bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and Characterization of Tunneling Nanotubes for Intercellular Trafficking
Authors: Abounit Saïda , Delage Elise , Zurzolo Chiara
Published: June 2015

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are thin membranous channels providing direct cytoplasmic connection between remote cells. They are commonly observed in different cell cultures and increasing evidence supports their role in intercellular communication and pathogen transfer. However, the study of TNTs presents several pitfalls (e.g., difficulty in preserving such delicate structures, possible confusion with other protrusions, structural and functional heterogeneity, etc.) and therefore requires thoroughly designed approaches. The methods described in this unit represent a guideline for the characterization of TNTs (or TNT‐like structures) in cell culture. Specifically, optimized protocols to (1) identify TNTs and the cytoskeletal elements present inside them; (2) evaluate TNT frequency in cell culture; (3) unambiguously distinguish them from other cellular connections or protrusions; and (4) monitor their formation in living cells are provided. Finally, this unit describes how to assess TNT‐mediated cell‐to‐cell transfer of cellular components, which is a fundamental criterion for identifying functional TNTs. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Variability and trends in global drought
Authors: McCabe Gregory J. , Wolock David M.
Published: June 2015

Monthly precipitation (P) and potential evapotranspiration (PET) from the CRUTS3.1 data set are used to compute monthly P minus PET (PMPE) for the land areas of the globe. The percent of the global land area with annual sums of PMPE less than zero are used as an index of global drought (%drought) for 1901 through 2009. Results indicate that for the past century %drought has not changed, even though global PET and temperature (T) have increased. Although annual global PET and T have increased, annual global P also has increased and has mitigated the effects of increased PET on %drought.
A decline in Arctic Ocean mercury suggested by differences in decadal trends of atmospheric mercury between the Arctic and northern midlatitudes
Authors: Chen Long , Zhang Yanxu , Jacob Daniel J. , Soerensen Anne L. , Fisher Jenny A. , Horowitz Hannah M. , Corbitt Elizabeth S. , Wang Xuejun
Published: June 2015

Atmospheric mercury (Hg) in the Arctic shows much weaker or insignificant annual declines relative to northern midlatitudes over the past decade (2000–2009) but with strong seasonality in trends. We use a global ocean‐atmosphere model of Hg (GEOS‐Chem) to simulate these observed trends and determine the driving environmental variables. The atmospheric decline at northern midlatitudes can largely be explained by decreasing North Atlantic oceanic evasion. The midlatitude atmospheric signal propagates to the Arctic but is countered by rapid Arctic warming and declining sea ice, which suppresses deposition and promotes oceanic evasion over the Arctic Ocean. The resulting simulation implies a decline of Hg in the Arctic surface ocean that we estimate to be −0.67% yr−1 over the study period. Rapid Arctic warming and declining sea ice are projected for future decades and would drive a sustained decline in Arctic Ocean Hg, potentially alleviating the methylmercury exposure risk for northern populations.
Chemical weathering and long‐term CO2 consumption in the Ayeyarwady and Mekong river basins in the Himalayas
Authors: Manaka Takuya , Otani Souya , Inamura Akihiko , Suzuki Atsushi , Aung Thura , Roachanakanan Raywadee , Ishiwa Takeshige , Kawahata Hodaka
Published: June 2015

The role of terrestrial river systems in the global carbon cycle on a long timescale has been a subject of interest, especially in the context of past climate changes such as the global cooling in the Cenozoic. The discharges of water and carbon into the ocean from the Himalayan watersheds are among the highest in the world. However, there are few reliable geochemical data from the Ayeyarwady River. This study focused on reevaluating chemical weathering in the Himalayan watersheds based on samples taken from the Ayeyarwady, Mekong, and Chao Phraya Rivers and on chemical analysis of the composition of dissolved substances in these rivers. Comparisons of water quality showed that, unlike in previous studies, the total alkalinity budgets of the Ayeyarwady are dominated by carbonate rather than silicate weathering. Long‐term CO2 consumption by silicate weathering in the Ayeyarwady is estimated to be only 63–145 × 109 mol yr−1, which is only 10% of the previous estimate. Our results also suggest that the total Himalayan watersheds account for only about 10% of the total global CO2 consumption by silicate weathering. Although we need further studies, chemical weathering and associated CO2 uptake in the Himalayas likely played a lesser role in long‐term global cooling in the past than previously appreciated.
Tissue‐Specific Regulation of Oncogene Expression Using Cre‐Inducible ROSA26 Knock‐In Transgenic Mice
Authors: Carofino Brandi L. , Justice Monica J.
Published: June 2015

Cre‐inducible mouse models are often utilized for the spatial and temporal expression of oncogenes. With the wide number of Cre recombinase lines available, inducible transgenesis represents a tractable approach to achieve discrete oncogene expression. Here, we describe a protocol for targeting Cre‐inducible genes to the ubiquitously expressed ROSA26 locus. Gene targeting provides several advantages over standard transgenic techniques, including a known site of integration and previously characterized pattern of expression. Historically, an inherent instability of ROSA26 targeting vectors has hampered the efficiency of developing ROSA26 knock‐in lines. In this protocol, we provide individual steps for utilizing Gateway recombination for cloning as well as detailed instructions for screening targeted ES cell clones. By following this protocol, one can achieve germline transmission of a ROSA26 knock‐in line within several months. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Olfactory identification deficits and increased mortality in the community
Authors: Devanand Davangere P. , Lee Seonjoo , Manly Jennifer , Andrews Howard , Schupf Nicole , Masurkar Arjun , Stern Yaakov , Mayeux Richard , Doty Richard L.
Published: June 2015

Objective

To examine the association between odor identification deficits and future mortality in a multiethnic community cohort of older adults.

