bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant invasions differentially affected by diversity and dominant species in native‐ and exotic‐dominated grasslands
Authors: Xu Xia , Polley H. Wayne , Hofmockel Kirsten , Daneshgar Pedram P. , Wilsey Brian J.
Published: November 2015

Plant invasions are an increasingly serious global concern, especially as the climate changes. Here, we explored how plant invasions differed between native‐ and novel exotic‐dominated grasslands with experimental addition of summer precipitation in Texas in 2009. Exotic species greened up earlier than natives by an average of 18 days. This was associated with a lower invasion rate early in the growing season compared to native communities. However, invasion rate did not differ significantly between native and exotic communities across all sampling times. The predictors of invasion rate differed between native and exotic communities, with invasion being negatively influenced by species richness in natives and by dominant species in exotics. Interestingly, plant invasions matched the bimodal pattern of precipitation in Temple, Texas, and did not respond to the pulse of precipitation during the summer. Our results suggest that we will need to take different approaches in understanding of invasion between native and exotic grasslands. Moreover, with anticipated increasing variability in precipitation under global climate change, plant invasions may be constrained in their response if the precipitation pulses fall outside the normal growing period of invaders.
Changes in groundwater oscillations, soil water content and evapotranspiration as the water table declined in an area with deep rooted phreatophytes
Authors: Devitt D.A. , Bird B.
Published: November 2015

Groundwater in remote valleys of the Great Basin (NV, USA) has been approved by the State Engineer for pumping and export. Deep rooted shrubs such as greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) are partially dependent on this groundwater to meet plant water needs. To assess the impact of a falling water table on greasewood, we monitored evapotranspiration, reference evapotranspiration and precipitation, along with daily groundwater levels for 6·2 years. Groundwater levels declined 130 cm in a highly linear fashion (p < 0·001) over this period. Groundwater oscillations ceased in 2007 followed by a 2225‐day quiescent period but then returned to daily oscillations late in 2013 for a 32‐day period. The oscillation signature in 2013 coincided with the water level transitioning from sediment with 89% sand to a new horizon with only 8% sand. In 2013, we detected a soil water content depression at both 800 and 900 cm starting in early May that lasted 137 days, ending prior to the groundwater oscillation period when significant rainfall occurred in late August and early September. Soil water storage increase in the surface zone during the active growing period of 2013 was highly correlated (R2 = 0·77, p < 0·001) to changes in the lower unsaturated zone, suggesting a link between soil water storage zones based on precipitation and plant water extraction. Although the water table declined below 10·7 m and groundwater decoupling did not occur, the current rate of decline driven solely by groundwater pumping for the irrigation of alfalfa fields would suggest extensive pumping for diversion outside of the basin would not be sustainable with regard to maintaining healthy greasewood plants that have a finite rooting depth. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved frying stability of canola oil blended with palm olein and virgin olive oils as affected by bene kernel oil and its unsaponifiable matter
Authors: Sharayei Parvin , Farhoosh Reza
Published: November 2015

Bene kernel oil and its unsaponifiable matter fraction, which have been known to be very effective natural sources of antioxidative compounds, were used to improve the frying stability of canola oil blended with palm olein and virgin olive oils (75:15:10) at 180°C. The powerful synthetic antioxidant tert‐butylhydroquinone (TBHQ, 100 mg/kg) was employed for the comparative purposes. Frying stability of the oil samples was measured based on the variations of conjugated diene value, carbonyl value, total polar compounds content, thermo‐oxidative and hydrolytic components, and the content of total tocopherols. In the presence of bene kernel oil and its unsaponifiable matter fraction the conjugated diene (194–224 vs. 244%) and carbonyl values decreased significantly (183–265 vs. 358%). Furthermore, the antioxidative additives showed more inhibitory effect on thermo‐oxidative reactions than hydrolytic ones during the frying process. The best frying performance was obtained by using 1000 mg/kg of bene kernel oil and 100 mg/kg of the unsaponifiable matter fraction of bene kernel oil and TBHQ.

Practical applications: The frying stability of the canola oil increased in the presence of with palm olein and virgin olive oils. Furthermore, canola oil blended with palm olein and virgin olive oils (75:15:10) containing the Bene kernel oil, unsaponifiable matter fraction of bene kernel oil, and tert‐butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) showed much more considerable frying stability, indicating their antioxidative activities. It was interesting to find that there was no marked difference between the effect of 1000 mg/kg Bene kernel oil, 100 mg/kg unsaponifiable matter fraction of bene kernel oil, and 100 mg/kg TBHQ.

