bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural course of rotator cuff syndrome in a French working population
Authors: Bodin Julie , Ha Catherine , Petit Audrey , Descatha Alexis , Thomas Thierry , Goldberg Marcel , Leclerc Annette , Roquelaure Yves
Published: March 2014

Background

The aim was to assess the persistence of rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) in workers and to study associations with personal and work‐related factors, job change, exposure change and treatment.

Methods

At baseline, 274 workers suffered from RCS, of whom 150 were followed up. Three groups were constituted: (1) a RCS recovery group, (2) a shoulder pain without RCS group, and (3) a RCS without recovery group. We studied the differences between groups (1) and (3) because of the low number of workers in group (2).

Results

Recovery occurred in 61.5% of men and 51.4% of women. Factors related to work were associated with persistence of RCS in men whereas upper limb pain and absence of job rotation were associated with persistence of RCS in women.

Conclusion

This descriptive study showed that a high percentage of workers recovered and several personal and work‐related factors were associated with persistent RCS. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these results. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:683–694, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed [3+3] Cyclocondensation of Bromoenals and Ketimines: Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Dihydropyridinones
Authors: Zhang Han‐Ming , Jia Wen‐Qiang , Liang Zhi‐Qin , Ye Song
Published: March 2014

The N‐heterocyclic carbene‐catalyzed enantioselective [3+3] cyclocondensation of bromoenals and ketimines was developed. The reaction gives the corresponding dihydropyridinones in high yields with high enantioselectivity.
C2‐Arylation of Substituted Pyridine N‐oxides with Heteroaryl Carboxylic Acids by Palladium‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Coupling
Authors: Suresh Rajendran , Muthusubramanian Shanmugam , Kumaran Rajendran Senthil , Manickam Govindaswamy
Published: March 2014

A palladium catalyzed CH activation/ortho‐arylation of heteroaryl‐N‐oxides through a decarboxylative coupling of heteroaryl carboxylic acids is described. Heterobiaryl‐N‐oxides, which are difficult to access by conventional methods, can be obtained in a single step. A wide range of functional groups, including metal‐susceptible groups, such as bromo and iodo, can be tolerated under the reaction condition. The regioselectivity with respect to both carboxylic acid and N‐oxide is excellent. Further, the N‐oxides were used as a tool to examine the efficiency of decarboxylative coupling compared with aryl halide coupling.
Vocal behavior of black‐fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons): Acoustic properties and behavioral contexts of loud calls
Authors: Caselli Christini B. , Mennill Daniel J. , Bicca‐Marques Júlio César , Setz Eleonore Z. F.
Published: March 2014

Loud calls can be heard over long distances due to their high amplitude and low frequency. These calls are commonly used for both within‐ and between‐group communication in many bird and primate species. In the Neotropics, mated pairs of socially monogamous titi monkeys (genusCallicebus) emit conspicuous, coordinated loud calls. These vocalizations appear to play a role in territorial defense, a hypothesis derived from studies of only three of the 31 recognizedCallicebusspecies. Here, we describe the acoustic properties and organization of the loud calls of black‐fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons). We compare the behavioral and ecological contexts associated with these vocalizations to investigate their role in within‐ and between‐group communication, resource defense, and mate defense. Black‐fronted titi monkeys create loud calls by combining a finite number of syllables to form more complex phrases, which are assembled to compose long sequences of loud calls. Bioacoustic features distinguish the loud calls used in different contexts, involving communication within‐ and between‐groups. We found support for the hypothesis that vocalizations used for between‐group communication are cooperative displays used by the mated pair and other group members to regulate access to important food resources, such as fruits. On the other hand, we only found weak support for the mate defense hypothesis. Am. J. Primatol. 76:788–800, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of sublingual immunotherapy for Dermatophagoides farinae on Th17 cells and CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of children with allergic asthma
Authors: Tian Man , Wang Yu , Lu Yueqing , Jiang Yan‐he , Zhao De‐yu
Published: March 2014

Background

Sublingual immunotherapy is becoming a more common treatment for allergic diseases, particularly in pediatric clinics. This type of treatment is highly effective for Dermatophagoides farinae allergy, but the mechanisms resulting in immune tolerance have not been investigated. We explored the effects of sublingual immunotherapy with D. farinae drops on populations of subsets of T immune cells, specifically Th17 cells and CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells), in peripheral blood of children with allergic asthma.

Methods

We assessed immune cell populations in 60 patients allergic to D. farinae who were randomly divided into 2 groups: a treatment group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30), treated with sublingual administration of D. farinae drops or placebo, respectively, for 48 weeks. Clinical symptoms of asthma were scored for each individual before and after treatment, and the percentages of Th17 cells and CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in the peripheral blood were evaluated by flow cytometry at 12‐week intervals beginning at baseline.

Results

Both the mean daily symptom scores and percentages of Th17 cells significantly declined in the treatment group throughout the study period (p < 0.05), and in the control group both declined but without significant differences between time points. In contrast, the percentages of Treg cells significantly increased in the treatment group throughout the study period (p < 0.05), but no statistical difference was observed among different sampling times.

