bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noncontrast enhanced four‐dimensional dynamic MRA with golden angle radial acquisition and k‐space weighted image contrast (KWIC) reconstruction
Authors: Song Hee Kwon , Yan Lirong , Smith Robert X. , Xue Yiqun , Rapacchi Stanislas , Srinivasan Subashini , Ennis Daniel B. , Hu Peng , Pouratian Nader , Wang Danny J.J.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

To explore the feasibility of 2D and 3D golden‐angle radial acquisition strategies in conjunction with k‐space weighted image contrast (KWIC) temporal filtering to achieve noncontrast enhanced dynamic MRA (dMRA) with high spatial resolution, low streaking artifacts and high temporal fidelity.

Methods

Simulations and in vivo examinations in eight normal volunteers and an arteriovenous malformation patient were carried out. Both 2D and 3D golden angle radial sequences, preceded by spin tagging, were used for dMRA of the brain. The radial dMRA data were temporally filtered using the KWIC strategy and compared with matched standard Cartesian techniques.

Results

The 2D and 3D dynamic MRA image series acquired with the proposed radial techniques demonstrated excellent image quality without discernible temporal blurring compared with standard Cartesian based approaches. The image quality of radial dMRA was equivalent to or higher than that of Cartesian dMRA by visual inspection. A reduction factor of up to 10 and 3 in scan time was achieved for 2D and 3D radial dMRA compared with the Cartesian‐based counterparts.

Conclusion

The proposed 2D and 3D radial dMRA techniques demonstrated image quality comparable or even superior to those obtained with standard Cartesian methods, but within a fraction of the scan time. Magn Reson Med 72:1541–1551, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the encapsulation of natural pesticide using polyvinyl alcohol/alginate–montmorillonite nanocomposite for controlled release application
Authors: Rashidzadeh Azam , Olad Ali , Salari Dariush , Jalil Hejazi Mir
Published: December 2013

A representative pesticide, NeemAzal was encapsulated into polyvinyl alcohol/alginate‐montmorillonite (PVA/Alg‐MMT) nanocomposite by cross‐linking with glutaraldehyde. Different formulations of capsule beads containing NeemAzal were prepared with different concentration of materials. Evidence of cross‐linking of PVA and Alg was obtained by comparison of the Fourier transform infrared spectra of the initial substrates and capsule beads. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques confirmed the intercalated structure of capsule bead nanocomposites. In addition the swelling behavior of capsule beads was investigated. Results showed that swelling ratio of capsule beads decreases with introduction of MMT as well as increase of PVA content in capsule bead formulations. The release characteristics of NeemAzal from capsule beads were monitored using UV–visible spectrophotometer in distilled water. The addition of sodium MMT to these formulations was found to have a profound inhibitory effect on the release of NeemAzal. Furthermore, the release data were fitted to several empirical equations to estimate the kinetic parameters. The NeemAzal encapsulated PVA/Alg‐MMT nanocomposite capsule beads, designed and discussed in this work, have the potential for controlled release of pesticide. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2707–2714, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Rheological and thermal behavior of PVAc/starch blends modified by acrylic acid
Authors: Dong Aiqin , Xie Jie , Liu Qian , Li Dan , Hu Po
Published: December 2013

A novel plastic of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) blended with starch was prepared in our research. Acrylic acid (AA) was added adequately in step of PVAc preparation as modifier, with emulsifier and initiator each occupied with 2.5 and 0.7 wt% of monomer. We used a capillary rheometer to evaluate rheological properties of PVAc and starch blends. The rheological behavior of the blends shows pseudoplastic and shear thinning. In this article, we also studied effects of AA content and temperature on viscosity. The results show that the viscosity of blends increased gradually as AA content increasing and it shows decreased as temperature increasing. The thermal behaviors of these materials were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The starch and AA content were considered to be the main influence factors. From the diagrams we concluded that the addition of adequate AA content could improve the compatibility and stability of the blends; however, the starch content was limited properly otherwise the stability of blends would be weakened. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2449–2454, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Decrosslinking of crosslinked high‐density polyethylene via ultrasonically aided single‐screw extrusion
Authors: Isayev Avraam I. , Huang Keyuan
Published: December 2013

A novel environmentally friendly process for decrosslinking of the peroxide crosslinked HDPE (XHDPE) via ultrasonic assisted single (SSE) is developed and its process characteristics are established. The specific ultrasonic energy decreases with the flow rate and increases with the ultrasonic amplitude, while die pressure increases with the flow rate and decreases with the ultrasonic amplitude. Application of ultrasonic treatment during extrusion enables an increase of productivity. Gel fraction, crosslink density, dynamic and mechanical properties, and thermal behavior of the virgin HDPE, XHDPE, and decrosslinked XHDPE are measured. Gel fraction and crosslink density of the decrosslinked XHDPE are decreased with increasing flow rate and ultrasonic amplitude. A unique linear relation between the normalized gel fraction and the normalized crosslink density is found, regardless of the type of extruders and processing conditions. SEM images reveals that the decrosslinked XHDPE is a composite of submicron size gel particles embedded in its sol matrix. The sol extracted from the decrosslinked XHDPE exhibits a higher complex viscosity and higher level of branching than the virgin HDPE. An increase of the ultrasonic amplitude leads to a decrease of the complex viscosity, storage and loss moduli, and an increase of the loss tangent of the decrosslinked XHDPE. The thermal behavior and mechanical properties of the decrosslinked XHDPE show a weak dependency on processing conditions. At some processing conditions, mechanical properties of the decrosslinked XHDPE are close or higher to those of XHDPE. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2715–2730, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Bortezomib‐Induced Sweet's Syndrome Confirmed by Rechallenge
Authors: Zobniw Chrystia M. , Saad Samira A. , Kostoff Diana , Barthel Bernd G.
Published: December 2013

