bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SnO2@TiO2 Heterojunction Nanostructures for Lithium‐Ion Batteries and Self‐Powered UV Photodetectors with Improved Performances
Authors: Hou Xiaojuan , Wang Xianfu , Liu Bin , Wang Qiufan , Wang Zhuoran , Chen Di , Shen Guozhen
Published: July 2013

To overcome the issue of inferior cycling stability and rate capacity for SnO2 anode materials in lithium‐ion batteries, an effective strategy is explored to prepare a hybrid material consisting of rutile SnO2 nanoparticles and rutile TiO2 nanorods, considering not only the small lattice mismatch to achieve a better composited lattice structure but also their superior synergistic effect in electrochemical performances. The as‐prepared SnO2@TiO2 material, directly formed on a carbon cloth as a binder‐free anode, exhibits a reversible capacity of 700 mAh g−1 after 100 discharge/charge cycles at 200 mA g−1, as well as excellent cycling stability and rate capacity. After being calcinated at high temperature, the produced hollow SnO2@TiO2 hybrid microtubes were directly used to fabricate photoelectrochemical (PEC) UV detectors for future devices with self‐powered function. A high photocurrent response of 0.1 mA cm−2 was observed, together with an excellent self‐powered and fast response and “visible blind” characteristics. Such a hybrid material could achieve a complementary effect in lithium‐ion batteries and a superior band gap match in photovoltaic devices, and could consequently be extended to applications such as dye‐sensitized solar cells and supercapacitors.
Probabilistic Analyses for Application in Plant Safety
Authors: Stephan Thomas A. , Moch Erika , Hauschild Jan , Rumpf Jürgen , Herrmann Jürgen , Hauptmanns Ulrich
Published: July 2013

Während in vielen Nachbarländern Deutschlands Risikoanalysen verbunden mit Bewertungskriterien für ihre Ergebnisse bereits eingeführt wurden, trifft dies in Deutschland noch nicht zu. Dennoch werden auch in Deutschland Risikoanalysen durchgeführt. Einige dieser Anwendungsfälle werden im vorliegenden Artikel beschrieben. Des Weiteren werden Möglichkeiten aufgezeigt, probabilistische Analysen in Ergänzung zur bewährten deterministischen Vorgehensweise zu nutzen.
Clinical characteristics, response to therapy, and survival of African American patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Falchi Lorenzo , Keating Michael J. , Wang Xuemei , Coombs Catherine C. , Lanasa Mark C. , Strom Sara , Wierda William G. , Ferrajoli Alessandra
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUND

Little is known regarding racial disparities in characteristics and outcomes among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

METHODS

The characteristics and outcomes of untreated African American (AA) patients with CLL (n = 84) were analyzed and compared with a reference nonblack (NB) patient population (n = 1571).

RESULTS

At the time of presentation, AA patients had lower median hemoglobin levels (12.9 g/dL vs 13.7 g/dL), higher β2 microglobulin levels (2.7 mg/dL vs 2.4 mg/dL), greater frequency of constitutional symptoms (27% vs 10%), unmutated immunoglobulin heavy‐chain variable region (IGHV) mutation status (65% vs 47%), ζ‐chain–associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP70) expression (58% vs 32%), and deletion of chromosome 17p or chromosome 11q (28% vs 17%;P≤ 02 for each comparison). Fifty‐one percent of AA patients and 39% of NB patients required first‐line therapy and 91% and 88%, respectively, received chemoimmunotherapy. Overall response rates to treatment were 85% for AA patients and 94% for NB patients (P= .06); and the complete response rates were 56% and 58%, respectively (P= .87). The median survival of AA patients was shorter compared with that of NB patients (event‐free survival: 36 months vs 61 months;P= .007; overall survival: 152 months vs not reached;P= .0001). AA race was an independent predictor of shorter event‐free and overall survival in multivariable regression models.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results indicated that AA patients with CLL have more unfavorable prognostic characteristics and shorter survival compared with their NB counterparts.Cancer2013;119:3177–3185. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Racial differences in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Flowers Christopher R. , Pro Barbara
Published: July 2013

African American patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia receiving care at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Duke University Medical Center more commonly presented with poor‐risk biological features and had worse survival. These results provide additional clinical details to understand the nature of racial disparities in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Studying the Structure and Dynamics of Biomolecules by Using Soluble Paramagnetic Probes
Authors: Hocking Henry G. , Zangger Klaus , Madl Tobias
Published: July 2013

Characterisation of the structure and dynamics of large biomolecules and biomolecular complexes by NMR spectroscopy is hampered by increasing overlap and severe broadening of NMR signals. As a consequence, the number of available NMR spectroscopy data is often sparse and new approaches to provide complementary NMR spectroscopy data are needed. Paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs) obtained from inert and soluble paramagnetic probes (solvent PREs) provide detailed quantitative information about the solvent accessibility of NMR‐active nuclei. Solvent PREs can be easily measured without modification of the biomolecule; are sensitive to molecular structure and dynamics; and are therefore becoming increasingly powerful for the study of biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, ligands and their complexes in solution. In this Minireview, we give an overview of the available solvent PRE probes and discuss their applications for structural and dynamic characterisation of biomolecules and biomolecular complexes.
The adverse health effects of chronic cannabis use
Authors: Hall Wayne , Degenhardt Louisa
Published: July 2013

