bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome analysis of the oriental melon (Cucumis meloL. var.makuwa) during fruit development
Authors: Shin Ah-Young , Kim Yong-Min , Koo Namjin , Lee Su Min , Nahm Seokhyeon , Kwon Suk-Yoon
Published: January 2017

Background

The oriental melon (Cucumis meloL. var.makuwa) is one of the most important cultivated cucurbits grown widely in Korea, Japan, and northern China. It is cultivated because its fruit has a sweet aromatic flavor and is rich in soluble sugars, organic acids, minerals, and vitamins. In order to elucidate the genetic and molecular basis of the developmental changes that determine size, color, and sugar contents of the fruit, we performedde novotranscriptome sequencing to analyze the genes expressed during fruit development.

Results

We identified a total of 47,666 of representative loci from 100,875 transcripts and functionally annotated 33,963 of the loci based on orthologs inArabidopsis thaliana. Among those loci, we identified 5,173 differentially expressed genes, which were classified into 14 clusters base on the modulation of their expression patterns. The expression patterns suggested that the differentially expressed genes were related to fruit development and maturation through diverse metabolic pathways. Analyses based on gene set enrichment and the pathways described in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes suggested that the expression of genes involved in starch and sucrose metabolism and carotenoid biosynthesis were regulated dynamically during fruit development and subsequent maturation.

Conclusion

Our results provide the gene expression patterns related to different stages of fruit development and maturation in the oriental melon. The expression patterns give clues about important regulatory mechanisms, especially those involving starch, sugar, and carotenoid biosynthesis, in the development of the oriental melon fruit.
The outcomes of most aggressive interactions among closely related bird species are asymmetric
Authors: Martin Paul R. , Freshwater Cameron , Ghalambor Cameron K.
Published: January 2017

Aggressive interactions among closely related species are common, and can play an important role as a selective pressure shaping species traits and assemblages. The nature of this selective pressure depends on whether the outcomes of aggressive contests are asymmetric between species (i.e., one species is consistently dominant), yet few studies have estimated the prevalence of asymmetric versus symmetric outcomes to aggressive contests. Here we use previously published data involving 26,212 interactions between 270 species pairs of birds from 26 taxonomic families to address the question: How often are aggressive interactions among closely related bird species asymmetric? We define asymmetry using (i) the proportion of contests won by one species, and (ii) statistical tests for asymmetric outcomes of aggressive contests. We calculate these asymmetries using data summed across different sites for each species pair, and compare results to asymmetries calculated using data separated by location. We find that 80% of species pairs had aggressive outcomes where one species won 80% or more of aggressive contests. We also find that the majority of aggressive interactions among closely related species show statistically significant asymmetries, and above a sample size of 52 interactions, all outcomes are asymmetric following binomial tests. Species pairs with dominance data from multiple sites showed the same dominance relationship across locations in 93% of the species pairs. Overall, our results suggest that the outcome of aggressive interactions among closely related species are usually consistent and asymmetric, and should thus favor ecological and evolutionary strategies specific to the position of a species within a dominance hierarchy.
Using precipitation, vertical root distribution, and satellite‐retrieved vegetation information to parameterize water stress in a Penman‐Monteith approach to evapotranspiration modeling under Mediterranean climate
Authors: Bai Yun , Zhang Jiahua , Zhang Sha , Koju Upama Ashish , Yao Fengmei , Igbawua Tertsea
Published: January 2017

Recent studies have shown that global Penman‐Monteith equation based (PM‐based) models poorly simulate water stress when estimating evapotranspiration (ET) in areas having a Mediterranean climate (AMC). In this study, we propose a novel approach using precipitation, vertical root distribution (VRD), and satellite‐retrieved vegetation information to simulate water stress in a PM‐based model (RS‐WBPM) to address this issue. A multilayer water balance module is employed to simulate the soil water stress factor (SWSF) of multiple soil layers at different depths. The water stress factor (WSF) for surface evapotranspiration is determined by VRD information and SWSF in each layer. Additionally, four older PM‐based models (PMOV) are evaluated at 27 flux sites in AMC. Results show that PMOV fails to estimate the magnitude or capture the variation of ET in summer at most sites, whereas RS‐WBPM is successful. The daily ET resulting from RS‐WBPM incorporating recommended VI (NDVI for shrub and EVI for other biomes) agrees well with observations, with
(
18.72
) for all 27 sites and
(
18.21
) for 25 nonagricultural sites. However, combined results from the optimum older PM‐based models at specific sites show
(
20.74
) for all 27 sites. RS‐WBPM is also found to outperform other ET models that also incorporate a soil water balance module. As all inputs of RS‐WBPM are globally available, the results from RS‐WBPM are encouraging and imply the potential of its implementation on a regional and global scale.
New turbulent resistance parameterization for soil evaporation based on a pore‐scale model: Impact on surface fluxes in CABLE
Authors: Decker Mark , Or Dani , Pitman Andy , Ukkola Anna
Published: January 2017

