bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intramolecular Long‐Distance Nucleophilic Reactions as a Rapid Fluorogenic Switch Applicable to the Detection of Enzymatic Activity
Authors: Baba Reisuke , Hori Yuichiro , Kikuchi Kazuya
Published: February 2015

Long‐distance intramolecular nucleophilic reactions are promising strategies for the design of fluorogenic probes to detect enzymatic activity involved in lysine modifications. However, such reactions have been challenging and hence have not been established. In this study, we have prepared fluorogenic peptides that induce intramolecular reactions between lysine nucleophiles and electrophiles in distal positions. These peptides contain a lysine and fluorescence‐quenched fluorophore with a carbonate ester, which triggers nucleophilic transesterification resulting in fluorogenic response. Transesterification occurred under mild aqueous conditions despite the presence of a long nine‐amino‐acid spacer between the lysine and fluorophore. In addition, one of the peptides showed the fastest reaction kinetics with a half‐life time of 3.7 min. Furthermore, the incorporation of this fluorogenic switch into the probes allowed rapid fluorogenic detection of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. These results indicate that the transesterification reaction has great potential for use as a general fluorogenic switch to monitor the activity of lysine‐targeting enzymes.
Cystatin C–based CKD‐EPI Equations and N‐Terminal Pro‐B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide for Predicting Outcomes in Acutely Decompensated Heart Failure
Authors: Flores‐Blanco Pedro J. , Manzano‐Fernández Sergio , Pérez‐Calvo Juan I. , Pastor‐Pérez Francisco J. , Ruiz‐Ruiz Francisco J. , Carrasco‐Sánchez Francisco J. , Morales‐Rull José L. , Pascual‐Figal Domingo , Galisteo‐Almeda Luis , Januzzi James L.
Published: February 2015

Background

In patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), both natriuretic peptides and renal impairment predict adverse outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the complementary prognosis role of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and the newly developed Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD‐EPI) equations based on cystatin C (CysC) for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation in ADHF patients.

Hypothesis

Renal impairment assessed by CysC‐based CKD‐EPI equations and natriuretic peptides have complementary prognostic value in ADHF patients.

Methods

The study included 613 consecutive patients presenting with ADHF. At admission, plasma levels of NT‐proBNP and CysC were determined. The GFR was estimated using CysC‐based CKD‐EPI equations. The primary endpoint was death from any cause and heart failure readmission.

Results

During the median follow‐up of 365 days (interquartile range, 227–441 days), 323 patients (0.65 %patient‐year) died or were readmitted for heart failure. After multivariate adjustment, estimated GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and NT‐proBNP >3251 pg/mL were independent predictors of adverse outcomes (P < 0.01). The combination of GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and NT‐proBNP >3251 pg/mL was associated with the highest risk of adverse outcomes. Furthermore, reclassification analyses demonstrated that use of both NT‐proBNP and CysC‐based CKD‐EPI equations resulted in improving the accuracy for adverse outcomes prediction.

Conclusions

In patients with ADHF, the combination of NT‐proBNP with estimated GFR using CysC‐based CKD‐EPI equations better predicts outcomes than either parameter alone and adds valuable complementary prognosis information to other established risk factors.
Electric‐Field‐Induced Viscosity Change of a Nematic Liquid Crystal with Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Kaneko Kosuke , Ujihara Yoshihiro , Oto Kodai , Hashishin Takeshi , Hanasaki Tomonori
Published: February 2015

The electro‐rheological (ER) effect of a composite material consisting of a nematic liquid crystal (LC) and gold nanoparticles covered with mesogenic groups is discussed. The gold nanoparticles are covered by alkyl chains and liquid‐crystalline compounds. The influences of the alkyl‐chain length and the coverage by the alkyl chain and the mesogenic group on the miscibility of the nanoparticles with the LC are investigated by polarizing optical microscopy (POM). The presence of the gold nanoparticles in the nematic LC (5CB) leads to an enhanced ER response compared to that observed for 5CB. The prominent ER effect observed in this study is supported by the two mechanisms proposed, that is, the homogeneous and heterogeneous mechanisms. This study demonstrates the potential of a hybrid system consisting of an LC and gold nanoparticles to improve the ER effect.
Cyclodextrin 3‐Functionalized with 8‐Hydroxyquinoline as an Antioxidant Inhibitor of Metal‐Induced Amyloid Aggregation
Authors: Oliveri Valentina , Bellia Francesco , Vecchio Gzaziella
Published: February 2015

