bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CryoEM structures of membrane pore and prepore complex reveal cytolytic mechanism of Pneumolysin
Authors: van Pee Katharina , Neuhaus Alexander , D'Imprima Edoardo , Mills Deryck J , Kühlbrandt Werner , Yildiz Özkan
Published: March 2017

Many pathogenic bacteria produce pore-forming toxins to attack and kill human cells. We have determined the 4.5 Å structure of the ~2.2 MDa pore complex of pneumolysin, the main virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae, by cryoEM. The pneumolysin pore is a 400 Å ring of 42 membrane-inserted monomers. Domain 3 of the soluble toxin refolds into two ~85 Å β-hairpins that traverse the lipid bilayer and assemble into a 168-strand β-barrel. The pore complex is stabilized by salt bridges between β-hairpins of adjacent subunits and an internal α-barrel. The apolar outer barrel surface with large sidechains is immersed in the lipid bilayer, while the inner barrel surface is highly charged. Comparison of the cryoEM pore complex to the prepore structure obtained by electron cryo-tomography and the x-ray structure of the soluble form reveals the detailed mechanisms by which the toxin monomers insert into the lipid bilayer to perforate the target membrane.
Comparison of consumption behavior and appetite sensations among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after bariatric surgery
Authors: Yeh Chun , Huang Hsien-Hao , Chen Shu-Chun , Chen Tung-Fang , Ser Kong-Han , Chen Chih-Yen
Published: March 2017

Background

The promising postsurgical weight loss and remission of type 2 diabetes (T2D) from bariatric surgery can be attributed to modified eating physiology after surgical procedures. We sought to investigate the changes in the parameters of consumption behaviors and appetite sensations induced by a mixed meal tolerance test, and to correlate these alterations with age, body mass index, C-peptide levels, and duration of T2D 1 year after bariatric surgery.

Methods

A total of 16 obese patients with T2D who underwent mini-gastric bypass (GB) and 16 patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) were enrolled in this study and evaluated using a mixed meal tolerance test one year after surgery. A visual analogue scale was used for scoring appetite sensation at different time points. The area under the curve (AUC) and the incremental or decremental AUC (ΔAUC) were compared between the two groups.

Results

One year after surgery, a decreasing trend in the consumption time was observed in the GB group compared to the SG group, while the duration of T2D before surgery was negatively correlated with the post-operative consumed time in those after GB. Patients who underwent GB had significantly higher fasting scores for fullness and desire to eat, higher AUC0′–180′ of scores for desire to eat, as well as more effective post-meal suppression of hunger and desire to eat compared with those undergoing SG one year after surgery. Post-operative C-peptide levels were negatively correlated with ΔAUC0′–180′ for hunger and ΔAUC0′–180′ for desire to eat in the GB group, while negatively correlated with ΔAUC0′–180′ for fullness in the SG group.

Discussion

Patients with T2D after either GB or SG exhibit distinct nutrient-induced consumption behaviors and appetite sensations post-operatively, which may account for the differential effects on weight loss and glycemic control after different surgery.
Insect herbivores increase mortality and reduce tree seedling growth of some species in temperate forest canopy gaps
Authors: Lemoine Nathan P. , Burkepile Deron E. , Parker John D.
Published: March 2017

Insect herbivores help maintain forest diversity through selective predation on seedlings of vulnerable tree species. Although the role of natural enemies has been well-studied in tropical systems, relatively few studies have experimentally manipulated insect abundance in temperate forests and tracked impacts over multiple years. We conducted a three-year experiment (2012–2014) deterring insect herbivores from seedlings in new treefall gaps in deciduous hardwood forests in Maryland. During this study, we tracked recruitment of all tree seedlings, as well as survivorship and growth of 889 individual seedlings from five tree species:Acer rubrum,Fagus grandifolia,Fraxinusspp.,Liriodendron tulipifera, andLiquidambar styraciflua. Insect herbivores had little effect on recruitment of any tree species, although there was a weak indication that recruitment ofA. rubrumwas higher in the presence of herbivores. Insect herbivores reduced survivorship ofL. tulipifera, but had no significant effects onA. rubrum,Fraxinusspp.,F. grandifolia, orL. styraciflua. Additionally, insects reduced growth rates of early pioneer speciesA. rubrum,L. tulipifera, andL. styraciflua, but had little effect on more shade-tolerant speciesF. grandifoliaandFraxinusspp. Overall, by negatively impacting growth and survivorship of early pioneer species, forest insects may play an important but relatively cryptic role in forest gap dynamics, with potentially interesting impacts on the overall maintenance of diversity.
HIGLE is a bifunctional homing endonuclease that directly interacts with HYL1 and SERRATE in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Cho Seok Keun , Ryu Moon Young , Poulsen Christian , Kim Jong Hum , Oh Tae Rin , Choi Suk Won , Kim Mijung , Yang Jun‐Yi , Boo Kyung Hwan , Geshi Naomi , Kim Woo Taek , Yang Seong Wook
Published: March 2017

