bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of p21‐activated kinase‐1 activity with aggressive tumor behavior and poor prognosis of head and neck cancer
Authors: Park Jisoo , Kim Jin‐man , Park Jeong Kyu , Huang Songmei , Kwak Seo Young , Ryu Kyeung A. , Kong Gyeyeong , Park Jongsun , Koo Bon Seok
Published: March 2014

Background

This study investigated the role of p21‐activated kinase (PAK)‐1 in progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

We examined PAK isoforms and explored whether PAK activation enhanced in vitro invasion of the HNSCC cell line. We analyzed the relationship between PAK1 expression and various clinicopathological features and investigated the effect of PAK1 overexpression on survival in 119 patients with HNSCC.

Results

PAK1 and PAK2 are predominantly expressed in HNSCC cells and patient tissues. Particularly, PAK1 makes the dominant contribution to increase in cell migration and invasion. There was a statistically significant correlation between PAK1 overexpression and aggressive cancer behavior. Moreover, PAK1 seemed to be a prognostic factor for overall and disease‐specific survival in patients. Interestingly, enhancement of PAK1 expression was found in the invasive front of cancer.

Conclusion

PAK1 is associated with the aggressive tumor behavior and poor prognosis of head and neck cancer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 953–963, 2015
Purification of human antibodies from animal cell cultures using gum arabic coated magnetic particles
Authors: Alves Bruno Martins , Borlido Luís , Rosa Sara A.S.L. , Silva Marta F.F. , Aires‐Barros Maria Raquel , Roque Ana C.A. , Azevedo Ana M.
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

The emergence of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as new biopharmaceutical products requires the development of new purification methods that are not only effective but are able to reduce production costs. To address the problematic recovery of mAbs, gum arabic (GA) coated magnetic particles (MPs) were used for the purification of human antibodies from animal cells supernatants.

RESULTS

MPs were synthesized via co‐precipitation and exhibited a spherical‐like physical aspect, with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 473 nm and a zeta potential of –26 mV. The adsorption and elution of IgG on these adsorbents was thoroughly studied. Adsorption of human IgG was enhanced at pH 6, for which a qmax of 244 mg IgG g−1 MPs and Kd of 25 mg L−1 were obtained. Increasing salt concentrations at a basic pH (1 mol L−1 NaCl at pH 11) were found to improve the elution of bound IgG. The MPs were challenged with an artificial protein mixture containing human IgG, albumin, insulin and apo‐transferrin. An overall yield of 84% was achieved, retrieving 92% of bound IgG.

CONCLUSIONS

MPs were successfully used for the capture of monoclonal antibodies from two distinct mammalian cell cultures, a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and a hybridoma cell culture supernatants. The elution yields were high, ranging between 84% and 94%, with overall yields ranging from 72% to 88%. Final purities of 85% were reached for hybridoma cell supernatants. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Degradation of dimethylamine and three tertiary amines by activated sludge and isolated strains
Authors: Wang Lin , Li Yongmei
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

N‐nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is an emerging disinfection byproduct. The effective and economical method to control NDMA is to remove its potential NDMA precursors. In this study, experiments were conducted to investigate the removals of four typical NDMA precursors (dimethylamine (DMA), trimethylamine (TMA), dimethylformamide (DMFA) and dimethylaminobenzene (DMAB)) by activated sludge and isolated strains.

RESULTS

Batch experiments indicated that the specific degradation rates of the four NDMA precursors follow the order DMA > TMA > DMFA > DMAB; and under different redox conditions, follow the order aerobic > anoxic > anaerobic. In an anaerobic–anoxic–aerobic activated sludge system, the optimal hydraulic retention time (HRT) and sludge retention time (SRT) were 10 h and 20 days, respectively, for the removals of both NDMA precursors and nutrients. Bacterial strains were isolated from aerobic activated sludge and identified based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. A pH of 8–9 and temperature of 30–35°C were optimal for the removal of the four NDMA precursors by the isolated strains. Degradation of the four NDMA precursors by the isolated strains were fitted well by the Haldane model.

CONCLUSION

These results are helpful for knowledge of the removals of NDMA precursors during activated sludge treatment processes. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis of [13C6]‐labelled phenethylamine derivatives for drug quantification in biological samples
Authors: Karlsen Morten , Liu HuiLing , Berg Thomas , Johansen Jon Eigill , Hoff Bård Helge
Published: March 2014

The availability of high‐quality 13C‐labelled internal standards will improve accurate quantification of narcotics and drugs in biological samples. Thus, the synthesis of 10 [13C6]‐labelled phenethylamine derivatives, namely amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4‐methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4‐methylenedioxy‐N‐ethylamphetamine, 4‐methoxyamphetamine, 4‐methoxymethamphetamine, 3,5‐dimethoxyphenethylamine 4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenethylamine and 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐iodophenethylamine, have been undertaken. [13C6]‐Phenol proved to be an excellent starting material for making 13C‐labelled narcotic substances in the phenethylamine class, and a developed Stille‐type coupling enabled an efficient synthesis of the 3,4‐methylenedioxy and 4‐methoxy derivatives. The pros and cons of alternative routes and transformations are also discussed. The [13C6]‐labelled compounds are intended for use as internal standards in forensic analysis, health sciences and metabolomics studies by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synoptic climatology of extreme precipitation in alpine Australia
Authors: Fiddes Sonya Louise , Pezza Alexandre Bernardes , Barras Vaughan
Published: March 2014

