bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of in vitro and in vivo metabolites of steroidal alkaloid veratramine
Authors: Lyu Chunming , Zhou Wenbin , Zhang Yufeng , Zhang Shen , Kou Fang , Wei Hai , Zhang Ning , Zuo Zhong
Published: March 2015

Veratramine, a steroidal alkaloid originating from Veratrum nigrum L., has demonstrated distinct anti‐tumor and anti‐hypertension effects, however, its metabolism has rarely been explored. The objective of the current study was to provide a comprehensive investigation of its metabolic pathways. The in vitro metabolic profiles of veratramine were evaluated by incubating it with liver microsomes and cytosols. The in vivo metabolic profiles in plasma, bile, urine and feces were monitored by UPLC‐MS/MS after oral (20 mg/kg) and i.v. (50 µg/kg) administration in rats. Meanwhile, related P450s inhibitors and recombinant P450s and SULTs were used to identify the isozymes responsible for its metabolism. Eleven metabolites of veratramine, including seven hydroxylated, two sulfated and two glucuronidated metabolites, were characterized. Unlike most alkaloids, the major reactive sites of veratramine were on ring A and B instead of on the amine moiety. CYP2D6 was the major isozyme mediating hydroxylation, and substrate inhibition was observed with a Vmax, Ki and Clint of 2.05 ± 0.53 nmol/min/mg, 33.08 ± 10.13 µ m and 13.58 ± 1.27 µL/min/mg. SULT2A1, with Km, Vmax and Clint values of 19.37 ± 0.87 µ m, 1.51 ± 0.02 nmol/min/mg and 78.19 ± 8.57 µL/min/mg, was identified as the major isozyme contributing to its sulfation. In conclusion, CYP2D6 and SULT2A1 mediating hydroxylation and sulfation were identified as the major biotransformation for veratramine. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
When Does Framing Influence Preferences, Risk Perceptions, and Risk Attitudes? The Explicated Valence Account
Authors: Tombu Michael , Mandel David R.
Published: March 2015

When faced with an expected loss and a choice between a sure option and a risky option, the gain–loss framing of the problem has been shown to influence option preference. According to prospect theory, this framing effect is the result of contradictory attitudes about risks involving gains and losses. This article develops and tests an alternative explicated valence account (EVA), which proposes that preference reversals are caused by differences in the explicated outcome valences of the options under consideration. EVA can account for previous findings where framing effects are observed, eliminated, or even reversed. In two experiments, EVA successfully predicted when framing effects were observed, eliminated, and reversed. The findings also showed that although framing influenced risk perception, it did not influence risk attitudes. Copyright © 2015 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Journal of Behavioral Decision Making © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methods for surveillance of fetal alcohol syndrome: The fetal alcohol syndrome surveillance network II (FASSNetII) – Arizona, Colorado, New York, 2009 ‐ 2014
Authors: O'Leary Leslie A. , Ortiz Linnette , Montgomery April , Fox Deborah J. , Cunniff Christopher , Ruttenber Margaret , Breen April , Pettygrove Sydney , Klumb Don , Druschel Charlotte , Frías Jaime L. , Robinson Luther K. , Bertrand Jacquelyn , Ferrara Kelly , Kelly Maureen , Gilboa Suzanne M. , Meaney F. John ,   for the FASSNetII
Published: March 2015

Surveillance of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is important for monitoring the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and describing the public health burden of this preventable disorder. Building on the infrastructure of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance Network (FASSNet, 1997–2002), in 2009 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded 5‐year cooperative agreements to three states, Arizona, Colorado, and New York, to conduct population‐based surveillance of FAS. The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance Network II (FASSNetII, 2009–2014) developed a surveillance case definition based on three clinical criteria: characteristic facial features, central nervous system abnormalities, and growth deficiency. FASSNetII modified the FASSNet methods in three important ways: (1) estimation of a period prevalence rather than birth prevalence; (2) surveillance of FAS among school‐age children (ages 7–9 years) to better document the central nervous system abnormalities that are not apparent at birth or during infancy; and (3) implementation of an expert clinical review of abstracted data for probable and confirmed cases classified through a computerized algorithm. FASSNetII abstracted data from multiple sources including birth records, medical records from child development centers or other specialty clinics, and administrative databases such as hospital discharge and Medicaid. One challenge of FASSNetII was its limited access to non‐medical records. The FAS prevalence that could be estimated was that of the population identified through an encounter with the healthcare system. Clinical and public health programs that identify children affected by FAS provide critical information for targeting preventive, medical and educational services in this vulnerable population. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:196–202, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adaptive robust genetic association tests using case‐parents triad families
Authors: Wang Jiun‐Yi , Tai John Jen
Published: March 2015

Using the conditional likelihood, a model‐specific score test can be derived under a given genetic model to test genetic association for case‐parents triad family data. When the underlying genetic model is correctly specified, the score test is most powerful. However, it can lose substantial power when the model is misspecified. Several robust tests have been proposed to deal with the problem, such as the maximum test statistic, the maximin efficiency robust test, and the constrained likelihood ratio test. These tests have been shown to be robust against model misspecification compared with those model‐specific score tests, but they are either time‐consuming in computation or not sufficiently high in power robustness under some situations. In this study, a data‐driven procedure is proposed to construct two adaptive robust genetic association tests WMERT and WMAX. The WMERT is simple in calculation and has fairly high power robustness. The empirical power of WMAX is quite stable and close to those of the model‐specific score tests. The two proposed tests should be beneficial to practical genetic association studies. A real dataset consisting of neural tube defect triad families is used for illustration of the methods. R‐scripts are also provided for numerical calculation of the proposed methods in practical studies.
Modelling larval movement data from individual bioassays
Authors: McLellan Chris R. , Worton Bruce J. , Deasy William , Birch A. Nicholas E.
Published: March 2015

