bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El proyecto mapa escolar de Valencia: Análisis de la zonificación educativa de la ciudad de Valencia
Authors: De Madaria Escudero Borja , Requena i Mora Marina , García De Fez Sandra , Vila Lladosa Luis , Gabaldón Estevan Daniel , Muñoz Rodríguez David , Rodríguez Victoriano José Manuel
Published: October 2024

El proyecto de investigación “Mapa Escolar de Valencia” nace de un convenio entre el Ajuntament y la Universitat De València, con el objeto de realizar una investigación del conjunto del sistema de educación obligatoria de la ciudad y proponer, si se considera necesario, modificaciones al mapa escolar vigente. El proyecto se estructura en diversos ámbitos temáticos de investigación. Ha realizado un análisis de la literatura científica especializada y de las políticas públicas en materia de educación y escolarización, y está analizando la evolución de los datos cuantitativos y cualitativos sobre la escolarización obligatoria en valencia, su zonificación, las representaciones de la educación y el clima escolar en los centros de la ciudad. Se presentan los principales resultados de la investigación.
The taint of torture and the brazilian legal system
Authors: De Góes Brennand Edna Gusmão , Volpato Dutra Delamar José
Published: October 2024

In Brazil, the practice of torture intertwines deeply with its own history. The literature on the subject has had a greater intensification on its registers during the Dictatorial Regime (1964 to 1985). In spite of the Brazilian Constitution of 1988, Brazil only makes efforts to investigate the crimes of torture of this period to comply with the provisions of the United Nations in 2011. Within this scenario, the NationalTruth Commission (Law 12.528, of November 2011) was created with the purpose of clarifying the facts and circumstances of cases concerning human rights violations, as well as the Law on Access to Information (Law 12.527 of November 2011), which have regulated the constitutional right to access public information, valid for all areas of the public administration. These laws allowed the opening of the archives of the dictatorship until denied on the basis of a severely restricted access. In this context, was created the Network Studies and Research on Violence-RIEV in partnership with Federal University of Paraíba-UFPB and Federal University of Santa Catarina-UFSC with the objective of investigating violations of human rights during the dictatorship, such as torture, persecution and violations of the right-to-live. The study of these violations is of fundamental importance for the historical unveiling of this period, especially because they were perpetrated by agents of the State. This article aims to present part of the research undertaken to understand the official legal procedures to prevent the practice of acts of torture in the national territory and how they are understood in the Brazilian legal system, with special attention to Law 9.455, of April 7, 1997 that criminalizes torture.
Sexualitat en persones grans: Claus per entendre la satisfacció sexual i el seu vincle amb la salut sexual
Authors: Faus Bertomeu Aina
Published: October 2024

La satisfacció sexual s’ha convertit en una qüestió important dintre dels estudis sobre sexualitats, dels que sistemàticament les persones grans queden excloses al reduir la seua sexualitat a aspectes relacionats amb la mala salut. En aquest estudi s’analitza la satisfacció sexual amb la parella d’aquest grup de població a través de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Sexual, prenent com a base el model biopsicosocial de la sexualitat (DeLamater, 2002) i considerant el gènere i diferents grups d’edat. Els resultats indiquen el caràcter multifactorial de la satisfacció sexual, prioritzant elements de natura relacional, social i cultural per sobre de l’estat de salut.
E-sports y brecha de género: La percepción de las profesionales españolas
Authors: Moldes Farelo Rocío
Published: October 2024

El objetivo del artículo es identificar las causas de la escasa presencia de mujeres en los E-sports. Atendiendo al género, el interés por los videojuegos en el nivel amateur es bastante similar. Sin embargo, en su vertiente profesional la participación femenina es muy reducida. El hecho de que el esfuerzo físico (requisito en los “deportes tradicionales” para dar espectáculo) carezca de relevancia podría considerarse una variable que incidiese en una mayor igualdad en las condiciones de acceso y participación de las mujeres a los deportes electrónicos. Contra pronóstico, los datos sobre la presencia femenina son elocuentes: el sector cuenta con pocas mujeres, con salarios infinitamente más bajos que los varones para remunerar la misma capacitación y con situaciones de “presión asfixiante” durante las competiciones, denunciadas por parte de las profesionales. La metodología, de carácter cualitativo, se ha centrado en la técnica del análisis de contenido desde una perspectiva netnográfica, mediante el análisis de los testimonios presentados en las jornadas “Mujeres, e-sports y unicornios”, en el marco de la campaña ≠MynameMygame, organizada por el club Movistars Riders. Además del análisis de contenido, se han realizado tres entrevistas en profundidad.
El cuerpo materno en la red: entre el orden de lo ?deseable? y el de lo real
Authors: Landa María Inés , Calafell Sala Núria
Published: October 2024

