bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Characterization of a New Bifunctionalized, Fluorescent, and Amphiphilic Molecule for Recruiting SH‐Containing Molecules to Membranes
Authors: Mertens Monique , Hilsch Malte , Haralampiev Ivan , Volkmer Rudolf , Wessig Pablo , Müller Peter
Published: May 2018

This study describes the synthesis and characterization of an amphiphilic construct intended to recruit SH‐containing molecules to membranes. The construct consists of 1) an aliphatic chain to enable anchoring within membranes, 2) a maleimide moiety to react with the sulfhydryl group of a soluble (bio)molecule, and 3) a fluorescence moiety to allow the construct to be followed by fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy. It is shown that the construct can be incorporated into preformed membranes, thus allowing application of the approach with biological membranes. The close proximity between the fluorophore and the maleimide moiety within the construct causes fluorescence quenching. This allows monitoring of the reaction with SH‐containing molecules by measurement of increases in fluorescence intensity and lifetime. Notably, the construct distributes into laterally ordered membrane domains of lipid vesicles, which is probably triggered by the length of its membrane anchor. The advantages of the new construct can be employed for several biological, biotechnological, and medicinal applications.
Influence of drying temperature on the structural and cooking quality properties of black rice
Authors: Lang Gustavo Heinrich , Lindemann Igor da Silva , Ferreira Cristiano Dietrich , Pohndorf Ricardo Scherer , Vanier Nathan Levien , de Oliveira Maurício
Published: May 2018

Background and objectives

Paddy rice was dried in a fixed‐bed dryer at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100°C, with air speed set at 0.5 m/s. The drying kinetics, moisture diffusivity, and morphologic characteristics of black rice grains from IAC 600 genotype were determined.

Findings

Black rice grains dried at 60, 80, and 100°C exhibited a reduction in the head rice percentage after dehusking (HRD) as the temperature increased. This behavior was confirmed by the occurrence of cracks in the endosperm of black rice when observed using an SEM. There was a reduction in cooking time, hardness, adhesiveness, and in the extractability of water‐soluble proteins as well as in the extractability of proteins in 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate media in black rice subjected to 100°C of drying temperature, as compared to 20°C. Conversely, increases in the rehydration ratio of grains dried at 100°C were observed. Increases in the peak and breakdown viscosities and reductions in pasting temperature, final viscosity, and setback viscosity in Rapid Visco Analyzer profile of 100°C‐dried black rice were also observed.

Conclusions

The increase in drying temperature promoted the increase in drying rate (k) and Deff. When black rice grains were dried at 60, 80, and 100°C, there was a decrease in HRD because of the evident increase in the intensity of endosperm fissures. The fissure formation is attributed to drying at temperatures of 60, 80, and 100°C occurring above the glass transition temperature (rubbery region) coupled with a non‐efficient tempering. At 100°C, modifications were observed in the flour pasting properties, indicating the higher extent of protein–starch interactions, confirmed by the reduction of protein extractability.

Significance and novelty

Few reports exist on black rice structure and cooking quality as a function of post‐harvest conditions. The present work provides scientific support on how drying temperature impacts black rice quality.
Transient Energy and Exergy Analyses of a Multistage Hydrogen Compression and Storage System
Authors: Al-Zareer Maan , Dincer Ibrahim , Rosen Marc A.
Published: May 2018

A new, practical, and efficient hydrogen compression and storage system is developed and analyzed thermodynamically through transient energy and exergy approaches. The first model of the multistage hydrogen compression system consists of multiple compressors with variable pressure ratios; all operating at the same variable pressure ratio. The second model has two fixed filling times, as a result of its operational mode. The second model integrates constant pressure ratio compressors with a controller that runs the required number of compressors based on the pressure in the vessel. The overall system and its components are simulated in Aspen Plus and Engineering Equation Solver, with which their performances are evaluated based on energy and exergy analyses.
CO2 Capture Performance of Portland Cement‐Based Carbide Slag and the Enhancement of Its CO2 Capture Capacity
Authors: Cai Jianjun , Wang Shuzhong , Luo Ming , Xu Donghai
Published: May 2018

Carbide slag (CS) is a CaO‐based waste with superior CO2 capture capacity. As it is usually recycled in the form of fine powder, the pelletization of CS is indispensable for its practical application. Here, commercial Portland cement (PC) was used as a cheap binder to produce PC‐based carbide slag (PCCS) pellets and to enhance the mechanical strength of CS. The carbonation conversion of CS declined with the addition of PC, but the ability to resist sintering was improved. Prolonging the hydration time (HT) was effective in improving the CO2 capture performance of PCCS. During the thermal pretreatment of CS, the grain size of the CS increased with increasing thermal pretreatment temperature and time, but the mechanical strength of the CS increased.
A New Composite Electrode Applied for Studying the Electrochemistry of Insoluble Particles: α‐HgS
Authors: Yang Minjun , Compton Richard G.
Published: May 2018

