bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stereochemical analysis of β‐keto sulfoxides by circular dichroism
Authors: Górecki Marcin , Capozzi Maria Annunziata M. , Albano Gianluigi , Cardellicchio Cosimo , Di Bari Lorenzo , Pescitelli Gennaro
Published: November 2017

Three β‐keto sulfoxides (1–3) were synthesized in enantiopure form and investigated by means of circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, both in electronic and vibrational range (ECD, VCD), in combination with quantum chemical calculations. For compound 2, the X‐ray structure was available; thus, the ECD in the solid state was also considered to reveal the differences between the molecular species in both states.

Despite the simplicity of all β‐keto sulfoxides under investigation (29 atoms), reproducing even the major spectral VCD features failed for two compounds, making the use of VCD not ideal to assign their absolute configuration in a reliable way. We demonstrated, however, that the use of ECD spectroscopy, both in solution and solid state, can easily, unambiguously, and without any complication simulate all bands by applying the standard protocol for calculations. This study may stimulate the debate on the need of the use of two chiroptical methods simultaneously in the determination of absolute configurations.
Largazole Analogues as Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors and Anticancer Agents: An Overview of Structure–Activity Relationships
Authors: Poli Giulio , Di Fabio Romano , Ferrante Luca , Summa Vincenzo , Botta Maurizio
Published: November 2017

Since the time of its identification, the natural compound largazole rapidly caught the attention of the medicinal chemistry community for its impressive potency as an inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and its strong antiproliferative activity against a broad panel of cancer cell lines. The design of largazole analogues is an expanding field of study, due to their remarkable potential as novel anticancer therapeutics. At present, a large ensemble of largazole analogues has been reported, allowing the identification of important structure–activity relationships (SAR) that can guide the design of novel compounds with improved HDAC inhibitory profiles, anticancer activity, and pharmacokinetic properties. The aim of this review is to concisely summarize the information obtained by biological evaluations of the various largazole analogues reported to date, with particular attention given to the latest analogues, as well as to analyze the various SAR obtained from this data, with the purpose of providing useful guidelines for the development of novel potent and selective HDAC inhibitors to be used as anticancer agents.
Fast mutual exclusion by the Triangle algorithm
Authors: Hesselink Wim H. , Buhr Peter A. , Dice David
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a new starvation‐free software algorithm for the N‐thread mutual‐exclusion problem. In the absence of contention, the algorithm requires only eight write and four read operations to enter and leave the critical section; to the best of our knowledge, this is optimal. For algorithms with starvation, five write and two read read operations are optimal. In the presence of contention, the algorithm has excellent performance comparable to the best‐known software solutions using only atomic load and store and to a hardware‐assisted lock (MCS) using stronger atomic primitives and used within the Linux kernel. It is rare for software‐only algorithms for mutual exclusion to perform well for both minimal and maximal contention workloads, making the new algorithm largely self‐tuning when exposed to swings in access patterns.
Stable Ta2O5 Overlayers on Hematite for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Efficiencies
Authors: Forster Mark , Potter Richard J. , Yang Yi , Li Yat , Cowan Alexander J.
Published: November 2017

Hematite (α‐Fe2O3) is one of the most promising photoanodes for water oxidation, however the efficiencies of current hematite materials remain low. Surface trap states are often reported as one of the factors which limit the activity of hematite photoelectrodes, often leading to undesirable surface pinning and trap‐mediated recombination. The deposition of ultra‐thin Al2O3 overlayers is known to enhance hematite activity through passivation of surface states, however Al2O3 is rapidly degraded at normal hematite operating pH values (pH≈13). This study reports atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Ta2O5 thin films as stable, passivating overlayers on a range of hematite photoelectrodes and demonstrates that enhanced activity correlates with observed changes in trap‐state dynamics.
Measuring β‐Galactosidase Activity in Gram‐Positive Bacteria Using a Whole‐Cell Assay with MUG as a Fluorescent Reporter
Authors: Chiu Norman H. L. , Watson Amanda L.
Published: November 2017

The use of β‐galactosidase enzyme as a biomarker has the potential to determine activity levels of the microbiome of a variety of organisms due to its common presence in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Completing the assay in a whole‐cell format facilitates the monitoring of β‐galactosidase activity in its actual cellular environment. This unit describes an optimized fluorescent assay for β‐galactosidase that has enough sensitivity to detect the enzymatic activity despite the thick gram‐positive bacterial cellular membrane. The use of a smaller fluorometric substrate, namely 4‐methylumbelliferyl β‐D‐galactopyranoside (MUG), has facilitated its penetration into the cells as well as its direct detection without any extra steps. This assay provides an improved technique for measuring a well‐studied reporter enzyme and offers new avenues for using β‐galactosidase as a biomarker. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hydrogen‐assisted Carbon Dioxide Thermochemical Reduction on La0.9Ca0.1FeO3−δ Membranes: A Kinetics Study
Authors: Wu Xiao‐Yu , Ghoniem Ahmed F.
Published: November 2017