We consider modelling the movements of larvae using individual bioassays in which data are collected at a high‐frequency rate of five observations per second. The aim is to characterize the behaviour of the larvae when exposed to attractant and repellent compounds. Mixtures of diffusion processes, as well as Hidden Markov models, are proposed as models of larval movement. These models account for directed and localized movements, and successfully distinguish between the behaviour of larvae exposed to attractant and repellent compounds. A simulation study illustrates the advantage of using a Hidden Markov model rather than a simpler mixture model. Practical aspects of model estimation and inference are considered on extensive data collected in a study of novel approaches for the management of cabbage root fly.
An aqueous fluorescent probe for Hg2+ detection with high selectivity and sensitivity
Authors: Fang Qian , Liu Qian , Song Xiangzhi , Kang Jian
Published: March 2015

An aqueous fluorescent probe, 1, was developed for the rapid detection of Hg2+ with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity. Upon the addition of Hg2+ in pure aqueous media, the Hg2+‐mediated hydrolysis of vinyl ether and subsequent cyclization reactions converted probe 1 into the corresponding iminocoumarin dye, which is strongly fluorescent when excited. The application of this probe for the detection of intracellular Hg2+ was successfully demonstrated in living cells. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physicochemical properties of polymers: An important system to overcome the cell barriers in gene transfection
Authors: Namvar Ali , Bolhassani Azam , Khairkhah Niloofardokht , Motevalli Fatemeh
Published: March 2015

Delivery of the macromolecules including DNA, miRNA, and antisense oligonucleotides is typically mediated by carriers due to the large size and negative charge. Different physical (e.g., gene gun or electroporation), and chemical (e.g., cationic polymer or lipid) vectors have been already used to improve the efficiency of gene transfer. Polymer‐based DNA delivery systems have attracted special interest, in particular via intravenous injection with many intra‐ and extracellular barriers. The recent progress has shown that stimuli‐responsive polymers entitled as multifunctional nucleic acid vehicles can act to target specific cells. These nonviral carriers are classified by the type of stimulus including reduction potential, pH, and temperature. Generally, the physicochemical characterization of DNA‐polymer complexes is critical to enhance the transfection potency via protection of DNA from nuclease digestion, endosomal escape, and nuclear localization. The successful clinical applications will depend on an exact insight of barriers in gene delivery and development of carriers overcoming these barriers. Consequently, improvement of novel cationic polymers with low toxicity and effective for biomedical use has attracted a great attention in gene therapy. This article summarizes the main physicochemical and biological properties of polyplexes describing their gene transfection behavior, in vitro and in vivo. In this line, the relative efficiencies of various cationic polymers are compared. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 103: 363–375, 2015.
Randomized clinical trial of defaecatory function after anterior resection for rectal cancer with high versus low ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery
Authors: Matsuda K , Hotta T , Takifuji K , Yokoyama S , Oku Y , Watanabe T , Mitani Y , Ieda J , Mizumoto Y , Yamaue H
Published: March 2015

Background

Defaecatory function is often poor after anterior resection. Denervation of the neorectum following high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is a possible cause of impaired defaecatory function. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to clarify whether the level of ligation of the IMA in patients with rectal cancer affects defaecatory function.

Methods

Between 2008 and 2011, patients who underwent anterior resection for rectal cancer were randomized to receive either high or low ligation of the IMA. The primary endpoint was to demonstrate the superiority of low ligation in terms of defaecatory function.

Results

One hundred patients were enrolled in the study; 51 were randomized to high ligation of the IMA and 49 to low ligation. There were no differences between the groups in terms of clinical data, except tumour stage, which was more advanced in the high-ligation group (P = 0·046). Nor were there any differences in defaecatory function, self-assessment of defaecation, Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life scale or continence score between groups at 3 months and 1 year. The number of harvested lymph nodes was similar. The rate of symptomatic anastomotic leakage was 16 per cent in the high-ligation group and 10 per cent in the low-ligation group (P = 0·415).

