bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of thermal parameters of Triassic, Permian and Carboniferous sedimentary rocks in central Poland
Authors: Sowiżdżał Anna , Kaczmarczyk Michał
Published: August 2014

The paper shows thermal tests results (thermal conductivity, specific heat) carried out during the research project to recognize the potential of hot dry rocks for heat and electricity production in Poland. Analysis of such parameters of the rock medium has fundamental significance in search of structures for location of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Analyses of thermal conductivity as well as specific heat determine the possibility of effective extraction of heat from hot rock formations and its efficient transfer to the land surface. Reservoir rock should be characterized by the lowest possible porosity and permeability, and the highest possible thermal conductivity. In order to recognize reservoir parameters of rocks that form potential reservoirs for EGS, 300 samples of sedimentary rocks were taken from 11 wells located in central Poland. For samples, sizes of which enabled measurement of thermal parameters, tests of thermal conductivity and specific heat were carried out. Independently, measurements of porosity were made. The porosity magnitude determines values of measured thermal parameters. Measurements of thermal conductivity of rocks were made for 24 samples collected from Triassic, Permian and Carboniferous deposits in six wells. Measurements of specific heat on rock samples were made for 20 rock samples. Among sedimentary rocks, principally sandstones and limestones with reservoir parameters favourable for this type of systems are considered to be petrogeothermal reservoirs and are often characterized by favourable thermal parameters for EGS. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regional regression models for hydro‐climate change impact assessment
Authors: Gyawali Rabi , Griffis Veronica W. , Watkins David W. , Fennessey Neil M.
Published: August 2014

Hydro‐climatic impacts in water resources systems are typically assessed by forcing a hydrologic model with outputs from general circulation models (GCMs) or regional climate models. The challenges of this approach include maintaining a consistent energy budget between climate and hydrologic models and also properly calibrating and verifying the hydrologic models. Subjective choices of loss, flow routing, snowmelt and evapotranspiration computation methods also increase watershed modelling uncertainty and thus complicate impact assessment. An alternative approach, particularly appealing for ungauged basins or locations where record lengths are short, is to predict selected streamflow quantiles directly from meteorological variable output from climate models using regional regression models that also include physical basin characteristics. In this study, regional regression models are developed for the western Great Lakes states using ordinary least squares and weighted least squares techniques applied to selected Great Lakes watersheds. Model inputs include readily available downscaled GCM outputs from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 3. The model results provide insights to potential model weaknesses, including comparatively low runoff predictions from continuous simulation models that estimate potential evapotranspiration using temperature proxy information and comparatively high runoff projections from regression models that do not include temperature as an explanatory variable. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A preclinical mouse model of glioma with an alternative mechanism of telomere maintenance (ALT)
Authors: Jeitany Maya , Pineda Jose Ramon , Liu Qingyuan , Porreca Rosa Maria , Hoffschir Françoise , Desmaze Chantal , Silvestre David C. , Mailliet Patrick , Junier Marie‐Pierre , Londoño‐Vallejo Arturo , Ségal‐Bendirdjian Evelyne , Chneiweiss Hervé , Boussin François D.
Published: August 2014

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system. Glioma stem cells (GSCs), a small population of tumor cells with stem‐like properties, are supposedly responsible for glioblastoma multiforme relapse after current therapies. In approximately thirty percent of glioblastoma multiforme tumors, telomeres are not maintained by telomerase but through an alternative mechanism, termed alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT), suggesting potential interest in developing specific therapeutic strategies. However, no preclinical model of ALT glioma was available until the isolation of TG20 cells from a human ALT glioma. Herein, we show that TG20 cells exhibit a high level of telomeric recombination but a stable karyotype, indicating that their telomeres retain their protective function against chromosomal instability. TG20 cells possess all of the characteristic features of GSCs: the expression of neural stem cell markers, the generation of intracerebral tumors in NOD‐SCID‐IL2Rγ (NSG) mice as well as in nude mice, and the ability to sustain serial intracerebral transplantations without expressing telomerase, demonstrating the stability of the ALT phenotype in vivo. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that 360B, a G‐quadruplex ligand of the pyridine derivative series that impairs telomere replication and mitotic progression in cancer cells, prevents the development of TG20 tumors. Together, our results show that intracerebral grafts of TG20 cells in immunodeficient mice constitute an efficient preclinical model of ALT glioblastoma multiforme and that G‐quadruplex ligands are a potential therapy for this specific type of tumor.
A three‐gene panel that distinguishes benign from malignant thyroid nodules
Authors: Zheng Bing , Liu Jun , Gu Jianlei , Lu Yao , Zhang Wei , Li Min , Lu Hui
Published: August 2014