Extreme precipitation over the eastern Australia can be significantly enhanced by topographic interaction with the westerly flow. These extreme events can cause severe flooding, damage and disruption to human activities, yet in some areas they are also an invaluable source of water and snow. In this study, we use rain gauge and snowfall accumulation data to investigate connections between extreme rain and snow in alpine Australia and the large‐scale climate. These data have been divided into three geographical locations: the west of the mountains, the ridgeline and the east of the mountains in order to explore the nature of precipitation in each region. The results confirm previous synoptic patterns found earlier in the literature for the western slopes (namely embedded and cutoff lows), and add new insights into the different processes conducive to extreme precipitation on the eastern side of the ranges, which we find to be mostly associated with a blocking structure connected to polar latitudes. Interestingly, our analyses suggests that while a La Niña pattern accompanied by enhanced meridional sea surface temperature (SST) gradients over mid‐latitudes is associated with extreme events in the western and high regions, the extreme precipitation composites for the eastern region are associated with a SST pattern that resembles the predominant signal associated with global warming in the Australian region. We hypothesize that while the western and high regions rely on SST gradients, which enhance the westerly jet, the extreme events over the eastern side rely on blocking patterns (anomalous easterlies), which are at least partially responding to the global SST warming with the respective shift of the westerlies to the south. These results help explain why the precipitation over the western side of the Alps is declining more rapidly than the total precipitation observed on the eastern side.
Unique PTSD Clusters Predict Intention to Seek Mental Health Care and Subsequent Utilization in US Veterans with PTSD Symptoms
Authors: Blais Rebecca K. , Hoerster Katherine D. , Malte Carol , Hunt Stephen , Jakupcak Matthew
Published: March 2014

Many veterans return from deployment with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but most attend only a limited number of mental health care visits. Although global PTSD relates to seeking mental health care, it is unclear whether specific features of PTSD inform the low rates of mental health care utilization. This study examined PTSD cluster severities of avoidance, reexperiencing, dysphoria, and hyperarousal as predictors of intention to seek mental health care and prospective treatment utilization. US veterans with at least subthreshold PTSD (N = 189) completed a PTSD symptom measure and indicated whether they intended to seek mental health care. Prospective Department of Veterans Affairs mental health care utilization was extracted from the medical record. At the bivariate level, each cluster was positively associated with a positive intention to seek mental health care and prospective treatment utilization. In multivariate models, however, dysphoria severity (OR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.06, 1.26]) was uniquely and positively correlated with intention to seek mental health care, whereas higher avoidance severity (IRR = 0.86, 95% CI [0.76, 0.98]) predicted lower treatment utilization, and higher reexperiencing severity (IRR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.01, 1.14]) predicted greater treatment utilization. It is critical to tailor interventions to target specific features of PTSD and to meet patients where they are.
An Approach for Determining the Mix between Human and Automated Service Providers
Authors: Israeli Aviad A. , Brown James Randall
Published: March 2014

With the growing popularity of self‐service technologies (SST), businesses have to determine how to combine traditional human service with SST technologies. These mix problems have not received adequate attention in the research literature. This paper offers a decision model for solving mix problems between human service channels and SSTs. The decision problem cannot be determined as a traditional max or min problem and it is fuzzy. In fuzzy problems, the decision maker (DM) is considered as the focal point with the relevant knowledge and preferences and therefore, the objective is to maximize the DM's preferences. This paper develops a decision support system for eliciting a DM's value function when the service channels are considered to be substitutes, but when the rate of substitution may change and then uses a linear‐fractional model to fit the DM's data and optimize the DM's preferences. A service mix problem for a grocery store with human service providers and SSTs is used to demonstrate how the decision model can be employed to analyze and solve service mix decision making problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gestational weight gain and neonatal adiposity in the hyperglycemia and adverse pregnancy outcome study‐North American region
Authors: Badon Sylvia E. , Dyer Alan R. , Josefson Jami L. ,   for the HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group
Published: March 2014

Objective

To examine the associations between gestational weight gain (GWG) exceeding Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines and neonatal adiposity in the five North American field centers of the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome study.

Methods

GWG was categorized as less than, within, or greater than 2009 IOM guidelines. Birthweight, body fat percentage, cord serum C‐peptide, and sum of neonatal flank, subscapular, and triceps skin fold thicknesses were dichotomized as >90th percentile or ≤90th percentile obtained by quantile regression. Logistic regression analysis was used.

Results

Of the 5297 participants, 11.6% gained less, 31.9% gained within, and 56.5% gained more than the recommendation. With adjustment for glucose tolerance levels, normal and overweight women who gained more than the recommendation had increased odds of delivering infants with sum of skin folds >90th percentile (OR = 1.75 and 4.77, respectively) and percentage body fat >90th percentile (OR = 2.41 and 2.59, respectively), and normal weight and obese women who gained more than the recommendation had increased odds of delivering infants with birthweight >90th percentile (OR = 2.80 and 1.93, respectively) compared to women who gained within the recommendation.

