bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water Splitting via Decoupled Photocatalytic Water Oxidation and Electrochemical Proton Reduction Mediated by Electron‐Coupled‐Proton Buffer
Authors: Li Fei , Yu Fengshou , Du Jian , Wang Yong , Zhu Yong , Li Xiaona , Sun Licheng
Published: September 2017

Water splitting mediated by electron‐coupled‐proton buffer (ECPB) provides an efficient way to avoid gas mixing by separating oxygen evolution from hydrogen evolution in space and time. Though electrochemical and photoelectrochemcial water oxidation have been incorporated in such a two‐step water splitting system, alternative ways to reduce the cost and energy input for decoupling two half‐reactions are desired. Herein, we show the feasibility of photocatalytic oxygen evolution in a powder system with BiVO4 as a photocatalyst and polyoxometalate H3PMo12O40 as an electron and proton acceptor. The resulting reaction mixture was allowed to be directly used for the subsequent hydrogen evolution with the reduced H3PMo12O40 as electron and proton donors. Our system exhibits excellent stability in repeated oxygen and hydrogen evolution, which brings considerable convenience to decoupled water splitting.
On Observer Design for Nonlinear Caputo Fractional‐Order Systems
Authors: Jmal Assaad , Naifar Omar , Ben Makhlouf Abdellatif , Derbel Nabil , Hammami Mohamed Ali
Published: September 2017

The observer design problem for integer‐order systems has been the subject of several studies. However, much less interest has been given to the more general fractional‐order systems, where the fractional‐order derivative is between 0 and 1. In this paper, a particular form of observers for integer‐order Lipschitz, one‐sided Lipschitz and quasi‐one‐sided Lipschitz systems, is extended to the fractional‐order calculus. Then, the obtained states estimates are used for an eventual feedback control, and the separation principle is tackled. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is shown through simulation for two numerical examples.
Genome evolution is driven by gene expression‐generated biophysical constraints through RNA‐directed genetic variation: A hypothesis
Authors: Auboeuf Didier
Published: September 2017

The biogenesis of RNAs and proteins is a threat to the cell. Indeed, the act of transcription and nascent RNAs challenge DNA stability. Both RNAs and nascent proteins can also initiate the formation of toxic aggregates because of their physicochemical properties. In reviewing the literature, I show that co‐transcriptional and co‐translational biophysical constraints can trigger DNA instability that in turn increases the likelihood that sequences that alleviate the constraints emerge over evolutionary time. These directed genetic variations rely on the biogenesis of small RNAs that are transcribed directly from challenged DNA regions or processed from the transcripts that directly or indirectly generate constraints or aggregates. These small RNAs can then target the genomic regions from which they initially originate and increase the local mutation rate of the targeted loci. This mechanism is based on molecular pathways involved in anti‐parasite genome defence systems, and implies that gene expression‐related biophysical constraints represent a driving force of genome evolution.
Development of a high‐throughput microscale cell disruption platform for Pichia pastoris in rapid bioprocess design
Authors: Bláha Benjamin A. F. , Morris Stephen A. , Ogonah Olotu W. , Maucourant Sophie , Crescente Vincenzo , Rosenberg William , Mukhopadhyay Tarit K.
Published: September 2017

The time and cost benefits of miniaturized fermentation platforms can only be gained by employing complementary techniques facilitating high‐throughput at small sample volumes. Microbial cell disruption is a major bottleneck in experimental throughput and is often restricted to large processing volumes. Moreover, for rigid yeast species, such as Pichia pastoris, no effective high‐throughput disruption methods exist. The development of an automated, miniaturized, high‐throughput, noncontact, scalable platform based on adaptive focused acoustics (AFA) to disrupt P. pastoris and recover intracellular heterologous protein is described. Augmented modes of AFA were established by investigating vessel designs and a novel enzymatic pretreatment step. Three different modes of AFA were studied and compared to the performance high‐pressure homogenization. For each of these modes of cell disruption, response models were developed to account for five different performance criteria. Using multiple responses not only demonstrated that different operating parameters are required for different response optima, with highest product purity requiring suboptimal values for other criteria, but also allowed for AFA‐based methods to mimic large‐scale homogenization processes. These results demonstrate that AFA‐mediated cell disruption can be used for a wide range of applications including buffer development, strain selection, fermentation process development, and whole bioprocess integration. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:130–140, 2018
Effects of pH, conductivity, host cell protein, and DNA size distribution on DNA clearance in anion exchange chromatography media
Authors: Stone Melani C. , Borman Jon , Ferreira Gisela , Robbins P. David
Published: September 2017