Methods

Participants were evaluated with the 40‐item University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). Follow‐up occurred at 2‐year intervals with information on death obtained from informant interviews and the National Death Index.

Results

During follow‐up (mean = 4.1 years, standard deviation = 2.6), 349 of 1,169 (29.9%) participants died. Participants who died were more likely to be older (p < 0.001), be male (p < 0.001), have lower UPSIT scores (p < 0.001), and have a diagnosis of dementia (p < 0.001). In a Cox model, the association between lower UPSIT score and mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.07 per point interval, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05–1.08, p < 0.001) persisted after controlling for age, gender, education, ethnicity, language, modified Charlson medical comorbidity index, dementia, depression, alcohol abuse, head injury, smoking, body mass index, and vision and hearing impairment (HR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.03–1.07, p < 0.001). Compared to the fourth quartile with the highest UPSIT scores, HRs for mortality for the first, second, and third quartiles of UPSIT scores were 3.81 (95% CI = 2.71–5.34), 1.75 (95% CI = 1.23–2.50), and 1.58 (95% CI = 1.09–2.30), respectively. Participant mortality rate was 45% in the lowest quartile of UPSIT scores (anosmia) and 18% in the highest quartile of UPSIT scores.

Interpretation

Impaired odor identification, particularly in the anosmic range, is associated with increased mortality in older adults even after controlling for dementia and medical comorbidity. Ann Neurol 2015;78:401–411
Sulfated Carbon Quantum Dots as Efficient Visible‐Light Switchable Acid Catalysts for Room‐Temperature Ring‐Opening Reactions
Authors: Li Haitao , Sun Chenghua , Ali Muataz , Zhou Fengling , Zhang Xinyi , MacFarlane Douglas R.
Published: June 2015

Acid catalytic processes play a classic and important role in modern organic synthesis. How well the acid can be controlled often plays the key role in the controllable synthesis of the products with high conversion yield and selectivity. The preparation of a novel, photo‐switchable solid‐acid catalyst based on carbon quantum dots is described. The carbon quantum dots are decorated with small amounts of hydrogensulfate groups and thus exhibit a photogenerated acidity that produces a highly efficient acid catalysis of the ring opening of epoxides with methanol and other primary alcohols. This reversible, light‐switchable acidity is shown to be due to photoexcitation and charge separation in the carbon quantum dots, which create an electron withdrawing effect from the acidic groups. The catalyst is easily separated by filtration, and we demonstrate multiple cycles of its recovery and reuse.
Pd‐Catalyzed Regioselective Activation of gem‐Difluorinated Cyclopropanes: A Highly Efficient Approach to 2‐Fluorinated Allylic Scaffolds
Authors: Xu Jun , Ahmed Ebrahim‐Alkhalil , Xiao Bin , Lu Qian‐Qian , Wang Yun‐Long , Yu Chu‐Guo , Fu Yao
Published: June 2015

An unprecedented Pd‐catalyzed regioselective activation of gem‐difluorinated cyclopropanes induced by CC bond cleavage is reported. It provides a general and efficient access to a variety of 2‐fluoroallylic amines, ethers, esters, and alkylation products in high Z‐selectivity, which are important skeletons in many biologically active molecules. In addition, the transformation represents the first general application of gem‐difluorinated cyclopropanes as reaction partners in transition‐metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction.
Highly Efficient Glutathione Peroxidase and Peroxiredoxin Mimetics Protect Mammalian Cells against Oxidative Damage
Authors: Bhowmick Debasish , Srivastava Shubhi , D'Silva Patrick , Mugesh Govindasamy
Published: June 2015

Novel isoselenazoles with high glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and peroxiredoxin (Prx) activities provide remarkable cytoprotection to human cells, mainly by exhibiting antioxidant activities in the presence of cellular thiols. The cytotoxicity of the isoselenazoles is found to be significantly lower than that of ebselen, which is being clinically evaluated by several groups for the treatment of reperfusion injuries and stroke, hearing loss, and bipolar disorder. The compounds reported in this paper have the potential to be used as therapeutic agents for disorders mediated by reactive oxygen species.
One‐Step Synthesis of Self‐Supported Nickel Phosphide Nanosheet Array Cathodes for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Generation
Authors: Wang Xiaoguang , Kolen'ko Yury V. , Bao Xiao‐Qing , Kovnir Kirill , Liu Lifeng
Published: June 2015

Nickel phosphide is an emerging low‐cost, earth‐abundant catalyst that can efficiently reduce water to generate hydrogen. However, the synthesis of nickel phosphide catalysts usually involves multiple steps and is laborious. Herein, a convenient and straightforward approach to the synthesis of a three‐dimensional (3D) self‐supported biphasic Ni5P4‐Ni2P nanosheet (NS) array cathode is presented, which is obtained by direct phosphorization of commercially available nickel foam using phosphorus vapor. The synthesized 3D Ni5P4‐Ni2P‐NS array cathode exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic activity and long‐term durability toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic medium. The fabrication procedure reported here is scalable, showing substantial promise for use in water electrolysis. More importantly, the approach can be readily extended to synthesize other self‐supported transition metal phosphide HER cathodes.
Discovery of Benzylidene Derivatives as Potent Syk Inhibitors: Synthesis, SAR Analysis, and Biological Evaluation
Authors: Zhang Lingling , Liu Wei , Mao Fei , Zhu Jin , Dong Guoqiang , Jiang Hualiang , Sheng Chunquan , Miao Liyan , Huang Lixin , Li Jian
Published: June 2015

Four scaffolds of varied benzylidene derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as Syk inhibitors for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Among these 31 compounds, 3‐benzylidene pyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione derivatives (including 12k) universally showed good Syk inhibitory activities in the low micromolar to submicromolar range. In the cellular profiling, compound 12k, the most efficient compound, showed excellent antiproliferative activity against fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS)‐RA, and demonstrated potencies for suppression of IL‐6 and MMP‐3 secretion almost equal to R406 (positive control). The oral efficacy of 12k in the murine collagen‐induced arthritis model was significant, despite being weaker than R406. Taken together, all preliminary pharmacological results supported 12k as a potential small‐molecule inhibitor targeting Syk for the treatment of RA.
Optimization of the subject directory in a government agriculture department web portal
Authors: Zhang Jin , Zhai Shanshan , Stevenson Jennifer Ann , Xia Lixin
Published: June 2015

We investigated a subject directory in the US Agriculture Department‐Economic Research Service portal. Parent–child relationships, related connections among the categories, and related connections among the subcategories in the subject directory were optimized using social network analysis. The optimization results were assessed by both density analysis and edge strength analysis methods. In addition, the results were evaluated by domain experts. From this study, it is recommended that four subcategories be switched from their original four categories into two different categories as a result of the parent–child relationship optimization. It is also recommended that 132 subcategories be moved to 40 subcategories and that eight categories be moved to two categories as a result of the related connection optimization. The findings show that optimization boosted the densities of the optimized categories, and the recommended connections of both the related categories and subcategories were stronger than the existing connections of the related categories and subcategories. This paper provides visual displays of the optimization analysis as well as suggestions to enhance the subject directory of this portal.
Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Orally Administered Botanical Composition, UP446‐Part II: Effects on Prenatal and Postnatal Development, Including Maternal Function in Sprague–Dawley Rats
Authors: Yimam Mesfin , Lee Young‐Chul , Hyun Eu‐Jin , Jia Qi
Published: June 2015

Almost all herbal remedies could be therapeutic at one dose and toxic at another. These facts become more troubling and a double threat when uncharacterized medicinal herbs are blended together and used by expectant mothers as a supplement to conventional pregnancy management with an inherent belief of considering herbal remedies as harmless. Here we describe the potential adverse effects of UP446, a standardized bioflavonoid composition from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and the heartwoods of Acacia catechu, on the maternal and their first filial generation (F1) developmental and functional toxicity following exposure at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/day. Maternal gestation, viability index, sex ratio, body weight, and food consumption were evaluated. F1 growth and development, sexual function including mating index, fertility, implantation, and embryo mortality were also assessed. Test substance impacts on the maternal (F0) or F1 reproductive parameters were very minimal. There were no statistically significant differences in implantation, parturition, viability, and neonates’ sex ratios. There were no significant changes in maturation, behavioral, or functional developments between groups. No treatment‐related prenatal or postnatal in‐life or necropsy abnormalities were observed. Therefore, the no observed adverse effect level in the prenatal and postnatal developments, including maternal function study was considered to be greater than 1000 mg/kg
Advances in affinity ligand‐functionalized nanomaterials for biomagnetic separation
Authors: Fields Conor , Li Peng , O'Mahony James J. , Lee Gil U.
Published: June 2015

The downstream processing of proteins remains the most significant cost in protein production, and is largely attributed to rigorous chromatographic purification protocols, where the stringency of purity for biopharmaceutical products sometimes exceeds 99%. With an ever burgeoning biotechnology market, there is a constant demand for alternative purification methodologies, to ameliorate the dependence on chromatography, while still adhering to regulatory concerns over product purity and safety. In this article, we present an up‐to‐date view of bioseparation, with emphasis on magnetic separation and its potential application in the field. Additionally, we discuss the economic and performance benefits of synthetic ligands, in the form of peptides and miniaturized antibody fragments, compared to full‐length antibodies. We propose that adoption of synthetic affinity ligands coupled with magnetic adsorbents, will play an important role in enabling sustainable bioprocessing in the future. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 11–25. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimization of a miniaturized fluid array device for cell‐free protein synthesis
Authors: Jackson Kirsten , Jin Shouguang , Fan Z. Hugh
Published: June 2015

Cell‐free protein synthesis (CFPS), which entails synthesizing proteins outside of intact cells, is conducted in several formats with the continuous‐exchange cell‐free (CECF) format generally having the greatest protein expression yields. With this format, continuous chemical exchange occurs through a dialysis membrane separating a reaction solution from a feeding solution containing supplemental nutrient/energy molecules. Here, we describe the optimization of the miniaturized fluid array device (µFAD) by studying the effects of structural and experimental parameters responsible for the heightened chemical exchange across the dialysis membranes and enhanced protein expression capabilities of the high‐throughput device. The interface area and number between the reaction and feeding solutions have a direct impact on protein expression, with a 1.6% enhancement in protein expression yield with each square millimeter increase in area and a 20% decrease with each additional interface. For nutrient/energy availability, an increasing solution volume ratio and height difference increase protein expression yield until the expression yield plateaus at a volume ratio of 20 to 1 (feeding to reaction solution) and a solution height difference of 2 mm. This yield can be further increased by 7% every 30 min with feeding solution replacement. Of the studied experimental factors (feeding solution stirring, device shaking, and temperature increase), feeding solution stirring has a significant effect on protein expression in this device. In the optimized system, green fluorescent protein (GFP), ß‐glucuronidase (GUS), ß‐galactosidase (LacZ), luciferase, and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) expression increased 77.8‐, 212‐, 3.66‐, 463‐, and 5.43‐fold, respectively, compared to the conventional batch format in a standard microplate. These results highlight the significance of structural/experimental conditions on the productive expression of proteins in the CECF format. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 2459–2467. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous determination of five triterpene acids in rat plasma by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and its application in pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of Folium Eriobotryae effective fraction
Authors: Li Zhen‐Hua , Zhu He , Cai Xue‐Ping , He Dan‐Dan , Hua Jun‐Lei , Ju Jian‐Ming , Lv Han , Ma Li , Li Wei‐Lin
Published: June 2015

Folium Eriobotryae effective fraction (FEA), the extract of Folium Eriobotryae, had been used as anti‐hyperglycemia and anti‐hyperlipemia medicine in China. A previous study indicated that euscaphic acid, maslinic acid, corosolic acid, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, the five structurally similar triterpene acids (containing two groups of structural isomers), are the major components of FEA. In the present study, we developed a specific and reliable LC‐MS method for simultaneous determination of the five triterpene acids in rat plasma, and further investigated their pharmacokinetic properties after oral administration of FEA. Following a simple sample preparation, chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column with a mobile phase composed of methanol–0.1% ammonium acetate (80:20, v/v). Quantification was achieved by monitoring the selected ions at m/z 487.6 for euscaphic acid, m/z 471.5 for maslinic acid and corosolic acid, m/z 455.5 for oleanolic acid and ursolic acid and m/z 469.5 for internal standard. The method was validated to be specific, accurate and precise over the concentration ranges of 10–3000 ng/mL with limits of detections of 5 ng/mL for the five triterpene acids. Finally, the method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of the five structurally similar triterpene acids in rats after oral administration of FEA. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stable isotope dilution HILIC‐MS/MS method for accurate quantification of glutamic acid, glutamine, pyroglutamic acid, GABA and theanine in mouse brain tissues
Authors: Inoue Koichi , Miyazaki Yasuto , Unno Keiko , Min Jun Zhe , Todoroki Kenichiro , Toyo'oka Toshimasa
Published: June 2015

In this study, we developed the stable isotope dilution hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC‐MS/MS) technique for the accurate, reasonable and simultaneous quantification of glutamic acid (Glu), glutamine (Gln), pyroglutamic acid (pGlu), γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and theanine in mouse brain tissues. The quantification of these analytes was accomplished using stable isotope internal standards and the HILIC separating mode to fully correct the intramolecular cyclization during the electrospray ionization. It was shown that linear calibrations were available with high coefficients of correlation (r2 > 0.999, range from 10 pmol/mL to 50 nmol/mL). For application of the theanine intake, the determination of Glu, Gln, pGlu, GABA and theanine in the hippocampus and central cortex tissues was performed based on our developed method. In the region of the hippocampus, the concentration levels of Glu and pGlu were significantly reduced during reality‐based theanine intake. Conversely, the concentration level of GABA increased. This result showed that transited theanine has an effect on the metabolic balance of Glu analogs in the hippocampus. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel molecularly imprinted method with computational simulation for the affinity isolation and knockout of baicalein from Scutellaria baicalensis
Authors: Li Hong , He Hongliang , Huang Jiaojiao , Wang Chong‐Zhi , Gu Xiaoli , Gao Yankun , Zhang Hongjuan , Du Shuhu , Chen Lina , Yuan Chun‐Su
Published: June 2015

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized by precipitation polymerization with baicalein (BAI) as the template and used as solid‐phase extraction (SPE) adsorbent, aiming at the affinity isolation and selective knockout of BAI from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SB). We used computational simulation to predict the optimal functional monomer, polymerization solvent and molar ratio of template to functional monomer. Characterization and performance tests revealed that MIP exhibited uniform spherical morphology, rapid binding kinetics, and higher adsorption capacity for BAI compared with nonimprinted polymer (NIP). The application of MIP in SPE coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography to extract BAI from SB showed excellent recovery (94.3%) and purity (97.0%). Not only the single BAI compound, but also the BAI‐removed SB extract was obtained by one‐step process. This new method is useful for isolation and knockout of key bioactive compounds from herbal medicines. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Evolving Position of the American Psychiatric Association on Firearm Policy (1993–2014)
Authors: Bonnie Richard J. , Appelbaum Paul S. , Pinals Debra A.
Published: June 2015

