bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ExtraHF survey: the first European survey on implementation of exercise training in heart failure patients
Authors: Piepoli Massimo F. , Binno Simone , Corrà Ugo , Seferovic Petar , Conraads Viviane , Jaarsma Tiny , Schmid Jean‐Paul , Filippatos Gerasimos , Ponikowski Piotr P. ,   on behalf of the Committee on Exercise Physiology & Training of the Heart Failure Association of the ESC
Published: April 2015

Aims

In heart failure (HF), exercise training programmes (ETPs) are a well‐recognized intervention to improve symptoms, but are still poorly implemented. The Heart Failure Association promoted a survey to investigate whether and how cardiac centres in Europe are using ETPs in their HF patients.

Methods and results

The co‐ordinators of the HF working groups of the countries affiliated to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) distributed and promoted the 12‐item web‐based questionnaire in the key cardiac centres of their countries. Forty‐one country co‐ordinators out of the 46 contacted replied to our questionnaire (89%). This accounted for 170 cardiac centres, responsible for 77 214 HF patients. The majority of the participating centres (82%) were general cardiology units and the rest were specialized rehabilitation units or local health centres. Sixty‐seven (40%) centres [responsible for 36 385 (48%) patients] did not implement an ETP. This was mainly attributed to the lack of resources (25%), largely due to lack of staff or lack of financial provision. The lack of a national or local pathway for such a programme was the reason in 13% of the cases, and in 12% the perceived lack of evidence on safety or benefit was cited. When implemented, an ETP was proposed to all HF patients in only 55% of the centres, with restriction according to severity or aetiology.

Conclusions

With respect to previous surveys, there is evidence of increased availability of ETPs in HF in Europe, although too many patients are still denied a highly recommended therapy, mainly due to lack of resources or logistics.
Distributions of phenolic acid antioxidants between the interfacial and aqueous regions of corn oil emulsions: Effects of pH and emulsifier concentration
Authors: Losada‐Barreiro Sonia , Bravo‐Díaz Carlos , Romsted Laurence S.
Published: April 2015

The oxidative stability of emulsions depends on acidity because pH may affect, among other things, the concentration of antioxidants (AOs) at the reaction site. Here we investigated the effects of pH on the partition constant, PWI, and the distribution of two phenolic acid AOs, gallic (GA) and caffeic (CA), between the aqueous (W) and interfacial (I) regions, in emulsions of 1:9 (vol:vol) corn oil/acidic water and Tween 20. PWI values are independent of emulsifier concentration, but change substantially with pH following sigmoidal curves with upper limits of PWI ≈280 (GA) and PWI ≈590 (CA) at high acidity. The distributions of GA and CA between the aqueous and interfacial regions depend strongly on surfactant volume fraction, ΦI, so that at pH ∼4.0 and ΦI = 0.005, %GAI ≈20 and %CAI ≈50. These values increase to ca. %GAI = 60 and %CAI = 90 at ΦI = 0.05. Increasing the acidity produces substantial changes in %AOI. At ΦI = 0.005, a decrease in pH from ∼4 to ∼3 leads to an increase in %GAI from ∼20 to ∼60 and in %CAI from ∼50 to ∼75, respectively.

Practical applications: Our results are based on the pseudophase kinetic model originally developed for association colloids and should be of interest to the food industry and food chemists because phenolic acid antioxidants are widely employed to inhibit lipid oxidation. Depending on food emulsion pH, they may be partially ionized, thus altering their concentrations in the reactive region. We expect other phenolic acids to follow the reported trends because the acidity constants of their carboxylic groups are similar. We demonstrated that the efficiency of series of homologous antioxidants (AOs) can be correlated with their percentage in the interfacial region of the emulsions. Thus, application of the pseudophase kinetic model provides a unique approach to a better understanding of the effects of factors controlling AO distributions and efficiencies and a more rational selection of AOs and emulsifiers in food stabilization (e.g., environmental (acidity, T), emulsifiers, AOs HLBs, nature of the oils, etc.)

The partition constant values of phenolic acids between the aqueous and interfacial regions of emulsions, PWI, depend on acidity.
The biosynthesis of DHA is increased in the liver of diabetic rats induced by high‐fat diets and STZ, in correlation with increased activity of peroxisomal β‐oxidation
Authors: Yao Min , Hou Lianguo , Xie Tian , Liu Yang , Dai Dongxue , Shi Yun , Lian Kaoqi , Jiang Lingling
Published: April 2015

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) biosynthesis in the liver is the most important source of extra‐hepatic tissue DHA. However, the levels of DHA and DHA biosynthesis in the livers of animals with type 2 diabetes mellitus remain unknown. In the current study, we used type 2 diabetic rats induced by high‐fat diets and low‐dose streptozotocin (STZ, 25 mg/kg) to investigate DHA biosynthesis in the liver during type 2 diabetes mellitus. The serum and livers were collected. Biochemical characteristics, fatty acid profiles, the activity of peroxisomal β‐oxidation, and the expressions of enzymes involved in the DHA biosynthesis pathway were assayed in the liver of diabetic rats. The data showed that DHA levels were unexpectedly increased despite of the lower expressions of key enzymes, Δ5‐ and Δ6‐desaturases (Δ5D and Δ6D) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The increased DHA was accompanied by an increase in the expression of straight‐chain acyl‐CoA oxidase (SCOX), D‐bifunctional protein (DBP), and 3‐oxoacyl‐CoA thiolase (THL), as well as elevated activity of peroxisomal β‐oxidation and an increased capacity for DHA biosynthesis from C24:6n‐3. These findings indicate that DHA biosynthesis is increased in the livers of diabetic rats induced by high‐fat diets and STZ, and that this effect is related to increased activity of peroxisomal β‐oxidation, but not of ER desaturases.

