bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation alters activation and connectivity in cortical and subcortical reward systems: A tDCS‐fMRI study
Authors: Weber Matthew J. , Messing Samuel B. , Rao Hengyi , Detre John A. , Thompson‐Schill Sharon L.
Published: January 2014

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique used both experimentally and therapeutically to modulate regional brain function. However, few studies have directly measured the aftereffects of tDCS on brain activity or examined changes in task‐related brain activity consequent to prefrontal tDCS. To investigate the neural effects of tDCS, we collected fMRI data from 22 human subjects, both at rest and while performing the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART), before and after true or sham transcranial direct current stimulation. TDCS decreased resting blood perfusion in orbitofrontal cortex and the right caudate and increased task‐related activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in response to losses but not wins or increasing risk. Network analysis showed that whole‐brain connectivity of the right ACC correlated positively with the number of pumps subjects were willing to make on the BART, and that tDCS reduced connectivity between the right ACC and the rest of the brain. Whole‐brain connectivity of the right DLPFC also correlated negatively with pumps on the BART, as prior literature would suggest. Our results suggest that tDCS can alter activation and connectivity in regions distal to the electrodes. Hum Brain Mapp 35:3673–3686, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Common and dissociated mechanisms for estimating large and small dot arrays: Value‐specific fMRI adaptation
Authors: Demeyere Nele , Rotshtein Pia , Humphreys Glyn W.
Published: January 2014

An fMRI pair‐adaptation paradigm was used to identify the brain regions linked to the apprehension of small and large numbers of items. Participants classified stimuli on the basis of their numerosities (fewer or more than five dots). We manipulated the type of repetition within pairs of dot arrays. Overall processing of pairs with small as opposed to large quantities was associated with a decreased BOLD response in the midline structures and inferior parietal cortex. The opposite pattern was observed in middle cingulate cortex. Pairs in which the same numerosity category was repeated, were associated with a decreased signal in the left prefrontal and the left inferior parietal cortices, compared with when numerosities changed. Repetitions of exact numerosities irrespective of sample size were associated with decreased responses in bi‐lateral prefrontal, sensory‐motor regions, posterior occipital and left intraparietal sulcus (IPS). More importantly, we found value‐specific adaptation specific to repeated small quantity in the left lateral occipito‐temporal cortex, irrespective of whether the exact same stimulus pattern repeated. Our results indicate that a large network of regions (including the IPS) support visual quantity processing independent of the number of items present; however assimilation of small quantities is associated with additional support from regions within the left occipito‐temporal cortex. We propose that processing of small quantities is aided by a subitizing‐specific network. This network may account for the increased processing efficiency often reported for numerosities in the subitizing range. Hum Brain Mapp 35:3988–4001, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prediction of human actions: Expertise and task‐related effects on neural activation of the action observation network
Authors: Balser Nils , Lorey Britta , Pilgramm Sebastian , Stark Rudolf , Bischoff Matthias , Zentgraf Karen , Williams Andrew Mark , Munzert Jörn
Published: January 2014

The action observation network (AON) is supposed to play a crucial role when athletes anticipate the effect of others' actions in sports such as tennis. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore whether motor expertise leads to a differential activation pattern within the AON during effect anticipation and whether spatial and motor anticipation tasks are associated with a differential activation pattern within the AON depending on participant expertise level. Expert (N = 16) and novice (N = 16) tennis players observed video clips depicting forehand strokes with the instruction to either indicate the predicted direction of ball flight (spatial anticipation) or to decide on an appropriate response to the observed action (motor anticipation). The experts performed better than novices on both tennis anticipation tasks, with the experts showing stronger neural activation in areas of the AON, namely, the superior parietal lobe, the intraparietal sulcus, the inferior frontal gyrus, and the cerebellum. When novices were contrasted with experts, motor anticipation resulted in stronger activation of the ventral premotor cortex, the supplementary motor area, and the superior parietal lobe than spatial anticipation task did. In experts, the comparison of motor and spatial anticipation revealed no increased activation. We suggest that the stronger activation of areas in the AON during the anticipation of action effects in experts reflects their use of the more fine‐tuned motor representations they have acquired and improved during years of training. Furthermore, results suggest that the neural processing of different anticipation tasks depends on the expertise level. Hum Brain Mapp 35:4016–4034, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of vascular factors on language localization in the superior temporal sulcus
Authors: Wilson Stephen M.
Published: January 2014

The left superior temporal sulcus (STS) has been shown in numerous functional imaging studies to be a critical region for language processing, as it is reliably activated when language comprehension is compared with acoustically matched control conditions. Studies in non‐human primates have demonstrated several subdivisions in the STS, yet the precise region(s) within the STS that are important for language remain unclear, in large part because the presence of draining veins in the sulcus makes it difficult to determine whether neural activity is localized to the dorsal or ventral bank of the sulcus. We used functional MRI to localize language regions, and then acquired several additional sequences in order to account for the impact of vascular factors. A breath‐holding task was used to induce hypercapnia in order to normalize voxel‐wise differences in blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) responsivity, and veins were identified on susceptibility‐weighted and T2*‐weighted BOLD images, and masked out. We found that the precise locations of language areas in individual participants were strongly influenced by vascular factors, but that these vascular effects could be ameliorated by hypercapnic normalization and vein masking. After these corrections were applied, the majority of regions activated by language processing were localized to the dorsal bank of the STS. Hum Brain Mapp 35:4049–4063, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Organizational justice and mental health: A multi‐level test of justice interactions
Authors: Fischer Ronald , Abubakar Amina , Nyaboke Arasa Josephine
Published: January 2014

