bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Civis Europeus Sum – Union Citizenship and the Influence of the Court of Justice of the European Union
Authors: Trstenjak Verica
Published: January 2015

Since its formation in 1950s as the economic community, the EU has created the monetary union and is increasingly evolving also into a political union – part of which is also a union or Europe of citizens. This article explores the development and the existing EU legislation and case law of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) on Union citizenship. The article emphasises the importance of the case law of the CJEU for the development of this concept, focusing especially on the case law pertaining to access to social security benefits in another Member State, the rights of students, tax relief, and personal rights such as the right to write a name in a certain way and the right to family life. Case law of the CJEU has, inter alia, confirmed that even economically inactive Union citizens lawfully residing in another Member State have a right to access to social benefits under the same conditions as the Member State’s own nationals. The concept of the Union citizenship is of key importance in the development of EU law, as it expands the scope of the applicability of the provisions on free movement of persons and other fundamental freedoms. New challenges and questions linked to Union citizenship are arising over time, which should also be regulated at the EU level in the future. Therefore, further development of this concept can still be expected in the EU.
FFQ for the adult population of the capital of Ecuador (FFQ-Quito): development, reliability and validity
Authors: Silva-Jaramillo Katherine M , Neutzling Marilda B , Drehmer Michele
Published: January 2015

Objective

To assess the reliability and validity of a semi-quantitative FFQ designed to evaluate the usual nutrient intake of adults in Quito, Ecuador.

Design

Dietary data using 24 h recalls (24hR) were used to design a list of commonly consumed foods. The relative validity of a 111-item FFQ was evaluated by comparing nutrient intakes against three non-consecutive 24hR. All nutrients were energy-adjusted. Reliability was assessed using two FFQ (FFQ1 and FFQ2) and assessed by the intra-class correlation coefficient. The comparisons between the FFQ and the 24hR were assessed by the de-attenuated Pearson correlation coefficient, weighted kappa and by Bland–Altman plots.

Setting

Quito, Ecuador.

Subjects

Overall, 345 adults were enrolled in the present study. Two hundred and fifty participated in FFQ development and ninety-five participated in the FFQ validity and reliability.

Results

The FFQ produced higher energy and nutrient intakes. Reliability correlation coefficients after adjusting for energy ranged from 0·62 to 0·88 for protein and Ca, respectively. For the validity study, energy-adjusted and de-attenuated correlation coefficients between the questionnaire and the 24hR ranged from 0·21 for fat to 0·65 for Ca. Only 4 % of the participants were grossly misclassified and 46 % had weighted kappa higher than 0·42. The Bland–Altman plot showed a constant bias with a tendency to increase according to the intake level.

Conclusions

The FFQ showed reasonably good relative validity and reliable measurements, especially for nutrients considered protective and risk markers of non-communicable disease, and can be used to assess usual nutrient intake in this population.
Direkte orale Antikoagulantien und Medikamenteninteraktionen
Authors: Graf Lukas , Korte Wolfgang
Published: January 2015

Die Vitamin K Antagonisten (beispielsweise Marcoumar) gehören zu den Medikamenten mit den häufigsten Medikamenten- und Nahrungsmittelinteraktionen. Die neueren direkten oralen Antikoagulantien (DOACs) haben diesbezüglich einen potentiellen Vorteil. Bedingt durch ihren Metabolismus zeigen allerdings auch diese neueren Substanzen Interaktionen mit bestimmten Medikamenten. Diese Interaktionen führen zu höheren oder tieferen Plasmaspiegeln und konsekutiv zu einem erhöhten Blutungsrisiko oder einer verminderten Wirksamkeit. Kaum erforscht ist bislang das Interaktionsrisiko von Polymedikationen mit den DOACS. Bei den Vitamin K Antagonisten ist bekannt, dass Patienten mit gleichzeitiger Polymedikation ein deutlich erhöhtes Blutungsrisiko aufweisen. Polymedikation ist häufiger bei älteren Patienten zu finden. Dies ist jedoch auch gerade die Population, die häufiger eine Indikation für eine Antikoagulation hat. Bekannterweise führt eine ganze Reihe von Medikamenten zu Thrombozytenfunktionsstörungen. Es ist sehr wahrscheinlich, dass das Blutungsrisiko bei Einnahme eines DOAC und gleichzeitig bestehender Thrombozytenfunktionsstörung deutlich ansteigt. Dementsprechend ist es unabdingbar, dass bei Verschreibung eines DOACS nicht nur dessen Nebenwirkungspotential, sondern auch jenes der bereits eingenommenen Substanzen berücksichtigt wird und gleichzeitig die Notwendigkeit der Medikation kritisch überprüft wird.
Symptomorientierte Notfalldiagnostik im Praxislabor
Authors: Risch Lorenz , Senn Oliver
Published: January 2015

Laborparameter des Praxislabors erlauben unter anderem eine effiziente Versorgung von Patienten, welche sich mit akuten Problemen in der Grundversorgungspraxis melden. Mittels einer qualitätsgesicherten Analytik ist es möglich, zusammen mit klinischen Informationen das Risiko für das Vorhandensein einer Erkrankung (Nachtestwahrscheinlichkeit) zu schätzen. Man muss dabei gleichsam die Charakteristika des eingesetzten Tests als auch die Vortestwahrscheinlichkeit eines Patienten kennen, um eine Erkrankung ein- oder auszuschließen. Für die Schätzung der Vortestwahrscheinlichkeit ist die klinische Risikostratifizierung essentiell. Je nach Verdachtsdiagnose stehen zudem auch validierte Risiko-scores zur Verfügung. Im vorliegenden Artikel werden die Grundlagen des Bayes Theorem zusammen mit einer klinischen Anwendung in Notfallszenarien vorgestellt. Diese umfassen den Gebrauch von D-Dimer beim Ausschluss von thromboembolischen Erkrankungen, den Einsatz des Gruppe A Streptokokken-Schnelltests bei der akuten Pharyngitis, sowie die Wertigkeit der Troponin-Diagnostik beim Thoraxschmerz, des Entzündungsmarkers CRP bei Verdacht auf Pneumonie, und des Streifentests im Harn bei Verdacht auf Harnwegsinfekt. Diese Beispiele illustrieren, dass die Durchführung einer Risikostratifizierung von Patienten die Basis ist, um die Wertigkeit der im Praxislabor erhaltenen Resultate für den Nachweis und Ausschluss von Erkrankungen wirkungsvoll zu erhöhen.
Laborwerte im klinischen Alltag: Wichtigkeit der Plausibilisierung und der Interpretation im klinischen Kontext
Authors: Baumgartner Annic , Schuetz Philipp
Published: January 2015