Among the different groups of thermo‐oxidative polar components, the contents of the triglyceride dimers (TGD), and triglyceride polymers (TGP) should be considered carefully, as feeding trials showed that they were fairly well absorbed and presented toxic or other biological effects. Therefore, a number of European countries, for example, Belgium and the Czech Republic, has legislated a 10% maximal TGDP (TGD + TGP) content as a criterion for evaluating used frying oils. The TGDP content of the canola oil and their blends during the frying process at 180°C showed linear increases (R2 > 0.98) from 3.17–4.3 to 64.23–156.5 mg/g at the end of the frying process. Considering the cutoff point of 10% TGDP, Fig shows the maximum time that the CAOs could be used for frying. These critical times for the CAO and their blends were significantly different and calculated to be 29.2–54.80 h. It was interesting to find that there was no marked difference between the effect of 100 mg/kg UFB and 100 mg/kg TBHQ (54.04 and 54.74).
Modification of Pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidines by C–H Borylation Followed by Cross‐Coupling or Other Transformations: Synthesis of 6,8‐Disubstituted 7‐Deazapurine Bases
Authors: Klečka Martin , Poštová Slavětínská Lenka , Hocek Michal
Published: November 2015

A general access to 4‐substituted 6‐arylpyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine (6‐substituted 8‐aryl‐7‐deazapurine derivatives) was developed based on iridium‐catalyzed C–H borylations of pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidines at the 6‐position followed by the Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions or other functional group transformations of the boronates. Biologically relevant 6‐arylpyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amines (8‐aryl‐7‐deazaadenines) and pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐ones (–7‐deazahypoxanthines) were synthesized starting from SEM‐protected 4‐methylsulfanyl‐ or 4‐methoxypyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine. The one‐pot borylation/Suzuki coupling reactions were followed either by demethylation and deprotection to yield deazahypoxanthine bases, or by oxidation of sulfide to sulfone, amination and deprotection to give deazaadenines. In addition, the boronate intermediates were converted into 6‐halo‐ or 6‐(trifluoromethyl)pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine (8‐halo‐ or 8‐trifluoromethyl‐7‐deazapurine) derivatives.
Investigation of a Late‐Stage Derivatiza­tion Approach to Isatogens: Discovery of New Reaction Pathways
Authors: Edeson Steven J. , Maduli Elvis J. M. , Swanson Stephen , Procopiou Panayiotis A. , Harrity Joseph P. A.
Published: November 2015

We have developed a new strategy for preparing 2‐substituted indolone N‐oxides (isatogens) by substitution reactions with aryl‐ and alkyl‐organometallic reagents. This approach allows a range of substituents to be incorporated at a late stage and complements existing methods that necessitate their early stage incorporation during substrate preparation. Further chemistry has been found to take place at the nitrone moiety; intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition provides access to angularly fused tricyclic heterocycles. More unusually however, these compounds are prone to further addition by organozinc reagents leading to 2,2‐disubstituted 3‐oxindole products.
N‐Glycosylation analysis of formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Donczo Boglarka , Szigeti Marton , Ostoros Gyorgyi , Gacs Alexandra , Tovari Jozsef , Guttman Andras
Published: November 2015

In this study, N‐linked glycans from intact, formalin treated and formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) standard glycoproteins, human serum and mouse tumor tissue samples were investigated in respect to their susceptibility for formaldehyde treatment mediated changes. FFPE samples were first deparaffinized, followed by solubilization in radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer and treated with PNGase F for N‐glycan release. The released glycans were labeled with a charged fluorophore and analyzed by capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescent detection. No significant alterations were found in the N‐glycome profile at any of the investigated complexation levels (i.e., glycoprotein, serum and tissue samples) of the study. These results suggest that FFPE samples can be readily used for global N‐glycome analysis holding the promise to find novel carbohydrate biomarkers in prospective and retrospective studies. Exoglycosidase based carbohydrate sequencing was also applied to reveal some basic structural information about the N‐linked carbohydrates of the mouse tumor tissue samples.
Investigation of the synergistic effect of porphyrin photosensitizer on graphene–TiO2 nanocomposite for visible light photoactivity improvement
Authors: Rahimi Rahmatollah , Zargari Solmaz , Ghaffarinejad Ali , Morsali Ali
Published: November 2015

To use the visible light in photodegradation reactions efficiently, graphene–TiO2 nanocomposite was photosensitized using tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl)porphyrin. To investigate the effect of graphene as well as dye sensitization on the photoactivity of the synthesized photocatalyst, photocatalytic properties and photocurrent responses of the prepared samples were examined under visible light irradiation. A twofold increase of photocurrent response in the TG nanocomposite photosensitized with porphyrin (TGP) compared to TG (3%) nanocomposite provides an evidence of the effective influence of the porphyrin photosensitizer in the visible light photoactivity enhancement. There is a complete correspondence between the photocatalytic activity and photocurrent response of the photocatalysts. The photocatalytic properties of the photocatalysts were carried out in the degradation of methyl orange and bisphenol A under visible light irradiation. It was determined that TGP compound was stable after photocatalytic process and degraded 93% of methyl orange and 85% of bisphenol A in 240 min under visible light irradiation. Furthermore, the mechanism of investigation of the photocatalytic process determines that
and OH. are the main reactive species for degradation of methyl orange and bisphenol A over the TGP compound under visible light irradiation. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 642–652, 2016
Degradation of lignin in ionic liquid with HCl as catalyst
Authors: Xue Liyuan , Yan Liangcong , Cui Yuhu , Jiang Man , Xu Xiaoling , Zhang Shengli , Gou Jihua , Zhou Zuowan
Published: November 2015

