bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Modulation of Levels of Oxidative Stress in the Liver of Anti‐Tuberculosis Drug Treated Wistar Rats by Vitamin B12, Beta‐Carotene, and Spirulina fusiformis: Role of NF‐κB, iNOS, IL‐6, and IL‐10
Authors: Joseph Martin Sherry , Evan Prince Sabina
Published: April 2017

Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampicin (RIF) are known hepatotoxic agents. We compared the efficacy of Spirulina fusiformis and its active components vitamin B12 and beta‐carotene in attenuating INH and RIF induced hepatotoxicity. We also tried to elucidate the inflammatory mechanism behind anti‐tuberculosis drug induced hepatotoxicity. INH and RIF were administered to Wistar albino rats for 28 days to induce hepatotoxicity. S. fusiformis, vitamin B12, and beta‐carotene were co‐administered with INH and RIF and their hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory roles were studied through blood and liver analysis. Changes induced by INH and RIF in antioxidants, cytokines (IL‐6 and IL‐10) and expression of Nuclear Factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) were also studied. Supplement treatment caused restoration of liver function parameters to normal levels along with reversal of inflammatory changes in IL‐6 and IL‐10 levels. Liver PCNA, iNOS, and NF‐κB expression were reduced in the supplement treated tissues compared to INH and RIF treated rats as evidenced by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. Correlation of IL‐6 levels, PCNA, and iNOS with NF‐κB showed its pivotal role in the inflammatory process. Study shows the pivotal role of NF‐kB and the equivalence in antioxidant efficacy of vitamin B12 and beta‐carotene compared to Spirulina fusiformis. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3825–3833, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oncophosphosignaling Favors a Glycolytic Phenotype in Human Drug Resistant Leukemia
Authors: Faria Alessandra V.S. , Tornatore Thaís F. , Milani Renato , Queiroz Karla C.S. , Sampaio Igor H. , Fonseca Emanuella M.B. , Rocha‐Brito Karin J.P. , Santos Tamira O. , Silveira Leonardo R. , Peppelenbosch Maikel P. , Ferreira‐Halder Carmen V.
Published: April 2017

In chemoresistant leukemia cells (Lucena‐1), the low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMWPTP) is about 20‐fold more active than in their susceptible counterpart (K562). We found this phosphatase ensures the activated statuses of Src and Bcr‐Abl. Since, phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of proteins represent a key post‐translational regulation of several enzymes, we also explored the kinome. We hereby show that LMWPTP superactivation, together with kinome reprogramming, cooperate towards glucose addiction. Resistant leukemia cells present lower levels of oxidative metabolism, in part due to downexpression of the following mitochondrial proteins: pyruvate dehydrogenase subunit alpha 1, succinate dehydrogenase, and voltage‐dependent anion channel. Those cells displayed higher expression levels of glucose transporter 1 and higher production of lactate. In addition, Lucena‐1 siRNA LMWPTP cells showed lower expression levels of glucose transporter 1 and lower activity of lactate dehydrogenase. On the other hand, K562 cells overexpressing LMWPTP presented higher expression/activity of both proteins. In this study, we show that LMWPTP is a pivotal mediator of metabolic reprogramming that confers survival advantages to leukemia cells against death stimuli. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3846–3854, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fusaric Acid Induces DNA Damage and Post‐Translational Modifications of p53 in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) Cells
Authors: Ghazi Terisha , Nagiah Savania , Tiloke Charlette , Sheik Abdul Naeem , Chuturgoon Anil A.
Published: April 2017

Fusaric acid (FA), a common fungal contaminant of maize, is known to mediate toxicity in plants and animals; however, its mechanism of action is unclear. p53 is a tumor suppressor protein that is activated in response to cellular stress. The function of p53 is regulated by post‐translational modifications—ubiquitination, phosphorylation, and acetylation. This study investigated a possible mechanism of FA induced toxicity in the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line. The effect of FA on DNA integrity and post‐translational modifications of p53 were investigated. Methods included: (a) culture and treatment of HepG2 cells with FA (IC50: 580.32 μM, 24 h); (b) comet assay (DNA damage); (c) Western blots (protein expression of p53, MDM2, p‐Ser‐15‐p53, a‐K382‐p53, a‐CBP (K1535)/p300 (K1499), HDAC1 and p‐Ser‐47‐Sirt1); and (d) Hoechst 33342 assay (apoptosis analysis). FA caused DNA damage in HepG2 cells relative to the control (P < 0.0001). FA decreased the protein expression of p53 (0.24‐fold, P = 0.0004) and increased the expression of p‐Ser‐15‐p53 (12.74‐fold, P = 0.0126) and a‐K382‐p53 (2.24‐fold, P = 0.0096). This occurred despite the significant decrease in the histone acetyltransferase, a‐CBP (K1535)/p300 (K1499) (0.42‐fold, P = 0.0023) and increase in the histone deacetylase, p‐Ser‐47‐Sirt1 (1.22‐fold, P = 0.0020). The expression of MDM2, a negative regulator of p53, was elevated in the FA treatment compared to the control (1.83‐fold, P < 0.0001). FA also inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells as evidenced by the Hoechst assay. Together, these results indicate that FA is genotoxic and post‐translationally modified p53 leading to HepG2 cell death. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3866–3874, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stimulation of oral fibroblast chemokine receptors identifies CCR3 and CCR4 as potential wound healing targets
Authors: Buskermolen Jeroen K. , Roffel Sanne , Gibbs Susan
Published: April 2017