Before the Supreme Court's 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, the American Psychiatric Association's position on gun policy reflected the strong gun control perspective championed by the nation's public health establishment. After Heller declared that an individual's right to bear arms is constitutionally protected, the APA refocused its attention on the specific aspects of firearm policy that implicate the interests and rights of persons with mental illness. Psychiatrists are mindful of the need to curtail firearm access by persons with mental disorders that elevate the risk of suicide or violence to others, but they are also opposed to stigmatization, discrimination, and unfair treatment of individuals based on mental illness. Although civil commitment is an acceptable basis for prohibiting access to firearms, other adjudications of conduct indicative of elevated risk should also be included. Every state should provide a fair and reasonable process for restoring firearm rights after a suitable waiting period based on individualized assessment of whether the person remains at an elevated risk. However, restricting firearm rights of persons solely on the basis of a diagnosis of a mental disorder or voluntary treatment, whether in‐patient or outpatient, discourages treatment and would be counterproductive. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (original adopted by the American Psychiatric Association 2014).
Diazoxide preconditioning of endothelial progenitor cells improves their ability to repair the infarcted myocardium
Authors: Mehmood Azra , Ali Muhammad , Khan Shaheen N. , Riazuddin Sheikh
Published: June 2015

Reduced survival and homing of the transplanted cells in the oxidative stressed ischemic environment limits the potential outcome of cell therapies for myocardial ischemia. Diazoxide (DZ), a highly selective mitochondrial ATP sensitive K+ channel opener, is known to improve the survival and therapeutic ability of mesenchymal stem cells and skeletal myoblasts for the repair of heart failure. The current study explored the effect of DZ preconditioning in improving the ability of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to counteract, in vitro oxidative stress, and to repair the infarcted myocardium. The EPCs were preconditioned by 30 min incubation with 200 μM DZ followed by exposure to 200 μM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 2 h. Non‐preconditioned EPCs with and without exposure to H2O2 were used as control. DZ preconditioning of EPCs resulted in significantly reduced cell injury as shown by reduced lactate dehydrogenase release and expression of annexin V‐PE in comparison to untreated EPCs. Furthermore, DZ preconditioned EPCs exhibited upregulated expression of prosurvival genes (VEGF, SDF‐1α, PCNA, and Bcl2), improved chemokines release (VEGF, IGF, and SDF‐1α), viability, Akt phosphorylation and tube formation. In vivo experiments involved transplantation of DZ preconditioned and untreated EPCs in the left ventricle after permanent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. The results demonstrated that DZ EPCs transplanted group showed significant reduction in infarct size along with robust cell proliferation, angiogenesis and improvement in cardiac function. The current study demonstrates that DZ preconditioning enhances EPCs survival under oxidative stress in vitro and their ability to treat myocardial infarction.
Localizing Prison Higher Education
Authors: Larson Doran
Published: June 2015

This chapter describes methods for funding community programs in prison in the context of national and international political economy of mass incarceration.
Prison Fine Arts and Community College Programs: A Partnership to Advance Inmates’ Life Skills
Authors: Brewster Larry
Published: June 2015

This chapter describes the contribution of art education to the wider project of prison education, and posits a “natural partnership” between prison arts and community college programs in prisons.
An Investigation of the Effect of the Addition of Tin to 5 %Pd/TiO2 for the Hydrogenation of Furfuryl Alcohol
Authors: King Gavin M. , Iqbal Sarwat , Miedziak Peter J. , Brett Gemma L. , Kondrat Simon A. , Yeo Benjamin R. , Liu Xi , Edwards Jennifer K. , Morgan David J. , Knight David K. , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: June 2015

The selective hydrogenation of furfuryl alcohol was investigated at room temperature by using supported palladium catalysts. The catalysts are very selective to the formation of 2‐methylfuran. Furthermore, the addition of tin to palladium showed similar catalytic activity, but was more selective to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. Variation of the Sn/Pd ratio has shown a considerable and interesting effect on the selectivity pattern. Addition of a small amount of Sn (1 wt %) shifted the selectivity towards tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and methyltetrahydrofuran, which are ring‐saturated molecules. Increasing the tin ratio further decreased the catalytic activity and also showed very poor selectivity to either of these products.
Covalent Grafting of Coordination Polymers on Surfaces: The Case of Hybrid Valence Tautomeric Interphases
Authors: González‐Monje Pablo , Novio Fernando , Ruiz‐Molina Daniel
Published: June 2015

We have developed a novel approach for grafting coordination polymers, structured as nanoparticles bearing surface reactive carboxylic groups, to amino‐functionalized surfaces through a simple carbodiimide‐mediated coupling reaction. As a proof‐of‐concept to validate our approach, and on the quest for novel hybrid interphases with potential technological applications, we have used valence tautomeric nanoparticles exhibiting spin transition at or around room temperature. SEM and AFM characterization reveal that the nanoparticles were organized chiefly into a single monolayer while X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements confirm that the nanoparticles retain a temperature‐induced electronic redistribution upon surface anchorage. Our results represent an effective approach towards the challenging manufacture of coordination polymers.
Efficient Hole Extraction from a Hole‐Storage‐Layer‐Stabilized Tantalum Nitride Photoanode for Solar Water Splitting
Authors: Liu Guiji , Fu Ping , Zhou Lingyu , Yan Pengli , Ding Chunmei , Shi Jingying , Li Can
Published: June 2015

