bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probing the Different Life Stages of a Fluid Catalytic Cracking Particle with Integrated Laser and Electron Microscopy
Authors: Karreman Matthia A. , Buurmans Inge L. C. , Agronskaia Alexandra V. , Geus John W. , Gerritsen Hans C. , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: February 2013

While cycling through a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, the structure and performance of FCC catalyst particles are severely affected. In this study, we set out to characterize the damage to commercial equilibrium catalyst particles, further denoted as ECat samples, and map the different pathways involved in their deactivation in a practical unit. The degradation was studied on a structural and a functional level. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of ECat samples revealed several structural features; including zeolite crystals that were partly or fully severed, mesoporous, macroporous, and/or amorphous. These defects were then correlated to structural features observed in FCC particles that were treated with different levels of hydrothermal deactivation. This allowed us not only to identify which features observed in ECat samples were a result of hydrothermal deactivation, but also to determine the severity of treatments resulting in these defects. For functional characterization of the ECat sample, the Brønsted acidity within individual FCC particles was studied by a selective fluorescent probe reaction with 4‐fluorostyrene. Integrated laser and electron microscopy (iLEM) allowed correlating this Brønsted acidity to structural features by combining a fluorescence and a transmission electron microscope in a single set‐up. Together, these analyses allowed us to postulate a plausible model for the degradation of zeolite crystals in FCC particles in the ECat sample. Furthermore, the distribution of the various deactivation processes within particles of different ages was studied. A rim of completely deactivated zeolites surrounding each particle in the ECat sample was identified by using iLEM. These zeolites, which were never observed in fresh or steam‐deactivated samples, contained clots of dense structures. The structures are proposed to be carbonaceous deposits formed during the cracking process, and seem resistant towards burning off during catalyst regeneration.
Hybrid Molecular Systems Containing Tetrathiafulvalene and Iron‐Alkynyl Electrophores: Five‐Component Functional Molecules Obtained from CH Bond Activation
Authors: Justaud Frédéric , Gendron Frédéric , Ogyu Yoshiyuki , Kumamoto Yuki , Miyazaki Akira , Ouahab Lahcène , Costuas Karine , Halet Jean‐François , Lapinte Claude
Published: February 2013

Treatment of [Cp*(dppe)FeCC‐TTFMe3] (1) with Ag[PF6] (3 equiv) in DMF provides the binuclear complex [Cp*(dppe)FeCCTTFMe2CHCHTTFMe2CC=Fe(dppe)Cp*][PF6]2 (2[PF6]2) isolated as a deep‐blue powder in 69 % yield. EPR monitoring of the reaction and comparison of the experimental and calculated EPR spectra allowed the identification of the radical salt [Cp*(dppe)FeCCTTFMe2CH][PF6]2 ([1‐CH][PF6]) an intermediate of the reaction, which results from the activation of the methyl group attached in vicinal position with respect to the alkynyl–iron on the TTF ligand by the triple oxidation of 1 leading to its deprotonation by the solvent. The dimerization of [1‐CH][PF6] through carbon–carbon bond formation provides 2[PF6]2. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments show that 2[PF6]2 is subject to two sequential well‐reversible one‐electron reductions yielding the complexes 2[PF6] and 2. The CV also shows that further oxidation of 2[PF6]2 generates 2[PF6]n (n=3–6) at the electrode. Treatment of 2[PF6]2 with KOtBu provides 2[PF6] and 2 as stable powders. The salts 2[PF6] and 2[PF6]2 were characterized by XRD. The electronic structures of 2n+ (n=0–2) were computed. The new complexes were also characterized by NMR, IR, Mössbauer, EPR, UV/Vis and NIR spectroscopies. The data show that the three complexes 2[PF6]n are iron(II) derivatives in the ground state. In the solid state, the dication 22+ is diamagnetic and has a bis(allenylidene‐iron) structure with one positive charge on each iron building block. In solution, as a result of the thermal motion of the metal–carbon backbone, the triplet excited state becomes thermally accessible and equilibrium takes place between singlet and triplet states. In 2[PF6], the charge and the spin are both symmetrically distributed on the carbon bridge and only moderately on the iron and TTFMe2 electroactive centers.
Cu‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation of Phosphonates and Phosphine Oxides with Grignard Reagents
Authors: Hornillos Valentín , Pérez Manuel , Fañanás‐Mastral Martín , Feringa Ben L.
Published: February 2013

An efficient and highly enantioselective copper‐catalyzed allylic alkylation of phosphonates and phosphine oxides with Grignard reagents and Taniaphos or phosphoramidites as chiral ligands is reported. Transformation of these products leads to a variety of new phosphorus‐containing chiral intermediates.
Quantitative prediction of 13C NMR chemical shifts in solvent using PCM‐ONIOM method and optimally selected wave function
Authors: Shaghaghi Hoora , Fathi Fariba , Ebrahimi Hossein Pasha , Tafazzoli Mohsen
Published: February 2013