Sweet's syndrome, also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is characterized predominantly by fever, elevated neutrophil count, and erythematous skin lesions composed of plaques and nodules that appear on upper extremities, face, or neck. The incidence of Sweet's syndrome in the general population is unknown due to the rarity of the condition and potential lack of reporting. Bortezomib, an antineoplastic agent that is the standard of care in patients with multiple myeloma, has been reported to be associated with Sweet's syndrome. We describe a 69‐year‐old man who developed Sweet's syndrome during his initial course (after cycle 4) of bortezomib for treatment of multiple myeloma; he again experienced Sweet's syndrome 3.5 years later when rechallenged with bortezomib (after cycle 5) for treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma. The patient's signs, symptoms, and biopsy results were identical during both presentations of Sweet's syndrome. In both instances, the syndrome spontaneously resolved without incident and without supportive treatment with corticosteroids or antihistamines. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient who developed Sweet's syndrome during an initial course of treatment with bortezomib and after rechallenge with bortezomib for relapsed disease. As proteasome inhibitors continue to be a mainstay of therapy for both treatment and salvage therapy for multiple myeloma, this case demonstrates that rechallenge with bortezomib is an option for patients who develop Sweet's syndrome.
Optimizing the Dose of Three‐Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients on Warfarin Therapy
Authors: Huynh Thao K. , Costello Jennifer L. , Rebuck Jill A.
Published: December 2013

Study Objective

To determine the percentage of patients with correction of their first international normalized ratio (INR) less than 1.5 after administration of moderate‐dose three‐factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), 35 IU/kg compared with low‐dose PCC, 25 IU/kg.

Design

Retrospective review.

Setting

Community teaching hospital.

Patients

A total of 42 adult patients diagnosed with warfarin‐associated traumatic brain injury (TBI) presented with an INR of 1.5 or more and received at least one dose of PCC during a 19‐month study period. The low‐dose group received PCC 25 IU/kg from November 2011–July 2012 and the moderate‐dose group received PCC 35 IU/kg from August 2012–May 2013.

Measurements and Main Results

Of the 42 patients, 25 were in the low‐dose group and 17 were in the moderate‐dose group. Baseline characteristics were similar between both groups in regard to age, sex, weight, creatinine clearance, weekly warfarin dose, initial INR, initial Glasgow Coma Score, and injury severity score. Of the patients in the low‐dose group, 12% achieved INR reversal with first measured INR after PCC administration compared with 69% in the moderate‐dose group (p<0.001). The median time to INR reversal was 6.9 hours in the low‐dose PCC group and 1.9 hours in the moderate‐dose PCC group (p=0.04). There were no differences between the groups in other secondary end points, including stabilization of TBI, days in the intensive care unit, total days of hospitalization, blood product administration, and adverse events.

Conclusions

Moderately dosed PCC at 35 IU/kg compared with a lower dosage of 25 IU/kg was associated with a higher percentage of INR reversal and more rapid time to INR normalization in patients with TBI. Future randomized controlled studies to further investigate this novel dose and the impact on potential reductions in the use of fresh frozen plasma are warranted.
A novel post‐ligation thioesterification device enables peptide ligation in the N to C direction: synthetic study of human glycodelin
Authors: Takenouchi Takaomi , Katayama Hidekazu , Nakahara Yuko , Nakahara Yoshiaki , Hojo Hironobu
Published: December 2013

Human glycodelin consists of 162 amino acid residues and two N‐linked glycans at Asn28 and Asn63. In this study, we synthesized it by a fully convergent strategy using native chemical ligation (NCL) in N to C direction. The four peptide segments corresponding to 1–31, 32–65, 66–105 and 106–162 sequences were synthesized by 9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl based solid‐phase peptide synthesis. At the C‐terminus of the second segment, N‐ethyl‐S‐acetamidomethyl‐cysteine was attached as a post‐ligation thioesterification device. The N‐terminal two segments were condensed by the homocysteine‐mediated NCL at Leu‐Met site, and the product was methylated to convert homocysteine to methionine. After deprotection of acetamidomethyl group on the N‐ethylcysteine residue, the peptide was thioesterified by N‐alkylcysteine‐assisted method. The product was then ligated with the C‐terminal half, which was obtained by the NCL of third and fourth segments, to give the full‐length glycodelin. Copyright © 2013 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cu2ZnSn(S1–xSex)4 thin film solar cells prepared by water‐based solution process
Authors: Jiang Minlin , Lan Fei , Yan Xingzhong , Li Guangyong
Published: December 2013

The kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S1–xSex)4 (CZTSSe) thin film solar cell has been developed rapidly due to its excellence in structural and optical properties and its abundance in raw materials. Both vacuum‐based and solution‐based methods have been successfully employed to fabricate CZTSSe thin film solar cells. In this Letter, we report an environmentally friendly, water‐based, solution process for fabrication of high‐efficiency CZTSSe thin film solar cells. High quality CZTSSe thin film is obtained by selenization under high temperature and Se vapor. An efficiency of 6.2% is achieved on CZTSSe thin film solar cell fabricated by such water‐based solution process. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
New insight into delay‐dependent stability of time‐delay systems
Authors: Xu Shengyuan , Lam James , Zhang Baoyong , Zou Yun
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a new insight into the delay‐dependent stability for time‐delay systems. Because of the key observation that the positive definiteness of a chosen Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional does not necessarily require all the involved symmetric matrices in the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional to be positive definite, an improved delay‐dependent asymptotic stability condition is presented in terms of a set of LMIs. This fact has been overlooked in the development of previous stability results. The importance of the present method is that a vast number of existing delay‐dependent results on analysis and synthesis of time‐delay systems derived by the Lyapunov–Krasovskii stability theorem can be improved by using this observation without introducing additional variables. The reduction of conservatism of the proposed result is both theoretically and numerically demonstrated. It is believed that the proposed method provides a new direction to improve delay‐dependent results on time‐delay systems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cooperative containment of discrete‐time linear multi‐agent systems
Authors: Ma Qian , Lewis Frank L. , Xu Shengyuan
Published: December 2013

This paper investigates the cooperative containment control problem for discrete‐time multi‐agent systems with general linear dynamics. Distributed containment control protocols on the basis of state feedback design and output feedback design are proposed. Necessary and sufficient conditions are presented for both the state feedback and output feedback cases, which are less conservative than those in the literature. These conditions depend on the spectral properties of the topology matrix. Then, effective algorithms are proposed to obtain control gain matrices for both cases based on H ∞  type Riccati design. Simulation examples are provided finally to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design methods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frequently Used Coping Scales: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Kato Tsukasa
Published: December 2013

This article reports the frequency of the use of coping scales in academic journals published from 1998 to 2010. Two thousand empirical journal articles were selected from the EBSCO database. The COPE, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Coping Strategies Questionnaire, Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, Religious‐COPE and Coping Response Inventory were frequently mentioned. In particular, the COPE (20.2%) and Ways of Coping Questionnaire (13.6%) were used the most frequently. In this literature reviewed, coping scales were most often used to assess coping with health issues (e.g. illness, pain and medical diagnoses) over other types of stressors, and patients were the most frequent participants. Further, alpha coefficients were estimated for the COPE subscales, and correlations between the COPE subscales and coping outcomes were calculated, including depressive symptoms, anxiety, negative affect, psychological distress, physical symptoms and well‐being. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid Prevents Ovariectomy‐Induced Bone Loss in Mice by Modulating Both Osteoclastogenesis and Osteoblastogenesis
Authors: Rahman Md Mizanur , Fernandes Gabriel , Williams Paul
Published: December 2013

Postmenopausal osteoporosis due to estrogen deficiency is associated with severe morbidity and mortality. Beneficial effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on bone mineral density (BMD) have been reported in mice, rats and humans, but the effect of long term CLA supplementation against ovariectomy‐induced bone loss in mice and the mechanisms underlying this effect have not been studied yet. Eight‐week old ovariectomized (Ovx) and sham operated C57BL/6 mice were fed either a diet containing 0.5 % safflower oil (SFO) or 0.5 % CLA for 24 weeks to examine BMD, bone turn over markers and osteotropic factors. Bone marrow (BM) cells were cultured to determine the effect on inflammation, osteoclastogenesis, and osteoblastogenesis. SFO/Ovx mice had significantly lower femoral, tibial and lumbar BMD compared to SFO/Sham mice; whereas, no difference was found between CLA/Ovx and CLA/Sham mice. CLA inhibited bone resorption markers whereas enhanced bone formation markers in Ovx mice as compared to SFO‐fed mice. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence activated cell sorting analyses of splenocytes revealed that CLA inhibited pro‐osteoclastogenic receptor activator of NF‐κB (RANKL) and stimulated decoy receptor of RANKL, osteoprotegerin expression. CLA also inhibited pro‐inflammatory cytokine and enhanced anti‐inflammatory cytokine production of lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated splenocytes and BM cells. Furthermore, CLA inhibited osteoclast differentiation in BM and stimulated osteoblast differentiation in BM stromal cells as confirmed by tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and Alizarin Red staining, respectively. In conclusion, CLA may prevent postmenopausal bone loss not only by inhibiting excessive bone resorption due to estrogen deficiency but also by stimulating new bone formation. CLA might be a potential alternative therapy against osteoporotic bone loss.
Ionenkanalerkrankungen der Niere und Nebenniere
Authors: Beck B.B. , Wollnik B. , Kömhoff M.
Published: December 2013

Genetische Nierenerkrankungen haben an den sich im Kindes- bis Jugendalter manifestierenden Nierenerkrankungen einen bedeutenden Anteil, gewinnen aber auch zunehmend an Bedeutung für nur langsam progrediente oder spät im Erwachsenenalter auftretende Erkrankungen. Ein erheblicher Teil insbesondere kindlicher Nierenerkrankungen ist mit terminaler Niereninsuffizienz und/oder weiterer relevanter Morbidität verbunden. Eine frühzeitige (molekulare) Diagnosestellung kann für eine bessere prognostische Einschätzung Voraussetzung sein und bietet Möglichkeiten hinsichtlich einer optimierten symptomatischen Therapie.

Mechanistisch betrachtet stellen mit Mutationen in Ionenkanälen assoziierte Nephropathien – neben strukturellen Defekten des glomerulären Filters (z. B. COL4A3, LAMB2, Nephrin) und Störungen der für die Entwicklung des Urogenitaltrakts relevanter Signalwege (z. B. HNF1B, WT1) – eine prototypische und zahlenmäßig wesentliche Gruppe dar.

