bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mathematical modeling of adsorption isotherms in mixed salt systems in hydrophobic interaction chromatography
Authors: Hackemann Eva , Hasse Hans
Published: July 2018

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) is often used for purifying proteins. The prediction of the adsorption equilibria in such systems is a difficult task as they depend on the pH value and the influence of the salts, which are added for controlling the solvent properties. This is especially tedious when salt mixtures are used, which can have positive or negative cooperative effects on the adsorption. A mathematical model to describe these complex effects of the salts was recently introduced by our group. In that model, the influence of the salts is described by a Taylor series expansion in the individual ion molarities. However, in our previous work, only the loading of the adsorbent at a given constant protein concentration in the liquid phase
cp = 0.01 mM was considered and correlated as a function of the salt composition at constant ionic strength. In the present study, that model is extended to other protein concentrations and it is shown that the Taylor series expansion works well for a wide range of
cp. The model parameters are found to depend on
cp, but only in a simple way. The dependence of the model parameters on
cp was correlated using a new three parameter equation. From that correlation, the loading
qp can be determined for any value of
cp. Hence, the entire adsorption isotherm is known for any salt composition. The approach is illustrated using experimental data from previous studies of our group on the adsorption of bovine serum albumin, lysozyme, polyethylene glycol, and di‐PEGylated lysozyme on the mildly hydrophobic resin Toyopearl PPG‐600 M. The pH values are between 4.0 and 7.0. Binary and ternary mixtures of ammonium chloride, sodium chloride, ammonium sulfate, and sodium sulfate as well as the single salts are used at overall ionic strengths between 1,500 and 4,200 mM. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2018
A novel mammalian cell line development platform utilizing nanofluidics and optoelectro positioning technology
Authors: Le Kim , Tan Christopher , Gupta Shivani , Guhan Trupti , Barkhordarian Hedieh , Lull Jonathan , Stevens Jennitte , Munro Trent
Published: July 2018

Generating a highly productive cell line is resource intensive and typically involves long timelines because of the need to screen large numbers of candidates in protein production studies. This has led to miniaturization and automation strategies to allow for reductions in resources and higher throughput. Current approaches rely on the use of standard cell culture vessels and bulky liquid handling equipment. New nanofludic technologies offer novel solutions to surpass these limits, further miniaturizing cell culture volumes (105 times smaller) by growing cells on custom nanofluidic chips. Berkeley Lights’ OptoElectro Positioning technology projects light patterns to activate photoconductors that gently repel cells to manipulate single cells on nanofluidic culturing chips. Using a fully integrated technology platform (Beacon), common cell culture tasks can be programmed through software, allowing maintenance and analysis of thousands of cell lines in parallel on a single chip. Here, we describe the ability to perform key cell line development work on the Beacon platform. We demonstrate that commercial production Chinese hamster ovary cell lines can be isolated, cultured, screened, and exported at high efficiency. We compare this process head to head with a FACS‐enabled microtiter plate‐based workflow and demonstrate generation of comparable clonal cell lines with reduced resources. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:1438–1446, 2018
Rapid creation system of morphologically and functionally communicative three‐dimensional cell‐dense tissue by centrifugation
Authors: Haraguchi Yuji , Matsuura Katsuhisa , Kagawa Yuki , Hasegawa Akiyuki , Kubo Hirotsugu , Shimizu Tatsuya
Published: July 2018

This study reports a rapid fabrication system of a morphologically and functionally communicative three‐dimensional (3D) cell‐dense tissue without scaffolds by centrifugation. The tight adhesion between C2C12 myoblasts and culture surface was accelerated without significant cell damage by centrifugation (80 x g, 37 °C, 30 min). A thicker tissue created on a temperature‐responsive culture surface was harvested by decreasing temperature. The 3D myoblast tissues having approximately 200 μm‐thickness were created at 1.5 h [centrifugation (80 x g, 37 °C) for 30 min and tissue harvest for 1 h]. However, in the case of without centrifugation, the myoblast tissues had fragile parts even at 7.5 h after the incubation. Additionally, electrically/functionally communicative and thicker human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell‐derived cardiac tissues were created rapidly by the centrifugation and cultivation at 37 °C. We report a centrifugation system that significantly shortens the creation time of 3D tissues. We envision that this procedure will contribute to the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:1447–1453, 2018
Fluoropolymers: The Right Material for the Right Applications
Authors: Ameduri Bruno
Published: July 2018

An overview on the synthesis, properties, and applications of fluoropolymers (PFs) is presented. First, a non‐exhaustive summary on the homopolymers from conventional radical polymerization of fluoromonomers is proposed. FPs are interesting materials thanks to their outstanding properties such as thermal, oxidative and chemical resistances, low dissipation factor, refractive index, permittivity, and water absorptivity, as well as excellent durability and weatherability. Various strategies of synthesis are proposed, especially on recent studies on radical (co)polymerization of fluoroalkenes, just like their properties and applications ranging from coatings and energy‐related materials (e.g. fuel cell membranes, components for lithium ion batteries, electroactive devices, and photovoltaics) to original fluorinated elastomers, surfactants, thermoplastic elastomers, thermostables, and optical devices.
Ensemble versus Local Restructuring of Core‐shell Nickel–Cobalt Nanoparticles upon Oxidation and Reduction Cycles
Authors: Carenco Sophie , Bonifacio Cecile S. , Yang Judith C.
Published: July 2018