Lignocellulosic materials consist of 10−30% lignin by weight and 40% by energy (Perlack et al., 2005). As the highest energy component of plant biomass, lignin is composed of phenol units. Eco‐friendly degradation of lignin in ILs provides an important way to utilize it efficiently. In this study, 1‐methyl‐3‐benzylimidazolium chloride (BnMIMCl) and 1‐methyl‐3‐benzylimidazolium trichloroacetate (BnMIMTFA) were applied for degradation liquefaction of lignin. The highest liquefaction efficiency of 75.45% was obtained under the optimized condition. This attributed to the good dissolving capability and assistance of ILs to lignin during the degradation. GC‐MS analysis showed that 60% of low molecular products were phenols. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 809–814, 2016
Press or pulse exposures determine the environmental fate of cerium nanoparticles in stream mesocosms
Authors: Baker Leanne F. , King Ryan S. , Unrine Jason M. , Castellon Benjamin T. , Lowry Gregory V. , Matson Cole W.
Published: November 2015

Risk-assessment models indicate that stream ecosystems receiving municipal wastewater effluent may have the greatest potential for exposure to manufactured nanoparticles. The authors determined the fate of cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles in outdoor stream mesocosms using 1) 1-time pulse addition of CeO2 nanoparticles, representative of accidental release, and 2) continuous, low-level press addition of CeO2 nanoparticles, representative of exposure via wastewater effluent. The pulse addition led to rapid nanoparticle floc formation, which appeared to preferentially deposit on periphyton in low-energy areas downstream from the location of the input, likely as a result of gravitational sedimentation. Floc formation limited the concentration of suspended nanoparticles in stream water to <5% of target and subsequent downstream movement. In contrast, press addition of nanoparticles led to higher suspended nanoparticle concentrations (77% of target) in stream water, possibly as a result of stabilization of suspended nanoparticles through interaction with dissolved organic carbon. Smaller nanoparticle aggregates appeared to preferentially adsorb to stream surfaces in turbulent sections, where Ce concentrations were highest in the press, likely a result of stochastic encounter with the surface. Streams receiving wastewater effluent containing nanoparticles may lead to exposure of aquatic organisms over a greater spatial extent than a similar amount of nanoparticles from an accidental release. Exposure models must take into account these mechanisms controlling transport and depositional processes. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1213–1223. © 2015 SETAC
Effects of ivermectin application on the diversity and function of dung and soil fauna: Regulatory and scientific background information
Authors: Adler Nicole , Bachmann Jean , Blanckenhorn Wolf U. , Floate Kevin D. , Jensen John , Römbke Jörg
Published: November 2015

The application of veterinary medical products to livestock can impact soil organisms in manure-amended fields or adversely affect organisms that colonize dung pats of treated animals and potentially retard the degradation of dung on pastures. For this reason, the authorization process for veterinary medicinal products in the European Union includes a requirement for higher-tier tests when adverse effects on dung organisms are observed in single-species toxicity tests. However, no guidance documents for the performance of higher-tier tests are available. Hence, an international research project was undertaken to develop and validate a proposed test method under varying field conditions of climate, soil, and endemic coprophilous fauna at Lethbridge (Canada), Montpellier (France), Zurich (Switzerland), and Wageningen (The Netherlands). The specific objectives were to determine if fecal residues of an anthelmintic with known insecticidal activity (ivermectin) showed similar effects across sites on 1) insects breeding in dung of treated animals, 2) coprophilous organisms in the soil beneath the dung, and 3) rates of dung degradation. By evaluating the effects of parasiticides on communities of dung-breeding insects and soil fauna under field conditions, the test method meets the requirements of a higher-tier test as mandated by the European Union. The present study provides contextual information on authorization requirements for veterinary medicinal products and on the structure and function of dung and soil organism communities. It also provides a summary of the main findings. Subsequent studies on this issue provide detailed information on different aspects of this overall project. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1914–1923. © 2015 SETAC
Toward a harmonized approach for environmental assessment of human activities in the marine environment
Authors: Tamis Jacqueline E , de Vries Pepijn , Jongbloed Ruud H , Lagerveld Sander , Jak Robbert G , Karman Chris C , Van der Wal Jan Tjalling , Slijkerman Diana ME , Klok Chris
Published: November 2015

With a foreseen increase in maritime activities, and driven by new policies and conventions aiming at sustainable management of the marine ecosystem, spatial management at sea is of growing importance. Spatial management should ensure that the collective pressures caused by anthropogenic activities on the marine ecosystem are kept within acceptable levels. A multitude of approaches to environmental assessment are available to provide insight for sustainable management, and there is a need for a harmonized and integrated environmental assessment approach that can be used for different purposes and variable levels of detail. This article first provides an overview of the main types of environmental assessments: “environmental impact assessment” (EIA), “strategic environmental assessment” (SEA), “cumulative effect assessment” (CEA), and “environmental (or ecological) risk assessment” (ERA). Addressing the need for a conceptual “umbrella” for the fragmented approaches, a generic framework for environmental assessment is proposed: cumulative effects of offshore activities (CUMULEO). CUMULEO builds on the principle that activities cause pressures that may lead to adverse effects on the ecosystem. Basic elements and variables are defined that can be used consistently throughout sequential decision-making levels and diverse methodological implementations. This enables environmental assessment to start at a high strategic level (i.e., plan and/or program level), resulting in early environmental awareness and subsequently more informed, efficient, and focused project-level assessments, which has clear benefits for both industry and government. Its main strengths are simplicity, transparency, flexibility (allowing the use of both qualitative and quantitative data), and visualization, making it a powerful framework to support discussions with experts, stakeholders, and policymakers. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:632–642. © 2015 SETAC
Low-Level Cadmium Exposure Is Associated With Decreased Bone Mineral Density and Increased Risk of Incident Fractures in Elderly Men: The MrOS Sweden Study
Authors: Wallin Maria , Barregard Lars , Sallsten Gerd , Lundh Thomas , Karlsson Magnus K , Lorentzon Mattias , Ohlsson Claes , Mellström Dan
Published: November 2015