The redox chemistry of solid α‐HgS particles is revealed using a carbon/PVDF composite containing α‐HgS, carbon black, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The electrochemical behaviour of the carbon/PVDF composite is first characterised with three water insoluble organic solids. Then the reduction of solid α‐HgS particles is investigated and found to occur at a high negative potential, −1.82 V versus saturated mercury sulphate reference electrode, to form metallic mercury and sulphide ions. The subsequent oxidation of metallic mercury and sulphide occurs at +0.24 and −0.49 V versus MSE respectively.
Copper‐Catalyzed Allylic C−H Alkynylation by Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling
Authors: Almasalma Ahmad A. , Mejía Esteban
Published: May 2018

C−H bond functionalization is a well‐developed concept that has been thoroughly studied and gives entry to rather complex molecules without the need for previous derivatization of the substrates. The use of copper complexes in allylic C−H bond functionalization under oxidative conditions as an alternative to the well‐established palladium‐based methodologies remains largely underdeveloped. Here, we show for the first time a selective cross‐dehydrogenative coupling reaction between underivatized allylic substrates and terminal alkynes to produce 1,4‐enynes in high yields in a single step, using an in situ synthesized copper catalyst and an oxidant.
Atomic‐Resolution Structure of a Class C β‐Lactamase and Its Complex with Avibactam
Authors: Pozzi Cecilia , Di Pisa Flavio , De Luca Filomena , Benvenuti Manuela , Docquier Jean Denis , Mangani Stefano
Published: May 2018

β‐Lactamases (BLs) are important antibiotic‐resistance determinants that significantly compromise the efficacy of valuable β‐lactam antibacterial drugs. Thus, combinations with BL inhibitor were developed. Avibactam is the first non‐β‐lactam BL inhibitor introduced into clinical practice. Ceftazidime–avibactam represents one of the few last‐resort antibiotics available for the treatment of infections caused by near‐pandrug‐resistant bacteria. TRU‐1 is a chromosomally encoded AmpC‐type BL of Aeromonas enteropelogenes, related to the FOX‐type BLs and constitutes a good model for class C BLs. TRU‐1 crystals provided ultrahigh‐resolution diffraction data for the native enzyme and for its complex with avibactam. A comparison of the native and avibactam‐bound structures revealed new details in the conformations of residues relevant for substrate and/or inhibitor binding. Furthermore, a comparison of the TRU‐1 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa AmpC avibactam‐bound structures revealed two inhibitor conformations that were likely to correspond to two different states occurring during inhibitor carbamylation/recyclization.
Capacitor re‐design overcomes the rotation rate limit of MACS resonators
Authors: Adhikari Shyam S. , Wallrabe Ulrike , Badilita Vlad , Korvink Jan G.
Published: May 2018

The magic angle coil spinning (MACS) technique has provided a breakthrough in enhancing sensitivity in magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR. However, efforts in improving the MACS detector for higher spinning speeds have been lacking. One published MACS construction technique is to solder a handwound solenoidal coil to a commercial non‐magnetic capacitor and subsequently centering the detector inside the MAS rotor. An alternative method to realize these detectors is by using MEMS fabrication at the wafer scale, potentially capable of achieving reproducible MACS detectors. However, it is also important that the performance of the sensors does not deteriorate as a result of microfabrication constraints. The footprint of the detectors is a limiting factor in achieving higher spinning speeds. One of the key elements of a micro‐resonator is its tuning capacitor, whose geometry has a significant influence on its electrical and mechanical performance. The quality factor of the capacitor, along with the induced eddy currents, are the key performance parameters considered. The article addresses these concerns by presenting a study of microfabricated on‐chip capacitors for magic angle coil spinning (MACS) detectors. The capacitors are juxtaposed with commercially available capacitors and the most suitable fit to be integrated with a micro‐coil is established.
The pendulum swings back: Screening for prostate cancer in 2018
Authors: Thompson Ian M.
Published: May 2018

Since the advent of PSA testing in the early 1990s, allowing early detection and treatment of prostate cancer, deaths from this disease have been falling. Subsequently, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended against PSA testing, a decision that led to declines in prostate cancer screening and detection. After more than a decade of declining deaths from prostate cancer, research in this issue of Cancer has discovered that rates of metastatic prostate cancer are now increasing. This finding should prompt physicians to renew their discussions of PSA testing with their patients and, at a national level, calls for an increased focus on clinical trials incorporating new methods of early diagnosis of this disease.See also pages 2801‐14.
Assessment of the Drug Interaction Potential of Ertugliflozin With Sitagliptin, Metformin, Glimepiride, or Simvastatin in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Dawra Vikas Kumar , Cutler David L. , Zhou Susan , Krishna Rajesh , Shi Haihong , Liang Yali , Alvey Christine , Hickman Anne , Saur Didier , Terra Steven G. , Sahasrabudhe Vaishali
Published: May 2018