Bimetallic nanoparticles are widely studied, for example in catalysis. However, possible restructuring in the environment of use, such as segregation or alloying, may occur. Taken individually, state‐of‐the‐art analytical tools fail to give an overall picture of these transformations. This study combines an ensemble analysis (near‐ambient‐pressure X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy) with a local analysis (environmental transmission electron microscopy) to provide an in situ description of the restructuring of core–shell nickel‐cobalt nanoparticles exposed to cycles of reduction and oxidation. It reveals a partial surface alloying accompanied by fragmentation of the shell into smaller clusters, which is not reversible. Beyond this case study, the methodology proposed here should be applicable in a broad range of studies dealing with the reactivity of mono‐ or bi‐metallic metal nanoparticles.
Electrochemical and Theoretical Investigations of the Oxidatively Induced Reactivity of the Complex [Fe2(CO)4(κ2‐dmpe)(μ‐adtBn)] Related to the Active Site of [FeFe] Hydrogenases
Authors: Arrigoni Federica , Mohamed Bouh Salma , Elleouet Catherine , Pétillon François Y. , Schollhammer Philippe , De Gioia Luca , Zampella Giuseppe
Published: July 2018

Electrochemical oxidation of the complex [Fe2(CO)4(κ2‐dmpe)(μ‐adtBn)] (adtBn=(SCH2)2NCH2C6H5, dmpe=Me2PCH2CH2PMe2) (1) has been studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in acetonitrile and in dichloromethane in the presence of various substrates L (L=MeCN, trimethylphosphite, isocyanide). The oxidized species, [1‐MeCN](PF6)2, [1‐(P(OMe)3)2](PF6)2 and [1‐(RNC)4](PF6)2 (R=tert‐butyl, xylyl), have been prepared and characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopies and, except [1‐MeCN](PF6)2, by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The crystallographic structures of the new FeIIFeII complexes reveal that the association of one additional ligand (P(OMe)3 or RNC) occurs and, according to the nature of the substrates, further substitutions of one or three carbonyl groups, by P(OMe)3 or RNC, respectively, arise. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to elucidate and discriminate, in each case, the mechanisms leading to the corresponding oxidized species. Moreover, the different degree of ligand substitution in the diiron core has been theoretically rationalized.
Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of an Electrochromic Azobenzene and 3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene‐based Electrochemically Formed Polymeric Semiconductor
Authors: Gicevicius Mindaugas , Bagdziunas Gintautas , Abduloglu Yasin , Ramanaviciene Almira , Gumusay Ogun , Ak Metin , Soganci Tugba , Ramanavicius Arunas
Published: July 2018

An electrochromic material based on azobenzene and 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) semiconducting layer was electrochemically deposited on an indium tin oxide coated glass electrode. Chemical synthesis of the azobenzene and EDOT‐based chromophore (DAE) and electrochemical formation of its corresponding polymer (pDAE) are reported. The electrochromic properties of the synthesized polymer pDAE were investigated by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods. pDAE exhibited an optical bandgap of 1.82 eV and three distinct colored states in its reduced, neutral, and oxidized forms. The pDAE polymer showed 44 % optical contrast at 710 nm between its reduced and oxidized states and a fast electrochromic switching time of 1.0 s. The frontier molecular orbitals, Raman shifts, and semiconducting properties of this electrochromic polymer were evaluated by density functional theory calculations. The optical absorption bands of the polymer charged states were assigned and investigated.
Catalytic Transformation of Lignocellulosic Biomass into Arenes, 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural, and Furfural
Authors: Guo Tianye , Li Xiangcheng , Liu Xiaohui , Guo Yong , Wang Yanqin
Published: July 2018

The complete transformation of lignocellulosic biomass into valuable platform chemicals is of great significance. Herein, a catalytic process for the upgrading of lignocellulose to arenes, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and furfural is reported. Firstly, the lignin fraction in lignocellulosic biomass is selectively converted into lignin oil (82.9 mol % yield of lignin monomers from birch wood) over a Pd/C catalyst and then further hydrodeoxygenated to arenes in catalytic hydrogen‐transfer reactions over a Ru/Nb2O5 catalyst. High yields of C7–C9 hydrocarbons (95.6 mol %) with 85.6 wt % selectivity to arenes based on lignin oil are achieved owing to the synergistic effect between Ru and Nb2O5, which enables direct hydrogenolysis of the Caromatic−OH bond in phenolics. Secondly, the cellulose and hemicellulose fractions in the Pd/C‐containing solid residue, as well as methylated C5 sugars produced during the stripping of lignin, are converted into HMF and furfural with a total yield of up to 24.5 wt % (based on the amount of birch wood) in a THF/concentrated seawater (ca. 30 wt % salts) biphasic reaction system. Here, seawater played a key role in the conversion of cellulose and hemicellulose into HMF and furfural, respectively; more importantly, it made the separation and reuse of the Pd/C catalyst easier. With this catalytic process, the complete and efficient transformation of lignocellulose into highly value‐added products with recycling of each catalyst and solvent has been realized.
Discrete fast‐ion detection with energy discrimination in plasmas having edge‐localized mode‐like instabilities in the stellarator TJ‐II
Authors: Martínez M. , Zurro B. , Baciero A. , Jiménez‐Rey D. , Tribaldos V. , López‐Fraguas A. , Muñoz D.
Published: July 2018

