bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental effects on survival rates: robust regression, recovery planning and endangered Atlantic salmon
Authors: Bowlby Heather D. , Gibson A. Jamie F.
Published: July 2015

Describing how population‐level survival rates are influenced by environmental change becomes necessary during recovery planning to identify threats that should be the focus for future remediation efforts. However, the ways in which data are analyzed have the potential to change our ecological understanding and thus subsequent recommendations for remedial actions to address threats. In regression, distributional assumptions underlying short time series of survival estimates cannot be investigated a priori and data likely contain points that do not follow the general trend (outliers) as well as contain additional variation relative to an assumed distribution (overdispersion). Using juvenile survival data from three endangered Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. populations in response to hydrological variation, four distributions for the response were compared using lognormal and generalized linear models (GLM). The influence of outliers as well as overdispersion was investigated by comparing conclusions from robust regressions with these lognormal models and GLMs. The analyses strongly supported the use of a lognormal distribution for survival estimates (i.e., modeling the instantaneous rate of mortality as the response) and would have led to ambiguity in the identification of significant hydrological predictors as well as low overall confidence in the predicted relationships if only GLMs had been considered. However, using robust regression to evaluate the effect of additional variation and outliers in the data relative to regression assumptions resulted in a better understanding of relationships between hydrological variables and survival that could be used for population‐specific recovery planning. This manuscript highlights how a systematic analysis that explicitly considers what monitoring data represent and where variation is likely to come from is required in order to draw meaningful conclusions when analyzing changes in survival relative to environmental variation to aid in recovery planning.
Response and tolerance to oral vasodilator up‐titration after intravenous vasodilator therapy in advanced decompensated heart failure
Authors: Verbrugge Frederik H. , Dupont Matthias , Finucan Michael , Gabi Alaa , Hawwa Nael , Mullens Wilfried , Taylor David O. , Young James B. , Starling Randall C. , Tang W.H. Wilson
Published: July 2015

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the haemodynamic response and tolerance to aggressive oral hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate (HYD/ISDN) up‐titration after intravenous vasodilator therapy in advanced decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

Methods and results

Medical records of 147 consecutive ADHF patients who underwent placement of a pulmonary artery catheter and received intravenous vasodilator therapy were reviewed. Intravenous sodium nitroprusside and sodium nitroglycerin as first‐line agent for those with preserved blood pressures were utilized in 143 and 32 patients, respectively. Sixty‐one percent of patients were converted to oral HYD/ISDN combination therapy through a standardized conversion protocol. These patients had a significantly higher admission mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure compared with patients not converted (28 ± 7 vs. 25 ± 8 mmHg, respectively; P‐value 0.024). Beneficial haemodynamic response to decongestive therapy, defined as low cardiac filling pressures and cardiac index ≥2.20 L/min/m2 without emergent hypotension, was achieved in 32% and 29% of patients who did or did not receive oral HYD/ISDN, respectively (P‐value 0.762). HYD/ISDN dosing was progressively and consistently decreased up to the moment of hospital discharge and during outpatient follow‐up, primarily due to incident hypotension.

Conclusion

The use of a standardized haemodynamically guided up‐titration protocol for conversion from intravenous to oral vasodilators may warrant subsequent dose reductions upon stabilization.
One‐Pot Synthesis of an Oxalato‐Bridged CuII Coordination Polymer Containing an In Situ Produced Pyrazole Moiety: A Precursor for the Preparation of CuO Nano­structures
Authors: Bahemmat Samira , Neumüller Bernhard , Ghassemzadeh Mitra
Published: July 2015

The synthesis, characterization, and thermal decomposition behaviour of the oxalato‐bridged copper(II) coordination polymer [Cu2(C2O4)(L)2Cl2(MeOH)2]n (1) (L = 3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole) is reported. Complex 1 is prepared in a straightforward fashion by a one‐pot reaction of acetylacetone, thiosemicarbazide, oxalic acid and copper(II) chloride in a molar ratio of 2:2:1:2. Complex 1 was characterized by means of FT‐IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Furthermore, the electrochemical behavior of 1 was investigated in DMSO by cyclic voltammetry. The thermal stability of complex 1 was studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA). Solventless thermolysis of complex 1 at 550 °C and 1000 °C under air afforded copper oxide nanoparticles and nanosheets, respectively. The CuO nanostructures were characterized by using a series of techniques including FT‐IR, UV/Vis, XRD, XPS, EDAX, and SEM.
Cytocompatible Fluorescent Quantum Dot/PEG‐Chitosan Bioconjugates for Nanomedicine Applications
Authors: Mansur Alexandra A. P. , de Almeida Camila G. , de Carvalho Sandhra M. , de Faria Lucas V. , de Almeida Mauro V. , Mansur Herman S.
Published: July 2015

