extracted starch and flour digestibility by red sorghum malt developed amylases (α‐ and β‐amylases) have been evaluated. The results obtained show that the use of NaOH improved starch hydrolysis and the digestibility of the extracted starch was higher than that of the corresponding flour, possibly due to interactions between the starch and other red sorghum malt (or raw grain) constituents. The effect of the extracted phenolic compounds on the digestibility of the extracted red sorghum starch was also evaluated and the results show that the starch hydrolysis is a log–logistic function of the added sorghum phenolic compounds. The results obtained in this study also show that the added phenolic compounds negatively affected both the hydrolysis rate and the extent of maximum hydrolysis.
Double End‐On Azido Copper(II) Dinuclear Complex with Oxazoline Ligand: Synthesis, Structure, Magnetic Properties and Theoretical Study
Authors: Cheng Min , Lu Dongmei , Gao En‐Qing , Jia Qin‐Xiang
Published: April 2015

A double azido‐bridged CuII dinuclear complex with the chelating chiral ligand, [Cu2(L)2(N3)4] (1) [L = (+)‐2, 2′‐isopropylidene‐bis((4R)‐4‐benzyl‐2‐oxazoline)] was synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and theoretical studies. The asymmetric double end‐on azido bridges in complex 1 lead to a weak antiferromagnetic behavior with J = –7.4 cm–1. The exchange interactions in complex 1 were investigated by DFT calculations, and the calculated exchange interaction (J = –8.0 cm–1) is in good agreement with the experimental value.
Factors Associated with Quality of Life in Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy in Iran
Authors: Ahmadizadeh Zahra , Rassafiani Mehdi , Khalili Mohammad Amozadeh , Mirmohammadkhani Majid
Published: April 2015

Objective/Background

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) need more attention and care, especially from their mothers. This can affect the mothers’ quality of life (QOL) adversely. This study aimed to assess the QOL of Iranian mothers who have a child with CP, compared with mothers with a healthy child, focusing on some individual and social underlying factors.

Methods

Using a cluster-sampling approach, two groups of eligible mothers having children aged 4–12 years, with and without CP, from Tehran's randomly selected clinics, were chosen in a convenient way and enrolled in a cross-sectional study. A group of mothers with healthy children whose demographics closely matched with the group of mothers having children with CP were selected and recruited in the study. The group with mothers with children with CP was selected randomly from a convenience sample in 14 rehabilitation and occupational therapy clinics in Tehran, Iran. To collect data on characteristics of interest, mothers were interviewed, and the SF-36 Questionnaire was used to measure their QOL. The relationship between each characteristic and the mothers’ level of QOL was assessed, and the crude odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs were measured by logistic regression.

Results

Sixty mothers with CP children, and 60 mothers with healthy children participated in this study. Their mean (±standard deviation) age was 33.79 (±6.02) years, and their children's mean age was 7.11 (±2.71). The two groups were significantly different in QOL mean score (57.35 ± 18.39 vs. 71.7 ± 13.58; p ≤ .001). It was shown that having a child with CP with intellectual disability is significantly related to a worse level of QOL of mothers (adjusted OR = 5.4, p ≤ .001), whereas having full-time jobs is reversely associated with it (adjusted OR = 0.2, p = .02).

Conclusion

Two important factors that lead to a worse QOL of mothers with a CP child are the unemployment of mothers and having a CP child with concurrent intellectual disabilities. To diminish the adverse effects of having a CP child on QOL of mothers, unemployed women who have a CP child with concurrent intellectual disabilities need more psychological support and help.
E-Cigarette Liquid Nicotine Ingestion in a Child: Case Report and Discussion
Authors: Gill Natasha , Sangha Gurinder , Poonai Naveen , Lim Rodrick
Published: April 2015

Nicotine poisoning is well described in the pediatric population, and even small oral doses may result in toxic effects. The source of nicotine is usually tobacco products and nicotine replacement products such as gum and patches. With the more frequent use of novel products such as e-cigarettes, concern has arisen regarding liquid nicotine. As there are no regulations regarding childproof bottling and packaging, there may be increased potential for unintentional ingestion of these colorfully and appealingly packaged products by children. We present and discuss a case of this nature, as we feel emergency physicians should be aware of this new mode of poisoning, and public health efforts should be made to minimize such exposures.
FINITE -GROUPS WITH SMALL AUTOMORPHISM GROUP
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-SÁNCHEZ JON , JAIKIN-ZAPIRAIN ANDREI
Published: April 2015

For each prime$p$we construct a family$\{G_{i}\}$of finite$p$-groups such that$|\text{Aut}(G_{i})|/|G_{i}|$tends to zero as$i$tends to infinity. This disproves a well-known conjecture that$|G|$divides$|\text{Aut}(G)|$for every nonabelian finite$p$-group$G$.
Vortex separation and interaction in the wake of inclined trapezoidal plates
Authors: Huang Yuqi , Venning James , Thompson Mark C. , Sheridan John
Published: April 2015

