bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activity and functions of the human gluteal muscles in walking, running, sprinting, and climbing
Authors: Bartlett Jamie L. , Sumner Bonnie , Ellis Richard G. , Kram Rodger
Published: November 2013

It has been suggested that the uniquely large gluteus maximus (GMAX) muscles were an important adaptation during hominin evolution based on numerous anatomical differences between humans and extant apes. GMAX electromyographic (EMG) signals have been quantified for numerous individual movements, but not across the range of locomotor gaits and speeds for the same subjects. Thus, comparing relative EMG amplitudes between these activities has not been possible. We assessed the EMG activity of the gluteal muscles during walking, running, sprinting, and climbing. To gain further insight into the function of the gluteal muscles during locomotion, we measured muscle activity during walking and running with external devices that increased or decreased the need to control either forward or backward trunk pitch. We hypothesized that 1) GMAX EMG activity would be greatest during sprinting and climbing and 2) GMAX EMG activity would be modulated in response to altered forward trunk pitch demands during running. We found that GMAX activity in running was greater than walking and similar to climbing. However, the activity during sprinting was much greater than during running. Further, only the inferior portion of the GMAX had a significant change with altered trunk pitch demands, suggesting that the hip extensors have a limited contribution to the control of trunk pitch movements during running. Overall, our data suggest that the large size of the GMAX reflects its multifaceted role during rapid and powerful movements rather than as a specific adaptation for a single submaximal task such as endurance running. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:124–131, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Iterative Synthese von Nukleosidoligophosphaten mit Phosphoramiditen
Authors: Cremosnik Gregor S. , Hofer Alexandre , Jessen Henning J.
Published: November 2013

P‐Amidite können verwendet werden, um in einer iterativen Kupplung selektiv gemischte PIII‐PV‐Anhydride herzustellen. Diese Intermediate können oxidiert und die terminalen Fluorenylmethylgruppen darauffolgend abgespalten werden. Eine iterative Synthese (Kupplung, Oxidation, Entschützung) von Nukleosidoligophosphaten kann sowohl in Lösung als auch auf einer festen Phase durchgeführt werden. Die Geschwindigkeiten und Ausbeuten der einzelnen Schritte sind hoch, das Vorgehen einfach (keine wasserfreien Reagentien und Lösungsmittel, atmosphärische Bedingungen, keine Schutzgruppen am Nukleotid), und die Reinigung ist sehr einfach. Die Methode kann bei allen kanonischen Nukleosiden angewendet werden und verspricht eine signifikante Vereinfachung des sonst mühsamen Prozesses der P‐Anhydrid‐Synthese.
Iterative Synthesis of Nucleoside Oligophosphates with Phosphoramidites
Authors: Cremosnik Gregor S. , Hofer Alexandre , Jessen Henning J.
Published: November 2013

P‐Amidites can be used in iterative couplings to selectively give mixed PIII–PV anhydrides. These intermediates can be oxidized followed by a rapid removal of the two terminal fluorenylmethyl groups. An iterative synthesis (coupling, oxidation, deprotection) of nucleoside oligophosphates can be carried out in solution and on a solid support. The coupling rates and yields are high, the procedures convenient (non‐dry reagents and solvents, ambient conditions, unprotected nucleotides), and the purification is very simple. The method works with all canonical nucleosides and holds promise for significant simplification of the usually cumbersome process of P‐anhydride bond construction.
Relationship between branch length and the compatibilizing effect of polypropylene‐g‐polystyrene graft copolymer on polypropylene/polystyrene blends
Authors: Wang Lu , Tan Haiying , Gong Jiang , Tang Tao
Published: November 2013

Three polypropylene‐g‐polystyrene (PP‐g‐PS) graft copolymers with the same branch density but different branch lengths were evaluated as compatibilizing agents for PP/PS blends. The morphological and rheological results revealed that the addition of PP‐g‐PS graft copolymers significantly reduced the PS particle size and enhanced the interfacial adhesion between PP and PS phases. Furthermore, it is verified that the branch length of PP‐g‐PS graft copolymer had opposite effects on its compatibilizing effect: on one hand, increasing the branch length could improve the compatibilizing effect of graft copolymer on PP/PS blends, demonstrated by the reduction of PS particle size and the enhancement of interfacial adhesion; on the other hand, increasing the branch length would increase the melt viscosity of PP‐g‐PS graft copolymer, which prevented it from migrating effectively to the interface of blend components. Additionally, the crystallization and melting behaviors of PP and PP/PS blends were compared. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40126.
The abundance of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the former special marine reserve of the Cres‐Lošinj Archipelago, Croatia
Authors: Pleslić Grgur , Rako Gospić Nikolina , Mackelworth Peter , Wiemann Annika , Holcer Draško , Fortuna Caterina
Published: November 2013

There is a resident common bottlenose dolphin population inhabiting the Kvarnerić area of the northern Adriatic Sea, Croatia. The observed decline in population size between 1995 and 2003 led to the declaration of a part of the Kvarnerić as the Cres‐Lošinj Special Marine Reserve (CLSMR) in 2006. Protection lasted 3 years, before lapsing.

A boat based photo‐identification study was conducted between 2004 and 2011 with the aim to estimate the number of bottlenose dolphins inhabiting the CLSMR area, investigate the factors influencing their habitat use and explore the possibility that this area is representative of the population for the whole Kvarnerić.

Standard mark–recapture methods and the Mth estimator of Chao for closed populations were applied. The lowest value was estimated in 2008 (N = 112; 95% CI = 94–150) and the highest in 2006 (N = 310; 95% CI = 265–392). The statistically significant inter‐annual variability is likely to reflect natural and anthropogenic driven shifts in habitat use rather than real changes in population size.

The average monthly sighting rate was lower in the tourist season (Jun–Aug) than in the pre‐ and post tourist‐season, suggesting that developed nautical tourism may influence shifts in habitat use. Other potential causes are distribution of prey and fishing effort.

Inclusion of data from the rest of the Kvarnerić for the years of 2005 and 2011 did not reveal a significant increase in estimated abundance (2005: z = −0.413, P = 0.3398; 2011: z = −1.749, P = 0.0401). This indicates that the CLSMR area is representative of the whole Kvarnerić.

The number of bottlenose dolphins using the CLSMR area seems to have increased compared with the previous study (1995–2003). This could be due to a shift in habitat use or an increase in population size. However, yearly variations indicate processes causing displacements within the dolphin population home range. Conservation measures aiming at reducing the displacements are proposed.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does spatial ability help the learning of anatomy in a biomedical science course?
Authors: Sweeney Kevin , Hayes Jennifer A. , Chiavaroli Neville
Published: November 2013

A three‐dimensional appreciation of the human body is the cornerstone of clinical anatomy. Spatial ability has previously been found to be associated with students' ability to learn anatomy and their examination performance. The teaching of anatomy has been the subject of major change over the last two decades with the reduction in time spent on dissection and greater use of web‐based and computer‐based resources. In this study, we examine whether the relationship between spatial ability and performance in anatomy examinations is sustained in a contemporary curriculum. A comparison of students' performance in a series of tests of spatial ability to their anatomy examination scores in biomedical sciences course exhibited only weak association (r = 0.145 and P = 0.106). This has implications for the use of spatial ability as a predictor of success in introductory subjects in the teaching of anatomy. Anat Sci Educ 7: 289–294. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.
Modeling the interactions between car and bicycle in heterogeneous traffic
Authors: Luo Yongji , Jia Bin , Liu Jun , Lam William H. K. , Li Xingang , Gao Ziyou
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a new cellular automata model is proposed to simulate the car and bicycle heterogeneous traffic on urban road. To capture the complex interactions between these two types of vehicles, a novel occupancy rule is adopted in the proposed model to consider the variable lateral distances of mixed vehicular traffic. Based on massive simulations, microscopic fundamental diagrams under different bicycle densities are devised. With these, the bicycle's spilling behavior is then investigated and discussed. In order to reflect the interference of a bicycle on a car, the interference transformation from friction state to block state is modeled explicitly. Finally, different simulation results under different occupancy rules indicate that the constant and fixed occupancy rule adopted in the previous studies might lead to overestimation of car flux in the heterogeneous traffic flows with different bicycle densities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational approaches to analyse and predict small molecule transport and distribution at cellular and subcellular levels
Authors: Min Kyoung Ah , Zhang Xinyuan , Yu Jing‐yu , Rosania Gus R.
Published: November 2013

Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) studies and mechanistic mathematical modeling approaches have been independently employed for analysing and predicting the transport and distribution of small molecule chemical agents in living organisms. Both of these computational approaches have been useful for interpreting experiments measuring the transport properties of small molecule chemical agents, in vitro and in vivo. Nevertheless, mechanistic cell‐based pharmacokinetic models have been especially useful to guide the design of experiments probing the molecular pathways underlying small molecule transport phenomena. Unlike QSAR models, mechanistic models can be integrated from microscopic to macroscopic levels, to analyse the spatiotemporal dynamics of small molecule chemical agents from intracellular organelles to whole organs, well beyond the experiments and training data sets upon which the models are based. Based on differential equations, mechanistic models can also be integrated with other differential equations‐based systems biology models of biochemical networks or signaling pathways. Although the origin and evolution of mathematical modeling approaches aimed at predicting drug transport and distribution has occurred independently from systems biology, we propose that the incorporation of mechanistic cell‐based computational models of drug transport and distribution into a systems biology modeling framework is a logical next step for the advancement of systems pharmacology research. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tetrasomy 13q32.2qter due to an apparent inverted duplicated neocentric marker chromosome in an infant with hemangiomas, failure to thrive, laryngomalacia, and tethered cord
Authors: Liu Jinglan , Jethva Reena , Del Vecchio Michael T. , Hauptman John E. , Pascasio Judy M. , de Chadarévian Jean‐Pierre
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Approximately 100 small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) with a non–α‐satellite neocentromere structure have been reported in the literature. Of the few derived from chromosome 13, five have consisted of inverted duplicated segment 13q32qter.

CASE REPORT

We herein describe the sixth case, characterized by genome wide SNP array, conventional cytogenetics and FISH studies. The de novo occurrence of the marker, the poor prognosis and the presence of hemangiomas are consistent with previous cases.