In this study, novel nanobioconjugates based on quantum dots and a PEGylated chitosan derivative (PEG‐CHI) have been designed and synthesised by a single‐step aqueous route at room temperature. Chitosan was chemically modified by PEGylation aiming to significantly improve its water solubility and used as the capping ligand in the preparation of CdS quantum dot (QD) colloidal systems. UV/Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and the zeta potential were used to characterise the biopolymer‐capped semi‐conductor nanocrystals and their relative stability. The results clearly demonstrated that the PEG‐CHI derivative is remarkably effective in nucleating and stabilising ultra‐small colloidal CdS QDs in aqueous suspensions under acidic, neutral and alkaline media with an average size of approximately 2.0–3.0 nm and simultaneously showing luminescent activity in the visible range. In addition, the results of cell viability analysis in vitro using two cell cultures based on MTT bioassays demonstrated no cytotoxicity of the CdS QD/PEG‐chitosan bioconjugates. Thus, based on these findings, it can be envisioned that these bioconjugates have potential use as biocompatible fluorescent biomarkers for nanomedicine applications.
Controlled SBU Approaches to Isoreticular Metal‐Organic Framework Ruthenium‐Analogues of HKUST‐1
Authors: Zhang Wenhua , Kozachuk Olesia , Medishetty Raghavender , Schneemann Andreas , Wagner Ralph , Khaletskaya Kira , Epp Konstantin , Fischer Roland A.
Published: July 2015

A controlled secondary building unit approach (CSA) was employed to obtain a series of ruthenium metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) of the general formula [Ru3(BTC)2Xx]·Gg (BTC = 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylate; X = counter‐anion, G = guest molecules) which are structural analogues of [M3(BTC)2] (M = Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Mo). The compounds [Ru2(OOCR)4X] and [Ru2(OOCCH3)4]Y were varied as Ru sources for CSA; namely strong coordinating X (Cl–) and weakly coordinating Y ([BF4]– or [BPh4]–) as well as the alkyl groups at the carboxylate ligand [R = CH3 or C(CH3)3] were utilized. Four phase‐pure Ru‐MOFs were obtained: [Ru3(BTC)2Cl0.5(OH)]·(AcOH)1.5 (1), [Ru3(BTC)2Cl1.2(OH)0.3]·(H3BTC)0.15(AcOH)2.4(PivOH)0.45 (2), [Ru3(BTC)2F0.5(OH)]·(AcOH)1.0 (3) and [Ru3(BTC)2(OH)1.5]·(H3BTC)0.5·(AcOH)1.4 (4) {AcOH = CH3COOH, PivOH = (CH3)3CCOOH}. The series of characterization data support the analytical composition and isostructural nature of 1–4, i.e. powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), IR‐ and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and N2 sorption were employed. The valence state of the Ru‐sites were studied by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The chosen precursors for CSA and optimized synthesis, work‐up and activation protocols allowed improvement of the overall crystallinity, purity (i.e., residual solvent molecules) and surface area of the Ru‐MOF materials.
Recognition of Prochiral Sulfides in Five‐Coordinate PtII Complexes
Authors: Calvanese Luisa , Cucciolito Maria E. , D'Amora Angela , D'Auria Gabriella , Esposito Antonio , Esposito Roberto , Falcigno Lucia , Ruffo Francesco
Published: July 2015

This article describes a stereochemical study on five‐coordinate complexes of PtII containing a prochiral alkene (E‐R1O2CCH=CHCO2R1) and a prochiral sulfide R2SR3, of general formula [PtMe(R2SR3)(dmphen) (E‐R1O2CCH=CHCO2R1)]BF4. Through mono‐ and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy, it was demonstrated that there is mutual recognition between the prochiral ligands in the presence of aryl sulfides R2SAr, whose origin was also explained. The equilibrium constants of sulfide exchange were also evaluated, which are in full agreement with the σ‐donor properties of the ligands.
Intake and sources of dietary fatty acids in Europe: Are current population intakes of fats aligned with dietary recommendations?
Authors: Eilander Ans , Harika Rajwinder K. , Zock Peter L.
Published: July 2015

The development of food‐based dietary guidelines for prevention of cardiovascular diseases requires knowledge of the contribution of common foods to SFA and PUFA intake. We systematically reviewed available data from European countries on population intakes and dietary sources of total fat, SFA, and PUFA. Data from national dietary surveys or population studies published >1995 were searched through Medline, Web of Science, and websites of national public health institutes. Mean population intakes were compared with FAO/WHO dietary recommendations, and contributions of major food groups to overall intakes of fat and fatty acids were calculated. Fatty acid intake data from 24 European countries were included. Reported mean intakes ranged from 28.5 to 46.2% of total energy (%E) for total fat, from 8.9 to 15.5%E for SFA, from 3.9 to 11.3%E for PUFA. The mean intakes met the recommendation for total fat (20–35%E) in 15 countries, and for SFA (<10%E) in two countries, and for PUFA (6–11%E) in 15 of the 24 countries. The main three dietary sources of total fat and SFA were dairy, added fats and oils, and meat and meat products. The majority of PUFA in the diet was provided by added fats and oils, followed by cereals and cereal products, and meat and meat products.

Practical applications: While many European countries meet the recommended intake levels for total fat and PUFA, a large majority of European population exceeds the widely recommended maximum 10%E for SFA. In particular animal based products, such as dairy, animal fats, and fatty meat contribute to SFA intake. Adhering to food‐based dietary guidelines for prevention of CHD and other chronic diseases in Europe, including eating less fatty meats, low‐fat instead of full‐fat dairy, and more vegetable fats and oils will help to reduce SFA intake and at the same time increase PUFA intake.

