bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doubly Caged Linker for AND‐Type Fluorogenic Construction of Protein/Antibody Bioconjugates and In Situ Quantification
Authors: Liu Guhuan , Shi Guohai , Sheng Haoyue , Jiang Yanyan , Liang Haojun , Liu Shiyong
Published: May 2017

In situ quantification of the conjugation efficiency of azide‐terminated synthetic polymers/imaging probes and thiol‐functionalized antibodies/proteins/peptides was enabled by a doubly caged profluorescent and heterodifunctional core molecule C1 as a self‐sorting bridging unit. Orthogonal dual “click” coupling of C1 with azide‐ and thiol‐functionalized precursors led to highly fluorescent bioconjugates, whereas single‐click products remained essentially nonfluorescent. Integration with FRET processes was also possible. For the construction of antibody–probe conjugates from an anti‐carcinoembryonic antigen and a quinone‐caged profluorescent naphthalimide derivative, the dual “click” coupling process with C1 was monitored on the basis of the emission turn‐on of C1, whereas prominent changes in FRET ratios occurred for antibody–imaging‐probe conjugates when specifically triggered by quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), which is overexpressed in various types of cancer cells.
Silica–Polypyrrole Hybrids as High‐Performance Metal‐Free Electrocatalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Neutral Media
Authors: Feng Jin‐Xian , Xu Han , Ye Sheng‐Hua , Ouyang Gangfeng , Tong Ye‐Xiang , Li Gao‐Ren
Published: May 2017

Constructing inorganic–organic hybrids with superior properties in terms of water adsorption and activation will lead to catalysts with significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in environmentally benign neutral media. Herein, we report SiO2–polypyrrole (PPy) hybrid nanotubes supported on carbon fibers (CFs) (SiO2 /PPy NTs–CFs) as inexpensive and high‐performance electrocatalysts for the HER in neutral media. Because of the strong electronic interactions between SiO2 and PPy, the SiO2 uniquely serves as the centers for water adsorption and activation, and accordingly promotes the HER. The metal‐free SiO2 /PPy NTs–CFs displayed high catalytic activity in the HER in neutral media, such as a low onset potential and small Tafel slope, as well as excellent long‐term durability.
Ein ungesättigtes Chinolon‐N‐oxid von Pseudomonas aeruginosa moduliert Wachstum und Virulenz von Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Szamosvári Dávid , Böttcher Thomas
Published: May 2017

Das Humanpathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa produziert über 50 verschiedene Chinolone, von denen 16 zur Klasse der 2‐Alkyl‐4‐chinolon‐N‐oxide (AQNOs) gehören, die in Länge und Sättigung der Seitenkette variieren. Wir berichten hier über die erste Synthese einer zuvor vermuteten ungesättigten AQNO‐Variante, die wir in Kulturextrakten von P. aeruginosa bestätigen und deren Struktur als trans‐Δ1‐2‐(Non‐1‐enyl)‐4‐chinolon‐N‐oxid aufklären konnten. Während das cis‐Isomer inaktiv ist, zeigt die trans‐Verbindung Aktivität gegen S. aureus, einschließlich MRSA, die um mehr als eine Größenordnung höher ist als die der übrigen AQNOs. Bei niedrigen Konzentrationen induziert die Verbindung das Wachstum kleiner Kolonievarianten von S. aureus und inhibiert dessen Virulenz durch Hemmung der Hämolyse sowie unter anaeroben Bedingungen die Aktivität der Nitratreduktase. Unsere Untersuchungen lassen vermuten, dass das ungesättigte AQNO einer der Hauptwirkstoffe von P. aeruginosa ist, durch den es konkurrierende Bakterienspezies moduliert.
Enantioselective Propargylation of Polyols and Desymmetrization of meso 1,2‐Diols by Copper/Borinic Acid Dual Catalysis
Authors: Li Ren‐Zhe , Tang Hua , Yang Ke R. , Wan Li‐Qiang , Zhang Xia , Liu Jie , Fu Zhengyan , Niu Dawen
Published: May 2017

A copper/borinic acid dual catalytic reaction enabled the enantioselective propargylation of aliphatic polyols. Readily available reagents and catalysts were used in this transformation, which displayed good to excellent chemo‐ and stereoselectivity for a broad array of substrates. The method was also applicable to the desymmetrization of meso 1,2‐diols to furnish products with three stereogenic centers and a terminal alkyne group in one operation.
Arylative Intramolecular Allylation of Ketones with 1,3‐Enynes Enabled by Catalytic Alkenyl‐to‐Allyl 1,4‐Rhodium(I) Migration
Authors: Partridge Benjamin M. , Callingham Michael , Lewis William , Lam Hon Wai
Published: May 2017

Alkenyl‐to‐allyl 1,4‐rhodium(I) migration enables the generation of nucleophilic allylrhodium(I) species by remote C−H activation. This new mode of reactivity was employed in the diastereoselective reaction of arylboron reagents with substrates containing a 1,3‐enyne tethered to a ketone, to give products containing three contiguous stereocenters. The products can be obtained in high enantioselectivities using a chiral sulfur‐alkene ligand.
Synthesis of Highly Substituted Pyridines through Copper‐Catalyzed Condensation of Oximes and α,β‐Unsaturated Imines
Authors: Tan Wei Wen , Ong Yew Jin , Yoshikai Naohiko
Published: May 2017