Flowthrough anion exchange chromatography is commonly used as a polishing step in downstream processing of monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutic proteins to remove process‐related impurities and contaminants such as host cell DNA, host cell proteins, endotoxin, and viruses. DNA with a wide range of molecular weight distributions derived from Chinese Hamster Ovary cells was used to advance the understanding of DNA binding behavior in selected anion exchange media using the resin (Toyopearl SuperQ‐650M) and membranes (Mustang® Q and Sartobind® Q) through DNA spiking studies. The impacts of the process parameters pH (6–8), conductivity (2–15 mS/cm), and the potential binding competition between host cell proteins and host cell DNA were studied. Studies were conducted at the least and most favorable experimental conditions for DNA binding based on the anticipated electrostatic interactions between the host cell DNA and the resin ligand. The resin showed 50% higher DNA binding capacity compared to the membrane media. Spiking host cell proteins in the load material showed no impact on the DNA clearance capability of the anion exchange media. DNA size distributions were characterized based on a “size exclusion qPCR assay.” Results showed preferential binding of larger DNA fragments (>409 base pairs). © 2017 The Authors Biotechnology Progress published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:141–149, 2018
Alternative Oils Tested as Feedstocks for Enzymatic FAMEs Synthesis: Toward a More Sustainable Process
Authors: Infanzón Belén , Cesarini Silvia , Martínez Josefina , Pastor F. I. Javier , Diaz Pilar
Published: September 2017

Previously isolated and characterized Pseudomonas lipases were immobilized in a low‐cost MP‐1000 support by a re‐loading procedure that allowed a high activity per weight of support. Immobilized LipA, LipC, and LipCmut lipases, and commercial Novozym® 435 were tested for fatty acid methyl ester (FAMEs) synthesis using conventional and alternative feedstocks. Triolein and degummed soybean oils were used as model substrates, whereas waste cooking oil and M. circinelloides oil were assayed as alternative, low cost feedstocks, whose free fatty acid (FFA), and acylglyceride profile was characterized. The reaction conditions for FAMEs synthesis were initially established using degummed soybean oil, setting up the best water and methanol concentrations for optimum conversion. These conditions were further applied to the alternative feedstocks and the four lipases. The results revealed that Pseudomonas lipases were unable to use the FFAs, displaying a moderate FAMEs synthesis, whereas a 44% FAMEs production was obtained when M. circinelloides oil was used as a substrate in the reaction catalysed by Novozym® 435, used under the conditions established for degummed soybean oil. However, when Novozym® 435 was tested under previously described optimal conditions for this lipase, promising values of 85 and 76% FAMEs synthesis were obtained for waste cooking oil and M. circinelloides oil, respectively, which might result in promising, nonfood, alternative feedstocks for enzymatic biodiesel production. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:1209–1217, 2017
Efficient secretion of three fungal laccases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their potential for decolorization of textile industry effluent—A comparative study
Authors: Antošová Zuzana , Herkommerová Klára , Pichová Iva , Sychrová Hana
Published: September 2017

Laccases are enzymes with a broad range of biotechnological applications and have, for example, the ability to oxidize many xenobiotics including synthetic dyes. In order to obtain an efficient laccase for the decolorization of dyes which spoil wastewater from the textile industry, genes encoding three various laccase enzymes were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The expression of laccases from ascomycete Myceliophthora thermophila (MtL), and two basidiomycetes Trametes versicolor (TvL) and Trametes trogii (TtL) was optimized via selection of plasmids, promoters, media composition, and cultivation conditions. For the first time, the activity of the three secreted laccases was directly compared with the use of various substrates, including different dyes and a wastewater sample. A strong constitutive ADH1 promoter, minimal growth medium, optimized combination of copper and organic nitrogen source, and low cultivation temperature were shown to significantly increase the yields and relative activities of secreted laccases. Heterologous expression of three fungal laccases was successfully achieved in S. cerevisiae being the highest for MtL and the lowest for TvL. MtL, and particularly TtL, showed the decolorization capacity. This is the first report which compared decolorization of synthetic dyes and wastewater by several recombinant laccases and suggested MtL and TtL to be applicable in the ecofriendly enzymatic treatment of colored industry effluent. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:69–80, 2018
Career Maturity and Quality of Life in Korean Adolescents: A Cross‐Lagged Panel Design
Authors: Ham Kyong‐Ae , Lim Hyun‐Woo
Published: September 2017

This study investigated the effectiveness of a short‐term career exploration program for enhancing career maturity and quality of life in Korean adolescents. It further tested causality between career maturity and quality of life defined as school satisfaction and subjective well‐being. We used a cross‐lagged panel design to examine the links among career maturity, subjective well‐being, and school satisfaction, measured both before and 4 weeks after a career exploration program for 224 Korean middle school students. Study results indicated that 4 weeks after the program implementation, there were significant increases in career maturity, subjective well‐being, and school satisfaction. A significant causal relationship from the pretest score of career maturity to the posttest score of school satisfaction was found. Results suggest that the implementation of a short‐term career exploration program designed to increase career maturity also significantly promotes school satisfaction. Limitations of the study are discussed along with suggestions for future research.
Updating the School Counseling Research Agenda: A Delphi Study
Authors: Villares Elizabeth , Dimmitt Carey
Published: September 2017

The authors updated an earlier Delphi study identifying the research priorities for school counseling (Dimmitt et al., ). A 29‐member expert panel selected research questions from the prior study, generated new questions, and rank ordered the combined set. The results provide guidance for prioritizing dissertation topics, targeting future research, and focusing the scholarly efforts of counselor educators.
Professional Functioning: Exploring Developmental Narratives of Counselor Trainees
Authors: Storlie Cassandra A. , Baltrinic Eric R. , Mostade S. Jeffrey , Darby Tiffany
Published: September 2017

