bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of microwave‐assisted synthesis of palladium nanoparticles supported on Fe3O4 as efficient recyclable magnetic catalysts for Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling
Authors: Elazab Hany A.
Published: November 2018

In this research, a facile and reproducible approach was implemented for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles supported on Fe3O4 with remarkable activity as an ideal catalyst for Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling. Magnetite supported Pd nanoparticles reveal high activity in Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling reactions since they could be recycled up to seven times with the same high catalytic activity. This adopted method of catalyst synthesis has many advantages, including reproducibility and the reliability of the adopted synthetic method. The produced catalyst has unique magnetic properties to facilitate catalyst recovery from the reaction mixture by using a strong magnet as an external magnetic field. The synthetic approach adopted in this research is based on the microwave‐assisted irradiation (MWI). The distinctive advantage of adopting this approach rather than conventional heating is the simplicity of adding reactants at mild reaction conditions. Moreover, this method offers a high rate of recyclability as the catalyst itself has a high recyclability rate up to seven times under mild reaction conditions, in addition to reproducibility with an excellent turnover number (8500) and a turnover frequency of 95 000 h−1. The magnetic properties of the prepared catalyst increase the possibility to separate and purify the products from the catalyst and other byproducts, leading to an increase in the economic value of the catalyst. The prepared catalyst was characterized by various spectroscopic techniques including x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Photocurrent Response and Progesterone Degradation by Employing WO3 Films Modified with Platinum and Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Joseita dos Santos Costa Maria , dos Santos Costa Gilson , Estefany Brandão Lima Aline , Eduardo da Luz Júnior Geraldo , Longo Elson , Santos Cavalcante Laécio , da Silva Santos Reginaldo
Published: November 2018

The effect of silver (Ag0) and platinum (Pt0) metallic nanoparticles (NPs) on WO3 film was investigated by studying the photocurrent response under polychromatic irradiation. The structural phase revealed by X‐ray diffraction analysis indicates a monoclinic crystal nanostructure. WO3, Ag0/WO3, and Pt0/WO3 electrodes were used to degrade 0.35 mg L−1 progesterone hormone in aqueous solution under polychromatic irradiation for 3h. The studies on degradation were investigated under electrochemically assisted heterogeneous photocatalysis (EHP) conditions. For photodegradation of progesterone, higher performance was achieved when WO3 was functionalized and when the EHP configuration was adopted with bias at +0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl. This study reveals that incorporation of metallic NPs onto a semiconductor increases its efficiency, thereby preventing electron‐hole recombination in the photocatalyst and photoelectrochemical limitations of WO3 due to surface plasmon resonance and the trapping state. Therefore, efficient advances in the degradation of organic contaminants during water treatment can be realized.
Aerobic exercise training may improve nerve function in type 2 diabetes and pre‐diabetes: A systematic review
Authors: Gu Yu , Dennis Sarah M. , Kiernan Matthew C. , Harmer Alison R.
Published: November 2018

Diabetic neuropathy is a major complication of type 2 diabetes. Emerging evidence also suggests that people with pre‐diabetes may develop similar symptoms related to nerve dysfunction. While regular exercise provides many benefits to patients with diabetes, whether exercise influences nerve function has not been established. As such, the aim of this systematic review was to evaluate current evidence regarding the effect of exercise training on the progression and development of diabetic neuropathy. A systematic search of MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL, AMED, PEDro, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases identified a total of 12 studies that were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. Quality rating and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. The 12 included studies examined people with pre‐diabetes (n = 1) and with type 2 diabetes (n = 11). There was heterogeneity of study quality and exercise type and dosage among these studies. Eleven studies reported that exercise training had a positive influence on nerve function or neuropathy‐related symptoms; and only one study reported mild adverse events. Evidence from this systematic review suggests aerobic exercise training may positively influence nerve function among people with type 2 diabetes, with minimal risk of adverse events. Further research will be required to determine the optimal dosage of exercise training and the effect on nerve function in pre‐diabetes and in women with previous gestational diabetes. This review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018088182).
Differences in the fungal communities nursed by two genetic groups of the alpine cushion plant,Silene acaulis
Authors: Roy Julien , Bonneville Jean‐Marc , Saccone Patrick , Ibanez Sébastian , Albert Cécile H. , Boleda Marti , Gueguen Maya , Ohlmann Marc , Rioux Delphine , Clément Jean‐Christophe , Lavergne Sébastien , Geremia Roberto A.
Published: November 2018

