bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Highly Stable Glyco‐Gold Nanoparticles and Development of a Glyco‐Gold Nanoparticle‐Based Oriented Immobilized Antibody Microarray for Lectin (GOAL) Assay
Authors: Huang Li‐De , Adak Avijit K. , Yu Ching‐Ching , Hsiao Wei‐Chen , Lin Hong‐Jyune , Chen Mu‐Lin , Lin Chun‐Cheng
Published: January 2015

The design of high‐affinity lectin ligands is critical for enhancing the inherently weak binding affinities of monomeric carbohydrates to their binding proteins. Glyco‐gold nanoparticles (glyco‐AuNPs) are promising multivalent glycan displays that can confer significantly improved functional affinity of glyco‐AuNPs to proteins. Here, AuNPs are functionalized with several different carbohydrates to profile lectin affinities. We demonstrate that AuNPs functionalized with mixed thiolated ligands comprising glycan (70 mol %) and an amphiphilic linker (30 mol %) provide long‐term stability in solutions containing high concentrations of salts and proteins, with no evidence of nonspecific protein adsorption. These highly stable glyco‐AuNPs enable the detection of model plant lectins such as Concanavalin A, wheat germ agglutinin, and Ricinus communis Agglutinin 120, at subnanomolar and low picomolar levels through UV/Vis spectrophotometry and dynamic light scattering, respectively. Moreover, we develop in situ glyco‐AuNPs‐based agglutination on an oriented immobilized antibody microarray, which permits highly sensitive lectin sensing with the naked eye. In addition, this microarray is capable of detecting lectins presented individually, in other environmental settings, or in a mixture of samples. These results indicate that glyconanoparticles represent a versatile and highly sensitive method for detecting and probing the binding of glycan to proteins, with significant implications for the construction of a variety of platforms for the development of glyconanoparticle‐based biosensors.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of 6‐Amino‐2,4‐dihydropyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazol‐5‐carbonitriles Catalyzed by Silica‐Supported Tetramethylguanidine under Solvent‐Free Conditions.
Authors: Atar Amol B. , Kim Jong Tae , Lim Kwon Taek , Jeong Yeon Tae
Published: January 2015

The title compounds are obtained by an efficient and environmentally benign four‐component, one‐pot cyclocondensation reaction of ethyl acetoacetate, hydrazine hydrate, aldehydes, and malononitriles.
ChemInform Abstract: Drug‐Like Chelating Agents: A Potential Lead for Alzheimer′s Disease
Authors: Huang Wenhai , Wei Wenhua , Shen Zhengrong
Published: January 2015

Review: 136 refs.
Loss of ATRX and DAXX expression identifies poor prognosis for smooth muscle tumours of uncertain malignant potential and early stage uterine leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Slatter Tania L. , Hsia Howard , Samaranayaka Ari , Sykes Peter , Clow William (Bill) , Devenish Celia J. , Sutton Tim , Royds Janice A. , PC Philip , Cheung Annie N. , Hung Noelyn Anne
Published: January 2015

Uterine smooth muscle tumours of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) are diagnostically and clinically challenging. The alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) telomere maintenance mechanism is associated with poor survival in soft tissue leiomyosarcoma. Time to first recurrence and survival were known for 18 STUMP and 43 leiomyosarcomata (LMS). These were screened for ALT telomere maintenance by the presence of ALT‐associated PML bodies (APBs) and for changes associated with the ALT phenotype, namely aberrant p53 expression, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation (R132H substitution) expression, mutant ATRX (αthalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X‐linked) expression and mutant DAXX (death‐domain‐associated protein) expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Overexpression of p16INK4A was examined immunohistologically in a subset of cases. Many of the tumours associated with death or recurrence demonstrated APBs commensurate with ALT telomere maintenance. However, all uterine STUMP (4/4), and vaginal STUMP (2/2) patients, and almost all LMS patients (88.4%, 23/26, including 90% (9/10) of stage 1 LMS cases), who had died of disease or who had recurrent disease, displayed loss of ATRX or DAXX expression. Loss of ATRX or DAXX expression identified poor prognosis (95% CI 2.1 to 40.8, p < 0.003), in the LMS group. Thus, loss of ATRX or DAXX expression in uterine smooth muscle tumours identifies a clinically aggressive molecular subtype of early stage LMS and when histopathological features are problematic such as in STUMP. As ATRX and DAXX IHC is readily performed in diagnostic laboratories these are potentially useful for routine histopathological classification and management.
Teenage acne and cancer risk in US women: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Mingfeng , Qureshi Abrar A. , Fortner Renée T. , Hankinson Susan E. , Wei Qingyi , Wang Li‐E , Eliassen A. Heather , Willett Walter C. , Hunter David J. , Han Jiali
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

Acne reflects hormone imbalance and is a key component of several systemic diseases. We hypothesized that diagnosis of acne as a teenager might predict subsequent risk of hormone‐related cancers.

METHODS

We followed 99,128 female nurses in the Nurses' Health Study II cohort for 20 years (1989‐2009) and used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of 8 specific cancers (breast, thyroid, colorectal, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers, melanoma, and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma) for women with a history of severe teenage acne.

