bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Misclassification of iodine intake level from morning spot urine samples with high iodine excretion among Inuit and non-Inuit in Greenland
Authors: Andersen Stig , Waagepetersen Rasmus , Laurberg Peter
Published: April 2015

Iodine nutrition is commonly assessed from iodine excretion in urine. A 24 h urine sample is ideal, but it is cumbersome and inconvenient. Hence, spot urine samples with creatinine to adjust for differences in void volume are widely used. Still, the importance of ethnicity and the timing of spot urine samples need to be settled. We, thus, collected 104 early morning spot urine samples and 24 h urine samples from Inuit and non-Inuit living in Greenland. Diet was assessed by a FFQ. Demographic data were collected from the national registry and by questionnaires. Iodine was measured using the Sandell–Kolthoff reaction, creatinine using the Jaffe method and para-amino benzoic acid by the HPLC method for the estimation of completeness of urine sampling and compensation of incomplete urine samples to 24 h excretion. A population-based recruitment was done from the capital city, a major town and a settlement (n 36/48/20). Participants were seventy-eight Inuit and twenty-six non-Inuit. The median 24 h iodine excretion was 138 (25th–75th percentile 89–225) μg/97 (25th–75th percentile 72–124) μg in Inuit/non-Inuit (P= 0·030), and 153 (25th–75th percentile 97–251) μg/102 (25th–75th percentile 73–138) μg (P= 0·026) when including compensated iodine excretion. Iodine excretion in 24 h urine samples increased with a rising intake of traditional Inuit foods (P= 0·005). Iodine excretion was lower in morning spot urine samples than in 24 h urine samples (P< 0·001). This difference was associated with iodine intake levels (P< 0·001), and was statistically significant when the iodine excretion level was above 150 μg/24 h. In conclusion, the iodine intake level was underestimated from morning spot urine samples if iodine excretion was above the recommended level.
Post-meal perceivable satiety and subsequent energy intake with intake of partially hydrolysed guar gum
Authors: Rao Theertham Pradyumna , Hayakawa Mariko , Minami Tadayasu , Ishihara Noriyuki , Kapoor Mahendra Parkash , Ohkubo Tsutomu , Juneja Lekh Raj , Wakabayashi Kazuo
Published: April 2015

Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG), a soluble dietary fibre, has been shown to provide many health benefits. Previous studies had suggested that the combination of PHGG with protein provided a significant satiation effect on visual analogue scales (VAS). What was lacking was only the effect of administration of small doses of PHGG on post-meal satiation and subsequent energy intake. The objectives of the present investigations were to find the subjective perception of post-meal satiety with acute and long term administration of small amounts of PHGG alone with food, its effects on subsequent energy intake and the comparative effects among different types of soluble fibres. The following three separate studies were conducted: in study 1, healthy subjects (n 12) consumed PHGG along with breakfast, lunch and an evening snack; in study 2, healthy subjects (n 24) consumed 2 g of PHGG or dextrin along with yogurt as breakfast for 2 weeks; in study 3, healthy subjects (n 6) took 6 g each of either PHGG or indigestible dextrin or inulin along with lunch. In all the studies, various satiety parameters were measured on VAS before and after consumption of PHGG. The addition of PHGG showed significant (P< 0·05) acute (studies 1 and 3) and long-term (studies 1 and 2) satiety effects compared to the control and/or an equal amount of carbohydrate or other types of soluble fibre. Study 2 also indicated that the prolonged consumption of PHGG may significantly (P< 0·05) reduce energy intake from whole-day snacking. PHGG could be an ideal natural soluble fibre for delivering acute and long term satiety effects for comfortable appetite control.
The effect of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) on growth performance, fatty acid composition and expression of ARA metabolism-related genes in larval half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis)
Authors: Yuan Yuhui , Li Songlin , Mai Kangsen , Xu Wei , Zhang Yanjiao , Ai Qinghui
Published: April 2015

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) on growth performance, fatty acid composition and ARA metabolism-related gene expression in larval half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Larvae (35 d after hatching, 54 (sem1) mg) were fed diets with graded concentrations of ARA (0·01, 0·39, 0·70, 1·07, 1·42 and 2·86 % dry weight) five times per d to apparent satiation for 30 d. Results showed that increased dietary ARA concentration caused a significant non-linear rise to a plateau in survival rate, final body weight and thermal growth coefficient, and the maximum values occurred with the 1·42 % ARA treatment. As dietary ARA increased to 1·07 or 1·42 %, activities of trypsin, leucine aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase levels increased, but they decreased with higher ARA concentrations. The fatty acid composition of tongue sole larvae was almost well correlated with their dietary fatty acid profiles, and the EPA content of the larvae decreased with increasing dietary ARA. Meanwhile, the partial sequences ofCOX-1a(cyclo-oxygenase-1a),COX-1b(cyclo-oxygenase-1b),COX-2(cyclo-oxygenase-2),5-LOX(5-lipoxygenase) andCYP2J6-like(cytochrome P450 2J6-like) were also obtained. BothCOX-2and5-LOXmRNA expression levels significantly increased to a plateau in an ‘L’-shaped manner as dietary ARA increased to 1·07 or 1·42 %, but no significant differences were found in the gene expression ofCOX-1a,COX-1borCYP2J6-like. These results suggest that 1·07–1·42 % dietary ARA was beneficial to the growth performance of larval tongue sole, and the regulation of dietary ARA on the growth performance of larvae was probably involved in altering the mRNA expression ofCOX-2and5-LOX.
Antifeedant activity of xanthohumol and supercritical carbon dioxide extract of spent hops against stored product pests
Authors: Jackowski J. , Hurej M. , Rój E. , Popłoński J. , Kośny L. , Huszcza E.
Published: April 2015