The wave functions for calculating 13C nuclear magnetic chemical shifts of 22 groups of organic compounds (64 molecules) in chloroform solution have been optimally selected using factorial design as a multivariate technique. Our own N‐layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics approach was applied for molecules with different types of carbons. The results have obtained in very good agreement with the experimental values. An additional series (58 molecules) have been used as test sets and their results confirm the validity and reliability of the approaches. The total root mean square deviation and correlation coefficient of predictions (433 carbons) are 1.88 and .9994, respectively. Applicability of recommended levels of theory to calculate 13C chemical shifts in different solvents is guaranteed by calculating 13C chemical shifts for 25 carbons in benzene, chloroform, Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and water. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 42A: 1–13, 2013.
Synthesis, Spectroscopy, and Computational Analysis of Photoluminescent Bis(aminophenyl)‐Substituted Thiophene Derivatives
Authors: Lumpi Daniel , Horkel Ernst , Plasser Felix , Lischka Hans , Fröhlich Johannes
Published: February 2013

Substituted oligothiophenes have a long history in the field of organic electronics, as they often combine outstanding electro‐optical properties with the ease of synthesis. To assist the rational selection of the most promising structures to be synthesized, there is the demand for tools that allow prediction of the properties of the materials. In this study, we present strategies for synthesis and computational characterization, with respect to the fluorescence behavior of oligothiophene‐based materials for organoelectronic applications. In a combined approach, sophisticated computational methodologies are directly compared to experimental results. The M06‐2X functional in combination with the polarizable continuum model in a state‐specific formulation for excited‐state solvation proved to be particularly reliable. In addition, a semiclassical approach for describing the vibrational broadening of the spectra is employed. As a result, a robust procedure for the prediction of the fluorescence spectra of oligothiophene derivatives is presented.
Synthesis and single crystal growth of SnS by the Bridgman‐Stockbarger technique
Authors: Sorgenfrei T. , Hofherr F. , Jauß T. , Cröll A.
Published: February 2013

SnS is a promising candidate as PV absorber material according to the material properties and the Loferski diagram, but despite the numerous publications on this material, the intrinsic material properties are widely unknown and the theoretical possible values for efficiency are still far away from those achieved in reality. Due to the fact that this material is mostly grown as thin film material, bulk research is rare. The material synthesis and the melt growth of tin monosulfide (SnS) by using Bridgman‐Stockbarger technique have been investigated in this study. After first growth experiments produced polycrystalline SnS, a significant reduction of the growth velocity lead to samples with a high amount of single crystalline material. These samples were investigated in detail regarding the structural and optical properties by using XRD/HRXRD, chemical etching and photoluminescence.
RNA interference by feeding in vitro–synthesized double‐stranded RNA to planarians: Methodology and dynamics
Authors: Rouhana Labib , Weiss Jennifer A. , Forsthoefel David J. , Lee Hayoung , King Ryan S. , Inoue Takeshi , Shibata Norito , Agata Kiyokazu , Newmark Phillip A.
Published: February 2013

Background

The ability to assess gene function is essential for understanding biological processes. Currently, RNA interference (RNAi) is the only technique available to assess gene function in planarians, in which it has been induced by means of injection of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA), soaking, or ingestion of bacteria expressing dsRNA.

Results

We describe a simple and robust RNAi protocol, involving in vitro synthesis of dsRNA that is fed to the planarians. Advantages of this protocol include the ability to produce dsRNA from any vector without subcloning, resolution of ambiguities in quantity and quality of input dsRNA, as well as time and ease of application. We have evaluated the logistics of inducing RNAi in planarians using this methodology in careful detail, from the ingestion and processing of dsRNA in the intestine, to timing and efficacy of knockdown in neoblasts, germline, and soma. We also present systematic comparisons of effects of amount, frequency, and mode of dsRNA delivery.

Conclusions

This method gives robust and reproducible results and is amenable to high‐throughput studies. Overall, this RNAi methodology provides a significant advance by combining the strengths of current protocols available for dsRNA delivery in planarians and has the potential to benefit RNAi methods in other systems. Developmental Dynamics 242:718–730, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
“Indirect Modification” of Glassy Carbon with Gold Nanoparticles Using Nonconducting Support Materials
Authors: Nakashima Daisuke , Marken Frank , Oyama Munetaka
Published: February 2013

Electrochemical measurements using nonconducting support materials, such as paper and cotton gauze, for modifying glassy carbon (GC) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are described. After a seed‐mediated growth modification of AuNPs on Kimwipes, a AuNP‐Kimwipes‐modified GC electrode that was fabricated by simply fixing a piece of AuNP‐modified Kimwipes on a GC electrode surface showed almost reversible cyclic voltammetric responses for the oxidation of Fe(CN)64− in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) even when the GC surface was not polished before fixing. The electrochemical impedance results also indicated the significant effect of the AuNP‐modified Kimwipes on reducing the charge transfer resistance. Similar effects were observed for AuNP‐modified cotton gauze, whose characteristics were the partial coverage of a GC surface, and, for the electrode in that a piece of untreated Kimwipes was bound between AuNP‐modified Kimwipes and a GC electrode surface. On the basis of such partial or remote effects of AuNPs together with other electrochemical results, plausible mechanisms to promote the electron transfer reaction of Fe(CN)64− by AuNPs are discussed. In addition, as a specific phenomenon in the present modified electrodes, the adsorption of Fe(CN)64− with the presence of AuNPs is described.
Mercury biomarkers and DNA methylation among michigan dental professionals
Authors: Goodrich Jaclyn M. , Basu Niladri , Franzblau Alfred , Dolinoy Dana C.
Published: February 2013

