bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Issues and Treatment of Lung Cancer in Mexico
Authors: Rufino Echegoyen-Carmona  , Daniel Mendoza-Posada  , Catalina Camacho-Mendoza  , Oswaldo Rafael Sánchez-Campos
Published: June 2012

Retrospective analysis of 101 lung cancer patients treated at the INER [National Respiratory Diseases Institute] in Mexico from January 2006 to October 2007. Objective: Analysis of clinical situation and treatment. Results: The study comprised 59 men and 42 women: 58 % > 60 years old. 14.8% were non-smokers or had no smoking history. 85.2% were heavy smokers with a smoking history above15 packs per year. Eleven patients had one family member with cancer. 86.1% of them were admitted to hospital when the tumor stage was between IIIA and IV. 21 patients of this group had metastasis. 86.1% had an ECOG grade of 0.2. Two analytical parameters were handled: RECIST and the media overall survival. 93 of 101 patients (92%) were treated with chemotherapy: 51 of them (54.7%) with Cisplatine and Paclitaxel, 29 (31.1%) with Cisplatine and Vinorrelbine, and 13 (13.8%) with Cisplatine and Gemcitabine, each one for 2 to 6 cycles. According to RECIST, 6 patients had a complete response, 19 had progressions with distal metastasis, and 68 had partial responses. The median overall survival was of 17.0, 18.4, and 16.1months, respectively. Chirurgic intervention was carried out in 8 patients, lobectomy in 7 patients, and one had a pneumonectomy with resection of mediastinal lymph nodes and adyuvant chemotherapy. Histopathology of the lymph nodes and bronchial section were negative for neoplasia. The disease-free survival was 13 to 25 months in lobectomies and 22 months in the pneumonectomy. The cause of dead could not be specified because they did not continue attending post-treatment control. Conclusion: Lack of Health Education amongst patients and their families was found to be a major cause which prevented a more effective result of the treatment. This study also concludes that a multidisciplinary treatment for lung cancer patients is required.
Proton Conducting Phase‐Separated Multiblock Copolymers with Sulfonated Poly(phenylene sulfone) Blocks for Electrochemical Applications: Preparation, Morphology, Hydration Behavior, and Transport
Authors: Titvinidze Giorgi , Kreuer Klaus‐Dieter , Schuster Michael , de Araujo Carla C. , Melchior Jan P. , Meyer Wolfgang H.
Published: June 2012

A family of multiblock copolymers consisting of alternating fully sulfonated hydrophilic poly(phenylene sulfone) and hydrophobic poly(phenylene ether sulfone) segments are prepared and characterized. The multiblock copolymers are formed by the coupling of preformed hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks using a specially designed coupling agent. The block lengths (degree of polymerization) of both segment types were varied in order to control the ion exchange capacity. Solution cast films show spontaneous nanophase separation leading to distinct bicontinuous morphologies with correlation lengths around 15 nm. The hydrophobic phase gives the membranes their advantageous viscoelastic properties even at high temperatures under both wet and dry conditions, while proton conductivity takes place within the hydrophilic phase. Since the properties of fully sulfonated poly (phenylene sulfone)s are locally preserved within the hydrophilic domain, the membranes show very high proton conductivity and high hydrolytic stability. The very high degree of water dispersion within the hydrophilic domains leads to very low electro‐osmotic water drag. Because of their superior transport and stability properties these multiblock copolymers have a great potential for use as a substitute for perfluorosulfonic acid membranes which are used as separator materials in electrochemical applications such as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and redox flow batteries.
Hybrid Nanostructures for Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Reddy Arava Leela Mohana , Gowda Sanketh R. , Shaijumon Manikoth M. , Ajayan Pulickel M.
Published: June 2012

Materials engineering plays a key role in the field of energy storage. In particular, engineering materials at the nanoscale offers unique properties resulting in high performance electrodes and electrolytes in various energy storage devices. Consequently, considerable efforts have been made in recent years to fulfill the future requirements of electrochemical energy storage using these advanced materials. Various multi‐functional hybrid nanostructured materials are currently being studied to improve energy and power densities of next generation storage devices. This review describes some of the recent progress in the synthesis of different types of hybrid nanostructures using template assisted and non‐template based methods. The potential applications and recent research efforts to utilize these hybrid nanostructures to enhance the electrochemical energy storage properties of Li‐ion battery and supercapacitor are discussed. This review also briefly outlines some of the recent progress and new approaches being explored in the techniques of fabrication of 3D battery structures using hybrid nanoarchitectures.
Inflammatory prostaglandin E2 signaling in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease
Authors: Shi Ju , Wang Qian , Johansson Jenny U. , Liang Xibin , Woodling Nathaniel S. , Priyam Prachi , Loui Taylor M. , Merchant Milton , Breyer Richard M. , Montine Thomas J. , Andreasson Katrin
Published: June 2012

Objective:

There is significant evidence for a central role of inflammation in the development of Alzheimer disease (AD). Epidemiological studies indicate that chronic use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduces the risk of developing AD in healthy aging populations. As NSAIDs inhibit the enzymatic activity of the inflammatory cyclooxygenases COX‐1 and COX‐2, these findings suggest that downstream prostaglandin signaling pathways function in the preclinical development of AD. Here, we investigate the function of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling through its EP3 receptor in the neuroinflammatory response to Aβ peptide.