The focus of this study was to determine which chemokine receptors are present on oral fibroblasts and whether these receptors influence proliferation, migration, and/or the release of wound healing mediators. This information may provide insight into the superior wound healing characteristics of the oral mucosa. The gingiva fibroblasts expressed 12 different chemokine receptors (CCR3, CCR4, CCR6, CCR9, CCR10, CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR4, CXCR5, CXCR7, CX3CR1, and XCR1), as analyzed by flow cytometry. Fourteen corresponding chemokines (CCL5, CCL15, CCL20, CCL22, CCL25, CCL27, CCL28, CXCL1, CXCL8, CXCL11, CXCL12, CXCL13, CX3CL1, and XCL1) were used to study the activation of these receptors on gingiva fibroblasts. Twelve of these fourteen chemokines stimulated gingiva fibroblast migration (all except for CXCL8 and CXCL12). Five of the chemokines stimulated proliferation (CCL5/CCR3, CCL15/CCR3, CCL22/CCR4, CCL28/CCR3/CCR10, and XCL1/XCR1). Furthermore, CCL28/CCR3/CCR10 and CCL22/CCR4 stimulation increased IL‐6 secretion and CCL28/CCR3/CCR10 together with CCL27/CCR10 upregulated HGF secretion. Moreover, TIMP‐1 secretion was reduced by CCL15/CCR3. In conclusion, this in‐vitro study identifies chemokine receptor‐ligand pairs which may be used in future targeted wound healing strategies. In particular, we identified the chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR4, and the mucosa specific chemokine CCL28, as having an predominant role in oral wound healing by increasing human gingiva fibroblast proliferation, migration, and the secretion of IL‐6 and HGF and reducing the secretion of TIMP‐1.
Inactivation combined with cell lysis of Pseudomonas putida using a low pressure carbon dioxide microbubble technology
Authors: Mulakhudair Ali R , Al‐Mashhadani Mahmood , Hanotu James , Zimmerman William
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Inactivation processes can be classified into non‐thermal inactivation methods such as ethylene oxide and γ‐radiation, and thermal methods such as autoclaving. The ability of carbon dioxide enriched microbubbles to inactivate Pseudomonas putida suspended in physiological saline, as a non‐thermal sterilisation method, was investigated in this study with many operational advantages over both traditional thermal and non‐thermal sterilisation methods.

RESULTS

Introducing carbon dioxide enriched microbubbles can achieve ∼2‐Log reduction in the bacterial population after 90 min of treatment, addition of ethanol to the inactivation solution further enhanced the inactivation process to achieve 3, 2.5 and 3.5‐Log reduction for 2%, 5% and 10 %( v/v) ethanol, respectively. A range of morphological changes was observed on Pseudomonas cells after each treatment, and these changes extended from changing cell shape from rod shape to coccus shape to severe lesions and cell death. Pseudomonas putida KT 2440 was used as a model of gram‐negative bacteria.

CONCLUSION

Using CO2 enriched microbubbles technology has many advantages such as efficient energy consumption (no heat source), avoidance of toxic and corrosive reagents, and in situ treatment. In addition, many findings from this study could apply to other gram‐negative bacteria. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Non‐sterilized fermentative production of acetoin with 2,3‐butanediol as a main byproduct from maize hydrolysate by a newly isolated thermophilic Bacillus strain
Authors: Xiao Zijun , Gu Rulin , Hou Xiaoyuan , Zhao Jing‐yi , Zhu Hu , Lu Jian R
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Acetoin is an important biorefinery platform chemical with many industrial uses. It is mainly produced by chemical synthesis or mesophilic fermentation with high costs.

RESULTS

A thermophilic Bacillus strain was isolated to efficiently produce acetoin from maize hydrolysate at 50°C. The fermentation medium was statistically optimized by Plackett–Burman design. Operational conditions were then optimized using a 4.2 L fermenter conducted at 50°C without sterilization. Oxygen enriched air (65% oxygen) accelerated substrate consumption but did not increase product titer. In comparison with 600 rpm, agitation speed controlled at 400 rpm yielded less acetoin but more 2,3‐butanediol in the final products. A two‐stage pH control strategy (pH first at 6.6–7.1 then at 7.7–8.0) was applied to further increase the yield of acetoin. Finally, 50.8 g L‐1 of acetoin and 32.1 g L‐1 of 2,3‐butanediol were obtained from 251 g L‐1 of degermed maize flour (dry weight). The conversion yield from sugar to the 4‐carbon compounds (acetoin and 2,3‐butanediol) was 94.4% of the theoretical value.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of non‐sterilized fermentative production of acetoin. Using degermed maize hydrolysate as the main feedstock, this work sets a new titer record of acetoin fermentation among known thermophilic producing systems. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Polymorphisms in the SNRPN gene are associated with obesity susceptibility in a Spanish population
Authors: Albuquerque David , Manco Licínio , González Luz M. , Gervasini Guillermo , Benito Goitzane Marcaida , González Juan R. , Rodríguez‐López Raquel
Published: April 2017

Background

SNRPN, which codes for the RNA‐binding SmN protein, is a candidate gene for Prader‐Willi syndrome. One characteristic of this neuroendocrine disorder is hyperphagia resulting in extreme obesity later in life. In the present study, we aimed to assess whether variability within this gene could be implicated in obesity susceptibility.