Mit dem rasanten Fortschritt in der Medizin, stehen der/m praktizierenden Ärztin/Arzt eine Vielzahl von neuen Labortests zur Verfügung. Die unkritische Betrachtung dieser Werte kann aber auch negative Folgen haben, denn wie jeder andere Test können falsch positive und falsch negative Labor Resultate als Folge von Problemen in der Prä-analytik (z. B. unkorrekte Blutentnahme, unsachgemäße Proben-Zustellung ins Labor), den Laboranalysen (z. B. nicht-sensitiver Assay, Interferenz) oder den mangelnden pathophysiologischen Kenntnissen der Blutwerte vorkommen. Die Plausibilisierung der Resultate im klinischen Kontext des Patienten ist deshalb ein essentieller erster Schritt im sinnvollen Umgang mit Laborwerten. Der Infektionsmarker Procalcitonin hat sich zum Beispiel als Steuerungsmarker der Antibiotikatherapie bei Atemwegsinfektionen etabliert. Tiefe Werte (< 0.1 (< 0.25) ng/mL) sprechen stark gegen eine relevante bakterielle Infektion. Unter Berücksichtigung des klinischen Kontext, vorhandener Risikofaktoren sowie dem medizinischen Setting, kann beim klinisch stabilen Patienten auf eine Antibiotikatherapie verzichtet, resp. die Therapie frühzeitig beendet werden. Bei der Bestimmung von Hormonen sind zusätzlich die genauen Kenntnisse der physiologischen Regulation und Stimulation eine Voraussetzung. Hormone werden im Allgmeinen pulsatil ausgeschüttet und die Serumspiegel zeigen schon beim Gesunden große inter- und intraindividuelle Schwankungen auf. Auch werden Hormone mittels Regelkreis gesteuert und sind in permanentem Fließgleichgewicht, das durch das Zusammenwirken mehrerer endogener und exogener Faktoren beeinflusst wird. Eine korrekte Interpretation der Laborwerte bedarf somit zusätzlich der Integration all jener Faktoren. Im folgenden Artikel werden am Beispiel der Procalcitonin-Messung und der hormonellen Testosteron-Messung häufige Probleme im klinischen Alltag exemplarisch aufgezeigt, sowie Strategien zum sinnvollen Umgang mit Laboranalysen vorgestellt.
Der Fähigkeitsausweis Praxislabor (FAPL)
Authors: Walz Brigitte , Haldi Heinrich
Published: January 2015

Der im Jahre 2003 eingeführte Kurs zur Erlangung der Fähigkeit ein Praxislabor zu führen (FAPL-Kurs) ist heute bestens etabliert. Pro Jahr werden bis zu 480 Ärzte und Ärztinnen ausgebildet. Das Führen eines Praxislabors erfordert viel Fachwissen, von der Entnahme und der Vorbehandlung der Proben (Präanalytik), zur Durchführung des Testes (Analytik) bis hin zur Interpretation (Postanalytik) inkl. der Statistik. Zudem müssen die gesetzlichen Anforderungen bekannt sein und eingehalten werden. So muss die Labortätigkeit der Mitarbeiterinnen laufend geschult und überwacht werden. Diese Inhalte sind weder im Lehrplan des Medizinstudiums noch in der Ausbildung zum Facharzt entsprechend abgedeckt. Der Kurs verfolgt das Ziel, diese Inhalte verdichtet zu vermitteln, um die Dignität des Arztes für die Verrechnung von Laborleistungen vorzubereiten. Der FAPL-Kurs erfreut sich zunehmender Nachfrage. Die Teilnehmerzahlen sind in den vergangenen Jahren kontinuierlich angestiegen. Die erlangten Fähigkeiten werden als sinnvoll und für die Praxis relevant empfunden.
Welche Ausfallursachen liegen bei Pflegeheimbewohner(inne)n in einer Interventionsstudie vor? Eine Analyse der Unit-Nonresponder in zwölf deutschen Pflegeheimen
Authors: Budnick Andrea , Jordan Laura-Maria , Könner Franziska , Hannemann Bianca , Wulff Ines , Kalinowski Sonja , Kreutz Reinhold , Dräger Dagmar
Published: January 2015

Hintergrund: Nonresponse verursacht zweifelsohne ein Bias in Studienergebnissen. Ausfallursachen in Studien mit Pflegeheimbewohner(inne)n sind bisher unzureichend untersucht. Ziel und Methode: Ziel dieser Studie war es, nach dem Prozessmodell induktiver Kategorienbildung nach Mayring (2010) reliable und valide Kategorien zu entwickeln, welche detailliert Ausfallgründe von Pflegeheimbewohner(inne)n abbilden. Zudem wurden Charakteristika der Unit-Nonresponder und der Responder verglichen. Ergebnisse: Die Kategorisierung der Ausfallgründe erfolgte im Längsschnitt mit insgesamt 522 Pflegeheimbewohner(inne)n. Identifiziert wurden vier Oberkategorien («generelle Ablehnung», «gesundheitliche Aspekte», «Erreichbarkeit», «Überforderung») sowie 17 Subkategorien. Unit-Nonresponder und Responder unterscheiden sich hinsichtlich Alter und Geschlecht nicht; jedoch zeigten sich Unterschiede im Follow-up bei Familienstand, Berufsabschluss und kognitivem Status. Schlussfolgerungen: Das vorgelegte Kategorienschema kann zukünftig zur Erfassung von Ausfallgründen im Setting Pflegeheim verwendet werden. Die detaillierte Erfassung der Ausfallursachen kann zur Optimierung der Responserate beitragen.
Qualitäts- und Praxisentwicklung in Schweizer Akutspitälern durch Studienergebnisse – Eine Follow-up-Befragung von Pflegedirektor(inn)en der RN4CAST Spitäler
Authors: Ausserhofer Dietmar , Gehri Beatrice , De Geest Sabina , Fierz Katharina , Schwendimann René
Published: January 2015