CONCLUSION

We hereby expand the clinical spectrum of this rare cytogenetic disorder and suggest a possible mechanism for the pathogenesis of associated congenital vascular malformations. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 97:812–815, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
From flavors and pharmaceuticals to advanced biofuels: Production of isoprenoids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Tippmann Stefan , Chen Yun , Siewers Verena , Nielsen Jens
Published: November 2013

Isoprenoids denote the largest group of chemicals in the plant kingdom and are employed for a wide range of applications in the food and pharmaceutical industry. In recent years, isoprenoids have additionally been recognized as suitable replacements for petroleum‐derived fuels and could thus promote the transition towards a more sustainable society. To realize the biofuel potential of isoprenoids, a very efficient production system is required. While complex chemical structures as well as the low abundance in nature demonstrate the shortcomings of chemical synthesis and plant extraction, isoprenoids can be produced by genetically engineered microorganisms from renewable carbon sources. In this article, we summarize the development of isoprenoid applications from flavors and pharmaceuticals to advanced biofuels and review the strategies to design microbial cell factories, focusing on Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of these compounds. While the high complexity of biosynthetic pathways and the toxicity of certain isoprenoids still denote challenges that need to be addressed, metabolic engineering has enabled large‐scale production of several terpenoids and thus, the utilization of these compounds is likely to expand in the future.
mGlu3 receptor blockade inhibits proliferation and promotes astrocytic phenotype in glioma stem cells
Authors: Zhou Kun , Song Yechun , Zhou Wei , Zhang Chunqing , Shu Haifeng , Yang Hui , Wang Bin
Published: November 2013

We have characterised, using both in vivo and in vitro methods, the effects of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 3 (mGlu3) antagonist (LY341495) and agonist (LY379268) on the proliferation and differentiation of glioma stem cells (GSC). For in vitro studies, a CCK‐8 assay was used to determine the cell proliferation, flow cytometry was performed to determine cell cycle phases, and immunohistochemistry and laser confocal microscopy were employed to detect CD133 expression. For in vivo studies, GSCs were injected into nude mice treated with either LY379268 or LY341495 and the growth of the tumours was measured after 3 weeks. When compared with controls, the proliferation rates and proportion of cells in S phase within the LY341495 treated group decreased in a time‐dependent manner. In the presence of differentiation medium containing LY341495, GSC differentiation was diverted into an astrocyte rather than neuronal phenotype. The growth rate and volume of tumours injected into nude mice was reduced in LY341495 treated mice compared with controls. Thus pharmacological blockade of mGlu3 receptor signalling pathway significantly inhibits the growth and proliferation of GSCs both in vitro and in vivo while promoting differentiation to astrocytes. These results further implicate mGlu3 in the biology of glioma and as a target for continued research.
Consideration of dual characters of exosomes in the tumour immune response
Authors: Bai Jun , Xie Xin , Lei Yun , An Gaili , He Li , Chen Ruping
Published: November 2013

Efforts to get a strong and sustained anti‐tumour immune response induced by a tumour specific antigen have failed, but sipuleucel‐T has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We noticed that exosomes secreted by tumour cells or immune cells may be crucially involved in the tumour immune response, whereas others have had inconsistent findings on exosome involvement. Based on immune network theory, we summarise research advances of exosomes and speculate that in the tumour immune response exosomes follow the immune response curve hypothesis. Exosomes activate simultabeously both immune activation and immune tolerance, but at different intensities. To obtain a desired anti‐immune response, the initial point of immunity should be determined to achieve the strongest anti‐tumour response, and repeated in vitro to extend and enhance this response. As a result, our hypothesis proposes that studies should now be directed at determining the exact time of exosome activity in maintaining a viable anti‐tumour immune response in vivo.
DNA topoisomerase II‐dependent control of the cell cycle progression in root meristems of Allium cepa
Authors: Żabka Aneta , Polit Justyna Teresa , Bernasińska Joanna , Maszewski Janusz
Published: November 2013

The catalytic ability of DNA topoisomerases (Topo) to generate short‐term DNA breaks allow these enzymes to play crucial functions in managing DNA topology during S‐phase replication, transcription, and chromatin‐remodelling processes required to achieve commitment for the onset and transition through mitosis. Our experiments on root meristem cells of onion (Allium cepa) were designed to gain insight into the contribution of Topo II to plant‐specific progression throughout interphase and mitosis. Irrespective of the position of the cell in interphase, the immunofluorescence of Topo II revealed similar nuclear labelling pattern with well defined signals dispersed in the nucleoplasm and the cortical zone of the nucleolus. Only weak labelling was detected in metaphase and anaphase chromosomes. Experiments with two potent anti‐Topo II agents, doxorubicin (DOX, an anthracycline) and a bisdioxopiperazine derivative, ICRF‐193, suggest that the inhibition‐mediated increase in Topo II immunofluorescence may represent a compensatory mechanism, by which an up‐regulated expression of the enzyme tends to counteract the drug‐induced loss of indispensable catalytic and relaxation functions. γ‐H2AX immunolabelling seems to indicate that both DOX‐ and ICRF‐193‐induced alterations in cell cycle progression reflect primarily the activity of the G2/M DNA damage checkpoint. Our findings provide evidence for the plant‐specific cell cycle control mechanism induced by Topo II inhibitors under DNA stress conditions.
Evaluation of mitochondrial divisions in mouse with type‐2 diabetes and effect of glucose‐oxidase on mouse islet cells RIN‐m5F
Authors: Gao Yu , Li Fan , Zhang Anping , Wang Li , Tong Weidong , Liu Baohua
Published: November 2013

