bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GLP‐1 receptor agonists: effects on the progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Liu Jia , Wang Guang , Jia Yumei , Xu Yuan
Published: July 2014

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases, and its incidence has been increasing recently. In addition to hepatic complications, NAFLD is also recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, the current therapies for NAFLD display variable efficacy; a novel and effective drug is urgently needed. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1), a receptor agonist is a new drug approved for treating type 2 diabetes. Recently, these types of agents have shown a novel therapeutic effect on NAFLD. However, the mechanisms of GLP‐1 receptor agonists on the treatment of NAFLD have not yet been explained precisely. Recent studies have demonstrated that GLP‐1 reverses the progression of NAFLD not only indirectly through an incretin effect that improves key parameters involved in NAFLD, but also a direct effect on lipid metabolism of hepatocytes and inflammation in liver. In this review, we provided an overview of the role and mechanisms of GLP‐1 in the therapy of NAFLD. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advanced complicated diabetes mellitus is associated with a reduced risk of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Tsai Chung‐Lin , Lin Cheng‐Li , Wu Yi‐Ying , Shieh Dong‐Chen , Sung Fung‐Chang , Kao Chia‐Hung
Published: July 2014

Background

Studies have associated diabetes mellitus (DM) with the reduced risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm and thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. We used the national insurance data of Taiwan to examine these correlations for an Asian population. The association was also evaluated by DM severity.

Methods

We identified 160 391 patients with type 2 DM diagnosed from 1998 to 2008 and 646 710 comparison subjects without DM, frequency matched by diagnosis date, sex and age (mainly the elderly). The DM severity was partitioned into advanced and uncomplicated status according to DM‐related comorbidities.

Results

By the end of 2010, the overall pooled incidence rate of thoracic aortic aneurysm and abdominal aortic aneurysm was 15% lower in the type 2 DM cohort than in non‐DM cohort, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56–0.74] in the multivariable Cox model. Patients with advanced type 2 DM were significantly associated with reduced thoracic aortic aneurysm rupture and abdominal aortic aneurysm without rupture, with adjusted hazard ratios of 0.50 (95% CI 0.35–0.71) and 0.53 (95% CI 0.40–0.69), respectively. Uncomplicated type 2 DM was also associated with reduced abdominal aortic aneurysm without rapture (aHR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.45–0.74).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that patients with diabetes in this Asian population have reduced prevalence of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms. The observed paradoxical inverse relationship between severity of DM and aortic aneurysms is clear. Further research is required to investigate the underlying mechanisms for the reduced risk of aortic aneurysms associated with diabetes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interpretation of group‐level factors from a large population dataset in the determination of ethyl glucuronide in hair
Authors: Salomone Alberto , Pirro Valentina , Lombardo Tonia , Di Corcia Daniele , Pellegrino Sergio , Vincenti Marco
Published: July 2014

Ethyl glucuronide in hair (HEtG) is the most accredited marker to prove chronic alcohol abuse. In this study, we evaluate the comprehensive results of HEtG determination obtained during four years of activity (2009–2013) in our laboratory (Northwestern Italy) – across a large cohort of subjects (over 20 000 subjects mostly undergoing medical examination for driving re‐licensing) – to provide a general perspective on HEtG analysis and dependence on group‐level factors (e.g. age, gender, site and period of hair collection) that could bias the analytical results. HEtG was measured by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. About 12% of the subjects presented HEtG concentrations over 30 pg/mg. Upon non‐parametric hypothesis tests, distributions of HEtG in independent populations categorized by age proved statistically different, while no differences were found by considering gender, BMI, and site of sampling (head vs. chest hair). A ‘seasonality’ factor was evaluated by comparing periods of collection approximately representing the hair growth in winter, spring, summer and autumn, and a seasonal trend was observed showing the highest HEtG levels in winter (16.7%) and minimum levels in summer (8.3%). The experimental HEtG distributions confirm that chest hair sampling can be trusted as an alternative to scalp. Furthermore, among biological and external factors, age and season of sampling may significantly influence the measured HEtG concentration, and this potential source of bias should be taken into account when the results are interpreted. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening and confirmation of myo‐inositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP) in human urine by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography high resolution / high accuracy mass spectrometry for doping control purposes
Authors: Görgens Christian , Guddat Sven , Schänzer Wilhelm , Thevis Mario
Published: July 2014

Myo‐inositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP) is a novel allosteric effector of haemoglobin with high permeation selectivity across the red blood cell plasma membrane. Due to its potential to reduce the oxygen affinity of haemoglobin, ITPP application results in an enhanced oxygen release in hypoxic tissues. Therefore, ITPP is being examined for the treatment of numerous illnesses that involve hypoxia, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer or Alzheimer's disease. Similar to the prohibited substance Efaproxiral®, ITPP increases maximal exercise capacity in mice, providing high potential to be misused in sports. To keep up with cheating athletes, a fast and reliable liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method for screening and confirmation of ITPP in human urine for doping control purposes was developed. According to the molecule's distinct hydrophilic properties, extraction from complex biological matrices is challenging and conventional reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) separations are not suitable for its detection. Therefore an approach based on hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) Orbitrap mass spectrometry was established. The methodology was fully validated for qualitative purposes. Screening and confirmation assay are characterized by satisfactory specificity and robustness, adequate intra‐day (screening: 4.9–8.1%; confirmation: 2.0–6.7%) and inter‐day precision (screening: 4.6–9.1%; confirmation: 1.8–6.6%), excellent linear correlations (>0.99) with sufficient LLOD in the sub ng/mL range (screening: 15 ng/mL; confirmation: 1 ng/mL). In addition it could be shown that ITPP is stable in human urine under the mandatory storage period and conditions for doping control laboratories. To our knowledge, this is the first validated ‘dilute‐and‐inject’ LC‐MS/MS method for the reliable detection of ITPP in human urine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poly‐Boron, ‐Silicon, and ‐Gallium Lewis Acids by Hydrometallation of 1,5‐ and 1,8‐Dialkynylanthracenes
Authors: Lamm Jan‐Hendrik , Horstmann Jan , Nissen Jan H. , Weddeling Jan‐Henrik , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: July 2014