Im Rahmen der RN4CAST (Nurse forecasting in Europe) Studie erhielten die 35 teilnehmenden Schweizer Spitäler einen Studienbericht, der ihnen einen anonymisierten Vergleich mit den teilnehmenden Spitälern in Bezug auf Struktur-, Prozess- und Outcome-Faktoren ermöglichte. Rückmeldung zu Studienergebnissen im Rahmen dieses Benchmarking ermöglichte den Spitälern Verbesserungspotenziale aufzudecken und entsprechende Maßnahmen zur Qualitäts- und Praxisentwicklung zu ergreifen. Wir befragten die Pflegedirektionen der RN4CAST Spitäler, ob die Ergebnisse des Studienberichts in ihrem Spital diskutiert und analysiert wurden, und ob die Ergebnisse zu Praxis- und Qualitätsentwicklungsprojekten – rund 18 Monate nach Übermittlung des Studienberichts – geführt haben. Von den 35 versandten Fragebögen wurden 30 retourniert (Rücklaufquote = 85 %). Der Studienbericht wurde in 27 Spitälern (90 %) spitalintern diskutiert und analysiert, wobei die Qualität (n = 27) und der Nutzen (n = 22) als gut oder sehr gut beurteilt wurden. Weniger als die Hälfte der Spitäler (41 %) haben die Ergebnisse mit den Abteilungen diskutiert. Der Studienbericht hat die Praxis- und Qualitätsentwicklung in den Bereichen Arbeitsumgebung (n = 20) und Sicherheitskultur und -klima (n = 16) unterstützt. Die Replikation der RN4CAST Studie in den beteiligten Spitälern wäre eine Möglichkeit, Veränderungen bei den gemessenen Faktoren, z. B. aufgrund von Qualitäts- und Praxisentwicklungsprojekten zu evaluieren.
DRAM1 regulates apoptosis through increasing protein levels and lysosomal localization of BAX
Authors: Guan J-J , Zhang X-D , Sun W , Qi L , Wu J-C , Qin Z-H
Published: January 2015

DRAM1 (DNA damage-regulated autophagy modulator 1) is a TP53 target gene that modulates autophagy and apoptosis. We previously found that DRAM1 increased autophagy flux by promoting lysosomal acidification and protease activation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which DRAM1 regulates apoptosis are not clearly defined. Here we report a novel pathway by which DRAM1 regulates apoptosis involving BAX and lysosomes. A549 or HeLa cells were treated with the mitochondrial complex II inhibitor, 3-nitropropionic acid (3NP), or an anticancer drug, doxorubicin. Changes in the protein and mRNA levels of BAX and DRAM1 and the role of DRAM1 in BAX induction were determined. The interaction between DRAM1 and BAX and its effect on BAX degradation, BAX lysosomal localization, the release of cathepsin B and cytochrome c by BAX and the role of BAX in 3NP- or doxorubicin-induced cell death were studied. The results showed that BAX, a proapoptotic protein, was induced by DRAM1 in a transcription-independent manner. BAX was degraded by autophagy under basal conditions; however, its degradation was inhibited when DRAM1 expression was induced. There was a protein interaction between DRAM1 and BAX and this interaction prolonged the half-life of BAX. Furthermore, upregulated DRAM1 recruited BAX to lysosomes, leading to the release of lysosomal cathepsin B and cleavage of BID (BH3-interacting domain death agonist). BAX mediated the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3 and cell death partially through the lysosome-cathepsin B-tBid pathway. These results indicate that DRAM1 regulates apoptosis by inhibiting BAX degradation. In addition to mitochondria, lysosomes may also be involved in BAX-initiated apoptosis.
miR-34a regulates cell proliferation, morphology and function of newborn neurons resulting in improved behavioural outcomes
Authors: Mollinari C , Racaniello M , Berry A , Pieri M , de Stefano M C , Cardinale A , Zona C , Cirulli F , Garaci E , Merlo D
Published: January 2015

miR-34a is involved in the regulation of the fate of different cell types. However, the mechanism by which it controls the differentiation programme of neural cells remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of miR-34a in neurogenesis and maturation of developing neurons and identified Doublecortin as a new miR-34a target. We found that the overexpression of miR-34a in vitro significantly increases precursor proliferation and influences morphology and function of developing neurons. Indeed, miR-34a overexpressing neurons showed a decreased expression of several synaptic proteins and receptor subunits, a decrement of NMDA-evoked current density and, interestingly, a more efficient response to synaptic stimulus. In vivo, miR-34a overexpression showed stage-specific effects. In neural progenitors, miR-34a overexpression promoted cell proliferation, in migratory neuroblasts reduced the migration and in differentiating newborn neurons modulated process outgrowth and complexity. Importantly, we found that rats overexpressing miR-34a in the brain have better learning abilities and reduced emotionality.
Targeting MKK3 as a novel anticancer strategy: molecular mechanisms and therapeutical implications
Authors: Baldari S , Ubertini V , Garufi A , D'Orazi G , Bossi G
Published: January 2015

