bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new lipase as a pharmaceutical target for battling infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus: Gene cloning and biochemical characterization
Authors: Ünlü Aişe , Tanriseven Aziz , Sezen İ. Yavuz , Çelik Ayhan
Published: November 2014

Staphylococcus aureus lipases along with other cell‐wall‐associated proteins and enzymes (i.e., catalase, coagulase, protease, hyaluronidase, and β‐lactamase) play important roles in the pathogenesis of S. aureus and are important subject of drug targeting. The appearance of antibiotic‐resistant types of pathogenic S. aureus (e.g., methicillin‐resistant S. aureus, MRSA) is a worldwide medical problem. In the present work, a novel lipase from a newly isolated MRSA strain from a cow with subclinical mastitis was cloned and biochemically characterized. The mature part of the lipase was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by nickel affinity chromatography. It displays a high lipase activity at pH 8.0 and 25 °C using p‐nitrophenyl palmitate and has a preference for medium–long‐chain substrates of p‐nitrophenyl esters (pNPC10–C16). Furthermore, in search of inhibitors, the effect of farnesol on the growth of S. aureus and the lipase activity was also studied. Farnesol inhibits the growth of S. aureus and is a mixed‐type inhibitor with Ki and Ki′ values of 0.2 and 1.2 mmol L−1, respectively. A lipase with known properties could not only serve as a template for developing inhibitors for S. aureus but also a valuable addition to enzyme toolbox of biocatalysis. The discovery of this lipase can be potentially important and could provide a new target for pharmaceutical intervention against S. aureus infection.
Evaluating the impact of high Pluronic® F68 concentrations on antibody producing CHO cell lines
Authors: Tharmalingam Tharmala , Goudar Chetan T.
Published: November 2014

Pluronic® F68 (P‐F68) is an important component of chemically‐defined cell culture medium because it protects cells from hydrodynamic and bubble‐induced shear in the bioreactor. While P‐F68 is typically used in cell culture medium at a concentration of 1 g/L (0.1%), higher concentrations can offer additional shear protection and have also been shown to be beneficial during cryopreservation. Recent industry experience with variability in P‐F68‐associated shear‐protection has opened up the possibility of elevated P‐F68 concentrations in cell culture media, a topic that has not been previously explored in the context of industrial cell culture processes. Recognizing this gap, we first evaluated the effect of 1–5 g/L P‐F68 concentrations in shake flask cultures over ten 3‐day passages for cell lines A and B. Increase in terminal cell density and cell size was seen over time at higher P‐F68 concentrations but protein productivity was not impacted. Results from this preliminary screening study suggested no adverse impact of high P‐F68 concentrations. Subsequently fed‐batch bioreactor experiments were conducted at 1 and 5 g/L P‐F68 concentrations with both cell lines where cell growth, viability, metabolism, and product quality were examined under process conditions reflective of a commercial process. Results from these bioreactor experiments confirmed findings from the preliminary screen and also indicated no impact of elevated P‐F68 concentration on product quality. If additional shear protection is desired, either due to raw material variability, cell line sensitivity, or a high‐shear cell culture process, our results suggest this can be accomplished by elevating the P‐F68 concentration in the cell culture medium without impacting cell culture performance and product quality. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 832–837. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Experimental Aspects in Benchmarking of the Electrocatalytic Activity
Authors: Čolić Viktor , Tymoczko Jakub , Maljusch Artjom , Ganassin Alberto , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Bandarenka Aliaksandr S.
Published: November 2014

With the high interest in improving the performance of electrocatalysts for technologically significant reactions, great efforts are directed at the assessment of the activities of various catalytic materials. For this purpose, it is important to compare the catalytic activities measured using different methods and under different conditions. To achieve this, it is of utmost importance to avoid certain methodological and instrumental issues that can severely affect the obtained experimental results. Using well‐defined systems, we demonstrate the importance of experimental conditions in the assessment and benchmarking of the activity of catalytic processes for various reactions. Particularly, we demonstrate that the correction of the uncompensated ohmic resistance using impedance spectroscopy measurements requires particular attention and additional procedures which are normally ignored. Additionally, we demonstrate how the uncompensated resistance changes with the potential if a non‐conducting gas phase is accumulated in the system, hence influencing the activity measurement. It is further shown that a correct choice for surface‐limited reactions for the determination of the real surface area of catalytic electrodes plays a key role in ensuring more meaningful activity assessment.
A Rare Tetranuclear Thorium(IV) μ4‐Oxo Cluster and Dinuclear Thorium(IV) Complex Assembled by Carbon–Oxygen Bond Activation of 1,2‐Dimethoxyethane (DME)
Authors: Travia Nicholas E. , Scott Brian L. , Kiplinger Jaqueline L.
Published: November 2014

The synthesis and X‐ray crystal structure of two new multinuclear thorium complexes are reported. The tetranuclear μ4‐oxo cluster complex Th4(μ4‐O)(μ‐Cl)2I6[κ2(O,O’)‐μ‐O(CH2)2OCH3]6 and the dinuclear complex Th2I5[κ2(O,O’)‐μ‐O(CH2)2OCH3]3(DME) (DME=dimethoxyethane) are formed by CO bond activation of 1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME) mediated by thorium iodide complexes.
An Integrated Imaging Probe Design: The Synthesis of 99mTc/Re‐Containing Macrocyclic Peptide Scaffolds
Authors: Hickey Jennifer L. , Simpson Emily J. , Hou Jinqiang , Luyt Leonard G.
Published: November 2014