Modification of the epigenome may be a mechanism underlying toxicity and disease following chemical exposure. Animal and human data suggest that mercury (Hg) impacts DNA methylation. We hypothesize that methylmercury and inorganic Hg exposures from fish consumption and dental amalgams, respectively, may be associated with altered DNA methylation at global repetitive elements (long interspersed elements, LINE‐1) and candidate genes related to epigenetic processes (DNMT1) and protection against Hg toxicity (SEPW1, SEPP1). Dental professionals were recruited at Michigan Dental Association (MDA) meetings in 2009 and 2010. Subjects (n = 131) provided survey data (e.g. exposure sources, demographics) and biological samples for Hg measurement and epigenetic analysis. Total Hg was quantified via atomic absorption spectrophotometry in hair and urine, indicative of methylmercury and inorganic Hg exposures, respectively. Global repetitive and candidate gene methylation was quantified via pyrosequencing of bisulfite converted DNA isolated from buccal mucosa. Hair Hg (geometric mean (95% CI): 0.37 (0.31–0.44) µg/g) and urine Hg (0.70 (0.60–0.83) µg/L) were associated with sources of exposure (fish consumption and dental amalgams, respectively). Multivariable linear regression revealed a trend of SEPP1 hypomethylation with increasing hair Hg levels, and this was significant (P < 0.05) among males. The trend remained when excluding non‐dentists. No significant relationships between urine Hg and DNA methylation were observed. Thus, in a limited cohort, we identified an association between methylmercury exposure and hypomethylation of a potentially labile region of the genome (SEPP1 promoter), and this relationship was gender specific. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 54:195–203, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The application of soil washing for treatment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contaminated soil: A case study in a petrochemical complex
Authors: Madadian Edris , Gitipour Saeid , Amiri Leila , Alimohammadi Masoomeh , Saatloo Jafar
Published: February 2013

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are potential carcinogenic and hazardous compounds having raised appreciable environmental concerns around the world in recent decades. This research investigates the effect of soil washing on removal of PAHs in contaminated soil. The study was conducted by collecting soil samples from a petrochemical complex in south of Iran. Testing was carried out at three temperatures of 20°C, 40°C, and 80°C and washing periods of 30 min and 60 min. Moreover, two different concentrations of Triton X‐100 and Brij 35 surfactants were used throughout the experiments. The results of this research indicated that the maximum removal efficiency of PAHs was obtained using Brij 35 at concentration of 5 g/L, temperature of 80°C and washing duration of 60 min. The highest removal efficacies for anthracene, naphthalene, fluorene, and benzo(a)pyrene in coarse and fine fractions of the samples occurred at 76.24%, 86.32%, 78.54%, 85.81% and 57.50%, 63.39%, 60.87%, 79.94%, respectively. Moreover, the highest removals of total PAHs are 81.66% and 61.49%, accordingly. Furthermore, using Brij 35, benzo(a)pyrene presented maximum changes in of PAHs in the samples. It is due to the high solubilizing ability of Brij 35 for benzo(a)pyrene, its low adsorption onto soil, and also its lower CMC in comparison with the other surfactant. According to the results, the higher the surfactant concentration, washing time, and temperature are, the more removal efficiency will be. For the parameters tested, the rates of PAHs removals from the samples decreased in the order of surfactant concentration, temperature and washing duration, respectively. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 107–113, 2014
Decomposition analysis of Chinese provincial economic growth through carbon productivity analysis
Authors: Meng Ming , Niu Dongxiao , Gao Qian
Published: February 2013

This article is the first attempt to examine the relationship between Chinese provincial GDP growth and CO2 emission indicators. The complete Laspeyres index method is adopted to decompose the change of Chinese provincial GDP into the quantitative influence of carbon emission amount, emission structure adjustment, and carbon productivity improvement. Based on 2001–2009 data, the decomposition results reveal three important areas for further improvement of Chinese carbon productivity: (a) The high growth rate of CO2 emissions has imposed enormous pressures on the improvement of Chinese carbon productivity. Thus, decreasing the growth rate of Chinese CO2 emissions is indispensable. (b) Provincial protectionism has greatly affected the implementation of the central government's policies on CO2 control. Promoting provincial governments to implement these policies on their own initiative is the key to decreasing the growth rate of Chinese CO2 emissions. (c) An unexplained phenomenon was also found. Considering the CO2 emission indicators, the development modes of different provinces tend to relate to their geographic distributions and economic development speed. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 250–255, 2014
Unmixing of stable isotope signals using single specimen δ18O analyses
Authors: Wit J.C. , Reichart G.J. , Ganssen G.M.
Published: February 2013

