bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile One‐Pot Transformation of Arenes into Aromatic Nitriles under Metal‐Cyanide‐Free Conditions
Authors: Tamura Toshiyuki , Moriyama Katsuhiko , Togo Hideo
Published: February 2015

Electron‐rich arenes bearing methyl or methoxy groups on the aromatic ring were treated with dichloromethyl methyl ether and ZnBr2, and then with molecular iodine and aq. ammonia to give the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good yields. Using this method, febuxostat was efficiently prepared from 4‐bromophenol in four steps. The method can be used for the preparation of aromatic nitriles from arenes in one pot under metal‐cyanide‐free conditions.
The estimation of diversity indexes by using stratified allocations of plots, points or transects
Authors: Barabesi L. , Fattorini L. , Marcheselli M. , Pisani C. , Pratelli L.
Published: February 2015

The estimation of diversity indexes is considered when species abundance is estimated by means of plots, points or transects placed onto the study region in accordance with probabilistic schemes. Under uniform random sampling–that is when plots, points or transects are uniformly and independently located on the study region–the consistency and the large‐sample normality of diversity index estimators follow from the usual limit theorems as the sampling effort increases. In addition, variance estimation and finite‐sample bias reduction are achieved by means of standard results on the jackknife method. Despite its theoretical simplicity, uniform random sampling may lead to uneven coverage of the study region. In order to avoid this shortcoming, the use of one‐per‐stratum stratified sampling is usually considered. This sampling scheme involves partitioning the study region into subsets of equal size and uniformly selecting a plot, a point or a transect in each of these subsets. The present paper aims to show the consistency and the large‐sample normality of the diversity index estimators under one‐per‐stratum stratified sampling, as well as to deal with variance estimation and bias reduction. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for climatic and hillslope‐aspect controls on vadose zone hydrology and implications for saprolite weathering
Authors: Langston Abigail L. , Tucker Gregory E. , Anderson Robert S. , Anderson Suzanne P.
Published: February 2015

Through the delivery of water in snowmelt, climate should govern the rate and extent of saprolite formation in snow‐dominated mountain watersheds, yet the mechanisms by which water flows deeply into regolith are largely unexplored. In this study we link rainfall, snow depth, and water content data from both soil and shallow saprolite to document vadose zone dynamics in two montane catchments over 2 years. Measurements of snow pack thickness and soil moisture reveal strong contrasts between north‐ and south‐facing slopes in both the timing of meltwater delivery and the duration of significant soil wetting in the shallow vadose zone. Despite similar magnitudes of snowmelt recharge, north‐facing slopes have higher sustained soil moisture compared to south‐facing slopes. To help interpret these observations, we use a 2D numerical model of vadose zone dynamics to calculate the expected space–time moisture patterns on an idealized hillslope under two wetting scenarios: a single sustained recharge pulse versus a set of short pulses. The model predicts that the duration of the recharge event exerts a stronger control on the depth and residence time of water in the upper unsaturated zone than the magnitude of the recharge event. Model calculations also imply that water should move more slowly through the subsurface and downward water flux should be substantially reduced when water is applied in several pulses rather than in one sustained event. The results suggest that thicker soil and more deeply weathered rock on north‐facing slopes may reflect greater water supply to the deep subsurface. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduction of clinical target volume in patients with lateralized cancer of the nasopharynx and without contralateral lymph node metastasis receiving intensity‐modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Sun Ying , Yu Xiao‐Li , Zhang Guang‐Shun , Liu Yi‐Min , Tao Chang‐Juan , Guo Rui , Tang Ling‐Long , Zhang Rong , Guo Ying , Ma Jun
Published: February 2015

Background

This study investigated lymph node distribution in patients with lateralized cancer of the nasopharynx to identify areas suitable for clinical target volume (CTV) reduction.

Methods

A total of 1680 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) whose tumor involvement was assessed by MRI were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

One hundred and twelve patients (7%) had a lateralized primary lesion. Of these, 9 patients (8%) had contralateral lymph nodes including 4 (4%) who had contralateral cervical lymph nodes (CLNs). The rates of contralateral level III/Va metastasis were <1% (1 of 104) and 12.5% (1 of 8) in patients without and with contralateral retropharynx/level II involvement, respectively. No known risk factors were significantly associated with contralateral lymph node metastasis.

Conclusion

Reduced cervical CTV coverage, including the contralateral level II, is feasible in patients with lateralized primary NPC, which may help to better protect the cervical OAR, including the thyroid, larynx, and esophagus. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E468–E472, 2016
The importance of the context in the hippocampus and brain related areas throughout the performance of a fear conditioning task
Authors: Arias Natalia , Méndez Marta , Arias Jorge L.
Published: February 2015