Conclusion

Sublingual administration of D. farinae drops alters T immune cell profiles and reduces asthma symptoms, likely resulting in enhanced immunosuppression in children with asthma.
Mild to moderate Alzheimer dementia with insufficient neuropathological changes
Authors: Serrano‐Pozo Alberto , Qian Jing , Monsell Sarah E. , Blacker Deborah , Gómez‐Isla Teresa , Betensky Rebecca A. , Growdon John H. , Johnson Keith A. , Frosch Matthew P. , Sperling Reisa A. , Hyman Bradley T.
Published: March 2014

Recently, ∼16% of participants in an anti‐Aβ passive immunotherapy trial for mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer disease (AD) had a negative baseline amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Whether they have AD or are AD clinical phenocopies remains unknown. We examined the 2005–2013 National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center autopsy database and found that ∼14% of autopsied subjects clinically diagnosed with mild‐to‐moderate probable AD have no or sparse neuritic plaques, which would expectedly yield a negative amyloid PET scan. More than half of these “Aβ‐negative” subjects have low neurofibrillary tangle Braak stages. These findings support the implementation of a positive amyloid biomarker as an inclusion criterion in future anti‐Aβ drug trials. Ann Neurol 2014;75:597–601
Kationische Ketten von Phosphanyl‐ und Arsanylboranen
Authors: Marquardt Christian , Thoms Christine , Stauber Andreas , Balázs Gábor , Bodensteiner Michael , Scheer Manfred
Published: March 2014

Während catena‐Phosphorkationen innerhalb der letzten Jahre intensiv untersucht wurden, gab es über gemischte kationische Ketten aus Gruppe‐13‐ und Gruppe‐15‐Elementen bislang keine Berichte. Die Umsetzung der Pnictogenborane H2EBH2⋅NMe3 (E=P, As) mit Monohalogenboranen führt zu den kationischen Kettenverbindungen [Me3N⋅BH2EH2BH2⋅NMe3][X] (E=P, As; X=AlCl4, I) und [Me3N⋅BH2PH2BH2PH2BH2⋅NMe3][X] (X=I, VCl4(thf)2). Alle Verbindungen wurden durch Röntgenstrukturanalyse, NMR‐Spektroskopie, IR‐Spektroskopie und Massenspektrometrie charakterisiert. DFT‐Rechnungen erklären den Reaktionsverlauf, die hohe thermodynamische Stabilität und die Ladungsverteilung innerhalb der Kette und bestätigen die beobachteten Festkörperstrukturen.
Eine Brønsted‐Säure‐katalysierte Redox‐Arylierung
Authors: Peng Bo , Huang Xueliang , Xie Lan‐Gui , Maulide Nuno
Published: March 2014

Es wird eine Brønsted‐Säure‐katalysierte Redox‐Arylierung von Inamiden mit Arylsulfoxiden als Arylierungsreagentien vorgestellt. Diese metallfreie Umwandlung läuft bei Raumtemperatur ab, und liefert auf redoxneutralem und atomökonomischem Wege α‐arylierte Oxazolidinone.
Cytochrome P450 Catalyzed Oxidative Hydroxylation of Achiral Organic Compounds with Simultaneous Creation of Two Chirality Centers in a Single CH Activation Step
Authors: Roiban Gheorghe‐Doru , Agudo Rubén , Reetz Manfred T.
Published: March 2014

Regio‐ and stereoselective oxidative hydroxylation of achiral or chiral organic compounds mediated by synthetic reagents, catalysts, or enzymes generally leads to the formation of one new chiral center that appears in the respective enantiomeric or diastereomeric alcohols. By contrast, when subjecting appropriate achiral compounds to this type of CH activation, the simultaneous creation of two chiral centers with a defined relative and absolute configuration may result, provided that control of the regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselectivity is ensured. The present study demonstrates that such control is possible by using wild type or mutant forms of the monooxygenase cytochrome P450 BM3 as catalysts in the oxidative hydroxylation of methylcyclohexane and seven other monosubstituted cyclohexane derivatives.
Towards True Carbaporphyrinoids: Synthesis of 21‐Carba‐23‐thiaporphyrin
Authors: Berlicka Anna , Dutka Paweł , Szterenberg Ludmiła , Latos‐Grażyński Lechosław
Published: March 2014

In the search for porphyrinoids with a built‐in cyclopentadienyl moiety (true carbaporphyrins), a rational synthesis of carbathiaporphyrin, the synthons, has been elaborated. The donors (C,N,S,N) in the porphyrinic core of carbathiaporphyrinoids are potentially of fundamental importance for generating organometallic complexes, as exemplified through formation of the palladium(II) complex.
Rhodium Enalcarbenoids: Direct Synthesis of Indoles by Rhodium(II)‐Catalyzed [4+2] Benzannulation of Pyrroles
Authors: Dawande Sudam Ganpat , Kanchupalli Vinaykumar , Kalepu Jagadeesh , Chennamsetti Haribabu , Lad Bapurao Sudam , Katukojvala Sreenivas
Published: March 2014

Disclosed herein is the design of an unprecedented electrophilic rhodium enalcarbenoid which results from rhodium(II)‐catalyzed decomposition of a new class of enaldiazo compounds. The synthetic utility of these enalcarbenoids has been successfully demonstrated in the first transition‐metal‐catalyzed [4+2] benzannulation of pyrroles, thus leading to substituted indoles. The new benzannulation has been applied to the efficient synthesis of the natural product leiocarpone as well as a potent adipocyte fatty‐acid binding protein inhibitor.
Formation of NixCo3−xS4 Hollow Nanoprisms with Enhanced Pseudocapacitive Properties
Authors: Yu Le , Zhang Lei , Wu Hao Bin , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: March 2014