RESULTS

After thoroughly adjusting for the previously known risk factors for each cancer, we found that among women with a history of severe teenage acne, the relative risk increased, with a multivariable‐adjusted HR of 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03‐2.01) for melanoma. We replicated this association in an independent melanoma case‐control study of 930 cases and 1026 controls (multivariable‐adjusted odds ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03‐1.56). We also found that in both studies the individuals with teenage acne were more likely to have moles (52.7% vs 50.1%, P < .001 in the cohort study; and 55.2% vs 45.1%, P = .004 in the case‐control study).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that a history of teenage acne might be a novel risk factor for melanoma independent from the known factors, which supports a need for continued investigation of these relationships. Cancer 2015;121:1681–1687. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
The colorectal cancer mortality‐to‐incidence ratio as an indicator of global cancer screening and care
Authors: Sunkara Vasu , Hébert James R.
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

Disparities in cancer screening, incidence, treatment, and survival are worsening globally. The mortality‐to‐incidence ratio (MIR) has been used previously to evaluate such disparities.

METHODS

The MIR for colorectal cancer is calculated for all Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries using the 2012 GLOBOCAN incidence and mortality statistics. Health system rankings were obtained from the World Health Organization. Two linear regression models were fit with the MIR as the dependent variable and health system ranking as the independent variable; one included all countries and one model had the “divergents” removed.

RESULTS

The regression model for all countries explained 24% of the total variance in the MIR. Nine countries were found to have regression‐calculated MIRs that differed from the actual MIR by >20%. Countries with lower‐than‐expected MIRs were found to have strong national health systems characterized by formal colorectal cancer screening programs. Conversely, countries with higher‐than‐expected MIRs lack screening programs. When these divergent points were removed from the data set, the recalculated regression model explained 60% of the total variance in the MIR.

CONCLUSIONS

The MIR proved useful for identifying disparities in cancer screening and treatment internationally. It has potential as an indicator of the long‐term success of cancer surveillance programs and may be extended to other cancer types for these purposes. Cancer 2015;121:1563–1569. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Fine‐needle aspiration cytology of the solid variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: A study of 13 cases with clinical, histologic, and ultrasound correlations
Authors: Giorgadze Tamar A. , Scognamiglio Theresa , Yang Grace C. H.
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

The solid variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (SVPTC) comprises approximately 3% of thyroid cancers, and there are conflicting reports about its behavior in the literature. The cytology of SVPTC is limited to 3 single case reports, a review article, and a monograph. We present the first cytologic study of SVPTC.

METHODS

Fine‐needle aspiration smears obtained with ultrasound guidance from 13 patients with histologically pure SVPTC were reviewed, and the cytologic features recorded. Ultrasound images were retrieved from radiology and were correlated with low‐power histology images. Intratumor vascularity on Doppler imaging was correlated with cellularity in cytology samples.

RESULTS

Three cytomorphologic patterns of SVPTC were identified: cohesive, syncytial‐type tissue fragments; microfollicles/trabeculae; and dyshesive single cells. All 3 SVPTCs in the first group were encapsulated without invasion. Two of 6 SVPTCs in the second group had a single lymph node metastasis; 4 were encapsulated, and 2 had pushing borders. Ultrasound images in the first and second SVPTC groups were similar, with the majority revealing a well defined, solid nodule with minimal intranodular vascularity. All 4 SVPTCs in the third group had infiltrative borders; and, with the exception of one 0.8‐cm tumor, all had multiple lymph node metastases. Ultrasound in the third group revealed irregular borders. RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 mutations were found in 2 cases of the third group.

CONCLUSIONS

SVPTCs are heterogeneous tumors. The cohesive, syncytial tissue‐fragment pattern can be recognized as SVPTC in smears and is associated with encapsulation and indolent behavior. The microfollicular/trabecular pattern is indistinguishable from that of the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma and has intermediate behavior. The dyshesive single‐cell pattern correlates with infiltrative tumor growth and may not be unique to SVPTC. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2015;123:71–81. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Recyclable Non‐Enzymatic Glucose Sensor Based on Ni/NiTiO3/TiO2 Nanotube Arrays
Authors: Huo Kaifu , Li Yong , Chen Rongsheng , Gao Biao , Peng Changjian , Zhang Wenjun , Hu Liangsheng , Zhang Xuming , Chu Paul K.
Published: January 2015

A non‐enzymatic amperometric glucose sensor that can be renewed by light irradiation is described. It is composed of Ni/NiTiO3/TiO2 nanotube arrays (NTAs) prepared by a simple hydrothermal treatment of as‐anodized TiO2 NTAs in a nickel acetate solution followed by annealing under H2/Ar. The Ni/NiTiO3/TiO2 NTAs exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity towards glucose oxidation in a 1.0 M NaOH supporting solution at a low applied potential of 0.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) with a high sensitivity of 456.4 μA cm−2 mM−1 and a low detection limit of 0.7 μM (S/N=3). The excellent electrochemical biosensing properties for glucose detection can be attributed to the orderly vertical alignment, large accessible surface, high conductivity, and electroactive NiII/NiIII redox couple. Meanwhile, owing to their high photocatalytic activity, Ni/NiTiO3/TiO2 NTAs can readily decompose the organic fouling species generated on the electrode surface during glucose detection under light irradiation so that the original sensitivity and selectivity can be restored. The Ni/NiTiO3/TiO2 NTAs electrode provides a promising renewable platform enabling long‐term glucose monitoring with high sensitivity and selectivity.
pH‐Tuned Modulation of 1D Chain to 3D Metal–Organic Framework: Synthesis, Structure and Their Useful Application in the Heterogeneous Claisen–Schmidt Reaction
Authors: Sen Rupam , Saha Debraj , Koner Subratanath , Mal Dasarath , Brandão Paula , Lin Zhi
Published: January 2015

