bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining Oral Reading Fluency Trajectories Among English Language Learners and English Speaking Students
Authors: Jimerson Shane R. , Hong Sehee , Stage Scott , Gerber Michael
Published: January 2013

Students’ oral reading fluency growth from first through fourth grade was used to predict their achievement on the Stanford Achievement Test (9th ed.; SAT-9 Reading) using a latent growth model. Two conditional variables related to student status were used to determine the effects on reading performance - English language learners (ELLs) with low socioeconomic status and low socioeconomic (SES) status alone. Results revealed that both types of student status variables reliably predicted low performance on initial first grade oral reading fluency, which later predicted fourth grade performance on the SAT-9. However, the reading fluency trajectories of the ELLs and monolingual English students were not significantly different. In addition, when both student status variables and letter naming fluency were used to predict initial oral reading fluency, letter naming fluency dominated the prediction equation, suggesting that an initial pre-reading skill, letter naming fluency, better explained fourth grade performance on the SAT-9 than either ELL with low SES or low SES alone. The discussion focuses on how to better enable these readers and how oral reading fluency progress monitoring can be used to assist school personnel in determining which students need additional instructional assistance.
Long‐Term Physical Functioning and Its Association With Somatic Comorbidity and Comorbid Depression in Patients With Established Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: van den Hoek J. , Roorda L. D. , Boshuizen H. C. , van Hees J. , Rupp I. , Tijhuis G. J. , Dekker J. , van den Bos G. A. M.
Published: January 2013

Objective

To describe long‐term physical functioning and its association with somatic comorbidity and comorbid depression in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Longitudinal data over a period of 11 years were collected from 882 patients with RA at study inclusion. Patient‐reported outcomes were collected in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, and 2008. Physical functioning was measured with the Health Assessment Questionnaire and the physical component summary score of the Short Form 36 health survey. Somatic comorbidity was measured by a questionnaire including 12 chronic diseases. Comorbid depression was measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. We distinguished 4 groups of patients based on comorbidity at baseline.

Results

Seventy‐two percent of the patients at baseline were women. The mean ± SD age was 59.3 ± 14.8 years and the median disease duration was 5.0 years (interquartile range 2.0–14.0 years). For the total group of patients with RA, physical functioning improved over time. Patients with somatic comorbidity, comorbid depression, or both demonstrated worse physical functioning than patients without comorbidity at all data collection points. Both groups with comorbid depression had the lowest scores. Only patients with both somatic comorbidity and comorbid depression showed significantly less improvement in physical functioning over time.

Conclusion

Both somatic comorbidity and comorbid depression were negatively associated with physical functioning during an 11‐year followup period. Furthermore, their combination seems to be especially detrimental to physical functioning over time. These results emphasize the need to take somatic comorbidity and comorbid depression into account in the screening and treatment of patients with RA.
A Printable Optical Time‐Temperature Integrator Based on Shape Memory in a Chiral Nematic Polymer Network
Authors: Davies Dylan J. D. , Vaccaro Antonio R. , Morris Stephen M. , Herzer Nicole , Schenning Albertus P. H. J. , Bastiaansen Cees W. M.
Published: January 2013

An optical and irreversible temperature sensor (e.g., a time‐temperature integrator) is reported based on a mechanically embossed chiral‐nematic polymer network. The polymer consists of a chemical and a physical (hydrogen‐bonded) network and has a reflection band in the visible wavelength range. The sensors are produced by mechanical embossing at elevated temperatures. A relative large compressive deformation (up to 10%) is obtained inducing a shift to shorter wavelength of the reflection band (>30 nm). After embossing, a temperature sensor is obtained that exhibits an irreversible optical response. A permanent color shift to longer wavelengths (red) is observed upon heating of the polymer material to temperatures above the glass transition temperature. It is illustrated that the observed permanent color shift is related to shape memory in the polymer material. The films can be printed on a foil, thus showing that these sensors are potentially interesting as time‐temperature integrators for applications in food and pharmaceutical products.
Evaluating the Critical Thickness of TiO2 Layer on Insulating Mesoporous Templates for Efficient Current Collection in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Chandiran Aravind Kumar , Comte Pascal , Humphry‐Baker Robin , Kessler Florian , Yi Chenyi , Nazeeruddin Md. Khaja , Grätzel Michael
Published: January 2013

In this paper, a way of utilizing thin and conformal overlayer of titanium dioxide on an insulating mesoporous template as a photoanode for dye‐sensitized solar cells is presented. Different thicknesses of TiO2 ranging from 1 to 15 nm are deposited on the surface of the template by atomic layer deposition. This systematic study helps unraveling the minimum critical thickness of the TiO2 overlayer required to transport the photogenerated electrons efficiently. A merely 6‐nm‐thick TiO2 film on a 3‐μm mesoporous insulating substrate is shown to transport 8 mA/cm2 of photocurrent density along with ≈900 mV of open‐circuit potential when using our standard donor‐π‐acceptor sensitizer and Co(bipyridine) redox mediator.
CFD simulations of turbulent fluid flow and dust dispersion in the 20 liter explosion vessel
Authors: Di Benedetto A. , Russo P. , Sanchirico R. , Di Sarli V.
Published: January 2013