A highly coordinated complex known as the microprocessor precisely processes primary transcripts of MIRNA genes into mature miRNAs. In plants, the microprocessor minimally consists of three components: Dicer‐like protein 1 (DCL1), HYPONASTIC LEAF 1 (HYL1), and SERRATE (SE). To precisely modulate miRNA maturation, the microprocessor cooperates with at least 12 proteins in plants. In addition, we here show the involvement of a novel gene, HYL1‐interacting GIY‐YIG‐like endonuclease (HIGLE). The encoded protein has a GIY‐YIG domain that is generally found within a class of homing endonucleases. HIGLE directly interacts with the microprocessor components HYL1 and SE. Unlike the functions of other GIY‐YIG endonucleases, the catalytic core of HIGLE has both DNase and RNase activities that sufficiently processes miRNA precursors into short fragments in vitro.
Relative roles of the MJO and stratospheric variability in North Atlantic and European winter climate
Authors: Schwartz Chen , Garfinkel Chaim I.
Published: March 2017

European and eastern United States wintertime weather is strongly influenced by large‐scale modes of variability in the Northern Hemisphere such as the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The negative phase of the NAO has been linked to both the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) phase with convection in the West Pacific (phases 6 and 7) and to stratospheric sudden warmings (SSW), but the relative role of each phenomenon is not clear, and the two phenomena are themselves linked, as more than half of SSW events were preceded by phases 6 and 7 of the MJO. Here we disentangle the relative roles of MJO phase 6/7 and stratospheric variability for Northern Hemisphere surface weather during boreal winter. We show that stratospheric variability leads to significantly different North Atlantic anomalies if it is preceded by MJO phase 6/7. Furthermore, MJO phase 6/7 leads to a long‐lived negative AO pattern only if it modulates the stratosphere first. Hence, proper attribution of their respective influence on surface weather needs to take into consideration the linkages between these two phenomena. Finally, MJO phase 6/7 events that lead to SSW can be differentiated from those which do not by their characteristics within the tropics: only MJO phase 6/7 events in which enhanced convection propagates into the South China Sea, which rarely occurs in winter, lead to SSWs.
Compartmentalized Spherical Collagen Microparticles for Anisotropic Cell Culture Microenvironments
Authors: Yoshida Satoru , Takinoue Masahiro , Onoe Hiroaki
Published: March 2017

This paper describes a new fabrication method for obtaining anisotropic spherical hydrogel microparticles with different types of extracellular matrix (ECM) hemispheres for use in 3D cell culture. To fabricate the microparticles, a mixture of an ECM precursor solution and sodium alginate is ejected into a calcium chloride solution under large centrifugal acceleration by a centrifuge‐based microfluidic device; the calcium alginate hydrogel plays a significant role as a “sacrificial gelation template” to maintain the ECM molecules in each hemisphere. This fabrication method enables gaining control of the hemispherical volume, density, and type of ECM. Using the microparticles, cells could be successfully encapsulated in each hemisphere selectively with high viability, which are then suitable for culture in the microparticles to form microtissues. It is believed that the proposed anisotropic ECM microparticles will facilitate the coculture of multiple cell types in different ECMs, which is similar to in vivo microenvironments, facilitating control of cell behavior in an anisotropic microenvironment for the benefit of large‐scale and quantitative analyses in vitro.
Highly Robust and Low Frictional Double‐Network Ion Gel
Authors: Arafune Hiroyuki , Honma Saika , Morinaga Takashi , Kamijo Toshio , Miura Miki , Furukawa Hidemitsu , Sato Takaya
Published: March 2017

Reducing friction is important to improve the lifetime and energy efficiency of mechanical systems. Since human joints with gel‐like structure possess a coefficient of friction as low as 10–3, gel materials are recognized as a useful example for designing low frictional materials. Ion gels incorporating ionic liquids (ILs) as swelling agent is expected to be stable gel lubricant since high thermal stability and negligible volatility of ILs can maintain swelled state of gels even under harsh conditions. In this study, we newly synthesized a double network (DN) ion gel composed of an ionic liquid, N,N‐diethyl‐N‐(2‐methoxyethyl)‐N‐methylammonium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (DEME‐TFSI) and an ionic liquid polymer composed of the derivative of DEME‐TFSI, poly (N,N‐diethyl‐N‐(2‐methacryloylethyl)‐N‐methylammonium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) as a first network and neutral poly(methyl methacrylate) as a second network. The obtained DN ion gel showed high compression strength and it was thermally stable until 300 °C. The stable COF after repeated measurements at high temperature or vacuum conditions showed the durability of DN ion gels even under harsh conditions. The results obtained in this study shed light on the fabrication of lubricant gels with high mechanical strength and robustness, which are expected to be new candidates for enegy conservation.
Selective Reductive Removal of Ester and Amide Groups from Arenes and Heteroarenes through Nickel‐Catalyzed C−O and C−N Bond Activation
Authors: Yue Huifeng , Guo Lin , Lee Shao‐Chi , Liu Xiangqian , Rueping Magnus
Published: March 2017

An inexpensive nickel(II) catalyst and a hydrosilane were used for the efficient reductive defunctionalization of aryl and heteroaryl esters through a decarbonylative pathway. This versatile method could be used for the removal of ester and amide functional groups from various organic molecules. Moreover, a scale‐up experiment and a synthetic application based on the use of a removable carboxylic acid directing group highlight the usefulness of this reaction.
Fault Diagnosis for Discrete Event Systems Modeled By Bounded Petri Nets
Authors: Ran Ning , Wang Shouguang , Su Hongye , Wang Chengying
Published: March 2017