One risk factor for osteoporosis that has attracted increasing attention in recent years is exposure to cadmium. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between low-level cadmium exposure, from diet and smoking, and bone mineral density (BMD) and incident fractures in elderly men. The study population consisted of 936 men from the Swedish cohort of the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study, aged 70 to 81 years at inclusion (years 2002 to 2004), with reliable data on cadmium in urine (U-Cd) analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in baseline samples. The participants also answered a questionnaire on lifestyle factors and medical history. BMD was measured at baseline using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the total body, hip, and lumbar spine. During the follow-up period (until 2013), all new fractures were registered by date and type. Associations between BMD and U-Cd were assessed using multiple linear regression, and associations between incident fractures and baseline U-Cd were analyzed using Cox regression. In both cases, a number of potential confounders and other risk factors (eg, age, smoking, body mass index [BMI], and physical activity) were included in the models. We found significant negative associations between U-Cd and BMD, with lower BMD (4% to 8%) for all sites in the fourth quartile of U-Cd, using the first quartile as the reference. In addition, we found positive associations between U-Cd and incident fractures, especially nonvertebral osteoporosis fractures in the fourth quartile of U-Cd, with hazard ratios of 1.8 to 3.3 in the various models. U-Cd as a continuous variable was significantly associated with nonvertebral osteoporosis fractures (adjusted hazard ratio 1.3 to 1.4 per μg Cd/g creatinine), also in never-smokers, but not with the other fracture groups (all fractures, hip fractures, vertebral fractures, and other fractures). Our results indicate that even relatively low cadmium exposure through diet and smoking increases the risk of low BMD and osteoporosis-related fractures in elderly men. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Inhibition of Histone Deacetylases Enhances the Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Periodontal Ligament Cells
Authors: Huynh Nam Cong‐Nhat , Everts Vincent , Pavasant Prasit , Ampornaramveth Ruchanee Salingcarnboriboon
Published: November 2015

One of the characteristics of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells is their plasticity. Yet, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon are unknown. One possible mechanism might be related to epigenetics, since histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been shown to play a role in osteoblast differentiation. This study was aimed to investigate the role of HDACs in osteogenic differentiation of human PDL (hPDL) cells. HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) had no effect on cell viability as was assessed by MTT assay. Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was analyzed by gene expression, ALP activity and mineral deposition. Western blotting was used to investigate the effect of TSA on histone acetylation and protein expression. In the presence of the HDAC inhibitor osteogenic differentiation was induced; osteoblast‐related gene expression was increased significantly. ALP activity and mineral nodule formation were also enhanced. Inhibition of HDACs did not induce differentiation into the adipocyte lineage. hPDL highly expressed HDACs of both class I (HDAC 1, 2, 3) and class II (HDAC 4, 6). During osteogenic differentiation HDAC 3 expression gradually decreased. This was apparent in the absence and presence of the inhibitor. The level of acetylated Histone H3 was increased during osteogenic differentiation. Inhibition of HDAC activity induced hyperacetylation of Histone H3, therefore, demonstrating Histone H3 as a candidate target molecule for HDAC inhibition. In conclusion, hPDL cells express a distinguished series of HDACs and these enzymes appear to be involved in osteogenic differentiation. This finding suggests a potential application of TSA for bone regeneration therapy by hPDL cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1384–1395, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protein deamidation in biopharmaceutical manufacture: understanding, control and impact
Authors: Gervais David
Published: November 2015

Understanding of product‐related variants, such as variants with post‐translational modifications, is an important part of biopharmaceutical development. Deamidation is a common post‐translational modification occurring in biopharmaceutical proteins, affecting L‐asparagine (Asn) and to a lesser extent, L‐glutamine (Gln) residues. The rate of deamidation reactions are influenced by factors including protein structure (primary, secondary and higher structure), temperature and pH. In the vast majority of cases, deamidation is undesirable in biopharmaceuticals, and may lead to potential changes in protein structure, function, stability and immunogenicity. Measurement and characterisation of deamidated biopharmaceutical variants may be challenging, particularly with regard to quantitation of the two L‐aspartate isoforms that are created, L‐aspartic acid (Asp) and isoaspartate (isoAsp). Deamidation may occur intracellularly or during biopharmaceutical manufacture and storage, and must be understood, minimised and controlled, particularly in a regulatory context. Process control strategies that have been employed to date include alterations to fermentation steps, additives to cell cultures, chromatographic separation of charge variants and protein engineering to remove deamidation‐prone Asn residues. However, the impact of deamidated forms of biopharmaceuticals should also be thoroughly studied, as they may not necessarily represent deleterious changes to the function of the molecule or the quality of the final product. This mini‐review provides a summary of the current understanding of the origins, control and measurement of deamidation during biopharmaceutical development. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis of Some Novel Norbornene‐Fused Pyridazines as Potent Inhibitors of Carbonic Anhydrase and Acetylcholinesterase
Authors: Kocak Ramazan , Akın Esra Turan , Kalın Pınar , Talaz Oktay , Saracoglu Nurullah , Dastan Arif , Gülcin Ilhami , Durdagi Serdar
Published: November 2015