Reliable preoperative diagnosis of malignant thyroid tumors remains challenging because of the inconclusive cytological examination of fine‐needle aspiration biopsies. Although numerous studies have successfully demonstrated the use of high‐throughput molecular diagnostics in cancer prediction, the application of microarrays in routine clinical use remains limited. Our aim was, therefore, to identify a small subset of genes to develop a practical and inexpensive diagnostic tool for clinical use. We developed a two‐step feature selection method composed of a linear models for microarray data (LIMMA) linear model and an iterative Bayesian model averaging model to identify a suitable gene set signature. Using one public dataset for training, we discovered a three‐gene signature dipeptidyl‐peptidase 4 (DPP4), secretogranin V (SCG5) and carbonic anhydrase XII (CA12). We then evaluated the robustness of our gene set using three other independent public datasets. The gene signature accuracy was 85.7, 78.8 and 85.7%, respectively. For experimental validation, we collected 70 thyroid samples from surgery and our three‐gene signature method achieved an accuracy of 94.3% by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) experiment. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry in 29 samples showed proteins expressed by these three genes are also differentially expressed in thyroid samples. Our protocol discovered a robust three‐gene signature that can distinguish benign from malignant thyroid tumors, which will have daily clinical application.
Plasma carotenoids, vitamin C, retinol and tocopherols levels and pancreatic cancer risk within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition: A nested case–control study
Authors: Jeurnink Suzanne M. , Ros Martine M. , Leenders Max , van Duijnhoven Franzel J.B. , Siersema Peter D. , Jansen Eugene H.J.M. , van Gils Carla H. , Bakker Marije F. , Overvad Kim , Roswall Nina , Tjønneland Anne , Boutron‐Ruault Marie‐Christine , Racine Antoine , Cadeau Claire , Grote Verena , Kaaks Rudolf , Aleksandrova Krasimira , Boeing Heiner , Trichopoulou Antonia , Benetou Vasiliki , Valanou Elisavet , Palli Domenico , Krogh Vittorio , Vineis Paolo , Tumino Rosario , Mattiello Amalia , Weiderpass Elisabete , Skeie Guri , Castaño José María Huerta , Duell Eric J. , Barricarte Aurelio , Molina‐Montes Esther , Argüelles Marcial , Dorronsoro Mire , Johansen Dorthe , Lindkvist Björn , Sund Malin , Crowe Francesca L. , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Jenab Mazda , Fedirko Veronika , Riboli E. , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H. B(as)
Published: August 2014

Evidence of a protective effect of several antioxidants and other nutrients on pancreatic cancer risk is inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association for prediagnostic plasma levels of carotenoids, vitamin C, retinol and tocopherols with risk of pancreatic cancer in a case–control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). 446 incident exocrine pancreatic cancer cases were matched to 446 controls by age at blood collection, study center, sex, date and time of blood collection, fasting status and hormone use. Plasma carotenoids (α‐ and β‐carotene, lycopene, β‐cryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein), α‐ and γ‐tocopherol and retinol were measured by reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography and plasma vitamin C by a colorimetric assay. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for pancreatic cancer risk were estimated using a conditional logistic regression analysis, adjusted for smoking status, smoking duration and intensity, waist circumference, cotinine levels and diabetes status. Inverse associations with pancreatic cancer risk were found for plasma β‐carotene (IRR highest vs. lowest quartile 0.52, 95%CI 0.31–0.88, p for trend = 0.02), zeaxanthin (IRR highest vs. lowest quartile 0.53, 95%CI 0.30–0.94, p for trend = 0.06) and α‐tocopherol (IRR highest vs. lowest quartile 0.62, 95%CI 0.39–0.99, p for trend = 0.08. For α‐ and β‐carotene, lutein, sum of carotenoids and γ‐tocopherol, heterogeneity between geographical regions was observed. In conclusion, our results show that higher plasma concentrations of β‐carotene, zeaxanthin and α‐tocopherol may be inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, but further studies are warranted.
Cytokines in single layer amnion allografts compared to multilayer amnion/chorion allografts for wound healing
Authors: Koob Thomas J. , Lim Jeremy J. , Zabek Nicole , Massee Michelle
Published: August 2014

Human amniotic membrane allografts have proven effective at improving healing of cutaneous wounds. The mechanism of action for these therapeutic effects is poorly understood but is thought to involve the resident growth factors present in near term amniotic tissue. To determine the relative cytokine contribution of the amnion and chorion in amniotic allografts, the content of 18 cytokines involved in wound healing were measured in samples of PURION® Processed dehydrated amnion, chorion, and amnion/chorion membrane (dHACM) grafts by multiplex enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay array. Both amnion and chorion contained similar amounts of each factor when normalized per dry weight; however, when calculated per surface area of tissue applied to a wound, amnion contained on average only 25% as much of each factor as the chorion. Therefore, an allograft containing both amnion and chorion would contain four to five times more cytokine than a single layer amnion allograft alone. Both single layer amnion and multilayer allografts containing amnion and chorion are currently marketed for wound repair. To examine the role of tissue processing technique in cytokine retention, cytokine contents in representative dehydrated single layer wound care products were measured. The results demonstrated that cytokine content varied significantly among the allografts tested, and that PURION® Processed single layer amnion grafts contained more cytokines than other single layer products. These results suggest that PURION® Processed dHACM contains substantially more cytokines than single layer amnion products, and therefore dHACM may be more effective at delivering growth factors to a healing wound than amnion alone. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 1133–1140, 2015.
Properties and fibroblast cellular response of soft and hard thermoplastic polyurethane electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds
Authors: Mi Hao‐Yang , Jing Xin , Salick Max R. , Cordie Travis M. , Peng Xiang‐Fang , Turng Lih‐Sheng
Published: August 2014