Fault diagnosis is an important problem in the manufacturing industry. It has been extensively studied in the past few decades both in time‐driven systems and discrete event systems. This paper presents a Petri net diagnoser for online fault diagnosis of discrete event systems modeled by bounded labeled Petri nets. First, we present the concept and some properties of an extended basis reachability graph. Next, based on such a graph, we construct a Petri net diagnoser that is used to determine if a fault has occurred. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the application of the proposed diagnoser.
Coordination of last train transfers using automated fare collection (AFC) system data
Authors: Li Wei , Xu Ruihua , Luo Qin , Jones Steven
Published: March 2017

This paper studies last train coordination problem for metro networks, aiming to maximize the total number of passengers who can reach their destinations by metro prior to the end of operation. The concept of last boarding time is defined as the latest time that passengers can board the last trains and reach final destinations. The corresponding method for calculating last boarding time is also put forward. With automatic fare collection system data, an optimization model for coordinating last trains is proposed. The objective function optimizes the number of passengers who can reach their final destinations during the train period using departure times and headways of last trains for each line as decision variables. Afterwards, an adaptive genetic algorithm is put forward to solve this model and is applied to a case study of the Shanghai metro system. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insights into cell‐free therapeutic approach: Role of stem cell “soup‐ernatant”
Authors: Raik Shalini , Kumar Ajay , Bhattacharyya Shalmoli
Published: March 2017

Current advances in medicine have revolutionized the field of regenerative medicine dramatically with newly evolved therapies for repair or replacement of degenerating or injured tissues. Stem cells (SCs) can be harvested from different sources for clinical therapeutics, which include fetal tissues, umbilical cord blood, embryos, and adult tissues. SCs can be isolated and differentiated into desired lineages for tissue regeneration and cell replacement therapy. However, several loopholes need to be addressed properly before this can be extended for large‐scale therapeutic application. These include a careful approach for patient safety during SC treatments and tolerance of recipients. SC treatments are associated with a number of risk factors and require successful integration and survival of transplanted cells in the desired microenvironment with concurrent tissue regeneration. Recent studies have focused on developing alternatives that can replace the cell‐based therapy using paracrine factors. The development of stem “cell free” therapies can be devoted mainly to the use of soluble factors (secretome), extracellular vesicles, and mitochondrial transfer. The present review emphasizes on the paradigms related to the use of SC‐based therapeutics and the potential applications of a cell‐free approach as an alternative to cell‐based therapy in the area of regenerative medicine.
A generalized mixture model applied to diabetes incidence data
Authors: Zuanetti Daiane Aparecida , Milan Luis Aparecido
Published: March 2017

We present a generalization of the usual (independent) mixture model to accommodate a Markovian first‐order mixing distribution. We propose the data‐driven reversible jump, a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) procedure, for estimating the a posteriori probability for each model in a model selection procedure and estimating the corresponding parameters. Simulated datasets show excellent performance of the proposed method in the convergence, model selection, and precision of parameters estimates. Finally, we apply the proposed method to analyze USA diabetes incidence datasets.
Adopt strategies for listening actively
Authors: Zachary Lois J. , Fischler Lory A.
Published: March 2017

The material on this page is excerpted from Starting Strong: A Mentoring Fable. The authors explain strategies for active listening in a mentoring situation. Their advice could also apply to many other situations where listening is critical.
Music is awesome: Influences of emotion, personality, and preference on experienced awe
Authors: Pilgrim Leanne , Norris J. Ian , Hackathorn Jana
Published: March 2017

Awe is a complex, cognitive–conceptual emotion associated with transcendence and wonder. Music has the power to create this kind of transcendence. Can music evoke awe? Previous research demonstrates that awe is associated with individual differences in personality such as openness. This study examined whether different kinds of music across a wide variety of genres can evoke awe and whether the experience of awe depends on individual differences. The study further investigated the relationship of awe to patterns of emotional responses to different dimensions of musical genre. Study 1 demonstrated that high need for cognition and low cognitive closure predicted awe for reflective and complex music, that felt happiness predicted awe for all kinds of music, and that perceived happiness and sadness predicted awe only for reflective and complex music. Study 2 replicated the finding that perceived sadness can evoke awe in reflective and complex music and further demonstrated that experienced musical awe correlates with individual differences in the tendency to experience awe more generally. These results are of interest to advertisers interested in evoking awe with music and marketers interested in segmenting to target the appropriate populations for this purpose.
Palladium Nanoparticles Stabilized by Metal–Carbon Covalent Bonds as an Expeditious Catalyst for the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Nitrogen Heterocycles
Authors: Sun Xiao‐Tao , Zhu Jie , Xia Yun‐Tao , Wu Lei
Published: March 2017

The first method for the dehydrogenation of nitrogen heterocycles catalyzed by a palladium nanocatalyst was developed. Carbon–metal covalent‐bond‐stabilized nanoparticles were found to be efficient for the dehydrogenation process in the presence of tert‐butyl hydroperoxide. A variety of N‐heterocycles were transformed into functionalized quinolines in medium to excellent yields in water as the solvent under mild conditions by a simple operation.
Multiple data access via a common cavity bus in circuit QED
Authors: Chatterjee Dibyendu , Roy Arijit
Published: March 2017