Conclusions

This analysis showed independent associations between exceeding IOM GWG recommendations and neonatal adiposity in normal and overweight women, controlling for glucose tolerance levels.
The potent and selective α4β2*/α6*‐nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist 2‐[5‐[5‐((S)Azetidin‐2‐ylmethoxy)‐3‐pyridinyl]‐3‐isoxazolyl]ethanol demonstrates antidepressive‐like behavior in animal models and a favorable ADME‐tox profile
Authors: Yu Li‐Fang , Brek Eaton J. , Zhang Han‐Kun , Sabath Emily , Hanania Taleen , Li Guan‐Nan , van Breemen Richard B. , Whiteaker Paul , Liu Qiang , Wu Jie , Chang Yong‐Chang , Lukas Ronald J. , Brunner Dani , Kozikowski Alan P.
Published: March 2014

Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrated that the inhibition of cholinergic supersensitivity through nicotinic antagonists and partial agonists can be used successfully to treat depressed patients, especially those who are poor responders to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In our effort to develop novel antidepressant drugs, LF‐3‐88 was identified as a potent nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) partial agonist with subnanomolar to nanomolar affinities for β2‐containing nAChRs (α2β2, α3β2, α4β2, and α4β2*) and superior selectivity away from α3β4 − (Ki > 104 nmol/L) and α7‐nAChRs (Ki > 104 nmol/L) as well as 51 other central nervous system (CNS)‐related neurotransmitter receptors and transporters. Functional activities at different nAChR subtypes were characterized utilizing 86Rb+ ion efflux assays, two‐electrode voltage‐clamp (TEVC) recording in oocytes, and whole‐cell current recording measurements. In mouse models, administration of LF‐3‐88 resulted in antidepressive‐like behavioral signatures 15 min post injection in the SmartCube® test (5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.; about 45‐min session), decreased immobility in the forced swim test (1–3 mg/kg, i.p.; 1–10 mg/kg, p.o.; 30 min pretreatment, 6‐min trial), and decreased latency to approach food in the novelty‐suppressed feeding test after 29 days chronic administration once daily (5 mg/kg but not 10 mg/kg, p.o.; 15‐min trial). In addition, LF‐3‐88 exhibited a favorable profile in pharmacokinetic/ADME‐Tox (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) assays. This compound was also shown to cause no mortality in wild‐type Balb/CJ mice when tested at 300 mg/kg. These results further support the potential of potent and selective nicotinic partial agonists for use in the treatment of depression.
Influence of liquid and vapourized solvents on explosibility of pharmaceutical excipient dusts
Authors: Hossain Md Nur , Amyotte Paul , Abuswer Meftah , Dastidar Ashok , Khan Faisal , Eckhoff Rolf , Chunmiao Yuan
Published: March 2014

Hybrid mixtures of a combustible dust and flammable gas are found in many industrial processes. Such fuel systems are often encountered in the pharmaceutical industry when excipient (nonpharmaceutically active ingredient) powders undergo transfer in either a dry or solvent prewetted state into an environment possibly containing a flammable gas.

The research described in this article simulated the conditions of the above scenarios with microcrystalline cellulose and lactose as excipients, and methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol as solvents. Standardized dust explosibility test equipment (Siwek 20‐L explosion chamber, MIKE 3 apparatus, and BAM oven) and ASTM test protocols were used to determine the following explosibility parameters: maximum explosion pressure (Pmax), volume‐normalized maximum rate of pressure rise (KSt), minimum explosible concentration (MEC), minimum ignition energy (MIE), and minimum ignition temperature (MIT).

The experimental results demonstrate the significant enhancements in explosion likelihood and explosion severity brought about by solvent admixture in either mode. The extent of solvent influence was found to be specific to the given excipient and method of solvent addition. Solvent burning velocity considerations help to account for some of the experimental observations but for others, a more rigorous evaluation of solvent and excipient physical property data is needed. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 33: 374–379, 2014
Economic assessment of voltage and reactive power control provision by wind farms
Authors: Sáiz‐Marín E. , Lobato E. , Egido I. , Rouco L.
Published: March 2014

The aim of this paper is to quantify the cost of the provision of voltage control by wind power generation. A methodology for evaluating the economic impact of providing different types of voltage control is proposed. This evaluation examines the increase in costs caused by the change in active power losses due to the provision of wind farms voltage control. These losses are computed for different controllers: (a) wind farms are operated at a fixed power factor, (b) wind farms provide proportional voltage control, and (c) wind farms provide reactive power to minimize power losses. Furthermore, these three possibilities are compared with the option of adding flexible alternating current transmission system devices, which are another alternative for supporting the grid by controlling voltage. The methodology outlined is applied to a real and representative Spanish wind harvesting network. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visualizing singular value decomposition
Authors: Zhang Lingsong , Wang Yao
Published: March 2014

Singular value decomposition/principal component analysis method is a central tool in multivariate analysis and functional data analysis. In this article, a list of visualization tools that are useful in revealing structure within sample datasets is investigated. An Internet traffic dataset is used to illustrate the usefulness of these methods.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Clustering and Classification