Foundation plants shape the composition of local biotic communities and abiotic environments, but the impact of a plant's intraspecific variations on these processes is poorly understood. We examined these links in the alpine cushion moss campion (Silene acaulis) on two neighboring mountain ranges in the French Alps. Genotyping of cushion plants revealed two genetic clusters matching known subspecies. Theexscapasubspecies was found on both limestone and granite, while thelongiscapaone was only found on limestone. Even on similar limestone bedrock, cushion soils from the twoS. acaulissubspecies deeply differed in their impact on soil abiotic conditions. They further strikingly differed from each other and from the surrounding bare soils in fungal community composition. Plant genotype variations accounted for a large part of the fungal composition variability in cushion soils, even when considering geography or soil chemistry, and particularly for the dominant molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs). Both saprophytic and biotrophic fungal taxa were related to the MOTUs recurrently associated with a single plant genetic cluster. Moreover, the putative phytopathogens were abundant, and within the same genus (Cladosporium) or species (Pyrenopeziza brassicae), MOTUs showing specificity for each plant subspecies were found. Our study highlights the combined influences of bedrock and plant genotype on fungal recruitment into cushion soils and suggests the coexistence of two mechanisms, an indirect selection resulting from the colonization of an engineered soil by free‐living saprobes and a direct selection resulting from direct plant–fungi interactions.
Risk words suggestion for information security audit by Bayesian inference
Authors: Satoh Naoki , Samejima Masaki
Published: November 2018

We present risk word suggestion for enabling an auditor to identify potential risks based on words of identified risks in an audit report. Once the auditor describes the identified risks in the report, words related to the potential risks are inferred with words in the description of the identified risks, and suggested to the auditor. For the word inference, we assume that words of potential risks and identified risks are related to each other, and by applying Bayesian inference we reveal the relation between the words. In our evaluation experiments with real five cases, Bayesian inference can suggest the words for identifying potential risks. Furthermore, two auditors can accurately identify potential risks by the suggested words.
An attribute‐diversity approach to functional diversity, functional beta diversity, and related (dis)similarity measures
Authors: Chao Anne , Chiu Chun‐Huo , Villéger Sébastien , Sun I‐Fang , Thorn Simon , Lin Yi‐Ching , Chiang Jyh‐Min , Sherwin William B.
Published: November 2018

Based on the framework of attribute diversity (a generalization of Hill numbers of order q), we develop a class of functional diversity measures sensitive not only to species abundances but also to trait‐based species‐pairwise functional distances. The new method refines and improves on the conventional species‐equivalent approach in three areas: (1) the conventional method often gives similar values (close to unity) to assemblages with contrasting levels of functional diversity; (2) when a distance metric is unbounded, the conventional functional diversity depends on the presence/absence of other assemblages in the study; (3) in partitioning functional gamma diversity into alpha and beta components, the conventional gamma is sometimes less than alpha. To resolve these issues, we add to the attribute‐diversity framework a novel concept: τ, the threshold of functional distinctiveness between any two species; here, τ can be chosen to be any positive value. Any two species with functional distance ≥ τ are treated as functionally equally distinct. Our functional diversity quantifies the effective number of functionally equally distinct species (or “virtual functional groups”) with all pairwise distances at least τ for different species pairs. We advocate the use of two complementary diversity profiles (τ profile and q profile), which depict functional diversity with varying levels of τ and q, respectively. Both the conventional species‐equivalent method (i.e., τ is the maximum of species‐pairwise distances) and classic taxonomic diversity (i.e., τ is the minimum of non‐zero species‐pairwise distances) are incorporated into our proposed τ profile for an assemblage. For any type of species‐pairwise distance matrices, our attribute‐diversity approach allows proper diversity partitioning, with the desired property gamma ≥ alpha and thus avoids all the restrictions that apply to the conventional diversity decomposition. Our functional alpha and gamma are interpreted as the effective numbers of functionally equally distinct species, respectively, in an assemblage and in the pooled assemblage, while beta is the effective number of equally large assemblages with no shared species and all species in the assemblages being equally distinct. The resulting beta diversity can be transformed to obtain abundance‐sensitive Sørensen‐ and Jaccard‐type functional (dis)similarity profiles. Hypothetical and real examples are used to illustrate the framework. Online software and R codes are available to facilitate computations.
Electrochemical Characterisation of NiII‐Crown‐Type Polyoxometalate‐Doped Polypyrrole Films for the Catalytic Reduction of Bromate in Water
Authors: Ali Bushra , Laffir Fathima , Kailas Lekshmi , Armstrong Gordon , Kailas Lekshmi , O'Connell Robbie , McCormac Timothy
Published: November 2018

The nickel substituted (Ni4[(P8W48O184)(WO2)]28–, crown type polyoxometalate was electrochemically polymerised with conducting polymer pyrrole for the electrocatalytic reduction of bromate in water. The immobilized films of different thickness were characterised by electrochemical and surface based techniques. The resulting films were found to be extremely stable towards redox switching between the various redox states associated with the incorporated POM. This system was found to effectively electrocatalyse the reduction of bromate in water without the interference of other common anions. The detection limit was found to be 0.2 µm, with a linear region from 0.1 mm up to 2 mm bromate. The resulting POM doped polypyrrole films were found to be highly conductive by AC impedance. Surface characterization of the polymer films was carried out by using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.
Evaluation of the Oxidative Stability of Cold‐Pressed Rapeseed Oil by Rancimat and Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry Measurements
Authors: Symoniuk Edyta , Ratusz Katarzyna , Krygier Krzysztof
Published: November 2018