A CFD model was developed with the aim at simulating the turbulent flow field induced by dust feeding and dispersion within the 20 L bomb, and the associated effects on the distribution of dust concentration. The model was validated considering a set of data (pressure time histories and root mean square velocity) available in the literature. The time sequences of velocity vector and kinetic energy maps have shown that multiple turbulent vortex structures are established within the sphere. These vortices generate dead volumes for the dust which is pushed toward the walls of the sphere. The obtained results are relevant to the practice of dust explosion testing and the interpretation of test results and, then, they should be taken as reference to improve the conditions for standard tests. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2485–2496, 2013
Is Absence Related to Work Stress? A Repeated Cross‐Sectional Study on a Special Police Force
Authors: Magnavita Nicola , Garbarino Sergio
Published: January 2013

Background

Sickness absence due to illness is considered an indicator of work‐related stress. Police work is a very stressful job. Sickness absence and sick leave are frequent among policemen.

Methods

We tested whether stress variables were predictors of absenteeism in a police unit specifically assigned to the maintenance of law and order.

Results

Control, Reward, and Support were negatively related to frequency of absence and short‐term absence. Demand and Effort were positively related to total lost days. Absence recorded in the previous year was the best predictor of absenteeism. We also found a positive, albeit weak association between absence in the previous year and subsequent work‐related stress.

Conclusions

Stress variables are associated with sickness absence, although the association is weak. Both short‐term and prolonged sickness absence should be regarded as a warning sign for subsequent sickness absence and distress. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:765–775, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Flexographic printed carbon nanotubes on polycarbonate films yielding high heating rates
Authors: Fischer Thomas , Wetzold Nora , Kroll Lothar , Hübler Arved
Published: January 2013

Carbon nanotube (CNT) formulations based on commercially available aqueous dispersions were printed using flexographic printing on a polycarbonate film which was provided with a polyethyleneimine‐based primer layer to improve the wetting and adhesion properties. Depending on the formulation, the structured CNT layers (35 mm × 50 mm) show heating rates of up to 14 K/s during resistive heating (applied voltage of 12 V) in the temperature range from room temperature to 70°C. The recording of temperature–time curves was carried out by means of an infrared camera system. The cooling largely depends on the substrate and its heat capacity as well as on environmental conditions, and could be actively supported and/or regulated. The formulations of different solid contents were described in terms of viscosity and surface tension while the printed layers were characterized regarding the mass load per area, sheet resistance, electrical power effective during resistive heating, and the layer morphology. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Novel poly(orthosilicate)s based on linear aliphatic diols: Synthesis, characterization, and swelling properties
Authors: Karadag Koksal , Sonmez Hayal Bulbul
Published: January 2013

Condensation reactions between tetraethyl orthosilicate and linear aliphatic diol monomers at moderately high temperatures in proper stoichiometric ratios gave crosslinked poly(orthosilicate)s. The synthesized crosslinked polymers were found to be insoluble in common organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, benzene, and acetone, but did show swelling abilities in these solvents. All of the crosslinked polymers had moderate thermal stability and good, regenerable solvent uptake abilities. The synthesized polymers have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy solid‐state 13C‐ and 29Si‐NMR, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry methods, and elemental analysis. In this report, the synthesis characterization, and swelling properties of crosslinked poly(orthosilicate)s for environmental removal and recovery of organic solvents are presented. The effect of the length of the aliphatic diol monomers on the properties of the synthesized polymers was also examined. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Direct preparation of gelatin microcapsules on paper surface using simple coacervation technique
Authors: Ichiura Hideaki , Kaneda Yoshitsugu
Published: January 2013

A simple coacervation technique was used to coat a functional paper with gelatin microcapsules containing geraniol to prepare functional papers with sustained fragrance release. This method eliminated the need for microcapsule preparation and coating with a binder. A gelatin solution containing geraniol and Tween 20 was coacervated using sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) solution; the final Na2CO3 concentration in the solution was 5 wt %. Filter papers impregnated with the coacervation mixture were immersed in 0–20 wt % Na2CO3 solutions. Gelatin microcapsules were formed on the paper surface when 15 or 20 wt % Na2CO3 solutions were used. The maximum amount of geraniol was fixed on paper prepared under these conditions, and the percentage of residual geraniol in the paper (RES) was about 70% after 72 h; this value was much higher than that for a blank sheet. The formation of gelatin microcapsules was important for the fixation and sustained release of geraniol. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Mechanical and thermo‐physical properties of high‐density polyethylene modified with talc
Authors: Mehrjerdi Adib Kalantar , Adl‐Zarrabi Bijan , Cho Sung‐Woo , Skrifvars Mikael
Published: January 2013

