bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatments of Lignocellulosic Hydrolysates and Continuous‐Flow Hydrogenation of Xylose to Xylitol
Authors: Fehér Anikó , Fehér Csaba , Rozbach Margaréta , Rácz Gergely , Fekete Melinda , Hegedűs László , Barta Zsolt
Published: November 2017

Xylitol is produced by the heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of xylose over Raney nickel. The hydrogenation must typically be followed by several purification steps, which makes the chemical production relatively complex and expensive. In this study, activated carbon and bio‐purification treatments of corn stover hydrolysates and subsequent nickel‐catalyzed hydrogenation of xylose to xylitol were investigated. The activated carbon treatment was used to eliminate inhibitory compounds and increase the efficiency of the bio‐purification step. It was found that the glucose could be completely eliminated from the hydrolysate. The hydrogenation reactions of corn stover hydrolysate demonstrated that a high reaction temperature resulted in high sugar alcohol yields and selectivity. At a given temperature, the flow rate had no significant effect on xylitol yield.
Synthesis and Optical Properties of Phenanthroline‐Derived Schiff Base‐Like Dinuclear RuII–NiII Complexes
Authors: Kurz Hannah , Lochenie Charles , Wagner Kristina G. , Schneider Sandra , Karg Matthias , Weber Birgit
Published: November 2017

Two phenanthroline‐derived Schiff base‐like ligands with a covalently linked ruthenium(II) phosphorescent unit were synthesised and converted into bimetallic RuII–NiII complexes. The optical properties were studied to examine a possible photoluminescence quenching through a nonradiative energy‐transfer upon a coordination‐induced spin‐state switch (CISSS) at the nickel(II) centre. Therefore, the metalloligands and the nickel(II) complexes were studied using UV/Vis absorbance, steady‐state, and time‐resolved emission spectroscopy in solutions of MeCN and pyridine. It is demonstrated that the nature of the bridging ligand between the ruthenium(II) donor and the nickel(II) acceptor strongly influences the photophysical behaviour upon CISSS. For the complex with a phenazine bridge, photoluminescence quenching is observed in the presence of a paramagnetic nickel(II) centre.
Highly‐efficient and low‐cost synthesis of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural from monosaccharides catalyzed by surface treated biomass
Authors: Zou Bin , Chen Xueshan , Zhou Cunshan , Yu Xiaojie , Ma Haile , Zhao Jing , Bao Xinjie
Published: November 2017

Low‐cost bagasse and microcrystalline cellulose were used as the raw materials to prepare solid acid catalysts via incomplete carbonization and sulphonation. The solid acid synthesized from microcrystalline cellulose (C‐SO3H) exhibited better catalytic performance than that synthesized from bagasse. C‐SO3H was characterized by various techniques to study the reaction conditions of the catalytic transformation from glucose and fructose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF). The conversion of glucose was 73.29 ± 0.74 %, and the conversion of fructose reached a maximum of 98.85 ± 0.01 %. The selectivity and yield of 5‐HMF reached maxima of 65.04 ± 0.28 % and 64.29 ± 0.27 %, respectively. Using C‐SO3H as the catalyst, the conversion of glucose followed second‐order kinetics at various temperatures, while the conversion of fructose followed first‐order kinetics. The activation energies of the glucose and fructose transformations were 73.75 and 51.87 kJ · mol−1, respectively.
Investigation of Surface Sulfurization in CuIn1−xGaxS2−ySey Thin Films by Using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy
Authors: Kim Haeri , Park Se Jin , Kim Byungwoo , Hwang Yun Jeong , Min Byoung Koun
Published: November 2017

CuIn1−xGaxS2−ySey (CIGSSe) thin films have attracted a great deal of attention as promising absorbing materials for solar cell applications, owing to their favorable optical properties (e.g. a direct band gap and high absorption coefficients) and stable structure. Many studies have sought to improve the efficiency of solar cells using these films, and it has been found that surface modification through post‐heat treatment can lead to surface passivation of surface defects and a subsequent increase in efficiency. The surface properties of solution‐processed CIGSSe films are considered to be particularly important in this respect, owing to the fact that they are more prone to defects. In this work, CIGSSe thin films with differing S/Se ratios at their surface were synthesized by using a precursor solution and post‐sulfurization heat treatment. These CIGSSe thin films were investigated with current–voltage and Kelvin probe force microscope (KPFM) analyses. Surface photovoltage (SPV), which is the difference in the work function in the dark and under illumination, was measured by using KPFM, which can examine the screening and the modification of surface charge through carrier trapping. As the concentration of S increases on the CIGSSe film surface, higher work functions and more positive SPV values were observed. Based on these measurements, we inferred the band‐bending behavior of CIGSSe absorber films and proposed reasons for the improvement in solar cell performance.
Unexpected Synthesis of 2,3,5,6‐Tetrahydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyridine‐1,3,6‐triones by a Double Michael Addition/CS2 Extrusion/Double Cyclization Sequence
Authors: Mari Giacomo , De Crescentini Lucia , Favi Gianfranco , Santeusanio Stefania , Lillini Samuele , Mantellini Fabio
Published: November 2017