The Community Atmosphere Biosphere Land Exchange (CABLE) land surface model overestimates evapotranspiration (E) at numerous flux tower sites during boreal spring. The overestimation of E is not eliminated when the nonlinear dependence of soil evaporation on soil moisture or a simple litter layer is introduced into the model. New resistance terms, previously developed from a pore‐scale model of soil evaporation, are incorporated into the treatment of under canopy water vapor transfer in CABLE. The new resistance terms reduce the large positive bias in spring time E at multiple flux tower sites and also improve the simulation of daily sensible heat flux. The reduction in the spring E bias allows the soil to retain water into the summer, improving the seasonality of E. The simulation of daily E is largely insensitive to the details of the implementation of the pore model resistance scheme. The more physically based treatment of soil evaporation presented here eliminates the need for empirical functions that reduce evaporation as a function of soil moisture that are included in many land surface models.
STAT3 and ERK pathways are involved in cell growth stimulation of the ST2/IL1RL1 promoter
Authors: Tago Kenji , Ohta Satoshi , Funakoshi‐Tago Megumi , Aoki‐Ohmura Chihiro , Matsugi Jitsuhiro , Tominaga Shin‐ichi , Yanagisawa Ken
Published: January 2017

The ST2 gene was originally identified as a primary responsive gene induced by stimulation with growth factors and by oncogenic stress. The ST2 gene harbors two distinct promoters – a distal promoter and a proximal promoter. In this study, we identified a novel type of serum‐responsive element in the ST2 proximal promoter using reporter gene analysis; this element includes a possible responsive element for STAT family proteins. Indeed, enforced expression of constitutively active STAT3 activated this promoter element and induced the expression of ST2 gene products. Furthermore, an oncogenic Ras (G12V) mutant also caused the expression of ST2 gene products by utilizing the proximal promoter. We also clarified that activation of the ST2 promoter by either growth stimulation or oncogenic Ras was suppressed by the inhibitors for STAT3 and ERK pathways. Our observations strongly suggest the importance of STAT family and ERK pathways for the induction of ST2 gene products by cell growth stimulation.
Phase Transition Induced Synthesis of Layered/Spinel Heterostructure with Enhanced Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Pei Yi , Xu Cheng‐Yan , Xiao Yu‐Chen , Chen Qing , Huang Bin , Li Bin , Li Shuang , Zhen Liang , Cao Guozhong
Published: January 2017

A one‐step synthesis of Li‐rich layered materials with layered/spinel heterostructure has been systematically investigated. The composites are synthesized by a polyol method followed with an annealing process at 500–900 °C for 12 h. A spinel to layer phase transition is considered to take place during the heat treatment, and the samples obtained at different temperatures show diverse phase compositions. An “Li‐rich spinel phase decomposition” phase transition mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of such a heterostructure. The electrochemical properties of the heterostructure are found to be associated with the ratio of spinel to layer phases, the leach out of rock salt phase, and the change of crystallinity and particle size. Product with improved cyclic and rate performance is achieved by annealing at 700 °C for 12 h, with a discharge capacity of 214 mA h g−1 remaining at 0.2 C after 60 cycles and discharge capacity of about 200 mA h g−1 at 1 C.
Conjugation‐Induced Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF): From Conventional Non‐TADF Units to TADF‐Active Polymers
Authors: Wei Qiang , Kleine Paul , Karpov Yevhen , Qiu Xianping , Komber Hartmut , Sahre Karin , Kiriy Anton , Lygaitis Ramunas , Lenk Simone , Reineke Sebastian , Voit Brigitte
Published: January 2017

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF)‐type compounds have great potential as emitter molecules in organic light‐emitting diodes, allowing for electrofluorescence with 100% internal quantum efficiency. In small molecules, TADF is achieved through the formation of intramolecular charge‐transfer states. The only design limitation is the requirement that donor and acceptor entities spatially decouple the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals, respectively, to minimize exchange splitting. The development of polymeric TADF emitters, on the contrary, has seen comparably small progress and those are typically built up from monomeric units that show promising TADF properties in small molecule studies beforehand. By contrast, herein, a way to achieve TADF properties in cyclic oligomers and polymers composed of non‐TADF building blocks is shown. Due to a strongly decreased energy splitting of the polymer with respect to the individual repeating unit between the lowest singlet and triplet excited state (ΔEST) and a sufficiently high radiative decay rate kSr, a highly efficient TADF polymer with up to 71% photoluminescence quantum yield is obtained. For the first time, an encouraging method is provided for producing highly efficient TADF oligomers and polymers from solely non‐TADF units via induced conjugation, opening a new design strategy exclusive for polymers.
Asymmetric Biocatalytic Synthesis of Fluorinated Pyridines through Transesterification or Transamination: Computational Insights into the Reactivity of Transaminases
Authors: López‐Iglesias María , González‐Martínez Daniel , Rodríguez‐Mata María , Gotor Vicente , Busto Eduardo , Kroutil Wolfgang , Gotor‐Fernández Vicente
Published: January 2017

The synthesis of a family of pyridines bearing a fluorinated substituent on the aromatic ring has been carried out through two independent and highly stereoselective chemoenzymatic strategies. Short chemical synthetic routes toward fluorinated racemic amines and prochiral ketones have been developed, which served as substrates to explore the suitability of lipases and transaminases in asymmetric biotransformations. The lipase‐catalyzed kinetic resolution via acylation of racemic amines proceeded smoothly giving conversions close to 50% and excellent enantioselectivities. Alternatively, the biotransamination of the corresponding prochiral ketones was investigated giving access to both optically pure amine enantiomers using transaminases with complementary selectivity. High to quantitative conversion values were achieved, which allowed the isolation of the amines in moderate to high yields (40–88%). A deeper understanding of the latter process was enabled by performing theoretical calculations on thermodynamic and mechanistic aspects. Calculations showed that the biotransamination reactions are highly favoured by the presence of fluorine atoms and the pyridine ring.