Practical applications: The results support the hypothesis that the dietary supplementation in diabetes with DHA and EPA is desirable.

The pathway of DHA biosynthesis in the liver of rats induced by high‐fat diets and STZ is shown. DHA biosynthesis is increased in the livers of diabetic rats induced by high‐fat diets and STZ, and this effect is related to increased activity of peroxisomal β‐oxidation, but is not related to the activity of ER desaturases.
Thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of functionalized graphene‐reinforced bio‐based polyurethane nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Chengshuang , Zhang Yuge , Lin Ling , Ding Liang , Li Juan , Lu Rong , He Meng , Xie Hongfeng , Cheng Rongshi
Published: April 2015

In this study, the reinforcement effects of graphene on the properties of bio‐based polyurethane (PU) were studied with the use of 1 wt% three functionalized graphene (dispersible graphene, reduced graphene oxide‐NH2, and reduced graphene oxide‐tetraethylene pentamine). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed the relatively homogeneous dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets in the PU matrix. It was found that the addition of 1 wt% of the different graphenes could lead to a significant reinforcement effect on the bio‐based PU. Especially, PU nanocomposite with 1 wt% dispersible graphene exhibited 6°C improvement in the Tg, 75% increment in storage modulus at 25°C, 34% increase in tensile strength, and 30% increase in Young's modulus.

Practical applications: Different graphene were used to reinforce the bio‐based PU. A significant reinforcement effect of graphene on bio‐based PU was found. This strategy has the potential for the fabrication of advanced bio‐based materials.

A significant graphene reinforcement effect on bio‐based PU was found. This strategy has the potential for the fabrication of advanced bio‐based materials.
Batchwise extraction of methyl linolenate (18:3, ALA) from fatty acid methyl esters derived from soybean and canola oils using silver nitrate/silica gel
Authors: McWilliams Kevin M. , Angelici Robert J.
Published: April 2015

The incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) method was used to prepare a series of AgNO3/SiO2 adsorbents that were used for the extraction of unsaturated FAMEs from hexane solutions of methyl soyate and methyl canolate. The AgNO3/SiO2‐IWI adsorbents with the highest AgNO3 loadings (40 or 50% w/w) were the most selective for the removal of methyl linolenate (18:3). For example, extractions with 40% AgNO3/SiO2‐IWI reduce the amount of 18:3 from 7.0% in methyl soyate (1.00 mL) to 1.3% while extracting only 9% of the original FAMEs mixture. The extracted FAMEs fraction has a very high 18:3 (55.6%) and 18:2 (41.9%) composition. This adsorbent maintained its selectivity for 18:3 in at least four successive extractions. Similar extractions of methyl canolate yield a biodiesel that contains much smaller amounts of 18:3. The amounts of 18:3 and 18:2 that are extracted can be controlled by the AgNO3 loading and the amount of AgNO3/SiO2‐IWI that is used.

Practical applications: Results of the reported studies show that AgNO3/SiO2 is able to preferentially remove methyl linolenate (18:3, ALA) from methyl soyate and methyl canolate. This batchwise process makes these biodiesels a source of the omega‐3 fatty acid ALA and gives a biodiesel that is less sensitive to oxidative deterioration.

FAMEs derived from soybean and canola oils, when treated with AgNO3/SiO2, are separated into a portion that is enriched in 18:3 (ALA) and a biodiesel that contains the more saturated FAMEs.
Rutin antinociception involves opioidergic mechanism and descending modulation of ventrolateral periaqueductal grey matter in rats
Authors: Hernandez‐Leon A. , Fernández‐Guasti A. , González‐Trujano M.E.
Published: April 2015

Background

Rutin is a bioflavonoid found in fruits, vegetables and plants used in traditional medicine to alleviate pain. However, rutin's scientific evidence for the modulation of pain and its mechanism of action is lacking. It is well known that the periaqueductal grey matter (PAG) contains opioidergic neural circuits involved in the modulation of descending nociception. The aim of this study was to investigate if antinociceptive activity of rutin is modulated by the PAG circuitry involving participation of opioid receptors.

Methods

The experimental design included groups of rats receiving rutin systemically (30–1000 mg/kg) or microinjected into the vlPAG (8–32 nmol/4 μL) alone or in the presence of an opioid antagonist, naltrexone (5 mg/kg, i.p. or 26 nmol/4 μL, respectively). Nociception was assessed using the formalin test and compared versus the reference drugs, tramadol and morphine.