The reaction of benzocyclic norbornene derivatives with tetrazines provided the 1,3‐dihydropyridazine derivatives as a single product. The dihydropyridazine derivatives have been dehydrogenated with phenyliodine bis(trifluoroacetate) to yield the corresponding pyridazines in a high yield. Two stable diazines, primary product of corresponding 1,4‐dihydropyridazine, were also isolated. Structures were then determined by 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR beside to elemental analyses. The novel pyridazine derivatives (8, 9) efficiently inhibited the cytosolic human carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes I and II (hCA I and II). In addition, these novel pyridazine derivatives (8, 9) were evaluated for their in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Ligand–receptor interactions are tested using molecular docking simulations. Obtained docking scores are in good agreement with in vitro results.
Electron‐induced dissociation (EID) for structure characterization of glycerophosphatidylcholine: determination of double‐bond positions and localization of acyl chains
Authors: Jones Jace W. , Thompson Christopher J. , Carter Claire L. , Kane Maureen A.
Published: November 2015

Glycerophospholipids are a highly abundant and diverse collection of biologically relevant lipids, and distinction between isomeric and isobaric species is a fundamental aspect for confident identification. The ability to confidently assign a unique structure to a glycerophospholipid of interest is dependent on determining the number and location of the points of unsaturation and assignment of acyl chain position. The use of high‐energy electrons (>20 eV) to induce gas‐phase dissociation of intact precursor ions results in diagnostic product ions for localizing double‐bond positions and determining acyl chain assignment. We describe a high‐resolution, tandem mass spectrometry method for structure characterization of glycerophospholipids using electron‐induced dissociation (EID). Furthermore, the inclusion of nomenclature to systematically assign bond cleavage sites with acyl chain position and double‐bond location enables a uniform platform for lipid identification. The EID methodology detailed here combines novel application of an electron‐based dissociation technique with high‐resolution mass spectrometry that facilitates a new experimental approach for lipid biomarker discovery and validation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Medium‐sized phosphorus cluster cations P+2m+1 (6 ≤ m ≤ 32) studied by collision‐induced dissociation mass spectrometry
Authors: Mu Lei , Yang Shumei , Bao Xiaodi , Yin Hong , Kong Xianglei
Published: November 2015

Medium‐sized phosphorus cluster cations were generated by laser ablation of red phosphorus and investigated by the method of collision‐induced dissociation mass spectrometry. Experimental results show that the primary dissociation channels of phosphorus cluster cations of P+2m+1 (6 ≤ m ≤ 11) are all characterized by the loss of P4 unit. For larger cluster cations, their dissociation pathways were more complex. For those magic cations of P+8k+1 observed previously, their dissociation pathways progressively change from the loss of P4 unit (for k = 3) to the loss of P8 unit (for k = 4, 5). A new dissociation pathway characterized by the loss of P10 unit was also indentified for larger cations of P+8k+1 (6 ≤ k ≤ 8). Theoretical calculation also shows that, for cations of P+2m+1 (4 ≤ m ≤ 10), the dissociation channel characterized by the loss of P4 unit is more energetically favorable than other dissociation channels, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Respiratory syncytial virus activity and climate parameters during a 12‐year period
Authors: Sirimi Natalia , Miligkos Michael , Koutouzi Foteini , Petridou Evi , Siahanidou Tania , Michos Athanasios
Published: November 2015

The epidemic pattern of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection during long periods and the factors that determine seasonality are not well studied. In order to correlate the RSV epidemic activity with climate parameters, we conducted a retrospective study of children (0–14 year) who were hospitalized because of respiratory tract infection and had an RSV test performed in the major tertiary pediatric hospital of Greece during a 12‐year period (2002–2013). Daily data regarding temperature and humidity were obtained from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service. A total of 2030/7516 (27%) children were tested positive for RSV infection. Among RSV positive children 1945/2030 (95.8%) were infants <1 year. A peak of RSV activity was measured in years 2002, 2003, and 2006 (>35% positive). The RSV season in our area spanned from December to April, with higher incidence during January through March. The peak monthly RSV incidence was observed during February with mean temperature 10.34°C and mean relative humidity 69.16%. Regarding climate conditions, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between monthly RSV activity and mean monthly relative humidity (rho = 0.66, P‐value = 0.02), whereas a negative correlation was found with mean monthly temperature (rho = −0.81, P‐value = 0.002). However, in the multivariable analysis, only the effect of mean monthly temperature remained statistically significant (IRR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.80). Further understanding of RSV seasonality in different geographic areas would be important in order to timely implement preventing strategies with immunoprophylaxis or future RSV vaccines. J. Med. Virol. 88:931–937, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fungal biodiversity in the periglacial soil of Dosdè Glacier (Valtellina, Northern Italy)
Authors: Rodolfi Marinella , Longa Claudia Maria Oliveira , Pertot Ilaria , Tosi Solveig , Savino Elena , Guglielminetti Maria , Altobelli Elisa , Del Frate Giuseppe , Picco Anna Maria
Published: November 2015