Ertugliflozin, a sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, is expected to be coadministered with sitagliptin, metformin, glimepiride, and/or simvastatin. Four separate open‐label, randomized, single‐dose, crossover studies were conducted in healthy adults to assess the potential pharmacokinetic interactions between ertugliflozin 15 mg and sitagliptin 100 mg (n = 12), metformin 1000 mg (n = 18), glimepiride 1 mg (n = 18), or simvastatin 40 mg (n = 18). Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters derived from plasma concentration–time data were analyzed using mixed‐effects models to assess interactions. Coadministration of sitagliptin, metformin, glimepiride, or simvastatin with ertugliflozin had no effect on area under the plasma concentration–time profile from time 0 to infinity (AUCinf) or maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax) of ertugliflozin (per standard bioequivalence boundaries, 80% to 125%). Similarly, ertugliflozin did not have any impact on AUCinf or Cmax of sitagliptin, metformin, or glimepiride. AUCinf for simvastatin (24%) and simvastatin acid (30%) increased slightly after coadministration with ertugliflozin and was not considered clinically relevant. All treatments were well tolerated. The lack of clinically meaningful pharmacokinetic interactions demonstrates that ertugliflozin can be coadministered safely with sitagliptin, metformin, glimepiride, or simvastatin without any need for dose adjustment.
Organoruthenium and Organoosmium Complexes of 2‐Pyridinecarbothioamides Functionalized with a Sulfonamide Motif: Synthesis, Cytotoxicity and Biomolecule Interactions
Authors: Arshad Jahanzaib , Hanif Muhammad , Zafar Ayesha , Movassaghi Sanam , Tong Kelvin K. H. , Reynisson Jóhannes , Kubanik Mario , Waseem Amir , Söhnel Tilo , Jamieson Stephen M. F. , Hartinger Christian G.
Published: May 2018

Anticancer‐active RuII–η6‐p‐cymene complexes of bioactive 2‐pyridinecarbothioamide ligands have been shown to have high selectivity for plectin and can be administered orally. Reported herein is the functionalization of a 2‐pyridinecarbothioamide with a sulfonamide group and its conversion into M–η6‐p‐cymene complexes (M = Ru, Os). The presence of a sulfonamide moiety in many organic drugs and metal complexes endows these agents with interesting biological properties and can transform the latter into multi‐targeted agents. The compounds were characterized with standard methods and the in vitro anticancer activity data was compared with studies on the hydrolytic stability of the complexes and their reactivity to small biomolecules. A molecular modeling study revealed plausible modes of binding of the complexes in the catalytic pocket of carbonic anhydrase II.
The development of consistency and flexibility in manual pointing during middle childhood
Authors: Golenia Laura , Schoemaker Marina M. , Otten Egbert , Tuitert Inge , Bongers Raoul M.
Published: May 2018

Goal‐directed actions become truly functional and skilled when they are consistent yet flexible. In manual pointing, end‐effector consistency is characterized by the end position of the index fingertip, whereas flexibility in movement execution is captured by the use of abundant arm‐joint configurations not affecting the index finger end position. Because adults have been shown to exploit their system's flexibility in challenging conditions, we wondered whether during middle childhood children are already able to exploit motor flexibility when demanded by the situation. We had children aged 5–10 years and adults perform pointing movements in a nonchallenging and challenging condition. Results showed that end‐effector errors and flexibility in movement execution decreased with age. Importantly, only the 9‐10‐year‐olds and adults showed increased flexibility in the challenging condition. Thus, while consistency increases and flexibility decreases during mid‐childhood development, from the age of nine children appear able to employ more flexibility with increasing task demands.
Embryonic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of a brominated flame retardant reduces the size of song‐control nuclei in a songbird
Authors: Eng Margaret L. , Winter Viktoria , Elliott John E. , MacDougall‐Shackleton Scott A. , Williams Tony D.
Published: May 2018

Environmental contaminants have the potential to act as developmental stressors and impair development of song and the brain of songbirds, but they have been largely unstudied in this context. 2,2′,4,4′,5‐Pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE‐99) is a brominated flame retardant congener that has demonstrated endocrine disrupting effects, and has pervaded the global environment. We assessed the effects of in ovo exposure to environmentally relevant levels of BDE‐99 on the neuroanatomy of the song‐control system in a model songbird species, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Embryos were exposed via egg injection to a vehicle control (DMSO), 10, 100, or 1000 ng BDE‐99/g egg on the day the egg was laid. Chicks were raised to sexual maturity to investigate long‐term effects of BDE‐99 on the adult male brain. Three key song‐control nuclei (Area X, HVC, RA) all showed a dose‐dependent trend toward decreasing volume as BDE‐99 concentration increased, and birds exposed to 1000 ng/g in ovo BDE‐99 had significantly smaller song‐control nuclei volume compared to control birds. High environmental concentrations of BDE‐99 in avian tissues can be within that range and thus could affect development of the song‐control system in birds, and potentially other processes. We previously found that BDE‐99 exposure during the nestling period had no effect of on the song‐control system, although it did have significant effects on some behaviural endpoints. Taken together, these results suggest that exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs) during critical developmental windows can significantly alter neurological development. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2018
Avian demographic responses to drought and fire: a community‐level perspective
Authors: Saracco James F. , Fettig Stephen M. , San Miguel George L. , Mehlman David W. , Thompson Brent E. , Albert Steven K.
Published: May 2018