Methods:

The function of PGE2 signaling through its EP3 receptor was examined in vivo in a model of subacute neuroinflammation induced by administration of Aβ42 peptides. Our findings were then confirmed in young adult APPSwe‐PS1ΔE9 transgenic mice.

Results:

Deletion of the PGE2 EP3 receptor in a model of Aβ42 peptide‐induced neuroinflammation reduced proinflammatory gene expression, cytokine production, and oxidative stress. In the APPSwe‐PS1ΔE9 model of familial AD, deletion of the EP3 receptor blocked induction of proinflammatory gene and protein expression and lipid peroxidation. In addition, levels of Aβ peptides were significantly decreased, as were β‐secretase and β C‐terminal fragment levels, suggesting that generation of Aβ peptides may be increased as a result of proinflammatory EP3 signaling. Finally, deletion of EP3 receptor significantly reversed the decline in presynaptic proteins seen in APPSwe‐PS1ΔE9 mice.

Interpretation:

Our findings identify the PGE2 EP3 receptor as a novel proinflammatory, proamyloidogenic, and synaptotoxic signaling pathway, and suggest a role for COX‐PGE2‐EP3 signaling in the development of AD. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:788–798
Glycerin and ethanol as additives on silk fibroin films: Insoluble and malleable films
Authors: Silva Mariana F. , de Moraes Mariana A. , Nogueira Grínia M. , Rodas Andrea C. D. , Higa Olga Z. , Beppu Marisa M.
Published: June 2012

Silk fibroin (SF) films have been largely studied as biomaterials due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Casting a SF aqueous solution at room temperature is a common technique to produce SF films at relative low cost and processing time; however, their brittleness and solubility in water make them unsuitable for certain biomedical applications. In this study, the incorporation of additives, ethanol and glycerin, are presented as an alternative to both improve mechanical properties of SF films and decrease their solubility in water. SF films with additives were further characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection, analysis of water solubility, mechanical test of traction, and in vitro cytotoxicity experiments. The results show that SF films containing additives are stable in water due to the effect of glycerin and ethanol, and do not require post‐treatments. Furthermore, great improvements on elongation of the films were achieved, mainly in the presence of both additives. In addition, all films were not toxic to cells, which is a first indication of their biocompatibility. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Synthesis, characterization of biomimetic phosphorylcholine‐bound chitosan derivative and in vitro drug release of their nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Zehu , Zeng Rong , Tu Mei , Zhao Jianhao
Published: June 2012

Novel water‐soluble biomimetic phosphorylcholine (PC)—bound chitosan derivatives (N‐PCCs) with different degree of substitution (DS) via a phosphoramide linkage between glucosamine and PC were synthesized through Atherton‐Todd reaction under the mild conditions, and structurally characterized by 1H‐NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Their DS ranged from ∼ 16 to ∼ 42 mol % based on the 1H‐NMR spectra. All these N‐PCCs with decreased crystallization showed excellent solubility in the aqueous solutions within a wide pH range (1–12). DSC and TGA results revealed that the thermal stability of N‐PCCs decreased with the increase of DS value. Further, N‐PCCs nanoparticles could be still formed in a spherical shape similar to chitosan nanoparticles by ionic gelation technique, observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) results suggested that the zeta potential value of N‐PCCs nanoparticles decreased with the DS value increasing. Using 5‐fluorouracil (5‐Fu) as a model drug, in vitro drug release studies indicated that N‐PCCs nanoparticles exhibited a similar prolonged release profile as chitosan nanoparticles. The results suggested that N‐PCCs nanoparticles could be used as promising nanocarriers for drug delivery applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
MALDI‐TOF‐CID for the microstructure elucidation of polymeric hydrolysable tannins
Authors: Radebe Nonhlanhla , Rode Karsten , Pizzi Antonio , Giovando Samuele , Pasch Harald
Published: June 2012

High molar mass wood tannin extracts are complex mixtures that are distributed in both molar mass and chemical composition. Hydrolysable tannins from tara, Turkey gall, and chestnut woods were analyzed and compared using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry. Although MALDI‐TOF MS reveals the oligomer structure of the tannins, this method cannot distinguish between isomers with isobaric masses and, therefore, ambiguous structural assignments were made in a number of cases. To determine the actual microstructures present, MALDI‐TOF‐CID (collision induced dissociation) experiments were conducted. MALDI‐TOF‐CID enables monomer sequence determination and positive assignments of isobaric structures can be made. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Characterization of viscoelastic behavior of shape memory epoxy systems
Authors: Song W. B. , Wang Z. D.
Published: June 2012

Viscoelastic behavior has a remarkable impact on the functional realization of shape memory polymers and their composites. Our previous work reported that a series of shape memory epoxies with varied curing agents and contents were synthesized and exhibited higher shape fixture and recovery rates. The viscoelastic behavior of the materials at different temperatures is experimentally investigated in this study. Stress–strain hysteresis under uniaxial tension, stress relaxation, and creep tests are performed. The energy dissipation factor and residual strain factor as functions of temperatures are presented in the basis of stress–strain hysteresis tests. Moreover, the effects of test temperature, curing‐agent type, and content on the viscoelastic behavior of these materials are discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Cinnamyl acetate synthesis by lipase‐catalyzed transesterification in a solvent‐free system
Authors: Geng Bo , Wang Mengfan , Qi Wei , Su Rongxin , He Zhimin
Published: June 2012