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MAP2K3, MKK3) is a member of the dual specificity protein kinase group that belongs to the MAP kinase kinase family. This kinase is activated by mitogenic or stress-inducing stimuli and participates in the MAP kinase-mediated signaling cascade, leading to cell proliferation and survival. Several studies highlighted a critical role for MKK3 in tumor progression and invasion, and we previously identified MKK3 as transcriptional target of mutant (mut) p53 to sustain cell proliferation and survival, thus rendering MKK3 a promising target for anticancer therapies. Here, we found that targeting MKK3 with RNA interference, in both wild-type (wt) and mutp53-carrying cells, induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy that, respectively, contributed to stabilize wtp53 and degrade mutp53. MKK3 depletion reduced cancer cell proliferation and viability, whereas no significant effects were observed in normal cellular context. Noteworthy, MKK3 depletion in combination with chemotherapeutic agents increased tumor cell response to the drugs, in both wtp53 and mutp53 cancer cells, as demonstrated by enhanced poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and reduced clonogenic ability in vitro. In addition, MKK3 depletion reduced tumor growth and improved biological response to chemotherapeutic in vivo. The overall results indicate MKK3 as a novel promising molecular target for the development of more efficient anticancer treatments in both wtp53- and mutp53-carrying tumors.
Generalization of word meanings during infant sleep
Authors: Friedrich Manuela , Wilhelm Ines , Born Jan , Friederici Angela D.
Published: January 2015

Sleep consolidates memory and promotes generalization in adults, but it is still unknown to what extent the rapidly growing infant memory benefits from sleep. Here we show that during sleep the infant brain reorganizes recent memories and creates semantic knowledge from individual episodic experiences. Infants aged between 9 and 16 months were given the opportunity to encode both objects as specific word meanings and categories as general word meanings. Event-related potentials indicate that, initially, infants acquire only the specific but not the general word meanings. About 1.5 h later, infants who napped during the retention period, but not infants who stayed awake, remember the specific word meanings and, moreover, successfully generalize words to novel category exemplars. Independently of age, the semantic generalization effect is correlated with sleep spindle activity during the nap, suggesting that sleep spindles are involved in infant sleep-dependent brain plasticity.
Benefits of rice seed priming are offset permanently by prolonged storage and the storage conditions
Authors: Hussain Saddam , Zheng Manman , Khan Fahad , Khaliq Abdul , Fahad Shah , Peng Shaobing , Huang Jianliang , Cui Kehui , Nie Lixiao
Published: January 2015

Seed priming is a commercially successful practice, but reduced longevity of primed seeds during storage may limit its application. We established a series of experiments on rice to test: (1) whether prolonged storage of primed and non-primed rice seeds for 210 days at 25°C or −4°C would alter their viability, (2) how long primed rice seed would potentially remain viable at 25°C storage and (3) whether or not post-storage treatments (re-priming or heating) would reinstate the viability of stored primed seeds. Two different rice cultivars and three priming agents were used in all experiments. Prolonged storage of primed seeds at 25°C significantly reduced the germination (>90%) and growth attributes (>80%) of rice compared with un-stored primed seeds. However, such negative effects were not observed in primed seeds stored at −4°C. Beneficial effects of seed priming were maintained only for 15 days of storage at 25°C, beyond which the performance of primed seeds was worse even than non-primed seeds. The deteriorative effects of 25°C storage were related with hampered starch metabolism in primed rice seeds. None of the post-storage treatments could reinstate the lost viability of primed seeds suggesting that seeds become unviable by prolonged post-priming storage at 25°C.
Fully printed flexible and disposable wireless cyclic voltammetry tag
Authors: Jung Younsu , Park Hyejin , Park Jin-Ah , Noh Jinsoo , Choi Yunchang , Jung Minhoon , Jung Kyunghwan , Pyo Myungho , Chen Kevin , Javey Ali , Cho Gyoujin
Published: January 2015

A disposable cyclic voltammetry (CV) tag is printed on a plastic film by integrating wireless power transmitter, polarized triangle wave generator, electrochemical cell and signage through a scalable gravure printing method. By proximity of 13.56 MHz RF reader, the printed CV tag generates 320 mHz of triangular sweep wave from +500 mV to −500 mV which enable to scan a printed electrochemical cell in the CV tag. By simply dropping any specimen solution on the electrochemical cell in the CV tag, the presence of solutes in the solution can be detected and shown on the signage of the CV tag in five sec. 10 mM of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) was used as a standard solute to prove the working concept of fully printed disposable wireless CV tag. Within five seconds, we can wirelessly diagnose the presence of TMPD in the solution using the CV tag in the proximity of the 13.56 MHz RF reader. This fully printed and wirelessly operated flexible CV tag is the first of its kind and marks the path for the utilization of inexpensive and disposable wireless electrochemical sensor systems for initial diagnose hazardous chemicals and biological molecules to improve public hygiene and health.
Three-Dimensional Optical Trapping of a Plasmonic Nanoparticle using Low Numerical Aperture Optical Tweezers
Authors: Brzobohatý Oto , Šiler Martin , Trojek Jan , Chvátal Lukáš , Karásek Vítězslav , Paták Aleš , Pokorná Zuzana , Mika Filip , Zemánek Pavel
Published: January 2015

It was previously believed that larger metal nanoparticles behave as tiny mirrors that are pushed by the light beam radiative force along the direction of beam propagation, without a chance to be confined. However, several groups have recently reported successful optical trapping of gold and silver particles as large as 250 nm. We offer a possible explanation based on the fact that metal nanoparticles naturally occur in various non-spherical shapes and their optical properties differ significantly due to changes in localized plasmon excitation. We demonstrate experimentally and support theoretically three-dimensional confinement of large gold nanoparticles in an optical trap based on very low numerical aperture optics. We showed theoretically that the unique properties of gold nanoprisms allow an increase of trapping force by an order of magnitude at certain aspect ratios. These results pave the way to spatial manipulation of plasmonic nanoparticles using an optical fibre, with interesting applications in biology and medicine.
Indo-China Monsoon Indices
Authors: Tsai ChinLeong , Behera Swadhin K. , Waseda Takuji
Published: January 2015