Periglacial areas are one of the least studied habitats on Earth, especially in terms of their fungal communities. In this work, both molecular and culture‐dependent methods have been used to analyse the microfungi in soils sampled on the front of the East Dosdè Glacier (Valtellina, Northern Italy). Although this survey revealed a community that was rich in fungal species, a distinct group of psychrophilic microfungi has not been detected. Most of the isolated microfungi were mesophiles, which are well adapted to the sensitive climatic changes that occur in this alpine environment. A discrepancy in the results that were obtained by means of the two diagnostic approaches suggests that the used molecular methods cannot entirely replace traditional culture‐dependent methods, and vice versa.
Shoaling (School of Fish) As Competitive Strategy
Authors: Muthusamy Senthil Kumar
Published: November 2015

As firms are witnessing uncertain business conditions and more thrust is being given to agility, speed, and market responsiveness rather than scale and size, operating in a shoaling form is a desired strategy across many industries.
Dynamic sensory description of Rioja Alavesa red wines made by different winemaking practices by using Temporal Dominance of Sensations
Authors: Etaio Iñaki , Meillon Sophie , Pérez‐Elortondo Francisco J , Schlich Pascal
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Although sensory description of wines in scientific literature is very large, there is an evident lack of studies describing wines from a dynamic approach. The objective of this study was to describe the evolution of the sensations perceived in red wines from Rioja Alavesa by using Temporal Dominance of Sensations (TDS) and also to compare wines made with the two winemaking procedures used in Rioja Alavesa: carbonic maceration (CM) and destemming (DS).

RESULTS

Ten sensory attributes were evaluated in eight wines (four CM and four DS wines) in triplicate by a panel of 16 trained assessors. Red/black berry and woody aromas were dominant firstly, whereas heat, astringent, bitter and pungent sensations were dominant later. CM wines showed higher dominance for woody, spicy, pungent and acid sensations and lower dominance for red/black berry aroma and astringency than DS wines.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to describe Rioja wines from a dynamic approach and it also provides information about the dynamic sensory differences between wines made by CM or by DS. In this sense, this work shows the usefulness of TDS to describe and differentiate wines and to provide additional information to the conventional static descriptive analysis. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of Hydrophobic Dendrimer Core Structure on the Itraconazole Encapsulation Efficiency
Authors: Elkin Igor , Rabanel Jean‐Michel , Hildgen Patrice
Published: November 2015

New polyester‐co‐polyether dendritic macromolecules of first generation characterized by different flexibility of their central part (core) are synthesized and proposed as simplified models of new drug encapsulation agents for itraconazole (ITZ), an antifongic agent. Chemical structures of obtained products are characterized by FTIR, UV–vis, 1H and 13C NMR, and GPC techniques, as well as by elemental analysis and mass spectrometry. The absence of cytotoxicity limitation for further applications in drug delivery is evidenced by the results of MTT assay on the murine macrophage cell line RAW‐262.7. To elucidate the role of hydrophobic core structure of dendrimers in the process of ITZ encapsulation, the in silico simulations with reduced model structures are performed. The results of studies in vitro and in silico are found consistent, suggesting that the drug encapsulation efficiency can be determined by the possibility of an effective bending of hydrophobic central core segments of dendrimer around ITZ molecule.

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Charge Correlations for Precise, Coulombically Driven Self Assembly
Authors: Radhakrishna Mithun , Sing Charles E.
Published: November 2015

Polyelectrolyte materials represent a challenge for polymer physicists, with a research literature that spans decades with little sign of slowing down. The essence of this challenge is how to treat charge correlations on both a theoretical as well as a conceptual basis. Charge correlations are related to the spatial arrangement of charges and can have a strong effect on the equilibrium state of polyelectrolyte systems. Accurate treatment of correlation effects is therefore integral to the design and development of materials consisting of (for example) charged gels, block copolymers, and biopolymers. In this Talents article, recent theoretical developments useful for understanding correlations are discussed. This understanding can shape the development of new materials, exposing new opportunities in precise, sequence‐based control over charge correlations in polymers and their emerging role in charge‐driven self‐assembly.