Cinnamyl acetate was synthesized using immobilized lipase through transesterification between ethyl acetate and cinnamyl alcohol. In the solvent‐free system, ethyl acetate acted as not only the acyl donor but also as the solvent of cinnamyl alcohol. Conversion (90.06%) was achieved after 3 H when transesterification was carried out at ethyl acetate/cinnamyl alcohol 15:1, 2.67 g L of lipase (Novozym 435) loading, and 40°C. Excellent stability and reusability of the enzyme resulted from the moderate reaction system. Kinetic studies showed that the Michaelis constants for ethyl acetate and cinnamyl alcohol and the inhibition constant of cinnamyl alcohol were 2.241, 206.82, and 0.461 mmol L−1, respectively, which indicated that the reaction complied with the Ping–Pong Bi–Bi mechanism, with the inhibition of cinnamyl alcohol on lipase.
Synthesis and characterization of novel europium β‐diketonate organic complexes for solid‐state lighting
Authors: Kalyani N. Thejo , Dhoble S. J. , Pode R. B.
Published: June 2012

Volatile Eu complexes, namely Eu(TTA)3Phen, Eu(x)Y(1‐x)(TTA)3 Phen; Eu(x)Tb(1‐x)(TTA)3Phen; Eu, europium; Y, yttrium; Tb, Terbium; TTA, thenoyltrifluoroacetone; and Phen, 1,10 phenanthroline were synthesized by maintaining stichiometric ratio. Various characterization techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) and thermo gravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) were carried out for the synthesized complexes. Diffractograms of all the synthesized complexes showed well‐resolved peaks, which revealed that pure and doped organic Eu3+ complexes were crystalline in nature. Of all the synthesized complexes, Eu0.5 Tb0.5(TTA)3Phen showed maximum peak intensity, while the angle of maximum peak intensity for all complexes was almost the same with slightly different d‐values. A prominent sharp red emission line was observed at 611 nm when excited with light at 370 nm. It was observed that the intensity of red emissions increased for doped europium complexes Eu(x)Y(1‐x)(TTA)3Phen and Eu(x)Tb(1‐x)(TTA)3 Phen, when compared with Eu complexes. Emission intensity increased in the following order: Eu(TTA)3Phen > Eu0.5 Tb0.5(TTA)3Phen > Eu0.4 Tb0.6(TTA)3Phen > Eu0.5Y0.5(TTA)3Phen > Eu0.4Y0.6(TTA)3Phen, proving their potential application in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). TGA showed that Eu complexes doped in Y3+ and Tb3+ have better thermal stability than pure Eu complex. DTA analysis showed that the melting temperature of Eu(TTA)3 Phen was lower than doped Eu complexes. These measurements infer that all complexes were highly stable and could be used as emissive materials for the fabrication of OLEDs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of Concern: Luminescence study of monodispersed ZnS nanoparticles
Authors: Murugadoss G. , Ramasamy V.
Published: June 2012

Monodispersed ZnS nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by a chemical precipitation method in an air atmosphere using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) as surfactants. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT‐IR), UV–Vis optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Prepared surfactants capped ZnS nanoparticles are highly homogeneous and well dispersed. Optical absorption spectra showed a strong blue shift from the uncapped particles due to the quantum confinement effect. The capped ZnS emission intensity is enhanced than more the uncapped particles. The size of the synthesized particles is around 4–6.5 nm range. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular dynamics studies of the antimicrobial peptides piscidin 1 and its mutants with a DOPC lipid bilayer
Authors: Yuan Tianhu , Zhang Xin , Hu Zehan , Wang Fang , Lei Ming
Published: June 2012

Piscidin 1 (Pis‐1) has a high broad‐spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses but it also has a moderate hemolytic activities. To improve the antibacterial activity and to reduce toxicity, mutants Pis‐1AA (G8A/G13A double mutant) and Pis‐1PG (G8P mutant) have been designed based on the crystal structure of Pis‐1. Eighteen independent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of Pis‐1 and its mutants with membranes are conducted in this article. Furthermore, 60 independent MD simulations of three peptides in water box have also been discussed for comparison. The results indicate that the unfolding process starts at the middle of the peptide. Pis‐1 disrupts easily in the region of Val10‐Lys14. Pis‐1PG has a flexible N‐terminal region, and the interaction between N‐terminal and C‐terminal is very weak. Pis‐1AA has the most stable helical structure. In addition, percentage of native contacts and hydrogen bonds analysis are also performed. Lipid‐peptide interaction analysis suggests that Pis‐1 and Pis‐1AA has a stronger interaction with the zwitterionic dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) lipid bilayer than Pis‐1PG. When compared with the results of peptide with membrane, peptides are unstable and unfolding quickly in water solution. Our results are applicable in examining diversities on hemolytic, antibacterial, and selectivity of antimicrobial peptides. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97:998–1009, 2012.
Borononucleotides as Substrates/Binders for Human NMP Kinases: Enzymatic and Spectroscopic Evaluation
Authors: El Amri Chahrazade , Martin Anthony R. , Vasseur Jean‐Jacques , Smietana Michael
Published: June 2012