This paper summarizes the most probable of the adverse health effects of regular cannabis use sustained over years, as indicated by epidemiological studies that have established an association between cannabis use and adverse outcomes; ruled out reverse causation; and controlled for plausible alternative explanations. We have also focused on adverse outcomes for which there is good evidence of biological plausibility. The focus is on those adverse health effects of greatest potential public health significance – those that are most likely to occur and to affect a substantial proportion of regular cannabis users. These most probable adverse effects of regular use include a dependence syndrome, impaired respiratory function, cardiovascular disease, adverse effects on adolescent psychosocial development and mental health, and residual cognitive impairment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conjugated linoleic acids and conjugated vegetable oils: From nutraceutical to bio‐polymer
Authors: Philippaerts An , Aelst Joost Van , Sels Bert
Published: July 2013

Recent interest from academia, nutritionists, the chemical as well as the feed and food industry in conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) and conjugated vegetable oils has grown spectacularly. CLA isomers, either in their natural or synthetic forms, have not only been associated with diverse health and physiological effects, but they are also interesting renewable compounds in the production of industrial products such as paints, glues, and polymers, due to their very reactive conjugated double bond system. Due to the depletion of the world crude oil reserves and the increasing trend to use renewable feedstock in the chemical industry, it is to be expected that the use of conjugated fatty acids and oils will continue to grow in the near future. As high amounts of CLAs and conjugated vegetable oils will be needed and natural resources are limited, efficient production processes are urgently needed. An efficient process for the production of CLA from methyl linoleate, using the Wilkinson catalyst, is described by Behr et al. in this issue of European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology.
High‐throughput process development methods for chromatography and precipitation of proteins: Advantages and precautions
Authors: Yoshimoto Noriko , Minakuchi Kazunobu , Itoh Daisuke , Isakari Yu , Yamamoto Shuichi
Published: July 2013

Although high‐throughput process development methods using 96‐well microplate (MP) systems are promising and attractive, they still have several unclear problems in the practical applications. Several case studies for the purification process development by using manually operated 96‐well MP systems are presented. In the first example, the MPs with ion‐exchange monolith disks or ion‐exchange membranes were employed for linear gradient elution and breakthrough curve experiments. The data such as the peak salt concentration and dynamic binding capacity values obtained with the MP system were in good agreement with those by the LC system. In the second example, batch adsorption experiments with a 96‐well filter MP were performed for a protein A resin (particle)–antibody system in order to obtain the adsorption isotherms. The static binding capacities calculated from the isotherms were similar to those calculated from the LC system. In the last example, protein precipitation experiments by PEG were carried out for determining the solubility curve. It was found that the presence of dimer and aggregates affect the solubility curve measurement significantly. The proposed methods suggest powerful practical applications of high‐throughput process development for chromatography and precipitation process when the experiments are carefully designed and carried out.
Biodegradation of carbon tetrachloride in simulated groundwater flow channels
Authors: Santharam S. , Davis L.C. , Erickson L.E.
Published: July 2013

Remediation feasibility studies were conducted in simulated groundwater flow channels for carbon tetrachloride (CT). CT was introduced at a concentration of about 2 mg/L (∼13 μmoles/L) in three channels, two of them with alfalfa plants and the other with grass. Since no degradation products were found at the outlet after about 100 days, anaerobic conditions were created by adding one liter of 0.2% glucose solution in one channel (with alfalfa) and one liter of 0.1% emulsified soy oil methyl esters (SOME) to another channel (with alfalfa). The fraction removals of total chlorinated methanes in the outlet liquid were 94% in glucose fed channel and 92% in SOME fed channel. Supplements such as glucose, corn starch, cheese whey, and SOME stimulated the indigenous microbes to carry out the biodegradation of CT. In both glucose and SOME fed channels, the degradation continued several weeks after stopping the feeding of supplements. Most of the degradation process took place in the initial portion of the SOME fed channel, since SOME likely stayed near the inlet of the channel, due to sorption and retarded flow due to its low solubility; therefore, SOME should be added at multiple locations for effective bioremediation. No CT and degradation products were found in the headspace above the soil surface. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 444–453, 2014
Performance of passive samplers for monitoring estuarine water column concentrations: 1. Contaminants of concern
Authors: Perron Monique M. , Burgess Robert M. , Suuberg Eric M. , Cantwell Mark G. , Pennell Kelly G.
Published: July 2013