One of the major hurdles that impedes the practical application of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is the lack of stable photoanodes with low onset potentials. Here, we report that the Ni(OH)x/MoO3 bilayer, acting as a hole‐storage layer (HSL), efficiently harvests and stores holes from Ta3N5, resulting in at least 24 h of sustained water oxidation at the otherwise unstable Ta3N5 electrode and inducing a large cathodic shift of ≈600 mV in the onset potential of the Ta3N5 electrode.
Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates Catalysed by Aluminium Heteroscorpionate Complexes
Authors: Martínez Javier , Castro‐Osma José A. , Earlam Amy , Alonso‐Moreno Carlos , Otero Antonio , Lara‐Sánchez Agustín , North Michael , Rodríguez‐Diéguez Antonio
Published: June 2015

New aluminium scorpionate based complexes have been prepared and used for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide. Bimetallic aluminium(heteroscorpionate) complexes 9–14 were synthesised in very high yields. The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of 12 and 13 confirm an asymmetric κ2‐NO‐μ‐O arrangement in a dinuclear molecular disposition. These bimetallic aluminium complexes were investigated as catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide in the presence of ammonium salts. Under the optimal reaction conditions, complex 9 in combination with tetrabutylammonium bromide acts as a very efficient catalyst system for the conversion of both monosubstituted and internal epoxides into the corresponding cyclic carbonates showing broad substrate scope. Complex 9 and tetrabutylammonium bromide is the second most efficient aluminium‐based catalyst system for the reaction of internal epoxides with carbon dioxide. A kinetic study has been carried out and showed that the reactions were first order in complex 9 and tetrabutylammonium bromide concentrations. Based on the kinetic study, a catalytic cycle is proposed.
Graphene Quantum Dots Assembled with Metalloporphyrins for “Turn on” Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide and Glucose
Authors: Zhang Li , Peng Dong , Liang Ru‐Ping , Qiu Jian‐Ding
Published: June 2015

Noncovalent and multifunctional hybrids have been generated via π–π stacking and electrostatic interactions by combining the nanometer‐scale graphene structure of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with FeIII 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(1‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl)porphine (FeTMPyP). The inner filter effect (IFE) of FeTMPyP on the GQDs results in substantial PL quenching of the GQDs. The quenched PL of GQDs by the FeTMPyP can be switched back “on” in response to the reaction between FeTMPyP and H2O2, which causes rupture of the cyclic tetrapyrrolic nucleus with consequential loss of iron from FeTMPyP, and then proceeds further to produce colorless dipyrroles and monopyrroles. This “turn on” system can be applied for simple and convenient H2O2 sensing and can be further extended to the detection of glucose in combination with the specific catalytic effect of glucose oxidase (GOx) through the oxidation of glucose and formation of H2O2. Because of the inherent synthetic control available for the design of metalloporphyrins, the GQDs‐based optical sensing approach described here has the potential to be highly versatile for other target analytes.
A New Strategy for Fluorogenic Esterase Probes Displaying Low Levels of Non‐specific Hydrolysis
Authors: Kim Sungwoo , Kim Hyunjin , Choi Yongdoo , Kim Youngmi
Published: June 2015

A new design for fluorescence probes of esterase activity that features a carboxylate‐side pro‐fluorophore is demonstrated with boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐based probes 1 a and 1 b. Because the design relies on the enzyme‐catalyzed hydrolysis of an ester group that is not electronically activated, these probes exhibit a stability to background hydrolysis that is far superior to classical alcohol‐side profluorophore‐based probes, large signal‐to‐noise ratios, reduced sensitivity to pH variations, and high enzymatic reactivity. The utility of probe 1 a was established with a real‐time fluorescence imaging experiment of endogenous esterase activity that does not require washing of the extracellular medium.
Divergent Synthesis of Aeruginosins Based on a C(sp3)H Activation Strategy
Authors: Dailler David , Danoun Grégory , Ourri Benjamin , Baudoin Olivier
Published: June 2015

A general and scalable access to the aeruginosin family of marine natural products, exhibiting potent inhibitory activity against serine proteases, is reported. This was enabled by the strategic use of two recently implemented Pd‐catalyzed C(sp3)H activation reactions. The first method allowed us to obtain the common 2‐carboxy‐6‐hydroxyoctahydroindole (Choi) core of the target molecules on a large scale, whereas the second method provided a rapid and divergent access to various hydroxyphenyllactic (Hpla) subunits, including halogenated ones. This unique strategy, together with an optimization of the fragment coupling sequence allowed the synthesis of four aeruginosins, that is, 98A–C and 298A from the chiral pool. Among them, aeruginosin 298A was synthesized on an unprecedentedly large scale. In addition, halogenated aeruginosins 98A and 98C were synthesized for the first time, thanks to a fine‐tuning of the final hydrogenation step.
Stimuli‐Responsive Frustrated Lewis‐Pair‐Type Reactivity of a Tungsten Iminoazaphosphiridine Complex
Authors: Villalba Franco José Manuel , Schnakenburg Gregor , Sasamori Takahiro , Espinosa Ferao Arturo , Streubel Rainer
Published: June 2015