Drought stress is an important consideration for wildlife in arid and semiarid regions under climate change. Drought can impact plant and animal populations directly, through effects on their physiology, as well as indirectly through effects on vegetation productivity and resource availability, and by creating conditions conducive to secondary disturbance, such as wildfire. We implemented a novel approach to understanding community‐level demographic responses of birds and their habitats to these stressors in the context of climate change at 14 study sites in the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. A large wildfire affecting three of the sites provided a natural experiment for also examining fire effects on vegetation and the bird community. We assessed (1) trends in drought and end‐of‐century (2071–2100) predicted average drought conditions under mid‐range and high greenhouse gas concentration trajectory scenarios; (2) effects of drought and fire on habitat (vegetation greenness); and (3) effects of drought and fire on community‐level avian productivity and adult apparent survival rates. Drought has increased and is expected to increase further at our study sites under climate change. Under spring drought conditions, vegetation greenness and avian productivity declined, while summer drought appeared to negatively affect adult apparent survival rates. Response to fire was mixed; in the year of the fire, avian productivity declined, but was higher than normal for several years post‐fire. Our results highlight important links between environmental stressors and avian vital rates that will likely affect population trajectories in this region under climate change. We suggest that the use and continued development of community‐level demographic models will provide useful tool for leveraging sparse species‐level data to provide multi‐species inferences and inform conservation.
New Perspectives for Aminotroponiminates: Coordination Chemistry, Redox Behavior, Cooperativity, and Catalysis
Authors: Hanft Anna , Lichtenberg Crispin
Published: May 2018

Aminotroponiminates (ATIs) are monoanionic ligands with an N,N‐binding pocket and a rigid, planar, unsaturated, C7‐ring as a ligand backbone. Recent findings show that this ligand backbone can play an active role in coordination chemistry, redox reactions, and ligand‐centered reactivity of ATI complexes. Based on these results, ATIs have been recognized as redox‐active and cooperative ligands, which has implications for existing and potential future applications of ATI compounds in synthesis, catalysis, and materials science. The catalytic applications of ATI complexes are summarized in this Microreview, including results from the fields of hydroamination, epoxidation, cyanosilylation, ε‐caprolactone‐, olefin‐, epoxide‐, and epoxide/CO2 (co‐)polymerization as well as electron transfer catalysis. Furthermore, recent advances in the use of ATI ligands for stabilizing heavy analogs of carbon oxo compounds are showcased.
Timing and frequency of sublethal exposure modifies the induction and retention of increased insecticide tolerance in wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus)
Authors: Jones Devin K. , Yates Erika K. , Mattes Brian M. , Hintz William D. , Schuler Matthew S. , Relyea Rick A.
Published: May 2018

Although the paradigm for increased tolerance to pesticides has been by selection on constitutive (naïve) traits, recent research has shown it can also occur through phenotypic plasticity. However, the time period in which induction can occur, the duration of induced tolerance, and the influence of multiple induction events remain unknown. We hypothesized that the induction of increased pesticide tolerance is limited to early sensitive periods, the magnitude of induced tolerance depends on the number of exposures, and the retention of induced tolerance depends on the time elapsed after an exposure and the number of exposures. To test these hypotheses, we exposed wood frog tadpoles to either a no-carbaryl control (water) or 0.5 mg/L carbaryl at 4 time periods, and later tested their tolerance to carbaryl using time-to-death assays. We discovered that tadpoles induced increased tolerance early and midway but not late in our experiment and their constitutive tolerance increased with age. We found no difference in the magnitude of induced tolerance after a single or 2 exposures. Finally, induced pesticide tolerance was reversed within 6 d but was retained only when tadpoles experienced all 4 consecutive exposures. Phenotypic plasticity provides an immediate response for sensitive amphibian larvae to early pesticide exposures and reduces phenotypic mismatches in aquatic environments contaminated by agrochemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2188–2197. © 2018 SETAC
Harmonising European Insolvency Law: The Emerging Role of Stakeholders
Authors: Boon Gert‐Jan
Published: May 2018

In recent years, the European Commission has given increased room for stakeholder involvement in the area of insolvency and restructuring. In revising the European Insolvency Regulation in 2012–2015 and preparing the proposal for a directive on preventive restructuring frameworks 2016, the role and direct influence of stakeholders has been noteworthy. In these efforts, the Commission touched upon a field of law characterised by diverse stakeholders with strongly opposing interests. Following the active involvement of all stakeholders by the Commission, this study examines what relevant stakeholders are, what their positions are with respect to European Union insolvency legislation and what their role has been and can be in legislative processes in the area of insolvency and restructuring. Copyright © 2018 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Business Rescue in Insolvency Law in Europe: Introducing the ELI Business Rescue Report
Authors: Wessels Bob , Madaus Stephan
Published: May 2018

In a European study, written under the auspices of the European Law Institute, the authors have designed elements of a legal framework that will enable the further development of coherent and functional rules for business rescue in Europe. Based on the recommendations of international organisations, such as UNCITRAL and the World Bank, as well as the insolvency laws of EU Member States, comparative research has led to a lengthy report of 10 chapters and more than 100 recommendations which are described in this article. They range from the need for professional and honest parties involved in the process (insolvency practitioners, turnaround managers, courts and company directors) to the evaluation of specific tools (such as a stay on enforcement actions of creditors and forms of available finance) and procedural safeguards to enable serious rescue efforts of viable businesses, while protecting justified interests. Copyright © 2018 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of aromatherapy with essential oils of Rosa damascena for the management of premenstrual syndrome
Authors: Heydari Naval , Abootalebi Maliheh , Jamalimoghadam Neda , Kasraeian Maryam , Emamghoreishi Masoumeh , Akbarzaded Marzieh
Published: May 2018