Die molekulargenetische Aufklärung der (hypokaliämischen) Salzverlusttubulopathien hat ganz wesentlich zu unserem Verständnis der zentralen Rolle der Niere im Salzhaushalt beigetragen. Das Spektrum renaler Ionenkanalerkrankungen soll an den Beispielen der klassischen Salzverlusttubulopathien (Bartter- und Gitelman-Syndrom), der Transient-receptor-potential-(TRP)-Kanalgruppe sowie der Rolle von Kanalveränderungen bei Aldosteronismus und angeborenen Hypertonusformen dargestellt werden.
Sphingolipid levels crucially modulate lateral microdomain organization of plasma membrane in living yeast
Authors: Vecer Jaroslav , Vesela Petra , Malinsky Jan , Herman Petr
Published: December 2013

We report sphingolipid‐related reorganization of gel‐like microdomains in the plasma membrane of living S
accharomyces cerevisiae using trans‐Parinaric acid (t‐PnA) and 1,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐hexatriene (DPH). Compared to control, the gel‐like domains were significantly reduced in the membrane of a sphingolipid‐deficient lcb1‐100 mutant. The same reduction resulted from sphingolipid depletion by myriocin. The phenotype could be reverted when a myriocin‐induced block in sphingolipid biosynthesis was bypassed by exogenous dihydrosphingosine. Lipid order of less‐ordered membrane regions decreased with sphingolipid depletion as well, as documented by DPH fluorescence anisotropy. The data indicate that organization of lateral microdomains is an essential physiological role of these structural lipids.
Severe combined immunodeficiency caused by a new homozygous RAG1 mutation with progressive encephalopathy
Authors: Dhingra Nivedita , Yadav Satya Prakash , Villartay Jean-Pierre de , Picard Capucine , Sabharwal RK , Dinand Veronique , Ghuman Samarjit Singh , Sachdeva Anupam
Published: December 2013

We describe an unusual case of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) with neutropenia and central nervous system (CNS) manifestations in which a novel RAG1 mutation was identified. A 15-month-old boy presented with failure to thrive, neutropenia and recurrent infections. He was diagnosed with T-BNK+ SCID. He subsequently developed right partial seizures with ipsilateral hemiparesis and became comatose. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed an inflammatory lesion in the left thalamus which later progressed to diffuse meningo-encephalitis on serial imaging. No CNS infection was documented. Genetic work-up in the child revealed a novel homozygous deleterious mutation in the RAG1 gene (c:2881T<C; p:I794T), for which both parents were heterozygous. He underwent a haploidentical bone marrow transplant without conditioning and died on day +35 with no improvement in his neurological status. The features of neutropenia and progressive encephalopathy could be linked to the novel genetic defect but more data is required to establish this conclusively.
Efficacy and safety of sorafenib-gemcitabine combination therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Naqi Naeem , Ahmad Shaharyar , Murad Sohail , Khattak Javaid
Published: December 2013

PURPOSE:

Sorafenib is considered a standard of care in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its combination with gemcitabine, a pyrimidine analogue with limited friendly hepatic profile may prove beneficial in advanced HCC. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a sorafenib and gemcitabine combination in patients with advanced HCC.

METHODS:

This was a non-randomized, open-label, single-arm, multi-centric Phase II study conducted in Pakistan where 30 treatment-naive patients aged between 26 and 73 years with Child-Pugh score A or B were treated with sorafenib (400 mg oral) twice daily for 16 weeks along with gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 intravenous) administered on day 1 and day 8 of a four-week cycle for 16 weeks.

RESULTS:

Of the 18 patients (60%) who completed all four cycles of treatment, eight patients had stable disease, two had partial response, and eight had progressive disease. There was no complete response. The most common (≥ 10% patients) treatment-emergent adverse events were gemcitabine-related thrombocytopenia (40%) followed by sorafenib-related hand-foot skin reaction and anorexia (33% each).

CONCLUSION:

The efficacy of sorafenib gemcitabine combination therapy is similar to the sorafenib alone treatment. However, frequent dose adjustments due to gemcitabine-related toxicities, delays, and corrective treatments make this combination therapy unsafe in the treatment of advanced HCC.
Foreign exchange rate exposure: Evidence from Canada
Authors: Al‐Shboul Mohammad , Anwar Sajid
Published: December 2013

Using weekly data from 2003 to 2011, this paper examines the presence of exchange rate exposure in thirteen Canadian industry sectors. This study contributes to the literature in a number of ways: (i) it considers the presence of exposure not only in the full sample but also in the pre and post‐Global Financial Crisis (GFC) periods, (ii) it considers both linear and nonlinear exposure and (iii) it makes use of the sign and size bias tests to investigate the presence of asymmetric exposure. In general, we find some evidence of linear and nonlinear exposure in the full sample as well as in the pre and post‐GFC sub‐samples. We also find weak evidence of an asymmetric exposure sign effect on stock returns in the full and pre‐GFC sample periods. Stock returns are found to respond asymmetrically to the positive magnitude of exposure in both the‐pre and post‐GFC sample periods. In overall terms, the GFC appears to have weakly contributed to the overall strength of the exposure.
Induction of necrotic cell death by oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Hanus J , Zhang H , Wang Z , Liu Q , Zhou Q , Wang S
Published: December 2013