The resolution at which foraminiferal stable isotopes are applied in paleo‐environmental studies is ever increasing, resulting in continuous sampling of sediment cores. The resolution of such continuously sampled records depends on the rate of sedimentation of foraminiferal shells in its relation to the intensity of bioturbation. Bioturbation essentially mixes sediment layers of different age, altering the primary climate signal, thereby impacting the accuracy of both the timing and magnitude of reconstructed climate changes. A new approach to assess and correct the impact of bioturbation is investigated here, based on the δ18O of individual specimens of planktonic foraminifera Globorotalia inflata from a series of boxcore samples in the Eastern North Atlantic. Average δ18O values decrease southward from 1.62 to 1.07‰ with the exception of site T86‐11 (1.35‰). The δ18O distribution of each station can be fitted with a uni‐ to polymodal distribution. A nonunimodal distribution strongly suggests admixing of bioturbated individuals. Quantification of these distributions allows deconvolving the original and bioturbated signals and subsequently provides a correction for bioturbation.
Cytosolic zinc accumulation contributes to excitotoxic oligodendroglial death
Authors: Mato Susana , Sánchez‐Gómez María Victoria , Bernal‐Chico Ana , Matute Carlos
Published: February 2013

Dyshomeostasis of cytosolic Zn2+ is a critical mediator of neuronal damage during excitotoxicity. However, the role of this cation in oligodendrocyte pathophysiology is not well understood. The current study examined the contribution of Zn2+ deregulation to oligodendrocyte injury mediated by AMPA receptors. Oligodendrocytes loaded with the Zn2+‐selective indicator FluoZin‐3 responded to mild stimulation of AMPA receptors with fast cytosolic Zn2+ rises that resulted from intracellular release, as they were not blocked by the extracellular Zn2+ chelator Ca‐EDTA. Pharmacological experiments suggested that AMPA‐induced Zn2+ mobilization depends on cytosolic Ca2+ accumulation, arises from mitochondria and protein‐bound pools, and is triggered by mechanisms that do not involve the generation of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, intracellular Zn2+ rises resulting from AMPA receptor activation seem to be promoted by Ca2+‐dependent cytosolic acidification. Addition of the cell‐permeable Zn2+ chelator TPEN significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane depolarization, reactive oxygen species production, and cell death by sub‐maximal activation of AMPA receptors both in vitro and in situ, suggesting that Zn2+ deregulation is an important mediator of oligodendrocyte excitotoxicity. These data provide evidence that strategies aimed at maintaining Zn2+ homeostasis may be useful for the treatment of disorders in which excitotoxicity is an important trigger of oligodendroglial death.
Radixin expression in microglia after cortical stroke lesion
Authors: Persson Åsa , Osman Ahmed , Bolouri Hayde , Mallard Carina , Kuhn H. Georg
Published: February 2013

Stroke induces extensive tissue remodeling, resulting in the activation of several cell types in the brain as well as recruitment of blood‐borne leucocytes. Radixin is part of a cytoskeleton linker protein family with the ability to connect transmembrane proteins to the actin cytoskeleton, promoting cell functions involving a dynamic cytoskeleton such as morphological changes, cell division and migration which are common events of different cell types after stroke. In the healthy adult brain radixin is expressed in Olig2+ cells throughout the brain and in neural progenitor cells in the subventricular zone. In the current study, we detected a 2.5 fold increase in the number of radixin positive cells in the peri‐infarct cortex two weeks after the induction of cortical stroke by photothrombosis. Similarly, the number of Olig2+ cells increased in the peri‐infarct area after stroke; however, the number of radixin+/Olig2+ cells was unchanged. Neural progenitor cells maintained radixin expression on their route to the infarct. More surprising however, was the expression of radixin in activated microglia in the peri‐infarct cortex. Seventy percent of Iba1+ cells expressed radixin after stroke, a population which was not present in the control brain. Furthermore, activation of radixin was predominantly detected in the peri‐infarct region of oligodendrocyte progenitors and microglia. The specific location of radixin+ cells in the peri‐infarct region and in microglia suggests a role for radixin in microglial activation after stroke.
Pink1 deficiency attenuates astrocyte proliferation through mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced akt and increased p38 mapk activation, and downregulation of egfr
Authors: Choi Insup , Kim Jun , Jeong Hey‐Kyeong , Kim Beomsue , Jou Ilo , Park Sang Myun , Chen Linan , Kang Un‐Jung , Zhuang Xiaoxi , Joe Eun‐hye
Published: February 2013

PINK1 (PTEN induced putative kinase 1), a familial Parkinson's disease (PD)‐related gene, is expressed in astrocytes, but little is known about its role in this cell type. Here, we found that astrocytes cultured from PINK1‐knockout (KO) mice exhibit defective proliferative responses to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fetal bovine serum. In PINK1‐KO astrocytes, basal and EGF‐induced p38 activation (phosphorylation) were increased whereas EGF receptor (EGFR) expression and AKT activation were decreased. p38 inhibition (SB203580) or knockdown with small interfering RNA (siRNA) rescued EGFR expression and AKT activation in PINK1‐KO astrocytes. Proliferation defects in PINK1‐KO astrocytes appeared to be linked to mitochondrial defects, manifesting as decreased mitochondrial mass and membrane potential, increased intracellular reactive oxygen species level, decreased glucose‐uptake capacity, and decreased ATP production. Mitochondrial toxin (oligomycin) and a glucose‐uptake inhibitor (phloretin) mimicked the PINK1‐deficiency phenotype, decreasing astrocyte proliferation, EGFR expression and AKT activation, and increasing p38 activation. In addition, the proliferation defect in PINK1‐KO astrocytes resulted in a delay in the wound healing process. Taken together, these results suggest that PINK1 deficiency causes astrocytes dysfunction, which may contribute to the development of PD due to delayed astrocytes‐mediated repair of microenvironment in the brain.
The application of decision tree to intensity change classification of tropical cyclones in western North Pacific
Authors: Zhang Wei , Gao Si , Chen Bin , Cao Kai
Published: February 2013