Bis adducts derived from a double Michael addition of rhodanine to an azo‐ene system of two molecules of 1,2‐diaza‐1,3‐dienes (DDs) have furnished the corresponding 2,3,5,6‐tetrahydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyridine‐1,3,6‐triones by means of a CS2 extrusion/double cyclization sequence. The incorporation of two units (4 and 2 atoms) of DDs into the fused bicyclic heterocycles represents a new application of this versatile class of molecules in heterocyclic synthesis.
C/EBPα‐dependent preneoplastic tumor foci are the origin of hepatocellular carcinoma and aggressive pediatric liver cancer
Authors: Cast Ashley , Valanejad Leila , Wright Mary , Nguyen Phuong , Gupta Anita , Zhu Liqin , Shin Soona , Timchenko Nikolai
Published: November 2017

Recent publications show that classic hepatoblastoma (HBL) is the result of failure of hepatic stem cells to differentiate into hepatocytes, while hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is caused by the dedifferentiation of hepatocytes into cancer stem cells. However, the mechanisms of aggressive HBL and the mechanisms that cause dedifferentiation of hepatocytes into cancer stem cells are unknown. We found that, similar to HCC but opposite to classic HBL, aggressive HBL is the result of dedifferentiation of hepatocytes into cancer stem cells. In both cases of liver cancer, the dephosphorylation of tumor suppressor protein CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) at Ser193 (Ser190 in human protein) or mutation of Ser193 to Ala results in a modified protein with oncogenic activities. We have investigated liver cancer in a mouse model C/EBPα‐S193A, in a large cohort of human HBL samples, and in Pten/p53 double knockout mice and found that these cancers are characterized by elevation of C/EBPα that is dephosphorylated at Ser190/193. We found that dephosphorylated C/EBPα creates preneoplastic foci with cancer stem cells that give rise to HCC and aggressive HBL. C/EBPα‐dependent dedifferentiation of hepatocytes into cancer stem cells includes increased proliferation of hepatocytes, followed by generation of multinucleated hepatocytes and subsequent appearance of hepatocytes with delta‐like 1 homolog–positive intranuclear inclusions. We further isolated C/EBPα‐dependent multinucleated hepatocytes and found that they possess characteristics of tumor‐initiating cells, including elevation of stem cell markers. C/EBPα‐dependent cancer stem cells are observed in patients with aggressive HBL and in patients with a predisposition for liver cancer. Conclusion: The earliest steps of adult HCC and aggressive pediatric liver cancer have identical features that include conversion of the tumor suppressor C/EBPα into an oncogenic isoform, which further creates preneoplastic foci where hepatocytes dedifferentiate into cancer cells, giving rise to liver cancer. (Hepatology 2018;67:1857‐1871).
Mesocosm experiments identifying hotspots of groundwater upwelling in a water column by fibre optic distributed temperature sensing
Authors: Marruedo Arricibita Amaya Irene , Krause Stefan , Gomez‐Velez Jesus , Hannah David M. , Lewandowski Jörg
Published: November 2017

Lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) can substantially impact ecosystem characteristics and functions. Fibre optic distributed temperature sensing (FO‐DTS) has been successfully used to locate groundwater discharge into lakes and rivers at the sediment–water interface, but locating groundwater discharge would be easier if it could be detected from the more accessible water surface. So far, it is not clear if how and under which conditions the LGD signal propagates through the water column to the water surface–atmosphere interface, and what perturbations and signal losses occur along this pathway. In the present study, LGD was simulated in a mesocosm experiment. Under winter conditions, water with temperatures of 14 to 16 °C was discharged at the bottom of a 10 × 2.8‐m mesocosm. Water within this mesocosm ranged from 4.0 to 7.4 °C. Four layers (20, 40, 60, and 80 cm above the sediment) of the 82 cm deep mesocosm were equipped with FO‐DTS for tracing thermal patterns in the mesocosm. Aims are (a) to test whether the positive buoyancy of relatively warm groundwater imported by LGD into shallow water bodies allows detection of LGD at the lake's water surface–atmosphere interface by FO‐DTS, (b) to analyse the propagation of the temperature signal from the sediment‐water interface through the water column, and (c) to learn more about detectability of the signal under different discharge rates and weather conditions. The experiments supported the benchmarking of scale dependencies and robustness of FO‐DTS applications for measuring upwelling into aquatic environments and revealed that weather conditions can have important impacts on the detection of upwelling at water surface–atmosphere interfaces at larger scales.
Autoimmune diseases and breast cancer risk by tumor hormone‐receptor status among elderly women
Authors: Schairer Catherine , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Gadalla Shahinaz M.
Published: November 2017

The female preponderance of many autoimmune diseases suggests a possible hormonal etiology. Little research exists on systemic and organ‐specific autoimmune diseases and risk of breast cancer by tumor estrogen receptor (ER)‐ and progesterone receptor (PR)‐ status. Here, we evaluate associations between selected systemic and organ‐specific autoimmune diseases and breast cancer risk overall and by tumor ER‐ and PR‐status. We used linked Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare data, with first female breast cancer cases ages ≥66 years identified by SEER registries (years 1992–2011; N = 209,929). We selected female controls (N = 200,000) from a stratified 5% random sample of Medicare recipients who were alive and breast cancer‐free. We assessed exposures until 12 months before breast cancer diagnosis/selection using Medicare claims data. We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 99.9% confidence intervals (CI) using unconditional and multinomial logistic regression. We found reduced breast cancer risk among those with rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 0.84; 99.9% CI 0.79–0.89), systemic lupus erythematosus (OR = 0.82; 99.9% CI 0.70–0.97) and pernicious anemia (OR = 0.90; 99.9% CI 0.83–0.97) and increased risk among those with psoriasis (OR = 1.16; 99.9% CI 1.06–1.27). Statistically significant alterations in risk for rheumatoid arthritis were limited to ER‐positive (+) breast cancer, whereas those for the other three conditions were further limited to ER+/PR+ breast cancer. However, only differences for rheumatoid arthritis by ER‐status were statistically significant (p‐heterogeneity = 0.0001). The reasons for these associations need to be investigated in future studies accounting for host characteristics and autoimmune disease treatment.
Efficacy and safety of anti‐EGFR agents administered concurrently with standard therapies for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tian Yunhong , Lin Jie , Tian Yunming , Zhang Guoqian , Zeng Xing , Zheng Ronghui , Zhang Weijun , Yuan Yawei
Published: November 2017