Conclusion

The level of ligation of the IMA in patients with rectal cancer did not affect defaecatory function or the incidence of postoperative complications. Registration number: NCT00701012 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Immobilization of Phenylalanine Ammonia‐Lyase on Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Stereoselective Biotransformations in Batch and Continuous‐Flow Modes
Authors: Bartha‐Vári Judith H. , Toşa Monica I. , Irimie Florin‐Dan , Weiser Diána , Boros Zoltán , Vértessy Beáta G. , Paizs Csaba , Poppe László
Published: March 2015

Carboxylated single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SwCNTCOOH) were used as a support for the covalent immobilization of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) from parsley by two different methods. The nanostructured biocatalysts (SwCNTCOOH‐PALI and SwCNTCOOH‐PALII) with low diffusional limitation were tested in the batch‐mode kinetic resolution of racemic 2‐amino‐3‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)propanoic acid (1) to yield a mixture of (R)‐1 and (E)‐3‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)acrylic acid (2) and in ammonia addition to 2 to yield enantiopure (S)‐1. SwCNTCOOH‐PALII was a stable biocatalyst (>90 % of the original activity remained after six cycles with 1 and after three cycles in 6 M NH3 with 2). The study of ammonia addition to 2 in a continuous‐flow microreactor filled with SwCNTCOOH‐PALII (2 M NH3, pH 10.0, 15 bar) between 30–80 °C indicated no significant loss of activity over 72 h up to 60 °C. SwCNTCOOH‐PALII in the continuous‐flow system at 30 °C was more productive (specific reaction rate, rflow=2.39 μmol min−1 g−1) than in the batch reaction (rbatch=1.34 μmol min−1 g−1).
Catalytic Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols using Recoverable IAPNO α‐Hydrogen Nitroxyl Radicals
Authors: Bar Sukanta , Kumar Jayprakash N. , Amar Michal , Toledo Hila , Batrice Rami J. , Szpilman Alex M.
Published: March 2015

α‐Hydrogen‐substituted nitroxyl radicals are of considerable interest as catalysts for oxidation and polymerization, but are usually inherently unstable. We report herein the catalytic activity of a new family of stable iso‐azaphenalene (IAPNO) α‐hydrogen nitroxyl radicals in the copper/bipyridine/N‐methylimidazole co‐catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols. The nitroxyl radical Mes/TIPSO‐IAPNO (TIPSO=triisopropyloxy, IAPNO=isoazaphenalene N‐oxyl) displays higher activity than TEMPO in the oxidation of benzylic and allylic alcohols. Alkyl, benzyl, allyl, and propargyl alcohols are oxidized with yields up to 96 %. The readily prepared nitroxyl catalysts are recovered in 75–90 % yield after purification of the reaction mixture and are recycled.
Ruthenium Nanoparticles Stabilized in Cross‐Linked Dendrimer Matrices: Hydrogenation of Phenols in Aqueous Media
Authors: Maximov Anton , Zolotukhina Anna , Murzin Vadim , Karakhanov Edward , Rosenberg Edward
Published: March 2015

Novel catalysts consisting of ruthenium nanoparticles encapsulated in cross‐linked matrices based on the poly(propylene imine) dendrimers of the 1st and 3rd generations have been synthesized with a narrow particle size distribution (3.8 and 1.0 nm, respectively). The resulting materials showed high activity for the hydrogenation of phenols in aqueous media (specific catalytic activity reached turnover frequencies of 2975 h−1with respect to hydrogen uptake). It has been shown that the use of water as a solvent leads to a 1.5 to 50‐fold increase in the reaction rate depending upon the nature of the substrate. It has been established that unlike the traditional heterogeneous catalysts based on ruthenium, during the hydrogenation of dihydroxybenzenes, the hydrogenation rate decreases in the order: resorcinol>hydroquinone≫catechol. The maximum specific activity for resorcinol was a turnover frequency of 243150 h−1with respect to hydrogen uptake. The catalyst based on the dendrimer of the 3rd generation containing finer particles has significantly inferior activity to the catalyst based on the dendrimer of the 1st generation by virtue of steric factors, as well as the need for prereduction of the ruthenium oxide contained on the surface. These catalysts showed resistance to metal leaching and may be reused several times without loss of activity.
99mTc Radiolabeling and Biological Evaluation of Nanoparticles Functionalized with a Versatile Coating Ligand
Authors: Felber Michael , Bauwens Matthias , Mateos José M. , Imstepf Sebastian , Mottaghy Felix M. , Alberto Roger
Published: March 2015

Radiolabeling allows noninvasive imaging by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) for assessing the biodistribution of nanostructures. Herein, the synthesis of a new coating ligand for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and quantum dots (QDs) is reported. This ligand is multifunctional; it combines the metal chelate with conjugating functions to biological vectors. The concept allows the coupling of any targeting function to the chelator; an example for the prostate specific membrane antigen is given. Derivatized NPs can directly be labeled in one step with [99mTc(OH2)3(CO)3]+. AuNPs in particular are highly stable, a prerequisite for in vivo studies excluding misinterpretation of the biodistribution data. AuNPs with differing sizes (7 and 14 nm core diameter) were administered intravenously into nude NMRI mice bearing LNCaP xenografts. MicroSPECT images show for both probes rapid clearance from the blood pool through the hepatobiliary pathway. The 7 nm AuNPs revealed a significantly higher bone uptake than the 14 nm AuNPs. The high affinity towards bone mineral is further confirmed in vitro with hydroxyapatite.
Rolling‐Circle Amplification Detection of Thrombin Using Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy with Core‐Shell Nanoparticle Probe
Authors: Li Xuemei , Wang Linlin , Li Chunxiang
Published: March 2015