The aim of this study was to examine the physical, mechanical, and thermo‐physical properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) modified with talc. Different weight fractions of talc (up to 35 wt %) were compounded with an HDPE matrix containing 2.5 wt % of carbon black (CB) in a twin‐screw compounder. The composites were then processed by injection moulding to obtain specimens for testing. The results indicate that CB causes a significant decrease in the toughness, while talc not only enhances the thermal conductivity and thermo‐physical properties of the composites but can also play a role in compensating for the negative effects of CB on impact resistance. The experimental data show that the presence of CB reduces the impact resistance of HDPE by up to 34%, while addition of up to 8 wt % talc can return this value to close to that of pure HDPE. No significant effect on the composite tensile yield and fracture strength was observed for either component at all concentrations. The thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific density values of the composites increased almost linearly, but the increase in moisture absorption in the long term showed nonlinear behavior in the concentration range of the experiment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Tumor Necrosis Factor α Induces Sustained Signaling and a Prolonged and Unremitting Inflammatory Response in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts
Authors: Lee Angela , Qiao Yu , Grigoriev Galina , Chen Janice , Park‐Min Kyung‐Hyun , Park Sung Ho , Ivashkiv Lionel B. , Kalliolias George D.
Published: January 2013

Objective

The nonresolving character of synovial inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a conundrum. To identify the contribution of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) to the perpetuation of synovitis, we investigated the molecular mechanisms that govern the tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)–driven inflammatory program in human FLS.

Methods

FLS obtained from the synovial tissues of patients with RA or osteoarthritis were stimulated with TNFα and assayed for gene expression and cytokine production by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. NF‐κB signaling was evaluated by Western blotting. Histone acetylation, chromatin accessibility, and NF‐κB p65 and RNA polymerase II (Pol II) occupancy at the interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) promoter were measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation and restriction enzyme accessibility assays.

Results

In FLS, TNFα induced prolonged transcription of messenger RNA (mRNA) for IL‐6 and progressive accumulation of IL‐6 protein over 4 days. Similarly, induction of mRNA for CXCL8/IL‐8, CCL5/RANTES, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP‐1), and MMP‐3 after TNFα stimulation was sustained for several days. This contrasted with the macrophage response to TNFα, which characteristically involved a transient increase in the expression of proinflammatory genes. In FLS, TNFα induced prolonged activation of NF‐κB signaling and sustained transcriptional activity, as indicated by increased histone acetylation, chromatin accessibility, and p65 and Pol II occupancy at the IL‐6 promoter. Furthermore, FLS expressed low levels of the feedback inhibitors A20‐binding inhibitor of NF‐κB activation 3 (ABIN‐3), IL‐1 receptor–associated kinase M (IRAK‐M), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS‐3), and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF‐3), which terminate inflammatory responses in macrophages.

Conclusion

TNFα signaling is not effectively terminated in FLS, which leads to an uncontrolled inflammatory response. The results suggest that prolonged and sustained inflammatory responses by FLS in response to synovial TNFα contribute to the persistence of synovial inflammation in RA.
Prevalence and Sex Difference of Lumbar Disc Space Narrowing in Elderly Chinese Men and Women: Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (Hong Kong) and Osteoporotic Fractures in Women (Hong Kong) Studies
Authors: Wang Yi‐Xiang J. , Griffith James F. , Zeng Xian‐Jun , Deng Min , Kwok Anthony W. L. , Leung Jason C. S. , Ahuja Anil T. , Kwok Timothy , Leung Ping Chung
Published: January 2013

Objective

Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (Hong Kong) and Osteoporotic Fractures in Women (Hong Kong) represent the first large‐scale prospective population‐based studies on bone health in elderly (age ≥65 years) Chinese men (n = 2,000) and women (n = 2,000). We undertook the current study to investigate the prevalence of lumbar disc space narrowing in these subjects, and to identify the potential relationship between disc space narrowing and sex, bone mineral density (BMD), and other demographic and clinical data.

Methods

On lumbar lateral radiographs, L1/L2–L4/L5 disc space was classified into 4 categories: 0 = normal; 1 = mild narrowing; 2 = moderate narrowing; 3 = severe narrowing. We compared demographic and clinical data between subjects with and those without total disc space narrowing scores ≥3.

Results

Disc space narrowing was more common in elderly women than in elderly men. The mean ± SD disc space narrowing score for the 4 discs was 2.71 ± 2.21 for men and 3.08 ± 2.50 for women (P < 0.0001). For the 3 age groups of 65–69 years, 70–79 years, and ≥80 years, the average disc space narrowing score increased with increasing age in both men and women, and to a greater degree in women than in men. The average disc space narrowing score differences between women and men were 0.12, 0.40, and 0.90, respectively, in the 3 age groups. For both men and women, a disc space narrowing score ≥3 was associated with older age, higher spine and hip BMD, low back pain, and restricted leg mobility.