Hollow nanostructures are of great interest for a wide variety of applications. Despite the great advances, synthesis of anisotropic hollow structures is still very challenging. In this work, we have developed a simple sacrificial template method to synthesize uniform NixCo3−xS4 hollow nanoprisms with tunable composition. Tetragonal nanoprisms of nickel–cobalt acetate hydroxide precursors with controllable Ni/Co molar ratios are first synthesized and used as the sacrificial templates. After a sulfidation process with thioacetamide (TAA) in ethanol, the solid precursor prisms can be transformed into the corresponding NixCo3−xS4 hollow nanoprisms with a well‐defined hollow interior. The intriguing structural and compositional features are beneficial for electrochemical applications. Impressively, the resultant NixCo3−xS4 hollow prisms manifest a high specific capacitance with enhanced cycling stability, making them potential electrode materials for supercapacitors.
Stabilization of a Diphosphagermylene through pπ–pπ Interactions with a Trigonal‐Planar Phosphorus Center
Authors: Izod Keith , Rayner Daniel G. , El‐Hamruni Salima M. , Harrington Ross W. , Baisch Ulrich
Published: March 2014

N‐Heterocyclic carbenes and their heavier homologues are, in part, stabilized by delocalization of the N lone pairs into the vacant p‐orbital at carbon (or a heavier Group 14 element center). These interactions are usually absent in the corresponding P‐substituted species, owing to the large barrier to planarization of phosphorus. However, judicious selection of the substituents at phosphorus has enabled the synthesis of a diphosphagermylene, [(Dipp)2P]2Ge, in which one of the P centers is planar (Dipp=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl). The planar nature of this P center and the correspondingly short PGe distance suggest a significant degree of PGe multiple bond character that is due to delocalization of the phosphorus lone pair into the vacant p‐orbital at germanium. DFT calculations support this proposition and NBO and AIM analyses are consistent with a GeP bond order greater than unity.
Tuning Mechanism‐Based Inactivators of Neuraminidases: Mechanistic and Structural Insights
Authors: Buchini Sabrina , Gallat François‐Xavier , Greig Ian R. , Kim Jin‐Hyo , Wakatsuki Soichi , Chavas Leonard M. G. , Withers Stephen G.
Published: March 2014

3‐Fluorosialosyl fluorides are inhibitors of sialidases that function by the formation of a long‐lived covalent active‐site adduct and have potential as therapeutics if made specific for the pathogen sialidase. Surprisingly, human Neu2 and the Trypanosoma cruzi trans‐sialidase are inactivated more rapidly by the reagent with an equatorial fluorine at C3 than by its axial epimer, with reactivation following the same pattern. To explore a possible stereoelectronic basis for this, rate constants for spontaneous hydrolysis of the full series of four 3‐fluorosialosyl fluorides were measured, and ground‐state energies for each computed. The alpha (equatorial) anomeric fluorides hydrolyze more rapidly than their beta anomers, consistent with their higher ground‐state energies. However ground‐state energies do not explain the relative spontaneous reactivities of the 3‐fluoro‐epimers. The three‐dimensional structures of the two 3‐fluoro‐sialosyl enzyme intermediates of human Neu2 were solved, revealing key stabilizing interactions between Arg21 and the equatorial, but not the axial, fluorine. Because of changes in geometry these interactions will increase at the transition state, likely explaining the difference in reaction rates.
Harnessing the Evolvability of Tricyclic Microviridins To Dissect Protease–Inhibitor Interactions
Authors: Weiz Annika R. , Ishida Keishi , Quitterer Felix , Meyer Sabine , Kehr Jan‐Christoph , Müller Kristian M. , Groll Michael , Hertweck Christian , Dittmann Elke
Published: March 2014

Understanding and controlling proteolysis is an important goal in therapeutic chemistry. Among the natural products specifically inhibiting proteases microviridins are particularly noteworthy. Microviridins are ribosomally produced and posttranslationally modified peptides that are processed into a unique, cagelike architecture. Here, we report a combined rational and random mutagenesis approach that provides fundamental insights into selectivity‐conferring moieties of microviridins. The potent variant microviridin J was co‐crystallized with trypsin, and for the first time the three‐dimensional structure of microviridins was determined and the mode of inhibition revealed.
A Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Redox Arylation
Authors: Peng Bo , Huang Xueliang , Xie Lan‐Gui , Maulide Nuno
Published: March 2014

A Brønsted acid catalyzed redox arylation of ynamides that employs aryl sulfoxides as the arylating agents is reported. This metal‐free transformation proceeds at room temperature and efficiently affords α‐arylated oxazolidinones in a redox‐neutral, atom‐economic fashion.
A CFD modeling of the gas–solid two‐phase flow in an FCC riser under the electrostatic conditions
Authors: Jiang Li , Fang‐Zhi Xiao , Zheng‐Hong Luo
Published: March 2014

Electrostatics is an inevitable phenomenon in fluidization processes and granular flow, where collisions between particulates and walls with different materials occur. In this work, a two‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics model based on the Eulerian–Eulerian approach was applied and coupled with a first‐principles electrostatic model to describe the gas–solid two‐phase flow behavior in a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) riser reactor under the electrostatic conditions. The coupled model was used to predict the main gas–solid flow distribution parameters in the FCC riser, such as electric potential, particle volume fraction, gas‐phase temperature, and gas‐phase component fractions. The simulation results showed that the electrostatic had a significant influence on the particle distribution in the bottom dense region of the FCC riser, whereas it had a weak influence in the upper dilute region at the cold‐flow conditions. The simulation results also showed that the electrostatic had a weak influence on the particle concentration, gas‐phase temperature, and lump concentration distributions when the cracking reaction was considered. © 2014 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of alumina content and thermal treatment on the thermal conductivity of UPE/Al2O3 composite
Authors: Wu Xinfeng , Jiang Pingkai , Zhou Yun , Yu Jinhong , Zhang Fuhua , Dong Lihua , Yin Yansheng
Published: March 2014