El estilo de vida fitness se realiza en, y a través de, un entramado subjetivo y de poder en el que circulan y se ensamblan dispositivos empresariales, terapeúticos, sanitarios y de espectacularización de los cuerpos, tendientes a inscribir la vida de la población en las tramas conflictivas de un capitalismo heterosexista, neoliberal e informacional. En dicho marco, la temporalidad, metarmofosis y plasticidad del cuerpo materno irrumpe como problema y objeto de intervención de tecnologías diversas orientadas a ajustar su tamaño, forma y devenir a los parámetros de la vida activa y saludable. En escenarios digitales, dicha tensión se materializa, por un lado, a través de dispositivos visuales y discursivos que promocionan el ideal del fitness, encarnado de forma hiperbólica en la figura de la fitmom. Y por el otro, a través de las prácticas de exhibición corporal y “aceptación de sí” de madres que cuestionan las figuraciones maternas que se inscriben de modo hegemónico en el orden de lo “deseable”. El artículo indaga en las imágenes y narrativas que se ponen en juego entre ambos posicionamientos, centrándose particularmente en las diferencias entre un cuerpo que se presenta como una adaptación ficcional al orden de lo “deseable” y otro que procura visibilizar la vulnerabilidad constitutiva del proceso materno. El análisis muestra cómo la gestión y exhibición del cuerpo materno en la red se encuentra jalonado tanto por los imperativos de salud, productividad y rendimiento, como por los de autenticidad y extimidad.
Brain-derived and in vitro-seeded alpha-synuclein fibrils exhibit distinct biophysical profiles
Authors: Lee Selene Seoyun , Civitelli Livia , Parkkinen Laura
Published: October 2024

The alpha-synuclein (
α
Syn) seeding amplification assay (SAA) that allows the generation of disease-specific in vitro seeded fibrils (SAA fibrils) is used as a research tool to study the connection between the structure of
α
Syn fibrils, cellular seeding/spreading, and the clinico-pathological manifestations of different synucleinopathies. However, structural differences between human brain-derived and SAA
α
Syn fibrils have been recently highlighted. Here, we characterize biophysical properties of the human brain-derived
α
Syn fibrils from the brains of patients with Parkinson’s disease with and without dementia (PD, PDD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and compare them to the ‘model’ SAA fibrils. We report that the brain-derived
α
Syn fibrils show distinct biochemical profiles, which were not replicated in the corresponding SAA fibrils. Furthermore, the brain-derived
α
Syn fibrils from all synucleinopathies displayed a mixture of- ‘straight’ and ‘twisted’ microscopic structures. However, the PD, PDD, and DLB SAA fibrils had a ‘straight’ structure, whereas MSA SAA fibrils showed a ‘twisted’ structure. Finally, the brain-derived
α
Syn fibrils from all four synucleinopathies were phosphorylated (S129). Interestingly, phosphorylated
α
Syn were carried over to the PDD and DLB SAA fibrils. Our findings demonstrate the limitation of the SAA fibrils modelling the brain-derived
α
Syn fibrils and pay attention to the necessity of deepening the understanding of the SAA fibrillation methodology.
Structure of scavenger receptor SCARF1 and its interaction with lipoproteins
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Xu Fan , Li Guangyi , Cheng Chen , Yu Bowen , Zhang Ze , Kong Dandan , Chen Fabao , Liu Yali , Fang Zhen , Cao Longxing , Yu Yang , Gu Yijun , He Yongning
Published: October 2024

SCARF1 (Scavenger receptor class F member 1, SREC-1 or SR-F1) is a type I transmembrane protein that recognizes multiple endogenous and exogenous ligands such as modified low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and is important for maintaining homeostasis and immunity. But the structural information and the mechanisms of ligand recognition of SCARF1 are largely unavailable. Here we solve the crystal structures of the N-terminal fragments of human SCARF1, which show that SCARF1 forms homodimers and its epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains adopt a long-curved conformation. Then we examine the interactions of SCARF1 with lipoproteins and are able to identify a region on SCARF1 for recognizing modified LDLs. The mutagenesis data show that the positively charged residues in the region are crucial for the interaction of SCARF1 with modified LDLs, which is confirmed by making chimeric molecules of SCARF1 and SCARF2. In addition, teichoic acids, a cell wall polymer expressed on the surface of gram-positive bacteria, are able to inhibit the interactions of modified LDLs with SCARF1, suggesting the ligand binding sites of SCARF1 might be shared for some of its scavenging targets. Overall, these results provide mechanistic insights into SCARF1 and its interactions with the ligands, which are important for understanding its physiological roles in homeostasis and the related diseases.
Role of Pseudosac Fixation on Seroma Formation Following Totally Extraperitoneal Repair of Direct Inguinal Hernia: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Ghosal Sarbani , Agrawal Himanshu , Chakraborty Manidip , Kumar Peeyush , Ranjan Gyan , Kumar Aditya , Gupta Nikhil , Agarwal Nitin
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Seroma formation following inguinal hernia surgery is a significant concern, causing considerable morbidity for patients. It can lead to prolonged hospital stays and, most devastatingly, mesh infection. Every effort should be made to reduce seroma formation, and newer techniques are being advocated to address this issue. Aim: To assess the role of pseudosac fixation during Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) repair for direct inguinal hernia in relation to postoperative seroma formation. Materials and Methods: The present single-blinded randomised controlled study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, ABVIMS and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India, from June 2019 to May 2021. A total of 60 patients (group A: 30 patients with pseudosac fixation; group B: 30 patients without pseudosac fixation) aged 18 years and above, presenting with direct inguinal hernia, were included. All patients underwent TEP repair. Seroma formation, postoperative pain and early recurrence were assessed in the postoperative period. Statistical analysis were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Fisher’s exact test and t-tests were employed, with a p-value of <0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean±Standard Deviation (SD) age in group 1 and group 2 was 60.7±7.26 years and 57.5±8.9 years, respectively. Postoperative seroma was observed in 3 (10%) patients each from both groups three months after surgery (p-value=1). Nine (30%) patients in group A and 12 (40%) patients in group B experienced mild postoperative pain (p-value=1). None of the patients in either group experienced recurrence at three months postsurgery. Conclusion: Based on the results observed and analysed, fixation of the pseudosac in direct inguinal hernias does not appear to have an impact on postoperative seroma formation, postoperative pain, or early recurrence.
The Effect of Modelling Instruction on the Interest and Achievement of Lower Basic 5 Special Needs Pupils in Special Needs Schools in Abia State, Nigeria
Authors: Imelda Ndubuka, Chibuzor , Obunadike J.C. , Esiowu A.P.
Published: October 2024