A copper‐catalyzed condensation reaction of oxime acetates and α,β‐unsaturated ketimines to give pyridine derivatives is reported. The reaction features mild conditions, high functional‐group compatibility, and high regioselectivity with respect to unsymmetrical oxime acetates, thus allowing the preparation of a wide range of polysubstituted pyridines, many of which are not readily accessible by conventional condensation methods.
Highly Sensitive Detection of Ionizing Radiations by a Photoluminescent Uranyl Organic Framework
Authors: Xie Jian , Wang Yaxing , Liu Wei , Yin Xuemiao , Chen Lanhua , Zou Youming , Diwu Juan , Chai Zhifang , Albrecht‐Schmitt Thomas E. , Liu Guokui , Wang Shuao
Published: May 2017

Precise detection of low‐dose X‐ and γ‐radiations remains a challenge and is particularly important for studying biological effects under low‐dose ionizing radiation, safety control in medical radiation treatment, survey of environmental radiation background, and monitoring cosmic radiations. We report here a photoluminescent uranium organic framework, whose photoluminescence intensity can be accurately correlated with the exposure dose of X‐ or γ‐radiations. This allows for precise and instant detection of ionizing radiations down to the level of 10−4 Gy, representing a significant improvement on the detection limit of approximately two orders of magnitude, compared to other chemical dosimeters reported up to now. The electron paramagnetic resonance analysis suggests that with the exposure to radiations, the carbonyl double bonds break affording oxo‐radicals that can be stabilized within the conjugated uranium oxalate‐carboxylate sheet. This gives rise to a substantially enhanced equatorial bonding of the uranyl(VI) ions as elucidated by the single‐crystal structure of the γ‐ray irradiated material, and subsequently leads to a very effective photoluminescence quenching through phonon‐assisted relaxation. The quenched sample can be easily recovered by heating, enabling recycled detection for multiple runs.
Elucidating the Role of Dissolution in CeO2 Nanoparticle Plant Uptake by Smart Radiolabeling
Authors: Schymura Stefan , Fricke Thomas , Hildebrand Heike , Franke Karsten
Published: May 2017

The identification of major uptake pathways in plants is an important factor when evaluating the fate of manufactured nanoparticles in the environment and the associated risks. Using different radiolabeling techniques we were able to show a predominantly particulate uptake for CeO2 nanoparticles in contrast to a possible uptake in the form of ionic cerium.
Ultrasonic treatment of wastewater contaminated with various dyes using tin oxide hydroxide nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon: Synthesis, performance, mechanism and statistical optimization
Authors: Porhemmat Sima , Rezvani Alireza , Ghaedi Mehrorang , Asfaram Arash , Goudarzi Alireza
Published: May 2017

Present research describe applicability of tin oxide hydroxide nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (Sn6O4 (OH)4‐NPs‐AC) which recognized via by Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) for the rapid simultaneous removal of Methyl orange (MB) and methylene blue (MB) in mixture in the presence of ultrasonic wave. The central composite design (CCD) pattern as branch of response surface methodology (RSM) give useful information about influence of five most important operating variables is separate and combination nature namely pH (4.0–8.0), initial MO (8–24 mg L−1) and MB concentration (4–12 mg l−1), sonication time (2–6 min) and adsorbent mass (0.01–0.03 g) on the ultrasound under study dyes assisted adsorption. After surveying the experiment data and finding regression analysis correspond to experimental data, mathematical model and equation was constructed and derived which applied for optimizing ultrasound assisted adsorption and revel serious dependency of response to variables like adsorbent mass and sonication time s. F values of 114.5 and 165.5, coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9978 and 0.9985, adjusted‐R2 of 0.9891 and 0.9925, adequate precision (AP) of 39.11 and 40.23, coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.653 and 1.988% for MB and MO respectively, implied the satisfactory adjustment of the quadratic model. Based on CCD, the optimum conditions was set as pH of 6.0; 0.02 g adsorbent; 20 and 12 mg l−1 of MO and MB concentration and 2 min sonication time. The predicted removal of MO and MB in binary system were 98.19 and 98.02% which was good agreement with their experimental R% MO and MB value of 98.00% for both at optimum condition. The equilibrium data has good agreement with Langmuir with maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 30.90 and 25.70 mg g−1 for MO and MB respectively. Investigation of time dependency of adsorption data revel more applicability pseudo‐second order in cooperation with intraparticle diffusion description of the mechanism and adsorption rate.
What's in an index? Comparing the ecological information provided by two indices to assess the status of coralligenous reefs in the NW Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Piazzi Luigi , Bianchi Carlo Nike , Cecchi Enrico , Gatti Giulia , Guala Ivan , Morri Carla , Sartoretto Stéphane , Serena Fabrizio , Montefalcone Monica
Published: May 2017

This study compared the results obtained through the concurrent use of the two indices ESCA (Ecological Status of Coralligenous Assemblages) and COARSE (COralligenous Assessment by ReefScape Estimate) to define the ecological status of coralligenous reefs.

The study evaluated: i) the effectiveness of the two indices at a regional spatial scale (100 s of km); ii) the descriptors that mostly influence the indices; and iii) the ecological information provided by the two indices.

Both ESCA and COARSE were applied to coralligenous reefs selected at sites affected by different human‐induced pressures.

The two indices provided different but complementary information to determine the intrinsic quality of coralligenous reefs and to detect the effects of human pressures on the associated assemblages.

The simultaneous use of ESCA and COARSE can be effective in providing information about the alteration of ecological quality of coralligenous reefs, in order to achieve the requirements of European directives.
Lewis‐Base‐Mediated Diastereoselective Silylations of Alcohols: Synthesis of Silicon‐Stereogenic Dialkoxysilanes Controlled by Chiral Aryl BINMOLs
Authors: Bai Xing‐Feng , Zou Jin‐Feng , Chen Mu‐Yi , Xu Zheng , Li Li , Cui Yu‐Ming , Zheng Zhan‐Jiang , Xu Li‐Wen
Published: May 2017

In the past years, stereoselective functionalizations of hydroxyl groups of alcohol substrates with chlorosilanes leading to silyl ether formation have evolved from a functional‐group protection to an enantioselective synthetic strategy. This work comprises a controlled desymmetrization of dichlorosilanes by using a family of structurally specific chiral diols, chiral 1,1′‐binaphthalene‐2‐α‐arylmethanol‐2′‐ol (Ar‐BINMOL). This process led to the facile construction of silicon‐stereogenic organosilicon compounds with high yields and good diastereoselectivities. In addition, the diasteroselective silylation of chiral diols might not only be of interest for the development of highly stereoselective nucleophilic silylation, but also shed light on the construction of novel chiral phosphine ligands bearing a silicon‐stereogenic center.
Combined PET–CT and axillary lymph node marking with radioactive iodine seeds (MARI procedure) for tailored axillary treatment in node-positive breast cancer after neoadjuvant therapy
Authors: Koolen B B , Donker M , Straver M E , van der Noordaa M E M , Rutgers E J T , Valdés Olmos R A , Vrancken Peeters M J T F D
Published: May 2017

Background

The treatment of axillary lymph node metastases after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) remains debatable and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is still the standard of care. Marking axillary lymph nodes with radioactive iodine seeds (MARI procedure) is accurate in restaging the axilla after NST (false-negative rate 7 per cent). Here, the potential of tailored axillary treatment, determined by combining the results of PET–CT before NST with those of the MARI procedure after NST, was analysed.

Methods

A cohort of axillary node-positive patients was used to construct a hypothetical treatment algorithm based on a combination of PET–CT and the MARI procedure. In the algorithm, the number of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid axillary lymph nodes (1–3 versus 4 or more) before NST and the tumour status of the MARI node (positive versus negative) after NST were used to tailor axillary treatment. All patients in the cohort underwent ALND, allowing estimation of potential overtreatment and undertreatment.

Results

A total of 93 patients were included in the study. Between one and three FDG-avid axillary lymph nodes were observed in 59 patients, and four or more in 34 patients. The MARI node was tumour-negative in 32 patients and showed residual disease in 61. Treatment according to the constructed algorithm would have resulted in 74 per cent of patients avoiding an ALND, with potential undertreatment in three patients (3 per cent) and overtreatment in 16 (17 per cent).

Conclusion

Tailored axillary treatment after NST in node-positive patients, by combining PET–CT before NST and the MARI procedure after NST, has the potential for ALND to be avoided in 74 per cent of patients.
Histological characteristics of knee menisci in patients with osteoarthritis
Authors: McDaniel Dalton , Tilton Emily , Dominick Kathryn , Flory Kale , Ernest Taylor , Johnson Jane C. , Main Donet C. , Kondrashov Peter
Published: May 2017

Existing data indicate knee menisci in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) show tearing, maceration, and fragmentation, but little is known about the change in histological structure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in the menisci histological structure in patients with clinically diagnosed knee OA. Fourteen patients undergoing surgical treatment of knee OA (OA group) and 14 cadaveric knees (control group) were assessed. Demographic data, medical history, synovial fluid, OA severity, medial meniscus (MM) tissue, and lateral meniscus (LM) tissue were collected from the OA group. Three nonconsecutive 10 μm cross‐sectional tissue slices of menisci were analyzed for percentage of tissue calcification. Exact Mann–Whitney tests and Spearman correlation coefficients tested for relationships between variables. The major change in the histological structure of the menisci in patients with OA was calcification of the matrix, which was significantly greater in the OA group compared with the control group for MM (OA: 11.9%, cadaver: 5.17%; P < 0.001) and LM tissues (OA: 11.1%, cadaver: 4.2%; P < 0.001). A correlation between percent calcification of the MM and LM tissues existed in the OA group (ρ = 0.56, P = 0.04) but not the control group (P = 0.20). The most pronounced pathological change in the histology of menisci was calcification of the cartilage matrix, significantly greater in the OA group than the control group. A strong correlation between percent calcification of MM and LM tissues in patients with OA indicates changes in fibrocartilage matrix of menisci progress similarly in the medial and lateral compartments of the knee. Clin. Anat. 30:805–810, 2017. © 2017Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Heteroatom‐Doped Carbonaceous Photocatalysts for Solar Fuel Production and Environmental Remediation
Authors: Zhao Zhongkui , Ge Guifang , Zhang Di
Published: May 2017

Photocatalytic solar energy conversion and environmental remediation including water splitting, CO2 reduction, and pollutant degradation have attracted rapidly growing attention, owing to global fossil fuel depletion and increasing environmental issues. From the viewpoint of the broad availability, good environmental acceptability, high corrosion resistance, as well as the readily tailorable microstructure, electronic structure and surface chemical properties, carbonaceous materials have been demonstrated as promising and sustainable low‐cost metal‐free alternatives to metal‐based photocatalysts for solar fuel production and pollutant degradation. The non‐metallic heteroatoms doping approach has been considered as a powerful tool for modulating electronic structure, morphology, surface structure and surface chemistry, textural properties, optical properties, and electrochemical properties, as well as catalytic properties of carbonaceous photocatalysts. This Review represents a comprehensive overview of the latest advance in preparation and physicochemical properties of diverse non‐metallic heteroatoms‐doped carbonaceous materials, as well as their applications in heterogeneous photocatalysis towards solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. The physicochemical properties and photocatalytic performance of the carbonaceous photocatalysts are carefully compared, as well as a brief overview of fundamental principles for the promoting effect of heteroatoms‐doping is also presented. In addition, the future perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of heteroatoms doping for fabricating novel and excellent carbonaceous photocatalysts are outlined.
Metal‐Free Direct Alkylation of Ketene Dithioacetals by Oxidative C(sp2)−H/C(sp3)−H Cross‐Coupling
Authors: Wen Jiangwei , Zhang Fan , Shi Wenyan , Lei Aiwen
Published: May 2017

The functionalization of internal olefins has been a challenging task in organic synthesis. This protocol provides an efficient and transition‐metal‐free direct oxidative C(sp2)−H/C(sp3)−H cross‐coupling method to access tetrasubstituted olefins. The push–pull effect from the polarized olefin substrates accelerates the internal olefin C−H alkylation. Importantly, the mechanistic experimental results demonstrate that the alkanes C−H bond cleavage is the rate‐determining step, and a radical pathway has been proposed for the alkylation reaction. Notably, the present protocol has excellent functional group tolerance and could be easily scaled up with good efficiency.
Double Activation Catalysis for α′‐Alkylidene Cyclic Enones with Chiral Amines and Thiols
Authors: Wang Zhou‐Xiang , Zhou Zhi , Xiao Wei , Ouyang Qin , Du Wei , Chen Ying‐Chun
Published: May 2017

Cooperative catalysis has contributed greatly to the progress of asymmetric synthesis. However, double‐activation catalysis has been less explored, especially for covalently tethered species. Here, we present a double‐activation strategy for α′‐alkylidene cyclic enone substrates that uses a chiral primary amine and 2‐mercaptobenzoic acid to promote regio‐ and chemoselective addition to generate the complex interrupted iminium ion species. Significantly enhanced reactivity and enantioselectivity were observed for β‐regioselective Michael addition and Friedel–Crafts alkylation with malononitriles and indoles, respectively, which produced a spectrum of chiral cyclic adducts with an exo‐alkylidene group. Moreover, a HRMS study detected a few key covalently tethered intermediates among the substrates and catalysts, which helped elucidate the catalytic mechanism.
Alkylsilyl Peroxides as Alkylating Agents in the Copper‐Catalyzed Selective Mono‐N‐Alkylation of Primary Amides and Arylamines
Authors: Sakamoto Ryu , Sakurai Shunya , Maruoka Keiji
Published: May 2017

The copper‐catalyzed selective mono‐N‐alkylation of primary amides or arylamines using alkylsilyl peroxides as alkylating agents is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions and exhibits a broad substrate scope with respect to the alkylsilyl peroxides, as well as to the primary amides and arylamines. Mechanistic studies suggest that the present reaction should proceed through a free‐radical process that includes alkyl radicals generated from the alkylsilyl peroxides.
Asymmetric Supercapacitors Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide with Different Polyoxometalates as Positive and Negative Electrodes
Authors: Dubal Deepak P. , Chodankar Nilesh R. , Vinu Ajayan , Kim Do‐Heyoung , Gomez‐Romero Pedro
Published: May 2017

Nanofabrication using a “bottom‐up” approach of hybrid electrode materials into a well‐defined architecture is essential for next‐generation miniaturized energy storage devices. This paper describes the design and fabrication of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/polyoxometalate (POM)‐based hybrid electrode materials and their successful exploitation for asymmetric supercapacitors. First, redox active nanoclusters of POMs [phosphomolybdic acid (PMo12) and phosphotungstic acid (PW12)] were uniformly decorated on the surface of rGO nanosheets to take full advantage of both charge‐storing mechanisms (faradaic from POMs and electric double layer from rGO). The as‐synthesized rGO‐PMo12 and rGO‐PW12 hybrid electrodes exhibited impressive electrochemical performances with specific capacitances of 299 (269 mF cm−2) and 370 F g−1 (369 mF cm−2) in 1 m H2SO4 as electrolyte at 5 mA cm−2. An asymmetric supercapacitor was then fabricated using rGO‐PMo12 as the positive and rGO‐PW12 as the negative electrode. This rGO‐PMo12∥rGO‐PW12 asymmetric cell could be successfully cycled in a wide voltage window up to 1.6 V and hence exhibited an excellent energy density of 39 Wh kg−1 (1.3 mWh cm−3) at a power density of 658 W kg−1 (23 mW cm−3).
Anti‐Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Terminalia Muelleri Benth. (Combretaceae)
Authors: Fahmy Nouran M. , Al‐Sayed Eman , Abdel‐Daim Mohamed M. , Singab Abdel Nasser
Published: May 2017

Preclinical Research

The anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activities of a polyphenol‐rich fraction (TMEF) obtained from Terminalia muelleri Benth. were measured. The analgesic activity of TMEF was tested using acetic acid‐induced writhing and hot plate models in mice. The anti‐inflammatory activity was assessed using carrageenan‐induced paw edema model by measuring PGE2, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 plasma levels as well as the paw thickness. TMEF was tested at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg p.o. and diclofenac sodium was used as a standard (100 mg/kg) in all experiments. The group treated with 400 mg/kg of TMEF showed a greater inhibition in the number of writhes (by 63%) than the standard‐treated group (61%). Pretreatment with TMEF increased the analgesic effect in hot plate test in a dose‐dependent manner with a maximum effect after 120 min. TMEF pretreatment alos reduced the edema thickness by 48, 53, and 62% at the tested doses, respectively. TMEF administration inhibited the carrageenan‐induced elevations in PGE2 (by 34, 43, and 47%), TNF‐α (18, 28, and 41%), IL‐1β (14, 22, and 29%), and IL‐6 (26, 31, and 46%). Four phenolic compounds were isolated from Terminalia muelleri for the first time. Drug Dev Res 78 : 146‐154, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bring your own camera to the trap: An inexpensive, versatile, and portable triggering system tested on wild hummingbirds
Authors: Rico‐Guevara Alejandro , Mickley James
Published: May 2017

The study of animals in the wild offers opportunities to collect relevant information on their natural behavior and abilities to perform ecologically relevant tasks. However, it also poses challenges such as accounting for observer effects, human sensory limitations, and the time intensiveness of this type of research. To meet these challenges, field biologists have deployed camera traps to remotely record animal behavior in the wild. Despite their ubiquity in research, many commercial camera traps have limitations, and the species and behavior of interest may present unique challenges. For example, no camera traps support high‐speed video recording. We present a new and inexpensive camera trap system that increases versatility by separating the camera from the triggering mechanism. Our system design can pair with virtually any camera and allows for independent positioning of a variety of sensors, all while being low‐cost, lightweight, weatherproof, and energy efficient. By using our specialized trigger and customized sensor configurations, many limitations of commercial camera traps can be overcome. We use this system to study hummingbird feeding behavior using high‐speed video cameras to capture fast movements and multiple sensors placed away from the camera to detect small body sizes. While designed for hummingbirds, our application can be extended to any system where specialized camera or sensor features are required, or commercial camera traps are cost‐prohibitive, allowing camera trap use in more research avenues and by more researchers.
[Pt(SCN)4]2–‐Based Coordination Polymers and Supramolecular Squares: Intermolecular Pt···H–C Interactions Probed by Luminescence Spectroscopy at Variable Pressure
Authors: Suffren Yan , Kobayashi Masayuki , Ovens Jeffrey S. , Rodrigue‐Witchel Alexandre , Genre Caroline , Sakai Ken , Reber Christian , Leznoff Daniel B.
Published: May 2017

Invited for the cover of this issue are the groups of Christian Reber from Université de Montréal and Daniel Leznoff from Simon Fraser University, Canada. The cover image shows the variation of the luminescence of a coordination polymer in response to pressure.
Cp*RhIII‐Catalyzed Directed Amidation of Aldehydes with Anthranils
Authors: Debbarma Suvankar , Sudan Maji Modhu
Published: May 2017

An approach towards construction of amide C–N bonds under mild conditions through rhodium(III) catalysis has been explored. Previous waste‐free amidations were generally limited to the condensation of carboxylic acids and amines. In this report, we directly applied amination of the aldehyde C(sp2)–H bond to extend the scope of amidation reactions. The amination shows a wide substrates scope, and several important functional groups were tolerated under the benign reaction conditions. The synthesized amides are important precursors for the preparation of benzoxazinone derivatives, found in various bioactive natural products.q
Formation of Polycyclic Skeletons by Photochemical Transformations of Pyridyl‐ and Thienylbutadiene Derivatives
Authors: Šagud Ivana , Levačić Marko , Marinić Željko , Škorić Irena
Published: May 2017

In order to study the influence of heterocyclic nuclei on the photochemical behavior of conjugated butadiene systems, novel butadiene derivatives E,Z‐ and E,E‐2/3‐[4‐(2‐vinylphenyl)buta‐1,3‐dienyl]thiophene as well as E,Z‐ and E,E‐3/4‐[4‐(2‐vinylphenyl)buta‐1,3‐dienyl]pyridine have been synthesized. The Wittig reaction was utilized in a two‐step reaction course. During the first Wittig reaction, the corresponding aldehydes, namely 2/3‐thiophenecarboxaldehyde and 3/4‐pyridinecarboxaldehyde, reacted with formylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane to give the corresponding acrylaldehydes, which reacted with the diphosphonium salt of α,α′‐o‐xylenedibromide in the second Wittig reaction to give new butadiene derivatives. These butadiene derivatives afforded, by photochemical intramolecular cycloaddition, new fused tricyclic as well as tetracyclic derivatives. For the first time, a study of efficiency was conducted where the efficiency of intramolecular cycloaddition of these heterocyclic butadiene derivatives was investigated by simultaneous use of ferrioxalate and valerophenone actinometers.
Palladium‐on‐Carbon‐Catalyzed Coupling of Nitroarenes with Phenol: Biaryl Ether Synthesis and Evidence of an Oxidative‐Addition‐Promoted Mechanism
Authors: Begum Tahshina , Mondal Manoj , Borpuzari Manash Protim , Kar Rahul , Gogoi Pradip K. , Bora Utpal
Published: May 2017

Nucleophilic substitution in nitroarenes to form biaryl ethers is of fundamental importance in organic synthesis. Under non‐catalytic conditions, this can occur if highly activated nitroarenes are used or if the nucleophile is activated by a strong stoichiometric base. We established a new method involving the use of a ligand‐free palladium‐on‐carbon (Pd/C) catalyst for the cross‐coupling of activated nitroarenes with relatively non‐nucleophilic phenol derivatives, including naphthol, in the absence of harsh bases. Control experiments, hot filtration, the three‐phase test, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy analysis revealed that the catalysis proceeded through an usual oxidative addition step of the nitroarene to Pd/C, which resulted in the release of active palladium particles having extremely high catalytic activity. DFT calculations revealed the origin of the selectivity of the activated nitroarenes.
Prosocial thinkers and the social transmission of justice
Authors: Shteynberg Garriy , Gelfand Michele , Imai Lynn , Mayer David M. , Bell Chris
Published: May 2017

Feeling the sting of another's injustice is a common human experience. We adopt a motivated information processing approach and explore how individual differences in social motives (e.g., high vs. low collectivism) and epistemic motives (e.g., high vs. low need for closure) drive individuals' evaluative and behavioral reactions to the just and unjust treatment of others. In two studies, one in the laboratory (N = 78) and one in the field (N = 163), we find that the justice treatment of others has a more profound influence on the attitudes and behaviors of prosocial thinkers, people who are chronically higher (vs. lower) in collectivism and lower (vs. higher) in the need for closure. In all, our results suggest that chronically higher collectivism and a lower need for closure work in concert to make another's justice relevant to personal judgment and behavior.
Nudges, shoves and budges: Behavioural economic policy frameworks
Authors: Oliver Adam
Published: May 2017

Behavioural economics—the study of human decision making and how it sometimes deviates systematically from the assumptions of standard economic theory—has attracted a lot of attention in the health policy discourse over recent years. Many appear to believe that behavioural economic findings can be used only to help inform policies that manipulate the choices made by citizens, ie, the so‐called nudge policy. However, these findings can be used to inform several different policy frameworks, from seemingly innocuous liberty‐preserving changes to the contexts people operate in, to the outlawing of certain corporate behaviours. This article depicts diagrammatically, with the aid of a “behavioural policy cube” and in relation to smoking cessation interventions, the conceptual parameters of several behavioural economic‐informed policy frameworks, which could be easily extended to other areas of health, and indeed broader public, policy.
Bortezomib sensitizes human osteosarcoma cells to adriamycin‐induced apoptosis through ROS‐dependent activation of p‐eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP axis
Authors: Xian Miao , Cao Handi , Cao Ji , Shao Xuejing , Zhu Difeng , Zhang Ning , Huang Ping , Li Weixu , Yang Bo , Ying Meidan , He Qiaojun
Published: May 2017

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer, and chemotherapy is currently indispensable for its treatment. Adriamycin has been claimed to be the most effective agent for osteosarcoma, however, the outcome of adriamycin chemotherapy remains unsatisfactory. Here, we reported a potent combination therapy that bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, enhances adriamycin‐induced apoptosis to eliminate osteosarcoma cells and we revealed that the activation of p‐eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP axis is the underlying associated mechanisms. First, we observed that bortezomib enhances adriamycin‐mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and enhances the apoptosis in osteosarcoma cell lines. Moreover, this drug combination produced more potent tumor‐growth inhibitory effects in human osteosarcoma cell line KHOS/NP xenografts. Our study showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in apoptosis induced by adriamycin plus bortezomib, whereas ROS scavenger NAC could almost completely block the apoptosis induced by the combination treatment. Meanwhile, p‐eIF2α is remarkably elevated in the combination group. As a result, ATF4 exhibits strong activation which consequently induces the activation of CHOP and leads to the cell death. Finally, 13 primary osteosarcoma cells demonstrated potent response to the combination treatment. In a human osteosarcoma patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) model, our finding suggests that when combined with bortezomib, a relatively low dose of adriamycin produced more potent tumor‐growth inhibitory effects without increased toxicity. Thus, our findings not only provide a promising combination strategy to overcome osteosarcoma but also shed new light on the strategy of combining increased ROS and inhibited proteasome to open up new opportunities for the clinical development of chemotherapy regimens.
LAMC1 mRNA promotes malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by competing for MicroRNA‐124 binding with CD151
Authors: Yang Zhan‐Po , Ma Hong‐Shun , Wang Shu‐Sen , Wang Le , Liu Tao
Published: May 2017

Specific RNAs can function as sinks for endogenous miRNAs, known as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). Here, we confirm a miR‐124 mediated ceRNA crosstalk between LAMC1 and CD151 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). miR‐124 negatively regulates LAMC1 expression through two miRNA binding sites within its 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) and suppresses migration and invasion of HCC cells through regulating LAMC1. The wild type LAMC1 miRNA response elements (MREs) facilitate expression of CD151, and this regulation is miR‐124 dependent. In clinical hepatic tissues, LAMC1 and CD151 mRNAs exhibit positive correlation. Importantly, LAMC1 MREs promote HCC malignancy by absorbing miR‐124 and by assisting CD151 expression. We conclude that LAMC1 mRNA acts as a trans regulator to stimulate CD151 expression by competing for miR‐124 binding in HCC cells. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(8):595–605, 2017
Isolation of circulating tumor cells in pancreatic cancer patients by immunocytochemical assay
Authors: Yang Jing , Zhou Ying , Zhao Bin
Published: May 2017

Background

The patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have the possibilities of getting the cancer again even after resection. The tumor cells identified from blood can be related to different stages of tumor.

Methods

In this study, we used an immunoassay to detect circulating tumor cells in blood and bone marrow samples. About 120 patients' blood and bone marrow samples were used in this study along with controls. The presence of tumor cells was evaluated with different stages of cancer classified by UICC. The survival rate at each stages of tumor was also analyzed.

Results

The tumor cells were isolated both in blood (29%) and bone marrow samples (25%). The prevalence of tumor cells increased with increase in stages of tumor in blood samples.

Conclusion

The survival of the patients considerably related to different stages of tumor but it cannot be taken a parameter alone for the patients' survival.
Conjugated bilirubin as a reflex test for increased total bilirubin in apparently healthy population
Authors: Zhang Guo‐Ming , Hu Zhi‐De
Published: May 2017

Background

Total, unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin levels are usually ordered together in health check‐up populations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether using increased total bilirubin (TBIL) as a reflex test can reduce conjugated bilirubin (CBIL) test.

Methods

Medical records of 8433 males and 4496 females who visited Shuyang People's Hospital for health check‐ups were retrospectively reviewed and the fasting serum TBIL, unconjugated bilirubin (UBIL) and CBIL of patients were extracted. Reference intervals for TBIL, UBIL, CBIL and C/TBIL were established using Q2.5 to Q97.5. The relationship between TBIL and CBIL was analyzed by Spearman's approach. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of TBIL for abnormal CBIL and UBIL.

Results

The reference intervals for TBIL in males and females were 6.9‐29.3 μmol/L and 6.1‐23.8 μmol/L, respectively. For CBIL, the reference intervals were 1.9‐10.4 μmol/L and 1.6‐8.8 μmol/L for males and females, respectively. CBIL was significantly positively correlated with TBIL, either in males (r=.75) or females (r=.73). Area under curve (AUC) of TBIL for predicting abnormal CBIL was 0.99 in both male and females. The optimal threshold of TBIL for predicting abnormal CBIL and UBIL were 21.0 μmol/L in males and 17.0 μmol/L in females. At these thresholds, <2% of subjects with abnormal CBIL or CBIL might be missed, but approximately 87% of the CBIL test could be eliminated.

Conclusion

Conjugated bilirubin measurement is not needed for the apparently healthy males with TBIL <21.0 μmol/L or females with TBIL <17.0 μmol/L.
Alkaline fermentation and elutriation of waste activated sludge for short chain fatty acids abstraction
Authors: Li Xiao‐Ling , Zhang Liang , Li Bai‐Kun , Wu Chang‐Yong , Peng Yong‐Zhen
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Alkaline fermentation of waste activated sludge (WAS) is feasible to recover carbon for biological nutrients removal. However, it is difficult to abstract the soluble organics from the fermented mixture since sludge dewaterability is deteriorated after fermentation. In this study, a novel system consisting of complete mixing fermentation, water elutriation and settling reactor was developed to produce and abstract short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from waste activated sludge through an alkaline fermentation process.

RESULTS

For the novel system, 57% of sludge solubilization and 327 mg COD g−1 VS of SCFAs production were achieved in the fermentation zone, resulting in a sludge reduction of 54%. In the elutriation zone, nearly 70% of soluble organics was recovered when the water exchange ratio was 33.3%. Moreover, mass balance of the system was calculated and the results showed that C, N, and P element were converted into the liquors phase in the fermentation process with proportions of 54%, 30%, and 16%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This work successfully developed a novel process for wasted sludge fermentation and soluble organic carbon separation. Effective results were obtained in the system, indicating it is favorable for pilot and full scale application. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Interdecadal change between the Arctic Oscillation and East Asian climate during 1900–2015 winters
Authors: Liu Yang , He Shengping , Li Fei , Wang Huijun , Zhu Yali
Published: May 2017

Using the ERA‐20th century reanalysis data for the period 1900–2009 and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data for the period 1948–2016, this work inspects the interdecadal variations between Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the surface air temperature (SAT) in East Asia, then investigates possible mechanisms, and finally considers a recent switch of the AO–SAT relationship. It is revealed that the AO–SAT relationship is statistically significant during 1928–1948 and 1975–1995. It means that positive AO is associated with significant weakening of the sea level pressure (SLP) gradient over East Asia, East Asian trough, and East Asian jet stream. However, the AO–SAT relationship is statistically insignificant and there is little significance in the AO‐related circulation during 1905–1925 and 1950–1970. Further examination revealed that the unstable AO–SAT relationship might be attributable to the interdecadal change of AO's Azores center. During 1928–1948/1975–1995 winters, the SLP anomalies of Azores high in the positive phase of AO are robust and lead to upper‐level convergence anomalies, which can induce obvious significant Rossby wave source (RWS) anomalies over the Mediterranean and northeastern Atlantic. During 1905–1925/1950–1970, however, the SLP anomalies of Azores high in the positive AO phase become weaker. As a result, the convergence and RWS anomalies at upper level are mainly confined to the Mediterranean region and the associated wave activity is weaker compared with that in 1928–1948/1975–1995. Since the AO–SAT relationship has experienced two significant periods and two insignificant periods, it suggests a weakening of the AO–SAT relationship in recent two decades.
Raman study of graphene nanoribbon analogs confined in single‐walled carbon nanotubes and their high‐pressure transformations
Authors: Yang Xigui , Yao Mingguang , Zhang Jing , Yao Zhen , Chen Shuanglong , Du Mingrun , Li Haiyan , Shen Pengfei , Liu Ran , Cui Tian , Sundqvist Bertil , Liu Bingbing
Published: May 2017

Single wall carbon nanotubes with a diameter distribution from 1.30 to 1.55 nm filled with perylene molecules were synthesized via a vapor‐phase encapsulation method. The perylene molecules formed short‐chain nanoribbon analogs inside the tubes by polymerization. The polymerization of perylene molecules is found to be dependent on the annealing temperature and thus the length of the formed nanoribbons. High‐pressure transformation of the formed hybrid nanostructure has been studied by means of Raman spectroscopy combined with theoretical simulation. It is found that the encapsulated nanoribbon analogs can act as a probe for identifying the structural transitions of the host nanotubes. In comparison to empty carbon nanotube, filling with nanoribbon analogs into the nanotubes decreases the collapse pressure of the nanotubes, which can be explained in terms of their inhomogeneous interactions between the fillers and carbon nanotubes. Our theoretical calculation gives further insight into the experimental observations. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of Enzyme Loaded Polyion Complex Vesicle (PICsome): Thermal Stability of Enzyme in PICsome Compartment and Effect of Coencapsulation of Dextran on Enzyme Activity
Authors: Tang Hengmin , Sakamura Yuki , Mori Takeshi , Katayama Yoshiki , Kishimura Akihiro
Published: May 2017

Applications of enzymes are intensively studied, particularly for biomedical applications. However, encapsulation or immobilization of enzymes without deactivation and long‐term use of enzymes are still at issue. This study focuses on the polymeric vesicles “PICsomes” for encapsulation of enzymes to develop a hecto‐nanometer‐scaled enzyme‐loaded reactor. The catalytic activity of a PICsome‐based enzyme nanoreactor is carefully examined to clarify the effect of compartmentalization by PICsome. Encapsulation by PICsome provides a stability enhancement of enzymes after 24 h incubation at 37 °C, which is particularly helpful for maintaining the high effective concentration of β‐galactosidase. Moreover, to control the microenvironment inside the nanoreactor, a large amount of dextran, a neutral macromolecule, is encapsulated together with β‐galactosidase in the PICsome. The resulting dextran‐coloaded nanoreactor contributes to the enhancement of enzyme stability, even after exposure to 24 h incubation at −20 °C, mainly due to the antifreezing effect.

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Fluorinated PEG‐Polypeptide Polyplex Micelles Have Good Serum‐Resistance and Low Cytotoxicity for Gene Delivery
Authors: Wu Ting , Wang Longhai , Ding Shenggang , You Yezi
Published: May 2017

A novel PEGylation polypeptide, poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(l‐lysine)‐b‐poly(l‐cysteine) (PEG‐PLL‐PCys) triblock copolymer is synthesized via the sequential ring‐opening polymerization of amino acid N‐carboxyanhydrides initiated by methoxypolyethylene glycol amine (mPEG‐NH2, Mw is 2 kDa). Subsequently, the obtained polypeptide is partially conjugated with fluorocarbon chains via disulfide exchange reaction. PLL segment can condense plasmid DNA through an electrostatic force to form a complex core, PEG segment surrounding the complex like a corona can prevent the complex from precipitation and reduce the adsorption of serum, while PCys segment with fluorocarbon can enhance the cellular uptake and the stability of the formed polyplex micelles in physiological conditions. Experiment results exhibit that the fluorinated polypeptides have low cytotoxicity and good gene transfection efficiency even in the presence of 50% fetal bovine serum.

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Well‐Defined High‐Molecular‐Weight Polyacrylonitrile Formation via Visible‐Light‐Induced Metal‐Free Radical Polymerization
Authors: Niu Tengfei , Jiang Jiayu , Li Siyuan , Ni Bangqing , Liu Xuemin , Chen Mingqing
Published: May 2017

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with high molecular weight and low dispersity is successfully synthesized by visible‐light‐induced metal‐free radical polymerization at room temperature. This polymerization technique uses organic dye Eosin Y as photocatalyst and benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborates as initiator. Gel permeation chromatography‐multiangle laser light scattering shows the absolute molar weight of the PAN more than 1.50 × 105 g mol−1 with a polydispersity index < 1.3 while MALDI‐TOF MS and 19F NMR spectroscopy indicate the F‐chain‐end process. The first‐order kinetic behavior, molecular weight distributions shifting, and “ON/OFF” experiment results suggest this reaction may follow the atom‐transfer‐like radical polymerization mechanism. In addition, this new approach allows for the efficient synthesis of well‐defined random copolymers.

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Acute Levodopa Challenge Test in Patients with de novo Parkinson's Disease: Data from the DeNoPa Cohort
Authors: Schade Sebastian , Sixel‐Döring Friederike , Ebentheuer Jens , Schulz Xenia , Trenkwalder Claudia , Mollenhauer Brit
Published: May 2017

Background

The precise clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) can be difficult in the early stages. Diagnostic criteria include the response of key motor features to levodopa as a supportive prospective criterion. Data are sparse on the diagnostic value of the acute levodopa challenge test (LDCT) in patients with de novo PD. The objective of this study was to validate the LDCT as a tool in the early clinical diagnosis of PD.

Methods

We performed the standardized LDCT with 250 mg levodopa in the prospective longitudinal cohort study “DeNoPa,” comprising 159 patients with de novo PD, and carried out longitudinal clinical follow‐up for 24 months. Motor assessments at baseline using the motor part (part III) of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale before and 1 hr after drug administration were documented. The optimal cutoff score on the LDCT was calculated using the Youden index.

Results

Clinical reassessment of 144 patients who returned for follow‐up confirmed the diagnosis of PD in 120 patients (83%). In 24 patients (17%), the initial diagnoses were revised and classified as other neurologic disorders. The optimal cutoff at 33% improvement of motor symptoms on the part 3 of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale during the LDCT reached a sensitivity of 70% a specificity of 71%. The positive and negative predictive values were 92% and 32%, respectively. Sensitivity (91%), specificity (79%), and positive/negative (96%/63%) predictive values improved with the addition of further clinical information (urinary incontinence, fainting, asymmetric tremor, and amount of further drug‐intake).

Conclusions

The LDCT is a reliable tool in the early diagnosis of PD. The accuracy of this test can be further improved by additional, easy‐to‐acquire clinical information provided by patients. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.