We examine main and interaction effects of organizational justice at the individual and the organizational levels on general health in a Kenyan sample. We theoretically differentiate between two different interaction patterns of justice effects: buffering mechanisms based on trust versus intensifying explanations of justice interactions that involve psychological contract violations. Using a two‐level hierarchical linear model with responses from 427 employees in 29 organizations, only interpersonal justice at level 1 demonstrated a significant main effect. Interactions between distributive and interpersonal justice at both the individual and the collective levels were found. The intensifying hypothesis was supported: the relationship between distributive justice and mental health problems was strongest when interpersonal justice was high. This contrasts with buffering patterns described in Western samples. We argue that justice interaction patterns shift depending on the economic conditions and sociocultural characteristics of employees studied.
Habitat as the most important influencing factor for the rotifer community structure at landscape level
Authors: Kuczyńska‐Kippen Natalia , Basińska Anna
Published: January 2014

This study investigated the impact of several environmental parameters that structured the rotifer communities of 55 ponds within the Wielkopolska district of Poland, a rural landscape of ca. 30 000 km2. Habitat type was the strongest predictor of rotifer distribution, regardless of any other factors that we examined. Most rotifer species were associated with waterbodies dominated by macrophytes, thereby illustrating the value of examining vegetated zones, even in small ecosystems. Oxbow lakes were an important source of rotifer diversity and were found to be distinct from other small water bodies in the region. Two types of rotifer communities were distinguished based on origin of the water body. (1) Naturally occurring, post‐glacial, ponds that had been anthropogenically modified were characterized by relatively more pelagic species, greater total abundance, and higher numbers of eutrophic species. (2) Oxbows lakes and artificial ponds had greater species diversity and greater abundant occurrence of littoral rotifers.
Co‐morbidity in persistent opioid users with chronic non‐malignant pain in Norway
Authors: Mellbye A. , Karlstad Ø. , Skurtveit S. , Borchgrevink P.C. , Fredheim O.M.S.
Published: January 2014

Background

In patients with chronic non‐malignant pain (CNMP), co‐morbid physical or mental health disorders are common and may have a negative impact on health‐related quality of life and treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the occurrence of chronic psychiatric and somatic diseases in persistent opioid users with CNMP compared with the general population in Norway.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, prescription patterns of dispensed opioids were used to identify a study population of persistent opioid users with CNMP from the general population. Reimbursed prescriptions marked with diagnostic codes were used to identify the occurrence of 21 somatic and 3 psychiatric diseases for a 1‐year period in the Norwegian Prescription Database. Occurrence of disease in persistent opioid users was compared to an age‐ and gender‐specific population of all Norwegian residents aged 18–79 years in 2009. Standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs) for each disease were calculated.

Results

Eighty‐five percent of the persistent opioid user population had at least one co‐morbid disease compared with 45% of the general population. Forty‐two percent had three or more co‐morbidities. SMRs in both men and women were generally increased except for dementia, glaucoma and renal disease, indicating a higher occurrence of disease in persistent opioid users.

Conclusions

A higher occurrence of both somatic and psychiatric co‐morbidities in disease stages warranting pharmacological treatment was found in persistent opioid users with CNMP compared with the general population of Norway.
The Potential Economic Benefits of Improved Postfracture Care: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Fracture Liaison Service in the US Health-Care System
Authors: Solomon Daniel H , Patrick Amanda R , Schousboe John , Losina Elena
Published: January 2014

Fractures related to osteoporosis are associated with $20 billion in cost in the United States, with the majority of cost born by federal health-care programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Despite the proven fracture reduction benefits of several osteoporosis treatments, less than one-quarter of patients older than 65 years of age who fracture receive such care. A postfracture liaison service (FLS) has been developed in many health systems but has not been widely implemented in the United States. We developed a Markov state-transition computer simulation model to assess the cost-effectiveness of an FLS using a health-care system perspective. Using the model, we projected the lifetime costs and benefits of FLS, with or without a bone mineral density test, in men and women who had experienced a hip fracture. We estimated the costs and benefits of an FLS, the probabilities of refracture while on osteoporosis treatment, as well as the utilities associated with various health states from published literature. We used multi-way sensitivity analyses to examine impact of uncertainty in input parameters on cost-effectiveness of FLS. The model estimates that an FLS would result in 153 fewer fractures (109 hip, 5 wrist, 21 spine, 17 other), 37.43 more quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and save $66,879 compared with typical postfracture care per every 10,000 postfracture patients. Doubling the cost of the FLS resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $22,993 per QALY. The sensitivity analyses showed that results were robust to plausible ranges of input parameters; assuming the least favorable values of each of the major input parameters results in an ICER of $112,877 per QALY. An FLS targeting patients post-hip fracture should result in cost savings and reduced fractures under most scenarios. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Preparation and Characterization of Transparent and UV‐Shielding Epoxy/SR‐494/APTMS/ZnO Nanocomposites with High Heat Resistance and Anti‐Static Properties
Authors: Cheng Pao‐Swu , Zeng Kuen‐Mao , Chen Jung‐Hui
Published: January 2014

