bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) nanoparticle and poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) electrospun scaffold characterization for skeletal muscle regeneration
Authors: McKeon‐Fischer Kristin D. , Browe Daniel P. , Olabisi Ronke M. , Freeman Joseph W.
Published: April 2015

Injuries to peripheral nerves and/or skeletal muscle can cause scar tissue formation and loss of function. The focus of this article is the creation of a conductive, biocompatible scaffold with appropriate mechanical properties to regenerate skeletal muscle. Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanoparticles (Np) were electrospun with poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) (PCL) to form conductive scaffolds. During electrospinning, ribboning, larger fiber diameters, and unaligned scaffolds were observed with increasing PEDOT amounts. To address this, PEDOT Np were sonicated prior to electrospinning, which resulted in decreased conductivity and increased mechanical properties. Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were added to the 1:2 solution in an effort to increase conductivity. However, the addition of MWCNT had little effect on scaffold conductivity, and the elastic modulus and yield stress of the scaffold increased as a result. Rat muscle cells attached and were active on the 1–10, 1–2, 3–4, and 1–1 PCL‐PEDOT scaffolds; however, the 3–4 scaffolds had the lowest level of metabolic activity. Although the scaffolds were cytocompatible, further development of the fabrication method is necessary to produce more highly aligned scaffolds capable of promoting skeletal muscle cell alignment and eventual regeneration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3633–3641, 2015.
Pharmacokinetic (PK) drug interaction studies of cabozantinib: Effect of CYP3A inducer rifampin and inhibitor ketoconazole on cabozantinib plasma PK and effect of cabozantinib on CYP2C8 probe substrate rosiglitazone plasma PK
Authors: Nguyen Linh , Holland Jaymes , Miles Dale , Engel Caroline , Benrimoh Natacha , O'Reilly Terry , Lacy Steven
Published: April 2015

Cabozantinib is a small‐molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has been approved for the treatment of patients with progressive, metastatic medullary thyroid cancer. In vitro data indicate that (1) cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 is the primary CYP isoenzyme involved in the metabolism of cabozantinib, and (2) CYP2C8 is the CYP isoenzyme most potently inhibited by cabozantinib with potential for in vivo inhibition at clinically relevant plasma exposures. Pharmacokinetic (PK) drug–drug interactions (DDIs) were evaluated clinically between cabozantinib and (1) a CYP3A inducer (rifampin) in healthy volunteers, (2) a CYP3A inhibitor (ketoconazole) in healthy volunteers, and (3) a CYP2C8 substrate (rosiglitazone) in patients with solid tumors. Compared with cabozantinib given alone, coadministration with rifampin resulted in a 4.3‐fold higher plasma clearance (CL/F) of cabozantinib and a 77% decrease in cabozantinib plasma AUC0–inf, whereas coadministration with ketoconazole decreased cabozantinib CL/F by 29% and increased cabozantinib AUC0–inf by 38%. Chronic coadministration with cabozantinib resulted in no significant effect on rosiglitazone plasma Cmax, AUC0–24, or AUC0–inf. In summary, chronic use of strong CYP3A inducers and inhibitors should be avoided when cabozantinib is administered, and cabozantinib at clinically relevant exposures is not anticipated to markedly affect the PK of concomitant medications via CYP enzyme inhibition.
When do patient‐reported outcome measures inform readmission risk?
Authors: Hinami Keiki , Smith Jennifer , Deamant Catherine D. , DuBeshter Kayle , Trick William E.
Published: April 2015

OBJECTIVE

To characterize changes in patient‐reported outcome measures from hospital discharge to assess when they best inform risk of utilization as defined by readmissions or emergency department use.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients discharged from an urban safety‐net hospital.

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort study.

MAIN MEASURES

We serially administered the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) and the PROMIS Global Health short form assessing General Self‐Rated Health (GSRH), Global Physical (GPH), and Mental (GMH) Health at 0, 30, 90, and 180 days from hospital discharge. Time to first utilization from each survey was plotted by dichotomizing our sample on each patient‐reported measure, and equivalence of the time‐to‐event curves was assessed using the log‐rank test. Cox proportional hazard models were used to control for available covariates including prior utilization during the study, Charlson score, age, gender, and race/ethnicity. We assessed each measure's effect on the fit of the predictive models using the likelihood ratio test.

KEY RESULTS

We recruited 196 patients, of whom 100%, 98%, 90%, and 88% completed each respective survey wave. Participants’ mean age was 52 years, 51% were women, 60% were non‐Hispanic black, and 21% completed the questionnaires in Spanish. In‐hospital assessments revealed high symptom burden and poor health status. In‐hospital assessments of GMH and GSRH predicted 14‐day reutilization, whereas posthospitalization assessments of MSAS and GPH predicted subsequent utilizations. Each measure selectively improved predictive model fit.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine measurement of patient‐reported outcomes can help identify patients at higher risk for utilizations. At different time points, MSAS, GPH, GMH, and GSRH all informed utilization risk. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:294–300. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Novel pathogenic variants and genes for myopathies identified by whole exome sequencing
Authors: Hunter Jesse M. , Ahearn Mary Ellen , Balak Christopher D. , Liang Winnie S. , Kurdoglu Ahmet , Corneveaux Jason J. , Russell Megan , Huentelman Matthew J. , Craig David W. , Carpten John , Coons Stephen W. , DeMello Daphne E. , Hall Judith G. , Bernes Saunder M. , Baumbach‐Reardon Lisa
Published: April 2015

Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) account for a significant proportion of infant and childhood mortality and devastating chronic disease. Determining the specific diagnosis of NMD is challenging due to thousands of unique or rare genetic variants that result in overlapping phenotypes. We present four unique childhood myopathy cases characterized by relatively mild muscle weakness, slowly progressing course, mildly elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and contractures. We also present two additional cases characterized by severe prenatal/neonatal myopathy. Prior extensive genetic testing and histology of these cases did not reveal the genetic etiology of disease. Here, we applied whole exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatics to identify likely causal pathogenic variants in each pedigree. In two cases, we identified novel pathogenic variants in COL6A3. In a third case, we identified novel likely pathogenic variants in COL6A6 and COL6A3. We identified a novel splice variant in EMD in a fourth case. Finally, we classify two cases as calcium channelopathies with identification of novel pathogenic variants in RYR1 and CACNA1S. These are the first cases of myopathies reported to be caused by variants in COL6A6 and CACNA1S. Our results demonstrate the utility and genetic diagnostic value of WES in the broad class of NMD phenotypes.
Self‐diffusion and interactions in mixtures of imidazolium bis(mandelato)borate ionic liquids with polyethylene glycol:1H NMR study
Authors: Filippov Andrei , Azancheev Nail , Taher Mamoun , Shah Faiz Ullah , Rabét Pauline , Glavatskih Sergei , Antzutkin Oleg N.
Published: April 2015

We used1H nuclear magnetic resonance pulsed‐field gradient to study the self‐diffusion of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ions in a mixture of PEG and imidazolium bis(mandelato)borate ionic liquids (ILs) at IL concentrations from 0 to 10 wt% and temperatures from 295 to 370 K. PEG behaves as a solvent for these ILs, allowing observation of separate lines in1H NMR spectra assigned to the cation and anion as well as to PEG. The diffusion coefficients of PEG, as well as the imidazolium cation and bis(mandelato)borate (BMB) anion, differ under all experimental conditions tested. This demonstrates that the IL in the mixture is present in at least a partially dissociated state, while the lifetimes of the associated states of the ions and ions with PEG are less than ~30 ms. Generally, increasing the concentration of the IL leads to a decrease in the diffusion coefficients of PEG and both ions. The diffusion coefficient of the anion is less than that of the cation; the molecular mass dependence of diffusion of ions can be described by the Stokes–Einstein model. NMR chemical shift alteration analysis showed that the presence of PEG changes mainly the chemical shifts of protons belonging to imidazole ring of the cation, while chemical shifts of protons of anions and PEG remain unchanged. This demonstrated that the imidazolium cation interacts mainly with PEG, which most probably occurs through the oxygen of PEG and the imidazole ring. The BMB anion does not strongly interact with PEG, but it may be indirectly affected by PEG through interaction with the cation, which directly interacts with PEG. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epitaxial growth of chromium nitride thin films with addition of silicon
Authors: Suzuki Kazuma , Suzuki Tsuneo , Endo Toshiyuki , Nakayama Tadachika , Suematsu Hisayuki , Niihara Koichi
Published: April 2015

Epitaxial Cr‐Si‐N thin films were prepared on MgO (100) substrates with a misfit of ‐1.7% with respect to CrN, by pulsed laser deposition. The Si content in the thin films were controlled by varying the ratio of target surface area of Si for Cr. X‐ray diffraction and microstructure observation showed that the thin films were epitaxially grown with the Si contents up to 10 mol% and no grain boundary could be observed. It was considered that the epitaxial thin films consisted of (Cr,Si)N phase, which was synthesized by partial replacement of Cr in CrN lattice with Si. The thin films with the Si contents above 11 mol% formed the polycrystalline. The hardness of the epitaxial Cr‐Si‐N thin films increased with increasing the Si content and the thin films showed the maximum hardness value of 51 GPa. It was considered that the hardening was caused by dissolution of Si in CrN. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrical performance of the InGaP solar cell irradiated with low energy electron beams
Authors: Okuno Yasuki , Okuda Shuichi , Kojima Takeo , Oka Takashi , Kawakita Shirou , Imaizumi Mitsuru , Kusawake Hiroaki
Published: April 2015

The investigation of the radiation degradation characteristics of InGaP space solar cells is important. In order to understand the mechanism of the degradation by radiation the samples of the InGaP solar cell were irradiated in vacuum and at ambient temperature with electron beams from a Cockcroft‐Walton type accelerator at Osaka Prefecture University. The threshold energies for recoil were obtained by theoretical calculation. The energies and the fluences of the electron beams were from 60 to 400 keV and from 3×1014 to 3×1016 cm‐2, respectively. The light‐current‐voltage measurements were performed. The degradation of Isc caused by the defects related to the phosphorus atoms was observed and the degradation was suppressed by irradiation at an energy higher than the threshold energy for recoiling Indium atoms. At an energy of 60 keV, where the recoil does not occur, the Voc was degraded. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Properties of in situ HCl‐doped emeraldine polyaniline on n ‐Si(100) substrates for diode application
Authors: Ontolan J. P. B. , Alcantara P. A. M. , Vequizo R. M. , Odarve M. K. , Sambo B. R. B.
Published: April 2015

In this study, the characteristic physicochemical and electrical properties of HCl‐doped polyaniline (PAni) films grown via oxidative chemical polymerization of aniline on n ‐Si(100) are presented. Two exothermic processes were found for 0.2 M HCl solution during aniline polymerization while all others underwent one exothermic process only. All polyaniline films were of emeraldine salt form that exhibited connected rod‐like to agglomerated grains and dendritic surface morphologies on top of wetting layer with increasing hydrochloric acid concentration. Rectifying behaviour of p‐ PAni/n ‐Si(100) heterojunctions were also found indicating the formation of p‐n junction between p ‐PAni and n ‐Si(100). (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Excitonic emission of TlGaSe2
Authors: Hagiwara Masashi , Paucar Raul , Shim YongGu , Wakita Kazuki , Alekperov Oktay , Najafov Arzu , Mamedov Nazim
Published: April 2015