The importance context has been broadly studied in the management of phobias and in the drug addiction literature. The way in which changes to a context influence behavior after the simple acquisition of a passive avoidance task remains unclear. The hippocampus has long been implicated in the contextual and spatial processing required for contextual fear, but its role in encoding the aversive component of a contextual fear memory is still inconclusive. Our work tries to elucidate whether a change in context, represented as differences in the load of the stimuli, is critical for learning about the context‐shock association and whether this manipulation of the context could be linked to any change in metabolic brain activity requirements. For this purpose, we used an avoidance conditioning task. Animals were divided into three different experimental conditions. In one group, acquisition was performed in an enriched stimuli environment and retention was performed in a typically lit chamber (the PA‐ACQ‐CONTX group). In another group, acquisition was performed in the typically lit chamber and retention was undertaken in the highly enriched chamber (the PA‐RET‐CONTX group). Finally, for the control group, PA‐CN‐CONTX, acquisition, and retention were performed in the enriched stimuli environment. Our results showed that the PA‐ACQ‐CONTX group had longer escape latencies and poorer retention than the PA‐RET‐CONTX and PA‐CN‐CONTX groups after 24 h of acquisition under contextual changes. To study metabolic brain activity, histochemical labelling of cytochrome c‐oxidase (CO) was performed. CO results suggested a neural circuit including the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, parahippocampal cortices, and mammillary nuclei that is involved in the learning and memory processes that enable context‐dependent behavior. These results highlight how dysfunction in this network may be involved in the contextualization of fear associations that underlie several forms of psychopathology, including post‐traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorders. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cueing the personal future to reduce discounting in intertemporal choice: Is episodic prospection necessary?
Authors: Kwan Donna , Craver Carl F. , Green Leonard , Myerson Joel , Gao Fuqiang , Black Sandra E. , Rosenbaum R. Shayna
Published: February 2015

How does the ability to imagine detailed future experiences (i.e., episodic prospection) contribute to choices between immediate and delayed rewards? Individuals with amnesia do not show abnormally steep discounting in intertemporal choice, suggesting that neither medial temporal lobe (MTL) integrity nor episodic prospection is required for the valuation of future rewards (Kwan et al. (), Hippocampus, 22:1215‐1219; Kwan et al. (2013), J Exp Psychol, 142:1355‐1369 2013). However, hippocampally mediated episodic prospection in healthy adults reduces the discounting of future rewards (Peters and Büchel (2010), Neuron, 66:138‐148; Benoit et al. (2011), J Neurosci, 31:6771‐6779), raising the possibility that MTL damage causes more subtle impairments to this form of decision‐making than noted in previous patient studies. Intertemporal choice appears normal in amnesic populations, yet they may be unable to use episodic prospection to adaptively modulate the value assigned to future rewards. To investigate how the extended hippocampal system, including the hippocampus and related MTL structures, contributes to the valuation of future rewards, we compared the performance of six amnesic cases with impaired episodic prospection to that of 20 control participants on two versions of an intertemporal choice task: a standard discounting task, and a cued version in which cues prompted them to imagine specific personal future events temporally contiguous with the receipt of delayed rewards. Amnesic individuals' intertemporal choices in the standard condition were indistinguishable from those of controls, replicating previous findings. Surprisingly, performance of the amnesic cases in the cued condition indicates that amnesia does not preclude flexible modulation of choices in response to future event cues, even in the absence of episodic prospection. Cueing the personal future to modulate decisions appears to constitute a less demanding or a qualitatively different (e.g., personal semantic) form of prospection that is not as sensitive to MTL damage as prospective narrative generation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparing for the introduction of hospital autonomy in Laos: an assessment of current situation and suggestions for policy‐making
Authors: Geng Jinsong , Yu Hao , Chen Yingyao
Published: February 2015

The National Assembly of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) approved the Health Sector Reform Strategy in 2012, which called for an assessment as to whether Laos should introduce hospital autonomy, and if so, in which ways. The purpose of this study is to assess the status quo of hospital governance in Laos and propose policy suggestions for hospital autonomy in the country. We formulated an analytic framework for hospital autonomy based on previous work by other researchers, collected qualitative data through key informant interviews and focus group discussions, and also performed secondary data analysis. Public hospitals in Laos enjoyed some informal autonomy with little accountability and Laos is facing key challenges of hospital governance. As a result, introducing hospital autonomy in Laos could bring risks, benefits and debates. Before Laos decides on granting autonomy to its public hospitals, we strongly suggest that the government do pilot in selected public hospitals with well‐regulated governance framework first and conduct rigorous evaluations to examine whether the granted autonomy leads to the intended social goals of equity, quality, efficiency and sustainability. We recommend residual claimants should be monitored by the government and by the society with open and transparent approach, and active measures should be taken to improve performance and ensure social functions. The study findings may also provide some suggestions for low‐ and middle‐income countries, which are contemplating the introduction of hospital autonomy in the public sector. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Are 5‐HT3 antagonists effective in obsessive–compulsive disorder? A systematic review of literature
Authors: Serata Daniele , Kotzalidis Georgios D. , Rapinesi Chiara , Janiri Delfina , Di Pietro Simone , Callovini Gemma , Piacentino Daria , Gasperoni Carlotta , Brugnoli Roberto , Ferri Vittoria Rachele , Girardi Nicoletta , Tatarelli Roberto , Ferracuti Stefano , Angeletti Gloria , Girardi Paolo , Del Casale Antonio
Published: February 2015

Objective

The purpose of this literature database search‐based review was to critically consider and evaluate the findings of literature focusing on efficacy and safety of 5‐HT3 antagonists in the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), so as to test whether preclinical data match clinical therapeutic trials.