The role of pH in the formation of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has been studied on magnesium‐based carboxylate framework systems [Mg(Pdc)(H2O)3]n (1) and [Mg(Pdc)(H2O)]n (2) (Pdc=pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylate). The investigation reveals the formation of two different compounds of one‐ or three‐dimensions starting from the same reaction mixture that differs only in pH. Isolated compounds have been characterized by IR and elemental analysis; both compounds were also successfully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. This study shows that the gradual increase in pH helps to construct a higher‐dimensional network. Catalytic activity of compounds 1 and 2 was tested for the Claisen–Schmidt reaction. Compound 2 was successfully dehydrated to produce a coordinately unsaturated compound 2 a, which shows higher catalytic activity than 1 or 2 in heterogeneous medium.
Design of a robust nonlinear controller for a synchronous generator connected to an infinite bus
Authors: Hashtarkhani Bijan , Aghababa Mohammad Pourmahmood , Khosrowjerdi Mohammad Javad
Published: January 2015

This article presents a new design of robust finite‐time controller which replaces the traditional automatic voltage regulator for excitation control of the third‐order model synchronous generator connected to an infinite bus. The effects of system uncertainties and external noises are fully taken into account. Then a single input robust controller is proposed to regulate the system states to reach the origin in a given finite time. The designed robust finite‐time excitation controller can refine the system behaviors in convergence and robustness against model uncertainties and external disturbances. The robustness and finite‐time stability of the closed‐loop system are analytically proved using the finite‐time control idea and Lyapunov stability theorem. The suitability and robustness of the designed controller are shown in contrast with two other strong nonlinear control strategies. The main advantages of the proposed controller are as follows: a) robustness against system uncertainties and external noises; b) convergence to the equilibrium point in a given finite time; and c) the use of a single control input. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 203–213, 2016
Enhancing the Performance of a Robust Sol–Gel‐Processed p‐Type Delafossite CuFeO2 Photocathode for Solar Water Reduction
Authors: Prévot Mathieu S. , Guijarro Néstor , Sivula Kevin
Published: January 2015

Delafossite CuFeO2 is a promising material for solar hydrogen production, but is limited by poor photocurrent. Strategies are demonstrated herein to improve the performance of CuFeO2 electrodes prepared directly on transparent conductive substrates by using a simple sol–gel technique. Optimizing the delafossite layer thickness and increasing the majority carrier concentration (through the thermal intercalation of oxygen) give insights into the limitations of photogenerated charge extraction and enable performance improvements. In oxygen‐saturated electrolyte, (sacrificial) photocurrents (1 sun illumination) up to 1.51 mA cm−2 at +0.35 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) are observed. Water photoreduction with bare delafossite is limited by poor hydrogen evolution catalysis, but employing methyl viologen as an electron acceptor verifies that photogenerated electrons can be extracted from the conduction band before recombination into mid‐gap trap states identified by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Through the use of suitable oxide overlayers and a platinum catalyst, sustained solar hydrogen production photocurrents of 0.4 mA cm−2 at 0 V versus RHE (0.8 mA cm−2 at −0.2 V) are demonstrated. Importantly, bare CuFeO2 is highly stable at potentials at which photocurrent is generated. No degradation is observed after 40 h under operating conditions in oxygen‐saturated electrolyte.
Chemo‐ and Diastereoselectivities in the Electrochemical Reduction of Maleimides
Authors: Rix Kathryn , Kelsall Geoffrey H. , Hellgardt Klaus , Hii King Kuok (Mimi)
Published: January 2015

The electrochemical cathodic reduction of cyclic imides (maleimides) to succinimides can be achieved chemoselectively in the presence of alkene, alkyne, and benzyl groups. The efficiency of the system was demonstrated by using a 3D electrode in a continuous flow reactor. The reduction of 3,4‐dimethylmaleimides to the corresponding succinimides proceeds with a 3:2 diastereomeric ratio, which is independent of the nitrogen substituent and electrode surface area. The stereoselectivity of the process was rationalized by using DFT calculations, involving an acid‐catalyzed tautomerization of a half‐enol occurring through a double hydrogen‐transfer mechanism.
Precious‐Metal‐Free Co–Fe–O/rGO Synergetic Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction by a Facile Hydrothermal Route
Authors: Geng Jing , Kuai Long , Kan Erjie , Wang Qing , Geng Baoyou
Published: January 2015

Abundant iron group metal oxides and their composites possess great potential in the application of electrochemical energy storage and conversion. In this work, we obtained Co–Fe–O composites/reduced graphene oxides (CFO/rGO) hybrid structures, engineered their compositions, phase, and structures by a facile hydrothermal route, and studied their composition‐dependent activity for electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. It is found that synergetic effects bring a clear decrease in overpotential and Tafel slope for CFO/rGO catalysts in comparison with monometallic composition/rGO catalysts. OER charge‐transfer resistance is significantly reduced after Fe addition, indicating that the reaction barriers of CFO/rGO are reduced. The optimal CFO/rGO with Co–Fe ratio of 2:1 was identified. Our results on the synergetic effects of CFO/rGO enrich the understanding of iron‐group composites for electrocatalytic applications.
Poisson‐event‐based analysis of cell proliferation
Authors: Summers Huw D. , Wills John W. , Brown M. Rowan , Rees Paul
Published: January 2015