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Recent Advances in Multicomponent Synthesis of 1,4,5‐Trisubstituted 1,2,3‐Triazoles
Authors: Chen Zhengkai , Liu Zhubo , Cao Gangjian , Li Hongli , Ren Hongjun
Published: January 2017

1,4,5‐Trisubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles have been regarded as highly significant nitrogen‐containing heterocycles due to their broad spectrum of biological activities and other prominent properties. Well‐established pioneering examples indicate that multicomponent reactions (MCRs) are a straightforward and powerful tool for the construction of various functionalized heterocyclic molecules, especially fully‐decorated 1,2,3‐triazoles. The recent progress regarding synthetic approaches towards differently substituted types of 1,2,3‐triazoles via MCRs and the relevant mechanistic investigations is summarized in this review.

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Oxidative Divergent Bicyclizations of 1,n‐Enynes through α‐C(sp3)–H Functionalization of Alkyl Nitriles
Authors: Hu Ming , Li Meng , Tan Fang‐Lin , Song Ren‐Jie , Xie Ye‐Xiang , Li Jin‐Heng
Published: January 2017

A new, radical‐mediated, divergent bicyclization of 1,n‐enynes by α‐C(sp3)–H oxidative functionalization of alkyl nitriles is described using the Sc(OTf)3 and Ag2O system. The reaction allows the selective functionalization of one or two C(sp3)−H bonds α to the nitrile group by both oxidants and the substitution effect co‐controlled the divergent bicyclization reactions, and offers a step‐ and atom‐economical access to diverse polycycles with broad substrate scope and high selectivity.

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Photoinitiated Thiol‐Ene “Click” Reaction: An Organocatalytic Alternative
Authors: Limnios Dimitris , Kokotos Christoforos G.
Published: January 2017

The thiol‐ene coupling (TEC) reaction has attracted a lot of scientific attention during the last years, particularly in the fields of polymers, materials and more recently in drug design. The combination of organocatalysis and photocatalysis has enabled the development of an efficient synergistic protocol for the addition of various thiols to a plethora of olefins. Utilizing phenylglyoxylic acid as the catalyst‐initiator and common household bulbs as the light source, we report an organocatalytic photoinitiated TEC reaction showing exceptional tolerance in the presence of various functionalities, untangling previously unsolved problems.

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Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Carbonylative Annulation of Iodobenzenes with Strained Olefins and 4‐Octyne in the Presence of Furfural Involving ortho‐C–H Bond Cleavage
Authors: Furusawa Takuma , Tanimoto Hiroki , Nishiyama Yasuhiro , Morimoto Tsumoru , Kakiuchi Kiyomi
Published: January 2017

The rhodium(I)‐catalyzed carbonylative annulation of iodobenzenes with strained olefins in the presence of furfural as a carbonyl source, accompanied by ortho‐C–H bond cleavage, is reported. The use of 4‐octyne in place of strained olefins also leads to the formation of the corresponding inden‐9‐one. The timely release of the carbonyl moiety via the rhodium‐catalyzed decarbonylation of furfural plays a decisive role in this reaction.

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A randomized trial of iron isomaltoside versus iron sucrose in patients with iron deficiency anemia
Authors: Derman Richard , Roman Eloy , Modiano Manuel R. , Achebe Maureen M. , Thomsen Lars L. , Auerbach Michael
Published: January 2017

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in many chronic diseases, and intravenous (IV) iron offers a rapid and efficient iron correction. This trial compared the efficacy and safety of iron isomaltoside (also known as ferric derisomaltose) and iron sucrose in patients with IDA who were intolerant of, or unresponsive to, oral iron. The trial was an open‐label, comparative, multi‐center trial. Five hundred and eleven patients with IDA from different causes were randomized 2:1 to iron isomaltoside or iron sucrose and followed for 5 weeks. The cumulative dose of iron isomaltoside was based on body weight and hemoglobin (Hb), administered as either a 1000 mg infusion over more than 15 minutes or 500 mg injection over 2 minutes. The cumulative dose of iron sucrose was calculated according to Ganzoni and administered as repeated 200 mg infusions over 30 minutes. The mean cumulative dose of iron isomaltoside was 1640.2 (standard deviation (SD): 357.6) mg and of iron sucrose 1127.9 (SD: 343.3) mg. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a Hb increase ≥2 g/dL from baseline at any time between weeks 1‐5. Both non‐inferiority and superiority were confirmed for the primary endpoint, and a shorter time to Hb increase ≥2 g/dL was observed with iron isomaltoside. For all biochemical efficacy parameters, faster and/or greater improvements were found with iron isomaltoside. Both treatments were well tolerated; 0.6% experienced a serious adverse drug reaction. Iron isomaltoside was more effective than iron sucrose in achieving a rapid improvement in Hb. Furthermore, iron isomaltoside has an advantage over iron sucrose in allowing higher cumulative dosing in fewer administrations. Both treatments were well tolerated in a broad population with IDA.
Open complex DNA scrunching: A key to transcription start site selection and promoter escape
Authors: Winkelman Jared T. , Gourse Richard L.
Published: January 2017