Results

Systemic or intra‐vlPAG administration of rutin significantly decreased both phases of the formalin test. Antinociceptive responses of the reference drugs were prevented by naltrexone, whereas the antinociceptive effect of rutin was inhibited by this antagonist mainly in the phase II of the formalin test.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence that rutin produces antinociceptive effects involving central modulation of the vlPAG descending circuit partly mediated by an opioidergic mechanism.
Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate treatment reduces thermal hyperalgesia after spinal cord injury by down‐regulating RhoA expression in mice
Authors: Álvarez‐Pérez B. , Homs J. , Bosch‐Mola M. , Puig T. , Reina F. , Verdú E. , Boadas‐Vaello P.
Published: April 2015

Background

(−)‐Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) is the major polyphenolic constituent found in green tea. It has been reported that may be a natural agent for reducing thermal and mechanical pain after nervous system injuries. However, the molecular pathways implicated in these beneficial effects have not been completely elucidated. This study aimed to assess the EGCG treatment effects on thermal hyperalgesia, spinal cord gliosis and modulation of Ras homologue gene family member A (RhoA), fatty acid synthase (FASN) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) expression after spinal cord contusion in mice.

Methods

Animals were subjected to a spinal cord contusion. Thirty minutes after contusion and daily during the first week post‐surgery, animals were treated with EGCG or dimethyl sulfoxide‐saline (DMSO‐saline). At 7 and 14 days post‐operation, motor recovery was evaluated using the Basso Mouse Scale, and nociceptive response was evaluated using the Hargreaves test. Furthermore, at 14 days, the expression of RhoA, FASN and TNF‐α proteins was quantified in the lesion site of spinal cord by Western blot technique. Finally, spinal cord samples were processed by immunohistochemical techniques for observing astrocytes, microglia and afferent nerve fibres.

Results

At short time, EGCG treatment reduced significantly thermal hyperalgesia but had no effect on locomotor recovery in spinal cord injured mice. Furthermore, EGCG treatment down‐regulated the RhoA, FASN and TNF‐α proteins expression, and decreased astro‐ and microglia reactivity in spinal cord.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that at short time EGCG treatment reduces thermal hyperalgesia and gliosis via FASN and RhoA pathway, causing a decrease in cytokines in spinal cord.
Aberrant lymphatic drainage and risk for melanoma recurrence after negative sentinel node biopsy in middle‐aged and older men
Authors: Kaveh Anthony H. , Seminara Nicole M. , Barnes Melynda A. , Berger Aaron J. , Chen Frank W. , Yao Mike , Johnson Denise , Parsa Sean , Quon Andrew , Swetter Susan M. , Sunwoo John B.
Published: April 2015

Background

Aberrant lymphatic drainage is believed to contribute to the high recurrence rate of head and neck melanomas. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical significance of unexpected lymphatic drainage patterns.

Methods

A single institution retrospective analysis was performed of middle‐aged and older men (mean age, 66.2 years; range, 41–87 years) who underwent successful lymphoscintigraphy with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) from 1997 through 2012. Node status, distribution, and recurrence were assessed comparing patients with expected and unexpected drainage patterns.

Results

Sixty‐six patients were identified with 55.8 months median follow‐up (range, 5.6–206.1 months). Unexpected sentinel lymph node drainage was associated with multiple basin drainage (p < .01) and greater recurrence after negative SLNB (p = .03). Both groups had similar anatomic distribution, sentinel lymph node sampling, histopathologic characteristics, follow‐up, and survival.

Conclusion

Lymphatic drainage differing from expected patterns is associated with greater recurrence after negative SLNB in middle‐aged and older men. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E754–E760, 2016
Matted nodes: High distant‐metastasis risk and a potential indication for intensification of systemic therapy in human papillomavirus–related oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Vainshtein Jeffrey M. , Spector Matthew E. , Ibrahim Mohannad , Bradford Carol R. , Wolf Gregory T. , Stenmark Matthew H. , Worden Francis P. , McHugh Jonathan B. , Prince Mark E. , Carey Thomas , Chepeha Douglas B. , Eisbruch Avraham
Published: April 2015

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine whether matted nodes uniquely identify patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive oropharyngeal cancer at disproportionately high distant failure risk who may benefit from intensified systemic therapy.

Methods

One hundred seventy‐eight patients with stage III/IV HPV‐positive oropharyngeal cancer who completed definitive chemoradiotherapy were stratified by risk group (low‐risk = T1–3/N0–2c/<10 pack‐years; intermediate‐risk = T1–3/N0–2c/≥10 pack‐years; and high‐risk = T4 or N3). Prognostic impact of matted nodes was assessed.

Results

At the 52‐month median follow‐up, event rates with and without matted nodes were: locoregional failure: 23.3% versus 12.8% (p = .16), distant failure: 50.0% versus 1.4% (p < .01), any failure: 73.3% versus 14.2% (p < .01); cause‐specific mortality: 56.7% versus 5.4% (p < .01), and death: 56.7% versus 13.5% (p < .01). In multivariate analyses, including risk group and individual risk factors, matted nodes were the strongest predictor for all endpoints except locoregional failure. Among patients without matted nodes, risk‐group discriminated locoregional failure (at 3 years: low‐risk = 2.0%; intermediate‐risk = 14.4%; and high‐risk = 24.2%; p < .01), but not distant failure (low‐risk = 0.0%; intermediate‐risk = 2.1%; and high‐risk = 3.8%; p = .53).