Cyclodextrins are used increasingly in pharmacotherapy. Experimental and clinical data suggest that cyclodextrins can be used not only as excipients for marketed drugs, but also as active pharmaceutical ingredients to treat neurological diseases including Niemann–Pick type C disease. Disruption of metal and cholesterol homeostasis, protein misfolding, and aggregation are recognized among the major pathological features in triggering neurodegenerative disorders, and therefore it is becoming more and more evident that the next generation of therapies should have multiple functions to combat the multifactorial nature of diseases. A novel class of compounds obtained by conjugating 8‐hydroxyquinoline with cyclodextrin has been proposed to combine antioxidant activity, chelating, antiaggregant, and inclusion ability into one compound designed for metal‐associated neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, the synthesis and characterization of the new compound 3A‐deoxy‐3A‐[(8‐hydroxyquinolyl)‐2‐methylamino]‐2A(S),3A(R)‐β‐cyclodextrin is reported. Moreover, the interaction of copper–Aβ and zinc–Aβ amyloid with this class of cyclodextrin conjugates was investigated for the first time. New information about the effects of different modified chelating cyclodextrins may be important for further development of drugs against neurodegenerative disorders.
Biomimetic Fenton‐Catalyzed Lignin Depolymerization to High‐Value Aromatics and Dicarboxylic Acids
Authors: Zeng Jijiao , Yoo Chang Geun , Wang Fei , Pan Xuejun , Vermerris Wilfred , Tong Zhaohui
Published: February 2015

By mimicking natural lignin degradation systems, the Fenton catalyst (Fe3+, H2O2) can effectively facilitate lignin depolymerization in supercritical ethanol (7 MPa, 250 °C) to give organic oils that consist of mono‐ and oligomeric aromatics, phenols, dicarboxylic acids, and their derivatives in yields up to (66.0±8.5) %. The thermal properties, functional groups, and surface chemistry of lignin before and after Fenton treatment were examined by thermogravimetric analysis, pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, 31P NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results suggest that the Fenton catalyst facilitates lignin depolymerization through cleavage of β‐ether bonds between lignin residues. The formation of a lignin–iron chelating complex effectively depresses lignin recondensation; thus minimizing charcoal formation and enhancing the yield of liquid products.
Highly Efficient Hydrogen Storage System Based on Ammonium Bicarbonate/Formate Redox Equilibrium over Palladium Nanocatalysts
Authors: Su Ji , Yang Lisha , Lu Mi , Lin Hongfei
Published: February 2015

A highly efficient, reversible hydrogen storage–evolution process has been developed based on the ammonium bicarbonate/formate redox equilibrium over the same carbon‐supported palladium nanocatalyst. This heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogen storage system is comparable to the counterpart homogeneous systems and has shown fast reaction kinetics of both the hydrogenation of ammonium bicarbonate and the dehydrogenation of ammonium formate under mild operating conditions. By adjusting temperature and pressure, the extent of hydrogen storage and evolution can be well controlled in the same catalytic system. Moreover, the hydrogen storage system based on aqueous‐phase ammonium formate is advantageous owing to its high volumetric energy density.
Spatially variable coevolution between a haemosporidian parasite and the MHC of a widely distributed passerine
Authors: Jones Matthew R. , Cheviron Zachary A. , Carling Matthew D.
Published: February 2015

The environment shapes host–parasite interactions, but how environmental variation affects the diversity and composition of parasite‐defense genes of hosts is unresolved. In vertebrates, the highly variable major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene family plays an essential role in the adaptive immune system by recognizing pathogen infection and initiating the cellular immune response. Investigating MHC‐parasite associations across heterogeneous landscapes may elucidate the role of spatially fluctuating selection in the maintenance of high levels of genetic variation at the MHC. We studied patterns of association between an avian haemosporidian blood parasite and the MHC of rufous‐collared sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis) that inhabit environments with widely varying haemosporidian infection prevalence in the Peruvian Andes. MHC diversity peaked in populations with high infection prevalence, although intra‐individual MHC diversity was not associated with infection status. MHC nucleotide and protein sequences associated with infection absence tended to be rare, consistent with negative frequency‐dependent selection. We found an MHC variant associated with a ~26% decrease in infection probability at middle elevations (1501–3100 m) where prevalence was highest. Several other variants were associated with a significant increase in infection probability in low haemosporidian prevalence environments, which can be interpreted as susceptibility or quantitative resistance. Our study highlights important challenges in understanding MHC evolution in natural systems, but may point to a role of negative frequency‐dependent selection and fluctuating spatial selection in the evolution of Z. capensis MHC.
Development of novel composite antioxidant multiple lipid particles from combination of W/O/W multiple emulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles
Authors: Zhao Guodong , Hu Caibiao , Sun Rui , Ni Shilei , Li Qiwei , Xia Qiang
Published: February 2015

A novel drug delivery system, multiple solid particles (MLPs), combining the advantages of water‐in‐oil‐in‐water (W/O/W) multiple emulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) was proposed. The MLPs were produced by simply adding the solid lipid in liquid lipid of W/O/W multiple emulsions and removing the outer aqueous phase of W/O/W multiple emulsions. MLPs could form typical W/O/W multiple emulsion microstructure by self‐emulsifying after dispersing in water. MLPs were used to encapsulate both coenzyme Q10 and tea polyphenols (CT‐MLPs), and encapsulation efficiency measurement revealed that both coenzyme Q10 and tea polyphenols had high encapsulation efficiency (98.14% and 99.36%, respectively). The effect of the factors on viscosity, stability, and solubility of CT‐MLPs were investigated, and the results showed that increasing the concentration of solid lipid glycerin monostearate or hydrophilic emulsifier polyglyceryl‐10 laurate, or decreasing the concentration of the inner aqueous phase could increase the viscosity of CT‐MLPs. Consequently, the stability of CT‐MLPs was improved by increasing the viscosity of the oil phase. Moreover, addition of glycerin monostearate also increased the water solubility of CT‐MLPs. During a 60‐day stability study, CT‐MLPs showed terrific stability and high retention ratio (above 83.82%) at various conditions.