Full three-dimensional numerical simulations are employed to investigate the flows over inclined trapezoidal low-aspect-ratio plates at low Reynolds numbers, aiming to understand the unsteadiness induced by the interaction between the trailing vortical wake structures originating from the swept edges, and those from the leading and trailing edges. The flows past eighteen different plate geometries in three broad sets are simulated to study the influence of aspect ratio, taper angle and angle of attack on the wake vortices and the force coefficients. Both taper ratio and angle of attack of plates with the same area are found to have a broadly predictable influence on the wake stability and asymptotic forces. Smaller taper ratios result in lower maximum lift, while an increase in the angle of attack results in a reduction in the differences in maximum lift. Two distinct modes of periodic unsteady flow with significant differences in frequency are observed. The corresponding vortex-shedding mechanisms are analysed with the aid of $Q$-criterion isosurfaces and streamlines. A low wake frequency is observed at small taper angles when there is relative independence between the von Kármán vortices originating from the leading and trailing edges, and weak swept-edge vortices. The dominant Strouhal number in this state is approximately 0.09. When the taper angle or angle of attack increases, the flows over the swept edges form stronger trailing vortex structures which interact strongly with the leading-edge vortices, combining to produce a regular stream of vortex loops shed into the wake. In this regime, the dominant Strouhal number increases to approximately 0.14–0.18. Higher Reynolds numbers and/or angles of attack result in a loss of centre plane reflection symmetry in the wake. The aerodynamic forces have been quantified as a function of the problem parameters and plate geometry.
Symmetry-plane model of 3D Euler flows and mapping to regular systems to improve blowup assessment using numerical and analytical solutions
Authors: Mulungye Rachel M. , Lucas Dan , Bustamante Miguel D.
Published: April 2015

Motivated by the work on stagnation-point-type exact solutions (with infinite energy) of 3D Euler fluid equations by Gibbon et al. (Physica D, vol. 132 (4), 1999, pp. 497–510) and the subsequent demonstration of finite-time blowup by Constantin (Int. Math. Res. Not. IMRN, vol. 9, 2000, pp. 455–465) we introduce a one-parameter family of models of the 3D Euler fluid equations on a 2D symmetry plane. Our models are seen as a deformation of the 3D Euler equations which respects the variational structure of the original equations so that explicit solutions can be found for the supremum norms of the basic fields: vorticity and stretching rate of vorticity. In particular, the value of the model’s parameter determines whether or not there is finite-time blowup, and the singularity time can be computed explicitly in terms of the initial conditions and the model’s parameter. We use a representative of this family of models, whose solution blows up at a finite time, as a benchmark for the systematic study of errors in numerical simulations. Using a high-order pseudospectral method, we compare the numerical integration of our ‘original’ model equations against a ‘mapped’ version of these equations. The mapped version is a globally regular (in time) system of equations, obtained via a bijective nonlinear mapping of time and fields from the original model equations. The mapping can be constructed explicitly whenever a Beale–Kato–Majda type of theorem is available therefore it is applicable to the 3D Euler equations (Bustamante, Physica D, vol. 240 (13), 2011, pp. 1092–1099). We show that the mapped system’s numerical solution leads to more accurate (by three orders of magnitude) estimates of supremum norms and singularity time compared with the original system. The numerical integration of the mapped equations is demonstrated to entail only a small extra computational cost. We study the Fourier spectrum of the model’s numerical solution and find that the analyticity strip width (a measure of the solution’s analyticity) tends to zero as a power law in a finite time. This is in agreement with the finite-time blowup of the fields’ supremum norms, in the light of rigorous bounds stemming from the bridge (Bustamante & Brachet, Phys. Rev. E, vol. 86 (6), 2012, 066302) between the analyticity-strip method and the Beale–Kato–Majda type of theorems. We conclude by discussing the implications of this research on the analysis of numerical solutions to the 3D Euler fluid equations.
Genome-wide interaction analysis of quantitative traits in outbred mice
Authors: MA WEIJUN , YUAN CHAOFENG , LIU HAIDONG , ZHENG WEI , ZHOU YING
Published: April 2015

With a large number of quantitative trait loci being identified in genome-wide association studies, researchers have become more interested in detecting interactions among genes or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In this research, we carried out a two-stage model selection procedure to detect interacting gene pairs or SNP pairs associated with four important traits of outbred mice, including glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride. In the first stage, a variance heterogeneity test was used to screen for candidate SNPs. In the second stage, the Lasso method and single pair analysis were used to select two-way interactions. Moreover, the shared Gene Ontology information about the selected interacting gene pairs was considered to study the interactions auxiliarily. Based on this method, we not only replicated the identification of important SNPs associated with each trait of outbred mice, but also found some SNP pairs and gene pairs with significant interaction effects on each trait. Simulation studies were also conducted to evaluate the performance of the two-stage method in different situations.
Changing livelihoods and protected area management: a case study of charcoal production in south-west Madagascar
Authors: Gardner Charlie J. , Gabriel Firengea U. L. , St. John Freya A. V. , Davies Zoe G.
Published: April 2015