Photoluminescence (PL) spectra in the band‐edge region of bulk single‐crystals of layered ternary chalcogenide TlGaSe2 were examined at low temperature using confocal microscopy. Obvious PL emission near the band‐edge region appeared only when the excitation light travelled in the direction normal to the c axis of the crystal structure of TlGaSe2. The observed PL spectra were resolved into two Gaussian peaks, A and B, located at 2.01 and 2.10 eV, respectively. By analyzing the excitation intensity dependence of the PL intensity, we assigned peak B to proper free excitons, whereas peak A seems to represent free excitons derived from the distorted crystal structure of TlGaSe2. This is the first observation of free excitons in TlGaSe2 by PL measurement. We also examined the temperature dependence of the PL intensity. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Histamine H1 antagonist levocetirizine as a potential cause of lung injury
Authors: Endo Satoshi , Yamamoto Yasushi , Minami Yoshinori , Okumura Shunsuke , Sasaki Takaaki , Ohsaki Yoshinobu
Published: April 2015

Histamine H1 antagonists rarely cause drug‐induced lung injury (DLI). A woman in her 60s, who had been taking antihistaminic levocetirizine for 2 months, presented with progressive cough and shortness of breath. A chest radiograph showed patchy infiltrations on both lower lung fields. Chest computed tomography findings were consistent with non‐specific interstitial pneumonia. Serum markers associated with interstitial pneumonias were elevated. Room air arterial blood gas analysis revealed hypoxemia. Restrictive ventilatory impairment was noted with reduced diffusing capacity. Transbronchial lung biopsy specimens demonstrated unclassifiable alveolitis. Steroid pulse therapy was introduced for respiratory distress, but the initial response to treatment was poor. A drug lymphocyte stimulation test was positive for levocetirizine. The interstitial pneumonia improved following withdrawal of levocetirizine. Her illness has not recurred under steroid therapy and the discontinuation of levocetirizine. Antihistaminics may have a potential risk of DLI.
Association between ICS POP‐Q coordinates and translabial ultrasound findings: implications for definition of ‘normal pelvic organ support’
Authors: Dietz H. P. , Kamisan Atan I. , Salita A.
Published: April 2015

Objectives

Female pelvic organ prolapse is quantified on clinical examination using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system of the International Continence Society (ICS POP‐Q). Pelvic organ descent on ultrasound is strongly associated with symptoms of prolapse, but associations between clinical and ultrasound findings remain unclear. This study was designed to compare clinical examination and imaging findings, especially regarding cut‐offs for the distinction between normal pelvic organ support and prolapse.

Methods

This was a retrospective study using 839 archived datasets of women referred to a tertiary urogynecological center for symptoms of lower urinary tract and pelvic floor dysfunction between June 2011 and May 2013. The main outcome measures were the maximum downward displacement of the anterior vaginal wall (point Ba), the cervix (point C) and the posterior vaginal wall (point Bp), the length of the genital hiatus (Gh) and the length of the perineal body (Pb), as defined by the ICS POP‐Q; explanatory parameters were measures of pelvic organ descent on translabial ultrasound, ascertained by offline volume data analysis at a later date, by an operator blinded to all other data.

Results

Full datasets were available for 825 women. On clinical examination, 646 (78.3%) were found to have prolapse of at least POP‐Q Stage 2. All coordinates on clinical examination were strongly associated with the ultrasound measurements of pelvic organ descent (P < 0.001). These relationships were almost linear, especially for the anterior compartment.

Conclusions

There is a near linear relationship between sonographic and clinical measures of prolapse. Previously proposed cut‐offs to define ‘significant prolapse’ on ultrasound and POP‐Q (Ba ≥ –0.5 and cystocele ≥ 10 mm below the symphysis pubis, C ≥ –5 and uterine position of 15 mm above the symphysis pubis, Bp ≥ –0.5 and rectocele ≥ 15 mm below the symphysis pubis) are plausible and mutually consistent. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Get the Message: Targeting Beliefs to Develop Risk Reduction Intervention Messages for African American Adolescents
Authors: Carmack Chakema , Lewis Rhonda K. , Roncancio Angelica
Published: April 2015

Risk reduction interventions that promote condom use, a vital component of most HIV prevention interventions, have been successful in increasing condom use among African American adolescents. Understanding theoretical components that lead to behavior change and selecting relevant risk reduction messages remain important considerations for targeting new interventions and tailoring existing interventions. The present study sought to (1) identify the most important theoretical determinants of condom use intention in African American adolescent males and females, separately, using the integrative model of behavior prediction, and (2) identify underlying beliefs within the determinants that were good candidates for message development in similar interventions. Using 446 African American adolescents, multi‐group SEM indicated that the gender‐specific IM exhibited a better fit than the overall model. Specifically, the IM had a stronger capacity for predicting condom use intention and condom use behavior for adolescent boys. Using a specific criteria for message selection, specific condom use beliefs were discussed as potential candidate messages for both African American males and females.
Genetic basis of alpha‐aminoadipic and alpha‐ketoadipic aciduria
Authors: Hagen Jacob , te Brinke Heleen , Wanders Ronald J. A. , Knegt Alida C. , Oussoren Esmee , Hoogeboom A. Jeannette M. , Ruijter George J. G. , Becker Daniel , Schwab Karl Otfried , Franke Ingo , Duran Marinus , Waterham Hans R. , Sass Jörn Oliver , Houten Sander M.
Published: April 2015

