bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental observation of the plasma potential with the screening temperature
Authors: Kim June Young , Kim Dong-Hwan , Chung Chin-Wook
Published: March 2014

An experimental investigation of the Boltzmann relation in the plasma bulk region and the presheath region was performed at low pressure inductively coupled plasma with bi-Maxwellian distribution. The spatial profiles of the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) were measured from the discharge center to the plasma boundary with an ion mean free path scale. The screening temperature was derived from the Einstein relation and the bi-Maxwellian EEDFs, and it has the same expression as the electron temperature in the ion directed velocity to the sheath edge in plasmas with the bi-Maxwellian EEDFs. Radial variations of the ambipolar potential and the presheath potential were calculated with the screening temperature and compared with the obtained value from the spatially measured EEDFs. It was shown that the ambipolar potential and the presheath potential are governed by the screening temperature.
Random telegraph noise analysis in AlOx/WOy resistive switching memories
Authors: Zhang Ye , Wu Huaqiang , Wu Minghao , Deng Ning , Yu Zhiping , Zhang Jinyu , Qian He
Published: March 2014

In this Letter, the origins of current fluctuations of Al/AlOx/WOy/W bilayer resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices are investigated through detailed noise analysis. Random telegraph noise (RTN) measurements were performed on RRAMs with three different resistance states. An obvious RTN signal with 40.7% amplitude difference was found at high resistance state, and the trapping/de-trapping process leading to the RTN signal was studied in detail by extracting the trap energy from energy diagram. For median and low resistance states, the resistance fluctuations were 34.0% and 0.3%, respectively. To further study the RTN characteristics, the normalized power spectral density (PSD) was analyzed. It is found that, for one dominant-trap caused RTN phenomena, the normalized noise PSD behaves as 1/f 2 on the high resistance state; while for median and low resistance states, the noise follows 1/f rule, suggesting that the current fluctuations are associated with the envelop of multiple RTNs caused by traps located near/in the conductive filament. Based on the noise analyses in time and frequency domains, a conduction mechanism is proposed to describe the trap effects on the current fluctuations of different resistance states.
Erythrocyte membrane analysis for type II diabetes detection using Raman spectroscopy in high-wavenumber region
Authors: Lin Jinyong , Zeng Yongyi , Lin Juqiang , Wang Jing , Li Ling , Huang Zufang , Li Buhong , Zeng Haishan , Chen Rong
Published: March 2014

Raman spectroscopy was employed to detect lipid variation occurring in type II diabetic erythrocyte membrane (EM) without using exogenous reagents. In high-wavenumber (HW) region, significant Raman spectral differences between diabetic and normal EM are observed at 2850, 2873, 2885, 2935, and 2965 cm−1, which are mainly related to lipid in EM. Based on principal component analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of HW region for diabetes detection is 98.8%, which is much higher than that of low-wavenumber region (82.9%). The results suggest that EM HW Raman region has great promise for the reagent-free and non-invasive detection of type II diabetes.
Bubble inducing cell lysis in a sessile droplet
Authors: Nee Tan Jue , Ma Charles , Sivanantha Ninnuja , Neild Adrian
Published: March 2014

Cell lysis is a key sample preparation stage in many biomedical studies as DNA extraction and classification require the use of the nucleic acid and proteins released upon decomposition of a cell membrane. We present an effective method of lysing cells suspended in a microliter droplet placed on a super-hydrophobic surface. When a bubble, injected into the sessile droplet, subsequently ruptures, a rapidly moving fluid jet is formed. In this work, cells that are transported within this fluid jet are captured on a separate hydrophilic substrate and are shown to have been lysed.
Fluorescence of silicon nanoparticles prepared by nanosecond pulsed laser
Authors: Liu Chunyang , Sui Xin , Yang Fang , Fu Xing , Ma Wei , Li Jishun , Xue Yujun
Published: March 2014

A pulsed laser fabrication method is used to prepare fluorescent microstructures on silicon substrates in this paper. A 355 nm nanosecond pulsed laser micromachining system was designed, and the performance was verified and optimized. Fluorescence microscopy was used to analyze the photoluminescence of the microstructures which were formed using the pulsed laser processing technique. Photoluminescence spectra of the microstructure reveal a peak emission around 500 nm, from 370 nm laser irradiation. The light intensity also shows an exponential decay with irradiation time, which is similar to attenuation processes seen in porous silicon. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the microstructure in the fabricated region was also analyzed with multifunction scanning electron microscopy. Spherical particles are produced with diameters around 100 nm. The structure is compared with porous silicon. It is likely that these nanoparticles act as luminescence recombination centers on the silicon surface. The small diameter of the particles modifies the band gap of silicon by quantum confinement effects. Electron-hole pairs recombine and the fluorescence emission shifts into the visible range. The chemical elements of the processed region are also changed during the interaction between laser and silicon. Oxidation and carbonization play an important role in the enhancement of fluorescence emission.
Mechanical properties of single layer graphene nanoribbons through bending experimental simulations
Authors: Wang Weidong , Shen Cuili , Li Shuai , Min Jiaojiao , Yi Chenglong
Published: March 2014

Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations of bending experiments have been carried out for graphene nanoribbons in order to measure their mechanical properties. Based on the continuum theory, one physical model is established for a double-clamped single layer rectangular graphene film and the relation between the centerline deflection and the concentrated force has been derived. During MD simulations, the Airebo potential is utilized to describe the C-C atomic interactions of graphene, and the concentrated radial forces were exerted on the centerline of a graphene nanoribbon. After the simulations, a set of Young's moduli is calculated based on the presented relation between the centerline deflection and the concentrated force, with an average value of 1.034 TPa, and the maximum stress of graphene is also obtained as 137.09 GPa.
Generation kinetics of boron-oxygen complexes in p-type compensated c-Si
Authors: Wu Yichao , Yu Xuegong , Chen Peng , Chen Xianzi , Yang Deren
Published: March 2014

Kinetics characteristics of boron-oxygen complexes responsible for light-induced degradation in p-type compensated c-Si have been investigated. The generation of B-O complexes is well fitted by a fast-forming process and a slow-forming one. Activation energies of complexes generation during the fast-forming process are determined to be 0.29 and 0.24 eV in compensated and non-compensated c-Si, respectively, and those during the slow-forming process are the same, about 0.44 eV. Moreover, it is found that the pre-exponential factors of complexes generation in compensated c-Si is proportional to the square of the net doping concentration, which suggests that the latent centers should exist.
Connection between the Legal Knowledge and Social Background of Sports Coaches at Iranian Universities
Authors: Mohamadinejad Azadeh , Mirsafian Hamidreza
Published: March 2014

This study investigates university coaches' knowledge about their legal duties toward their athletes, as well as the connection between the level of their legal knowledge and their educational, social and economic background. The results are presented according to three major dimensions: deficiencies in the coaches' training system, in their knowledge concerning their legal responsibility and the coaches' social recognition regarding their profession. The findings indicate that the coaches' training in Iran has a lot of weaknesses, including the neglect of legal issues, the consequence of which is that the Iranian university coaches do not have sufficient knowledge about the legal issues in general and they are not aware of their duty toward their athletes in particular. In Iran coaching is not considered as a prestigious occupation; in terms of social status coaches belong to the lower middle class.
Inconsistency effects in source memory and compensatory schema-consistent guessing
Authors: Küppers Viviane , Bayen Ute J.
Published: March 2014

The attention–elaboration hypothesis of memory for schematically unexpected information predicts better source memory for unexpected than expected sources. In three source-monitoring experiments, the authors tested the occurrence of an inconsistency effect in source memory. Participants were presented with items that were schematically either very expected or very unexpected for their source. Multinomial processing tree models were used to separate source memory, item memory, and guessing bias. Results show an inconsistency effect in source memory accompanied by a compensatory schema-consistent guessing bias when expectancy strength is high, that is, when items are very expected or very unexpected for their source.
Histological Characterization of Mast Cell Chymase in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Kosanovic Djuro , Dahal Bhola Kumar , Peters Dorothea Maren , Seimetz Michael , Wygrecka Malgorzata , Hoffmann Katrin , Antel Jochen , Reiss Irwin , Ghofrani Hossein Ardeschir , Weissmann Norbert , Grimminger Friedrich , Seeger Werner , Schermuly Ralph Theo
Published: March 2014

Our previous findings demonstrated an increase in pulmonary mast cells (MCs) in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Also, literature suggests a potential role for MCs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, a comprehensive investigation of lungs from patients is still needed. We systematically investigated the presence/expression of MCs/MC chymase in the lungs of IPAH and COPD patients by (immuno)histochemistry and subsequent quantification. We found that total and perivascular chymase‐positive MCs were significantly higher in IPAH patients than in donors. In addition, chymase‐positive MCs were located in proximity to regions with prominent expression of big‐endothelin‐1 in the pulmonary vessels of IPAH patients. Total and perivascular MCs around resistant vessels were augmented and a significant majority of them were degranulated (activated) in COPD patients. While the total chymase‐positive MC count tended to increase in COPD patients, the perivascular number was significantly enhanced in all vessel sizes analyzed. Surprisingly, MC and chymase‐positive MC numbers positively correlated with better lung function in COPD. Our findings suggest that activated MCs, possibly by releasing chymase, may contribute to pulmonary vascular remodeling in IPAH. Pulmonary MCs/chymase may have compartment‐specific (vascular vs. airway) functions in COPD. Future studies should elucidate the mechanisms of MC accumulation and the role of MC chymase in pathologies of these severe lung diseases.
Urine Cultures among Hospitalized Veterans: Casting Too Broad a Net?
Authors: Drekonja Dimitri M. , Gnadt Christina , Kuskowski Michael A. , Johnson James R.
Published: March 2014

Since detection of asymptomatic bacteriuria among inpatients often leads to inappropriate antimicrobial treatment, we studied why urine cultures were ordered and correlates of treatment. Most cultures were obtained from patients without urinary complaints and a minority from asymptomatic patients. High-count bacteriuria, not clinical manifestations, appeared to trigger most antimicrobial use.
A Missed Tuberculosis Diagnosis Resulting in Hospital Transmission
Authors: Medrano Belinda A. , Salinas Gloria , Sanchez Connie , Miramontes Roque , Restrepo Blanca I. , Haddad Maryam B. , Lambert Lauren A.
Published: March 2014

Objective.

To find the source of tuberculin skin test conversions among 38 hospital employees on 1 floor during routine testing January–February 2010.

