bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gfh factors and NusA cooperate to stimulate transcriptional pausing and termination
Authors: Agapov Aleksei , Olina Anna , Esyunina Daria , Kulbachinskiy Andrey
Published: February 2017

Lineage‐specific Gfh factors from the radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans, which bind within the secondary channel of RNA polymerase, stimulate transcriptional pausing at a wide range of pause signals (elemental, hairpin‐dependent, post‐translocated, backtracking‐dependent, and consensus pauses) and increase intrinsic termination. Universal bacterial factor NusA, which binds near the RNA exit channel, enhances the effects of Gfh factors on termination and hairpin‐dependent pausing but do not act on other pause sites. It is proposed that NusA and Gfh target different steps in the pausing pathway and may act together to regulate transcription under stress conditions. Thus, transcription factors that interact with nascent RNA in the RNA exit channel can communicate with secondary channel regulators to modulate RNA polymerase activities.
Sortilin 1 knockout alters basal adipose glucose metabolism but not diet‐induced obesity in mice
Authors: Li Jibiao , Matye David J. , Wang Yifeng , Li Tiangang
Published: February 2017

Sortilin 1 (Sort1) is a trafficking receptor that has been implicated in the regulation of plasma cholesterol in humans and mice. Here, we use metabolomics and hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp approaches to obtain further understanding of the in vivo effects of Sort1 deletion on diet‐induced obesity as well as on adipose lipid and glucose metabolism. Results show that Sort1 knockout (KO) does not affect Western diet‐induced obesity nor adipose fatty acid and ceramide concentrations. Under the basal fasting state, chow‐fed Sort1 KO mice have decreased adipose glycolytic metabolites, but Sort1 deletion does not affect insulin‐stimulated tissue glucose uptake during the insulin clamp. These results suggest that Sort1 loss‐of‐function in vivo does not affect obesity development, but differentially modulates adipose glucose metabolism under fasting and insulin‐stimulated states.
Gene regulatory networking reveals the molecular cue to lysophosphatidic acid‐induced metabolic adaptations in ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Ray Upasana , Roy Chowdhury Shreya , Vasudevan Madavan , Bankar Kiran , Roychoudhury Susanta , Roy Sib Sankar
Published: February 2017

Extravasation and metastatic progression are two main reasons for the high mortality rate associated with cancer. The metastatic potential of cancer cells depends on a plethora of metabolic challenges prevailing within the tumor microenvironment. To achieve higher rates of proliferation, cancer cells reprogram their metabolism, increasing glycolysis and biosynthetic activities. Just why this metabolic reprogramming predisposes cells towards increased oncogenesis remains elusive. The accumulation of myriad oncolipids in the tumor microenvironment has been shown to promote the invasiveness of cancer cells, with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) being one such critical factor enriched in ovarian cancer patients. Cellular bioenergetic studies confirm that oxidative phosphorylation is suppressed and glycolysis is increased with long exposure to LPA in ovarian cancer cells compared with non‐transformed epithelial cells. We sought to uncover the regulatory complexity underlying this oncolipid‐induced metabolic perturbation. Gene regulatory networking using RNA‐Seq analysis identified the oncogene ETS‐1 as a critical mediator of LPA‐induced metabolic alterations for the maintenance of invasive phenotype. Moreover, LPA receptor‐2 specific PtdIns3K‐AKT signaling induces ETS‐1 and its target matrix metalloproteases. Abrogation of ETS‐1 restores cellular bioenergetics towards increased oxidative phosphorylation and reduced glycolysis, and this effect was reversed by the presence of LPA. Furthermore, the bioenergetic status of LPA‐treated ovarian cancer cells mimics hypoxia through induction of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α, which was found to transactivate ets‐1. Studies in primary tumors generated in syngeneic mice corroborated the in vitro findings. Thus, our study highlights the phenotypic changes induced by the pro‐metastatic factor ETS‐1 in ovarian cancer cells. The relationship between enhanced invasiveness and metabolic plasticity further illustrates the critical role of metabolic adaptation of cancer cells as a driver of tumor progression. These findings reveal oncolipid‐induced metabolic predisposition as a new mechanism of tumorigenesis and propose metabolic inhibitors as a potential approach for future management of aggressive ovarian cancer.
Van Allen Probes observations of structured whistler mode activity and coincident electron Landau acceleration inside a remnant plasmaspheric plume
Authors: Woodroffe J. R. , Jordanova V. K. , Funsten H. O. , Streltsov A. V. , Bengtson M. T. , Kletzing C. A. , Wygant J. R. , Thaller S. A. , Breneman A. W.
Published: February 2017

We present observations from the Van Allen Probes spacecraft that identify a region of intense whistler mode activity within a large density enhancement outside of the plasmasphere. We speculate that this density enhancement is part of a remnant plasmaspheric plume, with the observed wave being driven by a weakly anisotropic electron injection that drifted into the plume and became nonlinearly unstable to whistler emission. Particle measurements indicate that a significant fraction of thermal (<100 eV) electrons within the plume were subject to Landau acceleration by these waves, an effect that is naturally explained by whistler emission within a gradient and high‐density ducting inside a density enhancement.
Coherence between sea level oscillations and orbital perturbations
Authors: Mawad Ramy
Published: February 2017