Conclusion

The prevalence and severity of disc space narrowing are higher in elderly women than in elderly men. With increasing age, disc space narrowing progresses at a greater rate in women than in men. A disc space narrowing score ≥3 is associated with higher spine and hip BMD.
Interleukin‐17A+ Cell Counts Are Increased in Systemic Sclerosis Skin and Their Number Is Inversely Correlated With the Extent of Skin Involvement
Authors: Truchetet Marie‐Elise , Brembilla Nicolò‐Costantino , Montanari Elisa , Lonati Paola , Raschi Elena , Zeni Silvana , Fontao Lionel , Meroni Pier‐Luigi , Chizzolini Carlo
Published: January 2013

Objective

Levels of interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A) have been found to be increased in synovial fluid from individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study was undertaken to investigate whether IL‐17A–producing cells are present in affected SSc skin, and whether IL‐17A exerts a role in the transdifferentiation of myofibroblasts.

Methods

Skin biopsy samples were obtained from the involved skin of 8 SSc patients and from 8 healthy control donors undergoing plastic surgery. Immunohistochemistry and multicolor immunofluorescence techniques were used to identify and quantify the cell subsets in vivo, including IL‐17A+, IL‐4+, CD3+, tryptase‐positive, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA)–positive, myeloperoxidase‐positive, and CD1a+ cells. Dermal fibroblast cell lines were generated from all skin biopsy samples, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and solid‐phase assays were used to quantify α‐SMA, type I collagen, and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP‐1) production by the cultured fibroblasts.

Results

IL‐17A+ cells were significantly more numerous in SSc skin than in healthy control skin (P = 0.0019) and were observed to be present in both the superficial and deep dermis. Involvement of both T cells and tryptase‐positive mast cells in the production of IL‐17A was observed. Fibroblasts positive for α‐SMA were found adjacent to IL‐17A+ cells, but not IL‐4+ cells. However, IL‐17A did not induce α‐SMA expression in cultured fibroblasts. In the presence of IL‐17A, the α‐SMA expression induced in response to transforming growth factor β was decreased, while MMP‐1 production was directly enhanced. Furthermore, the frequency of IL‐17A+ cells was higher in the skin of SSc patients with greater severity of skin fibrosis (lower global skin thickness score).

Conclusion

IL‐17A+ cells belonging to the innate and adaptive immune system are numerous in SSc skin. IL‐17A participates in inflammation while exerting an inhibitory activity on myofibroblast transdifferentiation. These findings are consistent with the notion that IL‐17A has a direct negative‐regulatory role in the development of dermal fibrosis in humans.
Reviewing the binding of a series of parabens to human serum albumin
Authors: Greige‐Gerges Hélène , Kaissi Rana , Magdalou Jacques , Jraij Alia
Published: January 2013

To better understand the factors that contribute to the accumulation of unmetabolized parabens (p‐hydroxybenzoic acid esters) in breast cancer tissue, the binding of a series of parabens (methyl‐, ethyl‐, butyl‐, benzyl‐paraben) to human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and also their ability to modify the binding parameters of albumin site markers. Emission spectra of HSA upon fluorescence excitation of Trp 214 residue at 295 nm were recorded at different molar ratios of PB/HSA and data were corrected for the inner‐filter effect. A significant inner‐filter effect was obtained for molar ratios of 2.0 and above. For lower molar ratios, a slight increase in fluorescence of HSA was detected. p‐Hydroxybenzoic acid, the main metabolite of parabens, did not modify the fluorescence of HSA whatever the molar ratio used. Binding parameters for compounds that are markers of site I, bilirubin and warfarin, were determined in the absence and presence of methyl, butyl and benzyl paraben at molar ratios of PB/HSA of 0, 1 and 2. No variation of the binding constants of these markers was observed. The results indicate that parabens weakly interact with HSA thus suggesting that they are in a free form in blood and therefore more available to reach tissues. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards a metabolic engineering strain “commons”: An Escherichia coli platform strain for ethanol production
Authors: Woodruff Lauren B.A. , May Brian L. , Warner Joseph R. , Gill Ryan T.
Published: January 2013

In the genome‐engineering era, it is increasingly important that researchers have access to a common set of platform strains that can serve as debugged production chassis and the basis for applying new metabolic engineering strategies for modeling and characterizing flux, engineering complex traits, and optimizing overall performance. Here, we describe such a platform strain of E. coli engineered for ethanol production. Starting with a fully characterized host strain (BW25113), we site‐specifically integrated the genes required for homoethanol production under the control of a strong inducible promoter into the genome and deleted the genes encoding four enzymes from competing pathways. This strain is capable of producing >30 g/L of ethanol in minimal media with <2 g/L produced of any fermentative byproduct. Using this platform strain, we tested previously identified ethanol tolerance genes and found that while tolerance was improved under certain conditions, any effect on ethanol production or tolerance was lost when grown under production conditions. Thus, our findings reinforce the need for a metabolic engineering “commons” that could provide a set of platform strains for use in more sophisticated genome‐engineering strategies. Towards this end, we have made this production strain available to the scientific community. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1520–1526. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An 'omics approach towards CHO cell engineering
Authors: Datta Payel , Linhardt Robert J. , Sharfstein Susan T.
Published: January 2013