Methods.

Record review of patients at a private hospital during September-December 2009 and interviews with hospital employees. Names of patients from the state tuberculosis (TB) registry were cross-referenced with hospital records for admissions. Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype results in the county and adjacent counties were examined, and contacts were evaluated for TB infection and disease.

Results.

One of the 38 employees, a nurse, was diagnosed with pulmonary TB with a matching M. tuberculosis genotype and drug resistance pattern (isoniazid monoresistant) to those of a county jail inmate also recently diagnosed with pulmonary TB. The nurse had no known contact with that inmate; however, another inmate in his 20's from the same jail had been hospitalized under that nurse's care in October 2009. That young man died, and a postmortem examination result subsequently confirmed TB, which had not been suspected. Exposure to this man with undiagnosed TB could explain the transmission: 87 (27%) of the 318 hospital-based contacts without previous positive tuberculin skin test results were infected, and 9 contacts had active TB.

Conclusions.

This investigation demonstrated M. tuberculosis transmission in a hospital due to a missed diagnosis and nonadherence to national TB infection control guidelines. Routine TB screening of employees allowed early detection of this missed TB diagnosis, facilitating prompt evaluation of contacts. Healthcare providers should suspect TB in symptomatic persons and adhere to TB control policies.
HIGH-RESOLUTION ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION FIELDS OF CLASSICAL T TAURI STARS*
Authors: France Kevin , Schindhelm Rebecca N. , Bergin Edwin A. , Roueff Evelyne , Abgrall Hervé
Published: March 2014

The far-ultraviolet (FUV; 912–1700 Å) radiation field from accreting central stars in classical T Tauri systems influences the disk chemistry during the period of giant planet formation. The FUV field may also play a critical role in determining the evolution of the inner disk (r < 10 AU), from a gas- and dust-rich primordial disk to a transitional system where the optically thick warm dust distribution has been depleted. Previous efforts to measure the true stellar+accretion-generated FUV luminosity (both hot gas emission lines and continua) have been complicated by a combination of low-sensitivity and/or low-spectral resolution and did not include the contribution from the bright Lyα emission line. In this work, we present a high-resolution spectroscopic study of the FUV radiation fields of 16 T Tauri stars whose dust disks display a range of evolutionary states. We include reconstructed Lyα line profiles and remove atomic and molecular disk emission (from H2 and CO fluorescence) to provide robust measurements of both the FUV continuum and hot gas lines (e.g., Lyα, N v, C iv, He ii) for an appreciable sample of T Tauri stars for the first time. We find that the flux of the typical classical T Tauri star FUV radiation field at 1 AU from the central star is ∼107 times the average interstellar radiation field. The Lyα emission line contributes an average of 88% of the total FUV flux, with the FUV continuum accounting for an average of 8%. Both the FUV continuum and Lyα flux are strongly correlated with C iv flux, suggesting that accretion processes dominate the production of both of these components. On average, only ∼0.5% of the total FUV flux is emitted between the Lyman limit (912 Å) and the H2 (0–0) absorption band at 1110 Å. The total and component-level high-resolution radiation fields are made publicly available in machine-readable format.
Codes and the Cartier operator
Authors: Couvreur Alain
Published: March 2014

In this article, we present a new construction of codes from algebraic curves. Given a curve over a non-prime finite field, the obtained codes are defined over a subfield. We call themCartier codessince their construction involves the Cartier operator. This new class of codes can be regarded as a natural geometric generalisation of classical Goppa codes. In particular, we prove that a well-known property satisfied by classical Goppa codes extends naturally to Cartier codes. We prove general lower bounds for the dimension and the minimum distance of these codes and compare our construction with a classical one: the subfield subcodes of Algebraic Geometry codes. We prove that every Cartier code is contained in a subfield subcode of an Algebraic Geometry code and that the two constructions have similar asymptotic performances.

We also show that some known results on subfield subcodes of Algebraic Geometry codes can be proved nicely by using properties of the Cartier operator and that some known bounds on the dimension of subfield subcodes of Algebraic Geometry codes can be improved thanks to Cartier codes and the Cartier operator.
Generation of a Mixolab Profile After the Evaluation of the Functionality of Different Commercial Wheat Flours for Hot‐Press Tortilla Production
Authors: Posner Elieser S. , Chew‐Guevara Ana A. , Mitre‐Dieste Marcelo , Perez‐Carrillo Esther , Heredia‐Olea Erick , Wilson Jeff D. , Serna‐Saldivar Sergio O.
Published: March 2014

Refined wheat flours commercially produced by five different U.S. and Mexican wheat blends intended for tortilla production were tested for quality and then processed into tortillas through the hot‐press forming procedure. Tortilla‐making qualities of the flour samples were evaluated during dough handling, hot pressing, baking, and the first five days on the shelf at room temperature. The predominant variables that affected the flour tortilla performance were wet gluten content, alveograph W (220–303) and P/L (0.70–0.94) parameters, farinograph water absorption (57%) and stability (10.8–18.7 min), starch damage (5.43–6.71%), and size distribution curves (uniform particle distribution). Flours produced from a blend of Dark Northern Spring (80%) and Mexican Rayon (20%) wheat had the highest water absorption, and tortillas obtained from this blend showed the highest diameter and lowest thickness. The whitest and best textured tortillas were obtained from the flour milled from three hard types of Mexican wheat blend. A Mixolab profile was generated from the best tortilla flours, those produced by mills 3 and 4. The Mixolab profile showed that a good flour for hot‐press tortillas had a relatively lower absorption and short dough mix time compared with a bread flour and should have a significantly higher gluten compared with an all‐purpose flour. Compared with bread flour, the tortilla flour had higher retrogradation and viscosity values. The Mixolab profile proved to be a good preliminary test to evaluate flours for hot‐press tortillas.
Distinct structural transitions of chromatin topological domains coordinate hormone-induced gene regulation
Authors: Dily François Le , Baù Davide , Pohl Andy , Vicent Guillermo , Soronellas Daniel , Castellano Giancarlo , Serra François , Wright Roni H. G. , Ballare Cecilia , Filion Guillaume , Marti-Renom Marc A. , Beato Miguel
Published: March 2014

The human genome is segmented into Topologically Associating Domains (TADs), but the role of this conserved organization during transient changes in gene expression is not known. Here we described the distribution of Progestin-induced chromatin modifications and changes in transcriptional activity over TADs in T47D breast cancer cells. Using ChIP-Seq, Hi-C and 3D modelling techniques, we found that the borders of the ∼2,000 TADs in these cells are largely maintained after hormone treatment but that some TADs operate as discrete regulatory units in which the majority of the genes are either transcriptionally activated or repressed upon hormone stimulus. The epigenetic signatures of the TADs are coordinately modified by hormone in correlation with the transcriptional changes. Hormone-induced changes in gene activity and chromatin remodeling are accompanied by differential structural changes for activated and repressed TADs. In response to hormone activated TADs exhibit higher density of internal contacts, while repressed TADs show less intra-TAD contacts. Integrative 3D modelling revealed that TADs structurally expanded if activated and compacted when repressed, and that this is accompanied by differential changes in their global accessibility. We thus propose that TADs function as “regulons” to enable spatially proximal genes to be coordinately transcribed in response to hormones.
6-Chloro-2-chloromethyl-4-phenylquinazoline 3-oxide
Authors: Yamuna Thammarse S. , Jasinski Jerry P. , Kaur Manpreet , Yathirajan Hemmige S. , Siddegowda Maravanahalli S.
Published: March 2014

In the title compound, C15H10Cl2N2O, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the phenyl ring and the 10-membered quinazoline ring is 63.3 (4)°. In the crystal, pairs of weak C—H...O interactions link the molecules into centrosymmetric dimers, formingR22(10) graph-set ring motifs. In addition, weak π–π stacking interactions [minimum centroid–centroid separation = 3.6810 (8) Å] are observed, which contribute to the formation of a supramolecular assembly in the packing array.
6,8-Dibromo-4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde
Authors: Ishikawa Yoshinobu
Published: March 2014

In the title compound, C10H4Br2O3, the atoms of the 6,8-dibromochromone unit are essentially coplanar [largest deviation from the mean planes = 0.1109 (3) Å] and the formyl group is twisted slightly with respect to the attached ring [C—C—C—O torsion angles = 11.5 (4) and −168.9 (3)°]. In the crystal, molecules are linked to each other through halogen bonds [Br...O = 3.118 (2) Å, C—Br...O = 162.37 (8) and C=O...Br = 140.20 (15)°]. The molecules are further assembledviaπ–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.850 (2) Å].
5-Bromo-2,4,6-trimethyl-3-(3-methylphenylsulfinyl)-1-benzofuran
Authors: Choi Hong Dae , Seo Pil Ja , Lee Uk
Published: March 2014

In the title compound, C18H17BrO2S, the dihedral angle between the mean plane of the benzofuran ring system and the benzene ring is 68.58 (4)°. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviapairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds into inversion dimers. These dimers are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions between the benzene rings of neighbouring molecules [centroid–centroid distance = 3.783 (1) Å], forming a three-dimensional network. In addition, the stacked molecules exhibit inversion-related S...O contacts [3.153 (1) Å] involving the sulfinyl groups.
4-Phenyl-1,2,4-triazaspiro[4.4]non-1-ene-3-thione
Authors: Mague Joel T. , Mohamed Shaaban K. , Akkurt Mehmet , Hassan Alaa A. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: March 2014

In the title compound, C12H13N3S, the 4,5-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole system is nearly planar [maximum deviation = 0.014 (2) Å], while the cyclopentane ring adopts a half-chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the mean plane of the 4,5-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione ring and the phenyl ring is 85.49 (14)°, with the S atom 0.046 (1) Å out of the former plane. The crystal structure is stabilized only by van der Waals interactions. The investigated crystal was found to be a non-merohedral two-component twin by a 180° rotation aboutc*, with a refined value of the minor twin fraction of 0.12203 (18).
1-[(1S,6R,7S,9R)-8,8-Dibromo-5,5,9-trimethyltricyclo[4.4.0.17,9]decan-1-yl]ethanone
Authors: Zaki Mohamed , Benharref Ahmed , El Ammari Lahcen , Saadi Mohamed , Berraho Moha
Published: March 2014

The title compound, C16H24Br2O, was synthesized by three steps from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetramethyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-benzocycloheptene), which was isolated from essential oil of the Atlas cedarcedrus atlantica. The asymmetric unit contains two independent molecules with almost identical conformations. Each molecule is built up from two fused six-membered rings, one having a chair conformation and the other a boat conformation, and an additional three-membered ring arising from the reaction of himachalene with dibromocarbene. In the crystal, there are no significant intermolecular interactions present. The absolute structure of the title compound was confirmed by resonance scattering.
(E)-2-{[(Furan-2-ylmethyl)imino]methyl}-4-nitrophenol
Authors: Hijji Yousef , Azemati Samira , Butcher Ray J. , Jasinski Jerry P.
Published: March 2014

In the title compound, C12H10N2O4, the furan-2-ylmethyl group is disordered over two sets of sites, with refined occupancies of 0.858 (3) and 0.143 (3). In the major component of disorder, the dihedral angle between the furan and benzene rings is 63.1 (2)° and for the minor component this value is 67.9 (6)°. The planes of the nitro group and the attached benzene ring form a dihedral angle of 4.34 (17)°. In the crystal, inversion-related molecules are linked by two pairs of weak C—H...O interactions, one involving the nitro group and the other involving the O—H group as an acceptor. As a result of these associations, ribbons are formed along [120]. A strong intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond is observed.
Bis{2-[(pyridin-2-yl)methylideneamino]benzoato-κ3N,N′,O}chromium(III) nitrate monohydrate
Authors: Buvaylo Elena A. , Kokozay Vladimir N. , Vassilyeva Olga Yu. , Skelton Brian W.
Published: March 2014

The title complex salt hydrate, [Cr(C13H9N2O2)2]NO3·H2O, comprises discrete cations, nitrate anions and solvent water molecules. The CrIIIatom is octahedrally coordinated by two anionic Schiff base ligands with the O atoms beingcis. The two ligands differ significantly with dihedral angles between the pyridine and benzene rings of 4.8 (2) and 24.9 (2)°. The nitrate anion and solvent water molecule were modelled as being disordered, with the major components having site-occupancy values of 0.856 (14) and 0.727 (16), respectively. The crystal is built of alternating layers of cations and of anions plus water molecules, stacked along thecaxis.
Evolution of bacterial communities in the wheat crop rhizosphere
Authors: Donn Suzanne , Kirkegaard John A. , Perera Geetha , Richardson Alan E. , Watt Michelle
Published: March 2014

The gap between current average global wheat yields and that achievable through best agronomic management and crop genetics is large. This is notable in intensive wheat rotations which are widely used. Expectations are that this gap can be reduced by manipulating soil processes, especially those that involve microbial ecology. Cross‐year analysis of the soil microbiome in an intensive wheat cropping system revealed that rhizosphere bacteria changed much more than the bulk soil community. Dominant factors influencing populations included binding to roots, plant age, site and planting sequence. We demonstrated evolution of bacterial communities within the field rhizosphere. Early in the season, communities tightly bound to the root were simplest. These increased in diversity with plant age and senescence. Loosely bound communities also increased in diversity from vegetative to reproductive plant stages but were more stable than those tightly bound to roots. Planting sequence and, to a lesser extent, wheat genotype also significantly affected rhizosphere bacteria. Plasticity in the rhizosphere generated from crop root system management and genetics offers promise for manipulating the soil ecology of intense cereal systems. Analyses of soil microbiomes for the purpose of developing agronomic benefit should include roots as well as soil loosely adhered to the roots, and the bulk soil.
The efficacy and safety of topical 5% 5‐fluorouracil in renal transplant recipients for the treatment of actinic keratoses
Authors: Ingham Annabel I. , Weightman Warren
Published: March 2014

Actinic keratoses (AK) occur more commonly and behave more aggressively in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Topical 5% 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) cream is a commonly used agent whose efficacy and safety have never been exclusively studied in the RTR population before. Eight RTR were enrolled and 5% 5‐FU cream applied to AK lesions on their face twice daily for 3 weeks. They were reviewed at 2 and 8 weeks, and 12 months post‐commencement of treatment. Their AK were counted and their cumulative surface areas measured. Patients completed surveys monitoring adverse effects and tolerability. Complete (100%) and partial clearance (≥ 75%) rates were measured, as well as mean percentages of the reduction in AK surface area. Patients had complete clearance rates of 63 and 0% at 8 weeks and 12 months, respectively. All (100%) patients had partial clearance at week 8 and 71% had partial clearance at 12 months. Patients had on average 15 AK at week 0 and 1 and 3 at 8 weeks and 12 months, respectively. The mean AK clearance rate was 98% at week 8 and 79% at 12 months. Common side‐effects were erythema, itch and flaking or scaling, mostly mild in severity. 5‐FU appears to be an efficacious and safe treatment for AK in RTR.
Interactions of antagonists with subtypes of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptor
Authors: Saleem Huma , Tovey Stephen C , Molinski Tadeusz F , Taylor Colin W
Published: March 2014

Background and Purpose

Inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) are intracellular Ca2+ channels. Interactions of the commonly used antagonists of IP3Rs with IP3R subtypes are poorly understood.

Experimental Approach

IP3‐evoked Ca2+ release from permeabilized DT40 cells stably expressing single subtypes of mammalian IP3R was measured using a luminal Ca2+ indicator. The effects of commonly used antagonists on IP3‐evoked Ca2+ release and 3H‐IP3 binding were characterized.

Key Results

Functional analyses showed that heparin was a competitive antagonist of all IP3R subtypes with different affinities for each (IP3R3 > IP3R1 ≥ IP3R2). This sequence did not match the affinities for heparin binding to the isolated N‐terminal from each IP3R subtype. 2‐aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2‐APB) and high concentrations of caffeine selectively inhibited IP3R1 without affecting IP3 binding. Neither Xestospongin C nor Xestospongin D effectively inhibited IP3‐evoked Ca2+ release via any IP3R subtype.

Conclusions and Implications

Heparin competes with IP3, but its access to the IP3‐binding core is substantially hindered by additional IP3R residues. These interactions may contribute to its modest selectivity for IP3R3. Practicable concentrations of caffeine and 2‐APB inhibit only IP3R1. Xestospongins do not appear to be effective antagonists of IP3Rs.
Activation of the δ‐opioid receptor promotes cutaneous wound healing by affecting keratinocyte intercellular adhesion and migration
Authors: Bigliardi P L , Neumann C , Teo Y L , Pant A , Bigliardi‐Qi M
Published: March 2014

Background and Purpose

In addition to its analgesic functions, the peripheral opioid receptor system affects skin homeostasis by influencing cell differentiation, migration and adhesion; also, wound healing is altered in δ‐opioid receptor knockout mice (DOPr–/–). Hence, we investigated δ‐opioid receptor effects on the expression of several proteins of the desmosomal junction complex and on the migratory behaviour of keratinocytes.

Experimental Approach

Expression levels of desmosomal cadherins in wild‐type and DOPr–/– mice, and the morphology of intercellular adhesion in human keratinocytes were analysed by immunofluorescence. To investigate the δ‐opioid receptor activation pathway, protein expression was studied using Western blot and its effect on cellular migration determined by in vitro live cell migration recordings from human keratinocytes.

Key Results

Expression of the desmosomal cadherins, desmogleins 1 and 4, was up‐regulated in skin from DOPr–/– mice, and down‐regulated in δ‐opioid receptor‐overexpressing human keratinocytes. The localization of desmoplakin expression was rearranged from linear arrays emanating from cell borders to puncta in cell periphery, resulting in less stable intercellular adhesion. Migration and wound recovery were enhanced in human keratinocyte monolayers overexpressing δ‐opioid receptors in vitro. These δ‐opioid receptor effects were antagonized by specific PKCα/β inhibition indicating they were mediated through the PKC signalling pathway. Finally, cells overexpressing δ‐opioid receptors developed characteristically long but undirected protrusions containing filamentous actin and δ‐opioid receptors, indicating an enhanced migratory phenotype.

Conclusion and Implications

Opioid receptors affect intercellular adhesion and wound healing mechanisms, underlining the importance of a cutaneous neuroendocrine system in wound healing and skin homeostasis.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2
Structure of Class B GPCRs: new horizons for drug discovery
Authors: Bortolato Andrea , Doré Andrew S , Hollenstein Kaspar , Tehan Benjamin G , Mason Jonathan S , Marshall Fiona H
Published: March 2014

Class B GPCRs of the secretin family are important drug targets in many human diseases including diabetes, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease and psychiatric disorders. X‐ray crystal structures for the glucagon receptor and corticotropin‐releasing factor receptor 1 have now been published. In this review, we analyse the new structures and how they compare with each other and with Class A and F receptors. We also consider the differences in druggability and possible similarity in the activation mechanisms. Finally, we discuss the potential for the design of small‐molecule modulators for these important targets in drug discovery. This new structural insight allows, for the first time, structure‐based drug design methods to be applied to Class B GPCRs.
Varenicline decreases ethanol intake and increases dopamine release via neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the nucleus accumbens
Authors: Feduccia A A , Simms J A , Mill D , Yi H Y , Bartlett S E
Published: March 2014

Background and Purpose

Varenicline, a neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) modulator, decreases ethanol consumption in rodents and humans. The proposed mechanism of action for varenicline to reduce ethanol consumption has been through modulation of dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) via α4*‐containing nAChRs in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, presynaptic nAChRs on dopaminergic terminals in the NAc have been shown to directly modulate dopaminergic signalling independently of neuronal activity from the VTA. In this study, we determined whether nAChRs in the NAc play a role in varenicline's effects on ethanol consumption.

Experimental Approach

Rats were trained to consume ethanol using the intermittent‐access two‐bottle choice protocol for 10 weeks. Ethanol intake was measured after varenicline or vehicle was microinfused into the NAc (core, shell or core‐shell border) or the VTA (anterior or posterior). The effect of varenicline treatment on DA release in the NAc was measured using both in vivo microdialysis and in vitro fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV).

Key Results

Microinfusion of varenicline into the NAc core and core‐shell border, but not into the NAc shell or VTA, reduced ethanol intake following long‐term ethanol consumption. During microdialysis, a significant enhancement in accumbal DA release occurred following systemic administration of varenicline and FSCV showed that varenicline also altered the evoked release of DA in the NAc.

Conclusion and Implications

Following long‐term ethanol consumption, varenicline in the NAc reduces ethanol intake, suggesting that presynaptic nAChRs in the NAc are important for mediating varenicline's effects on ethanol consumption.
The straight to test endoscopy service for suspected colorectal cancer: meeting national targets but are we meeting our patients' expectations?
Authors: Hitchins C. R. , Lawn A. , Whitehouse G. , McFall M. R.
Published: March 2014

Aim

The NHS Cancer Plan describes initiatives to improve patient care in the UK, including the two‐week rule cancer referral pathway. To meet this target a straight to test (STT) endoscopy service was devised to expedite diagnosis of suspected colorectal cancer. Our novel study aimed to determine patient satisfaction with this new approach to rapid access investigation.

Method

An anonymized questionnaire was posted to 300 patients who had undergone STT endoscopy in our unit between January and June 2010. It assessed satisfaction with the service overall, time from referral to investigation, pre‐test information, bowel preparation instructions and time to results as well as preference for a traditional pre‐test or post‐test outpatient appointment and awareness that the referral was for suspected bowel cancer.

Results

In all, 174 questionnaires were obtained (58% yield; mean age 68.8; 44.8% men). 82.2% of patients were ‘very satisfied’ with the service overall, 82.8% with time from referral to test, 75.2% with time from test to results, 73% with endoscopy information and 69.5% with bowel preparation instructions. Eight per cent would rather have seen a specialist prior to endoscopy, 31.6% would have preferred a post‐test appointment and 68.4% of patients were aware that referral was for suspected bowel cancer.

Conclusion

Straight to test is popular with patients. It offers a fast and cost effective service in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and meets national targets whilst reducing the volume burden on outpatient clinics. However, its success heavily relies on accurate communication between general practitioner, patient and secondary care.
Treatment of onychomycosis using the 1 064 nm Nd:YAG laser: a clinical pilot study
Authors: Hees Henrik , Jäger Michael W. , Raulin Christian
Published: March 2014

Background

Nd:YAG lasers could be a safe and effective treatment modality for onychomycosis, without the side effects of drugs. Long and short‐pulsed Nd:YAG lasers were used in this clinical study in a side‐comparison manner without removal of onychomycotic nail material before treatment.

Patients and Methods

Big toenails of 10 patients were treated twice in a side‐comparison manner with the short‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Fungal cultures were taken and a histological examination was performed before treatment and after 9 months. Two independent investigators rated clearance using the “Onychomycosis Severity Index (OSI)” and standardized photographs at 3‐month intervals.

Results

OSI‐Scores decreased for 3.8 (15 %; p = 0.006), 4.8 (19 %; p = 0.0002) and 2.9 points (12 %; p = 0.04) within 3, 6 and 9 months. The positive culture rate at 9 months was significantly reduced to 35 % (p = 0.0003). Classification of severity of onychomycosis showed no change. The difference between the treatment regimens was not significant.

Conclusions

These results suggest that treatment of onychomycosis with the Nd:YAG laser without removing mycotic nail material can lead to a temporary clinical improvement, a reduction of positive fungal cultures and an improvement of the Onychomycosis Severity Index. The treatment regimen should be optimized to be used as an effective antimycotic monotherapy.
Establishing HbA1c–mean blood glucose formulae for patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Zhao C. , Luo Q. , He F. , Peng F. , Xia X. , Huang F. , Yu X.
Published: March 2014

Aim

To determine the relationship between HbA1c and mean blood glucose concentrations by using HbA1c–mean blood glucose formulae for people on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Methods

A total of 305 people on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, including 13 people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, 161 people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and 131 people without diabetes, from a single peritoneal dialysis centre at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen University, were enrolled between January 2006 and June 2011. Serum HbA1c concentration was measured quarterly and other laboratory variables, including blood glucose, were measured every month. The formulae were established using regression analysis and adjusted for other factors. The estimated blood glucose level calculated using our formulae was compared with that using previous formulae namely the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and A1c‐Derived Average Glucose formulae for people not on dialysis and the Hoshino formula for people on haemodialysis.

Results

The HbA1c–mean blood glucose formulae obtained by linear regression analysis were: 1) mBGmmol/l = 0.107 × HbA1c(mmol/mol) + 1.764 [adjusted R2 ()  = 0.494]; 2) mBGmmol/l = 0.101 × HbA1c (mmol/mol) − 0.001 × Cr (μmol/l) + 2.850 ( = 0.507); 3) mBGmmol/l = 0.102 × HbA1c (mmol/mol) − 0.095 × Alb (g/l) + 5.394 ( = 0.521); and 4) mBGmmol/l  = 0.099 × HbA1c (mmol/mol) − 0.001 × Cr (μmol/l)−0.084 × Alb (g/l) + 5.754 ( = 0.526), where mBG is mean blood glucose, Cr is serum creatinine and Alb is serum albumin. These new formulae performed as well as or better than previous formulae.

Conclusions

The relationship between HbA1c and mean blood glucose for people on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis differs from that for people not on dialysis or for those on haemodialysis. Clinicians and patients can determine glycaemic control targets by applying our formulae.
Influences of population density, temperature and latitude on the growth of invasive topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva
Authors: Davies Gareth D. , Britton J. Robert
Published: March 2014

Plasticity in life‐history traits provides advantages for introduced fish in overcoming demographic bottlenecks that would otherwise inhibit establishment. Here, the influence of population density, temperature and latitude was tested on the growth increments and growth rates of invasive populations of topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva, a small Asian cyprinid fish that is invasive across Europe. Aquaria experiments tested the roles of fish number and temperature on growth increments under a fixed food supply, pond experiments tested the role of density on growth increments, and a field study completed in England and Wales tested the influence of density and latitude on growth rates. In aquaria experiments, whilst growth increments were higher at 21 and 23 °C than at 19 and 25 °C, fish number had a greater influence on growth than temperature. Higher growth increments were produced at lower densities. In experimental ponds, growth increments were significantly higher in ponds with low densities of P. parva compared with those at elevated densities. In the field study comprising 10 wild populations across a latitudinal gradient of 4.0°N, a difference in mean air temperatures of approximately 3 °C, and estimated densities between 0.5 and 65.0 m−2, population density was the only significant predictor of growth rates. Whilst populations at very low densities comprised of significantly faster growing individuals, there were no significant differences when densities were between 15 and 65 m−2. Thus, invasive P. parva populations have considerable growth plasticity, especially at low densities, with this likely to be important in their ability to colonise new environments.
Multigene phylogenetic study of Cyclaneusma species
Authors: Prihatini I. , Glen M. , Wardlaw T. J. , Mohammed C. L.
Published: March 2014

Cyclaneusma Needle Cast is associated with the fungal pathogen Cyclaneusma minus. The disease has led to significant losses of Pinus radiata production in New Zealand, but the disease appears less serious in Australia. Two cultural morphotypes of C. minus have been discriminated in New Zealand, and isolates from Australia also correspond to these two morphotypes. To examine if the two morphotypes of Cyclaneusma are different species, phylogenetic analysis using sequences from five gene regions (rDNA ITS, mt‐LSU, n‐LSU, tef–1 and βT‐1) was conducted. This study revealed that C. minus consists of two distinct clades which correspond to the two morphotypes. One morphotype (‘verum’) was more closely related to Cyclaneusma niveum than to the other morphotype (‘simile’). A morphological description is required to formalise the new species represented by the ‘simile’ clade; an investigation of the individual pathogenic behaviours of both morphotypes is also required.
Enhanced Bone Regeneration in Rabbit Tibial Defects İmplanted with Newly Fabricated Bioceramic Bone Grafts
Authors: Demirel Mehtap , Aksakal Bunyamin
Published: March 2014

Hydroxyapatite (HA)‐based biografts, HBGs, were synthesized by mixing commercial HA with some additives via solgel method. The obtained HBGs were characterized by mechanical tests, X‐ray diffractometry, XRD, SEM, and FTIR. The fabricated and commercial grafts were filled into drilled zones in New Zeland rabbit tibias. The maximum stress was increased up to 332 MPa and the absorbed energy to 26.79 Joule for the yttria‐added sample H50Y10. The histopathology study suggested that better bone generation was obtained in HA‐based biografts than in control group, and it was shown that the currently fabricated biografts could be used for biomedical applications.
Development of a Yellow Pigment Based on Bismuth and Molybdenum‐Doped TiO2 for Coloring Polymers
Authors: da Silva Renata Martins , Kubaski Evaldo Toniolo , Cava Sergio , Moreira Mario Lúcio , Sequinel Thiago , Tebcherani Sergio Mazurek
Published: March 2014

An inorganic yellow pigment based on TiO2 containing minor amounts of bismuth and molybdenum compounds was developed without rare earths or highly toxic elements. The material was produced starting from a composition of 99% (mol%) of rutile TiO2 and 1% of MoO3, which were previously mixed and calcined at 1200°C. The composition consisted of 99.8% of the above mixture and 0.2% of bismuth(III) nitrate basic hexahydrate. This powder mixture was homogenized and calcined in a tubular furnace at 1200°C, applying different heating rates: 1, 30, 40, and 60°C/min. The yellow color was attributed to the presence of α‐Bi2O3, γ*‐Bi2MoO6, and Bi2Ti2O7 phases. The powder particle size proved suitable for using the material as an inorganic pigment for polymers. The technological application of the pigment was tested in high‐density polyethylene.
The effects of traffic light labels and involvement on consumer choices for food and financial products
Authors: Drescher Larissa S. , Roosen Jutta , Marette Stéphan
Published: March 2014

Traffic light (TL) labels that inform consumers regarding product safety have received increasing attention in different fields. Behind the background of behavioural economics, this paper presents the results of a split‐sample choice experiment conducted in Germany to evaluate the impact of TL labelling on purchases of food and financial products. We hypothesize that consumers experience different levels of involvement with these two types of products, leading to different recommendations regarding the use of TLs. The results show that TLs affect consumer purchases of both product groups by focusing their attention on specific product attributes. For food, whereas the low‐fat attribute has no significant impact on food choices that do not include TLs, this attribute has a positive impact on choices once it is signalled with a TL label. The positive evaluation of the organic production attribute of a food product without a TL decreases when the same product is labelled with a TL. In the case of financial products, TLs significantly reinforce the impact of all characteristics on choice probability. TLs also generate a halo effect with regard to return variance. Although consumers demonstrate different levels of involvement for the two types of products, involvement does not always impact the evaluation of attributes. Compared with less involved consumers, more involved consumers exhibit more heterogeneous evaluations of the return variability attribute in the case of the financial product and the organic attribute in the case of the food product.