Practical applications: MLPs could act as a drug delivery system to encapsulate both lipophilic active compounds and hydrophilic active compounds, since the active compounds in MLPs had high encapsulation efficiency. MLPs also improved the photostability and storage stability of coenzyme Q10 and tea polyphenols. Furthermore, the production procedure of MLPs is a two‐step stirring method, which is widespread and easy to handle. And the lipids for producing MLPs are physiological lipids, the choice of emulsifiers depends on the administration route. With regard to industrial production aspects, MLPs have the chance to be exploited as drug delivery system in commercial products. Hence, MLPs could be applicable delivery systems for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications.

CT‐MLPs were prepared by a two‐step method and exhibited solidity at room temperature. CT‐MLPs could form typical W/O/W multiple emulsion microstructure by self‐emulsifying after dispersing in water.
New Potentiometric Electronic Tongue for Analysing Teas and Infusions
Authors: Cuartero María , Carretero Alicia , García María S. , Ortuño Joaquín A.
Published: February 2015

In this work, an electronic tongue (ET) system is developed for the discrimination of infusions and teas made from different herb leaves. The ET is based on an array of four non‐specific potentiometric sensors plus principal component analysis (PCA) data processing. The four sensors used are a cation‐selective electrode and an anion‐selective electrode, containing both a plasticized polymeric membrane with different ionic additives, a commercial pH electrode and a redox electrode. These provide simple, rapid and very reproducible potentiometric responses after direct exposure to infusions and teas, which do not need any pre‐treatment. A radar plot of potentiometric values for each sensor, obtained after sixty seconds of array exposure to the samples, revealed a differentiated response for each sensor and infusion. This was especially marked for anion‐selective and redox electrodes. The PCA results of the potentiometric signals point to certain trends that can be used for classification purposes. Although a small number of sensors is used in the developed ET, interesting classification functions have been achieved, which will be exploited in the near future with a larger number of samples. The concept of an ET formed by a reduced number of potentiometric sensors is starting to spread to other types of beverages.
High resolution mapping of supra‐glacial drainage pathways reveals link between micro‐channel drainage density, surface roughness and surface reflectance
Authors: Rippin David M. , Pomfret Andrew , King Nigel
Published: February 2015

This paper reports on the use of a small unmanned aerial vehicle (sUAV) carrying a standard compact camera, to construct a high resolution orthomosaic (OM) and digital elevation model (DEM) over the lower reaches of the glacier Midtre Lovénbreen, Svalbard. Structure from Motion (SfM) techniques were used to build the OM and DEM, and together these reveal insights into the nature of supra‐glacial drainage. Major meandering supra‐glacial drainage pathways show clear dynamism, via meander cutoffs and abandoned channels. In addition, the imagery reveals a very extensive network of smaller channels that may well carry substantial amounts of water. This network of channels is in part controlled by the structure of the glacier, but in turn, these channels have a significant impact on the ice surface. Roughness of the ice surface is higher where channels are most extensive. In addition, we find a relationship between channel density and surface reflectance, such that greater channel density is associated with lower reflectance values. Given the role of surface reflectance and roughness in the energy balance of glaciers, it is therefore apparent that extensive networks of small supra‐glacial channels across such glaciers have the potential to have an important impact on energy exchanges between the atmosphere and the ice surface. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decreased resting‐state brain activity complexity in schizophrenia characterized by both increased regularity and randomness
Authors: Yang Albert C. , Hong Chen‐Jee , Liou Yin‐Jay , Huang Kai‐Lin , Huang Chu‐Chung , Liu Mu‐En , Lo Men‐Tzung , Huang Norden E. , Peng Chung‐Kang , Lin Ching‐Po , Tsai Shih‐Jen
Published: February 2015

Schizophrenia is characterized by heterogeneous pathophysiology. Using multiscale entropy (MSE) analysis, which enables capturing complex dynamics of time series, we characterized MSE patterns of blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD) signals across different time scales and determined whether BOLD activity in patients with schizophrenia exhibits increased complexity (increased entropy in all time scales), decreased complexity toward regularity (decreased entropy in all time scales), or decreased complexity toward uncorrelated randomness (high entropy in short time scales followed by decayed entropy as the time scale increases). We recruited 105 patients with schizophrenia with an age of onset between 18 and 35 years and 210 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy volunteers. Results showed that MSE of BOLD signals in patients with schizophrenia exhibited two routes of decreased BOLD complexity toward either regular or random patterns. Reduced BOLD complexity toward regular patterns was observed in the cerebellum and temporal, middle, and superior frontal regions, and reduced BOLD complexity toward randomness was observed extensively in the inferior frontal, occipital, and postcentral cortices as well as in the insula and middle cingulum. Furthermore, we determined that the two types of complexity change were associated differently with psychopathology; specifically, the regular type of BOLD complexity change was associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia, whereas the randomness type of BOLD complexity was associated with negative symptoms of the illness. These results collectively suggested that resting‐state dynamics in schizophrenia exhibit two routes of pathologic change toward regular or random patterns, which contribute to the differences in syndrome domains of psychosis in patients with schizophrenia. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2174–2186, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sotalol, but not digoxin is associated with decreased prostate cancer risk: A population‐based case–control study
Authors: Kaapu Kalle J. , Ahti Janne , Tammela Teuvo L. J. , Auvinen Anssi , Murtola Teemu J.
Published: February 2015