β‐Sheets account for over 30 % of all secondary structural conformations found in proteins. The intramolecular hydrogen bonding that exists between the two peptide strands is imperative in maintaining this secondary structure. With the proper design, cyclic peptides may act as scaffolds emulating active β‐sheet regions, enabling investigation of their importance in molecular recognition and protein aggregation. Starting from Fmoc‐Lys(Fmoc)‐OH, macrocyclic peptides were synthesized on a solid support, with peptide‐chain elongation extending from both the alpha and epsilon amines of the lysine. The branching peptides were cyclized with a pyridyl tridentate chelation core followed by coordination using [99mTc/Re(CO)3(H2O)3]+. Variable temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy studies were performed, demonstrating that intramolecular hydrogen bonding exists between the two sides of the uncoordinated macrocyclic peptide scaffolds. Additionally, computational modelling and circular dichroism spectroscopic analysis revealed that the peptide backbone exists in a similar conformation both before and after metal coordination. The ability to seamlessly incorporate a tridentate chelation core into the backbone of a macrocyclic peptide, without disrupting the secondary structure, can greatly assist in the design of metal‐centric peptidomimetic imaging agents. This novel integrated imaging probe approach may facilitate the investigation into protein–protein interactions using macrocyclic β‐sheet scaffolds.
Comparison Between Polypyridyl and Cyclometalated Ruthenium(II) Complexes: Anticancer Activities Against 2D and 3D Cancer Models
Authors: Huang Huaiyi , Zhang Pingyu , Chen Hongmin , Ji Liangnian , Chao Hui
Published: November 2014

The aim of this study was to illustrate the dramatically different anticancer activities between coordinatively saturated polypyridyl (1 a–4 a) and cyclometalated (1 b–4 b) ruthenium(II) complexes. The cyclometalated complexes 1 b–4 b function as DNA transcription inhibitors, exhibiting switch‐on cytotoxicity against a 2D cancer cell monolayer, whereas the polypyridyl complexes 1 a–4 a are relatively inactive. Moreover, complexes 1 b–4 b exhibit excellent cytotoxicity against 3D multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs), which serve as an intermediate model between in vitro 2D cell monolayers and in vivo 3D solid tumors. The hydrophobicity, efficient cell uptake, and nucleus targeting ability, as well as the high DNA binding affinity of complexes 1 b–4 b, likely contribute to their enhanced anticancer activity. We surmise that cyclometalation could be a universal approach to significantly enhance the anticancer activity of substituted polypyridyl RuII complexes. We also suggest that 3D MCTSs may be a more practical platform for anticancer drug screening than 2D cancer monolayer approaches.
Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Azide–Alkyne Click Cycloaddition to Desymmetrization of Maleimide‐Based Bis(alkynes)
Authors: Song Tao , Li Li , Zhou Wei , Zheng Zhan‐Jiang , Deng Yuan , Xu Zheng , Xu Li‐Wen
Published: November 2014

A copper catalyst system derived from TaoPhos and CuF2 was used successfully for catalytic asymmetric Huisgen [3+2] cycloaddition of azides and alkynes to give optically pure products containing succinimide‐ and triazole‐substituted quaternary carbon stereogenic centers. The desired products were obtained in good yields (60–80 %) and 85:15 to >99:1 enantiomeric ratio (e.r.) in this click cycloaddition reaction.
Controllability of nonlinear diffusion system
Authors: Maidi Ahmed , Corriou Jean‐Pierre
Published: November 2014

In this article, the semi‐group theory is exploited to study the controllability of a particular but important class of distributed parameter systems with a uniform distributed control variable. This class is described by a partial differential equation that characterizes the nonlinear diffusion phenomenon. The main idea consists of using the Cole–Hopf tangent transformation, under some assumptions, in order to derive an equivalent linear model of the nonlinear diffusion system. Then, the study of the controllability of the linear model, based on the semi‐group approach, allows us to conclude about the controllability of the nonlinear diffusion system. The study is illustrated by an application example.
Phase 1/2 study of nilotinib prophylaxis after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with advanced chronic myeloid leukemia or Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Shimoni Avichai , Volchek Yulia , Koren‐Michowitz Maya , Varda‐Bloom Nira , Somech Raz , Shem‐Tov Noga , Yerushalmi Ronit , Nagler Arnon
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) remains the standard treatment for advanced chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL). Relapsed disease is the major cause of treatment failure, especially when SCT is given in the setting of advanced disease. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be given after transplantation prophylactically or after the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) to reduce the relapse risk.

METHODS

Posttransplant nilotinib was started after the achievement of sustained engraftment and the resolution of transplant‐related toxicities. Nilotinib was continued until progression or unacceptable toxicity.