Cold‐pressed market rapeseed oils are evaluated for oxidative stability using two accelerated methods: Rancimat and pressure differential scanning calorimetry. In the study, oils are also determined by their acid, peroxide and p‐anisidine values, fatty acid composition, antioxidants capacity, and phenolic compounds content. Obtained results of oxidative stability are correlated to determine the possibility of using interchangeably tested methods. To examine the impact of individual quality factors on oil oxidative stability, the principal components analysis is applied. Analyzed oils are characterized by good quality, having a typical fatty acid composition, and oxidative stability. Rapeseed oils induction time are determined by Rancimat measurement at 100 °C and pressure differential scanning calorimetry test at a temperature of 120 °C. The induction times obtained using these two methods are strongly correlated (r = 0.96). A high value of correlation coefficient might be caused by too little differentiation; thus the possibility of using these methods interchangeably may be applied only to results range between 12.96 and 14.03 h for a Rancimat method and 60.28–67.05 min for PDSC measurements. Principal components analysis shows that the greatest influence on rapeseed oil induction time in Rancimat, and PDSC methods have peroxide values (r = −0.73 and r = −0.80, respectively), Totox indicators (r = −0.67 and r = −0.75, respectively), and total polyphenols content (r = 0.67 and r = 0.78, respectively). There is no correlation between the monounsaturated fatty acid content and the antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the induction time is poorly correlated with saturated, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and pigments content.

Practical Applications: The results show that Rancimat and pressure differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC) methods might be used interchangeably (r = 0.96) for assessing the oxidation stability of cold‐pressed rapeseed oil, for a given set of data. PDSC can be recommended as an appropriate objective method for evaluating the oxidative stability of cold‐pressed rapeseed oils. Results of the principal component analysis (PCA) proved that its primary oxidation state has a high influence on cold‐pressed rapeseed oil oxidative stability. Differences in rapeseed oil oxidation stability do not depend on its fatty acid composition.

Market cold‐pressed rapeseed oils are evaluated for their chemical composition and oxidative stability using Rancimat and PDSC measurements. Based on the obtained results the correlation between oxidative stability determined by these two methods and the influence of the individual quality factors on oil oxidative stability is determined by applying the principal component analysis.
Generation of a Heteropolycyclic and sp3‐Rich Scaffold for Library Synthesis from a Highly Diastereoselective Petasis/Diels–Alder and ROM–RCM Reaction Sequence
Authors: Flagstad Thomas , Azevedo Carlos M. G. , Troelsen Nikolaj S. , Min Geanna K. , Macé Yohan , Willaume Anthony , Guilleux Rachel , Velay Mélanie , Bonnet Karine , Morgentin Remy , Nielsen Thomas E. , Clausen Mads H.
Published: November 2018

Efficient access to diverse screening compounds with desirable, lead‐like properties can be a bottleneck in early drug discovery and chemical biology. Herein we present an efficient, rapid route to three structurally distinct classes of compounds (A–C) from a single precursor, which in turn is available through a one‐pot Petasis 3‐component reaction/Diels–Alder cascade reaction. We demonstrate the versatility of the approach through the synthesis of 35 exemplary compounds from the three classes, as well as by the production of 2188 final compounds, which have been included in the Joint European Compound Library of the European Lead Factory.
Electrochemical Bromide Sensing with a Halogen Bonding [2]Rotaxane
Authors: Lim Jason Y. C. , Beer Paul D.
Published: November 2018

The selective electrochemical sensing of heavy halides, such as bromide, over more charge‐dense counterparts, like chloride, using mechanically‐interlocked structures remains a formidable challenge. Using the active‐metal templation methodology, the first redox‐active ferrocene‐appended rotaxane containing an all‐halogen bonding anion binding cavity was synthesised. 1H NMR binding studies in aqueous–organic solvent media demonstrated a marked recognition bias for heavy halides, facilitating the selective redox sensing of bromide over chloride to be demonstrated for the very first time with an interlocked host molecule.
Multiphase non equilibrium pipe flow behaviors in the solid fluidization exploitation of marine natural gas hydrate reservoir
Authors: Wei Na , Sun Wantong , Meng Yingfeng , Liu Anqi , Zhao Jinzhou , Zhou Shouwei , Zhang Liehui , Li Qingping
Published: November 2018

In recent years, marine hydrate has attracted more and more attentions. As a creative way to efficiently exploit marine hydrate, the method of solid fluidization exploitation is to excavate and crush hydrate, transport hydrate particles to sea surface platform through airtight pipeline, and obtain methane gas finally. When hydrate particles are transported up, as temperature rises and pressure drops, hydrate will decompose at a certain critical position and produce a large amount of gas, bringing complicated gas‐liquid‐solid multiphase non equilibrium pipe flow, and seriously threating well control securities. Thus, we establish mathematical models of wellbore temperature and pressure, hydrate phase equilibrium, hydrate dynamic decomposition in riser pipe flow and wellbore multiphase flow coupling hydrate dynamic decomposition, and propose and verify numerical calculation method. Then numerical model application analysis under different construction parameters is carried out, influence behaviors of multiphase non equilibrium pipe flow are obtained, and field construction measures are put forward. Properly increasing solid throughput can increase production of natural gas. However, problems such as well control risks will intensify. Therefore, delivery capacity, liquid density, and wellhead back pressure should be increased appropriately at the same time. This study provides important technical support for solid fluidization exploitation of marine hydrate.
Hardware designs and analysis for variant receive space modulation techniques
Authors: Hiari Omar , Mesleh Raed
Published: November 2018