Antiarrhythmic drug digoxin has been reported to have apoptosis‐inducing and cytotoxic effects on prostate cancer cells. We evaluated the association between antiarrhythmic drug use and prostate cancer risk in a population‐based case–control study. The study included all new prostate cancer cases diagnosed in Finland during 1995‐2002 and matched controls (24,657 case–control pairs) obtained from the Finnish Cancer Registry and the Population Register Center, respectively. Information on antiarrhythmic drug purchases was obtained from national prescription database. Multivariable‐adjusted conditional logistic regression model was used for data analysis. Compared to never‐users of antiarrhythmic drugs, we found no significant association between digoxin use and prostate cancer risk overall [odds ratio (OR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89–1.01] or for advanced prostate cancer risk (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.77–1.05). The result was similar also for other antiarrhythmic drugs, with the exception of sotalol, users of which had decreased risk of advanced prostate cancer (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56–0.96). Also the overall prostate cancer risk decreased by duration of sotalol use (p for trend 0.038). We show that digoxin or other common antiarrhythmic drugs generally do not associate with prostate cancer risk at population level during maximum follow‐up of eight years. However, we cannot rule out longer term protective effects of digoxin. K+‐channel blocker sotalol shows some promise as prostate cancer preventing agent. However, findings need to be confirmed in further studies.
Super resolution in CT
Authors: Yan Ziye , Li Jianwu , Lu Yao , Yan Hongxia , Zhao Yanfeng
Published: February 2015

The general framework of super resolution in computed tomography (CT) system is introduced. Two data acquisition ways before or after the reconstruction respectively are described. Three models including the sinogram model, the in‐plane model and the z‐axis model, are addressed to adapt super resolution to CT system. The improved iterative back projection algorithm is used in this work. Experimental results based on simulated data, GE performance phantom scanned by GE LightSpeed VCT system, one patient volunteer scanned by TOSHIBA Aquilion system, and a special experimental apparatus demonstrate that super resolution is effective to improve the resolution of CT images. The sinogram model is suitable for future CT system; the in‐plane model is restricted to some special clinical diagnoses; and the z‐axis model is practicable for current general clinical CT images. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 25, 92–101, 2015
A segmentation system based on clustering method for pediatric DTI images
Authors: Liu Bin , Jia Xianyong , Jiang Qianfeng , Huang Rui , Zhang Hui , Wan Chao
Published: February 2015

A system is presented for the segmentation of white matter fiber tracts in pediatric diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) images. DTI is an in vivo method to delineate the connectivity of white matter fiber tracts in human brain by fiber tractography. Fiber tractography is a promising method to visualize the whole bundles of fiber tracts. Fiber tractography is unable to provide a quantitative analysis and description of specific white matter fiber tracts. Obviously, segmenting and clustering the fiber tracts into anatomical bundles play an important role in fiber tracts analysis. Traditional manual segmentation method requires neuroanatomical expertise and significant time. It can not be a standardized and widely used method for segmentation of complicated fiber tracts in pediatric DTI images. Hence, an image segmentation system with an adaptive mean shift (AMS) clustering method is proposed to cluster fiber tracts into bundles automatically in this article. In the image segmentation system, fiber similarity measure based on Euclidean distance is used in the clustering method. Since the increase of children's mental illness in recent years, segmentation of pediatric DTI images by clustering methods is focused in our research. The effectiveness and robustness of adaptive mean shift clustering algorithm for segmentation of fiber tracts are also evaluated by error analysis experiments. In addition, the experiment results show that adaptive mean shift method used in our system is more efficient and effective than K‐means and Fuzzy C‐means (FCM) clustering methods for the segmentation of fiber tracts in real pediatric DTI images. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 25, 102–113, 2015
Proton pump inhibitor use is not associated with cardiac arrhythmia in critically ill patients
Authors: Chen Kenneth P. , Lee Joon , Mark Roger G. , Feng Mengling , Celi Leo A. , Malley Brian E. , Danziger John
Published: February 2015