1,5‐Dialkynylanthracenes and 1,8‐dialkynylanthracenes have been functionalised by a series of hydrometallation reactions, namely, hydrosilylation, hydroboration and hydrogallation. Nine anthracene‐based Lewis acidic compounds with a semiflexible organic framework bearing SiCl3, SiCl2Me, SiClMe2, B(C6F5)2 and GaCl2 substituents were obtained. In all cases, the substrate could be functionalised twice, and bidentate Lewis acids were obtained. By using Piers' borane [HB(C6F5)2], a fourfold‐substituted anthracene species functionalised with four extremely electronegatively substituted boron atoms could be generated in quantitative yield. All of the poly‐Lewis acids were characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and, in part, by mass spectrometry and X‐ray diffraction experiments.
One‐Pot Sequential Schmidt and Ritter Reactions for the Synthesis of N‐tert‐Butyl Amides
Authors: Hazarika Nabajyoti , Baishya Gakul
Published: July 2014

The first example of the direct conversion of benzaldehydes into their corresponding N‐tert‐butyl amides through a Schmidt reaction/Ritter reaction sequence is described. A reagent mixture consisting of NaN3 and HBF4·OEt2 in acetic acid efficiently reacts with aromatic and conjugated (α,β‐unsaturated) aldehydes to produce nitrile derivatives, which in situ undergo a Ritter reaction with tert‐butyl acetate to afford the corresponding N‐tert‐butyl amides in almost quantitative yields. The method needs no column chromatography purification. The wide substrate scope as well as the ready availability of the reagent system also make this protocol convenient.
Forecasting with a DSGE Model of a Small Open Economy within the Monetary Union
Authors: Marcellino Massimiliano , Rychalovska Yuliya
Published: July 2014

In this paper we lay out a two‐region dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model of an open economy within the European Monetary Union. The model, which is built in the New Keynesian tradition, contains real and nominal rigidities such as habit formation in consumption, price and wage stickiness as well as rich stochastic structure. The framework also incorporates the theory of unemployment, small open economy aspects and a nominal interest rate that is set exogenously by the area‐wide monetary authority. As an illustration, the model is estimated on Luxembourgish data. We evaluate the properties of the estimated model and assess its forecasting performance relative to reduced‐form model such as vector autoregression (VAR). In addition, we study the empirical validity of the DSGE model restrictions by applying a DSGE‐VAR approach. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction of mTOR and Erk1/2 signaling to regulate oligodendrocyte differentiation
Authors: Dai JinXiang , Bercury Kathryn K. , Macklin Wendy B.
Published: July 2014

A multitude of factors regulate oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination, and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this process, we analyzed the interactions of known signaling pathways involved in these processes. Previous work from our lab and others shows that Akt, mTOR, and Erk 1/2 are major signaling pathways regulating oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination in vitro and in vivo. However, the relative contribution of the different pathways has been difficult to establish because the impact of inhibiting one pathway in in vitro cell culture models or in vivo may alter signaling through the other pathway. These studies were undertaken to clarify the interactions between these major pathways and understand more specifically the crosstalk between them. Oligodendrocyte differentiation in vitro required Akt, mTOR, and Erk 1/2 signaling, as inhibition of Akt, mTOR, or Erk 1/2 resulted in a significant decrease of myelin basic protein mRNA and protein expression. Interestingly, while inhibition of the Erk1/2 pathway had little impact on Akt/mTOR signaling, inhibition of the Akt/mTOR pathways significantly increased Erk1/2 signaling, although not enough to overcome the loss of Akt/mTOR signaling in the regulation of oligodendrocyte differentiation. Furthermore, such crosstalk was also noted in an in vivo context, after mTOR inhibition by rapamycin treatment of perinatal pups. GLIA 2014;62:2096–2109
Astrocyte elevated gene‐1 and c‐Myc cooperate to promote hepatocarcinogenesis in mice
Authors: Srivastava Jyoti , Siddiq Ayesha , Gredler Rachel , Shen Xue‐Ning , Rajasekaran Devaraja , Robertson Chadia L. , Subler Mark A. , Windle Jolene J. , Dumur Catherine I. , Mukhopadhyay Nitai D. , Garcia Dawn , Lai Zhao , Chen Yidong , Balaji Uthra , Fisher Paul B. , Sarkar Devanand
Published: July 2014