Protected areas are usually conceived and managed as static entities, although this approach is increasingly viewed as unrealistic given climate change and ecosystem dynamics. The ways in which people use land and/or natural resources within and around protected areas can also shift and evolve temporally but this remains an under-acknowledged challenge for protected area managers. Here we investigate the factors driving a rapid rise in charcoal production within a new, multiple-use protected area in Madagascar, to inform appropriate management responses. We conducted a questionnaire survey of 208 charcoal producers to ascertain the mix of livelihood activities they practised in 2010/2011 and 5 years previously. Respondents had diversified their livelihood activities over time, and cultivation and pastoralism had decreased as primary sources of revenue. Reasons for the growing reliance on charcoal production include the reduced viability of alternative livelihoods (primarily farming), as a result of changing rainfall patterns and the loss of irrigation infrastructure, as well as a growing need for cash to support themselves and their families. Our results suggest that charcoal production is not a desirable activity but a safety net when times are difficult. Conservation efforts to ameliorate underlying factors driving livelihood change, such as dam restoration, could reduce the prevalence of charcoal production, but simultaneous action to cut demand is also required. We recommend that mechanisms to detect, understand and respond to social change are integrated systematically into protected area management planning, alongside traditional biodiversity monitoring.
Morphological allometry and intersexuality in horsehair-worm-infected mantids,Hierodula formosana(Mantodea: Mantidae)
Authors: CHIU MING-CHUNG , HUANG CHIN-GI , WU WEN-JER , SHIAO SHIUH-FENG
Published: April 2015

Parasitic castration is a strategy used by parasites to minimize damage to the host by consuming its reproductive system, which results in the morphological alteration of the host. We determined that the forewing shape and density of the antennal sensilla of field-collected adult male mantids (Hierodula formosana), infected by horsehair worms (Chordodes formosanus) was partially feminized (intersexuality), and both male and female mantids infected by horsehair worms exhibited allometric changes in their wings and walking legs. In addition, the testes of most infected male adults disappeared or reduced in size, whereas the number of ovarioles in infected female adults was unaffected. The infection mainly influenced the structures related to host reproduction and locomotion, suggesting unbalanced energy exploitation and the reduction of parasitic virulence. In addition, the intersexuality of infected male adults indicated that sexual differentiation in insects, which researchers have considered to be an autonomous process, was influenced by the infection. The similarity of the antennae of infected male adults with those of last-instar female nymphs suggested that parasitic juvenilization may cause such feminization, but the mechanism of parasitic influence on insect sex characteristics should be studied further.
Observations on Roman Pottery from Pudding Pan and the Thames Estuary and Early Surveys
Authors: Redknap Mark
Published: April 2015

Previously unpublished Roman pottery from the Thames Estuary was studied by the author in 1985 and 1986 for the voluntary body Marine Archaeological Surveys (MAS) and is presented as a contribution to wider initiatives on the Roman archaeology of this important social and economic artery between South-East England and the wider world. The purpose of this paper is to complement the ongoing review by Michael Walsh of Roman wrecks in UK waters (a research partnership between Southampton University and the British Museum) and that of the ‘Pudding Pan’ assemblage, much of which is in private collections.
Relative clause extraction: Pragmatic dominance, processing complexity and the nature of crosslinguistic variation
Authors: Löwenadler John
Published: April 2015

This paper concerns crosslinguistic differences in the acceptability of so-called relative clause extraction constructions, exemplified by the unacceptable English sentence *This boat I know the guy that owns(associated with the acceptable canonical sentenceI know the guy that owns this boat). It has sometimes been argued, since Ross (1967), that such extractions are universally blocked by a syntactic constraint. However, following observations of such structures in English and other languages, some linguists have argued that such sentences have varying degrees of acceptability and that the degree of acceptability depends on attention limits and pragmatic foregroundedness/backgroundedness. Another view which appears to have gained ground in recent years is one where the degree of acceptability is directly related to processing difficulty. The analysis presented in this paper is based on a comparison between English and Swedish, and includes authentic data, examples previously discussed in the literature, as well as acceptability-tested invented sentences. In the end it will be argued that, while the dominance- and processing-based proposals are on the right track, there is a more plausible and straightforward way of explaining the observed crosslinguistic variation using the theoretical framework of Construction Grammar. Thus, an alternative account will be presented drawing on general principles which are well established within cognitive- and construction-based theories.
Extracellular MRP8/14 is a regulator of β2 integrin-dependent neutrophil slow rolling and adhesion
Authors: Pruenster Monika , Kurz Angela R. M. , Chung Kyoung-Jin , Cao-Ehlker Xiao , Bieber Stephanie , Nussbaum Claudia F. , Bierschenk Susanne , Eggersmann Tanja K. , Rohwedder Ina , Heinig Kristina , Immler Roland , Moser Markus , Koedel Uwe , Gran Sandra , McEver Rodger P. , Vestweber Dietmar , Verschoor Admar , Leanderson Tomas , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Roth Johannes , Vogl Thomas , Sperandio Markus
Published: April 2015

