bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social identity formation during the emergence of the occupy movement
Authors: Smith Laura G. E. , Gavin Jeffrey , Sharp Elise
Published: January 2016

The Occupy movement made a series of local ‘sit‐ins’ in cities across the world in response to financial and political injustices. Prior to the movement's emergence, the Internet provided a transnational forum for people across the world to discuss their opinions and coalesce about the financial and political contexts. Here, we analyse 5343 posts on the ‘#OccupyWallStreet’ Facebook event page to identify linguistic markers of shared social identity formation. Results suggest that discussants formed a shared identity if they agreed on both the desired change (the injunctive norm, ‘revoke corporate personhood’) and the predefined action (Occupy Wall Street). Lines of consensus and dissensus on injunctive norms and actions delineated the development of both affirmational in‐group and negational out‐group identities. We conclude that online discussion can create both in‐groups and out‐groups through (in)validating ideas about social reformation and delineating shared psychological spaces.
Responses to a worsening environment: relative deprivation mediates between place attachments and behaviour
Authors: Walker Iain , Leviston Zoe , Price Jennifer , Devine‐Wright Patrick
Published: January 2016

Global environmental degradation creates and exacerbates social injustices. Using relative deprivation (RD) theory, we investigate whether people perceive environmental degradation in Australia, and extend RD theory by connecting it to the construct of place attachment (PA) at multiple scales. We surveyed 5163 Australians, measuring RD, PA, personal and collective environmental behaviours, and policy support. About one‐third believed environmental quality is worsening and felt angry about it. We regressed each of the behaviour and policy‐support measures onto the RD and PA measures. Collective environmental behaviours and policy support were more strongly predicted, in each case by RD and just one of the PA measures. RD partially mediated the association between PA and each of the behavioural measures. Responses to global environmental degradation are an admixture of injustice and place attachments at multiple scales. Efforts to promote environmentally relevant behaviours require attention to local and global attachments and identities.
Do we need them? When immigrant communities are perceived as indispensable to national identity or functioning of the host society
Authors: Guerra Rita , Gaertner Samuel L. , António Raquel , Deegan Matthew
Published: January 2016

This study proposed a new perspective to look at the consequences of the formation of immigrant communities in globalized societies, by investigating the impact of two forms of group indispensability on majority attitudes towards immigrants. Specifically, it explored whether perceived indispensability of different immigrant groups to the national identity and their contributions to the functioning of the host society are related to the development of more positive attitudes towards them. We also explored whether such effects would be mediated by the inclusion of immigrants within the national common identity and whether these effects would be stronger among host country members with a stronger civic than ethnic conception of national citizenship. Results supported these predictions among a sample of native Portuguese citizens (N = 118). As predicted, these effects were driven by perceptions of different types of indispensability for three immigrant groups in Portugal, who differed in their historical relations with the host society.
Global value perceptions: The legitimising functions of western representations of democracy
Authors: Staerklé Christian , Falomir‐Pichastor Juan Manuel , Pereira Andrea , Berent Jacques , Butera Fabrizio
Published: January 2016

This paper argues that a fundamental antagonism between democracy and nondemocracy organises lay thinking on global issues. We review key findings of a long‐standing experimental research programme that examined the “Democracy‐as‐value” hypothesis across a variety of political and social contexts. This hypothesis contends that democracy is an ideological belief system that provides value to democratic individuals, groups, and institutions and thereby grants legitimacy to their actions. Based on procedural justice theories and social representations theory, we contend that western lay perceivers associate democracy with procedural equality and individual autonomy, whereas nondemocracy is associated with ingroup hierarchy and conformity. We discuss how idealised representations of democracy justify global power arrangements and emphasise the paradoxical justification function of democratic values through which nondemocratic forms of social regulation based on physical force are legitimised with the very democratic norms that call for peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Cognitive reappraisal and pro‐environmental behavior: The role of global climate change perception
Authors: Panno Angelo , Carrus Giuseppe , Maricchiolo Fridanna , Mannetti Lucia
Published: January 2016

Ecosystems are under pressure due to global climate change. Empirical evidence showing how people can reduce their ecological footprint is needed. It has been shown that a consequence of the perception of climate change is an increase in ecologically responsible behavior, but little is known about the antecedents of this relationship. In two field studies, we examined whether an emotion‐regulation strategy (i.e., cognitive reappraisal) predicted both climate change perception and pro‐environmental behavior. Undergraduate students at two university campuses participated in Study 1 (n = 299). We found that individuals with a stronger tendency for habitual use of cognitive reappraisal showed both increased global climate change perception and a greater extent of pro‐environmental behavior compared with individuals with a lower such tendency. As expected, our results also showed the mediating role of climate change perception in the relationship between people's habitual use of cognitive reappraisal and pro‐environmental behavior. These findings were replicated in Study 2 (n = 81) with a non‐student sample. Implications for future studies and environmental risk communication strategies are discussed.
Debating globalization: Perceptions of the phenomenon based on political positioning and on ideological understandings of economy, culture, and the nation‐state
Authors: Griva Artemis‐Margarita , Chryssochoou Xenia
Published: January 2016

Globalization is an object of debate as it affects many groups worldwide. Two studies examined perceptions of globalization in the Greek context based on scholarly debates, and how these perceptions are grounded in political positioning and ideological understandings of the nation‐state, economy, and culture. In student and non‐student samples, perceptions of globalization were organized around the dimensions of global modernization, global cooperation, and global power inequalities. In a second study, the pro‐globalization views of modernization and cooperation were both associated with right‐wing positioning and fair market ideology, but the two views were associated with different preferred economic roles and policies of the state. The left‐leaning factor of power inequalities was negatively associated with fair market ideology and positively with preference for redistributive and pro‐left‐wing state policies. Implications of these differences and similarities among globalization views are discussed for sociopsychological theories of lay ideology, political discourse, and collective action.
Agreement with climate change policies: Framing the future and national versus supranational identity
Authors: Bertolotti Mauro , Catellani Patrizia
Published: January 2016

Through an experiment included in a nationwide survey conducted prior to the 2014 European elections, we investigated whether citizens' agreement with policies dealing with the global issue of climate change depends on how such policies are framed and citizens' identification with the national or supranational entities enacting them. Participants were presented with different versions of a statement proposing investments in renewable energy sources, manipulated in terms of hedonic consequences (benefits of adoption vs adverse effects of non‐adoption), regulatory concern (growth vs safety) and policy actor group membership (national vs supranational actor). Participants' national/supranational identification was also measured. Participants' agreement with the policy was stronger for congruently framed messages (i.e. messages framed in terms of positive growth‐related consequences and negative safety‐related consequences) than for incongruently framed messages. The effect of framing was further enhanced when the policy was attributed to a national or supranational actor with whom participants identified.
Environmental impact assessment of building foundation in masonry family houses related to the total used building materials
Authors: Ondova Marcela , Estokova Adriana
Published: January 2016

Analysis of the environmental impact of particular structures may be helpful for selecting building materials, with regard to the environmental performance of buildings in the early project phase. This paper focused on the environmental evaluation of building foundation materials used in eight masonry residential buildings. Environmental evaluation was based on calculation of the embodied energy, the global warming potential, and the acidification potential of building foundations. One kilogramme of built‐in foundation materials was responsible for emissions of 0.092 kg of greenhouse gases expressed by carbon dioxide (CO2) and for 0.3 g of acidification gases represented by sulphur dioxide (SO2). Embodied energy was calculated as equal to 1.14 MJ per one kilogramme of foundation materials and 832.2 MJ/m2 per building floor area. The foundation materials of houses contributed to the total environmental impact of the whole buildings by, on average, 15.0%, 22.8%, and 13.3% for embodied energy, global warming potential, and acidification potential, respectively. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 1113–1120, 2016
Accounting for metal bioavailability in assessing water quality: A step change?
Authors: Merrington Graham , Peters Adam , Schlekat Christian E.
Published: January 2016

Bioavailability of metals to aquatic organisms can be considered to be a combination of the physicochemical factors governing metal behavior and the specific pathophysiological characteristics of the organism's biological receptor. Effectively this means that a measure of bioavailability will reflect the exposures that organisms in the water column actually “experience”. This is important because it has long been established that measures of total metal in waters have limited relevance to potential environmental risk. The concept of accounting for bioavailability in regard to deriving and implementing environmental water quality standards is not new, but the regulatory reality has lagged behind the development of scientific evidence supporting the concept. Practical and technical reasons help to explain this situation. For example, concerns remain from regulators and the regulated that the efforts required to change existing systems of metal environmental protection that have been in place for over 35 yr are so great as not to be commensurate with likely benefits. However, more regulatory jurisdictions are now considering accounting for metal bioavailability in assessments of water quality as a means to support evidence-based decision-making. In the past decade, both the US Environmental Protection Agency and the European Commission have established bioavailability-based standards for metals, including Cu and Ni. These actions have shifted the debate toward identifying harmonized approaches for determining when knowledge is adequate to establish bioavailability-based approaches and how to implement them. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:257–265. © 2016 SETAC
Using Economic Evidence to Set Healthcare Priorities in Low‐Income and Lower‐Middle‐Income Countries: A Systematic Review of Methodological Frameworks
Authors: Wiseman Virginia , Mitton Craig , Doyle‐Waters Mary M. , Drake Tom , Conteh Lesong , Newall Anthony T. , Onwujekwe Obinna , Jan Stephen
Published: January 2016

Policy makers in low‐income and lower‐middle‐income countries (LMICs) are increasingly looking to develop ‘evidence‐based’ frameworks for identifying priority health interventions. This paper synthesises and appraises the literature on methodological frameworks – which incorporate economic evaluation evidence – for the purpose of setting healthcare priorities in LMICs. A systematic search of Embase, MEDLINE, Econlit and PubMed identified 3968 articles with a further 21 articles identified through manual searching. A total of 36 papers were eligible for inclusion. These covered a wide range of health interventions with only two studies including health systems strengthening interventions related to financing, governance and human resources. A little under half of the studies (39%) included multiple criteria for priority setting, most commonly equity, feasibility and disease severity. Most studies (91%) specified a measure of ‘efficiency’ defined as cost per disability‐adjusted life year averted. Ranking of health interventions using multi‐criteria decision analysis and generalised cost‐effectiveness were the most common frameworks for identifying priority health interventions. Approximately a third of studies discussed the affordability of priority interventions. Only one study identified priority areas for the release or redeployment of resources. The paper concludes by highlighting the need for local capacity to conduct evaluations (including economic analysis) and empowerment of local decision‐makers to act on this evidence.
Clinical characteristics of chronic lymphocytic leukemia occurring in chornobyl cleanup workers
Authors: Finch Stuart C. , Dyagil Irina , Reiss Robert F. , Gudzenko Nataliya , Babkina Nataliya , Lyubarets Tatiana , Bebeshko Volodymyr , Romanenko Anatoly , Chumak Vadim V. , Bouville Andre , Hatch Maureen , Little Mark P. , Bazyka Dimitry , Zablotska Lydia B.
Published: January 2016

The recently demonstrated radiation‐induction of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) raises the question as to whether the amount of radiation exposure influences any of the clinical characteristics of the disease. We evaluated the relationship between bone marrow radiation doses and clinical characteristics and survival of 79 CLL cases diagnosed during 1986–2006 in a cohort of 110 645 male workers who participated in the cleanup work of the Chornobyl nuclear accident in Ukraine in 1986. All diagnoses were confirmed by an independent International Hematology Panel. Patients were followed up to the date of death or end of follow‐up on 31 October 2010. The median age at diagnosis was 57 years. Median bone marrow dose was 22.6 milligray (mGy) and was not associated with time between exposure and clinical diagnosis of CLL (latent period), age, peripheral blood lymphocyte count or clinical stage of disease in univariate and multivariate analyses. Latent period was significantly shorter among those older at first exposure, smokers and those with higher frequency of visits to the doctor prior to diagnosis. A significant increase in the risk of death with increasing radiation dose was observed (p = 0.03, hazard ratio = 2.38, 95% confidence interval: 1.11,5.08 comparing those with doses ≥22 mGy to doses <22 mGy). After adjustment for radiation dose, survival of CLL cases was significantly shorter among those with younger age at first exposure, higher peripheral blood lymphocyte count, more advanced clinical stage of disease and older age at diagnosis (all p < 0.05). This is the first study to examine association between bone marrow radiation doses from the Chornobyl accident and clinical manifestations of the CLL in Chornobyl cleanup workers. The current study provides new evidence on the association of radiation dose and younger age at first radiation exposure at Chornobyl with shorter survival after diagnosis. Future studies are necessary with more cases in order to improve the statistical power of these analyses and to determine their significance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Apolipoproteins, lipids and risk of cancer
Authors: Borgquist Signe , Butt Talha , Almgren Peter , Shiffman Dov , Stocks Tanja , Orho‐Melander Marju , Manjer Jonas , Melander Olle
Published: January 2016

The epidemiological evidence for an obesity‐cancer association is solid, whereas the association between obesity‐associated lipoprotein levels and cancer is less evident. We investigated circulating levels of Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) and HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) and association to risk of overall cancer and common cancer forms. The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, a population‐based prospective cohort study, enrolled 17,035 women and 11,063 men (1991–1996). Incident cancer cases were ascertained by record linkage with the Swedish Cancer Registry until end of follow‐up, January 1, 2012. Baseline serum levels of ApoA1 and ApoB were analyzed for the entire cohort and HDL‐C and LDL‐C levels in 5,281 participants. Hazard ratios, with 95% confidence interval, were calculated using Cox's proportional hazards analysis. In the entire cohort, none of the exposures were related to overall cancer risk (HRadj ApoA1 = 0.98, 95%CI: 0.95,1.01; HRadj ApoB = 1.01, 95%CI: 0.98–1.04). Among men, ApoB was positively associated with cancer risk (HRadj ApoB = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.01,1.10). Female breast cancer risk was inversely associated with ApoB (HRadj = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.86,0.99). Among both genders, ApoA1 was inversely associated with lung cancer risk (HRadj = 0.88, 95%CI: 0.80,0.97), whereas high ApoB increased lung cancer risk (HRadj = 1.08, 95%CI: 0.99,1.18). Colorectal cancer risk was increased with high ApoB (HRadj = 1.08, 95%CI: 1.01,1.16) among both genders. Apolipoprotein levels were not associated with prostate cancer incidence. Circulating levels of apolipoproteins are associated with overall cancer risk in men and across both genders with breast, lung and colorectal cancer risk. Validation of these findings may facilitate future primary prevention strategies for cancer.
Inflammatory cytokines prime adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells to enhance malignancy of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells via transforming growth factor‐β1
Authors: Trivanović Drenka , Jauković Aleksandra , Krstić Jelena , Nikolić Srdjan , Okić Djordjević Ivana , Kukolj Tamara , Obradović Hristina , Mojsilović Slavko , Ilić Vesna , Santibanez Juan Francisco , Bugarski Diana
Published: January 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells from human adipose tissue (hASCs) are proposed as suitable tools for soft tissue engineering and reconstruction. Although it is known that hASCs have the ability to home to sites of inflammation and tumor niche, the role of inflammatory cytokines in the hASCs‐affected tumor development is not understood. We found that interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and/or tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) prime hASCs to produce soluble factors which enhance MCF‐7 cell line malignancy in vitro. IFN‐γ and/or TNF‐α‐primed hASCs produced conditioned media (CM) which induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of MCF‐7 cells by reducing E‐Cadherin and increasing Vimentin expression. Induced EMT was accompanied by increased invasion, migration, and urokinase type‐plasminogen activator (uPA) expression in MCF‐7 cells. These effects were mediated by increased expression of transforming growth factor‐β1(TGF‐β1) in cytokines‐primed hASCs, since inhibition of type I TGF‐β1 receptor on MCF‐7 cells and neutralization of TGF‐β1 disabled the CM from primed hASCs to increase EMT, cell migration, and uPA expression in MCF‐7 cells. Obtained data suggested that IFN‐γ and/or TNF‐α primed hASCs might enhance the malignancy of MCF‐7 cell line by inducing EMT, cell motility and uPA expression in these cells via TGF‐β1‐Smad3 signalization, with potentially important implications in breast cancer progression. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(3):190–200, 2016
Long non‐coding RNAs expression profiles in hepatocytes of mice after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Qiao Jianlin , Yao Haina , Xia Yuan , Chu Peipei , Li Mingfeng , Wu Yulu , Li Wen , Ding Lan , Qi Kunming , Li Depeng , Xu Kailin , Zeng Lingyu
Published: January 2016

Hepatic veno‐occlusive disease (HVOD), one serious complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), is mainly initiated by the damage to sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the proliferation of hepatocytes and liver regeneration. lncRNAs profile in hepatocytes post‐HSCT remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the profile of lncRNAs in hepatocytes of mice after HSCT. Mice HSCT model was established through infusion of 5 × 106 bone marrow mononuclear cells. On day 7, 14 and 33 after HSCT, mice were sacrificed for analysis of liver pathology, function and index. Total RNA was extracted from hepatocytes of mice on day 14 for microarray analysis of the expression profiles of lncRNAs by Arraystar Mouse lncRNA Microarray v2.0. Obvious edema and spotty necrosis of hepatocytes with inflammatory cells infiltration were observed post‐HSCT. Meanwhile, increased levels of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, and total bilirubin, as well as elevated liver index were also found. 2,918 up‐regulated and 1,911 down‐regulated lncRNAs in hepatocytes were identified. Some of differentially expressed mRNAs had adjacent lncRNAs that were also significantly dysregulated, with the same dysregulation direction. T‐cell receptor (up‐regulation) and VEGF signaling pathway (down‐regulation) were identified as one of the most enriched pathways. Dysregulated lncRNAs might be involved in hepatocytes damage after HSCT, suggesting targeting them might be a novel approach in amelioration of hepatocytes damage. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(3):232–241, 2016
Density functional theory of the CuA‐like Cu2S2 diamond core in Cu (NGuaS)2Cl2
Authors: Witte M. , Gerstmann U. , Neuba A. , Henkel G. , Schmidt W. G.
Published: January 2016

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations with localized as well as plane‐wave basis functions are performed for the recently reported dicopper thiolate species Cu2(NGuaS)2Cl2 [NGuaS = 2‐(1,1,3,3‐tetramethylguanidino) benzenethiolate, C11H16N3S] and its bromo derivative [Neuba et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 1714.]. For both hybrid and semilocal functionals, the neutral complexes are found to have broken symmetry (BS) character, with electron paramagnetic resonance silent, antiferromagnetically coupled [Cu2+…Cu2+] site in which the coupling is driven by super exchange interaction within the Cu2S2 diamond core. The accurate theoretical description of the geometric structure, however, provides a major challenge for DFT: (i) the multideterminant character of the ground state wave function has to be covered by the BS approach. It requires (ii) metageneralized gradient approximations, that is hybrid functionals with an explicit dependence on the kinetic energy of the individual orbitals: In combination with a dispersion correction, the metafunctional TPSSh results in a CuCu distance close to the experimentally observed value of 2.7 Å. For the negative charge state of the complex, a mixed‐valent [Cu1.5+…Cu1.5+] electronic structure with a smaller CuCu distance of 2.6 Å is predicted, similar to the value of the CuA site of cytochrome c oxidase. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A method for predicting protein conformational pathways by using molecular dynamics simulations guided by difference distance matrices
Authors: Yonezawa Yasushige
Published: January 2016

Here, an efficient method that predicts natural transition pathways between two endpoint states of an allosteric protein has been proposed. This method helps create structures that bridge these endpoints through multiple iterative and unbiased molecular dynamics simulations with explicit water. Difference distance matrices provide an approach for identifying states involving concerted slow motion. A series of structures are readily generated along the transition pathways of adenylate kinase. Predicted structures may be useful for an initial pathway to evaluate free energy landscapes via umbrella sampling and chain‐of‐states methods. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hetaryl‐1,5 Benzodiazepines—Part I: Synthesis of 3‐pyrimidinyl‐ and Imidazolyl‐1,5‐benzodiazepines
Authors: Khodairy Ahmed , Ahmed Eman A. , Abdel Ghany Hossam
Published: January 2016

Nucleophilic substitution of 3‐bromo‐4‐phenyl‐1H‐[1,5]benzodiazepin‐2‐one (1) with thiourea or guanidine in presence of potassium carbonate afforded 1,5‐benzodiazepin‐3‐ylimidothiocarbamate 2 or 1,5‐benzodiazepin‐3‐ylguanidine 3, respectively. Pyrimidylthiobenzodiazepines 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 were obtained via the reaction of compound 2 with malononitrile dimer, diethyl malonate, methylenemalononitriles, or a mixture of an aldehyde and β‐keto esters or acetylacetone, catalyzed using ceric ammonium nitrate. Reaction of compound 2 or 3 with α‐halo esters, nitriles, and/or ketones afforded imidazoles 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, respectively.
Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]Pyrimidine Derivative as Precursor for Some Novel Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]Pyrimidines and Tetraheterocyclic Compounds
Authors: Metwally Nadia Hanafy , Abdallah Magda Ahmed , Almabrook Selima Ali
Published: January 2016

The 2‐(cyanomethyl)‐5,7‐dimethylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine‐3‐carbonitrile 3 reacted with phenyl isothiocyanate to afford the respective thioanilide derivative 4 that is a novel compound that has been unreported hitherto. The latter was used as a precursor to synthesize several novel polyheterocyclic compounds 9, 12, 15, and 19. Treatment of the enamine derivative of compound 3 with each of hydrazine hydrate and hydroxylamine hydrochloride yielded the tetraheterocyclic compounds 22 and 23, respectively. The structures of all the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed on basis of their elemental, spectral data, and plausible mechanism has been postulated to account for their formation. X‐ray crystallography was carried out as a further evidence for the structure of the isolated product 19.
O‐Glycosylation/Alkylation and Antimicrobial Activity of 4,6‐Diaryl‐2‐Oxonicotinonitrile Derivatives
Authors: Haggam R. A. , El‐Sayed H. A. , Said S. A. , Ahmed M. H. M. , Moustafa A. H. , Abd‐El‐Noor R. E.
Published: January 2016

A series of glycosylation and alkylation reactions of 6‐phenanthernyl‐2‐pyridone derivatives 1a, 1b containing electron withdrawing and electron donating substituents at 4‐position is reported. Regioselective 2‐O‐alkylated/glycosylated products were obtained exclusively, irrespective of the electronic nature of alkylating or the glycosyling agent. Glycosylation of 1a, 1b with glucosyl/galactosyl and lactosyl bromides afforded 2a, 2b; 4a, 4b; and 6a, respectively. Alkylation of 1a, 1b with epichlorohydrin, propargyl, allyl bromides, and 3‐chloropropanol resulted in compounds 8, 9, 10 and 13, respectively. Deprotection of O‐glycosylated products under conventional conditions provided the free glycosides 3a, 3b; 5a, 5b; 7a,12; and 13, respectively. The minimal inhibitory concentration for some of the newly synthesized compounds showed high significant activity against Gram (+ve) and Gram (−ve) and antifungal activities. Among the screened compounds, the 4‐trifluromethyl phenyl derivatives 2a, 3a, 4a, 8a, and 11a exhibited strong antimicrobial activity.
Actinomycetes inhibit filamentous fungi from the cuticle of Acromyrmex leafcutter ants
Authors: Dângelo Rômulo Augusto Cotta , de Souza Danival José , Mendes Thais Demarchi , Couceiro Joel da Cruz , Lucia Terezinha Maria Castro Della
Published: January 2016

Actinomycetes bacteria associated with leafcutter ants produce secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties against Escovopsis, a fungus specialized in attacking the gardens of fungus‐growing ants, which denies the ants their food source. Because previous studies have used fungi isolated from fungus gardens but not from ant integument, the aims of the present study were to isolate actinomycetes associated with the cuticle of the Acromyrmex spp. and to quantify their inhibition abilities against the filamentous fungal species carried by these ants. The results demonstrated that actinomycetes had varied strain‐dependent effects on several filamentous fungal species in addition to antagonistic activity against Escovopsis. The strain isolated from Acromyrmex balzani was identified as a Streptomyces species, whereas the remaining isolates were identified as different strains belonging to the genus Pseudonocardia. These findings corroborate the hypothesis that actinomycetes do not act specifically against Escovopsis mycoparasites and may have the ability to inhibit other species of pathogenic fungi.
Role of nano‐range amphiphilic polymers in seed quality enhancement of soybean and imidacloprid retention capacity on seed coatings
Authors: Adak Totan , Kumar Jitendra , Shakil Najam A , Pandey Sushil
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

Nano‐size and wide‐range solubility of amphiphilic polymers (having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks) can improve uniformity in seed coatings. An investigation was carried out to assess the positive effect of amphiphilic polymers over hydrophilic or hydrophobic polymers as seed coating agents and pesticide carriers.

RESULTS

Amphiphilic polymers with 127.5–354 nm micelle size were synthesized in the laboratory using polyethylene glycols and aliphatic di‐acids. After 6 months of storage, germination of uncoated soybean seeds decreased drastically from 97.80 to 81.55%, while polymer‐coated seeds showed 89.44–95.92% germination. Similarly, vigour index‐1 was reduced from 3841.10 to 2813.06 for control seeds but ranged from 3375.59 to 3844.60 for polymer‐coated seeds after 6 months. The developed imidacloprid formulations retained more pesticide on soybean seed coatings than did a commercial formulation (Gaucho® 600 FS). The time taken for 50% release of imidacloprid from seed coatings in water was 7.12–9.11 h for the developed formulations and 0.41 h for the commercial formulation.

CONCLUSION

Nano‐range amphiphilic polymers can be used to protect soybean seeds from ageing. Formulations as seed treatments may produce improved and sustained efficacy with minimum environmental contamination. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of pomegranate juice on clinical signs, matrix metalloproteinases and antioxidant status in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Ghoochani Nasrin , Karandish Majid , Mowla Karim , Haghighizadeh Mohammad Hossein , Jalali Mohammad Taha
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the commonest forms of musculoskeletal disorders that leads to joint degeneration and has a major impact on patients' quality of life. Experimental and in vitro studies have suggested the protective roles of pomegranate juice (PJ) as a rich antioxidant source for mitigating cartilage inflammation. In this interventional study, 38 patients with knee OA were randomly divided into two groups: PJ or control for 6 weeks to evaluate the effect of this intervention on clinical signs, inflammation and antioxidant status.

RESULTS

Significant decreases in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) total score (P = 0.01), stiffness score (P = 0.00) and physical function score (P = 0.01) were observed in PJ group after the intervention. The means of serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐13 was significantly decreased (P = 0.02) and glutathione peroxidase was increased in the intervention group compared with the control group after the study period (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

According to the findings of this clinical trial, PJ consumption can improve physical function and stiffness, decrease breakdown cartilage enzymes and increase antioxidant status in patients with knee OA. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Prognostic factors in alveolar soft part sarcoma: A SEER analysis
Authors: Wang Haotong , Jacobson Alex , Harmon David C. , Choy Edwin , Hornicek Francis J. , Raskin Kevin A. , Chebib Ivan A. , DeLaney Thomas F. , Chen Yen‐Lin E.
Published: January 2016

Objectives

We reviewed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients treated for alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) and analyzed the effect of surgery for patients presenting with and without metastatic disease (DM).

Methods

The SEER Registry was queried for patients with ASPS from 1973–2012. The Kaplan–Meier estimate and Cox proportional hazards were used to analyze survival outcomes and risk variables.

Results

Among 251 patients, 43% had DM and 67% locoregional disease (LR) on presentation. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) for all patients was 56% (82% and 27% for LR and DM, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified older age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.03 per year, P < 0.001), tumor size >10 cm (HR = 2.76, P = 0.013), DM at diagnosis (HR = 3.79, P < 0.001), and truncal primary site (HR = 1.63, P = 0.035) as independent factors predicting worse OS. For LR patients, surgery plus radiotherapy (RT) resulted in better OS compared to surgery alone P = 0.014. For DM patients, primary site surgery significantly improved survival (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

ASPS presents with high metastasis rate but has a relatively indolent clinical course and a favorable prognosis with prolonged survival. Aggressive treatment using adjuvant RT with surgery is indicated in patients with LR disease and surgery is indicated in patients presenting with DM. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:581–586. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tertiary Butyl Nitrite Triggered Nitration of Phenols: Solvent‐ and Structure‐Dependent Kinetic Study
Authors: Kumar M. Satish , Rajanna K. C. , Venkateswarlu M. , Rao K. Lakshman
Published: January 2016

Nitration of phenols with tertiary butyl nitrite (TBN) obeyed second‐order kinetics with a first‐order dependence on [TBN] and [phenol] under acid‐free conditions. Reaction rates were significantly altered by a change in the dielectric constant and other physical properties of solvent. The rate of nitration increased with an increase in temperature (303–323 K) in different solvent media (acetonitrile, dichloroethane, CCl4, dimethyl formamide (DMF), and toluene). The rates of nitration (log k) could not fit into either Amis or Kirkwood plots [log k’ vs. (1/D) or [(D – 1)/(2D + 1)], but the trends were better explained by the basic form of multivariate linear solvent energy relationships (MLSER) suggested by the Koppel and Palm approach on the one hand and the Kamlet and Taft approach on the other hand. These observations probably substantiate that cumulative contributions of basic solvent parameters (equilibrium as well as frictional solvent effects) and solvent–solute interactions for solvation of transition state during nitration of phenols. Reaction rates accelerated with the introduction of electron‐donating groups and retarded with electron‐withdrawing groups. Accordingly, the reactivity of structurally different phenols was found to follow the following sequence: p‐OH > p‐MeO > p‐Me > H > m‐Me > p‐Cl > p‐Br > m‐Cl > p‐NO2 > m‐OH. The results are interpreted by Hammett's theory of linear free energy relationship. The reaction constant (Hammett's ρ) is a measure of the sensitivity of the reaction toward the electronic effects of the substituent. The rho (ρ) values obtained from the present experiments are fairly large negative values (ρ < 0), indicating attack of an electrophile on the aromatic ring. An increase in temperature decreases the reaction constant (ρ) values. According to Exner, ρ values for a given reaction are influenced by the temperature according to the following relation: ρ = A [1 – β/T]. Obtained “isokinetic temperature (β)” values are in the range of 225–290. These values are far below the experimental temperature range (303–323 K), indicating that the entropy factors are probably more important in controlling the reaction. This point can be seen from the negative entropy values and linearity of multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA). Furthermore, in the present study, rate constants for TBN nitration of ortho‐substituted phenols could not fit into Taft's plots of log(k/kCH3) versus σ* or, Es or combined Taft's relationship. However, Charton's MLRA of the log k with polar, resonance, steric, hydrophobicity, and molar refractivity showing a very good linear relationship was obtained. It is of interest to note that when log kexp values are correlated with log kcal a perfect linearity is obtained with a correlation coefficient of unity, indicating the consonance between experimental and calculated rate constants in the present work.
A population‐based study on the association between chronic periodontitis and sialolithiasis
Authors: Hung Shih‐Han , Huang Hung‐Meng , Lee Hsin‐Chien , Ching Lin Herng , Kao Li‐Ting , Wu Chuan‐Song
Published: January 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

Whereas the impression that poor oral hygiene is linked to the development of sialolithiasis may be widely accepted, very few studies provide evidence to support this. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the association between chronic periodontitis (CP) and the subsequent development of salivary gland stone based on a nationwide coverage database.

Study Design

A case‐control study.

Methods

A total of 987 subjects with sialolithiasis were included as cases. In a ratio of five controls per case, 4,935 controls matched in terms of sex and age group were selected. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the possible association of sialolithiasis with previously diagnosed CP.

Results

The prevalence of prior CP between cases and controls demonstrated that 1,831 (30.9%) out of the 5,922 sampled subjects had prior CP. By Chi‐square test, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of prior CP between the cases and controls (36.8% vs. 29.7%, P < 0.001). By conditional logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) of prior CP for cases was 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19–1.56) compared to the controls after adjusting for geographic location and tobacco use. Further analyzing the relationship between sialolithiasis and prior CP according to sex, sialolithiasis was associated with prior CP regardless of sex. The adjusted OR of prior CP for the cases was 1.34 (95% CI, 1.10–1.64) and 1.41 (95% CI, 1.15–1.73) for males and females, respectively, when compared to controls.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates an association between CP and sialolithiasis.

Level of Evidence

3b. Laryngoscope, 126:847–850, 2016
Mixed Micelles for Targeted and Efficient Doxorubicin Delivery to Multidrug‐Resistant Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Jung Heesun , Mok Hyejung
Published: January 2016

For efficient treatment of multidrug‐resistance (MDR) breast cancer cells, design of biocompatible mixed micelles with diverse functional moieties and superior stability is needed for targeted delivery of chemical drugs. In this study, polypropylene glycol (PPG)‐grafted hyaluronic acid (HA) copolymers (PPG‐g‐HA) are used to make mixed micelles with different amounts of pluronic L61, named PPG‐g‐HA/L61 micelles. Optimized PPG‐g‐HA/L61 micelles with 3% pluronic L61 exhibit great stability in aqueous solution, superior biocompatibility, and significantly increased uptake into MCF‐7 MDR cells via HA–CD44‐specific interactions when compared to free doxorubicin (DOX) and other types of micelles. In addition, DOX in PPG‐g‐HA/L61 micelles with 3% pluronic L61 have toxicity in MCF‐7 MDR cells but significantly lower toxicity in fibroblast L929 cells compared to free DOX. Thus, PPG‐g‐HA/L61 micelles with 3% pluronic L61 content can be a promising nanocarrier to overcome MDR and release DOX in a hyaluronidase‐sensitive manner without any toxicity to normal cells.

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Self‐healing silane coatings of cerium salt activated nanoparticles
Authors: Zandi Zand R. , Flexer V. , De Keersmaecker M. , Verbeken K. , Adriaens A.
Published: January 2016

This work investigates the effect of cerium salt activated nanoparticles as nanoreservoirs on the self‐healing properties of silane hybrid coatings deposited on electro‐galvanized steel substrates. The substrates were pre‐treated with 3–glycidoxypropyl‐trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and bisphenol A (BPA), modified with cerium ion‐activated CeO2‐ZrO2 and CeO2‐SiO2 nanoparticles. The morphology of the coating before corrosion tests was examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results indicate the formation of nanostructured surfaces with relatively uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in the silane coating containing CeO2‐ZrO2 nanoparticles. The corrosion behavior of the sol‐gel coatings was also investigated using salt spray tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiodynamic polarization tests. During the salt spray test, the samples are exposed 600 h (or 25 days), revealing the improved resistance of the coated substrate containing CeO2‐ZrO2 nanoparticles. Incorporation of activated CeO2‐ZrO2 nanoparticles reduces the cathodic and anodic current density by one order of magnitude and shifts the corrosion potential to more positive values compared with the coating containing CeO2‐SiO2 nanoparticles. Also, the EIS test results revealed higher impedance for the coating containing activated CeO2‐ZrO2 nanoparticles. Corrosion tests results suggest that the activated CeO2‐ZrO2 nanoparticles are more effective as nano‐structured cerium ion reservoirs and can provide prolonged release of the inhibitor ions.
Investigating the effect of vibration on corrosion rate of crude oil storage tanks
Authors: Jasim H. H.
Published: January 2016

The present paper, deals with the influence of vibration and temperature on corrosion rate of ASTM A537 carbon steel used for crude oil storage tanks of Basrah oil fields in south Iraq. A mechanical vibration system equipped with temperature controller according to ASTM G32 standards test method was used to test and study the effect of vibration and temperature on the corrosion rates using immersion test method. Three types of crude oils: light, medium, and heavy crude oils were collected from tanks in southern Iraq. The experimental immersion test results demonstrated that the vibration increases the corrosion rate compared to static case. The light crude oil show larger values of corrosion and heavy crude oil show smaller values, while medium crude oil show moderate values.
A note on the independence of premiss rule
Authors: Ishihara Hajime , Nemoto Takako
Published: January 2016

In this note, we prove that certain theories of (many‐sorted) intuitionistic predicate logic are closed under the independence of premiss rule (IPR). As corollaries, we show that and extended by some non‐classical axioms and non‐constructive axioms are closed under IPR.
Close‐to‐convexity of normalized Dini functions
Authors: Baricz Árpád , Deniz Erhan , Yağmur Nihat
Published: January 2016

In this paper necessary and sufficient conditions are deduced for the close‐to‐convexity of some special combinations of Bessel functions of the first kind and their derivatives by using a result of Shah and Trimble about transcendental entire functions with univalent derivatives and some newly discovered Mittag–Leffler expansions for Bessel functions of the first kind.
Thumb Tremor in Acute Cortical Infarct
Authors: Pandey Sanjay , Sarma Neelav , Jain Shruti
Published: January 2016

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Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Infancy: The Case for Screening
Authors: Singh Gurpreet , Le Doan , Schnabl Kareena , Leaker Michael T. , Steele MacGregor , Sparkes Rebecca L.
Published: January 2016

The classic principles put forth by Wilson and Jungner are often applied to determine the suitability of a condition for universal newborn screening. The three cases described here portray the harmful effects of vitamin B12 deficiency in infancy. The challenges and opportunities of early recognition and treatment are highlighted. Screening newborns would allow early detection and prevention of severe neurological damage in vitamin B12‐deficient infants and enable diagnosis of unrecognized maternal pernicious anemia in asymptomatic mothers. However, lack of standardized methodology and screening cutoffs present challenges to the use of current tandem mass spectrometry technologies for screening.
A chronic care ostomy self‐management program for cancer survivors
Authors: Krouse Robert S. , Grant Marcia , McCorkle Ruth , Wendel Christopher S. , Cobb Martha D. , Tallman Nancy J. , Ercolano Elizabeth , Sun Virginia , Hibbard Judith H. , Hornbrook Mark C.
Published: January 2016

Background

Individuals with ostomies experience extensive changes in health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and daily routine. Patients and families are typically forced to use trial and error to improve self‐management.

Methods

This is a longitudinal one‐group design pilot study of a five‐session ostomy self‐care curriculum based on the Chronic Care Model to improve HRQOL and self‐management for cancer survivors with ostomies. Participants were surveyed to evaluate each session. Multiple instruments were administered to examine outcomes at baseline, post‐intervention, and at 6‐month follow‐up (Patient Activation Measure, self‐efficacy, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Ways of Coping, Group Health Association of America Satisfaction with ostomy care survey, and the City of Hope Quality of Life Ostomy). Changes from pre‐intervention to post‐intervention and pre‐intervention to follow‐up were evaluated with paired t‐tests. Text responses were coded and evaluated for important themes and recommendations.

Results

Thirty‐eight subjects participated in the study. Most had a history of rectal cancer (60.5%) or bladder cancer (28.9%). Participants rated the overall program high (4.4–4.8 on 5‐point scale). Text feedback indicated that participants enjoyed the group forums, wanted more participants, and more hands‐on training. Scores on multiple surveys were shown to be improved and sustained, including patient activation (p = 0.0004), self‐efficacy (p = 0.006), total HRQOL (p = 0.01), physical well‐being (p = 0.005), and social well‐being (p = 0.002). Survivor anxiety was significantly reduced by follow‐up (p = 0.047).

Conclusions

This self‐management ostomy program can help cancer survivors with ostomies adapt to their stoma. Initiating this program in the community setting would be beneficial to many cancer survivors. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How does the chemical potential of the substrate drive a uniporter?
Authors: Zhang Xuejun C. , Han Lei
Published: January 2016

Uniporters are a large class of transporters mediating facilitated diffusion of substrates along the direction of the substrate concentration gradient. Recently, structures of several important uniporters have been reported; however, the precise mechanisms of uniporter function remain subject of debate. Here, we present a series of general thermodynamic descriptions of uniporters, aimed at understanding the structure‐function relationship of uniporters, and in particular to reconcile biochemical phenomena of uniporters with our previously proposed thermodynamic model of general transporters.