Astrocyte elevated gene‐1 (AEG‐1) and c‐Myc are overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) functioning as oncogenes. AEG‐1 is transcriptionally regulated by c‐Myc, and AEG‐1 itself induces c‐Myc by activating the Wnt/β‐catenin–signaling pathway. We now document the cooperation of AEG‐1 and c‐Myc in promoting hepatocarcinogenesis by analyzing hepatocyte‐specific transgenic mice expressing either AEG‐1 (albumin [Alb]/AEG‐1), c‐Myc (Alb/c‐Myc), or both (Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc). Wild‐type and Alb/AEG‐1 mice did not develop spontaneous HCC. Alb/c‐Myc mice developed spontaneous HCC without distant metastasis, whereas Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc mice developed highly aggressive HCC with frank metastasis to the lungs. Induction of carcinogenesis by N‐nitrosodiethylamine significantly accelerated the kinetics of tumor formation in all groups. However, in Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc, the effect was markedly pronounced with lung metastasis. In vitro analysis showed that Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc hepatocytes acquired increased proliferation and transformative potential with sustained activation of prosurvival and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition–signaling pathways. RNA‐sequencing analysis identified a unique gene signature in livers of Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc mice that was not observed when either AEG‐1 or c‐Myc was overexpressed. Specifically, Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc mice overexpressed maternally imprinted noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as Rian, Meg‐3, and Mirg, which are implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis. Knocking down these ncRNAs significantly inhibited proliferation and invasion by Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc hepatocytes. Conclusion: Our studies reveal a novel cooperative oncogenic effect of AEG‐1 and c‐Myc that might explain the mechanism of aggressive HCC. Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc mice provide a useful model to understand the molecular mechanism of cooperation between these two oncogenes and other molecules involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. This model might also be of use for evaluating novel therapeutic strategies targeting HCC. (Hepatology 2015;61:915–929)
Costs of telaprevir-based triple therapy for hepatitis C: $189,000 per sustained virological response
Authors: Bichoupan Kian , Martel-Laferriere Valerie , Sachs David , Ng Michel , Schonfeld Emily A. , Pappas Alexis , Crismale James , Stivala Alicia , Khaitova Viktoriya , Gardenier Donald , Linderman Michael , Perumalswami Ponni V. , Schiano Thomas D. , Odin Joseph A. , Liu Lawrence , Moskowitz Alan J. , Dieterich Douglas T. , Branch Andrea D.
Published: July 2014

In registration trials, triple therapy with telaprevir (TVR), pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN), and ribavirin (RBV) achieved sustained virological response (SVR) rates between 64% and 75%, but the clinical effectiveness and economic burdens of this treatment in real-world practice remain to be determined. Records of 147 patients who initiated TVR-based triple therapy at the Mount Sinai Medical Center (May-December 2011) were reviewed. Direct medical costs for pretreatment, on-treatment, and posttreatment care were calculated using data from Medicare reimbursement databases, RED Book, and the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database. Costs are presented in 2012 U.S. dollars. SVR (undetectable hepatitis C virus [HCV] RNA 24 weeks after the end of treatment) was determined on an intention-to-treat basis. Cost per SVR was calculated by dividing the median cost by the SVR rate. Median age of the 147 patients was 56 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 51–61), 68% were male, 19% were black, 11% had human immunodeficiency virus/HCV coinfection, 36% had advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis (FIB-4 scores ≥3.25), and 44% achieved an SVR. The total cost of care was $11.56 million. Median cost of care was $83,721 per patient (IQR = $66,652-$98,102). The median cost per SVR was $189,338 (IQR = $150,735-$221,860). Total costs were TVR (61%), IFN (24%), RBV (4%), adverse event management (8%), professional fees (2%), and laboratory tests (1%). Conclusions: TVR and Peg-IFN accounted for 85% of costs. Pharmaceutical prices and the low (44%) SVR rate, in this real-world study, were major contributors to the high cost per SVR. (Hepatology 2014;60:1187–1195)
Effects of two doses of glucose and a caffeine–glucose combination on cognitive performance and mood during multi‐tasking
Authors: Scholey Andrew , Savage Karen , O'Neill Barry V. , Owen Lauren , Stough Con , Priestley Caroline , Wetherell Mark
Published: July 2014

Background

This study assessed the effects of two doses of glucose and a caffeine–glucose combination on mood and performance of an ecologically valid, computerised multi‐tasking platform.

Materials and methods

Following a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomised, parallel‐groups design, 150 healthy adults (mean age 34.78 years) consumed drinks containing placebo, 25 g glucose, 60 g glucose or 60 g glucose with 40 mg caffeine. They completed a multi‐tasking framework at baseline and then 30 min following drink consumption with mood assessments immediately before and after the multi‐tasking framework. Blood glucose and salivary caffeine were co‐monitored.

Results

The caffeine–glucose group had significantly better total multi‐tasking scores than the placebo or 60 g glucose groups and were significantly faster at mental arithmetic tasks than either glucose drink group. There were no significant treatment effects on mood. Caffeine and glucose levels confirmed compliance with overnight abstinence/fasting, respectively, and followed the predicted post‐drink patterns.