An ultrasensitive surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensor based on rolling‐circle amplification (RCA)‐increased “hot‐spot” was developed for the detection of thrombin. The sensor contains a SERS gold nanoparticle@Raman label@SiO2 core‐shell nanoparticle probe in which the Raman reporter molecules are sandwiched between a gold nanoparticle core and a thin silica shell by a layer‐by‐layer method. Thrombin aptamer sequences were immobilized onto the magnetic beads (MBs) through hybridization with their complementary strand. In the presence of thrombin, the aptamer sequence was released; this allowed the remaining single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) to act as primer and initiate in situ RCA reaction to produce long ssDNAs. Then, a large number of SERS probes were attached on the long ssDNA templates, causing thousands of SERS probes to be involved in each biomolecular recognition event. This SERS method achieved the detection of thrombin in the range from 1.0×10−12 to 1.0×10−8 M and a detection limit of 4.2×10−13 M, and showed good performance in real serum samples.
Controlled Synthesis of Fe3O4/ZIF‐8 Nanoparticles for Magnetically Separable Nanocatalysts
Authors: Pang Fei , He Mingyuan , Ge Jianping
Published: March 2015

Fe3O4/ZIF‐8 nanoparticles were synthesized through a room‐temperature reaction between 2‐methylimidazolate and zinc nitrate in the presence of Fe3O4 nanocrystals. The particle size, surface charge, and magnetic loading can be conveniently controlled by the dosage of Zn(NO3)2 and Fe3O4 nanocrystals. The as‐prepared particles show both good thermal stability (stable to 550 °C) and large surface area (1174 m2g−1). The nanoparticles also have a superparamagnetic response, so that they can strongly respond to an external field during magnetic separation and disperse back into the solution after withdrawal of the magnetic field. For the Knoevenagel reaction, which is catalyzed by alkaline active sites on external surface of catalyst, small Fe3O4/ZIF‐8 nanoparticles show a higher catalytic activity. At the same time, the nanocatalysts can be continuously used in multiple catalytic reactions through magnetic separation, activation, and redispersion with little loss of activity.
Unusually Short Chalcogen Bonds Involving Organoselenium: Insights into the Se–N Bond Cleavage Mechanism of the Antioxidant Ebselen and Analogues
Authors: Thomas Sajesh P. , Satheeshkumar K. , Mugesh Govindasamy , Guru Row T. N.
Published: March 2015

Structural studies on the polymorphs of the organoselenium antioxidant ebselen and its derivative show the potential of organic selenium to form unusually short Se⋅⋅⋅O chalcogen bonds that lead to conserved supramolecular recognition units. Se⋅⋅⋅O interactions observed in these polymorphs are the shortest such chalcogen bonds known for organoselenium compounds. The FTIR spectral evolution characteristics of this interaction from solution state to solid crystalline state further validates the robustness of this class of supramolecular recognition units. The strength and electronic nature of the Se⋅⋅⋅O chalcogen bonds were explored using high‐resolution X‐ray charge density analysis and atons‐in‐molecules (AIM) theoretical analysis. A charge density study unravels the strong electrostatic nature of Se⋅⋅⋅O chalcogen bonding and soft‐metal‐like behavior of organoselenium. An analysis of the charge density around SeN and SeC covalent bonds in conjunction with the Se⋅⋅⋅O chalcogen bonding modes in ebselen and its analogues provides insights into the mechanism of drug action in this class of organoselenium antioxidants. The potential role of the intermolecular Se⋅⋅⋅O chalcogen bonding in forming the intermediate supramolecular assembly that leads to the bond cleavage mechanism has been proposed in terms of electron density topological parameters in a series of molecular complexes of ebselen with reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Hydroamination Reactions of Alkynes with ortho‐Substituted Anilines in Ball Mills: Synthesis of Benzannulated N‐Heterocycles by a Cascade Reaction
Authors: Weiße Maik , Zille Markus , Jacob Katharina , Schmidt Robert , Stolle Achim
Published: March 2015

It was demonstrated that ortho‐substituted anilines are prone to undergo hydroamination reactions with diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in a planetary ball mill. A sequential coupling of the intermolecular hydroamination reaction with intramolecular ring closure was utilized for the syntheses of benzooxazines, quinoxalines, and benzothiazines from readily available building blocks, that is, electrophilic alkynes and anilines with OH, NH, or SH groups in the ortho position. For the heterocycle formation, it was shown that several stress conditions were able to initiate the reaction in the solid state. Processing in a ball mill seemed to be advantageous over comminution with mortar and pestle with respect to process control. In the latter case, significant postreaction modification occurred during solid‐state analysis. Cryogenic milling proved to have an adverse effect on the molecular transformation of the reagents.
A Ruthenium‐Based Biomimetic Hydrogen Cluster for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation from Formic Acid
Authors: Chang Chin‐Hao , Chen Mei‐Hua , Du Wan‐Shan , Gliniak Jacek , Lin Jia‐Hoa , Wu Hsin‐Hua , Chan Hsin‐Fang , Yu Jen‐Shiang K. , Wu Tung‐Kung
Published: March 2015

A ruthenium‐based biomimetic hydrogen cluster, [Ru2(CO)6(μ‐SCH2CH2CH2S)] (1), has been synthesized and, in the presence of the P ligand tri(o‐tolyl)phosphine, demonstrated efficient photocatalytic hydrogen generation from formic acid decomposition. Turnover frequencies (TOFs) of 5500 h−1 and turnover numbers (TONs) over 24 700 were obtained with less than 50 ppm of the catalyst, thus representing the highest TOFs for ruthenium complexes as well as the best efficiency for photocatalytic hydrogen production from formic acid. Moreover, 1 showed high stability with no significant degradation of the photocatalyst observed after prolonged photoirradiation at 90 °C.
Competition between Nucleophilic Substitution of Halogen (SNAr) versus Substitution of Hydrogen (SNArH)—A Mass Spectrometry and Computational Study
Authors: Błaziak Kacper , Mąkosza Mieczysław , Danikiewicz Witold
Published: March 2015