RESULTS

Twenty‐two patients with advanced CML (n = 15) or Ph+ALL (n = 7) underwent SCT with human leukocyte antigen–matched siblings (n = 11), unrelated donors (n = 7), or alternative donors (n = 4). Sixteen patients were given prophylactic nilotinib maintenance, which was started at a median of 38 days after transplantation. Six patients stopped the treatment because of toxicities (mostly gastrointestinal and hepatic). After nilotinib maintenance, 11 patients achieved (n = 9) or maintained (n = 2) a complete molecular response (CMR), and only 1 of them later relapsed. Four of the 5 patients not achieving CMR relapsed. At a median follow‐up of 46 months, 9 patients were alive, and 13 had died. The 2‐year overall and progression‐free survival rates were 55% (95% confidence interval [CI], 34%‐75%) and 45% (95% CI, 25%‐66%), respectively. Among the 16 nilotinib recipients, the rates were 69% (95% CI, 46%‐92%) and 56% (95% CI, 32%‐81%), respectively. The 2‐year nonrelapse mortality and relapse rates for all patients were 32% (95% CI, 17%‐58%) and 23% (95% CI, 11%‐49%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Nilotinib is relatively safe and effective prophylactic therapy for the prevention of relapse after SCT. It may control MRD and convert patients to CMR, which is associated with prolonged survival. These observations merit further study in larger scale studies. Cancer 2015;121:863–871. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Folate–Cyclodextrin Conjugates as Carriers of the Platinum(IV) Complex LA‐12
Authors: Giglio Valentina , Oliveri Valentina , Viale Maurizio , Gangemi Rosaria , Natile Giovanni , Intini Francesco P. , Vecchio Graziella
Published: November 2014

Folic acid has emerged as an interesting cell‐targeting moiety and a number of drugs have been conjugated to folate. In this context, new conjugates of β‐cyclodextrins with folate have been synthesised as drug carriers to improve their selectivity for cells overexpressing the folic acid receptor. In particular, both 3‐ and 6‐functionalised β‐cyclodextrins, linked to the α‐ or γ‐carboxylic group of folic acid, have been synthesised and fully characterised. As a proof of concept, the antitumour platinum(IV) complex cis–trans–cis‐[PtCl2(CH3CO2)2(adamantylamine)(NH3)] (LA‐12) has been used as a guest drug. The LA‐12–cyclodextrin inclusion complexes have been tested on tumour cells. In the presence of cyclodextrin–folate conjugates, LA‐12 exhibited IC50 values four times smaller than those of LA‐12 alone in MDA‐MB‐231 cells, which overexpress folic acid receptors on their membrane. No improvement of LA‐12 cytotoxicity was found in control tumour cells that do not overexpress the folate receptor. Thus, the non‐covalent approach, based on inclusion complexes with functionalised cyclodextrins, looks very promising for drug targeting.
Impact of roux‐en Y gastric bypass surgery on prognostic factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus: meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Chen Yali , Zeng Guangzheng , Tan Jingwang , Tang Jun , Ma Jingsheng , Rao Benqiang
Published: November 2014

Our aim is to clarify the features of complete type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remission in patients who undergo Roux‐en Y gastric bypass surgery, to better determine factors affecting the outcome of T2DM surgery. A search was conducted for original studies on Medline, PubMed and Elsevier from inception until October 28, 2014. All of the articles included in this study were assessed with the application of predetermined selection criteria and were divided into two groups: Roux‐en Y gastric bypass surgery for T2DM patients in remission or non‐remission. The meta‐analysis results demonstrated that fasting C‐peptide values were significantly associated with increased remission (C‐peptide: 95%CI = 0.2–1.0) whereas T2DM duration, patient age, preoperative insulin use, preoperative fasting blood glucose values and preoperative glycosylated haemoglobin values were significantly associated with reduced remission (T2DM duration: 95%CI = −1.2 – −0.7; age: 95%CI = −0.5 – −0.1; percentage of preoperative insulin users: odd ratio = 0.10, 95%CI = 0.07–0.15; preoperative fasting blood glucose: 95%CI = −0.9 – −0.5; preoperative glycosylated haemoglobin: 95%CI = −1.1 – −0.4). However, the results demonstrated that body mass index was not statistically different (body mass index: 95%CI = −0.2–0.6). The results of the systematic review demonstrated that smaller waist circumference; lower total cholesterol, triglycerides and low‐density lipoprotein levels, increased higher high‐density lipoprotein levels, shorter cardiovascular disease history and less preoperative prevalence of hypertension contribute to the increased postoperative remission rate. Better results are obtained in younger patients with less severe diabetes, a smaller waist circumference, higher preoperative high‐density lipoprotein, lower preoperative total cholesterol, triglycerides and low‐density lipoprotein levels and fewer other complications of shorter durations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating indices of body condition in two cricket species
Authors: Kelly Clint D. , Tawes Brittany R. , Worthington Amy M.
Published: November 2014

Body mass components (dry mass, lean dry mass, water mass, fat mass) in each sex correlate strongly with body mass and pronotum length in Gryllus texensis and Acheta domesticus. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression underestimates the scaling relationship between body mass and structural size (i.e., pronotum length) in both cricket species compared with standard major axis (SMA) regression. Standardized mass components correlate more strongly with scaled mass index () than with residual body mass (Ri). Ri represents the residuals from an OLS regression of log body mass against log pronotum length. Neither condition index predicts energy stores (i.e., fat content) in G. texensis. Ri is not correlated with energy stores in A. domesticus whereas is negatively correlated. A comparison of condition index methods using published data showed that neither sex nor diet quality affected body condition at adulthood in G. texensis when using the scaled mass index. However, the residual index suggested that sex had a significant effect on body condition. Further, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) suggested that diet quality significantly affects body mass while statistically controlling for body size (i.e., body condition). We conclude that the statistical assumptions of condition index methods must be met prior to use and urge caution when using methods that are based on least squares in the y‐plane (i.e., residual index ANCOVA).
Redox and Photochemistry of Bis(terpyridine)ruthenium(II) Amino Acids and Their Amide Conjugates – from Understanding to Applications
Authors: Breivogel Aaron , Kreitner Christoph , Heinze Katja
Published: November 2014

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Katja Heinze at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany. The cover image shows the bis(terpyridine)ruthenium(II) amino acid [Ru(4′‐tpy‐COOH)(4′‐tpy‐NH2)]2+ (tpy = 2,2′;6′,2″‐terpyridine), illustrating some of its multifaceted optical and redox chemical properties as well as highlighting its potential applications in light‐to‐energy conversion and energy‐to‐light conversion schemes.
Inclusion of flaxseed in turkey diets decreases the n‐6/n‐3 PUFA ratio and increases the proportion of biologically active EPA and DHA without affecting meat quality
Authors: Jankowski Jan , Zdunczyk Zenon , Mikulski Dariusz , Naczmanski Jakub , Juskiewicz Jerzy , Troszynska Agnieszka , Slominski Bogdan A.
Published: November 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the duration of diet administration required for effective modification of meat fatty acids (FA) in turkeys fed diets containing 10% of flaxseed. BIG‐7 female turkeys of 11 wk of age were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments and were fed wheat/soybean‐based diets containing 2.5% of flaxseed oil and 2% of soybean oil (FO), 10% of ground flaxseed (FS), and 10% of flaxseed and NSP‐degrading enzymes (FS + E) for 3, 4, and 5 wk. After 5 wk, the BWG of turkeys from FO and FS + E groups were similar, while group FS birds had a lower body weight (P = 0.009). When compared to the reference diet FO, diets FS and FS + E decreased (P < 0.05) the proportion of n‐6 after 4 wk, and increased the proportion of n‐3 in the total FA content of breast meat. As a result, the n‐6/n‐3 ratio for FO, FS, and FS + E decreased in breast meat (from 2.8 to 1.4, and 1.4, respectively). When compared to 4 and 5 wk, meat from turkeys slaughtered after 3 wk of feeding had lower concentrations of total n‐3 FA. However, the proportion of biologically active EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) was the highest after 3 wk. Dietary treatments did not influence the sensory attributes of breast and thigh meat evaluated after 3, 4, and 5 wk. The results indicate that administration of the diet containing 10% of flaxseed for 3 wk would improve the n‐6/n‐3 ratio and EPA and DHA contents without a negative impact on the physicochemical and sensory attributes of meat.

Practical applications: The inclusion of 10% of ground flaxseed in turkey diets over a period of 3 wk before slaughter (i.e., at ∼15 wk of age) would decrease the n‐6/n‐3 PUFA ratio in meat portions and would result in considerably higher proportion of biologically active EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) without any negative impact on the physicochemical and sensory attributes of meat, and thus may be more desirable for human health. Further applications may include the use of NSP‐degrading enzymes to alleviate the negative effect of ground flaxseed on body weight gain of turkeys.

Growing turkeys were fed wheat/soybean‐based diets containing 2.5% flaxseed oil and 2% soybean oil (FO), 10% ground flax seed (FS), and 10% ground flax seed plus NSP enzyme (FS+E) for 3, 4, and 5 wk. When compared to the reference diet FO, diets FS and FS + E increased the proportion of n‐3 in the total FA content of breast and thigh meat portions and decreased the n‐6/n‐3 ratio. Turkeys slaughtered after 3 weeks of feeding had lower concentrations of total n‐3 FA but the highest proportion of biologically active EPA and DHA.
Speciation of Trace Levels of Chromium with Bismuth Modified Pyrolyzed Photoresist Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Mardegan Andrea , Cettolin Mattia , Kamath Rahul , Vascotto Veronica , Stortini Angela Maria , Ugo Paolo , Scopece Paolo , Madou Marc , Moretto Ligia Maria
Published: November 2014

Pyrolyzed photoresist carbon electrodes modified with bismuth (Bi‐PPCEs) were prepared and used for the determination of trace levels of chromium. In order to lower the detection limit, the choice of the supporting electrolyte concentration and electroanalytical parameters were optimized. The adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of Cr(VI) at Bi‐PPCE was selective even in the presence in Cr(III). A detection limit of 0.1 µg L−1 was obtained after 60 s preconcentration. After oxidation with UV light and oxygen, all chromium species were oxidized to Cr(VI) and the total inorganic Cr determination is possible. Finally, Bi‐PPCE was applied to trace Cr(VI) analysis in real samples such as waste water and tap water.
Voltammetric Determination of 2‐Aminofluoren‐9‐one and Investigation of Its Interaction with DNA on a Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Hájková Andrea , Barek Jiří , Vyskočil Vlastimil
Published: November 2014