Sea level rising and oscillations indicate global Earth's mass variability. I propose inflow of mass to the Earth from space through coronal mass ejections, solar wind, small comets, and meteoroids that brings water to Earth's atmosphere. Outflow mass can also escape plasma into space. Sea level rising is highly correlated with Earth's orbital perturbations. Monthly and annual periodicities are found in the two variables. Monthly periodicities are attributed to the oscillations of center of gravity of the Earth‐Moon system as the Moon revolves around the Earth. Annual periodicities are found with minimum in February and maximum in November, pointing to mass variability.
Further evidence of the Levantine Iron Age geomagnetic anomaly from Georgian pottery
Authors: Shaar Ron , Tauxe Lisa , Goguitchaichvili Avto , Devidze Marina , Licheli Vakhtang
Published: February 2017

Recent archaeomagnetic data from ancient Israel revealed the existence of a so‐called “Levantine Iron Age geomagnetic anomaly” (LIAA) which spanned the first 350 years of the first millennium before the Common Era (B.C.E.) and was characterized by a high averaged geomagnetic field (virtual axial dipole moments, VADM > 140 Z Am2, nearly twice of today's field), short decadal‐scale geomagnetic spikes (VADM of 160–185 Z Am2), fast field variations, and substantial deviation from dipole field direction. The geographic constraints of the LIAA have remained elusive due to limited high‐quality paleointensity data in surrounding locations. Here we report archaeointensity data from Georgia showing high field values (VADM > 150 Z Am2) in the tenth or ninth century B.C.E., low field values (VADM < 60 Z Am2) in the twelfth century B.C.E., and fast field variation in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C.E. High field values in the time frame of LIAA have been observed so far only in three localities near the Levant: Eastern Anatolia, Turkmenistan, and now Georgia, all located east of longitude 30°E. West of this, in the Balkans, field values in the same time are moderate to low. These constraints put geographic limits on the extent of the LIAA and support the hypothesis of an unusually intense regional geomagnetic anomaly during the beginning of the first half of the first millennium B.C.E., comparable in area and magnitude (but of opposite sign) to the presently active South Atlantic anomaly.
Depth‐dependent rupture mode along the Ecuador‐Colombia subduction zone
Authors: Yoshimoto Masahiro , Kumagai Hiroyuki , Acero Wilson , Ponce Gabriela , Vásconez Freddy , Arrais Santiago , Ruiz Mario , Alvarado Alexandra , Pedraza García Patricia , Dionicio Viviana , Chamorro Orlando , Maeda Yuta , Nakano Masaru
Published: February 2017

A large earthquake (Mw 7.7) occurred on 16 April 2016 within the source region of the 1906 earthquake in the Ecuador‐Colombia subduction zone. The 1906 event has been interpreted as a megathrust earthquake (Mw 8.8) that ruptured the source regions of smaller earthquakes in 1942, 1958, and 1979 in this subduction. Our seismic analysis indicated that the spatial distribution of the 2016 earthquake and its aftershocks correlated with patches of high interplate coupling strength and was similar to those of the 1942 earthquake and its aftershocks, suggesting that the 2016 and 1942 earthquakes ruptured the same asperity. Our analysis of tsunami waveforms of the 1906 event indicated Mw around 8.4 and showed that large slip occurred near the trench off the source regions of the above three historical and the 2016 earthquakes, suggesting that a depth‐dependent complex rupture mode exists along this subduction zone.
Quasi‐biennial oscillation of the ionospheric wind dynamo
Authors: Yamazaki Yosuke , Liu Huixin , Sun Yang‐Yi , Miyoshi Yasunobu , Kosch Michael J. , Mlynczak Martin G.
Published: February 2017

The interannual variation of the ionospheric solar quiet (Sq) current system is examined. A dense magnetometer network over Japan enables the accurate determination of the central position of the northern Sq current loop or the Sq current focus, during 1999–2015. It is found that the Sq focus latitude undergoes an interannual variation of ±2° with a period of approximately 28 months, similar to the quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO) in the tropical lower stratosphere. The QBO‐like variation of Sq is particularly evident during 2005–2013. No corresponding interannual variability is found in solar extreme ultraviolet radiation. Comparisons with tidal winds, derived from a whole‐atmosphere model, reveal that the QBO‐like variation of the Sq current focus is highly correlated with the amplitude variations of migrating and nonmigrating diurnal tides in the lower thermosphere. The results suggest that the stratospheric QBO can influence the ionospheric wind dynamo through the QBO modulation of tides.
Quasi‐thermal noise and shot noise spectroscopy on a CubeSat in Earth's ionosphere
Authors: Maj Ronald , Cairns Iver H.
Published: February 2017