The existence of a population of ions, with energies well above the corresponding thermal values, in plasmas heated by neutral beam injection (NBI) in the stellarator TJ‐II and in other magnetically confined plasmas devices is well known. Moreover, during the NBI phase of the TJ‐II, edge‐localized mode‐like (ELM‐like) instabilities often appear. This work studies the relationship between fast ions escaping from TJ‐II plasmas and such ELM‐like events. For this, an ion luminescent probe (LP), operated with a fast scintillator (decay time = 27 ns) and high‐speed conditioning electronics (100 MHz), is used to measure, without pile‐up effects, the energy distribution of suprathermal ions across the energy range, from 1 to 30 keV. It is found that the LP detects suprathermal ion populations that can be related to ELM‐like events whose temperatures oscillate between 0.5 and 3 keV and that can be distinguished in a spectrogram of the LP response as an increase in frequencies from 15 to 150 kHz. Finally, observations of substructures within ELM‐likes events, consisting of bursts of ions, with times between 5 and 15 µs are also reported. Such substructures have been observed previously in both tokamaks and stellarators in ion saturation current, high‐speed camera images, etc. However, understanding the fast‐ion component can provide new and relevant information about the behaviour of ions.
Interface Interactions of the Bowman–Birk Inhibitor BTCI in a Ternary Complex with Trypsin and Chymotrypsin Evaluated by Semiempirical Quantum Mechanical Calculations
Authors: Honda Diego Elias , Martins João Batista Lopes , Ventura Manuel Mateus , Eyrilmez Saltuk Mustafa , Lepšík Martin , Hobza Pavel , Pecina Adam , de Freitas Sonia Maria
Published: July 2018

Black‐eyed pea trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor (BTCI) is a small protein from Bowman–Birk protease inhibitor family, which simultaneously inhibits trypsin and chymotrypsin. Through the inhibition of trypsin‐ and chymotrypsin‐like sites on the 20S subunit of human proteasome, BTCI acts as a potent anticarcinogenic agent inducing apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Because of the lack of crystallographic information of the BTCI‐proteasome complex, we analyze here the BTCI‐chymotrypsin and BTCI‐trypsin interfaces using computations. We adopt the corrected semiempirical quantum‐mechanical methods in combination with implicit description of the water environment. Firstly, we carefully check the representativeness of smaller systems by fragmentation and analyzing the convergence of the overall interaction energies. Then, we use the “virtual glycine scan” technique to understand the binary complex formation, identifying the most contributing amino acid side chains in the interfaces. Besides detailed quantification of all important residue contributions, the importance of Lys26 and Phe53 in the BTCI and Asp186 (trypsin) and Ser195 (chymotrypsin) residues is confirmed. In summary, we have worked out an accurate and efficient in silico protocol for protein–protein interfaces, which can be later used for studying the inhibition of 20S proteasome.
8‐exo‐dig‐Selective Cycloisomerization for the Synthesis of Dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazocines Using Cationic AuI Catalysts
Authors: Ito Mamoru , Inoue Daisuke , Takaki Asahi , Kanyiva Kyalo Stephen , Shibata Takanori
Published: July 2018

The cationic AuI‐catalyzed intramolecular reaction of N‐propargyl‐2‐anilinoanilines gave a diazocine skeleton via 8‐exo‐dig‐selective cycloisomerization by the suppression of 6‐endo‐dig cycloisomerization. Both terminal and internal alkynes could be used according to the choice of ligand of the AuI complex, and various dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazocines were obtained. Control experiments suggested that two nitrogen atoms in the tether of substrates were critical in this selective transformation.
Pharmacological targeting of brain inflammation in epilepsy: Therapeutic perspectives from experimental and clinical studies
Authors: Ravizza Teresa , Vezzani Annamaria
Published: July 2018

Increasing evidence supports a pathogenic role of unabated neuroinflammation in various central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including epilepsy. Neuroinflammation is not a bystander phenomenon of the diseased brain tissue, but it may contribute to neuronal hyperexcitability underlying seizure generation, cell loss, and neurologic comorbidities. Several molecules, which constitute the inflammatory milieu in the epileptogenic area, activate signaling pathways in neurons and glia resulting in pathologic modifications of cell function, which ultimately lead to alterations in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Herein we report the up‐to‐date experimental and clinical evidence that supports the neuromodulatory role of inflammatory mediators, their related signaling pathways, and involvement in epilepsy. We discuss how these mechanisms can be harnessed to discover and validate targets for novel therapeutics, which may prevent or control pharmacoresistant epilepsies.
Indirect and direct measures of striving for perfection moderate body mass index curves in the intensive treatment of anorexia nervosa
Authors: De Cuyper Kathleen , Hermans Dirk , Pieters Guido , Claes Laurence , Vansteelandt Kristof
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate whether indirectly and directly assessed disorder‐relevant attributes moderate the body mass index (BMI) curves over the course of treatment in anorexia nervosa, as is predicted by dual process models. The moderating role of two Implicit Association Tests (IAT) and of two questionnaires assessing aspects of striving for perfection was examined in 27 patients by means of linear mixed models. The Aiming at Perfection Single Category‐IAT and the directly assessed achievement striving dimension of perfectionism moderated patients' BMI curves over the course of treatment. Moreover, the Single Category‐IAT predicted the outcome variable over and above the directly assessed attribute. Experiencing oneself as more achievement striving compared to others at an automatic level predicted a faster weight gain. These findings show that aspects of multidimensional perfectionism—assessed at the automatic and at the reflective level—predict treatment outcome in anorexia nervosa.
Pasting alters glycemic index, antioxidant activities, and starch‐hydrolyzing enzyme inhibitory properties of whole wheat flour
Authors: Adefegha Stephen A. , Olasehinde Tosin A. , Oboh Ganiyu
Published: July 2018