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Computer Graphics

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Statistical Graphics and Visualization
Metal Salts of 4,5‐Dinitro‐1,3‐imidazole as Colorants in Pyrotechnic Compositions
Authors: Klapötke Thomas M. , Müller Thomas G. , Rusan Magdalena , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: March 2014

4,5‐Dinitroimidazole (1) (4,5‐DNI) was synthesized by nitration of commercially available 4‐nitro‐imidazole. Several alkaline and alkaline earth metal salts of 4,5‐dinitro‐1,3‐imidazole were synthesized by reaction of DNI with stoichiometric amounts of the corresponding metal hydroxides and carbonates. The synthesized salts, LiDNI·3H2O (2), NaDNI·H2O (3), KDNI·H2O (4), Ca(DNI)2·5H2O (5), Sr(DNI)2·3H2O (6), and Ba(DNI)2·4H2O (7) were characterized comprehensively by means of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR and vibrational (IR/Raman) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A detailed description of their potential use as flame colorants in pyrotechnical compositions is also given. Their color properties regarding the dominant wavelength, spectral purity, luminous intensity and luminous efficiency were measured. Last but not least the investigated salts were found to be insensitive in terms of friction and impact tested with BAM methods.
The Good, the Bad and the State – Rom 13.1–7 and the Dynamics of Love
Authors: Bertschmann Dorothea H.
Published: March 2014

This article investigates the relationship of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in the letter to the Romans. God is presented as the guarantor of a moral structure, who judges people in symmetrical fashion. However, in Christ God goes beyond the commonsensical in a counter-intuitive initiative to overcome ‘bad’ through ‘good’. The Christ believers are admonished to imitate this approach (12.21). Still, the authorities are respected as divine agents, who imitate God's abiding concern for symmetrical judgement. Paul's major concern in Romans 13.1–7 is reassurance: the believers' higher paradigm of love is compatible with the demands of political authority, which is unambiguously ‘good’ for them (13.4).
Creativity at the Boundary: Features of the Linguistic and Conceptual Construction of Outsiders in the Pauline Corpus
Authors: Trebilco Paul
Published: March 2014

One facet of group identity is the construction and description of ‘the outsider’. A key dimension of this is the way outsiders are labelled. οἱ ἄπιστοι and τὰ ἔθνη, two outsider-designations used in Pauline texts, are examined here to determine what their use and function indicate about group identity. In these cases, we see the creation of a new designation and linguistic innovation in the way a designation is used, which includes the alteration of the referent of an established term. Defining and understanding ‘the outsider’, grappling with how to represent outsiders to ‘ourselves’ and negotiating across group boundaries were key undertakings that led to linguistic creativity, change and transformation. That such linguistic creativity can be seen as going on ‘at the boundary’, to create and define the boundaries of the movement, shows how important such boundaries were.
What is ‘New Testament Study’? The New Testament and Early Christianity
Authors: Tuckett Christopher M.
Published: March 2014

The article addresses the question ‘What is “New Testament Study”?’, considering as possible alternatives ‘Theology’ or ‘Religious Studies’. The issue may be critically determined by who is doing the study, and in what context; but in the context of the SNTS, it is argued that a non-confessional approach is more appropriate today. Part of the distinction between the two approaches may lie in one's attitude to non-canonical literature. In the second part of the article the question is raised as to what difference study of non-canonical texts might make in understanding the NT documents. Examples of the passion narrative in Q, and beliefs about the resurrection of the body (by Paul and other early Christians), are examined. Such issues raise questions about the NT canon, which are briefly addressed in a final section.
A 4D ATM Trajectory Concept Integrating GNSS and FMS?
Authors: Brooker Peter
Published: March 2014

NextGen and SESAR have now been under development for several years, but have increasingly complex engineering and operational specifications. A variant Air Traffic Management (ATM) concept is sketched for generating fuel-efficient, very accurate and air-ground synchronized 4D-trajectories by using flight segment groundspeed profiles and linking Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data to the aircraft Flight Management Systems (FMS) with feedback control. Is this a flawed concept or a feasible and operationally practical proposition?
Bloody fingerprints: Tschumi and the avant-garde
Authors: Chapman Michael
Published: March 2014

This paper investigates the radical approach to architectural representation of Bernard Tschumi in the late 1970s and its relationship to the literary and visual practices of Dada and Surrealism. Focussing on Tschumi's Advertisements for Architecture and Manhattan Transcripts, the paper demonstrates how the critique of avant-garde tactics in Peter Bürger and Walter Benjamin applies to a broader understanding of politics in architecture and its efficacy.
Chemical State Information of Bulk Specimens Obtained by SEM-Based Soft-X-Ray Emission Spectrometry
Authors: Terauchi Masami , Koshiya Shogo , Satoh Futami , Takahashi Hideyuki , Handa Nobuo , Murano Takanori , Koike Masato , Imazono Takashi , Koeda Masaru , Nagano Tetsuya , Sasai Hiroyuki , Oue Yuki , Yonezawa Zeno , Kuramoto Satoshi
Published: March 2014