Soft and hard thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and their blends were electrospun to fabricate nanofibrous scaffolds with various properties in order to investigate the substrate property effects on cellular response. The scaffolds were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle tests, and protein absorption tests. It was found that the hard segment content in the scaffold increased with the hard TPU ratio, which resulted in improved hydrophobicity and decreased over all protein absorption. 3T3 fibroblasts were cultured on those scaffolds to investigate the cellular response. On soft TPU scaffolds, the cells formed were round in shape and aggregated into clusters. However, on hard TPU scaffolds, the cells exhibited a spindle shape and spread out on the scaffolds, indicating preferred cell–substrate interaction. The cell viability and proliferation of cells on hard scaffolds were higher than on soft scaffolds and on 50% hard/50% soft scaffolds. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 960–970, 2015.
Enhanced osteogenic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells on electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds prepared from eri‐tasar silk fibroin
Authors: Panda Niladri nath , Biswas Amit , Pramanik Krishna , Jonnalagadda Sriramakamal
Published: August 2014

This study evaluated the mechanical properties and osteogenic potential of a silk fibroin scaffold prepared from a 70:30 blend of Eri (Philosamia ricini) and Tasar (Antheraea mylitta) silk, respectively (ET scaffolds). An electrospinning process was used to prepare uniformly blended, fibrous scaffolds of nanoscale dimensions, as confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (fiber diameter < 300 nm). Similarly prepared scaffolds derived from gelatin and Bombyx mori (BM) silk fibroin were used as controls. Mechanical testing and atomic force microscopy showed that the ET scaffolds had significantly higher tensile strength (1.83 ± 0.13 MPa) and surface roughness (0.44 μm) compared with BM (1.47 ± 0.10 MPa; 0.37 μm) and gelatin scaffolds (0.6 ± 0.07 MPa; 0.28 μm). All scaffolds were exposed to mesenchymal stem cells isolated to human chord blood (hMSCs) for up to 28 days in vitro. Alamar blue and alkaline phosphatase assay showed greater attachment and proliferation for both ET and BM scaffolds compared with gelatin. The ET scaffolds also promoted greater differentiation of the attached hMSCs as evidenced by higher expression of RunX2, osteocalcin, and CD29/CD44 expression. ET scaffolds also showed significantly higher mineralization, as evidenced by glycosaminoglycan assay, alizarin red staining, and elemental analysis of crystalline composites isolated from the scaffolds. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 971–982, 2015.
Postdischarge problems identified by telephone calls to an advice line
Authors: Stella Sarah A. , Allyn Rebecca , Keniston Angela , Johnston Laura B. , Burden Marisha , Bogdan Gregory M. , Savoie Christine , Albert Richard K.
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

Problems experienced after hospital discharge can result in rehospitalizations and unscheduled urgent and emergent care.

OBJECTIVE

To identify opportunities for improving discharge processes by examining calls to an advice line (AL).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort.

SETTING

A 500‐bed, university‐affiliated hospital.

PATIENTS

Patients who called an AL between September 1, 2011 and September 1, 2012 and reported being hospitalized within 30 days.

INTERVENTION

None

MEASUREMENTS

Caller characteristics, timing of calls, nature of reported problems.

RESULTS

Over 1 year the AL received calls from 308 unique patients who were hospitalized or had outpatient surgery within 30 days preceding the call. Thirty‐one percent and 47% of calls occurred within 24 or 48 hours of discharge, respectively. Sixty‐three percent came from surgery patients despite surgery patients accounting for only 38% of the discharges. The most common issues were uncontrolled pain, questions about medications, and aftercare instructions (eg, the care of surgical wounds). The rates of 30‐day readmissions and urgent or emergent care visits were higher for patients who called the AL than for those who did not (15% vs 4% and 30% vs 7%, respectively, both P < 0.0001), but sample sizes were too small to accommodate robust matching or multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Problems described in calls by patients to an AL identified several aspects of our discharge processes that needed improvement. Patients calling an AL following discharge may be at increased risk for 30‐day rehospitalization and urgent or emergent care visits. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:695–699. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Differences in hyperpolarized 3He ventilation imaging after 4 years in adults with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Paulin Gregory A. , Svenningsen Sarah , Jobse Brian N. , Mohan Sindu , Kirby Miranda , Lewis James F. , Parraga Grace
Published: August 2014

Purpose

To evaluate cystic fibrosis (CF) subjects over 4 years using 3He magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), pulmonary function tests, and track hospitalization and physician visits.

Materials and Methods

Five CF adults provided written informed consent to an approved protocol and underwent MRI, spirometry, and plethysmography at baseline, 7 days, and 4 ± 1 years later. 3He MRI ventilation defect percent (VDP) was generated for all subjects and timepoints.