Methods

A case–control study was performed including 265 unrelated patients with nonsyndromic and early‐onset severe obesity, belonging to high‐risk obesity families from Spanish ancestry; 184 healthy control individuals were included representative of the same genetic background and sex‐matched. Forty‐nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning the entire SNRPN gene were selected and genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform (Sequenom Inc., San Diego, CA, USA).

Results

The four SNPs, rs12905653, rs752874, rs1391516 and rs2047433, were found to be nominally associated with obesity (p < 0.03). The diversity haplotype distribution among cases and controls identified the combination rs12905653‐T/rs8028366‐A/rs4028395‐T as being strongly and inversely associated with obesity (odds ratio = 0.49; p = 0.0006). A genetic risk score was built based on rs12905653, rs1391516 and rs2047433 SNPs and each unit increase in genetic risk score increased the obesity risk by 49% (odds ratio = 1.49, 95% confidence interval = 1.24–1.80).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting an association between variability in the SNRPN gene and the risk of being obese. Interestingly, it was the major allele of each SNP that was found to be associated with the risk of weight gain. Further studies analyzing this locus and the possible additive deleterious capability of SNP combinations could be useful for demonstrating the development of obesity.
Analytical model of subthreshold swing of a gate and channel engineered double gate MOSFET
Authors: Mahmud Md. Arafat , Subrina Samia
Published: April 2017

We have developed a 2‐dimensional analytical model to study the subthreshold swing and channel conductance of a gate and channel engineered double gate MOSFET. Basic diffusion equation has been considered to model the drain to source current of the device in subthreshold region and expressions of the device parameters like subthreshold swing and channel conductance have been derived. Subthreshold swing variations of the device with varied materials, channel, and effective oxide layer thickness and channel length have also been investigated. Changes in subthreshold swing owing to different doping profile concentrations have been explored. Effect of similar device parameters on the channel conductance of the device has been examined as well. Another important observation of the work is the pseudo flat band condition of the device structure based on the intersecting point of body potentials of the device at different thickness of the channel. The analytical results of the proposed model have been validated with the numerical results from commercially available 2‐dimensional device simulator.
Label‐free surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy of lipid‐rafts from hepatocyte plasma membranes
Authors: Delgado‐Coello Blanca , Montalvan‐Sorrosa Danai , Cruz‐Rangel Armando , Sosa‐Garrocho Marcela , Hernández‐Téllez Beatriz , Macías‐Silva Marina , Castillo Rolando , Mas‐Oliva Jaime
Published: April 2017

Lipid rafts are sphingomyelin/cholesterol‐rich domains present in the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells. In the hepatocyte, it has been shown that these domains intervene and modify a wide range of functions from which cell signaling in health and disease is of major importance. The present investigation proposes a novel strategy for the study of plasma membrane lipid rafts using surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and spectra processing employing the principal component analysis (PCA) in correlation with conventional biochemical techniques. SERS has been used for artificial membranes; our approach has the advantage that allows studying purified biological membranes using small volumes of biological samples and a very simple protocol. Therefore, the use of SERS/PCA represents an important advantage for the study not only of the structure and composition of biological membranes but also for the understanding of the functions carried by the membrane‐embedded proteins. Our work using SERS/PCA for the first time shows a correlation when studying the composition of lipid rafts from the cell plasma membrane and the catalytic activity of the Ca2+‐ATPase, and its direct association with the presence of specific lipids located in membrane lipid rafts. Also, we show that changes in plasma membrane and the catalytic activity of the Ca2+‐ATPase activity present in the plasma membrane of hepatocytes after partial depletion of membrane cholesterol carried out by methyl‐beta‐cyclodextrin correlate with the changes in the enzyme activity and the presence of cholesterol‐rich domains of lipid rafts. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical and optical characterization of white efflorescences on dry fermented sausages under modified atmosphere packaging
Authors: Walz Felix H , Gibis Monika , Herrmann Kurt , Hinrichs Jörg , Weiss Jochen
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Dry fermented sausages that are packed under modified atmosphere are often affected by the formation of white crystals on the surface. These so called efflorescences are rejected by consumers and lead to high financial losses for the meat processing industry. In this study, the distribution of efflorescence‐causing components was investigated over the sausage profile during 8 weeks of storage under modified atmosphere at 4 °C. In addition, two visual methods (image and sensory analyses) were compared regarding the ability to quantify the efflorescence content.