Design

The PubMed database has been searched for papers on 5‐HT3 antagonists and OCD in humans and for animal models of OCD and 5‐HT3 receptors.

Results

Of the clinically tested 5‐HT3 receptor antagonists, ondansetron has been used to treat OCD in five therapeutic studies, whereas granisetron only in one recent trial. Both showed some efficacy in open studies and superiority to placebo in double‐blind studies, along with fair safety. No animal OCD model directly implicated 5‐HT3 receptors.

Conclusions

Overall, results indicate some utility, but the available literature is too scanty to allow for valid conclusions to be drawn. The mismatch between animal models of obsessive–compulsive disorder and clinical data with 5‐HT3 antagonists needs more clinical data to ensure that it is not an artefact. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of Distributed Temperature Sensing for coupled mapping of sedimentation processes and spatio‐temporal variability of groundwater discharge in soft‐bedded streams
Authors: Sebok Eva , Duque Carlos , Engesgaard Peter , Boegh Eva
Published: February 2015

The delineation of groundwater discharge areas based on Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) data of the streambed can be difficult in soft‐bedded streams where sedimentation and scouring processes constantly change the position of the fibre optic cable relative to the streambed. Deposition‐induced temperature anomalies resemble the signal of groundwater discharge while scouring will cause the cable to float in the water column and measure stream water temperatures. DTS applied in a looped layout with nine fibre optic cable rows in a 70 × 5 m section of a soft‐bedded stream made it possible to detect variability in streambed temperatures between October 2011 and January 2012. Detailed monthly streambed elevation surveys were carried out to monitor the position of the fibre optic cable relative to the streambed and to quantify the effect of sedimentation processes on streambed temperatures. Based on the simultaneous interpretation of streambed temperature and elevation data, a method is proposed to delineate potential high‐groundwater discharge areas and identify deposition‐induced temperature anomalies in soft‐bedded streams. Potential high‐discharge sites were detected using as metrics the daily minimum, maximum and mean streambed temperatures as well as the daily amplitude and standard deviation of temperatures. The identified potential high‐discharge areas were mostly located near the channel banks, also showing temporal variability because of the scouring and redistribution of streambed sediments, leading to the relocation of pool‐riffle sequences. This study also shows that sediment deposits of 0.1 m thickness already resulted in an increase in daily minimum streambed temperatures and decrease in daily amplitude and standard deviation. Scouring sites showed lower daily minimum streambed temperatures and higher daily amplitude and standard deviation compared with areas without sedimentation and scouring. As a limitation of the approach, groundwater discharge occurring at depositional and scouring areas cannot be identified by the metrics applied. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insolvency Law as a Main Pillar of Market Economy—A Critical Assessment of the Greek Insolvency Law
Authors: Paulus Christoph G. , Potamitis Stathis , Rokas Alexandros , Tirado Ignacio
Published: February 2015

In this article, we use the Greek insolvency law and its present status as a raw model for the demonstration of the central role insolvency law generally plays within a given economy. The Greek example amplifies in a particularly instructive way the interrelationship between the functionality of a legal restructuring and liquidation regime, on the one side, and the recovery of a state's overall economic affairs, on the other. We present our thoughts in a way that leads from general deliberations (A and B) to a description of the present Greek insolvency law (C) and finally its critical assessment (D), before we conclude (E). Thereby, we hope to make sufficiently clear that this type of approach to insolvency law is educative for many more jurisdictions than just the example that we have chosen. Copyright © 2015 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Chapter 15 Recognition in the United States: Is a Debtor “Presence” Required?
Authors: Glosband Daniel M. , Westbrook Jay Lawrence
Published: February 2015

A recent appellate decision in the USA (In re Barnet) confuses the foreign debtor with the foreign insolvency representative. Notwithstanding the focus of US bankruptcy law on a foreign proceeding as the object of an ancillary case under Chapter 15, with the foreign representative as its emissary, the decision dismayed the international insolvency community by ruling that section 109(a) of the Bankruptcy Code applies to recognition under Chapter 15. The result is to require that the debtor in a foreign proceeding has some minimum jurisdictional presence in the USA as a condition of Chapter 15 recognition. Such a presence might include a domicile, a place of business, or property. While there might be a “backdoor” device avoiding this result, the decision creates serious confusion and a potential obstacle to full international recognition. Copyright © 2015 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Alcohol intake and breast cancer in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition
Authors: Romieu Isabelle , Scoccianti Chiara , Chajès Véronique , de Batlle Jordi , Biessy Carine , Dossus Laure , Baglietto Laura , Clavel‐Chapelon Françoise , Overvad Kim , Olsen Anja , Tjønneland Anne , Kaaks Rudolf , Lukanova Annekatrin , Boeing Heiner , Trichopoulou Antonia , Lagiou Pagona , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Palli Domenico , Sieri Sabina , Tumino Rosario , Vineis Paolo , Panico Salvatore , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H. B(as) , van Gils Carla H. , Peeters Petra H. , Lund Eiliv , Skeie Guri , Weiderpass Elisabete , Quirós García José Ramón , Chirlaque María‐Dolores , Ardanaz Eva , Sánchez María‐José , Duell Eric J. , Amiano Pilar , Borgquist Signe , Wirfält Elisabet , Hallmans Göran , Johansson Ingegerd , Nilsson Lena Maria , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Wareham Nick , Key Timothy J. , Travis Ruth C. , Murphy Neil , Wark Petra A. , Ferrari Pietro , Riboli Elio
Published: February 2015