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene/alumina (UPE/Al2O3) microcomposites with high loading micro alumina (Al2O3, 20 to 100 phr) were prepared by casting method. The composites were thermal treated (cooled slowly) and then the thermal properties were studied at temperatures from 25 to 125°C. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) proves the homodispersion of Al2O3 microparticles in UPE. TGA indicates that the temperature of 5% weight loss of UPE/Al2O3 (100 phr) composite is 467.0°C, 10.5°C higher than that of pure UPE. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) shows that the melting point and the real degree of crystal (Xrc) of treated UPE/Al2O3 composite (100 phr) are 141.4°C and 65.7%, respectively, all higher than that of untreated composite, which can be described by crystal bridge mechanism. The density of the composite is also be enhanced because of crystal volume shrinkage induced by thermal treatment. The thermal conductivity of the treated UPE/Al2O3 composite (100 phr) is 1.920 W (m K)−1 at 25°C, 23.6% higher than that of the untreated composite. Crystal bridge thermal conduction mechanism is proposed. The thermal conductivity of UPE/Al2O3 composite has some dependency on the increasing Al2O3 content and also thermal treatment. These results can give some advice to design formulations for practical applications in pipe area and other wear area. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40528.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Substituted N‐[3‐(1H‐Pyrrol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1,2,5,6‐tetrahydropyridin‐1‐yl]benzamide/benzene Sulfonamides as Anti‐Inflammatory Agents
Authors: Gangapuram Madhavi , Mazzio Elizabeth , Eyunni Suresh , Soliman Karam F. A. , Redda Kinfe K.
Published: March 2014

The pharmacological activities of tetrahydropyridine (THP) derivatives are dependent on the substituent ring moiety. In this study, we investigate the anti‐inflammatory activities of 12 newly synthesized substituted N‐[3‐(1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1,2,5,6‐tetrahydrobenzamide/benzene sulfonamides (9a–l) in murine BV‐2 microglial cells. All compounds were initially screened for attenuation of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 µg/mL)‐activated microglial cells. The data show that only SO2‐substituted THPs were effective at sub‐lethal concentrations (IC50 values of 12.92 µM (9i), 14.64 µM (9j), 19.63 µM (9k)) relative to L‐N6‐(1‐iminoethyl)lysine positive control (IC50 = 3.1 µM). The most potent SO2‐substituted compound (9i) also blocked the LPS‐inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and attenuated the release of several cytokines including IL‐1α, IL‐10, and IL‐6. These findings establish the moderate immuno‐modulating effects of SO2‐substituted THP derivatives.
A Comparison of the Malignancy Incidence Among Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis and Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Large US Cohort
Authors: Gross Rachael L. , Schwartzman‐Morris Julie S. , Krathen Michael , Reed George , Chang Hong , Saunders Katherine C. , Fisher Mark C. , Greenberg Jeffrey D. , Putterman Chaim , Mease Philip J. , Gottlieb Alice B. , Kremer Joel M. , Broder Anna
Published: March 2014

Objective

To compare the incidence rates of malignancy among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America (CORRONA) registry.

Methods

We analyzed 2,970 patients with PsA (7,133 patient‐years of followup) and 19,260 patients with RA (53,864 patient‐years of followup). Using a standardized adjudication process, we identified 40 confirmed malignancies in the patients with PsA and 307 confirmed malignancies in those with RA. Incidence rates were calculated per 100 patient‐years. Incidence rate ratios were estimated, with adjustment for age, sex, disease duration, body mass index, disease activity, year of enrollment, and medication use.

Results

The overall malignancy incidence per 100 patient‐years was similar between patients with PsA and patients with RA (0.56 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.40−0.76] and 0.56 [95% CI 0.50−0.63], respectively). Nonmelanoma skin cancer was the most common type of cancer in the overall cohort, with an incidence rate of 0.21 (95% CI 0.12−0.35) in PsA, and 0.20 (95% CI 0.17−0.24) in RA, with a calculated incidence rate ratio of 1.05 (95% CI 0.61−1.80; P = 0.85). Lymphoma rates were similar in PsA and RA (0.04 [95% CI 0.01−0.12] and 0.04 [95% CI 0.02−0.06], respectively; incidence rate ratio 1.00 [95% CI 0.17−3.11]; P = 0.67). The adjusted incidence rate ratio of malignancy in PsA versus RA was 1.17 (95% CI 0.82−1.69; P = 0.37).

Conclusion

The incidence rates across malignancy subtypes were similar in the PsA and RA cohorts from a US registry.
Prediction of Pulmonary Complications and Long‐Term Survival in Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Nihtyanova Svetlana I. , Schreiber Benjamin E. , Ong Voon H. , Rosenberg Daniel , Moinzadeh Pia , Coghlan J. Gerrard , Wells Athol U. , Denton Christopher P.
Published: March 2014

Objective

To assess survival and incidence of organ‐based complications in a large single‐center cohort of unselected systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, and to explore predictors of survival and clinically significant pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Methods

The study cohort consisted of 398 consecutive SSc patients, followed up for up to 15 years. Cox proportional hazards analysis with demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics as predictor variables was used to develop prediction models for pulmonary complications and survival.