We investigate the practicality of using quasi‐thermal noise (QTN) and shot noise spectroscopy on a CubeSat in the Earth's ionosphere and constrain the satellite antenna length for optimal detection of these signals. The voltage spectra predicted for thermal Langmuir waves (QTN) and particle “shot noise” are modeled, and it is shown that the signals detected can provide two very good, independent, passive, in situ methods of measuring the plasma density and temperature in the ionosphere. The impact of the antenna potential ϕ is also discussed, and we show that the negative potential calculated for the ionosphere due to natural current flows has a significant impact on the voltage power level of the shot noise spectrum. The antenna configuration is also shown to play an important role in the shot noise, with a monopole configuration enhancing the spectrum significantly compared with a dipole. Antenna lengths on the order of 20–40 cm are found to be ideal for ionospheric plasma conditions, nicely matching CubeSat sizes and producing detectable thermal Langmuir waves and shot noise at the microvolt level. Further, with a continuous stream of data points at different latitudes and longitudes an orbiting CubeSat can produce a global picture for the ionospheric plasma density and temperature using QTN and shot noise signals. If implemented, especially in a constellation, these data would be more frequent and cover a much greater domain than current ground‐based or single‐satellite methods. This could lead to improved ionospheric models, such as the empirically based International Reference Ionosphere.
Testing the inference of creep on the northern Rodgers Creek fault, California, using ascending and descending persistent scatterer InSAR data
Authors: Jin Lizhen , Funning Gareth J.
Published: February 2017

We revisit the question of whether the Rodgers Creek fault in northern California is creeping, a question with implications for seismic hazard. Using imagery acquired by Envisat between 2003 and 2010, we process two persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data sets, one from an ascending track and the other from a descending track, covering the northernmost segment of the Rodgers Creek fault between the cities of Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. The two different viewing geometries provided by the two different tracks allow us to distinguish vertical velocities, which may reflect nontectonic deformation processes, from fault‐parallel velocities, which can be used to identify creep. By measuring offsets in InSAR line‐of‐sight velocity from 12 fault‐perpendicular profiles through both data sets, we identify seven locations where we have a high degree of confidence that creep is occurring (estimated creep rate is more than two standard deviations above zero). The preferred creep rates at these locations are in the range 1.9–6.7 mm/yr, consistent within uncertainty with alignment array measurements. Creep is probable (P≥0.70) at another three locations, defining a creeping zone ∼20 km long in total, extending northwest from Santa Rosa. We also estimate the map patterns of fault‐parallel and vertical velocities in the region covered by both data sets; these suggest that the Rodgers Creek fault immediately southeast of Santa Rosa remains locked.
A global reconstruction of climate‐driven subdecadal water storage variability
Authors: Humphrey V. , Gudmundsson L. , Seneviratne S. I.
Published: February 2017

Since 2002, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission has provided unprecedented observations of global mass redistribution caused by hydrological processes. However, there are still few sources on pre‐2002 global terrestrial water storage (TWS). Classical approaches to retrieve past TWS rely on either land surface models (LSMs) or basin‐scale water balance calculations. Here we propose a new approach which statistically relates anomalies in atmospheric drivers to monthly GRACE anomalies. Gridded subdecadal TWS changes and time‐dependent uncertainty intervals are reconstructed for the period 1985–2015. Comparisons with model results demonstrate the performance and robustness of the derived data set, which represents a new and valuable source for studying subdecadal TWS variability, closing the ocean/land water budgets and assessing GRACE uncertainties. At midpoint between GRACE observations and LSM simulations, the statistical approach provides TWS estimates (doi:10.5905/ethz-1007-85) that are essentially derived from observations and are based on a limited number of transparent model assumptions.
Effects of pore pressure in pyroclastic flows: Numerical simulation and experimental validation
Authors: Gueugneau V. , Kelfoun K. , Roche O. , Chupin L.
Published: February 2017

Pyroclastic flows are mixtures of volcanic gases and particles that can be very hazardous owing to their fluid‐like behavior. One possible mechanism to explain this behavior is the reduction of particles friction due to the internal gas pore pressure. To verify this hypothesis, we present a numerical model of a granular flow with high initial pore pressure that decreases with time as the gas‐particle mixture propagates. First, we validate the model by reproducing laboratory experiments. Then, the numerical code is applied to pyroclastic flows of Lascar volcano (1993 eruption, Chile). The simulation reproduces the runout and the morphological features of the deposits, with lateral levées, a central channel, and a lobate front. Our results support the hypothesis of the role of gas pore pressure in pyroclastic flows and explain both the fluid‐like behavior of the flows and the formation of lateral levees.
Effect of operating conditions on the tribological performance of polyether ether ketone (PEEK)
Authors: Fareed Muhammad Irfan
Published: February 2017

Tribological performance of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) subjected to various heat treatments namely, annealing, normalizing, water quenching and oil quenching, respectively, after being heated to a temperature of 250°C is evaluated. It is observed that the different cooling rates have a significant effect on the crystallinity of PEEK which is found to be a governing factor in determining its mechanical and tribological properties. Micro hardness testing and ball‐on‐disk wear test results showed that both hardness and wear resistance increased with an increase in the crystallinity of PEEK. It is observed that the annealed samples showed the highest wear resistance when compared with the water‐quenched samples which is attributed to the increased crystallinity in the case of the annealed samples.
Liquid‐like wave structure on granular film from granular jet impact
Authors: Shi Zhe‐Hang , Li Wei‐Feng , Liu Hai‐Feng , Wang Fu‐Chen
Published: February 2017

Results in the literature show that a granular film appears from a dense granular jet impacting on a circular target under certain conditions (Cheng X, Varas G, Citron D, Jaeger HM, Nagel SR, Phys Rev Lett. 2007; 99(18):188001). In current study, granular jet impacts are experimentally studied using a high‐speed camera, and interesting liquid‐like wave structures on the granular film are observed with increasing granular jet velocities or decreasing solid fractions of granular jets. Effects of the particle diameter, the granular jet velocity, and the solid fraction of granular jet on the wave structures are investigated. The dynamic characteristics of granular wave such as the wave frequency and velocity are demonstrated and compared with the liquid jet impact. Results reveal that increasing pushing pressure enhances the gas‐particle interaction inside the nozzle, which causes the granular jet instability and further gives rise to the granular wave at lower solid fractions and higher granular jet velocities. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 3276–3285, 2017
Variations in estimates of underweight, overweight, and obesity in pregnant women from Argentina comparing two reference charts
Authors: Malpeli Agustina , Ferrari María G. , González Horacio F.
Published: February 2017

Objectives

The prevalence of low weight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in a sample of Argentinian pregnant women using two reference charts, the Rosso and Mardones (RM) and the Calvo Chart were compared.