This research is to develop transparent and UV‐shielding Epoxy/SR‐494/APTMS/ZnO nanocomposite materials with high heat resistant and anti‐static properties. Firstly, the APTMS (3‐(acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane) performs the silanol intermediates by hydrolysis in pH 4∼5 acid solution. The inorganic anti‐static fillers of powder ZnO can be successfully coupled and crosslinked to Epoxy/SR‐494 organic matrixes with these silanols of APTMS coupling agents. The remained active ‐OH functional groups of the APTMS/ZnO complexes can network bonding with epoxy prepolymers. Therefore, the Epoxy/APTMS/ZnO complexes with good anti‐static composites will be successfully prepared. Finally, in order to improve the thermal resistant and mechanical properties, the polyfunctionalized SR‐494 (pentaery‐thritol tetracrylate) acrylate monomers and the Epoxy/APTMS/ZnO composites are chain polymerized to form an excellent cross‐linking structure of organic/inorganic nanocomposites.

The chemical bonding formation and the best weight contents of reaction components are identified by FT‐IR spectra. The thermal resistance, transparence, surface electric resistance, and hardness of these nanocomposites are measured by TGA, DSC, UV‐Visible, surface resistant meter, and pencil hardness tester respectively. Experimental results show that these nanocomposites have 90% transmittance and the best Td value is 389.3 °C which is 109.0 °C and 78.6 °C higher than those of pure epoxy resin and pure SR‐494 acrylate resin respectively. The glass transition temperature is not detected below 200 °C. The surface electric resistances of Epoxy/SR‐494/APTMS/ZnO hybrid thin films are decreased from 3.14 × 1013 to 5.13 × 107 Ω/cm2. The hardness of these nanocomposites is as high as 8H, and those hybrid films have high UV‐shielding properties. The morphology structures of the hybrid thin films are estimated by SEM. The results show that the optical thin films are evenly distributed with inorganic colloidal particles and the average particle size of these nanocomposites is 45∼80 nm, while the powder ZnO (particle size: 2∼5 μm) was used as inorganic filler.
1,6‐Dinitroperylene Bisimide Dyes: Synthesis, Characterization and Photophysical Properties
Authors: Chang Che‐Wei , Tsai Hsing‐Yang , Chen Kew‐Yu
Published: January 2014

1,6‐ and 1,7‐regioisomers of dinitro‐substituted perylene bisimides (1a—1b and 2a—2b) were synthesized under mild condition in high yields. The 1,6‐ and 1,7‐regioisomers were successfully isolated from the regioisomeric mixture using conventional methods of separation and subsequently characterized by 500 MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy. This is the first time when 1,6‐dinitroperylene bisimides (1a—1b) are obtained in pure form. Furthermore, the photophysical and electrochemical properties of 1 and 2 were found to be almost the same. The nitro functionalities provide stability of n‐type charge carriers by lowering the LUMO to resist ambient oxidation, which may offer potential applications in air‐stable n‐type organic semiconductors.
Population pharmacokinetics of ofatumumab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, follicular lymphoma, and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Struemper Herbert , Sale Mark , Patel Bela R. , Østergaard Mikkel , Österborg Anders , Wierda William G. , Hagenbeek Anton , Coiffier Bertrand , Jewell Roxanne C.
Published: January 2014

Ofatumumab is a human monoclonal antibody directed at CD20 approved for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The population pharmacokinetics of intravenous ofatumumab were characterized in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia, relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma, and rheumatoid arthritis, diseases with widely varying CD20+ B‐cell counts in blood. Serum concentration data from a total of 477 patients who received ofatumumab doses ranging from 100 mg to 2000 mg in different dosing regimens were analyzed to determine the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ofatumumab across different patient groups and to identify factors contributing to the pharmacokinetic variability. Ofatumumab pharmacokinetics were well described by a linear two‐compartment model component to represent non‐specific monoclonal antibody clearance from the central compartment interacting with a model component representing the target‐mediated clearance of ofatumumab by binding to CD20 expressed on B cells. The clearance (7.5 mL/h) and steady‐state volume of distribution (5.3 L) for the linear, non‐specific component were consistent with results obtained for other monoclonal antibodies. The target‐mediated clearance component was related to the disease‐specific number of circulating B cells, which will allow simulation of the contribution of target‐mediated clearance to ofatumumab pharmacokinetics in untested disease states with data on B‐cell counts and turnover.
Subcritical hydrolysis and characterization of waste proteinaceous biomass for value added applications
Authors: Mekonnen Tizazu H. , Mussone Paolo G. , El‐Thaher Nayef , Choi Phillip , Bressler David C.
Published: January 2014

BACKGROUND

As a result of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) emergence, certain tissues of cattle are categorized as specified risk material (SRM) and completely banned from their traditional applications as an ingredient in animal feed, pet food, or fertilizer applications. The goal of this study was to investigate the hydrolysis of such hazardous proteinacious biomass and extract a safe proteinacious fraction to produce industrial feedstock for value‐added applications.

RESULTS

The SRM was hydrolyzed at subcritical temperatures of 180, 200, 220, 240, and 260 °C for 40 min according to government‐approved protocols. The recovery and cleavage of proteins and lipids, the generation and degradation of free and total amino acids, and the generation of organic acids were studied and found to be temperature‐dependent. The yield of the hydrolyzed and recovered proteinacious fractions varied between 71.6 and 87.6% by weight of the original protein content in the SRM. The molecular size was also significantly dependent on the hydrolysis temperature.

CONCLUSION

The valorization of an otherwise waste SRM by subcritical hydrolysis and recovery techniques resulted in protein hydrolyzates suitable for bio‐based chemicals and materials applications. The increase of temperature resulted in higher degrees of hydrolysis as shown by the smaller molecular size of hydrolyzed proteins. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of carotid artery dimensions and lesion length measured by B‐mode ultrasonography and quantitative angiography in patients with severe stenosis undergoing percutaneous revascularization
Authors: Harmon Laura , Boccalandro Fernando
Published: January 2014

Background

To evaluate the correlation and agreement of the carotid artery landmarks necessary for carotid artery stenting obtained by B‐mode ultrasonography (BMU), and by quantitative angiography (QCA) in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis.

Methods

In 75 patients undergoing carotid artery stenting, the distal common (CCA), proximal internal (ICA) carotid artery diameter, and lesion length were measured preoperatively by BMU, and intraoperatively by QCA.

Results

In 96% of the subjects, BMU imaging was adequate for interpretation. BMU and QCA Pearson correlation and Lin concordance coefficients were 0.75 (p < 0.001) and 0.959 (95% CI: 0.930 – 0.996), respectively, for CCA diameter, 0.88 (p < 0.001) and 0.954 (95% CI: 0.928‐0.983), respectively, for ICA diameter, and 0.62 (p < 0.001) and 0.734 (95% CI: 0.719‐0.760), respectively, for lesion length, with a 0.765 bias correction factor and a wider data scatter by Bland Altman plots showing shorter lesion length by BMU than by QCA.

Conclusions

In patients with carotid artery stenosis, BMU can provide reliable distal CCA and proximal ICA diameters in comparison with QCA, whereas lesion length measured by BMU has an acceptable correlation, but a poor agreement with QCA. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:270–276, 2014
MRI demonstrates a decrease in myocardial infarct healing and increase in compensatory ventricular hypertrophy following mechanical microvascular obstruction
Authors: Bajwa Hisham Z. , Do Loi , Suhail Mohammed , Hetts Steven W. , Wilson Mark W. , Saeed Maythem
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To provide direct evidence that mechanical obstruction of microvessels inhibits infarct resorption (healing) and enhances left ventricular (LV) remodeling using MRI.

Materials and Methods

Animals (n = 20 pigs) served as controls (group I) or were subjected to either 90 min left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusion/reperfusion (group II) or 90 min LAD occlusion/ microemboli delivery/reperfusion (group III). MRI (cine and delayed contrast enhanced MRI, DE‐MRI) was performed at 3 days and 5 weeks after interventions and used for assessing LV function, mass, and extent of myocardial damage and microvascular obstruction (MVO) using semi‐automated threshold method.

Results

Persistent MVO in the core of contiguous infarct was larger and more frequent (n = 8/8) in group III than group II (4/8) on DE‐MRI at 3 days. Furthermore, patchy microinfarct, as a result of microembolization, was visible as hyperenhanced zone at the borders of the contiguous infarct. The reduction in ejection fraction and increase in LV volumes on cine MRI were greater in group III than group II at 3 days and 5 weeks, which may be attributed to the slow infarct resorption, MVO extents and patchy microinfarct at the borders.

Conclusion

This MRI study illustrates the recently raised conjecture that MVO delays/inhibits infarct resorption (healing), accentuates LV hypertrophy and pathological remodeling. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:906–914. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Whole‐body MRI‐based fat quantification: A comparison to air displacement plethysmography
Authors: Ludwig Ute A. , Klausmann Florian , Baumann Sandra , Honal Matthias , Hövener Jan‐Bernd , König Daniel , Deibert Peter , Büchert Martin
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To demonstrate the feasibility of an algorithm for MRI whole‐body quantification of internal and subcutaneous fat and quantitative comparison of total adipose tissue to air displacement plethysmography (ADP).

Materials and Methods

For comparison with ADP, whole‐body MR data of 11 volunteers were obtained using a continuously moving table Dixon sequence. Resulting fat images were corrected for B1 related intensity inhomogeneities before fat segmentation.

Results

The performed MR measurements of the whole body provided a direct comparison to ADP measurements. The segmentation of subcutaneous and internal fat in the abdomen worked reliably with an accuracy of 98%. Depending on the underlying model for fat quantification, the resultant MR fat masses represent an upper and a lower limit for the true fat masses. In comparison to ADP, the results were in good agreement with ρ ≥0.97, P < 0.0001.

Conclusion

Whole‐body fat quantities derived noninvasively by using a continuously moving table Dixon acquisition were directly compared with ADP. The accuracy of the method and the high reproducibility of results indicate its potential for clinical applications. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:1437–1444. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A thermo‐stable lysine aminopeptidase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Isolation, purification, characterization, and sequence analysis
Authors: Wu Yan Tao , Zhou Nan Di , Zhou Zhe Min , Gao Xin Xing , Tian Ya Ping
Published: January 2014

Pseudomonas aeruginosa NJ‐814, isolated from garden soil, produced an extracellular aminopeptidase that was purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation and ion exchange chromatography. The purity was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and the Mr value of the enzyme was estimated to be 55 kDa. The purified enzyme shows maximum activity at pH 9.0 and 80 °C. It exhibits high thermo‐stability. Half of the activity can remain after incubation at 80 °C for 119 min. It is stable within pH range of 7.5–10.5. It is strongly activated by Co2+ and inhibited by Fe2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). The specificity of the enzyme was investigated. Within several aminoacyl‐p‐nitroanilines (AA‐pNA), Lys‐pNA is proven to be the optimal substrate. The Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) of the enzyme for Lys‐pNA and Leu‐pNA were 2.32 and 9.41 mM, respectively. Peptide map fingerprinting shows that the sequence of the enzyme is highly similar to aminopeptidase Y from P. aeruginosa 18A. It can be speculated that this enzyme is a Zn2+‐dependent enzyme and contains two zinc ions in its active site.
Studies on the preparative isolation and stability of seven main anthocyanins from Yan 73 grape
Authors: Tang Ke , Li Yang , Han Yehui , Han Fuliang , Li Jiming , Nie Yao , Xu Yan
Published: January 2014

BACKROUND

Seven anthocyanin monomers of Yan 73 grape were separated using preparative HPLC and identified by UPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS. The stabilities of the seven isolated anthocyanins to light, temperature and pH were also investigated.

RESULTS

Seven anthocyanin monomers were successfully isolated with an Xbridge Prep C18 column on a preparative scale. The pigments delphinidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, malvidin‐3‐O‐acetylglucoside and malvidin‐3‐O‐coumarylglucoside were yielded in a one‐step separation by preparative HPLC, with purities up to 99.9%, 91.7% and 95.5%, respectively. The pigments cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, petunidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, peonidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, and malvidin‐3‐O‐glucoside were further purified with another elution method and their purities were all improved up to 99.9%. Monomeric anthocyanin degradation fitted a first‐order reaction model. The seven isolated anthocyanins were significantly more stable in the dark than under light. High temperature was also unfavourable for the stability of anthocyanins. The anthocyanins were more stable at lower pH than at higher pH. In addition, among these anthocyanins, delphinidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, malvidin‐3‐O‐acetylglucoside and malvidin‐3‐O‐coumarylglucoside were more susceptible to light, heat, and pH than the others.

CONCLUSION

A simple and clean isolation method of seven anthocyanin monomers from Yan 73 grape was established. The stabilities of the seven anthocyanin monomers to light, temperature and pH were different, but the trends in changes were similar. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Lactobacillus brevisOPK‐3 isolated from kimchi inhibits adipogenesis and exerts anti‐inflammation in 3T3‐L1 adipocyte
Authors: Park Jeong‐Eun , Oh Suk‐Heung , Cha Youn‐Soo
Published: January 2014

BACKGROUND

Kimchi is a traditional fermented food in Korea that contains various unique microorganisms. Diverse bacteria are involved in the process of Kimchi fermentation and the healthful advantages; one of the major species is Lactobacillus. We investigated whether lactic acid bacteria isolated from Kimchi (KLAB) are capable of reducing intracellular lipid accumulation by downregulating the expression of adipogenesis and lipogenesis promoting genes in differentiating 3T3‐L1 cells.

RESULTS

KLAB (Lactobacillus brevis OPK‐3) mediated dose‐dependent inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, intracellular triglyceride accumulation and glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity. The expression of transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein α involved in adipogenesis was markedly decreased by the KLAB treatment. Terminal adipogenic marker, e.g. adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2), lipoprotein lipase, liver X receptor α, leptin and GPDH were significantly downregulated by KLAB treatment compared to untreated control. Moreover, cytokine genes, such as tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 mRNA expressions level were also decreased, whereas adiponectin mRNA level was upregulated by KLAB.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the KLAB inhibits lipid accumulation in the differentiating adipocyte through downregulating the expression of adipogenic transcription factors and other specific genes involved in lipid metabolism. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Intra‐lesional interleukin‐2 therapy for in transit melanoma
Authors: Temple‐Oberle Claire F. , Byers Brett A. , Hurdle Valerie , Fyfe Allison , McKinnon J.Gregory
Published: January 2014

Intra‐lesional interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) is effective in treating in transit melanoma metastases. Results from multiple studies were examined to evaluate the efficacy of IL‐2 for in transit disease. In the published literature, complete response ranged from 0% to 69% per patient, and 41% to 96% per lesion, with excellent tolerability. Combining the results of six studies show complete response in 50% of patients and 78% of lesions. Intra‐lesional IL‐2 should be considered early in the course of treatment for in transit disease, ahead of other, more toxic therapies. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:327–331. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Selective extraction of berberine fromCortexPhellodendriusing polydopamine‐coated magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Shi Hai‐Li , Peng Shu‐Lin , Sun Jun , Liu Yi‐Ming , Zhu Yuan‐Ting , Qing Lin‐Sen , Liao Xun
Published: January 2014

A new extraction agent featuring dopamine self‐polymerized on magnetic Fe3O4nanoparticles has been successfully synthesized and evaluated for theSPEof berberine from the extract of the traditionalChinese medicinal plant,Cortex Phellodendri. The nanoparticles prepared possessed a core–shell structure and showed super‐paramagnetism. It was found that these polydopamine‐coated nanoparticles exhibited strong and selective adsorption for berberine. Among the chemical components present inC. Phellodendri, only berberine was adsorbed by the nanoparticles and extracted by a followingSPEprocedure. Various conditions such as the amount of polydopamine‐coated nanoparticles, desorption solvent, desorption time and equilibrium time were optimized for theSPEof berberine. The purity of berberine extracted fromC. Phellodendriwas determined to be as high as 91.3% compared with that of 9.5% in the extract. The establishedSPEprotocol combined advantages of highly selective enrichment with easy magnetic separation, and proved to be a facile efficient procedure for the isolation of berberine. Further, the prepared polydopamine‐coated magnetic nanoparticles could be reused for multiple times, reducing operational cost. The applicability and reliability of the developedSPEmethod were demonstrated by isolating berberine from three differentC. Phellodendriextracts. Recoveries of 85.4–111.2% were obtained with relative standard deviations ranging from 0.27–2.05%.
The Ascent of Lithuanian Lasers
Authors: Vengris Mikas
Published: January 2014

Lasers in Lithuania are a source of considerable pride and are often presented as a success story. How did it happen that a small country without obvious reasons to succeed in a knowledge‐intense field of lasers and laser applications has become a player equal with the laser industry giants from the USA, Germany, France and other developed countries (Fig. 1)? Here is an insider look into the circumstances and factors that have determined the success of Lithuanian laser industry.
Amphiphilic Poly(N‐vinyl acetamide) Gels Strengthened with Swelling Solvent
Authors: Takemoto Yukie , Ajiro Hiroharu , Akashi Mitsuru
Published: January 2014

Improving fragility is important for the practical application of gels. In this study, the mechanical strength of gels composed of poly(N‐vinyl acetamide) (PNVA) and glycols is investigated focusing on the retained solvent in the gels. The solvent for the PNVA hydrogel is adequately replaced by various glycols. Using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with molecular weights of 400 or 600 g mol−1, the compressive strength of the gel is dramatically enhanced to approximately 10 MPa while that of hydrogel is 0.2 MPa. This is because of solvent viscosity, interaction between PEG and PNVA, and the favorable aggregation of the PNVA. From FTIR spectroscopy investigations, the absorption bands of the carbonyl and amino groups of PNVA gels with PEG400 are shifted as compared with PNVA gels in water, suggesting hydrogen bond formation.

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Study on Unsteady Combustion Behaviors of AP/HTPB Base‐Bleed Propellants under Transient Depressurization Conditions
Authors: Yu Yong‐Gang , Zhou Yan‐Huang , Lu Chun‐Yi , Xue Xiao‐Chun
Published: January 2014

As the base‐bleed projectile flies out of the muzzle, the environmental pressure in the base‐bleed combustion chamber suddenly decreases and AP/HTPB base‐bleed propellant suffers intense unsteady combustion. To further study the unsteady combustion characteristics of base‐bleed propellants, a semi‐closed bomb as was designed experimental device and transient depressurization conditions of the muzzle were simulated. Measurements of the transient combustion characteristics of the base‐bleed propellant under high depressurization rate were carried out by using a high speed digital camera system. In the experiments, the combustion chamber pressure of the semi‐closed bomb was controlled from 20 to 90 MPa and the depressurization rate was controlled from 400 to1.12×104 MPa s−1. The experimental results indicate that, the out‐of‐phase blowing effect is intense under rapid depressurization condition, leading to the reaction layer thickened. The thermal feedback to the solid surface decreases and thus the combustion reaction of gas phase is so difficult to maintain that it begins to extinguish. However, the thermal decomposition of the solid phase is still continuing and a yellow fog can be observed above the combustion chamber nozzle. Depending on the maximum pressure in the combustion chamber and depressurization rate, the transient combustion behavior of AP/HTPB base‐bleed propellant displays three patterns, i.e., automatic reignition, oscillating combustion (a critical type) and permanent extinguishment. Three unsteady combustion behaviors are preliminarily analyzed based on the thermal feedback. If the initial pressure in the combustion chamber before depressurization is larger or the depressurization rate is smaller, the base‐bleed propellant tends to automatically reignite earlier and the combustion process is more stable.
The dynamics of interleukin‐8 and its interaction with human CXC receptor I peptide
Authors: Kendrick Agnieszka A. , Holliday Michael J. , Isern Nancy G. , Zhang Fengli , Camilloni Carlo , Huynh Chi , Vendruscolo Michele , Armstrong Geoffrey , Eisenmesser Elan Z.
Published: January 2014

Interleukin‐8 (CXCL8, IL‐8) is a proinflammatory chemokine important for the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses via its interaction with G‐protein coupled receptors, including CXC receptor 1 (CXCR1). CXCL8 exists as both a monomer and as a dimer at physiological concentrations, yet the molecular basis of CXCL8 interaction with its receptor as well as the importance of CXCL8 dimer formation remain poorly characterized. Although several biological studies have indicated that both the CXCL8 monomer and dimer are active, biophysical studies have reported conflicting results regarding the binding of CXCL8 to CXCR1. To clarify this problem, we expressed and purified a peptide (hCXCR1pep) corresponding to the N‐terminal region of human CXCR1 (hCXCR1) and utilized nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to interrogate the binding of wild‐type CXCL8 and a previously reported mutant (CXCL8M) that stabilizes the monomeric form. Our data reveal that the CXCL8 monomer engages hCXCR1pep with a slightly higher affinity than the CXCL8 dimer, but that the CXCL8 dimer does not dissociate upon binding hCXCR1pep. These investigations also showed that CXCL8 is dynamic on multiple timescales, which may help explain the versatility in this interleukin for engaging its target receptors.
Evolution of resistance to phytoene desaturase and protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors – state of knowledge
Authors: Dayan Franck E , Owens Daniel K , Tranel Patrick J , Preston Christopher , Duke Stephen O
Published: January 2014

Two major classes of herbicides include inhibitors of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) and phytoene desaturase (PDS). Plants can evolve resistance to PPO and PDS inhibitors via several mechanisms that include physical changes, resulting in reduced uptake, physiological changes, resulting in compartmentalization or altered translocation, and biochemical changes, resulting in enhanced metabolic degradation or alterations of protein structures, leading to loss of sensitivity to the herbicides. This review discusses the involvement of some of these mechanisms in the various cases of resistance to PDS‐ and PPO‐inhibiting herbicides, and highlights unique aspects of target‐site resistance to these herbicides. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
(20$ \bar 2 $1) MOVPE and HVPE GaN grown on 2″ patterned sapphire substrates
Authors: Meisch Tobias , Alimoradi‐Jazi Maryam , Klein Martin , Scholz Ferdinand
Published: January 2014

(20‐21) GaN was grown on (22‐43) patterned sapphire substrates by MOVPE and subsequently overgrown in a HVPE growth step. By using fairly c‐plane growth conditions and adjusting the reactor temperature of the particular layers, GaN stripes free of any parasitic islands were grown by MOVPE. X‐ray measurements confirmed a very promising crystal quality. It turned out, that the stripes are formed by (10‐11) and (0001) facets, which seems to be the most stable facets during growth. Via HVPE overgrowth, the single stripes coalesce and form a flaky surface. A fairly high growth rate of about 142 μm per hour was achieved. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ab‐initio calculations and atomistic calculations on the magnetoelectric effects in metallic nanostructures
Authors: Fähnle M. , Subkow S.
Published: January 2014

The contribution of spin‐dependent electronic polarizations on the magnetoelectric behavior of metallic nanostructures is studied theoretically. First, the magnetoelectric effect on the surface magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy Esa is calculated for Fe films and Fe‐Au‐Fe heterofilms by the ab‐initio spin‐density functional electron theory.

A method for the definition of layer‐resolved contributions to Esa is introduced. Then the change of the magnetization of a nanoporous Fe system on charging the system in an electrolyte is investigated by computer simulations on the atomic level with information on the chargeresponse of the layer‐resolved contributions to Esa obtained from the ab‐initio calculations for the Fe films. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quasi‐geostrophic diagnosis of the influence of vorticity advection on the development of upper level jet‐front systems
Authors: Martin Jonathan E.
Published: January 2014

A partition of the geostrophic vorticity into shear and curvature components is employed to consider the influence of differential vorticity advection on the development of upper level jet‐front systems in northwesterly flow in an idealized and an observed case. The analysis reveals that negative geostrophic shear vorticity advection by the thermal wind, inextricably coincident with regions of geostrophic cold air advection in cyclonic shear, forces subsidence that is distributed in narrow, quasi‐linear, frontal‐scale bands aligned along the warm edge of the upper baroclinic zone. In each case examined, this component of the quasi‐geostrophic (QG) subsidence makes the largest contribution to upper frontogenetic tilting.

Additionally, since QG omega forced by geostrophic vorticity advection by the thermal wind is of the shearwise variety, the analysis shows that the traditional emphasis on the role of laterally displaced transverse circulations is an incomplete description of the upper frontogenetic tilting that arises in such environments. In fact, the results suggest that Mudrick's (1974) emphasis on negative vorticity advection increasing with height combined with Shapiro's (1981) insight regarding the lateral displacement of frontogenetic transverse circulations offers the most comprehensive way to conceptualize the forcings that promote rapid upper level jet‐front development in regions of geostrophic cold air advection in cyclonic shear.
Proposal for common data transfer format for simulation softwares used in surface electron spectroscopies
Authors: Yoshikawa Hideki , Yoshihara Kazuhiro , Watanabe Daisuke , Tanaka Hiromi , Tanuma Shigeo
Published: January 2014

The electron spectroscopies, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and so on have been used for surface chemical analysis of nanostructured specimens. Simulation softwares comparing a simulated electron spectrum with an experimental one have played an important role in revealing the layered nanostructure of specimens, and the widespread use of the simulation softwares, therefore, boosts the commonly accepted capability of the analysis with the electron spectroscopies to a higher level. This report proposes an XML data format for effectively describing simulated results so that the format can promote discussing the results and storing them in a database that helps a user to master the simulation softwares. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparing Visible and Invisible Social Support: Non‐evaluative Support Buffers Cardiovascular Responses to Stress
Authors: Kirsch Julie A. , Lehman Barbara J.
Published: January 2014

Previous research suggests that in contrast to invisible social support, visible social support produces exaggerated negative emotional responses. Drawing on work by Bolger and colleagues, this study disentangled social support visibility from negative social evaluation in an examination of the effects of social support on negative emotions and cardiovascular responses. As part of an anticipatory speech task, 73 female participants were randomly assigned to receive no social support, invisible social support, non‐confounded visible social support or visible social support as delivered in a 2007 study by Bolger and Amarel. Twelve readings, each for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were taken at 5‐min intervals throughout the periods of baseline, reactivity and recovery. Cardiovascular outcomes were tested by incorporating a series of theoretically driven planned contrasts into tests of stress reactivity conducted through piecewise growth curve modelling. Linear and quadratic trends established cardiovascular reactivity to the task. Further, in comparison to the control and replication conditions, the non‐confounded visible and invisible social support conditions attenuated cardiovascular reactivity over time. Pre‐ and post‐speech negative emotional responses were not affected by the social support manipulations. These results suggest that appropriately delivered visible social support may be as beneficial as invisible social support. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enantioselective disruption of the endocrine system by Cis‐Bifenthrin in the male mice
Authors: Jin Yuanxiang , Wang Jiangcong , Pan Xiuhong , Miao Wenyu , Lin Xiaojian , Wang Linggang , Fu Zhengwei
Published: January 2014

Bifenthrin (BF), as a chiral pyrethroid, is widely used to control field and household pests in China. At present, the commercial BF is a mixed compound containing cis isomers (cis‐BF) including two enantiomers of 1R‐cis‐BF and 1S‐cis‐BF. In the present study, the two individual cis‐BF enantiomers were separated by a preparative supercritical fluid chromatography. Then, four week‐old adolescent male ICR mice were orally administered 1R‐cis‐BF and 1S‐cis‐BF separately daily for 3 weeks at doses of 0, 7.5 and 15 mg/kg/day, respectively. Results showed that the transcription status of some genes involved in cholesterol synthesis and transport as well as testosterone (T) synthesis in the testes were influenced by cis‐BF enantiomers. Especially, we observed that the transcription status of key genes on the pathway of T synthesis including cytochrome P450 cholesterol side‐chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and cytochrome P450 17α‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (P45017α)) were selectively altered in the testis of mice when treated with 1S‐cis‐BF, suggesting that it is the possible reason to explain why the lower serum T concentration in 1S‐cis‐BF treated group. Taken together, it concluded that both of the cis‐BF enantiomers have the endocrine disruption activities, while 1S‐cis‐BF was higher than 1R‐cis‐BF in mice when exposed during the puberty. The data was helpful to understand the toxicity of cis‐BF in mammals under enantiomeric level. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 746–754, 2015.
Spatial and temporal distribution of oak wilt in golden‐cheeked warbler habitat
Authors: Stewart Laura R. , Morrison Michael L. , Appel David N. , Neal Wilkins R.
Published: January 2014

Research suggests the presence of oak wilt in Ashe juniper–oak (Juniperus ashei–Quercus spp.) woodland has a negative effect on habitat selection and quality for the federally endangered golden‐cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia). We used aerial imagery and an occupancy model to estimate the amount of golden‐cheeked warbler habitat within our study region in Texas, USA, that was affected by oak wilt over a 10‐year timeframe, 2008–2018, and to assess the current probability of warbler occupancy in areas affected by oak wilt prior to 1983. We also quantified vegetation characteristics to assess regeneration in areas affected by the disease. Our results indicate that oak wilt frequently occurs in golden‐cheeked warbler habitat and will continue to spread into warbler habitat in the coming years. We estimated that 6.9% of golden‐cheeked warbler habitat within our study region in the southwestern portion of the warbler's range was affected by oak wilt in 2008. By 2018, we predict that 13.3% of golden‐cheeked warbler habitat will be affected by the disease. Areas affected by oak wilt prior to 1983 were less likely to be classified as current potential warbler habitat than were unaffected areas. We found no differences between the understory vegetation of affected and unaffected areas but, in general, oaks were more common in the overstory than in the understory, suggesting that species composition in affected areas may shift following an outbreak of oak wilt. Future management efforts should address the threat oak wilt poses to golden‐cheeked warblers by incorporating applicable preventative measures. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.