Conclusion

These data suggest that co‐administration of glucose and caffeine allows greater allocation of attentional resources than placebo or glucose alone. At present, we cannot rule out the possibility that the effects are due to caffeine alone Future studies should aim at disentangling caffeine and glucose effects. © 2014 The Authors. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of predictive factors of response to the BH3‐mimetic molecule ABT‐737: An ex vivo experiment in human serous ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Lheureux Stéphanie , N'Diaye Monique , Blanc‐Fournier Cécile , Dugué Audrey Emmanuelle , Clarisse Bénédicte , Dutoit Soizic , Giffard Florence , Abeilard Edwige , Briand Mélanie , Labiche Alexandre , Grellard Jean‐Michel , Crouet Hubert , Martin Sandrine , Joly Florence , Poulain Laurent
Published: July 2014

Ovarian cancers are addicted to Bcl‐xL and Mcl‐1, antiapoptotic members of the Bcl‐2 family. Bcl‐xL can be inhibited by the BH3‐mimetic ABT‐737. In vitro, ABT‐737 can induce apoptosis of cancer cells, and its activity is potentiated by Mcl‐1 inactivation. Herein, we assessed the sensitivity of human ovarian tumor nodes to ABT‐737 when combined with carboplatin, which can indirectly inhibit Mcl‐1. Fresh samples from 25 patients with high‐grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) who were chemo‐naïve and had undergone surgery were prospectively exposed ex vivo to ABT‐737 ± carboplatin. The treatment effect was studied on sliced tumor nodes by assessment of cleaved‐caspase 3 immunostaining. We also studied the association between baseline Bcl‐2 family protein expression (via immunohistochemistry) and the response of nodes to treatment. ABT‐737 induced apoptosis as a single agent but its efficacy was not improved by the addition of carboplatin. Bim was frequently expressed (20/25) and its absence or low expression was associated with the absence of response to ABT‐737, p value = 0.019 by Fisher's test and sensitivity = 93%, (95% confidence interval, 66–100). Moreover, we observed that in tumors in which Bim was expressed, a low expression of phospho‐Erk1/2 or Mcl‐1 improved the proportion of responses. This pilot study showed that ABT‐737 has promise as monotherapy for HGSOC in a specific subgroup of tumors. Bim, Mcl‐1, and phospho‐Erk1/2 appeared to be relevant biomarkers that could be used for the selection of patients in the design of clinical trials using Navitoclax (an orally available compound related to ABT‐737).
Faculty Diversity and the Traditions of Academic Governance
Authors: Minor James T.
Published: July 2014

This chapter explores eliminating faculty‐related glass ceiling effects through academic governance.
Synthesis of 4,5‐Dihydrofuran‐3‐carbonitrile Derivatives with Electron‐Rich Alkenes in the Presence of Manganese(III) Acetate
Authors: Yllmaz Mehmet , Burgaz E. Vildan , Yakut Mehtap , Biçer Emre
Published: July 2014

Radical cyclization reactions mediated by manganese(III) acetate were carried out with ν‐excessive alkenes (2a‐d) and 3‐oxopropanenitriles (1a‐f) resulting in the formation of 3‐cyano‐4,5‐dihydrofuran derivatives in poor to high yields. A mechanism was proposed for the cyclization reaction. The significance of the study is the formation of the 3‐cyano‐4,5‐dihydrofuran derivatives resembling terfuran, 2‐(2‐thienyl)furan and 2‐(2‐benzofuryl)furyl compounds having the fluorescent properties due to a conjugated ν‐electron system particularly containing the cyano moeity.
On ‐Cocyclic Hadamard Matrices
Authors: Álvarez Víctor , Gudiel Félix , Belén Güemes Maria
Published: July 2014

A characterization of ‐cocyclic Hadamard matrices is described, depending on the notions of distributions, ingredients, and recipes. In particular, these notions lead to the establishment of some bounds on the number and distribution of 2‐coboundaries over to use and the way in which they have to be combined in order to obtain a ‐cocyclic Hadamard matrix. Exhaustive searches have been performed, so that the table in p. 132 in A. Baliga, K. J. Horadam, Australas. J. Combin., 11 (1995), 123–134 is corrected and completed. Furthermore, we identify four different operations on the set of coboundaries defining ‐cocyclic matrices, which preserve orthogonality. We split the set of Hadamard matrices into disjoint orbits, define representatives for them, and take advantage of this fact to compute them in an easier way than the usual purely exhaustive way, in terms of diagrams. Let be the set of cocyclic Hadamard matrices over having a symmetric diagram. We also prove that the set of Williamson‐type matrices is a subset of of size .
When a clear strong voice was needed: A retrospective review of Watson's (1924/1930) behaviorism
Authors: Malone John C. , García‐Penagos Andrés
Published: July 2014

Despite the attention given John B. Watson during the century since he introduced behaviorism, there remain questions about what he really contributed. He is still appropriately criticized for his arrogant self‐promotion and especially for his perceived emphasis on a simple S‐R reflexology. However, we argue that the former was necessary at the time and that criticism of Watson on the second count only diverts attention from the genuine contributions that he did make. In support of these contentions we examine several aspects of his contributions that warrant clarification, namely, his promotion of applied comparative psychology, his views on the nature of mind, his originality, criticism from and respect afforded by contemporaries, his relation to recent interest in “the embodiment of mind,” his treatment of thinking, and his appreciation of Freud's work. We organize our discussion around specific chapters of the two editions of Behaviorism, but in support of our arguments we include publications of Watson that are less well known. Those works develop some important points that are only briefly treated in both editions of Behaviorism.
Two‐Step Synthesis of Multifunctional γ‐Lactams from γ‐Lactone
Authors: Béji Feten , Taktouk Sonia , Kraïem Jihène Ben , Al‐Deyab Salem S. , Amri Hassen
Published: July 2014