In European countries, SFA intakes are generally higher than the recommended <10%E and PUFA intakes lower than the recommended 6–11%E. Adhering to food‐based dietary guidelines for prevention of CHD and other chronic diseases including eating leaner variants of meat and dairy, and more vegetable fats and oils will help to decrease SFA intake and increase PUFA intake.
Methodology for Synthesis of Enantiopure 3,5‐Disubstituted Pyrrol‐2‐ones
Authors: Krenk Ondřej , Kratochvíl Jiří , Špulák Marcel , Buchta Vladimír , Kuneš Jiří , Nováková Lucie , Ghavre Mukund , Pour Milan
Published: July 2015

A new synthetic route towards chiral 3,5‐disubstituted pyrrol‐2‐ones by starting from amino acids has been developed. The sequence features the conversion of amino acids into their corresponding alkynoic acid derivative followed by a Pd‐catalyzed hydrostannylation of the triple bond and Stille cross‐coupling reaction. A series of lactam analogues of antifungal 3‐(aryl)‐5‐hydroxymethyl‐2,5‐dihydrofuran‐2‐ones have thus been prepared.
[1,2,5]Selenadiazolo[3,4‐b]pyrazines: Synthesis from 3,4‐Diamino‐1,2,5‐selena­diazole and Generation of Persistent Radical Anions
Authors: Konstantinova Lidia S. , Bobkova Irina E. , Nelyubina Yulia V. , Chulanova Elena A. , Irtegova Irina G. , Vasilieva Nadezhda V. , Camacho Paula S. , Ashbrook Sharon E. , Hua Guoxiong , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Woollins J. Derek , Zibarev Andrey V. , Rakitin Oleg A.
Published: July 2015

Previously unknown 3,4‐diamino‐1,2,5‐selenadiazole (6) was prepared by hydrolysis of [1,2,5]selenadiazolo[3,4‐c][1,2,5]selenadiazole (7b) and used in synthesis of novel 1,2,5‐selenadiazolo[3,4‐b]pyrazines by the Koerner–Hinsberg reaction covering the parent compound 4 and its substituted derivatives 5a–g. The compounds synthesized were characterized by solution and solid‐state 77Se NMR, and 6, 5‐Ph and 5,6‐Me2[1,2,5]selenadiazolo[3,4‐b]pyrazines (5a, g, respectively) by X‐ray diffraction. Electrochemical reduction of 5,6‐R2[1,2,5]selenadiazolo[3,4‐b]pyrazines 5c, g (R = Ph, Me) into novel persistent radical anions (RAs) was studied by cyclic voltammetry and the RAs [5c]– and [5g]– were characterized by EPR spectroscopy combined with DFT calculations.
Cobalt‐Catalyzed Reductive Alkylation of Heteroaryl Bromides: One‐Pot Access to Alkylthiophenes, ‐furans, ‐selenophenes, and ‐pyrroles
Authors: Cai Deng‐Jhou , Lin Po‐Han , Liu Ching‐Yuan
Published: July 2015

A practical and convenient Co‐catalyzed alkylation method for the facile introduction of various alkyl chains into organic electronically significant heteroaryl compounds, including thiophenes, furans, selenophenes, and pyrroles, is reported. Under well‐optimized reaction conditions, a wide range of alkylated heteroaryl compounds have beeen efficiently prepared in moderate to good isolated yields. Notably, 2‐ or 3‐alkylthiophenes, which play a decisive role in polymer chemistry and organic materials, have been synthesized step‐economically for the first time by this reductive‐coupling methodology using inexpensive cobalt salts as catalysts. This straightforward synthetic procedure avoids the preparation of moisture‐unstable organometallic reagents (RMgX or RZnX) required in conventional alkylation protocols.
Electrochemical Determination of Cu(II) Using a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Dispersed in Polyhistidine
Authors: Dalmasso Pablo R. , Pedano María L. , Rivas Gustavo A.
Published: July 2015

We report the sensitive and selective quantification of Cu(II) at glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) dispersed in polyhistidine (Polyhis), (GCE/MWCNTPolyhis) based on the complexation of Cu(II) by the histidine residues and further reduction by Differential Pulse Voltammetry in acetate buffer solution. The sensitivity was (3.6±0.3)×106 µA M−1, the reproducibility 6.6 %, and the detection limit 75 nM (4.8 µg L−1). The quantification of Cu(II) was highly selective even in the presence of excess of Cd(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Al(III), Pb(II), Cr(III), Mn(II), and Ag(I). The proposed sensor was successfully used for quantifying Cu(II) in tap‐water and groundwater samples without any pretreatment.
Mesoporous Materials‐Based Electrochemical Enzymatic Biosensors
Authors: Etienne Mathieu , Zhang Lin , Vilà Neus , Walcarius Alain
Published: July 2015

This review (239 references) is dealing with the use of mesoporous materials in the field of electrochemical enzymatic biosensors. After a brief discussion on the interest of mesoporous materials for electrochemical biosensing, a presentation of the various types of inorganic and organic‐inorganic hybrid mesostructures used to date in the elaboration of enzymatic bioelectrodes is given and the main bioelectrode configurations are described. The various biosensor applications are then summarized on the basis of a comprehensive table and some representative illustrations. The main detection schemes developed in the field are based on amperometry and mediated electrocatalysis, as well as some on spectroelectrochemistry.
Application of a Modified CuO Nanoparticles Carbon Paste Electrode for Simultaneous Determination of Isoperenaline, Acetaminophen and N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine
Authors: Beitollahi Hadi , Nekooei Samira
Published: July 2015