Results

After 4 years, mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second / forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) was lower (P = 0.01) in all subjects and there were no other pulmonary function test changes. Two CF adults showed significantly elevated (worse) 3He VDP at baseline and after 4 years they had significantly greater (worsened) VDP (P = 0.02), without a significant FEV1 decline (P = 0.06) but with a greater number of exacerbations (P < 0.05). Baseline VDP strongly correlated with FEV1 (r2 = 0.98, P = 0.0007) at 4‐year follow‐up.

Conclusion

For two CF subjects, VDP was significantly worse at baseline and worsened over 4 years, which was in agreement with a greater number of hospitalizations and clinic visits. These results are limited by the very small sample size, but the strong VDP correlation with longitudinal changes in FEV1 generates the hypothesis that abnormal VDP may temporally precede FEV1 decline in CF subjects; this must be tested in a larger CF study. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1701–1707. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chromatographic analysis of some drugs employed in erectile dysfunction therapy: Qualitative and quantitative studies using calixarene stationary phase
Authors: Hashem Hisham , Ibrahim Adel Ehab , Elhenawee Magda
Published: August 2014

In this study, the effect of change in chromatographic process variables on the retention behavior of four drugs employed in erectile dysfunction therapy on a calixarene stationary phase is described. Three of these drugs are known to treat erectile dysfunction, namely, sildenafil citrate, tadalafil, and apomorphine hydrochloride, and one drug that is used as opioid analgesic, tramadol hydrochloride, which is quiet widely misused to treat premature ejaculation. The results indicate the importance of considering the structure and pKa values of drugs to be separated along with mobile phase composition. A new optimized, rapid, and accurate liquid chromatography method is also established for simultaneous determination of sildenafil citrate, tadalafil, and apomorphine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations and bulk powders. The chromatographic separation of the three pharmaceuticals was achieved on a calixarene column in less than 10 min using a binary mobile phase of 35% acetonitrile and 65% 50 mM sodium perchlorate pH2.5 at 1 mL/min flow rate. The method was validated for system efficiency, linearity, accuracy, precision, limits of detection and quantitation, specificity, stability, and robustness. Statistical analysis proved that the method enabled reproducible and selective quantification of all three analytes in bulk drugs and in pharmaceutical preparations.
Molecularly imprinted spin column extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography for the selective and simple determination of trace nitrophenols in water samples
Authors: Jing Tao , Zhou Yusun , Wu Wei , Liu Min , Zhou Yikai , Mei Surong
Published: August 2014

In this study, we developed a simple and selective spin column extraction technology utilizing hydrophilic molecularly imprinted polymers as the sorbents for extracting nitrophenol pollutants in water samples (the East Lake, the Yangtze River, and wastewater). The whole procedure was achieved by centrifugation of the spin column, and multiple samples were simultaneously processed with a low volume of solvent and without evaporation. Under the optimized condition, recoveries of nitrophenol compounds on the spin column packed with hydrophilic molecularly imprinted polymers ranged from 87.3 to 92.9% and an excellent purification effect was obtained. Compared with activated carbon, multi‐walled carbon nanotubes, LC‐C18 sorbents, hydrophilic molecularly imprinted polymers exhibited a highly selective recognition ability for nitrophenol compounds and satisfactory sample extraction efficiency. Subsequently, the spin column extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography was established, which was found to be linear in the range of 2–1000 ng/mL for 2,4‐dinitropehnol and 2‐nitrophenol, and 6–1000 ng/mL for 4‐nitrophenol with correlation coefficients greater than 0.998. The detection limits ranged from 0.3–0.5 ng/mL. It is shown that the proposed method can be used for the determination of trace nitrophenol pollutants in complex samples, which is not only beneficial for water quality analysis but also for environmental risk assessment.
Photochemical internalization (PCI)‐mediated enhancement of bleomycin cytotoxicity by liposomal mTHPC formulations in human head and neck cancer cells
Authors: Peng Wei , Samplonius Douwe F. , de Visscher Sebastiaan , Roodenburg Jan. L. N. , Helfrich Wijnand , Witjes Max J.H.
Published: August 2014

Background and Objective

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with photosensitizers that locate in endocytic vesicles of cancer cells can be exploited to promote the intracellular release of anticancer drugs entrapped in endolysosomal vesicles. This new approach is commonly referred to as Photochemical Internalization (PCI). Here we report on the PCI effects of three different formulations (Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg) of the clinically approved photosensitizer, meta‐tetrahydroxyphenyl chlorin (mTHPC) on the anticancer drug bleomycin (BLM) in the head and neck cancer cell lines.

Materials and Methods

Uptake and localization of Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg in head and neck cancer cells were evaluated by fluorescence spectrophotometry and fluorescence microscopy. Photodynamic efficacy of Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg were compared with cell proliferation assay. Moreover, PCI effects of Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg on BLM were compared using protocols in which PDT was applied after or before BLM treatment.