A protocol for the assessment of cell proliferation dynamics is presented. This is based on the measurement of cell division events and their subsequent analysis using Poisson probability statistics. Detailed analysis of proliferation dynamics in heterogeneous populations requires single cell resolution within a time series analysis and so is technically demanding to implement. Here, we show that by focusing on the events during which cells undergo division rather than directly on the cells themselves a simplified image acquisition and analysis protocol can be followed, which maintains single cell resolution and reports on the key metrics of cell proliferation. The technique is demonstrated using a microscope with 1.3 μm spatial resolution to track mitotic events within A549 and BEAS‐2B cell lines, over a period of up to 48 h. Automated image processing of the bright field images using standard algorithms within the ImageJ software toolkit yielded 87% accurate recording of the manually identified, temporal, and spatial positions of the mitotic event series. Analysis of the statistics of the interevent times (i.e., times between observed mitoses in a field of view) showed that cell division conformed to a nonhomogeneous Poisson process in which the rate of occurrence of mitotic events, λ exponentially increased over time and provided values of the mean inter mitotic time of 21.1 ± 1.2 hours for the A549 cells and 25.0 ± 1.1 h for the BEAS‐2B cells. Comparison of the mitotic event series for the BEAS‐2B cell line to that predicted by random Poisson statistics indicated that temporal synchronisation of the cell division process was occurring within 70% of the population and that this could be increased to 85% through serum starvation of the cell culture. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
gEM/GANN: A multivariate computational strategy for auto‐characterizing relationships between cellular and clinical phenotypes and predicting disease progression time using high‐dimensional flow cytometry data
Authors: Tong Dong Ling , Ball Graham R. , Pockley A. Graham
Published: January 2015

The dramatic increase in the complexity of flow cytometric datasets requires new computational approaches that can maximize the amount of information derived and overcome the limitations of traditional gating strategies. Herein, we present a multivariate computational analysis of the HIV‐infected flow cytometry datasets that were provided as part of the FlowCAP‐IV Challenge using unsupervised and supervised learning techniques. Out of 383 samples (stimulated and unstimulated), 191 samples were used as a training set (34 individuals whose disease did not progress, and 157 individuals whose disease did progress). Using the results from the training set, the participants in the Challenge were then asked to predict the condition and progression time of the remaining individuals (45 “nonprogressors” and 147 “progressors”). To achieve this, we first scaled down data resolution and then excluded doublet cells from the analysis using Expectation Maximization approaches. We then standardized all samples into histograms and used Genetic Algorithm‐Neural Network to extract feature sets from the datasets, the reliability of which were examined using WEKA‐implemented classifiers. The selected feature set resulted in a high sensitivity and specificity for the discrimination of progressors and nonprogressors in the training set (average True Positive Rate = 1.00 and average False Positive Rate = 0.033). The capacity of the feature set to predict real‐time survival time was better when using data from the “unstimulated” training set (r = 0.825). The P‐values and 95% confidence interval log‐rank ratios between actual and predicted survival time in the test set were 0.682 and 0.9542 ± 0.24 for the unstimulated dataset, and 0.4451 and 0.9173 ± 0.23 for the stimulated dataset. Our analytic strategy has demonstrated a promising capacity to extract useful information from complex flow cytometry datasets, despite a significance imbalance and variation between the training and test sets. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Luminescent Polythiophene‐Based Main‐Chain Polyoxometalate‐Containing Conjugated Polymers with Improved Solar‐Cell Performance
Authors: Wang Ruixin , Li Yong , Shetye Kuldeep , Dutta Tanmoy , Jin Lu , Li Shaohua , Peng Zhonghua
Published: January 2015

New polythiophene‐based hybrid conjugated polymers (P2 and P3) containing different amounts of hexamolybdate clusters, which are covalently embedded in the main chain, were successfully synthesized by using the Stille coupling reaction. These soluble hybrid polymers show absorptions in the 400–550 nm range in dilute solutions, which extend beyond 700 nm in thin films. The hybrid polymers are moderately fluorescent in dilute solutions, and the embedded polyoxometalates only partially quench the backbone fluorescence. Simple single‐layer photovoltaic cells with a device configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/(P2 or P3)/Ca/Al were fabricated, and a power conversion efficiency of 0.24 % was obtained for P2, which is among the highest values reported for POM‐containing hybrid polymers including hybrid diblock copolymers.
Structures and Magnetic Properties of Bis(μ‐phenoxido), Bis(μ‐phenoxido)‐μ‐carboxylato and Bis(μ‐phenoxido)bis(μ‐carboxylato) FeIIINiII Compounds – Magnetostructural Correlations
Authors: Sasmal Sujit , Roy Shuvayan , Carrella Luca , Jana Arpita , Rentschler Eva , Mohanta Sasankasekhar
Published: January 2015

This report describes the syntheses, characterization, crystal structures and magnetic properties of five dinuclear FeIIINiII compounds derived from two Robson‐type tetraiminodiphenol macrocyclic ligands H2L1 and H2L2, which are the [2+2] condensation products of 4‐ethyl‐2,6‐diformylphenol and 1,3‐diaminopropane (for H2L1) or 2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐diaminopropane (for H2L2). The compositions of the compounds are [FeIII(N3)2L1NiII(H2O)2](ClO4) (1), [FeIII(benzoato)L1NiII(H2O)(μ1,3‐benzoato)](ClO4) (2), [FeIII(benzoato)L2NiII(H2O)(μ1,3‐benzoato)](ClO4) (3), [FeIIIL2NiII(μ1,3‐acetato)2](ClO4)·H2O (4) and [FeIIIL2NiII(μ1,3‐propionato)2](ClO4)·H2O (5). The bridging moieties between the two metal ions and the azido and carboxylato moieties in these compounds are of the following types: (1) In 1, the bridging moiety is a bis(μ‐phenoxido) ligand, and two azido ligands are monodentate to the FeIII centre; (2) In 2 and 3, the bridging moiety is a bis(μ‐phenoxido)‐μ1,3‐benzoato ligand, and the second benzoato ligand is monodentate to the FeIII centre; (3) In 4 and 5, the bridging moiety is a bis(μ‐phenoxido)bis(μ1,3‐acetato/propionato) ligand. Variable‐temperature and variable‐field magnetic data reveal ferromagnetic interactions in 2–5 and an antiferromagnetic interaction in 1 with J values of –9.22 cm–1 for 1, 0.50 cm–1 for 2, 5.65 cm–1 for 3, 13.00 cm–1 for 4 and 14.57 cm–1 for 5. An excellent magnetostructural correlation and interesting structural aspects regarding the bond lengths to the FeIII or NiII centres in some structures have been obtained.
Tetraaza[14]macrocyclic Transition Metal Complexes as DNA Intercalators
Authors: Mames Iwona , Rodger Alison , Kowalski Jarosław
Published: January 2015

Six tetraazamacrocyclic copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes have been synthesised and their interactions with double‐stranded DNA (calf thymus DNA) have been studied using circular and linear dichroism, as well as other spectroscopic methods. The ability of these complexes to intercalate between DNA base pairs has been demonstrated qualitatively and confirmed by determining the stoichiometry and association constant values; these were found to range from 8.5 × 103– 2.8 × 104L mol–1. The nickel(II) complexes, being more electron‐deficient, seem to have higher binding abilities than guests containing the copper ion. It has also been shown that not only CD, but also linear dichroism, can be a very useful tool for carrying out qualitative DNA interaction studies.
Efficient and Selective Palladium‐Catalysed C‐3 Urea Couplings to 3,5‐Dichloro‐2(1H)‐pyrazinones
Authors: Belfrage Anna Karin , Gising Johan , Svensson Fredrik , Åkerblom Eva , Sköld Christian , Sandström Anja
Published: January 2015

The development of a robust palladium‐catalysed urea N‐arylation protocol to install various ureas at the 3‐position of the 2(1H)‐pyrazinone scaffold is described. The method involves Pd(OAc)2 in combination with bidentate ligands, xantphos [4,5‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐9,9‐dimethylxanthene] in particular, and resulted in good to excellent coupling yields of aliphatic, aromatic, and sterically hindered ureas. Furthermore, the C‐3 chlorine was shown to be selectively displaced in the presence of aryl halide ureas, and this finding was supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This allows further diversification of the scaffold for the production of compound libraries. Overall, the protocol facilitates further exploitation of pyrazinones as beta‐sheet‐inducing scaffolds in the development of sophisticated peptidomimetics/protease inhibitors. This is exemplified here by the synthesis of a new pyrazinone‐based hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease inhibitor.
Metal‐Mediated Reformatsky Reaction of Bromodifluoromethyl Ketone and Imine
Authors: Cao Chun‐Ru , Jiang Min , Liu Jin‐Tao
Published: January 2015

The Reformatsky reaction of bromodifluoromethyl ketones and imines took place readily in the presence of Zn/CuCl at room temperature to afford β‐amino α,α‐difluoro ketones in good yields. Using (S)‐tert‐butanesulfinyl as a chiral auxiliary, the asymmetric Reformatsky reaction was also achieved and found to proceed with excellent diastereoselectivities. A plausible model is proposed to account for the high stereoselectivity of the reaction.
2‐Furanylboronic Acid as an Effective Catalyst for the Direct Amidation of Carboxylic Acids at Room Temperature
Authors: Tam Eric Kwok Wai , Rita  , Liu Lionel Yiqian , Chen Anqi
Published: January 2015

2‐Furanylboronic acid has been identified as an inexpensive and effective catalyst for the dehydrative amide formation of carboxylic acids and amines. This transformation can be efficiently carried out at room temperature and is applicable to a wide range of carboxylic acids with primary and secondary amines to afford amides in good to excellent yields.
Nano CuO Catalyzed Cross Dehydrogenative Coupling (CDC) of Aldehydes to Anhydrides
Authors: Khatun Nilufa , Santra Sourav Kumar , Banerjee Arghya , Patel Bhisma K.
Published: January 2015

An elegant synthesis of carboxylic acid anhydrides has been developed directly from arylaldehydes using CuO nanoparticles as the catalyst and tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant. During anhydride formation the reaction proceeds through a double sp2 C–H functionalization of aldehydes to generate two consecutive C–O bonds.
Title Monitoring Protamine‐Heparin Interactions Using Microcapillary Impedimetric Sensor
Authors: Abramova Natalia , Bratov Andrey
Published: January 2015

We report an impedimetric sensor based on an interdigitated electrode array with electrode digits located at the bottom of microcapillaries formed in silicon dioxide which is used to monitor protamine‐heparin interactions. Modification of the active sensor surface with protamine, a cationic protein used as a high affinity heparin antagonist, permits to register protamine‐heparin complex formation as changes in the surface conductivity determined from the sensor impedance measured in an electrolyte solution. The adsorption curve shows that the detection limit is close to 0.01 U/mL (50 ng/mL) of heparin. The kinetics of the protamine‐heparin complex formation is rather slow and requires at least 15 min to be accomplished. Heparin reaction with protamine is irreversible, however, it is possible to renew the sensor surface putting it in contact with protamine solution and thus use the sensor several times. The future prospects for the proposed sensing strategy are quite wide and can include the grafting of the sensor surface with modified nanoparticles, magnetic particles or self‐assembled structures based on small synthetically‐accessible molecular‐scale building blocks which can act as protamine mimetics.
Terpene glucoside production: Improved biocatalytic processes using glycosyltransferases
Authors: Schwab Wilfried , Fischer Thilo , Wüst Matthias
Published: January 2015

Terpenoids are one of the main classes of natural products. In plants, a large fraction of the terpenoids is present as nonvolatile glycosides. The terpene glycosides have attracted much attention as antimicrobials, flavor precursors, and detergents. They are either extracted from plant materials or are synthesized by chemical and biocatalytic methods. Up to now, biotechnological production of terpene glycosides is based on reversed hydrolysis performed by glycosidases. However, this method suffers from low yields as a matter of principle. Recently, the first uridine diphosphate‐glucose:monoterpenol β‐d‐glucosyltransferase (GT) genes were cloned and characterized from grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa). Heterologous expression in Escherichia coli yielded promiscuous GT enzymes that efficiently glucosylated primary monoterpenols, simple alcohols, and phenols. The GT enzymes differed in substrate preference and activity toward their terpenoid substrates. Biotransformation experiments confirmed the applicability of the novel GTs in biocatalytic processes for the production of these novel compounds. In the near future, terpene glucosides will become commercially available for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industry due to improved biocatalytic processes involving GT enzymes.
Low-Magnitude Mechanical Stimulation to Improve Bone Density in Persons of Advanced Age: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Kiel Douglas P , Hannan Marian T , Barton Bruce A , Bouxsein Mary L , Sisson Emily , Lang Thomas , Allaire Brett , Dewkett Dawn , Carroll Danette , Magaziner Jay , Shane Elizabeth , Leary Elizabeth Teng , Zimmerman Sheryl , Rubin Clinton T
Published: January 2015

Nonpharmacologic approaches to preserve or increase bone mineral density (BMD) include whole-body vibration (WBV), but its efficacy in elderly persons is not clear. Therefore, we conducted the Vibration to Improve Bone in Elderly Subjects (VIBES) trial, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 10 minutes of daily WBV (0.3g at 37 Hz) in seniors recruited from 16 independent living communities. The primary outcomes were volumetric BMD of the hip and spine measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and biochemical markers of bone turnover. We randomized 174 men and women (89 active, 85 placebo) with T-scores –1 to –2.5 who were not taking bone active drugs and had no diseases affecting the skeleton (mean age 82 ± 7 years, range 65 to 102). Participants received daily calcium (1000 mg) and vitamin D (800 IU). Study platforms were activated using radio frequency ID cards providing electronic adherence monitoring; placebo platforms resembled the active platforms. In total, 61% of participants in the active arm and 73% in the placebo arm completed 24 months. The primary outcomes, median percent changes (interquartile range [IQR]) in total volumetric femoral trabecular BMD (active group (2.2% [–0.8%, 5.2%]) versus placebo 0.4% [–4.8%, 5.0%]) and in mid-vertebral trabecular BMD of L1 and L2 (active group (5.3% [–6.9%, 13.3%]) versus placebo (2.4% [–4.4%, 11.1%]), did not differ between groups (all p values > 0.1). Changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover (P1NP and sCTX) also were not different between groups (p = 0.19 and p = 0.97, respectively). In conclusion, this placebo-controlled randomized trial of daily WBV in older adults did not demonstrate evidence of significant beneficial effects on volumetric BMD or bone biomarkers; however, the high variability in vBMD changes limited our power to detect small treatment effects. The beneficial effects of WBV observed in previous studies of younger women may not occur to the same extent in elderly individuals. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Value of R2* obtained from T2*‐weighted imaging in predicting the prognosis of advanced cervical squamous carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Li Xiang Sheng , Fan Hong Xia , Fang Hong , Song Yun Long , Zhou Chun Wu
Published: January 2015

Background

To prospectively investigate the value of R2* in predicting the prognosis of advanced cervical squamous carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Methods

Sixty‐five patients with biopsy‐proven cervical squamous carcinoma were enrolled in our study. All these subjects underwent multi‐echo T2*‐weighted MR imaging on a 3.0 Tesla MR scanner, and tumor R2* was calculated. The patients were divided into the responders and the nonresponders according to treatment effect. Tumor R2* values of these two groups were compared. The relationship between tumor R2* and prognosis after therapy was analyzed.

Results

The responder group had lower R2* value than the nonresponder group (P = 0.02). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for tumor R2* in discriminating responders from nonresponders was 0.769. A cutoff value of 23.87 Hz for tumor R2* resulted in a sensitivity of 78.3% and a specificity of 67.6%. The low R2* group (≤28.37 Hz) had longer median progression‐free survival period and overall survival period (P = 0.01, 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor R2* was a significant prognostic factor for progression‐free survival and overall survival (adjusted hazards ratio = 5.34, 4.78; P = 0.02, 0.01).

Conclusion

R2* value obtained from T2*‐weighted imaging, as an imaging biomarker, may be an important predictor for the prognosis of advanced cervical squamous carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:681–688.
The indications and efficacy of conventional chemotherapy in primary and recurrent sarcoma
Authors: Liebner David A.
Published: January 2015

Conventional chemotherapy can have a favorable impact on the natural history of disease for selected patients with primary high‐risk bone and soft‐tissue sarcomas. In particular, multidrug regimens are integral to the care of patients with the most aggressive histologies, including Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and non‐pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. Appropriately selected patients with high‐risk, clinically localized soft‐tissue sarcomas may also benefit from histology‐tailored adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy. For patients with recurrent disease, conventional chemotherapy is frequently the most appropriate first‐line therapy; active drugs are discussed at length. Several new promising cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents are currently under development, including aldoxorubicin, TH‐302, and trabectedin. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:622–631. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chemotherapy does not adversely impact outcome following post‐incisional hernia repair with biomaterial mesh
Authors: Saied Abdul , David Jenny , LaBarbera Kim , Katz Steven C. , Somasundar Ponnandai
Published: January 2015

Background

Patients receiving chemotherapy are at increased risk for developing recurrent or post‐incisional hernias (PIH). Biological materials are an alternative to synthetic mesh in contaminated fields. The impact of chemotherapy on biomaterial tissue ingrowth and integration has not been well studied.

Methods

From 2008 to 2011 patients who underwent PIH repair with biomaterial mesh (Biodesign®) were selected. Patients were divided into two groups: those receiving chemotherapy (CT) and those not receiving chemotherapy (NCT).

Results

Forty‐five patients were identified, 28 (62%) in the NCT group and 17 (38%) in the CT group. Median follow up for NCT and CT groups were 27 and 17 months, respectively. A total of 9/45 (20%) surgical site infections (SSI) were diagnosed, with 6/28 (21%) in the NCT and 3/17 (18%) in the CT group (P = 0.53). Seroma formation was seen in 5/28 (18%) of NCT patients and 4/17 (23%) in CT group (P = 0.46). Overall hernia recurrence rate was 22%, and the rates of recurrence were similar among the CT 3/17 (18%) and NCT 7/28 (25%) groups (P = 0.42).

Conclusion

The use of perioperative chemotherapy did not increase the rate of wound complications following PIH repair with biologic mesh in this group of patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:725–728. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Surgical Oncology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cumulative summation analysis of learning curve for robot‐assisted gastrectomy in gastric cancer
Authors: Zhou Junfeng , Shi Yan , Qian Feng , Tang Bo , Hao Yingxue , Zhao Yongliang , Yu Peiwu
Published: January 2015

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine the learning curve for robot‐assisted gastrectomy using the Cumulative Summation (CUSUM) technique.

Methods

Two series of consecutive robotic gastrectomy were retrospective analyzed. Patient demographics, surgical performance, and short‐term outcomes were examined and data of operation time were abstracted for the learning curve analysis.

Results

Similar processes occurred in the two surgeons. Each of their learning curves of robotic gastrectomy was best modeled as a third‐order polynomial, with equation CUSUMOT in minutes equal to 0.0495 case number 3 − 4.217 case number2 + 91.206 case number − 100.11(R2 = 0.8731) for surgeon A and 0.0314 case number 3 − 2.4106 case number2 + 33.682 case number + 315.28(R2 = 0.8816) for surgeon B. They both included three unique phases: an initial phase, a well‐developed phase, and a mastery phase after the accumulation of additional experience.

Conclusion

The CUSUM method is a useful tool for objective evaluation of practical skills for surgeons during the learning phase of robotic surgery training. The robotic gastrectomy is found to have a short learning curve for experienced laparoscopic surgeons and the popularity of this new technology won't reduce because of its difficulty to learn. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:760–767. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison between MRI and CT in prediction of peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery in relation to the experience of the radiologist
Authors: Torkzad MR , Casta N , Bergman A , Ahlström H , Påhlman L , Mahteme H
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

To compare CT and MRI for peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) assessment and to compare assessments made by the radiologist based on their experiences.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

MRI and CT of abdomen and pelvis were performed on 39 prospectively followed by surgery directly. Two blinded radiologists with different experience levels evaluated PCI separately on different occasions on 19 cases initially and later on the remaining 20. The agreement between the radiologists' assessment and surgical findings in total and per site were recorded.

RESULTS

Total PCI: The experienced radiologist was able to assess total tumor burden correctly on both CT and MRI (kappa = 1.0). For the inexperienced radiologist the assessment was better on CT (kappa = 0.73) compared to MRI (kappa = 0.58). Different sites: The experienced radiologist showed high agreement with kappa = 0.77 for MRI and 0.80 for CT. Corresponding figures were 0.39 and 0.60 for the inexperienced radiologist. For the second phase the agreement levels increased for the inexperienced radiologist increased to 0.80 and 0.70, respectively.

CONCLUSION

CT and MRI are equal when read by experienced radiologist. CT shows better results when read by an inexperienced radiologist compared to MRI, however the results of the latter can easily be improved. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:746–751. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid residue analysis of oxathiapiprolin and its metabolites in typical Chinese soil, water, and sediments by a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method with ultra high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Ju Chao , Dong Fengshou , Liu Xingang , Wu Xiaohu , Zhao Huanhuan , Zheng Yongquan , Xu Jun
Published: January 2015

A sensitive and effective method for the simultaneous determination of residues from a new fungicide, oxathiapiprolin, and its metabolites (IN‐E8S72 and IN‐WR791) in soil, water, and sediment, was developed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Three compounds were extracted from water, soil, and sediment by using acetonitrile and different proportions of formic acid aqueous solution (1% v/v for water; 2% v/v for soil; and sediment), and were cleaned with octadecylsilane. The target compounds were determined within 5 min using an electrospray ionization source in the positive mode for oxathiapiprolin and in the negative mode for the two metabolites. The limits of quantification for all the three compounds were 0.1 μg/kg in water and 1 μg/kg in soil and sediment. Recovery studies were performed using three spiked levels (0.1, 1, and 10 μg/kg for water; 1, 10, and 50 μg/kg for soil and sediment). The overall average recoveries ranged from 64.8 to 112.7% with all intra‐ and interday relative standard deviation values below 19.4 and 19.1%, respectively. The method validation confirmed that the proposed method was convenient and reliable for determining residual oxathiapiprolin and its metabolites in soil, water, and sediments.
Magnetic mixed hemimicelles solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography for the extraction and rapid determination of six fluoroquinolones in environmental water samples
Authors: Wang Li , Yuan Qiuxiang , Liang Guoxi , Shi Longbiao , Zhan Qian
Published: January 2015

In this study, a mixed hemimicelle solid‐phase extraction method based on Fe3O4nanoparticles coated with sodium dodecyl sulfate was applied for the preconcentration and fast isolation of six fluoroquinolones in environmental water samples before high‐performance liquid chromatography determination. The main factors affecting the extraction efficiency of the analytes, such as amount of surfactant, amount of Fe3O4nanoparticles, extraction time, sample volume, sample pH, ionic strength, and desorption conditions, were investigated and optimized. The method has detection limits from 0.05 to 0.1 ng/mL and good linearity (r≥ 09948) in the range 0.1–200 ng/mL depending on the fluoroquinolone. The enrichment factor is ∼200. The recoveries (at spiked levels of 1, 5, and 50 ng/mL) are in the range of 79–120%.
Theoretical and experimental research on the self‐assembled system of molecularly imprinted polymers formed by salbutamol and methacrylic acid
Authors: Jun‐Bo Liu , Yang Shi , Shan‐Shan Tang , Rui‐Fa Jin
Published: January 2015

The quantum chemical method was applied for screening functional monomers in the rational design of salbutamol‐imprinted polymers. Salbutamol was the template molecule, and methacrylic acid was the single functional monomer. The LC‐WPBE/6–31G(d,p) method was used to investigate the geometry optimization, active sites, natural bond orbital charges, binding energies of the imprinted molecule, and solvation energy. The mechanism of action between salbutamol and methacrylic acid was also discussed. The theoretical results show that salbutamol interacts with functional monomers by hydrogen bonds, and the salbutamol‐imprinted polymers with a ratio of 1:4 (salbutamol/methacrylic acid) in acetonitrile had the highest stability. The salbutamol‐imprinted polymers were prepared by precipitation polymerization. The experimental results indicated that the maximum adsorption capacity for salbutamol toward molecularly imprinted polymers was 7.33 mg/g, and the molecularly imprinted polymers had a higher selectivity for salbutamol than for norepinephrine and terbutaline sulfate. Herein, the studies can provide theoretical and experimental references for the salbutamol molecular imprinted system.
Application of deep eutectic solvents in the extraction and separation of target compounds from various samples
Authors: Tang Baokun , Zhang Heng , Row Kyung Ho
Published: January 2015

Deep eutectic solvents, as a new type of eco‐friendly solvent, have attracted increasing attention in chemistry for the extraction and separation of target compounds from various samples. To summarize the application of deep eutectic solvents, this review highlights some of the unique properties of deep eutectic solvents and deep‐eutectic‐solvent‐based materials, as well as their applications in extraction and separation. In this paper, the available data and references in this field are reviewed to summarize the application developments of deep eutectic solvents. Based on the development of deep eutectic solvents, the exploitation of new deep eutectic solvents and deep‐eutectic‐solvent‐based materials are expected to diversify into extraction and separation.
Farmers' Perception of Land Degradation and Traditional Knowledge in Southern Ethiopia—Resilience and Stability
Authors: Assefa Engdawork , Hans‐Rudolf Bork
Published: January 2015

Land degradation is the major economic and environmental threat in Ethiopia. Since the 1960s, the various traditional land management systems have undergone unprecedented changes. Within the context of farmers' awareness of land degradation and local responses to the problems, the objective of this study is to examine the resilience and stability of traditional land management knowledge in Southern Ethiopia. Data were collected using interviews, group discussions and field observations. Results of the study demonstrate that farmers have a wealth of experience in identifying the severity, dynamics and causes of soil erosion and soil fertility decline and grazing land deterioration. In response to these problems, farmers have developed a wide range of traditional land management practices, supported across the generations by the traditional law (benee woga) and norms. However, recent changes include reduction and abandonment of fallowing, modification of crop rotation and large‐scale reduction of manuring. The current practices used to fulfil livelihood requirements are the main driving forces that affect the resilience of the system. Thus, environmental and land use management planning should consider rehabilitating land not only based on traditional land management knowledge but also with regards to raising its agricultural productivity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.