The study investigated the effect of modelling instruction on the interest and achievement of lower basic 5 special needs pupils in special needs schools in Abia state, Nigeria. The study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest non randomised control group using 2x2 factorial matrix, and gender as moderating variable. Two intact class of lower basic 5 special needs pupils were used for the study and were assigned as experimental and control groups. The experimental group consisted of 12 pupils’ and control group 15 pupils. Data were collected using a 34-item multiple choice Home Economics Achievement Test (HEAT). The questionnaire contained 10 Likert-type questions on interest scale. The instrument was subjected to face and content validation. Face and content validation were carried out by three experts. The internal consistency aspect of the reliability of the instrument was determined using Kuder Richardson (K-R20) formula which yielded an index of 0.81 indicating that the instrument was highly reliable. The experiment which lasted for six weeks was carried out with the assistance of the regular Home Economies teachers in the sampled schools. The HEAT was used to collect data for the Pre-Test, and Post-test and the retention tests. The data collected from the pupils were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the three research questions that guided the study, while the Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the three null-hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results among others showed that pupils’ Modelling teaching strategy has had an increasing and significant mean score difference on interest scores and achievement scores of primary five special needs pupils’ when taught Home Economics using Modelling teaching strategy and those taught using lecture method. Furthermore, gender has no significant effect on primary five special needs pupils’ taught Home Economics using modelling teaching strategy and those taught using lecture method. It is recommended that Government and relevant professional bodies should pay more attention to special needs schools by providing the needed instructional materials for better instructional delivery.
Comprehensive Basin Analysis and Petroleum Potential Evaluation of Ayoluengo Oil Field, Basque-Cantabrian Basin, Spain
Authors: B. I. Odoh, , C. V. Ahaneku, , S. C. Nwafuluibeya, , E. C. Ijeh, , M. C. Ochili, , A. O. Okpara, , O. G. Ozoemena, , I. E. Eze, , G. C. Okeke, , T. O. Udeh-Akpeh,
Published: October 2024

This study presents a comprehensive basin analysis and petroleum potential evaluation of the Ayoluengo oil field in the Basque-Cantabrian Basin, Spain. Using an integrated approach combining geological, geophysical, and geochemical data, we analyzed the basin's evolution and petroleum system elements. The dataset included 2D and 3D seismic data, well logs, formation tops, and geophysical maps. Our analysis revealed a complex structural framework characterized by salt diapirism and halokinetic structures. Well log interpretation and sequence stratigraphic analysis identified two genetic sequences with associated systems tracts. Four reservoir units were mapped, with the main structural traps related to salt diapirs. Seismic facies analysis highlighted high-amplitude convergent (CBH) and high- and low-amplitude convergent (CBHL) facies as the most promising for reservoir quality. The study identified one play (Jurassic) and two prospects: Lias Limestone (80% geologic chance of success) and Carniolas Dolomite (85% geologic chance of success). Volumetric calculations estimate significant hydrocarbon potential, with STOIIP (Stock Tank Oil Initially In Place) ranging from 3.4 to 4.2 x 10^16 barrels for the Lias Limestone reservoir and 1.26 to 1.56 x 10^16 barrels for the Carniolas Dolomite reservoir.
Plume‐ridge interaction via melt channelization at Galápagos and other near‐ridge hotspot provinces
Authors: Mittal Tushar , Richards Mark A.
Published: April 2017

The interaction of mantle plume driven flow with upwelling flow due to a nearby mid‐ocean ridge occurs for many mantle plumes including Galápagos and Iceland. This interaction is typified by trace element and isotopic signatures demonstrating the “contamination” of normal ridge composition by relatively enriched plume material. However, another common signature of plume‐ridge interaction is volcanic lineaments linking ridges and nearby plumes, perhaps most conspicuously the Wolf‐Darwin lineament (WDL) at Galápagos and the Rodrigues Ridge (RR) at La Réunion. These enigmatic features remain unexplained. Plume‐ridge interaction is commonly modeled in terms of interaction between solid‐state plume flow and divergent ridge flow, but such models do not likely lead to the kind of solid‐state flow channelization that might explain narrow features such as the WDL and RR. Likewise, models involving tapping of anomalously hot and/or fertile asthenosphere between the plume and ridge due to lithospheric faulting appear to be inconsistent with a variety of evidence. We propose an alternative model in which the lineaments are the surface expressions of localized melt channels in the asthenosphere formed due to instabilities in a two‐phase partially molten system. A thermodynamic analysis shows that given the magma fluxes inferred to be associated with structures such as WDL and RR, these melt channels can be maintained over plume‐ridge distances up to ∼1000 km. These results suggest that plume‐ridge interaction in general, possibly including transport of plume‐derived material along ridge axes (e.g., Iceland), may involve transport in high‐melt‐fraction channels, as opposed to just solid‐state mantle flow.
Late Jurassic flare‐up of the Coast Mountains arc system, NW Canada, and dynamic linkages across the northern Cordilleran orogen
Authors: Beranek Luke P. , McClelland William C. , van Staal Cees R. , Israel Steve , Gordee Sarah M.
Published: April 2017