Myeloid-related proteins (MRPs) 8 and 14 are cytosolic proteins secreted from myeloid cells as proinflammatory mediators. Currently, the functional role of circulating extracellular MRP8/14 is unclear. Our present study identifies extracellular MRP8/14 as an autocrine player in the leukocyte adhesion cascade. We show that E-selectin–PSGL-1 interaction during neutrophil rolling triggers Mrp8/14 secretion. Released MRP8/14 in turn activates a TLR4-mediated, Rap1-GTPase-dependent pathway of rapid β2 integrin activation in neutrophils. This extracellular activation loop reduces leukocyte rolling velocity and stimulates adhesion. Thus, we identify Mrp8/14 and TLR4 as important modulators of the leukocyte recruitment cascade during inflammation in vivo.
Fast imaging of live organisms with sculpted light sheets
Authors: Chmielewski Aleksander K. , Kyrsting Anders , Mahou Pierre , Wayland Matthew T. , Muresan Leila , Evers Jan Felix , Kaminski Clemens F.
Published: April 2015

Light-sheet microscopy is an increasingly popular technique in the life sciences due to its fast 3D imaging capability of fluorescent samples with low photo toxicity compared to confocal methods. In this work we present a new, fast, flexible and simple to implement method to optimize the illumination light-sheet to the requirement at hand. A telescope composed of two electrically tuneable lenses enables us to define thickness and position of the light-sheet independently but accurately within milliseconds and therefore optimize image quality of the features of interest interactively. We demonstrated the practical benefit of this technique by 1) assembling large field of views from tiled single exposure each with individually optimized illumination settings; 2) sculpting the light-sheet to trace complex sample shapes within single exposures. This technique proved compatible with confocal line scanning detection, further improving image contrast and resolution. Finally, we determined the effect of light-sheet optimization in the context of scattering tissue, devising procedures for balancing image quality, field of view and acquisition speed.
A decline of LAMP- 2 predicts ursodeoxycholic acid response in primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Wang Lu , Guo Guan-ya , Wang Jing-bo , Zhou Xin-min , Yang Qiong , Han Zhe-yi , Li Qiang , Zhang Jing-wen , Cai Yun , Ren Xiao-li , Zhou Xia , Chen Rui-rui , Shi Yong-quan , Han Ying , Fan Dai-ming
Published: April 2015

Biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is variable. We have previously reported that augmented expression of lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP-2) was correlated with the severity of PBC. This study aimed to determine whether serum LAMP-2 could serve as a predictor of biochemical response to UDCA. The efficiency of serum LAMP-2 to predict biochemical response was assessed after 1 year of UDCA treatment in PBC patients by a retrospective analysis. We found that the basal serum LAMP-2 level was increased in PBC, especially in patients with stage III-IV (p = 0.010) or TBIL > 1 mg/dL (p = 0.014). Baseline serum LAMP-2 was higher in non-responders than that in responders, but the difference was statistically insignificant. However, after UDCA treatment, serum LAMP-2 level decreased prominently in the first 3 months, which was more obvious in responders. Further studies showed that the 35% decline of LAMP-2 after treatment for 3 months could be stated as an indicator of UDCA response with the sensitivity of 62.9% and specificity of 75.0% by Paris criteria. Meanwhile the specificity and sensitivity were identified as 63.5% and 64.1% by Barcelona criteria. Together, a decline in LAMP-2 might help to predict the response to UDCA.
Maximum-likelihood method identifies meiotic restitution mechanism from heterozygosity transmission of centromeric loci: application in citrus
Authors: Cuenca José , Aleza Pablo , Juárez José , García-Lor Andrés , Froelicher Yann , Navarro Luis , Ollitrault Patrick
Published: April 2015

Polyploidisation is a key source of diversification and speciation in plants. Most researchers consider sexual polyploidisation leading to unreduced gamete as its main origin. Unreduced gametes are useful in several crop breeding schemes. Their formation mechanism, i.e., First-Division Restitution (FDR) or Second-Division Restitution (SDR), greatly impacts the gametic and population structures and, therefore, the breeding efficiency. Previous methods to identify the underlying mechanism required the analysis of a large set of markers over large progeny. This work develops a new maximum-likelihood method to identify the unreduced gamete formation mechanism both at the population and individual levels using independent centromeric markers. Knowledge of marker-centromere distances greatly improves the statistical power of the comparison between the SDR and FDR hypotheses. Simulating data demonstrated the importance of selecting markers very close to the centromere to obtain significant conclusions at individual level. This new method was used to identify the meiotic restitution mechanism in nineteen mandarin genotypes used as female parents in triploid citrus breeding. SDR was identified for 85.3% of 543 triploid hybrids and FDR for 0.6%. No significant conclusions were obtained for 14.1% of the hybrids. At population level SDR was the predominant mechanisms for the 19 parental mandarins.
Multiple myeloma acquires resistance to EGFR inhibitor via induction of pentose phosphate pathway
Authors: Chen Yan , Huang Ruibin , Ding Jianghua , Ji Dexiang , Song Bing , Yuan Liya , Chang Hong , Chen Guoan
Published: April 2015