Hardware designs for variant receive space modulation techniques (RSMTs) containing a reduced number of hardware components are proposed in this study. RSMTs rely on precoding of transmitted signals through channel knowledge at the transmitter to spatially modulate the receive antennas. As such, certain receive antennas will only receive messages while all other antennas will not receive any signal. It has been debated in literature that different RSMTs can be designed with single radio frequency (RF) chain receiver. Yet, practical designs are not yet available in literature. In this paper, a family of receiver designs for RSMTs based on commercial off‐the‐shelf components (COTS) are proposed and analyzed. Average error probability, power consumption, cost, and receiver complexity of the different techniques are presented and discussed. Additionally, Simulink models for all these systems are developed and presented. It is revealed that all RSMTs, in fact, do not require more than a single RF chain receiver or in some cases no RF chain, just by utilizing COTS components.
Detection of plant protein in adulterated milk using nontargeted nano‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectroscopy combined with principal component analysis
Authors: Yang Jinhui , Zheng Nan , Soyeurt Hélène , Yang Yongxin , Wang Jiaqi
Published: November 2018

The objective of this study was to detect plant protein adulterated in fluid milk using nano‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–tandem mass spectroscopy (LC‐MS/MS) combined with proteomics. Unadulterated milk and samples adulterated with soy protein, pea protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and hydrolyzed rice protein were prepared, with plant protein level ranged from 0.5% to 8% in total protein. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) gels clearly revealed that centrifugation at 20,000 g for 60 min would reduce band intensity of casein and albumin in milk. Results of nano‐HPLC‐MS/MS indicated the major proteins of soy (β‐conglycinin, glycinin), pea (vincilin, convicilin, legumin), and wheat (glutenin and gliadin) in adulterated milks, allowing detection of soy protein and hydrolyzed wheat protein at the level above 0.5% in total protein and pea protein at the level of 2 and 4%. No rice protein was identified in milk samples adulterated with hydrolyzed rice protein. Combined with principal component analysis, nano‐HPLC‐MS/MS could discriminate all the adulterated samples from authentic milk. This study demonstrated the feasibility of nano‐HPLC‐MS/MS on the detection of (hydrolyzed) plant protein adulterated in milk.
Bank accounts for public primary health care facilities: Reflections on implementation from three districts in Tanzania
Authors: Kuwawenaruwa August , Remme Michelle , Mtei Gemini , Makawia Suzan , Maluka Stephen , Kapologwe Ntuli , Borghi Josephine
Published: November 2018

Health care financing reforms are gaining popularity in a number of African countries to increase financial resources and promote financial autonomy, particularly at peripheral health care facilities. The paper explores the establishment of facility bank accounts at public primary facilities in Tanzania, with the intention of informing other countries embarking on such reform of the lessons learned from its implementation process. A case study approach was used, in which three district councils were purposively sampled. A total of 34 focus group discussions and 14 in‐depth interviews were conducted. Thematic content analysis was used during analysis. The study revealed that the main use of bank account revenue was for the purchase of drugs, medical supplies, and minor facility needs. To ensure accountability for funds, health care facilities had to submit monthly reports of expenditures incurred. District managers also undertook quality control of facility infrastructure, which had been renovated using facility resources and purchases of facility needs. Facility autonomy in the use of revenue retained in their accounts would improve the availability of drugs and service delivery. The experienced process of opening facility bank accounts, managing, and using the funds highlights the need to strengthen the capacity of staff and health‐governing committees.
Suppression of ovarian follicle development by nano TiO2 is associated with TGF‐β‐mediated signaling pathways
Authors: Zhou Yingjun , Hong Fashui , Wu Nan , Ji Jianhui , Cui Yonghua , Li Jinyan , Zhuang Juan , Wang Ling
Published: November 2018

Nanoparticulate titanium dioxide (nano TiO2) is extensively applied in biological tissue engineering materials, food additives, cosmetics, and sunscreens. Numerous studies to date have demonstrated that nano TiO2 penetrates through the digestive system and possibly the blood circulation, leading to accumulation in the ovary and consequent reproductive toxicity. However, the mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of nano TiO2 on the female reproductive system remain to be established. In this study, female mice were exposed to different doses of nano TiO2 (1.25, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg body weight) via intragastric administration for 60 consecutive days, followed by investigation of follicular development, regulation of TGF‐β‐mediated signaling pathways, and expression of the pathway components. Subchronic exposure to nano TiO2 induced a decrease in the number of primordial, secondary, and antral follicles and corpus luteum and concomitant increase in atretic follicles. Furthermore, follicular development disorder induced by nano TiO2 was associated with upregulation of TGF‐β1, TGF‐βR1, PTEN, and Foxo3a involved in cell growth and apoptosis and downregulation of several growth factors (PI3K, AKT, p‐mTOR, p70S6K, p‐p70S6K1, rpS6, p‐rpS6, TSC1, and TSC2) in mouse ovaries. Our data collectively implied that suppression of ovarian follicle development by nano TiO2 was triggered by dysfunction of the TGF‐β, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and AKT/p70S6K‐rpS6/TSC/mTOR pathways. The adverse effects of nano TiO2 on follicular development highlights the necessity for caution in the use of nanomaterials in the food industry. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 414–422, 2019.
Binding mode of proflavine to DNA probed by polarized light spectroscopy
Authors: Jin Biao , Sung Gi Woong , Jang Yoon Jung
Published: November 2018