Short‐lived, high‐volume magmatic events or flare‐ups in Cordilleran‐style accretionary systems are presumably triggered by the rapid underthrusting of melt‐fertile lithosphere beneath a continental arc during extreme retroarc shortening. New zircon U‐Pb age and trace element geochemical studies of the Coast Mountains batholith were conducted to test this hypothesis and investigate cross‐orogen linkages between the Coast Mountains arc system and adjacent retroarc elements of the Canadian Cordillera. Late Jurassic (155–147 Ma) granitoids of the Saint Elias plutonic suite in southwestern Yukon were emplaced during a widespread magmatic event and correspond to an intrusive rate of ~350 km2/Myr, analogous to the scale of 160–150 Ma flare‐up activity in the Sierra Nevada batholith. The timing of Late Jurassic high‐volume magmatism was coincident with forearc and intraarc deformation events along the length of the Coast Mountains arc from Alaska to British Columbia. Whole‐rock and zircon rare earth element geochemical results from the Saint Elias plutonic suite confirm that continental lithosphere was a key source component for Late Jurassic granitoids, which strengthens the implied relationship between high‐volume arc magmatism and crustal recycling. Well‐documented episodes of late Middle to early Late Jurassic hinterland thrusting and metamorphism in the Intermontane and Omineca belts of the Canadian Cordillera preceded this high‐volume event and therefore support the hypothesis that retroarc shortening was dynamically linked to flare‐up activity. Late Jurassic magmatism was followed by a 140–125 Ma lull in most of the Coast Mountains batholith, which may be linked to ridge subduction, lithospheric delamination, mantle cooling, or plate reorganization.
The dynamical control of subduction parameters on surface topography
Authors: Crameri F. , Lithgow‐Bertelloni C.R. , Tackley P.J.
Published: April 2017

The long‐wavelength surface deflection of Earth's outermost rocky shell is mainly controlled by large‐scale dynamic processes like isostasy or mantle flow. The largest topographic amplitudes are therefore observed at plate boundaries due to the presence of large thermal heterogeneities and strong tectonic forces. Distinct vertical surface deflections are particularly apparent at convergent plate boundaries mostly due to the convergence and asymmetric sinking of the plates. Having a mantle convection model with a free surface that is able to reproduce both realistic single‐sided subduction and long‐wavelength surface topography self‐consistently, we are now able to better investigate this interaction. We separate the topographic signal into distinct features and quantify the individual topographic contribution of several controlling subduction parameters. Results are diagnosed by splitting the topographic signal into isostatic and residual components, and by considering various physical aspects like viscous dissipation during plate bending. Performing several systematic suites of experiments, we are then able to quantify the topographic impact of the buoyancy, rheology, and geometry of the subduction‐zone system to each and every topographic feature at a subduction zone and to provide corresponding scaling laws. We identify slab dip and, slightly less importantly, slab buoyancy as the major agents controlling surface topography at subduction zones on Earth. Only the island‐arc high and the back‐arc depression extent are mainly controlled by plate strength. Overall, his modeling study sets the basis to better constrain deep‐seated mantle structures and their physical properties via the observed surface topography on present‐day Earth and back through time.
Evolution of the south Pacific helium plume over the past three decades
Authors: Lupton J. E. , Jenkins W. J.
Published: April 2017

The recent GEOTRACES Eastern Pacific Zonal Transect in 2013 crossed the East Pacific Rise at 15°S following the same track as the 1987 Helios Expedition along the core of the mid‐depth helium plume that spreads westward from the East Pacific Rise (EPR) axis. The fact that several stations were co‐located with the earlier Helios stations has allowed a detailed comparison of the changes in the helium plume over the intervening 26 years. While the plume in many areas is unchanged, there is a marked decrease in plume intensity at longitude 120°W in the 2013 data which was not present in 1987. Recent radioisotope measurements along the plume track suggest that this decrease is due to the intrusion of a different water mass into the plume, rather than a modulation of hydrothermal input on the EPR axis. Analysis of GEOTRACES hydrographic data shows excess heat present in the plume up to 0.04°C, corresponding to a 3He/heat ratio of ∼2.5 × 10−18 mol J−1, similar to that found in mature hydrothermal vents. RAFOS floats deployed in 1987 indicate an average westward transport of ∼0.3 cm s−1 at 2500 m depth in the off‐axis plume, in agreement with recent estimates of ∼0.4 cm s−1 based on “aging” of the plume from 227Ac/3He ratios.
Utilizing 210Po deficit to constrain particle dynamics in mesopelagic water, western South China Sea
Authors: Ma Haoyang , Yang Weifeng , Zhang Lihao , Zhang Run , Chen Min , Qiu Yusheng , Zheng Minfang
Published: April 2017