Methods

A descriptive, cross‐sectional, comparative study of data from pregnant women beneficiaries of food aid programs collected in the period 2003–2010 in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina was performed.

Results

Evaluations with the Calvo and RM charts showed statistically significant differences in the prevalence of all nutritional conditions (low weight, 22% vs. 28%; normal weight, 45% vs. 28%; overweight, 21% vs. 15%; obesity, 11% vs. 29%, respectively). Such differences were more marked in normal weight and obese pregnant women.

Conclusions

Changes in prevalences as a result of replacing the RM with the Calvo Chart should be borne in mind to avoid misinterpretations about changes in the nutritional condition of pregnant women.
Discordant frequencies of tissue‐resident and circulating CD180‐negative B cells in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Miljkovic Dijana , Ou Judy , Kirana Chandra , Hulse Kathryn E. , Hauben Ehud , Psaltis Alkis , Wormald Peter‐John , Vreugde Sarah
Published: February 2017

Background

The unconventional toll‐like receptor (TLR) CD180 is implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases; however, its role in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has yet to be investigated. Here we study the expression of CD180, its homologue TLR4 and myeloid differentiation factor 1 (MD1) on mucosal and systemic immune cell populations in relation to serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels.

Methods

A total of 70 patients were recruited to the study. Mucosal and peripheral blood samples were prospectively collected from CRS patients and non‐CRS controls without evidence of sinus disease. The expression of TLR4, MD1, and CD180 was investigated using qualitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Serum IgG levels were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients had significantly increased messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of CD180 and MD1 compared to controls (5.54‐fold and 2.1‐fold, respectively, p < 0.01). B cells lacking CD180 were lower in CRSwNP tissue compared to CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and controls (21.07 ± 6.41 vs 41.61 ± 7.82 vs 40.06 ± 8.06; p < 0.01) but higher in blood (39.18 ± 8.3 vs 17.95 ± 7.82 and 12.49 ± 4.92; p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

Changes in mucosal and peripheral CD180‐expressing B cells were identified in CRSwNP patients compared to CRSsNP and controls. This suggests a role for these cells in the dysregulated immune response in these patients.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms related to cystic fibrosis in chronic rhinositus—a pilot study
Authors: Hull Benjamin P. , Jiramongkolchai Pawina , Turner Justin H. , Olson Lana , Chandra Rakesh K.
Published: February 2017

Background

The clinical association between cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is well known. Studies have identified several non‐CF transmembrane conductance regulator single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with disease severity in CF patients. We hypothesized that prevalence of these SNPs would be different between CRS patients and age/gender‐matched non‐CRS controls.

Methods

This is a targeted SNP study of 1231 CRS patients identified through a large university hospital database who were compared with 8796 age‐ and gender‐matched controls without a history of rhinitis, sinusitis, allergies, or asthma. Prevalence of 5 relevant SNPs was compared between groups, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Stratification by race and gender was performed among groups when statistically appropriate.

Results

CRS patients exhibited a statistically significant (p = 0.036) lower prevalence of rs12883884 (associated with an ion transporter) compared with controls. This association was lost when patients were stratified by race. CRS patients manifested a greater prevalence of rs1403543 (chromosome 23) in both Caucasian and African American subgroups (p = 0.036 and p = 0.026, respectively). Statistical significance disappeared among Caucasians when stratified by gender, but persisted among African American women (p = 0.047). rs12188164 and rs12793173 were both more prevalent in African Americans with CRS than controls (p = 0.042 and p = 0.020, respectively). A trend was also observed for decreased prevalence of rs12883884 in CRS patients compared with controls in the African American subgroup (p = 0.086).

Conclusion

The identified SNPs were differentially prevalent in CRS compared with control groups, with some variability as a function of race and gender. Further research is required to confirm these findings and elucidate clinical significance.
Interforce initiated by magnetic nanoparticles for reducing internal concentration polarization in CTA forward osmosis membrane
Authors: Chi Xiang‐Yu , Zhang Ping‐Yun , Guo Xue‐Jiao , Xu Zhen‐Liang
Published: February 2017