Kinetics data for CO2 thermochemical reduction in an isothermal membrane reactor is required to identify the rate‐limiting steps. A detailed reaction kinetics study on this process supported by an La0.9Ca0.1FeO3‐δ (LCF‐91) membrane is thus reported. The dependence of CO2 reduction rate on various operating conditions is examined, such as CO2 concentration on the feed side, fuel concentrations on the sweep side, and temperatures. The CO2 reduction rate is proportional to the oxygen flux across the membrane, and the measured maximum fluxes are 0.191 and 0.164 μmol cm−2 s−1 with 9.5 mol% H2 and 11.6 mol% CO on the sweep side at 990 °C, respectively. Fuel is used to maintain the chemical potential gradient across the membrane and CO is used to derive the surface reaction kinetics. This membrane also exhibits stable performances for 106 h. A resistance‐network model is developed to describe the oxygen transport process and the kinetics data are parameterized using the experimental values. The model shows a transition of the rate limiting step between the surface reactions on the feed side and the sweep side depending on the operating conditions.
High Lithium Insertion Voltage Single‐Crystal H2Ti12O25 Nanorods as a High‐Capacity and High‐Rate Lithium‐Ion Battery Anode Material
Authors: Guo Qiang , Chen Li , Shan Zizhao , Lee Wee Siang Vincent , Xiao Wen , Liu Zhifang , Liang Jingjing , Yang Gaoli , Xue Junmin
Published: November 2017

H2Ti12O25 holds great promise as a high‐voltage anode material for advanced lithium‐ion battery applications. To enhance its electrochemical performance, control of the crystal orientation and morphology is an effective way to cope with slow Li+‐ion diffusion inside H2Ti12O25 with severe anisotropy. In this report, Na2Ti6O13 nanorods, prepared from Na2CO3 and anatase TiO2 in molten NaCl medium, were used as a precursor in the synthesis of long single‐crystal H2Ti12O25 nanorods with reactive facets. The as‐prepared H2Ti12O25 nanorods with a diameter of 100–200 nm showed higher charge (extraction) specific capacity and better rate performance than previously reported systems. The reversible capacity of H2Ti12O25 was 219.8 mAh g−1 at 1C after 100 cycles, 172.1 mAh g−1 at 10C, and 144.4 mAh g−1 at 20C after 200 cycles; these values are higher than those of H2Ti12O25 prepared by the conventional soft‐chemical method. Moreover, the as‐prepared H2Ti12O25 nanorods exhibited superior cycle stability with more than 94 % retention of capacity with nearly 100 % coulombic efficiency after 100 cycles at 1C. On the basis of the above results, long single‐crystal H2Ti12O25 nanorods synthesized in molten NaCl with outstanding electrochemical characteristics hold a significant amount of promise for hybrid electric vehicles and energy‐storage systems.
To the end of the line: Axonal mRNA transport and local translation in health and neurodegenerative disease
Authors: Costa Christopher J. , Willis Dianna E.
Published: November 2017

Axons and growth cones, by their very nature far removed from the cell body, encounter unique environments and require distinct populations of proteins. It seems only natural, then, that they have developed mechanisms to locally synthesize a host of proteins required to perform their specialized functions. Acceptance of this ability has taken decades; however, there is now consensus that axons do indeed have the capacity for local translation, and that this capacity is even retained into adulthood. Accumulating evidence supports the role of locally synthesized proteins in the proper development, maintenance, and function of neurons, and newly emerging studies also suggest that disruption in this process has implications in a number of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we briefly review the long history of axonal mRNA localization and local translation, and the role that these locally synthesized proteins play in normal neuronal function. Additionally, we highlight the emerging evidence that dysregulation in these processes contributes to a wide range of pathophysiology, including neuropsychiatric disorders, Alzheimer's, and motor neuron diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop. Neurobiol 78: 209–220, 2018
Scavenger removal of bird carcasses at simulated wind turbines: Does carcass type matter?
Authors: DeVault Travis L. , Seamans Thomas W. , Linnell Kimberly E. , Sparks Dale W. , Beasley James C.
Published: November 2017

Wind energy development can negatively impact bird populations due to bird–turbine collisions. To accurately estimate bird mortality at wind farms, the number of dead birds found under turbines is commonly corrected for carcass removal by scavengers, which is quantified by measuring persistence of experimental carcasses through time. These studies often use domestic birds as surrogates because carcasses of wild birds (e.g., raptors) are difficult to obtain. We assessed scavenger removal of carcasses from five bird species at simulated turbines to determine whether domestic surrogates are scavenged at a different rate than raptors, species of interest for wind turbine mortality. The percentage of carcasses scavenged during 14‐d rounds ranged from 34.6% for American kestrels (Falco sparverius) to 65.4% for chickens (Gallus gallus), and the percentage of carcasses completely removed ranged from 13.5% for red‐tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) to 67.3% for northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). Carcass type (i.e., species) was the only predictor included in the best‐fit logistic regression model of complete carcass removal, and a survival analysis indicated carcass type influenced elapsed time to scavenging events. Our results suggest the use of surrogate species to quantify carcass removal at wind turbines could lead to inaccurate mortality estimates.
Pulmonary hypertension in stiff left atrial syndrome: pathogenesis and treatment in one
Authors: Maeder Micha T. , Nägele Reto , Rohner Philipp , Weilenmann Daniel
Published: November 2017

We present the rare case of a patient with pulmonary hypertension in the context of the stiff left atrial syndrome after extensive catheter ablation, a unique constellation characterized by high pulmonary artery and pulmonary artery wedge pressures due to left atrial dysfunction but normal left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure, normal mitral valve, and absence pulmonary vein stenosis. This patient was surprisingly oligosymptomatic, however, which may have been due to a persistent post‐puncture atrial septal defect, which may have allowed for controlled left atrial decompression, which is in line with the novel concept of the catheter‐based creation of an intracardiac shunt as a treatment for heart failure.
Organometallic Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Bis‐Ligand Nickel(Ii) Complex of 1,5‐Di‐P‐Tolyl‐3,7‐Dipyridine‐1,5,3,7‐Diazadiphosphacyclo‐Octane Catalyst
Authors: Kadirov Marsil K. , Karasik Andrey A. , Nizameev Irek R. , Strelnik Igor D. , Kholin Kirill V. , Kadirov Danis M. , Ismaev Timur I. , Budnikova Yulia G. , Sinyashin Oleg G.
Published: November 2017

A 1,4‐Diaza‐3.7‐diphosphacyclo‐otane organometallic bis‐ligand nickel(II) complex [Ni(PPy2Np‐Tol2)2]2+2.[BF4]− on Vulcan XC‐72 (C) functions as both the cathode and anode catalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). In a PEMFC using Ni(Py‐p‐Tol)/C at the anode and Pt/C at the cathode the power density is shown to reach 14.66 mW cm−2, which is the highest power density of the none‐noble organometallic analogs. Based on the data produced using independent physico‐chemical methods, the mechanisms of the hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions (HOR and ORR) on the anode and cathode sides of PEMFC, respectively, are reported.
Environmental doses of perfluorooctanoic acid change the expression of genes in target tissues of common carp
Authors: Rotondo John Charles , Giari Luisa , Guerranti Cristiana , Tognon Mauro , Castaldelli Giuseppe , Fano Elisa Anna , Martini Fernanda
Published: November 2017

We aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental doses of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on bioconcentration and gene expression in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Adult male and female carp were exposed to environmental (200 ng/L) and experimental (2 mg/L) doses of PFOA for 56 d. Carp exposed to 200 ng/L had levels of PFOA below the level of detection in all tissue samples analyzed, whereas variable concentrations were measurable in various tissues from carp exposed to 2 mg/L. The expression level of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene, coding for a detoxifying enzyme, increased in a PFOA dose-dependent manner in liver tissues from 200 ng/L to 2 mg/L exposure (p < 0.05). The expression levels of CYP19A gene, coding for the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen, were altered in gonadal tissues from male and female carp exposed to either 200 ng/L or 2 mg/L; expression increased in male gonads and decreased in female gonads. Unexpectedly, the expression levels of CYP19A in male and female gonads from carp exposed to 200 ng/L or 2 mg/L were similar (p > 0.05). Therefore, even though environmental doses of PFOA did not accumulate in tissues of the common carp, they did affect the gene expression levels of GST in the liver and CYP19A in the gonads. These observations raise concerns that exposure to environmental doses of PFOA may affect gene expression in animals and possibly in humans, with important health consequences. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:942–948. © 2017 SETAC
An ancestry‐based approach for detecting interactions
Authors: Park Danny S. , Eskin Itamar , Kang Eun Yong , Gamazon Eric R. , Eng Celeste , Gignoux Christopher R. , Galanter Joshua M. , Burchard Esteban , Ye Chun J. , Aschard Hugues , Eskin Eleazar , Halperin Eran , Zaitlen Noah
Published: November 2017

Background

Epistasis and gene‐environment interactions are known to contribute significantly to variation of complex phenotypes in model organisms. However, their identification in human association studies remains challenging for myriad reasons. In the case of epistatic interactions, the large number of potential interacting sets of genes presents computational, multiple hypothesis correction, and other statistical power issues. In the case of gene‐environment interactions, the lack of consistently measured environmental covariates in most disease studies precludes searching for interactions and creates difficulties for replicating studies.

Results

In this work, we develop a new statistical approach to address these issues that leverages genetic ancestry, defined as the proportion of ancestry derived from each ancestral population (e.g., the fraction of European/African ancestry in African Americans), in admixed populations. We applied our method to gene expression and methylation data from African American and Latino admixed individuals, respectively, identifying nine interactions that were significant at . We show that two of the interactions in methylation data replicate, and the remaining six are significantly enriched for low P‐values ().

Conclusion

We show that genetic ancestry can be a useful proxy for unknown and unmeasured covariates in the search for interaction effects. These results have important implications for our understanding of the genetic architecture of complex traits.
Integrative sparse principal component analysis of gene expression data
Authors: Liu Mengque , Fan Xinyan , Fang Kuangnan , Zhang Qingzhao , Ma Shuangge
Published: November 2017

In the analysis of gene expression data, dimension reduction techniques have been extensively adopted. The most popular one is perhaps the PCA (principal component analysis). To generate more reliable and more interpretable results, the SPCA (sparse PCA) technique has been developed. With the “small sample size, high dimensionality” characteristic of gene expression data, the analysis results generated from a single dataset are often unsatisfactory. Under contexts other than dimension reduction, integrative analysis techniques, which jointly analyze the raw data of multiple independent datasets, have been developed and shown to outperform “classic” meta‐analysis and other multidatasets techniques and single‐dataset analysis. In this study, we conduct integrative analysis by developing the iSPCA (integrative SPCA) method. iSPCA achieves the selection and estimation of sparse loadings using a group penalty. To take advantage of the similarity across datasets and generate more accurate results, we further impose contrasted penalties. Different penalties are proposed to accommodate different data conditions. Extensive simulations show that iSPCA outperforms the alternatives under a wide spectrum of settings. The analysis of breast cancer and pancreatic cancer data further shows iSPCA's satisfactory performance.
Mesozoic magmatic activity and tectonic evolution in the southern East China Sea Continental Shelf Basin: Thermo‐mechanical modelling
Authors: Liu Ze , Dai Li‐ming , Li Sanzhong , Guo Ling‐li , Hu Meng‐ying , Ma Fang‐fang , Tao Jian‐li , Yang Chang‐qing
Published: November 2017

Based on the seismic profiles, drilling, tomographic images and other geological data, we use the I2VIS code to program the Mesozoic finite‐difference numerical model in the southern part of the East China Sea Continental Shelf Basin (ECSCSB). We try to model the basin evolutionary process by setting up different boundaries to the 2‐D models. After analysing the simulation results of low‐speed and high‐speed stretching models, we found that under the condition of preliminary tensile value, the magma could not be generated in both rapid and slow stretching cases. This means that the regional extension of the Mesozoic ECSCSB is not the only dominant factor for basin evolution. Based on the analysis of the regional geological features and the modelling results, we suggest that the low‐velocity lithosphere mantle in the study area may be due to the melting of the mantle caused by the subduction and dehydration of the Izawa Nasaki Plate. The evolutionary process of the Mesozoic basins in the ECSCSB is closely related to regional extension and the magma upwelling caused by subduction and dehydration of the Izawa Nasaki Plate during the Mesozoic Era. The magma upwelling led to large‐scale magmatic events. It is likely to act in the Minjiang Sag, which resulted in the further rise of the Minjiang Sag and the formation of the present slope zone.
Ore genesis of the Xiadian gold deposit, Jiaodong Peninsula, East China: Information from fluid inclusions and mineralization
Authors: Liu Jianchao , Wang Jinya , Liu Yang , Tian Jingxiang , Li Xiuzhang , Zhang Haidong
Published: November 2017

Orebodies in the Xiadian gold deposit in the Jiaodong Peninsula, China are mainly hosted in the Mesozoic granitoids, controlled structurally by the Zhaoyuan–Pingdu Fault Zone, and occur as disseminated and cataclastic altered type. Four mineralization stages were identified as follows: quartz–pyrite stage (I), gold‐bearing fine‐grained pyrite–quartz stage (II), polymetallic sulfide–quartz stage (III), and quartz–carbonate stage (IV). Quartz was classified as including quartz granules with dentation boundaries (I), cataclastic quartz grain assemblages (II and III), and rod‐like quartz grains (IV). Petrography, laser Raman analysis, and microthermometry of fluid inclusions in these stages (in both tunnel and borehole samples) reveal (a) CO2–H2O fluid inclusions (C–H type), (b) CO2–H2O ± CH4fluid inclusions (C–H–CH4type), and (c) aqueous fluid inclusions (H type). Fluid immiscibility caused by fluid mixing caused rapid precipitation of gold. The ore‐forming fluid of the Xiadian gold deposit evolves from an H2O–CO2–NaCl ± CH4system with medium temperature and salinity to an H2O–NaCl system with low temperature and salinity, from CO2‐rich to CO2‐poor in composition and from a mixture of magmatic water with increasing meteoric water as δ18OH2Ovalues. Sulphur isotope compositions suggest a mixed source of ore metal, and the Jiaodong Group may be a major source for sulphur. Fluid parameters of borehole samples indicate that there is the same fluid system for Au precipitation at different depths and fault gouge with poor permeability may play a crucial role in forming a relatively closed semi‐open space for Au precipitation. Integrating the data obtained from the studies including regional geology, ore geology, and fluid inclusions and stable isotope geochemistry, the Xiadian gold deposit is concluded as an orogenic‐type gold deposit formed in the tectonic transition from compression to extension.
Geochemical, mineralogical, and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of ferromanganese encrustations from Central Indian Ridge at 06°38.5′S
Authors: Banerjee Ranadip , Devasia George K. , Ray Durbar , Balakrishnan S.
Published: November 2017

Mineralogical, geochemical, and isotopic (Sr and Nd) studies of 14 ferromanganese encrustations on basaltic substrates from Central Indian Ridge at 06°38.5′S indicate that except for two (NC3 and NC4), the samples are hydrogenous type. NC3 and NC4 have slightly higher growth rates, lower bulk trace metal contents, and low ∑REE. They have a lower content of high field strength (e.g., Hf, Ta, Zr, and Nb), incompatible (e.g., Pb, Th, and U), and lithophilic elements (e.g., Sr and Ba) than others. In addition, NC3 has a lower 87Sr/86Sr ratio (0.708825) than the remaining samples (range 0.709169–0.709253) but higher 143Nd/144Nd ratio (0.512296) than others (range 0.512258–0.512279). Both NC3 and NC4 have a higher radiogenic component indicated by their low εNd value (−6.67) than the remaining samples (range −7.00 to −7.41). These evidences together indicate a possible contribution of trace metals by a local mixed source of hydrothermal and hydrogenous origin during their growth history.
Association of interleukin‐18 gene polymorphism and its protein expression with the lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in the chinese han population: A case‐control study
Authors: Chen Ye‐Long , Shou Li‐Hong , Zhang Zong‐Xin
Published: November 2017

Objective

We aim to explain the correlation among IL‐18 gene polymorphism, its protein expression and LEDVT in the Chinese Han population.

Methods

A total of 138 LEDVT patients and 150 healthy people volunteered as LEDVT and control groups. All the data, including the gender, age, BMI, levels of TG, LDL/HDL, TC, GLU, APTT, BUN, Cr, ALT, AST, ApoA1, ApoB, and Fg was detected. IL‐18 level, IL‐18 −137G/C and −607C/A polymorphism, and risk factors of LEDVT were detected using ELISA, PCR‐RFLP and multivariate logistic regression analysis, respectively.

Results

Increased BMI, GLU, Fg, BUN, ApoB and IL‐18 and decreased APTT were found in the LEDVT group. The GC + CC genotype and C allele in −137G/C polymorphism was elevated in the control group when compared to that in the LEDVT group. The IL‐18 level was elevated in the case group when compared to the control group with respect to the same genotype in −607C/A and −137G/C polymorphisms, and in the LEDVT group, IL‐18 level was higher in the GG genotype than that in the GC + CC genotype of −137G/C polymorphism. BUN, GG genotype and IL‐18 level were independent risk factors, but APTT was a protective factor of LEDVT.

Conclusion

On the basis of our results, we concluded that the GG genotype of −137G/C polymorphism and IL‐18 level are independent risk factors of LEDVT, and IL‐18 gene polymorphism affects the level of IL‐18 in LEDVT patients.
Late‐onset type I endoleak characterized by contrast enhanced ultrasound after endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm
Authors: Gifford John Nathan , Cheong Hsueh Wen , Teoh Wey Chyi
Published: November 2017

We report in the case of a patient with an intra‐abdominal aortic aneurysm treated with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) who developed renal impairment during the period of follow up. The repair was complicated with an early‐onset type II endoleak which later evolved into a late‐onset type I endoleak. It was treated with proximal extension of stent graft, with treatment success and follow‐up documented on contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). This case illustrates the usefulness of CEUS in post‐EVAR surveillance and emphasizes the need for life‐long monitoring as late‐onset complications are not uncommon.
Sonographically guided insertion of intrauterine device: Indications and results
Authors: Balica Adrian C. , Kim Chi‐Son , Egan Susan , Ayers Charletta A. , Bachmann Gloria A.
Published: November 2017

From 2011 to 2015, a total of 67 patients were referred for IUD insertion guided with transabdominal sonography (TAS). Fifty‐six of the 67 patients had successful IUD insertion under TAS guidance. The clinical indications for referral included fibroids, uterine position, previous history of IUD expulsion, and limited tolerance of pelvic examination. Reasons for failed TAS‐guided IUD insertion included patient discomfort, cervical stenosis, and inability to remove and replace an existing device. Ultrasound guidance could help broaden the patient population that may benefit from the therapeutic value of an IUD.
Multispecificity of a recombinant anti‐ras monoclonal antibody
Authors: Schrader John W. , McLean Gary R.
Published: November 2017

Recombinant monoclonal antibodies (Ab's) have widespread application as research tools, diagnostic reagents and as biotherapeutics. Whilst studying the cellular molecular switch protein m‐ras, a recombinant monoclonal antibody to m‐ras was generated for use as a research tool. Antibody genes from a single rabbit B cell secreting IgG to an m‐ras specific peptide sequence were expressed in mammalian cells, and monoclonal rabbit IgG binding was characterized by ELISA and peptide array blotting. Although the monoclonal Ab was selected for specificity to m‐ras peptide, it also bound to both recombinant full‐length m‐ras and h‐ras proteins. The cross‐reactive binding of the monoclonal Ab to h‐ras was defined by peptide array blot revealing that the Ab showed preference for peptide sequences containing multiple positively charged amino acid residues. These data reinforce the concept of antibody multispecificity through multiple interactions of the Ab paratope with diverse polypeptides. They also emphasize the importance of immunogen and Ab selection processes when generating recombinant monoclonal Ab's.
Looking beyond the forest: Using harvest plots, gap analysis, and expert consultations to assess effectiveness, engage stakeholders, and inform policy
Authors: Burns J. , Polus S. , Brereton L. , Chilcott J. , Ward S.E. , Pfadenhauer L.M. , Rehfuess E.A.
Published: November 2017

We describe a combination of methods for assessing the effectiveness of complex interventions, especially where substantial heterogeneity with regard to the population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and study design of interest is expected. We applied these methods in a recent systematic review of the effectiveness of reinforced home‐based palliative care (rHBPC) interventions, which included home‐based care with an additional and explicit component of lay caregiver support. We first summarized the identified evidence, deemed inappropriate for statistical pooling, graphically by creating harvest plots. Although very useful as a tool for summary and presentation of overall effectiveness, such graphical summary approaches may obscure relevant differences between studies. Thus, we then used a gap analysis and conducted expert consultations to look beyond the aggregate level at how the identified evidence of effectiveness may be explained. The goal of these supplemental methods was to step outside of the conventional systematic review and explore this heterogeneity from a broader perspective, based on the experience of palliative care researchers and practitioners. The gap analysis and expert consultations provided valuable input into possible underlying explanations in the evidence, which could be helpful in the further adaptation and testing of existing rHBPC interventions or the development and evaluation of new ones. We feel that such a combination of methods could prove accessible, understandable, and useful in informing decisions and could thus help increase the relevance of systematic reviews to the decision‐making process.
In vitro screening and isolation of human aromatase inhibitors from Cicer arietinum by a novel continuous online method combining chromatographic techniques
Authors: Zhang Yuchi , He Yan , Liu Chengyu , Liu Chunming , Li Sainan
Published: November 2017

Ultrafiltration liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry can efficiently and rapidly screen and identify ligands from the seeds of Cicer arietinum for human aromatase. Using this method, we identified 11 major compounds, including organic acids, organic acid glycosides, flavone glycosides, isoflavones, and isoflavone glycosides, as potent human aromatase inhibitors. A continuous online method, including pressurized liquid extraction, countercurrent chromatography, and preparative liquid chromatography, was developed for scaling up the production of these compounds with high purity and efficiency. The bioactivity of the separated compounds was assessed by an in vitro enzyme inhibition assay. This novel approach using a combination of ultrafiltration liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and pressurized liquid extraction with countercurrent chromatography and preparative liquid chromatography as well as an in vitro enzyme inhibition assay could be applied to efficiently screen and isolate human aromatase inhibitors from complex samples and to the large‐scale production of functional food and nutraceutical ingredients.
The Efficacy of Lavender Aromatherapy in Reducing Preoperative Anxiety in Ambulatory Surgery Patients Undergoing Procedures in General Otolaryngology
Authors: Wotman Michael , Levinger Joshua , Leung Lillian , Kallush Aron , Mauer Elizabeth , Kacker Ashutosh
Published: November 2017

Background

Preoperative anxiety is a common problem in hospitals and other health care centers. This emotional state has been shown to negatively impact patient satisfaction and outcomes. Aromatherapy, the therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from aromatic plants, may offer a simple, low‐risk and cost‐effective method of managing preoperative anxiety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lavender aromatherapy in reducing preoperative anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients undergoing procedures in general otolaryngology.

Methods

A prospective and controlled pilot study was conducted with 100 patients who were admitted to New York‐Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center for ambulatory surgery from January of 2015 to August of 2015. The subjects were allocated to two groups; the experimental group received inhalation lavender aromatherapy in the preoperative waiting area while the control group received standard nursing care. Both groups reported their anxiety with a visual analog scale (VAS) upon arriving to the preoperative waiting area and upon departure to the operating room.

Results

According to a Welch's two sample t‐test, the mean reduction in anxiety was statistically greater in the experimental group than the control group (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Lavender aromatherapy reduced preoperative anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients. This effect was modest and possibly statistically significant. Future research is needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of lavender aromatherapy.

Level of Evidence

2b
Clinical efficacy of a topical lactic acid bacterial microbiome in chronic rhinosinusitis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mårtensson Anders , Abolhalaj Milad , Lindstedt Malin , Mårtensson Anette , Olofsson Tobias C. , Vásquez Alejandra , Greiff Lennart , Cervin Anders
Published: November 2017

Objective

A locally disturbed commensal microbiome might be an etiological factor in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in general and in CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) in particular. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been suggested to restore commensal microbiomes. A honeybee LAB microbiome consisting of various lactobacilli and bifidobacteria have been found potent against CRS pathogens in vitro. Recently, we examined effects of single nasal administrations of this microbiome in healthy subjects and found it inert. In this study, we examined effects of repeated such administrations in patients with CRSsNP.

Study Design

The study was of a randomized, double‐blinded, crossover, and sham‐controlled design.

Methods

Twenty patients received 2 weeks' treatment administered using a nasal spray‐device. The subjects were monitored with regard to symptoms (SNOT‐22 questionnaire, i.e., the primary efficacy variable), changes to their microbiome, and inflammatory products (IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐, IL‐8,a, and MPO) in nasal lavage fluids.

Results

Neither symptom scores, microbiological explorations, nor levels of inflammatory products in nasal lavage fluids were affected by LAB (c.f. sham).

Conclusion

Two weeks' nasal administration of a honeybee LAB microbiome to patients with CRSsNP is well tolerated but affects neither symptom severity nor the microbiological flora/local inflammatory activity.

Level of Evidence

1b
Immunological Changes Induced in Peach Allergy Patients with Systemic Reactions by Pru p 3 Sublingual Immunotherapy
Authors: Palomares Francisca , Gomez Francisca , Bogas Gador , Campo Paloma , Perkins James Richard , Diaz‐Perales Araceli , Rodriguez Maria J. , Prieto Ana , Barber Domingo , Torres María J. , Mayorga Cristobalina
Published: November 2017

Scope

Sublingual immunotherapy using peach extract enriched in Pru p 3 (Pru p 3‐enriched‐SLIT) brings a new perspective to treating patients with allergy to lipid transfer proteins. We evaluate the immunological changes induced by Pru p 3‐enriched‐SLIT during one year.

Methods and results

Three groups are included: peach allergic patients who receive Pru p 3‐enriched‐SLIT, peach allergic untreated patients, and controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells are obtained before treatment and at different time‐points. Monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (moDCs) maturation and lymphocyte proliferation are assessed by flow cytometry. Data showed a significant reduction of moDCs maturation status during one year of treatment and an increase in PD‐L1. Moreover, we observed a significant decrease of the Pru p 3‐specific proliferation of effector cells and an increase in regulatory T (Treg) cells with higher PD‐L1 expression and IL‐10 production. These are observed in patients treated only.

Conclusion

Successful Pru p 3‐enriched‐SLIT is linked to an important immunosuppression of allergen‐specific effector T cells, potentially due to an increase of allergen‐specific Treg cells. These cellular changes are orchestrated by the activity of moDCs promoting the expression of PD‐L1 that will participate in the regulatory response. These changes may serve as biomarkers during SLIT alongside other features such as IgE/IgG4 ratio.
Implementation of dosimetry equipment and phantoms at the MedAustron light ion beam therapy facility
Authors: Grevillot Loïc , Stock Markus , Palmans Hugo , Osorio Moreno Jhonnatan , Letellier Virgile , Dreindl Ralf , Elia Alessio , Fuchs Hermann , Carlino Antonio , Vatnitsky Stanislav
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To describe the implementation of dosimetry equipment and phantoms into clinical practice of light ion beam therapy facilities. This work covers not only standard dosimetry equipment such as computerized water scanners, films, 2D‐array, thimble, and plane parallel ionization chambers, but also dosimetry equipment specifically devoted to the pencil beam scanning delivery technique such as water columns, scintillating screens or multilayer ionization chambers.

Method

Advanced acceptance testing procedures developed at MedAustron and complementary to the standard acceptance procedures proposed by the manufacturer are presented. Detailed commissioning plans have been implemented for each piece of dosimetry equipment and include an estimate of the overall uncertainty budget for the range of clinical use of each device. Some standard dosimetry equipment used in many facilities was evaluated in detail: for instance, the recombination of a 2D‐array or the potential use of a microdiamond detector to measure reference transverse dose profiles in water in the core of the primary pencil beams and in the low‐dose nuclear halo (over four orders of magnitude in dose).

Results

The implementation of dosimetry equipment as described in this work allowed determining absolute spot sizes and spot positions with an uncertainty better than 0.3 mm. Absolute ranges are determined with an uncertainty comprised of 0.2–0.6 mm, depending on the measured range and were reproduced with a maximum difference of 0.3 mm over a period of 12 months using three different devices.

Conclusion

The detailed evaluation procedures of dosimetry equipment and phantoms proposed in this work could serve as a guidance for other medical physicists in ion beam therapy facilities and also in conventional radiation therapy.
Numerical analysis of a Picard multilevel stabilization of mixed finite volume method for the 2D/3D incompressible flow with large data
Authors: Li Jian , Lin Xiaolin , Zhao Xin
Published: November 2017

In this article, we develop a branch of nonsingular solutions of a Picard multilevel stabilization of mixed finite volume method for the 2D/3D stationary Navier‐Stokes equations without relying on the unique solution condition. The method presented consists of capturing almost all information of initial problem (the nonlinear problems) on the coarsest mesh and then performs one Picard defect correction (the linear problems) on each subsequent mesh based on previous information thus only solving one large linear systems. What is more, the method presented can results in a better coefficient matrix in the model presented with small viscosity. Theoretical results show that the method presented is derived with the convergence rate of the same order as the corresponding finite volume method/finite element method solving the stationary Navier‐Stokes equations on a fine mesh. Therefore, the method presented is definitely more efficient than the standard finite volume method/finite element method. Finally, numerical experiments clearly show the efficiency of the method presented for solving the stationary Navier‐Stokes equations.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 34: 30–50, 2018
Effect on thermo‐mechanical properties by in‐situ emulsion polymerization of polymer/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Castillo‐Pérez Rubén , Hernández‐Vargas Mireya L. , Flores‐Cedillo Osvaldo , Campillo‐Illanes Bernardo F.
Published: November 2017

Bentonite clay nanoparticles without surface modification were used to prepare a polymer‐based nanocomposite: Butyl acrylate (BA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and acrylic acid (AA) were copolymerized as the matrix. The synthesis was carried out using seeded batch emulsion polymerization system. Bentonite was added up to 3 wt% and the metastable emulsions remained for a period over 6 months in storage at room temperature, to estimate the emulsion stability. Cast films were obtained from the aqueous dispersions and these were optically transparent. Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray scattering spectra showed that the copolymer chain had intercalated the Bentonite nanoplatelets, with aggregates into small crystalline clusters and dispersed through the polymer matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that increasing the concentration of Bentonite increased the glass transition temperature, Tg. Furthermore, uniaxial tensile deformation at room temperature showed that the elastic Young's modulus, E, increased over an order of magnitude at 3 wt% Bentonite concentration. These results suggest that the molecular dynamics is inhibited, due to the associated restricted motions of the confined macromolecules within the gallery clay and the increment of the molecular weight. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:263–276, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Analysis for efficiency potential of high‐efficiency and next‐generation solar cells
Authors: Yamaguchi Masafumi , Lee Kan‐Hua , Araki Kenji , Kojima Nobuaki , Yamada Hiroyuki , Katsumata Yasuhiro
Published: November 2017

This paper overviews photovoltaic R&D projects in Japan. Recently, world‐record and second highest efficiencies of various types of solar cells have been demonstrated under the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization Project: 44.4% (under concentration) and 37.9% (under 1 sun) InGaP/GaAs/InGaAs inverted metamorphic 3‐junction solar cells by Sharp, 26.7% single crystalline Si heterojunction back‐contact solar cell by Kaneka, 22.3% copper indium gallium selenide solar cell by Solar Frontier, a‐Si/μc‐Si/μc‐Si thin‐film triple‐junction solar cell with stabilized efficiency of 14.0% by AIST, 11.9% dye‐sensitized solar cell by Sharp, and 11.2% organic solar cell by Toshiba. This paper also presents efficiency potential of high‐efficiency and next‐generation solar cells analyzed by considering external radiative efficiency, open‐circuit voltage loss, and fill factor loss. Efficiency potential of crystalline Si, GaAs, III‐V compound 3‐junction and 5‐junction, CIGSe, CdTe, CZTS(Se), multiquantum well, and quantum dot and perovskite solar cells is shown to be 28.5%, 29.7%, 40%, 43%, 26.5%, 26.5%, 20%, 25.8%, and 24.9% under 1 sun, respectively.
Proteomic Profiling of Exosomes Secreted by Breast Cancer Cells with Varying Metastatic Potential
Authors: Gangoda Lahiru , Liem Michael , Ang Ching‐Seng , Keerthikumar Shivakumar , Adda Christopher G. , Parker Belinda S. , Mathivanan Suresh
Published: November 2017

Cancer cells actively release extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, into the surrounding microenvironment. Exosomes play pleiotropic roles in cancer progression and metastasis, including invasion, angiogenesis, and immune modulation. However, the proteome profile of exosomes isolated from cells with different metastatic potential and the role of these exosomes in driving metastasis remains unclear. Here, we conduct a comparative proteomic analysis of exosomes isolated from several genetically related mouse breast tumor lines with different metastatic propensity. The amount of exosomes produced and the extent of cancer‐associated protein cargo vary significantly between nonmetastatic and metastatic cell‐derived exosomes. Metastatic cell‐derived exosomes contain proteins that promote migration, proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis while the nonmetastatic cell‐derived exosomes contain proteins involved in cell–cell/cell–matrix adhesion and polarity maintenance. The metastatic exosomes contain a distinct set of membrane proteins including Ceruloplasmin and Metadherin which could presumably aid in targeting the primary cancer cells to specific metastatic sites. Hence, it can be concluded that the exosomes contain different protein cargo based on the host cells metastatic properties and can facilitate in the dissemination of the primary tumors to distant sites.
Optoeletronic properties of poly(N‐alkenyl‐carbazole)s driven by polymer stereoregularity
Authors: Botta Antonio , Costabile Chiara , Venditto Vincenzo , Pragliola Stefania , Liguori Rosalba , Rubino Alfredo , Alberga Domenico , Savarese Marika , Adamo Carlo
Published: November 2017

Stereoregular polymers like isotactic poly(N‐butenyl‐carbazole) (i‐PBK), isotactic and syndiotactic poly(N‐pentenyl‐carbazole) (i‐PPK and s‐PPK), and poly(N‐hexenyl‐carbazole) (i‐PHK and s‐PHK) are synthesized using the stereospecific homogeneous “single site” Ziegler‐Natta (Z‐N) catalysts: rac‐dimethylsilylbis(1‐indenyl)zirconium dichloride (1)/methylaluminoxane (MAO) and diphenylmethylidene(cyclopentadienyl)‐(9‐fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride (2)/MAO. Catalytic activity is rationalized by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. All synthesized polymers are fully characterized by NMR, thermal, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Fluorescence measurements on isotactic and syndiotactic polymer films indicate that all polymers give rise to excimers, both “sandwich‐like” and “partially overlapping.” Excimer formation is essentially driven by the polymer tacticity. Isotactic polymers generate both sandwich‐like and partially overlapping excimers, while syndiotactic polymers give rise especially to partially overlapping ones. A theoretical combined molecular dynamics–time dependent DFT approach is also used to support the experimental results. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 242–251
Thermal shrinkage of electrospun PVP nanofibers
Authors: Elishav Oren , Beilin Vadim , Rozent Ofer , Shter Gennady E. , Grader Gideon S.
Published: November 2017

This paper outlines the shrinkage of electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) fiber mats during thermal treatment. The thermal behavior and phase changes within the fibers were investigated by DSC and TGA/DTA. Five precursors with different PVP loading in ethanol were electrospun. The mats shrinkage as function of temperature was measured in the RT–200 °C range. Shrinkage rate drastically increased above the polymer glass transition point,Tg(150–180 °C), due to increase in polymer chain mobility. Mats shrinkage at 200 °C as function of PVP concentration showed a minimum at ∼10%wt. Below 10% PVP the mats morphology is non‐uniform, consisting of beads and fibers. Above 10% PVP, only flat and uniform fibers were observed. This paper outlines the dominant mechanism governing the mats shrinkage during heating. In addition, the effect of PVP concentration on the expansion of fibers diameter was investigated and found to be consistent with the linear shrinkage observing a minimum at ∼10% PVP. The effect of applied voltage on mat shrinkage was investigated, and showed a minimum at 12 kV. Understanding the interplay between fibers morphology and thermal shrinkage allows precursor composition and system optimization needed for minimizing shrinkage negative effects on the structure and properties of electrospun fiber mats. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2018,56, 248–254