RESULTS

The initial formation of efflorescences was observed after 2 weeks (7%). After 4 weeks of storage, 23.4% of the sausage surface was covered with efflorescences, and the amount of efflorescences did not change significantly by the end of storage. Furthermore, chemical analyses revealed that magnesium (increased by 98.1%), lactate (increased by 54.2%) and creatine (increased by 51.8%) are enriched on the sausage surface during storage.

CONCLUSION

Sensory and image analyses lead to comparable results (r = 0.992) and therefore both are suitable to quantify the amount of efflorescences. The moisture gradient in the interior of the sausages which is built upon drying is supposed to be the driving force for the movement of efflorescence‐causing compounds. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Protein efficiency in intensive dairy production: a Swedish example
Authors: Swensson Christian , Lindmark‐Månsson Helena , Smedman Annika , Henriksson Maria , Modin Edman Anna‐Karin
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Animal agriculture has been criticised in terms of its sustainability from several perspectives. Ruminants such as dairy cows can transform inedible, low‐quality protein in roughage and by‐products from the food industry into the high‐quality protein found in milk and meat. Evaluation of the protein conversion efficiency of dairy production from a sustainability and resource perspective must be based on the proportion of the animal feed edible to humans. A relevant metric is thus edible feed protein conversion ratio (eFPCR), i.e. human‐edible protein output in cow's milk per unit human‐edible protein input in feed. In this study, eFPCR was calculated for five regionally adapted and realistic feed rations fed to Swedish dairy cows producing different annual milk yields typical for high‐yielding, intensive dairy production.

RESULTS

All scenarios except one showed a protein efficiency ratio of >1 for human‐edible protein. Thus, depending on the composition of their diet, most Swedish dairy cows can convert human‐inedible protein into edible, high‐value protein. However, higher milk yield led to a decrease in eFPCR, regardless of diet.

CONCLUSION

Dairy cows in high‐yielding, intensive production systems such as those used in Sweden have the capacity to convert low‐value inedible protein into high‐value edible protein. However, a minor part of the dairy cow diet is edible for humans and this fraction must be minimised to justify dairy production. These results are in line with previous findings on protein conversion efficiency and add scientific input to the debate on sustainable food systems and sustainable diets. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Cetylpyridinium chloride functionalized silica‐coated magnetite microspheres for the solid‐phase extraction and pre‐concentration of ochratoxin A from environmental water samples with high‐performance liquid chromatographic analysis
Authors: Hu Meihua , Huang Pengcheng , Suo Lili , Wu Fangying
Published: April 2017

A new method based on cetylpyridinium chloride coated ferroferric oxide/silica magnetic microspheres as an efficient solid‐phase adsorbent was developed for the extraction and enrichment of ochratoxin A. The determination of ochratoxin A was obtained by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. In the presence of cetylpyridinium chloride, the adsorption capacity of ferroferric oxide/silica microspheres was 5.95 mg/g for ochratoxin A. The experimental parameters were optimized, including the amounts of ferroferric oxide/silica microspheres (20 mg) and cetylpyridinium chloride (0.18 mL, 0.5 mg/mL), pH value of media (9), ultrasonic time (5 min), elution solvent and volume [2(1 + 1) mL (washed twice, 1 mL each time) 1% acetic acid acetonitrile]. Under optimal experiment conditions, ochratoxin A had good linearity in the range of 2.5–250.0 ng/L in water samples with correlation coefficient of the calibration curve 0.9995. The limit of detection for ochratoxin A was 0.83 ng/L, and the recoveries were 89.8–96.8% with the relative standard deviation of 1.5–3.5% in environmental water samples. Furthermore, ferroferric oxide/silica microspheres show excellent reusability during extraction procedures for no less than six times.
Simultaneous determination of pyrametostrobin and its two metabolites in cucumber and soil using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method with HPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Huang Chengtian , Zhu He , Yu Yang , Ding Qi , Jia Fuyan , Zhao Bochui , Wei Siyuan , Gong Dangsheng , Xu Weichang , Ji Mingshan
Published: April 2017

An easy, effective and sensitive analytical method for the simultaneous determination of a novel fungicide pyrametostrobin and its two metabolites pyrametostrobin‐M1 and pyrametostrobin‐M2 in cucumber and soil was developed using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The extraction solvent was acetonitrile, and cleanup sorbents were primary secondary amine and graphitized carbon black for cucumber samples and primary secondary amine for soil samples. The three target compounds were successfully separated between 3.2 and 3.9 min using a Waters CORTECS™ C18 column connected to an electrospray ionization source. All the matrix‐matched samples at three fortified levels (10, 100 and 1000  μg/kg) provided satisfactory recoveries in the range of 78.8–93.8% with relative standard deviations below 6.9%. The limits of quantitation for the three compounds were below 0.183 μg/kg. The proposed method was validated by analyzing real samples.
The case for lethal control of gulls on seabird colonies
Authors: Scopel Lauren C. , Diamond Antony W.
Published: April 2017