The interforce between the magnetic composite forward osmosis (FO) membranes and the magnetic draw solution was proposed to reduce the internal concentration polarization (ICP) of FO process, and realized the synergetic permeability improvement of resultant FO membranes. The key factor was the successful fabrication of the Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with small‐size and narrow distribution via co‐precipitation method. The cellulose triacetate (CTA) magnetic composite FO membranes were fabricated using Fe3O4 as additive via in situ interfacial polymerization, and named CTA‐Fe3O4. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta results showed that the coated sodium oleate on the MNPs explained their reducing aggregation and the stability of various pHs. The MNPs' surface segregation during demixing process resulted in the improvement of hydrophilicity, Fe content and roughness of resultant CTA‐Fe3O4 composite FO membranes. Furthermore, the in situ interfacial polymerization resulted in the formation of the polyamide selective layer, and the CTA‐Fe3O4 membrane's N content was 11.02% to 11.12%. The permeability properties (FO and pressure retarded osmosis modules) were characterized using 1.0M NaCl and 100 mg/L Fe3O4 as draw solutions, respectively. The results indicated that the higher concentration of MNPs supplied more interforce and better FO permeability properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44852.
An efficient fully bio‐based reactive diluent for epoxy thermosets: 2‐[(Oxiran‐2‐ylmethoxy) methyl] furan versus a petroleum‐based counterpart
Authors: Karami Zeinab , Nademi Fateme , Zohuriaan‐Mehr Mohammad Jalal , Rostami Ali
Published: February 2017

Furfuryl alcohol and bio‐based epichlorohydrin were used to prepare a fully bio‐based reactive diluent, 2‐[(oxiran‐2‐ylmethoxy) methyl] furan (FOM). After spectral characterization, FOM was blended with epoxy resin, diglycidylether bisphenol A (DGEBA), at different ratios for reducing the viscosity. For a comparison, Cardura (one of the most common commercial reactive diluents), was separately incorporated to DGEBA. Amine‐curing process of the blends was recorded by FTIR and DSC. Similar trends of curing progression for DGEBA containing the reactive diluents were observed. Thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, mechanical (hardness, adhesion, and stress–strain) and morphological properties were also investigated to study characteristics of the epoxy matrices formulated with FOM or Cardura. It was concluded that FOM could be considered as an efficient reactive diluent in formulations of polymer composites, structural adhesives and surface coatings based on epoxy resins. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44957.
Improved specific thermomechanical properties of polyurethane nanocomposite foams based on castor oil and bacterial nanocellulose
Authors: Gimenez Rocío Belén , Leonardi Luciano , Cerrutti Patricia , Amalvy Javier , Chiacchiarelli Leonel Matías
Published: February 2017

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) was used to synthesize polyurethane foams (PUFs) prepared from castor oil polyol and MDI diisocyanate using water as the blowing agent. The BNC reacted with the isocyanate, increasing the weight content of urethane hard segments (HS). It did not behave as a nucleation agent, forming a nanometric distribution of cells within the struts followed by a reduction of the apparent density (−7.6%) and a relevant increase of cell size in the growth direction (+37.9%). An alignment of the BNC parallel to the cell walls was observed, producing a nanocomposite with a higher reinforcement weight fraction in that area. At only 0.2 wt %, the BNC behaved as a nanostructured reinforcement, improving the specific compression modulus and strength by +4.67% and +23.6%, respectively, as well as the thermomechanical properties, with an improvement of the specific E′ at 30 °C of +52.4%. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44982.
A novel polybenzimidazole composite modified by sulfonated graphene oxide for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells in anhydrous atmosphere
Authors: Cai Yangben , Yue Zhouying , Xu Shiai
Published: February 2017

A novel functional graphene with high ion exchange capacity (IEC) was prepared by grafting reaction induced by 60Co γ‐ray irradiation using graphene oxide. Then, polybenzimidazole/radiation grafting graphene oxide (PBI/RGO) composite membranes were prepared by the solution‐casting method and doped with phosphoric acid (PA) to improve their proton conductivity. The properties of PBI/GO/PA and PBI/RGO/PA membranes including the PA doping level, chemical stability, proton conductivity and mechanical properties were evaluated and compared. The tensile strength of PBI/RGO/PA membranes (ranging from 27.3 to 38.5 MPa) increases at first and then decreases with the increase of the RGO content, and is significantly higher than that of other PA doped PBI‐based membranes. The proton conductivity of PBI/RGO‐3/PA membrane is 28.0 mS cm−1 at 170 °C without humidity, with an increase of 72.0% compared with that of PBI/PA membrane. These results suggest that PBI/RGO/PA membranes have the potential to be used as high‐temperature proton exchange membranes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44986.
Simultaneous determination of wogonin, oroxylin a, schisandrin, paeoniflorin and emodin in rat serum by HPLC–MS/MS and application to pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Chen Minting , Wei Suying , Luo Chaohua , Chen Feilong , Song Shuai , Shen Qun , Mo Zhixian , Wei Fenghuan
Published: February 2017

Wogonin and oroxylin A in Scutellariae Radix, schisandrin in Chinensis Fructus, paeoniflorin in Moutan Cortex and emodin in Polygoni Cuspidate Rhizome et Radix are anti‐inflammatory active compounds. A method for simultaneous determination of the five compounds in rat was developed and validated using high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS). The separation was performed on a Symmetry C18 column (4.6 × 50 mm, 3.5 μm) with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as the mobile phases. The detection was performed using multiple‐reaction monitoring with electrospray ionization source in positive–negative ion mode. The calibration curves showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.9955). The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 5 ng/mL for wogonin and schisandrin, 10 ng/mL for oroxylin A and emodin, and 15 ng/mL for paeoniflorin, respectively. The relative standard deviations of intraday and interday precisions were <11.49 and 14.28%, respectively. The extraction recoveries and matrix effects were acceptable. The analytes were stable under the experiment conditions. The validated method has been successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of the five compounds in rats after oral administration of Hu‐gan‐kan‐kang‐yuan capsule. This paper would be a valuable reference for pharmacokinetic studies of Chinese medicine preparations containing the five compounds.
Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods
Authors: Su Hsiu‐Wei , Yi Yu‐Chiao , Wei Ting‐Yen , Chang Ting‐Chang , Cheng Chao‐Min
Published: February 2017