A 1‐[2‐hydroxynaphthylazo]‐6‐nitro‐2‐naphthol‐4‐sulfonate/ CuO nanoparticles modified carbon paste electrode (HNNSCCPE) was constructed and the electro‐oxidation of isoprenaline at the surface of the modified electrode was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CHA), and square wave voltammetry (SWV). Under the optimized conditions, the square wave voltammetric peak current of isoprenaline increased linearly with isoprenaline concentrations in the range of 1.0×10−7 to 7.0×10−4 M and detection limit of 5.0×10−8 M was obtained for isoprenaline. The prepared modified electrode exhibits a very good resolution between the voltammetric peaks of isoprenaline, acetaminophen and N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine which makes it suitable for the detection of isoprenaline in the presence of acetaminophen and N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine in real samples.
The Importance of Being Timely
Authors: Smith Paul
Published: July 2015

Policymakers want to know about real‐time economy performance. However, closely watched macroeconomic time series produced by national statistics offices are published infrequently, with a time lag and subject to revision. Such issues create uncertainty in tracking economic developments, a by‐product of which is to raise the value of business and consumer surveys. Although providing less granularity than official data series, the surveys are released in a timelier manner and are subject to little revision. Using real‐time data sourced from the Deutsche Bundesbank, the OECD and the Office for National Statistics, an assessment of the role that the popular and widely used Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) play in reducing forecasting errors in a simple ‘nowcasting’ framework is undertaken. The empirical exercise is conducted for five developed economies and also covers the period of the Great Recession. The conclusion is clear: timing matters. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating the linkage between streamflow recession rates and channel network contraction in a mesoscale catchment in New York state
Authors: Shaw Stephen B.
Published: July 2015

The rate of recession (dQ/dt) in a given time interval has long been plotted in log–log space against the concurrent mean discharge (Qavg). Recent interpretations of these dQ/dt–Qavg plots have sought to look at curves for individual events instead of the data cloud from all the data points together. These individual recession curves have been observed to have near‐constant slope but to have varying intercepts, features hypothesized to possibly be explained by the nature of the contraction of the active channel network during recession. For a steep, 150‐ha forested catchment in central New York state with an 8.8‐km channel network, changes in the active channel network were mapped between April and November 2013. Streamflow recession occurred in a matter of days, but changes in the active channel network occurred over a matter of weeks. Thus, in this catchment, it does not appear that channel contraction directly controls recession. Additionally, field observations indicate that dry down did not occur in a spatially organized, sequential way such that the upper end of higher‐order streams dried first. Instead, the location of groundwater seeps, in part, controlled the active portion of the channel network. Consistent with the presence of different types of flow contributing zones, the paper presents a conceptual model that consists of multiple parallel reservoirs of varying drainage rate and varying degrees of recharge at different times of the year. This conceptual model is able to reproduce a slope of 2 and a seasonal shift in intercept typical of individual recession curves. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
State Dependence and Stickiness of Sovereign Credit Ratings: Evidence from a Panel of Countries
Authors: Dimitrakopoulos Stefanos , Kolossiatis Michalis
Published: July 2015

Using data from Moody's, we examine three sources of sovereign credit ratings persistence: true state dependence, spurious state dependence and serial error correlation. Accounting for ratings persistence, we also examine whether ratings were sticky or procyclical for two major crises: the European debt crisis and the East Asian crisis. We set up a dynamic panel ordered probit model with autocorrelated disturbances and nonparametrically distributed random effects. An efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is designed for model estimation. We find evidence of stickiness of ratings and of the three sources of ratings persistence, with the true state dependence being weak. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antimicrobial agent triclosan is a proton ionophore uncoupler of mitochondria in living rat and human mast cells and in primary human keratinocytes
Authors: Weatherly Lisa M. , Shim Juyoung , Hashmi Hina N. , Kennedy Rachel H. , Hess Samuel T. , Gosse Julie A.
Published: July 2015

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial used widely in hospitals and personal care products, at ~10 mm. Human skin efficiently absorbs TCS. Mast cells are ubiquitous key players both in physiological processes and in disease, including asthma, cancer and autism. We previously showed that non‐cytotoxic levels of TCS inhibit degranulation, the release of histamine and other mediators, from rat basophilic leukemia mast cells (RBL‐2H3), and in this study, we replicate this finding in human mast cells (HMC‐1.2). Our investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect led to the discovery that TCS disrupts adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in RBL‐2H3 cells in glucose‐free, galactose‐containing media (95% confidence interval EC50 = 7.5–9.7 µm), without causing cytotoxicity. Using these same glucose‐free conditions, 15 µm TCS dampens RBL‐2H3 degranulation by 40%. The same ATP disruption was found with human HMC‐1.2 cells (EC50 4.2–13.7 µm), NIH‐3 T3 mouse fibroblasts (EC50 4.8–7.4 µm) and primary human keratinocytes (EC50 3.0–4.1 µm) all with no cytotoxicity. TCS increases oxygen consumption rate in RBL‐2H3 cells. Known mitochondrial uncouplers (e.g., carbonyl cyanide 3‐chlorophenylhydrazone) previously were found to inhibit mast cell function. TCS‐methyl, which has a methyl group in place of the TCS ionizable proton, affects neither degranulation nor ATP production at non‐cytotoxic doses. Thus, the effects of TCS on mast cell function are due to its proton ionophore structure. In addition, 5 µm TCS inhibits thapsigargin‐stimulated degranulation of RBL‐2H3 cells: further evidence that TCS disrupts mast cell signaling. Our data indicate that TCS is a mitochondrial uncoupler, and TCS may affect numerous cell types and functions via this mechanism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integration of e‐Health Tools Into Face‐to‐Face Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Chance to Close the Gap Between Demand and Supply?
Authors: Fassbinder Eva , Hauer Andrea , Schaich Anja , Schweiger Ulrich , Jacob Gitta A. , Arntz Arnoud
Published: July 2015