Results

The overall survival estimate at the end of followup was 57% among patients with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and 50% among patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) (P = 0.017). We found that greater age at disease onset, dcSSc, lower diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), lower hemoglobin levels, higher serum creatinine levels, and the presence of PH or cardiac involvement were independent predictors of worse survival. Over the entire followup period, 42% of dcSSc patients and 22% of lcSSc patients developed clinically significant PF (P < 0.001). The variables that predicted clinically significant PF development were dcSSc, greater age at onset, lower forced vital capacity and DLco, and the presence of anti–topoisomerase I antibody, while the presence of anticentromere antibody was protective. There was no difference in cumulative incidence of PH between the 2 subsets—24% in lcSSc and 18% in dcSSc (P = 0.558). Incidence rates were 1–2% per year. The PH prediction model demonstrated that greater age at onset, increase in serum creatinine levels, lower DLco, and the presence of anti–RNA polymerase III or anti–U3 RNP antibodies were associated with increased risk of PH, while anti–topoisomerase I antibody positivity reduced the hazard.

Conclusion

Our study provides data on long‐term outcome of SSc and the timing and frequency of major organ complications. The predictive models we present could be used as clinical tools for patient risk stratification and could facilitate cohort enrichment for event‐driven studies.
Palmitate Has Proapoptotic and Proinflammatory Effects on Articular Cartilage and Synergizes With Interleukin‐1
Authors: Alvarez‐Garcia Oscar , Rogers Nicole H. , Smith Roy G. , Lotz Martin K.
Published: March 2014

Objective

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis (OA) that is associated with a state of low‐grade inflammation and increased circulating levels of adipokines and free fatty acids (FFAs). The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of saturated (palmitate) and monounsaturated (oleate) FFAs on articular chondrocytes, synoviocytes, and cartilage.

Methods

Human articular chondrocytes and fibroblast‐like synoviocytes obtained from young healthy donors and OA chondrocytes from patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery were treated with palmitate or oleate alone or in combination with interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). Cell viability, caspase activation, and gene expression of proinflammatory factors, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, and proteases were studied. In addition, chondrocyte viability, IL‐6 production, and matrix damage were assessed in bovine and human articular cartilage explants cultured with FFAs in the presence or absence of IL‐1β.

Results

Palmitate, but not oleate, induced caspase activation and cell death in IL‐1β–stimulated normal chondrocytes, and up‐regulated the expression of IL‐6 and cyclooxygenase 2 in chondrocytes and fibroblast‐like synoviocytes through Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4) signaling. In cartilage explants, palmitate induced chondrocyte death, IL‐6 release, and ECM degradation. Palmitate synergized with IL‐1β in stimulating proapoptotic and proinflammatory cellular responses. Pharmacologic inhibition of caspases or TLR‐4 signaling reduced palmitate and IL‐1β induced cartilage damage.

Conclusion

Palmitate acts as a proinflammatory and catabolic factor that, in synergy with IL‐1β, induces chondrocyte apoptosis and articular cartilage breakdown. Collectively, our data suggest that elevated levels of saturated FFAs that are often found in patients who are obese may contribute to the pathogenesis of OA.
The Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Associated With Vaccines: An International Case‐Control Study
Authors: Grimaldi‐Bensouda Lamiae , Le Guern Veronique , Kone‐Paut Isabelle , Aubrun Elodie , Fain Olivier , Ruel Michel , Machet Laurent , Viallard Jean‐François , Magy‐Bertrand Nadine , Daugas Eric , Rossignol Michel , Abenhaim Lucien , Costedoat‐Chalumeau Nathalie ,   for the PGRx Lupus Study Group
Published: March 2014

Objective

Studies have suggested that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be triggered by vaccinations. We undertook this study to investigate the relationship between vaccination and onset of SLE.

Methods

This international case–control study was conducted between April 2008 and June 2012 in 36 specialist referral centers (34 in France and 2 in Quebec, Canada) and recruited patients ≤60 years old recently diagnosed as having either definite SLE (meeting ≥4 American College of Rheumatology [ACR] criteria including at least 1 immunologic criterion) or probable SLE (meeting 3 ACR criteria including at least 1 immunologic criterion). Controls were recruited from general practice settings through a closely monitored protocol and matched to patients by age, sex, region of residence, and date of recruitment. Vaccinations and other potential risk factors for SLE were assessed using a standardized telephone interview. We compared proportions of patients and controls who were vaccinated 12 and 24 months before the index date (date of first clinical symptom presented by the patient) using odds ratios (ORs) from conditional logistic regression.

Results

We assessed 105 patients (89 with definite SLE and 16 with probable SLE) and 712 controls. Twenty‐two of the 105 patients (21.0%) and 181 of the 712 controls (25.4%) had received at least 1 vaccination within 24 months before the index date (adjusted OR 0.9 [95% confidence interval 0.5–1.5]). The proportions of patients and controls vaccinated within the previous 12 months were also similar.

Conclusion

Our study showed no association between exposure to vaccination and risk of developing SLE.
A comprehensive empirical comparison of modern supervised classification and feature selection methods for text categorization
Authors: Aphinyanaphongs Yindalon , Fu Lawrence D. , Li Zhiguo , Peskin Eric R. , Efstathiadis Efstratios , Aliferis Constantin F. , Statnikov Alexander
Published: March 2014

An important aspect to performing text categorization is selecting appropriate supervised classification and feature selection methods. A comprehensive benchmark is needed to inform best practices in this broad application field. Previous benchmarks have evaluated performance for a few supervised classification and feature selection methods and limited ways to optimize them. The present work updates prior benchmarks by increasing the number of classifiers and feature selection methods order of magnitude, including adding recently developed, state‐of‐the‐art methods. Specifically, this study used 229 text categorization data sets/tasks, and evaluated 28 classification methods (both well‐established and proprietary/commercial) and 19 feature selection methods according to 4 classification performance metrics. We report several key findings that will be helpful in establishing best methodological practices for text categorization.
Organocatalytic Asymmetric Friedel–Crafts Reaction of Sesamol with Isatins: Access to Biologically Relevant 3‐Aryl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindoles
Authors: Kumar Akshay , Kaur Jasneet , Chauhan Pankaj , Singh Chimni Swapandeep
Published: March 2014