We present herein an efficient and rapid method for the synthesis of N,1‐dialkyl‐4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐5‐oxopyrrolidine‐3‐carboxamides based on the conversion of γ‐lactone to γ‐lactam via the conjugate addition of primary amines to an ethyl α‐functionalized acrylate followed by intramolecular cyclization.
Electronic health record–related safety concerns: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Menon Shailaja , Singh Hardeep , Meyer Ashley N. D. , Belmont Elisabeth , Sittig Dean F.
Published: July 2014

Federal electronic health record (EHR)–related initiatives are leading to rapid increases in their adoption. Despite their benefits, EHRs also introduce new risks that can lead to serious safety events. We conducted a Web‐based survey of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management and the American Health Lawyers Association to elicit perceptions regarding the frequency and types of EHR‐related serious safety events. We received 369 responses. The majority (66%) worked for large hospitals and health systems with varying degrees of EHR adoption. More than half (53%) of respondents reported at least one EHR‐related serious safety event in the previous 5 years, and 10% reported more than 20 events. EHR workflow (63%), user familiarity with the EHR system (63%), and integration with existing systems (59%) were most frequently endorsed as variables associated with EHR‐related serious safety events. Because EHR‐related safety concerns are underreported, organizations should consider implementing robust measures of EHR safety within their institution as a key step for mitigating these concerns.
Optimisation of ultrasound‐assisted extraction of natural antioxidants from mustard seed cultivars
Authors: Szydłowska‐Czerniak Aleksandra , Tułodziecka Agnieszka , Karlovits György , Szłyk Edward
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND

Modified mustard varieties can produce edible oil with reduced amounts of erucic acid and glucosinolates and enhanced antioxidant potential. Therefore, this work focused on the optimisation of the ultrasound‐assisted extraction of compounds with high antioxidant capacity from three white mustard seed cultivars using response surface methodology.

RESULTS

The predicted optimum solvent polarity (57.2, 56.5 and 57.6) and ultrasound power‐to‐sonication time ratio (4.5, 4.8 and 4.3 W min−1) resulted in antioxidant capacities determined by the ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay [54.37, 65.75 and 68.55 mmol Trolox equivalent (TE) kg−1] and the 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method (141.65, 175.26 and 185.10 mmol TE kg−1) and total phenolics content (23.70, 27.16 and 11.29 mg sinapic acid g−1) for extracts obtained from one traditional and two modified mustard seed varieties. The highest FRAP and DPPH values (69.51 and 197.73 mmol TE kg−1) revealed 50% methanolic extract prepared from modified mustard seed cultivar without erucic acid and glucosinolates treated with ultrasound for 30 min (ultrasound power/ultrasound time = 4 W min−1).

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound‐assisted extraction was found to be a more rapid, convenient and appropriate extraction method with higher yield of antioxidants, shorter time and lower solvent consumption in comparison to conventional extraction. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Genetic diversity of Streptococcus suis isolated from three pig farms of China obtained by acquiring antibiotic resistance genes
Authors: Huang Jinhu , Shang Kexin , Kashif Jam , Wang Liping
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND

Acquiring antibiotic resistance genes may change an organism's genetic characteristics and the effect of antibiotics, resulting in a rapid transmission of microbial pathogens. The objectives of this experiment were to identify the features of Streptococcus suis (S. suis) isolated from three pig farms in China which are geographically isolated.

RESULTS

Among the isolates, 56.52% were sequence type 7 (ST7), followed by ST1 (26.09%), indicating that ST7 prevails in China, as revealed by multi‐locus sequence typing (MLST). Statistical analysis indicated an association between geography, sequence types and antibiotic resistance genotypes. 66.67% of the isolates in Sichuan province presented a (ermB− + mefA− + tetO− + tetM−) + ST7 type. The tetM++ST7 type was the most prevalent in Jiangsu province, whereas the strains from Hebei province had a phenotype ermB++tetO++ST1 (63.64%). Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PGFE) pattern A2 with 100% similarity reflected the clonal dissemination between Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces. Strains carrying or not carrying antibiotic resistance genes presented different PFGE patterns in Hebei province.

CONCLUSION

ST7 is widespread in many regions of China and a clonal dissemination occurred between Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces in diseased pigs. However, ST1 strains with macrolide and tetracycline resistance (ermB++tetO++ST1) isolated from a farm in Hebei province demonstrated that the genetic diversity was contributed by horizontal acquiring of ermB and tetO carrying elements. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Dietary supplementation of Gracilariopsis persica is associated with some quality related sera and egg yolk parameters in laying quails
Authors: Abbaspour Behnam , Davood Sharifi S , Mohammadi‐Sangcheshmeh Abdollah
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND

Gracilariopsis persica (Gp) is one of the most abundant red algae distributed in the Persian Gulf, containing various bioactive components with hypolipedimic, hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties. Therefore using laying quails as a model we aimed to investigate the effect of dietary Gp on body weight, feed conversion, estradiol, progesterone, calcium and lipid levels in serum, as well as the high‐density:low‐density lipoprotein (HDL:LDL) ratio. Yolk cholesterol and yolk lipid oxidation were also evaluated. To accomplish this, diets containing 0, 10, 30 and 50 g kg−1 Gp were fed to 5‐week‐old laying quails for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Our data revealed that Gp had no effect on body weight, feed conversion, triglycerides and estradiol levels of serum. Dietary Gp decreased the serum and yolk cholesterol in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, the sera progesterone and calcium levels and HDL:LDL ratios were increased by feeding diets containing 50 g kg−1 Gp. Our results relating to yolk lipid oxidation showed that malondialdehyde content was decreased in Gp‐fed laying quails.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study demonstrate that not only serum and egg yolk cholesterol levels, but also susceptibility of yolk lipids to oxidation, can be decreased by feeding Gp to laying quails. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Dissociation and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Blevins Christy A. , Weathers Frank W. , Witte Tracy K.
Published: July 2014

The fifth edition ofDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM‐5; American Psychiatric Association,) contains a dissociative subtype for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) characterized by significant depersonalization and derealization. In this study the PTSD dissociative subtype was examined using latent profile analysis in a sample of 541 trauma‐exposed college students. Items from the PTSD Checklist and Multiscale Dissociation Inventory were used as latent class indicators. Results supported a 3‐class solution including a well‐adjusted class, a PTSD class, and a PTSD/dissociative class characterized by elevated symptoms of PTSD, depersonalization, and derealization. Significant class differences were found on a number of measures of related psychopathology with Cohen'sdeffect size estimates ranging from 0.04 to 1.86. Diagnostic and treatment implications regarding the dissociative subtype are discussed.
Versatile Raman fiber laser for sodium laser guide star
Authors: Zhang Lei , Jiang Huawei , Cui Shuzhen , Hu Jinmeng , Feng Yan
Published: July 2014

Robust high‐power narrow‐linewidth lasers at 589 nm are required for sodium laser guide star adaptive optics in astronomy. A high‐power 589 nm laser based on Raman fiber amplifier is reported here, which works in both continuous‐wave and pulsed formats. In the continuous‐wave case, the laser produces more than 50 W output. In the pulsed case, the same laser produces square‐shaped pulses with tunable repetition rate (500 Hz to 10 kHz) and duration (1 ms to 30 μs). The peak power is as high as 84 W and remains constant during the tuning. The laser also emits an adjustable sideband at 1.71 GHz away from the main laser frequency for better sodium excitation. The versatility of the laser offers much flexibility in laser guide star application.
Synthesis of Novel Sustainable Oligoamides Via Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Lactams Based on (−)‐Menthone
Authors: Winnacker Malte , Vagin Sergei , Auer Verena , Rieger Bernhard
Published: July 2014

In the context of novel sustainable and structurally significant building blocks for polymer science, the synthetic routes are described to new oligoamide structures based on the terpenoid ketone (−)‐menthone. The basic concept is an oxime formation of this cyclic ketone followed by the Beckmann rearrangement, resulting in the corresponding lactams. These lactams are polymerized under anionic or acid‐catalyzed conditions (ring‐opening polymerization (ROP)) to give alkyl‐substituted and stereocenter containing oligoamide scaffolds that are assumed to be suitable for further copolymerizations and modifications and thus for a wide range of different applications. The regio‐ and the stereochemistry of the formed oximes and lactams as well as their impact on the polymerization behavior is discussed.

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Electrostatic Discharging Behaviour of Polycarbonate Parts Made by Process‐Integrated Surface Modification
Authors: Nagel Jürgen , Pahner Felix‐Aron , Zimmerer Cordelia , Härtig Thomas , Gehde Michael , Heinrich Gert
Published: July 2014

The surface‐reactive injection moulding process is based on the reactive coupling between, e.g., a polyamine and polycarbonate (PC). The reaction takes place in a small layer and within a time of only about 1 μs before solidifying of the melt surface. Kinetic data are difficult to measure under those conditions. By model reactions in solution and in melt, first data on the reaction rate are available. Moulding experiments were made with a polyethylene imine (PEI), labelled with a naphthalimide dye. On injection of a PC melt, PEI layers of different thickness were transferred from the mould to the PC part surface. No significant residues remained on the mould surface. The thickness of the layer on PC was measured before and after solvent extraction. Conditions for best transfer and the maximum layer thickness are discussed. The electrostatic discharging behaviour of those layers on a PC part is shown.
A nonlinear inequality and application to global asymptotic stability of perturbed systems
Authors: Makhlouf A. Ben , Hammami M. A.
Published: July 2014

The goal of this work is to present a new nonlinear inequality which is used in a study of the Lyapunov uniform stability and uniform asymptotic stability of solutions to time‐varying perturbed differential equations. New sufficient conditions for global uniform asymptotic stability and/or practical stability in terms of Lyapunov‐like functions for nonlinear time‐varying systems is obtained. Our conditions are expressed as relation between the Lyapunov function and the existence of specific function which appear in our analysis through the solution of a scalar differential equation. Moreover, an example in dimensional two is given to illustrate the applicability of the main result. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical dimension for a system of partial differential equations with time‐dependent generators
Authors: del Carmen Andrade‐González Amanda , Villa‐Morales José
Published: July 2014

We give sufficient conditions for blows up of positive mild solutions for the weakly coupled system:

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma3238:mma3238-math-0001
where
is a fractional Laplacian, 0 < αi≤2,βi≥1,ρi>0,σi>−1 are constants, and the initial condition ϕi are positive, bounded and integrable functions. We also discuss the critical dimension. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amyloid‐beta (Aβ1–42)‐induced paralysis in Caenorhabditis elegans is inhibited by the polyphenol quercetin through activation of protein degradation pathways
Authors: Regitz Charlotte , Marie Dußling Lisa , Wenzel Uwe
Published: July 2014

Scope

Dietary polyphenols are suggested to play a role in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, of which accumulation of aggregated beta amyloid (Aβ) is a key histopathological hallmark. We used the transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans strain CL2006, which expresses human Aβ1–42 under control of a muscle‐specific promoter and responds to Aβ1–42 aggregation with paralysis, to test effects of the polyphenol quercetin on the phenotype.