This study applies the C4.5 algorithm to classify tropical cyclone (TC) intensity change in the western North Pacific. The 24 h change in TC intensity (i.e., intensifying and weakening) is regarded as a binary classification problem. A decision tree, with three variables and five leaf nodes, is built by the C4.5 algorithm. The variables include intensification potential (maximum potential intensity minus current intensity), previous 12 h intensity change, and zonal wind shear. All five rules, discovered from the tree by forming a path from the root node to each leaf node, can be interpreted by theories on TC intensification. Data mining results identify a predictor set (i.e., the mined rules) with high classification accuracy. The present study suggests that this data mining approach can shed some light on investigating TC intensity change processes and therefore has the potential to improve the forecasting of TC intensity.
Resolving centimeter‐scale flows in aquifers and their hydrostratigraphic controls
Authors: Liu G. , Knobbe S. , Butler J.J.
Published: February 2013

The rate of groundwater flow has long been recognized as a critical control on solute transport in the subsurface. However, information about groundwater flux and its variability in space is rarely available, especially at the resolution required for investigations at sites of groundwater contamination. Recently, high‐resolution information about vertical variations in groundwater flux was obtained using fiber‐optic distributed temperature sensing technology to monitor the temperature response to active heating in a well. A series of vertical thermal profiles were acquired at a 1.4 cm resolution in a sand and gravel aquifer. These high‐resolution profiles, which display many of the same general features as hydraulic conductivity (K) profiles obtained using multiple techniques at the same well, provide new insights into site hydrostratigraphy. In particular, the near‐continuous profiles reveal the existence of thin zones of relatively high or low velocity that would be difficult to detect using other methods. These profiles also demonstrate that vertical variations in K may not be an accurate indicator of vertical variability in groundwater flux in highly heterogeneous aquifers.
WHAT MAKES WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES HAPPY? THE IMPORTANCE OF NON‐PECUNIARY CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Pagán Ricardo
Published: February 2013

The paper examines the determinants of the levels of job satisfaction reported by non‐disabled and disabled workers, with special attention to the contribution of non‐pecuniary job aspects. Using longitudinal data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel, we estimate job satisfaction equations for non‐disabled and disabled workers. The existence of unhealthy environments, hard manual work, capacity to learn and good relationships with colleagues and supervisors all have a greater influence on job satisfaction for disabled workers than for their non‐disabled counterparts. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Therapeutic recovery of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced hepatocyte-intrinsic immune defect reverses systemic adaptive immune tolerance
Authors: Lan Peixiang , Zhang Cai , Han Qiuju , Zhang Jian , Tian Zhigang
Published: February 2013

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistence aggravates hepatic immunotolerance, leading to the failure of cell-intrinsic type I interferon and antiviral response, but whether and how HBV-induced hepatocyte-intrinsic tolerance influences systemic adaptive immunity has never been reported, which is becoming the major obstacle for chronic HBV therapy. In this study, an HBV-persistent mouse, established by hydrodynamic injection of an HBV-genome-containing plasmid, exhibited not only hepatocyte-intrinsic but also systemic immunotolerance to HBV rechallenge. HBV-specific CD8+ T-cell and anti-HBs antibody generation were systemically impaired by HBV persistence in hepatocytes. Interestingly, HBV-induced hepatocyte-intrinsic immune tolerance was reversed when a dually functional vector containing both an immunostimulating single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) and an HBx-silencing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was administered, and the systemic anti-HBV adaptive immune responses, including CD8+ T-cell and anti-HBs antibody responses, were efficiently recovered. During this process, CD8+ T cells and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secreted play a critical role in clearance of HBV. However, when IFN-α/β receptor was blocked or the Toll-like receptor (TLR)7 signaling pathway was inhibited, the activation of CD8+ T cells and clearance of HBV was significantly impaired. Conclusion: These results suggest that recovery of HBV-impaired hepatocyte-intrinsic innate immunity by the dually functional vector might overcome systemic adaptive immunotolerance in an IFN-α- and TLR7-dependent manner. The strategy holds promise for therapeutic intervention of chronic persistent virus infection and associated cancers. (Hepatology 2013;)
Representation of natural and anthropogenic land cover change in MPI‐ESM
Authors: Reick C. H. , Raddatz T. , Brovkin V. , Gayler V.
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this paper is to give a rather comprehensive description of the models for natural and anthropogenically driven changes in biogeography as implemented in the land component JSBACH of the Max Planck Institute Earth system model (MPI‐ESM). The model for natural land cover change (DYNVEG) features two types of competition: between the classes of grasses and woody types (trees, shrubs) controlled by disturbances (fire, windthrow) and within those vegetation classes between different plant functional types based on relative net primary productivity advantages. As part of this model, the distribution of land unhospitable to vegetation (hot and cold deserts) is determined dynamically from plant productivity under the prevailing climate conditions. The model for anthropogenic land cover change implements the land use transition approach by Hurtt et al. (2006). Our implementation is based on the assumption that historically pastures have been preferentially established on former grasslands (“pasture rule”). We demonstrate that due to the pasture rule, deforestation reduces global forest area between 1850 and 2005 by 15% less than without. Because of the pasture rule the land cover distribution depends on the full history of land use transitions. This has implications for the dynamics of natural land cover change because assumptions must be made on how agriculturalists react to a changing natural vegetation in their environment. A separate model representing this process has been developed so that natural and anthropogenic land cover change can be simulated consistently. Certain aspects of our model implementation are illustrated by selected results from the recent CMIP5 simulations.
The suppressive role of p38 MAPK in cellular vacuole formation
Authors: Chen Run , Duan Chun‐Yan , Chen Shao‐Kun , Zhang Chun‐Yan , He Tao , Li Hong , Liu You‐Ping , Dai Rong‐Yang
Published: February 2013