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe, highly prevalent mental disorder. Effective psychological treatments for BPD are available. However, most patients do not receive evidence‐based treatments partly because of high treatment delivery costs and lack of specialized therapists. By integrating specialized e‐health tools into BPD‐specific treatments, treatment intensity can be increased, frequency of face‐to‐face sessions and burden for psychotherapists can be reduced, and implementation of new skills and experiences in the everyday life of these patients can be promoted. This bears great potential to increase the availability of evidenced‐based psychotherapy for BPD patients and close the gap between demand and supply. In this article we present such an innovative e‐health tool, priovi, which has been developed for schema therapy. The concept and application of priovi are described and illustrated with a case example.
RhoA‐Mediated Functions in C3H10T1/2 Osteoprogenitors Are Substrate Topography Dependent
Authors: Ogino Yoichiro , Liang Ruiwei , Mendonça Daniela B. S. , Mendonça Gustavo , Nagasawa Masako , Koyano Kiyoshi , Cooper Lyndon F.
Published: July 2015

Surface topography broadly influences cellular responses. Adherent cell activities are regulated, in part, by RhoA, a member of the Rho‐family of GTPases. In this study, we evaluated the influence of surface topography on RhoA activity and associated cellular functions. The murine mesenchymal stem cell line C3H10T1/2 cells (osteoprogenitor cells) were cultured on titanium substrates with smooth topography (S), microtopography (M), and nanotopography (N) to evaluate the effect of surface topography on RhoA‐mediated functions (cell spreading, adhesion, migration, and osteogenic differentiation). The influence of RhoA activity in the context of surface topography was also elucidated using RhoA pharmacologic inhibitor. Following adhesion, M and N adherent cells developed multiple projections, while S adherent cells had flattened and widespread morphology. RhoA inhibitor induced remarkable longer and thinner cytoplasmic projections ­­­­on all surfaces. Cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation was topography dependent with S < M and N surfaces. RhoA inhibition increased adhesion on S and M surfaces, but not N surfaces. Cell migration in a wound healing assay was greater on S versus M versus N surfaces and RhoA inhibitor increased S adherent cell migration, but not N adherent cell migration. RhoA inhibitor enhanced osteogenic differentiation in S adherent cells, but not M or N adherent cells. RhoA activity was surface topography roughness dependent (S < M, N). RhoA activity and ‐mediated functions are influenced by surface topography. Smooth surface adherent cells appear highly sensitive to RhoA function, while nano‐scale topography adherent cell may utilize alternative cellular signaling pathway(s) to influence adherent cellular functions regardless of RhoA activity. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 568–575, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CyclinD1 Down‐Regulation and Increased Apoptosis Are Common Features of Cohesinopathies
Authors: Fazio Grazia , Gaston‐Massuet Carles , Bettini Laura Rachele , Graziola Federica , Scagliotti Valeria , Cereda Anna , Ferrari Luca , Mazzola Mara , Cazzaniga Gianni , Giordano Antonio , Cotelli Franco , Bellipanni Gianfranco , Biondi Andrea , Selicorni Angelo , Pistocchi Anna , Massa Valentina
Published: July 2015

Genetic variants within components of the cohesin complex (NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21, PDS5, ESCO2, HDAC8) are believed to be responsible for a spectrum of human syndromes known as “cohesinopathies” that includes Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS). CdLS is a multiple malformation syndrome affecting almost any organ and causing severe developmental delay. Cohesinopathies seem to be caused by dysregulation of specific developmental pathways downstream of mutations in cohesin components. However, it is still unclear how mutations in different components of the cohesin complex affect the output of gene regulation. In this study, zebrafish embryos and SMC1A‐mutated patient‐derived fibroblasts were used to analyze abnormalities induced by SMC1A loss of function. We show that the knockdown of smc1a in zebrafish impairs neural development, increases apoptosis, and specifically down‐regulates Ccnd1 levels. The same down‐regulation of cohesin targets is observed in SMC1A‐mutated patient fibroblasts. Previously, we have demonstrated that haploinsufficiency of NIPBL produces similar effects in zebrafish and in patients fibroblasts indicating a possible common feature for neurological defects and mental retardation in cohesinopathies. Interestingly, expression analysis of Smc1a and Nipbl in developing mouse embryos reveals a specific pattern in the hindbrain, suggesting a role for cohesins in neural development in vertebrates. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 613–622, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The difficult road to new vaccines for pertussis and serogroup B meningococcal disease
Authors: Gorringe Andrew R
Published: July 2015