The 210Po‐210Pb pair is increasingly used as a proxy of quantifying organic carbon export from the euphotic zone. However, disequilibria between 210Po and 210Pb in mesopelagic water have been poorly studied. Here we present unusual deficiencies of 210Po with respect to 210Pb in mesopelagic water (200–1000 m) in the South China Sea (SCS). The total particulate matter (TPM) increased by up to 32% in the mesopelagic layer comparing with the euphotic zone. The total 210Po/210Pb ratio varied from 0.41 to 0.98 with an average of 0.72 ± 0.19, showing an enhanced removal of 210Po in mesopelagic water. On average, particulate 210Po and 210Pb increased by 23% and 32% at the slope stations, respectively. These results indicated that the 210Po deficits result from lateral transport, probably via benthic nepheloid layer. Based on the deficiency of 210Po, the residence times of particulate 210Po were estimated to range from 0.11 to 0.25 year (avg. 0.17 ± 0.07 year), allowing resuspended sediment to disperse over a long range. The export fluxes of 210Po varied from 68 to 121 dpm m−2 d−1 with an average of 96 ± 27 dpm m−2 d−1, which was 6 times that out of the euphotic zone. Using the 210Po deficits, the export fluxes of TPM out of the mesopelagic layer were quantified to vary from 4.19 to 10.20 g m−2 d−1, revealing a large amount of particles from the shelf to the SCS basin. This study suggests that 210Po‐210Pb could be an effective tracer of tracking particle cycling in mesopelagic water.
The Small RNAs of
Physcomitrella Patens
: Expression, Function and Evolution
Authors: Axtell Michael J.
Published: April 2017

Information encoded by the sequential arrangement of DNA bases guides the synthesis of functional polypeptides via RNA intermediates. However, the functions of RNA transcend those of a mere messenger. The discovery and characterization of gene regulation orchestrated by short, non‐protein‐coding RNAs has revealed previously unsuspected but vast systems of gene regulation, especially in metazoans and land plants. Small silencing RNAs, which include short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), are exceptionally diversified and numerous in plants. Their known roster of functions includes, at a minimum, development, morphogenesis, nutrient acquisition and genome defence. Recent studies of the naturally occurring small silencing RNAs of
Physcomitrella patens
have elucidated fundamental aspects of siRNA biogenesis and miRNA evolution. In this chapter, I describe the biogenesis and expression of miRNAs and siRNAs in
P. patens
, as well as their functions and evolution.
ArabidopsisFruit Development
Authors: Martínez‐Laborda Antonio , Vera Antonio
Published: April 2017

TheArabidopsisfruit is a dehiscent silique that basically consists of a mature ovary. Along the mediolateral axis, the ovary develops as a cylindrical species that externally comprises two valves with lateral polarity separated at the medial plane by two repla. Another tissue with lateral polarity, the valve margin, develops between valve and replum and will differentiate into the dehiscence zone. Our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms and genetic networks involved in the formation of these three pattern elements has increased greatly over the past few years. The present view on the establishment of this pattern is that the ovary reproduces the antagonistic interactions between meristem‐ and leaf‐expressed genes. Thus, the replum displays meristematic properties and expresses meristem genes (replum factors), whereas valves express genes that work to make leaves (valve factors) and are more related to these lateral organs. Following this line of argument, a recent model puts forward that the antagonistic activities of the opposing gradients of replum and valve factors determine the territories of the ovary where replum, valve margin and valves will form. Undoubtedly, understanding these mechanisms will contribute to optimize harvest yield in crops with dehiscent fruits, providing control of seedpod shatter.
Plant–Microbe Interactions and Secondary Metabolites with Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antiviral Properties
Authors: Reichling Jürgen
Published: April 2017

Plants have developed effective defence strategies to protect themselves from phytopathogenic microbes and herbivores in their environment. Disease resistance in plants depends on the activation of coordinated, multicomponent defence mechanisms. One mechanism for disease resistance in plants is their ability to accumulate low‐molecular‐weight compounds (secondary metabolites) with high antimicrobial activities, such as alkaloids, coumarins, isoflavonoids, polyacetylenes, quinones, tannins and terpenes.

Based on this knowledge, there is every reason to believe that the plant kingdom is an important source of new antimicrobial agents with special biological targets. Thus, in the last two decades, hundreds of different new secondary metabolites were screened for their potential antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. For instance, several secondary metabolites with antiviral properties have exhibited competitive in vitro and in vivo activities with those found for synthetic antiviral drugs. It has been shown that phyto‐antiviral agents interfere with many viral targets, ranging from adsorption of the virus to the host cell via the inhibition of virus‐specific enzymes (e.g. reverse transcriptase, protease) to release virus from the cells.

It is generally accepted that bioactive plant‐derived secondary metabolites are useful leads to synthesize new and more active antimicrobial agents as well as substances with new pharmacological effects by repeated structural modification. It is expected that structurally modified natural products will exhibit increased potency, selectivity, duration of action, bioavailability and reduced toxicity.
Stability analysis of quantized iterative learning control systems using lifting representation
Authors: Bu Xuhui , Hou Zhongsheng , Cui Lizhi , Yang Junqi
Published: April 2017

This paper presents a stability analysis of the iterative learning control for discrete‐time systems with data quantization. Three quantized iterative learning control schemes are considered by using different quantized signals, including system output quantized signal, tracking error quantized signal, and control input quantized signal. The logarithmic quantizer is introduced to decode these signals with a number of quantization levels, and the sector bound method is used to deal with the quantization error. Based on the supervector formulation for iterative learning control systems, some convergence conditions for these iterative learning control laws are given, respectively. It is shown that iterative learning control laws with system output quantized signal and control input quantized signal only guarantee that the tracking error converges to a bound and the bound depending on quantization density and desired trajectory. Thus, the iterative learning control law with tracking error quantized signal can obtain zero tracking error. These results are illustrated by 2 examples.
Recent Catalytic Asymmetric Syntheses of 3,3‐Disubstituted Indolin‐2‐ones and 2,2‐Disubstituted Indolin‐3‐ones
Authors: Dalpozzo Renato
Published: April 2017