Voltammetric behavior of the genotoxic environmental pollutant 2‐aminofluoren‐9‐one (2‐AFN) was investigated using direct current voltammetry (DCV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in both negative and positive potential regions. For the determination of 2‐AFN based on the cathodic reduction of the carbonyl group, optimum conditions were found in a methanol–BrittonRobinson (BR) buffer pH 4.0 (1 : 9, v/v) medium, with the limits of quantification (LQs) of 0.4 and 0.2 µmol L−1 for DCV and DPV, respectively. For the determination of 2‐AFN based on the anodic oxidation of the amino group, optimum conditions were found in a mixture of methanol–BR buffer pH 8.0 (1 : 9, v/v), with the LQs of 0.8 and 0.6 µmol L−1 for DCV and DPV, respectively. The practical applicability of the newly developed voltammetric methods was verified on the direct determination of 2‐AFN in model samples of drinking and river water. Moreover, the interaction between 2‐AFN and double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) was investigated by DPV (performed at the bare GCE when both dsDNA and 2‐AFN were present in the measured solution) and square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) (carried out at the dsDNA/GCE biosensor after its incubation in the solutions of 2‐AFN for various times and at various concentrations of 2‐AFN) to characterize damaging effects of the test substance on the dsDNA structure in vitro. The intercalation of 2‐AFN between the dsDNA base pairs was the predominant supramolecular interaction observed.
Mid‐twenty‐first‐century projected trends in North American heating and cooling degree days
Authors: Erhardt R. J.
Published: November 2014

Heating degree days and cooling degree days are overall measures of the demand for heating and cooling services. These measures serve as indices for financial products known as temperature derivatives (and more generally, weather derivatives), which allow utility companies and other businesses to hedge against weather risks. Weather derivatives are traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and as of 2011, the size of the weather risk market was estimated to be $11.8bn. Questions linking climate change to weather derivatives naturally arise. In this paper, we estimate trends in the annual projected number of heating degree days and cooling degree days over North America using regional climate model output for years 2038–2068. The regional climate model data are obtained from the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program. Two methods are demonstrated, one empirical and data driven, and the other taking advantage of spatial statistical models. Both methods incorporate regional climate model ensemble variability and produce trend estimates across North America. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metal recovery from end‐of‐life hydrotreating catalysts by selective precipitation: Laboratory tests and preliminary process analysis
Authors: Cibati Alessio , Pagnanelli Francesca , Toro Luigi
Published: November 2014

Hydrotreating catalysts (HTCs) are a waste byproduct of the petroleum refining industry. The recovery of intrinsic and sorbed metals from spent catalysts is desirable for meeting environmental disposal regulations, as well as for the metal resell value. In this study, innovative process schemes for metal recovery from end‐of‐life (i.e., spent) HTCs were tested in laboratory experiments and compared by process analysis. Synthetic leach liquors containing Al, Mo, Ni, and V were prepared resembling both chemical leaching and bioleaching methods for metal extraction from spent catalysts. Subsequently, metals in the leach liquor were recovered individually according to two pH‐dependent process schemes: (i) Mo and Ni were separated first and Al was removed last, and (ii) Al was removed first. The second metal separation process gave the best results in terms of selectivity, whereby 65% of Al was recovered by precipitation at pH 4.0, 87% of Mo was precipitated by sulfide addition at pH 0.5, 52% of Ni was precipitated by sulfide addition at pH 3.5, and 65% of V was recovered by hydroxide complexation at pH 6.0. Experimental data of metal precipitation were used to perform a process analysis comparing chemical leaching and bioleaching for different input flow rates and product depreciation in a simulated commercial‐scale plant. Simulation results indicate that chemical leaching is of superior performance over biological leaching in terms of metal recovery, which decrease the payback time for the capital investment to build the plant. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 703–712, 2015
Placebo Cessation in Binge Eating Disorder: Effect on Anthropometric, Cardiovascular, and Metabolic Variables
Authors: Blom Thomas J. , Guerdjikova Anna I. , Mori Nicole , Casuto Leah S. , McElroy Susan L.
Published: November 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cessation of binge eating in response to placebo treatment in binge eating disorder (BED) on anthropometric, cardiovascular, and metabolic variables.

Method

We pooled participant‐level data from 10 randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials of medication for BED. We then compared patients who stopped binge eating with those who did not on changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse, and fasting lipids and glucose.

Result

Of 234 participants receiving placebo, 60 (26%) attained cessation from binge eating. Patients attaining cessation showed modestly decreased diastolic blood pressure compared with patients who continued to binge eat. Weight and BMI remained stable in patients who stopped binge eating, but increased somewhat in those who continued to binge eat.