Development of vaccines should be a well‐trodden path in which possible diversions and roadblocks should be clearly understood. However, challenges and unexpected twists and turns are not uncommon in modern vaccine development. In this perspective the considerable uncertainties for development of third generation pertussis vaccines will be discussed along with related issues in the development of new vaccines for the prevention of serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) disease. Acellular pertussis vaccines developed in the 1980s showed good efficacy in large clinical trials and whooping cough was at historically low levels in the last decade of the 20th century in most countries where the vaccines are used. However, the unexpected resurgence in cases in several countries has questioned the ability of current acellular pertussis vaccines to provide long‐term protection against the disease. For MenB vaccines the initial challenge has been to identify antigens that will induce protection against the diverse collection of isolates that cause disease. Following this there have been significant challenges to determine potential breadth of strain coverage. Furthermore, there has been a drop in the incidence of MenB disease in countries considering implementation of the new MenB vaccines making cost effectiveness a more difficult case to argue. It is likely that lessons learnt in the development and use of both pertussis and MenB vaccines will inform the future of vaccines for these two diseases. © 2015 Crown copyright. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Surrogate‐assisted design optimization of photonic directional couplers
Authors: Bekasiewicz Adrian , Koziel Slawomir
Published: July 2015

In this paper, computationally efficient simulation‐driven design optimization of integrated photonic couplers is discussed. The design process is conducted using variable‐fidelity electromagnetic (EM) simulations and surrogate‐based optimization (SBO) techniques. Two design case studies are considered: conventional directional coupler and a curved coupler. A particular choice of the SBO approach relies on a visual inspection of the low‐ and high‐fidelity coupler model responses as well as their correlations. The first structure is optimized using adaptively adjusted design specifications technique. Because of limited correlations between the high‐ and low‐fidelity EM models of the second structure, its optimal design is obtained using the additive response correction method. Subsequently, the design is fine‐tuned using local response surface approximations. As demonstrated through numerical results, utilization of the SBO techniques allows for considerable reduction of the design optimization time compared with direct handling of the high‐fidelity model. The total optimization cost of conventional and curved coupler corresponds to only 13.5 and 23.7 high‐fidelity model simulations, respectively. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hidden image display which required the special eyeglass for the viewer to observe the hidden image
Authors: Hong Hyungki
Published: July 2015

Stenography is to conceal the hidden information within another information such that the hidden information can be extracted by the special technique. A steganographic display that required the special eyeglass for the viewer to observe the hidden image was newly proposed. In this hidden‐image display, the viewers wearing the special eyeglass can observe the hidden image, while the viewer with the naked eye can not discern the hidden image. Working principle and the calculation scheme for the generation of input images was investigated. The estimation of the normalized luminance for the gray levels of each pixel on the display was required for the calculation. The concept was experimentally verified using the commercial 3D display based on the patterned retarder and the polarizing eyeglass.
The Study of Nonisothermal Kinetics of Dehydration of Gibbsite in a Mixture with Zinc Oxide
Authors: Prokof'ev Valery Yu. , Petuhova Nina V. , Gordina Natalya E.
Published: July 2015

Nonisothermal kinetics of dehydration of gibbsite in a mixture with zinc oxide has been studied by Friedman analysis (differential method) and Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa analysis (integral method). The values of the activation energy and preexponential factor depending on the decomposition extent of gibbsite to boehmite have been determined. It has been shown that both methods give similar results. It has been established that the activation energy has a maximum value of 150–170 kJ/mol in the start stages of thermolysis (for conversion extent of less than 0.3). During further dehydration, the activation energy is reduced to 100–110 kJ/mol. It has been found that comilling of the mixture results in decreasing activation energy to 40–50 kJ/mol for a conversion extent more than 0.8. This testifies to the transition of the dehydration process out of the kinetic mode to the diffusion mode. It was explained by the accumulation of mechanical energy in the form defects of crystal lattice of gibbsite at the comilling stage.
Shock Tube Measurements of the Rate Constant of the Reaction NCN + O2
Authors: Faßheber Nancy , Friedrichs Gernot
Published: July 2015

The rate constant of the comparably slow bimolecular NCN radical reaction NCN + O2 has been measured for the first time under combustion relevant conditions using the shock tube method. The thermal decomposition of cyanogen azide (NCN3) served as a clean high‐temperature source of NCN radicals. NCN concentration–time profiles have been detected by narrow‐bandwidth laser absorption at cm−1. The experiments behind incident shock waves have been performed with up to 17% O2 in the reaction gas mixture. At such high O2 mole fractions, it was necessary to take O2 relaxation into account that caused a gradual decrease of the temperature during the experiment. Moreover, following fast decomposition of NCN3 and collision‐induced intersystem crossing of the initially formed singlet NCN to its triplet ground state, an unexpected and slow additional formation of triplet NCN has been observed on a 100‐μs timescale. This delayed NCN formation was attributed to a fast recombination of 1NCN with O2 forming a 3NCNOO adduct acting as a reservoir species for NCN. Rate constant data for the reaction NCN + O2 have been measured at temperatures between 1674 and 2308 K. They are best represented by the Arrhenius expression . No pressure dependence has been observed at pressures between 216 and 706 mbar.
Mammaglobin 1 promotes breast cancer malignancy and confers sensitivity to anticancer drugs
Authors: Picot Nadia , Guerrette Roxann , Beauregard Annie‐Pier , Jean Stéphanie , Michaud Pascale , Harquail Jason , Benzina Sami , Robichaud Gilles A.
Published: July 2015

Mammaglobin 1 (MGB1), a member of the secretoglobin family, is expressed in mammary epithelial tissues and is overexpressed in most mammary carcinomas. Despite the extensive research correlating MGB1 expression profiles to breast cancer pathogenesis and disease outcome, the biological significance of MGB1 in cancer processes is still unclear. We have thus set out to conduct a functional evaluation of the molecular and cellular roles of MGB1 in breast cancer processes leading to disease progression. Using a series of breast cancer cell models with conditional MGB1 expression, we demonstrate that MGB1 promotes cancer cell malignant features. More specifically, loss of MGB1 expression resulted in a decrease of cell proliferation, soft agar spheroid formation, migration, and invasion capacities of breast cancer cells. Concomitantly, we also observed that MGB1 expression activates signaling pathways mediated by MAPK members (p38, JNK, and ERK), the focal adhesion kinase (FAK), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and NFκB. Moreover, MGB1 regulates epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) features and modulates Snail, Twist and ZEB1 expression levels. Interestingly, we also observed that expression of MGB1 confers breast cancer cell sensitivity to anticancer drug‐induced apoptosis. Together, our results support a role for MGB1 in tumor malignancy in exchange for chemosensitivity. These findings provide one of the first descriptive overview of the molecular and cellular roles of MGB1 in breast cancer processes and may offer new insight to the development of therapeutic and prognostic strategies in breast cancer patients. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disease‐modifying strategies for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kalia Lorraine V. , Kalia Suneil K. , Lang Anthony E.
Published: July 2015

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an increasingly prevalent and progressively disabling neurodegenerative disease. The impact of PD on patients and their families as well as its burden on health care systems could be substantially reduced by disease‐modifying therapies that slow the rate of neurodegeneration or stop the disease process. Multiple agents have been studied in clinical trials designed to assess disease modification in PD, but all have failed. Over the last 3 years, clinical trials investigating the potential of adeno‐associated virus serotype 2 (AAV)‐neuturin, coenzyme Q10, creatine, pramipexole, and pioglitazone reported negative findings or futility. Despite these disappointments, progress has been made by expanding our understanding of molecular pathways involved in PD to reveal new targets, and by developing novel animal models of PD for preclinical studies. Currently, at least eight ongoing clinical trials are testing the promise of isradipine, caffeine, nicotine, glutathione, AAV2‐glial cell‐line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), as well as active and passive immunization against α‐synuclein (α‐Syn). In this review, we summarize the clinical trials of disease‐modifying therapies for PD that were published since 2013 as well as clinical trials currently in progress. We also discuss promising approaches and ongoing challenges in this area of PD research. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Cheminformatics Based Machine Learning Models for AMA1‐RON2 Abrogators for Inhibiting Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Invasion
Authors: Maindola Priyank , Jamal Salma , Grover Abhinav
Published: July 2015

Malaria remains a dreadful disease by putting every year about 3.4 billion people at risk and resulting into mortality of 627 thousand people worldwide. Existing therapies based upon Quinines and Artemisinin‐based combination therapies have started showing resistance, pressing the need for search of anti‐malarials with different mechanisms of action. In this respect erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium is immensely crucial, as being obligate intracellular parasite it must invade host cells. This process is mediated by interaction between conserved Apical Membrane Antigen (AMA1) and Rhoptry Neck (RON2) protein, which is compulsory for successful invasion of erythrocyte by Plasmodium and manifestation of the disease Malaria. Here, using the physicochemical properties of the compounds available from a confirmatory high throughput screening, which were tested for their disruption capability of this crucial molecular interaction, we trained supervised classifiers and validated their robustness by various statistical parameters. Best model was used for screening new compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine Database. Some of the best hits already find their use as anti‐malarials and the model predicts that an essential part of their effectiveness is likely due to inhibition of AMA1‐RON2 interaction. Pharmacophoric features have also been identified to ease further designing of possible leads in an effective way.
Predictive modeling and threshold scores for care seeking among women with urinary incontinence: The short forms of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Urogenital Distress Inventory
Authors: Gafni‐Kane Adam , Zhou Ying , Botros Sylvia M.
Published: July 2015

Aims

To further the interpretability of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI‐20) and Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI‐6) by (i) evaluating the ability of these measures to distinguish between women with urinary incontinence who do and do not seek care, (ii) defining PFDI‐20 and UDI‐6 threshold scores above which women with urinary incontinence seek care, and (iii) developing a predictive model for incontinence care seeking.

Methods

An observational study was conducted with two groups of women with urinary incontinence: 256 who had not sought care and 90 seeking initial care at a tertiary center. Sample sizes were based upon the prevalence of care seeking for urinary incontinence and the number of potential predictors for care seeking. Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests, receiver operating characteristics, and multivariable logistic regression were use to achieve the study aims.

Results

Women with urinary incontinence who sought care had higher median PFDI‐20 and UDI‐6 scores compared to non‐care seekers (73.96 vs. 16.67, P < 0.0001, and 41.67 vs. 8.33, P < 0.0001). A PFDI‐20 score of 33.33 (83.33% sensitivity and 79.30% specificity) had very good discriminatory accuracy in distinguishing care and non‐care seekers (AUC 0.886 ± 0.019 [95%CI 0.8518, 0.9254] P < 0.0001). A UDI‐6 score of 25.00 (83.33% sensitivity and 83.59% specificity) had excellent discriminatory accuracy in distinguishing care and non‐care seekers (AUC 0.9025 ± 0.0190 [95%CI 0.8653, 0.9398] P < 0.0001). A multivariable predictive model accurately identified 82.4% of care and non‐care seekers.

Conclusions

A PFDI‐20 score of 33.33 and UDI‐6 score of 25.00 provide meaningful benchmarks for care seeking among women with urinary incontinence. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:949–954, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extradural implantation of sacral anterior root stimulator in spinal cord injury patients
Authors: Castaño‐Botero Juan Carlos , Ospina‐Galeano Irma Amparo , Gómez‐Illanes Reynaldo , Lopera‐Toro Adrian
Published: July 2015

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy and complications of extradural sacral anterior root stimulation (SARS) implantation in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI).

Materials and methods

A retrospective study was conducted between 2009 and 2013, on consecutive patients with NDO associated with SCI that underwent SARS implantation. We evaluated those factors related to clinical symptoms such as urinary infection rate, erections, and episodes of autonomic dysreflexia. Data from cystometric bladder capacity (CBC) and post‐void residual (PVR) volume were also analyzed.

Results

Of the 104 patients included in the study, 95 (91%) patients were men with a mean (standard deviation) (SD) age of 38 (10) years. Mean (SD) time between the onset of SCI and the SARS was 78.2 (59.0) months. At baseline, 95 (91%) patients had urinary infections as compared with 16 (15%) after treatment, P < 0.001. The percentage of patients that had urinary incontinence was significantly higher at baseline than that observed after SARS, 100% versus 14%, respectively, P < 0.001. Similar results were obtained regarding dysreflexia, P < 0.001. After SARS, the mean (SD) bladder capacity was 362 (108) ml and 98 (94%) patients had a bladder capacity greater than 400 ml. As regard to the adverse effects, six patients (6%) required a suburethral mesh implant and two (2%) patients had an infection, 4 and 5 months after SARS, respectively.

Conclusions

Extradural implantation of SARS seems to be an effective and safe procedure in patients with spinal cord injury and neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:970–974, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An algebraic multifrontal preconditioner that exploits the low‐rank property
Authors: Napov Artem , Li Xiaoye S.
Published: July 2015

We present an algebraic structured preconditioner for the iterative solution of large sparse linear systems. The preconditioner is based on a multifrontal variant of sparse LU factorization used with nested dissection ordering. Multifrontal factorization amounts to a partial factorization of a sequence of logically dense frontal matrices, and the preconditioner is obtained if structured factorization is used instead. This latter exploits the presence of low numerical rank in some off‐diagonal blocks of the frontal matrices. An algebraic procedure is presented that allows to identify the hierarchy of the off‐diagonal blocks with low numerical rank based on the sparsity of the system matrix. This procedure is motivated by a model problem analysis, yet numerical experiments show that it is successful beyond the model problem scope. Further aspects relevant for the algebraic structured preconditioner are discussed and illustrated with numerical experiments. The preconditioner is also compared with other solvers, including the corresponding direct solver. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymerized cellulose building blocks: relative energy, electronic property, and reactivity from quantum chemical approach
Authors: Bai Hongcun , Wu Yuhua , Wang Liqiong , Ma Yulong , Ji Yongqiang
Published: July 2015

This work presented quantum chemical studies of the polymerized cellulose building blocks based on Kohn–Sham density functional theory. The relative energy, electronic property, and reactivity of the polymerized cellulose fragments with various sizes were investigated. According to the cohesive energy, the cellulose polymers with longer chains were energetically more favorable. The hydration energies were all positive and exhibited a nearly linear enhancement as the elongation of polymerized cellulose fragments. The electronic properties of the cellulose chains with various sizes were discussed based on the frontier molecular orbital theory. Besides, the reactivity of the polymerized cellulose building blocks was also investigated based on ionization potential, electron affinity energy, and the Fukui function. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of Port‐Site Metastases Following Thoracoscopic Resection of a Neuroblastoma
Authors: Pentek Falk , Schulte Johannes H. , Schweiger Bernd , Metzelder Martin , Schündeln Michael M.
Published: July 2015

We report a 26‐month‐old female who developed port‐site metastases of a neuroblastoma following minimally invasive thoracoscopic interventions. After diagnosis of an intrathoracic low‐risk neuroblastoma and 6 months of observation, she developed respiratory problems. She subsequently underwent total resection of a locally progressive tumor via thoracoscopy. Six months later, she developed local relapse and subcutaneous metastases within the thoracic wall. These port‐site metastases were most likely iatrogenic. After excision of metastases, the residual tumor responded well to salvage chemotherapy. The patient has remained in remission for over 4 years. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.