Alpha‐aminoadipic and alpha‐ketoadipic aciduria is an autosomal recessive inborn error of lysine, hydroxylysine, and tryptophan degradation. To date, DHTKD1 mutations have been reported in two alpha‐aminoadipic and alpha‐ketoadipic aciduria patients. We have now sequenced DHTKD1 in nine patients diagnosed with alpha‐aminoadipic and alpha‐ketoadipic aciduria as well as one patient with isolated alpha‐aminoadipic aciduria, and identified causal mutations in eight. We report nine novel mutations, including three missense mutations, two nonsense mutations, two splice donor mutations, one duplication, and one deletion and insertion. Two missense mutations, one of which was reported before, were observed in the majority of cases. The clinical presentation of this group of patients was inhomogeneous. Our results confirm that alpha‐aminoadipic and alpha‐ketoadipic aciduria is caused by mutations in DHTKD1, and further establish that DHTKD1 encodes the E1 subunit of the alpha‐ketoadipic acid dehydrogenase complex.
Old treatments for new insights and strategies: proposed management in adults and children with alkaptonuria
Authors: Arnoux Jean‐Baptiste , Le Quan Sang Kim‐Hanh , Brassier Anais , Grisel Coraline , Servais Aude , Wippf Julien , Dubois Sandrine , Sireau Nicolas , Job‐Deslandre Chantal , Ranganath Lakshminarayan , de Lonlay Pascale
Published: April 2015

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is caused by deficiency of the enzyme homogentisate 1,2 dioxygenase. It results in an accumulation of homogentisate which oxidizes spontaneously to benzoquinone acetate, a highly oxidant compound, which polymerises to a melanin‐like structure, in a process called ochronosis. Asymptomatic during childhood, this accumulation will lead from the second decade of life to a progressive and severe spondylo‐arthopathy, associated with multisystem involvement: osteoporosis/fractures, stones (renal, prostatic, gall bladder, salivary glands), ruptures of tendons/muscle/ligaments, renal failure and aortic valve disease. The pathophysiological mechanisms of AKU remain poorly understood, but recent advances lead us to reconsider the treatment strategy in AKU patients. Besides the supporting therapies (pain killers, anti‐inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, joints replacements and others), specific therapies have been considered (anti‐oxidant, low protein diet, nitisinone), but clinical studies have failed to prove efficiency on the rheumatological lesions of the disease. Here we propose a treatment strategy for children and adults with AKU, based on a review of the latest findings on AKU and lessons from other aminoacipathies, especially tyrosinemias.
Alteration of Wax Ester Content and Composition in Euglena gracilis with Gene Silencing of 3‐ketoacyl‐CoA Thiolase Isozymes
Authors: Nakazawa Masami , Andoh Hiroko , Koyama Keiichiro , Watanabe Yomi , Nakai Takeo , Ueda Mitsuhiro , Sakamoto Tatsuji , Inui Hiroshi , Nakano Yoshihisa , Miyatake Kazutaka
Published: April 2015

Euglena gracilis produces wax ester under hypoxic and anaerobic culture conditions with a net synthesis of ATP. In wax ester fermentation, fatty acids are synthesized by reversing beta‐oxidation in mitochondria. A major species of wax ester produced by E. gracilis is myristyl myristate (14:0‐14:0Alc). Because of its shorter carbon chain length with saturated compounds, biodiesel produced from E. gracilis wax ester may have good cold flow properties with high oxidative stability. We reasoned that a slight metabolic modification would enable E. gracilis to produce a biofuel of ideal composition. In order to produce wax ester with shorter acyl chain length, we focused on isozymes of the enzyme 3‐ketoacyl‐CoA thiolase (KAT), a condensing enzyme of the mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis pathway in E. gracilis. We performed a gene silencing study of KAT isozymes in E. gracilis. Six KAT isozymes were identified in the E. gracilis EST database, and silencing any three of them (EgKAT1‐3) altered the wax ester amount and composition. In particular, silencing EgKAT1 induced a significant compositional shift to shorter carbon chain lengths in wax ester. A model fuel mixture inferred from the composition of wax ester in EgKAT1‐silenced cells showed a significant decrease in melting point compared to that of the control cells.
The Effects of Omega‐3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Consumption on Mammary Carcinogenesis
Authors: Witte Theodore R. , Hardman W. Elaine
Published: April 2015

The consumption of omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. Studies in animals and in vitro have demonstrated mechanisms that could explain this apparent effect, but clinical and epidemiological studies have returned conflicting results on the practical benefits of dietary n‐3 PUFA for prevention of breast cancer. Effects are often only significant within a population when comparing the highest n‐3 PUFA consumption group to the lowest n‐3 group or highest n‐6 group. The beneficial effects of n‐3 PUFA eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic on the risk of breast cancer are dose dependent and are negatively affected by total n‐6 consumption. The majority of the world population, including the most highly developed regions, consumes insufficient n‐3 PUFA to significantly reduce breast cancer risk. This review discusses the physiological and dietary context in which reduction of breast cancer risk may occur, some proposed mechanisms of action and meaningful recommendations for consumption of n‐3 PUFA in the diet of developed regions.
A case of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding from a rectal Dieulafoy lesion
Authors: Lee Yuan‐Kai , Bair Ming‐Jong , Chen Huan‐Lin , Lin I‐Tsung , Wu Chia‐Hsien
Published: April 2015

A Dieulafoy lesion is an uncommon and sometimes life‐threatening cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Typically, it presents as a tiny mucosal defect with an exposed protruding artery with normal surrounding mucosa. An 84‐year‐old woman developed sudden massive hematochezia and had an unstable hemodynamic status. The source of bleeding was found to be an exposed vessel in the rectum without surrounding ulceration. The patient was treated successfully with an epinephrine injection given endoscopically, followed by hemostatic clipping.
Cloning and expressing a highly functional and substrate specific farnesoic acid o‐methyltransferase from the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama)
Authors: Van Ekert Evelien , Shatters Robert G. , Rougé Pierre , Powell Charles A. , Smagghe Guy , Borovsky Dov
Published: April 2015