Disubstituted oxindoles represent an important family of bioactive compounds and synthetic derivatives that mimic natural products. The construction of the asymmetric quaternary carbon at C‐3 or C‐2 is therefore a challenging problem for organic chemists. In the last years, many papers have appeared on asymmetric catalytic methods for the synthesis of these compounds, in particular about spirocyclic derivatives and this literature has been largely reviewed, as well as the literature on 3‐substituted‐3‐hydroxyoxindoles and 3‐substituted‐3‐aminooxindoles. On the other hand, the literature on non‐spirocyclic 3,3‐dialkyloxindoles as well as on 2,2‐disubstituted 3‐indolinones has not fully reviewed since our previous review on this topic. This review aims to fill this gap covering the literature on these topics.

Abbreviations: Alloc=allyloxycarbonyl; Ant=anthracenyl; BINOL=1,1′‐binaphthalene‐2,2′‐diol; Boc=t‐butoxycarbonyl; Bz=benzoyl; Cbz=benzyloxycarbonyl; CSA=camphorsulfonic acid; Cy=cyclohexyl; DABCO=1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane; dba=bis(dibenzylideneacetone); DBU=1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene; DDQ=2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone; (DHQD)2AQN=hydroquinidine (anthraquinone‐1,4‐diyl) diether; (DHQD)2PHAL=hydroquinidine 1,4‐phthalazinediyl diether; (DHQD)2PYR=hydroquinidine 2,5‐diphenyl‐4,6‐pyrimidinediyl diether; DIPEA=N,N‐diisopropylethylamine; esp=α,α,α′,α′‐tetramethyl‐1,3‐benzenedipropionic acid; HFIP=1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol; HMDS=hexamethyldisilazane; β‐ICD=β‐isocupreidine; LG=leaving group; Mes=2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl; Moc=methoxycarbonyl; MOM=methoxymethyl; MS=molecular sieves; MsOH=methanesulfonic acid; NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene; Npt=naphthyl; PG=protecting group; Phg=phenylglycine; Phth=phthalimidyl; Piv=2,2‐dimethylpropanoyl; PMB=4‐methoxybenzyl; Red‐Al=sodium bis(2‐methoxyethoxy)aluminium hydride; Suc=succinimidyl; TBDPS=tert‐butyldiphenylsilyl; TBS=tert‐butyldimethylsilyl; TES=triethylsilyl; TIPS=triisopropylsilyl; TMEDA=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine; TMG=1,1,3,3‐tetramethylguanidine; TMS=trimethylsilyl; Ts=4‐toluenesulfonyl.

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Gene‐gene interaction of single nucleotide polymorphisms in 16p13.3 may contribute to the risk of non‐syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Chinese case‐parent trios
Authors: Liu Dongjing , Wang Hong , Schwender Holger , Marazita Mary L. , Wang Zhuqing , Yuan Yuan , Wang Ping , Liang Kung Yee , Wu‐Chou Yah Huei , Wang Mengying , Shi Bing , Zhu Hongping , Wu Tao , Beaty Terri H.
Published: April 2017

Non‐syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is a common birth defect with a complex and heterogeneous etiology. A recent genome‐wide association study (GWAS) among Chinese populations has identified a new region at 16p13.3 as being associated with NSCL/P, which requires further replication. Here, we attempted to replicate and further clarify the genetic association between this region and NSCL/P, as well as testing for potential gene‐gene (G × G) and gene‐environment (G × E) interactions. We conducted transmission disequilibrium tests on 69 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mapping to 16p13.3 among 806 Chinese case‐parent trios ascertained through an international consortium where a GWAS of oral clefts was conducted. G × G, as well as G × E interactions involving maternal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and multivitamin supplementation, were explored using conditional logistic regression model. We applied Cordell's method as implemented in the R package TRIO to test for possible interactions. While no SNPs showed evidence of linkage and association with NSCL/P after Bonferroni correction, we found signals of G × G interactions between SNPs in 16p13.3. Nine pairs of SNP‐SNP interactions attained significance after Bonferroni correction, among which the most significant interaction was found between rs2072346 (ADCY9) and rs11646137 (intergenic region, P = 7.2 × 10−5). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis revealed only low level of LD between these SNPs. This study failed to confirm the significant association between SNPs within 16p13.3 and the risk of NSCL/P, but underlined the importance of taking into account potential G × G interactions for the genetic association analysis of NSCL/P.
Cyclodextrin‐based Mesoporous N‐Doped Carbon Hybrids with High Heterocatalytic Activity
Authors: Tian Jun , Chen Yong , Li Wei , Liu Yu‐Ping , Zhou Wei‐Lei , Liu Yu
Published: April 2017

A convenient approach for the construction of nitrogen‐doped mesoporous carbon material from native cyclic oligosaccharide β‐cyclodextrin and N‐containing small molecules was established. The resultant N‐doped carbon hybrids, which possessed high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area as well as appropriate pore volumes and pore diameters, could serve as highly efficient metal‐free heterocatalysts with very good catalytic activity as well as generality and could be easily recovered without any compromise of catalytic performance.
Highly Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Reactions of Indoles with Isatins Catalyzed by Chiral Imidodiphosphoric Acids
Authors: Liu Guofeng , Zhuo Minghua , An Dong , Zhang Guangliang , Qin Xiangshuo , Gao Jigang , Fan Yansen , Zhang Suoqin
Published: April 2017