Accessing multiple data through a common bus in quantum information processing is challenging. Experimental demonstration of quantum state transfer between a pair of superconducting phase qubit [M. A. Sillanpää et al., Nature 449, 438 (2007)] motivates us to construct a scheme for accessing and transferring multi‐qubit quantum information through a common cavity bus. Here, we have presented an efficient scheme to access multiple data through single channel using superconducting qubit and superconducting cavity resonator. The qubit–cavity photon coupling offers transfer of quantum data in different location of a quantum processing system from multiple users through a common superconducting cavity resonator. Instead of phase qubit, charge qubit is found to be more advantageous in qubit–cavity interaction for quantum data transformation, because charge qubit is immune to flux and external flux is used to select specific qubit from a set of qubits. The scheme is very generic and provides M‐output from N‐number of inputs via a common cavity in circuit quantum electrodynamics. The flexibility of the scheme allows us to implement multiplexer, demultiplexer, and so on for quantum data manipulation in a similar manner as in classical digital electronics. This scheme is useful to reduce the circuit complexity in quantum processor named as ‘quprocessor’. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognostic importance of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Biering‐Sørensen Tor , Shah Sanjiv J. , Anand Inder , Sweitzer Nancy , Claggett Brian , Liu Li , Pitt Bertram , Pfeffer Marc A. , Solomon Scott D. , Shah Amil M.
Published: March 2017

Aims

Left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony has been described in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), but its prognostic significance is not known.

Methods and results

Of 3445 patients with HFpEF enrolled in the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) trial, dyssynchrony analysis was performed on 424 patients (12%) by multiple speckle tracking echocardiography strain‐based criteria. The primary dyssynchrony analysis was the standard deviation of the time to peak longitudinal strain (SD T2P LS). Cox proportional hazards models assessed the association of dyssynchrony with the composite outcome of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization. Mean age was 70 ± 10 years, LVEF was 60 ± 8%, and QRS duration was 101 ± 27 ms. Worse dyssynchrony, reflected in SD T2P LS, was associated with wider QRS, prior myocardial infarction, larger LV volume and mass, and worse systolic (lower LVEF and global longitudinal strain) and diastolic (lower e' and higher E/e') function. During a median follow‐up of 2.6 (interquartile range 1.5–3.8) years, 107 patients experienced the composite outcome. Worse dyssynchrony was associated with the composite outcome in unadjusted analysis [hazard ratio (HR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.07; P = 0.021, per 10 ms increase], but not after adjusting for clinical characteristics, or after further adjustment for LVEF, AF, NYHA class, stroke, heart rate, creatinine, haematocrit, and QRS duration (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.99–1.06; P = 0.16, per 10 ms increase).

Conclusion

Worse LV mechanical dyssynchrony, assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography, is not an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in HFpEF, suggesting that mechanical dyssynchrony is unlikely to be an important mechanism underlying this syndrome. These findings warrant validation in an independent study specifically designed to assess the prognostic utility of mechanical dyssynchrony in HFpEF.

Trial registration: NCT00094302
Photolabile Ruthenium(II)–Purine Complexes: Phototoxicity, DNA Binding, and Light‐Triggered Drug Release
Authors: Chan Hazel , Ghrayche Joy B. , Wei Jianhua , Renfrew Anna K.
Published: March 2017

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Anna Renfrew from The University of Sydney, Australia. The cover image shows a light beam directed at a tumor. As a result of light irradiation, a photolabile ruthenium complex releases the anticancer agent 6‐mercaptopurine.
Influences of trehalose‐modification of solid lipid nanoparticles on drug loading
Authors: Wen Zhen , Lin Jing , Su Junqing , Zheng ZongKun , Chen Qing , Chen Lidi
Published: March 2017

The aim of the present work is to evaluate influences of doping trehalose into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) on drug loading. SLNs were prepared by the emulsion‐evaporation and low temperature‐solidification method, using glyceryl monostearate as a lipid, phosphatidylcholine as a surfactant, trehalose as a modifier and resveratrol as a model drug. As the SLNs were doped by trehalose at a low amount [m(trehalose):m(lipids) = 1:5], entrapment efficiency and loading capacity were enhanced to (81.37 ± 1.50) and (8.71 ± 0.13)%, respectively. Based on morphology, phase transformation and crystalline structure of SLNs, trehalose was doped into lipid matrix in a non‐crystalline state, disrupting the lipid crystallinity and inducing lattice defects.The lipid matrix was crystallized in polymorphic forms composed of α‐form and β′‐form and β‐form, resulting in prevention of drug expulsion from the lipid matrix. The trehalose was interacted with the lipid, facilitating the formation of trehalose/lipid eutectic dopant. The dopant contained lattice defects, allowing for the incorporation of more resveratrol in a amorphous state, contributing to increase of entrapment efficiency and loading capacity. These results confirm stabilizing effects of doping trehalose on improvement of drug loading are attributed to the lipid crystal type and structure of lipid matrix containing lattice defects.

Practical applications: Trehalose‐doping is an innovative approach to the improvement of loading properties of SLNs. Compared with ordinary SLNs, SLNs doped with trehalose at low amounts exhibit higher drug loading, presenting the potential utility of these nanoparticles as a drug delivery system for hydrophobic drugs.