Contaminants enter marine and estuarine environments and pose a risk to human and ecological health. Recently, passive sampling devices have been utilized to estimate dissolved concentrations of contaminants of concern (COCs), such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In the present study, the performance of 3 common passive samplers was evaluated for sampling PAHs and PCBs at several stations in the temperate estuary Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA. Sampler polymers included polyethylene (PE), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-coated solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers, and polyoxymethylene (POM). Dissolved concentrations of each contaminant were calculated using measured sampler concentrations adjusted for equilibrium conditions with performance reference compounds (PRCs) and chemical-specific partition coefficients derived in the laboratory. Despite differences in PE and POM sampler concentrations, calculated total dissolved concentrations ranged from 14 ng/L to 93 ng/L and from 13 pg/L to 465 pg/L for PAHs and PCBs, respectively. Dissolved concentrations of PAHs were approximately 3 times greater based on POM compared to PE, while dissolved concentrations of PCBs based on PE were approximately 3 times greater than those based on POM. Concentrations in SPME were not reported due to the lack of detectable chemical in the amount of PDMS polymer deployed. Continued research is needed to improve and support PE and POM use for the routine monitoring of COCs. For example, a better understanding of the use of PRCs with POM is critically needed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2182–2189. © 2013 SETAC
Diurnal variations of total mercury, reactive mercury, and dissolved gaseous mercury concentrations and water/air mercury flux in warm and cold seasons from freshwaters of southwestern China
Authors: Fu Xuewu , Feng Xinbin , Yin Runsheng , Zhang Hui
Published: July 2013

Diurnal variations of water total Hg, reactive Hg, and dissolved gaseous Hg concentrations and mercury flux were monitored at 2 sites in warm and cold seasons in an alkaline reservoir in southwestern China. Concentrations of total Hg and reactive Hg, as well as Hg fluxes, usually exhibited a consistent diurnal trend, with elevated values observed during the day. The increasing reactive Hg concentrations and Hg fluxes were highly related to the incident intensity of solar radiation, suggesting that sunlight-induced processes played an important role in the transformation of Hg in the study area. Dissolved gaseous Hg concentrations experienced different diurnal variations among the sampling sites, with peak dissolved gaseous Hg at midday under sunny weather conditions and in the early morning under cloudy and/or partially cloudy weather conditions. The peak values of dissolved gaseous Hg observed at midday agree well with previous results and highlight the sunlight-induced production of dissolved gaseous Hg in freshwaters, whereas dissolved gaseous Hg peaks at night suggest that microbial activity might be an additional mechanism for dissolved gaseous Hg production in surface waters. Total Hg, reactive Hg, and dissolved gaseous Hg concentrations and Hg fluxes in the warm season were consistently higher than those in the cold season; this is probably attributable to the combined effect of seasonal variations of environmental parameters, transformation of Hg species, and microbial activities. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2256–2265. © 2013 SETAC
Highly scalable computational algorithms on emerging parallel machine multicore architectures: development and implementation in CFD context
Authors: Kannan R. , Harrand V. , Lee M. , Przekwas A. J.
Published: July 2013

In this paper, the first in a series, the authors have developed and implemented new computational algorithms for improving the scalability of CFD simulations on emerging architectures such as multicore high performance computing (HPC) platforms. These algorithmic developments and implementations are classified into three categories: (i) improved partition for multicore platforms, (ii) improved and optimized communication for HPC and (iii) enhancing scalability using computer science based methods. In the first category, the multilevel partitioning strategy was modified to reduce the number of out‐of‐core communications. This resulted in noticeable speedup even for small cases. In the second category, the authors came up with a next generation communication procedure optimized for the architecture and the partitioning. This next generation communication resulted in noticeable speedups. In the third category, improvements with respect to better management of memory were implemented. This again resulted in a speedup of nearly 10%. The overall scalability, as a result of the three algorithmic implementations, yielded ideal and at times superlinear scalability until 3000 processors. In general, the scalability results are very promising and indicate that the approach has a great potential for more complicated multidisciplinary problems such as fluid–structure interaction and aeroelastic simulations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical role for PAR1 in kallikrein 6‐mediated oligodendrogliopathy
Authors: Burda Joshua E. , Radulovic Maja , Yoon Hyesook , Scarisbrick Isobel A.
Published: July 2013

Kallikrein 6 (KLK6) is a secreted serine protease preferentially expressed by oligodendroglia in CNS white matter. Elevated levels of KLK6 occur in actively demyelinating multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions and in cases of spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke, and glioblastoma. Taken with recent evidence establishing KLK6 as a CNS‐endogenous activator of protease‐activated receptors (PARs), we hypothesized that KLK6 activates a subset of PARs to regulate oligodendrocyte physiology and potentially pathophysiology. Here, primary oligodendrocyte cultures derived from wild type or PAR1‐deficient mice and the murine oligodendrocyte cell line, Oli‐neu, were used to demonstrate that Klk6 (rodent form) mediates loss of oligodendrocyte processes and impedes morphological differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in a PAR1‐dependent fashion. Comparable gliopathy was also elicited by the canonical PAR1 agonist, thrombin, as well as PAR1‐activating peptides (PAR1‐APs). Klk6 also exacerbated ATP‐mediated oligodendrogliopathy in vitro, pointing to a potential role in augmenting excitotoxicity. In addition, Klk6 suppressed the expression of proteolipid protein (PLP) RNA in cultured oligodendrocytes by a mechanism involving PAR1‐mediated Erk1/2 signaling. Microinjection of PAR1 agonists, including Klk6 or PAR1‐APs, into the dorsal column white matter of PAR1+/+ but not PAR1−/− mice promoted vacuolating myelopathy and a loss of immunoreactivity for myelin basic protein (MBP) and CC‐1+ oligodendrocytes. These results demonstrate a functional role for Klk6‐PAR1 signaling in oligodendroglial pathophysiology and suggest that antagonists of PAR1 or its protease agonists may represent new modalities to moderate demyelination and to promote myelin regeneration in cases of CNS white matter injury or disease.
The NADPH oxidase Nox2 regulates VEGFR1/CSF‐1R‐mediated microglial chemotaxis and promotes early postnatal infiltration of phagocytes in the subventricular zone of the mouse cerebral cortex
Authors: Lelli Aurélia , Gervais Annie , Colin Catherine , Chéret Cyril , de Almodovar Carmen Ruiz , Carmeliet Peter , Krause Karl‐Heinz , Boillée Séverine , Mallat Michel
Published: July 2013