Borononucleotides are a family of natural nucleotide monophosphate analogues with a 5′‐boronic acid function. As BOP linkages are known to be unstable in solution, we evaluated the ability of borononucleotides to be recognized by nucleoside monophosphate kinases and eventually foil the phosphorylation process. In this context, and with the idea of probing the influence of their size, shape, and flexibility, a library of borononucleotides were synthetized starting from the borononucleotide analogue of thymidine, which was shown to behave as a slow substrate of human TMP kinase. This study thus constitutes a good starting point for the development of new monophosphate mimics as potential substrates or ligands for NMP kinases.
Phosphine–Imidazolyl Ligands for the Efficient Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Carboxylic Esters
Authors: Junge Kathrin , Wendt Bianca , Westerhaus Felix Alexander , Spannenberg Anke , Jiao Haijun , Beller Matthias
Published: June 2012

The synthesis of phosphine–imidazolyl ligands 1 and 2 in good yields is presented. In combination with [{Ru(benzene)Cl2}2], ligands 1 c and 1 e formed efficient catalyst systems for the selective hydrogenation of various carboxylic esters into their corresponding primary alcohols. Furthermore, the structures of four ruthenium complexes with ligands 1 b, 1 c, 1 d, and 1 e were determined by X‐ray crystallography, which showed the formation of different coordination modes depending on the ligand structure.
A Series of Trifacial Pd6 Molecular Barrels with Porphyrin Walls
Authors: Bar Arun Kumar , Mohapatra Sudip , Zangrando Ennio , Mukherjee Partha Sarathi
Published: June 2012

Three new nanoscopic trigonal prisms, [(tmen)6Pd6(H2L)3](NO3)12 (1), [(Meen)6Pd6(H2L)3](NO3)12 (2), and [(2,2′‐bipy)6Pd6(H2L)3](NO3)12 (3), have been synthesized in excellent yields through single‐step metal–ligand‐coordination‐driven self‐assembly using 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(3‐pyridyl)porphyrin (H2L) as a donor and cis‐blocked PdII 90° acceptors. These complexes were fully characterized by spectroscopic studies and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. All of these barrels quantitatively bind ZnII ions in the N4 pockets of the porphyrin walls at room temperature. Their corresponding zinc‐embedded complexes, [(tmen)6Pd6(ZnL)3](NO3)12 (1 a), [(Meen)6Pd6(ZnL)3](NO3)12 (2 a), and [(2,2′‐bipy)6Pd6(ZnL)3](NO3)12 (3 a), were synthesized under ambient conditions by the post‐synthetic binding of ZnII ions into the H2N4 pockets of the porphyrin walls of these complexes. These zinc‐embedded complexes were characterized by electronic absorption, fluorescence emission, 1H NMR spectroscopy, as well as elemental analysis. Complexes 1–3 exhibited considerable microporosity in their solid state. Complex 1 was an efficient adsorbent for nitrogen gas and EtOH, MeOH, and water vapors.
Water Makes the Difference: Rearrangement of Water Solvation Layer Triggers Non‐additivity of Functional Group Contributions in Protein–Ligand Binding
Authors: Biela Adam , Betz Michael , Heine Andreas , Klebe Gerhard
Published: June 2012

The binding of four congeneric peptide‐like thermolysin inhibitors has been studied by high‐resolution crystal structure analysis and isothermal titration calorimetry. The ligands differ only by a terminal carboxylate and/or methyl group. A surprising non‐additivity of functional group contributions for the carboxylate and/or methyl groups is detected. Adding the methyl first and then the carboxylate group results in a small Gibbs free energy increase and minor enthalpy/entropy partitioning for the first modification, whereas the second involves a strong affinity increase combined with large enthalpy/entropy changes. However, first adding the carboxylate and then the methyl group yields reverse effects: the acidic group attachment now causes minor effects, whereas the added methyl group provokes large changes. As all crystal structures show virtually identical binding modes, affinity changes are related to rearrangements of the first solvation layer next to the S2′ pocket. About 20–25 water molecules are visible next to the studied complexes. The added COO− groups perturb the local water network in both carboxylated complexes, and the attached methyl groups provide favorable interaction sites for water molecules. Apart from one example, a contiguously connected water network between protein and ligand functional groups is observed in all complexes. In the complex with the carboxylated ligand, which still lacks the terminal methyl group, the water network is unfavorably ruptured. This results in a surprising thermodynamic signature showing only a minor affinity increase upon COO− group attachment. Because the further added methyl group provides a favorable interaction site for water, the network can be reestablished, and a strong affinity increase with a large enthalpy/entropy signature is then detected.
Extracellular sheets and tunnels modulate glutamate diffusion in hippocampal neuropil
Authors: Kinney Justin P. , Spacek Josef , Bartol Thomas M. , Bajaj Chandrajit L. , Harris Kristen M. , Sejnowski Terrence J.
Published: June 2012

Although the extracellular space in the neuropil of the brain is an important channel for volume communication between cells and has other important functions, its morphology on the micron scale has not been analyzed quantitatively owing to experimental limitations. We used manual and computational techniques to reconstruct the 3D geometry of 180 μm3 of rat CA1 hippocampal neuropil from serial electron microscopy and corrected for tissue shrinkage to reflect the in vivo state. The reconstruction revealed an interconnected network of 40–80 nm diameter tunnels, formed at the junction of three or more cellular processes, spanned by sheets between pairs of cell surfaces with 10–40 nm width. The tunnels tended to occur around synapses and axons, and the sheets were enriched around astrocytes. Monte Carlo simulations of diffusion within the reconstructed neuropil demonstrate that the rate of diffusion of neurotransmitter and other small molecules was slower in sheets than in tunnels. Thus, the non‐uniformity found in the extracellular space may have specialized functions for signaling (sheets) and volume transmission (tunnels). J. Comp. Neurol. 521:448–464, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Magnetic‐Field‐Dependent 1H Relaxivity Behavior of Biotin/Avidin‐Based Magnetic Resonance Imaging Probes
Authors: Dhingra Verma Kirti , Mishra Anurag , Engelmann Jörn , Beyerlein Michael , Maier Martin E. , Logothetis Nikos K.
Published: June 2012

One major challenge in noninvasive mapping of various molecular targets is their inherently low in vivo concentration coupled with the insensitivity of imaging modalities, such as the widely used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Development of agents with high sensitivity and specificity is of paramount importance for structural and functional noninvasive imaging. The design, synthesis, and physiochemical characterization of two gadolinium‐based contrast agents (CAs) for MRI, the sensitivity of which was optimized by exploiting the well‐established biotin–avidin amplification strategies, are reported. The relaxivity of these agents showed a large increase if bound to avidin; specifically, the first compound showed an approximately 1000 % increase in transverse proton relaxivity (r2p), whereas the second compound had an approximately 250 % r2p increase. The increase in r2p was magnetic field independent in the range of 1.5–16.4 T whereas the longitudinal proton relaxivity (r1p) showed strong field dependence. The CAs were further characterized by measuring luminescence lifetimes and emission spectral changes upon addition of avidin to their Eu3+ analogues. The difference in relaxation rate behavior of both complexes was explained on the basis of hydration number modulation and the “global/internal motion concept”. The association constant of these CAs with avidin was found to be in the range of approximately 1015 M−1, which shows that the coupling of biotin to Gd‐DO3A did not affect its affinity for binding to avidin (DO3A=1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7‐triacetic acid).
Toward scale‐free like behavior under increasing cognitive load
Authors: Altamura Mario , Elvevåg Brita , Campi Gaetano , De Salvia Michela , Marasco Daniele , Ricci Alessandro , Bellomo Antonello
Published: June 2012

To understand how cognition and response selection processes might emerge from dynamic brain systems, we analyzed reaction times during the performance of both a working memory task and a choice reaction time task at different levels of “cognitive load.” Our findings suggest a continuous transition—tuned by load—from random behavior toward scale‐free like behavior as an expanding connectivity process in a network poised near a critical point. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2012
An Evaluation of the Impact of Introducing Compassion Focused Therapy to a Standard Treatment Programme for People with Eating Disorders
Authors: Gale Corinne , Gilbert Paul , Read Natalie , Goss Ken
Published: June 2012

Objective

This study explored the outcome of introducing Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) into a standard treatment programme for people with eating disorders. In particular, the aim was to evaluate the principle that CFT can be used with people with eating disorders and improve eating disorder symptomatology.

Method

Routinely collected questionnaire data were used to assess cognitive and behavioural aspects of eating disorders and social functioning/well being (n = 99).

Results

There were significant improvements on all questionnaire measures during the programme. An analysis by diagnosis found that people with bulimia nervosa improved significantly more than people with anorexia nervosa on most of the subscales. Also, in terms of clinical significance, 73% of those with bulimia nervosa were considered to have made clinically reliable and significant improvements at the end of treatment (compared with 21% of people with anorexia nervosa and 30% of people with atypical eating disorders).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the potential benefits of using CFT with people with eating disorders and highlights the need for further research on this new approach. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

CFT offers new ways to conceptualize and formulate some of the self‐critical and shame‐based difficulties associated with eating disorders.

CFT offers a framework that can enable people with eating disorders to conceptualize their difficulties in different ways.

CFT can be combined with standard therapies especially cognitive behavioural therapy.

CFT can be especially useful in a group context where the relationships between members can become increasingly compassionate, validating, supportive and encouraging.
Implementation of cellular genetic algorithms on a CNN chip: Simulations and experimental results
Authors: Horváth András , Rásonyi Miklós
Published: June 2012

One of the most challenging recent problems in engineering is the development of proper topographic and parallel algorithms that can exploit the high performance of multi‐parallel architectures like cellular neural networks. We have developed, simulated and implemented a cellular version of the well‐known genetic algorithm which ideally suits these devices. The paper contains not only simulations, but an actual implementation and performance analysis on an existing architecture, the Xenon _ v3 digital cellular network, its emulator and its compiler. We support our conclusions by testing the algorithm on the traveling salesman problem. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical unclonable functions based on crossbar arrays for cryptographic applications
Authors: Lugli Paolo , Mahmoud Ahmed , Csaba György , Algasinger Michael , Stutzmann Martin , Rührmair Ulrich
Published: June 2012

Due to their attractive, regular structure and their simple implementation, crossbar arrays have become one major emerging research area in the fields of nano‐devices and electronic circuits. This paper discusses novel applications of crossbars as various types of so‐called physical unclonable functions (PUFs) in the field of physical cryptography. The latter is a recent branch of cryptography and security that exploits the inherent, small‐scale randomness and disorder in physical structures. PUFs are the currently dominant primitive within this new field.