Discussion

Patients who stopped binge eating with placebo had greater reductions in diastolic blood pressure and gained less weight than patients who continued to binge eat. Self‐report of eating pathology in BED may predict physiologic variables. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Self‐help memory training for healthy older adults in a residential care center: specific and transfer effects on performance and beliefs
Authors: Cavallini Elena , Bottiroli Sara , Capotosto Emanuela , De Beni Rossana , Pavan Giorgio , Vecchi Tomaso , Borella Erika
Published: November 2014

Background

Cognitive flexibility has repeatedly been shown to improve after training programs in community‐dwelling older adults, but few studies have focused on healthy older adults living in other settings.

Objectives

This study investigated the efficacy of self‐help training for healthy older adults in a residential care center on memory tasks they practiced (associative and object list learning tasks) and any transfer to other tasks (grocery lists, face–name learning, figure–word pairing, word lists, and text learning). Transfer effects on everyday life (using a problem‐solving task) and on participants' beliefs regarding their memory (efficacy and control) were also examined. With the aid of a manual, the training adopted a learner‐oriented approach that directly encouraged learners to generalize strategic behavior to new tasks. The maintenance of any training benefits was assessed after 6 months.

Method

The study involved 34 residential care center residents (aged 70–99 years old) with no cognitive impairments who were randomly assigned to two programs: the experimental group followed the self‐help training program, whereas the active control group was involved in general cognitive stimulation activities.

Results

Training benefits emerged in the trained group for the tasks that were practiced. Transfer effects were found in memory and everyday problem‐solving tasks and on memory beliefs. The effects of training were generally maintained in both practiced and unpracticed memory tasks.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that learner‐oriented self‐help training enhances memory performance and memory beliefs, in the short term at least, even in residential care center residents. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scale‐free brain dynamics under physical and psychological distress: Pre‐treatment effects in women diagnosed with breast cancer
Authors: Churchill Nathan W. , Cimprich Bernadine , Askren Mary K. , Reuter‐Lorenz Patricia A. , Jung Mi Sook , Peltier Scott , Berman Marc G.
Published: November 2014

Stressful life events are related to negative outcomes, including physical and psychological manifestations of distress, and behavioral deficits. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer report impaired attention and working memory prior to adjuvant therapy, which may be induced by distress. In this article, we examine whether brain dynamics show systematic changes due to the distress associated with cancer diagnosis. We hypothesized that impaired working memory is associated with suppression of “long‐memory” neuronal dynamics; we tested this by measuring scale‐free (“fractal”) brain dynamics, quantified by the Hurst exponent (H). Fractal scaling refers to signals that do not occur at a specific time‐scale, possessing a spectral power curve
; they are “long‐memory” processes, with significant autocorrelations. In a BOLD functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we scanned three groups during a working memory task: women scheduled to receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy and aged‐matched controls. Surprisingly, patients' BOLD signal exhibited greater H with increasing intensity of anticipated treatment. However, an analysis of H and functional connectivity against self‐reported measures of psychological distress (Worry, Anxiety, Depression) and physical distress (Fatigue, Sleep problems) revealed significant interactions. The modulation of (Worry, Anxiety) versus (Fatigue, Sleep Problems, Depression) showed the strongest effect, where higher worry and lower fatigue was related to reduced H in regions involved in visuospatial search, attention, and memory processing. This is also linked to decreased functional connectivity in these brain regions. Our results indicate that the distress associated with cancer diagnosis alters BOLD scaling, and H is a sensitive measure of the interaction between psychological versus physical distress. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1077–1092, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid prototyped sutureless anastomosis device from self‐curing silk bio‐ink
Authors: Jose Rod R. , Raja Waseem K. , Ibrahim Ahmed M.S. , Koolen Pieter G.L. , Kim Kuylhee , Abdurrob Abdurrahman , Kluge Jonathan A. , Lin Samuel J. , Beamer Gillian , Kaplan David L.
Published: November 2014

Sutureless anastomosis devices are designed to reduce surgical time and difficulty, which may lead to quicker and less invasive cardiovascular anastomosis. The implant uses a barb‐and‐seat compression fitting composed of one male and two female components. The implant body is resorbable and capable of eluting heparin. Custom robotic deposition equipment was designed to fabricate the implants from a self‐curing silk solution. Curing did not require deleterious processing steps but devices demonstrated high crush resistance, retention strength, and leak resistance. Radial crush resistance is in the range of metal vascular implants. Insertion force and retention strength of the anastomosis was dependent on fit sizing of the male and female components and subsequent vessel wall compression. Anastomotic burst strength was dependent on the amount of vessel wall compression, and capable of maintaining higher than physiological pressures. In initial screening using a porcine implant, the devices remained intact for 28 days (the length of study). Histological sections revealed cellular infiltration within the laminar structure of the male component, as well as at the interface between the male and female components. Initial degradation and absorption of the implant wall were observed. The speed per anastomosis using this new device was much faster than current systems, providing significant clinical improvement. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 1333–1343, 2015.
A pilot study of conically graded chitosan–gelatin hydrogel/PLGA scaffold with dual‐delivery of TGF‐β1 and BMP‐2 for regeneration of cartilage–bone interface
Authors: Han Fengxuan , Zhou Fang , Yang Xiaoling , Zhao Jin , Zhao Yunhui , Yuan Xiaoyan
Published: November 2014

Repair of cartilage–bone interface tissue remains challenging, because it combines different cell types and gradients of composition and properties. To enable simultaneous regeneration of bone, cartilage, and especially their interface, a conically graded scaffold of chitosan–gelatin hydrogel/poly(l‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) was facilely prepared in the study. The chitosan–gelatin hydrogel containing transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) was used for chondrogenesis, while the PLGA scaffold loading bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) for osteogenesis. The conically graded transition from the hydrogel to PLGA scaffold and graded variation in amount of growth factors from TGF‐β1 to BMP‐2 benefited the cartilage–bone interface reconstruction. The graded scaffold exhibited spatio‐temporal delivery of TGF‐β1 and BMP‐2. Preliminary results of in vitro cell culture demonstrated that the hydrogel and PLGA phases could promote bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells toward chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation, respectively. From the result of the pilot in vivo experiment, it showed that the regenerated hyaline‐like cartilage surface and subchondral bone excellently integrated with the native tissues were found by using the TGF‐β1 and BMP‐2 double‐loaded hydrogel/PLGA graded scaffold via H&E and immunohistochemical stainings of collagen I, collagen II, and osteocalcin at 2 months. The obtained preliminary experiment results showed that the hydrogel/PLGA graded scaffold combining multiphasic composition and spatial dual growth‐factor delivery would be useful for cartilage–bone interface tissue defect repair. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 1344–1353, 2015.
Evidences ofin vivobioactivity of Fe‐bioceramic composites for temporary bone implants
Authors: Ulum Mokhamad F. , Nasution Ahmad K. , Yusop Abdul H. , Arafat Andril , Kadir Mohammed Rafiq A. , Juniantito Vetnizah , Noviana Deni , Hermawan Hendra
Published: November 2014

Iron‐bioceramic composites have been developed as biodegradable implant materials with tailored degradation behavior and bioactive features. In the current work,in vivobioactivity of the composites was comprehensively studied by using sheep animal model. Five groups of specimens (Fe‐HA, Fe‐TCP, Fe‐BCP composites, and pure‐Fe and SS316L as controls) were surgically implanted into medio proximal region of the radial bones. Real‐time ultrasound analysis showed a decreased echo pattern at the peri‐implant biodegradation site of the composites indicating minimal tissue response during the wound healing process. Peripheral whole blood biomarkers monitoring showed a normal dynamic change of blood cellular responses and no stress effect was observed. Meanwhile, the released Fe ion concentration was increasing along the implantation period. Histological analysis showed that the composites corresponded with a lower inflammatory giant cell count than that of SS316L. Analysis of the retrieved implants showed a thicker degradation layer on the composites compared with pure‐Fe. It can be concluded that the iron‐bioceramic composites are bioactive and induce a preferable wound healing process. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 1354–1365, 2015.
Utility of magneto‐electropolished ternary nitinol alloys for blood contacting applications
Authors: Pulletikurthi Chandan , Munroe Norman , Stewart Danique , Haider Waseem , Amruthaluri Sushma , Rokicki Ryszard , Dugrot Manuel , Ramaswamy Sharan
Published: November 2014

The thrombogenicity of a biomaterial is mainly dependent on its surface characteristics, which dictates its interactions with blood. Surface properties such as composition, roughness wettability, surface free energy, and morphology will affect an implant material's hemocompatibility. Additionally, in the realm of metallic biomaterials, the specific composition of the alloy and its surface treatment are important factors that will affect the surface properties. The utility of magneto‐electropolished (MEP) ternary Nitinol alloys, NiTiTa, and NiTiCr as blood contacting materials was investigated. The hemcompatibility of these alloys were compared to mechanically polished (MP) metallic biomaterial counterparts. In vitro thrombogenicity tests revealed significantly less platelet adherence on ternary MEP Nitinol, especially MEP NiTi10Ta as compared to the MP metals (p < 0.05). The enhanced anti‐platelet‐adhesive property of MEP NiTi10Ta was in part, attributed to the Ta2O5 component of the alloy. Furthermore, the formation of a dense and mixed hydrophobic oxide layer during MEP is believed to have inhibited the adhesion of negatively charged platelets. In conclusion, MEP ternary Nitinol alloys can potentially be utilized for blood‐contacting devices where, complications resulting from thrombogenicity can be minimized. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 1366–1374, 2015.
Sucrose Induces Vesicle Accumulation and Autophagy
Authors: Higuchi Takahiro , Nishikawa Jun , Inoue Hiroko
Published: November 2014

It has been shown that the treatment of mammalian cells with sucrose leads to vacuole accumulation associated with lysosomes and upregulation of lysosomal enzyme expression and activity. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved homeostatic process by which cells deliver cytoplasmic material for degradation into lysosomes, thus it is probable that sucrose affects the autophagic activity. The role of sucrose in autophagy is unknown; however, another disaccharide, trehalose has been shown to induce autophagy. In the current study, we used mouse embryonic fibroblasts to investigate whether sucrose induces autophagy and whether vesicle formation is associated with autophagy. The results showed that sucrose induces autophagy while being accumulated within the endosomes/lysosomes. These vesicles were swollen and packed within the cytoplasm. Furthermore, trehalose and the trisaccharide raffinose, which are not hydrolyzed in mammalian cells, increased the rate of vesicles accumulation and LC3‐II level (a protein marker of autophagy). However, fructose and maltose did not show the same effects. The correlation between the two processes, vesicle accumulation and autophagy induction, was confirmed by treatment of cells with sucrose plus invertase, or maltose plus acarbose—the α‐glucosidase inhibitor—and by sucrose deprivation. Results also showed that vesicle accumulation was not affected by autophagy inhibition. Therefore, the data suggest that sucrose‐induced autophagy through accumulation of sucrose‐containing vesicles is caused by the absence of hydrolysis enzymes. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 609–617, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation Catalyzed by Mesoporous MCM‐41‐Supported Chiral Ru‐Complex
Authors: Sarkar Shaheen M. , Yusoff Mashitah Mohd , Rahman Md. Lutfor
Published: November 2014

Chiral N‐sulfonyldiamine was successfully anchored on mesoporous MCM‐41 silica. The MCM‐41‐supported chiral N‐sulfonyldiamine was used as an efficient heterogeneous chiral ligand in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones. This heterogeneous system offered satisfactory enantioselectivities up to 94 % with excellent conversions.
Modeling and simulation analysis of the relationship between lesion recurrence on brain images and clinical recurrence in patients with ischemic stroke
Authors: Lim Hyeong‐Seok , Bae Kyun‐Seop
Published: November 2014

The objective of current study is to assess the relationship between characteristics of patients with acute ischemic stroke and clinical recurrences to identify predictors for the prognosis by modeling and simulation. Primary endpoint was clinical recurrence of ischemic stroke, and secondary endpoint was occurrence of any of the following clinical recurrence of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, acute coronary syndrome, or vascular deaths. Time to event models were developed by NONMEM® using prospectively collected clinical data from 270 patients over 5 years, where 7.0% and 9.3% of them experienced lesion recurrence on MRI at 1 month (LR1M) and clinical recurrence, respectively. Exponential models best described the data. LR1M and diabetes mellitus history were significant predictors for primary endpoint. Times to recurrence for patients with LRIM (+) and diabetes mellitus (+) were predicted to be 0.095 and 0.317 of those for patients with LRIM (−) and diabetes mellitus (−), respectively. LR1M was only predictor for secondary endpoint with predicted time to recurrence in patients with LR1M (+) compared to 0.141 of LR1M (−). Quantitative prediction of clinical recurrence using MRI could improve personalized therapy by identifying patients at risk of recurrence, and could enable efficient clinical trials by stratifying the patients.
House finch responses to Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection do not vary with experimentally increased aggression
Authors: Adelman James Stephen , Moore Ignacio Tomás , Hawley Dana Michelle
Published: November 2014

Aggression can alter infectious disease dynamics through two, non‐exclusive mechanisms: 1) increasing direct contact among hosts and 2) altering hosts' physiological response to pathogens. Here we examined the latter mechanism in a social songbird by manipulating intraspecific aggression in the absence of direct physical contact. We asked whether the extent of aggression an individual experiences alters glucocorticoid levels, androgen levels, and individual responses to infection in an ecologically relevant disease model: house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG). Wild‐caught male finches were housed in one of three settings, designed to produce increasing levels of aggression: 1) alone, with no neighbor (“no neighbor”), 2) next to a sham‐implanted stimulus male (“sham neighbor”), or 3) next to a testosterone‐implanted stimulus male (“testosterone neighbor”). Following one week of social treatment, focal males were experimentally infected with MG, which causes severe conjunctivitis and induces sickness behaviors such as lethargy and anorexia. While social treatment increased aggression as predicted, there were no differences among groups in baseline corticosterone levels, total circulating androgens, or responses to infection. Across all focal individuals regardless of social treatment, pre‐infection baseline corticosterone levels were negatively associated with the severity of conjunctivitis and sickness behaviors, suggesting that corticosterone may dampen inflammatory responses in this host‐pathogen system. However, because corticosterone levels differed based upon population of origin, caution must be taken in interpreting this result. Taken together, these results suggest that in captivity, although aggression does not alter individual responses to MG, corticosterone may play a role in this disease. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 39–51, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Induction of neural tissue markers by micronized human spinal cord implants
Authors: Carpenter Ellen M. , Llamas Carlos , Buck Billy E. , Malinin Theodore I.
Published: November 2014

The osteoinductive capacity of biological noncellular material has been widely recognized. Studies using bone morphogenetic proteins and acellular bone matrix demonstrate that host mesenchymal cells can be readily transformed into osteoprogenitor cells. The current study sought to determine whether another biological noncellular material, human spinal cord matrix, could induce transformation of host cells into a neural lineage. We demonstrate the formation of neural tissue and the expression of neural‐specific lineage markers in host cells colonizing implanted spinal cord fragments and adjacent tissue along with the lack of expression of nonneural lineage markers. These studies demonstrate that the inductive capacity of biological noncellular material is not limited to the osteogenic lineage and suggest that acellular spinal cord matrix could be used to generate host‐derived cells for use in neural repair and regeneration. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.