The phagocyte NADPH oxidase Nox2 generates superoxide ions implicated in the elimination of microorganisms and the redox control of inflammatory signaling. However, the role of Nox2 in phagocyte functions unrelated to immunity or pathologies is unknown. During development, oriented cell migrations insure the timely recruitment and function of phagocytes in developing tissues. Here, we have addressed the role of Nox2 in the directional migration of microglial cells during development. We show that microglial Nox2 regulates the chemotaxis of purified microglia mediated by the colony stimulating factor‐1 receptor (CSF‐1R) and the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 (VEGFR1). Stimulation of these receptors triggers activation of Nox2 at the leading edge of polarized cells. In the early postnatal stages of mouse brain development, Nox2 is activated in macrophages / microglial cells in the lateral ventricle or the adjacent subventricular zone (SVZ). Fluorescent microglia injected into the lateral ventricle infiltrate the dorso‐caudal SVZ through a mechanism that is blocked by pretreatment of the injected cells with an irreversible Nox inhibitor. Infiltration of endogenous microglia into the caudal SVZ of the cerebral cortex is prevented by (1) Nox2 gene deficiency, (2) treatment with a Nox2 inhibitor (apocynin), and (3) invalidation of the VEGFR1 kinase. We conclude that phagocytes move out of the lateral ventricle soon after birth and infiltrate the cortical SVZ through a mechanism requiring microglial Nox2 and VEGFR1 activation. Nox2 therefore modulates the migration of microglia and their development.
Development of insula connectivity between ages 12 and 30 revealed by high angular resolution diffusion imaging
Authors: Dennis Emily L. , Jahanshad Neda , McMahon Katie L. , de Zubicaray Greig I. , Martin Nicholas G. , Hickie Ian B. , Toga Arthur W. , Wright Margaret J. , Thompson Paul M.
Published: July 2013

The insula, hidden deep within the Sylvian fissures, has proven difficult to study from a connectivity perspective. Most of our current information on the anatomical connectivity of the insula comes from studies of nonhuman primates and post mortem human dissections. To date, only two neuroimaging studies have successfully examined the connectivity of the insula. Here we examine how the connectivity of the insula develops between ages 12 and 30, in 307 young adolescent and adult subjects scanned with 4‐Tesla high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI). The density of fiber connections between the insula and the frontal and parietal cortex decreased with age, but the connection density between the insula and the temporal cortex generally increased with age. This trajectory is in line with well‐known patterns of cortical development in these regions. In addition, males and females showed different developmental trajectories for the connection between the left insula and the left precentral gyrus. The insula plays many different roles, some of them affected in neuropsychiatric disorders; this information on the insula's connectivity may help efforts to elucidate mechanisms of brain disorders in which it is implicated. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1790–1800, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
AIRCRAFT NOISE, HEALTH, AND RESIDENTIAL SORTING: EVIDENCE FROM TWO QUASI‐EXPERIMENTS
Authors: Boes Stefan , Nüesch Stephan , Stillman Steven
Published: July 2013

We explore two unexpected changes in flight regulations to estimate the causal effect of aircraft noise on health. Detailed measures of noise are linked with longitudinal data on individual health outcomes based on the exact address information. Controlling for individual heterogeneity and spatial sorting into different neighborhoods, we find that aircraft noise significantly increases sleeping problems and headaches. Models that do not control for such heterogeneity and sorting substantially underestimate the negative health effects, which suggests that individuals self‐select into residence based on their unobserved sensitivity to noise. Our study demonstrates that the combination of quasi‐experimental variation and panel data is very powerful for identifying causal effects in epidemiological field studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correction to: “On the Existence of Simple BIBDs with Number of Elements a Prime Power”
Authors: Sun Hsin‐Min
Published: July 2013

The author corrects some errors in Theorem 17 of the paper entitled “On the existence of simple BIBDs with number of elements a prime power”.
A Partition of the Hypercube into Maximally Nonparallel Hamming Codes
Authors: Krotov Denis S.
Published: July 2013

By using the Gold map, we construct a partition of the hypercube into cosets of Hamming codes such that for every two cosets the corresponding Hamming codes are maximally nonparallel, that is, their intersection cardinality is as small as possible to admit nonintersecting cosets.
(EM‐)POWERING COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY THROUGH AN EXAMINATION OF SOCIAL POWER
Authors: Angelique Holly L. , Rodriguez Rosalie , Culley Marci R. , Brown Rachael , Binette Aja J.
Published: July 2013

To assess the scope of analyses of social power in community psychology (CP), we examined articles published in the American Journal of Community Psychology and Journal of Community Psychology from their inception in 1973 through 2010 for reference to the concept “power.” We discovered two historical points, 30 years apart, where power gained attention: early in the development of the field as it moved away from individualized notions of mental health and more recently as attention has shifted toward psycho‐political considerations. Despite the belief that power has been neglected in favor of its linguistic relative, “empowerment,” we found that scholarship spanned ecological levels, including individual (e.g., empowerment, referent power, and citizen participation), group (e.g., communities and organizations/institutions), and structural (e.g., macro concepts and marginalized statuses) analyses. By synthesizing scholarship on power in CP, we can provide a foundation from which to expand the field and effect social change.
Imaging of fat‐containing lesions of the breast: A pictorial essay
Authors: Ayyappan Anoop Padoor , Crystal Pavel , Torabi Alireza , Foley Bryan J. , Fornage Bruno D.
Published: July 2013

Fat‐containing breast lesions constitute a heterogeneous group of predominantly benign tumors and non‐neoplastic conditions. The role of imaging is to distinguish leave‐me‐alone lesions from rarely occurring malignant fat‐containing tumors that require histologic analysis. Correlating mammographic findings with appearance at ultrasonography often helps in identifying lesions that do not require further work‐up. MRI can be valuable to confirm the presence of fat and characterize lesions indeterminate on conventional imaging. The purpose of this multimodality imaging review is to exemplify the radiologic appearances of common and uncommon fat‐containing breast lesions to facilitate accurate diagnosis, avoid unnecessary interventions, and ensure appropriate management. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 41:424–433, 2013
Distribution of Early, Middle, and Late Noachian cratered surfaces in the Martian highlands: Implications for resurfacing events and processes
Authors: Irwin Rossman P. , Tanaka Kenneth L. , Robbins Stuart J.
Published: July 2013

Most of the geomorphic changes on Mars occurred during the Noachian Period, when the rates of impact crater degradation and valley network incision were highest. Fluvial erosion around the Noachian/Hesperian transition is better constrained than the longer‐term landscape evolution throughout the Noachian Period, when the highland intercrater geomorphic surfaces developed. We interpret highland resurfacing events and processes using a new global geologic map of Mars (at 1:20,000,000 scale), a crater data set that is complete down to 1 km in diameter, and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter topography. The Early Noachian highland (eNh) unit is nearly saturated with craters of 32–128 km diameter, the Middle Noachian highland (mNh) unit has a resurfacing age of ~4 Ga, and the Late Noachian highland unit (lNh) includes younger composite surfaces of basin fill and partially buried cratered terrain. These units have statistically distinct ages, and their distribution varies with elevation. The eNh unit is concentrated in the high‐standing Hellas basin annulus and in highland terrain that was thinly mantled by basin ejecta near 180° longitude. The mNh unit includes most of Arabia Terra, the Argyre vicinity, highland plateau areas between eNh outcrops, and the Thaumasia range. The lNh unit mostly occurs within highland basins. Crater depth/diameter ratios do not vary strongly between the eNh and mNh units, although crater losses to Noachian resurfacing appear greater in lower lying areas. Noachian resurfacing was spatially non‐uniform, long‐lived, and gravity‐driven, more consistent with arid‐zone fluvial and aeolian erosion and volcanism than with air fall mantling or mass wasting.
Comparison of microbial diversity during column bioleaching of chalcopyrite at different temperatures
Authors: Chen Bowei , Wu Biao , Liu Xingyu , Wen Jiankang
Published: July 2013

Column bioleaching of chalcopyrite was conducted at 33, 45, and 65 °C, and the copper leaching rates after 220 days were 38.50, 51.35, and 56.75%, respectively. In order to compare the microbial diversity at different temperatures, the microbial community structures of both bacteria and archaea in the columns were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene clone library on day 220. Clone library results indicated that although both iron oxidizers and sulfur oxidizers occurred at all temperatures, iron oxidizers were dominant at 33 and 45 °C and sulfur oxidizers were predominant at 65 °C. With regard to bacterial community structure, Leptospirillum ferriphilum was the principal bacterium at 33 and 45 °C, and uncultured sulfur‐oxidizing symbiont bacteria were dominant at 65 °C. On the other hand, with regard to archaea, only Ferroplasma sp. was detected at 33 °C, cultures similar to uncultured archaeon clone were dominant at 45 °C, and Metallosphaera sedula was predominant at 65 °C. Thus, it is suggested that different community structures occur at different temperatures, and that thermophilic chalcopyrite bioleaching should be inoculated and operated at high temperature in order to allow thermophiles to become the dominant microorganism in the system.
Whole body vibration induces forepaw and hind paw behavioral sensitivity in the rat
Authors: Baig Hassam A. , Guarino Benjamin B. , Lipschutz Daniel , Winkelstein Beth A.
Published: July 2013

Whole body vibration (WBV) has been linked to neck and back pain, but the biomechanical and physiological mechanisms responsible for its development and maintenance are unknown. A rodent model of WBV was developed in which rats were exposed to different WBV paradigms, either daily for 7 consecutive days (repeated WBV) or two single exposures at Day 0 and 7 (intermittent WBV). Each WBV session lasted for 30 min and was imposed at a frequency of 15 Hz and RMS platform acceleration of 0.56 ± 0.07 g. Changes in the withdrawal response of the forepaw and hind paw were measured, and were used to characterize the onset and maintenance of behavioral sensitivity. Accelerations and displacements of the rat and deformations in the cervical and lumbar spines were measured during WBV to provide mechanical context for the exposures. A decrease in withdrawal threshold was induced at 1 day after the first exposure in both the hind paw and forepaw. Repeated WBV exhibited a sustained reduction in withdrawal threshold in both paws and intermittent WBV induced a sustained response only in the forepaw. Cervical deformations were significantly elevated which may explain the more robust forepaw response. Findings suggest that a WBV exposure leads to behavioral sensitivity. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1739–1744, 2013
A role for anti‐BP180 autoantibodies in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Jeffe Jill S. , Seshadri Sudarshan , Hamill Kevin J. , Huang Julia He , Carter Roderick , Suh Lydia , Hulse Kathryn E. , Norton James , Conley David B. , Chandra Rakesh K. , Kern Robert C. , Jones Jonathan C. R. , Schleimer Robert P. , Tan Bruce K.
Published: July 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) is accompanied by evidence of a vigorous adaptive immune response, and emerging studies demonstrate that some nasal polyps manifest a polyclonal autoantibody response. We previously found that antibodies against BP180, a component of the hemidesmosome complex and the dominant epitope in autoimmune bullous pemphigoid, were found at elevated levels in nasal polyp tissue. Given the critical role of hemidesmosomes in maintaining epithelial integrity, we sought to investigate the distribution of BP180 in nasal tissue and evaluate for evidence of systemic autoimmunity against this antigen in CRS.

Study Design

Case‐control experimental study.

Methods

The expression and distribution of BP180 in cultured nasal epithelial cells and normal nasal tissue were confirmed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. Sera were collected from three groups: control, CRSsNP, and CRSwNP. A commercially available ELISA was utilized to compare anti‐BP180 autoantibody levels in sera.

Results

BP180 is expressed in nasal epithelium, but is not confined to the basement membrane as it is in human skin. In cultured nasal epithelial cells, confocal immunofluorescence showed a punctate distribution of BP180 along the basal surface, consistent with its distribution in epithelial keratinocytes. There are significantly higher levels of circulating nonpathologic anti‐BP180 autoantibodies in CRS patients compared with normal controls (P <0.05).

Conclusions

BP180 is more widely expressed in nasal epithelium versus skin, although it appears to play a similar role in the formation of hemidesmosomes along the basement membrane. Further investigations are ongoing to characterize the pathogenicity of the anti‐epithelial antibody response in CRS.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 123:2104–2111, 2013
Heating during infrared neural stimulation
Authors: Liljemalm Rickard , Nyberg Tobias , von Holst Hans
Published: July 2013

Background and Objective

Infrared neural stimulation (INS) has recently evoked interest as an alternative to electrical stimulation. The mechanism of activation is the heating of water, which induces changes in cell membrane potential but may also trigger heat sensitive receptors. To further elucidate the mechanism, which may be dependent on cell type, a detailed description of the temperature distribution is necessary. A good control of the resulting temperature during INS is also necessary to avoid excessive heating that may damage the cells. Here we present a detailed model for the heating during INS and apply it for INS of in vitro neural networks of rat cerebral cortex neurons.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A model of the heating during INS of a cell culture in a non‐turbid media was prepared using multiphysics software. Experimental parameters such as initial temperature, beam distribution, pulse length, pulse duration, frequency and laser‐cell distance were used. To verify the model, local temperature measurements using open pipette resistance were conducted. Furthermore, cortical neurons in culture were stimulated by a 500 mW pulsed diode laser (wavelength 1,550 nm) launched into a 200 µm multimodal optical fiber positioned 300 µm from the glass surface. The radiant exposure was 5.2 J/cm2.

Results

The model gave detailed information about the spatial and temporal temperature distribution in the heated volume during INS. Temperature measurements using open pipette resistance verified the model. The peak temperature experienced by the cells was 48°C. Cortical neurons were successfully stimulated using the 1,550 nm laser and single cell activation as well as neural network inhibition were observed.

Conclusion

The model shows the spatial and temporal temperature distribution in the heated volume and could serve as a useful tool for future studies of the heating during INS. Lasers Surg. Med. 45:469–481, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Counter‐Anion Effect on the Properties of Anion‐Conducting Polymer Electrolyte Membranes Prepared by Radiation‐Induced Graft Polymerization
Authors: Koshikawa Hiroshi , Yoshimura Kimio , Sinnananchi Warapon , Yamaki Tetsuya , Asano Masaharu , Yamamoto Kazuya , Yamaguchi Susumu , Tanaka Hirohisa , Maekawa Yasunari
Published: July 2013

Graft‐type anion‐conducting polymer electrolyte membranes (AEMs) are prepared by the radiation‐induced graft polymerization of chloromethylstyrene into poly(ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) films and subsequent quaternization with trimethylamine. AEMs in the hydroxide form (AEM‐OH) are prepared by immersing the chloride form (AEM‐Cl) in 1 M potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, followed by KOH and washing with nitrogen‐saturated water to prevent bicarbonate formation (AEM‐HCO3). The AEM‐OH shows conductivity and water uptake four and two times higher than AEM‐Cl and ‐HCO3 and is thermally and chemically less stable, resulting in the tendency to absorb water and to convert to the bicarbonate form.