The mechanism of intramolecular gas‐phase reactions of N‐(2‐X‐5‐nitrophenyl)‐N‐methylacetamide carbanions (X=H, F, Cl) has been studied using negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry ((−)ESI‐MS) technique and modelled computationally. It was proven that all three anions form cyclic σH adducts, which undergo elimination of water. In the case of X=F, formation of the σF adduct, leading to SNAr reaction, was a competing process. This is the first proof that also in the gas phase formation of σH adduct proceeds faster than σX adduct and only when X=F, rates of these two processes are comparable. The experimental results are in full agreement with quantum chemical calculations.
Designing Artificial 3D Helicates: Unprecedented Self‐Assembly of Homo‐octanuclear Tetrapods with Europium
Authors: Zebret Soumaila , Vögele Eliane , Klumpler Tomas , Hamacek Josef
Published: March 2015

Herein, we report on the rational design, preparation and characterization of a novel homo‐octanuclear helicate, which results from a spatial extension of the central tetranuclear platform. The 3D supramolecular assembly is obtained by complexing europium(III) with a new hexatopic tripodal ligand. The isolated octanuclear helicate is fully characterized by different methods clearly evidencing the structure predicted with molecular modelling. The ligand preorganization plays a crucial role in a successful self‐assembly process and induces the formation of a well‐defined triple‐stranded helical structure. This prototypal octanuclear edifice accommodating functional lanthanides within a 3D scaffold offers attractive perspectives for further applications.
Covalent Attachment of Anderson‐Type Polyoxometalates to Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Gives Enhanced Performance Electrodes for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Ji Yuanchun , Hu Jun , Huang Lujiang , Chen Wei , Streb Carsten , Song Yu‐Fei
Published: March 2015

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) covalently functionalized with redox‐active organo‐modified polyoxometalate (POM) clusters have been synthesized and employed as electrode materials in lithium ion batteries. The Anderson cluster [MnMo6O24]9− is functionalized with Tris (NH2C(CH2OH)3) moieties, giving the new organic–inorganic hybrid [N(nC4H9)4]3[MnMo6O18{(OCH2)3CNH2}2]. The compound is then covalently attached to carboxylic acid‐functionalized SWNTs by amide bond formation and the stability of this nanocomposite is confirmed by various spectroscopic methods. Electrochemical analyses show that the nanocomposite displays improved performance as an anode material in lithium ion batteries compared with the individual components, that is, SWNTs and/or Anderson clusters. High discharge capacities of up to 932 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.5 mA cm−2 can be observed, together with high long‐term cycling stability and decreased electrochemical impedance. Chemisorption of the POM cluster on the SWNTs is shown to give better electrode performance than the purely physisorbed analogues.
ChemInform Abstract: A Review of Chemistry and Biological Importance of Schiff Base
Authors: Meenachi S. , Chitra S.
Published: March 2015

Review: 99 refs.
Can we achieve an 80% screening rate for colorectal cancer by 2018 in the United States?
Authors: Paskett Electra D. , Khuri Fadlo R.
Published: March 2015

The best way to reach the goal of 80% adherence to screening for colorectal cancer is through a national multilevel initiative that includes policy makers, community organizations, and payors, as well as health care organizations, health care practitioners, and the public, as was done in the state of Delaware. The challenge is to convince other states and the United States as a whole to adopt Delaware's strategy. We offer the challenge—who will accept?
Amplified somatosensory and visual cortical projections to a core auditory area, the anterior auditory field, following early‐ and late‐onset deafness
Authors: Wong Carmen , Chabot Nicole , Kok Melanie A. , Lomber Stephen G.
Published: March 2015

Cross‐modal reorganization following the loss of input from a sensory modality can recruit sensory‐deprived cortical areas to process information from the remaining senses. Specifically, in early‐deaf cats, the anterior auditory field (AAF) is unresponsive to auditory stimuli but can be activated by somatosensory and visual stimuli. Similarly, AAF neurons respond to tactile input in adult‐deafened animals. To examine anatomical changes that may underlie this functional adaptation following early or late deafness, afferent projections to AAF were examined in hearing cats, and cats with early‐ or adult‐onset deafness. Unilateral deposits of biotinylated dextran amine were made in AAF to retrogradely label cortical and thalamic afferents to AAF. In early‐deaf cats, ipsilateral neuronal labeling in visual and somatosensory cortices increased by 329% and 101%, respectively. The largest increases arose from the anterior ectosylvian visual area and the anterolateral lateral suprasylvian visual area, as well as somatosensory areas S2 and S4. Consequently, labeling in auditory areas was reduced by 36%. The age of deafness onset appeared to influence afferent connectivity, with less marked differences observed in late‐deaf cats. Profound changes to visual and somatosensory afferent connectivity following deafness may reflect corticocortical rewiring affording acoustically deprived AAF with cross‐modal functionality. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:1925–1947, 2015 © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intermediate Electrostatic Field for the Generalized Elongation Method
Authors: Liu Kai , Korchowiec Jacek , Aoki Yuriko
Published: March 2015