The authors analyzed the reflective journals of 49 counselor trainees in internship using a conventional content analysis approach. Developmental insights from the 4 overarching themes and 7 subthemes are provided to assist counselor education and supervision programs in supporting the professional functioning of counselor trainees.
Simple Light‐Triggered Fluorescent Labeling of Silica Nanoparticles for Cellular Imaging Applications
Authors: Sun Rui , Yin Ling , Zhang Shaohua , He Lei , Cheng Xiaju , Wang Anna , Xia Huawei , Shi Haibin
Published: September 2017

A simple and mild light‐triggered fluorescent labeling approach, based on the photolysis and reactive carbene insertion of diazirine, to rapidly generate fluorescent nanoparticles is reported. Proof of concept studies demonstrated that the non‐fluorescent SiNPs could be covalently labeled by diazirine‐conjugated fluorescein (dFITC) upon photo irradiation (λ=365 nm) to afford fluorescent SiNPs with good fluorescent stability and low cytotoxicity. In vitro cellular imaging results indicated that the internalization of SiNPs into living cells could be readily visualized based on fluorescein‐labeled SiNPs (F‐SiNPs) in real time. We believe that the light‐triggered labeling approach may offer a valuable method for surface modification of nanomaterials to achieve new functions.
Brønsted Base‐Mediated Regio‐ and Stereoselective trans‐Silaboration of Propargylamides: Access to 1,2‐Vinylborasilanes
Authors: Fritzemeier Russell , Santos Webster L.
Published: September 2017

A facile method for the preparation of β‐boryl‐α‐silyl aryl acrylamides using phenyllithium, dimethylphenylsilylpinacolborane, and propargylamides is reported. A key feature of this transition metal‐free reaction is the Brønsted base deprotonation of aryl secondary propargylamide to produce a Lewis base that activates the B−Si bond, which is followed by a sequential intramolecular α‐silylation‐trans‐β‐borylation. The reaction proceeds in complete regio‐ and stereoselectivity. A wide variety of N‐ and aryl‐substituted propargylamides afford trans‐1,2‐vinylborasilanes in high yield. The vicinal borasilane products undergo a variety of subsequent chemoselective transformations.
X‐ray Structure Analysis of N‐Containing Nucleophilic Compounds by the Crystalline Sponge Method
Authors: Sakurai Fumie , Khutia Anupam , Kikuchi Takashi , Fujita Makoto
Published: September 2017

Crystalline sponges (CS) used under a set of standard conditions have often failed to give viable N‐containing nucleophilic compounds. Despite the high affinity of these nucleophiles to the binding sites of the CS, N‐containing compounds considerably harm the coordination framework of the CS during the guest‐soaking step. Herein, it is disclosed that these compounds are efficiently absorbed into the CS, without harming the host, under mild conditions (<4 °C, <2 μg) that normally do not work for common organic guests. Moreover, the use of ZnCl2 as the metal component of CS significantly improved the tolerance and robustness of the host framework toward N‐containing compounds. Out of 22 drug (or drug‐like) N‐containing compounds chosen from the WHO model list of essential medicines, we succeeded in analyzing 17 analytes with the modified protocols and/or by using the ZnCl2‐noded CS. This demonstrates that the CS method is now a practical tool for drug‐discovery research in pharmaceutical industries.
Sol‐Gel‐Chemie
Authors: Schubert Ulrich
Published: September 2017

Der Sol‐Gel‐Prozess zur Erzeugung von Materialien mit oxidischer Grundstruktur ist eine Methode, die handwerklich sehr einfach ist (mischen – warten – verarbeiten – trocknen), bei der aber detaillierte chemische Kenntnisse notwendig sind, wenn man die optimalsten Materialeigenschaften erzielen und alle Möglichkeiten ausschöpfen möchte, die die Methode bietet („better materials through chemistry“). Der Grund dafür ist, dass die Gel‐Synthese kinetisch kontrolliert abläuft, die erhaltenen Materialien also amorph und metastabil sind. Jeder Parameter, der die Reaktionsgeschwindigkeiten der Precursoren oder Intermediate beeinflusst, hat daher Auswirkungen auf Struktur und Eigenschaften der Gele und muss genau kontrolliert werden. Die chemische Zusammensetzung der Gele lässt sich durch geeignete Precursor‐Kombinationen nahezu beliebig anpassen. Das bietet die Möglichkeit, Materialeigenschaften gezielt zu beeinflussen und anspruchsvolle, „maßgeschneiderte“ Materialien herzustellen.
Refining the predictors of outcome in patients with resectable esophageal cancer
Authors: Saba Nabil F.
Published: September 2017

Better integration of clinical features with molecular and genomic data may help to establish a more reliable regression grading system that could serve as a future predictor of outcomes for patients with resectable esophageal cancer. See also pages 4106‐13.
Pathological complete response in patients with esophageal cancer after the trimodality approach: The association with baseline variables and survival—The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center experience
Authors: Blum Murphy Mariela , Xiao Lianchum , Patel Viren R. , Maru Dipen M. , Correa Arlene M. , G. Amlashi Fatemeh , Liao Zhongxing , Komaki Ritsuko , Lin Steven H. , Skinner Heath D. , Vaporciyan Ara , Walsh Garrett L. , Swisher Stephen G. , Sepesi Boris , Lee Jeffrey H. , Bhutani Manoop S. , Weston Brian , Hofstetter Wayne L. , Ajani Jaffer A.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Reports are limited regarding clinical and pretreatment features that might predict a pathological complete response (pathCR) after treatment in patients with esophageal cancer (EC). This might allow patient selection for different strategies. This study examines the association of a pathCR with pretreatment variables, overall survival (OS), recurrence‐free survival (RFS), and patterns of recurrence in a large cohort from a single institution.