Results

Cellular uptake of Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg increased in a dose‐dependent fashion with consistent higher uptakes of Foslip and Fospeg than Foscan. Fluorescence microscopy showed diffuse intracellular localization pattern for Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg similar to that of a specific ER probe. However, the subcellular localization pattern of the Rhodamine‐labelled same type of pegylated liposomes as Fospeg was similar to that of a specific endolysosomal probe, suggesting that Fospeg uptake appeared to initially proceed via endolysosomal trafficking. Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg showed no apparent PCI‐mediated cytotoxicity when PDT was performed after BLM treatment. However, significantly increased cytotoxicity of BLM (P < 0.05) was observed for both Foslip and Fospeg when PDT was performed before BLM treatment. The observed differences of PCI‐mediated cytotoxicity between these two timing protocols appears to be related to the differential intracellular trafficking and localization of Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg.

Conclusion

Liposomal formulations of mTHPC may be candidates for developing mTHPC‐based PCI protocols to enhance the efficacy of anticancer drugs entrapped in endolysosomal vesicles. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:650–658, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The C‐terminus of nisin is important for the ABC transporter NisFEG to confer immunity in Lactococcus lactis
Authors: AlKhatib Zainab , Lagedroste Marcel , Zaschke Julia , Wagner Manuel , Abts André , Fey Iris , Kleinschrodt Diana , Smits Sander H. J.
Published: August 2014

The lantibiotic nisin is a small 3.4 kDa antimicrobial peptide, which acts against Gram‐positive bacteria in the nmol/L range. Nisin is produced and secreted by several Lactococcus lactis strains to ensure advantages against other bacteria in their habitat. Nisin contains five specific lanthionine rings of which the first two are important for Lipid II binding and the last two are crucial for the pore formation in the membrane. To gain immunity against nisin, the producing strain is expressing an ABC transporter called NisFEG, which expels nisin from the membrane. As a result six to eightfold more nisin is needed to affect the cells. The hydrolysis of ATP by NisFEG is required for this immunity as shown by a mutant, where the ATP hydrolysis is disrupted (NisFH181AEG). Furthermore, NisFEG recognizes the C‐terminus of nisin, since deletion of the last six amino acids as well as of the last ring lowered the fold of immunity displayed by NisFEG.
Cluster‐determinant 36 (CD36) impacts on vitamin E postprandial response
Authors: Goncalves Aurélie , Roi Stéphanie , Nowicki Marion , Niot Isabelle , Reboul Emmanuelle
Published: August 2014

Scope

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the cluster determinant 36 (CD36) gene has recently been associated with plasma α‐tocopherol concentration, suggesting a possible role of this protein in vitamin E intestinal absorption or tissue uptake.

Methods and results

To investigate the involvement of CD36 in vitamin E transport, we first evaluated the effect of CD36 on α‐ and γ‐tocopherol transmembrane uptake and efflux using transfected HEK cells. γ‐Tocopherol postprandial response was then assessed in CD36‐deficient mice compared with wild‐type mice, after the mice had been fully characterized for their α‐tocopherol, vitamin A and lipid plasma, and tissue contents. Both α‐ and γ‐tocopherol uptake was significantly increased in cells overexpressing CD36 compared with control cells. Compared with wild‐type mice, CD36‐deficient mice displayed a significantly decreased cholesterol hepatic concentration, and males exhibited significantly higher triacylglycerol contents in liver, brain, heart, and muscle. Although tissue α‐tocopherol concentration after adjustment for lipid content was not modified, γ‐tocopherol postprandial response was significantly increased in CD36‐deficient mice compared with controls, likely reflecting the postprandial hypertriglyceridemia observed in these mice.

Conclusion

Our findings show for the first time that CD36 participates—directly or indirectly—in vitamin E uptake, and that CD36 effect on postprandial lipid metabolism in turn modifies vitamin E postprandial response.
Consumption of selenium‐enriched broccoli increases cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated ex vivo, a preliminary human intervention study
Authors: Bentley‐Hewitt Kerry L. , Chen Ronan K.‐Y. , Lill Ross E. , Hedderley Duncan I. , Herath Thanuja D. , Matich Adam J. , McKenzie Marian J.
Published: August 2014

Scope

Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient essential for human health, including immune function. Previous research indicates that Se supplementation may cause a shift from T helper (Th)1‐ to Th2‐type immune responses. We aim to test the potential health promoting effects of Se‐enriched broccoli.

Methods and results

In a human trial, 18 participants consumed control broccoli daily for 3 days. After a 3‐day wash‐out period, the participants were provided with Se‐enriched broccoli containing 200 μg of Se per serving for 3 days. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were collected at the start and end of each broccoli feeding period for analysis of total Se and measurement of cytokine production from PBMC stimulated with antigens ex vivo. Plasma Se content remained consistent throughout the control broccoli feeding period and the baseline of the Se‐enriched broccoli period (1.22 μmol/L) and then significantly increased following 3 days of Se‐enriched broccoli feeding. Interleukin (IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, and IL‐22) production from PBMC significantly increased after 3 days of Se‐enriched broccoli feeding compared with baseline.