In order to establish the applicability of crossbar structures as PUFs, two crossbars with rectifying junctions are investigated on the basis of real measurement data. In addition, the scalability of these crossbars with respect to their power dissipation and noise margin is evaluated in simulations. The types of PUFs as which crossbars can serve include weak PUFs and super high information content PUFs. We also discuss whether crossbar‐based PUFs allow the erasure and/or rewriting of response information on a single challenge‐response‐pair level, i.e. without affecting other PUF responses. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resource allocation for OFDM relay systems with statistical QoS guarantees
Authors: Huang Gaofei , Zhang Guangchi , Zhang Ping , Tang Dong , Qin Jiayin
Published: June 2012

By integrating the concept of effective capacity, we propose the resource allocation schemes for subcarrier‐pair based OFDM decode‐and‐forward and amplify‐and‐forward relay systems for quality‐of‐service (QoS) guarantees. The objective is to maximize the system throughput subject to a given statistical delay QoS constraint. First, we pair the subcarriers over the source‐relay channel and the relay‐destination channel by the descending order of the subcarriers' channel gains. Second, by making use of the derived equivalent end‐to‐end channel gains of the subcarrier pairs, we apply joint water‐filling power allocation over the subcarrier pairs and then partition the power of the subcarrier pairs between the source and the relay. We prove that as the equivalent end‐to‐end channel gains of the subcarrier pairs are given, the combination of sorted subcarrier pairing and joint water‐filling power allocation is jointly optimal to maximize the effective capacity. The simulation results show that our proposed schemes achieve the highest effective capacity for OFDM decode‐and‐forward and amplify‐and‐forward relay systems as compared with other existing schemes. The results also verify that our proposed schemes can efficiently provide different levels of delay QoS guarantees, even if under the stringent delay QoS constraints. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal and postnatal animal models of immune activation: Relevance to a range of neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Harvey Louise , Boksa Patricia
Published: June 2012

Epidemiological evidence has established links between immune activation during the prenatal or early postnatal period and increased risk of developing a range of neurodevelopment disorders in later life. Animal models have been used to great effect to explore the ramifications of immune activation during gestation and neonatal life. A range of behavioral, neurochemical, molecular, and structural outcome measures associated with schizophrenia, autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy have been assessed in models of prenatal and postnatal immune activation. However, the epidemiology‐driven disease‐first approach taken by some studies can be limiting and, despite the wealth of data, there is a lack of consensus in the literature as to the specific dose, timing, and nature of the immunogen that results in replicable and reproducible changes related to a single disease phenotype. In this review, we highlight a number of similarities and differences in models of prenatal and postnatal immune activation currently being used to investigate the origins of schizophrenia, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease. However, we describe a lack of synthesis not only between but also within disease‐specific models. Our inability to compare the equivalency dose of immunogen used is identified as a significant yet easily remedied problem. We ask whether early life exposure to infection should be described as a disease‐specific or general vulnerability factor for neurodevelopmental disorders and discuss the implications that either classification has on the design, strengths and limitations offuture experiments. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
Type‐1 immunity drives early lethality in scurfy mice
Authors: Suscovich Todd J. , Perdue Nikole R. , Campbell Daniel J.
Published: June 2012

Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells modulate the functions of multiple immune cell types, and loss of Treg cells causes lethal, CD4+ T‐cell‐dependent multiorgan autoimmune disease in both mice and humans. However, how different effector T‐cell subets contribute to the severe autoimmunity observed in the absence of Treg cells remains controversial. We found that although expanded populations of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells can be detected in scurfy (sf) mice, Th1 cells predominate. Moreover, using a genetic approach, we found that sf mice with deficiencies in type‐1 immunity (sf × Ifngr1−/−, sf × Tbx21−/−, and sf × Ifngr1−/−/Tbx21−/−) have an extended lifespan that is associated with altered cytokine production and attenuated cutaneous and hepatic inflammation. By contrast, sf mice deficient in type‐2 immune responses (sf × Stat6−/−) display a significantly reduced lifespan with increased hepatic inflammation, but decreased dermatitis. These data indicate that Th1 cells and their associated cytokines drive early immunopathology in Foxp3‐deficient sf mice, highlighting the essential role of Treg cells in restraining Th1‐cell‐mediated autoimmunity.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection augments NOD2 signaling in an IFN‐β‐dependent manner in human primary cells
Authors: Vissers Marloes , Remijn Thijs , Oosting Marije , de Jong Dirk J. , Diavatopoulos Dimitri A. , Hermans Peter W.M. , Ferwerda Gerben
Published: June 2012

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants, with remarkable variability in disease severity. An exaggerated proinflammatory response and influx of leukocytes is part of the pathogenesis of severe RSV disease. Here, we show an increase in proinflammatory cytokine production by human immune cells after stimulation with RSV and muramyl dipeptide (MDP), which is recognized by nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain containing 2 (NOD2). PBMCs from Crohn's disease patients homozygous for the 3020insC mutation in the NOD2 gene did not show a synergistic response to stimulation with RSV and MDP, suggesting that NOD2 is essential for the observed synergy. Further experiments aimed at identifying the viral ligand indicated that viral RNA plays an essential role in the recognition of RSV. Stimulation with RSV or Poly(I:C) induced IFN‐β expression, which resulted in an increased expression of the viral receptors TLR3 and RIG‐I, as well as an increased NOD2 expression. Our data indicate that IFN‐β induction by viral RNA is an essential first step in the increased proinflammatory response to MDP. We hypothesize that the enhanced proinflammatory response to MDP following RSV infection may be an important factor in determining the outcome of the severity of disease.
Uranyl(VI) Complexation by Sulfonate Ligands: A Relativistic Density Functional and Time‐Resolved Laser‐Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy Study
Authors: Kremleva Alena , Zhang Yun , Shor Aleksey M. , Krüger Sven , Joseph Claudia , Raditzky Bianca , Schmeide Katja , Sachs Susanne , Bernhard Gert , Rösch Notker
Published: June 2012