Agents targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are used to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, their efficacy and safety is poorly understood. Here we evaluated the efficacy and safety of anti‐EGFR agents administered concurrently with standard therapies for HNSCC. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated addition of EGFR targeted therapy versus standard therapy alone were included. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were progression‐free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), locoregional control, and severe adverse events (SAEs, grade ≥ 3). Sixteen eligible trials with 4031 patients were included. Addition of anti‐EGFR regimens to standard therapy significantly improved OS of patients with HNSCC (HR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82–0.96), with a moderately elevated rate of SAEs (RR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03–1.13). Subgroup analysis indicated that the survival benefit was observed when cetuximab was administered concurrently with radiotherapy (RT) for stage III/IV patients (HR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61–0.94; p = 0.01), or with chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic (R/M) HNSCC (HR = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78–0.95; p = 0.005). Significantly increased ORR (RR = 1.51; 95% CI 1.05–2.18) and PFS (HR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.59–0.88) were found in R/M HNSCC patients treated with anti‐EGFR plus chemotherapy, while no significant improvements were found in stage III/IV patients treated with anti‐EGFR plus standard therapy. In conclusion, addition of cetuximab to standard therapy may improve outcomes for R/M HNSCC patients, while causing a moderate increase in SAEs. For stage III/IV patients, anti‐EGFR mAb plus RT can improve OS compared with RT alone, while replacement of chemotherapy with EGFR mAb or adding EGFR mAb to combined chemotherapy and RT did not improve outcomes.
Multi‐modal brain tumor image segmentation based on SDAE
Authors: Ding Yi , Dong Rongfeng , Lan Tian , Li Xuerui , Shen Guangyu , Chen Hao , Qin Zhiguang
Published: November 2017

Accurate tumor segmentation has the ability to provide doctors with a basis for surgical planning. Moreover, brain tumor segmentation needs to extract different tumor tissues (Edema, tumor, tumor enhancement, and necrosis) from normal tissues which is a big challenge because tumor structures vary considerably across patients in terms of size, extension, and localization. In this article, we evaluate a fully automated method for segmenting brain tumor images from multi‐modal magnetic resonance imaging volumes based on stacked de‐noising auto‐encoders (SDAEs). Specially, we adopted multi‐modality information from T1, T1c, T2, and Flair images, respectively. We extracted gray level patches from different modalities as the input of the SDAE. After trained by the SDAE, the raw network parameters will be obtained, which are adopted as a parameter of the feed forward neural network for classification. A simple post‐processing is implemented by threshold segmentation method to generate a mask to get the final segmentation result. By evaluating the proposed method on the BRATS 2015, it can be proven that our method obtains the better performance than other state‐of‐the‐art counterpart methods. And a preliminary dice score of 0.86 for whole tumor segmentation has been achieved.
Internet of Vehicles: Enabling safe, secure, and private vehicular crowdsourcing
Authors: Joy Joshua , Rabsatt Vince , Gerla Mario
Published: November 2017

Safely avoiding accident prone routes is vital to maintain safe and intelligent transportation. Real‐time crowd sourcing of accident causing factors (eg, icy roads, rain slicked road patches) combined with historical accident information can be utilized by intelligent navigation systems to avoid accident prone routes. A vehicle cloud can compute such safe routes and react faster than a centralized service given crowdsourced data such as images, sensor readings, and so on. However, in addition to the intelligent routing, the security and privacy of each data owner must be provided as well. Additionally, crowdsourced information must be validated in the vehicular cloud. In this paper, we examine approaches to ensure safe, secure, and private vehicular clouds.
γ‐H2AX formation in the urinary bladder of rats treated with two norharman derivatives obtained from o‐toluidine and aniline
Authors: Toyoda T. , Totsuka Y. , Matsushita K. , Morikawa T. , Miyoshi N. , Wakabayashi K. , Ogawa K.
Published: November 2017