Hypomagnesemia can lead to cardiac arrythmias. Recently, observational data have linked chronic proton pump inhibitor (PPI) exposure to hypomagnesemia. Whether PPI exposure increases the risk for arrhythmias has not been well studied. Using a large, single‐center inception cohort of critically ill patients, we examined whether PPI exposure was associated with admission electrocardiogram readings of a cardiac arrhythmia in more than 8000 patients. There were 25.4% PPI users, whereas 6% were taking a histamine 2 antagonist. In all, 14.0% had a cardiac arrhythmia. PPI use was associated with an unadjusted risk of arrhythmia of 1.15 (95% CI,1.00–1.32; P =.04) and an adjusted risk of arrhythmia of 0.91 (95% CI, 0.77–1.06; P =.22). Among diuretic users (n = 2476), PPI use was similarly not associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia. In summary, in a large cohort of critically ill patients, PPI exposure is not associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia.
Separation of glycosidic catiomers by TWIM‐MS using CO2 as a drift gas
Authors: Bataglion Giovana A. , Souza Gustavo Henrique Martins Ferreira , Heerdt Gabriel , Morgon Nelson H. , Dutra José Diogo Lisboa , Freire Ricardo Oliveira , Eberlin Marcos N. , Tata Alessandra
Published: February 2015

Traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM‐MS) is shown to be able to separate and characterize several isomeric forms of diterpene glycosides stevioside (Stv) and rebaudioside A (RebA) that are cationized by Na+ and K+ at different sites. Determination and characterization of these coexisting isomeric species, herein termed catiomers, arising from cationization at different and highly competitive coordinating sites, is particularly challenging for glycosides. To achieve this goal, the advantage of using CO2 as a more massive and polarizable drift gas, over N2, was demonstrated. Post‐TWIM‐MS/MS experiments were used to confirm the separation. Optimization of the possible geometries and cross‐sectional calculations for mobility peak assignments were also performed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Entitled to solutions: The need for research on workplace entitlement
Authors: Harvey Paul , Dasborough Marie T.
Published: February 2015

Workplace entitlement is a pressing concern for modern organizations and managers. Organizational scholars, however, have largely overlooked this phenomenon in their research. In this Incubator, we summarize the untapped opportunities that entitlement research offers for impacting both scholarly thinking and practitioner knowledge on the subject. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of agroclimatic parameters on phenolic and volatile compounds of Chilean virgin olive oils and characterization based on geographical origin, cultivar and ripening stage
Authors: Romero Nalda , Saavedra Jorge , Tapia Francisco , Sepúlveda Betsabet , Aparicio Ramón
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

This study involved two commercial orchards located in Limarí Valley and Molina from two important Chilean production zones of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). The investigation evaluated the effects of climate, soil composition, agricultural practices (fertilization and irrigation) and variety (considering two harvests) on the compounds responsible for the flavor of EVOO (volatiles and phenols) and how these compounds can explain the differences in chemical profiles by geographical origin, cultivar and fruit ripeness stage.

RESULTS

Varieties from the Limarí Valley presented the highest content of phenolic compounds. A significant relationship (P < 0.05) between volatile compounds and climate indicated that the compounds produced via the lipoxygenase cascade were affected by the maximum temperature and, to a lesser extent, by evapo‐transpiration and irrigation. The selection of different individual phenolic and volatile compounds independently allowed the significant differentiation of EVOOs, principally by geographical origin, crop season, fruit ripeness stage and, in a few cases, by cultivar.

CONCLUSION

Soil and climate of the Chilean regions have much more influence than cultivars on the concentration of sensory quality compounds. Difference in latitude between orchards increases the importance of the geographical origin on the virgin olive oil chemical composition while full irrigation decreases the impact of the cultivar. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of probiotic, antifungal and cholesterol lowering properties of Pediococcus pentosaceusKCC‐23 isolated from Italian ryegrass
Authors: Ilavenil Soundharrajan , Vijayakumar Mayakrishnan , Kim Da Hye , Valan Arasu Mariadhas , Park Hyung Su , Ravikumar Sivanesan , Choi Ki Choon
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are important for the processing of various food products. Although genetically modified organisms have contributed to improvements in various food products, there are some limitations. Thus, the discovery of wild strains from natural sources must be considered as the most suitable approach for identifying new LAB. Therefore, we planned to isolate and characterise the LAB from Italian ryegrass forage and evaluate their biological potential.

RESULTS

A total of 28 strains were isolated and screened for their anti‐fungal and probiotic properties. A single strain was selected due to its antifungal and probiotic efficiency. The strain was identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus KCC‐23. The strain KCC‐23 showed effective inhibition against Aspergillus fumigatus, Pencillium chrysogenum, Pencillium roqueforti, Botrytis elliptica and Fusarium oxysporum. Further, it survived low pH, and the presence of bile salts and gastric juice. It exhibited significant aggregation and hydrophobicity properties. The KCC‐23 effectively assimilated cholesterol and had the ability to utilise pre‐biotics such as raffinose and inulin. Finally, KCC‐23 exhibited significant free radical scavenging activity.