Lethal control of wildlife represents an ethical concern for managers, exacerbated by a lack of replicated or controlled data for most taxa or regions. The Gulf of Maine (GOM) has a history of intensive lethal and nonlethal predator control to protect terns (Sterna spp.) from inflated populations of predatory gulls, especially herring (Larus argentatus) and great black‐backed gulls (L. marinus; large gulls). We described management strategies in the GOM, reviewed methods of nonlethal and lethal types of control, and compared the effectiveness of 3 control regimes (lethal, nonlethal‐only, and no control) using weighted means of reproductive success metrics for 4 tern species. Nonlethal‐only control is the least effective method of predator control; lethal control is consistently the most effective. Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) were the most susceptible to predation, whereas common terns (Sterna hirundo) were the most resilient. We concluded that targeted lethal control is necessary in the GOM to protect tern colonies from depredation and nesting exclusion by large gulls, and cannot be substituted with nonlethal control. Cessation of lethal control leads to abandonment of tern colonies within 6–7 years, but resumption of appropriately timed lethal control can lead to recolonization the same year. A combination of nonlethal and lethal methods can minimize the number of gulls taken. We recommend that any application of lethal control carefully considers the local needs of any target species and recognizes the need for spatial and temporal commitment. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Vertical distributions and diurnal variations of high‐molecular‐weight dissolved arsenic in the oligotrophic ocean
Authors: Lee Chih‐Ping , Cheng Chia‐Yu , Wen Liang‐Saw
Published: April 2017

Arsenic (As) has long been recognized as an environmental toxicant. Its biogeochemical cycling in the ocean is often linked to that of phosphorus (P), whose dynamics may affect the efficiency of the marine carbon pump as it relates to CO2 absorption from the atmosphere. The chemical behavior of inorganic arsenate is similar to that of phosphate, and it is also taken up by phytoplankton or bacterioplankton in parallel with phosphate. This absorbed As is then metabolized into arsenite or methylated As and expelled through detoxification processes. However, in surface waters of the oligotrophic ocean where dissolved P is predominantly in organic forms, the regeneration and recycling processes of As remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate the first depth profiles of high‐molecular‐weight (HMW, 1 kDa‐0.4 μm) As and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) in oligotrophic waters and their short‐term variations in the euphotic zone. HMW‐As constituted 21% ± 8% of dissolved As, whereas the high‐molecular‐weight dissolved organic phosphorus (HMW‐DOP) decreased from 74% of the total DOP at the surface to 35% at a 200 m depth. Concurrent variations of HMW‐As and HMW‐DOP in the upper euphotic zone were identified for the first time. This also provides new evidence from direct observation supporting the size‐reactivity continuum model. These temporal changes may result from light‐driven enhancement of photoheterotrophy. Overall, our results highlight the contribution of microbes to the production and assimilation of HMW materials and signify their importance in marine As and P cycles.
Receding horizon control for discrete‐time multiple input delay systems
Authors: Gao Rong , Liu Xiaohua , Zhang Huanshui
Published: April 2017

This paper is concerned with stabilization problem for discrete‐time systems with multiple input delay. By defining a new cost function, the stabilization condition is derived based on monotonically nonincreasing of the optimal cost. It is shown that if the 2 weighting matrices in the cost function satisfy the given linear matrix inequality, receding horizon controller can stabilize the input delay systems. Moreover, the explicit stabilization controller with the new cost function is obtained by solving a finite horizon optimal control problem. A numerical example illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Compressive capacitance relaxation of carbon black filled silicone rubber composite
Authors: Wang Luheng
Published: April 2017

The changes in the capacitance of carbon black filled silicone rubber composite during the compressive stress relaxation, which is defined as the “compressive capacitance relaxation,” is researched. During the compressive stress relaxation, the capacitance of the composite increases gradually and tends to be stable over time. Based on the viscoelastic theory, the mathematical model for the compressive capacitance relaxation is established. The capacitance relaxation times and the stable normalized capacitance decrease with the increase of the conductive phase content. The capacitance relaxation times hold constant, and the stable normalized capacitance increases with the increase of the initial stress. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3446–3451, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Interaction of toughening mechanisms in ternary nanocomposites
Authors: Quan Dong , Pearson Raymond A. , Ivankovic Alojz
Published: April 2017

Silica nanoparticles (SNP) and core‐shell‐rubber (CSR) nanoparticles were added to a lightly crosslinked epoxy in an effort to improve fracture toughness. Properties such as the glass transition temperature, tensile modulus, and yield strength were also measured. Toughening mechanisms were studied by inspecting the fracture surfaces with scanning electron microscope and exploring subsurface damage using both transmission optical microscope and transmission electron microscope. Ternary nanocomposities with a fracture energy five times that of the unmodified epoxy resin were obtained with no discernible drop in the tensile modulus. The increase in stiffness due to the presence of SNP and the increase in compliance due to the presence of CSR were accurately predicted using the Mori‐Tanaka micromechanical model. Unfortunately, the use of SNP did not result in the retention of strength in the ternary nanocomposites. Maximum toughness was observed when the SNP content was 4 vol% and the CSR content was 7 vol%. This combination of particles also resulted in the largest damage zone (subsurface), which agrees well with fracture toughness results. The interaction of toughening mechanisms in rubber‐SNP‐epoxy systems was found to be affected by the interparticle distance between rubber particles. The non‐debonding SNPs between rubber particles could act as shear band stoppers and/or ductility suppressors, which suppressed the toughening performance of rubber particles. On the other hand, the SNPs induce more shear bands between SNPs to increase the toughening performance. The total toughening performance depends on the rubber interparticle distance. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3482–3496, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of 3D‐woven glass fabric and nanoparticles incorporation on impact energy absorption of GLARE composites
Authors: Amooyi Dizaji R. , Yazdani M. , Aligholizadeh E. , Rashed A.
Published: April 2017