Aminomethylphenylnorharman (AMPNH) and aminophenylnorharman (APNH) are mutagenic norharman derivatives obtained from o‐toluidine and aniline, respectively. APNH is carcinogenic to the urinary bladder of rats and present in urine samples of healthy volunteers, indicating that norharman derivatives may be associated with cancer development in the urinary bladder of humans. To evaluate the possible role of AMPNH and APNH in bladder carcinogenesis, we examined the formation of γ‐H2AX, a DNA damage response marker, in the urinary bladder of rats. Seven‐week‐old male F344 rats were treated with 400 ppm AMPNH or 40 ppm APNH in the diet for 4 weeks. Animals were killed at the end of administration or after 2 weeks of recovery, and immunohistochemistry for γ‐H2AX and Ki67, a cell proliferation marker, was performed. At week 4, γ‐H2AX formation in bladder epithelial cells was significantly increased by APNH treatment as compared with that in controls. AMPNH also induced upregulation of γ‐H2AX formation, although there was no statistical significance. After the recovery period, γ‐H2AX‐positive cells were reduced but remained significantly higher in AMPNH and APNH groups than in the control group. Ki67‐positive cells were significantly increased by AMPNH and APNH at week 4 and reduced to the same level as the control after 2 weeks of recovery. Expression of KRT14, a bladder stem cell marker, was also increased in the basal layer by the two norharman derivatives. Thus, AMPNH and APNH showed in vivo genotoxicity in the bladder epithelium of rats, and APNH may be a potent causative agent of bladder carcinogenesis.
Internalization kinetics and cytoplasmic localization of functionalized diatomite nanoparticles in cancer cells by Raman imaging
Authors: Managò Stefano , Migliaccio Nunzia , Terracciano Monica , Napolitano Michela , Martucci Nicola M. , De Stefano Luca , Rendina Ivo , De Luca Anna Chiara , Lamberti Annalisa , Rea Ilaria
Published: November 2017

Porous biosilica nanoparticles obtained from diatomites (DNPs) have been recently demonstrated to be non‐toxic nanovectors of therapeutic agents in cancer cells. In this work, the internalization kinetics and intracellular spatial distribution of functionalized DNPs incubated with human lung epidermoid carcinoma cell line (H1355) up to 72 hours are investigated by Raman imaging. The label‐free Raman results are compared with confocal fluorescence microscopy and photoluminescence (PL) data. Raman bands specifically assigned to DNPs and cellular components provide evidence that the nanovectors are internalized and co‐localize with lipid environments. A considerable DNPs uptake in cells is observed within 6 hours, with equilibrium being achieved after 18 hours. The obtained data show the presence of DNPs up to 72 hours, without damage to cell viability or morphology. The PL measurements performed on DNPs not penetrating the cells at different incubation times are strongly correlated with the results obtained by Raman imaging and confocal microscopy analyses.
Confocal Raman spectroscopic imaging for in vitro monitoring of active ingredient penetration and distribution in reconstructed human epidermis model
Authors: Miloudi Lynda , Bonnier Franck , Tfayli Ali , Yvergnaux Florent , Byrne Hugh J. , Chourpa Igor , Munnier Emilie
Published: November 2017

Topically applied active cosmetic ingredients (ACI) or active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) efficacy is directly related to their efficiency of penetration in the skin. In vitro reconstructed human epidermis surrogate models offer in vivo like skin samples for transdermal studies. Using Delipidol®, an ACI currently used in the cosmetics industry, the capabilities to deliver accurate distribution maps and penetration profiles of this molecule by means of confocal Raman spectroscopic imaging have been demonstrated. Using a non‐negative constrained least squares (NCLS) approach, contribution of specific molecules can be estimated at each point of spectral maps in order to deliver semi‐quantitative heat maps representing the ACI levels in the different skin layers. The concentration profiles obtained are approximately single exponential for all 3 time points evaluated, with a consistent decay constant, which is independent of the sublayer structure. Notably, however, there is no significant penetration into the lower basal layers until a critical concentration is built up, after 3 hours. Combination of Raman confocal imaging with spectral unmixing methods such as NCLS is demonstrated to be a relevant approach for in vitro biological evaluation of cosmetic and pharmaceutical active ingredients and could easily be implemented as a screening tool for industrial use.
Encapsulation of rifampin in a polymeric layer‐by‐layer structure for drug delivery
Authors: Esmaeili Akbar , Khodaei Meisam
Published: November 2017

Rifampin (RIF) is a bactericidal antibiotic drug and potent inducer of hepatic and intestinal cytochrome P‐450 (CYP‐450) enzyme systems. Given by mouth or intravenously, it can cause numerous clinical drug interactions; thus, alternative systems of drug delivery that bypass some or all of its toxic effects are well worth investigating. In this study, a controlled layer‐by‐layer (LBL) process of encapsulating RIF in biocompatible alginate and chitosan polymers loaded onto Fe3O4 nanoparticles was developed. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized from FeCl3·6H2O using a hydrothermal procedure. Fluorescent molecular beacons containing RIF molecules and Texas Red were loaded onto the surfaces of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The loaded nanoparticles were encapsulated in alginate and chitosan layers with alternating negative and positive surface charge using an LBL self‐assembly method. Subsequently, by removing the Fe3O4 template particles, polymeric capsules containing RIF were obtained. Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry employed to determine optimized conditions for loading RIF, measure the amount of RIF loaded onto the surface of the nanoparticles under optimized conditions, and study drug‐release capability. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphology of unloaded and loaded nanoparticles. X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were applied to demonstrate the production of nanoparticles and loading of RIF onto them. Zeta potential analysis was used to determine the size and surface potential of the loaded polymeric layers. After removal of the core template, confocal fluorescence microscopy was used to isolate polymeric capsules containing RIF. The average size of the nanoparticles obtained was 23 nm. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 905–913, 2018.
Retracted: MicroRNA‐106b overexpression alleviates inflammation injury of cardiac endothelial cells by targeting BLNK via the NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: An Zhe , Yang Guang , Nie Wei , Ren Jin , Wang Dan
Published: November 2017