Reactions of 3‐imino‐azaphosphiridine complexes 1 a,b with carbodiimides 2 a,b, isocyanates 3 a,b, and carbon dioxide are described. Whereas exchange of the carbodiimide unit occurs in the first case, an overall ring expansion takes place with phenyl isocyanate (3 a) and carbon dioxide to yield complexes 4 and 5 bearing novel 1,3,5‐oxazaphospholane ligands; the isopropyl derivative 3 b did not react under these conditions. DFT calculations provide insight into the pathway of the reaction with carbon dioxide with model complex 1 c, revealing effects of initial non‐covalent interactions with the substrate onto the ring bonding, thus triggering an initially masked frustrated Lewis‐pair‐type behavior.
Evaluation of Tetrahydropalmatine Enantiomers on the Activity of Five Cytochrome P450 Isozymes in Rats Using a Liquid Chromatography / Mass Spectrometric Method and a Cocktail Approach
Authors: Li Wuhong , Zhao Liang , Le Jian , Zhang Yinying , Liu Yinli , Zhang Guoqing , Chai Yifeng , Hong Zhanying
Published: June 2015

The aim was to evaluate the effects of tetrahydropalmatine (THP) enantiomers on the activity of five cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isozymes in vivo. A liquid chromatography / mass spectrometric (LC‐MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of five specific probe substrates including metoprolol (2D6), caffeine (1A2), dapsone (3A4), chlorzoxazone (2E1), and tolbutamide (2C9) in rat plasma. Analytes were separated with the mobile phase consisting of 0.1% acetic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile in a gradient elution. The mass spectrometric detection via selected ion monitoring (SIM) was operated in both positive ion mode (for metoprolol m/z 268, caffeine m/z 195, and dapsone m/z 249) and negative ion mode (for chlorzoxazone m/z 168 and tolbutamide m/z 269) in the same run. Linear correlation was obtained (r2 > 0.99) over the concentration range of 0.050–25.0 µg/mL for caffeine and dapsone, 0.025–10.0 µg/mL for metoprolol, 0.050–50.0 µg/mL for chlorzoxazone, and 0.25–100.0 µg/mL for tolbutamide. Intra‐ and interday precision were less than 12.09%. The matrix effect ranged from 87.50% to 109.25% and the absolute recoveries were greater than 70%. The method was successfully applied to evaluate the effect of THP enantiomers on the activity of CYP450 isozymes by a cocktail approach. The pharmacokinetic results of five probe drugs indicated that there were stereoselective differences between the two THP enantiomers, i.e., d‐THP had the potential to inhibit the activities of CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 isozymes, while l‐THP inhibited CYP1A2 isozyme and induced CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 isozymes. Chirality 27:551–556, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An optimization‐based method for prediction of lumbar spine segmental kinematics from the measurements of thorax and pelvic kinematics
Authors: Shojaei I. , Arjmand N. , Bazrgari B.
Published: June 2015

Given measurement difficulties, earlier modeling studies have often used some constant ratios to predict lumbar segmental kinematics from measurements of total lumbar kinematics. Recent imaging studies suggested distribution of lumbar kinematics across its vertebrae changes with trunk rotation, lumbar posture, and presence of load. An optimization‐based method is presented and validated in this study to predict segmental kinematics from measured total lumbar kinematics. Specifically, a kinematics‐driven biomechanical model of the spine is used in a heuristic optimization procedure to obtain a set of segmental kinematics that, when prescribed to the model, were associated with the minimum value for the sum of squared predicted muscle stresses across all the lower back muscles. Furthermore, spinal loads estimated using the predicted kinematics by the present method were compared with those estimated using constant ratios. Predicted segmental kinematics were in good agreement with those obtained by imaging with an average error of ~10%. Compared with those obtained using constant ratios, predicted spinal loads using segmental kinematics obtained here were in general smaller. In conclusion, the proposed method offers an alternative tool for improving model‐based estimates of spinal loads where image‐based measurement of lumbar kinematics is not feasible. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative proteomic analysis using 2DE‐LC‐MS/MS reveals the mechanism of Fuzhuan brick tea extract against hepatic fat accumulation in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Liu Zhonghua , Lin Yong , Zhang Sheng , Wang Die , Liang Qionglin , Luo Guoan
Published: June 2015

Fuzhuan brick tea has received increasing attention in recent years owing to its benefits for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and associated metabolic syndrome. For exploring the ameliorative mechanism, the liver proteomes from three groups of rats fed either a normal control diet (NCD), a high fat diet (HFD), or a HFD supplemented with high‐dose Fuzhuan brick tea extract (FTE) (HFD + HFTE) were comprehensively compared by quantitative proteomics using 2DE‐LC‐MS/MS. This is the first study of the effects of tea aqueous extract on the liver proteome of rats suffering from metabolic syndrome. The results showed that 57 proteins displayed more than 1.5‐fold differences in at least one of two comparisons of HFD versus NCD and HFD versus HFD + HFTE due to HFD feeding and FTE treatment, respectively. Of them, over 75% of proteins exhibited a similar tendency of expression in the two comparisons, meaning FTE was able to correct HFD effects on rat livers. By function analyses, an extensive list of proteins was involved in sugar and lipid metabolism. Compared with HFD‐fed rats, the reduced lipogenesis and enhanced β‐oxidation, tricarboxylic acid cycle and respiratory chain in HFD + HFTE‐fed rats, which mainly contributed to ameliorate hepatic fat accumulation and associated NAFLD. Additionally, some putative drug targets were also revealed such as COX2, PGAM1, ACACB, FAS, and ECHS1.
Striatal astrocytes transdifferentiate into functional mature neurons following ischemic brain injury
Authors: Duan Chun‐Ling , Liu Chong‐Wei , Shen Shu‐Wen , Yu Zhang , Mo Jia‐Lin , Chen Xian‐Hua , Sun Feng‐Yan
Published: June 2015