CONCLUSION

P. pentosaceus KCC‐23 showed effective anti‐fungal, probiotic and anti‐oxidant properties and would be a promising isolate for exploitation in the formulation of food for ruminants and humans. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Galactosylated Poly(Ethyleneglycol)‐Lithocholic Acid Selectively Kills Hepatoma Cells, While Sparing Normal Liver Cells
Authors: Gankhuyag Nomundelger , Singh Bijay , Maharjan Sushila , Choi Yun‐Jaie , Cho Chong‐Su , Cho Myung‐Haing
Published: February 2015

Delivering drugs selectively to cancer cells but not to nearby normal cells is a major obstacle in drug therapy. In this study, lithocholic acid (LCA), a potent anti‐cancer drug, is converted to two forms of poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) conjugates, viz., PEG‐LCA (PL) and lactobionic acid (LBA) conjugated PEG‐LCA (LPL). The latter form contains a galactose ligand in LBA to target the hepatocytes. Both forms are self‐assembled to form nanoparticle formulation, and they have high potency than LCA to kill HepG2 cancer cells, sparing normal LO2 cells. Besides, LPL has high specificity to mouse liver cells in vivo. Western blot results confirm that the cell death is occurred through apoptosis induced by LPL nanoparticles. In conclusion, the induction of apoptosis and cell death is much more efficient with LPL nanoparticles than LCA molecules.
Establishing a quantifiable tarnish timeline for comparison of anti‐tarnish processes in metals
Authors: Yousef H.N.S. , Cobley R.J. , Davies H.M. , James D.M. , Mehmood S. , Sackett E. , Sienz J.
Published: February 2015

Brass samples were controllably tarnished using the thioacetamide accelerated corrosion (ISO 4538:1995) and synthetic sweat (ISO 3160–2:2003) methods. Spectrophotometry, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were performed on samples tarnished for set exposure times over seven days. Synthetic sweat produced a loose surface corrosion layer, which limited the use of EIS and spectrophotometry, but for the thioacetamide method both measurements produced a continuous change over the time period. EDX was able to observe a continuous change in the surface layer chemistry for both methods over the whole timescale and represents the best characterisation method to establish an equivalent tarnish timeline against which anti‐tarnish treated samples can be compared. The current study was conducted using brass, however the method can be used for quantifying tarnish on other metallic systems.
LAMA2‐related myopathy: Frequency among congenital and limb‐girdle muscular dystrophies
Authors: Løkken Nicoline , Born Alfred Peter , Duno Morten , Vissing John
Published: February 2015

Introduction: Muscular dystrophy caused by LAMA2‐gene mutations is an autosomal recessive disease typically presenting as a severe, early‐onset congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). However, milder cases with a limb‐girdle type muscular dystrophy (LGMD) have been described. Methods: In this study, we assessed the frequency and phenotypic spectrum of LAMA2‐related muscular dystrophy in CMD (n = 18) and LGMD2 (n = 128) cohorts identified in the last 15 years in eastern Denmark. The medical history, brain‐MRI, muscle pathology, muscle laminin‐α2 expression, and genetic analyses were assessed. Results: Molecular genetics revealed 2 pathogenic LAMA2 mutations in 5 of 18 CMD and 3 of 128 LGMD patients, corresponding to a LAMA2‐mutation frequency of 28% in the CMD and 2.3% in the LGMD cohorts, respectively. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a wide clinical spectrum of LAMA2‐related muscular dystrophy and its prevalence in an LGMD2 cohort, which indicates that LAMA2 muscular dystrophy should be included in the LGMD2 nomenclature. Muscle Nerve 52: 547–553, 2015
An incremental algorithm for the uncapacitated facility location problem
Authors: Arulselvan Ashwin , Maurer Olaf , Skutella Martin
Published: February 2015

We study the incremental facility location problem, wherein we are given an instance of the uncapacitated facility location problem (UFLP) and seek an incremental sequence of opening facilities and an incremental sequence of serving customers along with their fixed assignments to facilities open in the partial sequence. We say that a sequence has a competitive ratio of k, if the cost of serving the first ℓ customers in the sequence is at most k times the optimal solution for serving any ℓ customers for all possible values of ℓ. We provide an incremental framework that computes a sequence with a competitive ratio of at most eight and a worst‐case instance that provides a lower bound of three for any incremental sequence. We also present the results of our computational experiments carried out on a set of benchmark instances for the UFLP. The problem has applications in multistage network planning. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 65(4), 306–311 2015
The next‐to‐shortest path problem on directed graphs with positive edge weights
Authors: Wu Bang Ye , Wang Hung‐Lung
Published: February 2015

Given an edge‐weighted graph G and two distinct vertices s and t of G, the next‐to‐shortest path problem asks for a path from s to t of minimum length among all paths from s to t except the shortest ones. In this article, we consider the version where G is directed and all edge weights are positive. Some properties of the requested path are derived when G is an arbitrary digraph. In addition, if G is planar, an ‐time algorithm is proposed, where n is the number of vertices of G. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 65(3), 205–211 2015
Enhancement on the permeation performance of polyimide mixed matrix membranes by incorporation of graphene oxide with different oxidation degrees
Authors: Zhao Li , Cheng Cheng , Chen Yu‐Fei , Wang Ting , Du Chun‐Hui , Wu Li‐Guang
Published: February 2015