Methods and results

Quercetin dose‐dependently decreased the amount of aggregated proteins in solution and also paralysis in CL2006. The knockdown of key components of unfolded protein response in mitochondria or the endoplasmic reticulum by RNA‐interference (RNAi) enhanced paralysis in CL2006 but did not prevent the paralysis reducing activities of quercetin. RNAi for essential members of proteasomal protein degradation or macroautophagy also significantly increased paralysis but prevented quercetin from being effective. Quercetin increased proteasomal activity and, moreover, enhanced the flow of proteins through the macroautophagy pathway as reflected by reduced lysosome staining.

Conclusion

The proteostasis network, including unfolded protein response, defines the aggregation of Aβ1–42 and the associated paralysis phenotype in a nematode model for Alzheimer's disease. The polyphenol quercetin, by specifically activating macroautophagy and proteasomal degradation pathways, proved able to prevent Aβ1–42 agregation and paralysis.
Punicalagin inhibits neuroinflammation in LPS‐activated rat primary microglia
Authors: Olajide Olumayokun A. , Kumar Asit , Velagapudi Ravikanth , Okorji Uchechukwu P. , Fiebich Bernd L.
Published: July 2014

Scope

In this study, the effects of punicalagin on neuroinflammation in LPS‐activated microglia were investigated.

Methods and results

The ability of punicalagin to reduce the production of TNF‐α, IL‐6 and prostaglandin E2 was measured in culture medium using enzyme immunoassay. TNF‐α and IL‐6 gene expression in mouse hippocampal slices was measured with PCR. cyclooxygenase‐2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 protein and mRNA were evaluated with Western blotting and PCR, respectively. Further experiments to investigate effects of punicalagin on protein expressions of inflammatory targets were also determined with Western blotting. Pretreatment of rat primary microglia with punicalagin (5–40 μM) prior to LPS (10 ng/mL) stimulation produced a significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of TNF‐α, IL‐6 and prostaglandin E2 production. Punicalagin completely abolished TNF‐α and IL‐6 gene expression in LPS‐stimulated hippocampal slices. Protein and mRNA expressions of cyclooxygenase‐2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 were also reduced by punicalagin pretreatment. Results show that punicalagin interferes with NF‐κB signalling through attenuation of NF‐κB‐driven luciferase expression, as well as inhibition of IκB phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 subunit in the microglia.

Conclusion

These results suggest that punicalagin inhibits neuroinflammation in LPS‐activated microglia through interference with NF‐κB signalling, suggesting its potential as a nutritional preventive strategy in neurodegenerative disorders.
Long term safety of sacral nerve modulation in medicare beneficiaries
Authors: Chughtai Bilal , Sedrakyan Art , Isaacs Abby , Lee Richard , Te Alexis , Kaplan Steven
Published: July 2014

Aims

Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is FDA approved as second‐line therapy for both urinary and bowel control. However, there is limited evidence regarding long term safety. We determined adverse events associated with SNS among Medicare beneficiaries.

Methods

We used the 5% national random sample of Medicare claims for 2001–2011 to identify patients. Patients who underwent SNS implantation were identified with Current Procedure Terminology (CPT‐4) codes. We determined safety of SNS using analysis of complication occurrences on day of surgery and during 5 years following initial procedure. SAS v9.3 statistical package was used.

Results

One thousand four hundred seventy‐four patients underwent treatment with SNS in the 5% national sample of Medicare patients within the time period. Representative of real‐world patients undergoing SNS surgery, comorbidities included hypertension (69.3%), diabetes (29.4%), chronic pulmonary disease (25.5%), hypothyroidism (25.2%), and depression (22.7%). Few complications occurred on day of surgery. At 90 days, 3.2% of patients had bowel complications, 2.0% urological, 9.4% infectious, and 1.5% stroke. Overall, bowel, neurological health event occurrences were consistent with prior year rates, while infectious events decreased. Of 206 patients who were followed for at least 5 years, 17.3% had devices removed and 11.3% replaced, with 26.1% having at least one of those, leaving 73.9% with original devices.