To determine whether reactive astrocytes stimulated by brain injury can transdifferentiate into functional new neurons, we labeled these cells by injecting a glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) targeted enhanced green fluorescence protein plasmid (pGfa2‐eGFP plasmid) into the striatum of adult rats immediately following a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and performed immunolabeling with specific neuronal markers to trace the neural fates of eGFP‐expressing (GFP+) reactive astrocytes. The results showed that a portion of striatal GFP+ astrocytes could transdifferentiate into immature neurons at 1 week after MCAO and mature neurons at 2 weeks as determined by double staining GFP‐expressing cells with βIII‐tubulin (GFP+‐Tuj‐1+) and microtubule associated protein‐2 (GFP+‐MAP‐2+), respectively. GFP+ neurons further expressed choline acetyltransferase, glutamic acid decarboxylase, dopamine receptor D2‐like family proteins, and the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor subunit R2, indicating that astrocyte‐derived neurons could develop into cholinergic or GABAergic neurons and express dopamine and glutamate receptors on their membranes. Electron microscopy analysis indicated that GFP+ neurons could form synapses with other neurons at 13 weeks after MCAO. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that action potentials and active postsynaptic currents could be recorded in the neuron‐like GFP+ cells but not in the astrocyte‐like GFP+ cells, demonstrating that new GFP+ neurons possessed the capacity to fire action potentials and receive synaptic inputs. These results demonstrated that striatal astrocyte‐derived new neurons participate in the rebuilding of functional neural networks, a fundamental basis for brain repair after injury. These results may lead to new therapeutic strategies for enhancing brain repair after ischemic stroke. GLIA 2015;63:1660–1670
Influence of bedrock groundwater on streamflow characteristics in a volcanic catchment
Authors: Fujimoto Masamitsu , Ohte Nobuhito , Kawasaki Masatoshi , Osaka Ken'ichi , Itoh Masayuki , Ohtsuka Izumi , Itoh Masami
Published: June 2015

Groundwater movements in volcanic mountains and their effects on streamflow discharge and representative elementary area (REA) have remained largely unclear. We surveyed the discharge and chemical composition of spring and stream water in two catchments: the Hontani river (NR) catchment (6.6 km2) and the Hosotani river (SR) catchment (4.0 km2) at the southern part of Daisen volcano, Japan. Daisen volcano is a young volcano (17 × 103 years) at an early stage of erosion. Our study indicated that deep groundwater that moved through thick lava and pyroclastic flows and that could not be explained by shallow movements controlled by surface topography contributed dominantly to streamflow at larger catchment areas. At the NR catchment, the deep groundwater contribution clearly increased at a catchment boundary defined by an area of 3.0 km2 and an elevation of 800 m. At the SR catchment, the contribution deep groundwater to the stream also increased suddenly at a boundary threshold of 2.0 and 700 m. Beyond these thresholds, the contributions of deep bedrock groundwater remained constant, indicating that the REA is between 2 and 3 km2 at the observed area. These results indicate that the hydrological conditions of base flow were controlled mainly by the deep bedrock groundwater that moved through thick lava and pyroclastic flows in the undissected volcanic body of the upper part of the catchment. Our study demonstrates that deep and long groundwater movements via a deep bedrock layer including thick deposits of volcanic materials at the two catchments on Daisen volcano strongly determined streamflow discharge instead of the mixing of small‐scale hydrological conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of a surface energy balance method based on optical and thermal satellite imagery to estimate root‐zone soil moisture
Authors: Alburn Nathan E. , Niemann Jeffrey D. , Elhaddad Aymn
Published: June 2015

Various remote‐sensing methods are available to estimate soil moisture, but few address the fine spatial resolutions (e.g. 30‐m grid cells) and root‐zone depth requirements of agricultural and other similar applications. One approach that has been previously proposed to estimate fine‐resolution soil moisture is to first estimate the evaporative fraction from an energy balance that is inferred from optical and thermal remote‐sensing images [e.g. using the Remote Sensing of Evapotranspiration (ReSET) algorithm] and then estimate soil moisture through an empirical relationship to evaporative fraction. A similar approach has also been proposed to estimate the degree of saturation. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate these methods for estimating soil moisture and degree of saturation, particularly for a semi‐arid grassland with relatively dry conditions. Soil moisture was monitored at 28 field locations in south‐eastern Colorado with herbaceous vegetation during the summer months of 3 years. In situ soil moisture and degree of saturation observations are compared with estimates calculated from Landsat imagery using the ReSET algorithm. The in situ observations suggest that the empirical relationships with evaporative fraction that have been proposed in previous studies typically provide overestimates of soil moisture and degree of saturation in this region. However, calibrated functions produce estimates with an accuracy that may be adequate for various applications. The estimates produced by this approach are more reliable for degree of saturation than for soil moisture, and the method is more successful at identifying temporal variability than spatial variability in degree of saturation for this region. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.