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Purification and characterization of transcription factors
Authors: Nagore L.I. , Nadeau R.J. , Guo Q. , Jadhav Y.L.A. , Jarrett H.W. , Haskins W.E.
Published: July 2013

Transcription factors (TFs) are essential for the expression of all proteins, including those involved in human health and disease. However, TFs are resistant to proteomic characterization because they are frequently masked by more abundant proteins due to the limited dynamic range of capillary liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry and protein database searching. Purification methods, particularly strategies that exploit the high affinity of TFs for DNA response elements (REs) on gene promoters, can enrich TFs prior to proteomic analysis to improve dynamic range and penetrance of the TF proteome. For example, trapping of TF complexes specific for particular REs has been achieved by recovering the element DNA–protein complex on solid supports. Additional methods for improving dynamic range include two‐ and three‐dimensional gel electrophoresis incorporating electrophoretic mobility shift assays and Southwestern blotting for detection. Here we review methods for TF purification and characterization. We fully expect that future investigations will apply these and other methods to illuminate this important but challenging proteome. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 32: 386–398, 2013.
Microbial diversity in the floral nectar of sevenEpipactis(Orchidaceae) species
Authors: Jacquemyn Hans , Lenaerts Marijke , Tyteca Daniel , Lievens Bart
Published: July 2013

Floral nectar of animal‐pollinated plants is commonly infested with microorganisms, yet little is known about the microorganisms inhabiting the floral nectar of orchids. In this study, we investigated microbial communities occurring in the floral nectar of sevenEpipactis(Orchidaceae) species. Culturable bacteria and yeasts were isolated and identified by partially sequencing the small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, respectively. Using three different culture media, we found that bacteria were common inhabitants of the floral nectar ofEpipactis. The most widely distributed bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in nectar ofEpipactiswere representatives of the family of Enterobacteriaceae,with an unspecified Enterobacteriaceae bacterium as the most common. In contrast to previous studies investigating microbial communities in floral nectar, very few yeast species (mainly of the genusCryptococcus) were observed, and most of them occurred in very low densities. Total OTU richness (i.e., the number of bacterial and yeast OTUs per orchid species) varied between 4 and 20. Cluster analysis revealed that microbial communities of allogamous species differed from those of autogamous and facultatively autogamous species. This study extends previous efforts to identify microbial communities in floral nectar and indicates that the floral nectar of the orchids investigated mainly contained bacterial communities with moderate phylogenetic diversity.
Neuropathy and levodopa in Parkinson's disease: Evidence from a multicenter study
Authors: Ceravolo Roberto , Cossu Giovanni , Bandettini di Poggio Monica , Santoro Lucio , Barone Paolo , Zibetti Maurizio , Frosini Daniela , Nicoletti Valentina , Manganelli Fiore , Iodice Rosa , Picillo Marina , Merola Aristide , Lopiano Leonardo , Paribello Alessandra , Manca Davide , Melis Maurizio , Marchese Roberta , Borelli Paolo , Mereu Alessandra , Contu Paolo , Abbruzzese Giovanni , Bonuccelli Ubaldo
Published: July 2013

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the risk of neuropathy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to evaluate the role of levodopa exposure as a potential risk factor. A multicenter study of 330 patients with PD and 137 healthy controls with a comparable age distribution was performed. With respect to levodopa exposure, 144 patients had long exposure (≥3 years) to levodopa (LELD), 103 patients had short exposure (<3 years) to levodopa (SELD), and 83 patients had no exposure to levodopa (NOLD). Nerve function was evaluated using the reduced total neuropathy score. Right sural sensory antidromic and peroneal motor nerve conduction studies were performed by neurophysiologists who were blinded to the existence of neuropathy clinical features or PD treatment. Overall, 19.40% of patients in the LELD group, 6.80% in the SELD group, 4.82% in the NOLD group, and 8.76% in the control group were diagnosed with neuropathy (axonal, predominantly sensory). Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that the risk of neuropathy was not influenced by disease duration, severity, or sex. The risk of neuropathy increased by approximately 8% for each year of age (P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.037‐1.128). The risk of neuropathy was 2.38 higher in the LELD group than in the control group (P = 0.022; OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.130‐5.014). In a comparison between patients with and without neuropathy (Student's t test), the levodopa dose was higher (P < 0.0001), serum vitamin B12 levels were lower (P = 0.0102), and homocysteine levels were higher (P < 0.001) in the patients with neuropathy. Our results demonstrate that the duration of exposure to levodopa, along with age, is the main risk factor for the development of neuropathy. Screening for homocysteine and vitamin B12 levels and clinical‐neurophysiological monitoring for neuropathy may be advisable in patients with PD who are receiving treatment with levodopa. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Nicotine reduces established levodopa‐induced dyskinesias in a monkey model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Quik Maryka , Mallela Archana , Ly Jason , Zhang Danhui
Published: July 2013