Conclusion

This study indicates that consumption of Se‐enriched broccoli may increase immune responses toward a range of immune challenges.
Virtual topography: A fictitious domain approach for analyzing free‐surface irregularities in large‐scale earthquake ground motion simulation
Authors: Restrepo Doriam , Bielak Jacobo
Published: August 2014

This paper presents a numerical scheme based on a fictitious domain framework for the numerical modeling of earthquake‐induced ground motion in the presence of realistic surface topography of the Earth's crust. We show that by adopting a non‐conforming octree‐based meshing approach associated with a virtual representation of the surficial irregularity, we can obtain accurate representations of ground motion. From the computational point of view, our methodology proves to be also efficient, and more importantly, it allows us to preserve the salient features of multi‐resolution cubic‐shaped finite elements for wave propagation applications. We implemented the non‐conforming meshing scheme for the treatment of realistic topographies into Hercules, the octree‐based finite‐element earthquake simulator developed by the Quake Group at Carnegie Mellon University. We tested the benefits of the strategy by benchmarking its results against reference examples, and by means of numerical error estimate analyses. Our qualitative and quantitative comparisons showed a close agreement between our numerical results and the reference results, and also, that the order of convergence of the displacement field is preserved in the presence of surface topography. Moreover, this performance was obtained by using the same mesh refinement techniques with cubic elements as in traditional flat free‐surface simulations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of intensive lifestyle intervention and gastric bypass on aortic stiffness: A 1‐year nonrandomized clinical study
Authors: Gjevestad Espen , Hjelmesæth Jøran , Sandbu Rune , Nordstrand Njord
Published: August 2014

Objective

To compare the long‐term effects of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (GBS) and intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) on aortic stiffness.

Methods

Nonrandomized clinical trial. Aortic stiffness was assessed by carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) using high‐fidelity applanation tonometry.

Results

A total of 159 treatment‐seeking morbidly obese patients were included, 82 (54 females) in the GBS‐group and 77 (48 females) in the ILI‐group. Participants in the GBS‐group were younger (42.0 ± 9.9 vs. 46.4 ± 10.5 years), heavier (BMI 45.7 ± 5.3 vs. 42.0 ± 4.9 kg/m2), and had lower systolic pressure (137 ± 19 vs. 145 ± 18 mm Hg) and pulse pressure (57 ± 16 vs. 65 ± 17 mm Hg), all P ≤ 0.006. Mean (SD) cfPWV at baseline was 8.6 ± 1.7 m/s in the GBS‐group and 8.6 ± 1.9 m/s in the ILI‐group, P = 0.959. At follow‐up, mean (95% CI) weight loss was larger in the GBS‐group than in the ILI‐group −43.3 (−46.0 to −40.7) vs. −12.1 (−14.6 to −9.6) kg, P < 0.001. The mean change in cfPWV was −0.02 (−0.31 to 0.27) m/s in the GBS‐group and 0.03 (−0.28 to 0.33) m/s in the ILI‐group, both P ≥ 0.412; adjusted between‐group difference (ANCOVA) 0.05 (−0.40 to 0.49) m/s, P = 0.836. The adjusted regression analysis showed that weight loss was associated with increased cfPWV in the GBS‐group.

Conclusions

GBS and ILI had no significant long‐term effects on aortic stiffness in treatment‐seeking morbidly obese individuals.
Differential PI3K signal transduction in obesity‐associated cardiac hypertrophy and response to ischemia
Authors: Unsöld Bernhard , Bremen Eva , Didié Michael , Hasenfuss Gerd , Schäfer Katrin
Published: August 2014

Objective

Elevated insulin and inflammatory cytokine levels in obesity may chronically activate signaling pathways regulating cardiac growth and contractility. Our aim was to examine the effect of obesity on cardiac PI3K isoform and Akt activation during left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and heart failure.

Methods

Wild‐type mice were fed normal chow or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 2, 4, or 6 months. A subset of mice was subjected to chronic myocardial ischemia (MI).

Results

Echocardiography revealed a progressive increase in LV mass, wall thickness, and diameters in obese mice. Systolic pump function was not impaired. Increased cardiac levels of PI3Kγ, phosphorylated Akt, GSK3β, and Epac were observed after HFD for 2 months but gradually declined and were normal or reduced after 6 months, paralleled by elevated PP2A and SOCS3 levels. MI resulted in heart failure, independent of obesity, but compensatory LV hypertrophy was absent in obese mice. Histochemical analyses revealed similar increases in cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis in lean and obese mice.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that activation of Akt initially contributes to cardiac hypertrophy and that chronic metabolic and inflammatory stimulation and overexpression of inhibitory mediators decrease PI3Kγ‐mediated Akt signaling and blunt compensatory hypertrophy after MI.
Stabilization and functionalization of single‐walled carbon nanotubes with polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymers for applications in aqueous media
Authors: Popp Brian V. , Miles Dillon H. , Smith Jake A. , Fong Irene M. , Pasquali Matteo , Ball Zachary T.
Published: August 2014