The Friedel–Crafts reaction of electron‐rich phenols with isatins was developed by employing bifunctional thiourea–tertiary amine organocatalysts. Cinchona alkaloid derived thiourea epiCDT‐3 a efficiently catalyzed the Friedel–Crafts‐type addition of phenols to isatin derivatives to provide 3‐aryl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindoles 7 and 9 in good yield (80–95 %) with good enantiomeric excess (83–94 %). Friedel–Crafts adduct 7 t was subjected to a copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition to obtain biologically important 3‐aryl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindole 11 in good enantiomeric excess and having a 1,2,3‐triazole moiety.
Diels–Alder/Oxidative Aromatization Approach towards the All‐Carbon DEF Tricyclic Skeleton of Daphenylline
Authors: Li Huilin , Qiu Yangcheng , Zhao Changgui , Yuan Ziyun , Xie Xingang , She Xuegong
Published: March 2014

Daphenylline is a recently isolated Daphniphyllum alkaloid with an unprecedented novel hexacyclic scaffold. In this study, the synthesis of the fused all‐carbon DEF tricyclic skeleton of daphenylline has been accomplished. Key steps of the reported sequence involve Evans asymmetric allylation, aldol condensation, Diels–Alder reaction, and oxidative aromatization reactions. The developed strategy might lead to the total synthesis of daphenylline.
o‐Carborane‐based Biphenyl and p‐Terphenyl Derivatives
Authors: Morisaki Yasuhiro , Tominaga Masato , Ochiai Takuya , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: March 2014

The synthesis and properties of biphenyl‐ and p‐terphenyl‐fused o‐carboranes are described. Aryl rings in the biphenyl and p‐terphenyl skeletons are highly coplanar because of the presence of the o‐carborane unit. o‐Carborane exhibits an electron‐withdrawing character via the inductive effect, resulting in a decrease in both the HOMO and LUMO levels of oligophenyls without causing electronic perturbation.
Chemiluminometric determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical formulations exploiting photo‐activation of GSH‐capped CdTe quantum dots
Authors: Sasaki M. K. , Ribeiro D. S. M. , Frigerio C. , Prior J. A. V. , Santos J. L. M. , Zagatto E. A. G.
Published: March 2014

An automated multi‐pumping flow system is proposed for the chemiluminometric determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical formulations, relying on the ability of semiconductor nanocrystals to generate short‐lived reactive species upon photo‐irradiation. A photo‐unit based on visible‐light‐emitting diodes is used to photo‐excite cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots capped with glutathione, leading to the generation of radicals that react with luminol under alkaline conditions, yielding the chemiluminescence. Ascorbic acid acts as a radical scavenger, preventing the oxidation of luminol, thus ensuring a concentration‐dependent chemiluminescence quenching. After system optimization, a linear working range of 5.0 × 10‐7 to 5.0 × 10‐6 mol/L ascorbic acid (r = 0.9967, n = 5) was attained, with a detection limit of 3.05 × 10‐7 mol/L and a sampling rate of 200/h. The flow system was applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations and the results were in good agreement with those obtained by the reference titrimetric procedure (RD < ± 4.3%, n = 7). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photoluminescence shift in frustules of two pennate diatoms and nanostructural changes to their pores
Authors: Arteaga‐Larios Nubia V. , Nahmad Yuri , Navarro‐Contreras Hugo R. , Encinas Armando , Viridiana García‐Meza J.
Published: March 2014

The diatom silicified cell wall (frustule) contains pore arrays at the micro‐ to nanometer scale that display efficient luminescence within the visible spectrum. Morphometric analysis of the size and arrangement of pores was conducted to observe whether any correlation exists with the photoluminescence (PL) of two diatom species of different ages. UV‐excited PL displays four clearly defined peaks within the blue‐region spectrum, on top of the broad PL characteristic of synthetic porous silicon dioxide, recorded for reference and where discrete lines are absent. A set of shifted emission lines was observed when diatom cultures reached adulthood. These discrete line shifts correlate with structural changes observed in adult frustules: reduction in pore diameter; appearance of pores within pores, 10 nm in size; an increase in the gap distance between stria; and the deposition of several girdle bands with a concomitant increase in the diatom waist length, as well as the appearance of pores on such bands. Destruction of the pores results in the disappearance of all discrete emission lines. The PL shifts are correlated with a substantial increment of Si–OH groups adsorbed on the frustule surface, as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Randomized two‐way cross‐over bioequivalence study of two amoxicillin formulations and inter‐ethnicity pharmacokinetic variation in healthy Malay volunteers
Authors: Liew Kai Bin , Loh Gabriel Onn Kit , Tan Yvonne Tze Fung , Peh Kok Khiang
Published: March 2014