Trehalose modification on improvement of drug loading of SLNs are attributed to the lipid crystal type and structure of lipid matrix containing lattice defects induced by doping trehalose.
Unified Approach to Fused and Spirocyclic Oxindoles through Lewis‐Acid‐Promoted Opening of Spiroepoxyoxindoles with Allylsilanes: Application to the Formal Synthesis of (±)‐Physovenine
Authors: Sharma Brijesh M. , Yadav Mahesh , Gonnade Rajesh G. , Kumar Pradeep
Published: March 2017

A protocol for the construction of oxindoles containing all‐carbon quaternary centres in a highly regioselective manner has been developed. The reaction involves opening of spiroepoxyoxindoles with allylsilanes to give Hosomi–Sakurai‐type products as well as new silicon‐containing spirocyclic oxindoles. A formal synthesis of (±)‐physovenine was accomplished in five steps using this protocol.
Ferroelectric LiTaO3 as novel photo‐electrocatalyst in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Benzaouak Abdellah , Touach Nour‐eddine , Ortiz‐Martínez Víctor Manuel , Salar‐García María José , Hernández‐Fernández Francisco José , Pérez de los Ríos Antonia , Mahi Mohammad El , Lotfi El Mostapha
Published: March 2017

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology for simultaneous electricity generation and wastewater treatment. Noble materials can offer high catalyst performance in MFCs but their high cost poses an obstacle for the practical implementation of this technology. Ferroelectric materials such as LiTaO3 are a new generation of photocatalysts that could potentially be used for the oxygen reduction reaction in these devices. Thus, this work investigates the performance of LiTaO3 as cathode catalyst in MFCs for the first time. The power performance of carbon cloth cathodes coated with LiTaO3 was assessed in the presence and absence of light irradiation in MFC systems using wastewater. Prior to be tested in MFCs, the synthesized phase of LiTaO3 was mainly characterized by XRD, particle‐size distribution, TEM, and UV–vis spectroscopy analyses. The results show that the performance of the cathode coated with LiTaO3 significantly improves under UV–vis irradiation, with a threefold increase in maximum power density compared with the results obtained in the absence of light source. Under these conditions, COD removal from wastewater reached 66% after 120 h. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1568–1574, 2017
Economic Life Approach to Life‐Cycle Cost Analysis of Aging Assets
Authors: Johnson Darin E.
Published: March 2017

Utilities have an aging infrastructure problem.
Cholesterol can modulate mitochondrial aquaporin‐8 expression in human hepatic cells
Authors: Danielli Mauro , Capiglioni Alejo M. , Marrone Julieta , Calamita Giuseppe , Marinelli Raúl A.
Published: March 2017

Hepatocyte mitochondrial aquaporin‐8 (mtAQP8) works as a multifunctional membrane channel protein that facilitates the uptake of ammonia for its detoxification to urea as well as the mitochondrial release of hydrogen peroxide. Since early oligonucleotide microarray studies in liver of cholesterol‐fed mice showed an AQP8 downregulation, we tested whether alterations of cholesterol content per se modulate mtAQP8 expression in human hepatocyte‐derived Huh‐7 cells. Cholesterol loading with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (mβCD):cholesterol complexes downregulated the proteolytic activation of cholesterol‐responsive sterol regulatory element‐binding protein (SREBP) transcriptions factors 1 and 2, and the expression of the target gene 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase (HMGCR). Under such conditions, mtAQP8 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly reduced. In contrast, cholesterol depletion using mβCD alone increased SREBP‐1 and 2 activation and upregulated HMGCR and mtAQP8 mRNA and protein expressions. The results suggest that cholesterol can regulate transcriptionally human hepatocyte mtAQP8 expression likely via SREBPs. The functional implications of our findings are discussed. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(5):341–346, 2017
Moderate selenium dosing inhibited chromium (VI) toxicity in chicken liver
Authors: Wang Yang , Liu Yongxia , Wan Huiyu , Zhu Yiran , Chen Peng , Hao Pan , Cheng Ziqiang , Liu Jianzhu
Published: March 2017

This study aimed to clarify the effect of selenium (Se) on chromium (VI) [Cr(VI)]‐induced damage in chicken liver. A total of 105 chickens were randomly divided into seven groups of 15. Group I received deionized water; group II received Cr(VI) (7.83 mg/kg/d) alone; and other groups orally received both Cr(VI) (7.83 mg/kg/d) and Se of different doses (0.14, 0.29, 0.57, 1.14, and 2.28 mg/kg/d). The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), Ca2+‐ATPase, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured. Results showed that Cr(VI) increased MDA content and decreased GSH content, T‐SOD activity, Ca2+‐ATPase activity, and MMP level. Meanwhile, Se co‐treatment (0.14, 0.29, and 0.57 mg/kg/d) increased the viability of the above indicators compared with Cr(VI)‐treatment alone. In addition, histopathologic examination revealed that Cr(VI) can cause liver damage, whereas Se supplementation of moderate dose inhibited this damage. This study confirmed that Se exerted protective effect against Cr(VI)‐induced liver damage.
Method for improving accuracy in full evaporation headspace analysis
Authors: Xie Wei‐Qi , Chai Xin‐Sheng
Published: March 2017

We report a new headspace analytical method in which multiple headspace extraction is incorporated with the full evaporation technique. The pressure uncertainty caused by the solid content change in the samples has a great impact to the measurement accuracy in the conventional full evaporation headspace analysis. The results (using ethanol solution as the model sample) showed that the present technique is effective to minimize such a problem. The proposed full evaporation multiple headspace extraction analysis technique is also automated and practical, and which could greatly broaden the applications of the full‐evaporation‐based headspace analysis.
A Novel Water‐Soluble Fluorescence Probe with Wash‐Free Cellular Imaging Capacity Based on AIE Characteristics
Authors: Qian Yunxia , Liu Hongmei , Tan Haijian , Yang Qingmin , Zhang Shuchen , Han Lingui , Yi Xuegang , Huo Li , Zhao Hongchi , Wu Yonggang , Bai Libin , Ba Xinwu
Published: March 2017