Conclusion

Matted nodes portended dramatically increased distant failure and death risks in HPV‐positive oropharyngeal cancer, identifying a candidate population for consideration of chemo‐intensification. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E805–E814, 2016
Product environmental footprint in policy and market decisions: Applicability and impact assessment
Authors: Lehmann Annekatrin , Bach Vanessa , Finkbeiner Matthias
Published: April 2015

In April 2013, the European Commission published the Product and Organisation Environmental Footprint (PEF/OEF) methodology—a life cycle-based multicriteria measure of the environmental performance of products, services, and organizations. With its approach of “comparability over flexibility,” the PEF/OEF methodology aims at harmonizing existing methods, while decreasing the flexibility provided by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards regarding methodological choices. Currently, a 3-y pilot phase is running, aiming at testing the methodology and developing product category and organization sector rules (PEFCR/OEFSR). Although a harmonized method is in theory a good idea, the PEF/OEF methodology presents challenges, including a risk of confusion and limitations in applicability to practice. The paper discusses the main differences between the PEF and ISO methodologies and highlights challenges regarding PEF applicability, with a focus on impact assessment. Some methodological aspects of the PEF and PEFCR Guides are found to contradict the ISO 14044 (2006) and ISO 14025 (2006). Others, such as prohibition of inventory cutoffs, are impractical. The evaluation of the impact assessment methods proposed in the PEF/OEF Guide showed that the predefined methods for water consumption, land use, and abiotic resources are not adequate because of modeling artefacts, missing inventory data, or incomplete characterization factors. However, the methods for global warming and ozone depletion perform very well. The results of this study are relevant for the PEF (and OEF) pilot phase, which aims at testing the PEF (OEF) methodology (and potentially adapting it) as well as addressing challenges and coping with them. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:417–424. © 2015 SETAC

Key Points

This paper discusses the main differences between the PEF and ISO methodologies and highlights challenges regarding its applicability, with a focus on impact assessment. It is shown that some methodological aspects of the PEF and PEFCR Guides are contradictory to ISO 14044 (2006) and ISO 14025 (2006), and many of these aspects, like the banning of cut-off criteria, seem to be hardly applicable. The evaluation of the impact assessment methods proposed in the PEF Guide showed that the predefined methods for water consumption, land use, and abiotic resources are not adequate due to modeling artefacts, missing inventory data, or incomplete characterization factors. The results of this study are relevant for the PEF (and OEF) pilot phase, which aims at testing the PEF (OEF) methodology (and potentially adapting it), as well as addressing challenges and how to cope with them.
Loss of Gi G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling in Osteoblasts Accelerates Bone Fracture Healing
Authors: Wang Liping , Hsiao Edward C , Lieu Shirley , Scott Mark , O'Carroll Dylan , Urrutia Ashley , Conklin Bruce R , Colnot Celine , Nissenson Robert A
Published: April 2015

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key regulators of skeletal homeostasis and are likely important in fracture healing. Because GPCRs can activate multiple signaling pathways simultaneously, we used targeted disruption of Gi-GPCR or activation of Gs-GPCR pathways to test how each pathway functions in the skeleton. We previously demonstrated that blockade of Gi signaling by pertussis toxin (PTX) transgene expression in maturing osteoblastic cells enhanced cortical and trabecular bone formation and prevented age-related bone loss in female mice. In addition, activation of Gs signaling by expressing the Gs-coupled engineered receptor Rs1 in maturing osteoblastic cells induced massive trabecular bone formation but cortical bone loss. Here, we test our hypothesis that the Gi and Gs pathways also have distinct functions in fracture repair. We applied closed, nonstabilized tibial fractures to mice in which endogenous Gi signaling was inhibited by PTX, or to mice with activated Gs signaling mediated by Rs1. Blockade of endogenous Gi resulted in a smaller callus but increased bone formation in both young and old mice. PTX treatment decreased expression of Dkk1 and increased Lef1 mRNAs during fracture healing, suggesting a role for endogenous Gi signaling in maintaining Dkk1 expression and suppressing Wnt signaling. In contrast, adult mice with activated Gs signaling showed a slight increase in the initial callus size with increased callus bone formation. These results show that Gi blockade and Gs activation of the same osteoblastic lineage cell can induce different biological responses during fracture healing. Our findings also show that manipulating the GPCR/cAMP signaling pathway by selective timing of Gs and Gi-GPCR activation may be important for optimizing fracture repair. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities are not directly involveded in the silicon‐mediated alleviation of ferrous iron toxicity in rice
Authors: Mbonankira Jean Elysée , Coq Sébastien , Vromman Delphine , Lutts Stanley , Nizigiyimana Aloys , Bertin Pierre
Published: April 2015