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease of the retina and the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell death and the resultant photoreceptor apoptosis are characteristic of late-stage dry AMD, especially geographic atrophy (GA). Although oxidative stress and inflammation have been associated with GA, the nature and underlying mechanism for RPE cell death remains controversial, which hinders the development of targeted therapy for dry AMD. The purpose of this study is to systematically dissect the mechanism of RPE cell death induced by oxidative stress. Our results show that characteristic features of apoptosis, including DNA fragmentation, caspase 3 activation, chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation, were not observed during RPE cell death induced by either hydrogen peroxide or tert-Butyl hydroperoxide. Instead, this kind of cell death can be prevented by RIP kinase inhibitors necrostatins but not caspase inhibitor z-VAD, suggesting necrotic feature of RPE cell death. Moreover, ATP depletion, receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) aggregation, nuclear and plasma membrane leakage and breakdown, which are the cardinal features of necrosis, were observed in RPE cells upon oxidative stress. Silencing of RIPK3, a key protein in necrosis, largely prevented oxidative stress-induced RPE death. The necrotic nature of RPE death is consistent with the release of nuclear protein high mobility group protein B1 into the cytoplasm and cell medium, which induces the expression of inflammatory gene TNFα in healthy RPE and THP-1 cells. Interestingly, features of pyroptosis or autophagy were not observed in oxidative stress-treated RPE cells. Our results unequivocally show that necrosis, but not apoptosis, is a major type of cell death in RPE cells in response to oxidative stress. This suggests that preventing oxidative stress-induced necrotic RPE death may be a viable approach for late-stage dry AMD.
A bacterial pathogen uses dimethylsulfoniopropionate as a cue to target heat-stressed corals
Authors: Garren Melissa , Son Kwangmin , Raina Jean-Baptiste , Rusconi Roberto , Menolascina Filippo , Shapiro Orr H , Tout Jessica , Bourne David G , Seymour Justin R , Stocker Roman
Published: December 2013

Diseases are an emerging threat to ocean ecosystems. Coral reefs, in particular, are experiencing a worldwide decline because of disease and bleaching, which have been exacerbated by rising seawater temperatures. Yet, the ecological mechanisms behind most coral diseases remain unidentified. Here, we demonstrate that a coral pathogen, Vibrio coralliilyticus, uses chemotaxis and chemokinesis to target the mucus of its coral host, Pocillopora damicornis. A primary driver of this response is the host metabolite dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a key element in the global sulfur cycle and a potent foraging cue throughout the marine food web. Coral mucus is rich in DMSP, and we found that DMSP alone elicits chemotactic responses of comparable intensity to whole mucus. Furthermore, in heat-stressed coral fragments, DMSP concentrations increased fivefold and the pathogen’s chemotactic response was correspondingly enhanced. Intriguingly, despite being a rich source of carbon and sulfur, DMSP is not metabolized by the pathogen, suggesting that it is used purely as an infochemical for host location. These results reveal a new role for DMSP in coral disease, demonstrate the importance of chemical signaling and swimming behavior in the recruitment of pathogens to corals and highlight the impact of increased seawater temperatures on disease pathways.
A geological perspective on potential future sea-level rise
Authors: Rohling Eelco J. , Haigh Ivan D. , Foster Gavin L. , Roberts Andrew P. , Grant Katharine M.
Published: December 2013

During ice-age cycles, continental ice volume kept pace with slow, multi-millennial scale, changes in climate forcing. Today, rapid greenhouse gas (GHG) increases have outpaced ice-volume responses, likely committing us to > 9 m of long-term sea-level rise (SLR). We portray a context of naturally precedented SLR from geological evidence, for comparison with historical observations and future projections. This context supports SLR of up to 0.9 (1.8) m by 2100 and 2.7 (5.0) m by 2200, relative to 2000, at 68% (95%) probability. Historical SLR observations and glaciological assessments track the upper 68% limit. Hence, modern change is rapid by past interglacial standards but within the range of ‘normal’ processes. The upper 95% limit offers a useful low probability/high risk value. Exceedance would require conditions without natural interglacial precedents, such as catastrophic ice-sheet collapse, or activation of major East Antarctic mass loss at sustained CO2 levels above 1000 ppmv.
Highly diastereoselective cyclopropanation of α-methylstyrene catalysed by a C2-symmetrical chiral iron porphyrin complex
Authors: Intrieri Daniela , Le Gac Stéphane , Caselli Alessandro , Rose Eric , Boitrel Bernard , Gallo Emma
Published: December 2013

A new chiral iron porphyrin complex performed stereoselective cyclopropanation of α-methylstyrene with outstanding TON and TOF values (up to 20 000 and 120 000 h−1 respectively).
Oxidation of 2-amino-substituted BODIPYs providing pyrazine-fused BODIPY trimers
Authors: Yokoi Hiroki , Wachi Naruhiko , Hiroto Satoru , Shinokubo Hiroshi
Published: December 2013

One-step oxidation of β-amino BODIPYs provides BODIPY trimers with a pyrazine-fused BODIPY dimer structure, which exhibit strong NIR absorption bands.
Rearrangement of aldoximes to amides in water under air atmosphere catalyzed by water-soluble iridium complex [Cp*Ir(H2O)3][OTf]2
Authors: Sun Chunlou , Qu Panpan , Li Feng
Published: December 2013

R = aryl or aliphatic group phosphorous ligand-free low catalytic loading under air atmosphere up to 93% yield; 37 examples.
Direct excitation of dark plasmonic resonances under visible light at normal incidence
Authors: Gu Yinghong , Qin Fei , Yang Joel K. W. , Yeo Swee Ping , Qiu Cheng-Wei
Published: December 2013

A new method to directly excite dark plasmon resonance modes on electrically continuous nanostructures by normally incident visible light.
Hierarchical foam of exposed ultrathin nickel nanosheets supported on chainlike Ni-nanowires and the derivative chalcogenide for enhanced pseudocapacitance
Authors: Ni Wei , Wang Bin , Cheng Jianli , Li Xiaodong , Guan Qun , Gu Guifang , Huang Ling
Published: December 2013