Electron-beam-induced soft-X-ray emission spectroscopy (SXES) that uses a grating spectrometer has been introduced to a conventional scanning electron microscope (SEM) for characterizing desired specimen areas of bulk materials. The spectrometer was designed as a grazing incidence flat-field optics by using aberration corrected (varied line spacing) gratings and a multichannel plate detector combined with a charge-coupled device camera, which has already been applied to a transmission electron microscope. The best resolution was confirmed as 0.13 eV at Mg L-emission (50 eV), which is comparable with that of recent dedicated electron energy-loss spectroscopy instruments. This SXES-SEM instrument presents density of states of simple metals of bulk Mg and Li. Apparent band-structure effects have been observed in Si L-emission of Si wafer, P L-emission of GaP wafer, and Al L-emissions of intermetallic compounds of AlCo, AlPd, Al2Pt, and Al2Au.
Clinicians’ views on the clinical utility of a revised definition of schema and its implications for the treatment of depression
Authors: Howarth Alan , Freeston Mark , Reichelt Katharina , James Ian A.
Published: March 2014

The main objectives of this study were to compare the perceived utility of two definitions of schema (i.e. a standard Beckian vs. a revised definition). Fifty clinicians with varying degrees of training in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) received a presentation on the Beckian definition of schema before completing two questionnaires, one assessing the perceived utility of the definition, and another assessing the targets they would address in therapy and the techniques they would use to do so, using the Beckian definition. They then received a presentation on a revised definition before completing the questionnaires again; this time in relation to the revised definition. In a non-inferiority analysis the revised definition was rated as possessing not less clinical utility than the Beckian definition and was indeed rated higher. More targets and techniques were selected following the revised definition, relative to the Beckian definition. Further, there was a significant interaction between definition and targets and techniques selected, with a greater increase in the targets and techniques that are consistent with the revised definition. The results were independent of experience within mental health and practising CBT therapists. The revised definition was perceived to have clinical utility and the use of it in therapy would lead to a wider range of targets being addressed while using a wider range of clinical techniques. Importantly, those targets and techniques relate specifically to the revised definition. The implications of the results and future areas of research are discussed.
Effects of enoxaparin and dalteparin on proliferation and migration of patient-derived vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Ellensen Vegard S. , Abrahamsen Iren , Lorens James , Jonung Torbjorn
Published: March 2014

Background: Proliferation and migration are the two main processes of intimal hyperplasia: the primary cause of intermediate and late vascular graft failure. Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) inhibit these processes on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in animal models, but have failed to improve patency of vascular grafts in clinical trials. Despite these findings, they are still used therapeutically to reduce intimal hyperplasia following vascular interventions. This study was designed to investigate the effects of LMWHs compared to unfractioned heparin in patient-derived VSMCs. Material and methods: Arterial patient-derived VSMCs were used to study the effects of enoxaparin and dalteparin on proliferation, migration and mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK-ERK) signal transduction. The VSMCs were treated with the LMWHs in a range of concentrations and evaluated using image based cell enumeration, real time migration monitoring and flow cytometry. Series treated with unfractioned heparin were included as positive controls and untreated series as negative controls. Results: Neither enoxaparin nor dalteparin influenced proliferation and MAPK-ERK phosphorylation. Migration was reduced slightly by both LMWHs. Unfractioned heparin exhibited dose-dependent effects different from those of the LMWHs in all analyses. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a difference in proliferative and migratory effects between the two LMWHs and unfractioned heparin in patient-derived VSMCs. The effects corresponded to the MAPK-ERK activation, suggesting different mechanisms of action. These results can explain why clinical trials using LMWHs to prevent intimal hyperplasia have failed to observe a reduced incidence of restenosis and do not support prolonged therapeutic use to prevent intimal hyperplasia.
Vaccines to prevent leishmaniasis
Authors: Kumar Rajiv , Engwerda Christian
Published: March 2014

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that encompasses a range of clinical manifestations affecting people in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Epidemiological and experimental data indicate that protection from disease can be achieved in most people. In addition, we know how the host immune system must respond to infection in order to control parasite growth. However, there is still no vaccine for use in humans. Here, we review our understanding of host immunity following Leishmania infection and also discuss recent advances in the development of vaccines to prevent leishmaniasis, highlighting a new promising approach that targets the parasite hemoglobin receptor.
Cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-conjugated proteins is an efficient tool for manipulation of human mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Jo Junghyun , Hong Soomin , Choi Won Yun , Lee Dong Ryul
Published: March 2014

Delivery of proteins has been regarded as the safest and most useful application in therapeutic application of stem cells, because proteins can regulate gene expression transiently without any genomic alteration. However, it is difficult to accurately measure efficiency or quantity of intracellular protein uptake. Here, we performed a comparison study of cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-conjugated protein delivery system using seven arginine and Streptolysin O (SLO)-mediated system. To compare CPP- and SLO-mediated protein delivery systems, we used GFP and ESRRB protein, which is known to regulate pluripotency-related genes, for delivery into human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) and human testicular stromal cells (hTSCs). We found that CPP-conjugated protein delivery was more efficient, lower cytotoxicity and higher biological activity than SLO-mediated protein delivery system. These results suggest that delivery of CPP-conjugated proteins is an efficient tool for introducing biologically active proteins into cells and may have important implications in clinical cell-based therapy.
Characteristic two-dimensional Fermi surface topology of high-Tc iron-based superconductors
Authors: Sunagawa Masanori , Ishiga Toshihiko , Tsubota Koji , Jabuchi Taihei , Sonoyama Junki , Iba Keita , Kudo Kazutaka , Nohara Minoru , Ono Kanta , Kumigashira Hiroshi , Matsushita Tomohiro , Arita Masashi , Shimada Kenya , Namatame Hirofumi , Taniguchi Masaki , Wakita Takanori , Muraoka Yuji , Yokoya Takayoshi
Published: March 2014