Vacuolization of the cytoplasm is one of the dramatic and frequently observed phenomena in various cell types. Cellular vacuoles occur spontaneously or via a wide range of inductive stimuli, but the molecular mechanism involved in this process remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of the p38 and JNK pathways in the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles. We found that p38 and JNK agonist anisomycin abolishes spontaneous cytoplasmic vacuolization of HepG2 cells through p38 activation, but not through JNK activation. Importantly, blocking the activity of p38 or suppression the expression of p38 elicits cytoplasmic vacuoles formation in various cancer cells. Furthermore, cytoplasmic vacuoles induced by p38 blocking are derived from the perinuclear region. These observations provide direct evidence for a role of p38 signaling in regulating the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1789–1799, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gastrokine 1 regulates NF‐κB signaling pathway and cytokine expression in gastric cancers
Authors: Yoon Jung Hwan , La Cho Mi , Choi Yoo Jin , Back Ji Yeon , Park Mi Kyung , Lee Suk Woo , Choi Byung Joon , Ashktorab Hassan , Smoot Duane T. , Nam Suk Woo , Lee Jung Young , Park Won Sang
Published: February 2013

Gastrokine 1 (GKN1) plays an important role in the gastric mucosal defense mechanism and also acts as a functional gastric tumor suppressor. In this study, we examined the effect of GKN1 on the expression of inflammatory mediators, including NF‐κB, COX‐2, and cytokines in GKN1‐transfected AGS cells and shGKN1‐transfected HFE‐145 cells. Lymphocyte migration and cell viability were also analyzed after treatment with GKN1 and inflammatory cytokines in AGS cells by transwell chemotaxis and an MTT assay, respectively. In GKN1‐transfected AGS cells, we observed inactivation and reduced expression of NF‐κB and COX‐2, whereas shGKN1‐transfected HFE‐145 cells showed activation and increased expression of NF‐κB and COX‐2. GKN1 expression induced production of inflammatory cytokines including IL‐8 and ‐17A, but decreased expression of IL‐6 and ‐10. We also found IL‐17A expression in 9 (13.6%) out of 166 gastric cancer tissues and its expression was closely associated with GKN1 expression. GKN1 also acted as a chemoattractant for the migration of Jurkat T cells and peripheral B lymphocytes in the transwell assay. In addition, GKN1 significantly reduced cell viability in both AGS and HFE‐145 cells. These data suggest that the GKN1 gene may inhibit progression of gastric epithelial cells to cancer cells by regulating NF‐κB signaling pathway and cytokine expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1800–1809, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Statistical analysis on morphology development of some semialicyclic polyimides using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Stoica Iuliana , Barzic Andreea Irina , Hulubei Camelia , Timpu Daniel
Published: February 2013

The morphological features and surface texture parameters of some polyimide films prepared from a flexible and alicyclic dianhydride, in combination with five aromatic diamines, were evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in order to determine their applicability in electronics. By means of the surface roughness, shape of the surface height distribution, and angular and radial texture, a precise description of the actual surface topographies at the interface with other materials was made. The polyimide structures led to the development of different surface morphologies (from granular to porous and from bumpy to spiky). The relief diversity was described by the entropy of morphology, which had a similar trend with the root mean square roughness, which presents low values, i.e. 0.5–1.8 nm. Three‐dimensional AFM images and the corresponding angular spectra, together with texture aspect ratio and texture direction index (close to 1), indicate that no predominant orientation exists on the investigated surfaces. The redundancy in the morphology was associated with the concept of fractals, the maximum redundancy being achieved for the polyimide with the most complex polymer chain conformation. These results provide useful insights in selecting the polyimide structure, which has the optimal morphology, roughness, orientation, bearing properties, or self‐similarity for microelectronic applications such as: substrate for display backplanes, planar technology, microelectronic packaging, etc. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:503–513, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTANCE AND MORAL HAZARD IN MICROCREDIT: EVIDENCE FROM COLOMBIA
Authors: Presbitero Andrea F. , Rabellotti Roberta
Published: February 2013

Recent years have seen an intense and critical debate about the impact of microcredit on entrepreneurial activities and poor households' welfare. This paper suggests that information asymmetries in the ex post loan arrangement between the microfinance institution and local borrowers could partially explain the limited impact of microcredit. The physical distance separating borrowers from the microfinance institution could be considered as a proxy of agency costs, increasing the costs of monitoring and easing moral hazard. The estimation of the effect of distance on the borrower's self‐assessed outcome of a microcredit project in Colombia confirms the presence of moral hazard in the microcredit market, with agency costs increasing with geographical distance. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Viable herpes simplex virus type 1 and varicella‐zoster virus in the trigeminal ganglia of human cadavers
Authors: Saitoh Hisako , Momma Yuko , Inoue Hiroyuki , Yajima Daisuke , Iwase Hirotaro
Published: February 2013

Human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) and varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) were isolated in the bilateral trigeminal ganglia of 12 human cadavers with no history of herpes‐related symptoms within 1–5 days of death. Sixteen trigeminal ganglia were subjected to explant culture by using Vero cells, but no cytopathogenic effects (CPE) were observed. However, when another eight trigeminal ganglia were placed in a cell strainer and kept from direct contact with Vero cells during culture, CPE were clearly apparent in all cultures. The amount of DNA in the culture supernatants of 16 trigeminal ganglia decreased over time; 12 and 9 of these samples were PCR‐positive for HSV‐1 and VZV, respectively. In new Vero cells inoculated with supernatants collected 2 days after culture initiation, immunofluorescence staining revealed HSV‐1 and VZV in 6 and 5 of 8 trigeminal ganglia, respectively. HSV‐1 and VZV DNA was detected in supernatants collected 3 and 7 days after culture initiation and in Vero cells collected after culture completion, but real‐time PCR revealed the DNA amounts decreased over time. There was less VZV DNA than HSV‐1 DNA. These results demonstrate that infective HSV‐1 and VZV can be isolated in culture, and confirm that viable HSV‐1 and VZV persist in human trigeminal ganglia for some time after death. J. Med. Virol. 85:833–838, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of human vocal fold fibroblasts derived from chronic scar
Authors: Jetté Marie E. , Hayer Supriya D. , Thibeault Susan L.
Published: February 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis:

In vitro modeling of cell‐matrix interactions that occur during human vocal fold scarring is uncommon, as primary human vocal fold scar fibroblast cell lines are difficult to acquire. The purpose of this study was to characterize morphologic features, growth kinetics, contractile properties, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) protein expression and gene expression profile of human vocal fold fibroblasts derived from scar (sVFF) relative to normal vocal fold fibroblasts (nVFF).

Study Design:

In vitro.

Methods:

We successfully cultured human vocal fold fibroblasts from tissue explants of scarred vocal folds from a 56‐year‐old female and compared these to normal fibroblasts from a 59‐year‐old female. Growth and proliferation were assessed by daily cell counts, and morphology was compared at 60% confluence for 5 days. Gel contraction assays were evaluated after seeding cells within a collagen matrix. α‐SMA was measured using western blotting and immunocytochemistry (ICC). Quantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to assess differential extracellular matrix gene expression between the two cell types.

Results:

sVFF were morphologically indistinguishable from nVFF. sVFF maintained significantly lower proliferation rates relative to nVFF on days 3 to 6 (day 3: P = .0138; days 4, 5, and 6: P < .0001). There were no significant differences in contractile properties between the two cell types at any time point (0 hours: P = .70, 24 hours: P = .79, 48 hours: P = .58). ICC and western blot analyses revealed increased expression of α‐SMA in sVFF as compared with nVFF at passages 4 and 5, but not at passage 6 (passage 4: P = .006, passage 5: P = .0015, passage 6: P = .8860). Analysis of 84 extracellular matrix genes using qRT‐PCR revealed differential expression of 15 genes (P < .01).

Conclusions:

nVFF and sVFF displayed differences in proliferation rates, α‐SMA expression, and gene expression, whereas no differences were observed in contractile properties or morphology. Further investigation with a larger sample size is necessary to confirm these findings. Laryngoscope, 2013
Outcomes in head and neck oncologic surgery at academic medical centers in the united states
Authors: Jalisi Scharukh , Bearelly Shethal , Abdillahi Abdirahman , Truong Minh Tam
Published: February 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To evaluate the impact of case volume and other variables on outcomes after head and neck oncologic surgery was performed at academic medical centers in the United States.

Study Design:

Cross Sectional Ecological Study.

Methods:

The University HealthSystems Consortium (UHC) database was analyzed for discharge data on all patients who underwent surgery for head and neck cancers (excluding thyroid and skin cancer) at full‐ member academic medical centers between quarter 4 of 2006 and quarter 4 of 2009. Multivariate and linear regression analyses and chi‐square tests were applied to evaluate significant associations between hospital surgical volume and other independent variables, and to evaluate the risk of mortality, mortality index, complications, length of stay (LOS), LOS index, cost, and cost index.

Results:

Of 22,357 surgical cases, 11,573 met our inclusion criteria. The only outcome that was statistically significant based on volume was a lower complication rate in high volume hospitals (P = 0.0486) as compared to low volume hospitals. All Payer Refined–Diagnosis Related Group defined major severity of illness was the only independent variable significantly associated with higher complication rates, observed LOS, and observed cost (P <0.0001, P = 0.0139, and P = 0.0092, respectively). Management of male patients and black patients resulted in a lower cost index (P = 0.0472) and a higher complication rate (P = 0.0297), respectively. Patients with private insurance had lower complication rates, observed LOS, and observed cost (P = 0.0401, P = 0.0001, and P = 0.0187, respectively).