The Asian citrus psyllid,Diaphorina citri, transmits a phloem‐limited bacterium,Candidatus ‘Liberibacter’ asiaticus that causes citrus greening disease. Because juvenile hormone (JH) plays an important role in adult and nymphal development, we studied the final steps in JH biosynthesis inD. citri. A putative JH acid methyltransferase ortholog gene (jmtD) and its cognate cDNA were identified by searchingD. citri genome database. Expression analysis shows expression in all life stages. In adults, it is expressed in the head‐thorax, (containing the corpora allata), and the abdomen (containing ovaries and male accessory glands). A 3D protein model identified the catalytic groove with catalytically active amino acids and the S‐adenosyl methionine (SAM)‐binding loop. The cDNA was expressed inEscherichia coli cells and the purified enzyme showed high preference for farnesoic acid (FA) and homoFA (kcat of 0.752 × 10−3 and 0.217 × 10−3s−1, respectively) as compared to JH acid I (JHA I) (cis/trans/cis; 2Z, 6E, 10cis), JHA III (2E, 6E,10cis), and JHA I (trans/cis/cis; 2E, 2Z, 10cis) (kcat of 0.081 × 10−3, 0.013 × 10−3, and 0.003 × 10−3s−1, respectively). This suggests that this ortholog is aDcFA‐o‐methyl transferase gene (fmtD), not ajmtD, and that JH biosynthesis inD. citri proceeds from FA to JH III through methyl farnesoate (MF).DcFA‐o‐MT does not require Ca2+, Mg2+ or Zn2+, however, Zn2+ (1 mM) completely inhibits the enzyme probably by binding H115 at the active groove. This represents the first purified FA‐o‐MT from Hemiptera with preferred biological activity for FA and not JHA.
The effect of dialectical thinking on the integration of contradictory information
Authors: DeMotta Yoshiko , Chao Mike Chen‐ho , Kramer Thomas
Published: April 2015

Although lower dialectical thinking has been associated with greater extremity in consumer responses to univalent information, we demonstrate that low, as compared to high, dialectical thinkers express more moderate attitudes when they result from processing contradictory information. Specifically, our studies find that contradictory product information is less fluently processed by consumers low (vs. high) in dialectical thinking, which reduces their judgmental confidence and, in turn, generates more moderate attitudes. We contribute to the literature by showing that in contexts of contradictory information integration, current theory regarding the consequences of dialectical thinking needs to be extended to include not only an attenuation of the extremity effect prior research has found, but a complete reversal. Our results further imply that processing fluency not only impacts attitude valence but, more generally, attitude extremity.
Optimal pricing for new and remanufactured products
Authors: Abbey James D. , Blackburn Joseph D. , Guide V. Daniel R.
Published: April 2015

This work investigates the optimal pricing of new and remanufactured products using a model of consumer preferences based on extensive experimentation. The experimental investigation reveals two distinct segments of consumers. One segment is relatively indifferent between new and remanufactured products and displays high sensitivity to price discounts. The second segment shows strong preferences for new products—with an accompanying aversion to remanufactured products—and realtively low sensitivity to price discounts. The pricing analysis examines several scenarios involving a new product manufacturer, ranging from a simple monopolist scenario to a more complex scenario involving competition with third‐party remanufacturers. In contrast to the usual finding that new product prices should decrease when competitive remanufactured products enter the market, the introduction of market segments reveals a robust finding across all scenarios: when remanufactured products enter the market, the optimal price of the new product should increase. Through appropriate pricing of new products, the OEM can mitigate the effects of cannibalization and increase profitability.
The Economic Origins of Entrenched Judicial Review
Authors: Harvey Anna
Published: April 2015

This article proposes a new explanation for the origins of entrenched judicial review, or judicial review supported by supermajority constitutional amendment requirements. The explanation is based on ex ante levels of economic inequality: Where economic inequality is higher, economic elites have more to lose from the advent of majority rule. These elites will have both greater incentives and greater ability to resist or check institutions responsive to popular majorities. We may then be more likely to see the adoption of less democratically responsive institutions, like entrenched judicial review, where more unequal wealth and income distributions are threatened by majority rule. The theory is consistent with the qualitative historical record from several former British colonies, including that of the United States. It also finds considerable support in an econometric analysis of the presence of entrenched judicial review in the first year of continuous democracy for those former European colonies that had become democracies by 2008, where pre-independence European mortality rates are used as a proxy for pre-independence economic inequality. These findings suggest that the adoption of entrenched judicial review in democracies may have been motivated at least in part because of its anticipated protection for higher levels of economic inequality.
Time Estimation and Production in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND)
Authors: Doyle Katie L. , Morgan Erin E. , Weber Erica , Woods Steven Paul ,   The HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) Group
Published: April 2015

The ability to accurately perceive the passage of time relies on several neurocognitive abilities, including attention, memory, and executive functions, which are domains commonly affected in persons living with HIV disease. The current study examined time estimation and production and their neurocognitive correlates in a sample of 53 HIV+ individuals with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), 120 HIV+ individuals without HAND, and 113 HIV− individuals. Results revealed a moderate main effect of HAND on time estimation and a trend-level effect on time production, but no interaction between HAND and time interval duration. Correlational analyses revealed that time estimation in the HIV+ group was associated with attention, episodic memory and time-based prospective memory. Findings indicate that individuals with HAND evidence deficits in time interval judgment suggestive of failures in basic attentional and memory processes. (JINS, 2015,21, 175–181)
Einflussfaktoren auf die Entwicklung von Statistical Literacy und von Sichtweisen auf zufallsbedingte Variabilität in der achten Realschulklasse
Authors: Sproesser Ute , Engel Joachim , Kuntze Sebastian
Published: April 2015