It is well known that proflavine binds to DNA. Here we investigate the binding mode of proflavine to native DNA using absorption, circular dichroism (CD), and linear dichroism (LD) spectroscopy as well as by fluorescence techniques. The observed changes of proflavine upon complexation with DNA can be summarized as a red shift and hypochromism in the absorption spectrum. The negative LDrin the proflavine absorption region has a magnitude comparable to or larger than that of the DNA absorption region, confirming the intercalative binding mode of proflavine to DNA. Saturation of the LD spectrum in the proflavine absorption region atR = 0.25 and a decrease in the fluorescence intensity provide further evidence of intercalation. Furthermore, the coupling of electric transition of intercalated proflavine is observed. Although proflavine has been reported to position itself along the DNA stem at high [proflavine]/[DNA base] ratios, the spectral characteristics, which include a clear isosbestic point in the absorption spectrum and proportionality in the LD magnitude in the proflavine absorption region, do not show any possibility of exterior binding.
Preliminary study of the relationship between promoter methylation of the ANGPTL2 gene and coronary heart disease
Authors: Zhou Jianqing , Chen Li , Yang Xi , Huang Xiaoyan , Wang Zicheng , Peng Ping , Lian Jiangfang
Published: November 2018

Background

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is primarily caused by atherosclerosis of coronary arteries. It is largely an inflammatory disease of the vascular wall. The inflammation is related to DNA methylation. Angiopoietin‐like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) has various functions in several chronic inflammatory diseases. Macrophage‐derived ANGPTL2 was reported to accelerate CHD development. It is reported that DNA hypomethylation in the promoter region of ANGPTL2 gene was associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a type of CHD. Our objective was to explore the correlation between promoter methylation of the ANGPTL2 gene and CHD, and to investigate the association between methylation status and clinical characteristics of CHD patients.

Methods

Firstly, we collected 122 CHD patients and 58 non‐CHD participants from Han Chinese population and purified the peripheral blood DNA. The purified DNA was subjected to bisulfite modification. After bisulfite conversion, the target DNA locus was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the PCR products were measured by pyrosequencing. Finally, the methylation level was calculated according to the sequencing result, and the data were analyzed using xx software.

Results

CHD patients had a relatively lower methylation levels (P50: 7.67% [P25: 6.22%, P75: 10.43%]) in the ANGPTL2 promoter region than did controls (P50: 8.25% [P25: 5.46%, P75: 17.98%], P = 0.001), indicating an association between ANGPTL2 promoter methylation and CHD (OR: 0.890; 95% CI, 0.832‐0.953; adjusted P = 0.001). A breakdown analysis by gender showed that ANGPTL2 promoter methylation was associated with CHD in females (adjusted P = 0.002) but not in males (adjusted P = 0.404). We found no correlation between gene methylation and other clinical characteristics.

Conclusions

The present work provides evidence to support an association between ANGPTL2 promoter DNA methylation status and the risk profile of CHD in females. Our data indicated that in females, promoter DNA hypomethylation of the ANGPTL2 gene is associated with an increased risk of CHD.
Direct detection from clinical sputum samples to differentiate live and dead Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Authors: Lu Jie , Zheng Huiwen , Chu Ping , Han Shujing , Yang Hui , Wang Zhongdong , Shi Jin , Yang Zuosen
Published: November 2018

Background

In this study, we aimed to optimize the condition of propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment for direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from clinical specimens.

Methods

The light exposure time, dark incubation time, bacterial load, and PMA concentration were varied to determine the optimal condition of PMA treatment.

Results

Overall, the maximum ΔCq value was observed in the group receiving a light exposure time of 20 minutes, which was significantly higher than the others (P < 0.05). The prolongation of dark incubation time seemed more likely to result in greater ΔCq value, and the ΔCq values were 2.0, 4.1, 6.5, 10.1, and 12.7 cycles under dark incubation time of 10, 20, 40, 60, and 120 minutes, respectively. Alternatively, the 4+ samples exhibited favorable detection results at the application of 104‐fold dilution by PMA assay with Cq values higher than 35 cycles. Further evaluation revealed that the PMA assay showed an accordance rate of 98.0% (98/100) among clinical sputa.

Conclusions

we develop an acceptable method to directly identify the live bacteria from sputum samples. Our data demonstrate that the dark incubation plays a crucial role in the efficacy of PMA treatment for MTB.
Insignificant interference of Elevit in pregnant women serum samples with HBsAg immunoassay on Sysmex
Authors: Ning Mingzhe , Chen Yuxin , Zheng Qisi , Jia Jia , Bai Bing
Published: November 2018

Background

The pregnant women often take Elevit as the multivitamin supplement which has a substantial amount of biotin that might potentially interfere with the HBsAg immunoassay performed by the prevalent Sysmex system in clinical laboratories. We therefore wanted to determine this, so that the therapeutic intervention on the hepatitis B virus infection during pregnancy and birth would not be missed.