A highly enantioselective Friedel–Crafts arylation of indoles with isatins catalyzed by H8‐1,1’‐bi‐2‐naphthol (BINOL) imidodiphosphoric acids is reported here. This reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions and afford a range of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐indolyloxindoles with high yields (<92 %) and excellent enantioselectivities (<99 % ee). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example in which the highly enantioselective arylation of indoles with isatins has been catalyzed by a Brønsted acid.
Quality of life after mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction
Authors: Dauplat J , Kwiatkowski F , Rouanet P , Delay E , Clough K , Verhaeghe J L , Raoust I , Houvenaeghel G , Lemasurier P , Thivat E , Pomel C ,   STIC-RMI working group, Abrial C , Afonso J , Bannier M , Body G , Baron M , Bergzoll C , Chauvet M P , Classe J M , Cothier-Savey I , Dejode M , Dessogne P , Doridot V , Durando X , Faucher A , Faure C , Figl A , Fitoussi A , Flipo B , Fondrinier E , Garbay J R , Giacalone P L , Gimbergue P , Guillemin F , Gutowski M , Houpeau J L , Inguenault C , Lambaudie E , Lantieri L , Le Bouedec G , Lepage C , Loustalot C , Machiavello J C , Monrigal E , Mourregot A , Nos C , Paradol P O , Rimareix F , Rodier J F , Rouzier R , Saint-Aubert B , Salmon R J , Scherer C , Toussoun G , Tunon de Lara C , Uzan S , Weitbruch D
Published: April 2017

Background

Mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is a surgical strategy in breast cancer when breast-conserving surgery is not an option. There is a lack of evidence showing an advantage of mastectomy plus IBR over mastectomy alone on health-related quality of life (QoL).

Methods

A large prospective multicentre survey, STIC-RMI (support of innovative and expensive techniques – immediate breast reconstruction), was undertaken to study the changes in QoL in patients treated by mastectomy with or without IBR. Patients were recruited between 2007 and 2009. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 instruments were used to assess QoL before operation, and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. A propensity score was used to compare QoL between mastectomy alone and mastectomy plus IBR, with limited bias.

Results

A total of 595 patients were included from 22 French academic hospitals, of whom 407 (68·4 per cent) underwent IBR. One-year data were available for 71·1 per cent of patients. Factors associated with IBR were age, histological tumour type, palpable nodes and an attempt at breast-conserving surgery. At inclusion, QoL was significantly better in the IBR group (P < 0·001) and there was no significant change in either group during 1 year compared with baseline. Results for the QLQ-BR23 functional dimension varied according to propensity score quartiles; IBR had no influence in the lowest quartile. In the upper quartiles, QoL increased slightly over the year among patients who had IBR, whereas it decreased among those who had mastectomy alone (P = 0·037). Satisfaction with the cosmetic outcome strongly influenced QoL, especially in upper quartiles (P < 0·001). However, an unsatisfactory outcome after IBR was still considered a better condition than simple mastectomy.

Conclusion

The QoL benefit provided by IBR depends on patients' life status at inclusion; young active women with an in situ tumour are more likely to preserve their QoL after IBR.
Targeting resolution of neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke with a lipoxin A4 analog: Protective mechanisms and long‐term effects on neurological recovery
Authors: Hawkins Kimberly E. , DeMars Kelly M. , Alexander Jon C. , de Leon Lauren G. , Pacheco Sean C. , Graves Christina , Yang Changjun , McCrea Austin O. , Frankowski Jan C. , Garrett Timothy J. , Febo Marcelo , Candelario‐Jalil Eduardo
Published: April 2017

Background

Resolution of inflammation is an emerging new strategy to reduce damage following ischemic stroke. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) is an anti‐inflammatory, pro‐resolution lipid mediator that reduces neuroinflammation in stroke. Since LXA4 is rapidly inactivated, potent analogs have been synthesized, including BML‐111. We hypothesized that post‐ischemic, intravenous treatment with BML‐111 for 1 week would provide neuroprotection and reduce neurobehavioral deficits at 4 weeks after ischemic stroke in rats. Additionally, we investigated the potential protective mechanisms of BML‐111 on the post‐stroke molecular and cellular profile.

Methods

A total of 133 male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to 90 min of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and BML‐111 administration was started at the time of reperfusion. Two methods of week‐long BML‐111 intravenous administration were tested: continuous infusion via ALZET® osmotic pumps (1.25 and 3.75 μg μl−1 hr−1), or freshly prepared daily single injections (0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg). We report for the first time on the stability of BML‐111 and characterized an optimal dose and a dosing schedule for the administration of BML‐111.

Results

One week of BML‐111 intravenous injections did not reduce infarct size or improve behavioral deficits 4 weeks after ischemic stroke. However, post‐ischemic treatment with BML‐111 did elicit early protective effects as demonstrated by a significant reduction in infarct volume and improved sensorimotor function at 1 week after stroke. This protection was associated with reduced pro‐inflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels, decreased M1 CD40+ macrophages, and increased alternatively activated, anti‐inflammatory M2 microglia/macrophage cell populations in the post‐ischemic brain.