Bacterial RNA polymerase‐promoter open complexes can exist in a range of states in which the leading edge of the enzyme moves but the trailing edge does not, a phenomenon we refer to as “open complex scrunching.” Here we describe how open complex scrunching can determine the position of the transcription start site for some promoters, modulate the level of expression, and potentially could be targeted by factors to regulate transcription. We suggest that open complex scrunching at the extraordinarily active ribosomal RNA promoters might have evolved to initiate transcription at an unusual position relative to the core promoter elements in order to maximize the rate of promoter escape.
Ten-year report on axillary recurrence after negative sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer from the Swedish Multicentre Cohort Study
Authors: de Boniface J , Frisell J , Bergkvist L , Andersson Y
Published: January 2017

Background

The omission of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients with breast cancer with a negative finding on sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has reduced arm morbidity substantially. Early follow-up reports have shown the rate of axillary recurrence to be significantly lower than expected, with a median false-negative rate of 7 per cent for SNB. Long-term follow-up is needed as recurrences may develop late.

Methods

The Swedish Multicentre Cohort Study included 3518 women with breast cancer and a clinically negative axilla, in whom SNB was planned. ALND was performed only in patients with sentinel node metastasis. Twenty-six centres contributed to enrolment between September 2000 and January 2004. The primary endpoint was the axillary recurrence rate and the secondary endpoint was breast cancer-specific survival, calculated using Kaplan–Meier survival estimates.

Results

Some 2216 sentinel node-negative patients with 2237 breast cancers were analysed. The median follow-up time was 126 (range 0–174) months. Isolated axillary recurrence was found in 35 patients (1·6 per cent). High histological grade and multifocal tumours were risk factors for axillary recurrence, whereas the removal of more than two sentinel nodes decreased the risk. Fourteen (40 per cent) of 35 patients died as a consequence of axillary recurrence.

Conclusion

The risk of axillary recurrence remains lower than expected after a negative finding on SNB at 10-year follow-up. Axillary recurrences may occur long after primary surgery, and lead to a significant risk of breast cancer death.
Prognostic value of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in patients undergoing resection of biliary tract cancer
Authors: Yamashita S , Passot G , Aloia T A , Chun Y S , Javle M , Lee J E , Vauthey J-N , Conrad C
Published: January 2017

Background

The clinical significance of abnormally high levels of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 after resection of biliary tract cancer (BTC) is not well established. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of CA19-9 normalization in patients undergoing resection of BTC with curative intent.

Methods

Patients with BTC undergoing resection with curative intent (1996–2015) were divided into those with normal preoperative CA19-9 level (normal CA19-9 group), those with an abnormally high preoperative CA19-9 level (over 37 units/ml) and normal postoperative CA19-9 level (normalization group), and those with an abnormally high preoperative CA19-9 level and abnormally high postoperative CA19-9 level (non-normalization group). Overall survival (OS) was analysed and predictors of OS were determined.

Results

The normal CA19-9 group (180 patients) and normalization group (74) had better OS than the non-normalization group (58) (3-year OS rate 70·4, 73 and 31 per cent respectively; both P < 0·001). The normal CA19-9 and normalization groups had equivalent OS (P = 0·880). On multivariable analysis, factors associated with worse OS were lymph node metastases (hazard ratio (HR) 1·78; P = 0·014) and abnormally high postoperative CA19-9 level (HR 3·16; P < 0·001). In the normalization group, OS did not differ after R0versus R1 resection (3-year OS rate 69 versus 62 per cent respectively; P = 0·372); in the non-normalization group, patients with R1 resection had worse OS (3-year OS rate 36 and 20 per cent for R0 and R1 respectively; P = 0·032).

Conclusion

Non-normalization of CA19-9 level after resection of BTC with curative intent was associated with worse OS. R1 resection was associated with a particularly poor prognosis when CA19-9 levels did not normalize.
Apoptotic effects of bovine apo‐lactoferrin on HeLa tumor cells
Authors: Luzi Carla , Brisdelli Fabrizia , Iorio Roberto , Bozzi Argante , Carnicelli Veronica , Di Giulio Antonio , Lizzi Anna Rita
Published: January 2017

Lactoferrin (Lf), a cationic iron‐binding glycoprotein of 80 kDa present in body secretions, is known as a compound with marked antimicrobial activity. In the present study, the apoptotic effect of iron‐free bovine lactoferrin (apo‐bLf) on human epithelial cancer (HeLa) cells was examined in association with reactive oxygen species and glutathione (GSH) levels. Apoptotic effect of iron‐free bovine lactoferrin inhibited the growth of HeLa cells after 48 hours of treatment while the diferric‐bLf was ineffective in the concentration range tested (from 1 to 12.5 μM). Western blot analysis showed that key apoptotic regulators including Bax, Bcl‐2, Sirt1, Mcl‐1, and PARP‐1 were modulated by 1.25 μM of apo‐bLf. In the same cell line, apo‐bLf induced apoptosis together with poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase cleavage, caspase activation, and a significant drop of NAD+. In addition, apo‐bLf–treated HeLa cells showed a marked increase of reactive oxygen species level and a significant GSH depletion. On the whole, apo‐bLf triggered apoptosis of HeLa cells upon oxygen radicals burst and GSH decrease.
BARD1 nonsense variant c.1921C>T in a patient with recurrent breast cancer
Authors: Gass Jennifer , Tatro Madeline , Blackburn Patrick , Hines Stephanie , Atwal Paldeep S.
Published: January 2017