Myanmar and Thailand often experience severe droughts and floods that cause irreparable damage to the socio-economy condition of both countries. In this study, the Southeastern Asian Summer Monsoon variation is found to be the main element of interannual precipitation variation of the region, more than the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The ENSO influence is evident only during the boreal spring season. Although the monsoon is the major factor, the existing Indian Monsoon Index (IMI) and Western North Pacific Monsoon Index (WNPMI) do not correlate well with the precipitation variation in the study regions of Southern Myanmar and Thailand. Therefore, a new set of indices is developed based on the regional monsoon variations and presented here for the first time. Precipitation variations in Southern Myanmar and Thailand differ as well as the elements affecting the precipitation variations in different seasons. So, separate indices are proposed for each season for Southern Myanmar and Thailand. Four new monsoon indices based on wind anomalies are formulated and are named as the Indochina Monsoon Indices. These new indices correlate better with the precipitation variations of the study region as compared to the existing IMI and WNPMI.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Association between cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) gene polymorphisms and the risk of renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Meng Fan-dong , Ma Ping , Sui Cheng-guang , Tian Xin , Jiang You-hong
Published: January 2015

Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) usually metabolizes carcinogens to their inactive derivatives but occasionally converts the chemicals to more potent carcinogens. To date, many studies have evaluated the association between the CYP1A1 MspI and Ile462Val polymorphisms and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk, but the results have been conflicting. To more precisely evaluate the potential association, we carried out a meta-analysis of seven published case-control studies. The meta-analysis indicated that the MspI polymorphism was associated with an increased RCC risk (allele model: OR = 1.49, 95%CI 1.03–2.16; homozygous model: OR = 1.64, 95%CI 1.13–2.40; dominant model: OR = 1.72, 95%CI 1.07–2.76). No significant associations were found for the Ile462Val polymorphism for all genetic models. When stratified by smoking status, smokers carrying the variant Vt and Val allele were more susceptible to RCC (Vt allele: OR = 3.37, 95%CI = 2.24–5.06; Val allele: OR = 2.07, 95%CI = 1.34–3.19). These data indicate that the CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism significantly increased RCC risk, while the Ile462Val polymorphism was not associated with RCC. Among smokers, individuals with the CYP1A1 Vt allele and Val allele showed a significantly increased risk of RCC. More well-designed studies with larger samples are warranted to show the underlying mechanisms of CYP1A1 in the development of RCC.
Glycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase is required for PBAN-induced sex pheromone biosynthesis in Bombyx mori
Authors: Du Mengfang , Liu Xiaoguang , Liu Xiaoming , Yin Xinming , Han Shuangyin , Song Qisheng , An Shiheng
Published: January 2015

Female moths employ their own pheromone blends as a communicational medium in mating behavior. The biosynthesis and release of sex pheromone in female moths are regulated by pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) and the corresponding action of PBAN has been well elucidated in Bombyx mori. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanism regarding the biosynthesis of sex pheromone precursor. In this study, quantitative proteomics was utilized to comprehensively elucidate the expression dynamics of pheromone glands (PGs) during development. Proteomic analysis revealed a serial of differentially expressed sex pheromone biosynthesis-associated proteins at the different time points of B. mori development. Most interestingly B. mori glycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase (BmGPAT) was found to be expressed during the key periods of sex pheromone biosynthesis. RNAi knockdown of BmGPAT confirmed the important function of this protein in the biosynthesis of sex pheromone precursor, triacylglcerol (TAG) and subsequently PBAN-induced production of sex pheromone, bombykol. Behavioral analysis showed that RNAi knockdown of GPAT significantly impaired the ability of females to attract males. Our findings indicate that GPAT acts to regulate the biosynthesis of sex pheromone precursor, TAG, thus influencing PBAN-induced sex pheromone production and subsequent mating behavior.
Acorn cotyledons are larger than their seedlings' need: evidence from artificial cutting experiments
Authors: Yi Xianfeng , Wang Zhenyu , Liu Changqu , Liu Guoqiang , Zhang Mingming
Published: January 2015

Although the consequences of cotyledon removal have been widely studied in oaks producing large acorns, we have little knowledge of at what level cotyledons can be removed without affecting acorn survival and seedling development. In this study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that the amount of energy reserves in cotyledons is more than the demands of seedlings and that large acorns can tolerate seed predation and/or attract seed predators for seed dispersal. Acorn germination rates were not affected even when 60% of cotyledons were cut off at the basal end, suggesting that the energy reserves contained in cotyledons are not essential for acorn survival. Post-cut acorn mass, more than initial acorn mass, appear to be a better predictor of seedling performance, indicating that the energy reserves in cotyledons are sufficient for seedlings. Acorns with large masses sustained cotyledon damage better than small ones with respect to seedling performance. Large acorns were more likely to be dispersed and cached by animals, implying that producing large acorns is more important for oaks to manipulate seed predators and dispersers rather than provide a seedling with cotyledonary reserves.
Molecular evolution and functional divergence of zebrafish (Danio rerio) cryptochrome genes
Authors: Liu Chao , Hu Jia , Qu Chunxiang , Wang Lin , Huang Guodong , Niu Pengfei , Zhong Zhaomin , Hong Fashui , Wang Guanghui , Postlethwait John H. , Wang Han
Published: January 2015