METHODS

The baseline clinical features of 911 consecutive patients with EC who were treated with trimodality therapy from January 2000 to November 2013 were analyzed. A pathCR was defined as a surgical specimen with no residual carcinoma (primary or nodes). Logistic regressions were used to identify independent baseline features associated with a pathCR. We applied log‐rank testing and Cox models to determine the association between a pathCR and the time‐to‐event outcomes (OS and RFS).

RESULTS

Of 911 patients, 218 (23.9%) achieved a pathCR. The pathCR rate was 23.1% for adenocarcinoma and 32.2% for squamous cell carcinoma. A lower pathCR rate was observed for 1) older patients (>60 years), 2) patients with poorly differentiated tumors, 3) patients with signet ring cells (SRCs), and 4) patients with a higher T stage. Patients with a pathCR had longer OS and RFS than those without a pathCR (P = .0021 and P = .0011, respectively). Recurrences occurred more in non‐pathCR patients. Distant metastases were the most common type of recurrence. PathCR patients developed brain metastases at a marginally higher rate than non‐pathCR patients (P = .051).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort study, a pathCR is confirmed to be associated with better OS and RFS. The presence of a poorly differentiated tumor or SRCs reduces the likelihood of a pathCR. Future research should focus on molecular classifiers. Cancer 2017;123:4106–4113. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Fragile X granules are a family of axonal ribonucleoprotein particles with circuit‐dependent protein composition and mRNA cargos
Authors: Chyung Eunice , LeBlanc Hannah F. , Fallon Justin R. , Akins Michael R.
Published: September 2017

Local axonal protein synthesis plays a crucial role in the formation and function of neuronal circuits. Understanding the role of this mechanism in specific circuits requires identifying the protein composition and mRNA cargos of the ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs) that form the substrate for axonal translation. FXGs (Fragile X granules) are axonal RNPs present in a stereotyped subset of mature axons in the intact brain that contain one or more of the Fragile X related (FXR) proteins (FMRP, FXR2P, and FXR1P) along with mRNA and ribosomes. Here we performed a systematic survey of the FXR protein composition and mRNA association of FXGs in the brain. We have identified four FXG types that can be categorized based on their FXR protein complement. All FXGs contain FXR2P, with FMRP and/or FXR1P present in circuit‐selective subsets. Individual neuronal cell types predominantly express a single FXG type, with FMRP‐containing FXGs the most prevalent in forebrain neurons. All FXG types associate with ribosomes and mRNA, but the specific mRNA cargos are a function of FXG type, brain region and neuron class. Transcripts for β‐catenin and its regulator APC associate with a subset of forebrain FXGs. Moreover, both these transcripts can colocalize within individual FXGs, suggesting that the axonal translation of functionally related proteins may be coordinately regulated with high spatiotemporal resolution. Cell type‐dependent expression of specific RNP types with distinct mRNA cargos, such as FXGs, presents a potential mechanism for regulating local translation and its output in a circuit‐dependent manner.
Evaluation of Bioequivalence Between the New Procaterol Hydrochloride Hydrate Dry Powder Inhaler and the Approved Dry Powder Inhaler in Patients With Asthma in a Randomized, Double‐Blind, Double‐Dummy, Crossover Comparison Study: A Phase 3 Study
Authors: Shirai Ryo , Suzaki Yuki , Sato Kyoko , Takeuchi Yuko , Tokimatsu Issei , Koga Nobuyuki , Kadota Junichi , Ohashi Kyoichi
Published: September 2017

Procaterol hydrochloride hydrate (procaterol) is a β2‐adrenergic receptor agonist that induces a strong bronchodilatory effect. The procaterol dry powder inhaler (DPI) has been frequently used in patients with bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We evaluated the bioequivalence and safety between the new procaterol DPI (new DPI) and the approved procaterol DPI (approved DPI). This study was a randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, crossover comparison to evaluate the pharmacodynamic equivalence of the new DPI and the approved DPI in patients with bronchial asthma. Primary efficacy variables were area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)/h and maximum FEV1 during the 480‐minute measurement period. Patients were divided into 2 groups, New‐DPI‐First (n = 8) and Approved‐DPI‐First (n = 8), according to the investigational medical product that was administered first. Patients inhaled 20 μg of procaterol in each period. FEV1 was measured by a spirometer at predose and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 360, and 480 minutes after each investigational medical product administration. Equivalence was evaluated by confirming that the 2‐sided 90%CIs for the difference between the new and the approved DPI in means of AUC (FEV1)/h and maximum FEV1 were within the acceptance criteria of –0.15 to 0.15 L. The difference in means of AUC (FEV1)/h and maximum FEV1 was 0.041 L and 0.033 L, respectively, and the 90%CI was 0.004 to 0.078 L and –0.008 to 0.074 L, respectively. These CIs were both within the acceptance criteria. The new DPI was assessed as being bioequivalent to the approved DPI.
A coalitional game‐based integrated framework for optimal power allocation in multirelay cooperative environment
Authors: Lamba Amanjot Kaur , Kumar Ravi , Sharma Sanjay
Published: September 2017