Although 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (levodopa) is the gold‐standard treatment for Parkinson's disease, it can lead to disabling dyskinesias. Previous work demonstrated that nicotine reduces levodopa‐induced dyskinesias (LIDs) in several parkinsonian animal models. The goal of this study was to determine whether the duration of nicotine administration affects its ability to reduce LIDs in levodopa‐primed and levadopa‐naíve monkeys and also to test whether tolerance develops to the beneficial effects of nicotine. Monkeys were injected with MPTP (1.9‐2.0 mg/kg subcutaneously) over 3 to 5 months until parkinsonism developed. Nicotine (300 μg/mL) was administered in drinking water (over 4–6 months) to levodopa‐primed or levodopa‐naíve monkeys, with levodopa/carbidopa (10/2.5 mg/kg) gavaged twice daily. One set of MPTP‐lesioned monkeys (n = 23) was first gavaged with levodopa and subsequently received nicotine 4 weeks later, when dyskinesias plateaued, or 8 weeks later, when dyskinesias were established. A 60% to 70% decrease in LIDs was observed after several weeks of nicotine treatment in both groups. A second set of monkeys (n = 26) received nicotine 8 or 2 weeks before levodopa. In the 8‐week nicotine pretreatment group, there was an immediate reduction in LIDs, which plateaued at 60% to 70%. In the 2‐week nicotine pretreatment group, there were initial small decreases in LIDs, which plateaued at 60% to 70% several weeks later. Thus, nicotine pretreatment and nicotine post‐treatment were similarly efficacious in reducing LIDs. The beneficial effect of nicotine persisted throughout the study (17–23 weeks). Nicotine did not worsen parkinsonism. These data suggest that nicotine treatment has potential as a successful antidyskinetic therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Identification of novel point mutations in splicing sites integrating whole‐exome and RNA‐seq data in myeloproliferative diseases
Authors: Spinelli Roberta , Pirola Alessandra , Redaelli Sara , Sharma Nitesh , Raman Hima , Valletta Simona , Magistroni Vera , Piazza Rocco , Gambacorti‐Passerini Carlo
Published: July 2013

Point mutations in intronic regions near mRNA splice junctions can affect the splicing process. To identify novel splicing variants from exome sequencing data, we developed a bioinformatics splice‐site prediction procedure to analyze next‐generation sequencing (NGS) data (SpliceFinder). SpliceFinder integrates two functional annotation tools for NGS, ANNOVAR and MutationTaster and two canonical splice site prediction programs for single mutation analysis, SSPNN and NetGene2. By SpliceFinder, we identified somatic mutations affecting RNA splicing in a colon cancer sample, in eight atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML), and eight CML patients. A novel homozygous splicing mutation was found in APC (NM_000038.4:c.1312+5G>A) and six heterozygous in GNAQ (NM_002072.2:c.735+1C>T), ABCC3 (NM_003786.3:c.1783‐1G>A), KLHDC1 (NM_172193.1:c.568‐2A>G), HOOK1 (NM_015888.4:c.1662‐1G>A), SMAD9 (NM_001127217.2:c.1004‐1C>T), and DNAH9 (NM_001372.3:c.10242+5G>A). Integrating whole‐exome and RNA sequencing in aCML and CML, we assessed the phenotypic effect of mutations on mRNA splicing for GNAQ, ABCC3, HOOK1. In ABCC3 and HOOK1, RNA‐Seq showed the presence of aberrant transcripts with activation of a cryptic splice site or intron retention, validated by the reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in the case of HOOK1. In GNAQ, RNA‐Seq showed 22% of wild‐type transcript and 78% of mRNA skipping exon 5, resulting in a 4–6 frameshift fusion confirmed by RT‐PCR. The pipeline can be useful to identify intronic variants affecting RNA sequence by complementing conventional exome analysis.
Rough Set Theory as an Interpretable Method for Predicting the Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 1A2 and 2D6
Authors: Burton Julien , Petit Joachim , Danloy Emeric , Maggiora Gerald M. , Vercauteren Daniel P.
Published: July 2013

Early prediction of ADME properties such as the cytochrome P450 (CYP) mediated drug‐drug interactions is an important challenge in the drug discovery area. In this study, we propose to couple an original data mining approach based on Rough Set Theory (RST) to a structural description of molecules. The latter was achieved by using two types of structural keys: (1) the MACCS keys and (2) a set of five in‐house fingerprints based on properties of the electron density distributions of chemical groups. The compounds considered are involved in the inhibition of CYP1A2 and CYP2D6. RST allowed the extraction of rules further used as classifiers to predict the inhibitory profile of an independent set of molecules. The results reached prediction accuracies of 90.6 and 88.2 % for CYP1A2 and CYP2D6, respectively. In addition, these classifiers were analyzed to determine which structural fragments were most used for building the rules, revealing relationships between the occurrence of particular molecular fragments and CYP inhibition. The results assessed RST as a suitable tool to build strongly predictive models and infer structure‐activity rules associated with potency.