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the soil and can alleviate several abiotic stresses in many plant species. However, the mechanisms involved in alleviating ferrous iron (Fe2+) toxicity by Si are still largely unknown, and no study has investigated the role of Si on the Fe2+‐induced oxidative stress and antioxidant system in rice. Four cultivars of Asian and African rice (Oryza sativa L. and Oryza glaberrima Steud) were grown for 4 weeks under hydroponic conditions with or without Fe2+ (250 mg Fe2+ L−1) and with or without Si (250 mg SiO2 L−1). The plants that were treated with Fe2+ suffered Fe2+ toxicity, and Si helped to alleviate the toxicity symptoms. The bronzing index and the Fe concentration in the foliar tissue increased in the presence of Fe2+ but decreased significantly with the application of 250 mg SiO2 L−1. The concentration of malonyldialdehyde, that is commonly used as an indicator of oxidative stress, increased in the foliar tissue in the presence of 250 mg Fe2+ L−1 in the nutrient solution. The application of 250 mg SiO2 L−1 in the plant nutrient solution treated with Fe2+ considerably limited the increase of malonyldialdehyde. However, no significant effect of Si application on the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and ascorbate peroxidase) and non‐enzymatic antioxidants (total ascorbate, reduced ascorbate, oxidized ascorbate, and the ratio of the reduced to oxidized forms) was observed in the rice plants that were grown in the presence of Fe2+. These results suggest that Si does not act directly on the antioxidant defense system of rice but reduces the plant Fe2+ concentration, which reduces the oxidative stress.
Impact of land‐use changes on soil hydraulic properties of Calcaric Regosols on the Loess Plateau, NW China
Authors: Yu Miaozi , Zhang Lulu , Xu Xuexuan , Feger Karl‐Heinz , Wang Yanhui , Liu Wenzhao , Schwärzel Kai
Published: April 2015

Vegetation restoration efforts (planting trees and grass) have been effective in controlling soil erosion on the Loess Plateau (NW China). Shifts in land cover result in modifications of soil properties. Yet, whether the hydraulic properties have also been improved by vegetation restoration is still not clear. The objective of this paper was to understand how vegetation restoration alters soil structure and related soil hydraulic properties such as permeability and soil water storage capacity. Three adjacent sites with similar soil texture, soil type, and topography, but different land cover (black locust forest, grassland, and cropland) were selected in a typical small catchment in the middle reaches of the Yellow River (Loess Plateau). Seasonal variation of soil hydraulic properties in topsoil and subsoil were examined. Our study revealed that land‐use type had a significant impact on field‐saturated, near‐saturated hydraulic conductivity, and soil water characteristics. Specifically, conversion from cropland to grass or forests promotes infiltration capacity as a result of increased saturated hydraulic conductivity, air capacity, and macroporosity. Moreover, conversion from cropland to forest tends to promote the creation of mesopores, which increase soil water‐storage capacity. Tillage of cropland created temporarily well‐structured topsoil but compacted subsoil as indicated by low subsoil saturated hydraulic conductivity, air capacity, and plant‐available water capacity. No impact of land cover conversion on unsaturated hydraulic conductivities at suction > 300 cm was found indicating that changes in land cover do not affect functional meso‐ and microporosity. Our work demonstrates that changes in soil hydraulic properties resulting from soil conservation efforts need to be considered when soil conservation measures shall be implemented in water‐limited regions. For ensuring the sustainability of such measures, the impact of soil conversion on water resources and hydrological processes needs to be further investigated.
UPLC‐PDA quantification of chemical constituents of two different varieties (golden and royal) of apple leaves and their antioxidant activity
Authors: Walia Mayanka , Kumar Shiv , Agnihotri Vijai K
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Malus domestica is the most widely cultivated fruit tree and is well known for its therapeutic value. Apple leaves are known to contain phenolic compounds but the nature of these has not been explored to the same extent as in apple fruit. A simple, rapid and sensitive ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (UPLC‐DAD) quantification method has been developed. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidant activity of golden and royal apple leaves were evaluated.

RESULTS

Four compounds, namely rutin, 3‐hydroxyphloridzin, phloridzin and quercetin‐3‐O‐arabinoside were identified by UPLC. The separation was achieved in less than 7 min. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were found to be slightly higher in apple golden variety than royal variety. The IC50 values determined by the DPPH assay were 49.94 µg mL−1 for golden apple leaves and 43.89 µg mL−1 for royal apple leaves. IC50 values determined by the ABTS assay were 47.10 and 66.53 µg mL−1 for golden and royal apple leaves, respectively. Antioxidant activity was determined as 24.45 and 21.15 mg ascorbic acid g−1 for golden and royal apple leaves, respectively, by using the FRAP assay.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that apple leaves (both varieties) contain considerable amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids and are also a promising source of phloridzin. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Survey of Health Care Workers Suggests Unmet Palliative Care Needs in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Fox Siobhan , Gannon Elizabeth , Cashell Alison , Kernohan W. George , Lynch Marie , McGlade Ciara , O'Brien Tony , O'Sullivan Sean S. , Sweeney Catherine , Timmons Suzanne
Published: April 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and previous training of Irish health care workers (HCWs) in palliative care in end‐stage Parkinson's disease (PD). A survey was distributed to HCWs, including neurologists, geriatricians, general practitioners, nurses, and allied health professionals, in acute and community settings in the Republic of Ireland. Three‐hundred and six surveys were returned (32% average response rate). Most HCWs (90%) believed that people with PD have palliative care needs; however, 76% of HCWs also said that these needs are “never” or only “sometimes” met. These unmet needs are reflected in relatively few people with PD being referred to specialist palliative care; 48% of hospital consultants had referred no patients in the previous 6 months, and just 7% had referred more than 10. Just 8% of the HCWs surveyed reported having any training on the palliative care aspects of PD, and 97% expressed an interest in receiving further education. Respondents wanted all topics pertinent to palliative care in PD covered, and many felt that they also needed further information on PD in general. People with PD are seen to have palliative care needs; however, the findings suggest that these needs are not being met. There is a discrepancy between best practice recommendations for palliative care in PD and the beliefs and practices of HCWs. Further education in palliative care in PD is needed to ensure better quality of care for people with PD.
Kaempferol, a dietary flavonoid, ameliorates acute inflammatory and nociceptive symptoms in gastritis, pancreatitis, and abdominal pain
Authors: Kim Shi Hyoung , Park Jae Gwang , Sung Gi‐Ho , Yang Sungjae , Yang Woo Seok , Kim Eunji , Kim Jun Ho , Ha Van Thai , Kim Han Gyung , Yi Young‐Su , Kim Ji Hye , Baek Kwang‐Soo , Sung Nak Yoon , Lee Mi‐nam , Kim Jong‐Hoon , Cho Jae Youl
Published: April 2015