Conclusions:

After controlling for other factors, academic medical centers with a higher cumulative case volume have lower rates of complications. Laryngoscope, 2013
Combination of lamivudine and adefovir without hepatitis B immune globulin is safe and effective prophylaxis against hepatitis B virus recurrence in hepatitis B surface antigen–positive liver transplant candidates
Authors: Gane Edward J. , Patterson Scott , Strasser Simone I. , McCaughan Geoffrey W. , Angus Peter W.
Published: February 2013

Without effective prophylaxis, liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related liver disease is frequently complicated by severe and rapidly progressive HBV recurrence. Combination prophylaxis with hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and lamivudine (LAM) reduces long-term recurrence rates below 10%; however, HBIG is costly and inconvenient to administer. We, therefore, conducted a multicenter, prospective study of outcomes with an HBIG-sparing regimen of LAM plus adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) initiated at the time of listing for liver transplantation and continued after transplantation. Twenty-six patients were recruited into this study at the time of listing for transplantation, and 20 subsequently underwent transplantation. Twelve of the 26 patients had LAM exposure before the study baseline, but none had LAM resistance. The median HBV viral load before the institution of antiviral therapy was approximately 4.0 log10 IU/mL (range=2.3–7.5 log10 IU/mL). To the 20 patients who underwent transplantation, 800 IU of intramuscular HBIG was given immediately after transplantation and daily for 7 days only (total HBIG dose=6400 IU). All transplant patients remained alive without HBV recurrence (they were negative for hepatitis B surface antigen, and HBV DNA was undetectable) after a median follow-up of 57 months after transplantation (range=27–83 months). The median serum creatinine level in these patients rose from 81 to 119 μmol/L over the course of the study. No patient required dose reduction or cessation. After the completion of this prospective study, the regimen was modified so that no perioperative HBIG was administered if the pretransplant serum HBV DNA level was suppressed below 3 log10 IU/mL. Another 28 patients with HBV-related liver disease underwent transplantation (18 without HBIG). All remained alive and well without HBV recurrence after a median follow-up of 22 months after transplantation (range=10–58 months). In conclusion, a combination of LAM and ADV initiated at the time of wait listing provides safe and effective protection against recurrent HBV infection without the high costs and inconvenience associated with long-term HBIG therapy.
Numerical modelling of heavy rainfall event over Madeira Island in Portugal: sensitivity to different micro physical processes
Authors: Dasari Hari Prasad , Salgado Rui
Published: February 2013

Madeira Island, Portugal, experienced intense heavy rainfall on 20 February 2010 which caused loss of more than 40 lives and great damage. This is recorded as one of the major flash flood events during the past three decades. This heavy rainfall episode is simulated using the Advanced Research Weather Research Forecasting (ARW) model at a cloud resolving grid resolution of 1 km. A nested two‐way interactive four‐domain configuration centred on the island and forced laterally by the 6 hourly NCEP FNL 1° data are used. Four experiments with different cloud microphysical parameterizations are performed to examine the model sensitivity to cloud microphysics on heavy rainfall simulations. Analysis of the synoptic meteorological conditions indicated that the extreme rainfall resulted due to the effect of regional orography on the prevailing large scale flow with conditionally unstable moist air. Results indicate that the model is able to reproduce the heavy rainfall with good agreement. The experiment with the Ferrier scheme produced more rainfall than the other three experiments, as well as overestimating the quantity of rainfall. Analysis of simulated cloud microphysical properties indicated that the model‐produced heavy rainfall is sensitive to different cloud microphysics schemes. Model quantitative rainfall comparisons at different stations indicate that the Lin and Thompson schemes produced a more realistic simulation of heavy rainfall with relatively better correlation and higher threat score than the other two schemes. The associated dynamic and thermodynamic parameters are well produced in these two simulations. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society
SVM Based Descriptor Selection and Classification of Neurodegenerative Disease Drugs for Pharmacological Modeling
Authors: Shahid Mohammad , Shahzad Cheema Muhammad , Klenner Alexander , Younesi Erfan , Hofmann‐Apitius Martin
Published: February 2013

Systems pharmacological modeling of drug mode of action for the next generation of multitarget drugs may open new routes for drug design and discovery. Computational methods are widely used in this context amongst which support vector machines (SVM) have proven successful in addressing the challenge of classifying drugs with similar features. We have applied a variety of such SVM‐based approaches, namely SVM‐based recursive feature elimination (SVM‐RFE). We use the approach to predict the pharmacological properties of drugs widely used against complex neurodegenerative disorders (NDD) and to build an in‐silico computational model for the binary classification of NDD drugs from other drugs. Application of an SVM‐RFE model to a set of drugs successfully classified NDD drugs from non‐NDD drugs and resulted in overall accuracy of ∼80 % with 10 fold cross validation using 40 top ranked molecular descriptors selected out of total 314 descriptors. Moreover, SVM‐RFE method outperformed linear discriminant analysis (LDA) based feature selection and classification. The model reduced the multidimensional descriptors space of drugs dramatically and predicted NDD drugs with high accuracy, while avoiding over fitting. Based on these results, NDD‐specific focused libraries of drug‐like compounds can be designed and existing NDD‐specific drugs can be characterized by a well‐characterized set of molecular descriptors.