Hierarchical nickel made of exposed ultrathin nanosheets on thin-wire backbones is controllably synthesized and its NiS2 derivative shows high capacity for pseudocapacitors.
Loading of an anti-cancer drug onto graphene oxide and subsequent release to DNA/RNA: a direct optical detection
Authors: Koninti Raj Kumar , Sengupta Abhigyan , Gavvala Krishna , Ballav Nirmalya , Hazra Partha
Published: December 2013

Sensing of bio-molecules using the fluorescence-switch/dual fluorescence property of an eminent anticancer drug, ellipticine, has been explored to directly monitor its efficient loading onto graphene oxide and subsequent release to biomolecules like DNA/RNA.
Syntheses and photophysical properties of BF2 complexes of curcumin analogues
Authors: Bai Guifeng , Yu Changjiang , Cheng Chi , Hao Erhong , Wei Yun , Mu Xiaolong , Jiao Lijuan
Published: December 2013

Highly photostable π-extended curcumin-BF2 complexes with strong absorption and fluorescence ranging from 400 to 800 nm were reported.
A common solution to group 2 influenza virus neutralization
Authors: Friesen Robert H. E. , Lee Peter S. , Stoop Esther J. M. , Hoffman Ryan M. B. , Ekiert Damian C. , Bhabha Gira , Yu Wenli , Juraszek Jarek , Koudstaal Wouter , Jongeneelen Mandy , Korse Hans J. W. M. , Ophorst Carla , Brinkman-van der Linden Els C. M. , Throsby Mark , Kwakkenbos Mark J. , Bakker Arjen Q. , Beaumont Tim , Spits Hergen , Kwaks Ted , Vogels Ronald , Ward Andrew B. , Goudsmit Jaap , Wilson Ian A.
Published: December 2013

Significance

The HA surface glycoprotein on influenza A viruses mediates viral entry into host cells. HA is highly variable and classified into 18 divergent subtypes, which cluster into two major phylogenetic groups. Antibody CR8043 has heterosubtypic neutralizing activity against group 2 viruses, including H3 viruses that currently circulate in humans. X-ray and EM structures of CR8043 Fab in complex with H3 HAs reveal that the antibody targets a conserved epitope on the HA stem. Compared with CR8020, the only other structurally characterized group 2 neutralizing antibody, CR8043 binds to HA with a different approach angle using different contact residues. The epitopes of both antibodies are very similar, which suggests that this conserved stem epitope has great potential for design of therapeutics and vaccines.
Public relations practices at medical journals
Authors: KIERNAN Vincent
Published: December 2013

Many publishers of medical journals actively court coverage by the news media. However, the extent and effect of these practices are poorly understood. After reviewing prior literature regarding the impact of news coverage on the citation rate of journal articles, this paper seeks to measure the extent to which medical journals with clinical significance use public relations practices to encourage news coverage of their articles, and the success that those practices had in increasing coverage by newspapers. Editors of 120 medical journals published worldwide with clinical relevance were surveyed; the response rate was 54%. Eighty per cent of respondents reported that their journal offered journalists at least one of press releases, access to full‐text articles, or press conferences. Editors whose journals used the practices in conjunction with an embargo reported higher‐quality news coverage than editors of journals that did not, but editors and journalists held differing views about the justifications for the specific practice known as an embargo.
High‐impact papers from China, Japan, India, and Korea
Authors: Hongling FANG , Hai‐Min CHANG
Published: December 2013

This paper compares ‘high‐impact’ papers from China, Japan, India and Korea in 2012, together with papers from these countries in Cell, Nature, and Science (CNS) from 2010 to 2012. China leads on ‘highly cited’ and ‘hot’ papers in 2012, while Japan has the highest number in CNS (653), followed by China (471), Korea (131) and India (83). Although China published more high‐impact papers in 2012, papers published in CNS were at a relatively low level, which appears to show that while some of the research in China is at a relatively high level, this is not entirely reflected in the number of papers in these ‘elite’ journals.
Ibero‐American journals in Scopus and Web of Science
Authors: RODRIGUES Rosângela Schwarz , ABADAL Ernest
Published: December 2013

In this paper we map the scientific journals from Ibero‐American countries indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus. Data were collected from the journals' websites. Of 879 journals in the two databases, Spain accounted for 35.6% of the titles, Brazil 28.5%, and the remaining 11 countries together 35.9%. Medicine had the most titles in almost all countries, with 28.9% of the total, followed by agricultural and biological sciences (particularly in Brazil) with 14.9%, and social sciences with 11.5%. A digital format was used by 95% of the journals and 82% were open access, with an even higher level of open access in Latin America. The publishers were mainly universities (37.7%) and associations (31.1%). Ibero‐American countries, with the exception of Spain, do not have a long tradition as scientific journal publishers, but in the last few years they have gained in importance as players in scientific communication with the use of new business models for journals.
Book reviews
Authors: THATCHER Sanford G.
Published: December 2013

Stylish Academic Writing Helen Sword Cambridge & London, Harvard University Press, 2012, 228pp. ISBN 9780674064485, $21.95, £16.95
Protein kinase D2 induces invasion of pancreatic cancer cells by regulating matrix metalloproteinases
Authors: Wille Christoph , Köhler Conny , Armacki Milena , Jamali Arsia , Gössele Ulrike , Pfizenmaier Klaus , Seufferlein Thomas , Eiseler Tim
Published: December 2013