This study was designed to compare the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of raw and paste wheat flour. The raw flour was cooked, dried, and milled to obtain the paste flour. The glycemic index, starch, amylose, and amylopectin contents were determined. The inhibitory effects of the raw and paste flour on α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase activities as well as metal‐induced pancreatic damage were also determined. Pasting reduced the glycemic index (63.15%), starch (22.83 g/100 g), amylose (2.88 g/100 g), and amylopectin (17.74 g/100 g) contents. The raw (IC50 = 0.50 and 1.20 mg/ml) and paste (IC50 = 0.29 and 1.66 mg/ml) flours reduced the activities of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase, respectively. The paste flour exhibited stronger inhibitory effects against Fe2+‐induced pancreatic damage compared to raw flour. The paste flour exhibited better antioxidant and antidiabetic properties and could be a good processing method to improve the medicinal properties of wheat flour.
Spleen and Liver Volumetrics as Surrogate Markers of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient in Patients With Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension
Authors: Etzion Ohad , Takyar Varun , Novack Victor , Gharib Ahmed M. , Canales Raissa , Adebogun Akeem , Matsumoto Eric , Eccleston Jason L. , Kleiner David E. , Rosenzweig Sergio D. , Gunay‐Aygun Meral , Uzel Gulbu , Fuss Ivan , Childs Richard , Holland Steven M. , Levy Elliot B. , Liang T. Jake , Heller Theo , Koh Christopher
Published: July 2018

Noncirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a rare disease that may lead to serious clinical consequences. Currently, noninvasive tools for the assessment of NCPH are absent. We investigated the utility of spleen and liver volumetrics as a marker of the presence and severity of portal hypertension in this population. A cohort of NCPH patients evaluated between 2003 and 2015 was retrospectively studied. The association of spleen and liver volumes with the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) level was evaluated using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing curves. A cohort of patients with viral hepatitis‐related liver disease was used as controls. Of the 86 patients with NCPH evaluated during the study period, 75 (mean age, 35 ± 17; 73% males) were included in the final analysis. Patients with portal hypertension had significantly higher spleen and liver to body mass index (BMI) ratios compared to patients with HVPG <5 mm Hg (39.5 ± 27.9 versus 22.8 ± 10.6 cm3/kg/m2, P = 0.003; 91.1 ± 40.1 versus 71.4 ± 16.7 cm3/kg/m2, P = 0.014, for spleen/BMI and liver/BMI, respectively). In contrast to the patients with viral hepatitis, a positive linear correlation was observed in the NCPH cohort between spleen/BMI and liver/BMI (above a cutoff of 25 and 80 cm3/kg/m2, respectively) and HVPG level. Additionally, only in the NCPH cohort was an increase in spleen/BMI range quartile predictive of a higher prevalence of portal hypertension and clinically significant portal hypertension (trend, P = 0.014 and 0.031, respectively). Conclusion: Spleen and liver volumetrics may have utility in the assessment of NCPH as a noninvasive biomarker that can be performed using routine radiologic examinations. Further studies are needed to validate these findings. (Hepatology Communications 2018; 00:000‐000)
Effect of 5‐fluorouracil on excision repair cross‐complementing 1 expression and consequent cytotoxicity regulation in human gastric cancer cells
Authors: Liu Jing‐Lan , Huang Wen‐Shih , Lee Ko‐Chao , Tung Shui‐Yi , Chen Cheng‐Nan , Chang Shun‐Fu
Published: July 2018

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer mortality all over the world. The combination therapy of surgery with chemotherapy, that is, 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) and platinum‐containing anticancer drugs, is becoming a current clinical strategy for patients with gastric cancer because of the lower curative rate and higher cancer recurrence rate of patients treated with only surgery. However, the development of drug resistance in cancer cells is still the most challenge in clinical chemotherapy. Excision repair cross‐complementing 1 (ERCC1), an essential member of nucleotide excision repair system, recently has been suggested to be a predictive biomarker of treatment evaluation and might affect the outcomes of chemotherapy. Thus, this study was aimed to investigate whether ERCC1 expression could be regulated, and its role in gastric cancer cells treated with 5‐FU and the underlying mechanism. Human AGS gastric cancer cells were used in this study. It was shown that ERCC1 expression could be upregulated in AGS cells treated with 5‐FU and this upregulation could subsequently attenuate the cytotoxicity of 5‐FU in AGS cells. Moreover, 5‐FU–upregulated ERCC1 expression was regulated by extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and p38 signaling through activating the transcription factor c‐jun/activator protein (AP)‐1. These results indicated the role of ERCC1 in the development of drug resistance to 5‐FU in AGS cells. The mechanism elucidation concerning the ERK1/2 and p38 kinases and transcription factor c‐jun/AP‐1 might contribute another idea to the development of chemotherapy strategy for the gastric cancers in the future.
ST2 regulates bone loss in a site‐dependent and estrogen‐dependent manner
Authors: Macari Soraia , Madeira Mila F. M. , Lima Izabella L. A. , Pereira Thaís S. F. , Dias George J. , Cirelli Joni A. , de Molon Rafael S. , Fukada Sandra Y. , Szawka Raphael E. , Garlet Gustavo P. , Teixeira Mauro M. , Silva Tarcília A.
Published: July 2018

Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) and its receptor, ST2, are implicated in bone remodeling. The lack of estrogen after menopause results in an accelerated bone loss. Here we investigated the role of ST2 in the bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency. ST2‐deficient mice (ST2−/−) and their littermates (wildtype [WT]) were ovariectomized (OVX), while ovary‐intact mice were used as controls. Bone sites were analyzed by microcomputed tomography, histomorphometry, and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Deletion of IL‐33 or ST2 resulted in a similar bone loss in the femur and maxilla. Ovariectomy in WT mice caused bone loss in the same areas. The lack of ST2 in OVX mice did not alter bone remodeling in the femur but prevented bone loss in the maxilla. Consistently, ovariectomy increased the IL‐33 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in the maxilla but not in the femur. Under mechanical stimulation, ovariectomy and ST2 deletion independently increased bone remodeling induced by orthodontic tooth movement, which was also associated with a greater number of osteoclasts and a reduced number of osteoblasts in the maxillary bone. ST2−/− OVX mice, however, displayed twice as many osteoblasts as that of WT OVX mice. Ovariectomy and ST2 deletion differently altered the cytokine mRNA levels in the maxilla. Remarkably, interleukin‐10 expression was decreased in both WT OVX and ST2−/− mice, and this reduction was completely restored in ST2−/− OVX mice. The results demonstrate that estrogen and IL33/ST2 independently protect against bone loss. However, the ovariectomy‐induced bone loss is IL‐33/ST2‐dependent in the maxilla but not in the femur, indicating a bimodal and site‐specific role of ST2 in bone remodeling.
Increasing methamphetamine doses inhibit glycogen synthase kinase 3β activity by stimulating the insulin signaling pathway in substantia nigra
Authors: Valian Neda , Ahmadiani Abolhassan , Dargahi Leila
Published: July 2018

Methamphetamine (MA), a highly abused psychostimulant, exerts neurotoxic effects on the dopaminergic system via several neurotoxicity mechanisms in the long‐term administration. Since the effect of MA on the signaling insulin pathway is less studied, the current study was designed to evaluate the effect of escalating an MA regimen on different insulin signaling elements in substantia nigra (SN) and striatum of a rat. Increasing MA doses (1‐14 mg/kg) were administrated intraperitoneally twice a day for 14 days in rats. In the control group, normal saline was injected in the same volume. On days 1, 14, 28, and 60 after MA discontinuation, molecular assessments were performed. Insulin receptor (IR) and insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1 and 2 gene expression were evaluated using real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and protein levels of phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate 3‐kinase (PI3K), phospho‐PI3K, Akt, phospho‐Akt, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), and phospho‐GSK3β were measured by the Western blot analysis in SN and striatum. Messenger RNA levels of IR and insulin receptor substrate 2 were increased in SN, 1 day after the last injection. Although no changes were observed in PI3K, phospho‐PI3K, Akt, phospho‐Akt, and GSK3β levels, increase in the level of inactive form of GSK3β (phosphorylated on serine 9) was indicated in SN on day 28. In striatum, decreases in IR and phospho‐Akt were demonstrated, without any change in other elements. Repeated escalating regimen of MA activated the insulin signaling pathway and inhibited GSK3β activity in SN. This response, which did not occur in striatum, may act as an adaptive mechanism to prevent MA‐induced neurotoxicity in dopaminergic cell bodies.
Role of adenosine signaling in the pathogenesis of head and neck cancer
Authors: Khayami Reza , Toroghian Younes , Bahreyni Amirhossein , Bahrami Afsane , Khazaei Majid , Ferns Gordon A. , Ebrahimi Safieh , Soleimani Anvar , Fiuji Hamid , Avan Amir , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi
Published: July 2018

The concentrations of adenosine may increase under ischemic conditions in the tumor microenvironment, and then it enters the systemic circulation. Adenosine controls cancer progression and responses to therapy by regulating angiogenesis, cell survival, apoptosis, cell proliferation, and metastases in tumors. Hence, adenosine metabolism, adenosine‐generating enzymes, and adenosine signaling are potentially novel therapeutic targets in a wide range of pathological conditions, including cerebral and cardiac ischemic diseases, inflammatory disorders, immunomodulatory disorders, and, of special interest in this review, cancer. This review summarizes the role of adenosine in the pathogenesis of head and neck cancer for a better understanding of how this may be applied to treating this type of cancer.
Wnt11 promotes BMP9‐induced osteogenic differentiation through BMPs/Smads and p38 MAPK in mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Zhu Jia‐Hui , Liao Yun‐Peng , Li Fu‐Shu , Hu Ying , Li Qin , Ma Yan , Wang Han , Zhou Ya , He Bai‐Cheng , Su Yu‐Xi
Published: July 2018

Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9), as one of the most potent osteogenic factors, is a promising cytokine for bone tissue engineering. Wnt11 can regulate the development of the skeletal system and is related to high bone mass syndrome. However, the effect of Wnt11 on BMP9‐induced osteogenic differentiation remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the relationship between Wnt11‐ and BMP9‐induced osteogenic differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We recapitulated the osteogenic potential of BMP9 in C3H10T1/2 cells. The messenger RNA expression of Wnt11 is detectable in the available progenitor cells, and BMP9 can obviously increase the protein level of Wnt11 in these cells. Exogenous Wnt11 potentiates the effect of BMP9 on increasing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, the expression of osteopontin (OPN), and Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), so does matrix mineralization in C3H10T1/2 cells. Although Wnt11 cannot increase the BMP9‐induced ectopic bone formation, it can increase the bone density induced by BMP9 apparently. Wnt11 increases the level of p‐Smad1/5/8, as well as p‐p38. Meanwhile, Wnt11 promotes the effect of BMP9 on increasing the levels of p‐Smad1/5/8 and p‐p38. Inhibition of p38 decreases the BMP9‐induced ALP activities, the expression of OPN, and the mineralization in C3H10T1/2 cells. However, all of these effects of the p38 inhibitor on BMP9‐induced osteogenic markers can be almost reversed by the overexpression of Wnt11. Our findings suggested that Wnt11 can enhance the osteogenic potential of BMP9 in MSCs, and this effect may be partly mediated through enhancing BMPs/Smads and the p38 MAPK signal, which was induced by BMP9.
Targeting glypican‐4 overcomes 5‐FU resistance and attenuates stem cell–like properties via suppression of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Cao Junyu , Ma Jiguang , Sun Liankang , Li Jie , Qin Tao , Zhou Cancan , Cheng Liang , Chen Ke , Qian Weikun , Duan Wanxing , Wang Fengfei , Wu Erxi , Wang Zheng , Ma Qingyong , Han Liang
Published: July 2018

The existences of cancer stem cells in patients with pancreatic cancer are considered as pivotal factors contributing to chemoresistance and disease relapse. Glypican‐4 (GPC4) is one of the members of the glypicans family, which underlies human congenital malformations and multiple diseases. However, its potential biological function in pancreatic cancer still remains elusive. In this study, we are the first to demonstrate that GPC4 was involved in 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) resistance and pancreatic cancer stemness through comprehensive bioinformatical analysis. Functional experiments showed that knockdown of GPC4 sensitized pancreatic cancer cells to 5‐FU and attenuated stem cell–like properties. In terms of mechanism research, knockdown of GPC4 suppressed the activation of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway and its downstream targets. Furthermore, the expression of GPC4 was significantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues compared with normal tissues and remarkably correlated with patients’ overall survival according to the data derived from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Taken together, our results suggest that GPC4 is a key regulator in chemoresistance and pancreatic cancer stemness. Thus, targeting GPC4 may serve as a promising strategy for pancreatic cancer therapy.
Diagnostic performance of CA 125, HE4, and risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm for ovarian cancer
Authors: Kim Boyeon , Park Yongjung , Kim Banseok , Ahn Hyo Jun , Lee Kyung‐A , Chung Jae Eun , Han Sang Won
Published: July 2018

Objective

We evaluated the diagnostic performance of CA 125, HE4, and ROMA for ovarian cancer in Koreans and set optimal cutoffs.

Method

Serum levels of HE4 and CA 125 and the ROMA score were determined in 762 patients with benign gynecological disease and 70 with ovarian cancer. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to calculate the areas under the curve (AUC). CA 125, HE4, and ROMA exhibiting maximum Youden index were determined, respectively, as the optimal cutoffs, and sensitivity and specificity were evaluated by applying those cutoffs.

Results

In benign diseases, CA 125 significantly increased in patients with uterine myoma, adenomyosis, endometrial pathology, or endometriosis, but HE4 only increased in patients with adenomyosis. For the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, the combination of CA 125, HE4, and age showed the highest AUC value of 0.892 in the premenopausal group, and ROMA demonstrated the best diagnostic performance, with an AUC of 0.935 in postmenopausal patients. When the optimal cutoff values for CA 125 and HE4 were applied, the sensitivities of CA 125, HE4, and ROMA in premenopausal women were all the same at 0.714, while the specificities were 0.841, 0.974, and 0.972, respectively. In the postmenopausal group, the sensitivities of these markers were 0.857, 0.804, and 0.929, and the specificities were 0.836, 0.887, and 0.800, respectively.