A potential real‐time imaging water‐soluble fluorescent polymer (P3) is facilely prepared via one‐pot method. For P3, tetraphenylethene unit serves as the fluorescent unit, poly(acryloyl ethylene diamine) (a kind of polyelectrolyte) with specific degree of polymerization acts as water‐soluble part. 1H‐NMR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), UV‐vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), and confocal laser scanning microscopy are undertaken to characterize the structure and property of P3. The results of wash‐free cellular imaging show that the signal‐to‐noise ratio is high as the concentration of P3 is 50 μg mL−1. In addition, the pH‐responsive and Cd2+‐responsive are also investigated in this paper. The results coming from pH‐responsive show that P3 solution displays significant fluorescence under near neutral. And the result from the cellular imaging shows that intracellular fluorescence intensity enhances with the augment of concentration of Cd2+, which reveals that P3 can give a hint to resolve the dilemma of traditional fluorescent dyes used as living cellular fluorescent probe.

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Synthesis of Poly(vitamin C) through ADMET
Authors: Luleburgaz Serter , Abuaf Meir , Tunca Umit , Hizal Gurkan , Durmaz Hakan
Published: March 2017

l‐Ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C and one of the most important biological compounds, is converted to a α,ω‐diene monomer and subsequently polymerized for the first time by acyclic diene metathesis. Various experimental conditions such as polymerization medium, catalyst type, temperature, and monomer/catalyst ratio are studied. The moderate molecular weight polymers are achieved when the polymerizations are conducted under bulk conditions employing the Grubbs first generation (G1) or Hoveyda–Grubbs second generation catalyst (HG‐2). In the solution case, on the other hand, low molecular weight polymers are obtained regardless of the catalyst type. Moreover, when the catalyst performances are compared, it is found that G1 produces the higher molecular weight as well as higher yield polymers with respect to the HG‐2.

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A UV‐Cleavable Bottlebrush Polymer with o‐Nitrobenzyl‐Linked Side Chains
Authors: Zhu Wen , Zhang Liangcai , Chen Yongming , Zhang Ke
Published: March 2017

An ultraviolet (UV)‐cleavable bottlebrush polymer is synthesized using the “grafting‐onto” strategy by combining living radical polymerization and copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). In this approach, reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization is used to prepare a poly(methylacrylate) backbone with azide side groups, while atom transfer radical polymerization is employed to prepare polystyrene (PS) side chains end‐functionalized with o‐nitrobenzyl (UV‐cleavable) propargyl groups. CuAAC is then used to graft PS side chains onto the polymer backbone, producing the corresponding bottlebrush polymers with UV‐cleavable PS side chains. The formation of the bottlebrush polymer is characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The cleavage behavior of the bottlebrush polymer is monitored in tetrahydrofuran solution under UV irradiation by GPC and viscosity measurements.

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Plant Oil‐Derived Epoxy Polymers toward Sustainable Biobased Thermosets
Authors: Wang Zhongkai , Yuan Liang , Ganewatta Mitra S. , Lamm Meghan E. , Rahman Md Anisur , Wang Jifu , Liu Shengquan , Tang Chuanbing
Published: March 2017

Epoxy polymers (EPs) derived from soybean oil with varied chemical structures are synthesized. These polymers are then cured with anhydrides to yield soybean‐oil‐derived epoxy thermosets. The curing kinetic, thermal, and mechanical properties are well characterized. Due to the high epoxide functionality per epoxy polymer chain, these thermosets exhibit tensile strength over an order of magnitude higher than a control formulation with epoxidized soybean oil. More importantly, thermosetting materials ranging from soft elastomers to tough thermosets can be obtained simply by using different EPs and/or by controlling feed ratios of EPs to anhydrides.

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Synthesis and Characterization of a Soluble A–D–A Molecule Containing a 2D Conjugated Selenophene‐Based Side Group for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Shin Yurim , Song Chang Eun , Lee Woo‐Hyung , Lee Sang Kyu , Shin Won Suk , Kang In‐Nam
Published: March 2017

A new acceptor–donor–acceptor (A–D–A) small molecule based on benzodithiophene (BDT) and diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) is synthesized via a Stille cross‐coupling reaction. A highly conjugated selenophene‐based side group is incorporated into each BDT unit to generate a 2D soluble small molecule (SeBDT‐DPP). SeBDT‐DPP thin films produce two distinct absorption peaks. The shorter wavelength absorption (400 nm) is attributed to the BDT units containing conjugated selenophene‐based side groups, and the longer wavelength band is due to the intramolecular charge transfer between the BDT donor and the DPP acceptor. SeBDT‐DPP thin films can harvest a broad solar spectrum covering the range 350–750 nm and have a low bandgap energy of 1.63 eV. Solution‐processed field‐effect transistors fabricated with this small molecule exhibit p‐type organic thin film transistor characteristics, and the field‐effect mobility of a SeBDT‐DPP device is measured to be 2.3 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1. A small molecule solar cell device is prepared by using SeBDT‐DPP as the active layer is found to exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 5.04% under AM 1.5 G (100 mW cm−2) conditions.