Methods

Elevit was both serially diluted in vitro and orally taken by healthy volunteers whose blood samples were then taken at different time points. All samples were added to a serum sample with a known result of HBsAg and then measured by Sysmex. The Abbott immunoassay system was used as the control as it involves no streptavidin‐biotin binding in the reagent set. Besides, the HBsAg results were compared between the pregnant women taking or not taking Elevit.

Results

Biotin at 25 ng/mL in the Elevit started to suppress the HBsAg and reached about 50% suppression at 100 ng/mL on Sysmex. In the volunteers, biotin reached the peak concentration at 2 hours. However, their blood samples showed no suppression on the HBsAg detection by Sysmex. In samples from pregnant women who took Elevit, the HBsAg results by Sysmex were highly correlated with those by Abbott (R2 = 0.96). Comparison of the results from Sysmex between the age‐ and pregnancy‐matched females with and without Elevit intake showed no difference.

Conclusion

Elevit intake in pregnant women shows no significant interference with HBsAg immunoassay on Sysmex.
Specific knockdown of WNT8b expression protects against phosphate‐induced calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells by inhibiting the Wnt–β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Tian Bin‐Yao , Yao Li , Sheng Zi‐Tong , Wan Peng‐Zhi , Qiu Xiao‐Bo , Wang Jian , Xu Tian‐Hua
Published: November 2018

In the last 10 years, the prevalence, significance, and regulatory mechanisms of vascular calcification (VC) have gained increasing recognition. The aim of this study is to explore the action of WNT8b in the development of phosphate‐induced VC through its effect on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro by inactivating the Wnt–β‐catenin signaling pathway. To explore the effect of WNT8b on the Wnt–β‐catenin signaling pathway and VC in vitro, β‐glycerophosphate (GP)‐induced T/G HA‐VSMCs were treated with small interfering RNA against WNT8b (Si‐WNT8b), Wnt‐β‐catenin signaling pathway activator (LiCl) and both, respectively. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to determine the messenger RNA and protein levels of WNT8b, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), calcification‐associated molecules, and molecules related to the Wnt signaling pathway. The TOP/FOP‐Flash reporter assay was performed to detect the transcription activity mediated by β‐catenin. Si‐WNT8b reduced calcium deposition and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), increased the α‐SMA level, and decreased bone morphogenetic protein 2, Pit1, MSX2, and Runt‐related transcription factor 2 levels, whereas stimulation of LiCl worsened β‐GP‐induced calcium deposition, increased the activity of ALP, and reduced the α‐SMA expression level. Si‐WNT8b reduced the levels of WNT8b, frizzled‐4, β‐catenin, phospho‐GSK‐3β (p‐GSK‐3β), and cyclin‐D, whereas it increased the levels of p‐β‐catenin and GSK‐3β, indicating that si‐WNT8b could alter the Wnt–β‐catenin signaling pathway and thus hamper the VC in T/G HA‐VSMC, which was further demonstrated by the TOP/FOP‐Flash assay and detection of the β‐catenin expression level in the nucleus. Altogether, we conclude that WNT8b knockdown terminates phosphate‐induced VC in VSMCs by inhibiting the Wnt–β‐catenin signaling pathway.
Upregulation of transient receptor potential melastatin 6 channel expression by rosiglitazone and all‐trans‐retinoic acid in erlotinib‐treated renal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Manabe Aya , Furukawa Chisa , Hasegawa Hajime , Matsunaga Toshiyuki , Endo Satoshi , Ikari Akira
Published: November 2018

Anti‐epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) drugs including erlotinib cause a side effect of hypomagnesemia. In lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, anticancer agents such as cisplatin and doxorubicin dose‐dependently increased toxicity, but the effects were significantly suppressed by culturing the cells in low Mg2+‐containing media. To obtain the maximum effect in cancer chemotherapy, it should be necessary to prevent the reduction of body Mg
2+ content. Anti‐EGFR drugs inhibit EGF‐induced elevation of transient receptor potential melastatin 6 (TRPM6) Mg
2+ channel in renal tubular epithelial NRK‐52E cells. Here, we found that rosiglitazone, an antidiabetic drug, and all‐
trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA), a vitamin A derivative, increase the messenger RNA (mRNA) level of TRPM6 in the presence of erlotinib. The rosiglitazone‐ and ATRA‐induced elevation of mRNA level, Mg
2+ influx, and promoter activity of TRPM6 were inhibited by GW‐9662, a potent antagonist of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)γ, and LE135, a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist, respectively. Rosiglitazone increased the phosphorylation and nuclear localization levels of PPARγ, which were inhibited by GW‐9662. In contrast, RAR was mainly distributed in the nuclei under control conditions, which was unchanged by ATRA and LE135. The promoter activity of TRPM6 was inhibited by a mutation in the peroxisome proliferator hormone response element (PPRE). A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that PPARγ and RAR bind to the PPRE, which was blocked by GW‐9662 and LE135, respectively. These results suggest that rosiglitazone and ATRA reverse the reduction in Mg
2+ reabsorption caused by anti‐EGFR drugs.
Stigmatized‐Identity Cues: Threats as Opportunities for Consumer Psychology
Authors: Wooten David , Rank‐Christman Tracy
Published: November 2018