Conclusion

Although all markers demonstrated good diagnostic performance, they varied depending on the pathologic types of benign diseases and ovarian cancer. For accurate diagnosis of ovarian cancer, CA 125, HE4, and ROMA should be used complementarily.
Measuring Processing Fluency: One versus Five Items
Authors: Graf Laura K. M. , Mayer Stefan , Landwehr Jan R.
Published: July 2018

While there is an ample amount of consumer behavior research that recruits processing fluency as an explanatory construct, the question how to best measure the fluency experience has received little attention. Therefore, there is a lack of consistency in measuring the construct, particularly with regard to the use of single‐item versus multi‐item measures. The current research, thus, aims to investigate how processing fluency can be consistently measured across different experimental fluency manipulations and which type of measure has the highest validity. Based on classic scale development procedures, we propose a reliable and valid multi‐item measure and compare this measure against a single‐item measure in terms of predictive validity. We show that both measures mediate the effect of five established fluency manipulations and that the single‐item measure is sufficient. In addition to providing a measure for future research that can be adapted to different empirical settings, we provide empirical evidence on the replicability of fluency effects and on the theoretical conjecture that people have a uniform fluency experience across different manipulations of fluency.
Development of a novel electrochemical coagulant dosing unit for water treatment
Authors: Llanos Javier , Isidro Julia , Sáez Cristina , Cañizares Pablo , Rodrigo Manuel A
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

The design of new approaches that help to decrease both the environmental impact of industrial activities and the cost of existing water treatment technologies is becoming a key aspect of research. In the present work, an efficient and easy‐to‐use electrochemical device designed to dose iron coagulants is presented.

RESULTS

The proposed device (the Electrochemically‐assisted Coagulant – production & dosing Unit, ECU) exhibits an efficient performance in the dosing of coagulants regardless of the ionic conductivity of the water matrixes tested (within the range 100 to 1000 µS cm−1), covering a wide range of potential real surface waters. The behaviour of the ECU device was compared to that of a conventional chemical dosing of iron, and showed better pH (pH ≈ 8 for ECU but < 4 for equivalent chemical dosing) and conductivity (decrease for ECU but increase up to 60% for equivalent chemical dosing) control. Moreover, the ECU unit produced a noticeable amount of Fe2+ ions, due to the limited access of atmospheric oxygen inside the device.

CONLUSION

The device developed overcomes traditional chemical iron dosing and could be potentially applied in uses different from electrocoagulation, as it is the case of Fenton‐related technologies. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
GC‐MS study of changes in polar/mid‐polar and volatile compounds in Persian lime (Citrus latifolia) during fruit growth
Authors: Ledesma‐Escobar Carlos A , Priego‐Capote Feliciano , Robles‐Olvera Víctor J , García‐Torres Rosalía , Reyes De Corcuera José I , Luque de Castro María D
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

Citrus fruits possess a high content of bioactive compounds whose changes during fruit maturation have not been studied in depth. Fruits were sampled from week 1, after fruit onset (7 days after flowering), to week 14. Volatile compounds isolated by headspace–solid‐phase microextraction and polar extracts from all samples were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The relative abundance of 107 identified metabolites allowed differences among samples at different stages of fruit growth to be established. Principal component analysis showed a clear discrimination among samples, and analysis of variance revealed significant differences in 94 out of the 107 metabolites. Among total volatiles, monoterpenes increased their relative abundance from 86% to 94% during fruit growth, d‐limonene, γ‐terpinene and β‐pinene being the most abundant; conversely, sesquiterpenes decreased from 11.5% to 2.8%, β‐bisabolene and α‐bergamotene being the most concentrated. Sugars, in general, exhibited a gradual increase in abundance, reaching a maximum between weeks 9 and 12. Citric and malic acids, representing approximately 90% of the total identified carboxylic acids, reached a maximum concentration at commercial maturity (week 14).

CONCLUSION

Of the 107 tentatively identified metabolites during Persian lime growth, sugars, carboxylic acids, and volatiles were those that experienced more significant changes and more clearly created differences among fruit growth stages. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Changes and degradation kinetics of some bioactive compounds in dried Orthosiphon aristatus (Java tea) leaves during elevated temperature storage
Authors: Klungboonkrong Vorapong , Lamsal Buddhi P , Phoungchandang Singhanat
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

Orthosiphon aristatus is a traditional medicinal herb mostly used in Southeast Asia and which has many health benefits. Packaging types and storage temperatures were investigated in order to select the best conditions for producing high bioactive compounds (BC) from two kinds of dried O. aristatus leaves.

RESULTS

Blanched leaves were vacuum packed in polypropylene (PP) and aluminum foil laminated with polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene (PET/Al/PE) and dried in a freeze dryer (B_FD) or heat pump‐assisted dehumidified dryer (B_HPD60) at 60 °C prior to storage at 15, 25 and 35 °C for 6 months. Leaves in PET/Al/PE bags had higher total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AOA) and BC than in PP bags (P ≤ 0.05). Storage at 15 °C retained the highest TPC and AOA in PET/Al/PE bags (P ≤ 0.05). The degradation kinetics for BC, sinensetin and eupatorin followed first‐order kinetics. Half‐lives (t1/2) for BC in PET/Al/PE were higher than in PP and were the highest at 15 °C for both packaging types.

CONCLUSIONS

Low temperature and PET/Al/PE bags provided the highest bioactive compound retention. The dried leaves from B_HPD60 and packed in PET/Al/PE bags had higher resistance to degradation of sinensetin than B_FD in PP bags. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Thermal stability of poly[1‐(trimethylsilyl)‐1‐propyne] and the gas chromatographic stationary phase based on it
Authors: Shiryaeva Valeriya , Popova Tamara , Korolev Alexander , Kanateva Anastasiia , Kurganov Alexander
Published: July 2018

The thermal stability of poly[1‐(trimethylsilyl)‐1‐propyne] is investigated by heating the capillary column with this polymer as the stationary phase with the subsequent separation of the test mixture of light hydrocarbons. It is shown that heating of the column up to 130°C does not cause a decrease in efficiency or in the retention time of solutes. A further increase in temperature results in both decrease in column efficiency and sorbate retention. However, a decrease in column retentivity goes in one way for all the tested hydrocarbons. At the same time, the efficiency of the column is changed to a lesser degree for methane and ethane up to the temperature of polymer degradation, while for propane, butane, and iso‐butane the difference is rather sharp. The most expressed decrease in efficiency was found for iso‐butane: the column efficiency for this sorbate versus temperature of heating had two stages. The diffusion coefficients for sorbates in the polymeric phase were also evaluated and the sharp decrease in their values was found after the column heating.
Magnetic chitosan functionalized with β‐cyclodextrin as ultrasound‐assisted extraction adsorbents for the removal of methyl orange in wastewater coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Dai Yunliang , Row Kyung Ho
Published: July 2018

Three types of choline chloride based deep eutectic solvents were prepared and used to modify magnetic chitosan. The adsorption capacity of the three deep‐eutectic‐solvent‐modified magnetic chitosan/carboxymethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin for removing methyl orange from wastewater was examined. The different deep eutectic solvents were used to strengthen the adsorption capacity of magnetic chitosan. Deep‐eutectic‐solvent‐modified magnetic chitosan/carboxymethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements. Among the three deep eutectic solvents, choline chloride/glycerol (1:2) modified magnetic chitosan/carboxymethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin showed the highest adsorption capacity to methyl orange. Therefore, choline chloride/glycerol (1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6) deep eutectic solvents were prepared for the assay, and choline chloride/glycerol‐modified magnetic chitosan/carboxymethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin prepared with choline chloride/glycerol (1:3) (volume: 40 μg, contact time: 30 min, and pH: 6) had the best adsorption capacity over the concentration range of 10–200 μg/mL.
Chromatographic characterization of amphiphilic di‐ and tri‐block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(ε‐caprolactone)
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Bhayo Adnan Murad , Musharraf Syed Ghulam , Malik Muhammad Imran
Published: July 2018

Amphiphilic di‐ and tri‐block copolymers based on poly(ethylene oxide) as a hydrophilic segment and poly(ε‐caprolactone) as a hydrophobic part are synthesized by the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone while using poly(ethylene glycol)s and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)s of varying molar masses as macro‐initiators. The synthesized block copolymers are characterized with respect to their total relative molar mass and its distribution by size exclusion chromatography. Liquid chromatography at critical conditions of both blocks is established for the analysis of individual block lengths and tracking presence of unwanted homopolymers of both types in the block copolymer samples. New critical conditions of polycaprolactone on reversed phase column are reported using organic mobile phase. The established critical conditions of polycaprolactone extended the applicable molar mass range significantly compared to already reported critical conditions of polycaprolactone in aqueous mobile phase. Block copolymers are also analyzed at critical conditions of poly(ethylene glycol). Complete analysis of the di‐ and tri‐block copolymers at corresponding critical conditions provided a fair estimate of molar mass of non‐critical block besides information regarding presence of homopolymers of both types in the samples.
Assessment of periglacial response to increased runoff: An Arctic hydrosystem bears witness
Authors: Bernard Eric , Friedt Jean Michel , Schiavone Sophie , Tolle Florian , Griselin Madeleine
Published: July 2018

In the general context of global warming, the cryosphere appears as an environment that exhibits a strong sensitivity to climate variations. Overall, glacier systems are now known to be reliable indicators of climate trends. Although glacier dynamics are subject to international monitoring networks, periglacial environments are much less observed. However, these newly deglaciated areas get wider since glaciers are retreating, and their dynamics become increasingly significant. The observed increase in water fluxes, temperature and precipitation, permafrost melting, and reduced cold periods induce a combined control on modifications of the glacier and periglacial dynamics. Such consequences are also visible on the landscape, hinting at an adaptation of the environment to the climatic forcing.

The work carried out focuses on Austre Lovénbreen area, a small 10‐km2 glacier basin (Svalbard, 78.87°N, 12.15°E, west coast of Spitsbergen) exhibiting typical arctic glacial retreat trends. Its geomorphological characteristics as well as its observatory status make it an appropriate control area. Our investigations are based on a combination of classical on‐site snow, ice, and geomorphological measurements, combined with innovative methods using aerial photography (e.g., from unmanned aerial systems) and digital photogrammetric image processing. Such data currently complement classical remote sensing methods (satellite imagery), providing both improved resolution and high temporal repeatability. Indeed, short acquisition time and flexibility allows measurements within very short time intervals, a requirement when short events are significant in the whole system evolution: The speed at which climatic change‐related events occur requires such fine‐grained spatial and temporal monitoring.

This work highlights an increase of sediment transfers during the last decade that ties in with the increasing liquid precipitation as well as a trend of rising temperatures. The newly deglaciated area, particularly at the glacier front, is in constant and fast reshaping, which is quantifiable from 1 year to another, assessing the increase of periglacial landscape modification. This small‐scale detailed analysis enlightens on global processes occurring in Arctic regions demonstrating ongoing geomorphological and landscape changes as a consequence of glacier retreat and newly exposed periglacial environments.