Multiple myeloma (MM) was characterized by frequent mutations in KRAS/NRAS/BRAF within the EGFR pathway that could induce resistance to EGFR inhibitors. We here report that EGFR inhibition solely exhibited moderate inhibition in KRAS/NRAS/BRAF wildtype (triple-WT) MM cells, whilst had no effect in myeloma cells with any of the mutated genes. The moderate inhibitory effect was conferred by induction of pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) when cells were treated with Gefitinib, the EGFR inhibitor. Combination of Gefitinib with PPP inhibitor 6AN effected synergistically in triple-WT cells. The inhibition could be restored by addition of NADPH. Dual EGFR/ERBB2 inhibitor Afatinib also exhibited similar effects. Further genetic silencing of EGFR, ERBB2 and mTOR indicated that major effect conferred by ERBB2 was via convergence to EGFR pathway in MM. Our results contributed to the individualized targeted therapy with EGFR inhibitors in MM.
Electrical and thermal transport properties of Pb1−xSnxSe solid solution thermoelectric materials
Authors: Wu Chao-Feng , Wei Tian-Ran , Li Jing-Feng
Published: April 2015

Semiconducting characteristics of Pb1−xSnxSe solid solutions were investigated to reveal the Sn substitution effects on thermoelectric performance.
Synthesis, biological evaluation and QSAR studies of diarylpentanoid analogues as potential nitric oxideinhibitors
Authors: Mohd Faudzi S. M. , Leong S. W. , Abas F. , Mohd Aluwi M. F. F. , Rullah K. , Lam K. W. , Ahmad S. , Tham C. L. , Shaari K. , Lajis N. H.
Published: April 2015

A series of forty-five diarylpentadienone analogues were synthesized and were screened for their anti-inflammatory properties. Compound 7d had potent nitric oxide (NO) activity with an IC50 value of 10.24 μM.
Nanocrystalline cellulose grafted phthalocyanine: a heterogeneous catalyst for selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols and alkyl arenes at room temperature in a green solvent
Authors: Chauhan Prashant , Yan Ning
Published: April 2015

A Cu-tetrasulfonate-phthalocyanine was conjugated to cationic cellulose nanocrystals which serve as a heterogeneous based catalyst for aerobic oxidation of alcohols and alkyl arenes at room temperature in aqueous medium.
Suppression of protein aggregation by gold nanoparticles: a new way to store and transport proteins
Authors: Das Anindita , Chakrabarti Abhijit , Das Puspendu K.
Published: April 2015

Suppression of protein aggregation by gold nanoparticles under physiological conditions and its dependence on the nanoparticle size.
Design and characterization of protein films for modeling near-infrared spectra of human tissue
Authors: Karunathilaka Sanjeewa R. , Small Gary W.
Published: April 2015

Films of keratin and collagen proteins are fabricated for use in implementing a laboratory simulation of noninvasive glucose measurements based on transmission near-infrared spectroscopy of human tissue.
A highly sensitive homogeneous electrochemical assay for alkaline phosphatase activity based on single molecular beacon-initiated T7 exonuclease-mediated signal amplification
Authors: Zhang Lianfang , Hou Ting , Li Haiyin , Li Feng
Published: April 2015

A highly sensitive homogeneous electrochemical assay for alkaline phosphatase activity based on single molecular beacon-initiated T7 exonuclease-assisted signal amplification.
The effect of amorphous calcium phosphate on protein protection against thermal denaturation
Authors: Yang Yuling , Wang Guangchuan , Zhu Genxing , Xu Xurong , Pan Haihua , Tang Ruikang
Published: April 2015

The amorphous calcium phosphate can maintain a stable semi-aqueous nanoscale environment for encapsulated catalase to significantly improve its thermal stability.
Achieving room temperature DNA amplification by dialling in destabilization
Authors: Alladin-Mustan B. Safeenaz , Mitran Catherine J. , Gibbs-Davis Julianne M.
Published: April 2015

The ability to amplify nucleic acid sequences at room temperature without the need for any heating element has been achieved, which has promise in bio-diagnostics employed at the point of care.
Base or nucleophile? DFT finally elucidates the origin of the selectivity between the competitive reactions triggered by MeLi or LDA on propanal
Authors: Marchois J. , Fressigné C. , Lecachey B. , Maddaluno J.
Published: April 2015

Why is LDA such a good base while MeLi is mainly a nucleophile? This communication presents a DFT theoretical study comparing side by side the mechanistic pathways followed during the deprotonation and nucleophilic addition of these two reagents, solvated by THF, onto propanal.
Macrocyclic polyenynes: a stereoselective route to vinyl-ether-containing skipped diene systems
Authors: Ronson Thomas O. , Voelkel Martin H. H. , Taylor Richard J. K. , Fairlamb Ian J. S.
Published: April 2015

Novel macrocyclic polyenyne 1, with skipped unsaturation, has been constructed using Pd-catalysed cross-coupling, Wittig olefination and lithiation/alkylation methodologies; the final Stille macrocyclisation utilised the promising precatalyst, AsCat.
Oxidant controlled regio- and stereodivergent azidohydroxylation of alkenes via I2 catalysis
Authors: Prasad P. K. , Reddi R. N. , Sudalai A.
Published: April 2015

A novel, I2 catalyzed regio- and stereodivergent vicinal azidohydroxylation of alkenes leading to 1,2-azidoalcohols in high yields (up to 92%) and excellent dr (up to 98%) has been developed.
CO2 sensing of La0.875Ca0.125FeO3 in wet vapor: a comparison of experimental results and first-principles calculations
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Chen Yanping , Qin Hongwei , Li Ling , Shi Changmin , Liu Liang , Hu Jifan
Published: April 2015

