bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1,2,4‐Triazole‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes of gold(I): synthesis, characterization and biological activity
Authors: Turek Jan , Růžičková Zdeňka , Tloušťová Eva , Mertlíková‐Kaiserová Helena , Günterová Jana , Rulíšek Lubomír , Růžička Aleš
Published: February 2016

Two gold(I) complexes of the (NHC)AuX type bearing a triazole‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand (1‐tert‐butyl‐4‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐3‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐ium‐5‐ylidene) and various halide ligands (X = Br, I) were synthesized and characterized in solution using NMR spectroscopy as well as in the solid state using X‐ray diffraction techniques. The cytotoxic properties of both compounds and the precursor, (NHC)AuCl, were screened against a panel of human tumour cell lines including liver cancer (HepG2), cervical cancer (HeLa S3) and leukaemia (CCRF‐CEM, HL‐60) and compared to cisplatin and auranofin. It was found that the activities of the chloro and bromo derivatives were generally superior to that of cisplatin and slightly less effective compared to auranofin, except for HepG2 cells where auranofin was not as effective. In addition, the ability to induce membrane phosphatidyl serine externalization as a hallmark of apoptosis in CCRF‐CEM leukaemic cells was investigated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement of Open‐Circuit Voltage by Using the 58‐π Silylmethyl Fullerenes in Small‐Molecule Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Jeon Il , Delacou Clément , Nakagawa Takafumi , Matsuo Yutaka
Published: February 2016

The application of 58‐π‐1,4‐bis(silylmethyl)[60]fullerenes, C60(CH2SiMe2Ph)(CH2SiMe2Ar) (Ar=Ph and 2‐methoxylphenyl for SIMEF‐1 and SIMEF‐2, respectively), in small‐molecule organic solar cells with a diketopyrrolopyrrole donor (3,6‐bis[5‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4‐dione (DPP(TBFu)2)) is demonstrated. With the 58‐π‐silylmethyl fullerene acceptor, SIMEF‐1, the devices showed the highest efficiency of 4.57 % with an average of 4.10 %. They manifested an improved open‐circuit voltage (1.03 V) owing to the high‐lying LUMO level of SIMEF‐1, while maintaining a high short‐circuit density (9.91 mA cm−2) through controlling the crystallinity of DPP by thermal treatment. On the other hand, despite even higher open‐circuit voltage (1.05 V), SIMEF‐2‐based devices showed lower performances of 3.53 %, owing to a low short‐circuit current density (8.33 mA cm−2) and fill factor (0.40) arising from the asymmetric structure, which results in a lower mobility and immiscibility.
Determination of the Micromixing Scale in a Microdevice by Numerical Simulation and Experiments
Authors: Lin Xiyan , Zhang Jisong , Wang Kai , Luo Guangsheng
Published: February 2016

A micromixing scale is proposed to characterize the micromixing performance of microdevices. It is defined to be the smallest scale within which homogenization is realized only by molecular diffusion, indicating the homogeneous mixing ability of a certain microdevice under specific operating conditions. An approach that integrates numerical simulation with experimental measurement was developed to establish the correlation between micromixing scale and segregation index. The Villermaux‐Dushman reaction was conducted in a T‐junction micromixer to determine its micromixing scales. The validity and reliability of this new approach is demonstrated by employing another parallel competing reaction based on both the simulation results and the experimental data.
16O/18O Exchange of Aldehydes and Ketones caused by H218O in the Mechanistic Investigation of Organocatalyzed Michael, Mannich, and Aldol Reactions
Authors: Hayashi Yujiro , Mukaiyama Takasuke , Benohoud Meryem , Gupta Nishant R. , Ono Tsuyoshi , Toda Shunsuke
Published: February 2016

Organocatalyzed Michael, Mannich, and aldol reactions of aldehydes or ketones, as nucleophiles, have triggered several discussions regarding their reaction mechanism. H218O has been utilized to determine if the reaction proceeds through an enamine or enol mechanism by monitoring the ratio of 18O incorporated into the final product. In this communication, we describe the risk of H218O as an evaluation tool for this mechanistic investigation. We have demonstrated that exchange of 16O/18O occurs in the aldehyde or ketone starting material, caused by the presence of H218O and amine catalysts, before the Michael, Mannich, and aldol reactions proceed. Because the newly generated 18O starting aldehydes or ketones and 16O water affect the incorporation ratio of 18O in the final product, the use of H218O would not be appropriate to distinguish the mechanism of these organocatalyzed reactions.
A Transition‐Metal‐Free Synthesis of Multisubstituted Imidazoles
Authors: Wu Ping , Zhang Lutao , Zhang Xueguo , Guo Xin , Chen Baohua
Published: February 2016

A novel and simple t‐BuOLi/I2‐mediated synthesis of 1,2,4‐trisubstituted imidazoles was developed without transition‐metal added. The transition‐metal‐free strategy tolerated a range of substrates and provided products in moderate to good yields with 100% regioselectivity.
Variation in Total Dissolved Iron Output and Iron Species During Extreme Rainfall Events
Authors: Guan Jiunian , Yan Baixing , Wang Lixia , Zhu Hui , Cheng Long
Published: February 2016