Cooperative relaying has emerged as an efficient transmit strategy in wireless networks affected by fading. In multirelay scenarios, the performance of cooperative systems is heavily influenced by resource allocation among the available relays. However, in practical scenarios, a relay may not help unless the cooperation improves its own utility. To address the above problem, this paper introduces a novel integrated game‐theoretic framework that involves incentive‐based optimal power allocation among the cooperating relays. Coalition formation game has been used to model the cooperation among relays that is integrated into a Stackelberg game, for considering the benefits of source and relays jointly. The game theoretic framework has been implemented with an objective to find an optimal and stable coalition set of relays that not only maximizes their utilities but also helps the source to allocate the optimal power to the relays at the optimal price, thereby increasing its utility too. Simulation results have confirmed that the proposed game theoretic solutions achieve comparable performance in system throughput as compared with the centralized approach.
Widespread transcriptional alternations in oligodendrocytes in the adult mouse brain following chronic stress
Authors: Liu Jia , Dietz Karen , Hodes Georgia E. , Russo Scott J. , Casaccia Patrizia
Published: September 2017

Emerging evidence shows that oligodendrogenesis and myelination are highly responsive to behavioral experience, including physical activity and social experience. This form of myelin plasticity is being increasingly appreciated and examined in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a critical brain region involved in complex emotional and cognitive behavior. However, it remains unclear whether myelination in other brain regions is affected by behavioral experience. Here we report that exposure to 4 weeks of chronic variable stress induced anxiety‐ and depressive‐like behavior in male adult mice. In concert with these behavioral responses, transcriptional analysis of PFC, and nucleus accumbens (NAc)—a brain region critical for reward response—revealed downregulation of transcripts encoding for myelin genes and oligodendrocyte‐specific genes. In contrast, upregulation of myelin‐related transcripts was observed in the corpus callosum (CC), whereas the amygdala (AMG) did not show significant changes. Shorter exposure to the same stressors induced behavioral changes to a less extent and was followed by a stress habituation period. However, reduced myelin and oligodendrocyte‐specific gene transcripts were detected as early as one week following stress exposure in the PFC and NAc. These data indicate that oligodendrocyte and their progenitors in multiple brain regions are responsive to stressful experiences and show distinctive and region‐specific patterns of gene expression. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 152–162, 2018
A High Aspect Ratio Micropattern in Freestanding Bulk Pyroelectric Cells
Authors: Hsiao Chun‐Ching , Siao An‐Shen
Published: September 2017

Pyroelectric‐based energy harvesting with the Olsen cycle offers high energy‐transformation efficiency. The pyroelectric effect offers the opportunity to convert temporal temperature fluctuations into usable electrical energy for exploiting abundantly available waste heat. A thinner pyroelectric cell is profitable with regard to generating a higher induced current and a higher charge within a smaller working period owing to a higher temperature variation rate and a smaller thermal capacity. Nevertheless, a thicker pyroelectric cell is advantageous for generating a higher induced voltage over a longer working period owing to a smaller equivalent capacitance and a larger thermal capacity. The use of a high aspect ratio micropattern in a thicker bulk pyroelectric cell is attempted herein to improve the heat transfer and pyroelectric energy transformation by adopting a lower equivalent capacitance to enhance the induced voltage, whereas lateral temperature gradients are introduced to increase the temperature variation rate, the induced charge, and the current. Furthermore, a low‐cost sandblast etching apparatus is adopted to fabricate a high aspect ratio micropattern in thicker bulk lead zirconate titanate (PZT) pyroelectric cells. Within an integral measurement coupled thermal and electrical system, it is demonstrated that relative to a fully covered electrode cell, the high aspect ratio micropattern with an electrode area coverage of 60 % is able to significantly enhance the induced voltage by a factor of 9.3, to increase the induced current by a factor of 5.2, to increase the charge per period by a factor of 3.3, and to increase the stored voltage by a factor of 6.3.
Relationships between physical‐geochemical soil properties and erodibility of streambanks among different physiographic provinces of Tennessee, USA
Authors: Mahalder Badal , Schwartz John S. , Palomino Angelica M. , Zirkle Jon
Published: September 2017