The ability to identify the precise time of ovulation is important for women who want to plan conception or practice contraception. Here, we review the current literature on various methods for detecting ovulation including a review of point‐of‐care device technology. We incorporate an examination of methods to detect ovulation that have been developed and practiced for decades and analyze the indications and limitations of each—transvaginal ultrasonography, urinary luteinizing hormone detection, serum progesterone and urinary pregnanediol 3‐glucuronide detection, urinary follicular stimulating hormone detection, basal body temperature monitoring, and cervical mucus and salivary ferning analysis. Some point‐of‐care ovulation detection devices have been developed and commercialized based on these methods, however previous research was limited by small sample size and an inconsistent standard reference to true ovulation.
Synthetic Biomarker Design by Using Analyte‐Responsive Acetaminophen
Authors: Nishihara Tatsuya , Inoue Joe , Tabata Sho , Murakami Shinnosuke , Ishikawa Takamasa , Saito Natsumi , Fukuda Shinji , Tomita Masaru , Soga Tomoyoshi
Published: February 2017

The use of synthetic biomarkers is an emerging technique to improve disease diagnosis. Here, we report a novel design strategy that uses analyte‐responsive acetaminophen (APAP) to expand the catalogue of analytes available for synthetic biomarker development. As proof‐of‐concept, we designed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐responsive APAP (HR‐APAP) and succeeded in H2O2 detection with cellular and animal experiments. In fact, for blood samples following HR‐APAP injection, we demonstrated that the plasma concentration ratio [APAP+APAP conjugates]/[HR‐APAP] accurately reflects in vivo differences in H2O2 levels. We anticipate that our practical methodology will be broadly useful for the preparation of various synthetic biomarkers.
Specific Picomolar Detection of a Breast Cancer Biomarker HER‐2/neu Protein in Serum: Electrocatalytically Amplified Electroanalysis by the Aptamer/PEG‐Modified Electrode
Authors: Salimian Razieh , Kékedy‐Nagy László , Ferapontova Elena E.
Published: February 2017

Specific and sensitive electroanalysis of blood‐circulating protein cancer biomarkers is often complicated by interference from serum proteins nonspecifically adsorbing at the biosensing interface and masking specific reactions of interest. Here, we have developed an electrocatalytically amplified assay for specific and sensitive analysis of human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 (HER‐2/neu, a protein cancer biomarker over‐expressed in breast cancers) that allows us to avoid both the interference from bovine serum albumin (BSA) and electrocatalytic amplification of the signal stemming from the specific aptamer−HER‐2/neu binding. A HER‐2/neu‐specific thiolated aptamer sequence was co‐adsorbed on gold together with a C11 alkanethiol bearing two ethylene glycol (EG)2 head groups that prevented non‐specific adsorption of BSA. On such layers, electrochemical reduction of a ferricyanide redox indicator is inhibited and is shown to be electrocatalyzed by methylene blue electrostatically interacting with negatively charged HER‐2/neu. The electrocatalytic signal increased upon HER‐2/neu binding to the aptamer, which allowed 10−12–10−8 M HER‐2/neu detection in 1 % serum, being practically applicable for clinical testing. The developed strategy can be considered as general and applicable for the electroanalysis of other blood‐circulating proteins once the electrostatic compatibility between the protein and redox probe is established.
Hand‐Ground Nanoscale ZnII‐Based Coordination Polymers Derived from NSAIDs: Cell Migration Inhibition of Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Paul Mithun , Sarkar Koushik , Deb Jolly , Dastidar Parthasarathi
Published: February 2017

Increased levels of intracellular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been linked with the unregulated cancer cell migration that often leads to metastasis. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are responsible for the increased PGE2 concentration in inflamed as well as cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that NSAID‐derived ZnII‐based coordination polymers are able to inhibit cell migration of human breast cancer cells. Various NSAIDs were anchored to a series of 1D ZnII coordination polymers through carboxylate–Zn coordination, and these structures were fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Hand grinding in a pestle and mortar resulted in the first reported example of nanoscale coordination polymers that were suitable for biological studies. Two such hand‐ground nanoscale coordination polymers NCP1 a and NCP2 a, which contained naproxen (a well‐studied NSAID), were successfully internalized by the human breast cancer cells MDA‐MB‐231, as was evident from cellular imaging by using a fluorescence microscope. They were able to kill the cancer cells (MTT assay) more efficiently than the corresponding mother drug naproxen, and most importantly, they significantly inhibited cancer cell migration thereby displaying anticancer activity.
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma with mucin production modulates phenotype according to common genetic traits: a reappraisal of mucinous adenocarcinoma and colloid adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sonzogni Angelica , Bianchi Fabrizio , Fabbri Alessandra , Cossa Mara , Rossi Giulio , Cavazza Alberto , Tamborini Elena , Perrone Federica , Busico Adele , Capone Iolanda , Picciani Benedetta , Valeri Barbara , Pastorino Ugo , Pelosi Giuseppe
Published: February 2017