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A pneumatic phantom for mimicking respiration‐induced artifacts in spinal MRI
Authors: De Tillieux Philippe , Topfer Ryan , Foias Alexandru , Leroux Iris , El Maâchi Imanne , Leblond Hugues , Stikov Nikola , Cohen‐Adad Julien
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To design a phantom capable of mimicking human respiration to serve as a testing platform for correction of the static and time‐evolving magnetic field distortions typically encountered in MRI of the spinal cord.

Methods

An inflation system to mimic the air variation of the human lungs was constructed. The inflation system was linked to a phantom containing synthetic lungs and an ex vivo human spine. The relationship between air pressure and phantom lung volume was evaluated via imaging experiment. The geometric distortion (pseudo‐displacement) caused by the
inhomogeneities was measured on echo planar imaging slices for different air volumes.

Results

Linear and quadratic relations linking air pressure to phantom lung volume were observed with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.99. Air distribution was uneven across the synthetic lungs, exhibiting a left‐to‐right lung volume ratio of up to 5/4. The pseudo‐displacement artifact of the spine caused by the air‐filled lungs was observed.

Conclusion

The proposed phantom can reproduce the lung volume variation of human respiration and thus can serve as a reliable testing platform for the correction of the associated time‐varying B0 field distortions. Details of the construction and code for the inflation system microcontroller are available for download as open source. Magn Reson Med 79:600–605, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Old Wine in New Bottles? The Case of Self–Compassion and Neuroticism
Authors: Pfattheicher Stefan , Geiger Mattis , Hartung Johanna , Weiss Selina , Schindler Simon
Published: March 2017

Research on self–compassion, which is defined as being understanding and kind to oneself when confronted with negative experiences, has produced an impressive number of articles in recent years. This research shows that individual differences in self–compassion, as measured by the Self–Compassion Scale (SCS), are positively related to life satisfaction, health and social functioning. However, a critical and systematic test of self–compassion from a personality perspective has not yet conducted so far. In the present study ( N = 576), we (i) tested the factor structure of the SCS, (ii) examined the distinctiveness of self–compassion with regard to the five–factor model of personality, focusing on neuroticism, and (iii) tested the incremental predictive power of self–compassion beyond the five–factor model in the context of life satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a two–factor plus six facets solution of self–compassion (a positive factor and a negative factor). Additional analyses revealed that the negative factor was redundant with facets of neuroticism ( rs ≥ .85), whereas the positive factor had some unique variance left. However, neither the negative factor nor the positive factor could explain substantial incremental variance in life satisfaction beyond neuroticism. Recommendations for how to use the SCS are provided, and the future of research on self–compassion is discussed. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Personality Psychology
Susceptibility of insecticide‐resistant bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) to infection by fungal biopesticide
Authors: Barbarin Alexis M , Bellicanta Giovani S , Osborne Jason A , Schal Coby , Jenkins Nina E
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Bed bugs are a public health concern, and their incidence is increasing worldwide. Bed bug infestations are notoriously difficult to eradicate, further exacerbated by widespread resistance to pyrethroid and neonicotinoid insecticides. This study evaluated the efficacy of the newly developed fungal biopesticide Aprehend™, containing Beauveria bassiana, against insecticide‐resistant bed bugs.

RESULTS

Overall mortality for the Harold Harlan (insecticide‐susceptible) strain was high (98–100%) following exposure to Aprehend™ or Suspend SC (deltamethrin). The mean survival times (MSTs) for Harold Harlan bed bugs were 5.1 days for Aprehend™ and 4.8 and 3.0 days for the low and high concentrations of Suspend SC respectively. All three strains of pyrethroid‐resistant bed bugs were susceptible to infection by B. bassiana, resulting in MSTs of <6 days (median = 4 days) and >94% overall mortality. Conversely, mortality of the three insecticide‐resistant strains after exposure to Suspend SC was only 16‐40%.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that Aprehend™ is equally effective against insecticide‐susceptible and insecticide‐resistant bed bugs and could provide pest control operators with a promising new tool for control of bed bugs and insecticide resistance management. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Formation of a Surficial Bifunctional Nanolayer on Nb2O5 for Ultrastable Electrodes for Lithium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Cheong Jun Young , Kim Chanhoon , Jung Ji‐Won , Yoon Ki Ro , Cho Su‐Ho , Youn Doo‐Young , Jang Hye‐Yeon , Kim Il‐Doo
Published: March 2017