In spite of their useful electronic and mechanical properties, the utility of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) is limited by their inherent insolubility in aqueous environments and the difficulty in functionalizing the material while retaining opto‐electric properties. In this article, the synthesis of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) copolymers for wrapping SWNTs is described. Studies include the effect of polymer composition and charge on SWNT stability in aqueous solution and the variation of the stability of wrapped SWNTs during high‐dilution conditions using dialysis studies. Finally, the PVP‐copolymer strategy is used to create polymer wrappers with functional handles for the incorporation of useful chemical functionality. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 337–343
Design of high‐χ block copolymers for lithography
Authors: Durand William J. , Blachut Gregory , Maher Michael J. , Sirard Stephen , Tein Summer , Carlson Matthew C. , Asano Yusuke , Zhou Sunshine X. , Lane Austin P. , Bates Christopher M. , Ellison Christopher J. , Willson C. Grant
Published: August 2014

This report describes the design and synthesis of a series of lamella‐forming, silicon‐containing block copolymers (Si‐BCPs) and evaluation of these materials as potential candidates for lithographic applications. The interaction parameter χ of each Si‐BCP is measured by both the mean‐field theory predicted order‐disorder transition and by analysis of X‐ray scattering profiles. The introduction of more‐polar methoxy and less‐polar methylsilyl moieties increases χ to about 2–3 times that of the reference material, poly(styrene‐block−4‐trimethylsilylstyrene). The incremental increases appear to be essentially additive in this family of block copolymers, suggesting that improvements in χ can be predicted from appropriate monomer choice. Perpendicularly oriented thin‐films of the ordered Si‐BCPs generated by thermally annealing between two “neutral” polymeric surfaces and developed by etching on commercial RIE equipment show excellent image fidelity. These images demonstrate the excellent etch contrast of the Si‐BCPs and document improvements in pattern fidelity that are realized with more strongly segregated BCPs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 344–352
Iron inhibits Escherichia coli topoisomerase I activity by targeting the first two zinc‐binding sites in the C‐terminal domain
Authors: Wang Wu , Su Xiaolu , Wang Xiaobing , Yang Juanjuan , Zhang Ting , Wang Maofeng , Wan Rugen , Tan Guoqiang , Lu Jianxin
Published: August 2014

Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase I (TopA) contains a 67 kDa N‐terminal catalytic domain and a 30 kDa C‐terminal zinc‐binding region (ZD domain) which has three adjacent tetra‐cysteine zinc‐binding motifs. Previous studies have shown that E. coli TopA can bind both iron and zinc, and that iron binding in TopA results in failure to unwind the negatively supercoiled DNA. Here, we report that each E. coli TopA monomer binds one atom of iron via the first two zinc‐binding motifs in ZD domain and both the first and second zinc‐binding motifs are required for iron binding in TopA. The site‐directed mutagenesis studies further reveal that while the mutation of the third zinc‐binding motif has very little effect on TopA's activity, mutation of the first two zinc‐binding motifs in TopA greatly diminishes the topoisomerase activity in vitro and in vivo, indicating that the first two zinc‐binding motifs in TopA are crucial for its function. The DNA‐binding activity assay and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence measurements show that iron binding in TopA may decrease the single‐stranded (ss) DNA‐binding activity of ZD domain and also change the protein structure of TopA, which subsequently modulate topoisomerase activity.
High‐resolution crystal structures of the photoreceptor glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) with three and four‐bound NAD molecules
Authors: Baker Bo Y. , Shi Wuxian , Wang Benlian , Palczewski Krzysztof
Published: August 2014

Glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) catalyzes the oxidative phosphorylation of d‐glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate (G3P) into 1,3‐diphosphoglycerate (BGP) in the presence of the NAD cofactor. GAPDH is an important drug target because of its central role in glycolysis, and nonglycolytic processes such as nuclear RNA transport, DNA replication/repair, membrane fusion and cellular apoptosis. Recent studies found that GAPDH participates in the development of diabetic retinopathy and its progression after the cessation of hyperglycemia. Here, we report two structures for native bovine photoreceptor GAPDH as a homotetramer with differing occupancy by NAD, bGAPDH(NAD)4, and bGAPDH(NAD)3. The bGAPDH(NAD)4 was solved at 1.52 Å, the highest resolution for GAPDH. Structural comparison of the bGAPDH(NAD)4 and bGAPDH(NAD)3 models revealed novel details of conformational changes induced by cofactor binding, including a loop region (residues 54–56). Structure analysis of bGAPDH confirmed the importance of Phe34 in NAD binding, and demonstrated that Phe34 was stabilized in the presence of NAD but displayed greater mobility in its absence. The oxidative state of the active site Cys149 residue is regulated by NAD binding, because this residue was found oxidized in the absence of dinucleotide. The distance between Cys149 and His176 decreased upon NAD binding and Cys149 remained in a reduced state when NAD was bound. These findings provide an important structural step for understanding the mechanism of GAPDH activity in vision and its pathological role in retinopathies.
Understanding the apparent stator‐rotor connections in the rotary ATPase family using coarse‐grained computer modeling
Authors: Richardson Robin A. , Papachristos Konstantinos , Read Daniel J. , Harlen Oliver G. , Harrison Michael , Paci Emanuele , Muench Stephen P. , Harris Sarah A.
Published: August 2014

