bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In‐hospital metabolic regulation in patients with a diabetic foot ulcer: is it worthwhile?
Authors: Egan Aoife M , Dinneen Sean F
Published: October 2015

It is well established that hyperglycaemia is associated with many negative cardiovascular and immunological effects. Because of the high prevalence of underlying vascular disease along with associated infection, patients with diabetic foot ulcers are especially vulnerable to these adverse consequences. While studies consistently demonstrate worse outcomes in the setting of hyperglycaemia during hospitalization, multiple trials examining the effects of intensive glycaemic control reveal mixed results. In particular, effects on mortality are varied, and although there may be some benefit in the setting of infection, hypoglycaemia is a concern when glucose levels are treated down to the normoglycaemic range. Therefore, although metabolic regulation is worthwhile theoretically, the optimal intensity of control is unclear. There is a need for future research to clarify the benefits and risks associated with strict metabolic control in patients with diabetic foot ulceration. In the interim recommendations from international guidelines should be followed; these advise pre‐meal glucose targets of <7.8 mmol/L and random targets of <10.0 mmol/L in general medical and surgical settings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Where frailty meets diabetes
Authors: Perkisas Stany , Vandewoude Maurits
Published: October 2015

Diabetes is a chronic illness that has an effect on multiple organ systems. Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability to stressors and a limited capacity to maintain homeostasis. It is a multidimensional concept and a dynamic condition that can improve or worsen over time. Frailty is either physical or psychological or a combination of these two components. Sarcopenia, which is the age‐related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, is the main attributor to the physical form of frailty. Although the pathophysiology of diabetes is commonly focused on impaired insulin secretion, overload of gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, newer insights broaden this etiologic horizon. Immunologic factors that create a chronic state of low‐grade inflammation – ‘inflammaging’ – have an influence on both the ageing process and diabetes. Persons with diabetes mellitus already tend to have an accelerated ageing process that places them at greater risk for developing frailty at an earlier age. The development of frailty – and sarcopenia – is multifactorial and includes nutritional, physical and hormonal elements; these elements are interlinked with those of diabetes. A lower muscle mass will lead to poorer glycaemic control through lower muscle glucose uptake. This leads to higher insulin secretion and insulin resistance, which is the stepping stone for diabetes itself. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How can we improve adherence?
Authors: Price Patricia
Published: October 2015

Many patients with wound healing difficulties are also coping with the management of a chronic disease or chronic condition that requires them to make lifestyle behaviour changes, for example, managing glucose levels through diet and exercise and regular foot inspection. Many find it difficult to make such changes and often experience feelings of powerlessness when faced with a lifetime of behavioural and psychological change. This article will explore the importance of understanding the patient difficulties associated with adherence to a regime and how life changes can be difficult to maintain over sustained periods of time. However, the article will also discuss the importance of this topic in trying to understand the clinical evidence base for treatment – as many clinical trials investigating treatments for the diabetic foot do not include information on the extent to which patients in the trial conformed to the trial protocol. The article gives an overview of recent developments – including lessons we can learn from other chronic conditions where permanent life changes are required – in particular the need to keep health messages simple, tailored to the individual and repeated frequently. The evidence to date suggests that no one single form of adherence intervention will work with all patients; this is not surprising given complex and multifactorial nature of adherence and the myriad of barriers that exist that patients and health care professionals need to overcome. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What's new in wound treatment: a critical appraisal
Authors: Garwood Caitlin S. , Steinberg John S.
Published: October 2015

With the growing demand for the specialized care of wounds, there is an ever expanding abundance of wound care modalities available. It is difficult to identify which products or devices enhance wound healing, and thus, a critical and continual look at new advances is necessary. The goal of any wound regimen should be to optimize wound healing by combining basic wound care modalities including debridement, off‐loading, and infection control with the addition of advanced therapies when necessary. This review takes a closer look at current uses of negative pressure wound therapy, bioengineered alternative tissues, and amniotic membrane products. While robust literature may be lacking, current wound care advances are showing great promise in wound healing. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surgical management of Charcot neuroarthropathy of the ankle and hindfoot in patients with diabetes
Authors: Wukich Dane K. , Raspovic Katherine M. , Hobizal Kimberlee B. , Sadoskas David
Published: October 2015

Background

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) of the ankle and hindfoot (Sanders/Frykberg Type IV) is challenging to treat surgically or nonsurgically. The deformities associated with ankle/hindfoot CN are often multiplanar, resulting in sagittal, frontal and rotational malalignment. In addition, shortening of the limb often occurs from collapse of the distal tibia, talus and calcaneus. These deformities also result in significant alterations in the biomechanics of the foot. For example, a varus ankle/hindfoot results in increased lateral column plantar pressure of the foot, predisposing the patient to lateral foot ulceration. Collapse of the talus, secondary to avascular necrosis or neuropathic fracture, further accentuates these deformities and contributes to a limb‐length inequality.

Surgical management

The primary indication for surgical reconstruction is a nonbraceable deformity associated with instability. Other indications include impending ulceration, inability to heal an ulcer, recurrent ulcers, presence of osteomyelitis and/or significant pain. Arthrodesis of the ankle and/or hindfoot is the method of choice when surgically correcting CN deformities in this region. The choice of fixation (i.e. internal or external fixation) depends on largely on the presence or absence of active infection and bone quality.

Conclusion

Surgical reconstruction of ankle and hindfoot CN is associated with a high rate of infectious and noninfectious complications. Despite this high complication rate, surgeons embarking on surgical reconstruction of ankle and hindfoot CN should strive for limb salvage rates approximating 90%. Preoperative measures that can improve outcomes include assessment of vascular status, optimization of glycemic control, correction of vitamin D deficiency and cessation of tobacco use. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
When and how to audit a diabetic foot service
Authors: Leese Graham P. , Stang Duncan
Published: October 2015

Quality improvement depends on data collection and audit of clinical services to inform clinical improvements. Various steps in the care of the diabetic foot can be used to audit a service but need defined audit standards. A diabetes foot service should have risk stratification system in place that should compare to the population‐based figures of 76% having low‐risk feet, 17% moderate risk and 7% being at high risk of ulceration. Resources can then be directed towards those with high‐risk feet. Prevalence of foot ulceration needs to be audited. Community‐based studies give an audit standard of around 2%, with 2 to 9% having had an ulcer at some stage in the past. Amputation rates should be easier to measure, and the best results are reported to be around 1.5–3 per 1000 people with diabetes. This is a useful benchmark figure, and the rate has been shown to decrease by approximately a third over the last 15 years in some centres. Ulceration rates and ulcer healing rates are the ultimate outcome audit measure as they are always undesirable, whilst occasionally for defined individuals, an amputation can be a good outcome. In addition to clinical outcomes, processes of care can be audited such as provision of clinical services, time from new ulcer to be seen by health care professional, inpatient foot care or use of antibiotics. Measurement of clinical services can be a challenge in the diabetic foot, but it is essential if clinical services and patient outcomes are to be improved. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loss of Notch2 and Notch3 in vascular smooth muscle causes patent ductus arteriosus
Authors: Baeten Jeremy T. , Jackson Ashley R. , McHugh Kirk M. , Lilly Brenda
Published: October 2015

The overlapping roles of the predominant Notch receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells, Notch2 and Notch3, have not been clearly defined in vivo. In this study, we use a smooth muscle‐specific deletion of Notch2 together with a global Notch3 deletion to produce mice with combinations of mutant and wild‐type Notch2/3 alleles in vascular smooth muscle cells. Mice with complete loss of Notch3 and smooth muscle‐expressed Notch2 display late embryonic lethality and subcutaneous hemorrhage. Mice without smooth muscle‐Notch2 and only one wild‐type copy of Notch3 die within one day of birth and present with vascular defects, most notably patent ductus arteriosus (DA) and aortic dilation. These defects were associated with decreased expression of contractile markers in both the DA and aorta. These results demonstrate that Notch2 and Notch3 have overlapping roles in promoting development of vascular smooth muscle cells, and together contribute to functional closure of the DA. genesis 53:738–748, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combination of virtual and experimental 2DE together with ESI LC‐MS/MS gives a clearer view about proteomes of human cells and plasma
Authors: Naryzhny Stanislav N. , Zgoda Victor G. , Maynskova Maria A. , Novikova Svetlana E. , Ronzhina Natalia L. , Vakhrushev Igor V. , Khryapova Elena V. , Lisitsa Andrey V. , Tikhonova Olga V. , Ponomarenko Elena A. , Archakov Alexander I.
Published: October 2015

Virtual and experimental 2DE coupled with ESI LC‐MS/MS was introduced to obtain better representation of the information about human proteome. The proteins from HEPG2 cells and human blood plasma were run by 2DE. After staining and protein spot identification by MALDI‐TOF MS, the protein maps were generated. The experimental physicochemical parameters (pI/Mw) of the proteoforms further detected by ESI LC‐MS/MS in these spots were obtained. Next, the theoretical pI and Mw of identified proteins were calculated using program Compute pI/Mw (http://web.expasy.org/compute_pi/pi_tool‐doc.html). Accordingly, the relationship between theoretical and experimental parameters was analyzed, and the correlation plots were built. Additionally, virtual/experimental information about different protein species/proteoforms from the same genes was extracted. As it was revealed from the plots, the major proteoforms detected in HepG2 cell line have pI/Mw parameters similar to theoretical values. In opposite, the minor protein species have mainly very different from theoretical pI and Mw parameters. A similar situation was observed in plasma in much higher degree. It means that minor protein species are heavily modified in cell and even more in plasma proteome.
Effect of graphite fibers on the performance of sediment microbial fuel cell
Authors: Cai Yan , Yang Na , Ren Yueping , Li Xiufen , Shi Yugang , Zhu Rong , Wang Xinhua
Published: October 2015

Sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) is a novel technology that oxidizes organics in sludge or river/lake sediment to generate electricity using microorganisms as the biocatalyst. The electricity production performance of the SMFC was obviously enhanced by mixing conductive graphite fibers into the anodic sludge. The output voltages and the maximum power densities (Pmax) of the SMFCs increased with the increase in the added graphite fibers from 0.5 to 5 g L−1. Ultimately, the SMFC with 5 g L−1 graphite fibers (SMFC‐5) exhibited the uppermost output voltage (154 mV) and Pmax (12.48 mW m−2), whereas that of the blank SMFC were 65 mV and 4.68 mW m−2, respectively. Moreover, the phospholipid concentrations on the anode surfaces of the SMFCs augmented with the increase of graphite fibers and the charge‐transfer resistance (Rct) of the corresponding anodes evidently decreased when the amount of graphite fibers was increased. Furthermore, with the increase of graphite fibers, chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies increased from 12.72% of the blank SMFC to 44.64% of the SMFC‐5. However, the SMFC with 0.5 g L−1 graphite fibers (SMFC‐0.5) provided the highest coulombic efficiency (CE%), 2.46%. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 876–881, 2016
The synthetic retinoid ST1926 as a novel therapeutic agent in rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Basma Hussein , Ghayad Sandra E. , Rammal Ghina , Mancinelli Angelo , Harajly Mohammad , Ghamloush Farah , Dweik Loai , El‐Eit Rabab , Zalzali Hassan , Rabeh Wissam , Pisano Claudio , Darwiche Nadine , Saab Raya
Published: October 2015

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most frequent soft tissue sarcoma in children. Despite multiple attempts at intensifying chemotherapeutic approaches to treatment, only moderate improvements in survival have been made for patients with advanced disease. Retinoic acid is a differentiation agent that has shown some antitumor efficacy in RMS cells in vitro; however, the effects are of low magnitude. E−3‐(4′‐hydroxyl‐3′‐adamantylbiphenyl‐4‐yl) acrylic acid (ST1926) is a novel orally available synthetic atypical retinoid, shown to have more potent activity than retinoic acid in several types of cancer cells. We used in vitro and in vivo models of RMS to explore the efficacy of ST1926 as a possible therapeutic agent in this sarcoma. We found that ST1926 reduced RMS cell viability in all tested alveolar (ARMS) and embryonal (ERMS) RMS cell lines, at readily achievable micromolar concentrations in mice. ST1926 induced an early DNA damage response (DDR), which led to increase in apoptosis, in addition to S‐phase cell cycle arrest and a reduction in protein levels of the cell cycle kinase CDK1. Effects were irrespective of TP53 mutational status. Interestingly, in ARMS cells, ST1926 treatment decreased PAX3‐FOXO1 fusion oncoprotein levels, and this suppression occurred at a post‐transcriptional level. In vivo, ST1926 was effective in inhibiting growth of ARMS and ERMS xenografts, and induced a prominent DDR. We conclude that ST1926 has preclinical efficacy against RMS, and should be further developed in this disease in clinical trials.
Insight into characteristic features of cartilage growth plate as a physiological template for bone formation
Authors: Jaroszewicz Jakub , Kosowska Anna , Hutmacher Dietmar , Swieszkowski Wojciech , Moskalewski Stanisław
Published: October 2015

Cartilage growth plate is a natural template from both a biochemical and structural point of view and allows osteoblasts migration, proliferation, differentiation, and ultimately, bone formation. It is evolutionary adjusted to support bone formation within strictly defined spatial framework serving as an interesting model for studying more mechanistically aspects which might be important for specific scaffold‐based bone tissue engineering strategies. Surprisingly little is known about the geometric features of this physiological template. To this purpose we analyzed cartilage growth plate from rat, mouse, and human costochondral junction and tibia. High‐resolution X‐ray tomography showed that pore size in the zone of provisional calcification was within 20 to 30 µm range and in the metaphysis in 35 to 50 µm range. The thickness of calcified longitudinal septa in zone of provisional calcification was 3 to 5 µm and in metaphysis 7 to 12 µm. The porosity varied from 84 to 88%. We observed that numerical values characteristic for cartilage growth plate were not significantly influenced by the species of origin, by the type of bone, or by age. In addition, electron microscopy of calcified fragments of longitudinal septa showed that the calcium aggregates were globular, connected with each other, and formed a shell covering cartilage matrix located within longitudinal septa. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 357–366, 2016.
Modulation of keratin in adhesion, proliferation, adipogenic, and osteogenic differentiation of porcine adipose‐derived stem cells
Authors: Wu Yen‐Lin , Lin Che‐Wei , Cheng Nai‐Chen , Yang Kai‐Chiang , Yu Jiashing
Published: October 2015

Recently, keratin attracts tremendous interest because of its intrinsic ability to interact with different cells. It has the potential to serve as a controllable extracellular matrix protein that can be used to demonstrate cell mechanism and cell–matrix interaction. However, there have been relatively few studies on the effects of keratin on stem cells. In the present work, we study the effects of human keratin on porcine adipose‐derived stem cells (pASCs) and a series of selective cell lines: 3T3 fibroblasts, Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, and MG63 osteoblasts. Relative to un‐treated culture plate, our results showed that keratin coating substrates promote cell adhesion and proliferation to above cell lines. Keratin also improved pASCs adhesion, proliferation, and enhanced cell viability. Evaluation of genetic markers showed that adipogenic and osteogenic differentiations of pASCs can be successfully induced, thus demonstrating that keratin did not influence the stemness of pASCs. Furthermore, keratin improved adipogenic differentiations of pASCs in terms of up‐regulations in lipoprotein lipase, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma, and CCAAT‐enhancer‐binding protein alpha. The osteogenic markers type I collagen, runt‐related transcription factor 2, and vitamin D receptor were also upregulated when pASCs cultured on keratin substrates. Therefore, keratin can serve as a biological derived material for surface modification and scaffold fabrication for biomedical purpose. The combination of keratin with stem cells may be a potential candidate for tissue repair in the field of regenerative medicine. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 180–192, 2017.
Cellulose Acetate Membrane Electrophoresis Based Urinary Proteomics for the Identification of Characteristic Proteins
Authors: Nakayama Aki , Kubota Ryo , Sakatsume Minoru , Suzuki Hidenori , Katayama Akira , Kanamori Kiyoko , Shiba Kiyoko , Iijima Shiro
Published: October 2015