To elucidate the relationship between dynamic variations of insular β cell mitochondria and type‐2 diabetes by using a mouse model, the dynamic variation (fusion or fission) of insular β cell mitochondria present in two groups of Wistar mice with type‐2 diabetes (high fat feeding and streptozotocin (STZ) adding with low dose and high frequency, high fat feeding and STZ adding with high dose and low frequency), and normal Wistar mouse were systematically compared. By analysing the insulin secretion level and other related indexes, the molecular mechanism of the fusion or fission phenomenon of insular β cell mitochondria in two different models (high fat feeding and STZ adding with low dose and high frequency, high fat feeding and STZ adding with high dose and low frequency) of mice with type‐2 diabetes were initially elucidated. The phenomenon of mitochondrial fusion and fission was clearly seen. In initially determining the relationship between the change of insular β cell mitochondrial structure and its cell apoptosis generated by some factors such as treatment by glucose‐oxidase (GO), the effect of GO on the mouse islet cells RIN‐m5F including the effects on cell growth, reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell cycle, cell apoptosis of RIN‐m5F were systematically examined. GO showed some influence on the mouse islet cells RIN‐m5F cell activity, ROS and apoptosis, but its effect on the cell cycle was not significant.
Guest Editorial: The 3rd Transatlantic Frontiers in Chemistry Symposium
Authors: Alexandrova Anastassia N. , Huber Stefan M. , Tavassoli Ali
Published: November 2013

Truly international, truly multidisciplinary, truly inspirational…︁ the 3rd Transatlantic Frontiers of Chemistry Symposium, held at Kloster Seeon in Germany on August 8–11, 2013 brought together 60 early‐career chemistry academics from Germany, the UK, the USA, and Brazil. The Symposium exposed its participants to the breadth and diversity of current chemical research, an approach designed to forge new, sustainable transdisciplinary collaborations.
Online Sample Concentration in Partial‐Filling Chiral Electrokinetic Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wuethrich Alain , Haddad Paul R. , Quirino Joselito P.
Published: November 2013

The concentration sensitivity of a racemic drug (chlorpheniramine maleate) in chiral capillary electrophoresis with electrospray ionization – mass spectrometric detection was improved ~500‐fold via stacking. Enantiomeric separation was achieved through the use of a neutral chiral pseudostationary phase (2‐hydroxpropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin), untreated fused‐silica capillaries, and the application of a partial‐filling technique to prevent the pseudostationary phase from entering the detector. A concentration factor of 50 resulted from field‐enhanced sample injection (FESI). However, the higher concentration factor was achieved by combining FESI with micelle‐to‐solvent stacking (MSS) to increase sample load and focus the analyte band. MSS was achieved by injection of an ammonium lauryl sulfate micellar plug prior to sample injection. The sample diluent was a 20‐fold dilution of the background electrolyte (50 mM ammonium acetate, pH 3.5) with 60% acetonitrile. This methodology provided a limit of detection (LOD) of as low as 5 ng/ml of the racemate. Chirality 26:734–738, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MorphoNeuroNet: An automated method for dense neurite network analysis
Authors: Pani Giuseppe , De Vos Winnok H. , Samari Nada , de Saint‐Georges Louis , Baatout Sarah , Van Oostveldt Patrick , Benotmane Mohammed Abderrafi
Published: November 2013

High content cell‐based screens are rapidly gaining popularity in the context of neuronal regeneration studies. To analyze neuronal morphology, automatic image analysis pipelines have been conceived, which accurately quantify the shape changes of neurons in cell cultures with non‐dense neurite networks. However, most existing methods show poor performance for well‐connected and differentiated neuronal networks, which may serve as valuable models for inter alia synaptogenesis. Here, we present a fully automated method for quantifying the morphology of neurons and the density of neurite networks, in dense neuronal cultures, which are grown for more than 10 days. MorphoNeuroNet, written as a script for ImageJ, Java based freeware, automatically determines various morphological parameters of the soma and the neurites (size, shape, starting points, and fractional occupation). The image analysis pipeline consists of a multi‐tier approach in which the somas are segmented by adaptive region growing using nuclei as seeds, and the neurites are delineated by a combination of various intensity and edge detection algorithms. Quantitative comparison showed a superior performance of MorphoNeuroNet to existing analysis tools, especially for revealing subtle changes in thin neurites, which have weak fluorescence intensity compared to the rest of the network. The proposed method will help determining the effects of compounds on cultures with dense neurite networks, thereby boosting physiological relevance of cell‐based assays in the context of neuronal diseases. © 2013 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
On the security of a proxy signature scheme in the standard model
Authors: Yuan Yumin
Published: November 2013

Proxy signature allows an original signer to delegate her signing capability to a proxy signer. Recently, to provide lower communication cost and stronger security, Zhang and Yu proposed a short proxy signature scheme in the standard model. They claimed that their scheme simultaneously achieves several merits including strong unforgeability, shorter signature length, and lower computational cost. However, we show that Zhang and Yu's scheme is not as secure as they claimed, because anyone can obtain the actual signing key of proxy signer from three valid proxy signatures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A blueprint for research on Shankopathies: A view from research on autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Carbonetto Salvatore
Published: November 2013

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with mutations in a host of genes including a number that function in synaptic transmission. Phelan McDermid syndrome involves mutations in SHANK3 which encodes a protein that forms a scaffold for glutamate receptors at the synapse. SHANK3 is one of the genes that underpins the synaptic hypothesis for ASD. We discuss this hypothesis with a view to the broader context of ASD and with special emphasis on highly penetrant genetic disorders including Shankopathies. We propose a blueprint for near and longer‐term goals for fundamental and translational research on Shankopathies. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 85–112, 2014
Eucalypts face increasing climate stress
Authors: Butt Nathalie , Pollock Laura J. , McAlpine Clive A.
Published: November 2013

Global climate change is already impacting species and ecosystems across the planet. Trees, although long‐lived, are sensitive to changes in climate, including climate extremes. Shifts in tree species' distributions will influence biodiversity and ecosystem function at scales ranging from local to landscape; dry and hot regions will be especially vulnerable. The Australian continent has been especially susceptible to climate change with extreme heat waves, droughts, and flooding in recent years, and this climate trajectory is expected to continue. We sought to understand how climate change may impact Australian ecosystems by modeling distributional changes in eucalypt species, which dominate or codominate most forested ecosystems across Australia. We modeled a representative sample of Eucalyptus and Corymbia species (n = 108, or 14% of all species) using newly available Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios developed for the 5th Assessment Report of the IPCC, and bioclimatic and substrate predictor variables. We compared current, 2025, 2055, and 2085 distributions. Overall, Eucalyptus and Corymbia species in the central desert and open woodland regions will be the most affected, losing 20% of their climate space under the mid‐range climate scenario and twice that under the extreme scenario. The least affected species, in eastern Australia, are likely to lose 10% of their climate space under the mid‐range climate scenario and twice that under the extreme scenario. Range shifts will be lateral as well as polewards, and these east–west transitions will be more significant, reflecting the strong influence of precipitation rather than temperature changes in subtropical and midlatitudes. These net losses, and the direction of shifts and contractions in range, suggest that many species in the eastern and southern seaboards will be pushed toward the continental limit and that large tracts of currently treed landscapes, especially in the continental interior, will change dramatically in terms of species composition and ecosystem structure.
CD11c+ cells primed with unrelated antigens facilitate an accelerated immune response to influenza virus in mice
Authors: Richert Laura E. , Rynda‐Apple Agnieszka , Harmsen Ann L. , Han Soo , Wiley James A. , Douglas Trevor , Larson Kyle , Morton Rachelle V. , Harmsen Allen G.
Published: November 2013

Recent evidence suggests that an individual's unique history and sequence of exposures to pathogens and antigens may dictate downstream immune responses to disparate antigens. We show that the i.n. delivery of nonreplicative virus‐like particles (VLPs), which bear structural but no antigenic similarities to respiratory pathogens, acts to prime the lungs of both C56BL/6 and BALB/c mice, facilitating heightened and accelerated primary immune responses to high‐dose influenza challenge, thus providing a nonpathogenic model of innate imprinting. These responses correspond closely to those observed following natural infection with the opportunistic fungus, Pneumocystis murina, and are characterized by accelerated antigen processing by DCs and alveolar macrophages, an enhanced influx of cells to the local tracheobronchial lymph node, and early upregulation of T‐cell co‐stimulatory/adhesion molecules. CD11c+ cells, which have been directly exposed to VLPs or Pneumocystis are necessary in facilitating enhanced clearance of influenza virus, and the repopulation of the lung by Ly‐6C+ precursors relies on CCR2 expression. Thus, immune imprinting 72 h after VLP‐priming, or 2 weeks after Pneumocystis‐priming is CCR2‐mediated and results from the enhanced antigen processing, maturation, and trafficking abilities of DCs and alveolar macrophages, which cause accelerated influenza‐specific primary immune responses and result in superior viral clearance.
Magnetic‐Nanoparticle‐Supported 2,2′‐Bis[3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl]imidazolium‐Substituted Diethyl Ether Bis(tribromide): A Convenient Recyclable Reagent for Bromination
Authors: Wu Liqiang , Yin Zhikui
Published: November 2013

A new magnetic‐nanoparticle‐supported bromination reagent was synthesized by anchoring a 2,2′‐bis[3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl]imidazolium‐substituted diethyl ether bis(tribromide) onto the surface of γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles and subsequently treating this new ionic liquid with bromine. The nanoparticle reagent was obtained with good loading levels and has been successfully used for the efficient bromination of a wide range of alkenes, alkynes, ketones, and aromatic substrates. More importantly, the reagent could be easily recovered by an external magnet and reused six times without significant loss of activity.
Regioselective, Direct meso‐Functionalization of Sulfur‐Bridged 5,16‐Dihydro[22]annulene(2.1.2.1)
Authors: Singh Kamaljit , Sharma Shivali , Sharma Amit , Kaur Paramjit
Published: November 2013