Conclusions

Urological, infectious, and bowel complication occurrences were low after SNS among Medicare beneficiaries with multiple comorbidities. There were infrequent serious complications like hemorrhage and stroke postoperatively. Although SNS appears safe in this high‐risk population, a comprehensive registry will ensure continuous safety. Neurourol. Urodynam. 34:???–???, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A combined fluid–structure interaction and multi–field scalar transport model for simulating mass transport in biomechanics
Authors: Yoshihara L. , Coroneo M. , Comerford A. , Bauer G. , Klöppel T. , Wall W. A.
Published: July 2014

Mass transport processes are known to play an important role in many fields of biomechanics such as respiratory, cardiovascular, and biofilm mechanics. In this paper, we present a novel computational model considering the effect of local solid deformation and fluid flow on mass transport. As the transport processes are assumed to influence neither structure deformation nor fluid flow, a sequential one‐way coupling of a fluid–structure interaction (FSI) and a multi‐field scalar transport model is realized. In each time step, first the non‐linear monolithic FSI problem is solved to determine current local deformations and velocities. Using this information, the mass transport equations can then be formulated on the deformed fluid and solid domains. At the interface, concentrations are related depending on the interfacial permeability. First numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed approach is suitable for simulating convective and diffusive scalar transport on coupled, deformable fluid and solid domains. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Post processing of solution and flux for the nodal mimetic finite difference method
Authors: Beirão da Veiga Lourenço , Manzini Gianmarco , Putti Mario
Published: July 2014

We develop and analyze a post processing technique for the family of low‐order mimetic discretizations based on vertex unknowns for the numerical treatment of diffusion problems on unstructured polygonal and polyhedral meshes. The post processing works in two steps. First, from the nodal degrees of freedom, we reconstruct an elemental‐based vector field that approximates the gradient of the exact solution. Second, we solve a local problem for each mesh vertex associated with a scheme degree of freedom to determine a post processed normal flux that is conservative and divergence preserving. Theoretical results and numerical experiments for two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D benchmark problems show optimal convergence rates. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 336–363, 2015
Successful treatment of systemic and central nervous system post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder without the use of high‐dose methotrexate or radiation
Authors: Mahapatra Sidharth , Chin Clifford C. , Iagaru Andrei , Heerema‐McKenney Amy , Twist Clare J.
Published: July 2014

Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) describes a spectrum of conditions with highest incidence in the first year post‐solid organ transplant in pediatric patients. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement with PTLD carries high mortality risk with no consensus on optimal therapeutic regimen. We present the case of a 7‐year old heart transplant patient diagnosed with widespread monomorphic, CD20+, Epstein–Barr virus‐positive PTLD, including CNS involvement. In addition to immunosuppression reduction and rituximab, she was treated with multiagent systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy. She achieved a prompt and complete clinical and radiologic remission, which has been sustained for over 46 months since diagnosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2107–2109. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Silver nanoparticle anchored with novel crosslinked beaded polystyrene/polyamidoxime sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and its antibacterial activity
Authors: Sharma Saroj , Sharma Chirag R. , Bhayani Khushbu , Mishra Sandhya
Published: July 2014

The present article describes the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) impregnatated crosslinked beaded polystyrene/polyamidoxime (PSD/PAMD) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs). The developed SNPs‐IPNs were tested for the antibacterial activity for water purification. Intially, the crosslinked beaded polystyrene/polyacrylonitrile (PSD/PAN) polymer was synthesized by radical sequential suspension polymerization method therafter, it has been converted into PSD/PAMD‐IPN comprising amidoxime group, which acts as capping agent to anchor the silver ions. The silver ions impregnated with PSD/PAMD‐IPN were converted into SNPs by chemical reduction methodology followed by stabilization without any deterioration or loss in polymer. IR and solid‐state 13C NMR spectra were use for the structural characterization of developed SNPs‐IPN, while morphological characterization was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The size of the SNPs formed with the networks were found less than 5 nm. The disinfection potential of SNPs‐IPN was evaluated by different antibacterial test. The bactericidal test of SNPs‐IPN revealed the promissing antibacterial efficieny with complete microbial inhibition within 4–6 h. The reusability of the SNPs‐IPN beads was also tested for its repeated use for industrial application. POLYM. COMPOS., 70–80, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effects of polyethylene spacer length in polymeric electrolytes on gelation of ionic liquids and ionogel properties
Authors: Nagasawa Jun'ichi , Wakahara Sonoko , Matsumoto Hajime , Kihara Hideyuki , Yoshida Masaru
Published: July 2014

Polymer electrolytes containing N,N′‐(trans‐cyclohexane‐1,4‐diyl)dibenzamide linkages, polyethylene ((CH2)m, m = 2, 4, 10) spacers, and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (TFSA) or bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide (FSA) counteranions (polymer abbreviation: CDBAm•X; m = 2, 4, 10; X = TFSA, FSA) have been synthesized, adding to our previous report (m = 6). In addition, their ability to effect the gelation of six ionic liquids and the properties of the resulting ionogels have been examined. The polymers, except for CDBA10•TFSA, effect the gelation for all ionic liquids used in this study at fairly low concentrations (0.9–50 g/L). Ionogel ionic conductivity is not dependent on the spacer length, but does decrease slightly as increasing amounts of the gelatinizer are introduced. In contrast to ionic conductivity, the temperatures at which these ionogels transition into isotropic fluids is dependent on the spacer length; the gel composed of [EMI][FSA] and 100 g/L of CDBA6•FSA transforms at 120 °C, while the gel composed of [EMI][FSA] and 5 g/L of CDBA2•FSA does not transform into a sol even when temperatures become 155 °C. In brief, ionogel heat resistance can be improved by changing the spacer length of the polyelectrolyte. Finally, it has been determined using cyclic voltammetry that the potential window of the polyelectrolytes is particularly wide, ranging from −1.6 to 2.5 V. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 249–255