La0.875Ca0.125FeO3 can serve as a CO2 sensor in wet air, and water vapor weakens the CO2 sensing response.
A DFT-based genetic algorithm search for AuCu nanoalloy electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction
Authors: Lysgaard Steen , Mýrdal Jón S. G. , Hansen Heine A. , Vegge Tejs
Published: April 2015

The global minimum for a 309-atom icosahedral Au–Cu nanoalloy is identified, with potential application for electrochemical production of CO.
Modelling proton tunnelling in the adenine–thymine base pair
Authors: Godbeer A. D. , Al-Khalili J. S. , Stevenson P. D.
Published: April 2015

Environment-assisted quantum tunnelling is unlikely to play a significant role in adenine–thymine tautomerisation.
Dynamics of aqueous binary glass-formers confined in MCM-41
Authors: Elamin Khalid , Jansson Helén , Swenson Jan
Published: April 2015

A typical fit of dielectric loss data (left) and glass transition temperatures of confined and bulk solutions of PG and PGME (right).
Alcohol-soluble bis(tpy)thiophenes: new building units for constitutional dynamic conjugated polyelectrolytes
Authors: Štenclová-Bláhová Pavla , Svoboda Jan , Šloufová Ivana , Vohlídal Jiří
Published: April 2015

Constitutional dynamics and spectral properties of conjugated ionic unimers and their metallo-supramolecular dynamers with Zn(ii) and Fe(ii) ion couplers are presented together with new knowledge on the MLCT band of bis(tpy)Fe(ii) units.
Microstructure analysis of complex CuO/ZnO@carbon adsorbers: what are the limits of powder diffraction methods?
Authors: Tseng J. C. , Schmidt W. , Sager U. , Däuber E. , Pommerin A. , Weidenthaler C.
Published: April 2015

The limits of microstructure analysis via WPPM have been evaluated for complex mixtures of oxides embedded in an activated carbon matrix.
In situ synthesis of Ni(OH)2nanobelt modified electroactive poly(vinylidene fluoride) thin films: remarkable improvement in dielectric properties
Authors: Thakur Pradip , Kool Arpan , Bagchi Biswajoy , Hoque Nur Amin , Das Sukhen , Nandy Papiya
Published: April 2015

Development of Ni(OH)2nanobelt modified electroactive PVDF thin films with colossal dielectric constantsviaa simplein situprocess.
Self-assembly and coverage dependent thermally induced conformational changes of Ni(ii)-meso-tetrakis (4-tert-butylphenyl) benzoporphyrin on Cu(111)
Authors: Zhang Liang , Lepper Michael , Stark Michael , Lungerich Dominik , Jux Norbert , Hieringer Wolfgang , Steinrück Hans-Peter , Marbach Hubertus
Published: April 2015

Irreversible intramolecular conformation change induced by a coverage-dependent dehydrogenative intramolecular aryl–aryl coupling reaction was observed for Ni-TTBPBP on Cu(111).
Engineering the electronic bandgaps and band edge positions in carbon-substituted 2D boron nitride: a first-principles investigation
Authors: Shirodkar Sharmila N. , Waghmare Umesh V. , Fisher Timothy S. , Grau-Crespo Ricardo
Published: April 2015

Band alignment of 2D carbon–boron nitride alloys informs routes toward applications in photocatalysis and electronics.
Three new luminescent Cd(ii)-MOFs by regulating the tetracarboxylate and auxiliary co-ligands, displaying high sensitivity for Fe3+ in aqueous solution
Authors: Wu Yunlong , Yang Guo-Ping , Zhou Xiang , Li Jiang , Ning Yan , Wang Yao-Yu
Published: April 2015

Three new luminescent Cd(ii)-MOFs have been synthesized by regulating the steric effect of tetracarboxylate and auxiliary co-ligands. Notably, 3 displayed high sensitivity for Fe3+ in aqueous solution with mixed ions.
Synthesis, characterization, photophysics and electrochemical study of luminescent iridium(iii) complexes with isocyanoborate ligands
Authors: Chan Kin-Cheung , Chu Wing-Kin , Yiu Shek-Man , Ko Chi-Chiu
Published: April 2015

Highly phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes with isocyanoborate ligands.
Syntheses, structures and theoretical investigations of [Au10S2(PPh2)2(dppma2)4(dppma3)]·[Au6S2(dppma2)2(dppma3)]
Authors: Yu Wen , Guggolz Lukas , Fuhr Olaf , Fenske Dieter , Dehnen Stefanie
Published: April 2015

The synthesis, crystal structure and theoretical studies of a high-nuclear gold(i) complex stabilized by bridging aromatic phosphane ligands are reported.
Toona Sinensis ameliorates insulin resistance via AMPK and PPARγ pathways
Authors: Liu Hung-Wen , Huang Wen-Cheng , Yu Wen-Jen , Chang Sue-Joan
Published: April 2015

Toona sinensis improves insulin sensitivity in high-fat-fed mice and directly stimulates glucose uptake via AMPKα in C2C12 myotubes.
Conformational analysis on the wild type and mutated forms of human ORF1p: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Muthukumaran Rajagopalan , Sangeetha Balasubramanian , Amutha Ramaswamy
Published: April 2015

Structural dynamics of human ORF1p emphasizes the role of Tyr282 in regulating ribonucleoprotein complex formation.
Target-based analysis of ionization states of bioactive compounds
Authors: Kayastha Shilva , de la Vega de León Antonio , Dimova Dilyana , Bajorath Jürgen
Published: April 2015

Ionization states within a chemical neighborhood. Shown are an acidic and a basic analog of a neutral compound.
A novel branched TAT47–57 peptide for selective Ni2+ introduction into the human fibrosarcoma cell nucleus
Authors: Szyrwiel Łukasz , Shimura Mari , Shirataki Junko , Matsuyama Satoshi , Matsunaga Akihiro , Setner Bartosz , Szczukowski Łukasz , Szewczuk Zbigniew , Yamauchi Kazuto , Malinka Wiesław , Chavatte Laurent , Łobinski Ryszard
Published: April 2015

A TAT47–57 peptide was modified on the N-terminus by elongation with a 2,3-diaminopropionic acid residue and then by coupling of two histidine residues on its N-atoms. This branched peptide could bind to Ni under physiological conditions as a 1 : 1 complex. We demonstrated that the complex was quantitatively taken up by human fibrosarcoma cells, in contrast to Ni2+ ions. Ni localization (especially at the nuclei) was confirmed by imaging using both scanning X-ray fluorescence microscopy and Newport Green fluorescence. A competitive assay with Newport Green showed that the latter displaced the peptide ligand from the Ni-complex. Ni2+ delivered as a complex with the designed peptide induced substantially more DNA damage than when introduced as a free ion. The availability of such a construct opens up the way to investigate the importance of the nucleus as a target for the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity or carcinogenicity of Ni2+.
Zwitterionic group 4 aminophenolate catalysts for the polymerization of lactides and ethylene
Authors: Roymuhury Sagnik K. , Chakraborty Debashis , Ramkumar Venkatachalam
Published: April 2015

A series of group 4 metal chloride complexes based on aminophenol ligands were synthesized and characterized by conventional spectroscopic techniques, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography.
Broadband optical limiting response of a graphene–PbS nanohybrid
Authors: Zhao Min , Peng Rui , Zheng Qi , Wang Qiang , Chang Meng-Jie , Liu Yu , Song Ying-Lin , Zhang Hao-Li
Published: April 2015

We have developed a facile method to synthesize a novel rGO–PbS nanohybrid which exhibited excellent optical limiting properties at both 532 nm and 1064 nm irradiation.
Diels–Alder functionalized carbon nanotubes for bone tissue engineering: in vitro/in vivo biocompatibility and biodegradability
Authors: Mata D. , Amaral M. , Fernandes A. J. S. , Colaço B. , Gama A. , Paiva M. C. , Gomes P. S. , Silva R. F. , Fernandes M. H.
Published: April 2015

Diels–Alder functionalization accounts for the improved CNT biological response in terms of biocompatibility and biodegradability profiles.
Towards sugar-derived polyamides as environmentally friendly materials
Authors: Wroblewska Aleksandra , Zych Arkadiusz , Thiyagarajan Shanmugam , Dudenko Dmytro , van Es Daan , Hansen Michael Ryan , Koning Cor , Duchateau Rob , Jasinska-Walc Lidia
Published: April 2015

As part of our ongoing study investigating isohexide-based polyamides, we have synthesized isosorbide(bis(propan-1-amine)) (DAPIS) and studied its reactivity in the polymerization towards fully biobased polyamides.
Theoretical insight into the strain effect on the intercalation potential of Li–FePO4 materials
Authors: Laref S. , Laref A.
Published: April 2015

We conducted a theoretical investigation on the relative energetic and magnetic stabilities of Li–FePO4 using density functional theory combined with GGA + U.
Plasma as a tool for enhancing insulation properties of polymer composites
Authors: Puliyalil H. , Cvelbar U. , Filipič G. , Petrič A. D. , Zaplotnik R. , Recek N. , Mozetič M. , Thomas S.
Published: April 2015

A novel method for improving the CTI performance level of polyphenol composites by oxygen plasma selective etching.
Petroleum hydrocarbon degrading bacteria associated with chitosan as effective particle-stabilizers for oil emulsification
Authors: Gong Haiyue , Li Yiming , Bao Mutai , Lv Dong , Wang Zhining
Published: April 2015

Bacteria act as an effective oil emulsifier with chitosan in sea water, together with its dramatically enhanced biodegradation.
Morphology and properties of porous polyimide films prepared through thermally induced phase separation
Authors: Li Zhonglun , Zou Huawei , Liu Pengbo
Published: April 2015

Porous polyimide (PI) synthesized from 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA) monomers is a promising material with an ultralow-dielectric constant.
Brønsted acid-catalysed intramolecular ring opening of 2-(aryloxymethyl)-3-aryloxiranes leading to trans-4-arylchroman-3-ols: scope and limitations
Authors: Devi Runjun , Kalita Tapasi , Das Sajal Kumar
Published: April 2015

A simple and metal-free method for the synthesis of a series oftrans-4-arylchroman-3-olsviaBrønsted acid-catalysed stereoselective intramolecular Friedel–Crafts alkylation of electron-rich arenes by tethered epoxides is developed.
Construction of semi-fluorinated amphiphilic graft copolymer bearing a poly(2-methyl-1,4-bistrifluorovinyloxybenzene) backbone and poly(ethylene glycol) side chains via the grafting-onto strategy
Authors: Lu Guolin , Liu Hao , Gao Haifeng , Feng Chun , Li Yongjun , Huang Xiaoyu
Published: April 2015

Amphiphilic graft copolymers bearing a hydrophobic PMBTFVB backbone and hydrophilic PEG side chains were synthesized by Williamson reaction through the grafting-onto strategy.
Spin rotation driven ferroelectric polarization with a 180° flop in double-perovskite Lu2CoMnO6
Authors: Xin Chao , Sui Yu , Wang Yi , Wang Yang , Wang Xianjie , Liu Zhiguo , Li Bingsheng , Liu Xiaoyang
Published: April 2015

The exchange strictive effect and spin-charge ordering are both active in double-perovskite Lu2CoMnO6, thus inducing a large ferroelectric polarization along the b-axis. This study provides an effective way to research and design high performance magnetoelectric materials.
Molecular design of N–NO2substituted cycloalkanes derivatives Cm(N–NO2)mfor energetic materials with high detonation performance and low impact sensitivity
Authors: Guo Yan-Yan , Chi Wei-Jie , Li Ze-Sheng , Li Quan-Song
Published: April 2015

Cycloalkane derivatives Cm(N–NO2)mexhibit notable detonation properties and remarkable stability for potential energetic materials.
Starch-coated maghemite nanoparticles functionalized by a novel cobalt Schiff base complex catalyzes selective aerobic benzylic C–H oxidation
Authors: Jafarpour Maasoumeh , Rezaeifard Abdolreza , Yasinzadeh Vahid , Kargar Hossein
Published: April 2015

The CoL2@SMNP nanocatalyst catalyzed heterogeneous aerobic oxidation of benzylic C–H bonds of saturated hydrocarbons and alcohols to the related carbonyl compounds.
Insulin templated synthesis of single-crystalline silver nanocables with ultrathin Ag cores
Authors: Tao Lu , Gao Yukun , Wu Pinju , Lu Xiong , Gao Faming
Published: April 2015

Ultrathin single-crystalline silver nanocables (13 nm core diameter, 1.5 nm sheath thickness) were self-assembled by using insulin fibril templates.
Orange red emitting naphthalene diimide derivative containing dendritic wedges: aggregation induced emission (AIE) and detection of picric acid (PA)
Authors: Lasitha P. , Prasad Edamana
Published: April 2015

Herein we report the synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of novel naphthalene diimide (NDI) derivatives containing naphthalene units which are covalently attached to either end of the NDI.
Synthesis of polyacrylonitrile by reversible-deactivation radical polymerization and its application as electrode materials for electrochemical double layer capacitors
Authors: Xu Yuanyuan , Sun Jinming , Chen Hou , Bai Liangjiu
Published: April 2015

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was firstly synthesized using Fe(acac)2 as the mediator via “living”/controlled radical polymerization method.
Crystallization-induced dual emission from metal- and heavy atom-free aromatic acids and esters
Authors: Gong Yongyang , Zhao Lifang , Peng Qian , Fan Di , Yuan Wang Zhang , Zhang Yongming , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: April 2015

Crystallization-induced dual emission (fluorescence and phosphorescence) is observed in a group of pure organic aromatic acids and esters.
Vertically aligned VO2(B) nanobelt forest and its three-dimensional structure on oriented graphene for energy storage
Authors: Ren Guofeng , Hoque Md Nadim Ferdous , Pan Xuan , Warzywoda Juliusz , Fan Zhaoyang
Published: April 2015

Assembling two-dimensional graphene and VO2(B) nanomaterials into an ordered three-dimensional forest structure for high performance lithium ion batteries.
Ultra-thin SiC layer covered graphene nanosheets as advanced photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution
Authors: Zhou Xunfu , Gao Qiongzhi , Li Xin , Liu Yingju , Zhang Shengsen , Fang Yueping , Li Jun
Published: April 2015

An in situ growth method has been developed to prepare SiC–graphene hybrids, which exhibit high activities and photostabilities for water splitting.
Sr2(OH)3NO3: the first nitrate as a deep UV nonlinear optical material with large SHG responses
Authors: Huang Ling , Zou Guohong , Cai Huaqiang , Wang Shichao , Lin Chensheng , Ye Ning
Published: April 2015

A noncentrosymmetric nitrate Sr2(OH)3NO3 has been synthesized which is the first nitrate as a promising deep-UV nonlinear optical material.
Radiative and non-radiative decay rate of K2SiF6:Mn4+ phosphors
Authors: Kim Minseuk , Park Woon Bae , Bang Bokeuk , Kim Chang Hae , Sohn Kee-Sun
Published: April 2015

Mn4+-activated K2SiF6 phosphors for use in light emitting diode (LED) applications have recently attracted a great deal of attention since they exhibit an advantage over conventional wide band-type red-light-emitting phosphors.