Due to climate changes, the occurrence of extreme rainfall events (EREs) has been increasing worldwide and is expected to affect the output of total dissolved iron (TDFe) significantly. EREs occurred in the Songhua River Basin in 2013. To study the effects of EREs on the TDFe output and iron species, water samples were collected to analyze both TDFe concentration and the water quality. Filtration and ultrafiltration methods were employed to analyze the iron speciation according to the molecular weights of the TDFe species. The results showed that the TDFe concentration ranged from 0.46 to 1.10 mg/L (0.69 mg/L on average), and was increased significantly compared with that observed during the regular flood seasons from 2008 to 2012. The TDFe output reached 3.59 × 104 tons during EREs, almost equal to the annual output level in the Songhua River. Species analysis indicated that complexed iron at a low‐molecular‐weight was the dominant species during the EREs. The impulse of the TDFe output can be attributed to a hydrological connection to riparian wetlands and iron‐rich terrestrial runoff, and it may exert an influence on the water quality and alter the transport and cycling of other chemicals (e.g., trace elements, nitrogen, and phosphate) in the Songhua River.
Hybrid Amine‐Functionalized Graphene Oxide as a Robust Bifunctional Catalyst for Atmospheric Pressure Fixation of Carbon Dioxide using Cyclic Carbonates
Authors: Saptal Vitthal B. , Sasaki Takehiko , Harada Kei , Nishio‐Hamane Daisuke , Bhanage Bhalchandra M.
Published: February 2016

An environmentally‐benign carbocatalyst based on amine‐functionalized graphene oxide (AP‐GO) was synthesized and characterized. This catalyst shows superior activity for the chemical fixation of CO2into cyclic carbonates at the atmospheric pressure. The developed carbocatalyst exhibits superior activity owing to its large surface area with abundant hydrogen bonding donor (HBD) capability and the presence of well‐defined amine functional groups. The presence of various HBD and amine functional groups on the graphene oxide (GO) surface yields a synergistic effect for the activation of starting materials. Additionally, this catalyst shows high catalytic activity to synthesize carbonates at 70 °C and at 1 MPa CO2pressure. The developed AP‐GO could be easily recovered and used repetitively in up to seven recycle runs with unchanged catalyst activity.
Evaluation of Metal‐Organic Frameworks and Porous Polymer Networks for CO2‐Capture Applications
Authors: Verdegaal Wolfgang M. , Wang Kecheng , Sculley Julian P. , Wriedt Mario , Zhou Hong‐Cai
Published: February 2016

This manuscript presents experimental data for 20 adsorption materials (metal–organic frameworks, porous polymer networks, and Zeolite‐5A), including CO2 and N2 isotherms and heat capacities. With input from only experimental data, working capacities per energy for each material were calculated. Furthermore, by running seven different carbon‐capture scenarios in which the initial flue‐gas composition and process temperature was systematically changed, we present a range of performances for each material and quantify how sensitive each is to these varying parameters. The presented calculations provide researchers with a tool to investigate promising carbon‐capture materials more easily and completely.
Using multispectral imaging flow cytometry to assess an in vitro intracellular Burkholderia thailandensis infection model
Authors: Jenner Dominic , Ducker Catherine , Clark Graeme , Prior Jo , Rowland Caroline A.
Published: February 2016

The use of in vitro models to understand the interaction of bacteria with host cells is well established. In vitro bacterial infection models are often used to quantify intracellular bacterial load by lysing cell populations and subsequently enumerating the bacteria. Modern established techniques employ the use of fluorescence technologies such as flow cytometry, fluorescent microscopy, and/or confocal microscopy. However, these techniques often lack either the quantification of large data sets (microscopy) or use of gross fluorescence signal which lacks the visual confirmation that can provide additional confidence in data sets. Multispectral imaging flow cytometry (MIFC) is a novel emerging field of technology. This technology captures a bright field and fluorescence image of cells in a flow using a charged coupled device camera. It allows the analysis of tens of thousands of single cell images, making it an extremely powerful technology. Here MIFC was used as an alternative method of analyzing intracellular bacterial infection using Burkholderia thailandensis E555 as a model organism. It has been demonstrated that the data produced using traditional enumeration is comparable to data analyzed using MIFC. It has also been shown that by using MIFC it is possible to generate other data on the dynamics of the infection model rather than viable counts alone. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to inhibit the uptake of bacteria into mammalian cells and identify differences between treated and untreated cell populations. The authors believe this to be the first use of MIFC to analyze a Burkholderia bacterial species during intracellular infection. © 2016 Crown copyright. Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of ISAC.
Topology evolution model for ad hoc‐cellular hybrid networks based on complex network theory
Authors: Hou Yongfu , Wei Yifei , Song Mei , Yu Richard F.
Published: February 2016

Switching and routing are two important issues in the ad hoc‐cellular hybrid network. Frequently switching between different network modes will lead to the increase of time delay, and unreasonable routing will reduce information transmission efficiency and shorten the network life. In order to reduce the influence of these problems to the network, in this paper, we proposed a robust and efficient ad hoc network topology evolution model, which can reduce the switching probability and establish efficient transmission paths. In this model, the mobile users' residual energy, available channel quality, and the importance are taken into account. The model is based on Barrat, Barthelemy, and Vespignani model and the triad formation mechanism, which ensures the network topology have scale‐free and small‐world features. The topology construction process of the ad hoc network is composed of three parts: (i) new users join the network; (ii) new users establish connections with existing users; (iii) the connections between existing users were deleted because of the network optimization and the interference of cellular network. Simulation results show that the network built by this model with small‐world and scale‐free features has small average shortest path length and the robustness against random nodes failure, which will significantly improve the transmission efficiency and reduce the probability of switching between different transmission model. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scale dependence of sex ratio in wild plant populations: implications for social selection
Authors: Sanderson Brian J. , Augat Malcolm E. , Taylor Douglas R. , Brodie Edmund D.
Published: February 2016