Graphene oxide (GO) with different oxidation degrees were synthesized by harsh oxidation of graphite using the improved Hummers method. The GO/polyimide (PI) mixed matrix membrane was successfully fabricated by in situ polymerization of PI monomers (3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether) with GO. The structure of GO was characterized by Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermal gravimetric analysis–differential thermal analysis. The performance of different GO/PI mixed matrix membranes was evaluated by permeation experiments of CO2/N2 gas mixture (volume ratio, 1:9). Results showed that more polar functional groups were introduced to GO with the increase in oxidation degree of GO in the preparation process, producing fewer layers and more translucent structures. GO with higher oxidation degree has significant effect on its dispersion in the N,N‐dimethylacetamide solvent and polymer matrix materials. The permeability of GO/PI hybrid membranes for CO2 and N2 increased. The CO2/N2 permeation selectivity of membranes exhibited a trend of initial increase, followed by a decrease, with the increase in oxidation degree, when the same amount of GO was added. For GO with the same oxidation degree, the permeability and permeation selectivity of hybrid membrane initially increased, and then decreased with the addition content of GO. In the case of hybrid membrane containing 1 wt% monolayer GO, the maximum permeability and permeation selectivity of hybrid membranes for CO2 were 14.3 and 4.2 times more than that of PI membrane without GO, respectively. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Equivalent dynamic thermoviscoelastic modeling of ionic polymers
Authors: Amiri Moghadam Amir Ali , Alizadeh Vahidreza , Tahani Masoud , Kouzani Abbas , Kaynak Akif
Published: February 2015

Ionic polymers have attracted considerable attention due to their interesting sensing and actuating behavior which make them a proper choice for use in a wide range of applications including biomimetic robots and biomedical devices. The complicated electro‐chemo‐mechanical dynamics of ionic polymer actuators is a drawback for their applications in functional devices. Therefore, establishing a mathematical model which could effectively predict the actuators' dynamic behavior is of great interest. In this paper, a mathematical model, named equivalent dynamic thermoviscoelastic (EDT) model, based on thermal analogy and beam theory is proposed for dynamic analysis of bending‐type ionic polymer actuators. Then, the developed model is extended for analyzing the performance of the actuator in finite element software. The finite element analysis of the actuator enables consideration of material and geometric nonlinearities and facilitates modeling of functional devices based on the ionic polymer actuators. The proposed modeling approach is validated using experimental data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a mirror‐based LCPV module and test results
Authors: Antonini Andrea , Butturi Maria A. , Zurru Paolo
Published: February 2015

The design of a specific low concentration photovoltaic module is described here, with a report of the results of the first experimental tests of its industrial version. The product is a 20× reflective concentrating photovoltaic module based on silicon solar cells. The optics were designed to mount these modules on 2‐axis trackers with angular pointing accuracy of up to about ±4° without significant power loss. The high angular acceptance of the non‐imaging optics permits the collection of a high fraction of the circumsolar light impinging on the module's frontal aperture, providing high direct normal irradiance efficiency in real operative conditions. Many technical features of the product are described here, in which features are the result of 5 years of product development in order to improve performance, reliability and cost issues. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synergistic effect of DHT and IGF‐1 hyperstimulation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes
Authors: Imperlini Esther , Spaziani Sara , Mancini Annamaria , Caterino Marianna , Buono Pasqualina , Orrù Stefania
Published: February 2015

The abuse of mixed or combined performance‐enhancing drugs is widespread among athletes and amateurs, adults and adolescents. Clinical studies demonstrated that misuse of these doping agents is associated with serious adverse effects to many organs in human. Previously, we demonstrated in human peripheral blood lymphocytes that high doses of anabolic androgenic steroids, such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and growth factors, such as insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), have effects at gene and protein levels. Supraphysiological treatments of DHT and IGF‐1 affected the expression of genes involved in skeletal muscle disorders as well as in cell‐mediated immunological response. At protein level, DHT hyperdosage affects cell motility and apoptosis; IGF‐1 hyperstimulation triggers an active cytoskeletal reorganization and an overproduction of immune response‐ and inflammation‐related cytokines. In this study, we investigate the combined effects of DHT and IGF‐1 hyperdosage in peripheral blood lymphocytes using a differential proteomic approach. DHT and IGF‐1 combined treatment affects cell adhesion, migration, and survival through modulation of expression levels of cytokines and paxillin‐signaling‐related proteins, and activation of several pathways downstream focal adhesion kinase. Our results indicate a synergistic effect of DHT and IGF‐1 which has potential implications for health risk factors.
Martensite transformation and magnetic properties of Ni50Mn25Ga25–xFex ferromagnetic microwires for application in microdevices
Authors: Liu Yanfen , Zhang Xuexi , Xing Dawei , Shen Hongxian , Chen Dongming , Liu Jingshun , Sun Jianfei
Published: February 2015