Proper combination of fiber reinforced composite and metal is a novel concept that it caused the advent of fiber‐metal laminates. This study reports the impact response of 3D‐woven glass fiber fabric composite cores experimentally, and it describes the effect of silica and graphene nanoparticles addition on energy absorption behavior of laminated fiber‐metal composites. The composites are manufactured by VARTM method with 71% fiber volume fraction. The low velocity impact tests are performed with drop‐weight impact test machine with various impact energies. The results show higher impact performance of plain‐weave samples compared with 3D‐woven glass fiber fabrics under different impact energies. The 3D‐woven glass fiber fabrics are preferred in case of using samples with lower weights. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3528–3536, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Characteristics of undeinked, alkaline deinked, and neutral deinked old newspaper fibers reinforced recycled polypropylene composites
Authors: Zhang Xiaolin , Bo Xiangfeng , Cong Longkang , Wei Liqing , McDonald Armando G.
Published: April 2017

The properties of old newspaper fibers (ONPF) reinforced recycled polypropylene (rPP) composites (ONPF/rPP) have been studied. The effect of alkaline and neutral deinking treatments of ONPF was investigated. The tensile and flexural strength of ONPF/rPP composites were significantly improved when compared to the neat rPP. Composites from neutral deinked fibers showed slightly better mechanical strength than that reinforced by alkaline deinked fibers. The effect of the ONPF deinking treatment on the water absorption of the composites was notable. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that deinked ONPF/rPP composites had lower thermal stability. Differential scanning calorimetry showed deinking treatment reduced the degree of crystallinity of composites as compared to the undeinked composites. X‐ray diffraction was used to characterize the crystallization structures of composites. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of 20 wt% ONPF/rPP composites showed well fiber dispersion in the matrix. Interfacial adhesion was decreased in the deinked samples due to removal of ink particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3537–3544, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Optimized polyaniline‐transition metal oxide composites: A comparative study of alternating current conductivity via correlated barrier hopping model
Authors: Megha R. , Ravikiran Y.T. , Vijaya Kumari S.C. , Chandrasekhar T. , Thomas S.
Published: April 2017

Optimized polyaniline‐yttrium oxide (PANI‐Y2O3), polyaniline‐niobium pentoxide (PANI‐Nb2O5), and polyaniline‐titanium dioxide (PANI‐TiO2) composites were prepared by mechanical mixing of chemically synthesized PANI with Y2O3, Nb2O5, and TiO2 transition metal oxides respectively. The PANI and the composites were structurally characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Improved π‐electron delocalization in PANI‐Nb2O5 composite as compared to those in PANI and other composites was confirmed from FTIR and XRD analysis. Highly agglomerated, more densely packed spherical particles of PANI‐Nb2O5 composite than those of pristine PANI and other composites was confirmed by comparative study of their SEM images. Increase in AC conductivity of PANI‐Nb2O5 composite as compared to that of PANI and other composites due to the formation of interfacial heterojunction barrier between p‐type PANI and n‐type Nb2O5 was confirmed experimentally and well supported theoretically by calculating binding energy, hopping distance, and density of states at Fermi level as per correlated barrier hopping model. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3545–3555, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
The role of polypropylene matrix in cyclic bending coupled thermal effects
Authors: Boccardi Simone , Carlomagno Giovanni Maria , Simeoli Giorgio , Russo Pietro , Meola Carosena
Published: April 2017

Infrared thermography is used to visualize temperature variations which are linked to thermoelastic effects developing over the surface of a cantilever beam undergoing deflection under cyclic bending tests. Several specimens are fabricated of thermoplastic composite materials, which involve change of matrix and/or reinforcement. More specifically, the matrix is either a pure polypropylene, or a polypropylene modified with the addition of a certain percentage of compatibilizing agent (grafted); the reinforcement being made of woven glass, or jute, fibers. Cyclic bending tests are carried out with the aid of an electromechanical actuator. One surface of the specimen is continuously viewed by an infrared imaging device during deflection. The suitability of infrared thermography to distinguish the small surface temperature variations, depending on both matrix and reinforcement type, has been previously demonstrated. In this work, the matrix is separately analyzed to add information about its role when coupled with either glass, or jute, and in the presence of a certain percentage of a grafting agent. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:680–684, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Polymeric 1H MRI Probes for Visualizing Tumor In Vivo
Authors: Kondo Teruyuki , Kimura Yu , Yamada Hisatsugu , Aoyama Yasuhiro
Published: April 2017