We aim to investigate whether microRNA‐106b (miR‐106b) affects the inflammation injury of cardiac endothelial cells (ECs) by targeting B‐cell linker (BLNK) via the NF‐κB signaling pathway. Human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) were assigned into the control, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), negative control (NC), pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), miR‐106b mimic, miR‐106b inhibitor, and si‐BLNK, and miR‐106b inhibitor+si‐BLNK groups. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and Western blotting were conducted for miR‐106b expression and expressions of BLNK, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, NF‐κB, pIκBα, BTK, and PLC‐γ2. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was applied for levels of IL‐6, IL‐10, and TNF‐α; cell counting Kit‐8 assay for cell proliferation; and flow cytometry for cell cycle and ensuing apoptosis. In‐vitro tube formation assay was performed for tube formation ability. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay revealed that BLNK was verified as the target gene of miR‐106b. Compared with the H/R and NC groups, the PDTC, miR‐106b mimic, and si‐BLNK groups had declined expressions of IL‐6, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, BTK, PLC‐γ2, NF‐κB p105/p50, and pIκBα as well as levels of L‐6 and TNF‐α, but contrarily elevated levels of NF‐κB p105/p50 and IL‐10. The PDTC, miR‐106b mimic, and si‐BLNK groups had less cell number in G0/G1 phase but higher cell count in both S and G2 phases, decreased cell apoptosis but increased proliferation and tube formation ability, while opposite trends were observed in the miR‐106b inhibitor group. Our findings indicated that the overexpression of miR‐106b alleviated the inflammation injury of cardiac ECs by targeting BLNK via the NF‐κB signaling pathway.
Design, expression and evaluation of novel chimeric protein constructed from colorectal tumor‐associated antigen
Authors: Veisi Malekshahi Ziba , Amani Jafar , Negahdari Babak , Rajabibazl Masoumeh , Ebrahimizadeh Walead
Published: November 2017

There were 134,000 new diagnosis and 49,000 deaths in 2016 due to colorectal cancer. Similar to most cancers, early diagnosis increases the chance of successful treatment. Detection of tumor‐associated antigens or the immune response against such markers is one of the most common methods of diagnosis. In that regard, we aimed to design and express a chimeric protein from the most common tumor‐associated antigens in colorectal cancer and assess its ability to detect the immune response in comparison with the parental tumor‐associated antigens in patient's sera. Through bioinformatics approaches a chimeric protein from carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19.9 (CA19‐9) was designed and expressed in E. coli (BL21DE3). Proper folding, expression levels and immune reactivity were assessed by western blot, ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Recombinant proteins functionality and immune reactivity were confirmed by ELISA and Western blot. Results showed that recombinant CEA, recombinant CA19.9 and chimeric protein of CEA‐ CA19.9 have strong reactivity with antibodies in the sera of colorectal cancer patients, whereas no reactivity was seen with the sera of healthy volunteers. Significantly stronger immune reactivity was seen with the chimeric protein than each of the CEA or CA19.9 alone. Overall, it was concluded that the designed recombinant proteins in this study could be used to detect autoantibodies produced against the colorectal tumor‐associated antigens. The chimeric CEA‐CA19.9 protein shows a stronger reactivity with the sera antibodies of colorectal cancer patients that CEA or CA19.9 alone.
Motivation and treatment credibility predict alliance in cognitive behavioral treatment for youth with anxiety disorders in community clinics
Authors: Fjermestad K. W. , Lerner M. D. , McLeod B. D. , Wergeland G. J. H. , Haugland B. S. M. , Havik O. E. , Öst L.‐G. , Silverman W. K.
Published: November 2017

Objective

We examined whether motivation and treatment credibility predicted alliance in a 10‐session cognitive behavioral treatment delivered in community clinics for youth anxiety disorders.

Method

Ninety‐one clinic‐referred youths (meanage = 11.4 years, standard deviation = 2.1, range 8–15 years, 49.5% boys) with anxiety disorders‐rated treatment motivation at pretreatment and perceived treatment credibility after session 1. Youths and therapists (YT) rated alliance after session 3 (early) and session 7 (late). Hierarchical linear models were applied to examine whether motivation and treatment credibility predicted YT early alliance, YT alliance change, and YT alliance agreement.

Results

Motivation predicted high early YT alliance, but not YT alliance change or alliance agreement. Youth‐rated treatment credibility predicted high early youth alliance and high YT positive alliance change, but not early therapist alliance or alliance agreement.

Conclusion

Conclusion Efforts to enhance youth motivation and treatment credibility early in treatment could facilitate the formation of a strong YT alliance.
Towards a methodology for recovering K‐struvite from manure
Authors: Tarragó Elena , Ruscalleda Maël , Colprim Jesús , Balaguer M Dolors , Puig Sebastià
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

This study provides a methodology for recovering two essential macronutrients (potassium and phosphorus) from the liquid fraction of manure. This methodology paves the way for K‐struvite recovery from manure by determining the suitable operational conditions (pH and temperature).

RESULTS

The theoretical operational conditions were established by modelling and experimentally adjusted with manure, achieving the highest recoveries (80% of P‐recovery) at pH 10 and 38 °C when using a 10% manure solution. Then, the suitable operational conditions were evaluated using 0–10–50–100% manure solutions. The lowest percentages of manure (0–10%) favoured the co‐precipitation of other products besides K‐struvite (magnesium phosphate and magnesium hydroxide); and at the highest percentages of manure (50–100%), all the phosphate was recovered as K‐struvite, but also the co‐precipitation of magnesium hydroxide due to the Mg/P molar ratio applied (Mg/P = 2). Suspended particles acted as nuclei for heterogeneous nucleation and favoured the aggregation of crystals resulting in a star‐asterisk form.