Pancreatic cancer cell invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis are major challenges for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Protein kinase D (PKD) isoforms are involved in controlling tumor cell motility, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In particular PKD2 expression is up-regulated in pancreatic cancer, whereas PKD1 expression is lowered. We report that both kinases control pancreatic cancer cell invasive properties in an isoform-specific manner. PKD2 enhances invasion in three-dimensional extracellular matrix (3D-ECM) cultures by stimulating expression and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases 7 and 9 (MMP7/9), by which MMP7 is likely to act upstream of MMP9. Knockdown of MMP7/9 blocks PKD2-mediated invasion in 3D-ECM assays and in vivo using tumors growing on chorioallantois membranes. Furthermore, MMP9 enhances PKD2-mediated tumor angiogenesis by releasing extracellular matrix–bound vascular endothelial growth factor A, increasing its bioavailability and angiogenesis. Of interest, specific knockdown of PKD1 in PKD2-expressing pancreatic cancer cells further enhanced the invasive properties in 3D-ECM systems by generating a high-motility phenotype. Loss of PKD1 thus may be beneficial for tumor cells to enhance their matrix-invading abilities. In conclusion, we define for the first time PKD1 and 2 isoform–selective effects on pancreatic cancer cell invasion and angiogenesis, in vitro and in vivo, addressing PKD isoform specificity as a major factor for future therapeutic strategies.
Compromised telomere maintenance in hypomethylated Arabidopsis thaliana plants
Authors: Ogrocká Anna , Polanská Pavla , Majerová Eva , Janeba Zlatko , Fajkus Jiří , Fojtová Miloslava
Published: December 2013

Telomeres, nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes, are important for the maintenance of genomic stability. Telomeres were considered as typical heterochromatic regions, but in light of recent results, this view should be reconsidered. Asymmetrically located cytosines in plant telomeric DNA repeats may be substrates for a DNA methyltransferase enzyme and indeed, it was shown that these repeats are methylated. Here, we analyse the methylation of telomeric cytosines and the length of telomeres in Arabidopsis thaliana methylation mutants (met 1-3 and ddm 1-8), and in their wild-type siblings that were germinated in the presence of hypomethylation drugs. Our results show that cytosine methylation in telomeric repeats depends on the activity of MET1 and DDM1 enzymes. Significantly shortened telomeres occur in later generations of methylation mutants as well as in plants germinated in the presence of hypomethylation drugs, and this phenotype is stably transmitted to the next plant generation. A possible role of compromised in vivo telomerase action in the observed telomere shortening is hypothesized based on telomere analysis of hypomethylated telomerase knockout plants. Results are discussed in connection with previous data in this field obtained using different model systems.
John Tyndall and the Royal Medal that was never struck
Authors: Jackson Roland
Published: December 2013

Just once in its long history has a Royal Medal been awarded but not presented. John Tyndall FRS (1820–93) was the chosen recipient in 1853 for his early work on diamagnetism but declined to accept it. The story of why Tyndall felt compelled to turn down this considerable honour sheds light on the scientific politics and personal relationships of the time, on the importance given to the study of magnetism, and on Tyndall's own character and career.
Unrecognized coral species diversity masks differences in functional ecology
Authors: Boulay Jennifer N. , Hellberg Michael E. , Cortés Jorge , Baums Iliana B.
Published: December 2013

Poritescorals are foundation species on Pacific reefs but a confused taxonomy hinders understanding of their ecosystem function and responses to climate change. Here, we show that what has been considered a single species in the eastern tropical Pacific,Porites lobata, includes a morphologically similar yet ecologically distinct species,Porites evermanni. WhileP. lobatareproduces mainly sexually,P. evermannidominates in areas where triggerfish prey on bioeroding mussels living within the coral skeleton, thereby generating asexual coral fragments. These fragments proliferate in marginal habitat not colonized byP. lobata. The twoPoritesspecies also show a differential bleaching response despite hosting the same dominant symbiont subclade. Thus, hidden diversity within these reef-builders has until now obscured differences in trophic interactions, reproductive dynamics and bleaching susceptibility, indicative of differential responses when confronted with future climate change.
Principles of nucleation of H3K27 methylation during embryonic development
Authors: van Heeringen Simon J. , Akkers Robert C. , van Kruijsbergen Ila , Arif M. Asif , Hanssen Lars L.P. , Sharifi Nilofar , Veenstra Gert Jan C.
Published: December 2013

During embryonic development, maintenance of cell identity and lineage commitment requires the Polycomb-group PRC2 complex, which catalyzes histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3). However, the developmental origins of this regulation are unknown. Here we show that H3K27me3 enrichment increases from blastula stages onward in embryos of the Western clawed frog (Xenopus tropicalis) within constrained domains strictly defined by sequence. Strikingly, although PRC2 also binds widely to active enhancers, H3K27me3 is only deposited at a small subset of these sites. Using a Support Vector Machine algorithm, these sequences can be predicted accurately on the basis of DNA sequence alone, with a sequence signature conserved between humans, frogs, and fish. These regions correspond to the subset of blastula-stage DNA methylation-free domains that are depleted for activating promoter motifs, and enriched for motifs of developmental factors. These results imply a genetic-default model in which a preexisting absence of DNA methylation is the major determinant of H3K27 methylation when not opposed by transcriptional activation. The sequence and motif signatures reveal the hierarchical and genetically inheritable features of epigenetic cross-talk that impose constraints on Polycomb regulation and guide H3K27 methylation during the exit of pluripotency.
Diaquabis(2-ethyl-5-methylimidazole-4-sulfonato-κ2
N
3,O)nickel(II) dihydrate
Authors: Purdy Andrew P. , Butcher Ray J.
Published: December 2013