Ni50Mn25Ga25–xFex (1 ≤ x ≤ 6) microwires with a diameter of 30–50 µm were prepared by melt‐extraction. The effects of Fe doping on the martensite transformation temperature, Curie point and magnetic properties before and after chemical ordering treatments were investigated. Experimental results show that Ni50Mn25Ga25–xFex microwires exhibit typical thermoelastic martensite transformation and magnetic transition. Transformation temperatures of the microwires increase with Fe content with a rate of 27.3 K/at%. Thermal hysteresis during martensite transformation is lowered after Fe doping. The Curie point of Ni50Mn25Ga25–xFex (1 ≤ x ≤ 6) microwires keeps stable at 390 K, which is 25 K higher compared with Ni2MnGa ternary alloy. After chemical ordering heat treatment, the microwires exhibit a typical ferromagnetic transition and a higher saturation magnetization at low field compared to as‐extracted microwires.
Nanophysiology: Bridging synapse ultrastructure, biology, and physiology using scanning ion conductance microscopy
Authors: Scheenen Wim J.J.M. , Celikel Tansu
Published: February 2015

Synaptic communication is at the core of neural circuit function, and its plasticity allows the nervous system to adapt to the changes in its environment. Understanding the mechanisms of this synaptic (re)organization will benefit from novel methodologies that enable simultaneous study of synaptic ultrastructure, biology, and physiology in identified circuits. Here, we describe one of these methodologies, i.e., scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM), for electrical mapping of the membrane anatomy in tens of nanometers resolution in living neurons. When combined with traditional patch‐clamp and fluorescence microscopy techniques, and the newly emerging nanointerference methodologies, SICM has the potential to mechanistically bridge the synaptic structure and function longitudinally throughout the life of a synapse. Synapse, 69:233–241, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Motivating Readers
Authors: Cabral‐Márquez Consuelo
Published: February 2015

The motivational, cognitive, and performance benefits associated with setting goals are presented in light of goal‐setting theory. These theoretical principles provide a framework that teachers can use to guide students in setting and pursuing personal reading goals that are proximal, specific, and compatible with students’ reading abilities and interests.
A Prospective Analysis of Thyroidectomy Outcomes in a Resource‐Limited Setting
Authors: O Donohoe Nollaig , Kintu‐Luwaga R. , Bolger Jarleth , Odubu Fualal Jane
Published: February 2015

Background

This study aimed to document thyroidectomy outcomes in the surgical endocrine unit, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. The burden of global surgical disease is currently receiving much attention, especially in countries experiencing epidemiological transition. There is a paucity of publications on surgical outcomes from Sub‐Saharan Africa. International thyroid guidelines from high‐income countries do not factor in the logistical challenges or the advanced pathology faced by the surgeon in resource‐limited settings.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study in 2013. Eight peri‐operative variables of poor outcome were analysed statistically against six outcomes variables. Data was collected from 0 to 6 months post‐operatively.

Results

Forty‐two thyroidectomies were performed over a 3‐month period (female = 38). Intraoperative events recorded included rebleeding = 10 %, infection = 0 %, transient voice symptoms = 30 %, transient hypocalcaemia = 12.5 %, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis = 7.5 % and permanent hypocalcaemia = 15 %. There was a weak powered association between RLN paralysis and total thyroidectomy and smaller thyroid size. There were associations between large thyroid size and both permanent hypocalcaemia and rebleeding. Younger patients showed statistically more transient voice changes compared to older patients. Older patients were statistically more likely to develop rebleeding. Shorter operative duration was associated with transient voice change, permanent hypocalcaemia and rebleeding. Airway difficulties and transient hypocalcaemia were statistically significant in prolonged procedures.

Conclusions

Whilst the thyroidectomy outcomes are not equal to international standards, an acceptable standard is achievable in this resource‐limited setting. Poor outcomes are multifactorial but extremes of thyroid size, extremes of operation duration and total thyroidectomies all have statistically poorer outcomes in this setting.
Effects of hydrologic modifications to riparian plant communities in a large river system in northern China
Authors: Xiu Chen , Gerisch Michael , Ilg Christiane , Henle Klaus , Ouyang Zhiyun
Published: February 2015

Hydrologic modifications to rivers caused by anthropogenic activity have major impacts on riparian ecosystems. Alterations to the hydrologic regime and their interactions with natural environmental parameters exert selective pressures on riparian vegetation, resulting in adaptations to specific flow attributes. However, few studies have attempted to detect these effects under multiple hydrologic conditions, especially for rivers in semi‐dry and semi‐humid regions. Using the “space‐for‐time substitution” method, we investigated the effects of hydrologic modifications to the riparian plant community along the Yongding River of northern China, by comparing community structure metrics (diversity, plant moisture affinity group, and lifespan) and a function metric (biomass) under three streamflows (perennial, seasonal and dried‐up). Among these streamflows, seasonal flow reaches had the greatest plant diversity. Responses of plant moisture group and lifespan were inconsistent in different hydrologic stages, although they varied significantly (P < 0.01). Annuals and biennials greatly increased from perennial to seasonal streamflow (~59 %), while perennials decreased (~41 %). However, from seasonal to dried‐up flow, the percentage of mesics and xerics increased by 12.8 and 11.8 %, respectively, while hydrics decreased dramatically (by 24.6 %). Perennial flow had significantly greater aboveground biomass (P < 0.05) than the other two flows. Hydrologic conditions and their related soil nutrients were the main driving factors of community structure and function, which explained 21.0 and 18.0 % of variation, respectively. These findings reveal the response process of the riparian plant community during hydrologic modification from perennial to dried‐up streamflow.