Xanthohumol, a prenylated flavonoid from hops, and a supercritical carbon dioxide extract of spent hops were studied for their antifeedant activity against stored product insect pests: Sitophilus granarius L., Tribolium confusum Duv. and Trogoderma granarium Everts. Xanthohumol exhibited medium deterrent activity against the adults of S. granarius L. and larvae of T. confusum Duv. The spent hops extract was more active than xanthohumol towards the adults of T. confusum Duv. The potential application of the crude spent hops extract as a feeding deterrent against the stored product pests is proposed.
Securing Social Governability: Party-Movement Relationships in Lula's Brazil
Authors: GÓMEZ BRUERA HERNÁN F.
Published: April 2015

This article provides a new interpretation of the changes that occur in party-civil society relations when progressive parties of mass-based origin gain state power by looking at the experience of the Brazilian Workers’ Party (PT) during the Lula administration. The need to preserve what is defined here as ‘social governability’ changes the nature of party-movement relationships when political parties move from opposition to government. The article shows how the PT in national executive public office, to a large extent, managed to secure social governability through reward-based linkages, such as the distribution of jobs in the state apparatus and the allocation of massive state subsidies.
Biography and Homoeopathy in Bengal: Colonial lives of a European heterodoxy
Authors: DAS SHINJINI
Published: April 2015

Despite being recognized as a significant literary mode in understanding the advent of the modern self, biographies as agenrehave received relatively little attention from South Asian historians. Likewise, histories of science and healing in British India have largely ignored the colonial trajectories of those sectarian, dissenting, supposedly pseudo-sciences and medical heterodoxies that have flourished in Europe since the late eighteenth century. This article addresses these gaps in the historiography to identify biographies as a principal mode through which an incipient, ‘heterodox’ Western science like homoeopathy could consolidate and sustain itself in Bengal. In recovering the cultural history of a category that the state archives render largely invisible, this article argues that biographies are more than a mere repository of individual lives, and in fact are a veritable site of power. In bringing histories of print and publishing, histories of medicine, and histories of life writing practices together, it pursues two broad themes: first, it analyses the sociocultural strategies and networks by which scientific doctrines and concepts are translated across cultural borders. It explores the relation between medical commerce, print capital, and therapeutic knowledge to illustrate that acculturation of medical science necessarily drew upon and reinforced local constellations of class, kinship, and religion. Second, it simultaneously reflects upon the expanding genre of homoeopathic biographies published since the mid-nineteenth century: on their features, relevance, and functions, examining in particular the contemporary status of biography vis-à-vis ‘history’ in writing objective pasts.
Is there a place for nutrition-sensitive agriculture?
Authors: Wambugu Florence , Obukosia Silas , Gaffney Jim , Kamanga Daniel , Che Ping , Albertsen Marc C. , Zhao Zuo-Yu , Ragland Lonnetta , Yeye Mary , Kimani Esther , Aba Daniel , Gidado Rose , Solomon B. O. , Njuguna Michael
Published: April 2015

The focus of the review paper is to discuss how biotechnological innovations are opening new frontiers to mitigate nutrition in key agricultural crops with potential for large-scale health impact to people in Africa. The general objective of the Africa Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) project is to develop and deploy sorghum with enhanced pro-vitamin A to farmers and end-users in Africa to alleviate vitamin A-related micronutrient deficiency diseases. To achieve this objective the project technology development team has developed several promising high pro-vitamin A sorghum events. ABS 203 events are so far the most advanced and well-characterised lead events with about 12 μg β-carotene/g tissue which would supply about 40–50 % of the daily recommended vitamin A at harvest. Through gene expression optimisation other events with higher amounts of pro-vitamin A, including ABS 214, ABS 235, ABS 239 with 25, 30–40, 40–50 μg β-carotene/g tissue, respectively, have been developed. ABS 239 would provide twice recommended pro-vitamin A at harvest, 50–90 % after 3 months storage and 13–45 % after 6 months storage for children. Preliminary results of introgression of ABS pro-vitamin A traits into local sorghum varieties in target countries Nigeria and Kenya show stable introgression of ABS vitamin A into local farmer-preferred sorghums varieties. ABS gene Intellectual Property Rights and Freedom to Operate have been donated for use royalty free for Africa. Prior to the focus on the current target countries, the project was implemented by fourteen institutions in Africa and the USA. For the next 5 years, the project will complete ABS product development, complete regulatory science data package and apply for product deregulation in target African countries.
My 65 years in protein chemistry
Authors: Scheraga Harold A.
Published: April 2015

This is a tour of a physical chemist through 65 years of protein chemistry from the time when emphasis was placed on the determination of the size and shape of the protein molecule as a colloidal particle, with an early breakthrough by James Sumner, followed by Linus Pauling and Fred Sanger, that a protein was a real molecule, albeit a macromolecule. It deals with the recognition of the nature and importance of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions in determining the structure, properties, and biological function of proteins until the present acquisition of an understanding of the structure, thermodynamics, and folding pathways from a linear array of amino acids to a biological entity. Along the way, with a combination of experiment and theoretical interpretation, a mechanism was elucidated for the thrombin-induced conversion of fibrinogen to a fibrin blood clot and for the oxidative-folding pathways of ribonuclease A. Before the atomic structure of a protein molecule was determined by x-ray diffraction or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, experimental studies of the fundamental interactions underlying protein structure led to several distance constraints which motivated the theoretical approach to determine protein structure, and culminated in the Empirical Conformational Energy Program for Peptides (ECEPP), an all-atom force field, with which the structures of fibrous collagen-like proteins and the 46-residue globular staphylococcal protein A were determined. To undertake the study of larger globular proteins, a physics-based coarse-grained UNited-RESidue (UNRES) force field was developed, and applied to the protein-folding problem in terms of structure, thermodynamics, dynamics, and folding pathways. Initially, single-chain and, ultimately, multiple-chain proteins were examined, and the methodology was extended to protein–protein interactions and to nucleic acids and to protein–nucleic acid interactions. The ultimate results led to an understanding of a variety of biological processes underlying natural and disease phenomena.
Remembering “txt” but not “text”: The effect of context and lexicality on memory for text message abbreviations
Authors: TAT MICHAEL J. , AZUMA TAMIKO
Published: April 2015

Text messages often contain abbreviations allowing for an efficient manner to quickly convey content. Although text abbreviations typically contain fewer letters than words, research has demonstrated that they are processed more slowly. Text abbreviations are lexically unique compared to their fully spelled counterparts. This study examined the nature of episodic memory representations for text abbreviations and how top-down contextual information influences the encoding of text abbreviations. In this experiment, participants studied sentences that contained different types of abbreviations: deletions (e.g., tmrw), substitutions (e.g., 2mrw) or “pseudo” abbreviations (e.g., toorow). The sentences were presented within a conversational context or without context. In a recognition memory test, participants saw sentences from the study task that contained either the same abbreviation or a different type of abbreviation. Results revealed that conversational context increased both hits and false recognition rates in the memory test. False recognition rates were generally higher for abbreviation types that shared more surface feature overlap and lower for those that shared less surface feature overlap. The findings suggest text abbreviations have distinct episodic memory representations that incorporate their unique surface feature information and are closely associated to fully spelled lexical memory representations.
Energy content of target and electron flow in femtosecond laser target interactions
Authors: Nardi Eran , Zinamon Zeev , Maron Yitzhak
Published: April 2015

The heating of the titanium foil in a recent femtosecond laser plasma experiment is investigated theoretically in two different ways. In the first, the energy content and thus the heating efficiency of the central volume of the foil is derived by integrating the transverse temperature profiles obtained in this experiment, using specific heats based on the average atom model. In the second approach target heating by the fast electrons, both by direct energy deposition and by resistive heating is investigated. The latter approach makes use of a specially devised electron flow model which includes a simplified quantitative treatment of multi-refluxing as a crucial component. In all, the calculated results of electron beam heating are consistent with experiment within the limitations of the modeling. Finally, a prediction for the temporal dependence of the Kα pulse from the central volume of the foil based on our electron flow model is given.
THz radiation by amplitude-modulated self-focused Gaussian laser beam in ripple density plasma
Authors: Kumar Subodh , Singh Ram Kishor , Singh Monika , Sharma R. P.
Published: April 2015

The effect of self-focusing and defocusing on terahertz (THz) generation by amplitude-modulated Gaussian laser beam in rippled density plasma is investigated. A stronger transient transverse current is generated by transverse component of ponderomotive force exerted by laser on electrons that drives radiation at the modulation frequency (which is chosen to be in the THz domain) because of the variation in intensity in the direction transverse to the laser propagation. Numerical simulations indicate the enhancement of THz yield by many folds due to self-focusing of laser beam in comparison with that without self-focusing. The transient focusing of laser beam and its effect on the generated THz amplitude has also been studied.
Carriers Beware! – Circumstances in Which Navigation Addresses Conflicting Liability Regimes
Authors: Zhao Lijun
Published: April 2015

The Rotterdam Rules, as the latest marine cargo convention, seek to promote legal uniformity of multimodal transport. The network-liability approach of this convention attempts to harmonise conflicts of liability regimes among different types of navigation in multi-modal transport. However, its Articles 26 and 82 only harmonise limited scenarios among all the potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, the network-liability approach itself relies on localising any occurrence of damage to or loss of goods, which corresponds to different degrees of liability among marine, land and air navigation. Thus, it is impossible for carriers and navigators to anticipate their liabilities when entering into a contract of multimodal transport. Through analysing UNCITRAL negotiating documents, a comprehensive safeguard is proposed to solve these problems.
Osteoporosis Prescribing in Long-Term Care: Impact of a Provincial Knowledge Translation Strategy
Authors: Kennedy Courtney C. , Ioannidis George , Thabane Lehana , Adachi Jonathan D. , O’Donnell Denis , Giangregorio Lora M. , Pickard Laura E. , Papaioannou Alexandra
Published: April 2015

Cette étude décrit les tendances de prescrire avant et après la mise en œuvre d'une stratégie provinciale visant à améliorer la prévention de l'ostéoporose et de la fracture dans les foyers de soins de longue durée (SLD) de l'Ontario. Les données ont été obtenues à partir d'une pharmacie qui a fourni pour 10 centres de SLD en 2007 et 166 foyers en 2012. Nos analyses ont utilisés la régression linéaire multiple et pondérée pour examiner les changements dans les niveaux ou les taux de prescriptions dans les établissements pour la vitamine D, le calcium et les médicaments pour l'ostéoporose de 2007 à 2012. Après cinq ans, l'augmentation des taux estimés pour la prescription de vitamine D, calcium et les médicaments pour l'ostéoporose, respectivement, était de 38,2 pour cent, 4 pour cent et 0,2 pour cent. Bien que l'étude n'a pas évalué la causalité, les résultats suggèrent que les activités à grande échelle dans le transfert des connaissances ont effectué des taux ameliorés de la prescription de vitamine D, bien que des efforts continus sont nécessaires pour cibler les foyers don’t les capacités de traduire les connaissances en pratique sont faibles.
Ethnicity, deprivation and mortality due to 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) in England during the 2009/2010 pandemic and the first post-pandemic season
Authors: ZHAO H. , HARRIS R. J. , ELLIS J. , PEBODY R. G.
Published: April 2015

The relationship between risk of death following influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection and ethnicity and deprivation during the 2009/2010 pandemic period and the first post-pandemic season of 2010/2011 in England was examined. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the mortality risk, adjusted for age, gender, and place of residence. Those of non-White ethnicity experienced an increased mortality risk compared to White populations during the 2009/2010 pandemic [10·5/1000vs. 6·0/1000 general population; adjusted risk ratio (RR) 1·84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·39-2·54] with the highest risk in those of Pakistani ethnicity. However, no significant difference between ethnicities was observed during the following 2010/2011 season. Persons living in areas with the highest level of deprivation had a significantly higher risk of death (RR 2·08, 95% CI 1·49-2·91) compared to the lowest level for both periods. These results highlight the importance of rapid identification of groups at higher risk of severe disease in the early stages of future pandemics to enable the implementation of optimal prevention and control measures for vulnerable populations.
Social cognitive deficits and biases in maltreated adolescents in UK out-of-home care: Relation to disinhibited attachment disorder and psychopathology
Authors: Kay Catherine L. , Green Jonathan M.
Published: April 2015

Children entering out-of-home (OoH) care have often experienced multiple forms of maltreatment and are at risk of psychiatric disorder and poor long-term outcome. Recent evidence shows high rates of disinhibited attachment disorder (DAD) among maltreated adolescents in UK OoH care (Kay & Green, 2013). This study aimed to further understand the mechanisms of outcome in this group through investigation of social cognitive functioning. Patterns of theory of mind (ToM) and social information processing were assessed alongside DAD behavior and psychopathology in 63 adolescents in UK OoH care (mean age = 176 months,SD= 22; 48% male; 89% White British) and 69 low-risk comparison adolescents (mean age = 171 months,SD= 17; 46% male; 87% White British). Compared to low risk, OoH adolescents showed a hostile attribution bias and ToM deficit, but this was confounded by language ability. ToM was associated with reduced hostile attribution and responding biases and increased social competence, which was further associated with lower levels of externalizing psychopathology. There was no association between social cognition and core features of DAD. Social cognitive deficits and biases may play a role in the high rates of externalizing psychopathology and relationship functioning difficulties in maltreated samples. Future research should assess alternative cognitive mechanisms for DAD.
A NOTE ON THE STABILITY OF FULLY ENDOGENOUS GROWTH WITH INCREASING RETURNS AND EXHAUSTIBLE RESOURCES
Authors: Cabo Francisco , Martín-Herrán Guiomar , Martínez-García María Pilar
Published: April 2015

We analyze a general R&D-based endogenous growth model with a growth-essential natural resource. The economy comprises two separate sectors, final output and R&D, both directly or indirectly dependent on the natural resource. Because the resource is exhaustible and it is an essential productive input, increasing returns to scale to manmade inputs are compatible with nonexplosive sustained growth. The instability problem usually associated with increasing returns is overcome thanks to the existence of imperfect markets in a decentralized economy. We find an admissible range of values for the elasticity of capital in the R&D sector under which growth is fully endogenous and saddlepath stable, with no need of exogenous population growth.
Low-Temperature Cathodoluminescence Investigations of High-Quality Zinc Oxide Nanorods
Authors: Witkowski Bartlomiej S. , Wachnicki Lukasz , Gieraltowska Sylwia , Reszka Anna , Kowalski Bogdan J. , Godlewski Marek
Published: April 2015

We present results of cathodoluminescence (CL) investigations of high-quality zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods obtained by an extremely fast hydrothermal method on a silicon substrate. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) system equipped with CL allows direct comparison of SEM images and CL maps, taken from exactly the same areas of samples. Investigations are performed at a temperature of 5 K. An interlink between sample microstructure and emission properties is investigated. CL confirms a very high quality of ZnO nanorods produced by our method. In addition, the presence of super radiation effects in ZnO nanorod arrays is suggested.
The role of portable electric fencing in biodiversity-friendly pasture management
Authors: Morgan Nickele B.
Published: April 2015

World population is growing, and with it, the demand for food. In order to feed the world and attempt to slow the biodiversity crisis on the planet, farming practices must be altered to preserve species richness and ecological health. The fertile soil found in grassland biomes throughout the world provides a base for rich microorganism biodiversity, carbon sequestration, as well as water and nutrient cycling. Diverse biological communities are found in both natural and semi-natural grasslands; habitat destruction as a result of agricultural practices is a threat to biodiversity in these regions. While critics often blame modernized farming practices for agricultural pollution and habitat fragmentation, 21st century technology will likely be a means for updating farming practices to address both biodiversity conservation and enhanced efficiency for increased food demand. Recently developed portable electric fences, made of plastic netting and stainless steel, have made eco-agricultural practices, such as rotational grazing (RG) and multi-species pasture systems, easier and less expensive for farmers to put into practice than traditional electric fencing. Conflicting literature exists regarding whether or not RG systems outperform continuous grazing systems. Many studies suggest that more research is needed to observe the ecological benefits of RG on active farmland. Portable electric fences could be a valuable tool for completing additional research.
Why Accurate Knowledge of Zygosity is Important to Twins
Authors: Cutler Tessa L. , Murphy Kate , Hopper John L , Keogh Louise A , Dai Yun , Craig Jeffrey M
Published: April 2015

All same-sex dizygotic (DZ) twins and approximately one-third of monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs have separate placentas, making it impossible to use the number of placentas to determine zygosity. Zygosity determination is further complicated because incorrect assumptions are often made, such as that only DZ pairs have two placentas and that all MZ pairs are phenotypically identical. These assumptions, by twins, their families and health professionals, along with the lack of universal zygosity testing for same-sex twins, has led to confusion within the twin community, yet little research has been conducted with twins about their understanding and assumptions about zygosity. We aimed to explore and quantify understanding and assumptions about zygosity using twins attending an Australian twin festival. We recruited 91 twin pairs younger than 18 years of age and their parents, and 30 adult twin pairs who were all uncertain of their zygosity, to complete one pen and paper questionnaire and one online questionnaire about their assumed zygosity, reasons for their assumptions and the importance of accurate zygosity knowledge. Responses were compared with their true zygosity measured using a genetic test. We found a substantial proportion of parents and twins had been misinformed by their own parents or medical professionals, and that knowledge of their true zygosity status provided peace of mind and positive emotional responses. For these reasons we propose universal zygosity testing of same-sex twins as early in life as possible and an increase in education of medical professionals, twins and families of twins about zygosity issues.
Bruyninx Receives 2014 Ivan I. Mueller Award for Service and Leadership
Authors:   AGU
Published: April 2015

Carine Bruyninx received the 2014 Ivan I. Mueller Award for Service and Leadership at the 2014 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, held 15-19 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes "major achievements in service and/or leadership to the geodesy community."
Diverse Functions of Pericytes in Cerebral Blood Flow Regulation and Ischemia
Authors: Fernandez-Klett Francisco , Priller Josef
Published: April 2015

Pericytes are mural cells with contractile properties. Here, we provide evidence that microvascular pericytes modulate cerebral blood flow in response to neuronal activity (‘functional hyperemia’). Besides their role in neurovascular coupling, pericytes are responsive to brain damage. Cerebral ischemia is associated with constrictions and death of capillary pericytes, followed by fibrotic reorganization of the ischemic tissue. The data suggest that precapillary arterioles and capillaries are major sites of hemodynamic regulation in the brain.
Making water-soluble integral membrane proteins in vivo using an amphipathic protein fusion strategy
Authors: Mizrachi Dario , Chen Yujie , Liu Jiayan , Peng Hwei-Ming , Ke Ailong , Pollack Lois , Turner Raymond J. , Auchus Richard J. , DeLisa Matthew P.
Published: April 2015

Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) play crucial roles in all cells and represent attractive pharmacological targets. However, functional and structural studies of IMPs are hindered by their hydrophobic nature and the fact that they are generally unstable following extraction from their native membrane environment using detergents. Here we devise a general strategy for in vivo solubilization of IMPs in structurally relevant conformations without the need for detergents or mutations to the IMP itself, as an alternative to extraction and in vitro solubilization. This technique, called SIMPLEx (solubilization of IMPs with high levels of expression), allows the direct expression of soluble products in living cells by simply fusing an IMP target with truncated apolipoprotein A-I, which serves as an amphipathic proteic ‘shield’ that sequesters the IMP from water and promotes its solubilization.
A pyrosequencing insight into sprawling bacterial diversity and community dynamics in decaying deadwood logs of Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies
Authors: Hoppe Björn , Krüger Dirk , Kahl Tiemo , Arnstadt Tobias , Buscot François , Bauhus Jürgen , Wubet Tesfaye
Published: April 2015

Deadwood is an important biodiversity hotspot in forest ecosystems. While saproxylic insects and wood-inhabiting fungi have been studied extensively, little is known about deadwood-inhabiting bacteria. The study we present is among the first to compare bacterial diversity and community structure of deadwood under field conditions. We therefore compared deadwood logs of two temperate forest tree species Fagussylvatica and Piceaabies using 16S rDNA pyrosequencing to identify changes in bacterial diversity and community structure at different stages of decay in forest plots under different management regimes. Alphaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria were the dominant taxonomic groups in both tree species. There were no differences in bacterial OTU richness between deadwood of Fagussylvatica and Piceaabies. Bacteria from the order Rhizobiales became more abundant during the intermediate and advanced stages of decay, accounting for up to 25% of the entire bacterial community in such logs. The most dominant OTU was taxonomically assigned to the genus Methylovirgula, which was recently described in an experiment of Fagussylvatica woodblocks. Besides tree species we were able to demonstrate that deadwood physico-chemical properties, in particular remaining mass, relative wood moisture, pH and C/N ratio serve as drivers of community composition of deadwood-inhabiting bacteria.
Magnetization Transfer Imaging of Suicidal Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Chen Ziqi , Zhang Huawei , Jia Zhiyun , Zhong Jingjie , Huang Xiaoqi , Du Mingying , Chen Lizhou , Kuang Weihong , Sweeney John A. , Gong Qiyong
Published: April 2015

Magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) provides a quantitative measure of the macromolecular structural integrity of brain tissue, as represented by magnetization transfer ratio (MTR). In this study, we utilized MTI to identify biophysical alterations in MDD patients with a history of suicide attempts relative to MDD patients without such history. The participants were 36 medication-free MDD patients, with (N = 17) and without (N = 19) a history of a suicide attempt and 28 healthy controls matched for age and gender. Whole brain voxel-based analysis was used to compare MTR across three groups and to analyze correlations with symptom severity and illness duration. We identified decreased MTR in left inferior parietal lobule and right superior parietal lobule in suicide attempters relative to both non-attempters and controls. Non-attempters also showed significantly reduced MTR in left inferior parietal lobule relative to controls, as well as an MTR reduction in left cerebellum. These abnormalities were not correlated with symptom severity or illness duration. Depressed patients with a history of suicide attempt showed bilateral abnormalities in parietal cortex compared to nonsuicidal depressed patients and healthy controls. Parietal lobe abnormalities might cause attentional dysfunction and impaired decision making to increase risk for suicidal behavior in MDD.
A rapid and reliable strategy for chromosomal integration of gene(s) with multiple copies
Authors: Gu Pengfei , Yang Fan , Su Tianyuan , Wang Qian , Liang Quanfeng , Qi Qingsheng
Published: April 2015

Direct optimization of the metabolic pathways on the chromosome requires tools that can fine tune the overexpression of a desired gene or optimize the combination of multiple genes. Although plasmid-dependent overexpression has been used for this task, fundamental issues concerning its genetic stability and operational repeatability have not been addressed. Here, we describe a rapid and reliable strategy for chromosomal integration of gene(s) with multiple copies (CIGMC), which uses the flippase from the yeast 2-μm plasmid. Using green fluorescence protein as a model, we verified that the fluorescent intensity was in accordance with the integration copy number of the target gene. When a narrow-host-range replicon, R6K, was used in the integrative plasmid, the maximum integrated copy number of Escherichia coli reached 15. Applying the CIGMC method to optimize the overexpression of single or multiple genes in amino acid biosynthesis, we successfully improved the product yield and stability of the production. As a flexible strategy, CIGMC can be used in various microorganisms other than E. coli.
Gambogic acid induces apoptosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells via inducing proteasome inhibition
Authors: Shi Xianping , Lan Xiaoying , Chen Xin , Zhao Chong , Li Xiaofen , Liu Shouting , Huang Hongbiao , Liu Ningning , Zang Dan , Liao Yuning , Zhang Peiquan , Wang Xuejun , Liu Jinbao
Published: April 2015

Resistance to chemotherapy is a great challenge to improving the survival of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), especially those with activated B-cell-like DLBCL (ABC-DLBCL). Therefore it is urgent to search for novel agents for the treatment of DLBCL. Gambogic acid (GA), a small molecule derived from Chinese herb gamboges, has been approved for Phase II clinical trial for cancer therapy by Chinese FDA. In the present study, we investigated the effect of GA on cell survival and apoptosis in DLBCL cells including both GCB- and ABC-DLBCL cells. We found that GA induced growth inhibition and apoptosis of both GCB- and ABC-DLBCL cells in vitro and in vivo, which is associated with proteasome malfunction. These findings provide significant pre-clinical evidence for potential usage of GA in DLBCL therapy particularly in ABC-DLBCL treatment.
Potent effects of dioscin against liver fibrosis
Authors: Zhang Xiaoling , Han Xu , Yin Lianhong , Xu Lina , Qi Yan , Xu Youwei , Sun Huijun , Lin Yuan , Liu Kexin , Peng Jinyong
Published: April 2015

We previously reported the promising effects of dioscin against liver injury, but its effect on liver fibrosis remains unknown. The present work investigated the activities of dioscin against liver fibrosis and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Dioscin effectively inhibited the cell viabilities of HSC-T6, LX-2 and primary rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), but not hepatocytes. Furthermore, dioscin markedly increased peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) expression and significantly reduced a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), collagen α1 (I) (COL1A1) and collagen α1 (III) (COL3A1) levels in vitro. Notably, dioscin inhibited HSCs activation and induced apoptosis in activated HSCs. In vivo, dioscin significantly improved body weight and hydroxylproline, laminin, α-SMA, TGF-β1, COL1A1 and COL3A1 levels, which were confirmed by histopathological assays. Dioscin facilitated matrix degradation and exhibited hepatoprotective effects through the attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation, in addition to exerting anti-fibrotic effects through the modulation of the TGF-β1/Smad, Wnt/β-catenin, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mitochondrial signaling pathways, which triggered the senescence of activated HSCs. In conclusion, dioscin exhibited potent effects against liver fibrosis through the modulation of multiple targets and signaling pathways and should be developed as a novel candidate for the treatment of liver fibrosis in the future.
Colloidal stability of (functionalised) fullerenes in the presence of dissolved organic carbon and electrolytes
Authors: Haftka Joris J.-H. , Bäuerlein Patrick S. , Emke Erik , Lammertse Nienke , Belokhovstova Daria , Hilvering Bart , de Voogt Pim , ter Laak Thomas L.
Published: April 2015