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of aromatherapy with essential oils of Rosa damascena for the management of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Methods

The present triple‐blind randomized clinical trial was conducted between March 5, 2016, and February 20, 2017, among female students attending Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, who experienced PMS, had a menstrual cycle of 24–35 days, were not using vitamin supplements or hormonal drugs, and did not have any underlying diseases. Block randomization was used to assign participants to an intervention group receiving aromatherapy with R. damascena at a 4% concentration or a control group who received aromatherapy with 100% sweet almond oil. Aromatherapy was performed for 5 minutes, twice daily, for a total of 5 days during the luteal phase. The premenstrual symptoms screening tool questionnaire was completed at baseline and after 1 and 2 months of treatment. Per‐protocol analyses were performed with patients and investigators masked to group assignments.

Results

There were 66 participants enrolled and 64 completed the study (33 in the intervention group and 31 in the control group). At 2 months, aromatherapy with R. damascena was associated with improved psychological (P<0.001), physical (P<0.001), social (P=0.002), and total (P<0.001) PMS symptoms compared with baseline. By contrast, no improvements were recorded in the control group.

Conclusion

Aromatherapy with R. damascena improved multiple symptoms of PMS.

Iranian registry of clinical trials

IRCT2016031113940N3.
Fumonisin B1 actuates oxidative stress‐associated colonic damage via apoptosis and autophagy activation in murine model
Authors: Kim Sang Ho , Singh Mahendra Pal , Sharma Chanchal , Kang Sun Chul
Published: May 2018

In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxic mechanism of Fumonisin B1 (FB1) in mice colonic region in a time course manner. Herein, after consecutive 4 days of exposure to FBI (2.5 mg/kg body weight), we observed disintegration of mice colon, as evidenced by histopathological analysis. FB1 significantly increased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in serum and plasma, decreased ceramide level, increased sphinganine level, and increased lipid peroxidase level along with the breakdown of the antioxidant system. Further, FB1‐induced ER stress caused apoptosis and autophagy activation in mice colon, evidenced by increased expression of IRE1‐α, p‐JNK, Casp3, and LC3I/II. In addition, we also noticed a reduced protein kinase C expression in mice colon exposed to FB1, suggesting its role in ER stress‐induced cell death. Taken together, study suggests both physiologically and biochemically, FB1 toxicity to mice colon induced by oxidative stress‐associated apoptosis and autophagy activation.
Synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of oxime, methyloxime, and amide‐containing quinazolinones
Authors: Chang Ken‐Ming , Chen Li‐Chai , Tzeng Cherng‐Chyi , Lu Yao‐Hua , Chen I‐Li , Juang Shin‐Hun , Wang Tai‐Chi
Published: May 2018

Certain oxime, methyloxime, and amide‐containing quinazolinone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their antiproliferative activities against a panel of human cancer cell lines including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC‐TW01), lung carcinoma (NCI‐H226), and leukemia (Jurkat). Quinazolinone 2 was inactive against all three cell lines tested, while quinazolinone 4 was weakly active against both Jurkat and H226 cancer cells with IC50 values of 6.55 and 12.27 μM, respectively, indicating that the oxime derivative 4 is more favorable than its ketone precursor 2. Our results have also indicated that quinazolinone 8g and its biphenyl counterpart 8f exhibited more potent antiproliferative activities than the positive control methotrexate against all three cancer cell lines tested. Among these quinazolinone derivatives, 8g was the most active against NPC‐TW01 with an IC50 value of 4.78 μM. Further study on NPC‐TW01 cell cycle distribution indicated that the compound 8g induced cell arrest at the G1/G0 phase in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. Moreover, a characteristic hypo‐diploid DNA content peak (sub‐G1) was found to increase from 1 to 4% in NPC‐TW01 cells treated with 8g for 72 hr. These results indicate that 8g can induce cells arrest in the G1/G0 phase and cause cell death. Further structural optimization of 8g and detailed study of its antiproliferative mechanism are going on.
Typical atrial flutter mimicking a pacemaker‐mediated tachycardia
Authors: Yamada Takumi , Kay George Neal
Published: May 2018

A 64‐year‐old man with a history of congestive heart failure secondary to nonischemic cardiomyopathy, mitral and aortic valve replacements, and biventricular cardioverter‐defibrillator placement, developed a tachycardia. The tachycardia exhibited a biventricular paced rhythm with a short R‐P interval and concentric atrial activation sequence within the coronary sinus, suggesting that the tachycardia might be a pacemaker‐mediated tachycardia (PMT). However, the tachycardia was diagnosed as counterclockwise cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)‐dependent atrial flutter (AFL), and linear ablation of the CTI eliminated the tachycardia. This case illustrated that typical AFL can mimic a PMT when there is a severe conduction delay through the CTI.
IL‐10(‐592A/C) gene variant a predictor of postoperative atrial fibrillation in the north Indian population
Authors: Yadav Surabhi , Akhtar Salman , Agarwal Surendra K. , Majumdar Gauranga , Vimal Suman , Sharma Mala
Published: May 2018

Background

There is an accumulating body of evidence indicating a strong association between inflammation and the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) in different ethnicities across the globe. AF increases the risk of stroke and heart failure. Despite various researches on IL‐10 response, there is limited clinical evidence present, which demonstrate a role of these immunity regulators in AF. Therefore, this study was designed to decipher the role of IL‐10(‐592A/C) polymorphism in the development of postoperative AF (post‐OP AF).