Chinese hamster ovarian cells (CHO) cells have been extensively utilized for industrial production of biopharmaceutical products, such as monoclonal antibodies, human growth hormones, cytokines, and blood‐products. Recent advances in recombinant DNA technology have resulted in the bioengineering of CHO cells that have robust gene amplification systems and can also be adapted to grow in suspension cultures. In parallel, recent advances in techniques and tools for decoding the CHO cell genome, transcriptome, proteome, and glycome have led to new areas of study for better understanding the metabolic pathways in CHO cells with the long‐term goal of developing new biologics. This review paper discusses the recent advances in bioengineering strategies in CHO cell lines and the impact of the knowledge gained by CHO cell genomics, transcriptomics, and glycomics on the future of CHO‐cell engineering. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1255–1271. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clarification of recombinant proteins from high cell density mammalian cell culture systems using new improved depth filters
Authors: Singh Nripen , Pizzelli Kara , Romero Jonathan K. , Chrostowski James , Evangelist Greg , Hamzik James , Soice Neil , Cheng K.S.
Published: January 2013

Increasingly high cell density, high product titer cell cultures containing mammalian cells are being used for the production of recombinant proteins. These high productivity cultures are placing a larger burden on traditional downstream clarification and purification operations due to higher product and impurity levels. Controlled flocculation and precipitation of mammalian cell culture suspensions by acidification or using polymeric flocculants have been employed to enhance clarification throughput and downstream filtration operations. While flocculation is quite effective in agglomerating cell debris and process related impurities such as (host cell) proteins and DNA, the resulting suspension is generally not easily separable solely using conventional depth filtration techniques. As a result, centrifugation is often used for clarification of cells and cell debris before filtration, which can limit process configurations and flexibility due to the investment and fixed nature of a centrifuge. To address this challenge, novel depth filter designs were designed which results in improved primary and secondary direct depth filtration of flocculated high cell density mammalian cell cultures systems feeds, thereby providing single‐use clarification solution. A framework is presented here for optimizing the particle size distribution of the mammalian cell culture systems with the pore size distribution of the gradient depth filter using various pre‐treatment conditions resulting in increased depth filter media utilization and improved clarification capacity. Feed conditions were optimized either by acidification or by polymer flocculation which resulted in the increased average feed particle‐size and improvements in throughput with improved depth filters for several mammalian systems. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1964–1972. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Heterocycles as Nonclassical Bioisosteres of α‐Amino Acids
Authors: Poulie Christian B. M. , Bunch Lennart
Published: January 2013

Bioisosterism of α‐amino acids is often accomplished by replacing the α‐carboxylate with one of the many known carboxylic acid bioisosteres. However, bioisosterism of the whole α‐amino acid moiety is accomplished with heterocyclic bioisosteres that often display an acidic function. In this Minireview, we summarized the reported heterocycles as nonclassical bioisosteres of α‐amino acids, which include quinoxaline‐2,4(1H)‐dione, quinoxaline‐2,3(1H)‐dione and quinolin‐2(1H)‐one, azagrevellin and azepine‐derived structures. The binding mode of the crystalized bioisosteres were compared with those of the crystalized α‐amino acids that bind in the same domain, and where no data on the crystal structure were available, the displacement studies of known orthosteric ligands were used. The reported bioisosteres share the following essential structural features for mimicking α‐amino acids: an aromatic ring system joined to a lactam ring system with an acidic feature next to the lactam carbonyl, where this acidic feature together with the lactam carbonyl can mimic the α‐carboxylate, and the lactam nitrogen together with the aromatic ring system can mimic the α‐ammonium. The majority of these heterocycles can be prepared from three common corresponding starting materials: the corresponding anilines, isatins or anthranilic esters. The data collected here show the potential of this class of bioisosteres in the design of glutamate receptor ligands and beyond.
Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube/Polyaniline/n‐Silicon Solar Cells: Fabrication, Characterization, and Performance Measurements
Authors: Tune Daniel D. , Flavel Benjamin S. , Quinton Jamie S. , Ellis Amanda V. , Shapter Joseph G.
Published: January 2013

Carbon nanotube–silicon solar cells are a recently investigated photovoltaic architecture with demonstrated high efficiencies. Silicon solar‐cell devices fabricated with a thin film of conductive polymer (polyaniline) have been reported, but these devices can suffer from poor performance due to the limited lateral current‐carrying capacity of thin polymer films. Herein, hybrid solar‐cell devices of a thin film of polyaniline deposited on silicon and covered by a single‐walled carbon nanotube film are fabricated and characterized. These hybrid devices combine the conformal coverage given by the polymer and the excellent electrical properties of single‐walled carbon nanotube films and significantly outperform either of their component counterparts. Treatment of the silicon base and carbon nanotubes with hydrofluoric acid and a strong oxidizer (thionyl chloride) leads to a significant improvement in performance.
Diabetes in pregnancy among indigenous women in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States: a systematic review of the evidence for screening in early pregnancy
Authors: Chamberlain Catherine , McNamara Bridgette , Williams Emily D. , Yore Daniel , Oldenburg Brian , Oats Jeremy , Eades Sandra
Published: January 2013