Obschon grundlegende Kompetenzen des Verstehens und Interpretierens von Daten in unserer Informationsgesellschaft inzwischen als unerlässlich gelten, existieren jedoch bislang nur wenige Erkenntnisse darüber, welche Variablen die Entwicklung von Statistical Literacy begünstigen. Diese Studie untersuchte daher in einer Stichprobe von 450 Schülerinnen und Schülern der achten Realschulklasse wesentlichen Variable bezüglich Statistical Literacy im Verlauf einer vierstündigen Intervention. Insbesondere wurde in den Blick genommen, inwieweit Leseverständnis, kognitive Fähigkeiten, mathematische Schulleistung und das Geschlecht dazu beitrugen, Kompetenz im Bereich von Statistical Literacy und Sichtweisen auf Variabilität zu entwickeln. Während nur geringe Unterschiede in der Entwicklung von Statistical Literacy zwischen verschiedenen Treatments der Intervention festgestellt werden konnten, stellten sich kognitive Fähigkeiten, mathematische Schulleistung und Geschlecht als bedeutsam heraus. Für die Entwicklung von Sichtweisen auf zufallsbedingte Variabilität dagegen spielte ausschließlich die Treatmentzugehörigkeit eine Rolle. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse ermöglichen für die fachdidaktische Theoriebildung bedeutsame Erkenntnisse über die Ausprägung und Entwicklung von Statistical Literacy in der achten Realschulklasse sowie Einblicke in Zusammenhänge mit individuellen Voraussetzungen der Lernenden. Im Hinblick auf die Unterrichtspraxis können die Ergebnisse einen Beitrag zu einer evidenzbasierten Einschätzung darüber liefern, inwiefern Statistical Literacy durch die entwickelten Lernmaterialien gefördert werden kann.
Warum ist1 von 2wahrscheinlicher als2 von 9?
Authors: Till Christoph
Published: April 2015

Im vorliegenden Artikel wird ein Ansatz zur Förderung elementarer stochastischer Kompetenzen in der Grundschule beschrieben. Befunde aus der kognitionspsychologischen und didaktischen Forschung belegen, dass Fehlvorstellungen und Fehlkonzepte im stochastischen Denken weit verbreitet sind, viele dieser Fehlvorstellungen jedoch auf das Darstellungsformat zurückzuführen sind, in welchem die Daten dargeboten werden. Kognitionspsychologen sprechen sich daher dafür aus, anhand geeigneter Repräsentationen in Form von Steckwürfeln (enaktiv), Piktogrammen (ikonisch) und natürlicher Häufigkeiten (numerisch) das Verständnis für Wahrscheinlichkeiten bereits vor der Einführung des Bruchzahl- und Prozentbegriffs zu schulen. Diese Art der Darstellung statistischer Information hat sich in diversen Studien sowohl für Erwachsene als auch Kinder als besonders gewinnbringend gezeigt. In einer Interventionsstudie wurde eine Lerneinheit in der 4. Grundschulklasse durchgeführt, um die Effektivität dieser Repräsentationsformate empirisch zu überprüfen. In vier Schulstunden wurden verschiedene Bereiche der mathematischen Risikomodellierung thematisiert. Dazu zählten: Vergleichen von Verhältnissen und Wahrscheinlichkeiten, Abwägen von Handlungsoptionen anhand von Zufallsexperimenten und die Auseinandersetzung mit sich veränderten Wahrscheinlichkeiten durch neue Information.

Der Fokus des vorliegenden Artikels richtet sich auf den Proportionsbegriff als wesentliches Element für Wahrscheinlichkeiten. Die Studie sollte unter anderem empirische Belege liefern, ob das Verständnis für Proportionen anhand der genannten Repräsentationsformate gefördert werden kann und welche Strategien die Lernenden vor und nach der Lerneinheit zum Lösen von Wahrscheinlichkeits- und Häufigkeitsvergleichen verwenden. Aus den Ergebnissen geht hervor, dass Schülerinnen und Schüler von den Repräsentationsformaten profitieren, da sie nach der Einheit vermehrt auf korrekte multiplikative Strategien beim Verhältnisvergleich zurückgreifen. Dabei bestimmen jedoch zu allen Testzeitpunkten der Aufgabentyp und die Aufgabenschwierigkeit die Wahl der Strategie.
Lysosomal ceramide generated by acid sphingomyelinase triggers cytosolic cathepsin B-mediated degradation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein in natural killer/T lymphoma cell apoptosis
Authors: Taniguchi M , Ogiso H , Takeuchi T , Kitatani K , Umehara H , Okazaki T
Published: April 2015

We previously reported that IL-2 deprivation induced acid sphingomyelinase-mediated (ASM-mediated) ceramide elevation and apoptosis in an NK/T lymphoma cell line KHYG-1. However, the molecular mechanism of ASM–ceramide-mediated apoptosis during IL-2 deprivation is poorly understood. Here, we showed that IL-2 deprivation induces caspase-dependent apoptosis characterized by phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase-8, -9, and -3 cleavage, and degradation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). IL-2 re-supplementation rescued apoptosis via inhibition of XIAP degradation without affecting caspase cleavage. However, IL-2 deprivation induced ceramide elevation via ASM in lysosomes and activated lysosomal cathepsin B (CTSB) but not cathepsin D. A CTSB inhibitor CA-074 Me and knockdown of CTSB inhibited ceramide-mediated XIAP degradation and apoptosis. Inhibition of ceramide accumulation in lysosomes using an ASM inhibitor, desipramine, decreased cytosolic activation of CTSB by inhibiting its transfer into cytosol from the lysosome. Knockdown of ASM also inhibited XIAP degradation and apoptosis. Furthermore, cell permeable N-acetyl sphingosine (C2-ceramide), which increases mainly endogenous d18:1/16:0 and d18:1/24:1 ceramide-like IL-2 deprivation, induced caspase-dependent apoptosis with XIAP degradation through CTSB. These findings suggest that lysosomal ceramide produced by ASM mediates XIAP degradation by activation of cytosolic CTSB and caspase-dependent apoptosis. The ASM–ceramide–CTSB signaling axis is a novel pathway of ceramide-mediated apoptosis in IL-2-deprived NK/T lymphoma cells.
Oroxylin A inhibits glycolysis-dependent proliferation of human breast cancer via promoting SIRT3-mediated SOD2 transcription and HIF1α destabilization
Authors: Wei L , Zhou Y , Qiao C , Ni T , Li Z , You Q , Guo Q , Lu N
Published: April 2015

Alterations of cellular metabolism play a central role in the development and progression of cancer. Oroxylin A, an active flavonoid of a Chinese traditional medicinal plant, was previously shown to modulate glycolysis in cancer cells. However, the mechanism by which oroxylin A regulates glycolysis is still not well defined. Here, we show that oroxylin A inhibits glycolysis in breast cancer cells via the Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3)-mediated destabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF1α), which controls glycolytic gene expression. Oroxylin A promotes superoxide dismutase (SOD2) gene expression through SIRT3-regulated DNA-binding activity of FOXO3a and increases the activity of SOD2 by promoting SIRT3-mediated deacetylation.In vivo, oroxylin A inhibits the growth of transplanted human breast tumors associated with glycolytic suppression. These data indicate that oroxylin A inhibits glycolysis-dependent proliferation of breast cancer cells, through the suppression of HIF1αstabilization via SIRT3 activation, providing preclinical information for the cancer therapies of SIRT3 stimulation.
Whole-exome sequencing of pancreatic cancer defines genetic diversity and therapeutic targets
Authors: Witkiewicz Agnieszka K. , McMillan Elizabeth A. , Balaji Uthra , Baek GuemHee , Lin Wan-Chi , Mansour John , Mollaee Mehri , Wagner Kay-Uwe , Koduru Prasad , Yopp Adam , Choti Michael A. , Yeo Charles J. , McCue Peter , White Michael A. , Knudsen Erik S.
Published: April 2015

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) has a dismal prognosis and insights into both disease etiology and targeted intervention are needed. A total of 109 micro-dissected PDA cases were subjected to whole-exome sequencing. Microdissection enriches tumour cellularity and enhances mutation calling. Here we show that environmental stress and alterations in DNA repair genes associate with distinct mutation spectra. Copy number alterations target multiple tumour suppressive/oncogenic loci; however, amplification of MYC is uniquely associated with poor outcome and adenosquamous subtype. We identify multiple novel mutated genes in PDA, with select genes harbouring prognostic significance. RBM10 mutations associate with longer survival in spite of histological features of aggressive disease. KRAS mutations are observed in >90% of cases, but codon Q61 alleles are selectively associated with improved survival. Oncogenic BRAF mutations are mutually exclusive with KRAS and define sensitivity to vemurafenib in PDA models. High-frequency alterations in Wnt signalling, chromatin remodelling, Hedgehog signalling, DNA repair and cell cycle processes are observed. Together, these data delineate new genetic diversity of PDA and provide insights into prognostic determinants and therapeutic targets.
Sensitivity of nonlinear photoionization to resonance substructure in collective excitation
Authors: Mazza T. , Karamatskou A. , Ilchen M. , Bakhtiarzadeh S. , Rafipoor A. J. , O’Keeffe P. , Kelly T. J. , Walsh N. , Costello J. T. , Meyer M. , Santra R.
Published: April 2015

Collective behaviour is a characteristic feature in many-body systems, important for developments in fields such as magnetism, superconductivity, photonics and electronics. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the optically nonlinear response of collective excitations. Here we demonstrate how the nonlinear interaction of a many-body system with intense XUV radiation can be used as an effective probe for characterizing otherwise unresolved features of its collective response. Resonant photoionization of atomic xenon was chosen as a case study. The excellent agreement between experiment and theory strongly supports the prediction that two distinct poles underlie the giant dipole resonance. Our results pave the way towards a deeper understanding of collective behaviour in atoms, molecules and solid-state systems using nonlinear spectroscopic techniques enabled by modern short-wavelength light sources.
Crystal structure and Temperature-Dependent Luminescence Characteristics of KMg4(PO4)3:Eu2+ phosphor for White Light-emitting diodes
Authors: Chen Jian , Liu Yangai , Mei Lefu , Liu Haikun , Fang Minghao , Huang Zhaohui
Published: April 2015

The KMg4(PO4)3:Eu2+ phosphor was prepared by the conventional high temperature solid-state reaction. The crystal structure, luminescence and reflectance spectra, thermal stability, quantum efficiency and the application for N-UV LED were studied respectively. The phase formation and crystal structure of KMg4(PO4)3:Eu2+ were confirmed from the powder X-ray diffraction and the Rietveld refinement. The concentration quenching of Eu2+ in the KMg4(PO4)3 host was determined to be 1mol% and the quenching mechanism was certified to be the dipole–dipole interaction. The energy transfer critical distance of as-prepared phosphor was calculated to be about 35.84Å. Furthermore, the phosphor exhibited good thermal stability and the corresponding activation energy ΔE was reckoned to be 0.24eV. Upon excitation at 365nm, the internal quantum efficiency of the optimized KMg4(PO4)3:Eu2+ was estimated to be 50.44%. The white N-UV LEDs was fabricated via KMg4(PO4)3:Eu2+, green-emitting (Ba,Sr)2SiO4:Eu2+ and red-emitting CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ phosphors with a near-UV chip. The excellent color rendering index (Ra = 96) at a correlated color temperature (5227.08K) with CIE coordinates of x = 0.34, y = 0.35 of the WLED device indicates that KMg4(PO4)3:Eu2+ is a promising blue-emitting phosphor for white N-UV light emitting diodes (LEDs).
Autophagy Stimulation Abrogates Herpes simplex Virus-1 Infection
Authors: Yakoub Abraam M. , Shukla Deepak
Published: April 2015

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) is a double-stranded DNA virus that causes life-long infections. HSV-1 infections may lead to herpetic stromal keratitis that may advance to corneal blindness. HSV-1 infections can also cause fatal conditions, such as herpes encephalitis, or neonatal disease. A major virulence mechanism of HSV-1 is the control of autophagy, an innate immune defense strategy that could otherwise degrade viral particles. Here, to investigate a new mechanism for antiviral therapy, we tested the effect of various autophagy inducers (physiological and pharmacological) on infection. Autophagy stimulation was confirmed to significantly suppress HSV-1 infection in various cell types, without affecting cell viability. This study establishes the importance of autophagy for regulating HSV-1 infection and provides a proof-of-principle evidence for a novel antiviral mechanism.
Investigating the synthetic mechanism of 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole by using fibre optic ATR-IR spectroscopy combined with kernel independent component analysis
Authors: Li Hua , Gao Jun , Tang Hongsheng , Li Jiguang , Zhang Tianlong , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: April 2015

Investigating the synthetic mechanism of 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole by using fibre optic ATR-IR spectroscopy combined with kernel independent component analysis.
A study of procyanidin binding to Histatin 5 using Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) and molecular simulations
Authors: Shraberg Joshua , Rick Steven W. , Rannulu Nalaka , Cole Richard B.
Published: April 2015

First study correlating experimental mass spectrometry with computational simulations (gas and solution phases) that examines procyanidin binding to Histatin 5.
Vegetable-based dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Calogero Giuseppe , Bartolotta Antonino , Di Marco Gaetano , Di Carlo Aldo , Bonaccorso Francesco
Published: April 2015

In this review we provide an overview of vegetable pigments in dye-sensitized solar cells, starting from main limitations of cell performance to cost analysis and scaling-up prospects.
Stability of biodiesel, its improvement and the effect of antioxidant treated blends on engine performance and emission
Authors: Rashed M. M. , Kalam M. A. , Masjuki H. H. , Rashedul H. K. , Ashraful A. M. , Shancita I. , Ruhul A. M.
Published: April 2015

Biodiesel consists of long chain fatty acid esters derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, and used oils.
Fabrication of a reusable magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube–TiO2 nanocomposite by electrostatic adsorption: enhanced photodegradation of malachite green
Authors: Daneshvar Tarigh Ghazale , Shemirani Farzaneh , Maz'hari Nezam Seif
Published: April 2015

A simple, quick and efficient method for the fabrication of a magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube–TiO2 (MMWCNT–TiO2) nanocomposite through electrostatic attraction was proposed as a novel method.
Bodipy–C60 triple hydrogen bonding assemblies as heavy atom-free triplet photosensitizers: preparation and study of the singlet/triplet energy transfer
Authors: Guo Song , Xu Liang , Xu Kejing , Zhao Jianzhang , Küçüköz Betül , Karatay Ahmet , Yaglioglu Halime Gul , Hayvali Mustafa , Elmali Ayhan
Published: April 2015

Hydrogen bonding-mediated supramolecular triplet photosensitizers with easily interchangeable visible light-harvesting Bodipy modules and the fullerene intersystem crossing module were devised.
Synthesis and sensing application of glutathione-capped platinum nanoparticles
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Haixiang , Zhang Jinli , Fu Yan
Published: April 2015

Glutathione-capped Pt nanozymes are employed to explore colorimetric assays of Hg2+ in aqueous samples with ultrahigh sensitivity.
A colloidal gold-based lateral flow immunoassay for direct determination of haemoglobin A1c in whole blood
Authors: Ang Shu Hwang , Yu Choo Yee , Ang Geik Yong , Chan Yean Yean , Alias Yatimah binti , Khor Sook Mei
Published: April 2015

We developed an immunosensor that operates based on the lateral flow principle designed to detect haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a biomarker for type 2 diabetes mellitus in human blood samples.
Development of a colloidal gold-based lateral-flow immunoassay for the rapid detection of phenylethanolamine A in swine urine
Authors: Dai Mingyan , Gong Yunfei , Liu Amin , Zhang Lulu , Lin Junxiao , Zhang Mingzhou , Yu Xiaoping
Published: April 2015

Phenylethanolamine A (PEAA) is a newly emerged phenethanolamine member of the family of β-adrenergic agonists illegally used as feed additives for growth promotion.
Discrimination of hemoglobins with subtle differences using an aptamer based sensing array
Authors: Lin Min , Li Wenshan , Wang Yaning , Yang Xiaohai , Wang Kemin , Wang Qing , Wang Pei , Chang Yujie , Tan Yuyu
Published: April 2015

A strategy for discrimination of hemoglobins with subtle differences was achieved using an aptamer based sensing array.