Method

The study was designed for north Indian patients. The study included 90 patients with AF and 126 controls in sinus rhythm undergoing surgery at Department of Cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India. DNA samples were genotyped for common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in gene IL‐10(‐592A/C). The PCR‐based RFLP technique was used to assess the genotype frequencies. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to study the association of other risk factors with AF.

Results

The distribution of IL‐10(‐592A/C) genotypes (CC, AC, and AA) was found to be 48.41%, 47.61%, and 3.98% in controls and 41.11%, 45.55%, and 13.34% in cases, respectively (P = .0385). The frequency of allele A in cases was significantly higher than the control group (36.11% vs 27.77%, P = .0654). Compared with CC, AA genotype had increased risk of AF in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses.

Conclusions

This study suggests that IL‐10(‐592A/C) polymorphism may have significant association with post‐OP AF development in north Indian patients.
Validation of the Italian Remote Associate Test
Authors: Salvi Carola , Costantini Giulio , Pace Adriana , Palmiero Massimiliano
Published: May 2018

The scientific approach to the study of creative problem‐solving has shifted from using classic insight problems (e.g., the Nine‐dots problem), toward sets of problems that have more robust psychometric properties, such as the Remote Associate Test (RAT). Because it is homogeneous, compact, quickly solvable, and easy to score, the RAT has been used more frequently in recent creativity studies. We applied the Item Response Theory (IRT) to develop an Italian version of this task. The final 51‐item test was reliable (α = .89) and provided information over a wide range of ability levels, as revealed by the IRT analysis. The RAT correlated with five measures of creative performance: The Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM), three classic insight problems, a set of anagrams purposefully developed, the fluency and flexibility scores of the Alternative Uses Task (AUT), and the Creative Achievements Questionnaire (CAQ). The new measure provided is meant to encourage the study of creativity and problem‐solving in the Italian language.
Impact of commensal flora on periodontal immune response to lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Fukuhara Daiki , Irie Koichiro , Uchida Yoko , Kataoka Kota , Akiyama Kentaro , Ekuni Daisuke , Tomofuji Takaaki , Morita Manabu
Published: May 2018

Background

Commensal flora are involved in the appropriate development of the mature immune system. However, it is unclear how commensal flora contribute to immune responses against periodontal pathogens, including the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of immune responses after topical application of LPS in germ‐free (GF) and specific‐pathogen‐free (SPF) mice.

Methods

GF and SPF mice at 8 weeks of age were randomly divided into four groups each: a baseline group (n = 4/group) and three experimental groups (n = 6/group). Experimental groups received topical application of Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS (10 μg/μL) into the palatal gingival sulcus. Sampling was performed before LPS application (baseline) and at 3, 24, or 72 hours after LPS application. The numbers of neutrophils, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells in periodontal tissue were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Expression of genes encoding cytokines, chemokines, and a transcription factor was determined by real‐time PCR.

Results

SPF mice, but not GF mice, showed an increased number of CD4+ T cells in the periodontal tissue at 3 hours after LPS application, compared with the number at baseline (p < 0.05). Gene expressions of tumor necrosis factor‐α (Tnf‐α) and forkhead box protein p3 (Foxp3) was also significantly higher in the SPF mice than in the GF mice at 3 hours after LPS application (p < 0.05). The number of neutrophils peaked at 24 hours in both GF and SPF mice.

Conclusions

LPS‐exposed SPF mice exhibited increases in the number of CD4+ T cells and in Tnf‐α and Foxp3 gene expression in periodontal tissue compared with LPS‐exposed GF mice.
Association of different immunosuppressive medications with periodontal condition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Results from a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ziebolz Dirk , Rupprecht Annegret , Schmickler Jan , Bothmann Laura , Krämer Juliane , Patschan Daniel , Müller Gerhard A. , Mausberg Rainer F. , Schmidt Jana , Schmalz Gerhard , Patschan Susann
Published: May 2018

Background

The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate clinical periodontal findings as well as prevalence of selected potentially periodontal pathogenic bacteria in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with different immunosuppressive rheumatic medications.

Methods

One hundred sixty‐eight patients with RA undergoing different immunosuppressive medications were included and divided into subgroups according to their medication, which was taken in the past 6 months, in detail, 1) non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and glucocorticoids combined, and the following different disease modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): 2) methotrexate (MTX), 3) leflunomide, 4) MTX and TNF‐α antagonists combined, 5) interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) antagonist, 6) MTX and rituximab combined, and 7) combination therapies of > 2 of these DMARDs. Periodontal examination consisted of papilla bleeding index (PBI), periodontal status with periodontal probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and clinical attachment loss (AL). Periodontitis was classified as none/mild, moderate, or severe. Samples obtained from gingival crevicular fluid were analyzed for presence of 11 periodontal pathogenic bacteria.

Results

Patients with MTX + TNF‐α antagonists therapy showed higher PBI and BOP values compared with leflunomide (P < 0.01) and higher BOP than MTX + rituximab (P = 0.02). Porphyromonas gingivalis (P < 0.01), Treponema denticola (P < 0.01), Fusobacterium nodatum (P = 0.02) and Capnocytophaga species (P = 0.05) was associated with medication subgroup, whereby post hoc testing confirmed singular differences for several medication subgroups.

Conclusions

RA medication is associated with periodontal inflammation, without differences in periodontal disease severity. Thereby, combination of MTX + TNF‐α shows an increased potential to periodontal inflammation. Additionally, several differences in prevalence of selected bacteria were detected.
Statistical approaches to adjusting weights for dependent arms in network meta‐analysis
Authors: Su Yu‐Xuan , Tu Yu‐Kang
Published: May 2018

Network meta‐analysis compares multiple treatments in terms of their efficacy and harm by including evidence from randomized controlled trials. Most clinical trials use parallel design, where patients are randomly allocated to different treatments and receive only 1 treatment. However, some trials use within person designs such as split‐body, split‐mouth, and crossover designs, where each patient may receive more than one treatment. Data from treatment arms within these trials are no longer independent, so the correlations between dependent arms need to be accounted for within the statistical analyses. Ignoring these correlations may result in incorrect conclusions. The main objective of this study is to develop statistical approaches to adjusting weights for dependent arms within special design trials. In this study, we demonstrate the following 3 approaches: the data augmentation approach, the adjusting variance approach, and the reducing weight approach. These 3 methods could be perfectly applied in current statistical tools such as R and STATA. An example of periodontal regeneration was used to demonstrate how these approaches could be undertaken and implemented within statistical software packages and to compare results from different approaches. The adjusting variance approach can be implemented within the network package in STATA, while reducing weight approach requires computer software programming to set up the within‐study variance‐covariance matrix.
Electrowetting actuated liquid prism with large steering angle based on additional gravitational effects
Authors: Luo Lin , Li Lei , Wang Jin‐Hui , Yuan Rong‐Ying , Wang Qiong‐Hua
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we propose a liquid prism based on electrowetting‐on‐dielectric and gravity effect. The device is filled with two immiscible liquids. The conductive liquid is filled in the upper part of the device, and the oil is filled in the bottom of the device. Different from the conventional liquid prism, the density of the conductive liquid is larger than that of the oil. The liquid–liquid interface can form a tilt shape when applied different voltages to the opposite sidewalls. The beam will be deflected when the light passes through the device. Our results show that the tilt angle of the liquid–liquid interface is ~45°, and the light beam can be deflected by 22.2° (−10.9° to +11.3°). The actuation time of the device is ~240 ms. The proposed liquid prism for light beam steering and tracking has potential application in laser directions, telecommunications, and scanners.
Ultrafast capillary electrophoresis method for the simultaneous determination of ammonium and diphenhydramine in pharmaceutical samples
Authors: de Castro Costa Brenda Maria , Marra Mariana Cardoso , da Costa Oliveira Thiago , Munoz Rodrigo Alejandro Abarza , Batista Alex Domingues , do Lago Claudimir Lucio , Richter Eduardo Mathias
Published: May 2018

Ammonium and diphenhydramine are active ingredients commonly found in the same pharmaceutical preparations. We report, for the first time, a sub‐minute method for the simultaneous determination of ammonium and diphenhydramine. The method is based on capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection. Both analytes can be quantified in a single run (∼80 injections/h) using 30 mmol/L 2‐(N‐morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid and 15 mmol/L lithium hydroxide (pH 6.0) as background electrolyte. The separation by capillary electrophoresis was achieved on a fused‐silica capillary (50 cm total length, 10 cm effective length, and 50 μm inside diameter). The limits of detection were 0.04 and 0.02 mmol/L for ammonium and diphenhydramine, respectively. The proposed method also provided adequate recovery values for spiked samples (100–106 and 97–104% for ammonium and diphenhydramine, respectively). The results obtained with the new capillary electrophoresis method were compared with those of the high‐performance liquid chromatography method for diphenhydramine and the Kjeldahl method for ammonium and no statistically significant differences were found (95% confidence level).
Implicit Euler method for numerical solution of nonlinear stochastic partial differential equations with multiplicative trace class noise
Authors: Kamrani Minoo , Hosseini S. Mohammad , Hausenblas Erika
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we consider the numerical approximation of stochastic partial differential equations with nonlinear multiplicative trace class noise. Discretization is obtained by spectral collocation method in space, and semi‐implicit Euler method is used for the temporal approximation. Our purpose is to investigate the convergence of the proposed method. The rate of convergence is obtained, and some numerical examples are included to illustrate the estimated convergence rate.
Experimental fluence‐modulated proton computed tomography by pencil beam scanning
Authors: Dedes George , Johnson Robert P. , Pankuch Mark , Detrich Nick , Pols Willemijn M. A. , Rit Simon , Schulte Reinhard W. , Parodi Katia , Landry Guillaume
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This experimental study is aimed at demonstrating, using a simple cylindrical water phantom, the feasibility of fluence‐modulated proton computed tomography (FMpCT) by pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton computed tomography (pCT).

Methods

The phase II pCT prototype of the Loma Linda U. and U. C. Santa Cruz was operated using the PBS beam line of the Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center. A 20 × 10 grid of 1.37 cm full width half maximum pencil beams (PB) equally spaced by 1 cm was used to acquire 45 projections in step and shoot mode. The PB pattern's fluence was modified to allow FMpCT scans with fluence modulation factors (FMF) of 50% and 20%. A central FMpCT region of interest (FMpCT‐ROI) was used to define a high image quality region. Reconstructed images were evaluated in terms of relative stopping power (RSP) accuracy and noise using annular ROIs. The FMpCT dose savings were estimated by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of the pCT acquisitions using beam phase space distributions. PBS pCT results with homogeneous fluence were additionally compared to broad beam results in terms of RSP accuracy and noise.

Results

PBS pCT scans with acceptable pileup were possible, and images were comparable to previously acquired broad beam pCT images in terms of both noise and accuracy. In the FMpCT‐ROI, the noise and accuracy from full fluence (FF) scans were preserved. Dose savings of up to 60% were achieved at the object's edge when using FMF of 20%.

Conclusion

In this study, we have demonstrated that PBS pCT scans can achieve equivalent accuracy as those obtained from broad beams. The feasibility of FMpCT scans was demonstrated; image accuracy and noise were successfully preserved in the central FMpCT‐ROI chosen for this study, and dose reduction of up to 60% at the object's edge was realized.
The Prognostic Role of Phase Angle in Advanced Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pereira Mayane Marinho Esteves , Queiroz Mariana dos Santos Campello , de Albuquerque Nathália Masiero Cavalcanti , Rodrigues Juliana , Wiegert Emanuelly Varea Maria , Calixto‐Lima Larissa , de Oliveira Livia Costa
Published: May 2018

Phase angle (PA) is a ratio between the reactance and resistance obtained by bioelectric impedance analysis and has been interpreted as a cell membrane integrity indicator and a predictor of total body cell mass. A low PA may suggest deterioration of the cell membrane, which in advanced cancer patients may result in a reduced overall survival (OS). This systematic review sought to investigate the current evidence regarding whether there is an association between PA and OS in patients with advanced cancer (ie, metastatic disease). The search was conducted on electronic databases in August 2017. A total of 34 articles were identified in the initial literature search. Nine studies reporting on 1496 patients were deemed eligible according to our inclusion criteria. PA data were analyzed as continuous variables or according to different cutoffs, under a frequency of 50 Khz. Low PA was associated with worse nutrition status evaluated by body mass index, serum albumin level, transferrin, and fat‐free mass. The median OS of the included papers varied from 25.5–330 days, and all studies analyzed showed a significant association between PA and OS, in that patients with low PA had worse OS. Future studies are necessary to justify the use of PA in therapeutic decisions for this population and to evaluate whether nutrition status can influence the association between PA and survival.
Energy resolved mass spectrometry of chlorogenic acids and its application to isomer quantification by direct infusion tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Hernandez Javier , Müller Anja , Jaiswal Rakesh , Davalos Juan Z. , Kuhnert Nikolai
Published: May 2018

Introduction

With the advent of high‐perfomance liquid chromatography (HPLC)‐tandem mass spectrometry (MS) using ion trap mass analysers it is possible to acquire unambigious structural information in particular with respect to aspects of regiochemistry and stereochemistry of organic compounds present in complex mixtures such as coffee extracts. However, HPLC–MS methods are resource extensive, laborious and lacking user friendliness.

Objective

To introduce a simple parameter – the energy threshhold for fragmentation – determined using energy resolved MS and demonstrate its value for the complete structural characterisation and even relative quantification of individual isomeric chlrogenic acids in direct infusion experiments.

Methodology

Monocaffeoyl and dicaffeoyl quinic acids were investigated by direct infusion energy resolved mass spectrometry (ER‐MS) in negative in mode, using a quadrupole ion trap and quadrupole time‐of‐flight (Q‐TOF) mass spectrometer. Methanolic coffee extracts were quantitatively investigated by HPLC–MS and direct infusion ER‐MS.

Results

Fragmentation occurs with retention of regiochemistry and regiochemistry of fragment ions can be determined using ER‐MS. Analysis of breakdown graphs allows extraction of a single numerical parameter that allows assignment of regiochemistry. Analysis of monocaffeoyl and dicaffeoyl quinic acids revealed that regiosiomers could be distinguished and assigned based on their dissociation energies in collisional induced activation. Furthermore relative quantification of regioisomers by direct infusion ER‐MS is possible within an error range of ±10% if compared with a conventional quantitative LC–MS method.

Conclusion

ER‐MS can be exploited in determining relative isomers quantities of chlorogenic acids (CGAs) in crude plant extracts by direct infusion tandem MS omitting time and resource intensive chromatographic separation.