CONCLUSION

The viability of the process was demonstrated, this study being the first proof‐of‐concept of K‐struvite recovery from complex waste streams. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Gastric venous congestion and bleeding in association with total pancreatectomy
Authors: Nakao Akimasa , Yamada Suguru , Fujii Tsutomu , Tanaka Haruyoshi , Oshima Kenji , Oshima Yukiko , Iede Kiyotsugu , Kobayashi Hironobu , Kimura Yasunori , Kodera Yasuhiro
Published: November 2017

Background

Gastric venous congestion and bleeding in association with total pancreatectomy (TP) were evaluated.

Methods

Thirty‐eight patients of TP were retrospectively analyzed. TP was classified as TP with distal gastrectomy (TPDG), pylorus‐preserving TP (PPTP), subtotal stomach‐preserving TP (SSPTP), and TP with segmental duodenectomy (TPSD).

Results

Portal vein or superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction was performed in 24 patients (62.2%). Gastric bleeding occurred immediately after tumor resection in one of eight patients who underwent SSPTP, and urgent anastomosis between the right gastroepiploic and left ovarian vein stopped the bleeding. Another case of gastric bleeding was observed a few hours after TP in one of nine patients who underwent PPTP, and hemostasis was achieved after conservative therapy. Gastric bleeding was not observed in 16 patients who underwent TPDG and five who underwent TPSD. Some patients underwent preservation of gastric drainage veins (left gastric vein, right gastric vein, or right gastroepiploic vein). Neither patient with bleeding underwent preservation of a gastric drainage vein.

Conclusions

To preserve the subtotal or whole stomach when performing TP, one of the gastric drainage veins should undergo preservation or reconstruction, and anastomosis between the right gastroepiploic vein and left ovarian vein may be beneficial.
Spiro[4H‐2,3‐dihydropyran‐3,3′‐oxindoles] derived from 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline
Authors: Saatluo Bahman Ebrahimi , Baradarani Mehdi M. , Różycka‐Sokołowska Ewa , Bałczewski Piotr , Joule John A.
Published: November 2017

Knoevenagel condensation of 5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinoline‐1,2‐dione 3 with aryl cyanomethyl ketones 9 generates 3‐(aroyl(cyano)methylidene)oxindoles 10 that react with cyclic 1,3‐diketones 11 to generate polycyclic hemiacetal spiro[4H‐2,3‐dihydropyran‐3,3′‐oxindoles] 13.
One‐pot Four‐component Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Pyridines Using Nitroketene Dithioacetal as a Source of Methyl Thiolate Under Solvent‐free Condition
Authors: Bayat Mohammad , Saboni Mehrnoosh , Notash Behrouz
Published: November 2017

A simple method for the synthesis of highly functionalized 2‐amino‐6‐(methylthio)pyridine‐3,5‐dicarbonitriles is presented. In this method, pyridine derivatives are synthesized from the reaction of malononitrile, aromatic aldehydes, nitroketene dithioacetal in the presence of ethylene diamine. The notable features of this method are the simple Experimental procedure, short reaction time, and good yields.
Re‐thinking the role of radiometal isotopes: Towards a future concept for theranostic radiopharmaceuticals
Authors: Notni Johannes , Wester Hans‐Jürgen
Published: November 2017

The potential and future role of certain metal radionuclides, for example, 44Sc, 89Zr, 86Y, 64Cu, 68Ga, 177Lu, 225Ac, and 213Bi, and several terbium isotopes has been controversially discussed in the past decades. Furthermore, the possible benefits of “matched pairs” of isotopes for tandem applications of diagnostics and therapeutics (theranostics) have been emphasized, while such approaches still have not made their way into routine clinical practice. Analysis of bibliographical data illustrates how popularity of certain nuclides has been promoted by cycles of availability and applications. We furthermore discuss the different practical requirements for diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals and the resulting consequences for efficient development of clinically useful pairs of radionuclide theranostics, with particular emphasis on the underlying economical factors. Based on an exemplary assessment of overall production costs for 68Ga and 18F radiopharmaceuticals, we venture a look into the future of theranostics and predict that high‐throughput PET applications, that is, diagnosis of frequent conditions, will ultimately rely on 18F tracers. PET radiometals will occupy a niche in the clinical low‐throughput sector (diagnosis of rare diseases), but above all, dominate preclinical research and clinical translation. Matched isotope pairs will be of lesser relevance for theranostics but may become important for future PET‐based therapeutic dosimetry.
An immunoinformatics approach to define T cell epitopes from polyketide and non‐ribosomal peptide synthesis proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as potential vaccine candidates
Authors: Dhivya S. , Baskar V. , Kumar S. R. , Sathishkumar R.
Published: November 2017

The role of polyketide and non‐ribosomal proteins from the class of small molecule metabolism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is well documented in envelope organization, virulence, and pathogenesis. Consequently, the identification of T cell epitopes from these proteins could serve to define potential antigens for the development of vaccines. Fourty‐one proteins from polyketide and non‐ribosomal peptide synthesis of small molecule metabolism proteins of M tuberculosis H37Rv were analyzed computationally for the presence of HLA class I binding nanomeric peptides. All possible overlapping nanomeric peptide sequences from 41 small molecule metabolic proteins were generated through in silico and analyzed for their ability to bind to 33 alleles belonging to A, B, and C loci of HLA class I molecule. Polyketide and non‐ribosomal protein analyses revealed that 20% of generated peptides were predicted to bind HLA with halftime of dissociation T1/2 ≥ 100 minutes, and 77% of them were mono‐allelic in their binding. The structural bases for recognition of nanomers by different HLA molecules were studied by structural modeling of HLA class I‐peptide complexes. Pathogen peptides that could mimic as self‐peptides or partially self‐peptides in the host were excluded using a comparative study with the human proteome; thus, subunit or DNA vaccines will have more chance of success.
A sensitive colorimetric DNA biosensor for specific detection of the HBV gene based on silver‐coated glass slide and G‐quadruplex‐hemin DNAzyme
Authors: Li Yubin , Liu Sheng , Deng Qiujuan , Ling Liansheng
Published: November 2017