Advances in structural biology, such as cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM) have allowed for a number of sophisticated protein complexes to be characterized. However, often only a static snapshot of a protein complex is visualized despite the fact that conformational change is frequently inherent to biological function, as is the case for molecular motors. Computer simulations provide valuable insights into the different conformations available to a particular system that are not accessible using conventional structural techniques. For larger proteins and protein complexes, where a fully atomistic description would be computationally prohibitive, coarse‐grained simulation techniques such as Elastic Network Modeling (ENM) are often employed, whereby each atom or group of atoms is linked by a set of springs whose properties can be customized according to the system of interest. Here we compare ENM with a recently proposed continuum model known as Fluctuating Finite Element Analysis (FFEA), which represents the biomolecule as a viscoelastic solid subject to thermal fluctuations. These two complementary computational techniques are used to answer a critical question in the rotary ATPase family; implicit within these motors is the need for a rotor axle and proton pump to rotate freely of the motor domain and stator structures. However, current single particle cryo‐EM reconstructions have shown an apparent connection between the stators and rotor axle or pump region, hindering rotation. Both modeling approaches show a possible role for this connection and how it would significantly constrain the mobility of the rotary ATPase family. Proteins 2014; 82:3298–3311. © 2014 The Authors. Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of titania precursor on the morphology of prepared TiO2/MWCNT nanocomposite materials
Authors: Berki Peter , Reti Balazs , Terzi Katerina , Bountas Ioannis , Horvath Endre , Fejes Dora , Magrez Arnaud , Tsakiroglu Christos , Forró László , Hernadi Klara
Published: August 2014

Since materials science is of great importance, the application of composite materials based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is widely investigated. Current work is aimed at preparing nanocomposites of TiO2/MWCNT using an impregnation method combined with slow hydrolysis. Different titanium alkoxide compounds as Ti(OEt)4, Ti(OiPr)4, and Ti(OBu)4, respectively, were used as precursor materials to cover the surface of CNTs in ethanolic medium. In our samples the mass ratio was 10:1 (TiO2:MWCNT). The produced composite materials were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), Raman microscopy, transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques; moreover, thermal analysis and the determination of the specific surface area (BET) were also carried out. These as‐prepared TiO2/MWCNT composites were also tested as photocatalysts in degradation reaction of the model compound salicylic acid.
Evaluation of Hemostatic and Anti‐inflammatory Activities of Extracts from Different Lagochilus Species in Experimental Animals: Comparison of Different Extractives and Sources
Authors: Jiao Ying , Chen Pei‐Hua , Xiong Ai‐Zhen , Wang Zheng‐Tao , Tsim Karl Wah‐Keung , Chou Gui‐Xin , Xu Hong
Published: August 2014

Different members of Lagochilus genus have been used in folkloric medicine to treat hemorrhages and inflammation. However, only a few species of them have received scientific attention supporting their efficacy. Here, the hemostatic and antiinflammatory activities of five Lagochilus species were determined and compared by using in vivo assays. The results showed that the extracts of Lagochilus lanatonodus and Lagochilus diacanthophyllus showed better hemostatic activities among five species. The high doses of L. lanatonodus extracts were able to shorten the values of thrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time in a rat model. Moreover, the extracts of L. lanatonodus and L. diacanthophyllus showed strong inhibitory effects on the acute phase of inflammation in both xylene‐induced ear edema mouse model and carrageenan‐induced paw edema rat model. In parallel, the treatment of these extracts modulated the expressions of those inflammatory parameters, that is, nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase. L. lanatonodus and L. diacanthophyllus showed better hemostatic and antiinflammatory activities in several test models: these results therefore supported the folkloric utilization. L. lanatonodus was found to be the most active Lagochilus species. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reaction coordinates for elucidating reaction dynamics with anharmonic couplings
Authors: Kawai Shinnosuke
Published: August 2014

Saddle points can be found on the potential energy surface between the reactants and products regions in many chemical reactions. The dynamics occurring in the vicinity of a saddle point play an essential role in the study of reaction dynamics because the reactivity of a trajectory is primarily determined in the saddle region. There are many cases where a well‐defined boundary (called reactivity boundary here) between reacting and nonreacting trajectories can be located in the phase space. Locating the reactivity boundary, however, becomes challenging when anharmonic couplings between the reaction coordinate and the vibrational coordinates complicate the reaction dynamics. The aim of this article is to present a review of recent studies that use nonlinear coordinate transformations to disentangle the anharmonic couplings. The reaction coordinates constructed through such nonlinear coordinate transformations are decoupled from the other coordinates as much as possible, thus simplifying analysis of reaction dynamics. Several options are introduced for nonlinear coordinate transformations which should be appropriately chosen by examining the extent of the anharmonic couplings. Under certain conditions, special reaction coordinates constructed by a suitable nonlinear coordinate transformation reveals the existence of a clear reactivity boundary in the phase space even when there are strong anharmonic couplings. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.