Erosion of cohesive soils in fluvial environments is dependent on physical, geochemical and biological properties, which govern inter‐particle attraction forces and control detachment rates from stream beds and banks. Most erosion rate models are based on the excess shear stress equation where the soil erodibility coefficient (kd) is multiplied by the difference between the boundary hydraulic shear stress (τb) and the soil critical shear stress (τc). Both kd and τc are a function of soil properties and must be obtained through in situ field or laboratory testing. Many studies have generated predictive relationships for kd and τc derived from various soil properties. These studies typically were conducted in watersheds within a single physiographic region with a common surficial geology and/or investigated a limited number of soil properties, particularly geochemical properties. With widely reported differences in relationships between τc and soil properties, this study investigated differences in predictive relationships for τc among different physiographic provinces in Tennessee, USA. Erodibility parameters were determined in the field using a mini‐jet test device. Among these provinces, statistically four unique clusters were identified from a dataset of 128 observations and these data clusters were used to develop predictive models for τc to identify dominant properties governing erosion. In these clusters, 16 significant physical and geochemical soil properties were identified for τc prediction. Among these soil properties, water content and passing #200 sieve (percentage soil less than 75 μm) were the dominant controlling parameters to predict τc in addition to clay percentage (< 2 μm), bulk density, and soil pore water chemistry. This study suggests that unique relationships exist for physiographic provinces that are likely due to soil physical‐geochemical processes associated with surficial geology that determine minerology of the cohesive soil. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rigorous Conformational Analysis of Pyrrolidine Enamines with Relevance to Organocatalysis
Authors: Husch Tamara , Seebach Dieter , Beck Albert K. , Reiher Markus
Published: September 2017

It has been suggested that the origin of regio‐ and stereoselectivity in Michael additions of pyrrolidine enamines is achieved by thermodynamic rather than kinetic control through distinct conformational preferences of the enamines. We assess this proposal by elaboration of a computational protocol that warrants sufficient accuracy. The small energy differences between the conformers necessitate a high accuracy of the electronic structure method which, in addition, must allow for computationally feasible calculations of a large number of conformers. Our protocol is based on density functional theory which we validated against explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory. The results are in agreement with the available experimental data, but illustrate that conformational preferences determined for one enamine are not readily transferable to other types of enamines. We found that an appropriate conformational sampling is inevitable to arrive at meaningful conclusions. Most prominently, s‐cis and s‐trans conformers are similarly stable for aldehyde‐ and ketone‐derived enamines. The regio‐ and stereoselectivity in Michael additions of pyrrolidine‐derived enamines can not be explained by pronounced stability differences of the enamine isomers and conformers in general, disproving the thermodynamic‐control hypothesis. The elucidation of the origin of regio‐ and stereoselectivity requires further theoretical investigations of the elementary steps of Michael additions.
Evaluation of a series of silk fibroin protein‐based nonwoven mats for use as an anti‐adhesion patch for wound management in robotic surgery
Authors: Wang Yu‐Chi , Bai Meng‐Yi , Hsu Wan‐Yuan , Yu Mu‐Hsien
Published: September 2017

A novel anti‐adhesion nonwoven mat mainly composed of silk fibroin protein (SFP) was fabricated via the single‐spinneret electrospinning technique. A series of SFP‐based electrospun nonwoven mats containing additives of different synthetic polymer ratios, such as pure SFP, SFP/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), SFP/polyethylene glycol (PEG), and SFP/polyethylene oxide (PEO) were produced and compared. All membranes were porous and had diameters of 324.02 ± 113.7, 308.86 ± 74.02, 366.22 ± 115.81, and 341.82 ± 119.42 nm, respectively. The average pore size for each membrane was 1.132 ± 0.99, 0.811 ± 0.424, 0.975 ± 0.741, and 0.784 ± 0.497 μm2. No nonwoven mats showed significant cytotoxicity toward fibroblast cells based on the results of MTT assays. Surprisingly, for all groups of SFP‐based nonwoven mats, nitrate formation was reduced by up to 94.55 ± 14.50%, 92.16 ± 19.38%, 91.28 ± 28.375%, and 92.00 ± 12.64% in lipopolysaccharide‐induced RAW 264.7 macrophages model. Tissue anti‐adhesion potential was evaluated in an in vitro fibroblast cell adhesion model and in vivo wounded mice model. In vitro, the mean cell anti‐adhesion percentage of fibroblast cells changed over time in the following order: PVA/SFP > SFP > PEG/SFP∼PEO/SFP. In vivo, SFP and PVA/SFP‐treated groups both showed superior collagen regeneration and wound closure. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 221–230, 2018.
Extracellular matrix derived from periodontal ligament cells maintains their stemness and enhances redifferentiation via the wnt pathway
Authors: Zhang Ji‐Chun , Song Zhong‐Chen , Xia Yi‐Ru , Shu Rong
Published: September 2017

Large numbers of viable cells cannot be obtained from periodontal ligament tissues of patients with periodontitis. Therefore, it is imperative to establish an ex vivo environment that can support cell proliferation and delay senescence. Here, we have successfully reconstructed a native extracellular matrix (ECM), derived from early‐passage human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) using the NH4OH/Triton X‐100 protocol. The ECM was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and immunostaining for specific ECM proteins (collagen I and fibronectin). Late‐passage ECM‐expanded PDLCs exhibited a much higher proliferation index and lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), confirmed by the increased expression of pluripotent markers and enhanced osteogenic capacity. Interestingly, the Wnt pathway was suppressed during the ECM expansion‐mediated increase in pluripotency, but was activated in an osteogenic differentiation environment, as confirmed by treatment with the XAV‐939 β‐catenin inhibitor or the SP600125 c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor. Cell sheets formed by ECM‐expanded PDLCs exhibited an enhanced periodontal tissue regeneration capacity compared to those formed on tissue culture polystyrene (TCP) surfaces in vivo. Taken together, the cell‐free ECM provides a tissue‐specific cell niche for the ex vivo expansion of PDLCs while retaining stemness and osteogenic potential, partially via the Wnt pathway. This represents a promising matrix for future applications in periodontal tissue regeneration therapy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 272–284, 2018.
Retracted: Effects of Glut1 gene silencing on proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells by targeting the TGF‐β/PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Xue‐Liang , Wang Li‐Kun , Yang Dong‐Dong , Qu Ming , Yang Yong‐Jiang , Guo Fei , Han Lei , Xue Jun
Published: September 2017