Unconventional Cooper pairing originating from spin or orbital fluctuations has been proposed for iron-based superconductors. Such pairing may be enhanced by quasi-nesting of two-dimensional electron and hole-like Fermi surfaces (FS), which is considered an important ingredient for superconductivity at high critical temperatures (high-Tc). However, the dimensionality of the FS varies for hole and electron-doped systems, so the precise importance of this feature for high-Tc materials remains unclear. Here we demonstrate a phase of electron-doped CaFe2As2 (La and P co-doped CaFe2As2) with Tc = 45 K, which is the highest Tc found for the AEFe2As2 bulk superconductors (122-type; AE = Alkaline Earth), possesses only cylindrical hole- and electron-like FSs. This result indicates that FS topology consisting only of two-dimensional sheets is characteristic of both hole- and electron-doped 122-type high-Tc superconductors.
Versatile reactivity of Pd-catalysts: mechanistic features of the mono-N-protected amino acid ligand and cesium-halide base in Pd-catalyzed C–H bond functionalization
Authors: Musaev Djamaladdin G. , Figg Travis M. , Kaledin Alexey L.
Published: March 2014

The C–H functionalization strategies, complexity in Pd-catalyzed chemical transformations, unprecedented Pd-clustering, base (Cs-halide) and weakly coordinated amino acid ligand effects.
Effects of a novel compatible interface structure on the properties of starch–PCL composites
Authors: Liao Jingjing , Luo Zimu , Zhang Yu , Zhang Xu , Cheng Jing , Wu Qiangxian
Published: March 2014

A novel polyurethane prepolymer compatibilizer successfully improved the compatibility and performance of polycaprolactone (PCL)–starch composites.
An electrochemical immunosensor for detection of a breast cancer biomarker based on antiHER2–iron oxide nanoparticle bioconjugates
Authors: Emami Mahdi , Shamsipur Mojtaba , Saber Reza , Irajirad Rasoul
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a facile and highly sensitive label free electrochemical immunosensor for detection of a breast cancer biomarker using antiHER2–Fe3O4 NP bioconjugates.
A gold-catalysed imine–propargylamine cascade sequence: synthesis of 3-substituted-2,5-dimethylpyrazines and the reaction mechanism
Authors: Alcaide Benito , Almendros Pedro , Alonso José M. , Fernández Israel , Gómez-Campillos Gonzalo , Torres M. Rosario
Published: March 2014

The gold-catalysed coupling reaction between propargylamine-derived imines and propargylamine exclusively afforded pyrazines.
Cyanide-bridged bimetallic 3D Hoffman-like coordination polymers with tunable magnetic behaviour
Authors: Li Jin-Yan , Ni Zhao-Ping , Yan Zheng , Zhang Ze-Min , Chen Yan-Cong , Liu Wei , Tong Ming-Liang
Published: March 2014

Two isostructural cyanide-bridged bimetallic coordination polymers with a 3D doubly interpenetrated Hoffman-like network exhibit complete two-step spin-crossover behaviours.
Tuning the formation of dicarboxylate linker-assisted supramolecular 1D chains and squares of Ni(ii) using coordination and hydrogen bonds
Authors: Khullar Sadhika , Gupta Vijay , Mandal Sanjay K.
Published: March 2014

Diverse metal organic coordination networks generated under the same reaction conditions are reported. Further association of these with hydrogen bonding networks of lattice water, coordinated water and uncoordinated oxygen atoms of the carboxylate groups generate supramolecular assemblies of higher dimensions.
On the macromolecular cellulosic network of paper: changes induced by acid hydrolysis studied by NMR diffusometry and relaxometry
Authors: Conti Allegra , Poggi Giovanna , Baglioni Piero , De Luca Francesco
Published: March 2014

NMR diffusion–diffraction patterns show that in the mildly acidified sample a rearrangement in cellulose network may take place, with a reduction of the average macropore size and a loss of pore connectivity.
Thermoresponsive fluorescence of a graphene–polymer composite based on a local surface plasmon resonance effect
Authors: Huang Yunyun , Lin Wensheng , Chen Kan , Zhang Wenkai , Chen Xudong , Zhang Ming Qiu
Published: March 2014

The pNIPAM shell traps silver nanoparticles in solution and gets them close to the graphene core to provide fluorescence enhancement.
Modular syntheses of H4octapa and H2dedpa, and yttrium coordination chemistry relevant to86Y/90Y radiopharmaceuticals
Authors: Price Eric W. , Cawthray Jacqueline F. , Adam Michael J. , Orvig Chris
Published: March 2014