Recently proposed international guidelines for screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) recommend additional screening in early pregnancy for sub‐populations at a high risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), such as indigenous women. However, there are criteria that should be met to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks of population‐based screening. This review examines the published evidence for early screening for indigenous women as related to these criteria. Any publications were included that referred to diabetes in pregnancy among indigenous women in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States (n = 145). The risk of bias was appraised. There is sufficient evidence describing the epidemiology of diabetes in pregnancy, demonstrating that it imposes a significant disease burden on indigenous women and their infants at birth and across the lifecourse (n = 120 studies). Women with pre‐existing T2DM have a higher risk than women who develop GDM during pregnancy. However, there was insufficient evidence to address the remaining five criteria, including the following: understanding current screening practice and rates (n = 7); acceptability of GDM screening (n = 0); efficacy and cost of screening for GDM (n = 3); availability of effective treatment after diagnosis (n = 6); and effective systems for follow‐up after pregnancy (n = 5). Given the impact of diabetes in pregnancy, particularly undiagnosed T2DM, GDM screening in early pregnancy offers potential benefits for indigenous women. However, researchers, policy makers and clinicians must work together with communities to develop effective strategies for implementation and minimizing the potential risks. Evidence of effective strategies for primary prevention, GDM treatment and follow‐up after pregnancy are urgently needed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dual effect of advanced glycation end products in pancreatic islet apoptosis
Authors: Costal Flavia , Oliveira Erika , Raposo Alexandre , Machado‐Lima Adriana , Peixoto Elisa , Roma Letícia , Santos Laila , Lopes Faria José B. , Carpinelli Angelo Rafael , Giannella‐Neto Daniel , Passarelli Marisa , Correa‐Giannella Maria Lucia
Published: January 2013

Background

Loss of β‐cell function hastens deterioration of metabolic control in type 2 diabetes patients. Besides amyloid deposit and glucolipotoxicity, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) acting through their receptors (RAGE) seem to contribute to this process by promoting islet apoptosis. In order to investigate the role of AGEs in β‐cell deterioration, we evaluated the temporal and dose effects of AGE compounds on apoptosis rate, reactive oxygen species generation and expression of pro‐apoptotic and anti‐apoptotic genes in cultured islets.

Methods

Rat pancreatic islets were exposed or not for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h to albumin modified by glycoaldehyde. Apoptosis, reactive oxygen species and superoxide content and NADPH oxidase activity were evaluated as well as RNA expression of the genes Ager (codes for RAGE), Bax, Bcl2 and Nfkb1.

Results

In 24 and 48 h, glycoaldehyde elicited a decrease in apoptosis rate in comparison with the control condition concomitantly with a reduction in Bax/Bcl2 RNA ratio and in Nfkb1 RNA expression. In contrast, after 72 and 96 h, glycoaldehyde promoted an increase in apoptosis rate concomitantly with an increase in Bax/Bcl2 RNA ratio and in Nfkb1 RNA expression. In 24 h, glycoaldehyde elicited a decrease in the islet content of reactive oxygen species, whereas after 48 and 72 h, it promoted an opposite effect, increasing superoxide generation. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor VAS2870 attenuated superoxide production, implicating NADPH oxidase as an important source of reactive oxygen species in islets exposed to AGEs.

Conclusions

Albumin modified by glycoaldehyde exerted a dual effect in cultured pancreatic islets, being protective against apoptosis after short exposure but pro‐apoptotic after prolonged exposure. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Caenorhabditis elegans homeobox gene ceh‐19 is required for MC motorneuron function
Authors: Feng Huiyun , Hope Ian A.
Published: January 2013

Simplicity has made C. elegans pharyngeal development a particularly well‐studied subject. Nevertheless, here we add the previously uncharacterized homeobox gene F20D12.6/ceh‐19 to the set of transcription factor genes involved. GFP reporter assays revealed that ceh‐19 is expressed in three pairs of neurons, the pharyngeal pace‐maker neurons MC, the amphid neurons ADF and the phasmid neurons PHA. ceh‐19(tm452) mutants are viable and fertile, but grow slightly slower, produce less progeny over a prolonged period, and live longer than the wild type. These phenotypes are likely due to the moderately reduced pharyngeal pumping speed arising from the impairment of MC activity. MC neurons are still born in the ceh‐19 mutants but display various morphological defects. ceh‐19 expression in MC is completely lost in progeny from animals subject to RNAi for pha‐4, which encodes an organ‐specifying forkhead transcription factor. CEH‐19 is required for the activation in MCs of the excitatory FMRFamide‐like neuropeptide‐encoding gene flp‐2. A regulatory pathway from pha‐4 through ceh‐19 to flp‐2 is thereby defined. The resilience of MC identity in the absence of CEH‐19 may reflect the buffering qualities of transcription factor regulatory networks. genesis 51:163–178, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conditional allelic replacement applied to genes encoding the histone variant H3.3 in the mouse
Authors: Tang Michelle C.W. , Jacobs Shelley A. , Wong Lee H. , Mann Jeffrey R.
Published: January 2013