Key Clinical Message

One of the strongest risk factors predisposing patients to breast cancer is a positive family history. In our study, we describe a patient diagnosed with multiple breast cancer tumors. Genetic analysis revealed a pathogenic variant in BARD1, which is associated with an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Chemoselective Synthesis of Dithioacetals from Bio‐aldehydes with Zeolites under Ambient and Solvent‐free Conditions
Authors: Li Hu , Yang Tingting , Riisager Anders , Saravanamurugan Shunmugavel , Yang Song
Published: January 2017

Dithioacetals are an important class of versatile compounds extensively applied in pharmaceuticals, separations, electrochemistry, and organic synthesis, but few heterogeneous catalytic systems are reported to be generally applicable for their synthesis from a wide range of substrates. A series of commercial and modified zeolites are excellent catalysts for thioacetalization of different thiols with carbonyl compounds, including biomass‐derived aldehydes, at room temperature under solvent‐free conditions. A near quantitative yield of dithioacetal was obtained over H‐beta(19) at room temperature with a low catalyst to substrate ratio of 1:19, and a method to follow the reaction progress by ex situ UV/Vis absorption analysis was demonstrated. Recycling experiments with H‐beta(19) in five consecutive runs resulted in slight loss of activity, but the original activity could be fully restored after calcination at 550 °C. The results and physicochemical properties of the zeolites revealed that relatively large pores and moderate acidity with an appropriate distribution of Brønsted/Lewis acid sites contributed to the pronounced performance in the dithioacetal formation.
Influence of the Dithiolate Bridge on the Oxidative Processes of Diiron Models Related to the Active Site of [FeFe] Hydrogenases
Authors: Arrigoni Federica , Mohamed Bouh Salma , De Gioia Luca , Elleouet Catherine , Pétillon François Y. , Schollhammer Philippe , Zampella Giuseppe
Published: January 2017

Electrochemical studies of [Fe2(CO)4(κ2‐dmpe)(μ‐dithiolate)] (dithiolate=adtBn, pdt) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the striking influence of an amine functionality in the dithiolate bridge on their oxidative properties. [Fe2(CO)4(κ2‐dmpe)(μ‐adtBn)] (1) undergoes two one‐electron oxidation steps, with the first being partially reversible and the second irreversible. When the adtBn bridge is replaced with pdt, a shift of 60 mV towards more positive potentials is observed for the first oxidation whereas 290 mV separate the oxidation potentials of the two cations. Under CO, oxidation of azadithiolate compound 1 occurs according to an ECE process whereas an EC mechanism takes place for the propanedithiolate species 2. The dication species [1‐CO]2+ resulting from the two‐electron oxidation of 1 has been spectroscopically and structurally characterized. The molecular details underlying the reactivity of oxidized species have been explored by DFT calculations. The differences in the behaviors of 1 and 2 are mainly due to the presence, or not, of favored interactions between the dithiolate bridge and the diiron site depending on the redox states, FeIFeII or FeIIFeII, of the complexes.
Synthesis of Polydopamine‐Like Nanocapsules via Removal of a Sacrificial Mesoporous Silica Template with Water
Authors: Nador Fabiana , Guisasola Eduardo , Baeza Alejandro , Villaecija Miguel Angel Moreno , Vallet‐Regí Maria , Ruiz‐Molina Daniel
Published: January 2017

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Daniel Ruiz‐Molina at the ICN2 in collaboration with the group of Maria Vallet‐Regí at UCM. The image highlights the green methodology and easy scalability of the method used. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201604631.
Pulse‐Width Dependence of the Cooling Effect on Sub‐Micrometer ZnO Spherical Particle Formation by Pulsed‐Laser Melting in a Liquid
Authors: Sakaki Shota , Ikenoue Hiroshi , Tsuji Takeshi , Ishikawa Yoshie , Koshizaki Naoto
Published: January 2017

Sub‐micrometer spherical particles can be synthesized by irradiating particles in a liquid with a pulsed laser (pulse width: 10 ns). In this method, all of the laser energy is supposed to be spent on particle heating because nanosecond heating is far faster than particle cooling. To study the cooling effect, sub‐micrometer spherical particles are fabricated by using a pulsed laser with longer pulse widths (50 and 70 ns). From the increase in the laser‐fluence threshold for sub‐micrometer spherical particle formation with increasing pulse width, it is concluded that the particles dissipate heat to the surrounding liquid, even during several tens of nanoseconds of heating. A particle heating–cooling model considering the cooling effect is developed to estimate the particle temperature during laser irradiation. This model suggests that the liquid surrounding the particles evaporates, and the generated vapor films suppress heat dissipation from the particles, resulting in efficient heating and melting of the particles in the liquid. In the case of small particle sizes and large pulse widths, the particles dissipate heat to the liquid without forming such vapor films.
Hydrogen Oxidation‐Selective Electrocatalysis by Fine Tuning of Pt Ensemble Sites to Enhance the Durability of Automotive Fuel Cells
Authors: Yun Su‐Won , Park Shin‐Ae , Kim Tae‐June , Kim Jun‐Hyuk , Pak Gi‐Woong , Kim Yong‐Tae
Published: January 2017

A simple, inexpensive approach is proposed for enhancing the durability of automotive proton exchange membrane fuel cells by selective promotion of the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and suppression of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the anode in startup/shutdown events. Dodecanethiol forms a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) on the surface of Pt particles, thus decreasing the number of Pt ensemble sites. Interestingly, by controlling the dodecanethiol concentration during SAM formation, the number of ensemble sites can be precisely optimized such that it is sufficient for the HOR but insufficient for the ORR. Thus, a Pt surface with an SAM of dodecanethiol clearly effects HOR‐selective electrocatalysis. Clear HOR selectivity is demonstrated in unit cell tests with the actual membrane electrode assembly, as well as in an electrochemical three‐electrode setup with a thin‐film rotating disk electrode configuration.
Metal–Organic Coaxial Nanowire Array Electrodes Combining Large Energy Capacity and High Rate Capability
Authors: Nakanishi Hideyuki , Kikuta Ikuo , Segawa Hiroyo , Kawabata Yuto , Kishida Reiko , Norisuye Tomohisa , Tran‐Cong‐Miyata Qui
Published: January 2017

Pseudocapacitors have been widely studied in the context of their potential applications in portable electronics and energy regeneration. However, the internal resistance within these devices hampers charge transport and limits their performance. As a result, maximum charge/discharge rates are typically limited to a few hundred mV s−1 for pseudocapacitors. Beyond this limit, capacitance rapidly decreases and devices become incapable of storing energy. Here, we design electrodes in which coaxial nanowires made of highly conductive metal cores and pseudocapacitive organic shells are fabricated into a seamless, monolithic, and vertically aligned structure. The design of this structure reduces its internal resistance, and devices fabricated using these electrodes exhibit excellent energy capacity even when charged/discharged at high rates of more than a few hundred mV s−1. The energy density obtained in these devices corresponds to the maximum energy density predicted by the Trasatti method, and the coaxial‐nanowire structure of the electrodes enhances the charge storage capacity and rate capability simultaneously.
Intracerebral microdialysis coupled to LC–MS/MS for the determination tramadol and its major pharmacologically active metabolite O‐desmethyltramadol in rat brain microdialysates
Authors: Liu Mingzhou , Wang Peng , Yu Xuming , Dong Guicheng , Yue Jiang
Published: January 2017

A rapid and sensitive method involving liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS) coupled to an intracerebral microdialysis technique was developed for the determination and pharmacokinetic investigation of tramadol and its major active metabolite O‐desmethyltramadol (ODT) in rat brain. The microdialysis samples were separated on a C18 column and eluted with a mobile phase of acetonitrile‐water‐formic acid (50:50:0.1; v/v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The ESI‐MS/MS spectra were performed in electrospray positive ion mode, and the analytes were detected by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of the transitions m/z [M + H]+ 264.3 → 58.2 for tramadol, m/z [M + H]+ 250.3 → 58.3 for ODT, and m/z [M + H]+ 379.4 → 264.0 for ambroxol (internal standard; IS). The total run time was 4.0 min. A lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was achieved as 1 ng/mL for tramadol and 0.5 ng/mL for ODT, with excellent linearity over a concentration range of 1 ~ 500 ng/mL (r > 0.99) for tramadol and 0.5 ~ 50 ng/mL for ODT (r > 0.99), respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies of tramadol and ODT in rat brain. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrative effects of zinc and temperature on germination in Dimorphandra wilsonii rizz.: Implications of climate changes
Authors: Bicalho Elisa Monteze , Gomes Marcelo Pedrosa , Rodrigues-Junior Ailton Gonçalves , Oliveira Túlio Gabriel Soares , Gonçalves Cintia de Almeida , Fonseca Marcia Bacelar , Garcia Queila Souza
Published: January 2017

The integrative effects of zinc (Zn; 0 mg L−1, 75 mg L−1, 150 mg L−1, and 200 mg L−1) and temperature (25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C) on seed germination of the threatened Brazilian species Dimorphandra wilsonii were evaluated. Zinc effects on seed germination were only observed at 30 °C and 35 °C. By stimulating respiration rates, rising temperatures accentuate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) formation in germinating seeds in the presence of Zn. Seed Zn tolerance was related to the activation of enzymatic antioxidants, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity had a central role in H2O2 scavenging under the highest temperatures tested. Increased APX activity allowed successful germination, whereas decreasing APX activity was accompanied by decreasing germination rates in Zn-treated seeds at 35 °C. Within a scenario of future climate change, it will be extremely important to avoid increasing Zn concentrations in natural habitats that would threaten conservation efforts directed toward this endangered plant species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2036–2042. © 2017 SETAC

Abstract

Zinc and temperature modulate respiration activity and germination in Dimorphandra wilsonii seeds.
Head circumference, leg length and its association with dementia among older adult population in Singapore
Authors: Chang Sherilyn , Ong Hui Lin , Abdin Edimansyah , Vaingankar Janhavi Ajit , Jeyagurunathan Anitha , Shafie Saleha , Mahendran Rathi , Subramaniam Mythily , Chong Siow Ann
Published: January 2017

Background

Head circumference and leg length serve as reliable proxy indicators of early‐life environment. Research studies have shown that these anthropometric measurements are associated with cognitive impairment and dementia among older adults. The aim of the present study was to assess the associations between dementia with head circumference and leg length among the older adult population in Singapore. This study also aimed to examine the sociodemographic correlates of these anthropometric measurements.

Methods

Data were collected from 2565 older adults aged 60 years and above, in a population study on the Well‐being of the Singapore Elderly. Head circumference and leg length measurements were obtained, and sociodemographic information was recorded. Dementia diagnosis was made using the 10/66 dementia algorithm. Anthropometric measurements were first stratified into quarters, and then logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with head circumference and leg length, as well as to examine the association between dementia with these measurements.

Results

Sociodemographic correlates of head circumference and leg length include age, gender, ethnicity and education level. Smaller head circumference was independently associated with higher odds of 10/66 dementia (OR = 2.173–2.709). When the regression analysis was stratified by gender, the association was found only in the male sample. Leg length was not significantly associated with dementia after controlling for sociodemographic variables.

Conclusion

Smaller head circumference is independently associated with dementia among older adults in Singapore. Findings from this study suggest that risk factors for dementia begin their influence in early life. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cortical thickness and functional connectivity abnormality in chronic headache and low back pain patients
Authors: Yang Qing , Wang Zewei , Yang Lixia , Xu Yonghua , Chen Li Min
Published: January 2017

This study aims to characterize the psychological wellbeing of chronic headache (CH) patients, to identify cortical structural abnormalities and any associations of those abnormalities with resting state functional connectivity (rsFC), and to determine whether such rsFC abnormality is specific to CH patients. Compared with healthy controls (CONCH), CH patients suffered from mild depression, sleep disturbances, and relatively poor quality of life. CH patients also exhibited widespread cortical thickness (CT) abnormalities in left premotor (BA6), right primary somatosensory (S1) and right prefrontal (BA10) cortices, as well as in regions of default mode and executive control networks. Using cortical regions with thickness abnormality as seeds, we found cortical region pairs showed strengthened rsFC in CH patients. Using the same seeds, rsFC analysis from chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients and their controls (CONCLBP) identified abnormalities in non‐overlapping cortical region pairs. Direct comparison of rsFC between CH and CLBP patients revealed significantly differences in thirteen cortical region pairs, including the four identified in CH and CONCH comparison. Across all three groups (CH, CLBP and CON), the rsFC between left multisensory association area (BA39) and left posterior cingulate cortex (BA23) differed significantly. Eight regions showed CT abnormality in CLBP patients, two of which overlapped with those of CH patients. Our observations support the notion that CH and CLBP pain are pathological conditions, under which the brain develops distinct widespread structural and functional abnormalities. CH and CLBP groups share some similar structural abnormalities, but rsFC abnormalities in several cortical region pairs appear to be pathology‐specific. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1815–1832, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An HDAC Inhibitor, Entinostat/MS-275, Partially Prevents Delayed Cranial Suture Closure in Heterozygous Runx2 Null Mice
Authors: Bae Han-Sol , Yoon Won-Joon , Cho Young-Dan , Islam Rabia , Shin Hye-Rim , Kim Bong-Soo , Lim Jin-Muk , Seo Min-Seok , Cho Seo-Ae , Choi Kang-Young , Baek Seung-Hak , Kim Hong-Gee , Woo Kyung-Mi , Baek Jeong-Hwa , Lee Yun-Sil , Ryoo Hyun-Mo
Published: January 2017

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal dominant skeletal disorder caused by mutations in RUNX2, coding a key transcription factor of early osteogenesis. CCD patients suffer from developmental defects in cranial bones. Despite numerous investigations and clinical approaches, no therapeutic strategy has been suggested to prevent CCD. Here, we show that fetal administration of Entinostat/MS-275, a class I histone deacetylase (HDAC)-specific inhibitor, partially prevents delayed closure of cranial sutures in Runx2+/- mice strain of C57BL/6J by two mechanisms: 1) posttranslational acetylation of Runx2 protein, which stabilized the protein and activated its transcriptional activity; and 2) epigenetic regulation of Runx2 and other bone marker genes. Moreover, we show that MS-275 stimulates osteoblast proliferation effectively both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that delayed skeletal development in CCD is closely related to the decreased number of progenitor cells as well as the delayed osteogenic differentiation. These findings provide the potential benefits of the therapeutic strategy using MS-275 to prevent CCD. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Pre‐operative oral nutritional supplementation with dietary advice versus dietary advice alone in weight‐losing patients with colorectal cancer: single‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Burden Sorrel T. , Gibson Debra J. , Lal Simon , Hill James , Pilling Mark , Soop Mattias , Ramesh Aswatha , Todd Chris
Published: January 2017

Background

Pre‐operative weight loss has been consistently associated with increased post‐operative morbidity. The study aims to determine if pre‐operative oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) with dietary advice reduce post‐operative complications.

Methods

Single‐blinded randomized controlled trial. People with colorectal cancer scheduled for surgery with pre‐operative weight loss >1 kg/3–6 months were randomized by using stratified blocks (1:1 ratio) in six hospitals (1 November 2013–28 February 2015). Intervention group was given 250 mL/day ONS (10.1 KJ and 0.096 g protein per mL) and dietary advice. Control group received dietary advice alone. Oral nutritional supplements were administered from diagnosis to the day preceding surgery. Research team was masked to group allocation. Primary outcome was patients with one or more surgical site infection (SSI) or chest infection; secondary outcomes included percentage weight loss, total complications, and body composition measurements. Intention‐to‐treat analysis was performed with both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. A sample size of 88 was required.

Results

Of 101 participants, (55 ONS, 46 controls) 97 had surgery. In intention‐to‐treat analysis, there were 21/45 (47%) patients with an infection—either an SSI or chest infection in the control group vs. 17/55 (30%) in the ONS group. The odds ratio of a patient incurring either an SSI or chest infection was 0.532 (P = 0.135 confidence interval 0.232 to 1.218) in the unadjusted analysis and when adjusted for random differences at baseline (age, gender, percentage weight loss, and cancer staging) was 0.341 (P = 0.031, confidence interval 0.128 to 0.909). Pre‐operative percentage weight loss at the first time point after randomization was 4.1% [interquartile range (IQR) 1.7–7.0] in ONS group vs. 6.7% (IQR 2.6–10.8) in controls (Mann–Whitney U P = 0.021) and post‐operatively was 7.4% (IQR 4.3–10.0) in ONS group vs. 10.2% (IQR 5.1–18.5) in controls (P = 0.016).

Conclusions

Compared with dietary advice alone, ONS resulted in patients having fewer infections and less weight loss following surgery for colorectal cancer. We have demonstrated that pre‐operative oral nutritional supplementation can improve clinical outcome in weight losing patients with colorectal cancer.
Best time window for the use of calcium‐modulating agents to improve functional recovery in injured peripheral nerves—An experiment in rats
Authors: Yan Yuhui , Shen Feng‐Yi , Agresti Michael , Zhang Lin‐Ling , Matloub Hani S. , LoGiudice John A. , Havlik Robert , Li Jifeng , Gu Yu‐dong , Yan Ji‐Geng
Published: January 2017

Peripheral nerve injury can have a devastating effect on daily life. Calcium concentrations in nerve fibers drastically increase after nerve injury, and this activates downstream processes leading to neuron death. Our previous studies showed that calcium‐modulating agents decrease calcium accumulation, which aids in regeneration of injured peripheral nerves; however, the optimal therapeutic window for this application has not yet been identified. In this study, we show that calcium clearance after nerve injury is positively correlated with functional recovery in rats suffering from a crushed sciatic nerve injury. After the nerve injury, calcium accumulation increased. Peak volume is from 2 to 8 weeks post injury; calcium accumulation then gradually decreased over the following 24‐week period. The compound muscle action potential (CMAP) measurement from the extensor digitorum longus muscle recovered to nearly normal levels in 24 weeks. Simultaneously, real‐time polymerase chain reaction results showed that upregulation of calcium‐ATPase (a membrane protein that transports calcium out of nerve fibers) mRNA peaked at 12 weeks. These results suggest that without intervention, the peak in calcium‐ATPase mRNA expression in the injured nerve occurs after the peak in calcium accumulation, and CMAP recovery continues beyond 24 weeks. Immediately using calcium‐modulating agents after crushed nerve injury improved functional recovery. These studies suggest that a crucial time frame in which to initiate effective clinical approaches to accelerate calcium clearance and nerve regeneration would be prior to 2 weeks post injury. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular trail for the anticancer behavior of a novel copper carbohydrazone complex in BRCA1 mutated breast cancer
Authors: Nair Rakesh Sathish , Potti Manoj Easwaran , Thankappan Ratheeshkumar , Chandrika Sivakumar Krishnankutty , Kurup M. R. Prathapachandra , Srinivas Priya
Published: January 2017

Novel chelated metal complexes were synthesized from carbohydrazones to thiocarbohydrazones using metal‐based drug designing platforms and their combination effect with Pb, a naphthaquinone were analyzed for anticancer activity in breast cancer cell lines. A panel of BRCA1 wild‐type and mutated breast cancer cells: MCF‐7 (BRCA1+/ER+), MDA‐MB‐231 (BRCA1+/ERα−), HCC‐1937 (BRCA1−/ERα−), HCC1937/wt BRCA1, MX1 (BRCA1−/ERα−), and MDA‐MB‐436 (BRCA1−/ERα−) were screened for anti‐cancer activity. Cu2(HL)(HSO4) · H2O]SO4 · 6 H2O (CS2) is the most potent anticancer agent among the copper carbohydrazone and thiocarbohydrazone complexes analyzed in this study. It can be suggested that the presence of sulphate, as pharmacologically active centre, can induce cytotoxicity more effectively when compared to chlorine, bromine, perchlorate, and methanol. This is the first report demonstrating that CS2 can bind to DNA by hindering BamH1 activity and could induce DNA double strand breaks as evidenced by γ‐H2AX expression. In addition to this, CS2 could also act as a Topo II inhibitor at a much lower concentration than etoposide and induce apoptosis, making it a potent anticancer agent. In combination with Pb, a potent ROS inducer, CS2 could induce synergistic anti‐cancer activity in HR/ BRCA1 defective breast cancer cells. This is the first study reporting the mechanism involved in the induction of apoptosis for a metal chelated copper carbohydrazone complex and its combination effects with Pb in HR defective, BRCA1 mutated breast cancer cells.