The ligands H2dedpa and H4octapa have been synthesized using labiletert-butyl ester protection, and H4octapa has been studied with yttrium.
Synthesis, structural characterization, and some properties of 2-acylmethyl-6-ester group-difunctionalized pyridine-containing iron complexes related to the active site of [Fe]-hydrogenase
Authors: Song Li-Cheng , Hu Fu-Qiang , Wang Miao-Miao , Xie Zhao-Jun , Xu Kai-Kai , Song Hai-Bin
Published: March 2014

The first four acylmethyl/ester group-disubstituted pyridine-containing models for [Fe]-hydrogenase have been synthesized and crystallographically characterized.
A new multifunctional Schiff base as a fluorescence sensor for Al3+and a colorimetric sensor for CN−in aqueous media: an application to bioimaging
Authors: Lee Seul Ah , You Ga Rim , Choi Ye Won , Jo Hyun Yong , Kim Ah Ram , Noh Insup , Kim Sung-Jin , Kim Youngmee , Kim Cheal
Published: March 2014

A new multifunctional Schiff-base receptor1which exhibits an excellent cell-permeable fluorescence for Al3+and a color change for CN−in aqueous media has been prepared.
What happens when n= 1000? Creating large-n geochronological datasets with LA-ICP-MS for geologic investigations
Authors: Pullen Alex , Ibáñez-Mejía Mauricio , Gehrels George E. , Ibáñez-Mejía Juan C. , Pecha Mark
Published: March 2014

LA-MC-ICP-MS and LA-SC-ICP-MS were used to generate large n (i.e., n = 1000) U–Pb detrital zircon age data sets with little sacrifice of precision and accuracy over more traditional methods.
Direct synthesis of 5- and 6-substituted 2-aminopyrimidines as potential non-natural nucleobase analogues
Authors: Radhakrishnan K. , Sharma Namita , Kundu Lal Mohan
Published: March 2014

A series of 2-aminopyrimidine derivatives, substituted at 5- and 6-positions, were synthesized.
Enhancement of Pt–Ru catalytic activity for catalytic wet air oxidation of methylamine via tuning the Ru surface chemical state and dispersion by Pt addition
Authors: Song Aiying , Lu Gongxuan
Published: March 2014

Ru–Pt, Pt and Ru catalysts supported on Al2O3–ZrO2 were prepared by impregnation methods. The as-prepared catalysts were employed in the catalytic wet air oxidation of methylamine. We found that Pt addition could improve the catalytic activity of the Ru catalyst by tuning the Ru surface chemical state and the dispersion of active species in the bimetallic catalyst. CWAO of MA follows a chemisorption mechanism.
Response times of polymer dispersed liquid crystals with linear or graft copolymer matrix prepared by controlled living polymerization
Authors: Lan Tian , Yang Wenjie , Huang Hao , Wang Yinghan
Published: March 2014

PDLC films with a graft copolymer matrix exhibited slow rise times and fast decay times.
Optical emission spectroscopy diagnostic and thermodynamic analysis of thermal plasma enhanced nanocrystalline silicon CVD process
Authors: Cao Tengfei , Zhang Haibao , Yan Binhang , Lu Wei , Cheng Yi
Published: March 2014

Optical emission spectroscopy and thermal equilibrium analysis were implemented to study the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of nanocrystalline silicon.
Frit-free PDMS microfluidic device for chromatographic separation and on-chip detection
Authors: Kabiri Shervin , Kurkuri Mahaveer D. , Kumeria Tushar , Losic Dusan
Published: March 2014

A simple frit-free PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) microfluidic chromatographic separation and detection device, packed with diatomaceous earth (DE) microparticles as a normal phase stationary material using iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles is described.
Preparation of nanostructured molybdenum carbides for CO hydrogenation
Authors: Liu Changcheng , Lin Minggui , Fang Kegong , Meng Yan , Sun Yuhan
Published: March 2014

Novel Mo2C/C nano/microcomposites were prepared via a facile approach involving the hydrothermal carbonization of a solution of glucose as a carbon precursor in the presence of ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate.
Loss of NOX2 (gp91phox) prevents oxidative stress and progression to advanced heart failure
Authors: Parajuli Nirmal , Patel Vaibhav B. , Wang Wang , Basu Ratnadeep , Oudit Gavin Y.
Published: March 2014

Oxidative stress plays a key pathogenic role in experimental and human heart failure. However, the source of ROS (reactive oxygen species) is a key determinant of the cardiac adaptation to pathological stressors. In the present study, we have shown that human dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with increased NOX2 (NADPH oxidase 2) levels, increased oxidative stress with adverse myocardial remodelling and activation of MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases). Advanced heart failure in mice was also associated with increased NOX2 levels. Furthermore, we have utilized the pressure-overload model to examine the role of NOX2 in advanced heart failure. Increased cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis in response to pressure overload correlated with increased oxidative stress, and loss of NOX2 prevented the increase in oxidative stress, development of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis and increased myocardial MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) activity in response to pressure overload. Consistent with these findings, expression of disease markers revealed a marked suppression of atrial natriuretic factor, β-myosin heavy chain, B-type natriuretic peptide and α-skeletal actin expression in pressure-overloaded hearts from NOX2-deficient mice. Activation of MAPK signalling, a well-known mediator of pathological remodelling, was lowered in hearts from NOX2-deficient mice in response to pressure overload. Functional assessment using transthoracic echocardiography and invasive pressure–volume loop analysis showed a marked protection in diastolic and systolic dysfunction in pressure-overloaded hearts from NOX2-deficient mice. Loss of NOX2 prevented oxidative stress in heart disease and resulted in sustained protection from the progression to advanced heart failure. Our results support a key pathogenic role of NOX2 in murine and human heart failure, and specific therapy antagonizing NOX2 activity may have therapeutic effects in advanced heart failure.
Sentence Comprehension in Boys With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Kover Sara T. , Haebig Eileen , Oakes Ashley , McDuffie Andrea , Hagerman Randi J. , Abbeduto Leonard
Published: March 2014