This study aims to investigate the effects of glucose transport l (Glut1) gene on proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells by regulating the TGF‐β/PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR signaling pathway. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect the positive Glut1 expression. Normal human CRC epithelial cells (CCD‐18Co) and CRC cell line HCT116 were grouped into the control, blank, negative control (NC), and shGlut1‐1 groups. RT‐qPCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the expressions of Glut1, TGF‐β1, PI3K, AKT, PTEN, mTOR, Bcl‐2, and Bax. Protein expression of phosphorylated‐PI3K (p‐PI3K), p‐S473‐AKT, p‐S389‐S6K1, p‐T70‐4EBP1, Cleaved caspase‐3 and Cleaved‐PARP were detected. MTT assay, flow cytometry, and colony formation assay were performed in order to detect cell viability, cell cycle, and apoptosis, respectively. The positive expression rate of Glut1 in CRC tissues was 75% ± 8%, while in the adjacent normal tissues it was 0%. In comparison to adjacent normal tissues, CRC tissues had increased Glut1, TGF‐β1, PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and Bcl‐2 expressions, and p‐PI3K, p‐S473‐AKT, p‐S389‐S6K1, and p‐T70‐4EBP1 expressions; and decreased PTEN, Bax, Cleaved caspase‐3, and Cleaved‐PARP expressions. In comparison with the blank and NC groups, cells in the shGlut1‐1 group showed decreased Glut1, TGF‐β1, PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and Bcl‐2 expressions, and p‐PI3K, p‐S473‐AKT, p‐S389‐S6K1, and p‐T70‐4EBP1 expressions; and increased PTEN, Bax, Cleaved caspase‐3, and Cleaved‐PARP expressions, along with more arrested cells in C0/C1 phase than in S phase and slower cell growth. These results suggested that silencing the Glut1 gene inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of CRC cells by inactivating TGF‐β/PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR signaling pathway.
Retracted: Effects of cyclin D1 gene silencing on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Chen Jin , Li Xue , Cheng Qi , Ning Deng , Ma Jie , Zhang Zhi‐Ping , Chen Xiao‐Ping , Jiang Li
Published: September 2017

This study aims to investigate the effects of Cyclin D1 silencing on cell cycle, cell proliferation, and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCC). Cells were divided into the blank group, negative control group (HCC cells transfected with control shRNA), Cyclin D1 shRNA group (HCC cells transfected with Cyclin D1 shRNA), and the normal group (human normal liver L‐02 cells). Expressions of Cyclin D1, Caspase‐3, Bcl‐2, and C‐myc were detected by RT‐qPCR and Western blotting. Cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit‐8. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Tumor xenograft in nude mice was performed to detect in vivo tumorigenesis. HCC tissues and HCC cells exhibited elevated expression levels of Cyclin D1. Cyclin D1 expression levels was found to be correlated with tumor size and tumor staging. Compared with the normal group, the blank group showed enhanced cell proliferation, a reduction in the amount of cells in G0/G1 phase, increased number cells in S and G2/M phase, reduced apoptosis, elevated expressions of Cyclin D1, Bcl‐2, and C‐myc, decreased Caspase‐3 activity and significant tumorigenicity. In comparison with the blank group, the Cyclin D1 shRNA group revealed weakened cell proliferation, reduced cells in S and G2/M phase, increased cells in G0/G1 phase, increased Annexin V positive cell ratio, decreased expression of Cyclin D1, Bcl‐2, and C‐myc, elevated Caspase‐3 activity and inhibited tumorigenicity. In conclusion, Cyclin D1 gene silencing suppresses cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis, which may be a new target approach in the treatment and management for HCC.
Systematic‐analysis of mRNA expression profiles in skeletal muscle of patients with type II diabetes: The glucocorticoid was central in pathogenesis
Authors: Shao Kan , Shen Li‐Sha , Li Hui‐Hua , Huang Shan , Zhang Yong
Published: September 2017

Since the past 30 years, the prevalence of diabetes has more than doubled, making it an urgent challenge globally. We carried out systematic analysis with the public data of mRNA expression profiles in skeletal muscle to study the pathogenesis, since insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle is an early feature. We utilized three GEO datasets, containing total 60 cases and 63 normal samples. After the background removal, R package QC was utilized to finish the preprocessing of datasets. We obtained a dataset containing 2481 genes and 123 samples after the preprocessing. Quantitative quality control measures were calculated to represent the quality of these datasets. MetaDE package provides functions for conducting different systematic analysis methods for differential expression analysis. The GO term enrichment was carried out using PANTHER. Protein–protein interactions, drug‐gene interactions, and genetic association of the identified differentially expressed genes were analyzed using STRING v10.0 online tool, DGIdb, and the Genetic Association Database, respectively. The datasets had good performances on IQC and EQC, which suggested that the datasets had good internal and external quality. Totally 96 differentially expressed genes were detected using 0.01 as cutoff of AW. The enriched GO terms were mainly associated with the response to glucocorticoid. There were seven genes involving in the gluconeogenesis were differentially expressed, which might be the potential treatment target for this disease. The closely connected networks and potential targets of existed drugs suggested that some of the drugs might be applied to the treatment of diabetes as well.
Targeting intracellularStaphylococcus aureusto lower recurrence of orthopaedic infection
Authors: Dusane Devendra H. , Kyrouac Douglas , Petersen Iris , Bushrow Luke , Calhoun Jason H. , Granger Jeffrey F. , Phieffer Laura S. , Stoodley Paul
Published: September 2017

