bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stimulatory Effects of Coumestrol on Embryonic and Fetal Development Through AKT and ERK1/2 MAPK Signal Transduction
Authors: Lim Whasun , Song Gwonhwa
Published: March 2016

Successful establishment of pregnancy is required for fetal‐maternal interactions regulating implantation, embryonic development and placentation. A uterine environment with insufficient growth factors and nutrients increases the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) leading to an impaired uterine environment. In the present study, we demonstrated the effects of the phytoestrogen coumestrol on conceptus development in the pig that is regarded as an excellent biomedical animal model for research on IUGR. Results of this study indicated that coumestrol induced migration of porcine trophectoderm (pTr) cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. In response to coumestrol, the phosphorylation of AKT, P70S6K, S6, ERK1/2 MAPK, and P90RSK proteins were activated in pTr cells and ERK1/2 MAPK and P90RSK phosphorylation was prolonged for a longer period than for the other proteins. To identify the signal transduction pathway induced by coumestrol, pharmacological inhibitors U0126 (an ERK1/2 inhibitor) and LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) were used to pretreat pTr cells. The results showed that coumestrol‐induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 MAPK and P90RSK was blocked by U0126. In addition, the increased phosphorylation in response to coumestrol was completely inhibited following pre‐treatment incubation of pTr cells in the presence of LY294002 and U0126. Furthermore, these two inhibitors suppressed the ability of coumestrol to induce migration of pTr cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that coumestrol affects embryonic development through activation of the PI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 MAPK cell signal transduction pathways and improvement in the uterine environment through coumestrol supplementation may provide beneficial effects of enhancing embryonic and fetal survival and development. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2733–2740, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kynurenine Modulates MMP‐1 and Type‐I Collagen Expression Via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation in Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Poormasjedi‐Meibod Malihe‐Sadat , Salimi Elizei Sanam , Leung Victor , Baradar Jalili Reza , Ko Frank , Ghahary Aziz
Published: March 2016

Dermal fibrosis is characterized by a high deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and tissue cellularity. Unfortunately all means of treating this condition are unsatisfactory. We have previously reported the anti‐fibrotic effects of Kynurenine (Kyn), a tryptophan metabolite, in fibrotic rabbit ear model. Here, we report the mechanism by which Kyn modulates the expression of key ECM components in dermal fibroblasts. The results showed that Kyn activates aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) nuclear translocation and up‐regulates cytochrome‐P450 (CYP1A‐1) expression, the AHR target gene. A specific AHR antagonist, 6,2′,4′‐trimethoxyflavone, inhibited the Kyn‐dependent modulation of CYP1A‐1, MMP‐1, and type‐I collagen expression. Establishing the anti‐fibrogenic effect of Kyn and its mechanism of action, we then developed nano‐fibrous Kyn slow‐releasing dressings and examined their anti‐fibrotic efficacy in vitro and in a rat model. Our results showed the feasibility of incorporating Kyn into PVA/PLGA nanofibers, prolonging the Kyn release up to 4 days tested. Application of medicated‐dressings significantly improved the dermal fibrosis indicated by MMP‐1 induction, alpha‐smooth muscle actin and type‐I collagen suppression, and reduced tissue cellularity, T‐cells and myofibroblasts. This study clarifies the mechanism by which Kyn modulates ECM expression and reports the development of a new slow‐releasing anti‐fibrogenic dressing. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2749–2760, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhancement effect in the piezoelectric degradation of organic pollutants by piezo‐Fenton process
Authors: Lv Wei , Kong Lingjun , Lan Shenyu , Feng Jinxi , Xiong Ya , Tian Shuanghong
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

Discovery of the nanometer material‐mediated piezoelectric effect has aroused interest in research into harnessing low‐frequency vibration energy, because a little vibration energy, even muscle‐movement, can generate electrical energy. Recently, much attention has focused on developing new processes of pollutant degradation using in situ application of piezo‐generated electrical energy.

RESULTS

It was found that the piezoelectric degradation of AO7 could be enhanced by adding ferrous ions. For example, 24.3%, 16.9% and 7.8% degradation of AO7, phenol and 4‐chlorophenol, respectively, was observed in a 30 min piezo‐process. Meanwhile, it was also found that H2O2 was generated in situ during the piezoelectric process. The maximum concentration of H2O2 reached 5.3 µmol L−1. It was identified that the enhancement effect of ferrous ions originated from a H2O2‐related Fenton reaction.

CONCLUSION

The finding of in situ piezo‐generated H2O2 and the piezo‐Fenton effect led to better understanding of the BaTiO3‐mediated piezo‐degradation of organic pollutants. It provides a new clue to developing an efficient piezo‐process for the degradation of organic pollutants, although the mechanism of piezo‐generating H2O2 is still under investigation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Anguilla japonica lectin 1 delivery through adenovirus vector induces apoptotic cancer cell death through interaction with PRMT5
Authors: Li Gongchu , Gao Yajun , Cui Lianzhen , Wu Liqin , Yang Xinyan , Chen Jing
Published: March 2016

Background

Our previous studies have demonstrated that, through adenovirus mediated gene delivery, various exogenously expressed lectins elicited cytotoxicity to cancer cells, utilizing protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) as a common binding target.

Methods

In the present study, a FLAG tagged Anguilla japonica lectin 1 (AJL1) expression cassette was genetically harbored in a replication‐defective adenovirus genome, forming Ad.FLAG‐AJL1. The exogenous AJL1‐induced cytotoxicity and the underlying mechanisms were analyzed.

Results

The exogenous AJL1 suppressed the proliferation of a variety of human cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. Caspase 9, Bcl‐2, X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 1/2‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase were found to be responsible for the exogenous AJL1‐induced cytotoxicity. AJL1 was further suggested to regulate PRMT5‐E2F‐1 pathway, a pathway shared by previously reported marine lectins Dicentrarchus labrax fucose binding lectin and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus rhamnose binding lectin. A localization study revealed that exogenous AJL1 widely distributed in the cell membrane and cytoplasm.

Conclusions

The results of the present study suggest that the PRMT5‐E2F‐1 pathway may act as a common target for exogenous lectins including AJL1, and the cellular response to exogenous AJL1 may suggest a novel agent for cancer gene therapy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation of the board certification system for expert surgeons (hepato‐biliary‐pancreatic field) using the data of the National Clinical Database of Japan: part 2 – Pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Miura Fumihiko , Yamamoto Masakazu , Gotoh Mitsukazu , Konno Hiroyuki , Fujimoto Jiro , Yanaga Katsuhiko , Kokudo Norihiro , Yamaue Hiroki , Wakabayashi Go , Seto Yasuyuki , Unno Michiaki , Miyata Hiroaki , Hirahara Norimichi , Miyazaki Masaru
Published: March 2016

Background

Data of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) cases from the National Clinical Database (NCD) were analyzed in order to validate the board certification system established by the Japanese Society of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery (JSHBPS).

Methods

Board‐certified A training institutions and board‐certified B training institutions were required to perform at least 50 and 30 high‐level hepato‐biliary‐pancreatic (HBP) surgeries per year, respectively. Records of 17,563 patients who had undergone PD during 2011 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed according to the category of the board‐certified institution and with or without participation of board‐certified instructors or expert surgeons.

Results

Operative mortality rates after PDs performed at certified A institutions, certified B institutions, and non‐certified institutions were 1.5%, 3.0%, and 3.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). The operative mortality rates after PDs performed with participation of certified instructors or expert surgeons were better than those without (2.2% vs. 3.8%, P < 0.001). A multiple logistic regression model showed that cutoffs of high‐level HBP surgeries performed per year at hospitals that predicted 30‐day mortality after PDs were 10 and 50, and that those that predicted operative mortality were 10 and 70.

Conclusions

The requirements for board‐certified institutions, instructors, and expert surgeons to perform PD were appropriate. The requirements for board‐certified A institutions were close to the identified cutoffs. Further analyses are necessary to elucidate the implications of the board certification system.
Conformal orbit sparing radiation therapy: a treatment option for advanced skin cancer of the parotid and ear region
Authors: Foley Heath , Hopley Shane , Brown Elizabeth , Bernard Anne , Foote Matthew
Published: March 2016

Introduction

New surgical methods have enabled resection of previously in‐operable tumours in the region of the parotid gland and ear. This has translated to deeper target volumes being treated with adjuvant radiotherapy. Due to the limitations of existing conformal techniques, alternative planning approaches are required to cover the target volume with appropriate sparing of adjacent critical structures. Although intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) may be able to achieve these goals compared with the existing conformal method, a new orbital sparing radiation therapy (OSRaT) technique was evaluated as an alternative conformal planning process. The study objective was to evaluate the dosimetry of three planning methods: pre‐existing conformal, IMRT and OSRaT techniques.

Methods

Ten patients were planned retrospectively using the existing three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), IMRT and OSRaT techniques. Dosimetry was analysed using the homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI), the volume of planning target volumes (PTV) under and over treated by the 95% isodose and dose to critical structures.

Results

OSRaT achieved superior 95% coverage of the high‐dose PTV while delivering HI similar to IMRT for intermediate and high‐dose PTVs. The CI for the high‐dose PTV was comparable between the three techniques, however IMRT was statistically better for the low‐ and intermediate dose PTVs. All three techniques showed adequate orbital sparing, however OSRaT and IMRT achieved this with less under dosing of the PTVs.

Conclusion

For the treatment of patients with advanced skin cancer of the parotid and ear, both IMRT and the OSRaT techniques are viable options.
Maintaining prostate contouring consistency following an educational intervention
Authors: Nicholls Luke , Gorayski Peter , Poulsen Michael , Plank Ashley W. , Schick Karlissa , Pham Thuy , Khoo Eric L. H.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess variation in prostate contouring 12 months following a structured interactive educational intervention (EI) and to test the hypothesis that EIs positively impact on prostate contouring accuracy and consistency long term.