Influence of various parameters on the stability and size of fullerene clusters is being investigated using DLS, MALS and flow cytometry.
A process for desulfurization of coking benzene by a two-step method with reuse of sorbent/thiophene and its key procedures
Authors: Liao Junjie , Wang Yashan , Chang Liping , Bao Weiren
Published: April 2015

Pure benzene is an important chemical feedstock, and coking benzene is one of its sources.
Ultratrace detection of toxic heavy metal ions found in water bodies using hydroxyapatite supported nanocrystalline ZSM-5 modified electrodes
Authors: Kaur Balwinder , Srivastava Rajendra , Satpati Biswarup
Published: April 2015

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, intercrystalline mesopores of Ag-Nano-ZSM-5, and lower electron transfer resistance of the material are responsible for high electro-catalytic activity.
Dereplication: racing to speed up the natural products discovery process
Authors: Gaudêncio Susana P. , Pereira Florbela
Published: April 2015

To alleviate the dereplication holdup, which is a major bottleneck in natural products discovery, scientists have been conducting their research efforts to add tools to their “bag of tricks” aiming to achieve faster, more accurate and efficient ways to accelerate the pace of the drug discovery process.
Urinary micro-RNA biomarker detection using capped gold nanoslit SPR in a microfluidic chip
Authors: Mousavi Mansoureh Z. , Chen Huai-Yi , Lee Kuang-Li , Lin Heng , Chen Hsi-Hsien , Lin Yuh-Feng , Wong Chung-Shun , Li Hsiao Fen , Wei Pei-Kuen , Cheng Ji-Yen
Published: April 2015

Diagnosis of acute kidney injury by detecting urinary miRNA using capped gold nanoslit SPR in a microfluidic chip.
In vivo histamine voltammetry in the mouse premammillary nucleus
Authors: Samaranayake Srimal , Abdalla Aya , Robke Rhiannon , Wood Kevin M. , Zeqja Anisa , Hashemi Parastoo
Published: April 2015

A modified histamine selective waveform with fast scan cyclic voltametry provides a stimulation-locked and unique electrochemical signal towards histaminein vivo&in vitro.
Surface state of the dopamine RNA aptamer affects specific recognition and binding of dopamine by the aptamer-modified electrodes
Authors: Álvarez-Martos Isabel , Campos Rui , Ferapontova Elena E.
Published: April 2015

An electrochemical label-free aptasensor monitors physiological levels of dopamine with improved sensitivity when the aptamer surface coverage is optimized and with no interference from other catecholamines.
A photoelectrochemical sensor through quenching of photoinduced electrons based on a G-quadruplex/hemin complex
Authors: Yan Xiang , Wang Kewei , Xie Danping , Xu Lijun , Han Qianqian , Qi Honglan , Pei Renjun
Published: April 2015

A novel label-free photoelectrochemical sensor was fabricated for the detection of K+ based on the electron withdrawal effect of hemin. The decreasing photocurrent from photoinduced electron transfer by a G-quadruplex/hemin complex was utilized.
The validation and measurement uncertainty of an automated gas chromatograph for marine studies of atmospheric dimethylsulfide
Authors: Swan Hilton B. , Ivey John P. , Jones Graham B. , Eyre Bradley D.
Published: April 2015

An automated gas chromatograph has been developed and field evaluated for continuous analysis of atmospheric dimethylsulfide. The validation and measurement uncertainty of the analytical system is described.
Development of a disposable bile acid biosensor for use in the management of cholestasis
Authors: Lawrance D. , Williamson C. , Boutelle M. G. , Cass A. E. G.
Published: April 2015

Measurement of serum bile acid concentration is a valuable tool for the management of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and is also useful in the monitoring of other liver diseases.
A new rhodamine-based chemosensor for turn-on fluorescent detection of Fe3+
Authors: Han Xiang , Wang Dong-En , Chen Sheng , Zhang Longlong , Guo Yadan , Wang Jinyi
Published: April 2015

A new fluorescent probe RH-Fe was developed as a colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for Fe3+.
Aromatic donor–acceptor interactions in non-polar environments
Authors: Prentice Giles M. , Pascu Sofia I. , Filip Sorin V. , West Kevin R. , Pantoş G. Dan
Published: April 2015

We have evaluated the strength of aromatic donor–acceptor interactions between dialkyl naphthalenediimide and dialkoxynaphthalene in non-polar environments.
Mix and print: fast optimization of mesoporous CuCeZrOw for catalytic oxidation of n-hexane
Authors: Huang Fenfen , Wang Shenliang , Yi Wuzhong , Zou Shihui , Chen Changlei , Xiao Liping , Liu Xiaonao , Fan Jie
Published: April 2015

Fast optimization of mesoporous ternary metal oxide (CuCeZrOw) catalysts for n-hexane oxidation is achieved via a newly developed combinatorial approach based on ink-jet printing assisted synthesis and multi-dimensional group testing.
Turn-on and label-free fluorescence detection of lead ions based on target-induced G-quadruplex formation
Authors: Xu Lijun , Shen Xiaoqiang , Hong Shanni , Wang Jine , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Hongyan , Zhang Jianye , Pei Renjun
Published: April 2015