A sensitive colorimetric DNA biosensor for specific detection of single stranded oligonucleotide (ssDNA) is proposed in this paper. The biosensor is based on silver‐coated glass (SCGS) and G‐quadruplex‐hemin DNAzyme. Capture DNA is immobilized on the surface of SCGS by Ag—S bond. Signal DNA can be used to hybridize with the target DNA which is selected from the Hepatitis B virus(HBV) gene as target HBV DNA, and the HRP‐mimicking G‐quadruplex‐hemin DNAzyme can be formed through the function of a guanine‐rich fragment from signal DNA to catalyze the oxidation of 2,2‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiozoline)‐6‐sulfonicacid (ABTS2–) by H2O2. The reaction will be monitored along the side of absorbance changes at 418 nm and it can be viewed by naked eye with the change of color as well. Upon addition of target Hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA, signal DNA could bind on the surface of SCGS, and the concentration of G‐quadruplex‐hemin DNAzyme immobilizing on the surface of SCGS is depended on that of target HBV DNA. Under the optimum conditions, the absorption was proportional to the concentration of target HBV DNA over the range from 0.5 to 100 nM, with a detection limit of 0.2 nM. In addition, the biosensor is target specific and practicability. This assay might open a new avenue for applying in the diagnosis of HBV disease in the future.
Why minority interests may be encouraged by majority regulation: A case study illustrated by slow money movement
Authors: Ashta Arvind
Published: November 2017

Minorities seeking majority legislations need to communicate the increased option set and limit the downside risk for the system. Social movements urging for change require institutional support including enabling legislation. Public policy support may require associating with similar movements or other stakeholders. Loss aversion, downside risk, crisis, and real options may be reasons for majorities to approve minority legislation.
Properties and Phase Structure of Polycaprolactone‐Based Segmented Polyurethanes with Varying Hard and Soft Segments: Effects of Processing Conditions
Authors: Imre Balazs , Gojzewski Hubert , Check Casey , Chartoff Richard , Vancso G. Julius
Published: November 2017

A series of segmented polycaprolactone polyurethane (PU) polymers is synthesized. One set of polymers ranges in composition from 0 to 100 wt% hard segments (HSs). The syntheses are carried out in solution and the polymers are melt‐processed by compression molding. Another subset of polymers is formed in bulk from a blocked isocyanate prepolymer. The blocked polymer's thermal and mechanical properties are compared with the melt‐processed materials. The emphasis in this paper is on the effects of varying the chemical structures of the PUs on their phase structures and physical cross‐linking due to nanocrystalline hard domains. The thermal properties indicate that nanophase separation and the formation of hard domains occur at HS contents above ≈8 wt%. Property differences resulting from varying the hard segment amounts are directly related to differences in morphology at the nanoscale. Atomic force microscopy images show that the best elastomeric mechanical properties are found when nanocrystallites are 4–5 nm in size.
Photocontrolled Synthesis of Abiotic Sequence‐Defined Oligo(Phosphodiester)s
Authors: König Niklas Felix , Telitel Sofia , Poyer Salomé , Charles Laurence , Lutz Jean‐François
Published: November 2017

A photoregulated phosphoramidite iterative process is studied for the synthesis of non‐natural, digitally encoded oligo(phosphodiester)s. The oligomers are prepared using two reactive phosphoramidite monomers containing a 2‐(2‐nitrophenyl)propoxycarbonyl (NPPOC) protected OH group. The stepwise synthesis is performed on an OH‐functional soluble polystyrene support, which allows recycling by precipitation in a nonsolvent. Repeating cycles involving phosphoramidite coupling, oxidation of phosphite to phosphate, and NPPOC deprotection by light irradiation at λ = 365 nm are performed in order to prepare oligomers with different lengths and sequences. Synthesis is conducted on a micromolar scale and good recycling yields are obtained in all cases. The use of a soluble polymer support allows an in‐depth characterization of the NPPOC photo‐deprotection step by 1H NMR, UV spectroscopy, and size exclusion chromatography, and thus identification of optimal synthesis conditions. After cleavage from the support, the oligo(phosphodiester)s are characterized by tandem mass spectrometry, which confirms preparation of uniform sequence‐coded oligomers.
A novel mica‐based composite with hybrid aramid fibers for electrical insulating applications: largely improved mechanical properties and moisture resistance
Authors: Zhao Yongsheng , Dang Wanbin , Lu Zhaoqing , Wang Lamei , Si Lianmeng , Zhang Meiyun
Published: November 2017