Methods

A common set of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data sets were used to assess prostate contouring consistency before, immediately after and 12 months following an EI. No further EIs were provided after the initial EI. Contour variation was assessed using the volume ratio (VR), defined as the ratio of the encompassing volume to common volume.

Results

Of the original five radiation oncologists (ROs) at baseline, four completed all assessments, and one was unavailable at 12 months follow‐up. At 12 months, mean VR deteriorated by 3.2% on CT and 1.9% on MRI compared to immediately post EI. Overall, compared to the pre‐EI baseline VR, an improvement of 11.4% and 10.8% was demonstrated on CT and MRI, respectively.

Conclusion

Good retention of applied knowledge 12 months following an EI on prostate contouring was demonstrated. This study advocates for EIs to be included as part of continuing medical education to reduce contour variation among ROs and improve knowledge retention long term.
From the clinical to the managerial domain: the lived experience of role transition from radiographer to radiology manager in South‐East Queensland
Authors: Thompson Alarna M. N. , Henwood Suzanne M.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

This study seeks to add to current literature a descriptive account of the lived experience of radiographers' transition to, and experiences of, management roles and identifies additional resources and support that are perceived as being beneficial for this transition.

Methods

This study employed a descriptive phenomenological stance. Using purposive sampling, six South‐East Queensland based private practice radiology managers, who had held their position for longer than 3 months, participated in audiotape recorded in‐depth interviews exploring their transition to, and experiences of management in radiology. Thematic analysis was used to describe and make meaning of the data.

Results

Overall, five central themes emerged through thematic analysis of the data. The results indicate that all participants' had an underlying drive to succeed during their role transition and highlight the importance of a comprehensive orientation by a mentor; the training and support to enable preparation for the role, especially in the area of people management skills and communication; the importance of access to networking opportunities and the importance of concise expectations from higher management.

Conclusion

Role transition can be marred with uncertainty, however; key suggestions indicate the importance of having support mechanisms in place before, during and after transitioning to a managerial role.
Methylation of Epstein–Barr virus Rta promoter in EBV primary infection, reactivation and lymphoproliferation
Authors: Germi Raphaële , Guigue Nicolas , Lupo Julien , Semenova Touyana , Grossi Laurence , Vermeulen Odile , Epaulard Olivier , de Fraipont Florence , Morand Patrice
Published: March 2016

During Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) latency, the EBV genome is largely silenced by methylation. This silencing is overturned during the switch to the lytic cycle. A key event is the production of the viral protein Zta which binds to three Zta‐response elements (ZRE) from the Rta promoter (Rp), two of which (ZRE2 and ZRE3) include three CpG motifs methylated in the latent genome. The bisulphite pyrosequencing reaction was used to quantify the methylation of ZRE2, ZRE3a, and ZRE3b in EBV‐positive cell lines and in ex vivo samples of EBV‐related diseases, in order to assess whether the level of methylation in these ZREs could provide additional information to viral DNA load and serology in the characterization of EBV‐associated diseases. In PBMC from two patients with infectious mononucleosis, over time Rp became increasingly methylated whereas EBV load decreased. In tonsil from patients with chronic tonsillitis, the methylation was less than in EBV‐associated tumors, regardless of the viral load. This was even more striking when only the ZRE3a and ZRE3b were considered since some samples presented unbalanced profiles on ZRE2. EBV reactivation in cell culture showed that the reduction in the overall level of methylation was closely related to the production of unmethylated virions. Thus, an assessment of the level of methylation may help to better characterize EBV replication in PBMC and in biopsies with high EBV load, during infectious mononucleosis and EBV‐associated cancers. J. Med. Virol. 88:1814–1820, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Monopulse time‐modulated antenna array using iterative Fourier technique
Authors: Basu Banani , Nandi Arnab
Published: March 2016

The iterative Fourier technique (IFT) is applied to design monopulse radar tracking system using time‐modulated linear antenna array (TMLA). IFT is used to modify the time sequences of the radio‐frequency switches connected to the antennas to generate sum and difference patterns with suppressed interference‐plus‐noise signal while constraining the power losses associated with side‐band radiation (SBR). The time modulation allows quick and precise control of the excitation distribution, which increases the tracking accuracy. To obtain best angle sensitivity, the article computes the tradeoff among side‐lobe level (SLL), half power beam width, directivity, and dynamic efficiency. The approach is proved successful to handle several design constraints through adaption in radiation domain as well as in aperture domain. Authors illustrate additional representative TMLA examples where the time sequences of the selected elements are prefixed to enhance the dynamic efficiency and directivity for different SLL and side‐band level (SBL). Application of IFT saves the computational cost significantly with respect to existing state‐of‐the‐art optimization techniques. Introduction of the symmetric switching sequences simplifies the feed network greatly. The proposed design solution is validated with a fabricated TMLA prototype consisting of two time‐switched printed dipoles with microstrip via‐hole balun at 2.45 GHz. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial and temporal variability of precipitation over the Mediterranean Basin based on 32‐year satellite Global Precipitation Climatology Project data. Part‐II: inter‐annual variability and trends
Authors: Hatzianastassiou Nikolaos , Papadimas Christos D. , Lolis Christos J. , Bartzokas Aristides , Levizzani Vincenzo , Pnevmatikos John D. , Katsoulis Basil D.
Published: March 2016

Monthly mean satellite data from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCPv2) are used to examine the year‐by‐year variability of precipitation over the Mediterranean Basin and its changes over the period 1979–2010. The results show that the mean annual precipitation averaged over the study area has slightly increased from 1979 to 2010 by 1.28 mm or by 0.2% (trend not statistically significant at the 95% confidence level). Nevertheless, examining the trends at a local scale, spatial and temporal patterns are revealed, with opposite trends in adjacent areas and increasing precipitation in summer and autumn against almost unchanged or decreasing precipitation in winter and spring, respectively. Inter‐decadal changes of precipitation are detected, with precipitation decreasing in the 1980s, then increasing through the late 1990s and finally declining in the 2000s before levelling off since 2007. These changes are significantly anti‐correlated (R = −0.57, up to −0.66 in winter) with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, thus confirming the critical role of this large‐scale teleconnection for the regional precipitation over the basin.
Comparative effect of drought duration on growth, photosynthesis, water relations, and solute accumulation in wild and cultivated barley species
Authors: Mejri Maroua , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Saif Tark , Abdelly Chedly , Hessini Kamel
Published: March 2016

Drought is a major factor limiting crop production worldwide. Barley is a well‐adapted cereal that is largely grown on dry marginal land where water and salinity are the most prevalent environmental stresses. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of drought stress and subsequent recovery on growth, photosynthetic activity, water relations, osmotic adjustment (OA), and solute accumulation of wild (Hordeum maritimum) and cultivated barley (H. vulgare L.). In a pot experiment, 60 d old seedlings were subjected to drought stress for 0, 7, 14, 21, or 28 d, and then re‐watered to recover for up to 21 d. Plants were harvested at the end of each of these drought/recovery treatments. Drought significantly reduced fresh and dry weights at the whole‐plant level, photosynthetic activities, and solute and water potentials, while increasing leaf Na+ and K+ concentrations. The adverse effects of drought on growth were more marked in cultivated barley than in wild barley and the reverse was true for photosynthetic activities. During recovery, all wild barley seedlings completely recovered. For cultivated barley seedlings, rehydration had a beneficial effect on growth and photosynthesis, independent of treatment duration, but complete recovery did not occur. The reduction in leaf solute potential at full turgor in drought‐stressed barley, relative to the control, suggests active OA which was more significant in wild barley than in cultivated barley. OA was mainly due to the accumulation of inorganic (K+ in cultivated barley and Na+ in wild barley) and organic (soluble sugars and proline) solutes. The results suggest that OA is an important component of the drought‐stress adaptation mechanism in wild barley, but is not sufficient to contribute to drought tolerance in cultivated barley. In the latter species, the results show that even short periods (as little as 7 d) of water deficit stress had considerable long‐term effects on plant growth.
3D microstructural architecture of deformed glacigenic sediments associated with large‐scale glacitectonism, Jasmund Peninsula (NE Rügen), Germany
Authors: Gehrmann Anna , Hüneke Heiko , Meschede Martin , Phillips Emrys
Published: March 2016

The Wissower Bach Syncline on the Jasmund Peninsula (NE Germany) has been examined to understand the complicated glacitectonic environment in the southern Baltic Sea region, comprising folds and thrust faults from the Weichselian–Pleniglacial. Soft‐sediment thin sections from a SW‐dipping thrust fault at the south‐western limb of the syncline between Cretaceous chalk (hangingwall) and Pleistocene deposits (footwall) were analysed using micromorphology and microstructural mapping. Within the diamicton bounding the fault, three different clast microfabrics were distinguished: an older, but dominant S1 fabric; a second S2 foliation orientated perpendicular to S1; and a younger subvertical S3 fabric. These fabrics developed during large‐scale folding and thrusting, subsequent fabric rotation adjacent to the thrust fault accompanied by dewatering of the diamicton and extension; the extension implies late‐stage reactivation and gravitational relaxation at the south‐western limb of the syncline as the ice retreated. The combination of a 3D microstructural model and the macroscale information has led to the development of a detailed model for the evolution of the Wissower Bach Syncline during glacitectonism and the localized reactivation of the associated thrusts in response to ice retreat. Moreover, this methodology provides a robust dataset on which to interpret the structural evolution of glacitectonic complexes.
Evolution and perspectives of cultivar identification and traceability from tree to oil and table olives by means of DNA markers
Authors: Pasqualone Antonella , Montemurro Cinzia , di Rienzo Valentina , Summo Carmine , Paradiso Vito Michele , Caponio Francesco
Published: March 2016

In recent years, an increasing number of typicality marks has been awarded to high‐quality olive oils produced from local cultivars. In this case, quality control requires effective varietal checks of the starting materials. Moreover, accurate cultivar identification is essential in vegetative‐propagated plants distributed by nurseries and is a pre‐requisite to register new cultivars. Food genomics provides many tools for cultivar identification and traceability from tree to oil and table olives. The results of the application of different classes of DNA markers to olive with the purpose of checking cultivar identity and variability of plant material are extensively discussed in this review, with special regard to repeatability issues and polymorphism degree. The characterization of olive germplasm from all countries of the Mediterranean basin and from less studied geographical areas is described and innovative high‐throughput molecular tools to manage reference collections are reviewed. Then the transferability of DNA markers to processed products – virgin olive oils and table olives – is overviewed to point out strengths and weaknesses, with special regard to (i) the influence of processing steps and storage time on the quantity and quality of residual DNA, (ii) recent advances to overcome the bottleneck of DNA extraction from processed products, (iii) factors affecting whole comparability of DNA profiles between fresh plant materials and end‐products, (iv) drawbacks in the analysis of multi‐cultivar versus single‐cultivar end‐products and (v) the potential of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based techniques. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Enzymatic characterisation of the immobilised Alcalase to hydrolyse egg white protein for potential allergenicity reduction
Authors: Yang Anshu , Long Caiyun , Xia Jiaheng , Tong Ping , Cheng Youfei , Wang Yan , Chen Hongbing
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

This study examined technique characteristics of the immobilised Alcalase to hydrolyse egg white protein for potential allergenicity reduction. Alcalase was immobilised covalently on carboxyl‐functionalised magnetic beads by carbodiimide activation. The technique characteristics of the immobilised Alcalase were investigated, followed by determining the degrees of hydrolysis (DH), immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding, and IgE binding of the digested egg white protein by immobilised Alcalase.

RESULTS

Enzymatic activity, enzyme loading, and immobilisation yield of the prepared immobilised Alcalase were 20.55 U mg−1, 925 mg g−1, and 45%, respectively. Immobilised Alcalase showed maximum activity at pH 8.0 and 60 °C. Compared with free Alcalase, immobilised Alcalase exhibited better thermal and storage stability. Moreover, immobilised Alcalase can be reused 10 times and still maintained 55% of its initial activity. Partial hydrolysis of egg white protein by immobilised Alcalase can effectively reduce IgG and IgE binding of the hydrolysates.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that the immobilised Alcalase can be used to hydrolyse continuously egg white protein for potential allergenicity reduction. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Exploitation of hazelnut, maize germ and sesame seed aqueous extraction residues in the stabilisation of sesame seed paste (tahini)
Authors: Evlogimenou Anthi , Paraskevopoulou Adamantini , Kiosseoglou Vassilios
Published: March 2016

Background

Sesame seed paste is a highly nutritious food product which, upon long‐term storage, tends to exhibit undesirable phenomena of oiling‐off and particle sedimentation. The ability of rich‐in‐fibre aqueous extraction powders originating from oleaginous raw materials to enhance the physical stability of sesame paste is investigated in this study.

Results

The extraction residues remaining after treating hazelnut, sesame seed or maize germ with aqueous media in order to extract and exploit their oil bodies, were collected, dehydrated and milled into fine powders. The powders were then incorporated at various levels into a commercially available sesame paste product to assess their potential as paste stabilisers against oil separation. The solids from maize germ exhibited the highest stabilising ability followed by the solids from hazelnut. In contrast, the solids originating from the sesame seed were less effective in stabilising the sesame paste. Shear stress‐rate of shear measurements of sesame paste incorporating the extraction residue solids were conducted in an attempt to explain the different stabilising behaviour of the three powders.

Conclusion

The intensity of interactions between the incorporated solids within the sesame paste structure may determine the rheological properties of the blend and hence its stability against oiling‐off upon long‐term storage. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Modelling Discharge and Sediment Yield at Catchment Scale Using Connectivity Components
Authors: Masselink Rens J. H. , Keesstra Saskia D. , Temme Arnaud J. A. M. , Seeger Manuel , Giménez Rafael , Casalí Javier
Published: March 2016

Knowledge about connectivity and what affects it, through space and time, is needed for taking appropriate action at the right place and/or time by stakeholders. Various conceptual frameworks for hydrological and sediment connectivity have been developed in recent years. For most of these frameworks, the objective was to conceptualise connectivity, not necessarily to infer it from measurements. Studies focussing on measurements of connectivity have so far not been done often. Because of lack of data on connectivity, few real‐world data have been used in recent connectivity modelling studies. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that existing data can be used to assess governing factors of connectivity, and how these change over time. Data from three catchments in Navarre, Northern Spain, were used to assess factors that influence hydrologic and sediment connectivity. These factors were used as components in a linear model for discharge and suspended‐sediment yield. Three components of connectivity were distinguished: topographical, biological and soil. Changes in the topographical component for the studied periods were considered relatively small, and, therefore, kept constant. Changes in the biological component were determined using the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index. Changes in the soil component were assessed using an Antecedent Precipitation Index. Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficients were between 0·49 through 0·62 for the discharge models and between 0·23 through 0·3 for the sediment‐yield models. We recommend applying the model at smaller spatial scales than catchment scale to minimise the lumping of spatial variability in the components. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benthic‐pelagic coupling drives non‐seasonal zooplankton blooms and restructures energy flows in shallow tropical lakes
Authors: Burian Alfred , Schagerl Michael , Yasindi Andrew , Singer Gabriel , Kaggwa Mary Nakabungo , Winder Monika
Published: March 2016

Zooplankton blooms are a frequent phenomenon in tropical systems. However, drivers of bloom formation and the contribution of emerging resting eggs are largely unexplored. We investigated the dynamics and the triggers of rotifer blooms in African soda‐lakes and assessed their impact on other trophic levels. A meta‐analysis of rotifer peak densities including abundances of up to 6 × 105 individuals L−1 demonstrated that rotifer bloom formation was uncoupled from the food environment and the seasonality of climatic conditions. A time series with weekly sampling intervals from Lake Nakuru (Kenya) revealed that intrinsic growth factors (food quality and the physicochemical environment) significantly affected rotifer population fluctuations, but were of minor importance for bloom formation. Instead, rotifer bloom formation was linked to sediment resuspension, a prerequisite for hatching of resting‐eggs. Population growth rates exceed pelagic birth rates and simulations of rotifer dynamics confirmed the quantitative importance of rotifer emergence from the sediment egg‐bank and signifying a decoupling of bloom formation from pelagic reproduction. Rotifer blooms led to a top‐down control of small‐sized algae and facilitated a switch to more grazing‐resistant, filamentous cyanobacteria. This shift in phytoplankton composition cascaded up the food chain and triggered the return of filter‐feeding flamingos. Calculations of consequent changes in the lake's energy budget and export of aquatic primary production to terrestrial ecosystems demonstrated the large potential impact of nonseasonal disturbances on the functioning of shallow tropical lakes.
DOPC‐Detergent Conjugates: Fusogenic Carriers for Improved In Vitro and In Vivo Gene Delivery
Authors: Pierrat Philippe , Casset Anne , Kereselidze Dimitri , Lux Marie , Pons Françoise , Lebeau Luc
Published: March 2016

Phospholipid‐detergent conjugates are proposed as fusogenic carriers for gene delivery. Eleven compounds are prepared and their properties are investigated. The ability of the conjugates to promote fusion with a negatively charged model membrane is determined. Their DNA delivery efficiency and cytotoxicity are assessed in vitro. Lipoplexes are administered in the mouse lung, and transgene expression Indeterminate inflammatory activity are measured. The results show that conjugation of 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DOPC) with C12E4 produces a carrier that can efficiently deliver DNA to cells, with negligible ­associated toxicity. Fusogenicity of the conjugates shows good correlation with in vitro transfection efficiency and crucially depends on the length of the polyether moiety of the detergent. Finally, DOPC‐C12E4 reveals highly potent for in vivo DNA delivery and favorably compares to GL67A, the current golden standard for gene delivery to the airway, opening the way for further promising developments.

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Morphological Evolution of Polystyrene/Poly­ethylene Blend Induced by Strong Second Melt Penetration
Authors: Zhang Rui‐Yan , Yang Wei , Xia Xiao‐Chao , Zhu Chun‐Xia , He Shan , Huang Yan‐Hao , Liu Zheng‐Ying , Fu Xiao‐Rong , Feng Jian‐Ming , Yang Ming‐Bo
Published: March 2016

Recently, a melt penetration process in which one kind of polymer melt severely penetrated by a second polymer melt is achieved in our home‐made multimelt multi‐injection molding instrument. The morphologies of polystyrene (PS)/polyethylene blends are observed to study the characteristics of melt flow during melt penetration. For comparison, the morphologies of dispersed phase in injection molded samples with only the “first” melt injection process (FIM) and only the “second” melt (SIM) are also examined. In the penetrated layer, the dispersed phases PS deforms much more in comparison to those in the molding parts by FIM and SIM processes, which can be ascribed to a larger deformation induced by the second flow via melt penetration. In the penetrating layer, the deformity degree of PS is less than those in the molding parts during SIM processes, owing to the resistance of the “first” melt.

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A study of raindrop size distribution during stratiform rain and development of its parameterization scheme in the framework of multi‐parameter observations
Authors: Sarma Anal Chandra , Deshamukhya Atri , Narayana Rao T. , Sharma Sanjay
Published: March 2016

A study was carried out to investigate the rain drop size distribution (DSD) characteristics during strong bright band (SBB), weak bright band (WBB) and no bright band (NBB) regimes of stratiform rain by using an L‐band wind profiler and Joss–Waldvogel disdrometer at Gadanki (13.5°N, 79.20°E), a tropical station in India. The stratiform events with SBB (bright band width >0.49 km) are associated with larger mean drops (Dm) at ground level compared with WBB and NBB situations. Different shapes of raindrop DSDs during these three situations suggest different microphysical processes involved in the evolution of rain DSDs. During SBB regimes, the raindrop spectrum, which is found to be governed predominantly by an aggregation process, is size controlled. On the other hand, during WBB regimes, the raindrop spectrum, which is found to be governed predominantly by a riming process, is number controlled. A new rain DSD parameterization scheme, P (Z, N0*), is proposed in the framework of multi‐parameter radar observation. The considered parameters are radar reflectivity factor (Z) and normalized scale parameter (N0*). These two parameters are found to be mutually independent. Reasonable improvement in the estimation of rain intensity is observed by the developed P(Z, N0*) scheme compared with P(Z) and P(Z, Dm). The rain DSDs simulated by the developed P(Z, N0*) scheme are in good agreement with the observed spectrum.
Positive solutions for fourth‐order singular nonlinear differential equation with variable‐coefficient
Authors: Cheng Zhibo , Ren Jingli
Published: March 2016

By application of Green's function and some fixed‐point theorems, that is, Leray–Schauder alternative principle and Schauder's fixed point theorem, we establish two new existence results of positive periodic solutions for nonlinear fourth‐order singular differential equation with variable‐coefficient, which extend and improve significantly existing results in the literature. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The asymptotic behavior of Caputo delta fractional equations
Authors: Baoguo Jia
Published: March 2016

Consider the following ν‐th order Caputo delta fractional equation

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma3920:mma3920-math-0001
The following asymptotic results are obtained.

This shows that the solutions of the Caputo delta fractional equation
, with x(a) > 0 have similar asymptotic behavior with the solutions of the first‐order delta difference equation Δx(t) = cx(t),c >− 1. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Brazil nut consumption modulates Nrf2 expression in hemodialysis patients: A pilot study
Authors: Cardozo Ludmila F. M. F. , Stockler‐Pinto Milena B. , Mafra Denise
Published: March 2016

Scope

Previous studies showed that the supplementation with Brazil nut is effective in improving Se status, reduce oxidative stress, and inflammation in hemodialysis (HD) patients. As the nutritional compounds may promote the reduction of inflammation by activation of nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), the aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of Brazil nut supplementation on Nrf2 activation in HD patients.

Methods and results

Thirteen HD patients received one Brazil nut supplementation per day for 3 months and were compared to 12 HD patients without supplementation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and processed for expression of nuclear factor kappa B, Nrf2, and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) by quantitative real‐time PCR. Plasma malondialdehyde, C‐reactive protein and IL‐6 levels were measured before and after supplementation. The Nrf2 expression increased and nuclear factor kappa B expression reducedpost supplementation. In addition, the cytokines and malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly. No significant alterations were found in the control group.

Conclusion

This preliminary result indicates the effectiveness of Brazil nut supplementation on human Nrf2 activation in HD patients and could be a possible explanation for the beneficial effects of this nut as a bioactive compound.
Molecular dynamics and composition of crude oil by low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Jia Zijian , Xiao Lizhi , Wang Zhizhan , Liao Guangzhi , Zhang Yan , Liang Can
Published: March 2016

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques are widely used to identify pure substances and probe protein dynamics. Oil is a complex mixture composed of hydrocarbons, which have a wide range of molecular size distribution. Previous work show that empirical correlations of relaxation times and diffusion coefficients were found for simple alkane mixtures, and also the shape of the relaxation and diffusion distribution functions are related to the composition of the fluids. The 2D NMR is a promising qualitative evaluation method for oil composition. But uncertainty in the interpretation of crude oil indicated further study was required. In this research, the effect of each composition on relaxation distribution functions is analyzed in detail. We also suggest a new method for prediction of the rotational correlation time distribution of crude oil molecules using low field NMR (LF‐NMR) relaxation time distributions. A set of down‐hole NMR fluid analysis system is independently designed and developed for fluid measurement. We illustrate this with relaxation–relaxation correlation experiments and rotational correlation time distributions on a series of hydrocarbon mixtures that employ our laboratory‐designed downhole NMR fluid analyzer. The LF‐NMR is a useful tool for detecting oil composition and monitoring oil property changes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of nitroxide‐based theranostic compounds that act both as anti‐inflammatory drugs and brain redox imaging probes in MRI
Authors: Emoto Miho C. , Sato Shingo , Fujii Hirotada G.
Published: March 2016

Theranostic probes provide both therapeutic and diagnostic imaging capabilities in one molecule and show significant promise for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. The present study describes for the first time the synthesis and utility of nitroxide‐based contrast agents exhibiting a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug effect. The target theranostic probes were prepared by connecting the carboxyl group of ibuprofen or ketoprofen to the hydroxyl group of 3‐hydroxymethyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethylprrolidine‐1‐oxyl by a condensation reaction in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 4‐dimethylaminopyridine in dichloromethane. MRI of mouse heads after administration of either synthesized theranostic probe indicated that the probes enter the brain by passing through the blood–brain barrier (BBB), resulting in T1 contrast enhancement in mouse brain. This enhancement persisted for the duration of the half‐life of about 40 min, which is longer than that obtained by most of pyrrolidine nitroxide molecules. The therapeutic capacities of these theranostic probes were examined using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced brain inflammation model. The production of nitric oxide, an inflammation marker in septic mouse brain induced by LPS, was remarkably inhibited by the addition of either synthesized probe, indicating that they also act as anti‐inflammatory drugs. The present results indicate that nitroxide‐based theranostic probes act as both BBB‐permeable redox‐sensitive contrast agents and as an anti‐inflammatory drug in septic mouse brain. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CABCOCO1, a novel coiled‐coil protein With calcium‐binding activity, is localized in the sperm flagellum
Authors: Kawashima Akihiro , Kigoshi Takumi , Katoh Yuki , Ishikawa Yu , Shawki Hossam H. , Inoue Naoya , Tamba Michiko , Matsuda Manabu , Okamura Naomichi
Published: March 2016

The gene 1700040L02Rik (GenBank accession number NM_028491, NP_082767.1) was selected by in silico screening as candidate that encodes a calcium‐binding protein in sperm from a database of predicted mouse cilia‐related genes. The predicted amino acid sequence revealed the presence of coiled‐coil domain at the C‐terminus and a CLAMP motif containing a leucine zipper domain in the middle of the protein. Assessment of a recombinant version of this protein by Stains‐all and ruthenium red staining and by direct measurement of terbium binding revealed its calcium‐binding activities. We therefore named this protein CABCOCO1 for calcium‐binding coiled‐coil protein‐1. Immunohistochemical analyses showed its localization in spermatogenic cells of mouse testis. CABCOCO1 was first observed in the cytoplasm of murine spermatocytes, concentrated around centrioles of spermatids and co‐localized with the centrosomal protein pericentrin. During the stage when centrosome number is reduced, CABCOCO1 relocalized to the murine sperm flagellum. On the other hand, in porcine sperm, whose proximal centriole remains intact while the distal centriole degenerates during spermiogenesis, CABCOCO1 localized both in the basal body and the flagellum. These results suggested that CABCOCO1 is involved in the control of sperm flagellar movement. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 912–926, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous multi‐angular relaxometry of tissue with MRI (SMART MRI): Theoretical background and proof of concept
Authors: Sukstanskii Alexander L. , Wen Jie , Cross Anne H. , Yablonskiy Dmitriy A.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

Accurate measurement of tissue‐specific relaxation parameters is an ultimate goal of quantitative MRI. The objective of this study is to introduce a new technique, simultaneous multiangular relaxometry of tissue with MRI (SMART MRI), which provides naturally coregistered quantitative spin density, longitudinal and transverse relaxation rate constant maps along with parameters characterizing magnetization transfer (MT) effects.

Theory and Methods

SMART MRI is based on a gradient‐recalled echo MRI sequence with multiple flip angles and multiple gradient echoes and a derived theoretical expression for the MR signal generated in this experimental conditions. The theory, based on Bloch‐McConnell equations, takes into consideration cross‐relaxation between two water pools: “free” and “bound” to macromolecules. It describes the role of cross‐relaxation effects in formation of longitudinal and transverse relaxation of “free” water signal, thus providing background for measurements of these effects without using MT pulses. Bayesian analysis is used to optimize SMART MRI sequence parameters.

Results

Data obtained on three participants demonstrate feasibility of the proposed approach.

Conclusion

SMART MRI provides quantitative measurements of longitudinal and transverse relaxation rate constants of “free” water signal affected by cross‐relaxation effects. It also provides information on some essential MT parameters without requiring off‐resonance MT pulses. Magn Reson Med 77:1296–1306, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
4D respiratory motion‐compensated image reconstruction of free‐breathing radial MR data with very high undersampling
Authors: Rank Christopher M. , Heußer Thorsten , Buzan Maria T. A. , Wetscherek Andreas , Freitag Martin T. , Dinkel Julien , Kachelrieß Marc
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To develop four‐dimensional (4D) respiratory time‐resolved MRI based on free‐breathing acquisition of radial MR data with very high undersampling.

Methods

We propose the 4D joint motion‐compensated high‐dimensional total variation (4D joint MoCo‐HDTV) algorithm, which alternates between motion‐compensated image reconstruction and artifact‐robust motion estimation at multiple resolution levels. The algorithm is applied to radial MR data of the thorax and upper abdomen of 12 free‐breathing subjects with acquisition times between 37 and 41 s and undersampling factors of 16.8. Resulting images are compared with compressed sensing‐based 4D motion‐adaptive spatio‐temporal regularization (MASTeR) and 4D high‐dimensional total variation (HDTV) reconstructions.

Results

For all subjects, 4D joint MoCo‐HDTV achieves higher similarity in terms of normalized mutual information and cross‐correlation than 4D MASTeR and 4D HDTV when compared with reference 4D gated gridding reconstructions with 8.4 ± 1.1 times longer acquisition times. In a qualitative assessment of artifact level and image sharpness by two radiologists, 4D joint MoCo‐HDTV reveals higher scores (P < 0.05) than 4D HDTV and 4D MASTeR at the same undersampling factor and the reference 4D gated gridding reconstructions, respectively.

Conclusions

4D joint MoCo‐HDTV enables time‐resolved image reconstruction of free‐breathing radial MR data with undersampling factors of 16.8 while achieving low‐streak artifact levels and high image sharpness. Magn Reson Med 77:1170–1183, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine