bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of theEpichloëfungal endophyte symbiosis withSchedonorus pratensison host grass invasiveness
Authors: Shukla Kruti , Hager Heather A. , Yurkonis Kathryn A. , Newman Jonathan A.
Published: June 2015

Initial studies of grass–endophyte mutualisms usingSchedonorus arundinaceuscultivar Kentucky‐31 infected with the vertically transmitted endophyteEpichloë coenophialafound strong, positive endophyte effects on host‐grass invasion success. However, more recent work using different cultivars ofS. arundinaceushas cast doubt on the ubiquity of this effect, at least as it pertains toS. arundinaceus–E. coenophiala. We investigated the generality of previous work on vertically transmittedEpichloë‐associated grass invasiveness by studying a pair of very closely related species:S. pratensisandE. uncinata. Seven cultivars ofS. pratensisand two cultivars ofS. arundinaceusthat were developed with high‐ or low‐endophyte infection rate were broadcast seeded into 2 × 2‐m plots in a tilled, old‐field grassland community in a completely randomized block design.Schedonorusabundance, endophyte infection rate, and co‐occurring vegetation were sampled 3, 4, 5, and 6 years after establishment, and the aboveground invertebrate community was sampled inS. pratensisplots 3 and 4 years after establishment. Endophyte infection did not enable the host grass to achieve high abundance in the plant community. Contrary to expectations, high‐endophyteS. pratensisincreased plant richness relative to low‐endophyte cultivars. However, as expected, high‐endophyteS. pratensismarginally decreased invertebrate taxon richness. Endophyte effects on vegetation and invertebrate community composition were inconsistent among cultivars and were weaker than temporal effects. The effect of the grass–Epichloësymbiosis on diversity is not generalizable, but rather specific to species, cultivar, infection, and potentially site. Examining grass–endophyte systems using multiple cultivars and species replicated among sites will be important to determine the range of conditions in which endophyte associations benefit host grass performance and have subsequent effects on co‐occurring biotic communities.
Neonatal regulatory T cells have reduced capacity to suppress dendritic cell function
Authors: Rueda Cesar M. , Moreno‐Fernandez Maria E. , Jackson Courtney M. , Kallapur Suhas G. , Jobe Alan H. , Chougnet Claire A.
Published: June 2015

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) limit contact between dendritic cells (DCs) and conventional T cells (Tcons), decreasing the formation of aggregates as well as down‐modulating the expression of co‐stimulatory molecules by DCs, thus decreasing DC immunogenicity and abrogating T‐cell activation. Despite the importance of this Treg‐cell function, the capacity of Treg cells from term and preterm neonates to suppress DCs, and the suppressive mechanisms they use, are still undefined. We found that, relative to adult Treg cells, activated Treg cells from human neonates expressed lower FOXP3 and CTLA‐4, but contained higher levels of cAMP. We developed an in vitro model in which Treg function was measured at a physiological ratio of 1 Treg for 10 Tcon and 1 monocyte‐derived DC, as Treg target. Term and preterm Treg cells failed to suppress the formation of DC‐Tcon aggregates, in contrast to naïve and memory Treg cells from adults. However, neonatal Treg cells diminished DC and Tcon activation as well as actin polymerization at the immunological synapses. In addition, CTLA‐4 and cAMP were the main suppressive molecules used by neonatal Treg. Altogether, both preterm and term neonatal Treg cells appear less functional than adult Treg cells, and this defect is consistent with the general impairment of CD4 cell function in newborns.
Asymmetric Dearomatization of 1‐Amino­naphthalene Derivatives through C–C Bond Formation with Electron‐Rich Heterocycles as Nucleophiles
Authors: Baba Takafumi , Oka Junko , Noguchi Keiichi , Tanaka Ken
Published: June 2015

A cationic gold(I)/axially chiral biaryl bis(phosphine) complex has been employed to catalyze the asymmetric dearomatization reactions of 1‐aminonaphthalene derivatives through a C–C bond‐forming reaction with electron‐rich heterocycles as the nucleophiles. These reactions afford pentacyclic heterocycles in good yields with moderate enantiomeric excess (ee) values.
Automatic whole brain tract‐based analysis using predefined tracts in a diffusion spectrum imaging template and an accurate registration strategy
Authors: Chen Yu‐Jen , Lo Yu‐Chun , Hsu Yung‐Chin , Fan Chun‐Chieh , Hwang Tzung‐Jeng , Liu Chih‐Min , Chien Yi‐Ling , Hsieh Ming H. , Liu Chen‐Chung , Hwu Hai‐Gwo , Tseng Wen‐Yih Isaac
Published: June 2015

Automated tract‐based analysis of diffusion MRI is an important tool for investigating tract integrity of the cerebral white matter. Current template‐based automatic analyses still lack a comprehensive list of tract atlas and an accurate registration method. In this study, tract‐based automatic analysis (TBAA) was developed to meet the demands. Seventy‐six major white matter tracts were reconstructed on a high‐quality diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) template, and an advanced two‐step registration strategy was proposed by incorporating anatomical information of the gray matter from T1‐weighted images in addition to microstructural information of the white matter from diffusion‐weighted images. The automatic analysis was achieved by establishing a transformation between the DSI template and DSI dataset of the subject derived from the registration strategy. The tract coordinates in the template were transformed to native space in the individual's DSI dataset, and the microstructural properties of major tract bundles were sampled stepwise along the tract coordinates of the subject's DSI dataset. In a validation study of eight well‐known tracts, our results showed that TBAA had high geometric agreement with manual tracts in both deep and superficial parts but significantly smaller measurement variability than manual method in functional difference. Additionally, the feasibility of the method was demonstrated by showing tracts with altered microstructural properties in patients with schizophrenia. Fifteen major tract bundles were found to have significant differences after controlling the family‐wise error rate. In conclusion, the proposed TBAA method is potentially useful in brain‐wise investigations of white matter tracts, particularly for a large cohort study. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3441–3458, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Serum albumin level at diagnosis of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: an important simple prognostic factor
Authors: Bairey Osnat , Shacham‐Abulafia Adi , Shpilberg Ofer , Gurion Ronit
Published: June 2015

This study compared the value of several simple laboratory parameters with known prognostic models for predicting survival in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The data of 157 adult patients with DLBCL diagnosed at Rabin Medical Center in 2004–2008 and treated with R‐CHOP immunochemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Main clinical features of the cohort were as follows: mean age 63.0 years, 43% male, 63% stage III/IV disease, 28% ECOG performance status >2, 60% elevated lactate dehydrogenase level. Median duration of follow‐up was 6.6 years. The NCCN‐International Prognostic Index (IPI) was found to be a more powerful prognosticator than the IPI. Five‐year overall survival (OS) was 69.6; 73.6% for patients with intermediate NCCN‐IPI and 38.4% for patients with poor NCCN‐IPI. On univariate analysis, pretreatment hemoglobin and albumin levels were significantly associated with survival. By albumin level, 5‐year OS was 77.6 + 4% in patients with >3.5 g/dl and 53 + 7% in patients with <3.5 g/dl (p < 0.001); 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) was 69.9% and 50.9%, respectively (p = 0.002). By hemoglobin level, 5‐year OS was 82.9 + 4.5% in patients with >12 g/dl and 58.8 + 5% in patients with <12 g/dl (p = 0.007); 5‐year PFS was 75.5% and 54.1%, respectively (p = 0.008). On multivariate analysis with Cox regression, pretreatment albumin level was a significant independent predictor of OS. Furthermore, 5‐year OS of patients with a high NCCN‐IPI and albumin < 3.5 g/dl was 29.2% compared with 60% in patients with albumin > 3.5 g/dl (p = 0.022). In conclusion, pretreatment albumin level is a strong prognostic factor for OS in patients with DLBCL and can discriminate high‐risk patients for good and poor prognosis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Candidate gene association studies and risk of Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sud Amit , Hemminki Kari , Houlston Richard S.
Published: June 2015

To evaluate the contribution of association studies of candidate polymorphisms to inherited predisposition to Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of published case‐control studies. Of the variants examined more than once in candidate gene association studies, we identified 21 studies that reported on 12 polymorphic variants in 10 genes. Data were also extracted from a published genome wide association study to allow analysis of an additional 47 variants in a further 30 genes. Promising associations were seen in nine of the variants (p < 0.05). Given that the estimated false positive report probabilities (FPRPs) for all associations are high (i.e. FPRP > 0.2), these findings should be interpreted with caution. While studies of candidate polymorphisms may be an attractive means of identifying risk factors for HL, future studies should employ sample sizes adequately powered to identify variants having only modest effects on HL risk. Furthermore, because of aetiological heterogeneity within HL, stratification of genotyping according to age, tumour Epstein‐Barr virus status and histology is essential. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hybrid health service accreditation program model incorporating mandated standards and continuous improvement: interview study of multiple stakeholders in Australian health care
Authors: Greenfield David , Hinchcliff Reece , Hogden Anne , Mumford Virginia , Debono Deborah , Pawsey Marjorie , Westbrook Johanna , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: June 2015

The study aim was to investigate the understandings and concerns of stakeholders regarding the evolution of health service accreditation programs in Australia. Stakeholder representatives from programs in the primary, acute and aged care sectors participated in semi‐structured interviews. Across 2011–12 there were 47 group and individual interviews involving 258 participants. Interviews lasted, on average, 1 h, and were digitally recorded and transcribed. Transcriptions were analysed using textual referencing software. Four significant issues were considered to have directed the evolution of accreditation programs: altering underlying program philosophies; shifting of program content focus and details; different surveying expectations and experiences and the influence of external contextual factors upon accreditation programs. Three accreditation program models were noted by participants: regulatory compliance; continuous quality improvement and a hybrid model, incorporating elements of these two. Respondents noted the compatibility or incommensurability of the first two models. Participation in a program was reportedly experienced as ranging on a survey continuum from “malicious compliance” to “performance audits” to “quality improvement journeys”. Wider contextual factors, in particular, political and community expectations, and associated media reporting, were considered significant influences on the operation and evolution of programs. A hybrid accreditation model was noted to have evolved. The hybrid model promotes minimum standards and continuous quality improvement, through examining the structure and processes of organisations and the outcomes of care. The hybrid model appears to be directing organisational and professional attention to enhance their safety cultures. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the dye‐tracer correction factor for documenting the mean velocity of sheet flow over smooth and grassed surfaces
Authors: Pan Chengzhong , Shangguan Zhouping , Ma Lan
Published: June 2015

In the investigation of overland flow hydraulics, mean flow velocity (V) is frequently estimated using the measured surface flow velocity (Vs) multiplied by a correction factor, α. In total, 291 tests were performed in a flume with three beds [smooth glass (GL), sandpaper (SD), and plastic grass (GR)] to investigate α under submerged and non‐submerged flows, and Vs was observed using dye‐tracer method whilst V was calculated by the measured water depth and flow rate. For GL with 5.2% slope and 100 < Re < 5000 [Reynolds number (Re)], α ranged from 0.35 to 0.79, with an average of 0.54. For SD with slopes ranging from 2.6% to 25.9% and 300 < Re < 1200, α varied from 0.18 to 0.48 with an average of 0.32. Raindrop impacts decreased α for GL at 5.2% slope, but the effect diminished for SD as the slope increased. The α‐values less than the theoretical value of 0.67 in laminar flows may be attributed to the greater spatial variability in overland flow compared with channel flow. For GR with non‐submerged flows and Re < 4200, α varied inversely with sediment concentration (SC) at 5.2% slope but was only slightly related to SC at steep slopes of 15.6% and 25.9%. The α‐values were approximately 0.8 for turbulent flows and even greater than 1.0 under high flow discharges. This finding may relate to sheet flow disturbance and retarded surface velocity due to the protruding scattered grass stems. For each surface, α varied positively with Re; α was inversely related to slope for SD but positively related to slope for GR. There was a positive relation between h and α for GL and SD but a negative relation for GR, which highlights the importance of flow inundation status to α. The inundation ratio (h/Δ) is a promising indicator for predicting α; thus, further investigations using different submerged and non‐submerged surfaces are required to predict α effectively based on (h/Δ). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrological regime changes in a Canadian Prairie basin
Authors: Dumanski Stacey , Pomeroy John W. , Westbrook Cherie J.
Published: June 2015

To illustrate the hydrological impact of climate and land use change on an unregulated basin, the agriculture‐ and wetland‐dominated Smith Creek Research Basin (SCRB) was examined in detail. Streamflows (1975–1994) show behaviour typical of the Canadian Prairies – generation primarily by snowmelt and cessation in May due to lack of runoff or groundwater contributions. Depressional storage has been drained for decades, reducing the extent of ponds by 58% and increasing drainage channel length 780%. Climate has also changed; increasing temperatures since 1942 have brought on a gradual increase in the rainfall fraction of precipitation (no trends in total precipitation) and an earlier snowmelt by 2 weeks. The number of multiple‐day rainfall events has increased by half, which may make rainfall‐runoff generation mechanisms more efficient. Annual streamflow volume and runoff ratio have increased 14‐fold and 12‐fold, respectively, since 1975, with dramatically increasing contributions from rainfall and mixed runoff regimes. Snowmelt runoff has declined from 86% in the 1970s to 47% recently while rainfall runoff has increased from 7% to 34% of discharge. Peak discharge has tripled since 1975, with a major shift in 1994. Recent flood volumes in SCRB have been abnormally large, and high flows in June 2012 and flooding in June 2014 were caused solely by rainfall, something never before recorded at the basin. Changes to the observed character of precipitation, runoff generation mechanisms and depressional storage are substantial, but it is unlikely that any single change can explain the dramatic shift in SCRB surface hydrology. Further diagnostic investigation using process hydrology simulations is needed to explain the observed regime changes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing the role of the FcγRIIB immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif in regulation of the B cell immune response
Authors: Vuyyuru Raja , Shen Shixue , Manser Tim
Published: June 2015

In vitro studies have demonstrated that the immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif (ITIM) of the inhibitory Fc receptor FcγRIIB is critical for mediating attenuation of signaling via immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based activation motif (ITAM) containing receptors, such as the B cell antigen receptor (BCR), when FcγRIIB is co‐cross‐linked to these activation receptors. To test the role of the FcγRIIB ITIM motif in regulation of the B cell immune response in vivo, we constructed lines of transgenic mice expressing a form of FcγRIIB with an inactivating tyrosine (Y) to phenylalanine (F) mutation in the ITIM motif. Detailed studies of one of these lines, in which the mutant FcγRIIB was expressed on B cells and other cell types that normally express this receptor, were performed. No quantitative differences in germinal center (GC) B cell responses were observed between the mutant FcγRIIB transgenic line and control mice. However, serum antibody and antibody forming cell responses were often observed to be elevated in the ITIM mutant FcγRIIB transgenic mice as compared to controls, though not to the same extent as mice deficient in expression of FcγRIIB. Moreover, primary B cells from the ITIM mutant FcγRIIB line did not display the same level of augmented BCR signaling as primary FcγRIIB deficient B cells under conditions inducing co‐cross‐linking of FcγRIIB and the BCR. In total, these data suggest that a functional ITIM motif is not required for all in vivo inhibitory activity of this receptor. However, we also found that the transgenic ITIM mutant FcγRIIB receptor was expressed at abnormal levels in several hematopoietic lineages. Thus, confirmation of our findings will require the generation and analysis of mice in which an ITIM mutant form of FcγRIIB is expressed in vivo as is the endogenous receptor.
Multiple Laboratory Comparison of the Doubly Labeled Water Technique*
Authors: Roberts Susan B. , Dietz William , Sharp Teresa , Dallal Gerard E. , Hill James O.
Published: June 2015

A double‐blind study was conducted to determine between‐laboratory variability in the doubly labeled water method for measurement of total energy expenditure in humans, and to compare the accuracy and precision of three widely‐used procedures for calculating rates of carbon dioxide production from the original isotope data. Eighteen laboratories from five countries participated in the study. All laboratories were provided with five water standards containing varying amounts of 2H and 18O, and in addition 11 laboratories were provided with urine and dose specimens from one (six laboratories) or two (five laboratories) healthy elderly subjects of normal height and weight undergoing a calorimetric validation of the doubly labeled water method. The data from the five water standards were analyzed to predict between‐laboratory variability in the doubly labeled water technique in all laboratories. In addition, data from the subjects were analyzed using the “slope‐intercept”, “2‐point” and “modified” methods of calculation.

The results confirm that the doubly labeled water method can be an accurate technique for the measurement of energy expenditure in adult human subjects in some laboratories. However, there was substantial between‐laboratory variability in the results and some laboratories returned physiologically impossible results. There was no significant effect of calculation procedure on the accuracy of the technique in this limited comparison, although the slope‐intercept procedure appeared to be more susceptible to analytical error than the other procedures. The isotope standards analyzed by participants in this study will be made available to other investigators on request.
Probabilistic hazard assessment for skin sensitization potency by dose–response modeling using feature elimination instead of quantitative structure–activity relationships
Authors: Luechtefeld Thomas , Maertens Alexandra , McKim James M. , Hartung Thomas , Kleensang Andre , Sá‐Rocha Vanessa
Published: June 2015

Supervised learning methods promise to improve integrated testing strategies (ITS), but must be adjusted to handle high dimensionality and dose–response data. ITS approaches are currently fueled by the increasing mechanistic understanding of adverse outcome pathways (AOP) and the development of tests reflecting these mechanisms. Simple approaches to combine skin sensitization data sets, such as weight of evidence, fail due to problems in information redundancy and high dimensionality. The problem is further amplified when potency information (dose/response) of hazards would be estimated. Skin sensitization currently serves as the foster child for AOP and ITS development, as legislative pressures combined with a very good mechanistic understanding of contact dermatitis have led to test development and relatively large high‐quality data sets. We curated such a data set and combined a recursive variable selection algorithm to evaluate the information available through in silico, in chemico and in vitro assays. Chemical similarity alone could not cluster chemicals' potency, and in vitro models consistently ranked high in recursive feature elimination. This allows reducing the number of tests included in an ITS. Next, we analyzed with a hidden Markov model that takes advantage of an intrinsic inter‐relationship among the local lymph node assay classes, i.e. the monotonous connection between local lymph node assay and dose. The dose‐informed random forest/hidden Markov model was superior to the dose‐naive random forest model on all data sets. Although balanced accuracy improvement may seem small, this obscures the actual improvement in misclassifications as the dose‐informed hidden Markov model strongly reduced " false‐negatives" (i.e. extreme sensitizers as non‐sensitizer) on all data sets. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rationalization of specific structure formation in electrospinning process: Study on nano‐fibrousPCL‐ andPLGA‐based scaffolds
Authors: Saeed Mahdi , Mirzadeh Hamid , Zandi Mojgan , Irani Shiva , Barzin Jalal
Published: June 2015

Formation of specific structures on poly‐ɛ‐caprolactone (PCL) and poly lactide‐co‐glycolide (PLGA) based electrospun mats is rationalized and the effect of interactive parameters; high voltage and flow rate on unique surface topography is evaluated. By increasing the collecting time in electrospinning process and enhancing fiber to fiber repulsion, surface characteristics of mats changes from nano‐ to micro‐topography. In this study surface topography of the fabricated mats based on PCL and PLGA were assessed using AFM and SEM techniques to display the distinct phenomenon occurs on collected random fibers. In this research the rationale behind the formation of bump and flower like structures on fibrous mats was discussed. Because of great potential application of the fabricated substrates in the fields of medical purposes, cell–matrix interaction was evaluated andin vitrobiological test with human dermal fibroblast and mouse L929 fibroblast cells was performed to study the cell responses to different roughness of nano‐fibers collected at different time intervals. Our results show that after 7 days, cell proliferation is improved on PCL collected at 40 min in the case of human fibroblast cells and on PCL collected in 70 min in the case of L929 mouse fibroblast cells. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3927–3939, 2015.
Virtual‐system‐coupled adaptive umbrella sampling to compute free‐energy landscape for flexible molecular docking
Authors: Higo Junichi , Dasgupta Bhaskar , Mashimo Tadaaki , Kasahara Kota , Fukunishi Yoshifumi , Nakamura Haruki
Published: June 2015

A novel enhanced conformational sampling method, virtual‐system‐coupled adaptive umbrella sampling (V‐AUS), was proposed to compute 300‐K free‐energy landscape for flexible molecular docking, where a virtual degrees of freedom was introduced to control the sampling. This degree of freedom interacts with the biomolecular system. V‐AUS was applied to complex formation of two disordered amyloid‐β (Aβ30–35) peptides in a periodic box filled by an explicit solvent. An interpeptide distance was defined as the reaction coordinate, along which sampling was enhanced. A uniform conformational distribution was obtained covering a wide interpeptide distance ranging from the bound to unbound states. The 300‐K free‐energy landscape was characterized by thermodynamically stable basins of antiparallel and parallel β‐sheet complexes and some other complex forms. Helices were frequently observed, when the two peptides contacted loosely or fluctuated freely without interpeptide contacts. We observed that V‐AUS converged to uniform distribution more effectively than conventional AUS sampling did. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Application of Titanium Dioxide Nanowires for the Direct Electrochemistry of Hemoglobin and Electrocatalysis
Authors: Shi Fan , Wang Wencheng , Gong Shixing , Lei Bingxin , Li Guangjiu , Lin Xiaoming , Sun Zhenfan , Sun Wei
Published: June 2015

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanowires were synthesized and used for the realization of direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin (Hb) with carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) as the substrate electrode. TiO2‐Hb composite was casted on the surface of CILE with a chitosan film and spectroscopic results confirmed that Hb retained its native structure in the composite. Direct electron transfer of Hb on the modified electrode was realized with a pair of quasi‐reversible redox waves appeared, indicating that the presence of TiO2 nanowires could accelerate the electron transfer rate between the electroactive center of Hb and the substrate electrode. Electrochemical behaviors of Hb on the modified electrode were carefully investigated with the values of the electron transfer coefficient (α), the electron transfer number and the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (ks) as 0.58, 0.98 and 1.62 s‐1. The Hb modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of trichloroacetic acid and NaNO2 with wider linear range and lower detection limit, indicating the successful fabrication of a new third‐generation biosensor.
Synthesis and Cytotoxicity in Vitro of N‐Aryl‐4‐(tert‐butyl)‐5‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)thiazol‐2‐amine
Authors: Ye Jiao , Xiao Meng‐Wu , Xie Xuan‐Qing , Qiu Shen‐Yi , Dai Ming‐Chong , Li Wan , Shen Fang , Hu Ai‐Xi
Published: June 2015

A series of novel N‐aryl‐4‐(tert‐butyl)‐5‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)thiazol‐2‐amines synthesized in a green way. H2O2‐NaBr Brominating circulatory system was used in the synthesis of the key intermediate in a mild condition. All of the target compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR and elemental analysis and tested for their cytotoxicity against two different human cancer cell lines. The cytotoxicity assay revealed that some of the title compounds showed moderate to strong cytotoxic activities. Compound 2i was the most potent compound with the IC50 values of 9 μM against Hela cells and 15 μM against Bel–7402 cells, respectively.
Reactions of a,ß‐unsaturated N‐benzenesulfonyl Imine – N‐[(2E)‐3‐phenyl‐2‐propen‐1‐ylidene]benzenesulfonamide with Methyllithium
Authors: Lee Gon‐Ann , Lee Hsin‐Yi , Chen Wei‐Cheng , Lin Yen‐Huei
Published: June 2015

α,β‐Unsaturated N‐benzenesulfonyl imine 1 was treated with 1.1 eq methyllithium to afford 1,2‐addition adduct as a sole product. However, when compound 1 was treated with 2 eq MeLi, 1,2‐addition product, benzenesulfonamide derivative 3 and 2H‐1,2‐benzothiazine 1,1‐dioxide derivatives 4 and 5 were isolated.
Polarized Raman spectroscopy for enhanced quantification of protein concentrations in an aqueous mixture
Authors: Perlaki Clint , Lim Sierin , Liu Quan
Published: June 2015

Raman spectroscopy (RS) for selective quantification of protein species in mixed solutions holds enormous potential for advancing protein detection technology to significantly faster, cheaper, and less technically demanding platforms. However, even with powerful computational methods such as nonlinear least squares regression, protein quantification in such complex systems suffers from relatively poor accuracy, especially in comparison with established methods. In this work, a combination of the expanded set of spectral information provided by polarized Raman spectroscopy (PRS) that is otherwise unavailable in conventional RS was, to our knowledge, explored to enhance the quantitative accuracy and robustness of protein quantification for the first time. A mixture containing two proteins, lysozyme and α‐amylase, was used as a model system to demonstrate enhanced quantitative accuracy and robustness of selective protein quantification using PRS. The concentrations of lysozyme and α‐amylase in mixtures were estimated using data obtained from both traditional RS and PRS. A new method was developed to select highly sensitive peaks for accurate concentration estimation to take advantage of additional spectra offered by PRS. The root‐mean squared errors (RMSE) of estimation using traditional RS and PRS were compared. A drastic improvement in RMSE was observed from traditional RS to PRS, where the RMSEs of α‐amylase and lysozyme concentrations decreased by 11 and 7 times, respectively. Therefore, this technique is a successful demonstration in achieving greater accuracy and reproducibility in the estimation of protein concentration in a mixture, and it could play a significant role in future multiplexed protein quantification platforms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phytoplankton community structure in relation to vertical stratification along a north‐south gradient in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Mojica Kristina D. A. , van de Poll Willem H. , Kehoe Michael , Huisman Jef , Timmermans Klaas R. , Buma Anita G. J. , van der Woerd Hans J. , Hahn‐Woernle Lisa , Dijkstra Henk A. , Brussaard Corina P. D.
Published: June 2015

Climate change is affecting the hydrodynamics of the world's oceans. How these changes will influence the productivity, distribution and abundance of phytoplankton communities is an urgent research question. Here we provide a unique high‐resolution mesoscale description of the phytoplankton community composition in relation to vertical mixing conditions and other key physicochemical parameters along a meridional section of the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Phytoplankton, assessed by a combination of flow cytometry and pigment fingerprinting (HPLC‐CHEMTAX), and physicochemical data were collected from the top 250 m water column during the spring of 2011 and summer of 2009. Multivariate analysis identified water column stratification (based on 100 m depth‐integrated Brunt–Väisälä frequency N2) as one of the key drivers for the distribution and separation of different phytoplankton taxa and size classes. Our results demonstrate that increased stratification (1) broadened the geographic range of Prochlorococcus as oligotrophic areas expanded northward, (2) increased the contribution of picoeukaryotic phytoplankton to total autotrophic organic carbon (< 20 μm), and (3) decreased the abundances of diatoms and cryptophytes. We discuss the implications of our findings for the classification of phytoplankton functional types in biogeochemical and ecological ocean models. As phytoplankton taxonomic composition and size affects productivity, biogeochemical cycling, ocean carbon storage and marine food web dynamics, the results provide essential information for models aimed at predicting future states of the ocean.
Optically Active Polymer Via One‐Pot Combination of Chemoenzymatic Transesterification and RAFT Polymerization: Synthesis and Its Application in Hybrid Silica Particles
Authors: Huang Zengfang , Fu Changkui , Wang Shiqi , Yang Bin , Wang Xing , Zhang Qingsong , Yuan Jinying , Tao Lei , Wei Yen
Published: June 2015

A novel strategy for the preparation of hybrid particles of optically active polymer and silica is developed via combination of chemoenzymatic transesterification, reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and click reaction for the first time. During this procedure, Novozym 435 is employed to catalyze the transesterification between 2,2,2‐trifluoethyl methacrylate monomer and 2‐octanol to form the target monomer (R)‐OMA, which synchronously participates in RAFT polymerization to obtain a new polymer with transformed optically active side groups. Compared with RAFT polymerization, the transesterification reaction is much faster, with conversion ratio reaching 93% after 7 h; subsequently, the polymerization is nearly homo‐polymerization of (R)‐OMA. The molar fraction of (R)‐OMA in the final polymer is about 97.8% with controlled molecular weight (Mn ≈ 6840 g mol−1) and a narrow polydispersity index (≈1.25). Finally, the hybrid particles of silica and optically active polymer P((R)‐OMA) are obtained by the thiol‐ene click reaction. The Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy results exhibit the successful graft of P((R)‐OMA) polymer to the silica surface, and the P((R)‐OMA) polymer in the hybrid particles is about 10 wt% from the TGA curves. These as‐prepared hybrid particles combine excellent mechanical stability of silica and good chirality of polymer, making them promising for chromatographic resolution, catalytic synthesis, and (stereo‐) selectivity applications.

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Ionic π‐Conjugated Polyelectrolytes by Catalyst Free Polymerization of Bis(pyridyl)acetylenes and Bis[(pyridyl)ethynyl]benzenes
Authors: Faukner Tomáš , Trhlíková Olga , Zedník Jiří , Sedláček Jan
Published: June 2015

The spontaneous, catalyst free polymerization of four monomers of the bis(pyridyl)acetylene and bis[(pyridyl)ethynyl]benzene types containing either 2‐pyridyl or 4‐pyridyl groups via activation with benzyl bromide leads to ionic π‐conjugated polyacetylene‐type polyelectrolytes (CPEs). All polymers are characterized by means of NMR, IR, UV/vis and photoluminescence spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). The position of the pyridyl groups in the monomer influences the degree of quaternization and the extent of conjugation of CPEs. Monomers with 4‐pyridyl groups provide CPEs with a low extent of quaternization [N+/(N+ + N) = 0.27–0.34] and high extent of conjugation. On the other hand, the CPEs derived from 2‐pyridyl‐containing monomers are highly quaternized [N+/(N+ + N) = 0.77–1.00], however, possess lower conjugation of the main chains. The mechanism assuming quaternization and polymerization as competitive reactions is proposed to explain the difference in the extent of quaternization of CPEs. Prepared CPEs i) are well soluble in polar solvents, e.g., water, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and dimethylformamide, ii) exhibit photoluminescence (emission in the violet to yellow region), and iii) possess high thermal stability.

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What messages does social marketing advertising send? A content analysis of advertisements aiming to minimise harm from alcohol consumption
Authors: Zharekhina Liliia , Kubacki Krzysztof
Published: June 2015

While excess alcohol consumption remains one of the most pressing problems for government and society in many countries, the role of social marketing as a tool for shaping a responsible alcohol consumption culture has grown in significance. This research focuses specifically on the communication aspect of social marketing in the form of social marketing advertising. This study seeks to explore what types of approaches and messages are most prevalent in social marketing advertising campaigns that aim to minimise harm from excess alcohol consumption. This study applies the content analysis method to identify the main themes and messages in a sample of social marketing advertisements. A total of 14 social marketing advertising campaigns, including 29 advertisements, was identified. The analytical framework for this research included both positive and negative consequences of alcohol consumption, and two main social marketing advertising approaches identified in the literature: empowering and patronising. This study found that the patronising approach and a strong focus on the negative consequences of alcohol consumption are prevalent in contemporary social marketing campaigns aimed at minimising harmful drinking behaviours. Social marketing too often takes a patronising approach to encouraging behavioural change. More social marketing efforts should be directed towards identifying how to facilitate and support behaviour change through empowerment by providing consumers with alternative behavioural options.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Focus on Triazolium as a Multipurpose Molecular Station for pH‐Sensitive Interlocked Crown‐Ether‐Based Molecular Machines
Authors: Coutrot Frédéric
Published: June 2015

The control of motion of one element with respect to others in an interlocked architecture allows for different co‐conformational states of a molecule. This can result in variations of physical or chemical properties. The increase of knowledge in the field of molecular interactions led to the design, the synthesis, and the study of various systems of molecular machinery in a wide range of interlocked architectures. In this field, the discovery of new molecular stations for macrocycles is an attractive way to conceive original molecular machines. In the very recent past, the triazolium moiety proved to interact with crown ethers in interlocked molecules, so that it could be used as an ideal molecular station. It also served as a molecular barrier in order to lock interlaced structures or to compartmentalize interlocked molecular machines. This review describes the recently reported examples of pH‐sensitive triazolium‐containing molecular machines and their peculiar features.
Thermal, dynamic mechanical, and creep behavior of carbon nanotube reinforced ASA/Na‐ionomer blend
Authors: Datta Pulak , Guha Chandan , Sarkhel Gautam
Published: June 2015

The present manuscript is aimed at the development of the protective layer for metal components for outdoor applications such as telecommunication components. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes at varying weight (from 0.5% to 5.0% by weight) were incorporated into newly developed 50/50 blend of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) and ethylene acrylic acid‐based Na‐ionomer blend. ASA has inherent weather‐resistant property whereas Na‐ionomer has high affinity to adhere metal components. Nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending technique and were evaluated for thermal properties (thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry), dynamic mechanical analysis, and creep as well as recovery properties. Up to 1% nanotube content, there were predominant polymer/nanotube interactions; further addition resulted in nanotube networks formation that reduced polymer/nanotube interactions. These interactions increased both the thermal stability and storage modulus till 1% nanotube concentration, and after that, decreasing trend is observed. The creep deformation, as well as recovery, shows the opposite trend. In addition, the nanotube/nanotube sliding above 1% nanotube content increased the creep deformation further. The higher temperature played an altogether different role during recovery of the nanocomposite. The different polymer chain parts of the “brush” type ASA/Na‐ionomer blend interacted differently with carbon nanotubes; the ionic aggregates peak position of Na‐ionomer in differential scanning calorimetry thermogram was influenced by multiwalled carbon nanotubes, but the endotherm peak due to polyethylene crystallites of Na‐ionomer was unaffected. Carbon nanotubes also affected the glass transition temperature of polystyrene acrylonitrile matrix of ASA. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New transparent PVA‐InTiO hybrid thin films: influence of InTiO on the structure, morphology, optical, and dielectric properties
Authors: Sugumaran Sathish , Bellan Chandar Shekar , Muthu Dinesh , Raja Sengodan , Bheeman Dinesh , Rajamani Ranjithkumar
Published: June 2015

New hybrid Poly (vinyl) alcohol (PVA)‐InTiO transparent thin film was prepared by dip‐coating method. Characteristic of MO vibrations (InO and TiO) were confirmed from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed that the mixed phases of rutile TiO2 and cubic In2O3 were present in the hybrid film. Scanning electron microscopy images showed spherical shape mixed In2O3 and TiO2 nano particles embedded in the polymer matrix. The presence of elements such as In, Ti, and O are confirmed from energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. High transmittance (80%) and wide band gap energy (4.1 to 3.75 eV) values were observed from optical study. High dielectric constant (18 to 23) and low dielectric loss values were obtained from dielectric study. The observed amorphous nature, enhanced optical, and dielectric properties indicated that the hybrid thin film could be used as high‐к layer in transparent thin film transistor and in opto‐electronic device applications in near future. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome is unchanged by adding vincristine upfront to the Malawi 28‐day protocol for endemic Burkitt lymphoma
Authors: Depani Sarita , Banda Kondwani , Bailey Simon , Israels Trijn , Chagaluka George , Molyneux Elizabeth
Published: June 2015

Background

We previously reported a 28‐day treatment protocol for children with endemic Burkitt lymphoma (BL) which included four doses of cyclophosphamide (CPM), intrathecal methotrexate and hydrocortisone (IT MTX/HC) at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Malawi which resulted in an Event‐Free Survival (EFS) of 50% at 1 year.

Methods

In an attempt to improve survival whilst maintaining acceptable toxicity, brevity, low‐cost and a standard treatment for all patients, four doses of vincristine (VCR) at 1.5 mg/m2 were added to the backbone of CPM 40 mg/kg on day 1 and 60 mg/kg on days 8,18 and 28 and IT MTX /HC 12.5 mg on days 1,8,18 and 28.

Results

Seventy cytology confirmed cases of BL, 42 males and 28 females with a median age of 80 years, were treated with this protocol between January 2010 and April 2012. Four percent had St Jude Stage I disease; 29% Stage II; 30% Stage III and 37% Stage IV. Disease site in order of frequency was face (64%); abdomen (47%); CSF (26%) and paraspinal (17%). There were two on‐treatment deaths. Sixty‐three percent required antibiotics and 19% required blood transfusion. Eighty‐one percent of patients achieved complete clinical remission at day 28. Overall predicted EFS at 1 year was 48%; 100% in Stage I, 83% in Stage II, 24% in Stage III and 32% in Stage IV disease. EFS was significantly worse in patients with Stage III/IV disease (P = 0.002) and paraplegia (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The addition of vincristine to the Malawi 28 day BL treatment protocol did not improve survival. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hollow fibre liquid phase micro‐extraction by facilitated anionic exchange for the determination of flavonoids in faba beans (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Chaieb Nadia , López‐Mesas Montserrat , González Johannes Luis , Mars Messaoud , Valiente Manuel
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds found ubiquitously in foods of plant origin. They are commonly extracted from plant materials with ethanol, methanol, water, their combination or even with acidified extracting solutions. The disadvantages of these methods are the use of high quantity of organic solvent, the possible loss of analytes in the different steps and the laborious process of the techniques. In addition, the complexity of the phenolic mixtures present in plant materials requires a preliminary clean‐up and fractionation of the crude extracts.

Objective

To develop a hollow fibre liquid phase micro‐extraction (HF‐LPME) method for a one step clean‐up and pre‐concentration of flavonoids.

Methodology

Two flavonoids (catechin and rutin) has been extracted by HF‐LPME and analysed by HPLC. The related driving force for the liquid membrane has been studied by means of facilitated and non‐facilitated transport. Different ionic and non‐ionic water insoluble compounds [trioctylamine (TOA), tributyl phosphate (TBP), trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and methyltrioctylammonium chloride (aliquat 336)] were used as carriers. The liquid membrane was constituted by a solution of n‐decanol in the presence or absence of carriers.

Results

Maximum enrichment factors were obtained with n‐decanol/aliquat 336 (20%) as organic liquid membrane, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) (0.1 M) as donor solution, sodium chloride (NaCl) (2 M) as acceptor solution and 3 h as extraction time. Under these conditions, good results for validation parameters were obtained [for linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ) and repeatability].

Conclusions

The developed method is simple, effective and has been successfully applied to determine catechin and rutin in ethanolic extracts of faba beans. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of tannins and related polyphenols in commercial products of tormentil (Potentilla tormentilla)
Authors: Fecka Izabela , Kucharska Alicja Zofia , Kowalczyk Adam
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Potentilla tormentilla has many biological and pharmacological properties and can be used as an ingredient of some herbal medicines or beverages.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of individual polyphenols, especially condensed and hydrolysable tannins in commercially available tormentil rhizomes and tinctures using chromatographic methods.

Methods

A quantitative analysis (HPLC‐PDA) was preceded by qualitative studies (UPLC‐qTOF‐MS/MS) and the isolation (CC) of the major tannin compounds.

Results

The tested plant material is characterised by a high content of tannins and related polyphenols, i.e. in rhizomes even at the level above 20% and in tinctures above 2%. The main components of tormentil rhizomes are procyanidin B3 (mean ~ 3.6%), procyanidin C2 (mean ~ 2.8%), agrimoniin (mean ~ 2.5%), 3‐O‐galloylquinic acid (mean ~ 1.7%), catechin (mean ~ 1.6%), other flavan‐3‐ol oligomers (mean ~ 0.5–1.1) and laevigatins (mean ~ 0.2–0.6%). Free ellagic acid and glycosides of ellagic and methylellagic acids are secondary components.

Conclusions

Underground parts of tormentil are a source of oligomeric proanthocyanidins and ellagitannins, but in smaller quantity of gallotannins. Monogalloylquinic acids are new identified compounds, which had not been described in Potentilla tormentilla before we started our research. In the analysed tormentil tinctures agrimoniin concentration is lower in relation to other tannins. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.