Conclusion

These data suggest that targeting the endogenous LXA4 pathway could be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke. More work is necessary to determine whether a different dosing regimen or more stable LXA4 analogs could confer long‐term protection.
Temozolomide increases MHC‐I expression via NF‐κB signaling in glioma stem cells
Authors: Zhang Dongyong , Qiu Bo , Wang Yunjie , Guan Yanlei , Zhang Luyang , Wu Anhua
Published: April 2017

Gliomas are the most common and primary tumors of the central nervous system in adults. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the main drug used to treat glioma; however, prognosis remains poor for most patients. Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are thought to enable glioma initiation and evasion from immune surveillance; their immunogenicity can be determined by expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐I. The present study investigated the effect of TMZ on MHC‐I expression in GSCs. Glioma spheres were cultured in serum‐free medium containing epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and B27; MHC‐I expression was detected by immunocytochemistry, quantitative real‐time PCR, and flow cytometry. Nuclear factor (NF)‐κB expression in glioma stem cells was detected by Western blot. TMZ enhanced MHC‐I expression in GSCs, and NF‐κB was activated. TMZ treatment increased MHC‐I expression via modulation of NF‐κB signaling in GSCs. In addition to being a chemotherapeutic agent, TMZ may also serve as an immunomodulatory agent in the treatment of glioma patients.
Human mesenchymal stem cells promote CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell proliferation with preserved red blood cell differentiation capacity
Authors: Lau Show Xuan , Leong Yin Yee , Ng Wai Hoe , Ng Albert Wee Po , Ismail Ida Shazrina , Yusoff Narazah Mohd , Ramasamy Rajesh , Tan Jun Jie
Published: April 2017

Studies showed that co‐transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and cord blood‐derived CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) offered greater therapeutic effects but little is known regarding the effects of human Wharton's jelly derived MSCs on HSC expansion and red blood cell (RBC) generation in vitro. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MSCs on HSC expansion and differentiation. HSCs were co‐cultured with MSCs or with 10% MSCs‐derived conditioned medium, with HSCs cultured under standard medium served as a control. Cell expansion rates, number of mononuclear cell post‐expansion and number of enucleated cells post‐differentiation were evaluated. HSCs showed superior proliferation in the presence of MSC with mean expansion rate of 3.5 × 108 ± 1.8 × 107 after day 7 compared to the conditioned medium and the control group (8.9 × 107 ± 1.1 × 108 and 7.0 × 107 ± 3.3 × 106 respectively, P < 0.001). Although no significant differences in RBC differentiation were observed between groups at passage IV, the number of enucleated cell was greater compared to earlier passages, indicating successful RBC differentiation. Cord blood‐derived CD34+ HSCs can be greatly expanded by co‐culturing with MSCs without affecting the RBC differentiation capability, suggesting the importance of direct MSC‐HSCs contact in HSC expansion and RBC differentiation.
Mental health and associated factors among young offenders in Chile: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gaete Jorge , Labbé Nicolas , del Villar Paloma , Allende Catalina , Araya Ricardo , Valenzuela Eduardo
Published: April 2017

Background

Few studies in Latin America have explored mental disorder among young offenders, or variables associated with it.

Aims

Our aim was to test for associations between childhood adversity or substance misuse and psychiatric disorders among young offenders.

Methods

Sentenced adolescent offenders were recruited from young offenders' institutions or community centres provided by the Chilean National Service for Minors. Psychiatric disorders were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, conducted by trained psychologists. A trained sociologist used an ad hoc interview to collect information about childhood experiences, including parenting, trauma, education and substance misuse. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyse data.

Results

The most prevalent psychiatric disorders among the 935 participants were marijuana dependence disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders. Substance use disorders were less frequent among young offenders who were serving their sentence in young offenders' institutions than among those serving in community centres and more frequent among those who started to use marijuana at an earlier age. Among other variables, childhood maltreatment was related to major depressive disorder, and maternal death to anxiety disorders. Higher educational status was related to a lower frequency of depressive and anxiety disorders.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that greater efforts must be made to identify vulnerable young people much earlier. Few of these young offenders with mental health problems had been well adjusted in health, education or socially before this period of detention. © 2017 The Authors. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
A Unified Interdisciplinary Approach to Design Antibacterial Coatings for Fast Silver Release
Authors: El Arrassi A. , Bellova P. , Javid S. M. , Motemani Y. , Khare C. , Sengstock C. , Köller M. , Ludwig A. , Tschulik K.
Published: April 2017

The increasing number of surgical treatments performed per year requires novel approaches to inhibit implant‐associated infections, caused by multi‐antibiotic resistant bacteria. Silver ions (Ag+) are known for their effective antimicrobial activity. Therefore, a system that efficiently and locally releases the minimum required amount of Ag+ directly after the surgical treatment is in high demand. Herein we study electrochemically, microbiologically, microscopically and spectroscopically sacrificial Ag anode coatings for antibacterial implant applications. It is found that Ag dot arrays deposited on noble metals (Pd, Ir) release Ag+ much faster than continuous Ag thin films. The Ag+ release qualitatively scales with the difference of standard potentials between Ag and the noble metal. Furthermore, with higher numbers of Ag dots, the total amount of released Ag+ increases, while the release efficiency declines. Notably, an efficient killing of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was seen for coatings containing as little as 23 ng of Ag per mm2. Thus, the use of sacrificial Ag anodes as highly efficient antibacterial coating materials is evaluated.