Post‐translational modifications to residues in core histones convey epigenetic information. Their function can be evaluated in amino acid substitution mutants, although to date this method has not been used in mice. To this end, we have evaluated gene targeting vectors designed for Cre recombinase‐mediated conditional allelic replacement at the two unlinked genes encoding the histone variant H3.3. The conditional alleles consist of an uninterrupted wild‐type H3.3 coding sequence upstream of a desired alternative or proxy coding sequence. The arrangement of two loxP sites allows Cre‐mediated replacement of the wild‐type coding sequence with the proxy. To demonstrate proof of principle, at each locus we replaced the wild‐type coding sequence with a fluorescent reporter. This produced null alleles that will be useful to analyse the effects of H3.3 deficiency in development. Each targeting vector can readily be retrofitted with a proxy coding sequence encoding a modified H3.3 protein. Such vectors will allow for the conditional substitution of specific residues in order to dissect the roles of H3.3 post‐translational modifications in development and disease. genesis, 51:142‒146, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The KRAB domain zinc finger protein, Zfp157, is expressed in multiple tissues during mouse embryogenesis and in specific cells in adult mammary gland and skin
Authors: Oliver Carrie H. , Nichols Jennifer , Watson Christine J.
Published: January 2013

The functions of members of the large family of transcriptional repressors, the KRAB domain zinc finger proteins, are not well described. We have identified a new member of this family, Zfp157, as a downstream target of the transcription factor Stat6 in mammary gland. Using a gene‐trap approach, we have generated mice harboring a Zfp157‐LacZ reporter gene. We have characterized the expression of this reporter during mouse embryogenesis and show that it is expressed in the epiblast and subsequently in a number of embryonic tissues including brain, ovary, intestine, kidney, lung, mammary gland, and hair follicle. In the adult, Zfp157 continues to be expressed in a wide range of tissues while specific patterns of reporter gene expression are apparent in the mammary gland, primarily in the basal epithelial cells of ducts and in the sebaceous glands of hair follicles. These data lay the foundation for further work on the function of Zfp157. genesis 51:179–186, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Structure of Seven‐Membered Metallacycloalkynes
Authors: Suzuki Noriyuki , Tsuchiya Takashi , Aihara Naoto , Iwasaki Masakazu , Saburi Masahiko , Chihara Teiji , Masuyama Yoshiro
Published: January 2013

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Noriyuki Suzuki at Sophia University. The image shows how [3]comulene couples with an alkyne on the zirconium atoms.
Preparation of Polyethylenimine‐Functionalized Graphene Oxide Composite and Its Application in Electrochemical Ammonia Sensors
Authors: Song Min , Xu Juan
Published: January 2013

In this study, branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) was covalently linked to carboxylic acid functionalized graphene (GO‐COOH) to form GO‐COOH/PEI composites. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectra and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the obtained composites. Electrochemical measurements indicated that the modification of the composites on the electrode could efficiently enhance the voltammetric response, suggesting the potential application for making electrochemical sensors. Moreover, our results also indicated that the electrocatalytic oxidation of ammonia could be observed on the GO‐COOH/PEI composites modified glassy carbon electrode. Consequently, our observations demonstrated that GO‐COOH/PEI composites were excellent materials for electrochemical sensing.
Prolymphocytic leukemia: Histologic findings in atypical cases
Authors: Owens Michael R. , Strauchen James A. , Rowe Jacob M. , Bennett John M.
Published: January 2013

Significant enlargement of peripheral lymph nodes is not characteristic of prolymphocytic leukemia. The absence of this physical feature of the disease has been so consistent in previous reports that it has come to have considerable importance in the differential diagnosis of prolymphocytic leukemia. We describe two cases of prolymphocytic leukemia, in which, in sharp contrast to other published cases, striking lymphadenopathy was present throughout the clinical course. In one case, the disease responded dramatically, but briefly, to l‐asparaginase. The immunologic characteristics of cells from lymph nodes suggested that in both cases, the leukemic process was B‐cell type. The features of the prolymphocytic proliferation in lymph nodes and the utility of Wright‐Giemsa stained touch preparations have been emphasized.
Clinical and prognostic relevance of the Kiel classification of non‐Hodgkin lymphomas results of a prospective multicenter study by the Kiel Lymphoma Study Group
Authors: Brittinger G. , Bartels H. , Common H. , Dühmke E. , Fülle H. H. , Gunzer U. , Gyenes T. , Heinz R. , König E. , Meusers P. , Paukstat M. , Pralle H. , Theml H. , Köpcke W. , Thieme C. , Zwingers T. , Musshoff K. , Stacher A. , Brücher H. , Herrmann F. , Ludwig W. D. , Pribilla W. , Burger‐Schüler A. , Löhr G. W. , Gremmel H. , Oertel J. , Gerhartz H. , Koeppen K.‐M. , Boll I. , Huhn D. , Binder T. , Schoengen A. , Nowicki L. , Pees H. W. , Scheurlen P. G. , Leopold H. , Wannenmacher M. , Schmidt M. , Löffler H. , Michlmayr G. , Thiel E. , Zettel R. , Rühl U. , Wilke H. J. , Schwarze E.‐W. , Stein H. , Feller A. C. , Lennert K. ,   KIEL LYMPHOMA STUDY GROUP
Published: January 2013

Clinical and prognostic relevance of the Kiel classification of non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) was investigated in 1127 patients entering a prospective multicenter observation study. Survival of the 782 (69–4 per cent) patients with low‐grade malignant NHL (lymphocytic lymphomas, predominantly B‐CLL, LP immunocytoma, centrocytic lymphoma, centroblastic‐centrocytic lymphoma) exceeded that of the 341 patients (30–2 per cent) with high‐grade malignant NHL (centroblastic, immunoblastic, lymphoblastic lymphomas). Prognosis was best in centroblastic‐centrocytic lymphoma and in B‐CLL and least favorable in immunoblastic and lymphoblastic lymphomas. Survival of LP immunocytoma and centrocytic lymphoma patients was intermediate after 2 to 2·5 years of follow‐up. Corresponding to histopathology, pattern of survival curves of low‐grade malignant NHL (slow decline, no plateauing) differed from that of high‐grade malignant NHL (rapid decline, subsequent plateauing). Prognosis of B‐CLL was superior to that of LP immunocytoma. Stages I and II were more frequent in centroblastic‐centrocytic lymphoma (21 per cent) than in LP immunocytoma (2·5 per cent) and centrocytic lymphoma (11 per cent). Ability of radiotherapy to induce stable complete remissions in stage III of centroblastic‐centrocytic lymphoma indicates prolonged restriction of lymphoma to the lymphatic system. In immunoblastic and centroblastic lymphomas, stages I and II were diagnosed in 34 and 38 per cent of cases, respectively, but only in stage I/IE of centroblastic lymphoma prolonged remissions were achieved by radiotherapy. In advanced high‐grade malignant NHL marked improvement of prognosis was solely possible by induction of complete remissions whereas in corresponding low‐grade malignant lymphomas also partial remissions were prognostically relevant.
Serum beta 2‐microglobulin in lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative diseases
Authors: Child J. Anthony , Kushwaha Muk Ram Singh
Published: January 2013

The serum levels of beta 2‐microglobulin (β2m), which is the light chain moiety of the HLA (‐A, ‐B, ‐C) antigens, are increased in many of the haematological malignancies. In the lymphoproliferative disorders there is generally an association between serum β2m and estimates of tumour load. This relationship is especially close in myelomatosis, where serum β2m is a powerful prognostic indicator and can be used in stratification and monitoring. Increases in serum β2m are also frequent in the myeloproliferative disorders, notably in myelofibrosis, and in the myelodysplastic syndromes; particularly high levels are seen in chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia. In addition to suggested cellular sources of the β2m in these diseases—malignant lymphoid cells and cells of the monocyte‐macrophage series—the possibility that T lymphocyte sub‐sets could be important contributors to the increased β2m production is discussed.
Interactions and connectivity between runoff generation processes of different spatial scales
Authors: Bachmair Sophie , Weiler Markus
Published: January 2013

Monitoring runoff generation processes in the field is a prerequisite for developing conceptual hydrological models and theories. At the same time, our perception of hydrological processes strongly depends on the spatial and temporal scale of observation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate interactions between runoff generation processes of different spatial scales (plot scale, hillslope scale, and headwater scale). Different runoff generation processes of three hillslopes with similar topography, geology and soil properties, but differences in vegetation cover (grassland, coniferous forest, and mixed forest) within a small v‐shaped headwater were measured: water table dynamics in wells with high spatial and temporal resolution, subsurface flow (SSF) of three 10 m wide trenches at the bottom of the hillslopes subdivided into two trench sections each, overland flow at the plot scale, and catchment runoff. Bachmair et al. () found a high spatial variability of water table dynamics at the plot scale. In this study, we investigate the representativity of SSF observations at the plot scale versus the hillslope scale and vice versa, and the linkage between hillslope dynamics (SSF and overland flow) and streamflow. Distinct differences in total SSF within each 10 m wide trench confirm the high spatial variability of the water table dynamics. The representativity of plot scale observations for hillslope scale SSF strongly depends on whether or not wells capture spatially variable flowpaths. At the grassland hillslope, subsurface flowpaths are not captured by our relatively densely spaced wells (3 m), despite a similar trench flow response to the coniferous forest hillslope. Regarding the linkage between hillslope dynamics and catchment runoff, we found an intermediate to high correlation between streamflow and hillslope hydrological dynamics (trench flow and overland flow), which highlights the importance of hillslope processes in this small watershed. Although the total contribution of SSF to total event catchment runoff is rather small, the contribution during peak flow is moderate to substantial. Additionally, there is process synchronicity between spatially discontiguous measurement points across scales, potentially indicating subsurface flowpath connectivity. Our findings stress the need for (i) a combination of observations at different spatial scales, and (ii) a consideration of the high spatial variability of SSF at the plot and hillslope scale when designing monitoring networks and assessing hydrological connectivity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.