An intermediate electrostatic field is introduced to improve the accuracy of fragment‐based quantum‐chemical computational methods by including long‐range polarizations of biomolecules. The point charge distribution of the intermediate field is generated by a charge sensitivity analysis that is parameterized for five different population analyses, namely, atoms‐in‐molecules, Hirshfeld, Mulliken, natural orbital, and Voronoi population analysis. Two model systems are chosen to demonstrate the performance of the generalized elongation method (ELG) combined with the intermediate electrostatic field. The calculations are performed for the STO‐3G, 6‐31G, and 6‐31G(d) basis sets and compared with reference Hartree–Fock calculations. It is shown that the error in the total energy is reduced by one order of magnitude, independently of the population analyses used. This demonstrates the importance of long‐range polarization in electronic‐structure calculations by fragmentation techniques.
Energy‐efficient power allocation for cognitive radio networks with minimal rate requirements
Authors: Sun Xun , Wang Shaowei
Published: March 2015

Because the energy consumption is growing rapidly, green radio, which lays emphasis on the energy efficiency (EE) in wireless networks, is becoming increasingly important. As potential paradigms for future wireless network design, cognitive radio (CR) is a promising technology to solve the spectrum shortage and inefficiency issues, while cooperative relay is capable of improving spectral efficiency by combating severe fading in wireless environment. In this paper, we investigate the energy‐efficient power allocation problem in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)‐based relaying CR networks. We develop a general framework to maximize the overall EE of the CR system, under the constraints of transmission power budget, traffic demands, and the interference constraints of the primary users. Our problem formulation is a nonconvex optimization task, and it is hard to obtain the optimal solution. We first convert our formulated problem into a convex optimization problem via its hypograph form, which can be solved by the barrier method. Then we further speed up the computation of Newton step during the barrier method, significantly reducing the complexity of the algorithm by exploiting its special structure. Numerical results validate that our method can exploit the overall EE of CR systems, while the algorithm converges efficiently and stably. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparative analysis of metacommunity types in the freshwater realm
Authors: Heino Jani , Soininen Janne , Alahuhta Janne , Lappalainen Jyrki , Virtanen Risto
Published: March 2015

Most metacommunity studies have taken a direct mechanistic approach, aiming to model the effects of local and regional processes on local communities within a metacommunity. An alternative approach is to focus on emergent patterns at the metacommunity level through applying the elements of metacommunity structure (EMS; Oikos, 97, 2002, 237) analysis. The EMS approach has very rarely been applied in the context of a comparative analysis of metacommunity types of main microbial, plant, and animal groups. Furthermore, to our knowledge, no study has associated metacommunity types with their potential ecological correlates in the freshwater realm. We assembled data for 45 freshwater metacommunities, incorporating biologically highly disparate organismal groups (i.e., bacteria, algae, macrophytes, invertebrates, and fish). We first examined ecological correlates (e.g., matrix properties, beta diversity, and average characteristics of a metacommunity, including body size, trophic group, ecosystem type, life form, and dispersal mode) of the three elements of metacommunity structure (i.e., coherence, turnover, and boundary clumping). Second, based on those three elements, we determined which metacommunity types prevailed in freshwater systems and which ecological correlates best discriminated among the observed metacommunity types. We found that the three elements of metacommunity structure were not strongly related to the ecological correlates, except that turnover was positively related to beta diversity. We observed six metacommunity types. The most common were Clementsian and quasi‐nested metacommunity types, whereas Random, quasi‐Clementsian, Gleasonian, and quasi‐Gleasonian types were less common. These six metacommunity types were best discriminated by beta diversity and the first axis of metacommunity ecological traits, ranging from metacommunities of producer organisms occurring in streams to those of large predatory organisms occurring in lakes. Our results showed that focusing on the emergent properties of multiple metacommunities provides information additional to that obtained in studies examining variation in local community structure within a metacommunity.
Human metapneumovirus infection activates the TSLP pathway that drives excessive pulmonary inflammation and viral replication in mice
Authors: Lay Margarita K. , Céspedes Pablo F. , Palavecino Christian E. , León Miguel A. , Díaz Rodrigo A. , Salazar Francisco J. , Méndez Gonzalo P. , Bueno Susan M. , Kalergis Alexis M.
Published: March 2015

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infections in children and the elderly. The mechanism by which this virus triggers an inflammatory response still remains unknown. Here, we evaluated whether the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) pathway contributes to lung inflammation upon hMPV infection. We found that hMPV infection promotes TSLP expression both in human airway epithelial cells and in the mouse lung. hMPV infection induced lung infiltration of OX40L+CD11b+ DCs. Mice lacking the TSLP receptor deficient mice (tslpr−/−) showed reduced lung inflammation and hMPV replication. These mice displayed a decreased number of neutrophils as well a reduction in levels of thymus and activation‐regulated chemokine/CCL17, IL‐5, IL‐13, and TNF‐α in the airways upon hMPV infection. Furthermore, a higher frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was found in tslpr−/− mice compared to WT mice, which could contribute to controlling viral spread. Depletion of neutrophils in WT and tslpr−/− mice decreased inflammation and hMPV replication. Remarkably, blockage of TSLP or OX40L with specific Abs reduced lung inflammation and viral replication following hMPV challenge in mice. Altogether, these results suggest that activation of the TSLP pathway is pivotal in the development of pulmonary pathology and pulmonary hMPV replication.
Electrochemical Investigation of Metal Oxide Conducting Electrodes for Direct Detection of Sulfide
Authors: Aziz Md. Abdul , Sohail Manzar , Oyama Munetaka , Mahfoz Wael
Published: March 2015