Kaempferol (KF) is the most abundant polyphenol in tea, fruits, vegetables, and beans. However, little is known about its in vivo anti‐inflammatory efficacy and mechanisms of action. To study these, several acute mouse inflammatory and nociceptive models, including gastritis, pancreatitis, and abdominal pain were employed. Kaempferol was shown to attenuate the expansion of inflammatory lesions seen in ethanol (EtOH)/HCl‐ and aspirin‐induced gastritis, LPS/caerulein (CA) triggered pancreatitis, and acetic acid‐induced writhing.
Joint design of large‐tip‐angle parallel RF pulses and blipped gradient trajectories
Authors: Cao Zhipeng , Donahue Manus J. , Ma Jun , Grissom William A.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To design multichannel large‐tip‐angle
‐points and spokes radiofrequency (RF) pulses and gradient waveforms for transmit field inhomogeneity compensation in high field magnetic resonance imaging.

Theory and Methods

An algorithm to design RF subpulse weights and gradient blip areas is proposed to minimize a magnitude least‐squares cost function that measures the difference between realized and desired state parameters in the spin domain, and penalizes integrated RF power. The minimization problem is solved iteratively with interleaved target phase updates, RF subpulse weights updates using the conjugate gradient method with optimal control‐based derivatives, and gradient blip area updates using the conjugate gradient method. Two‐channel parallel transmit simulations and experiments were conducted in phantoms and human subjects at 7 T to demonstrate the method and compare it to small‐tip‐angle‐designed pulses and circularly polarized excitations.

Results

The proposed algorithm designed more homogeneous and accurate 180° inversion and refocusing pulses than other methods. It also designed large‐tip‐angle pulses on multiple frequency bands with independent and joint phase relaxation. Pulses designed by the method improved specificity and contrast‐to‐noise ratio in a finger‐tapping spin echo blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging study, compared with circularly polarized mode refocusing.

Conclusion

A joint RF and gradient waveform design algorithm was proposed and validated to improve large‐tip‐angle inversion and refocusing at ultrahigh field. Magn Reson Med 75:1198–1208, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Solving the two‐facility network design problem with 3‐partition facets
Authors: Hamid Faiz , Agarwal Yogesh K.
Published: April 2015

The article studies the problem of designing telecommunication networks using transmission facilities of two different capacities. The point‐to‐point communication demands are met by installing a mix of facilities of both capacities on the edges to minimize total cost. We consider 3‐partitions of the original graph which results in smaller 3‐node subproblems. The extreme points of this subproblem polyhedron are characterized using a set of propositions. A new approach for computing the facets of the 3‐node subproblem is introduced based on polarity theory. The facets of the subproblem are then translated back to those of the original problem using a generalized version of a previously known theorem. The approach has been tested on several randomly generated and real life networks. The computational results show that the new family of facets significantly strengthen the linear programming formulation and reduce the integrality gap. Also, there is a substantial reduction in the size of the branch‐and‐bound (B&B) tree if these facets are used. Problems as large as 37 nodes and 57 edges have been solved to optimality within a few minutes of computer time. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 66(1), 11–32 2015
A finite element model of shape memory polymer composite beams for space applications
Authors: Bergman D. , Yang B.
Published: April 2015

Structures made of shape memory polymer composite (SMPC), due to their ability to be formed into a desired compact loading shape and then transformed back to their original aperture by means of an applied stimulus, are an ideal solution to deployment problems of large and lightweight space structures. In the literature, there is a wide array of work on constitutive laws and qualitative analyses of SMP materials; dynamic equations and numerical solution methods for SMPC structures have rarely been addressed. In this work, a macroscopic model for the shape fixation and shape recovery processes of SMPC structures and a finite element formulation for relevant numerical solutions are developed. To demonstrate basic concepts, a cantilever SMPC beam is used in the presentation. In the development, a quasi‐static beam model that combines geometric nonlinearity in beam deflection with a temperature‐dependent constitutive law of SMP material is obtained, which is followed by derivation of the dynamic equations of the SMPC beam. Furthermore, several finite element models are devised for numerical solutions, which include both beam and shell elements. Finally, in numerical simulation, the quasi‐static SMPC beam model is used to show the physical behaviors of the SMPC beam in shape fixation and shape recovery. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical synthesis of La1 isolated from the venom of the scorpion Liocheles australasiae and determination of its disulfide bonding pattern
Authors: Nagao Junya , Miyashita Masahiro , Nakagawa Yoshiaki , Miyagawa Hisashi
Published: April 2015