The fabrication of mica‐based composites with good mechanical properties is very important especially for electrical insulation applications. In this study, a new aramid fibrid along with chopped fibers was introduced into a mica system, and the composites were prepared using a papermaking machine. It was found that the mechanical properties of both fibrid–mica composite (F‐M paper) and fiber/fibrid–mica composite (A‐M paper) were largely improved in comparison with the reference sample (M paper) with an increase in the content of fibrid or hybrid floc/fibrid. This enhancement can be attributed to two mechanisms: (1) enhanced interfacial adhesion derived from the addition of fibrids with good flexibility and wrapping properties and (2) significant reinforcing due to the frameworks originating from the addition of chopped flocs with high modulus and rigid‐rod morphology. Interestingly, a synergetic effect of enhanced interfacial adhesion and reinforcing could also be observed when both flocs and fibrids were introduced, which further improved the mechanical properties. Furthermore, the addition of aramid fibrid greatly enhanced the moisture resistance, which expands the potential for mica‐based composites. Thus, we successfully fabricated a mica‐based composite for electrical insulation with good mechanical properties, high end‐use temperature and excellent moisture resistance by adding hybrid aramid fibers. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of the precursor layer composition and deposition processes on the electronic quality of liquid phase crystallized silicon absorbers
Authors: Amkreutz Daniel , Preissler Natalie , Thi‐Trinh Cham , Trahms Martina , Sonntag Paul , Schlatmann Rutger , Rech Bernd
Published: November 2017

Liquid phase crystallization using line‐shaped energy sources such as CW‐diode lasers or electron beams has proven to form mc‐Si layers on borosilicate or borosilicate/aluminosilicate glass that exhibit wafer equivalent grain sizes and electronic quality. In this work, we characterize the impact of the employed dielectric interlayer stack sandwiched between glass and absorber on the electronic quality. For this purpose, we investigate a large variety of test cell results achieved in the past on different interlayer stacks composed of silicon oxide, silicon nitride as well as silicon oxynitride deposited by means of plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition or plasma oxidation and employ i(v), SunsVoc, quantum efficiency measurements, and photoluminescence imaging to assess the electronic properties of the crystallized absorbers. The results are compared with state‐of the art interdigitated back‐contact cells and literature values. Based on these findings, we conclude that at the present state of interlayer , the bulk quality imposes the limits in cell efficiency and investigates potential approaches to increase the bulk quality of LPC‐Si absorbers.
[11C]arachidonic acid incorporation measurement in human brain: Optimization for clinical use
Authors: Zanderigo Francesca , Kang Yeona , Kumar Dileep , Nikolopoulou Anastasia , Mozley P. David , Kothari Paresh J. , He Bin , Schlyer David , Rapoport Stanley I. , Oquendo Maria A. , Vallabhajosula Shankar , Mann J. John , Sublette M. Elizabeth
Published: November 2017

Arachidonic acid (AA) is involved in signal transduction, neuroinflammation, and production of eicosanoid metabolites. The AA brain incorporation coefficient (K*) is quantifiable in vivo using [11C]AA positron emission tomography, although repeatability remains undetermined. We evaluated K* estimates obtained with population‐based metabolite correction (PBMC) and image‐derived input function (IDIF) in comparison to arterial blood‐based estimates, and compared repeatability. Eleven healthy volunteers underwent a [11C]AA scan; five repeated the scan 6 weeks later, simulating a pre‐ and post‐treatment study design. For all scans, arterial blood was sampled to measure [11C]AA plasma radioactivity. Plasma [11C]AA parent fraction was measured in 5 scans. K* was quantified using both blood data and IDIF, corrected for [11C]AA parent fraction using both PBMC (from published values) and individually measured values (when available). K* repeatability was calculated in the test‐retest subset. K* estimates based on blood and individual metabolites were highly correlated with estimates using PBMC with arterial input function (r = 0.943) or IDIF (r = 0.918) in the subset with measured metabolites. In the total dataset, using PBMC, IDIF‐based estimates were moderately correlated with arterial input function‐based estimates (r = 0.712). PBMC and IDIF‐based K* estimates were ∼6.4% to ∼11.9% higher, on average, than blood‐based estimates. Average K* test‐retest absolute percent difference values obtained using blood data or IDIF, assuming PBMC for both, were between 6.7% and 13.9%, comparable to other radiotracers. Our results support the possibility of simplified [11C]AA data acquisition through eliminating arterial blood sampling and metabolite analysis, while retaining comparable repeatability and validity.
In vitro biotransformation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in different species. Part I: Microsomal degradation
Authors: Kolrep Franziska , Numata Jorge , Kneuer Carsten , Preiss-Weigert Angelika , Lahrssen-Wiederholt Monika , Schrenk Dieter , These Anja
Published: November 2017

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) are secondary metabolites of certain flowering plants. The ingestion of PAs may result in acute and chronic effects in man and livestock with hepatotoxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity being identified as predominant effects. Several hundred PAs sharing the diol pyrrolizidine as a core structure are formed by plants. Although many congeners may cause adverse effects, differences in the toxic potency have been detected in animal tests. It is generally accepted that PAs themselves are biologically and toxicologically inactive and require metabolic activation. Consequently, a strong relationship between activating metabolism and toxicity can be expected. Concerning PA susceptibility, marked differences between species were reported with a comparatively high susceptibility in horses, while goat and sheep seem to be almost resistant. Therefore, we investigated the in vitro degradation rate of four frequently occurring PAs by liver enzymes present in S9 fractions from human, pig, cow, horse, rat, rabbit, goat, and sheep liver. Unexpectedly, almost no metabolic degradation of any PA was observed for susceptible species such as human, pig, horse, or cow. If the formation of toxic metabolites represents a crucial bioactivation step, the found inverse conversion rates of PAs compared to the known susceptibility require further investigation.