Using a guanine-rich sequence (AGRO100) and N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM), a turn-on and label-free fluorescent Pb2+ sensor with high sensitivity and low background fluorescence was presented as a representative of five turn-on sensing systems.
A highly selective phenothiazine-based fluorescence ‘turn-on’ indicator based on cyanide-promoted novel protection/deprotection mechanism
Authors: Garg Bhaskar , Ling Yong-Chien
Published: April 2015

A CN−-triggered selective cleavage of the N–C bond is described using (E)-10-(10H-phenothiazin-3′-yl)propenal to produce a selective fluorescence ‘turn-on’ response for CN−.
The first zinc phosphite with remarkable structural and functional transformations
Authors: Wang Chih-Min , Chang Tsung-Yuan , Lee Li-Wei , Lin Hsiu-Mei , Lu Kuang-Lieh , Lii Kwang-Hwa
Published: April 2015

An organic–inorganic hybrid zinc phosphite with remarkable structural and functional transformations.
Kinamycin biosynthesis employs a conserved pair of oxidases for B-ring contraction
Authors: Wang Bin , Ren Jinwei , Li Liyuan , Guo Fang , Pan Guohui , Ai Guomin , Aigle Bertrand , Fan Keqiang , Yang Keqian
Published: April 2015

A conserved pair of oxidases is characterized as nature's machinery for benzofluorenone formation.
Cooperative catalysis of N-heterocyclic carbene and Brønsted acid for a highly enantioselective route to unprotected spiro-indoline-pyrans
Authors: Lin Youqiang , Yang Limin , Deng Yue , Zhong Guofu
Published: April 2015

A chiral cooperative catalysis of NHC and Brønsted acid for a formal [4+2] reaction of unprotected isatins and enals was developed for the direct synthesis of unprotected spiro[indoline-3,2′-pyran]-2,6′(3′H)-diones in good to excellent yields (up to 95%) with high enantioselectivities (up to >93% ee).
Solubilisation of a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical in water by β-cyclodextrin to evaluate the radical-scavenging activity of antioxidants in aqueous media
Authors: Nakanishi Ikuo , Ohkubo Kei , Imai Kohei , Kamibayashi Masato , Yoshihashi Yasuo , Matsumoto Ken-ichiro , Fukuhara Kiyoshi , Terada Katsuhide , Itoh Shinobu , Ozawa Toshihiko , Fukuzumi Shunichi
Published: April 2015

A 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical was solubilised in water by β-cyclodextrin.
Three anhydrous forms and a dihydrate form of quifenadine hydrochloride: a structural study of the thermodynamic stability and dehydration mechanism
Authors: Kons Artis , Rutkovska Ligita , Bērziņš Agris , Bobrovs Raitis , Actiņš Andris
Published: April 2015

Crystal structures of quifenadine hydrochloride forms are presented, and this information is used to explain the stability of polymorphs and observed phase transitions.
Complete study of the composition and shape evolution in the synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) semiconductor nanocrystals
Authors: Coughlan Claudia , Ryan Kevin M.
Published: April 2015

This article describes a complete study of the evolution of composition (from binary to quaternary) and shape (0D–1D) during the synthesis of CZTS nanocrystals.
Alumina-entrapped Ag catalyzed nitro compounds coupled with alcohols using borrowing hydrogen methodology
Authors: Liu Huihui , Khuan Chuah Gaik , Jaenicke Stephan
Published: April 2015

Time-yield plots for the N-alkylation of nitroarenes with benzyl alcohol in the presence of Ag/Al2O3. (■) conversion; (⋄) N-phenylbenzylamine 3; (▲) N-benzylideneaniline 4; (□) azobenzene 5; and (+) aniline 6.
Plasmon enhancement of luminescence upconversion
Authors: Park Wounjhang , Lu Dawei , Ahn Sungmo
Published: April 2015

This review is aimed at offering a comprehensive framework for plasmon enhanced luminescence upconversion.
Synthesis of novel MgAl layered double oxide grafted TiO2 cuboids and their photocatalytic activity on CO2 reduction with water vapor
Authors: Zhao Cunyu , Liu Lianjun , Rao Guiying , Zhao Huilei , Wang Luhui , Xu Jinye , Li Ying
Published: April 2015

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction with H2O by hybrid MgAl-LDO/TiO2 materials.
Sequential electrophilic P–C bond formation in metal-coordinated chlorophosphines
Authors: Jayaraman Arumugam , Jacob Tyler V. , Bisskey Jeff , Sterenberg Brian T.
Published: April 2015

Metal-coordinated chlorophosphines undergo facile sequential electrophilic substitution reactions, stepwise or in one-pot reactions, to form phosphines with three different substituents.
Extracting large photovoltages from a-SiC photocathodes with an amorphous TiO2 front surface field layer for solar hydrogen evolution
Authors: Digdaya Ibadillah A. , Han Lihao , Buijs Thom W. F. , Zeman Miro , Dam Bernard , Smets Arno H. M. , Smith Wilson A.
Published: April 2015

A p–i–n junction photocathode made from 110 nm (p/i) amorphous SiC and an (n) TiO2 top layer leads to an onset potential of +0.8 VRHE and a photocurrent density of 8.3 mA cm−2 at 0 VRHE using only earth abundant materials.