The direct incorporation of task‐specific substituents exclusively at the meso positions of neutral sulfur‐bridged 5,16‐dihydro[22]annulene(2.1.2.1) is described. This method allows for the incorporation of long hydrocarbon chains, which are otherwise not easily accessible through a conventional aldehyde condensation approach.
Direct One‐Pot Synthesis of Naphthoxindoles from 4‐Bromooxindoles by Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling and Aldol Condensation Reactions
Authors: Park Kyeong‐Yong , Kim Bum Tae , Heo Jung‐Nyoung
Published: November 2013

An efficient one‐pot synthesis of naphthoxindoles by using 4‐bromoindolin‐2‐ones and 2‐formylphenylboronic acids has been developed. The coupling reaction proceeds in good to excellent yields under microwave irradiation through a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling and an aldol condensation cascade reaction. In addition, this protocol permits the facile construction of naphthoxindoles through an expanded scope of substrates.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative C–H Alkynylation of Benzoxazoles with α,β‐Ynoic Acids
Authors: Kim Jinsik , Kang Dongjin , Yoo Eun Jeong , Lee Phil Ho
Published: November 2013

Palladium‐catalyzed decarboxylative C–H alkynylation of benzoxazoles with α,β‐ynoic acids was achieved for the first time. This straightforward method was found to be synthetically effective without strong base under air.
The self‐regulatory function of anticipated pride and guilt in a sustainable and healthy consumption context
Authors: Onwezen Marleen C. , Bartels Jos , Antonides Gerrit
Published: November 2013

Although individuals generally value health and sustainability, they do not always behave in a manner that is consistent with their standards. The current study examines whether attitudes and social norms (i.e., descriptive and injunctive norms) can evoke anticipated pride and guilt, which, in turn, guide behavioural intentions. This self‐regulatory function of anticipated pride and guilt is examined in the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) extended with descriptive norms. Study 1 (N = 944) was a cross‐sectional study in a sustainable (organic) behaviour context, and Study 2 (N = 990) was a study with a delayed outcome measure in a sustainable (fair trade) and a healthy (fruit consumption) behaviour context. We demonstrate that both negative and positive self‐conscious emotions guide behaviour because they mediate the effects of both attitudes and social norms on intentions. Furthermore, the results show that the mediating effects of anticipated pride and guilt significantly improve the explanatory power of the extended TPB in all contexts; however, there are differences in the size of the effects, such that the mediating effect of emotions is larger in a sustainable compared to a healthy context. Theoretical implications of our findings are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the effect of food and beverages on enamel and restorative materials by SEM and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Sari Mustafa Erhan , Erturk Aliye Gediz , Koyuturk Alp Erdin , Bekdemir Yunus
Published: November 2013

Objectives To examine different types of restorative materials used in children as well as primary and permanent teeth enamel when affected by erosive foods. Materials and Method Buttermilk, fruit yoghurt, Coca‐cola, fruit juice, Filtek Z‐250, Dyract Extra, Fuji II LC, and Fuji IX and tooth enamel were used. Measurements were performed on 1‐day, 1‐week, 1‐month, 3‐month, 6‐month time periods by using ATR‐FTIR technique and surface of the specimens were examined with SEM. Results Permanent tooth showed the least change among human tooth samples when compared to restorative materials. Among filler materials, the most change was observed in Fuji IX. In terms of beverages the most changes on absorption peaks obtained from spectra were seen on the samples held in Coca‐Cola and orange‐juice. Conclusion The exposure of human enamel and restorative materials to acidic drinks may accelerate the degradation process and so reduce the life time of filler materials at equivalent integral exposure times longer than three months. Clinical Relevance Erosive foods and drinks having acidic potential destroy not only tooth enamel but also restorative materials. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:79–90, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization and phylogeny of Isaria spp. strains (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) using ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 and elongation factor 1‐alpha sequences
Authors: D'Alessandro Celeste P. , Jones Leandro R. , Humber Richard A. , López Lastra Claudia C. , Sosa‐Gomez Daniel R.
Published: November 2013

The elongation factor 1‐alpha (EF1‐α) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions ITS1 and ITS2 (ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2) sequences were used to characterize and to identify Isaria isolates from Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil, as well as to study the phylogenetic relationships among these isolates and other related fungi from the order Hypocreales. The molecular characterization, which was performed by PCR‐RFLP of EF1‐α and ITS1‐5.8‐ITS2 genes, was useful for resolving representative isolates of Isaria fumosorosea, Isaria farinosa, and Isaria tenuipes and to confirm the taxonomic identity of fungi from Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil. The phylogenetic analyses showed three clades corresponding to three families of Hypocreales. The genus Isaria was confirmed as polyphyletic and in family Cordycipitaceae, Isaria species were related to anamorphic species of Beauveria, Lecanicillium, and Simplicillium and to teleomorphic Cordyceps and Torrubiella. Therefore, EF1‐α and ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 genes were found to be powerful tools for improving the characterization, identification, and phylogenetic relationship of the Isaria species and other entomopathogenic fungi.
The 5‐HTTLPR Polymorphism and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Gressier Florence , Calati Raffaella , Balestri Martina , Marsano Agnese , Alberti Siegfried , Antypa Niki , Serretti Alessandro
Published: November 2013

Environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Variation in the 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene has been hypothesized to affect risk for PTSD. With the aim of investigating this association, we conducted a meta‐analysis to shed light on prior controversial results and increase statistical power to detect smaller effect sizes. PubMed and ISI databases were searched for studies published until December 2012. Twelve studies have been included, all based on trauma‐exposed samples. Data were analyzed with Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager Software (Version 5). Quality and publication bias were assessed. Metaregressions were performed using Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis software, Version 2. Taking into account all studies, no association was found between 5‐HTTLPR and PTSD (p = .10), with evidence of between‐study heterogeneity, which could be partly explained by gender differences. In sensitivity analyses, we found an association between SS genotype and PTSD in high trauma‐exposed participants (p < .001). To be a carrier of the SS genotype seems to represent a risk factor for PTSD in high trauma exposure. Further studies focusing on Gene × Environment interactions are needed to better understand the role of this polymorphism in PTSD.
Titanium‐Adhesive Polymer Nanoparticles as a Surface‐Releasing System of Dual Osteogenic Growth Factors
Authors: Choi Gi Hyun , Lee Hong Jae , Lee Sang Cheon
Published: November 2013

A titanium (Ti)‐adhesive nanoparticle is developed as a surface‐releasing system for dual osteogenic growth factors. The Ti‐adhesive nanoparticle is prepared by self‐assembly of a poly(L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA)‐grafted hyaluronic acid (HA) copolymer, followed by conjugation of catechol groups on nanoparticle surfaces. The nanoparticles consist of Ti‐adhesive peripheral catechol groups, anionic HA shells, and hydrophobic PLGA inner cores. The immobilization of the nanoparticles onto Ti substrates is successfully verified using various analytical tools including field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (Fe‐SEM), contact angle measurement, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Positively charged dual growth factors, bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) are readily loaded onto the negatively charged HA shells of surface‐immobilized nanoparticles, which is confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. The Ti substrates with dual growth factor‐loaded nanoparticle‐immobilized nanoparticles remarkably promote the attachment, proliferation, spreading, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human adipose‐derived stem cells (hADSCs).
Disease spread through contiguity and axonal tracts in primary lateral sclerosis
Authors: Lauren Flynn , Stephen Matthew , Floeter Mary Kay
Published: November 2013

Our goal in this report was to determine whether symptom progression in primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) was consistent with disease spread through axonal pathways or contiguous cortical regions. The date of symptom onset in each limb and cranial region was obtained from 45 PLS patient charts. Each appearance of symptoms in a new body region was classified as axonal, contiguous, possibly contiguous, or unrelated, according to whether the somatotopic representations were adjacent in the cortex. Of 152 spread events, the first spread event was equally divided between axonal (22) and contiguous (23), but the majority of subsequent spread events were classified as contiguous. Symptom progression in PLS patients is consistent with disease spread along axonal tracts and by local cortical spread. Both were equally likely for the first spread event, but local cortical spread was predominant thereafter, suggesting that late degeneration does not advance through long axonal tracts. Muscle Nerve 49:439–441, 2014
Acute and chronic effects of botulinum neurotoxin a on the mammalian neuromuscular junction
Authors: Baskaran Padmamalini , Thyagarajan Baskaran
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) cleaves SNAP‐25 and inhibits acetylcholine (ACh) release at the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) to cause neuroparalysis. Previous reports indicate a dyssynchrony between the inhibitory effect of BoNT/A on ACh release and SNAP‐25 cleavage. Methods: We tested the in vitro (acute; 90 min) and in vivo (chronic; 12 h) effects of BoNT/A on stimulus‐evoked ACh release (SEAR), twitch tension, and SNAP‐25 cleavage in isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) nerve‐muscle preparations (NMP).Results: In vitro or in vivo BoNT/A poisoning inhibited SEAR and twitch tension. Conversely, SNAP‐25 cleavage and inhibition of spontaneous release frequency were observed only in NMP poisoned with BoNT/A in vivo. Moreover, chronic treatment of BoNT/A inhibited ionomycin stimulated Ca2+ signals in Neuro 2a cells. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the inhibition of SEAR precedes SNAP‐25 cleavage and suggest involvement of a more complex mechanism for the inhibitory effect of BoNT/A at the NMJ. Muscle Nerve 50:206–215, 2014
QM/MM study of the C—C coupling reaction mechanism of CYP121, an essential Cytochrome p450 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Dumas Victoria G. , Defelipe Lucas A. , Petruk Ariel A. , Turjanski Adrian G. , Marti Marcelo A.
Published: November 2013

Among 20 p450s of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mt), CYP121 has received an outstanding interest, not only due to its essentiality for bacterial viability but also because it catalyzes an unusual carbon–carbon coupling reaction. Based on the structure of the substrate bound enzyme, several reaction mechanisms were proposed involving first Tyr radical formation, second Tyr radical formation, and C—C coupling. Key and unknown features, being the nature of the species that generate the first and second radicals, and the role played by the protein scaffold each step. In the present work we have used classical and quantum based computer simulation methods to study in detail its reaction mechanism. Our results show that substrate binding promotes formation of the initial oxy complex, Compound I is the responsible for first Tyr radical formation, and that the second Tyr radical is formed subsequently, through a PCET reaction, promoted by the presence of key residue Arg386. The final C—C coupling reaction possibly occurs in bulk solution, thus yielding the product in one oxygen reduction cycle. Our results thus contribute to a better comprehension of MtCYP121 reaction mechanism, with direct implications for inhibitor design, and also contribute to our general understanding of these type of enzymes. Proteins 2014; 82:1004–1021. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Solution NMR analysis of the interaction between the actinoporin Sticholysin I and DHPC micelles—Correlation with backbone dynamics
Authors: López‐Castilla Aracelys , Pazos Fabiola , Schreier Shirley , Ricardo Pires José
Published: November 2013

Sticholysin I (StI), an actinoporin expressed as a water‐soluble protein by the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, binds to natural and model membranes, forming oligomeric pores. It is proposed that the first event of a multistep pore formation mechanism consists of the monomeric protein attachment to the lipid bilayer. To date there is no high‐resolution structure of the actinoporin pore or other membrane‐bound form available. Here we evaluated StI:micelle complexes of variable lipid composition to look for a suitable model for NMR studies. Micelles of pure or mixed lysophospholipids and of dihexanoyl phosphatidylcholine (DHPC) were examined. The StI:DHPC micelle was found to be the best system, yielding a stable sample and good quality spectra. A comprehensive chemical shift perturbation analysis was performed to map the StI membrane recognition site in the presence of DHPC micelles. The region mapped (residues F51, R52, S53 in loop 3; F107, D108, Y109, W111, Y112, W115 in loop 7; Q129, Y132, D134, M135, Y136, Y137, G138 in helix‐α2) is in agreement with previously reported data, but additional residues were found to interact, especially residues V81, A82, T83, G84 in loop 5, and A85, A87 in strand‐β5. Backbone dynamics measurements of StI free in solution and bound to micelles highlighted the relevance of protein flexibility for membrane binding and suggested that a conformer selection process may take place during protein–membrane interaction. We conclude that the StI:DHPC micelles system is a suitable model for further characterization of an actinoporin membrane‐bound form by solution NMR. Proteins 2014; 82:1022–1034. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 homolog CED‐9 in Caenorhabditis elegans: Dynamics of BH3 and CED‐4 binding regions and comparison with mammalian antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 proteins
Authors: Modi Vivek , Sankararamakrishnan Ramasubbu
Published: November 2013

Proteins belonging to Bcl‐2 family regulate intrinsic cell death pathway. Although mammalian antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 members interact with multiple proapoptotic proteins, the Caenorhabditis elegans Bcl‐2 homolog CED‐9 is known to have only two proapoptotic partners. The BH3‐motif of proapoptotic proteins bind to the hydrophobic groove of prosurvival proteins formed by the Bcl‐2 helical fold. CED‐9 is also known to interact with CED‐4, a homolog of the human cell death activator Apaf1. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations of CED‐9 in two forms and compared the results with those of mammalian counterparts Bcl‐XL, Bcl‐w, and Bcl‐2. Our studies demonstrate that the region forming the hydrophobic cleft is more flexible compared with the CED‐4‐binding region, and this is generally true for all antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 proteins studied. CED‐9 is the most stable protein during simulations and its hydrophobic pocket is relatively rigid explaining the absence of functional redundancy in CED‐9. The BH3‐binding region of Bcl‐2 is less flexible among the mammalian proteins and this lends support to the studies that Bcl‐2 binds to less number of BH3 peptides with high affinity. The C‐terminal helix of CED‐9 lost its helical character because of a large number of charged residues. We speculate that this region probably plays a role in intracellular localization of CED‐9. The BH4‐motif accessibility in CED‐9 and Bcl‐w is controlled by the loop connecting the first two helices. Although CED‐9 adopts the same Bcl‐2 fold, our studies highlight important differences in the dynamic behavior of CED‐9 and mammalian antiapoptotic homologs. Proteins 2014; 82:1035–1047. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fabrication and characterization of Al/Cu2ZnSnS4/n‐Si/Al heterojunction photodiodes
Authors: Turgut Güven , Keskenler Eyüp Fahri , Aydın Serdar , Doğan Seydi , Duman Songül , Özçelik Şeyma , Gürbulak Bekir , Esen Bayram
Published: November 2013

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin film has been synthesized by a sol–gel spin‐coating technique on the n‐Si substrate to fabricate heterojunction photodiodes. An X‐ray diffraction study has shown that the film is polycrystalline with a strong (224) preferred orientation of CZTS and there are also multiphase structures. Atomic force microscopy studies have revealed that spherical nanoparticles have homogenously scattered on the surface of the film and the surface roughness has been found to be 4.65 nm. The optical bandgap value has been found to be 1.54 eV, which is very suitable for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications. The electrical properties of Al/CZTS/n‐Si/Al diode have been investigated by using current–voltage measurements. The Al/CZTS/n‐Si/Al heterojunction photodiode has shown a rectification behavior, and its ideality factor and barrier height values have been found to be 2.69 and 0.70 eV, respectively. The values of series resistance from dV/d(ln I) versus I and H(I) versus I curves have been calculated to be 4.3 and 4.7 kΩ, respectively. It has been seen that there is a good agreement between the two values. The obtained results indicate that the Al/n‐Si/Cu2ZnSnS4/Al diode can be used as a photodiode in optoelectronic applications, especially for solar energy conversion.