To study the role of sulfonate functional groups of humic substances in uranyl(VI) complexation, all‐electron density functional calculations and time‐resolved laser‐induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) were applied using small sulfonate ligands as models. A thiolate ligand was explored for comparison. As in an earlier experiment, 4‐hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid (HBSA) and benzenesulfonic acid (BSA) were examined and compared to methylsulfonic acid (MSA). Structural parameters as well as energetic aspects of uranyl complexes by BSA and HBSA ligands were determined to be rather similar, in contrast to earlier experimental findings. The present TRLFS measurements show complexation of uranyl by both ligands, which is in agreement with the computational results. Overall, the combined computational and experimental results also indicate that sulfonate groups play only a minor role in uranyl complexation of humic substances because of the rather low stability constants.
Effect of the Nitrogen Substituent on the Reactions of Alane towards Imino‐ and Aminophenols: Generation of a Dinuclear Aluminoxane
Authors: Martínez Gema , Cuenca Tomás , Mosquera Marta E. G.
Published: June 2012

AlH3·NEtMe2 reacts with salicylaldimines 3,5‐tBu2–2‐(OH)C6H2CH=NR [R = C6F5 (1a), 2,6‐Me2C6H3 (1b); 0.5 equiv.] to give the bisphenoxido‐amido‐imino compounds [Al{3,5‐tBu2–2‐(O)C6H2CH=NR}{3,5‐tBu2–2‐(O)C6H2CH2–NR}] [R = C6F5 (4a), 2,6‐Me2C6H3 (4b)]. When the substituent on the nitrogen is 2,6‐Me2C6H3, it is possible to isolate the bis(phenoxido‐imino) hydride [AlH{3,5‐tBu2–2‐(O)C6H2CH=N–2,6‐Me2C6H3}2] (3) if the reaction is performed at low temperature. Compound 4a is converted in wet toluene at room temperature readily and quantitatively into the aluminoxane [(Al{3,5‐tBu2–2‐(O)C6H2CH=NC6F5}{3,5‐tBu2–2‐(O)C6H2CH2–NHC6F5})2O] (5). The mononuclear bis(phenoxido‐amino) hydrides [AlH{3,5‐tBu2–2‐(O)C6H2CH2–NHR}2] [R = 2,6‐Me2C6H3 (6b), tBu (6c)] are obtained by treatment of AlH3·NEtMe2 with aminophenols 3,5‐tBu2–2‐(OH)C6H2CH2–NHR [R = 2,6‐Me2C6H3 (2b), tBu (2c); 0.5 equiv.] in toluene at –78 °C. Compound 6b evolves into [Al{3,5‐tBu2–2‐(O)C6H2CH2–NH–2,6‐Me2C6H3}{3,5‐tBu2–2‐(O)C6H2CH2–N–2,6‐Me2C6H3}] (7), which can also be generated by the direct reaction of 2b with AlH3·NEtMe2 (0.5 equiv.) at room temperature. The molecular structures of 4b and 5 have been determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Solubilisation of the armadillo‐repeat protein β‐catenin using a zwitterionic detergent allows resolution of phosphorylated forms by 2DE
Authors: Layton Meredith J. , Church Nicole L. , Faux Maree C. , Ji Hong , Goode Robert J.A. , Kapp Eugene A. , Burgess Antony W. , Simpson Richard J.
Published: June 2012

β‐catenin is a member of the armadillo repeat family of proteins and has important functions in cell–cell adhesion and Wnt signalling. Different protein species of β‐catenin have been shown to exist in the cell and the relative proportions of these species are altered upon stimulation of cells with Wnt‐3a (Gottardi and Gumbiner, 2004). In order to determine whether posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of β‐catenin underlie these different protein species, we have used 2DE separation and immunoblotting with an antibody specific for β‐catenin. High‐resolution separation of differentially modified species of β‐catenin in 2DE required the addition of ASB‐16, a zwitterionic detergent that can solubilise integral membrane proteins. ASB‐16 was also necessary for focussing of other armadillo repeat proteins, such as γ‐catenin and p120‐catenin. 2DE using ASB‐16 allowed detection of a previously unreported phosphorylation site in the transcriptionally active form of β‐catenin that binds to GST‐Tcf in response to Wnt signalling.
Detection of unlabeled particles in the low micrometer size range using light scattering and hydrodynamic 3D focusing in a microfluidic system
Authors: Zhuang Guisheng , Jensen Thomas G. , Kutter Jörg P.
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we describe a microfluidic device composed of integrated microoptical elements and a two‐layer microchannel structure for highly sensitive light scattering detection of micro/submicrometer‐sized particles. In the two‐layer microfluidic system, a sample flow stream is first constrained in the out‐of‐plane direction into a narrow sheet, and then focused in‐plane into a small core region, obtaining on‐chip three‐dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic focusing. All the microoptical elements, including waveguides, microlens, and fiber‐to‐waveguide couplers, and the in‐plane focusing channels are fabricated in one SU‐8 layer by standard photolithography. The channels for out‐of‐plane focusing are made in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer by a single cast using a SU‐8 master. Numerical and experimental results indicate that the device can realize 3D hydrodynamic focusing reliably over a wide range of Reynolds numbers (0.5 < Re < 20). Polystyrene particles of three sizes (2, 1, and 0.5 μm) were measured in the microfluidic device with integrated optics, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach to detect particles in the low micrometer size range by light scattering detection.
Quaternized celluloses as new dynamic coatings in capillary electrophoresis for basic protein separation
Authors: Zhao Lingguo , Zhou Jinping , Xie Huan , Huang Dihui , Zhou Ping
Published: June 2012