Staphylococcus aureus is often found in orthopaedic infections and may be protected from commonly prescribed antibiotics by forming biofilms or growing intracellularly within osteoblasts. To investigate the effect of non‐antibiotic compounds in conjunction with antibiotics to clear intracellular and biofilm formingS. aureuscausing osteomyelitis. SAOS‐2 osteoblast‐like cell lines were infected withS. aureusBB1279. Antibiotics (vancomycin, VAN; and dicloxacillin, DICLOX), bacterial efflux pump inhibitors (piperine, PIP; carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenyl hydrazone, CCCP), and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP‐2) were evaluated individually and in combination to kill intracellular bacteria. We present direct evidence that after gentamicin killed extracellular planktonic bacteria and antibiotics had been stopped, seeding from the infected osteoblasts grew as biofilms. VAN was ineffective in treating the intracellular bacteria even at 10× MIC; however in presence of PIP or CCCP the intracellularS. aureuswas significantly reduced. Bacterial efflux pump inhibitors (PIP and CCCP) were effective in enhancing permeability of antibiotics within the osteoblasts and facilitated killing of intracellularS. aureus. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed increased uptake of propidium iodide within osteoblasts in presence of PIP and CCCP. BMP‐2 had no effect on growth ofS. aureuseither alone or in combination with antibiotics. Combined application of antibiotics and natural agents could help in the treatment of osteoblast infected intracellular bacteria and biofilms associated with osteomyelitis. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1086–1092, 2018.
Changes in physiological and some nutritional, nutraceuticals, chemical–physical, microbiological and sensory quality of minimally processed cactus pears cvs ‘Bianca’, ‘Gialla’ and ‘Rossa’ stored under passive modified atmosphere
Authors: Palma Amedeo , Continella Alberto , La Malfa Stefano , D'Aquino Salvatore
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to compare the overall quality changes of minimally processed cactus pears cvs ‘Bianca’, Gialla' and ‘Rossa’ stored at 4 °C for 10 days. Periodically in‐package CO2, O2 and C2H4 were determined and fruit were assessed for overall quality changes (pH, acidity, sugars, phenolics, betacyanins and betaxanthines, antioxidant capacity, colour, firmness, microbiological population and sensory attributes). In a preliminary study three different polymeric films were tested to select the most suitable to design a package with a short lag time to achieve steady‐state conditions.

RESULTS

Results showed marked differences between measured in‐package CO2 and O2 values and those calculated based on respiration of peeled fruit and film permeance to CO2 and O2 provided by manufactures. The sensory evaluation of packed fruit indicated in film BBT‐Bolphane, which created a steady‐state in‐package partial pressure for CO2 of 4.3–4.8 kPa and for O2 of 4.8–5.5 kPa, as the best film. Results of in‐package gas composition with the three cultivars were similar to those achieved in cv. ‘Gialla’ with the preliminary test. All measured qualitative parameters changed slightly over the storage period for all cultivars and followed the same trend, despite significant differences existing among cultivars.

CONCLUSION

This study clearly showed a similar physiological behavior of minimally processed ‘Bianca’, ‘Gialla’ and ‘Rossa’ cactus pears. Storage conditions optimal for one cultivar fit well for the others; thus mixing fruit of different cultivars in a package designed for one specific cultivar does not lead to relevant deviation from expected results. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Anti‐inflammatory effects of polyphenols in arthritis
Authors: Oliviero Francesca , Scanu Anna , Zamudio‐Cuevas Yessica , Punzi Leonardo , Spinella Paolo
Published: September 2017

Polyphenols have been extensively investigated with regard to their antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and immunomodulant properties in many inflammatory chronic conditions. The aim of this review is to summarise how these compounds can modulate the inflammatory pathways which characterise the most prevalent arthropathies including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and crystal‐induced arthritis. Among polyphenols, epigallocatechin gallate, carnosol, hydroxytyrosol, curcumin, resveratrol, kaempferol and genistein have been the most widely investigated in arthritis. The most important results of the studies outlined in this article show how polyphenolic compounds are able to inhibit the expression and the release of a number of pro‐inflammatory mediators and proteolytic enzymes, the activity of different transcriptional factors and the production of reactive oxygen species in vitro. Studies on animal models of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout show interesting results in terms of reduced tissue damage, restored cartilage homeostasis, and decreased levels of uric acid, respectively. Despite the multiple protective effects of polyphenols, there are no dietary recommendations for patients affected by rheumatic diseases. Future studies, including intervention trials, should be conducted to determine the relevance of polyphenols consumption or supplementation in arthritis. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry