bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing climate impact of different geoengineering methods
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: December 2013

If efforts to control greenhouse gas emissions do not succeed in combating global warming, some scientists and policy makers may consider geoengineering the climate, even though this could be a risky strategy with potential drawbacks. One geoengineering option is solar radiation management, which involves adjusting the amount of sunlight reaching the planet through one of several possible methods, including injecting sulfur into the stratosphere to block incoming sunlight, putting mirrors in space to reflect sunlight, or injecting sea salt into the air above the oceans to increase the reflectivity of clouds. All of these methods could potentially have a cooling effect, but the regional climate effects and effects on precipitation patterns could differ.
New physical model calculates airline crews' radiation exposure
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: December 2013

Airline pilots and crews, who spend hundreds of hours each year flying at high altitude, are exposed to increased doses of radiation from galactic cosmic rays and solar energy particles, enough that airline crew members are actually considered radiation workers by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.
Order and Strength Matter for Evaluation of Alibi and Eyewitness Evidence
Authors: Price Heather L. , Dahl Leora C.
Published: December 2013

We explored the effects of presentation order and evidence strength on participants acting as investigators in a criminal context. Participants evaluated evidence and suspect guilt in a study in which alibi witness and eyewitness evidence of varying strength, presented in different orders, were compared. In contrast to research on the confirmation bias, which suggests that evidence presented early distorts subsequent evaluations of evidence, the present findings suggest that under certain circumstances, evidence received most recently can have a greater impact on decision‐making. Recency effects were observed most frequently when recent evidence was particularly strong and often when it contradicted previously encountered strong evidence. The impact of recency extended beyond the impact of evidence and to evaluations of the credibility of individual pieces of evidence. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abnormal behavior and associated risk factors in captive baboons (Papio hamadryas spp.)
Authors: Lutz Corrine K. , Williams Priscilla C. , Sharp R. Mark
Published: December 2013

Abnormal behavior, ranging from motor stereotypies to self‐injurious behavior, has been documented in captive nonhuman primates, with risk factors including nursery rearing, single housing, and veterinary procedures. Much of this research has focused on macaque monkeys; less is known about the extent of and risk factors for abnormal behavior in baboons. Because abnormal behavior can be indicative of poor welfare, either past or present, the purpose of this study was to survey the presence of abnormal behavior in captive baboons and to identify potential risk factors for these behaviors with an aim of prevention. Subjects were 144 baboons (119 females, 25 males) aged 3–29 (median = 9.18) years temporarily singly housed for research or clinical reasons. A 15‐min focal observation was conducted on each subject using the Noldus Observer® program. Abnormal behavior was observed in 26% of the subjects, with motor stereotypy (e.g., pace, rock, swing) being the most common. Motor stereotypy was negatively associated with age when first singly housed (P < 0.005) while self‐directed behavior (e.g., hair pull, self‐bite) was positively associated with the lifetime number of days singly housed (P < 0.05) and the average number of blood draws per year (P < 0.05). In addition, abnormal appetitive behavior was associated with being male (P < 0.05). Although the baboons in this study exhibited relatively low levels of abnormal behavior, the risk factors for these behaviors (e.g., social restriction, routine veterinary procedures, and sex) appear to remain consistent across primate species. Am. J. Primatol. 76:355–361, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Periplocymarin is a potential natural compound for drug development: highly permeable with absence of P‐glycoprotein efflux and cytochrome P450 inhibitions
Authors: Martey Orleans N. K. , He Xin , Xing Haiyan , Deng Fengchun , Feng Shan , Li Chao , Shi Xiaoyan
Published: December 2013

Periplocymarin, a cardiac glycoside isolated from Periploca sepium (P. sepium) and Periploca graeca (P. graeca), is a potential anti‐cancer compound. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential for periplocymarin to interact with P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) and to inhibit cytochrome P450s known to be expressed in the human small intestine. The in vitro and in situ permeability of periplocymarin were studied using Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK‐II‐WT) cells transfected with or without the human multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene and the single‐pass perfused rat intestinal model. The cell system exhibited high functional activity and a net efflux ratio (NER) of 4.32 after transport of Rhodamine 123 (R123) (the P‐gp substrate). Periplocymarin is highly permeable (Papp > 10 × 10‐6 cm/s; Peff(rat) > 5.09 × 10‐5 cm/s) and independent of P‐gp influences. The NER at 100 μm periplocymarin (0.8) was unchanged in the presence of cyclosporine A (a non‐specific P‐gp inhibitor) (0.82). In the single‐pass intestinal model, the Peff (rat) of 5 µg/ml periplocymarin (5.490 × 10‐5 cm/s) did not change in the presence of cyclosporine A (5.394 × 10‐5 cm/s). In the R123‐inhibition assay, periplocymarin did not competitively inhibit P‐gp. The inhibitory potential of periplocymarin on cytochrome P450 (CYP450s) was also studied. Periplocymarin (5, 50 μm) did not inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 or CYP3A4. Thus, periplocymarin is unlikely to encounter drug–drug interactions with P‐gp and CYP450s. Periplocymarin could be taken forward for further studies in drug development to test bioavailability, Phase II enzyme interactions and additional transporter interactions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Highly sensitive determination of new metabolite in rat plasma after oral administration of swertiamarin by liquid chromatography/time of flight mass spectrometry following picolinoyl derivatization
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Tang Shuhan , Sun Yujia , Wang Huiyu , Wang Xijun , Zhang Hailong , Wang Zhigang
Published: December 2013

The metabolism of swertiamarin (STM) in vivo was studied by LC/MS following picolinoyl derivatization. Incubation of erythrocentaurin (ECR), one of the main in vitro metabolites of STM by intestinal bacteria, with liver microsome indicated that STM may be metabolized to the final metabolite 3,4‐dihydro‐5‐(hydroxymethyl) isochroman‐1‐one (HMIO) in vivo. After hydrolyzation with sulfatase, HMIO was successfully detected in rat plasma after oral administration of STM by LC/MS following picolinoyl derivatization. 4‐Methoxyphenyl methanol was used as the internal standard to quantify HMIO in rat plasma. The full metabolic pathway of STM in rats is proposed. STM is first hydrolyzed by bacterial β‐glucusidase to give aglycone, which is readily converted to ECR and nitrogen‐containing metabolite. ECR is further reduced to HMIO by both liver and intestinal bacteria and HMIO is finally converted to the new sulfate conjugate metabolite. The monoterpene compound STM was found to be metabolized to dihydroisocoumarin and alkaloid compounds in vivo, which may be responsible for the pharmacological effect of STM. The results may shed light on clinical efficacy of STM and the new analytical method developed may assist in studies of the metabolism of other natural iridoids and secoiridoids in vivo. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cancer in indigenous people in Latin America and the Caribbean: a review
Authors: Moore Suzanne P. , Forman David , Piñeros Marion , Fernández Sdenka M. , de Oliveira Santos Marceli , Bray Freddie
Published: December 2013

Cancer is a leading cause of death in Latin America but there have been few assessments of the cancer burden for the 10% of the population who are indigenous. Evidence from other world regions suggests cancer survival is poorer for indigenous people than for others due to a greater incidence of case‐fatal cancers, later stage at diagnosis, and less cancer treatment. A status report on the cancer profile of indigenous people in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is therefore clearly warranted. We undertook a systematic review of the peer‐reviewed literature in academic databases, and considered evidence from cancer registries from 1980, to assess cancer epidemiology among indigenous people in LAC. We identified 35 peer‐reviewed articles pertaining to cancer in indigenous people. Rates of cervical cancer in parts of Brazil, Ecuador, and Guyana, stomach cancer rates in regions of Chile and gallbladder rates in Chile and Bolivia, were higher for indigenous compared to others. Breast cancer rates were lower in Ecuador, Brazil, and Chile. Six cancer registries in Brazil provided incidence data but no other reports of incidence, mortality, or survival were identified. There was a paucity of data surrounding the cancer burden of indigenous people in LAC. In view of predicted increases in cancer rates in ensuing decades, and the disparities in burden already experienced by indigenous people in the region, it is imperative that cancer profiles are obtained and cancer control measures identified and prioritized.
A modified thermodynamic equilibrium model for woody biomass gasification
Authors: Rofouie Pardis , Moshkelani Maryam , Perrier Michel , Paris Jean
Published: December 2013

A modified thermodynamic equilibrium model has been developed to improve the prediction of syngas composition produced by the gasification of woody biomass. A comparison of data produced by an equilibrium model with available experimental data from bubbling biomass fluidised bed gasifiers indicates that the equilibrium model significantly underestimates the methane yield. In the proposed model, a semi‐empirical devolatilisation model is used to eliminate the methane deviation by taking into account the fact that methane, which is initially generated in the devolatilisation process, does not reform through gasification reactions. The modified model estimates the syngas composition more accurately than previously published modified equilibrium models.
A comparative evaluation of mercury(II) adsorption equilibrium and kinetics onto silica gel and sulfur‐functionalised silica gels adsorbents
Authors: Johari Khairiraihanna , Saman Norasikin , Mat Hanapi
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a comparative evaluation of mercury(II) adsorption equilibrium and kinetics onto silica gel and sulfur‐functionalised silica gel adsorbents. The silica gel was synthesised using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a precursor, while the sulfur‐functionalised silica gel adsorbents were prepared through a co‐condensation method using TEOS as a precursor with bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide (BTESPT) and 3‐mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) as sulfur ligands. The synthesised adsorbents were characterized by using SEM, FTIR, nitrogen adsorption/desorption (NAD), and EDX. A batch adsorption experiment was employed to evaluate the removal of Hg(II) by using the adsorbents. The study revealed that the Hg(II) adsorption capacity was found to be dependent on the initial Hg(II) concentration, agitation time, and pH of the solution. The Hg(II) adsorption capacities obtained for the SG‐TEOS, SG‐BTESPT and SG‐MPTMS were 40.95, 93.32 and 102.37 mg/g, respectively. The Hg(II) adsorption was well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm models (R2 > 0.935) and obeyed the pseudo‐second order kinetics model (R2 > 0.991). A further analysis of the kinetics suggested that the Hg(II) adsorption process was governed by both intra‐particle and external mass transfer processes, in which film diffusion was the rate‐limiting step.
Characterization and Risk Evaluation of Tea Industry Coal Ash for Environmental Suitability
Authors: Goswami Linee , Raul Prasanta , Sahariah Banashree , Bhattacharyya Pradip , Bhattacharya Satya Sundar
Published: December 2013

Overload of coal ash (CA) generated from several coal fired plants poses acute problems of disposal and contamination of soil and water resources. Since CA generated from tea factories has not yet been characterized from environmental viewpoints, we attempted to critically characterize the agro‐ecological compatibility of CA samples (CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4) collected from four distantly located tea factories. Among these samples, we found CA3 and CA4 to have low pH and high metal content. Accordingly, we restricted our study to predict the solubility pattern of non‐metal and metal ions in CAs by adopting a geochemical model (Visual MINTEQ). Various fractions of metals like Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, and Pb were studied to figure out the mobility pattern of metals in the environment. The results clearly indicate that tea industry derived CA substantially differs from thermal power plant CA as regards several physico‐chemical properties, for example, sandy texture, low pH and high nutrient content. Risk evaluation of human exposure to trace elements and the metal fractionation study led us to conclude that CA1 and CA2 are highly compatible with agricultural use.
Monocytes, but not T cells, respond to insulin with Akt(S473) phosphorylation independent of the donor glucometabolic state
Authors: Thewissen M. M. , van de Gaar J. , den Boer A. Th. , Munsters M. J. , Blaak E. E. , Duijvestijn A.
Published: December 2013

Background

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and chronic low‐grade inflammation. Insulin has been described to have anti‐inflammatory effects in immune cells. Therefore, insulin resistance in immune cells can be expected to have important consequences for immune function. Here, we investigate whether freshly isolated monocytes and T cells, isolated from study subjects with a normal or disturbed glucometabolic state, respond to insulin with phosphorylation of Akt, a key molecule in the insulin signalling pathway.

Methods

A total of 25 study subjects were enrolled in the study. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed, and from fasting insulin and glucose, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index was calculated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from heparinized blood and phenotypically characterized by flow cytometry. Basal and insulin‐induced fractions of pAkt(S473)‐positive monocytes and T cells were determined by Phosflow.

Results

On the basis of the OGTT, 11 subjects were classified as normal glucose tolerant (NGT), 9 had an impaired glucose metabolism (IGM) and 5 had type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The fraction of pAkt(S473)positive‐T cells and monocytes, in the absence of insulin, was low in all subjects. Incubation with insulin did not induce Akt phosphorylation in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in normal subjects. However, in the monocyte fraction, an insulin‐dose‐dependent increase of the pAkt(S473)positive‐cell fraction was observed. This response did not differ between NGT, IGM and T2DM and was not correlated with HOMA‐IR.

Conclusions

In this study, we show that freshly isolated monocytes, but not T cells, are insulin‐sensitive cells and that this insulin sensitivity of monocytes is not negatively affected by the glucometabolic state of the donor. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High prevalence of depressive symptoms in well‐controlled adolescents with type 1 diabetes treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion
Authors: Zduńczyk Beata , Sendela Joanna , Szypowska Agnieszka
Published: December 2013

Background

Researchers report co‐morbid depressive symptoms in children with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, excellent diabetes control may be associated with emotional distress as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in T1D children with HbA1c <7.5% and ≥7.5% treated with insulin pump.

Methods

A total of 372 children (186 girls) with a mean age of 14.2 ± 2.0 years and mean diabetes duration of 5.3 ± 3.5 years were included. All subjects were treated for T1D for a minimum of 1 year. Children filled out a Polish version of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and answered questions in the Quality of Life Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was made using Student's t‐test, Mann–Whitney U‐test, Fisher's exact test and Spearman's rank correlation.

Results

Eighteen per cent (31/177) of participants with HbA1c <7.5% and 21% (41/195) with HbA1c ≥7.5% reported depressive symptoms (CDI scores ≥13). Adolescents with HbA1c <7.5% and CDI ≥ 13 had higher total insulin dose (p = 0.039) and longer diabetes duration (p = 0.043) than subjects with CDI < 13. There was no difference in prevalence of depressive symptoms among patients with HbA1c ≥7.5% and HbA1c <7.5% (odds ratio [1.25 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75–2.11], p = 0.432). In both groups, adolescents with CDI ≥ 13 had worse quality of life than those with CDI < 13 (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

In both groups, one in five adolescents with either good or poor glycemic control had depressive symptoms compared with <7% in subjects without diabetes. Long‐lasting T1D significantly increased the risk of depressive symptoms in well‐controlled youth. Depressive symptoms strongly affected the quality of life regardless of diabetes control. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GAD‐treatment of children and adolescents with recent‐onset type 1 diabetes preserves residual insulin secretion after 30 months
Authors: Ludvigsson Johnny , Chéramy Mikael , Axelsson Stina , Pihl Mikael , Åkerman Linda , Casas Rosaura ,   for the clinical GAD‐study group in Sweden
Published: December 2013

Background

This study aimed to analyse data from two different studies (phase II and phase III) regarding the safety and efficacy of treatment with alum formulated glutamic acid decarboxylase GAD65 (GAD‐alum) at 30 months after administration to children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

The phase II trial was a double‐blind, randomised placebo‐controlled study, including 70 children and adolescents who were followed for 30 months. Participants received a subcutaneous injection of either 20 µg of GAD‐alum or placebo at baseline and 1 month later. During a subsequent larger European phase III trial including three treatment arms, participants received two or four subcutaneous injections of either 20 µg of GAD‐alum and/or placebo at baseline, 1, 3 and 9 months. The phase III trial was prematurely interrupted at 15 months, but of the 148 Swedish patients, a majority completed the 21 months follow‐up, and 45 patients completed the trial at 30 months. Both studies included GAD65 auto‐antibodies‐positive patients with fasting C‐peptide ≥0.10 nmol/l. We have now combined the results of these two trials.

Results

There were no treatment related adverse events. In patients treated with 2 GAD‐alum doses, stimulated C‐peptide area under the curve had decreased significantly less (9 m: p < 0.037; 15 m: p < 0.032; 21 m: p < 0.003 and 30 m: p < 0.004), and a larger proportion of these patients were also able to achieve a peak stimulated C‐peptide >0.2 nmol/L (p < 0.05), as compared with placebo.

Conclusion

Treatment with two doses of GAD‐alum in children and adolescents with recent‐onset type 1 diabetes shows no adverse events and preserves residual insulin secretion. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Invasion biology in non‐free‐living species: interactions between abiotic (climatic) and biotic (host availability) factors in geographical space in crayfish commensals (Ostracoda, Entocytheridae)
Authors: Mestre Alexandre , Aguilar‐Alberola Josep A. , Baldry David , Balkis Husamettin , Ellis Adam , Gil‐Delgado Jose A. , Grabow Karsten , Klobučar Göran , Kouba Antonín , Maguire Ivana , Martens Andreas , Mülayim Ayşegül , Rueda Juan , Scharf Burkhard , Soes Menno , S. Monrós Juan , Mesquita‐Joanes Francesc
Published: December 2013

In invasion processes, both abiotic and biotic factors are considered essential, but the latter are usually disregarded when modeling the potential spread of exotic species. In the framework of set theory, interactions between biotic (B), abiotic (A), and movement‐related (M) factors in the geographical space can be hypothesized withBAMdiagrams and tested using ecological niche models (ENMs) to estimateAandBareas. The main aim of our survey was to evaluate the interactions between abiotic (climatic) and biotic (host availability) factors in geographical space for exotic symbionts (i.e., non‐free‐living species), usingENMtechniques combined with aBAMframework and using exotic Entocytheridae (Ostracoda) found in Europe as model organisms. We carried out an extensive survey to evaluate the distribution of entocytherids hosted by crayfish in Europe by checking 94 European localities and 12 crayfish species. Both exotic entocytherid species found,Ankylocythere sinuosaandUncinocythere occidentalis, were widely distributed in W Europe living on the exotic crayfish speciesProcambarus clarkiiandPacifastacus leniusculus,respectively. No entocytherids were observed in the remaining crayfish species. The suitable area forA. sinuosawas mainly restricted by its own limitations to minimum temperatures in W and N Europe and precipitation seasonality in circum‐Mediterranean areas.Uncinocythere occidentaliswas mostly restricted by host availability in circum‐Mediterranean regions due to limitations ofP. leniusculusto higher precipitation seasonality and maximum temperatures. The combination ofENMs with set theory allows studying the invasive biology of symbionts and provides clues about biogeographic barriers due to abiotic or biotic factors limiting the expansion of the symbiont in different regions of the invasive range. The relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors on geographical space can then be assessed and applied in conservation plans. This approach can also be implemented in other systems where the target species is closely interacting with other taxa.
Soil pathogen communities associated with native and non‐native Phragmites australis populations in freshwater wetlands
Authors: Nelson Eric B. , Karp Mary Ann
Published: December 2013

Soil pathogens are believed to be major contributors to negative plant–soil feedbacks that regulate plant community dynamics and plant invasions. While the theoretical basis for pathogen regulation of plant communities is well established within the plant–soil feedback framework, direct experimental evidence for pathogen community responses to plants has been limited, often relying largely on indirect evidence based on above‐ground plant responses. As a result, specific soil pathogen responses accompanying above‐ground plant community dynamics are largely unknown. Here, we examine the oomycete pathogens in soils conditioned by established populations of native noninvasive and non‐native invasive haplotypes of Phragmites australis (European common reed). Our aim was to assess whether populations of invasive plants harbor unique communities of pathogens that differ from those associated with noninvasive populations and whether the distribution of taxa within these communities may help to explain invasive success. We compared the composition and abundance of pathogenic and saprobic oomycete species over a 2‐year period. Despite a diversity of oomycete taxa detected in soils from both native and non‐native populations, pathogen communities from both invaded and noninvaded soils were dominated by species of Pythium. Pathogen species that contributed the most to the differences observed between invaded and noninvaded soils were distributed between invaded and noninvaded soils. However, the specific taxa in invaded soils responsible for community differences were distinct from those in noninvaded soils that contributed to community differences. Our results indicate that, despite the phylogenetic relatedness of native and non‐native P. australis haplotypes, pathogen communities associated with the dominant non‐native haplotype are distinct from those of the rare native haplotype. Pathogen taxa that dominate either noninvaded or invaded soils suggest different potential mechanisms of invasion facilitation. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that non‐native plant species that dominate landscapes may “cultivate” a different soil pathogen community to their rhizosphere than those of rarer native species.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Chiral, Wide‐Bite‐Angle, Hybrid Diphosphorus Ligands
Authors: Czauderna Christine Fee , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Müller Christian , van der Vlugt Jarl Ivar , Vogt Dieter , Kamer Paul C. J.
Published: December 2013

Effective and modular synthetic approaches toward phosphine–phosphite ligands and phosphine–phosphonite ligands featuring a diphenyl ether backbone have been developed. The phosphine–phosphite ligands are obtained by a two‐step protocol from 2‐bromo‐2′‐methoxydiphenyl ether. The phosphine–phosphonite ligands are prepared in a four‐step synthetic protocol that involves a novel, unsymmetrical diphenyl ether derived phosphine–phosphorusdiamide as key building block. Structural studies on PtII complexes with either phosphine–phosphite or phosphine–phosphonite ligands indicate strict cis coordination for these ligand systems. High‐pressure NMR spectroscopy studies of Rh complexes under syngas indicate the presence of two ea isomers for Rh(H)(CO)2(PP). The existence of this mixture is further supported by high‐pressure IR spectroscopy studies. In order to benchmark the activity and selectivity of these novel, wide‐bite‐angle, mixed‐donor ligands, they were screened in Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation as well as Rh‐catalyzed hydrogenation and hydroformylation reactions. The ligands give 100 % conversion and low‐to‐moderate enantioselectivity in the allylic alkylation of 1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐propenyl acetate and cyclohexyl‐2‐enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. In the hydroformylation of styrene, good conversion and regioselectivities are achieved but only moderate enantioselectivity. The ligands give good conversions in asymmetric hydrogenation of typical substrates, with good‐to‐excellent enantioselectivities of up to 97 % depending on the substrate.
Reactivity of Di‐tert‐butyl‐oxiranyllith­ium – An Ab Initio Study
Authors: Hadjadj‐Aoul Ratiba , Bouyacoub Abdelatif , Volatron François
Published: December 2013

The reactivity of di‐tert‐butyl‐oxiranyllithium has been studied by means of ab initio calculations at the MP2 and CCSD(T)//MP2 levels of calculation. Six reaction pathways have been studied: three ring‐opening reactions, two cyclopropanation reactions, and addition to an alkyllithium. In each case, extrema and transition states have been located and characterized at the MP2 level. For all reactions under study, effects of the solvation by one or two additional alkyllithium molecules have been considered. It is found that the cyclopropanation reactions and one ring‐opening reaction are the most favorable pathways, which is in agreement with the experimental data. A comparison with the reactivity of mono‐tert‐butyl‐oxiranyllithium (previously studied at the same level of calculations) is presented. The origin of the different reactivities of these two species mainly comes from steric effects, which are more important in the di‐tert‐butyl‐substituted compound. Finally cyclobutanation reactions have been studied for both species. This reaction could be competitive only in the case of the di‐tert‐butyl species.
RAFT polymerized nanoparticles: Influences of shell and core chemistries on performance for electrokinetic chromatography
Authors: Hyslop Jesse S. , Hall Leah M. G. , Umansky Andre A. , Palmer Christopher P.
Published: December 2013

The performance and solvation characteristics of two novel latex nanoparticle (NP) pseudo‐stationary phases (PSPs) for EKC are determined and compared to those of previously reported micellar, polymeric, and NP materials. The new NPs have shells composed of strongly acidic poly(AMPS) as opposed to the poly(acrylic acid) shell of the prior NP, and have varied hydrophobic core chemistry of either poly(butyl acrylate) or poly(ethyl acrylate). The NPs poly(AMPS) shell shows only minor changes in mobility and selectivity between pH 4.9 and 9.4, allowing adjustment of pH to influence and optimize separation performance. All of the NP phases have significantly different solvation characteristics and selectivity relative to SDS micelles. The selectivity and solvent character are similar for NPs with poly(butyl acrylate) cores and different shells, but vary significantly between NPs with poly(butyl acrylate) versus poly(ethyl acrylate) cores. NPs with poly(butyl acrylate) cores are among the least cohesive PSPs reported to date, while the NP with poly(ethyl acrylate) core is among the most cohesive. The results demonstrate that PSPs with unique selectivity can be generated by altering the chemistry of the hydrophobic core.
Toward rapid preparation of capillary columns for electrochromatography use
Authors: Liu Qing , Wang Lin , Zhou Zhuoheng , Wang Qiuquan , Yan Lijuan , Zhang Bo
Published: December 2013

CEC is a high performance electrodriving liquid phase separation technique. It does not need complex and sophisticated high pressure instrumentation for nanoflow driving. This is attractive for parallel multicolumn analysis. To this end, high throughput methods for column preparation are needed to support the use of multiple columns. In this study, we directly used CEC mobile phase solution as the packing solvent, and realized rapid preparation of capillary columns based on a single particle fritting technology. The method presented high preparation throughput compared with other reported methods based on various fritting technologies. The single particle fritting approach promoted column preparation throughput to 1 column/h, including all the fritting, packing and conditioning steps. The rapidly prepared columns showed consistently high efficiency of up to 150 000 plates per meter, and usefulness in reversed phase CEC of neutral, charged and biomolecules. With standard peptides as the sample, excellent long term reproducibility (better than 0.8%RSD, ten days, for retention times) was observed.
Analysis of glycerophospho‐ and sphingolipids by CE
Authors: Montealegre Cristina , Verardo Vito , Luisa Marina María , Caboni Maria Fiorenza
Published: December 2013

Glycerophospholipids are amphiphilic molecules possessing polar head groups with a glycerol backbone and nonpolar variable long‐chain fatty acids. Numerous molecular species are found in a single class of glycerophospholipid, conferring to these lipids a high structural diversity. They are major components of biological membranes and participate in important activities involving cell signaling and substrate transport. Sphingolipids consist of long‐chain bases linked by an amide bond to a fatty acid and via the terminal hydroxyl group to complex carbohydrate or phosphorus moieties, constituting a complex family of compounds that also present an enormous structural variability. As important component of neuronal membranes, sphingolipids contribute to cellular diversity and functions and are associated with several neurodegenerative disorders. Moreover, they were studied in several foods due to their sensorial, reological, and antioxidant characteristics. In this work, the most relevant information available on glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid analysis by CE is reviewed. CE is a very promising analytical technique in polar lipid analysis, which provides high efficiency, relatively high resolution, and enormous versatility and requires small amounts of sample and solvent. MEKC and NACE methodologies have been developed as the most useful alternatives for these analyses by CE. Very interesting LODs have been achieved enabling the application of CE to the determination of glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids in several food and biological matrices.
Dependence of correlations between spectral accelerations at multiple periods on magnitude and distance
Authors: Azarbakht A. , Mousavi M. , Nourizadeh M. , Shahri M.
Published: December 2013

In this paper, the dependence of correlations between spectral accelerations at multiple periods on magnitude (M) and distance (R) has been investigated. For this purpose, a relatively large dataset of ground motion records (GMRs), containing 1551 records with a wide range of seismic characteristics, was selected. It is shown that the difference in the correlation coefficient is statistically meaningful when the general GMR dataset is divided into two subsets based on an arbitrary M or R. The observed difference is more meaningful in the case of magnitude when compared with distance. The general dataset of GMRs was then divided into four separate subsets based on optimum values of M and R, so that the four obtained subsets were given the greatest dissimilarity in terms of the correlation coefficients. The correlation coefficients between spectral accelerations at multiple periods were calculated in the case of the four subsets and compared with the available correlations in the literature. The conditional mean spectrum was also calculated by means of the conventional correlation coefficients, as well as by using the proposed M and R dependent correlation coefficients. The results show that, despite the commonly available findings in the literature, this dependence is significant and should not be neglected in the conditional spectra calculation process. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Avian, salamander, and forest floor mercury concentrations increase with elevation in a terrestrial ecosystem
Authors: Townsend Jason M. , Driscoll Charles T. , Rimmer Christopher C. , McFarland Kent P.
Published: December 2013

High-elevation ecosystems of the northeastern United States are vulnerable to deposition and environmental accumulation of atmospheric pollutants, yet little work has been done to assess mercury (Hg) concentrations in organisms occupying montane ecosystems. The authors present data on Hg concentrations in ground-foraging insectivorous songbirds, a terrestrial salamander, and forest floor horizons sampled along a forested elevational gradient from 185 m to 1273 m in the Catskill Mountains, New York, USA. Mean Hg concentrations in Catharus thrushes and the salamander Plethodon cinereus increased with elevation, as did Hg concentrations in all forest floor horizons. Mean Hg concentrations in organic soils at approximately 1200 m elevation (503.5 ± 17.7 ng/g, dry wt) were 4.4-fold greater than those at approximately 200 m. Montane ecosystems of the northeastern United States, and probably elsewhere, are exposed to higher levels of atmospheric Hg deposition as reflected in accumulation patterns in the forest floor and associated high-elevation fauna. This information can be used to parameterize and test Hg transport and bioaccumulation models of landscape-specific patterns and may serve as a monitoring tool for decision makers considering future controls on Hg emissions. Further investigation is needed into the potential effects of increased Hg concentrations on high-elevation fauna. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:208–215. © 2013 SETAC
fMRI and sleep correlates of the age‐related impairment in motor memory consolidation
Authors: Fogel Stuart M. , Albouy Genevieve , Vien Catherine , Popovicci Romana , King Bradley R. , Hoge Rick , Jbabdi Saad , Benali Habib , Karni Avi , Maquet Pierre , Carrier Julie , Doyon Julien
Published: December 2013

Behavioral studies indicate that older adults exhibit normal motor sequence learning (MSL), but paradoxically, show impaired consolidation of the new memory trace. However, the neural and physiological mechanisms underlying this impairment are entirely unknown. Here, we sought to identify, through functional magnetic resonance imaging during MSL and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings during daytime sleep, the functional correlates and physiological characteristics of this age‐related motor memory deficit. As predicted, older subjects did not exhibit sleep‐dependent gains in performance (i.e., behavioral changes that reflect consolidation) and had reduced sleep spindles compared with young subjects. Brain imaging analyses also revealed that changes in activity across the retention interval in the putamen and related brain regions were associated with sleep spindles. This change in striatal activity was increased in young subjects, but reduced by comparison in older subjects. These findings suggest that the deficit in sleep‐dependent motor memory consolidation in elderly individuals is related to a reduction in sleep spindle oscillations and to an associated decrease of activity in the cortico‐striatal network. Hum Brain Mapp 35:3625–3645, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rimonabant effects on anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in healthy humans: a preliminary report
Authors: Bergamaschi Mateus M. , Queiroz Regina H. C. , Chagas Marcos H. N. , Linares Ila M. P. , Arrais Kátia C. , de Oliveira Danielle C. G. , Queiroz Maria E. , Nardi Antonio E. , Huestis Marilyn A. , Hallak Jaime E. C. , Zuardi Antonio W. , Moreira Fabrício A. , Crippa José A. S.
Published: December 2013

Objective

We investigated the hypothesis that rimonabant, a cannabinoid antagonist/inverse agonist, would increase anxiety in healthy subjects during a simulation of the public speaking test.

Methods

Participants were randomly allocated to receive oral placebo or 90 mg rimonabant in a double‐blind design. Subjective effects were measured by Visual Analogue Mood Scale. Physiological parameters, namely arterial blood pressure and heart rate, also were monitored.

Results

Twelve participants received oral placebo and 12 received 90 mg rimonabant. Rimonabant increased self‐reported anxiety levels during the anticipatory speech and performance phase compared with placebo. Interestingly, rimonabant did not modulate anxiety prestress and was not associated with sedation, cognitive impairment, discomfort, or blood pressure changes.

Conclusions

Cannabinoid‐1 antagonism magnifies the responses to an anxiogenic stimulus without interfering with the prestress phase. These data suggest that the endocannabinoid system may work on‐demand to counteract the consequences of anxiogenic stimuli in healthy humans. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association study of common variants within the G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 6 gene and schizophrenia susceptibility in Han Chinese
Authors: Tang Wenxin , Cai Jun , Yi Zhenghui , Zhang Yi , Lu Weihong , Zhang Chen
Published: December 2013

In this study, we examined whether common variants in the G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 6 gene (GRK6) confers susceptibility to schizophrenia in Chinese. We genotyped two common variants in 697 schizophrenia patients and 563 healthy control subjects. No significant difference in either allele or genotype comparisons between the case and control groups was found. Our results imply that GRK6 may not play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia among Han Chinese. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of relative and cause‐specific survival by cancer site, age and time since diagnosis
Authors: Skyrud Katrine Damgaard , Bray Freddie , Møller Bjørn
Published: December 2013

Relative survival (RS) estimates are widely used by cancer registries, mainly because they do not rely on the well‐documented deficiencies of cause of death information. The aim of our study was to compare 5‐year cause‐specific survival (CSS) estimates and 5‐year RS estimates for different cancer sites by age and time since diagnosis, and discuss possible reasons for observed differences. Using data from the Cancer Registry of Norway, we identified 200,008 patients diagnosed with cancer at one of the 48 sites included in this analysis during the period 1996–2005, and followed them up until the end of 2010. CSS estimates were calculated (i) considering cause of death to be the cancer that was originally diagnosed and (ii) considering the cause of death to be a cancer within the same organ system. For most cancer sites the difference between CSS and RS estimates was small (<5%). The greatest differences were seen for rarer cancers such as mediastinum and Kaposi sarcoma. Including deaths from the same organ system in the calculation of CSS further reduced the differences for many sites. For younger age groups and shorter time since diagnosis, RS and CSS estimates tended to be similar, whereas CSS estimates tended to be lower than RS estimates with longer time since diagnosis in the oldest age groups. When compared to RS estimates CSS estimates were reliable for most of the cancer sites included in our analysis. There are, however, some exceptions where CSS estimates may not be recommended, including for rarer cancers and for patients aged 85 and above.
Divergent coverage, frequency and costs of organised and opportunistic Pap testing in Finland
Authors: Salo Heini , Nieminen Pekka , Kilpi Terhi , Auranen Kari , Leino Tuija , Vänskä Simopekka , Tiihonen Petri , Lehtinen Matti , Anttila Ahti
Published: December 2013

We evaluated the overall coverage, frequency and costs of Pap testing by screening modality and health care provider in Finland. Information about Pap testing in the Finnish female population of 2.7 million was obtained from nationwide population‐based registry data. Among women aged 25–69 years, 87% had had a Pap test taken within or outside the organised programme at least once during the last 5 years and half of those screened in the organised programme had also had at least one Pap test taken outside the programme. Of the annual average of 530,000 Pap tests taken, 84% were taken for screening purposes and 16% as follow‐up. Forty percent of the 446,000 annual screening tests were taken in the organised programme, 55% as opportunistic tests in public primary or student health care or by private providers and 5% in public secondary health care. One‐fifth of all opportunistic screening Pap tests were taken from women aged <25. The voluminous opportunistic Pap testing in public primary health care was concentrated in young women aged 25–29 whereas the bulk of opportunistic testing in private health occurred in age groups eligible for organised screening. The total cost of all screening Pap tests was €22.4 million, of which 71% incurred in opportunistic screening. Of the 84,000 annual follow‐up Pap tests and their €8.3 million total costs, ∼60% incurred in organised screening or in secondary health care.
MED15, encoding a subunit of the mediator complex, is overexpressed at high frequency in castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Adler David , Menon Roopika , Braun Martin , Offermann Anne , Queisser Angela , Boehm Diana , Vogel Wenzel , Rüenauver Kerstin , Ruiz Christian , Zellweger Tobias , Svensson Maria , Andren Ove , Kristiansen Glen , Wernert Nicolas , Bubendorf Lukas , Kirfel Jutta , Biskup Saskia , Perner Sven
Published: December 2013

The mediator complex is an evolutionary conserved key regulator of transcription of protein‐coding genes and an integrative hub for diverse signaling pathways. In this study, we investigated whether the mediator subunit MED15 is implicated in castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). MED15 expression and copy number/rearrangement status were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), respectively on 718 prostate cancer (PCa) specimens and sequenced by Sanger on a subset. Furthermore, SMAD3 phosphorylation, androgen receptor (AR) and proliferation markers were evaluated by IHC. In PCa cells, siRNA/shRNA knockdown of MED15 was followed by proliferation assays with/without dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and treatments with recombinant TGF‐β3. Our results show that MED15 is overexpressed in 76% of distant metastatic CRPC (CRPCMET) and 70% of local‐recurrent CRPC (CRPCLOC), in contrast to low frequencies in androgen‐sensitive PCa, and no expression in benign prostatic tissue. Furthermore, MED15 overexpression correlates with worse clinical outcome thus defining a highly lethal phenotype. Moreover, TGF‐β signaling activation associates with MED15 overexpression in PCa tissues, and leads to increased expression of MED15 in PCa cells. MED15 knockdown effects phosphorylation and shuttling of p‐SMAD3 to the nucleus as well as TGF‐β‐enhanced proliferation. In PCa tissues, MED15 overexpression associates with AR overexpression/amplification and correlates with high proliferative activity. MED15 knockdown decreases both androgen‐dependent and ‐independent proliferation in PCa cells. Taken together, these findings implicate MED15 in CRPC, and as MED15 is evolutionary conserved, it is likely to emerge as a lethal phenotype in other therapeutic‐resistant diseases, and not restricted to our disease model.
Proteomic analysis of perfluorooctane sulfonate‐induced apoptosis in human hepatic cells using the iTRAQ technique
Authors: Huang Qingyu , Zhang Jie , Peng Siyuan , Du Miaomiao , Ow Sawyen , Pu Hai , Pan Chensong , Shen Heqing
Published: December 2013

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is one of the most commonly used perfluorinated compounds, whose environmental exposure has been associated with a number of adverse health outcomes. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in PFOS toxicity are still not well elucidated. In the present study, we applied iTRAQ labeling quantitative proteomic technology to investigate the differential protein expression profiles of non‐tumor human hepatic cells (L‐02) exposed to PFOS. A total of 18 proteins were differentially expressed in a dose‐dependent manner in PFOS‐treated cells versus the control. Among these, 11 proteins were up‐regulated and 7 were down‐regulated. Gene ontology analysis indicated that PFOS would exert toxic effects on L‐02 cells by affecting multiple biological processes, including protein biosynthesis and degradation, mRNA processing and splicing, transcription, signal transduction and transport. Furthermore, the proteomic results especially proposed that the inhibition of HNRNPC, HUWE1 and UBQLN1, as well as the induction of PAF1 is involved in the activation of the p53 and c‐myc signaling pathways, which then trigger the apoptotic process in L‐02 cells exposed to PFOS. Overall, these data will aid our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for PFOS‐mediated hepatotoxicity, and develop useful biomarkers for monitoring and evaluating PFOS contamination in the environment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective role of edaravone against neomycin‐induced ototoxicity in zebrafish
Authors: Choi June , Chang Jiwon , Jun Hyung Jin , Im Gi Jung , Chae Sung Won , Lee Seung Hoon , Kwon Soon‐Young , Jung Hak Hyun , Chung Ah‐Young , Park Hae‐Chul
Published: December 2013

Aminoglycosides such as neomycin are one of the most commonly prescribed types of antibiotics worldwide. However, these drugs appear to generate free radicals within the inner ear, which can result in permanent hearing loss. We evaluated the effects of edaravone, a neuroprotective agent, on neomycin‐induced ototoxicity in transgenic zebrafish. The 5‐day post fertilization (dpf) zebrafish larvae were exposed to 125 μM neomycin and various concentrations of edaravone for 1 h. Hair cell survival was calculated as average numbers of the hair cells in the control group, which was not exposed to neomycin. Ultrastructural changes were evaluated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Edaravone protected against neomycin‐induced hair cell loss in the neuromasts (1000 μM: 11.6 ± 1.1 cells, neomycin only: 5.5 ± 0.5 cells; n = 10, P < 0.05) and decreased the TUNEL reaction for detecting apoptosis. In ultrastructural analysis, structures of mitochondria and hair cells within neuromasts were preserved in zebrafish exposed to 125 μM neomycin and 1000 μM edaravone for 1 h. Edaravone protected against neomycin‐induced hair cell loss by preventing apoptosis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.