La1 is a 73‐residue cysteine‐rich peptide isolated from the scorpion Liocheles australasiae venom. Although La1 is the most abundant peptide in the venom, its biological function remains unknown. Here, we describe a method for efficient chemical synthesis of La1 using the native chemical ligation (NCL) strategy, in which three peptide components of less than 40 residues were sequentially ligated. The peptide thioester necessary for NCL was synthesized using an aromatic N‐acylurea approach with Fmoc‐SPPS. After completion of sequential NCL, disulfide bond formation was carried out using a dialysis method, in which the linear peptide dissolved in an acidic solution was dialyzed against a slightly alkaline buffer to obtain correctly folded La1. Next, we determined the disulfide bonding pattern of La1. Enzymatic and chemical digests of La1 without reduction of disulfide bonds were analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), which revealed two of four disulfide bond linkages. The remaining two linkages were assigned based on MS/MS analysis of a peptide fragment containing two disulfide bonds. Consequently, the disulfide bonding pattern of La1 was found to be similar to that of a von Willebrand factor type C (VWC) domain. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the experimental determination of the disulfide bonding pattern of peptides having a single VWC domain as well as their chemical synthesis. La1 synthesized in this study will be useful for investigation of its biological role in the venom. Copyright © 2015 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comments on Charron et al.'s three recent articles on deriving dynamically consistent equation sets
Authors: Staniforth Andrew , White Andy
Published: April 2015

Charron and co‐authors propose the preservation of tensor covariance as the criterion for dynamically consistent approximation of the governing equations for global atmospheric and oceanographic flow. Earlier criteria, based on vector differential analysis, involve the preservation of individual conservation properties. Here, the two approaches are compared for the interested, but possibly perplexed, reader. Differences regarding terminology and some consistency issues relating to certain ‘quasi‐shallow’ models are discussed. However, the overall similarity of the results of the two approaches and of the variational approach using Hamilton's principle of least action is evident. Relevant aspects of an approximate global model that uses an analytically tractable ellipsoidal geopotential coordinate system are also discussed.
Gaussian approximation potentials: A brief tutorial introduction
Authors: Bartók Albert P. , Csányi Gábor
Published: April 2015

We present a swift walk‐through of our recent work that uses machine learning to fit interatomic potentials based on quantum mechanical data. We describe our Gaussian approximation potentials (GAP) framework, discuss a variety of descriptors, how to train the model on total energies and derivatives, and the simultaneous use of multiple models of different complexity. We also show a small example using QUIP, the software sandbox implementation of GAP that is available for noncommercial use. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MS3‐based quantitative proteomics using pulsed‐Q dissociation
Authors: Cao Zhiyun , Evans Adam R. , Robinson Renã A. S.
Published: April 2015

Rationale

Isobaric tagging reagents, such as tandem mass tags (TMT) and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ), are high‐throughput methods that allow the analysis of multiple samples simultaneously, which reduces instrument time and error. Accuracy and precision of isobaric tags are limited, however, in tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) acquisition due to co‐isolation and co‐fragmentation of neighboring peptide peaks in precursor scans. Here we present a MS3 method using pulsed‐Q dissociation (PQD) in ion trap and Orbitrap instrumentation as a means to improve ratio distortion and maintain high numbers of identified and quantified proteins.

Methods

Mouse brain protein digests were labeled with TMT‐128, 129, 130, 131 reagents, mixed in the following molar ratios 1:1:2:5, respectively, and analyzed using HCD‐MS3 and PQD‐MS3 methods. The most intense fragment ion (termed as HCD‐MS3‐top ion or PQD‐MS3‐top ion) or y1 ion (i.e., lysine‐TMT tag ion; termed as HCD‐MS3‐y1 or PQD‐MS3‐y1) in collision‐induced dissociation (CID) MS/MS was selected for MS3.

Results

Calculated protein ratios obtained in HCD‐MS3‐top ion and PQD‐MS3‐top ion, HCD‐MS3‐y1, and PQD‐MS3‐y1 are accurate and PQD‐MS3 methods resulted in higher numbers of identified and quantified peptide spectral counts and proteins.

Conclusions

PQD‐MS3 methods increase the amount of MS/MS spectra collected and number of quantified proteins and are accessible to those researchers with not only an orbitrap but also an ion trap mass spectrometer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two fault‐tolerant control problems for multiple‐integrator networks
Authors: Locatelli Arturo , Schiavoni Nicola
Published: April 2015

The paper considers a network of agents with multiple‐integrator internal dynamics, which share partial information on their states according to an arbitrary topology. For this system, two control problems are addressed and solved. The first consists in assigning the dominant closed‐loop poles. The second consists in achieving a specified consensus with arbitrary dominant dynamics. In both cases, the regulator is required to be decentralized, and the controlled network has to result tolerant with respect to faults in the communication apparatuses of the agents. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multifunctional Metal–Organic Frameworks for Photocatalysis
Authors: Wang Sibo , Wang Xinchen
Published: April 2015