In this work, a series of quaternized celluloses (QCs), homogeneously synthesized in the NaOH/urea aqueous solutions, were studied as dynamic coatings for capillary electrophoresis. Capillaries coated with these cationic cellulose derivatives at the concentration as low as 3 μg/mL were able to generate a stable, reversed electroosmotic flow. The effects of QC molecular parameters, such as the degree of cationic substitution and molecular weight, and the effect of buffer pH on the EOF mobility as well as the separation of basic proteins were investigated in detail. It was shown that the use of QC coatings in CE could drastically reduce the analysis time and improve the separation performance within a broad pH range. Five basic proteins, that is, lysozyme, ribonuclease A, cytochrome C, bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, and chymotrypsinogen were baselinely separated even at pH 8.0. The separation efficiency and analysis reproducibility demonstrated that the QC coatings were efficient in minimizing the adsorption of basic proteins on the fused silica capillary. The successful performance was further demonstrated for biosample analysis.
MS analysis reveals O‐methylation of L‐lactate dehydrogenase from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Zhou Weidong , Capello Michela , Fredolini Claudia , Racanicchi Leda , Piemonti Lorenzo , Liotta Lance A. , Novelli Francesco , Petricoin Emanuel F.
Published: June 2012

L‐lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) converts pyruvate to lactate when oxygen is absent or in short supply, and the enzyme plays a crucial role in cancer metabolism. The functions of many mammalian proteins are modulated by posttranslational modifications (PTMs), and it has been reported that LDH was subjected to several PTMs, including phosphorylation, acetylation, and methylation. In this present work, we characterized the PTMs of LDH from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells by electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, and identified 13 O‐methylated residues from the enzyme. In addition, our qualitative analysis revealed differential methylation of LDH from normal duct cells. The preliminary findings from this study provide important biochemical information toward further understanding of the LDH modifications and their functional significance in pathophysiological processes of pancreatic cancer.
Intergeneric yeast fusants with efficient ethanol production from cheese whey powder solution: Construction of a Kluyveromyces marxianus and Saccharomyces cerevisiaeAY‐5 hybrid
Authors: Guo Xuewu , Wang Ruisheng , Chen Yefu , Xiao Dongguang
Published: June 2012

Due to its high content of lactose and abundant availability, cheese whey powder (CWP) has received much attention for ethanol production in fermentation processes. However, lactose‐fermenting yeast strains including Kluyveromyces marxianus can only produce alcohol at a relatively low level, while the most commonly used distiller yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae cannot ferment lactose since it lacks both β‐galactosidase and the lactose permease system. To combine the unique aspects of these two yeast strains, hybrids of K. marxianus TY‐22 and S. cerevisiae AY‐5 were constructed by protoplast fusion. The fusants were screened and characterized by DNA content, β‐galactosidase activity, ethanol tolerance, and ethanol productivity. Among the genetically stable fusants, the DNA content of strain R‐1 was 6.94%, close to the sum of the DNA contents of TY‐22 (3.99%) and AY‐5 (3.51%). The results obtained by random‐amplified polymorphic DNA analysis suggested that R‐1 was a fusant between AY‐5 and TY‐22. During the fermentation process with CWP, the hybrid strain R‐1 produced 3.8% v/v ethanol in 72 h, while the parental strain TY‐22 only produced 3.1% v/v ethanol in 84 h under the same conditions.
Bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria: Microorganisms of potential biotechnological importance for the dairy industry
Authors: Beshkova Dora , Frengova Ginka
Published: June 2012

Bacteriocins are a heterogeneous group of ribosomally synthesized, extracellularly released, bioactive peptides or proteins displaying antimicrobial activity against other bacteria. Over the last two decades, there has been an explosion of basic and applied research on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) bacteriocins, primarily due to their potential application as biopreservatives in food and food products to inhibit the growth of food‐borne bacterial pathogens. Although bacteriocins can be produced in the food matrix during food fermentation (in situ), bacteriocins by LAB can be produced in much higher amounts during in vitro fermentations under optimal physical and chemical conditions. Because of the complexity of the food matrix and the difficulty of quantifying bacteriocin activities in foods, in vitro studies can be performed to simulate and study the in situ functionality of bacteriocinogenic starters. In situ bacteriocin production is most promising for a fast, widespread, and legal use of bacteriocins to achieve the desirable fermentation and a safe final product. The bacteriocin production may be of utmost importance when bacteriocin‐producing LAB are added to foods as starters or protective cultures (adjunct culture). In the current review, our interest is mainly focused on the research of in situ bacteriocin production through finding the potential of the bacteriocinogenic cultures, which have biotechnological importance for the dairy industry.