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Probing Cellulose Acetylation in Binary Mixtures of an Ionic Liquid with Dimethylsulfoxide and Sulfolane by Chemical Kinetics, Viscometry, Spectroscopy, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Nawaz Haq , Pires Paulo A. R. , Arêas Elizabeth P. G. , Malek Naved I. , El Seoud Omar A.
Published: November 2015

Acetylation of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by ethanoic anhydride (Ac2O) in mixtures of the ionic liquid (IL) 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride and the (structurally related) mole­cular solvents (MSs), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and sulfolane (Sulfn), is studied. Values of the reaction third‐order rate constants, k3, are calculated from conductivity data; they are linearly dependent on c(IL), due to (cellulose‐solvent) complex formation, as corroborated by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The observed order of reactivity (IL/DMSO > IL/Sulfn) is explained by examining differences in the following properties of the MCC‐IL/MS solutions: macroscopic (viscosity); microscopic (empirical polarity and basicity), and from the results of molecular dynamics simulations. The latter indicate faster reactant diffusion in IL/DMSO and more interaction between the biopoly­mer hydroxyl groups and the ions of the IL.

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α7 nicotinic receptor agonists reduce levodopa‐induced dyskinesias with severe nigrostriatal damage
Authors: Zhang Danhui , McGregor Matthew , Bordia Tanuja , Perez Xiomara A. , McIntosh J. Michael , Decker Michael W. , Quik Maryka
Published: November 2015

Background

ABT‐126 is a novel, safe, and well‐tolerated α7 nicotinic receptor agonist in a Phase 2 Alzheimer's disease study. We tested the antidyskinetic effect of ABT‐126 in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine–treated squirrel monkeys with moderate and more severe nigrostriatal damage.

Methods

Monkeys (n = 21, set 1) were lesioned with 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine 1‐2×. When parkinsonian, they were gavaged with levodopa (10 mg/kg)/carbidopa (2.5 mg/kg) twice daily and dyskinesias rated. They were then given nicotine in drinking water (n = 5), or treated with vehicle (n = 6) or ABT‐126 (n = 10) twice daily orally 30 min before levodopa. Set 1 was then re‐lesioned 1 to 2 times for a total of 3 to 4 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine injections. The antidyskinetic effect of ABT‐126, nicotine, and the β2* nicotinic receptor agonist ABT‐894 was re‐assessed. Another group of monkeys (n = 23, set 2) were lesioned with 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine only 1× to 2×. They were treated with levodopa/carbidopa, administered the α7 agonist ABT‐107 (n = 6), ABT‐894 (n = 6), nicotine (n = 5), or vehicle (n = 6) and dyskinesias evaluated. All monkeys were euthanized and the dopamine transporter measured.

Results

With moderate nigrostriatal damage (1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine 1×‐2×), ABT‐126 dose‐dependently decreased dyskinesias (∼60%), with similar results seen with ABT‐894 (∼60%) or nicotine (∼60%). With more severe damage (1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine 3‐4×), ABT‐126 and nicotine reduced dyskinesias, but ABT‐894 did not. The dopamine transporter was 41% and 8.9% of control, with moderate and severe nigrostriatal damage, respectively. No drug modified parkinsonism.

Conclusion

The novel α7 nicotinic receptor drug ABT‐126 reduced dyskinesias in monkeys with both moderate and severe nigrostriatal damage. ABT‐126 may be useful to reduce dyskinesias in both early‐ and later‐stage Parkinson's disease. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Clinical spectrum of valosin containing protein (VCP)‐opathy
Authors: Kazamel Mohamed , Sorenson Eric J. , McEvoy Kathleen M. , Jones Lyell K. , Leep‐Hunderfund Andrea N. , Mauermann Michelle L. , Milone Margherita
Published: November 2015

Introduction: Valosin containing protein (VCP) mutations cause a rare disorder characterized by hereditary inclusion body myopathy, Paget disease of bone (PDB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with variable penetrance. VCP mutations have also been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease type 2. Methods: Review of clinical, serological, electrophysiological, and myopathological findings of 6 VCP‐opathy patients from 4 unrelated families. Results: Patients manifested muscle weakness between ages 40 and 53 years and developed predominant asymmetric limb girdle weakness. One patient had distal weakness at onset and co‐existing peripheral neuropathy. Another patient had PDB, 1 had mild cognitive deficits, and 1 had FTD. All patients had myopathic and neurogenic electromyographic findings with predominant neurogenic changes in 2. Rimmed vacuoles were infrequent, while neurogenic changes were prominent in muscle biopsies. Conclusions: VCP‐opathy is a multifaceted disorder in which myopathy and peripheral neuropathy can coexist. The electrophysiological and pathological neurogenic changes raise the possibility of coexisting motor neuron involvement. Muscle Nerve, 2015 Muscle Nerve 54: 94–99, 2016 Muscle Nerve 54: 94–99, 2016
Facing the diagnostic challenge: Nerve ultrasound in diabetic patients with neuropathic symptoms
Authors: Pitarokoili Kalliopi , Kerasnoudis Antonios , Behrendt Volker , Labedi Adnan , Ayzenberg Ilya , Gold Ralf , Yoon Min‐Suk
Published: November 2015

Introduction: We describe the nerve ultrasound findings in patients with type II diabetes mellitus who have neuropathic symptoms and signs. Methods: Fifty‐five healthy controls and 44 diabetic patients underwent clinical, sonographic, and electrophysiological evaluation. Patients were studied at a mean of 14.3 years after disease onset. Results: Nerve ultrasound revealed increased cross‐sectional area (CSA) in peripheral nerves at compression sites (although no clinical symptoms were present) and noncompression sites. No correlation was detected between sonographic and electrophysiological findings. A CSA increase of the tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa was detected in 5 patients with neuropathic symptoms, although electrophysiology was normal. Conclusions: Nerve ultrasound revealed crucial morphological alterations in diabetic patients. CSA enlargement at compression sites indicates subclinical nerve affection and may indicate susceptibility to entrapment syndromes. CSA increase at noncompression sites despite normal electrophysiology suggests early morphological abnormalities. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm our results. Muscle Nerve, 2015 Muscle Nerve 54: 18–24, 2016 Muscle Nerve 54: 18–24, 2016
Does motivation predict outcome of pelvic floor muscle retraining?
Authors: te West Nevine I.D. , Parkin Katrina , Hayes Wendy , Costa Daniel S.J. , Kasparian Nadine A. , Moore Kate H.
Published: November 2015

Aims

Although pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is effective for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), patients need to be motivated to obtain cure. An instrument to assess motivation in such patients was published in 2009: the Incontinence Treatment Motivation Questionnaire (ITMQ). The ITMQ consists of five domains: (i) positive attitudes toward PFMT; (ii) reasons for not doing PFMT; (iii) difficulties living with incontinence; (iv) desire for treatment; and (v) incontinence severity influencing motivation. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between ITMQ scores and treatment success.

Methods

After referral for PFMT, women with SUI completed the ITMQ. Pre‐ and post‐treatment outcomes were the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) score and a 24‐hr pad test. Correlations between ITMQ scores and baseline, as well as post‐treatment change in ICIQ scores and pad test results were examined. Additionally, the demographics of non‐participants, participants, and patients lost to follow‐up were compared.

Results

Of 85 recruits, 18 did not complete the ITMQ, 14 were lost to follow‐up, thus 53 completed the PFMT programme and undertook either one or both outcomes. Pre‐treatment, severity on ICIQ correlated with total ITMQ (ρ = 0.33, P = 0.01). Post‐treatment change in pad test was inversely correlated with Domain 2 (ρ = −0.33, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The pre‐treatment severity of incontinence was significantly associated with motivation for treatment. Unfortunately, post‐treatment change correlated with only one domain of the questionnaire. Further modification of the ITMQ is envisaged. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:316–321, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reduction of urgency severity is the most important factor in the subjective therapeutic outcome of intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA injection for overactive bladder
Authors: Jiang Yuan‐Hong , Kuo Hann‐Chorng
Published: November 2015

Aims

This study investigated the relationship between the subjective outcome assessment and objective parameters after intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA injection in patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods

A total of 77 consecutive patients with urodynamically confirmed detrusor overactivity were treated with intravesical 100 U of onabotulinumtoxinA in 20 divided injections (5 U in 0.5 ml normal saline each) at different sites sparing the trigone. The primary end‐point was the change in the Global Response Assessment (GRA) 3 months after treatment. All patients were monitored monthly after treatment for up to 6 months. Patients were divided into successful and failed treatment groups according to change in their GRA (≥2 and ≤1, respectively) at 3 months. The changes in voiding diary variables, Urgency Severity Score (USS), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), maximal bladder capacity (MBC), post‐void residual (PVR) volume, and voiding efficiency (VE) were compared between groups at each time point.

Results

Overall, USS, OABSS, and MBC improved after treatment. Three months after BoNT‐A injection, 49 (64%) patients reported an improvement in the GRA of 2 (n = 30) or 3 (n = 19). Patients with GRA ≥ 2 had significant improvements in OABSS at 3 months, and USS, OABSS, urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), and urgency episodes at 6 months compared with patients with GRA ≤ 1. No significant difference in MBC, PVR, or VE was noted between groups at 3 or 6 months.

Conclusions

Subjectively successful treatment outcomes of intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA injection for OAB patients were associated with improvement in OAB symptoms but not increased bladder capacity. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:338–343, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A lack of ‘glue’ misplaces Rab27A to cause islet dysfunction in diabetes
Authors: Kowluru Anjaneyulu
Published: November 2015

Glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) involves interplay between metabolic and cationic events. Several lines of evidence suggest novel regulatory roles for small G proteins (Rac1, Cdc42, Rab27A) in cytoskeletal remodelling and docking of insulin granules on the plasma membrane for insulin secretion. Emerging evidence implicates novel roles for post‐translational prenylation (farnesylation and geranylgeranylation) of G proteins for their targeting to appropriate membranous compartments. While several recent studies were focused on prenylating enzymes in the islet β‐cell, a significant knowledge gap exists on the regulatory roles and function of enzymes that mediate intracellular generation of prenyl pyrophosphate substrates (farnesyl and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphates) for prenyltransferases. Recent work published in The Journal of Pathology by Jiang and associates highlights requisite roles for geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS) in islet β‐cell function in health and diabetes. These studies are timely and will form the basis for a series of new investigations to further validate roles for G‐protein prenylation in GSIS under physiological conditions. They also pave the path towards the identification of potential defects in these signalling pathways in β‐cell models of impaired insulin secretion including metabolic stress and diabetes. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.