In their review of the literature on stigmatized‐identity cues, Chaney, Sanchez, and Maimon (2019—this issue) summarize evidence that stigmatized‐identity threat and safety cues drive consumer behavior through their effects on consumers’ inferences about the company's ideology and their consequential impact on feelings of belonging. The authors also identify various factors that moderate the relationship between these identity cues and consumers’ belonging perceptions. In our commentary, we identify future research opportunities by: (a) encouraging efforts to broaden the proposed framework to account for stigmatized identities defined in terms of consumption activities, (b) highlighting concepts and relationships that may require re‐examination or deeper understanding, and (c) proposing additional consumer behaviors that punish or reward companies that use stigmatized‐identity threat and safety cues, respectively.
The relationship between computed tomography‐derived body composition, systemic inflammatory response, and survival in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer
Authors: Dolan Ross D. , Almasaudi Arwa S. , Dieu Ly B. , Horgan Paul G. , McSorley Stephen T. , McMillan Donald C.
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality in developed countries. There is evidence supporting a disproportionate loss of skeletal muscle as an independent prognostic factor. The importance of the systemic inflammatory response as a unifying mechanism for specific loss of skeletal muscle mass in patients with cancer is increasingly recognized. The aim of the present study was to delineate the relationship between the systemic inflammatory response, skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle density (SMD), and overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

Materials and methods

The study included 650 patients with primary operable colorectal cancer. Computed tomography scans were used to define the presence of visceral obesity, sarcopenia (low SMI), and myosteatosis (low SMD). Tumour and patient characteristics were recorded. Survival analysis was carried out using univariate and multivariate Cox regression.

Results

A total of 650 patients (354 men and 296 women) were included. The majority of patients were over 65 years of age (64%) and overweight or obese (68%). On univariate survival analysis, age, ASA, TNM stage, modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), body mass index, subcutaneous fat index, visceral obesity, SMI, and SMD were significantly associated with overall survival (all P < 0.05). A low SMI and SMD were significantly associated with an elevated mGPS (<0.05). On multivariate analysis, SMI (Martin) [hazard ratio (HR) 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–2.18, P = 0.031], SMD (Xiao) (HR 1.42, 95% CI 0.98–2.05, P = 0.061), and mGPS (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.15–1.79, P = 0.001) were independently associated with overall survival. SMD but not SMI was significantly associated with ASA (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study delineates the relationship between the loss of quantity and quality of skeletal muscle mass, the systemic inflammatory response, and survival in patients with operable colorectal cancer.
Facile Formation of Eight‐membered Rings of Indoloazocine Framework via Intramolecular Oxidative Heck Cyclization
Authors: Zhao Peng , Huang Zhu‐yan , Zhao Chun‐shen , Liu Sheng
Published: November 2018

A facile method has been developed for the synthesis of indoloazocine framework. Through an oxidative Heck intramolecular cyclization of acrylated tryptamide derivatives, a series of azocino[5,4‐b] indolone derivatives were synthesized.
Analysis of the nucleotide content of Escherichia coli promoter sequences related to the alternative sigma factors
Authors: Dall'Alba Gabriel , Casa Pedro Lenz , Notari Daniel Luis , Adami Andre Gustavo , Echeverrigaray Sergio , de Avila e Silva Scheila
Published: November 2018

Promoters are DNA sequences located upstream of the transcription start site of genes. In bacteria, the RNA polymerase enzyme requires additional subunits, called sigma factors (σ) to begin specific gene transcription in distinct environmental conditions. Currently, promoter prediction still poses many challenges due to the characteristics of these sequences. In this paper, the nucleotide content of Escherichia coli promoter sequences, related to five alternative σ factors, was analyzed by a machine learning technique in order to provide profiles according to the σ factor which recognizes them. For this, the clustering technique was applied since it is a viable method for finding hidden patterns on a data set. As a result, 20 groups of sequences were formed, and, aided by the Weblogo tool, it was possible to determine sequence profiles. These found patterns should be considered for implementing computational prediction tools. In addition, evidence was found of an overlap between the functions of the genes regulated by different σ factors, suggesting that DNA structural properties are also essential parameters for further studies.
Weekly to multi‐month persistence in sets of daily weather patterns over Europe and the North Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Richardson Douglas , Kilsby Christopher G. , Fowler Hayley J. , Bárdossy András
Published: November 2018

Persistence in time series of daily weather pattern (WP) classifications can provide useful information such as on the memory of broad‐scale atmospheric circulation. Despite this, research of WP persistence has lagged behind that exploring their frequencies of occurrence. We develop two methods for identifying persistence in a 167‐year time series of WPs defined over the North Atlantic–European domain. The first is an empirical counting technique used to find periods of persistence among sets of WPs, with the definition of persistence more relaxed than just consecutive occurrences. We then condition this method on the driest WPs to see if persistence can be used to identify historical drought. The second method uses a Markov model to assess if WP transition probabilities change when conditioned on information up to 20 days prior, without the need for estimating the large number of parameters usually required for high‐order Markov chains. Results are compared with a benchmark ensemble of synthetic time series generated using first‐order transition probabilities. We show that there were multi‐month periods when small sets of WPs dominated, and some of these periods coincided with notable meteorological events, including droughts and storms, such as the mid‐1990s drought in northern England and the Burn's Day Storm over southern Scotland in 1990. Some WPs also behave as “attractors,” showing increased probability of reoccurrence despite other WPs occurring in‐between. However, we find no link between the persistence statistics of each WP and their flow characteristics, except for those featuring an easterly flow over the United Kingdom, which are among the most persistent. The benchmark simulation ensemble is unable to reproduce many of the key persistence statistics of the observations, confirming that the persistence is a physical phenomenon. Finally, we discuss the potential processes underpinning WP persistence, such as the effects of large‐scale circulation patterns and land‐surface feedbacks.
Si quantum dots enhancement stimulated Raman scattering of water molecules
Authors: Li Fabing , Wang Ying , Li Zhanlong , Fang Wenhui , Li Yeqiu , Sun Chenglin , Men Zhiwei
Published: November 2018

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) spectra of the OH stretching vibrations of pure water and 2‐nm Si quantum dots (Si QDs) water solution have been investigated under different pump laser energies. Simultaneously, we have studied the spontaneous Raman spectra of pure water and Si QDs water solution at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The results show that SRS intensity of Si QDs water solution is an order of magnitude higher than that of pure water at the same laser energy, which indicates that Si QDs enhance the SRS intensity of water molecules. The QDs enhancement SRS mechanism is attributed to the increase of third‐order nonlinear Raman susceptibility from the electric fields induced by the exciton effect of Si QDs.
Hydrophilic interaction chromatography for the analysis of biopharmaceutical drugs and therapeutic peptides: A review based on the separation characteristics of the hydrophilic interaction chromatography phases
Authors: Ikegami Tohru
Published: November 2018

Applications of hydrophilic interaction chromatography for the analysis of biopharmaceutical drugs, i.e., glycosylated proteins represented by monoclonal antibodies are discussed in the manner of glycoproteomics. They can be analyzed using hydrophilic interaction chromatography in five different stages as (1) their intact forms, (2) their subunits, (3) N‐ and O‐glycopeptides digested by proteases, (4) N‐ and O‐glycans released from the glycoproteins or glycopeptides, and (5) monosaccharides. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography is a more useful tool in the order of (1) to (5). At the stages (4) and (5), quantitation of glycans and saccharides are also reported. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography is employed not only for analytical uses, but also pretreatment items as solid phase extraction, followed by reversed‐phase liquid chromatography separations. Comprehensive search results of these application of hydrophilic interaction chromatography are summarized in tables to show what kind of hydrophilic interaction chromatography columns are suitable for each step of analysis.Relationship of favored and less favored hydrophilic interaction chromatography columns and their separation characteristics such as hydrophilicity, and selectivity for structural difference, is also discussed. Analysis of the therapeutic peptides (not glycosylated) using hydrophilic interaction chromatography is summarized, too.
Anandamide Induces Platelet Nitric Oxide Synthase through AMP‐Activated Protein Kinase
Authors: Signorello Maria Grazia , Leoncini Giuliana
Published: November 2018

The objective of this study was to determine whether adenosine 5′ monophosphate (AMP)‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is activated by anandamide (AEA) and is involved in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation. We found that AEA stimulates and activates AMPKα through a Ca2+‐dependent/Calmodulin (CaM)‐dependent pathway as the specific inhibitor of the Ca2+/Calmodulin kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ) STO‐609 abolishes the AMPK phosphorylation/activation. The same inhibiting effect is shown in platelets pretreated with LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), or with MK2206, an inhibitor of protein kinase B (AKT), suggesting that AMPK is downstream of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Moreover, the AEA‐induced eNOS activation and the consequent nitric oxide (NO) and guanosine 3′‐5′ cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) increase are mediated by the CaMKKβ/AMPKα pathway as STO‐609 significantly inhibits these parameters. In contrast, liver kinase B1 (LKB1) seems to be very poorly involved. One crucial effect of NO and cGMP elevation is the activation of protein kinase G that can phosphorylate the vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). We have demonstrated that AEA stimulates VASP phosphorylation on both thr278 and ser239 that is strongly inhibited by STO‐609, LY294002, and MK2206. Finally, AMPK phosphorylation/activation and VASP phosphorylation are significantly reduced by SR141716, the specific inhibitor of type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1). SR144528, an antagonist of type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2), has a less‐potent effect, suggesting that the CB1 receptor is overall involved in the AEA effect. In conclusion, we show that the CaMKKβ/AMPKα pathway, downstream of the PI3K/AKT pathway, is activated by AEA in human platelets and leads to increase NO levels producing beneficial effects during ischemic conditions and contributing to extend platelet survival.