In the title complex, [Ni(C6H9N2O3S)2(H2O)2]·2H2O, the NiII atom lies on an inversion center and is chelated by N and O atoms of two symmetry-equivalent imidazolesulfonate ligands in the basal plane, and two water O atoms in axial positions in an overall octahedral configuration. The crystal structure displays O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds, which connect the components into an extended three-dimensional network.
6a-Nitro-6-(2,2,7,7-tetramethyltetrahydro-3aH-bis[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-b:4′,5′-d]pyran-5-yl)-6a,6b,7,8,9,11a-hexahydro-6H-spiro[chromeno[3,4-a]pyrrolizine-11,11′-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline]
Authors: Anuradha T. , Naga Siva Rao J. , Seshadri P. R. , Raghunathan R.
Published: December 2013

In the title compound, C39H38N4O8, the quinoxaline and indene subunits are essentially planar, with maximum deviations of 0.071 (2) and 0.009 (2) Å, respectively. The indenoquinoxaline system forms a dihedral angle of 72.81 (3)° with the chromenopyrrolizine system. The two dioxolane rings, as well as the pyran ring of the chromeno group and the terminal pyrrolizine, each adopt an envelope conformation with O and C as flap atoms. The central pyrrolizine ring adopts a twisted conformation. Intramolecular C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds occur. The crystal structure exhibits C—H...O hydrogen bonds, and is further stablized by C—H...π interactions, forming a two-dimensional network along the bc plane.
trans-Dichloridobis(pyridazine-κN)palladium(II)
Authors: Laramée Baptiste , Hanan Garry S.
Published: December 2013

The title compound, [PdCl2(C4H4N2)2], contains two crystallographically unique complexes; the PdII atom lies on an inversion center in both cases. The two pyridazine units bonded to the PdII atom are thus coplanar although dihedral angles within each complex are different. In one complex, the angle between the ring plane and Pd—Cl bond is almost perpendicular [89.4 (1)°], while the other is tilted with an angle of 60.0 (1)°. In the crystal, weak C...H—N hydrogen bonds and C...H—Cl interactions connect the two independent complex molecules.
(E)-2-[(2,4,6-Trimethoxybenzylidene)amino]phenol
Authors: Kaewmanee Narissara , Chantrapromma Suchada , Boonnak Nawong , Quah Ching Kheng , Fun Hoong-Kun
Published: December 2013

There are two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C16H17NO4, with similar conformations but some differences in their bond angles. Each molecule adopts a trans configuration with respect to the methylidene C=N bond and is twisted with a dihedral angle between the two substituted benzene rings of 80.52 (7)° in one molecule and 83.53 (7)° in the other. All methoxy groups are approximately coplanar with the attached benzene rings, with Cmethyl—O—C—C torsion angles ranging from −6.7 (2) to 5.07 (19)°. In the crystal, independent molecules are linked together by O—H...N and O—H...O hydrogen bonds and a π–π interaction [centroid–centroid distance of 3.6030 (9) Å], forming a dimer. The dimers are further linked by weak C—H...O interactions and another π–π interaction [centroid–centroid distance of 3.9452 (9) Å] into layers lying parallel to the ab plane.
(1Z)-1-(1-Benzofuran-2-yl)ethanone oxime
Authors: Arunakumar D. B. , Nivedita R. Desai , Sreenivasa S. , Madan Kumar S. , Lokanath N. K. , Suchetan P. A.
Published: December 2013

The title compound, C10H9NO2, is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation for the non-H atoms = 0.027 Å) and the conformation across the C=N bond is syn. Further, the O atom of the benzofuran ring is syn to the CH3 group in the side chain. In the crystal, molecules are linked into C(3) chains propagating in [010] by O—H...N hydrogen bonds.
The chalcone ethyl 2-[4-(2-{2,4-bis[(ethoxycarbonyl)methoxy]benzoyl}ethenyl)phenoxy]acetate
Authors: Liu Xiaofeng
Published: December 2013

In the title molecule, C27H30O10, the benzene rings form a dihedral angle of 14.9 (2)°. The C=C bond is in an E conformation. In the crystal, weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds connect the molecules, forming a three-dimensional network.
4-Chloro-2-[(E)-(4-fluorophenyl)iminomethyl]phenol
Authors: Feng Tian-Jun
Published: December 2013

In the title Schiff base molecule, C13H9ClFNO, the benzene rings are twisted slightly with respect to each other, making a dihedral angle of 7.92 (2)°. An intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, an infinite chain is formed along the c-axis direction by π–π stacking interactions between the phenyl rings and the six-membered hydrogen-bonded ring of neighboring Schiff base ligands [centroid–centroid distances of 3.698 (2) and 3.660 (3) Å]. Neighboring chains are linked into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure by C—H...O and C—H...F hydrogen bonds.
2-(1-Benzothiophen-2-yl)-4H-1,3,4-oxadiazin-5(6H)-one
Authors: Sun Hong-Shun , Li Yu-Long , Xu Ning , Shen Lin-Jiang
Published: December 2013

In the title compound, C11H8N2O2S, the oxadiazinone ring is nearly planar [maximum deviation = 0.016 (4) Å], and is approximately coplanar with the benzothiophene ring system [dihedral angle = 3.1 (5)°]. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains running along the b-axis direction.