Social context refers to the composition of an individual's social interactants, including potential mates. In spatially structured populations, social context can vary among individuals within populations, generating the opportunity for social selection to drive differences in fitness functions among individuals at a fine spatial scale. In sexually polymorphic plants, the local sex ratio varies at a fine scale and thus has the potential to generate this opportunity. We measured the spatial distribution of two wild populations of the gynodioecious plant Silene vulgaris and show that there is fine‐scale heterogeneity in the local distribution of the sexes within these populations. We demonstrate that the largest variance in sex ratio is among nearest neighbors. This variance is greatly reduced as the spatial scale of social interactions increases. These patterns suggest the sex of neighbors has the potential to generate fine‐scale differences in selection differentials among individuals. One of the most important determinants of social interactions in plants is the behavior of pollinators. These results suggest that the potential for selection arising from sex ratio will be greatest when pollen is shared among nearest neighbors. Future studies incorporating the movement of pollinators may reveal whether and how this fine‐scale variance in sex ratio affects the fitness of individuals in these populations.
Leaf traits in Chilean matorral: sclerophylly within, among, and beyond matorral, and its environmental determinants
Authors: Read Jennifer , Sanson Gordon , Pérez Trautmann María Fernanda
Published: February 2016

Studies of leaf traits often focus on tradeoffs between growth and resource conservation, but little is known about variation in the mechanical traits that influence resource conservation. This study investigates how leaf mechanical traits vary across matorral vegetation in central Chile, how they correlate with environmental factors, and how these trends compare at a broader geographic scale. Leaf toughness, strength, stiffness, and associated traits were measured in five matorral types in central Chile, and relationships with soil N and P and climate variables were assessed. Trends with soil and climate were then analyzed across shrubland and woodland in Chile, Western Australia, and New Caledonia. Chilean species varied in leaf mechanics and associated traits, both within and among matorral types, with more species in sclerophyll matorral having strong, tough, and stiff leaves than in arid and littoral matorral. Overall, leaves with high leaf dry mass per area were stiffer, tougher, stronger, thicker, denser, with more fiber, lignin, phenolics and fiber per unit protein and less protein: tannin activity and N and P per mass, forming a broad sclerophylly syndrome. Mechanical traits of matorral species were not correlated with soil N or P, or predictably with climate variables, except flexural stiffness (EIW) which correlated positively with annual reference evapotranspiration (ET0). However, soil P made strong independent contributions to variation in leaf mechanics across shrublands and woodlands of Chile, Western Australia, and New Caledonia, either separately (strength) or together with ET0 (toughness) explaining 46–90% of variation. Hence ET0 was predictive of EIW in Chilean matorral, whereas soil P was highly predictive of variation in leaf strength, and combined with ET0 was highly predictive of toughness, at a broader geographic scale. The biological basis of these relationships, however, may be complex.
Monocyte infiltration into obese and fibrilized tissues is regulated by PILRα
Authors: Kohyama Masako , Matsuoka Sumiko , Shida Kyoko , Sugihara Fuminori , Aoshi Taiki , Kishida Kazuki , Ishii Ken J. , Arase Hisashi
Published: February 2016

Paired immunoglobulin‐like type 2 receptor α (PILRα) is an inhibitory receptor that is mainly expressed on myeloid cells, and negatively regulates neutrophil infiltration during inflammation. However, PILRα role on monocyte has not been described. Under both steady‐state and inflammatory conditions, monocytes migrate into tissues and differentiate into macrophages. Macrophages in adipose and liver tissues play important roles in tissue homeostasis and pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. Here, we found that PILRα controls monocyte mobility through regulating integrin signaling and inhibiting CD99–CD99 binding. Moreover, we found that Pilra−/− mice developed obesity and hepatomegaly with fibrosis, and the numbers of macrophages in adipose and liver tissues are significantly increased in Pilra−/− mice. These data suggest that immune inhibitory receptor, PILRα, plays an important role in the prevention of obesity and liver fibrosis.
Thermoelectric Properties of Ni0.05Mo3Sb5.4Te1.6 with Embedded SiC and Al2O3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Nandihalli Nagaraj , Guo Quansheng , Gorsse Stéphane , Khan Atta Ullah , Mori Takao , Kleinke Holger
Published: February 2016

First, a large sample of Ni0.05Mo3Sb5.4Te1.6 was prepared by heating the elements in the stoichiometric ratio. β‐SiC nanoparticles were added in volume fractions, f, of 0.01, 0.02, and 0.034 to three different portions of the material, and a portion without SiC nanoparticles was retained as a reference. All four samples were subjected to consolidation by hot‐pressing. Furthermore, Al2O3 nanoparticles were added in volume fractions of f = 0.01, 0.0216, and 0.0325 to three other portions, again retaining a fourth protion as reference. These four samples were consolidated by spark‐plasma sintering. The thermoelectric transport properties of these composites were characterized from 325 to 740 K. For the sample with 0.01 volume fraction of SiC, there was an enhancement in figure of merit by 18 % compared with the reference sample, mainly due to an 18 % reduced thermal conductivity. The 9 % reduction in thermal conductivity of the sample with 0.01 volume fraction of Al2O3 was not enough to compensate the loss in the power factor of 18 %, leading to a decrease in the figure of merit. Microstructural information obtained by SEM, TEM, and BET was used to elucidate the phase and transport properties. The spark‐plasma‐sintered bulk sample has a figure of merit that is 35 % higher than the bulk sample consolidated through hot‐pressing.
Enhancing Reactivity of Directly íObservable B–H–Pt Interactions through Conformational Rigidity
Authors: Pal Shrinwantu , Drover Marcus W. , Patrick Brian O. , Love Jennifer A.
Published: February 2016

We report for the first time the direct syntheses of trimethylplatinum(IV) complexes supported by bis(pyrazolyl)dihydridoborate (Bp) and bis(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)dihydridoborate (Bp*) ligands from the corresponding dimethylplatinum(II) complexes. X‐ray crystallographic and multinuclear NMR characterization of the trimethylplatinum(IV) complexes reveal agostic B–H–Pt interactions. Solid‐state analysis reveals that BpPtIVMe3 adopts a dinuclear structure featuring an intermolecular B–H–Pt bridge, whereas Bp*PtIVMe3 adopts a mononuclear structure containing an intramolecular B–H–Pt bridge. Addition of acetonitrile leads to cleavage of the weakly coordinating B–H–Pt interactions, and in the case of Bp*PtIVMe3, leads to hydroboration of acetonitrile. The B–H fragment interacting with the PtIV center in Bp*PtIVMe3 was also found to react with methanol to form a methoxy‐bridged complex. DFT calculations were employed to investigate the structural contributions to the difference in the reactivity of the Bp‐ and Bp*‐supported complexes.
Convenient Access to Di‐ and Tri­fluoroethylamines for Lead Structure Research
Authors: Deutsch Amrei , Wagner Christian , Deutsch Carl , Hoffmann‐Röder Anja
Published: February 2016

Much research effort has been devoted to the synthesis of fluorinated organic compounds in medicinal chemistry programs. For instance, incorporation of fluorine substituents and trifluoromethyl groups has become a widespread lead optimization strategy owing to the often favorable influence of such moieties on affinity and physicochemical properties. However, introduction of fluoroalkyl groups into dedicated positions of pharmacophores is synthetically challenging. In particular, efficient syntheses of di‐ and trifluoroethylamines are needed as they are an interesting, yet underrepresented, class of carboxamide mimics. Thus, a practical and reliable protocol for their preparation is described by using functionalized di‐ and trifluoromethylated N‐aryl‐substituted N,O‐acetals as synthetic aldimine equivalents. Moreover, previously unknown β‐trifluoroethylamine analogs of 1,2‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐thione and the androgen receptor antagonist DIMN are prepared to demonstrate the method's applicability.
Hydroxyl radical production on contact glow discharge electrolysis for degradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate
Authors: Saksono Nelson , Nugraha Intan , Ibrahim  , Febiyanti Irine Ayu
Published: February 2016

Contact Glow Discharge Electrolysis (CGDE) is one of the plasma electrolysis technologies for producing hydroxyl radicals that can be used for the process of waste degradation. This study has been conducted to establish the influence of voltage, electrolyte concentration, and anode depth in the Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) degradation process using CGDE and its energy consumption. The results indicated that the greatest LAS degradation at a rate of 96.19% was achieved with an energy consumption of 2692 kJ/mmol, that was obtained using 600 V, at a Na2SO4 concentration of 0.03 M, and anode depth of 20 mm during 30 minutes of the process. Meanwhile, the lowest energy consumption was 1802 kJ/mmol with the LAS degradation at the rate of 82.11% that was obtained when using 600 V, at a Na2SO4 concentration of 0.03 M and anode depth of 0.5 mm during 30 minutes of the process. These results showed that CGDE is an effective method to degrade LAS. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 962–968, 2016
High‐grade histology as predictor of early distant metastases and decreased disease‐free survival in salivary gland cancer irrespective of tumor subtype
Authors: Haderlein Marlen , Scherl Claudia , Semrau Sabine , Lettmaier Sebastian , Uter Wolfgang , Neukam Friedrich Wilhelm , Iro Heinrich , Agaimy Abbas , Fietkau Rainer
Published: February 2016

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors that influence overall survival (OS)/disease‐free survival (DFS)/locoregional recurrence‐free survival (LRFS), and distant metastases‐free survival (DMFS) in patients with high‐risk primary salivary gland carcinoma who underwent surgery and postoperative (chemo)radiotherapy with curative intention.

Methods

We reviewed data of 63 patients with high‐risk primary salivary gland carcinoma in a retrospective single‐center audit.

Results

At a median follow‐up of 31 months (range, 5–145 months), cumulative OS and DFS were 91.7%, 77.6%, and 62.9%, and 82.1%, 65.6%, and 57.7%, respectively, after 1, 2, and 5 years. LRFS and DMFS were 92%, 86%, and 86%, and 83.4%, 70.4%, and 62.3% after 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively. Of all patient‐related, tumor‐related, and treatment‐related factors, high‐grade histology (G3) was the only factor in univariate and multivariate analysis that was predictive for a shorter DMFS (low/intermediate vs high‐grade: 100%, 100%, and 89.4% vs 72.9%, 54.3%, and 42.8% after 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively) and a shorter DFS (low/intermediate vs high‐grade: 100%, 90%, and 84.4% vs 71.2%, 50.1%, and 39.4% after 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively) and OS (low/intermediate vs high‐grade: 100%, 100%, and 86.5% vs 86.5%, 63.2%, and 46.5% after 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively).

Conclusion

High‐grade tumor histology is a highly significant predictor of a shorter DMFS, OS, and DFS in salivary gland carcinoma, irrespective of histological subtype. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2041–E2048, 2016
Identification of new FGF1 binding partners—Implications for its intracellular function
Authors: Bober Joanna , Olsnes Sjur , Kostas Michal , Bogacz Marek , Zakrzewska Malgorzata , Otlewski Jacek
Published: February 2016

Besides its classical mode of action through activation of specific receptors at the cell surface, fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) can also cross the cellular membrane and translocate into the cytosol and further to the nucleus. The mechanism of this translocation is described partially, but the role of FGF1 inside the cell remains unknown. The aim of our work was to identify novel binding partners of FGF1 to predict its intracellular functions. We combined three methods of identification of such partners based on different principles: yeast two‐hybrid screen and mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of complexes obtained by Tandem Affinity Purification (TAP) or by co‐precipitation from cell lysate using recombinant FGF1. Altogether, we identified twenty novel intracellular proteins interacting with FGF1. For selected proteins, their direct interaction with FGF1 was confirmed by pull‐down assays and SPR measurements. Interestingly, half of the proteins found are involved in processes related to cell viability, such as apoptosis, cell proliferation, and cell cycle regulation. Thus, our study indicates that the role of intracellular FGF1 is to protect the cell against stress conditions by providing an additional signal for cell survival, independently of receptor‐activated signaling cascades. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(3):242–251, 2016
A Longitudinal Study of Skeletal Histomorphometry at 6 and 24 Months Across Four Bone Envelopes in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis Receiving Teriparatide or Zoledronic Acid in the SHOTZ Trial
Authors: Dempster David W , Zhou Hua , Recker Robert R , Brown Jacques P , Bolognese Michael A , Recknor Christopher P , Kendler David L , Lewiecki E Michael , Hanley David A , Rao Sudhaker D , Miller Paul D , Woodson Grattan C , Lindsay Robert , Binkley Neil , Alam Jahangir , Ruff Valerie A , Gallagher Eileen R , Taylor Kathleen A
Published: February 2016

Previously, we reported the effects of teriparatide (TPTD) and zoledronic acid (ZOL) on bone formation based on biochemical markers and bone histomorphometry of the cancellous envelope at month 6 in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who participated in the 12-month primary Skeletal Histomorphometry in Subjects on Teriparatide or Zoledronic Acid Therapy (SHOTZ) study. Patients were eligible to enter a 12-month extension on their original treatment regimen: TPTD 20 μg/day (s.c. injection) or ZOL 5 mg/year (i.v. infusion). A second biopsy was performed at month 24. Here we report longitudinal changes between and within each treatment group in the cancellous, endocortical, intracortical, and periosteal bone envelopes in patients with evaluable biopsies at months 6 and 24 (paired data set: TPTD, n = 10; ZOL, n = 9). Between-group differences are also reported in the larger set of patients with evaluable biopsies at month 6 (TPTD, n = 28; ZOL, n = 30). Data from the cancellous envelope at month 6 or month 24 provided a reference to compare differences across envelopes within each treatment group. The 24-month results extend our earlier report that TPTD and ZOL possess different tissue-level mechanisms of action. Moreover, these differences persisted for at least 2 years in all four bone envelopes. Few longitudinal differences were observed within or across bone envelopes in ZOL-treated patients, suggesting that the low bone formation indices at month 6 persisted to month 24. Conversely, the magnitude of the effect of TPTD on bone formation varied across individual envelopes: median values for mineralizing surface (MS/BS) and bone formation rate (BFR/BS) at month 6 were approximately 3-fold to 5-fold higher in the endocortical and intracortical envelopes compared to the cancellous envelope. Although MS/BS and BFR/BS declined in these envelopes at month 24, median values continued to exceed, or were not significantly different from, those in the cancellous envelope. This study demonstrates for the first time that bone formation indices are higher with TPTD treatment than with ZOL in all four bone envelopes and the difference persists for at least 2 years. Moreover, the magnitude of the effect of TPTD in cortical bone remains robust at 24 months. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Nitric Oxide Chemical Donor Affects the Early Phases of In Vitro Wound Healing Process
Authors: La Torre Cristina , Cinque Benedetta , Lombardi Francesca , Miconi Gianfranca , Palumbo Paola , Evtoski Zoran , Placidi Giuseppe , Fanini Donatella , Cimini Anna Maria , Benedetti Elisabetta , Giuliani Maurizio , Cifone Maria Grazia
Published: February 2016

An artificial wound in a confluent monolayer of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells or mouse embryo fibroblast Swiss NIH 3T3 cells was used to analyze the effects of the nitric oxide (NO) chemical donor, S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). SNAP exposure promoted an enhanced rate of wound closure and accelerated motility of both keratinocytes and fibroblasts compared to control cells. The wounded monolayer cultures of HaCaT and NIH 3T3 cells, treated with or without SNAP, were monitored under a phase contrast microscope. Structural and ultrastructural modifications were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The images were captured by a digital camera at different time points (0–28 h) and the wound area was analyzed through software included in Matlab®. As early as 15 min, SNAP induced significant cytoskeletal remodeling, as shown by immunostaining (phalloidin‐labelling), which in turn was associated with increased filopodium number and length rise. NO donor treatment also induced overexpression of Ki‐67 protein, a typical marker of cell proliferation, as shown by immunostaining. Both SNAP‐induced migration and proliferation were antagonized by the NO‐sensitive GC inhibitor 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[‐4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ), which suggests activation of the NO/cGMP signalling cascade in the observed SNAP‐induced effects in the early stages of the healing process. Moreover, we provide evidence that PPAR‐β antagonist (GSK0660) may interfere with NO‐mediated wound healing process. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2185–2195, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intraretinal variability and specialization of cones in Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus, Engraulidae)
Authors: Kondrashev S.L. , Kornienko M.S. , Gnyubkina V.P. , Frolova L.T.
Published: February 2016

The retina of anchovies is characterized by an unusual arrangement and ultrastructure of cones. In the retina of Japanese anchovies, Engraulis japonicus, three types of cones are distributed into rows. The nasal, central, temporal, and ventro‐temporal regions of the retina were occupied exclusively by the long and short cones. Triple cones, made up of two lateral components and one smaller central component, were found only in the dorsal and ventro‐nasal retinal regions. In the outer segments of all short and long cones from the ventro‐temporal region, the lamellae were oriented along the cell axis and were perpendicular to the lamellae in the long cones, providing a morphological basis for the detection of polarization. This lamellar orientation is unique to all vertebrates. The cones were examined with respect to regional differentiation in their size and spectral properties via light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and microspectrophotometry. Various dimensions of cones were measured in preparations of isolated cells. The cones from the ventro‐temporal region had different dimensions than cones of the same type located in other retinal regions. Triple cones from the dorsal region were significantly larger than triple cones from the ventro‐nasal region. The spectral absorbance of the lateral components of triple cones in the ventro‐nasal retina was identical to the absorbance of all long and short cones from the ventro‐temporal region. These are shifted to shorter wavelengths relative to the absorbance of the lateral components of the triple cones located in the dorsal retina. Thus, the retina of the Japanese anchovy shows some features of regional specialization common in other fishes that improves spatial resolution for the upwards and forwards visual axis and provides spectral tuning in downwelling light environment. That results from the differentiation of cone types by size and by different spectral sensitivity of various retinal areas. J. Morphol. 277:472–481, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Photoinduced Cu(0)‐Mediated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Kork Senem , Ciftci Mustafa , Tasdelen Mehmet Atilla , Yagci Yusuf
Published: February 2016

Photoinduced Cu(0)‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate is investigated by using Cu(0)/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as the catalyst, ethyl 2‐bromopropionate as the initiator, and dimethyl sulfoxide as the solvent. The effect of light on the conventional Cu(0)‐mediated ATRP and molecular weight characteristics of the obtained polymers are described. Although the polymerization can be achieved in the absence of light, low initiation efficiency of the process is observed. By introducing UV light and additional Cu(II) deactivator, not only the rate of polymerization is increased, but also well‐controlled polymers with narrow‐molecular‐weight distributions at ambient conditions are obtained. The chain extension study clearly confirms high end‐group fidelity of the polymer that is active in the further polymerization process.

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A Calderón–Zygmund operator of higher order Schrödinger type
Authors: Sugano Satoko
Published: February 2016

We consider higher order Schrödinger type operators with nonnegative potentials. We assume that the potential belongs to the reverse Hölder class which includes nonnegative polynomials. We show that an operator of higher order Schrödinger type is a Calderón–Zygmund operator. We also show that there exist potentials which satisfy our assumptions but are not nonnegative polynomials.
A concept of absolute continuity and its characterization in terms of convergence in variation
Authors: Angeloni Laura , Vinti Gianluca
Published: February 2016

We study the notion of φ‐absolute continuity, providing several equivalent definitions, and we prove a characterization of the space of φ‐absolutely continuous functions in terms of convergence in variation for a family of Mellin integral operators in the multidimensional setting.
A Combined Computational and Experimental Study of Copolymerization Propagation Kinetics for 1‐Ethylcyclopentyl methacrylate and Methyl methacrylate
Authors: Zhang Guozhen , Zhang Lanhe , Gao Hanyu , Konstantinov Ivan A. , Arturo Steven G. , Yu Decai , Torkelson John M. , Broadbelt Linda J.
Published: February 2016

The crosspropagation of 1‐ethylcyclopentyl methacrylate (ECPMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) has been studied using a combination of quantum chemistry calculations and experiment. Our computational work utilizes a trimer‐to‐tetramer reaction model, coupled with an ONIOM (B3LYP/6‐31G(2df,p): B3LYP/6‐31G(d)) method for geometry optimization and an M06‐2X/6‐311+G(2df,p) method plus SMD solvation model for single point energy calculations. The results show several trends: the identity of the ultimate unit of a trimer radical affects not only the preferred conformation of the region where the reaction takes place, but also the reactivity of the radical; the addition of an ECPMA monomer to the radicals is generally favored compared to an MMA monomer; the pen‐penultimate unit of a trimer radical shows a nonnegligible entropic effect; the penultimate unit effect is implicit for the ECPMA–MMA copolymer system. Finally, terminal model reactivity ratios fitted based on the explicit rate coefficients calculated from the quantum chemical results are compared with those from experimental measurements. The computations not only agree qualitatively with experimentally derived results in terms of the selectivity of ECPMA–MMA crosspropagation, but also give reasonable quantitative predictions of reactivity ratios.

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The role and regulatory mechanism of IL‐1β on the methylation of the NF2 gene in benign meningiomas and leptomeninges
Authors: Wang Baofeng , Cui Zhenwen , Zhong Zhihong , Sun Yuhao , Yang Guo‐Yuan , Sun Qingfang , Bian Liuguan
Published: February 2016

Methylation of the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) gene in low‐grade meningioma (WHO grade I) has crucial roles in tumorigenesis and development. Meningioma formation might also occur in the setting of an inflammatory microenvironment. However, the association between inflammation and the methylation of NF2 remains unclear. The present study investigates the role and regulatory mechanism of IL‐1β, one of the most important pro‐inflammatory cytokines, in the methylation of NF2 in benign meningioma. Three primary low‐grade meningioma cells and leptomeningeal cells were cultured. CCK‐8 and BrdU assays demonstrated that proliferation of meningioma/leptomeningeal cells treated with IL‐1β occurred in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Methylation‐specific PCR verified that IL‐1β induced methylation of the NF2 promoter and decreased NF2/merlin expression in meningioma/leptomeningeal cells. Real‐time PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence showed that IL‐1β up‐regulated DNMT1 in meningioma cells and DNMT1/3b in leptomeningeal cells but did not up‐regulate DNMT3a. After co‐treatment with the DNMT inhibitor 5‐Aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine and DNMT siRNA, methylation of NF2 induced by IL‐1β was attenuated and merlin expression was restored. Furthermore, we showed that DNMT1 in meningiomas and DNMT1/3b in leptomeninges were regulated via activation of the MAPK (p38, ERK, JNK) and NF‐κB pathways. These results suggest that IL‐1β induces methylation of NF2 by up‐regulating DNMT1 in benign meningioma cells and DNMT1/3b in leptomeningeal cells via MAPK and NF‐κB pathways. Therefore, NF2 methylation is a linker between IL‐1β and tumor development, and DNMTs might be potential therapeutic targets in meningioma for regulating NF2 and inhibiting tumor development. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Research on cruciferous vegetables, indole‐3‐carbinol, and cancer prevention: A tribute to Lee W. Wattenberg
Authors: Fujioka Naomi , Fritz Vincent , Upadhyaya Pramod , Kassie Fekadu , Hecht Stephen S.
Published: February 2016

Lee W. Wattenberg, who spent his entire career at the University of Minnesota, was a true pioneer in the field of chemoprevention. This paper is a tribute to his groundbreaking research which uncovered the cancer prevention properties of many dietary compounds, including those discussed here in some detail–indole‐3‐carbinol and diindolylmethane. These compounds occur as glucosinolate conjugates in cruciferous vegetables and are released when one chews or otherwise macerates the vegetable. They have numerous beneficial effects including the ability to prevent cancer in laboratory animals treated with carcinogens. We review some of the early work on indole‐3‐carbinol and diindolylmethane which spurred subsequent studies on their efficacy and molecular mechanisms of prevention. We also present unique data on field conditions that affect levels of their glucosinolate precursors in vegetables and on the release of diindolylmethane in people who consume cruciferous vegetables.
Adult‐onset Krabbe disease presenting with an isolated form of peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Adachi Hiroshi , Ishihara Kanako , Tachibana Hisatsugu , Oka Nobuyuki , Higuchi Yujiro , Takashima Hiroshi , Yoneda Yukihiro , Kageyama Yasufumi
Published: February 2016

Introduction: Adult‐onset Krabbe disease is clinically rare and usually affects the pyramidal tracts in the central nervous system. Patients develop a spastic gait, and peripheral neuropathy sometimes occurs simultaneously. Methods: A 55‐year‐old woman with consanguineous parents developed slowly progressive, asymmetric muscle weakness and atrophy in her forearms, while her ability to walk remained unaffected without pyramidal tract signs after onset at age 51 years. Results: Nerve conduction studies demonstrated an asymmetric demyelinating‐type peripheral neuropathy, and sural nerve biopsy documented reduced myelinated nerve fiber density with uniformly thin myelin sheaths, suggesting hypomyelination. Brain MRI demonstrated minor white‐matter injury along the optic radiations, which was associated with asymptomatic, mild, prolonged latency on visual evoked potentials. Laboratory analysis documented low enzyme activity of galactocerebrosidase (GALC) and a known mutation of the GALC gene. Conclusion: Isolated peripheral neuropathy occurs very rarely in adult‐onset Krabbe disease. Muscle Nerve 54: 152–157, 2016
Three‐dimensional superconvergent gradient recovery on tetrahedral meshes
Authors: Chen Jie , Chen Zhangxin
Published: February 2016

In this paper, finite element superconvergence phenomenon based on centroidal Voronoi Delaunay tessellations (CVDT) in three‐dimensional space is investigated. The Laplacian operator with the Dirichlet boundary condition is considered. A modified superconvergence patch recovery (MSPR) method is established to overcome the influence of slivers on CVDT meshes. With these two key preconditions, a CVDT mesh and the MSPR, the gradients recovered from the linear finite element solutions have
superconvergence in the l2 norm at nodes of a CVDT mesh for an arbitrary three‐dimensional bounded domain. Numerous numerical examples are presented to demonstrate this superconvergence property and good performance of the MSPR method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Postal service markets: an international comparison analysis
Authors: Khazabi Massoud
Published: February 2016

This article contributes to the established strand of literature on post and postal service by providing a quadratic framework under which national postal markets are analyzed and compared from efficiency, profitability, and quality of service standpoints. Sample countries are grouped into four market models based on two attributes of market structure and ownership. The question of which governance‐operation postal model performs best is then answered. The policy insight offered by this paper expects to guide the advancement of national posts towards an optimal future design that best meets their specific needs and preferences. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nickel‐catalysed Kumada polycondensation of di‐functionalized Grignard reagent with aryl fluoride
Authors: Han Jianhua , Zong Lishuai , Liu Cheng , Wang Jinyan , Jian Xigao
Published: February 2016

A nickel catalyst promoted the polymerization between various Grignard reagents with 2‐phenyl‐4,6‐bi(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine. The reaction scope was thoroughly investigated and fully characterized. The Sp2‐C − F bond was successfully activated by the triazine group in Kumada coupling reactions. Also, di‐Grignard reagents showed higher activity than mono‐Grignard reagents. The reaction scope results reveal that a Grignard reagent with strong nucleophilicity and aryl fluoride with strong electrophilicity are necessary to lead to Kumada polycondensation of oligothiophenes with aryl fluoride. In this work, polymerization between di‐functionalized oligothiophene Grignard reagents with aryl fluoride was first conducted. The weight‐average molecular weight is high, up to 14.8 kDa. The π‐conjugated polymers obtained exhibit emission colours of blue, green and yellow with efficient photoluminescence. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Preventing N‐ and O‐formylation of proteins when incubated in concentrated formic acid
Authors: Zheng Shi , Doucette Alan A.
Published: February 2016

Concentrated formic acid is among the most effective solvents for protein solubilization. Unfortunately, this acid also presents a risk of inducing chemical modifications thereby limiting its use in proteomics. Previous reports have supported the esterification of serine and threonine residues (O‐formylation) for peptides incubated in formic acid. However as shown here, exposure of histone H4 to 80% formic (1 h, 20oC) induces N‐formylation of two independent lysine residues. Furthermore, incubating a mixture of Escherichia coli proteins in formic acid demonstrates a clear preference toward lysine modification over reactions at serine/threonine. N‐formylation accounts for 84% of the 225 uniquely identified formylation sites. To prevent formylation, we provide a detailed investigation of reaction conditions (temperature, time, acid concentration) that define the parameters permitting the use of concentrated formic acid in a proteomics workflow for MS characterization. Proteins can be maintained in 80% formic acid for extended periods (24 h) without inducing modification, so long as the temperature is maintained at or below –20oC.
Molecular dynamics simulations of cation‐controlled aggregation in fluorene–triarylamine copolymers
Authors: Li Meilin , Adams Stefan
Published: February 2016

Systematic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are applied, combining the sulfonated fluorene–triarylamine copolymer anion poly((N‐(4‐butylphenyl)‐diphenylamine)‐alt‐fluorene 9,9'di‐n‐propane sulfonate) with a wide range of monovalent cations of different cation field strengths. The resulting MD trajectories are analyzed for each of the conjugated polyelectrolyte focusing on ion aggregation, and its influence on the static and dynamic polymer morphology as well as on the charge carrier mobilities that are relevant for the use of such hole transporting materials in organic solar cells and organic light emitting devices. A pronounced variation of the degree of cation clustering with the cation field strength is found to control the polymer morphology, cation mobility and thereby the time evolution of the Coulomb energy landscape for hole transport. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 965–974
Recovery stress and work output in hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine)‐modified shape‐memory epoxy polymers
Authors: Santiago David , Fabregat‐Sanjuan Albert , Ferrando Francesc , De la Flor Silvia
Published: February 2016

In this study a series of hyperbranched modified shape‐memory polymers were subjected to constrained shape recoveries in order to determine their potential use as thermomechanical actuators. Materials were synthesized from a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A as base epoxy and a polyetheramine and a commercial hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) as crosslinker agents. Hyperbranched polymers within the structure of the shape‐memory epoxy polymers led to a more heterogeneous network that can substantially modify mechanical properties. Thermomechanical and mechanical properties were analyzed and discussed in terms of the content of hyperbranched polymer. Shape‐memory effect was analyzed under fully and partially constrained conditions. When shape recovery was carried out with fixed strain a recovery stress was obtained whereas when it was carried out with a constraining stress the material performs mechanical work. Tensile tests atTgE′showed excellent values of stress and strain at break (up to 15 MPa and almost 60%, respectively). Constrained recovery performances revealed rapid recovery stress generation and unusually high recovery stresses (up to 7 MPa) and extremely high work densities (up to 750 kJ/m3). The network structure of shape‐memory polymers was found to be a key factor for actuator‐like applications. Results confirm that hyperbranched modified‐epoxy shape memory polymers are good candidates for actuator‐like shape‐memory applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2016,54, 1002–1013