Whether invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) and colloid adenocarcinoma (ICA) of the lung represent separate tumour entities, or simply lie within a spectrum of phenotypic variability, is worth investigating. Fifteen ICA, 12 IMA, 9 ALK‐rearranged adenocarcinomas (ALKA), 8 non‐mucinous KRAS‐mutated adenocarcinomas (KRASA) and 9 mucinous breast adenocarcinomas (MBA) were assessed by immunohistochemistry for alveolar (TTF1, cytoplasmic MUC1), intestinal (CDX‐2, MUC2), gastric (membrane MUC1, MUC6), bronchial (MUC5AC), mesenchymal (vimentin), neuroendocrine (chromogranin A, synaptophysin), sex steroid hormone‐related (oestrogen and progesterone receptors), pan‐mucinous (HNF4A) and pan‐epithelial (keratin 7) lineage biomarkers and by targeted next generation sequencing (TNGS) for 50 recurrently altered cancer genes. Unsupervised clustering analysis using molecular features identified cluster 1 (IMA and ICA), cluster 2 (ALKA and KRASA) and cluster 3 (MBA) (p < 0.0001). Cluster 1 showed four histology‐independent sub‐clusters (S1 to S4) pooled by HFN4A and MUC5AC but diversely reacting for TTF1, MUC1, MUC2, MUC6 and CDX2. Sub‐cluster S1 predominantly featured intestinal‐alveolar, S2 gastrointestinal, S3 gastric and S4 alveolar differentiation. In turn, KRASA and ALKA shared alveolar lineage alongside residual MUC5AC expression, with additional focal CDX2 and diffuse vimentin, respectively. A proximal‐to‐distal scheme extending from terminal (TB) and respiratory (RB) bronchioles to alveolar cells was devised, where S3 originated from distal TB (cellular mucinous adenocarcinoma), S2 from proximal RB (secreting mucinous adenocarcinoma), S1 from intermediate RB (mucin lake‐forming colloid adenocarcinoma), S4 from distal RB (colloid alveolar adenocarcinoma), KRASA from juxta‐alveolar RB (KRAS‐mutated non‐mucinous adenocarcinoma) and ALKA from juxta‐bronchial alveolar cells (ALK‐translocated adenocarcinoma). TNGS analysis showed KRAS, LKB1, TP53, APC and CDKN2A mutation predominance. In conclusion, IMA and ICA are basket categories, which likely originate from distinct domains of stem/progenitor cells spatially distributed along bronchioles upon common molecular features and genetic alterations.
Honeycomb‐like Nitrogen and Sulfur Dual‐Doped Hierarchical Porous Biomass‐Derived Carbon for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Chen Manfang , Jiang Shouxin , Huang Cheng , Wang Xianyou , Cai Siyu , Xiang Kaixiong , Zhang Yapeng , Xue Jiaxi
Published: February 2017

Honeycomb‐like nitrogen and sulfur dual‐doped hierarchical porous biomass‐derived carbon/sulfur composites (NSHPC/S) are successfully fabricated for high energy density lithium–sulfur batteries. The effects of nitrogen, sulfur dual‐doping on the structures and properties of the NSHPC/S composites are investigated in detail by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and charge/discharge tests. The results show that N, S dual‐doping not only introduces strong chemical adsorption and provides more active sites but also significantly enhances the electronic conductivity and hydrophilic properties of hierarchical porous biomass‐derived carbon, thereby significantly enhancing the utilization of sulfur and immobilizing the notorious polysulfide shuttle effect. Especially, the as‐synthesized NSHPC‐7/S exhibits high initial discharge capacity of 1204 mA h g−1 at 1.0 C and large reversible capacity of 952 mA h g−1 after 300 cycles at 0.5 C with an ultralow capacity fading rate of 0.08 % per cycle even at high sulfur content (85 wt %) and high active material areal mass loading (2.8 mg cm−2) for the application of high energy density Li–S batteries.
A method for characterizing phenotypic changes in highly variable cell populations and its application to high content screening of Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts
Authors: Johnson Gregory R. , Kangas Joshua D. , Dovzhenko Alexander , Trojok Rüdiger , Voigt Karsten , Majarian Timothy D. , Palme Klaus , Murphy Robert F.
Published: March 2017

Quantitative image analysis procedures are necessary for the automated discovery of effects of drug treatment in large collections of fluorescent micrographs. When compared to their mammalian counterparts, the effects of drug conditions on protein localization in plant species are poorly understood and underexplored. To investigate this relationship, we generated a large collection of images of single plant cells after various drug treatments. For this, protoplasts were isolated from six transgenic lines of A. thaliana expressing fluorescently tagged proteins. Eight drugs at three concentrations were applied to protoplast cultures followed by automated image acquisition. For image analysis, we developed a cell segmentation protocol for detecting drug effects using a Hough transform‐based region of interest detector and a novel cross‐channel texture feature descriptor. In order to determine treatment effects, we summarized differences between treated and untreated experiments with an L1 Cramér‐von Mises statistic. The distribution of these statistics across all pairs of treated and untreated replicates was compared to the variation within control replicates to determine the statistical significance of observed effects. Using this pipeline, we report the dose dependent drug effects in the first high‐content Arabidopsis thaliana drug screen of its kind. These results can function as a baseline for comparison to other protein organization modeling approaches in plant cells. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Mechano‐sensitive regulation of gene expression during the embryonic development
Authors: Eroshkin Fedor M. , Zaraisky Andrey G.
Published: February 2017