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted significant research attention in diverse areas due to their unique physical and chemical characteristics that allow their innovative application in various research fields. Recently, the application of MOFs in heterogeneous photocatalysis for water splitting, CO2 reduction, and organic transformation have emerged, aiming at providing alternative solutions to address the world‐wide energy and environmental problems by taking advantage of the unique porous structure together with ample physicochemical properties of the metal centers and organic ligands in MOFs. In this review, the latest progress in MOF‐involved solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion reactions are summarized according to their different roles in the photoredox chemical systems, e.g., photocatalysts, co‐catalysts, and hosts. The achieved progress and existing problems are evaluated and proposed, and the opportunities and challenges of MOFs and their related materials for their advanced development in photocatalysis are discussed and anticipated.
Employing Tryptone as a General Phase Transfer Agent to Produce Renal Clearable Nanodots for Bioimaging
Authors: Liu Fuyao , He Xiuxia , Zhang Junping , Zhang Huimao , Wang Zhenxin
Published: April 2015

Hydrophobic ultrasmall nanoparticles synthesized in nonpolar solvents exhibit great potential in biomedical applications. However, a major challenge when applying these nanomaterials in biomedical research is the lack of a versatile strategy to render them water dispersible while preserving the hydrodynamic diameter (HD) to be less than 8 nm for efficient renal clearance. To address this problem, tryptone is employed as the novel ligand to fabricate a simple, versatile, and inexpensive strategy for transferring hydrophobic NaGdF4 nanodots (3 nm in diameter) from organic phase into aqueous phase without any complicated organic synthesis. The paramagnetic properties of NaGdF4 nanodots are well retained after the phase transfer process. In particular, the tryptone–NaGdF4 nanodots have ultrasmall HD (ca., 7.5 nm), which greatly improves their tumor accumulation and facilitates renal clearance within 24 h postinjection. The as‐prepared tryptone–NaGdF4 nanodots can also be further functionalized with other molecules for extensively biomedical and bioanalytical applications. Furthermore, the proposed strategy can easily be extended to transfer other types of inorganic nanoparticles from hydrophobic to hydrophilic for facilitating biomedical applications.
Noggin-Mediated Retinal Induction Reveals a Novel Interplay Between Bone Morphogenetic Protein Inhibition, Transforming Growth Factor β, and Sonic Hedgehog Signaling
Authors: Messina Andrea , Lan Lei , Incitti Tania , Bozza Angela , Andreazzoli Massimiliano , Vignali Robert , Cremisi Federico , Bozzi Yuri , Casarosa Simona
Published: April 2015

It has long been known that the depletion of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is one of the key factors necessary for the development of anterior neuroectodermal structures. However, the precise molecular mechanisms that underlie forebrain regionalization are still not completely understood. Here, we show that Noggin1 is involved in the regionalization of anterior neural structures in a dose-dependent manner. Low doses of Noggin1 expand prosencephalic territories, while higher doses specify diencephalic and retinal regions at the expense of telencephalic areas. A similar dose-dependent mechanism determines the ability of Noggin1 to convert pluripotent cells in prosencephalic or diencephalic/retinal precursors, as shown by transplant experiments and molecular analyses. At a molecular level, the strong inhibition of BMP signaling exerted by high doses of Noggin1 reinforces the Nodal/transforming growth factor (TGF)β signaling pathway, leading to activation of Gli1 and Gli2 and subsequent activation of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling. We propose a new role for Noggin1 in determining specific anterior neural structures by the modulation of TGFβ and SHH signaling. Stem Cells  2015;33:2496–2508
Effect of Visceral Obesity on Surgical Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Park Byung Kwan , Park Ji Won , Ryoo Seung‐Bum , Jeong Seung‐Yong , Park Kyu Joo , Park Jae‐Gahb
Published: April 2015

Background

Visceral obesity has been known to be more pathogenic than body mass index (BMI). There have been a few reports about the association between visceral obesity and surgical outcomes in laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of visceral obesity on surgical outcomes undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Methods

Between January 2005 and December 2012, a total of 543 patients who underwent laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer and had available computed tomography (CT) scans were included in this retrospective study. Visceral fat volumes (VFVs) were measured in preoperative CT scans from S1 to 12.5 cm above. Patients were divided into an obese group and a non‐obese group according to VFV and BMI. Obesity was defined by VFV ≥1.92 dm3 (75 % value of VFV) or BMI ≥25 kg/m2.

Results

There were 136 (25.0 %) and 150 (27.6 %) obese patients according to VFV and BMI, respectively. The high VFV group had a longer operative times (165.2 ±  84.4 vs. 146.1  ±  58.9 min; P = 0.016), higher blood loss during surgery (132.5  ±  144.8 vs. 98.3  ±  109.6 ml; P = 0.012), more frequent conversion to laparotomy (5.9 vs. 1.5 %; P = 0.010), and more frequent major complications (Dindo score ≥3; 11.0 vs. 4.7 %; P  =  0.008), whereas there was no significant difference between the high and low BMI groups. High VFV was a significant independent risk factor for open conversion (odds ratio 4.964, 95 % confidence interval 1.336–18.438, P = 0.017).

Conclusions

Visceral obesity can be a more clinically useful predictor than BMI in predicting surgical outcomes for laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.