Safe and long cycle life electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries are significantly important to meet the increasing demands of rechargeable batteries. Niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) is one of the highly promising candidates for stable electrodes due to its safety and minimal volume expansion. Nevertheless, pulverization and low conductivity of Nb2O5 have remained as inherent challenges for its practical use as viable electrodes. A highly facile method is proposed to improve the overall cycle retention of Nb2O5 microparticles by ammonia (NH3) gas‐driven nitridation. After nitridation, an ultrathin surficial layer (2 nm) is formed on the Nb2O5, acting as a bifunctional nanolayer that allows facile lithium (Li)‐ion transport (10–100 times higher Li diffusivity compared with pristine Nb2O5 microparticles) and further prevents the pulverization of Nb2O5. With the subsequent decoration of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), the low electric conductivity of nitridated Nb2O5 is also significantly improved. Cycle retention is greatly improved for nitridated Nb2O5 (96.7%) compared with Nb2O5 (64.7%) for 500 cycles. Ag‐decorated, nitridated Nb2O5 microparticles and nitridated Nb2O5 microparticles exhibit ultrastable cycling for 3000 cycles at high current density (3000 mA g−1), which highlights the importance of the surficial nanolayer in improving overall electrochemical performances, in addition to conductive NPs.
c-Jun Amino-Terminal Kinase is Involved in Valproic Acid-Mediated Neuronal Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic NSCs and Neurite Outgrowth of NSC-Derived Neurons
Authors: Lu Lu , Zhou Hengxing , Pan Bin , Li Xueying , Fu Zheng , Liu Jun , Shi Zhongju , Chu Tianci , Wei Zhijian , Ning Guangzhi , Feng Shiqing
Published: March 2017

Valproic acid (VPA), an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug, can induce neuronal differentiation, promote neurite extension and exert a neuroprotective effect in central nervous system (CNS) injuries; however, comparatively little is known regarding its action on mouse embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) and the underlying molecular mechanism. Recent studies suggested that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is required for neurite outgrowth and neuronal differentiation during neuronal development. In the present study, we cultured mouse embryonic NSCs and treated the cells with 1 mM VPA for up to 7 days. The results indicate that VPA promotes the neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic NSCs and neurite outgrowth of NSC-derived neurons; moreover, VPA induces the phosphorylation of c-Jun by JNK. In contrast, the specific JNK inhibitor SP600125 decreased the VPA-stimulated increase in neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic NSCs and neurite outgrowth of NSC-derived neurons. Taken together, these results suggest that VPA promotes neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic NSCs and neurite outgrowth of NSC-derived neurons. Moreover, JNK activation is involved in the effects of VPA stimulation.
Quasistatic crack growth in 2d-linearized elasticity
Authors: Friedrich Manuel , Solombrino Francesco
Published: March 2017

In this paper we prove a two-dimensional existence result for a variational model of crack growth for brittle materials in the realm of linearized elasticity. Starting with a time-discretized version of the evolution driven by a prescribed boundary load, we derive a time-continuous quasistatic crack growth in the framework of generalized special functions of bounded deformation (

GSBD

). As the time-discretization step tends to zero, the major difficulty lies in showing the stability of the static equilibrium condition, which is achieved by means of a Jump Transfer Lemma generalizing the result of [19] to the

GSBD

setting. Moreover, we present a general compactness theorem for this framework and prove existence of the evolution without imposing a-priori bounds on the displacements or applied body forces.
Reducing Surgery Cancellations at a Pediatric Ambulatory Surgery Center
Authors: Lee Chelsea M. , Rodgers Cheryl , Oh Albert K. , Muckler Virginia C.
Published: March 2017

Surgery cancellations are costly and can be frustrating for patients, their families, and the surgical team. Because of the inherent nature of an ambulatory surgery center, which only performs scheduled elective procedures, surgical cancellations typically result in wasted time and resources. Pediatric surgery cancellations can be mitigated with proper preoperative screening and communication between nurses and patients’ guardians. To reduce the rate of cancellation at our pediatric ambulatory surgery center, we implemented a Nurse‐Patient Preoperative Call Log. Preoperative nurses called patients or their guardians on two separate occasions during the two weeks before surgery to review health history and instructions and answer questions about the upcoming surgery. Three months after implementing the call log, surgery cancellation rates significantly decreased from 16.8% to 8.8% (P < .05). Nurses used the call log for all patients, with 85.6% of patients receiving two calls in the two weeks before their surgery.
Viscoelastic Studies: Effective Tools for Trauma and Surgical Resuscitation Efforts
Authors: Salinas Dagoberto
Published: March 2017

Trauma‐induced coagulopathy (TIC) is an abrupt disruption of all hemostatic components of coagulation resulting from severe tissue injury and hypoperfusion. The effective management of TIC has remained elusive to clinicians using traditional laboratory methods, challenging efforts to improve outcomes related to uncontrolled bleeding. Recent initiatives have aimed to reduce TIC‐associated morbidity and mortality, further invoking trauma experts to explore innovative modalities in the field of viscoelastic studies, such as thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). These tests are able to guide proper blood product administration more effectively during trauma and surgical resuscitation compared with conventional laboratory tests. Although TEG and ROTEM are similar tests, inherent differences in their features produce variation in output results. This article calls on the perioperative clinician to evaluate TEG and ROTEM tests and consider their implementation based on the benefits of their application to clinical practice.
Guideline Implementation: Energy‐Generating Devices, Part 2‐Lasers
Authors: Burlingame Byron L.
Published: March 2017

Lasers have been used in the OR for many years and are essential tools in many different types of procedures. However, laser beams that come into contact with unintended targets directly or via reflection can cause injury to patients or personnel or pose other hazards, such as fires. The new AORN “Guideline for safe use of energy‐generating devices” provides guidance on the use of all energy‐generating devices in the OR. This article focuses on key points of the guideline that address the safe use of lasers. These include the components of the laser safety program, the responsibilities of the personnel in roles specific to use of a laser, laser safety measures, and documentation of laser use. Perioperative RNs should review the complete guideline for additional information and for guidance when writing and updating policies and procedures.