This study examined the performance of four conducting metal oxide electrodes for the direct electrochemical analysis of sulfide; the electrode materials studied were indium tin oxide (ITO), fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO), aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO) and gallium doped zinc oxide (GZO). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) results obtained using the ITO, AZO, GZO and FTO electrodes showed direct electrooxidation peak potential of sulfide at 381, 507, 400, and 850 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively; however, the less positive oxidation potential and high catalytic current response of the ITO electrode made it the electrode of choice for the direct oxidation of sulfide. The effects of different electrolytes and buffer solutions on the CV responses were also evaluated. A linear concentration range up to 350 µM and a detection limit of 8.0 µM were achieved. CV response was highly reproducible, remaining unaffected even after 50 measurements. The sensor was found to have good selectivity, with no interference from sulfite, sulfate or chloride ions. The present findings demonstrate that the bare ITO electrode can be used as the basis of an inexpensive, sensitive, selective and robust sulfide sensor.
Finite‐element analysis of laminated rubber bearing of building frame under seismic excitation
Authors: Ohsaki Makoto , Miyamura Tomoshi , Kohiyama Masayuki , Yamashita Takuzo , Yamamoto Masashi , Nakamura Naohiro
Published: March 2015

Finite element analysis is carried out for a building frame supported by laminated rubber bearings to simultaneously investigate global displacement and local stress responses under seismic excitation. The frame members and the rubber bearings are discretized into hexahedral solid elements with more than 3 million degrees of freedom. The material property of rubber is represented by the Ogden model, and the frame is assumed to remain in elastic range. It is shown that the time histories of non‐uniform stress distribution and rocking behavior of the rubber bearings under a frame subjected to seismic excitation can be successfully evaluated, and detailed responses of base and frame can be evaluated through large‐scale finite element analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maximal flow‐level stability of best‐rate schedulers in heterogeneous wireless systems
Authors: Jacko P. , Morozov E. , Potakhina L. , Verloop I. M.
Published: March 2015

We investigate flow‐level stability of schedulers in parallel‐service wireless systems, which is important for maximizing the base station's capacity to serve the heterogeneous flows that are within the base station's power range. We model such a system as a multi‐class queueing system with multiple preemptive servers, in which flows of different classes randomly arrive and depart once their flow is completed. The channel condition of a flow varies randomly over time because of fading and mobility. The evolution of the channel condition is assumed to be Markovian and class dependent. We focus on a general family of the best‐rate schedulers that, whenever possible, serve flows that are in the channel condition corresponding to the highest achievable class‐dependent transmission rate (i.e. the best rate). We prove under mild assumptions that any best‐rate scheduler achieves maximal stability, that is, stabilizes the system whenever possible, in all systems with generally distributed class‐dependent arrivals and flow sizes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Has the Swap Influenced Aid Flows in the Health Sector?
Authors: Sweeney Rohan , Mortimer Duncan
Published: March 2015

The sector wide approach (SWAp) emerged during the 1990s as a mechanism for managing aid from the multiplicity of development partners that operate in the recipient country's health, education or agricultural sectors. Health SWAps aim to give increased control to recipient governments, allowing greater domestic influence over how health aid is allocated and facilitating allocative efficiency gains. This paper assesses whether health SWAps have increased recipient control of health aid via increased general sector‐support and have facilitated (re)allocations of health aid across disease areas.

Using a uniquely compiled panel data set of countries receiving development assistance for health over the period 1990–2010, we employ fixed effects and dynamic panel models to assess the impact of introducing a health SWAp on levels of general sector‐support for health and allocations of health‐sector aid across key funding silos (including HIV, ‘maternal and child health’ and ‘sector‐support’). Our results suggest that health SWAps have influenced health‐sector aid flows in a manner consistent with increased recipient control and improvements in allocative efficiency. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biocompatibility of calcium phosphate bone cement with optimized mechanical properties
Authors: Palmer Iwan , Nelson John , Schatton Wolfgang , Dunne Nicholas J. , Buchanan Fraser J. , Clarke Susan A.
Published: March 2015

The broad aim of this work was to investigate and optimize the properties of calcium phosphate bone cements (CPCs) for use in vertebroplasty to achieve effective primary fixation of spinal fractures. The incorporation of collagen, both bovine and from a marine sponge (Chondrosia reniformis), into a CPC was investigated. The biological properties of the CPC and collagen–CPC composites were assessed in vitro through the use of human bone marrow stromal cells. Cytotoxicity, proliferation, and osteoblastic differentiation were evaluated using lactate dehydrogenase, PicoGreen, and alkaline phosphatase activity assays, respectively. The addition of both types of collagen resulted in an increase in cytotoxicity, albeit not to a clinically relevant level. Cellular proliferation after 1, 7, and 14 days was unchanged. The osteogenic potential of the CPC was reduced through the addition of bovine collagen but remained unchanged in the case of the marine collagen. These findings, coupled with previous work showing that incorporation of marine collagen in this way can improve the physical properties of CPCs, suggest that such a composite may offer an alternative to CPCs in applications where low setting times and higher mechanical stability are important. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 104B:308–315, 2015.
Boron nitride nanotube‐enhanced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Li Xia , Wang Xiupeng , Jiang Xiangfen , Yamaguchi Maho , Ito Atsuo , Bando Yoshio , Golberg Dmitri
Published: March 2015

The interaction between boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) layer and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is evaluated for the first time in this study. BNNTs layer supports the attachment and growth of MSCs and exhibits good biocompatibility with MSCs. BNNTs show high protein adsorption ability, promote the proliferation of MSCs and increase the secretion of total protein by MSCs. Especially, BNNTs enhance the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as an early marker of osteoblasts, ALP/total protein and osteocalcin (OCN) as a late marker of osteogenic differentiation, which shows that BNNTs can enhance osteogenesis of MSCs. The release of trace boron and the stress on cells exerted by BNNTs with a fiber structure may account for the enhanced differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts. Therefore BNNTs are potentially useful for bone regeneration in orthopedic applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 323–329, 2016.
Mst2 Controls Bone Homeostasis by Regulating Osteoclast and Osteoblast Differentiation
Authors: Lee Jongwon , Youn Bang Ung , Kim Kabsun , Kim Jung Ha , Lee Da-Hye , Seong Semun , Kim Inyoung , Han Seung-Hee , Che Xiangguo , Choi Je-Yong , Park Yong-Wook , Kook Hyun , Kim Kyung Keun , Lim Dae-Sik , Kim Nacksung
Published: March 2015

Mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 2 (Mst2) plays a central role in the Hippo pathway, controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis during development. However, the roles of Mst2 in osteoclast and osteoblast development are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that mice deficient in Mst2 exhibit osteoporotic phenotypes with increased numbers of osteoclasts and decreased numbers of osteoblasts as shown by micro–computed tomography (µCT) and histomorphometric analyses. Osteoclast precursors lacking Mst2 exhibit increased osteoclastogenesis and Nfatc1, Acp5, and Oscar expression in response to receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) exposure. Conversely, Mst2 overexpression in osteoclast precursors leads to the inhibition of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. Osteoblast precursors deficient in Mst2 exhibit attenuated osteoblast differentiation and function by downregulating the expression of Runx2, Alpl, Ibsp, and Bglap. Conversely, ectopic expression of Mst2 in osteoblast precursors increases osteoblastogenesis. Finally, we demonstrate that the NF-κB pathway is activated by Mst2 deficiency during osteoclast and osteoblast development. Our findings suggest that Mst2 is involved in bone homeostasis, functioning as a reciprocal regulator of osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation through the NF-κB pathway. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
SOXC Transcription Factors Induce Cartilage Growth Plate Formation in Mouse Embryos by Promoting Noncanonical WNT Signaling
Authors: Kato Kenji , Bhattaram Pallavi , Penzo-Méndez Alfredo , Gadi Abhilash , Lefebvre Véronique
Published: March 2015

Growth plates are specialized cartilage structures that ensure the elongation of most skeletal primordia during vertebrate development. They are made by chondrocytes that proliferate in longitudinal columns and then progress in a staggered manner towards prehypertrophic, hypertrophic and terminal maturation. Complex molecular networks control the formation and activity of growth plates, but remain incompletely understood. We investigated here the importance of the SoxC genes, which encode the SOX4, SOX11 and SOX12 transcription factors, in growth plates. We show that the three genes are expressed robustly in perichondrocytes and weakly in growth plate chondrocytes. SoxCPrx1Cre mice, which deleted SoxC genes in limb bud skeletogenic mesenchyme, were born with tiny appendicular cartilage primordia because of failure to form growth plates. In contrast, SoxCCol2Cre and SoxCATC mice, which deleted SoxC genes primarily in chondrocytes, were born with mild dwarfism and fair growth plates. Chondrocytes in the latter mutants matured normally, but formed irregular columns, proliferated slowly and died ectopically. Asymmetric distribution of VANGL2 was defective in both SoxCPrx1Cre and SoxCATC chondrocytes, indicating impairment of planar cell polarity, a noncanonical WNT signaling pathway that controls growth plate chondrocyte alignment, proliferation and survival. Accordingly, SoxC genes were necessary in perichondrocytes for expression of Wnt5a, which encodes a noncanonical WNT ligand required for growth plate formation, and in chondrocytes and perichondrocytes for expression of Fzd3 and Csnk1e, which encode a WNT receptor and casein kinase-1 subunit mediating planar cell polarity, respectively. Reflecting the differential strengths of the SOXC protein transactivation domains, SOX11 was more powerful than SOX4, and SOX12 interfered with the activity of SOX4 and SOX11. Altogether, these findings provide novel insights into the molecular regulation of skeletal growth by proposing that SOXC proteins act cell- and non-cell-autonomously in perichondrocytes and chondrocytes to establish noncanonical WNT signaling crosstalk essential for growth plate induction and control. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.