Cell movements during embryogenesis produce mechanical tensions that shape the embryo and can also regulate gene expression, thereby affecting cell differentiation. Increasing evidence indicates that mechanosensitive regulation of gene expression plays important roles during embryogenesis by coupling the processes of morphogenesis and differentiation. However, the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon remain poorly understood. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms that “translate” mechanical stimuli into gene expression.
Genomic array as compared to karyotyping in myelodysplastic syndromes in a prospective clinical trial
Authors: Stevens‐Kroef Marian J. , Olde Weghuis Daniel , ElIdrissi‐Zaynoun Najat , van der Reijden Bert , Cremers Eline M. P. , Alhan Canan , Westers Theresia M. , Visser‐Wisselaar Heleen A. , Chitu Dana A. , Cunha Sonia M. , Vellenga Edo , Klein Saskia K. , Wijermans Pierre , de Greef Georgine E. , Schaafsma M. Ron , Muus Petra , Ossenkoppele Gert J. , van de Loosdrecht Arjan A. , Jansen Joop H.
Published: February 2017

Karyotyping is considered as the gold standard in the genetic subclassification of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Oligo/SNP‐based genomic array profiling is a high‐resolution tool that also enables genome wide analysis. We compared karyotyping with oligo/SNP‐based array profiling in 104 MDS patients from the HOVON‐89 study. Oligo/SNP‐array identified all cytogenetically defined genomic lesions, except for subclones in two cases and balanced translocations in three cases. Conversely, oligo/SNP‐based genomic array profiling had a higher success rate, showing 55 abnormal cases, while an abnormal karyotype was found in only 35 patients. In nine patients whose karyotyping was unsuccessful because of insufficient metaphases or failure, oligo/SNP‐based array analysis was successful. Based on cytogenetic visible abnormalities as identified by oligo/SNP‐based genomic array prognostic scores based on IPSS/‐R were assigned. These prognostic scores were identical to the IPSS/‐R scores as obtained with karyotyping in 95%‐96% of the patients. In addition to the detection of cytogenetically defined lesions, oligo/SNP‐based genomic profiling identified focal copy number abnormalities or regions of copy neutral loss of heterozygosity that were out of the scope of karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Of interest, in 26 patients we demonstrated such cytogenetic invisible abnormalities. These abnormalities often involved regions that are recurrently affected in hematological malignancies, and may therefore be of clinical relevance. Our findings indicate that oligo/SNP‐based genomic array can be used to identify the vast majority of recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities in MDS. Furthermore, oligo/SNP‐based array profiling yields additional genetic abnormalities that may be of clinical importance.
Multi‐phase decompression modeling of CO2 pipelines
Authors: Liu Bin , Liu Xiong , Lu Cheng , Godbole Ajit , Michal Guillaume , Tieu Anh Kiet
Published: February 2017

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that has been proposed to reduce what are perceived to be excessive concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. CCS will require the transportation of CO2 from the capture locations to the storage sites via pipelines. To ensure safety, an accurate prediction of CO2 decompression following pipeline fracture is crucial for the design and operation for these projects. A multi‐phase CO2 pipeline decompression model using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques is presented in this paper. The GERG‐2008 equation of state (EOS) is employed to describe the properties of vaporand liquid phases. A phase change model using a mass transfer coefficient to control the inter‐phase mass transfer rateis implemented into the CFD code. By varying the mass transfer coefficient, the effect of delayed nucleation on the decompression wave speed can be investigated. The proposed multi‐phase CFD decompression modelis validated against the experimental data from a shock tube test. The performance of the proposed model is also compared with that of the Homogeneous Equilibrium Model (HEM). In addition, the influence of delayed nucleation on CO2 decompression characteristics is discussed and an optimum mass transfer coefficient for CO2 depressurization is obtained. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treatment‐related determinants of survival in early‐stage (T1–2N0M0) oral cavity cancer: A population‐based study
Authors: Sowder Justin C. , Cannon Richard B. , Buchmann Luke O. , Hunt Jason P. , Hitchcock Ying , Lloyd Shane , Grossmann Kenneth F. , Monroe Marcus M.
Published: February 2017

Background

National guidelines support both surgical and radiotherapy (RT) as initial treatment options for early‐stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There remains limited data evaluating the survival outcomes of RT and the current practice patterns for these lesions.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of 8274 patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 1988 to 2008 with T1 to T2N0M0 oral cavity SCC. Primary outcomes were 5‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS).

Results

Surgical therapy had significantly improved OS (140 months; p < .001) and DSS (217 months; p < .001) compared to surgery with adjuvant RT (104 and 163 months, respectively) and definitive RT (68 and 136 months, respectively). The use of radiation alone was associated with an increased T classification, hard palate, retromolar trigone primary site lesions, and advanced patient age.

Conclusion

Primary radiation without surgery continues to be used in a subset of early‐stage oral cavity SCCs, in which it is associated with decreased OS and DSS. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 876–880, 2017