Purpose

Previous research has suggested that language comprehension might be particularly impaired in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but this profile has been only broadly characterized. In the current study, the authors examined sentence comprehension in school-age boys with ASD, including a subgroup with intellectual disability (ID), with particular attention paid to errors that might differentiate between lexically and syntactically based difficulties.

Method

Participants were boys with ASD (
n
= 45, ages 4–11 years) and younger typically developing boys (
n
= 45, ages 2–6 years). Comprehension was assessed with the Test for Reception of Grammar—Version 2 (TROG–2; Bishop, 2003). Error types were analyzed for a subset of items.

Results

Boys with ASD did not differ from younger typically developing boys matched on receptive vocabulary in overall sentence comprehension on the TROG–2 or the number of lexical errors committed. In contrast, the subgroup of boys with ASD and ID (
n
= 16) had poorer overall performance and committed more lexical errors than younger typically developing boys matched on nonverbal cognition.

Conclusions

On average, comprehension was delayed in school-age boys with ASD but not beyond receptive vocabulary expectations. Boys with ASD and ID, however, had a weakness in sentence comprehension beyond nonverbal cognitive expectations.
Circulation within confined droplets in Hele-Shaw channels
Authors: Roberts Christine C. , Roberts Scott A. , Nemer Martin B. , Rao Rekha R.
Published: March 2014

Liquid droplets flowing through a rectangular microfluidic channel develop a vortical flow field due to the presence of shear forces from the surrounding fluid. In this paper, we present an experimental and computational study of droplet velocities and internal flow patterns in a rectangular pressure-driven flow for droplet diameters ranging from 0.1 to 2 times the channel height. Our study shows excellent agreement with asymptotic predictions of droplet and interfacial velocities for infinitesimally small droplets. As the droplet diameter nears the size of the channel height, the droplet velocity slows significantly, and the changing external flow field causes a qualitative change in the location of internal vortices. This behavior is relevant for future studies of mass transfer in microfluidic devices.
Numerical simulation of nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge actuator in a quiescent flow
Authors: Zheng J. G. , Zhao Z. J. , Li J. , Cui Y. D. , Khoo B. C.
Published: March 2014

We present a numerical study of nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuator operating in quiescent air at atmospheric condition. Our study concentrates on plasma discharge induced fluid dynamics and on exploration of parametric space of interest for voltage pulse in an attempt to shed some light into elucidation of the mechanisms whereby the generated shock wave propagates through and affects the external flow. Specifically, a one-dimensional, self-similar, local ionization kinetic model recently developed to predict key parameters of nanosecond pulsed plasma discharge is coupled with the compressible Navier-Stokes equations possibly for the first time. Within the considered range of parameters of the plasma model which is justified for the modeling of surface nanosecond pulsed discharge at atmospheric pressure, our coupled method is able to provide satisfactory prediction of the shock structure generated by the actuator for comparison with experiment, not only in the qualitative shock wave shape but also in quantitative shock front displacement. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the gas heating, shock wave initiation and evolution processes. For example, the characteristic time of the rapid localized heating responsible for shock wave generation, which is yet to be quantified experimentally, is found to be ∼350 ns. We conduct a parametric investigation by varying the peak voltage from 10 kV to 50 kV and rise time from 5 ns to 150 ns. The pressure wave whose behavior is found to be dominated by input voltage amplitude, introduces highly transient, localized disturbance to the quiescent air. In addition, the vortex induced by the shock passage is relatively weak. The interplay of the induced flows by a few successive plasma discharges operating at continuous mode does not appear to be significant, especially at low voltage amplitude.
Magnetic properties of La1−xSrxMnO3 nanoparticles prepared in a molten salt
Authors: Kačenka M. , Kaman O. , Jirák Z. , Maryško M. , Žvátora P. , Vratislav S. , Lukeš I.
Published: March 2014

Single phase La1−xSrxMnO3 nanoparticles (x = 0.18 − 0.37) are prepared by a novel way in molten NaNO2 at 500 °C. Their rhombohedral perovskite structure is confirmed by XRD patterns and exact chemical composition is determined by XRF (X-ray fluorescence) spectroscopy. The mean size of the as-prepared crystallites is of about 50 nm, the grains are rather separated and do not form sintering bridges that were typical for products synthesized by sol-gel routes followed by annealing. On the other hand, the synthesized nanoparticles exhibit rather low magnetization and decreased Curie temperature. Their neutron diffraction study indicates a complex magnetic ordering together with anomalously high atomic displacements factors that decreased considerably after annealing the samples at elevated temperature.