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a prominent non– or low–invasive imaging technique, providing high–resolution, three–dimensional images as well as physiological information about tissues. Low–molecular–weight Gd–MRI contrast agents (CAs), such as Gd–DTPA (DTPA: diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), are commonly used in the clinical diagnosis, while macromolecular Gd–MRI CAs have several advantages over low–molecular–weight Gd–MRI CAs, which help minimize the dose of CAs and the risk of side effects. Accordingly, we developed chiral dendrimer Gd–MRI CAs, which showed high r1 values. The association constant values (Ka) of S–isomeric dendrimer CAs to bovine serum albumin (BSA) were higher than those of R–isomeric dendrimer CAs. Besides, based on a totally new concept, we developed 13C/15N–enriched multiple–resonance NMR/MRI probes, which realized highly selective observation of the probes and analysis of metabolic reactions of interest. This account summarizes our recent study on developing both chiral dendrimer Gd–MRI CAs, and self–traceable 13C/15N–enriched phosphorylcholine polymer probes for early detection of tumors.
Elucidation of Biosynthetic Pathways of Natural Products
Authors: Kishimoto Shinji , Tsunematsu Yuta , Sato Michio , Watanabe Kenji
Published: April 2017

During the last decade, we have revealed biosynthetic pathways responsible for the formation of important and chemically complex natural products isolated from various organisms through genetic manipulation. Detailed in vivo and in vitro characterizations enabled elucidation of unexpected mechanisms of secondary metabolite biosynthesis. This personal account focuses on our recent efforts in identifying the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of spirotryprostatin, aspoquinolone, Sch 210972, pyranonigrin, fumagillin and pseurotin. We exploit heterologous reconstitution of biosynthetic pathways of interest in our study. In particular, extensive involvement of oxidation reactions is discussed. Heterologous hosts employed here are Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus nidulans and A. niger that can also be used to prepare biosynthetic intermediates and product analogs by engineering the biosynthetic pathways using the knowledge obtained by detailed characterizations of the enzymes. (998 char.)
Improving design decomposition (extended version)
Authors: Faitelson David , Tyszberowicz Shmuel
Published: April 2017

Decomposing a system into subsystems is essential to the design of large software systems. Traditionally, it is performed intuitively without rigorously analyzing the system model. This makes it difficult to check the decomposition correctness, and risks creating subsystems that are either too tightly coupled or not cohesive enough. An aggravating factor is that traditionally classes are the atomic design units. In many cases, however, the same classes play a role in more than one subsystem, and partitioning them unbroken among the subsystems may increase coupling and reduce cohesion. We present an analytical approach that enables reasoning about early exploration of decomposition alternatives. In addition, we describe a visual notation for diagramming the composition of subsystems, and an automatic technique for suggesting good decompositions. A key to our approach is that individual relations, not classes, are the atomic design units. We illustrate the approach with examples and demonstrate its effectiveness on a commercial system. This paper is an extended version of previous work.
Integral Means Spectrum of Whole-Plane SLE
Authors: Beliaev Dmitry , Duplantier Bertrand , Zinsmeister Michel
Published: April 2017

We complete the mathematical analysis of the fine structure of harmonic measure on SLE curves that was initiated in Beliaev and Smirnov (Commun Math Phys 290(2):577–595, 2009), as described by the averaged integral means spectrum. For the unbounded version of whole-plane SLE as studied in Duplantier et al. (Ann Henri Poincaré 16(6):1311–1395, 2014. arXiv:1211.2451) and Loutsenko and Yermolayeva (J Stat Mech P04007, 2013), a phase transition has been shown to occur for high enough moments from the bulk spectrum towards a novel spectrum related to the point at infinity. For the bounded version of whole-plane SLE of Beliaev and Smirnov, a similar transition phenomenon, now associated with the SLE origin, is proved to exist for low enough moments, but we show that it is superseded by the earlier occurrence of the transition to the SLE tip spectrum.
Preoperative Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score for Assessment of Prognosis Following Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Takagi Kosei , Yagi Takahito , Umeda Yuzo , Shinoura Susumu , Yoshida Ryuichi , Nobuoka Daisuke , Kuise Takashi , Araki Hiroyuki , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi
Published: April 2017

Background

Immune‐nutritional status has been recently reported as a prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score has been established as a useful tool to evaluate immune‐nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the CONUT score as a prognostic factor in patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC.

Methods

A total of 295 patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for HCC between January 2007 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the CONUT score. The impact of the CONUT score on clinicopathological, surgical, and long‐term outcomes was evaluated. Subsequently, the impact of prognostic factors, including the CONUT score, associated with outcomes was assessed using multivariate analyses.