Cryptochromes function in animal circadian regulation. Zebrafish are known to have six cryptochrome (cry) genes but their evolutionary relationships are not yet fully resolved. Here, comparative genomic analyses revealed that a local duplication of ancestral chordate Cry occurred likely before the first round of vertebrate genome duplication (VGD); following two successive rounds of VGD and subsequent gene losses, coelacanths retained cry1a, cry1b, cry2 and cry3; and following the third-round teleost genome duplication (TGD) and subsequent gene losses, zebrafish retained six cry genes, renamed as cry1aa (zcry1a in the old nomenclature), cry1ab (zcry1b), cry1ba (zcry2a), cry1bb (zcry2b), cry2 (zcry3) and cry3 (zcry4). Molecular evolutionary analyses suggested that zebrafish cry genes have evolved divergent functions, which is further supported by their distinct and rhythmic expression patterns as shown by both in situ hybridization and quantitative real-time PCR. Systematic cell transfection assays divided six Cry proteins into repressive Cry1aa, Cry1ab, Cry1ba and Cry1bb and non-repressive Cry2 and Cry3. Cry2 is non-repressive because it lacks an effective protein-protein interaction domain although it does possess a nuclear localization signal (NLS) motif, whilst Cry3 lacks both an NLS motif and a protein-protein interaction domain. These findings provide a better understanding of evolution of zebrafish cry genes.
FXR antagonism of NSAIDs contributes to drug-induced liver injury identified by systems pharmacology approach
Authors: Lu Weiqiang , Cheng Feixiong , Jiang Jing , Zhang Chen , Deng Xiaokang , Xu Zhongyu , Zou Shien , Shen Xu , Tang Yun , Huang Jin
Published: January 2015

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are worldwide used drugs for analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory therapeutics. However, NSAIDs often cause several serious liver injuries, such as drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and the molecular mechanisms of DILI have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we developed a systems pharmacology approach to explore the mechanism-of-action of NSAIDs. We found that the Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) antagonism of NSAIDs is a potential molecular mechanism of DILI through systematic network analysis and in vitro assays. Specially, the quantitative real-time PCR assay reveals that indomethacin and ibuprofen regulate FXR downstream target gene expression in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the western blot shows that FXR antagonism by indomethacin induces the phosphorylation of STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), promotes the activation of caspase9 and finally causes DILI. In summary, our systems pharmacology approach provided novel insights into molecular mechanisms of DILI for NSAIDs, which may propel the ways toward the design of novel anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapeutics.
Crustal thickness control on Sr/Y signatures of recent arc magmas: an Earth scale perspective
Authors: Chiaradia Massimo
Published: January 2015

Arc magmas originate in subduction zones as partial melts of the mantle, induced by aqueous fluids/melts liberated by the subducted slab. Subsequently, they rise through and evolve within the overriding plate crust. Aside from broadly similar features that distinguish them from magmas of other geodynamic settings (e.g., mid-ocean ridges, intraplate), arc magmas display variably high Sr/Y values. Elucidating the debated origin of high Sr/Y signatures in arc magmas, whether due to mantle-source, slab melting or intracrustal processes, is instrumental for models of crustal growth and ore genesis. Here, using a statistical treatment of >23000 whole rock geochemical data, I show that average Sr/Y values and degree of maturation (MgO depletion at peak Sr/Y values) of 19 out of 22 Pliocene-Quaternary arcs correlate positively with arc thickness. This suggests that crustal thickness exerts a first order control on the Sr/Y variability of arc magmas through the stabilization or destabilization of mineral phases that fractionate Sr (plagioclase) and Y (amphibole ± garnet). In fact, the stability of these mineral phases is function of the pressure at which magma evolves, which depends on crustal thickness. The data presented show also that high Sr/Y Pliocene-Quaternary intermediate-felsic arc rocks have a distinct origin from their Archean counterparts.
PhenomeExpress: A refined network analysis of expression datasets by inclusion of known disease phenotypes
Authors: Soul Jamie , Hardingham Timothy E. , Boot-Handford Raymond P. , Schwartz Jean-Marc
Published: January 2015

We describe a new method, PhenomeExpress, for the analysis of transcriptomic datasets to identify pathogenic disease mechanisms. Our analysis method includes input from both protein-protein interaction and phenotype similarity networks. This introduces valuable information from disease relevant phenotypes, which aids the identification of sub-networks that are significantly enriched in differentially expressed genes and are related to the disease relevant phenotypes. This contrasts with many active sub-network detection methods, which rely solely on protein-protein interaction networks derived from compounded data of many unrelated biological conditions and which are therefore not specific to the context of the experiment. PhenomeExpress thus exploits readily available animal model and human disease phenotype information. It combines this prior evidence of disease phenotypes with the experimentally derived disease data sets to provide a more targeted analysis. Two case studies, in subchondral bone in osteoarthritis and in Pax5 in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, demonstrate that PhenomeExpress identifies core disease pathways in both mouse and human disease expression datasets derived from different technologies. We also validate the approach by comparison to state-of-the-art active sub-network detection methods, which reveals how it may enhance the detection of molecular phenotypes and provide a more detailed context to those previously identified as possible candidates.
Automated Analysis of Cell-Matrix Adhesions in 2D and 3D Environments
Authors: Broussard Joshua A. , Diggins Nicole L. , Hummel Stephen , Georgescu Walter , Quaranta Vito , Webb Donna J.
Published: January 2015

Cell-matrix adhesions are of great interest because of their contribution to numerous biological processes, including cell migration, differentiation, proliferation, survival, tissue morphogenesis, wound healing and tumorigenesis. Adhesions are dynamic structures that are classically defined on two-dimensional (2D) substrates, though the need to analyze adhesions in more physiologic three-dimensional (3D) environments is being increasingly recognized. However, progress has been greatly hampered by the lack of available tools to analyze adhesions in 3D environments. To address this need, we have developed a platform for the automated analysis, segmentation and tracking of adhesions (PAASTA) based on an open source MATLAB framework, CellAnimation. PAASTA enables the rapid analysis of adhesion dynamics and many other adhesion characteristics, such as lifetime, size and location, in 3D environments and on traditional 2D substrates. We manually validate PAASTA and utilize it to quantify rate constants for adhesion assembly and disassembly as well as adhesion lifetime and size in 3D matrices. PAASTA will be a valuable tool for characterizing adhesions and for deciphering the molecular mechanisms that regulate adhesion dynamics in 3D environments.
Evaluation of Analytical Instrumentation. Part XXV: Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Authors: Gaisford S.
Published: January 2015

The Analytical Methods Committee has received and approved the following report from the Instrumental Criteria Sub-Committee.
A palladium NNC-pincer complex: an efficient catalyst for allylic arylation at parts per billion levels
Authors: Hamasaka Go , Sakurai Fumie , Uozumi Yasuhiro
Published: January 2015

Allylic arylation of allylic acetates by sodium tetraarylborates in the presence of ppb to ppm (molar) loadings of a palladium NNC-pincer complex catalyst in methanol at 50 °C gave the corresponding arylated products in excellent yields.
Controlled growth of dense and ordered metal–organic framework nanoparticles on graphene oxide
Authors: Qiu Xuan , Wang Xi , Li Yingwei
Published: January 2015

A facile synthetic strategy is developed to modulate the growth and distribution of MOF–graphene oxide (GO) nanohybrids, achieving dense and ordered MOFs featuring different sizes and morphologies dispersed on GO.
Coordination polymers based on copper carboxylates and angular 2,5-bis(imidazol-1-yl)thiophene (thim2) ligand: sequential structural transformations
Authors: Singh Namita , Vishnoi Pratap , Anantharaman Ganapathi
Published: January 2015

A 1D helical chain (1) and one pot sequential transformation of 1D zigzag (2) chain in A(2)-B(3)-C(4) manner have been reported. Magnetic behaviour for CPs 1–3 have been investigated.
Gold nanocrystal arrays as a macroscopic platform for molecular junction thermoelectrics
Authors: Chang W. B. , Russ B. , Ho V. , Urban J. J. , Segalman R. A.
Published: January 2015

The thermoelectric properties of gold nanocrystal arrays with thiol-terminated ligands are compared to molecular junction experiments.
Sequential “click” functionalization of mesoporous titania for energy-relay dye enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Unger Eva L. , Fretz Samuel J. , Lim Bogyu , Margulis George Y. , McGehee Michael D. , Stack T. Daniel P.
Published: January 2015

Energy relay dyes (ERDs) were immobilized in vicinity of energy-accepting injection dyes (IDs) via a sequential functionalization approach of mesoporous titania photo anodes in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Asymmetric bifurcated halogen bonds
Authors: Novák Martin , Foroutan-Nejad Cina , Marek Radek
Published: January 2015

Depending on the relative orientation of the halogen-bond donor and acceptor, this bifurcated interaction may be classified as ‘σ-hole – lone pair’ or ‘σ-hole – π’ bonding.
Continuous synthesis of diethyl carbonate from ethanol and CO2 over Ce–Zr–O catalysts
Authors: Prymak Iuliia , Kalevaru Venkata Narayana , Wohlrab Sebastian , Martin Andreas
Published: January 2015

Continuous synthesis of diethyl carbonate from ethanol and CO2 at the reaction equilibrium level is possible at low contact times.
Enhanced catalytic activity of hierarchically macro-/mesoporous Pt/TiO2 toward room-temperature decomposition of formaldehyde
Authors: Qi Lifang , Ho Wingkei , Wang Jinlong , Zhang Pengyi , Yu Jiaguo
Published: January 2015

Hierarchically macro-/mesoporous Pt/TiO2 exhibits excellent catalytic activity and recyclability toward catalytic decomposition of formaldehyde in air at room temperature.
High thermoelectric conversion efficiency of MgAgSb-based material with hot-pressed contacts
Authors: Kraemer D. , Sui J. , McEnaney K. , Zhao H. , Jie Q. , Ren Z. F. , Chen G.
Published: January 2015

High conversion efficiency is demonstrated at a relatively small temperature difference for a MgAgSb-based single thermoelectric leg with hot-pressed contacts.
β-cyclodextrin enhanced triboelectrification for self-powered phenol detection and electrochemical degradation
Authors: Li Zhaoling , Chen Jun , Yang Jin , Su Yuanjie , Fan Xing , Wu Ying , Yu Chongwen , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: January 2015

We report a unique route that creatively harnessed β-cyclodextrin enhanced triboelectrification for self-powered phenol detection as well as electrochemical degradation.
Visible light-induced enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic studies of gold decorated SnO2nanostructures
Authors: Khan Mohammad Mansoob , Ansari Sajid Ali , Khan Mohammad Ehtisham , Ansari Mohd Omaish , Min Bong-Ki , Cho Moo Hwan
Published: January 2015

Visible light-induced photocatalytic degradation of colored dyes using Au–SnO2nanocomposite.
Integrin-targeted pH-responsive micelles for enhanced efficiency of anticancer treatment in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Liu Jinjian , Deng Hongzhang , Liu Qiang , Chu Liping , Zhang Yumin , Yang Cuihong , Zhao Xuefei , Huang Pingsheng , Deng Liandong , Dong Anjie , Liu Jianfeng
Published: January 2015

Integrin-targeted pH-responsive micelles were synthesized with an enhanced drug-loading efficiency, tumor-targeting ability and pH-controlled intracellular drug release for enhanced tumor treatment.
Synthesis of high purity chain-like carbon nanospheres in ultrahigh yield, and their microwave absorption properties
Authors: Qi Xiaosi , Xu Jianle , Zhong Wei , Du Youwei
Published: January 2015

In the article, we report a simple approach for the mass production of chain-like CNSs over Fe/SnO2 nanoparticles. And ultrahigh yields (309) of CNCs were reported, and the as-synthesized chain-like CNSs exhibit good microwave absorbing ability.
Gold nucleation inhibition by halide ions: a basis for a seed-mediated approach
Authors: Moiraghi R. , Douglas-Gallardo O. A. , Coronado E. A. , Macagno V. A. , Pérez M. A.
Published: January 2015

Under suitable conditions, halide ions kinetically inhibit gold nucleation and metastable Au(i) coexists with the reducer. These solutions are a basis for a seed-mediated approach since Au(i) reduction can be triggered on the surface of seed AuNPs.
Host matrix impact on Er3+ upconversion emission and its temperature dependence
Authors: Singh A. K. , Shahi Praveen Kumar , Rai S. B. , Ullrich Bruno
Published: January 2015

Impact of phonon frequency and crystal structure of the host lattice on upconversion emission.
Photo-inhibition of Aβ fibrillation mediated by a newly designed fluorinated oxadiazole
Authors: Mangione M. R. , Palumbo Piccionello A. , Marino C. , Ortore M. G. , Picone P. , Vilasi S. , Di Carlo M. , Buscemi S. , Bulone D. , San Biagio P. L.
Published: January 2015

The interaction of oxadiazole3photo-stimulated with Aβ1–40induces a structural modification responsible for fibrillogenesis inhibition.
Green catalysis by nanoparticulate catalysts developed for flow processing? Case study of glucose hydrogenation
Authors: Gericke Dörthe , Ott Denise , Matveeva Valentina G. , Sulman Esther , Aho Atte , Murzin Dmitry Yu. , Roggan Stefan , Danilova Lyudmila , Hessel Volker , Loeb Patrick , Kralisch Dana
Published: January 2015

Heterogeneous catalysis, flow chemistry, continuous processing, green solvents, catalyst immobilization and recycling are some of the most relevant, emerging key technologies to achieve green synthesis.
Single step production of bioethanol from the seaweed Ulva rigida using sonication
Authors: Korzen Leor , Pulidindi Indra Neel , Israel Alvaro , Abelson Avigdor , Gedanken Aharon
Published: January 2015

The seaweed Ulva rigida, was converted to bioethanol in a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process carried out rapidly under sonication.
Biogenic synthesis of ZnO–Ag nano custard apples for efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue by sunlight irradiation
Authors: Kaviya S. , Prasad Edamana
Published: January 2015

A biosynthesized ZnO–Ag nano custard apple shows a better photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of methylene blue than commercial ZnO nanoparticles and TiO2 (P25).
Fe2(MoO4)3 nanoparticle-anchored MoO3 nanowires: strong coupling via the reverse diffusion of heteroatoms and largely enhanced lithium storage properties
Authors: Song Yeping , Wang Hai , Li Zihua , Ye Naiqing , Wang Linjiang , Liu Yong
Published: January 2015

Fe2(MoO4)3 nanoparticle-anchored MoO3 nanowires via strong coupling via the reverse diffusion of heteroatoms and largely enhanced lithium-storage properties due to the synergistic effect of Fe2(MoO4)3 nanoparticles and MoO3 nanowires.
Ab initio study on the stability of N-doped ZnO under high pressure
Authors: Sha Xiaojing , Tian Fubo , Li Da , Duan Defang , Chu Binhua , Liu Yunxian , Liu Bingbing , Cui Tian
Published: January 2015

We perform first-principles density functional theory calculations to examine the stability of nitrogen-doped wurtzite ZnO under pressure.
Synthesis of mono-(p-dimethylamino)styryl-containing BOPHY dye for a turn-on pH sensor
Authors: Jiang Xin-Dong , Su Yajun , Yue Shuai , Li Chen , Yu Haifeng , Zhang Han , Sun Chang-Liang , Xiao Lin-Jiu
Published: January 2015

Mono-substitutional BOPHY 3a with a (p-dimethylamino)styryl group in the α-position was confirmed to be synthesized by the Knoevenagel-type condensation. Dimethylamino-containing BOPHY 3a can be used as a pH probe.
An efficient method to improve simultaneously the water resistance, flame retardancy and mechanical properties of POE intumescent flame-retardant systems
Authors: Li Rui-Min , Deng Cong , Deng Cheng-Liang , Dong Liang-Ping , Di Hong-Wei , Wang Yu-Zhong
Published: January 2015

The water resistance, flame retardancy and mechanical properties of POE intumescent flame-retardant systems were improved simultaneously.
Enantioselective first total synthesis of eujavanoic acid B through organocatalyzed IMDA reaction
Authors: Kumar Jayprakash Narayan , Das Biswanath
Published: January 2015

The first total synthesis of the polyketide eujavanoic acid B has been accomplished using 1,3-propane diol as the starting material and involving Maruoka asymmetric allylation, Julia olefination, HWE olefination and organocatalyzed IMDA reaction as the key steps.
Important factors for effective use of carbon nanotube matrices in electrochemical capacitor hybrid electrodes without binding additives
Authors: Quintero Ricardo , Kim Dong Young , Hasegawa Kei , Yamada Yuki , Yamada Atsuo , Noda Suguru
Published: January 2015

Activated carbon (AC) provides surface while carbon nanotubes (CNTs) provide conductive matrix. Ethanol, removable from AC pores, is suitable as dispersant. Few-wall CNTs, dispersible in ethanol, is suitable as CNTs.
Electrochemical synthesis of poly(3-thiophene acetic acid) nanowires with water-soluble macromolecule templates
Authors: Wu Ting , Wang Luyan , Zhang Yue , Du Sen , Guo Wenjuan , Pei Meishan
Published: January 2015

The interactions between template molecules and monomers play a key role in the formation of PTAA nanowires.
Endosulfan induced the arrest of the cell cycle through inhibiting the signal pathway mediated by PKC-α and damaging the cytoskeleton in spermatogonial cells of mice in vitro
Authors: Guo Fang-Zi , Zhang Lian-Shuang , Wei Jia-Liu , Li Yan-Bo , Shi Zhi-Xiong , Yang Yu-Mei , Zhou Xian-Qing , Sun Zhi-Wei
Published: January 2015

The cell cycle was firstly associated with endosulfan-induced spermatogonial cell toxicity through the signaling pathway mediated by PKC-α and the cytoskeleton.