Background

Analysis of urinary proteins using cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis (CAME) is a useful and challenging method for the recognition of damaged sites in the kidney. However, protein content of each CAME fraction is still not completely understood.

Methods

In this study, an effective method of protein extraction from each band fractionated by CAME was established, which enabled us to examine the extracted proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Results

Proteins were extracted from the gel and analyzed by mass spectrometry. In all, 31 proteins were identified, including 20 urinary proteins that were newly identified in the CAME‐based analysis.

Conclusion

This methodology was useful for identifying the proteins responsible for creating unique bands on CAME in a urine sample of a patient with drug‐induced interstitial nephritis. These findings provide in‐depth characterization of urinary protein contents in each CAME fraction.
Design and Synthesis of Novel EGFR Inhibitors with L‐Rhamnose–Benzoxazinone Hybrids
Authors: Zhang Renshuai , Chen Shaopeng , Wu Guanzhao , Wan Shengbiao , Jiang Tao
Published: October 2015

Four L‐rhamnose–benzoxazinone compounds as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors were designed and synthesized. All structures of the compounds were characterized by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The inhibition activities of the target compounds for the EGFR tyrosine kinase activity in vitro were determined. Compounds 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d displayed moderate activity in targeting EGFR.
Synthesis of New Pyrrolo Heterocycles (I): Novel Synthesis of Pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrrole, Isoindoline, Pyrrolo[3,4‐b]pyridine, and Pyrrolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine Derivatives
Authors: El‐Ablak F. Z. , Abu‐Elenein N. S. , Sofan M. A.
Published: October 2015

Michael addition of 1,5‐diaryl‐2,3‐dioxopyrrolidine derivatives with α‐cyanocinnamonitriles and ethyl α‐cyanocinnamates afforded 4H‐pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrrole derivatives in the presence of sodium ethoxide. Under the same reaction condition, the ylidenes of 1,5‐diaryl‐2,3‐dioxopyrrolidine were reacted with malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate to give isoindole derivatives; however, pyrrolo[3,4‐b]pyridine derivatives were formed when cyanoacetamide was used. Moreover, pyrrolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized by treating 4‐benzylidene‐1,5‐diphenyl‐2,3‐dioxopyrrolidine with urea and/or thiourea under basic conditions. The structures of all the new synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectra.
Synthesis and In Vitro Antitumor Activity of New Isoxazolo[5,4‐d]Pyrimidine Systems
Authors: Hamama Wafaa S. , Ibrahim Mona E. , Zoorob Hanafi H.
Published: October 2015

The reaction of 5‐amino‐3‐methylisoxazole (1) with aldimines 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 gave basic side chain 5‐amino‐3‐methylisoxazole derivatives 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Annulations of derivatives 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 with anisaldehyde afforded the target isoxazolo[5,4‐d]pyrimidines 14, 15, 16, 17. Treatment of 1 with isatin ketimine anil 18 resulted in the formation of derivative 19, which further cyclized with anisaldehyde afforded the spirotetracyclic system 20. Mannich reaction of 1 with primary amine such as methylamine and benzylamine gave the corresponding isoxazolo[5,4‐d]pyrimidine derivatives 21 and 22, respectively. The newly synthesized compounds were tested for their antitumor activity.
Morphology and ultrastructure of the somatic cells in Astacus leptodactylus ovary
Authors: Petrescu Ana‐Maria , Moldovan Lucia , Zarnescu Otilia
Published: October 2015

We defined the somatic environment in which female germinal cells develop, and performed ultrastructural analyses of various somatic cell types, with particular reference to muscle cells and follicle cells, that reside within the ovary at different stages of oogenesis. Our findings show that ovarian wall of the crayfish is composed of long muscle cells, blood cells, blood vessels and hemal sinuses. The follicle and germinal cells lie within a common compartment of ovarian follicles that is defined by a continuous basal matrix. The follicle cells form branching cords and migrate to surround the developing oocytes. A thick basal matrix separates the ovarian interstitium from ovarian follicles compartment. Transmission electron microscopy shows that inner layer of basal matrix invaginates deeply into the ovarian compartment. Our results suggest that before being surrounded by follicle cells to form follicles, oogonia and early previtellogenic oocytes reside within a niche surrounded by a basal matrix that separates them from ovarian interstitium. We found coated pits and coated vesicles in the cortical cytoplasm of previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes, suggesting the receptor mediated endocytosis for transfer of material from the outside of the oocytes, via follicle cells. The interstitial compartment between the inner muscular layer of the ovarian wall and the basal matrix of the ovarian follicle compartment contains muscle cells, hemal sinuses, blood vessels and blood cells. Granular hemocytes, within and outside the vessels, were the most abundant cell population in the ovarian interstitium of crayfish after spawning and in the immature ovary. J. Morphol. 277:118–127, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Superficial radial sensory neuropathy: Medial and lateral branch injury
Authors: Cho Nam Soon , Kim Ki Hoon , Park Byung Kyu , Kim Dong Hwee
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Superficial radial sensory nerve (SRN) injury may involve the main nerve or its distal medial or lateral branch. We investigated the utility of SRN conduction studies on the medial and lateral branches in patients with suspected SRN injury.

Methods

Fifteen patients with symptoms of SRN neuropathy were studied. Their clinical and electrophysiological findings were assessed according to sensory symptom areas. Three active recording electrode positions were used: snuff box (position A); medial branch (position B); and lateral branch (position C).

Results

In 7 patients with medial area symptoms, abnormal findings were seen in position B (100%) and position A (71%). In 3 patients with medial and lateral area symptoms, abnormal findings were seen in all positions. In 5 patients with lateral symptoms, abnormal findings were seen in position C only.

Conclusions

Nerve conduction studies for each branch of the SRN are useful in patients with suspected SRN neuropathy. Muscle Nerve 53: 690–693, 2016
Acute bulbar, neck and limb weakness with monospecific anti‐GT1a antibody: A rare localized subtype of Guillain‐Barré sydnrome
Authors: Garg Nidhi , Yuki Nobuhiro , Park Susanna B. , Barnett Michael H. , Kiernan Matthew C.
Published: October 2015

Introduction: Acute bulbar, neck, and limb weakness carries several potential differential diagnoses. Although a diagnosis can often be established clinically, investigations such as electrodiagnostic and antibody testing can provide support for the clinical diagnosis and may aid in understanding the pathogenesis. A 65‐year‐old woman presented with acute bulbar, neck, and rapidly progressive bilateral upper limb weakness. Methods: Clinical evaluation, electrophysiological, and serological studies were undertaken. Results: Neurophysiology demonstrated proximal conduction block. A clinical diagnosis of pharyngeal‐cervical‐brachial weakness, a localized variant of Guillain‐Barré syndrome, was made. The patient received treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and made a remarkable recovery over the next month. She was found to have serum monospecific anti‐GT1a antibodies. Conclusions: We report a case of pharyngeal‐cervical‐brachial weakness with monospecific anti‐GT1a antibodies and discuss the differential diagnosis of acute bulbar, neck, and limb weakness. Muscle Nerve 53: 143–146, 2016
Breakdown of the efficiency gap to 29% based on experimental input data and modeling
Authors: Brendel Rolf , Dullweber Thorsten , Peibst Robby , Kranz Christopher , Merkle Agnes , Walter Daniel
Published: October 2015

We demonstrate a procedure for quantifying efficiency gains that treats resistive, recombinative, and optical losses on an equal footing. For this, we apply our conductive boundary model as implemented in the Quokka cell simulator. The generation profile is calculated with a novel analytical light‐trapping model. This model parameterizes the measured reflection spectra and is capable of turning the experimental case gradually into an ideal Lambertian scheme. Simulated and measured short‐circuit current densities agree for our 21.2%‐efficient screen‐printed passivated emitter and rear cell and for our 23.4%‐efficient ion‐implanted laser‐processed interdigitated back‐contacted cell. For the loss analysis of these two cells, we set all experimentally accessible control parameters (e.g., saturation current densities, sheet resistances, and carrier lifetimes) one at a time to ideal values. The efficiency gap to the ultimate limit of 29% is thereby fully explained in terms of both individual improvements and their respective synergistic effects. This approach allows comparing loss structures of different types of solar cells, for example, passivated emitter and rear cell and interdigitated back‐contacted cells. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses of pyrimidine‐based polymers containing electron‐withdrawing substituent with high open circuit voltage and applications for polymer solar cells
Authors: Kim Juae , Young Shim Joo , Lee Jihoon , Yong Lee Dal , Chae Sangmin , Kim Jinwoo , Kim Il , Jung Kim Hyo , Heum Park Sung , Suh Hongsuk
Published: October 2015

Polymers using new electron‐deficient units, 2‐pyriminecarbonitrile and 2‐fluoropyrimidine, were synthesized and utilized for the photovoltaics. Donor‐acceptor (D‐A) types of conjugated polymers (PBDTCN, PBDTTCN, PBDTF, and PBDTTF) containing 4,8‐bis(2‐octyldodecyloxy)benzo[1,2‐b;3,4‐b′]dithiophene (BDT) or 4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐octyldodecyloxy)thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDTT) as electron rich unit and 2‐pyriminecarbonitrile or 2‐fluoropyrimidine as electron deficient unit were synthesized. We designed pyrimidine derivatives in which strong electron‐withdrawing group (CN or fluorine) was introduced to the C2 position for the generation of strong electron‐deficient property. By the combination with the electron‐rich unit, the pyrimidines will provide low band gap polymers with low highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels for higher open‐circuit voltages (VOC). For the syntheses of the polymers, the electron‐rich and the electron‐deficient units were combined by Stille coupling reaction with Pd(0)‐catalyst. Absorption spectra of the thin films of PBDTTCN and PBDTTF with BDTT unit show shift to a longer wavelength region than PBDTCN and PBDTF with BDT unit. Four synthesized polymers provided low electrochemical bandgaps of 1.56 to 1.96 eV and deep HOMO energy levels between −5.67 and −5.14 eV. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 771–784
Amphiphilic block copolymer self‐assemblies of poly(NVP)‐b‐poly(MDO‐co‐vinyl esters): Tunable dimensions and functionalities
Authors: Hedir Guillaume G. , Pitto‐Barry A. , Dove Andrew P. , O'Reilly Rachel K.
Published: October 2015

Functional, degradable polymers were synthesized via the copolymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) and 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxepane (MDO) using a macro‐xanthate CTA, poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone), resulting in the formation of amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(NVP)‐b‐poly(MDO‐co‐VAc). The behavior of the block copolymers in water was investigated and resulted in the formation of self‐assembled nanoparticles containing a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic corona. The size of the resultant nanoparticles was able to be tuned with variation of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments of the core and corona by changing the incorporation of the macro‐CTA as well as the monomer composition in the copolymers, as observed by Dynamic Light Scattering, Static Light Scattering, and Transmission Electron Microscopy analyses. The concept was further applied to a VAc derivative monomer, vinyl bromobutanoate, to incorporate further functionalities such as fluorescent dithiomaleimide groups throughout the polymer backbone using azidation and “click” chemistry as postpolymerization tools to create fluorescently labeled nanoparticles. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2699–2710
Protein structure determination by conformational space annealing using NMR geometric restraints
Authors: Joo Keehyoung , Joung InSuk , Lee Jinhyuk , Lee Jinwoo , Lee Weontae , Brooks Bernard , Lee Sung Jong , Lee Jooyoung
Published: October 2015

We have carried out numerical experiments to investigate the applicability of the global optimization method of conformational space annealing (CSA) to the enhanced NMR protein structure determination over existing PDB structures. The NMR protein structure determination is driven by the optimization of collective multiple restraints arising from experimental data and the basic stereochemical properties of a protein‐like molecule. By rigorous and straightforward application of CSA to the identical NMR experimental data used to generate existing PDB structures, we redetermined 56 recent PDB protein structures starting from fully randomized structures. The quality of CSA‐generated structures and existing PDB structures were assessed by multiobjective functions in terms of their consistencies with experimental data and the requirements of protein‐like stereochemistry. In 54 out of 56 cases, CSA‐generated structures were better than existing PDB structures in the Pareto‐dominant manner, while in the remaining two cases, it was a tie with mixed results. As a whole, all structural features tested improved in a statistically meaningful manner. The most improved feature was the Ramachandran favored portion of backbone torsion angles with about 8.6% improvement from 88.9% to 97.5% (P‐value <10−17). We show that by straightforward application of CSA to the efficient global optimization of an energy function, NMR structures will be of better quality than existing PDB structures. Proteins 2015; 83:2251–2262. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adding yeasts with sugar to increase the number of effective insecticide classes to manage Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in cherry
Authors: Knight Alan L , Basoalto Esteban , Yee Wee , Hilton Rick , Kurtzman Cletus P
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Drosophila suzukii is a major pest of cherry in the western United States. We evaluated whether the addition of sugary baits could improve the efficacy of two classes of insecticides not considered to be sufficiently effective for this pest, diamides and spinosyns, in laboratory and field trials in cherry.

RESULTS

Adding cane sugar alone or in combination with the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Aureobasidium pullulans significantly improved insecticide efficacy. However, the significance of adding yeasts to the sugar plus insecticide on fly mortality varied with respect to both the insecticide and yeast species. The addition of S. cerevisiae to sugar also did not significantly reduce egg densities in fruit compared with sugar alone. The addition of a yeast plus sugar significantly reduced egg densities in three field trials with cyantraniliprole and in two out of three trials with spinosad.

CONCLUSION

The addition of cane sugar with or without yeast can improve the effectiveness of diamide and spinosyn insecticides for D. suzukii in cherry. Inclusion of these two insecticides in D. suzukii management programs may alleviate the strong selection pressure currently being imposed on a few mode‐of‐action insecticide classes used by growers to maintain fly suppression over long continuous harvest periods of mixed cultivars. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Development of a Multicompartment Permeability‐Limited Lung PBPK Model and Its Application in Predicting Pulmonary Pharmacokinetics of Antituberculosis Drugs
Authors: Gaohua L , Wedagedera J , Small BG , Almond L , Romero K , Hermann D , Hanna D , Jamei M , Gardner I
Published: October 2015

Achieving sufficient concentrations of antituberculosis (TB) drugs in pulmonary tissue at the optimum time is still a challenge in developing therapeutic regimens for TB. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model incorporating a multicompartment permeability‐limited lung model was developed and used to simulate plasma and pulmonary concentrations of seven drugs. Passive permeability of drugs within the lung was predicted using an in vitro‐in vivo extrapolation approach. Simulated epithelial lining fluid (ELF):plasma concentration ratios showed reasonable agreement with observed clinical data for rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, and erythromycin. For clarithromycin, itraconazole and pyrazinamide the observed ELF:plasma ratios were significantly underpredicted. Sensitivity analyses showed that changing ELF pH or introducing efflux transporter activity between lung tissue and ELF can alter the ELF:plasma concentration ratios. The described model has shown utility in predicting the lung pharmacokinetics of anti‐TB drugs and provides a framework for predicting pulmonary concentrations of novel anti‐TB drugs.
Synthesis and Solution Properties of a Double‐Tailed Quaternary Ammonium Surfactant with a Protrudent Head Group
Authors: Song Binglei , Xu Zonghui , Yu Xiaona , Chen Shuyi , Li Shunan , Shi Rongzhen , Cui Zhenggang
Published: October 2015

Modification of the molecular structure of surfactants is an effective method for exploring their self‐assembly. A double‐tailed quaternary ammonium surfactant with a protrudent head group, namely 2‐octyldecyltrimethylammonium bromide (2‐ODTAB) was synthesized, and the solution properties were investigated by surface tension, dynamic light scattering, and cryogenic TEM. A comparative study was also performed on the traditional double‐tailed homologue surfactants dioctyldimethylammonium bromide (8–8), didecyldimethylammonium bromide (10–10), and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (12–12). The results showed that 2‐ODTAB was more effective at lowering surface tension and in forming stable vesicles than traditional double‐tailed surfactants with similar alkyl chain length. The reason is attributed to the improved structure of 2‐ODTAB, in which the two alkyl tails are connected to the ionic head group by one carbon atom. This structure imparts more freedom to the head group and thus favors formation of more stable aggregates at low concentration. In addition, the lower limit of the alkyl chain length of the double‐tailed surfactants for forming stable vesicles was illustrated.
Nanovesicles Based on Mixtures of a Biantennary Glycolipid with Ionic Co‐Surfactants
Authors: Mak Oi Wei , Seman Nursyafikah , Harun Nor Hamizah , Hussen Rusnah Syahila Duali , Rodzi Nasrulzamani Mohd , Heidelberg Thorsten
Published: October 2015

A biantennary surfactant based on a synthetic C16‐maltoside was chosen to prepare vesicles for a potential vesicular drug delivery system. The synthesis comprised of three stages: Initial synthesis of β‐d‐maltose octaacetate was followed by glycosidation of 2‐hexyl‐decanol and final glycolipid deacetylation. Both α‐ and β‐anomers were prepared and their anomeric purity was evaluated by 1H NMR. Owing to the low water solubility of the glycolipid, addition of ionic co‐surfactants was believed to promote the surfactant distribution, thus leading to smaller and more uniform vesicles. The assembly behavior of the surfactant systems was studied by contact penetration under an optical polarizing microscope, while interfacial properties were determined by surface tension measurements. Vesicles were prepared by injection of an ethanolic solution into bulk water and investigated by dynamic light scattering and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Contact of the surfactant mixtures with water indicated a high tendency to exhibit the lamellar phase and confirmed the expected low molecular solubility. These findings suggest a potential of the surfactant to form stable vesicles. Injection of an ethanolic surfactant solution into bulk water gave sub‐micrometer sized vesicles with a narrow size distribution. Application of ionic co‐surfactants reduced the vesicle size. In particular ∼20 % of anionic SDS proved highly effective, lowering the vesicle size by nearly one decade, thus accessing nano‐sized vesicles. Encapsulation of a water‐soluble drug was achieved in a 76 ± 10 % efficiency.
Asparagine deamidation reduces DNA‐binding affinity of theDrosophila melanogaster Scr homeodomain
Authors: O'Connell Nichole E. , Lelli Katherine , Mann Richard S. , Palmer Arthur G.
Published: October 2015

Spontaneous deamidation of asparagine is a non‐enzymatic post‐translational modification of proteins. Residue Asn 321 is the main site of deamidation of theDrosophila melanogaster Hox transcription factor Sex Combs Reduced (Scr). Formation of iso‐aspartate, the major deamidation product, is detected by HNCACB triple‐resonance NMR spectroscopy. The rate of deamidation is quantified by fitting the decay of Asn NH2 side‐chain signals in a time‐series of15N‐1H HSQC NMR spectra. The deamidated form of Scr binds to specific DNA target sequences with reduced affinity as determined by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay.
Maternal age and outcome of preterm infants at discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Eventov‐Friedman Smadar , Zisk‐Rony Rachel Y. , Nosko Sophia , Bar‐Oz Benjamin
Published: October 2015

Objective

To assess the effect of maternal age on preterm neonates' survival free from major morbidity at discharge from two neonatal intensive care units in Jerusalem, Israel.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of two hospitals from 2009–2010 was performed. Eligible neonates were born at less than 35 weeks of gestation and survived to discharge. Major morbidity included at least one of the following: chronic lung disease, at least grade 3 intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, at least stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity, at least stage 2 necrotizing enterocolitis, or sepsis.

Results

The analysis was performed on 380 neonates of 294 mothers. Mean maternal age was 30.5 years (range, 17–52), mean gestational age was 31.5 weeks (range, 24–34), and mean birth weight was 1705.5 g (range, 460–3150). Of the neonates, 90 (23.7%) had major morbidity, which was associated with lower mean gestational age (29.5 weeks vs 32.3 weeks, P < 0.001), birth weight (1326.5 g vs 1822.2 g, P < 0.001), and the need for resuscitation at birth (P < 0.001) in comparison with neonates without major morbidity. A comparison of maternal age between the two outcome groups yielded a nonsignificant result. A logistic regression model revealed that maternal age does not contribute significantly to poor neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion

Advanced maternal age was not associated with major morbidity of preterm neonates at discharge from the neonatal intensive care units.
Chk1 phosphorylated at serine345 is a predictor of early local recurrence and radio‐resistance in breast cancer
Authors: Alsubhi Nouf , Middleton Fiona , Abdel-Fatah Tarek M.A. , Stephens Peter , Doherty Rachel , Arora Arvind , Moseley Paul M. , Chan Stephen Y.T. , Aleskandarany Mohammed A. , Green Andrew R. , Rakha Emad A. , Ellis Ian O. , Martin Stewart G. , Curtin Nicola J. , Madhusudan Srinivasan
Published: October 2015

Radiation‐induced DNA damage activates the DNA damage response (DDR). DDR up‐regulation may predict radio‐resistance and increase the risk of early local recurrence despite radiotherapy in early stage breast cancers. In 1755 early stage breast cancers, DDR signalling [ATM, ATR, total Ckh1, Chk1 phosphorylated at serine345 (pChk1), Chk2, p53], base excision repair [PARP1, POLβ, XRCC1, FEN1, SMUG1], non‐homologous end joining (Ku70/Ku80, DNA‐PKcs) and homologous recombination [RAD51, BRCA1, γH2AX, BLM, WRN, RECQL5, PTEN] protein expression was correlated to time to early local recurrence. Pre‐clinically, radio‐sensitization by inhibition of Chk1 activation by ATR inhibitor (VE‐821) and inhibition of Chk1 (V158411) were investigated in MDA‐MB‐231 (p53 mutant) and MCF‐7 (p53 wild‐type) breast cancer cells. In the whole cohort, 208/1755 patients (11.9%) developed local recurrence of which 126 (61%) developed local recurrence within 5 years of initiation of primary therapy. Of the 20 markers tested, only pChk1 and p53 significantly associated with early local recurrence (p value = 0.015 and 0.010, respectively). When analysed together, high cytoplasmic pChk1‐nuclear pChk1 (p = 0.039), high cytoplasmic pChk1‐p53 (p = 0.004) and high nuclear pChk1‐p53 (p = 0.029) co‐expression remain significantly linked to early local recurrence. In multivariate analysis, cytoplasmic pChk1 level independently predicted early local recurrence (p = 0.025). In patients who received adjuvant local radiotherapy (n = 949), p53 (p = 0.014) and high cytoplasmic pChk1‐p53 (p = 0.017) remain associated with early local recurrence. Pre‐clinically, radio‐sensitisation by VE‐821 or V158411 was observed in both MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells and was more pronounced in MCF‐7 cells. We conclude that pChk1 is a predictive biomarker of radiotherapy resistance and early local recurrence.
Is a pure TIPS strategy truly risk free?
Authors: Haensly Paul J.
Published: October 2015

A Treasury Inflation‐Protected Security (TIPS) is virtually risk free. As an obligation of the U.S. Treasury, it is mostly free of default risk. As an inflation‐indexed security held to maturity, it is risk free in terms of purchasing power. However, investing in a TIPS‐only portfolio for retirement is not risk free. This paper presents the results of a simulation analysis designed to evaluate the performance of a portfolio of inflation‐indexed Treasury coupon bonds. This study demonstrates that significant shortfall risk exists for TIPS‐only portfolios across a range of savings plans and the securities selection rules.
Physical-Biogeochemical Coupling in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Thompson Andrew , Cassar Nicolas
Published: October 2015

Southern Ocean Dynamics and Biogeochemistry Workshop; Pasadena, California, 2–5 February 2015
Properties, laws, and worlds
Authors: Smith Deborah C.
Published: October 2015

Jonathan Schaffer argues against a necessary connection between properties and laws. He takes this to be a question of what possible worlds we ought to countenance in our best theories of modality, counterfactuals, etc. In doing so, he unfairly rigs the game in favor of contingentism. I argue that the necessitarian can resist Schaffer’s conclusion while accepting his key premise that our best theories of modality, counterfactuals, etc. require a very wide range of things called ‘possible worlds’. However, the necessitarian can and should insist that, in many cases, these worlds are not metaphysically possible. I will further argue that, having taken such a stance, the necessitarian has additional resources to respond to Schaffer’s other arguments against the view.
The cost of managerialism in the university: an autoethnographical account of an academic redundancy process
Authors: Joseph Richard
Published: October 2015

This paper presents an autoethnographical account of the events associated with the author’s redundancy from a tenured academic position at Murdoch Business School, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia. It is argued that managerialism, a social philosophy that sees the management of a university to be little different from the management of a for-profit business, provided university management with a rationale for a course of action that imposed heavy costs on individuals and undermined core academic values. The apparent weakness of the protection provided by tenure is highlighted by the mechanisms through which university management exerted control over the academic employment relationship. The cost of imposing management’s will to win at all costs corrodes valuable aspects of academic work, such as collegiality, trust and the sharing of information. The paper shows that the various mechanisms of control imposed by a university management that adheres to managerialist principles can destroy much of what is worthwhile in the university. What is left is something with little spirit and nothing worthwhile to manage.