Results

Of 295 patients, 118 (40%) belonged to the high CONUT group (CONUT score ≥ 3). The high CONUT group had a significantly lower 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rate than the low CONUT group (27.9 vs. 41.4%, p = 0.011) and a significantly lower 5‐year overall survival rate (61.9 vs. 74.9%, p = 0.006). In multivariate analyses of prognostic factors, the CONUT score was an independent predictor of recurrence‐free survival (hazard ratio = 1.64, p = 0.006) and overall survival (hazard ratio = 2.50, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

The CONUT score is a valuable preoperative predictor of survival in patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC.
Network Analysis Reveals a Signaling Regulatory Loop in the PIK3CA-Mutated Breast Cancer Predicting Survival Outcome
Authors: McGee Shauna R. , Tibiche Chabane , Trifiro Mark , Wang Edwin
Published: April 2017

Mutated genes are rarely common even in the same pathological type between cancer patients and as such, it has been very challenging to interpret genome sequencing data and difficult to predict clinical outcomes. PIK3CA is one of a few genes whose mutations are relatively popular in tumors. For example, more than 46.6% of luminal-A breast cancer samples have PIK3CA mutated, whereas only 35.5% of all breast cancer samples contain PIK3CA mutations. To understand the function of PIK3CA mutations in luminal A breast cancer, we applied our recently-proposed Cancer Hallmark Network Framework to investigate the network motifs in the PIK3CA-mutated luminal A tumors. We found that more than 70% of the PIK3CA-mutated luminal A tumors contain a positive regulatory loop where a master regulator (PDGF-D), a second regulator (FLT1) and an output node (SHC1) work together. Importantly, we found the luminal A breast cancer patients harboring the PIK3CA mutation and this positive regulatory loop in their tumors have significantly longer survival than those harboring PIK3CA mutation only in their tumors. These findings suggest that the underlying molecular mechanism of PIK3CA mutations in luminal A patients can participate in a positive regulatory loop, and furthermore the positive regulatory loop (PDGF-D/FLT1/SHC1) has a predictive power for the survival of the PIK3CA-mutated luminal A patients.
Therapeutic drug monitoring-guided dosing of busulfan differs from weight-based dosing in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients
Authors: Salman Bushra , Al-Za’abi Mohammed , Al-Huneini Mohammed , Dennison David , Al-Rawas Abdulhakeem , Al-Kindi Salam , Al-Farsi Khalil , Tauro Melanie , Al-Khabori Murtadha
Published: April 2017

Busulfan (Bu)-based preparative regimens in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are commonly used. Previous studies have shown that Bu at a fixed dose of 3.2 mg/kg/day (FBD) given intravenously decreases variability in drug pharmacokinetics and this decreases the dependency on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of Bu. We compared the Bu dose given using TDM with the FBD of 3.2 mg/kg/day. Seventy-three patients with acute leukemia, myelodysplasia, chronic myeloid leukemia, thalassemia major, and sickle cell disease were included. The mean age at transplant was 15 years (range 2–55 years) with 57% adults. Indication for transplantation was leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome in 46% of the patients, while the remaining 54% were transplanted for inherited blood disorders. We found that the median FBD was lower than the median TDM dose by 39 mg/day with a statistically significant difference (p <0.001) even after adjusting for the weight (median total FBD of 349 mg, median TDM dose of 494 mg, p < 0.0001). Age and underlying condition (malignant vs. nonmalignant) were the main factors affecting Bu clearance (p < 0.001 and p < 0.07, respectively). TDM remains an important tool for the appropriate dosing of Bu in preparative regimens of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, especially in populations with genetic admixture.
Delineating the Peace: Marking Oaxaca's State Boundaries, 1856–1912
Authors: NEWCOMER DANIEL
Published: April 2017

This article analyses efforts by the state of Oaxaca to mark its border from 1856 to 1912. State officials hoped to demarcate a permanent border along the frontier as a way to delineate a peaceful ending to on-going boundary disputes, some of which allegedly dated to pre-Columbian times. The activity of marking Oaxaca's boundary effectively represented a literal process of Mexican state formation. Oaxaca officials attempted to negotiate the state's jurisdictional limits in cooperation with other federations as well as with their own citizens as they located the parameters of the state and the limits of its authority during the era.
Planning performance in schizophrenia patients: a meta-analysis of the influence of task difficulty and clinical and sociodemographic variables
Authors: Knapp F. , Viechtbauer W. , Leonhart R. , Nitschke K. , Kaller C. P.
Published: April 2017

Background

Despite a large body of research on planning performance in adult schizophrenia patients, results of individual studies are equivocal, suggesting either no, moderate or severe planning deficits. This meta-analysis therefore aimed to quantify planning deficits in schizophrenia and to examine potential sources of the heterogeneity seen in the literature.

Method

The meta-analysis comprised outcomes of planning accuracy of 1377 schizophrenia patients and 1477 healthy controls from 31 different studies which assessed planning performance using tower tasks such as the Tower of London, the Tower of Hanoi and the Stockings of Cambridge. A meta-regression analysis was applied to assess the influence of potential moderator variables (i.e. sociodemographic and clinical variables as well as task difficulty).

Results

The findings indeed demonstrated a planning deficit in schizophrenia patients (mean effect size:$\hat \mu \; = 0.67$; 95% confidence interval 0.56–0.78) that was moderated by task difficulty in terms of the minimum number of moves required for a solution. The results did not reveal any significant relationship between the extent of planning deficits and sociodemographic or clinical variables.

Conclusions

The current results provide first meta-analytic evidence for the commonly assumed impairments of planning performance in schizophrenia. Deficits are more likely to become manifest in problem items with higher demands on planning ahead, which may at least partly explain the heterogeneity of previous findings. As only a small fraction of studies reported coherent information on sample characteristics, future meta-analyses would benefit from more systematic reports on those variables.