The objectives of this study were to develop a new deproteinization method to extract amoxicillin from human plasma and evaluate the inter‐ethnic variation of amoxicillin pharmacokinetics in healthy Malay volunteers. A single‐dose, randomized, fasting, two‐period, two‐treatment, two‐sequence crossover, open‐label bioequivalence study was conducted in 18 healthy Malay adult male volunteers, with one week washout period. The drug concentration in the sample was analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography (UV–vis HPLC). The mean (standard deviation) pharmacokinetic parameter results of Moxilen® were: peak concentration (Cmax), 6.72 (1.56) µg/mL; area under the concentration–time graph (AUC0–8), 17.79 (4.29) µg/mL h; AUC0–∞, 18.84 (4.62) µg/mL h. Those of YSP Amoxicillin® capsule were: Cmax, 6.69 (1.44) µg/mL; AUC0–8, 18.69 (3.78) µg/mL h; AUC00–∞, 19.95 (3.81) µg/mL h. The 90% confidence intervals for the logarithmic transformed Cmax, AUC0–8 and AUC0–∞ of Moxilen® vs YSP Amoxicillin® capsule was between 0.80 and 1.25. Both Cmax and AUC met the predetermined criteria for assuming bioequivalence. Both formulations were well tolerated. The results showed significant inter‐ethnicity variation in pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin. The Cmax and AUC of amoxicillin in Malay population were slightly lower compared with other populations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative study on effects of single and multiple oral administration of mungbean (Phaseolus radiatus L.) seed extract on the pharmacokinetics of aconitine by UHPLC‐MS
Authors: Gao Enze , Yu Xiaohan , Liu Ting , Li Hualing , Wang Pei , Wei Yingqing , Zhao Yunli , Yu Zhiguo
Published: March 2014

The study was aimed to investigate the effects of single and multiple oral administration of mungbean (Phaseolus radiatus L.) seed extract (ME) on the pharmacokinetics of aconitine in rats. The Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (six rats each group). In group 1, rats were orally administered 500 µg/kg aconitine after receiving a single oral dose of 1 g/kg ME. In group 2, rats were orally administered with 500 µg/kg aconitine at day 7 of treatment with 1 g/kg/day ME. In group 3, rats were orally administered with 500 µg/kg aconitine. Blood samples were collected at different time points (0.083, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 h). The concentration of aconitine in rats plasma was determined by a fully validated ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry method. The results showed that single and multiple oral co‐administration of ME significantly altered the pharmacokinetic parameters of aconitine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proliferation, morphology, and pluripotency of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells in three different types of alginate beads for mass production
Authors: Horiguchi Ikki , Chowdhury Mohammad M. , Sakai Yasuyuki , Tabata Yoji
Published: March 2014

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are expected to be an ideal cell source for biomedical applications, but such applications usually require a large number of cells. Suspension culture of iPSC aggregates can offer high cell yields but sometimes results in excess aggregation or cell death by shear stress. Hydrogel‐based microencapsulation can solve such problems observed in Suspension culture, but there is no systematic evaluation of the possible capsule formulations. In addition, their biological effects on entrapped cells are still poorly studied so far. We, therefore, immobilized mouse iPSCs in three different types of calcium–alginate (Alg–Ca) hydrogel‐based microcapsules; (i) Alg–Ca capsules without further treatment (Naked), (ii) Alg–Ca capsules with poly‐l‐lysine (PLL) coating (Coated), and (iii) Alg–PLL membrane capsules with liquid cores (Hollow). After 10 days of culture within the medium containing serum and leukemia inhibitory factor, we obtained good cellular expansions (10–13‐fold) in Coated and Hollow capsules that were similar to Suspension culture. However, 32 ± 9% of cellular leakage and lower cell yield (about threefold) were observed in Naked capsules. This was not observed in Coated and Hollow capsules. In addition, immunostaining and quantitative RT‐PCR showed that the formation of primitive endodermal layers was suppressed in Coated capsules contrary to all other formulations. This agenesis of primitive endoderm layers in Coated capsules is likely to be the main cause of the significantly better pluripotency maintenance in hydrogel‐based encapsulation culture. These results are helpful in further optimizing hydrogel‐based iPSC culture, which can maintain better local cellular environments and be compatible with mass culture. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:896–904, 2014
Significant SNPs have limited prediction ability for thyroid cancer
Authors: Guo Shicheng , Wang Yu‐Long , Li Yi , Jin Li , Xiong Momiao , Ji Qing‐Hai , Wang Jiucun
Published: March 2014

Recently, five thyroid cancer significantly associated genetic variants (rs965513, rs944289, rs116909374, rs966423, and rs2439302) have been discovered and validated in two independent GWAS and numerous case–control studies, which were conducted in different populations. We genotyped the above five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Han Chinese populations and performed thyroid cancer‐risk predictions with nine machine learning methods. We found that four SNPs were significantly associated with thyroid cancer in Han Chinese population, while no polymorphism was observed for rs116909374. Small familial relative risks (1.02–1.05) and limited power to predict thyroid cancer (AUCs: 0.54–0.60) indicate limited clinical potential. Four significant SNPs have limited prediction ability for thyroid cancer.
Long noncoding RNA HOTAIR is relevant to cellular proliferation, invasiveness, and clinical relapse in small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Ono Hiroshi , Motoi Noriko , Nagano Hiroko , Miyauchi Eisaku , Ushijima Masaru , Matsuura Masaaki , Okumura Sakae , Nishio Makoto , Hirose Tetsuro , Inase Naohiko , Ishikawa Yuichi
Published: March 2014