Alcohol intake has been associated to breast cancer in pre and postmenopausal women; however results are inconclusive regarding tumor hormonal receptor status, and potential modifying factors like age at start drinking. Therefore, we investigated the relation between alcohol intake and the risk of breast cancer using prospective observational data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Up to 334,850 women, aged 35–70 years at baseline, were recruited in ten European countries and followed up an average of 11 years. Alcohol intake at baseline and average lifetime alcohol intake were calculated from country‐specific dietary and lifestyle questionnaires. The study outcomes were the Hazard ratios (HR) of developing breast cancer according to hormonal receptor status. During 3,670,439 person‐years, 11,576 incident breast cancer cases were diagnosed. Alcohol intake was significantly related to breast cancer risk, for each 10 g/day increase in alcohol intake the HR increased by 4.2% (95% CI: 2.7–5.8%). Taking 0 to 5 g/day as reference, alcohol intake of >5 to 15 g/day was related to a 5.9% increase in breast cancer risk (95% CI: 1–11%). Significant increasing trends were observed between alcohol intake and ER+/PR+, ER−/PR−, HER2− and ER−/PR−HER2− tumors. Breast cancer risk was stronger among women who started drinking prior to first full‐time pregnancy. Overall, our results confirm the association between alcohol intake and both hormone receptor positive and hormone receptor negative breast tumors, suggesting that timing of exposure to alcohol drinking may affect the risk. Therefore, women should be advised to control their alcohol consumption.
Chemistry of Intermolecular Frustrated Lewis Pairs in Motion: Emerging Perspectives and Prospects
Authors: Pu Maoping , Privalov Timofei
Published: February 2015

This feature article describes the chemistry in motion of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). With state‐of‐the‐art ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations supplemented by minimum energy path (MEP) and potential energy surface (PES) calculations, we examine the binding of CO2 and the heterolytic cleavage of H2 by a Lewis base (LB), tBu3P, and a Lewis acid (LA), B(C6F5)3. We strive to uncover and understand mechanistic implications of the physical laws that govern the behavior of a LB and a LA when they react with a third species (e.g., CO2 or H2) at finite temperature. The approximation that we necessarily must make at present is to forgo the quantization of the movement of atoms in favor of the Born‐Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD), which unfold according to the classical (Newton’s) laws of motion. However, strict quantum chemical theory is used to compute all of the forces that govern the dynamics of the macromolecular FLP system. Using physical reasoning and innovative computer simulations, we show that multi‐scale motion is the predominant mechanistic aspect in reactions of the tBu3P/B(C6F5)3 FLP, as well as, conceivably, those of other similar intermolecular FLPs. Insight achieved thus far leads to a novel activity model for intermolecular FLPs and specific predictions, which could be useful for future experimental and theoretical studies of FLP and other chemistries.
Hyperspectral imaging in medicine: image pre‐processing problems and solutions in Matlab
Authors: Koprowski Robert
Published: February 2015

The paper presents problems and solutions related to hyperspectral image pre‐processing. New methods of preliminary image analysis are proposed. The paper shows problems occurring in Matlab when trying to analyse this type of images. Moreover, new methods are discussed which provide the source code in Matlab that can be used in practice without any licensing restrictions.

The proposed application and sample result of hyperspectral image analysis.

magnified image

The proposed application and sample result of hyperspectral image analysis.
Fabrication and feasibility study of an absorbable diacetyl chitin surgical suture for wound healing
Authors: Shao Kai , Han Baoqin , Gao Jinning , Jiang Zhiwen , Liu Weizhi , Liu Wanshun , Liang Ye
Published: February 2015

Diacetyl chitin (DAC) is an acidylated chitin obtained using acetic anhydride mixed perchloric acid system. By wet spinning and weaving technique, DAC has been successfully developed into a novel absorbable surgical suture. Thanks to the unique properties of chitins, the potential application of this novel monocomponent multifilament DAC suture may break the monopoly of synthetic polymer sutures in wound closure area. In this study, DAC was synthesized and characterized by multiple approaches including elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, we performed the feasibility assessment of DAC suture (USP 2‐0) as absorbable suture for wound healing. Several lines of evidences suggested that DAC suture had comparable mechanical properties as synthetic polymer sutures. Moreover, DAC suture retained approximately 63% of the original strength at 14 days and completely absorbed in 42 days with no remarkable tissue reaction in vivo. Most important of all, DAC suture significantly promoted skin regeneration with faster tissue reconstruction and higher wound breaking strength on a linear incisional wound model. All these results demonstrated the potential use of DAC suture in short‐ or middle‐term wound healing, such as epithelial and connective tissue. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2016:104B:116–125.
Immunolocalization of dentin matrix protein‐1 in human primary teeth treated with different pulp capping materials
Authors: Lourenço Neto Natalino , Marques Nádia C. T. , Fernandes Ana Paula , Rodini Camila O. , Sakai Vivien T. , Abdo Ruy Cesar C. , Machado Maria Aparecida A. M. , Santos Carlos F. , Oliveira Thais M.
Published: February 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunolocalization of dentin matrix protein (DMP)‐1 in human primary teeth treated with different pulp capping materials. Twenty‐five primary molars were divided into the following groups: formocresol (FC), calcium hydroxide (CH), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), corticosteroid/antibiotic solution + CH (O + CH), and Portland cement (PC), and all received conventional pulpotomy treatment. The teeth at the regular exfoliation period were extracted for histological analysis and immunolocalization of DMP‐1. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test (p < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the comparison among the groups through the use of a score system regarding the presence of hard tissue barrier, odontoblastic layer, and internal resorption, but not regarding pulp calcification. Immunohistochemical analysis showed immunostaining for DMP‐1 in groups CH, MTA, O + CH, and PC. Internal resorption was observed in the groups FC and CH. MTA and PC showed pulp repair without inflammation and with the presence of hard tissue barrier. DMP‐1 immunostaining was higher for MTA and PC, confirming the reparative and bioinductive capacity of these materials. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 165–169, 2016.
Fixation performance of an ultrasonically fused, bioresorbable osteosynthesis implant: A biomechanical and biocompatibility study
Authors: Augat P. , Robioneck P. B. , Abdulazim A. , Wipf F. , Lips K. S. , Alt V. , Schnettler R. , Heiss C.
Published: February 2015

Bioresorbable implants may serve as an alternative option for the fixation of bone fractures. Because of their minor inherent mechanical properties and insufficient anchorage within bone bioresorbable implants have so far been limited to mechanically nondemanding fracture types. By briefly liquefying the surface of the biomaterial during insertion, bioresorbable implants can be ultrasonically fused with bone to improve their mechanical fixation. The objective of this study was to investigate the biomechanical fixation performance and in vivo biocompatibility of an ultrasonically fused bioresorbable polymeric pin (SonicPin). First, we biomechanically compared the fused pin with press fitted metallic and bioresorbable polymeric implants for quasi‐static and fatigue strength under shear and tensile loading in a polyurethane foam model. Second, fused implants were inserted into cancellous bovine bone and tested biomechanically to verify the reproducibility of their fusion behavior. Finally, the fused pins were tested in a lapine model of femoral condyle osteotomies and were histologically examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. While comparable under static shear loads, fixation performance of ultrasonically fused pins was significantly (p = 0.001) stronger under tensile loading than press fit implants and showed no pull‐out. Both bioresorbable implants withstood comparable fatigue shear strength, but less than the K‐wire. In bovine bone the ultrasonic fusion process worked highly reproducible and provided consistent mechanical fixation. In vivo, the polymeric pin produced no notable foreign body reactions or resorption layers. Ultrasonic fusion of polymeric pins achieved adequate and consistent mechanical fixation with high reproducibility and exhibits good short‐term resorption and biocompatibility. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 170–179, 2016.
DJ‐1 Protects Breast Cancer Cells Against 2′‐Benzoyloxycinnamaldehyde‐induced Oxidative Stress Independent of Nrf2
Authors: Ismail Ismail Ahmed , Abdel shakor Abo bakr , Hong Su‐Hyung
Published: February 2015

2′‐Benzoyloxycinnamaldehyde (BCA) is a promising antitumor agent. BCA effectively inhibited proliferation of MDA‐MB‐435 more than in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. Our recent findings showed that DJ‐1 protects MCF7 cells from BCA‐induced oxidative stress via its mitochondrial translocation and inhibition of the mitochondrial perturbation (Ismail et al., 2012). In this study, we addressed the question of whether Nrf2 works downstream to DJ‐1 in mediating differential antiproliferation effects in MCF‐7 and MDAMB‐435 breast cancer cells induced by BCA treatment. BCA upregulated the expression and induced nuclear translocalization of DJ‐1 and Nrf2 in only MCF‐7 cells. However, in MDA‐MB‐435, BCA increased only Nrf2 expression without inducing DJ‐1 and/or Nrf2 protein translocalization to the nucleus. Furthermore, DJ‐1 knockdown decreased DJ‐1 expression in both cells without affecting Nrf2 and its downstream target γ‐GCS, suggesting that DJ‐1‐induced cell protection and works independent of Nrf2 signaling pathway. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2262–2269, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Early prophylactic antibiotics administration for acute necrotizing pancreatitis: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Ukai Tomohiko , Shikata Satoru , Inoue Machiko , Noguchi Yoshinori , Igarashi Hisato , Isaji Shuji , Mayumi Toshihiko , Yoshida Masahiro , Takemura Yousuke C.
Published: February 2015

Background

The effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics use for acute necrotizing pancreatitis has been explored and a number of systematic reviews have been published with conflicting results. The timing of antibiotics administration can be fundamental to their effectiveness, but thus far no reviews have focused on the timing of administration.

Methods

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of prophylactic antibiotics for acute necrotizing pancreatitis was conducted using MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina. Trials in which antibiotics were administered within 72 h after onset of symptoms or 48 h after admission were included. Our primary outcomes were the mortality rate and the incidence of infected pancreatic necrosis, and secondary outcomes were the incidence of non‐pancreatic infection and the incidence of surgical intervention.

Results

The search revealed six RCTs with a total of 397 patients. The mortality rates were significantly different for those taking antibiotics (7.4%), and controls (14.4%) (odds ratio [OR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25–0.94). Also, early prophylactic antibiotics use was associated with reduced incidence of infected pancreatic necrosis (antibiotics 16.3%, controls 25.1%; OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.33–0.92).

Conclusion

Early use of prophylactic antibiotics for acute necrotizing pancreatitis is associated with reduced mortality and lower incidence of infected pancreatic necrosis.
Association of human papillomavirus type 58 with breast cancer in shaanxi province of China
Authors: Fu Ling , Wang Depu , Shah Walayat , Wang Yili , Zhang Guanjun , He Jianjun
Published: February 2015

A number of reports have identified HPV DNA in breast cancer specimens and HPV type 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, and 51 were more prevalent. HPV 58 was frequently detected in cervical cancer in Shaanxi China. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether HPV 58 present in breast cancer. 169 cases of breast cancer samples and 83 benign breast lesions were analyzed. Type specific primers and oligonucliotide probe were used for the detection of HPV 58 by conventional PCR and in situ hybridization techniques. The HPV 58 viral load were measured by qPCR. p16 protein expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. HPV 58 E7 DNA was detected in 25 out of 169 formalin fixed paraffin embedded breast cancer tissues (14.79%) by PCR, only 1 out of 83 non‐malignant breast lesions showed positive (1.20%). The results of ISH showed that 17 out of 169 (10.06%) malignant samples were positive for HPV 58 E7, and only 1 out of 83 non‐malignant lesions was positive. Positive p16 immunostaining was observed in all the HPV 58 E7 ISH positive cases, but 16 out of 98 cases with HPV negative were p16 positive. The presence of HPV 58 in both normal duct epithelial cells and carcinoma in situ along with its presence in the cancer cells of the same specimen indicated the possible causal role of HPV 58 in breast cancer. The findings provide a solid morphological evidence of the involvement of HPV 58 in breast cancer development. J. Med. Virol. 87:1034–1040, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ginkgolide B revamps neuroprotective role of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation against Aβ25–35‐induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Kaur Navrattan , Dhiman Monisha , Perez‐Polo J. Regino , Mantha Anil K.
Published: February 2015

Accumulating evidence points to roles for oxidative stress, amyloid beta (Aβ), and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In neurons, the base excision repair pathway is the predominant DNA repair (BER) pathway for repairing oxidized base lesions. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1), a multifunctional enzyme with DNA repair and reduction–oxidation activities, has been shown to enhance neuronal survival after oxidative stress. This study seeks to determine 1) the effect of Aβ25–35 on reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) levels, 2) the activities of respiratory complexes (I, III, and IV), 3) the role of APE1 by ectopic expression, and 4) the neuromodulatory role of ginkgolide B (GB; from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba). The pro‐oxidant Aβ25–35 peptide treatment increased the levels of ROS/RNS in human neuroblastoma IMR‐32 and SH‐SY5Y cells, which were decreased after pretreatment with GB. Furthermore, the mitochondrial APE1 level was found to be decreased after treatment with Aβ25–35 up to 48 hr, and the level was increased significantly in cells pretreated with GB. The oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS; activities of complexes I, III, and IV) indicated that Aβ25–35 treatment decreased activities of complexes I and IV, and pretreatment with GB and ectopic APE1 expression enhanced these activities significantly compared with Aβ25–35 treatment. Our results indicate that ectopic expression of APE1 potentiates neuronal cells to overcome the oxidative damage caused by Aβ25–35. In addition, GB has been shown to modulate the mitochondrial OXPHOS against Aβ25–35‐induced oxidative stress and also to regulate the levels of ROS/RNS in the presence of ectopic APE1. This study presents findings from a new point of view to improve therapeutic potential for AD via the synergistic neuroprotective role played by APE1 in combination with the phytochemical GB. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Purification and characterization of an extracellular cold‐adapted alkaline lipase produced by psychrotrophic bacteriumYersinia enterocoliticastrain KM1
Authors: Ji Xiuling , Chen Guiyuan , Zhang Qi , Lin Lianbing , Wei Yunlin
Published: February 2015

An extracellular cold‐adapted alkaline lipase from the psychrotrophicYersinia enterocoliticastrain KM1 was purified 26‐fold to homogeneity. The enzyme was active over a broad range spanning 0–60 °C with an optimum activity at 37 °C, and it was found to be alkaline‐preferring with an optimum activity at pH 9.0. The molecular weight was estimated to be 34.3 KDa and monomeric. The lipase could be activated by Ca2+and low concentration (10%) of ethanol, dimethyl sulphoxide, methanol, and acetonitrile, whereas it was strongly inhibited by Zn2+,Cu2+, SDS, EDTA, and PMSF. Usingp‐nitrophenyl butyrate as a substrate at 37 °C, theKmandVmaxof the enzyme were found to be 16.58 mM and 5.24 × 105 μM · min−1, respectively. This extracellular cold‐adapted alkaline lipase may be a good candidate for detergents and biocatalysts at low temperature.
Rapid detection of ochratoxin A on membrane by dot immunogold filtration assay
Authors: Chen Weifeng , Jin Yucui , Liu Aiping , Wang Xiaohong , Chen Fusheng
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a widely distributed mycotoxin produced by certain species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, has been identified as a carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, teratogenic, nephrotoxic and immunotoxic toxin. To reduce the risk of OTA contamination, a rapid, inexpensive, suitable and on‐site assay for its detection is required.

RESULTS

In this study a dot immunogold filtration assay (DIGFA) of OTA on high‐flow nitrocellulose membrane was developed. Firstly colloidal gold was synthesized and colloidal gold–polyclonal antibody (PcAb) conjugates against OTA were prepared at the optimal colloidal gold‐labeled pH value and package amount. Then the colloidal gold–PcAb conjugates were used to develop the OTA DIGFA. The results demonstrated a visual detection limit of approximately 10 ng mL−1 OTA. In addition, this method had no cross‐reaction with zearalenone, aflatoxin B1 or citrinin.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that the developed DIGFA could be applied for the actual detection of samples without complicated steps. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of astaxanthin on the aging rat brain: gender‐related differences in modulating inflammation
Authors: Balietti Marta , Giannubilo Stefano R , Giorgetti Belinda , Solazzi Moreno , Turi Angelo , Casoli Tiziana , Ciavattini Andrea , Fattorettia Patrizia
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

Astaxanthin (Ax) is a ketocarotenoid of the xanthophyll family with activities such as antioxidation, preservation of the integrity of cell membranes and protection of the redox state and functional integrity of mitochondria. The aim of this study was to investigate potential gender‐related differences in the effect of Ax on the aging rat brain.

RESULTS

In females, interleukin 1 beta (IL1β) was significantly lower in treated rats in both cerebral areas, and in the cerebellum, treated animals also had significantly higher IL10. In males, no differences were found in the cerebellum, but in the hippocampus, IL1β and IL10 were significantly higher in treated rats.

CONCLUSION

These are the first results to show gender‐related differences in the effect of Ax on the aging brain, emphasizing the necessity to carefully analyze female and male peculiarities when the anti‐aging potentialities of this ketocarotenoid are evaluated. The observations lead to the hypothesis that Ax exerts different anti‐inflammatory effects in female and male brains. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Affinity purification of aprotinin from bovine lung
Authors: Xin Yu , Liu Lanhua , Chen Beizhan , Zhang Ling , Tong Yanjun
Published: February 2015

An affinity protocol for the purification of aprotinin from bovine lung was developed. To simulate the structure of sucrose octasulfate, a natural specific probe for aprotinin, the affinity ligand was composed of an acidic head and a hydrophobic stick, and was then linked with Sepharose. The sorbent was then subjected to adsorption analysis with pure aprotinin. The purification process consisted of one step of affinity chromatography and another step of ultrafiltration. Then purified aprotinin was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, trypsin inhibitor activity, gel‐filtration, and thin‐layer chromatography analysis. As calculated, the theoretical maximum adsorption (Qmax) of the affinity sorbent was 25 476.0 ± 184.8 kallikrein inactivator unit/g wet gel; the dissociation constant of the complex “immobilized ligand‐aprotinin” (Kd) was 4.6 ± 0.1 kallikrein inactivator unit/mL. After the affinity separation of bovine lung aprotinin, reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis and gel‐filtration chromatography revealed that the protein was a single polypeptide, and the purities were ∼ 97 and 100%, respectively; the purified peptide was also confirmed with aprotinin standard by gel‐filtration chromatography and thin‐layer chromatography. After the whole purification process, protein, and bioactivity recoveries were 2.2 and 92.6%, respectively; and the specific activity was up to 15 907.1 ± 10.2 kallikrein inactivator unit/mg.
Magnetic nanoporous carbon as an adsorbent for the extraction of phthalate esters in environmental water and aloe juice samples
Authors: Liu Li , Hao Yunhui , Ren Yiqian , Wang Chun , Wu Qiuhua , Wang Zhi
Published: February 2015

In this work, magnetic nanoporous carbon with high surface area and ordered structure was synthesized using cheap commercial silica gel as template and sucrose as the carbon source. The prepared magnetic nanoporous carbon was firstly used as an adsorbent for the extraction of phthalate esters, including diethyl phthalate, diallyl phthalate, and di‐n‐propyl‐phthalate, from lake water and aloe juice samples. Several parameters that could affect the extraction efficiency were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection of the method (S/N = 3) was 0.10 ng/mL for water sample and 0.20 ng/mL for aloe juice sample. The linearity was observed over the concentration range of 0.50–150.0 and 1.0–200.0 ng/mL for water and aloe juice samples, respectively. The results showed that the magnetic nanoporous carbon has a high adsorptive capability toward the target phthalate esters in water and aloe juice samples.
Comparative Assessment of Goods and Services Provided by Grazing Regulation and Reforestation in Degraded Mediterranean Rangelands
Authors: Papanastasis Vasilios P. , Bautista Susana , Chouvardas Dimitrios , Mantzanas Konstantinos , Papadimitriou Maria , Mayor Angeles G. , Koukioumi Polina , Papaioannou Athanasios , Vallejo Ramon V.
Published: February 2015

Several management actions are applied to restore ecosystem services in degraded Mediterranean rangelands, which range from adjusting the grazing pressure to the removal of grazers and pine plantations. Four such actions were assessed inQuercus cocciferaL. shrublands in northern Greece: (i) moderate grazing by goats and sheep; (ii) no grazing; (iii) no grazing plus pine (Pinus pinasterAiton) plantation in forest gaps (gap reforestation); and (iv) no grazing plus full reforestation of shrubland areas, also withP. pinaster. In addition, heavy grazing was also assessed to serve as a control action. We comparatively assessed the impact of these actions on key provisioning, regulating and supporting ecosystem services by using ground‐based indicators. Depending on the ecosystem service considered, the management actions were ranked differently. However, the overall provision of services was particularly favoured under moderate and no grazing management options, with moderate grazing outranking any other action in provisioning services and the no grazing action presenting the most balanced provision of services. Pine reforestations largely contributed to water and soil conservation and C sequestration but had a negative impact on plant diversity when implemented at the expense of removing natural vegetation in the area. Heavy grazing had the lowest provision of ecosystem services. It is concluded that degraded rangelands can be restored by moderating the grazing pressure rather than completely banning livestock grazing or converting them into pine plantations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term Human Impacts on the Coast of La Graciosa, Canary Islands
Authors: Santana Cordero Aarón , Monteiro Quintana María Luisa , Hernández Calvento Luis , Pérez‐Chacón Espino Emma , García Romero Leví
Published: February 2015

Global change is affecting coastal areas and leading them to degradation. This is severe in sand dunes and sand plains, because they are very fragile ecosystems. The objective of this paper is to characterize the relationship between the historical land uses and the aeolian sedimentary dynamics in an arid coastal system, the island of La Graciosa (Canary Islands) since the second half of the 18th century. The methodology is based on the interpretation of historical documents, aerial photographs and oral testimonies to characterize the changes in the island, in terms of both land use and aeolian geomorphology. The results suggest the existence of six stages during which the intensity of human pressure on the environment changed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diet‐induced obesity causes metabolic impairment independent of alterations in gut barrier integrity
Authors: Kless Caroline , Müller Veronika Maria , Schüppel Valentina Luise , Lichtenegger Martina , Rychlik Michael , Daniel Hannelore , Klingenspor Martin , Haller Dirk
Published: February 2015

Scope

The causal relationship between diet‐induced obesity and metabolic disorders is not clear yet. One hypothesis is whether the obese state or high‐fat diet per se affects intestinal barrier function provoking metabolic comorbidities.

Methods and results

In three independent experiments with AKR/J, SWR/J, or BL/6J mice, we addressed the impact of genetic background, excess body fat storage, duration of high‐fat feeding, and quality/quantity of dietary fat on glucose tolerance and gut barrier integrity in vivo and ex vivo. Impaired glucose tolerance in diet‐induced obese BL/6J and AKR/J mice was not accompanied by an altered intestinal barrier function. Enforced dietary challenge by prolonged feeding and increasing fat quantity in BL/6J mice still failed to aggravate metabolic and intestinal deterioration. Despite a low‐grade inflammatory status in adipose tissue, barrier function of BL/6J mice fed lard high‐fat diet revealed no evidence for a diet‐induced loss in barrier integrity.

Conclusion

None of our results provided any evidence that gut barrier function is a subject to dietary regulation and obesity per se seems not to cause gut barrier impairment.
Properties of the tibialis anterior muscle after treatment with laser therapy and natural latex protein following sciatic nerve crush
Authors: Muniz Kenia Lemos , Dias Fernando José , Coutinho‐Netto Joaquim , Calzzani Ricardo Alexandre Junqueira , Iyomasa Mamie Mizusaki , Sousa Luiz Gustavo De , Santos Thais Tedeschi Dos , Teles Vanessa De Oliveira , Watanabe II‐Sei , Fazan Valéria Paula Sassoli , Issa João Paulo Mardegan
Published: February 2015

Introduction: In this study we evaluated the characteristics of the tibialis anterior muscle after sciatic nerve crush and treatment with low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) or the protein from natural latex (P1).Methods: We studied the following 6 groups of male Wistar rats: control (CG); exposed nerve (EG); injured nerve (IG); injured nerve with LLLT (LG); injured nerve with P1 (PG); and injured nerve with P1 and LLLT (LPG).Results: After 4 weeks, muscle morphology showed improvement in the treated groups; after 8 weeks, the treated groups resembled controls, especially the PG. Morphometry revealed muscle fiber atrophy after nerve injury, with time‐dependent recovery. Histochemical analysis revealed increased intermediate fiber area. The PG was more similar to controls with NADH staining, whereas the LPG more closely resembled controls with SDH staining.Conclusion: Treatment using only P1 proved most efficient, revealing a negative interaction between P1 and LLLT.Muscle Nerve52: 869–875, 2015