Small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a subtype of lung cancer with poor prognosis. To identify accurate predictive biomarkers and effective therapeutic modalities, we focus on a long noncoding RNA, Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), and investigated its expression, cellular functions, and clinical relevance in SCLC. In this study, HOTAIR expression was assessed in 35 surgical SCLC samples and 10 SCLC cell lines. The efficacy of knockdown of HOTAIR by siRNA transfection was evaluated in SBC‐3 cells in vitro, and the gene expression was analyzed using microarray. HOTAIR was expressed highly in pure, rather than combined, SCLC (P = 0.012), that the subgroup with high expression had significantly more pure SCLC (P = 0.04), more lymphatic invasion (P = 0.03) and more relapse (P = 0.04) than the low‐expression subgroup. The knockdown of HOTAIR in SBC‐3 cells led to decreased proliferation activity and decreased invasiveness in vitro. Gene expression analysis indicated that depletion of HOTAIR resulted in upregulation of cell adhesion‐related genes such as ASTN1, PCDHA1, and mucin production‐related genes such as MUC5AC, and downregulation of genes involved in neuronal growth and signal transduction including NTM and PTK2B. Our results suggest that HOTAIR has an oncogenic role in SCLC and could be a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.
Grassypeptolides as Natural Inhibitors of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 8 and T‐Cell Activation
Authors: Kwan Jason C. , Liu Yanxia , Ratnayake Ranjala , Hatano Ryo , Kuribara Akiko , Morimoto Chiko , Ohnuma Kei , Paul Valerie J. , Ye Tao , Luesch Hendrik
Published: March 2014

Natural products made by marine cyanobacteria are often highly modified peptides and depsipeptides that have the potential to act as inhibitors for proteases. In the interests of finding new protease inhibition activity and selectivity, grassypeptolide A (1) was screened against a panel of proteases and found to inhibit DPP8 selectively over DPP4. Grassypeptolides were also found to inhibit IL‐2 production and proliferation in activated T‐cells, consistent with a putative role of DPP8 in the immune system. These effects were also observed in Jurkat cells, and DPP activity in Jurkat cell cytosol was shown to be inhibited by grassypeptolides. In silico docking suggests two possible binding modes of grassypeptolides—at the active site of DPP8 and at one of the entrances to the internal cavity. Collectively these results suggest that grassypeptolides might be useful tool compounds in the study of DPP8 function.
Successful transradial retrieval of an embolized guidewire during transradial vascular access
Authors: Goyal Vishal , Hernandez Gabriel A. , Cohen Mauricio G.
Published: March 2014

Transradial catheterization is associated with lower complication rates; however limited information is available regarding techniques to overcome unusual complications. We present a case of a 58‐year‐old male with suspected non‐ST‐elevated myocardial infarction who underwent transradial coronary angiography complicated by guidewire embolization into the radial artery and subsequent access loss. Successful retrieval of the embolized guidewire was achieved by re‐accessing the same radial artery and the use of a 2 mm gooseneck microsnare. This technique was safe and prevented the need for surgical intervention or femoral access for retrieval, which are commonly described in the literature and can result in additional complications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Percutaneous pulmonary vein stenosis angioplasty complicated by rupture: Successful stenting with a polytetrafluoroethylene‐covered stent
Authors: Matsumoto Takashi , Zahn Evan M. , Kar Saibal
Published: March 2014

A 47‐year‐old‐man with prior pulmonary vein (PV) isolation for atrial fibrillation developed progressive shortness of breath and was found to have total occlusion of the left lower and significant stenosis in left upper PV. A ventilation/perfusion scan showed decreased left lung perfusion. Percutaneous PV stenosis angioplasty was complicated by the rupture of left lower PV with pericardial tamponade; successful stenting with a polytetrafluoroethylene‐covered stent was performed. Follow‐up studies at nine months showed patency of both veins with a normal ventilation perfusion scan. In this article, we will discuss acquired PV stenosis following PV isolation, percutaneous PV intervention, and the literature supporting the procedure. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SiliaCat Diphenylphosphine Palladium(II) Catalyzed Borylation of Aryl Halides
Authors: Pandarus Valerica , Marion Olivier , Gingras Geneviève , Béland François , Ciriminna Rosaria , Pagliaro Mario
Published: March 2014

We investigate the heterogeneously catalyzed direct synthesis of boronic acid pinacol esters using a wide range of aryl chlorides, bromides, and iodides, and bis(pinacolato)diboron as the borylating agent over the sol–gel entrapped SiliaCat diphenylphosphine palladium(II) catalyst. Optimization of the reaction conditions, scale‐up of the optimized process, and analysis of palladium leaching enabled us to establish a new selective route for direct access to a diverse set of boronic acid pinacol esters.
In Situ Study of Ethanol Electrooxidation on Monodispersed Pt3Sn Nanoparticles
Authors: Herranz Tirma , Ibáñez María , Gómez de la Fuente José L. , Pérez‐Alonso Francisco J. , Peña Miguel A. , Cabot Andreu , Rojas Sergio
Published: March 2014

Monodispersed Pt3Sn nanoparticles were prepared through a mild thermal synthesis in the presence of surfactants. The performance of Pt3Sn for the electrooxidation of ethanol and adsorbed carbon monoxide (COad) in acid medium was studied by a combination of electrochemical and in situ spectroscopic methods, namely, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy and differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS), and the results were compared to those obtained with the use of Pt black. The formation of the Pt3Sn solid solution promoted the oxidation of COad at less‐positive potentials than those required for Pt black. Also, the electrooxidation of ethanol, especially at lower potentials, was more favorable with Pt3Sn, as deduced from the higher faradaic currents recorded during the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). However, the distribution of products as deduced by DEMS analysis suggested that the formation of C1 products, CO2 inclusive, is less significant on Pt3Sn than on Pt. In fact, the higher faradaic current recorded with the former catalyst can be attributed to the greater amounts of acetaldehyde and acetic acid formed. After the EOR, the surface of both Pt and Pt3Sn remained covered by ethanol adsorbates. Whereas C2 fragments were the main adsorbates at the surface of Pt3Sn after the EOR, both C1 and C2 species remained adsorbed at Pt black.