bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total Synthesis and Structure Elucidation of JBIR‐39: A Linear Hexapeptide Possessing Piperazic Acid and γ‐Hydroxypiperazic Acid Residues
Authors: Yoshida Masahito , Sekioka Naoki , Izumikawa Miho , Kozone Ikuko , Takagi Motoki , Shin‐ya Kazuo , Doi Takayuki
Published: December 2014

The total synthesis and stereochemical structural elucidation of JBIR‐39, containing four nonproteinogenic piperazic acid (Piz) residues, is reported. The synthesis includes Sc(OTf)3‐catalyzed acylation of a Piz(γ‐OTBS) derivative with piperazic acid chloride, providing the desired Piz‐Piz(γ‐OTBS) dipeptide in high yield without epimerization. After assembling two additional Piz moieties and (S)‐isoleucic acid at the N‐terminus, amidation with the (R)‐α‐methylserine ester at the C‐terminus, and deprotection afforded the desired (2R,8S)‐hexapeptide, which is the assumed structure of JBIR‐39. Although the spectral data of the (2R,8S)‐hexapeptide was not identical to JBIR‐39, further synthesis of three stereoisomers confirmed the stereochemical structure of JBIR‐39 to be (2S,6S,8S,11R,16S,21R,26S,27S).
Untersuchung der Kondensation von Reinstoffen an einem horizontalen berippten Rohrbündel
Authors: Büchner Alexander , Reif Anna , Rehfeldt Sebastian , Klein Harald
Published: December 2014

Bei der Kondensation an niedrig und eng berippten Rohren ist der äußere Wärmeübergangskoeffizient deutlich höher als bei Glattrohren. Um eine Auslegungsgrundlage für Rohrbündel mit diesen Rohren zu schaffen, wird der globale äußere Wärmeübergangskoeffizient bei der Kondensation von Reinstoffen (iso‐Propanol, n‐Pentan, iso‐Oktan) an einem Rohrbündel aus drei GEWA‐K30 Rohren aus Baustahl vermessen. Es zeigt sich, dass die Inundation, im Gegensatz zu Glattrohren, bei Rippenrohren keinen erkennbaren Einfluss auf den äußeren Wärmeübergangskoeffizienten der untersuchten drei Rohrreihen hat.
“Squalenoylcurcumin” Nanoassemblies as Water‐Dispersible Drug Candidates with Antileishmanial Activity
Authors: Cheikh‐Ali Zakaria , Caron Joachim , Cojean Sandrine , Bories Christian , Couvreur Patrick , Loiseau Philippe M. , Desmaële Didier , Poupon Erwan , Champy Pierre
Published: December 2014

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound, showed antiparasitic potential, including trypanocidal and leishmanicidal activity, in several in vitro and in vivo models. The molecule is well tolerated in humans. However, it is insoluble in water and displays poor oral bioavailability as a result of low absorption. New derivatives of curcumin were prepared by esterification of one or two of its phenolic groups with 1,1′,2‐tris‐norsqualenic acid. These “squalenoylcurcumins” were formulated as water‐dispersible nanoassemblies of homogeneous size, and they proved to be stable. Squalenoylcurcumins were inactive against Trypanosoma brucei brucei trypomastigotes, even as nanoassemblies, in contrast with curcumin. However, against Leishmania donovani promastigotes, the activities of the squalenoylcurcumins and their nanoassemblies were enhanced relative to that of curcumin. In L. donovani axenic and intramacrophagic amastigotes, they showed activity in the range of miltefosine, with good selectivity indexes. In regard to their dispersibility in water and to the safety of curcumin, these nanoassemblies are promising candidates for preclinical study toward the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.
Practice adaptive reserve and colorectal cancer screening best practices at community health center clinics in 7 states
Authors: Tu Shin–Ping , Young Vicki M. , Coombs Letoynia J. , Williams Rebecca S. , Kegler Michelle C. , Kimura Amanda T. , Risendal Betsy C. , Friedman Daniela B. , Glenn Beth A. , Pfeiffer Debbie J. , Fernandez Maria E.
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

Enhancing the capability of community health centers to implement best practices (BPs) may mitigate health disparities. This study investigated the association of practice adaptive reserve (PAR) with the implementation of patient‐centered medical home (PCMH) colorectal cancer (CRC) screening BPs at community health center clinics in 7 states.

METHODS

A convenience sample of clinic staff participated in a self‐administered, online survey. Eight PCMH CRC screening BPs were scored as a composite ranging from 0 to 32. The PAR composite score was scaled from 0 to 1 and then categorized into 3 levels. Multilevel analyses examined the relation between PAR and self‐reported implementation of PCMH BPs.

RESULTS

There were 296 respondents, and 59% reported 6 or more PCMH BPs at their clinics. The mean PAR score was 0.66 (standard deviation, 0.18), and the PCMH BP mean scores were significantly higher for respondents who reported higher clinic PAR categories. In comparison with the lowest PAR level, adjusted PCMH BP means were 25.0% higher at the middle PAR level (difference, 3.2; standard error, 1.3; t = 2.44; P = .015) and 63.2% higher at the highest PAR level (difference, 8.0; standard error, 1.9; t = 4.86; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher adaptive reserve, as measured by the PAR score, was positively associated with self‐reported implementation of PCMH CRC screening BPs by clinic staff. Future research is needed to determine the PAR levels most conducive to implementing CRC screening and to develop interventions that enhance PAR in primary care settings. Cancer 2015;121:1241–1248. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Simple computational technique to quantify nuclear shape asymmetry
Authors: Nikonenko Alexander G. , Bozhok Yuriy M.
Published: December 2014

The nucleus of an eukaryotic cell is a membrane‐bound organelle containing a major part of the cellular genome. Nuclear shape is controlled by forces generated in the cytoskeleton, nuclear envelope and matrix of the nucleus and may change when the balance of these forces is disturbed. In certain cases, such changes may be indicative of cell pathology. Nuclear shape feature is being commonly addressed in both experimental research and diagnostics; nevertheless its symmetry‐related aspects receive little attention. This article introduces a technique allowing to estimate nuclear shape asymmetry in digital images captured from cyto‐ or histological preparations. Implemented in a software package, this technique quantifies the asymmetry using two scenarios. The first one presumes the identification of nuclear pixels laying outside the largest inscribed circle. According to the second scenario, the algorithm searches for nuclear pixels lacking pixel‐partners symmetric with respect to the nuclear area's centroid. In both cases, the proportion of “asymmetric” pixels is used to estimate the feature of interest. The technique was validated on images of cell nuclei having distinctive shape phenotypes. A conclusion was made that shape asymmetry feature may be useful accessory to the toolbox of nuclear morphometry. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Simultaneous Classification of Multiple Motor Imagery and P300 for Increase in Output Information of Brain–Computer Interface
Authors: Naito Genzo , Yoshida Lui , Numata Takashi , Ogawa Yutaro , Kotani Kiyoshi , Jimbo Yasuhiko
Published: December 2014

The brain–computer interface (BCI) is a system to obtain information from brain signals to control computers. P300 and motor imagery tasks in electroencephalograms are the most used features for BCI. However, BCI with P300 classifies only two states and the features of the motor imagery task are too obscure to be classified easily. Therefore, we propose a method of increasing the number of classified states with high accuracy by mixed signal processing for P300 and motor imagery tasks. BCI using P300 and a motor imagery task will have a higher bit rate than conventional BCI. We design an experiment that gives four data classes, namely, control, P300, and P300 for motor imagery of the right hand or left hand. First, we confirm that P300 appears during motor imagery tasks. In addition, we investigate the best method of feature extraction. Finally, we classify four classes by means of multiclass support vector machines, and show the effectiveness of mixed signals that contain P300 and motor imagery.
Morphological and functional changes in regenerated primary afferent fibres following mental and inferior alveolar nerve transection
Authors: Tsuboi Y. , Honda K. , Bae Y.C. , Shinoda M. , Kondo M. , Katagiri A. , Echizenya S. , Kamakura S. , Lee J. , Iwata K.
Published: December 2014

Background

It is important to know the mechanisms underlying pain abnormalities associated with inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) regeneration in order to develop the appropriate treatment for orofacial neuropathic pain patients. However, peripheral mechanisms underlying orofacial pain abnormalities following IAN regeneration are not fully understood.

Methods

Head withdrawal threshold (HWT), jaw opening reflex (JOR) thresholds, single‐fibre recordings of the regenerated mental nerve (MN) fibres, calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), isolectin B4 (IB4), peripherin, neurofilament‐200 (NF‐200) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) expression in trigeminal ganglion (TG) cells, and electron microscopic (EM) observations of the regenerated MN fibres were studied in MN‐ and IAN‐transected (M‐IANX) rats.

Results

HWT to mechanical or heat stimulation of the mental skin was significantly lower in M‐IANX rats compared with sham rats. Mean conduction velocity of action potentials recorded from MN fibres (n = 124) was significantly slower in M‐IANX rats compared with sham rats. The percentage of Fluoro‐Gold (FG)‐labelled CGRP‐, peripherin‐ or TRPV1‐immunoreactive (IR) cells was significantly larger in M‐IANX rats compared with that of sham rats, whereas that of FG‐labelled IB4‐ and NF‐200‐IR cells was significantly smaller in M‐IANX rats compared with sham rats. Large‐sized myelinated nerve fibres were rarely observed in M‐IANX rats, whereas large‐sized unmyelinated nerve fibres were frequently observed and were aggregated in the bundles at the distal portion of regenerated axons.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the demyelination of MN fibres following regeneration may be involved in peripheral sensitization, resulting in the orofacial neuropathic pain associated with trigeminal nerve injury.
High cell density cultivation of human leukemia T cells (Jurkat cells) in semipermeable polyelectrolyte microcapsules
Authors: Werner Melanie , Schmoldt Daria , Hilbrig Frank , Jérôme Valérie , Raup Alexander , Zambrano Kenny , Hübner Holger , Buchholz Rainer , Freitag Ruth
Published: December 2014

The ex vivo expansion of human T cells is of considerable scientific and medical interest. Currently, this requires the addition of massive amounts of stimuli. Here, human leukemia T cells (Jurkat cells) were used as model cells to demonstrate the in vitro expansion of T cells in the absence of added stimuli after encapsulation in semipermeable sodium cellulose sulfate/poly(diallyldimethyl) ammonium chloride polyelectrolyte membrane capsules (molecular weight cutoff <10 kDa, average diameter ca. 800 μm). For comparison, free and encapsulated cells were cultivated in standard T‐flasks and spinner bottles (both 50 mL culture medium) as well as in hanging drops (35 μL, only nonencapsulated cells). Encapsulation led to a significantly higher specific growth rate, a prolonged exponential growth phase together with a reduced tendency for apoptosis, as evidenced by shifts in the cell cycle distribution toward the S and G2/M phases together with a reduced percentage of cells in the sub‐G0/G1 phase. As a consequence, very high cell densities (>140×106 cells/mLcapsule) were obtained in the capsules, particularly for the spinner cultivations. No evidence for nonspecific activation/stimulation, that is IL‐2 and CD25 expression, was found, while specific stimulation by phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate/ionomycin was still possible. Since Jurkat cells commonly serve as model cells for primary T lymphocytes, the proposed method may present a strategy for high‐density proliferation of primary human T lymphocytes.
TiO2 nanoparticles induce DNA double strand breaks and cell cycle arrest in human alveolar cells
Authors: Kansara Krupa , Patel Pal , Shah Darshini , Shukla Ritesh K. , Singh Sanjay , Kumar Ashutosh , Dhawan Alok
Published: December 2014

TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) have the second highest global annual production (∼3000 tons) among the metal‐containing NPs. These NPs are used as photocatalysts for bacterial disinfection, and in various other consumer products including sunscreen, food packaging, therapeutics, biosensors, surface cleaning agents, and others. Humans are exposed to these NPs during synthesis (laboratory), manufacture (industry), and use (consumer products, devices, medicines, etc.), as well as through environmental exposures (disposal). Hence, there is great concern regarding the health effects caused by exposure to NPs and, in particular, to TiO2 NPs. In the present study, the genotoxic potential of TiO2 NPs in A549 cells was examined, focusing on their potential to induce ROS, different types of DNA damage, and cell cycle arrest. We show that TiO2 NPs can induce DNA damage and a corresponding increase in micronucleus frequency, as evident from the comet and cytokinesis‐block micronucleus assays. We demonstrate that DNA damage may be attributed to increased oxidative stress and ROS generation. Furthermore, genomic and proteomic analyses showed increased expression of ATM, P53, and CdC‐2 and decreased expression of ATR, H2AX, and Cyclin B1 in A549 cells, suggesting induction of DNA double strand breaks. The occurrence of double strand breaks was correlated with cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase. Overall, the results indicate the potential for genotoxicity following exposure to these TiO2 NPs, suggesting that use should be carefully monitored. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:204–217, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A meta‐analysis of reef island response to environmental change on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Hamylton Sarah M. , Puotinen Marji
Published: December 2014

Reef islands on the Great Barrier Reef are influenced by a range of environmental factors. A meta‐analysis of 103 islands is presented to express variation in island size (area and volume) as a function of latitudinal and cross shelf gradients in regional oceanographic factors (exposure to incident waves, tidal range and tropical cyclone frequency) and local physical factors (position on the shelf, area, length and depth of supporting reef platform, vegetative cover). Models performed well for unvegetated sandcays (R2 = 0.89), vegetated sandcays (R2 = 0·72) and low wooded islands (R2 = 0.78), with a moderate level of variation explained when all islands were simultaneously regressed (R2 = 0.58). Future island dynamics were simulated for anticipated changes in cyclone regime, wave activity and sea level. For 38 islands mapped on the 1973 Royal Society and Universities of Queensland Expedition to the Northern Great Barrier Reef, change over the same 22 year period (1973–1995) was determined and the relative magnitude of observed and modelled changes was compared and found to be consistent through rank correlation analysis (Γ = 0.84 for unvegetated sandcays, Γ = 0.81 for vegetated sandcays). Simulations of island area or volume change from 2000 to 2100 indicated that under a 30% decrease in tropical cyclone activity, unvegetated sandcays continue to accrete at a lower rate, whereas all island types erode under a 38% increase in tropical cyclone activity. Vegetated sandcays initially accrete at higher levels of cyclone activity, entering an erosive state with a 60% increase in activity. Low wooded islands are unresponsive to environmental changes modelled. A sensitivity analysis of vegetated and unvegetated sandcays indicated that the presence of vegetation increases the tropical cyclone activity threshold at which islands begin to erode. Greatest sedimentary losses occur within the central band of high cyclone activity between Cooktown and Mackay. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of a generalized linear mixed model to analyze mixture toxicity: Survival of brown trout affected by copper and zinc
Authors: Iwasaki Yuichi , Brinkman Stephen F.
Published: December 2014

Increased concerns about the toxicity of chemical mixtures have led to greater emphasis on analyzing the interactions among the mixture components based on observed effects. The authors applied a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to analyze survival of brown trout (Salmo trutta) acutely exposed to metal mixtures that contained copper and zinc. Compared with dominant conventional approaches based on an assumption of concentration addition and the concentration of a chemical that causes x% effect (ECx), the GLMM approach has 2 major advantages. First, binary response variables such as survival can be modeled without any transformations, and thus sample size can be taken into consideration. Second, the importance of the chemical interaction can be tested in a simple statistical manner. Through this application, the authors investigated whether the estimated concentration of the 2 metals binding to humic acid, which is assumed to be a proxy of nonspecific biotic ligand sites, provided a better prediction of survival effects than dissolved and free-ion concentrations of metals. The results suggest that the estimated concentration of metals binding to humic acid is a better predictor of survival effects, and thus the metal competition at the ligands could be an important mechanism responsible for effects of metal mixtures. Application of the GLMM (and the generalized linear model) presents an alternative or complementary approach to analyzing mixture toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:816–820. © 2015 SETAC
A modified lattice Boltzmann model for shallow water flows over complex topography
Authors: Li Shaotian , Huang Ping , Li Junmin
Published: December 2014

A modified lattice Boltzmann model is proposed to describe shallow water flows over complex topography. In the proposed model, the quadratic depth term is excluded from the equilibrium distribution functions (EDFs), and the hydrostatic pressure term is combined with the bed slope term to be treated as a part of the sourcing term in the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE). Therefore, it is unnecessary to match the coefficients of the quadratic depth term in the EDFs with those of the bed slope term in the sourcing terms in the LBE. This would bring more flexibility to the treatment of the sourcing terms in the LBE. In order to recover the shallow water equations (SWEs), the basic constraints are redefined, and under these constraints, the coefficients of the EDFs are derived afterwards. Several benchmark problems are used to validate the proposed model, including stationary case, steady flows over a two‐dimensional bump and tidal wave flows over irregular bed elevation. The computed results are in excellent agreement with the results of the other numerical methods and the analytical solutions, indicating that the proposed model is capable of simulating shallow water flows over complex bathymetry. It also proves that the proposed model has potential to produce competitive solutions to shallow water flows over complex bed topography. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evolution of an incised valley system in the southern Adriatic Sea (Apulian margin): an onshore–offshore correlation
Authors: De Santis Vincenzo , Caldara Massimo
Published: December 2014

Seismic surveys with sub‐bottom profiler were carried out in the Manfredonia Gulf in the southern Adriatic Sea. Here, a buried surface was recognized on which three valleys, located about 80 km from the shelf edge, were deeply incised. Beneath this surface, a pre‐upper Würm seismic unit (PW) was identified. Above, two seismic units were recognized: the transgressive system tract (TST) and highstand system tract (g2). On the basis of regional correlation with onshore and offshore data, these units and their boundaries were dated and correlated with phases of the last glacial–interglacial cycle. The incised valley system was attributed to the Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 2. The TST and g2 units fill the valleys and were attributed to the post‐glacial sea‐level rise and highstand. The incised valleys are anomalous with respect to published models; despite having many characteristics that would have limited the fluvial incision (the lowstand shoreline that remained on the shelf, the low gradient of the shelf, the subsidence that affected the study area since MIS 5), the valleys appear to be deeply incised on the shelf, with valley flanks that can exceed 40 m in height. The model to explain the formation of the valleys comprises enhanced river discharge as the key factor in increasing river energy and promoting erosion across the low gradient shelf. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of Helicobacter pylori in patients with head and neck cancer: Results from a prospective comparative study combining serology, polymerase chain reaction, and rapid urease test
Authors: Morand Grégoire B. , Fellmann Jonas , Laske Roman D. , Weisert Jan U. , Soltermann Alex , Zbinden Reinhard , Probst Rudolf , Huber Gerhard F.
Published: December 2014

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the presence and impact of the gastric carcinogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the upper aerodigestive tract. Previous studies suggested it could represent a risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Serology, rapid urease test, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for H. pylori were performed in patients with head and neck cancer (N = 56) and cancer‐free controls (N = 90). Comparison between groups was done using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Rates of positive serology and rapid urease test did not differ between the 2 groups in logistic regression analysis (p = .677 and p = .633, respectively). Birth in a developing country and age above 50 years old were predictors of positive serology (p < .001 and p = .040, respectively). Using qPCR, no biopsy showed the presence of H. pylori.

Conclusion

This study challenges the concept that H. pylori may be a risk factor for HNSCC. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 769–774, 2016
Canopy transpiration obtained from leaf transpiration, sap flow and FAO‐56 dual crop coefficient method
Authors: Zhao Liwen , Zhao Wenzhi
Published: December 2014

With a maize seed planting area of about 67 000 hm2, Zhangye city supplies the seeds for more than 40% of the maize planting area in China. Irrigation water is often overused to ensure the quality of the maize seeds, leading to serious water shortage problems in recent years. An accurate and convenient estimate of canopy transpiration is of particular importance to ease the problem. In this paper, leaf transpiration and sap flow in a maize field were measured in 2012 using a portable photosynthesis system and a heat balance sap flow system. Based on a large amount of meteorological data and relevant maize plant‐growing parameters, canopy transpiration was up‐scaled from both leaf transpiration (Tl) and sap flow (Tf), and also calculated by the FAO‐56 dual crop coefficient method (T). Comparing these three types of transpiration, Tf was proved to be more reliable than Tl. Taking Tf as a benchmark, the basal crop coefficient (Kcb, the key parameter of FAO‐56 dual crop coefficient method) was further adjusted and verified for the maize plants in this region. In addition, the errors when using up‐scaling methods and FAO‐56 dual crop coefficient method are summarized. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grooming and cultural socialization: A mixed method study of caregiving practices in Burma (Myanmar) and the United States
Authors: Thein‐Lemelson Seinenu M.
Published: December 2014

Grooming behaviours are thought to be a crucial aspect of parenting and integral to the sociality of non‐human mammals, but there have been few empirical studies on how grooming might be relevant to parenting and socialization processes in humans. Study 1 is a quantitative cross‐cultural comparison of grooming practices in two cultural settings: an urban centre in Burma (Myanmar) and an urban centre in the United States. The study uses naturalistic video data of 57 families to analyse grooming behaviours directed at children. A broad range of ages was sampled in each culture to examine the developmental trajectory of grooming behaviours. Results indicate that significant cultural differences exist between Burma and the United States, with Burmese children being groomed by their caregivers more often than U.S. children. Results also indicate that cultural differences in grooming practices begin early and remain constant across age. An unexpected finding was that Burmese families were more variable in their behaviour than U.S. families. Study 2 attempts to explain this variability by using ethnography to describe how sociodemographic changes in Burma are leading to changes in parental values and socialization practices in the schools, but how embodied primary care in the homes appear resistant to change.
Culture conditions profoundly impact phenotype in BEAS‐2B, a human pulmonary epithelial model
Authors: Zhao Fei , Klimecki Walter T.
Published: December 2014

BEAS‐2B, an immortalized, human lung epithelial cell line, has been used to model pulmonary epithelial function for over 30 years. The BEAS‐2B phenotype can be modulated by culture conditions that include the presence or absence of fetal bovine serum (FBS). The popularity of BEAS‐2B as a model of arsenic toxicology, and the common use of BEAS‐2B cultured both with and without FBS, led us to investigate the impact of FBS on BEAS‐2B in the context of arsenic toxicology. Comparison of genome‐wide gene expression in BEAS‐2B cultured with or without FBS revealed altered expression in several biological pathways, including those related to carcinogenesis and energy metabolism. Real‐time measurements of oxygen consumption and glycolysis in BEAS‐2B demonstrated that FBS culture conditions were associated with a 1.4‐fold increase in total glycolytic capacity, a 1.9‐fold increase in basal respiration, a 2.0‐fold increase in oxygen consumed for ATP production and a 2.8‐fold increase in maximal respiration, compared with BEAS‐2B cultured without FBS. Comparisons of the transcriptome changes in BEAS‐2B resulting from FBS exposure to the transcriptome changes resulting from exposure to 1 μM sodium arsenite revealed that mRNA levels of 43% of the arsenite‐modulated genes were also modulated by FBS. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that BEAS‐2B cells exposed to 5% FBS for 8 weeks were almost 5 times more sensitive to arsenite cytotoxicity than non‐FBS‐exposed BEAS‐2B cells. Phenotype changes induced in BEAS‐2B by FBS suggest that culture conditions should be carefully considered when using BEAS‐2B as an experimental model of arsenic toxicity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biocompatibility and biodegradation of protein microparticle and film scaffolds made from kafirin (sorghum prolamin protein) subcutaneously implanted in rodent models
Authors: Taylor Janet , Anyango Joseph O. , Potgieter Marnie , Kallmeyer Karlien , Naidoo Vinny , Pepper Michael S. , Taylor John R. N.
Published: December 2014

Kafirin, the sorghum prolamin protein, like its maize homologue zein, can be made into microparticles and films and potentially used as a biomaterial. Zein has good bio‐ and cyto‐compatibility. Kafirin could be advantageous as it is more hydrophobic, more crosslinked, more slowly digested by mammalian proteases than zein and is non‐allergenic. The safety and biocompatibility of kafirin implants in two forms was determined in rodent models. One week post subcutaneous injection of kafirin microparticles (size 5‐µm diameter) in mice, chronic inflammation, abnormal red blood cells, and gross fibrin formation were observed. This chronic inflammatory response was possibly caused by the release of hydrolysis products such as glutamate during the degradation of the kafirin microparticles. In contrast, films made from kafirin microparticles (50‐µm thick, folded into 1 cm3) implanted in rats showed no abnormal inflammatory reactions and were only partially degraded by day 28. The slower degradation of the kafirin films was probably due to their far smaller surface area when compared to kafirin microparticles. Thus, kafirin films appear to have potential as a biomaterial. This study also raises awareness that the form of prolamin based biomaterials, (kafirin and zein) should be considered when assessing the safety of such materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 2582–2590, 2015.
Centrality of Positive and Negative Deployment Memories Predicts Posttraumatic Growth in Danish Veterans
Authors: Staugaard Søren Risløv , Johannessen Kim Berg , Thomsen Yvonne Duval , Bertelsen Mette , Berntsen Dorthe
Published: December 2014

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to examine theoretically motivated predictors for the development of positive changes following potentially traumatic experiences (i.e., posttraumatic growth). Specifically, we wanted to examine the prediction that memories of highly negative and positive deployment events predict subsequent posttraumatic growth.

Method

A total of 251 Danish soldiers (7% female, mean age 26.4) deployed to forward operating bases in Afghanistan filled out questionnaires before, during, and after deployment. This allowed us to perform prospective as well as cross‐sectional analyses of the data.

Results

The main findings were that the centrality of highly emotional memories from deployment predicted growth alongside openness to experience, combat exposure, and social support. Importantly, the centrality of both positive and negative memories predicted growth equally well.

Conclusion

The perceived importance of both negative and positive events may play an important part in the development of posttraumatic growth.
On Interval Edge Colorings of Biregular Bipartite Graphs With Small Vertex Degrees
Authors: Casselgren Carl Johan , Toft Bjarne
Published: December 2014

A proper edge coloring of a graph with colors 1, 2, 3, … is called an interval coloring if the colors on the edges incident to each vertex form an interval of integers. A bipartite graph is ‐biregular if every vertex in one part has degree a and every vertex in the other part has degree b. It has been conjectured that all such graphs have interval colorings. We prove that all (3, 6)‐biregular graphs have interval colorings and that all (3, 9)‐biregular graphs having a cubic subgraph covering all vertices of degree 9 admit interval colorings. Moreover, we prove that slightly weaker versions of the conjecture hold for (3, 5)‐biregular, (4, 6)‐biregular, and (4, 8)‐biregular graphs. All our proofs are constructive and yield polynomial time algorithms for constructing the required colorings.
The paired neuroglial and interglial membranes in the crayfish stretch receptor and their local disorganization
Authors: Fedorenko Grigory , Neginskaya Marya , Fedorenko Alexej , Uzdensky Anatoly
Published: December 2014

The paired neuronal and glial membranes, or interglial membranes, which are separated by the narrow layer of the extracellular medium, are involved in intercellular communications. In the crayfish stretch receptor, the paired neuroglial membranes contain thin protein bridges (septate junctions) that maintain the intermembrane gap. In some places the paired membranes are locally disorganized. In the altered regions, they comprise the diffuse material in which a few 10–15 nm vesicles are embedded. The development of these defects can lead to formation of 20–30 nm vesicles and perforations in the paired membranes. The presence of such holes can, in principle, disturb ionic gradients and neuronal activity. However, a free passage between contacting neurons and glia is prevented by the diffuse proteolipid material (the product of the membrane disorganization) that seals perforations. As a result, the neuroglial border does not lose its integrity and impermeability for ions so that the sensory neurons save the capability for prolonged regular firing. Unlike the neuroglial border, some perforations in the paired glia–glial membranes are not sealed. This can create the interglial syncytial connections providing the shortcut pathway for transport of ions and metabolites across the glial layers in the crayfish stretch receptor. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Brain energy metabolism measured by 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy in vivo upon infusion of [3‐13C]lactate
Authors: Duarte João M.N. , Girault Freya‐Merret , Gruetter Rolf
Published: December 2014

The brain uses lactate produced by glycolysis as an energy source. How lactate originated from the blood stream is used to fuel brain metabolism is not clear. The current study measures brain metabolic fluxes and estimates the amount of pyruvate that becomes labeled in glial and neuronal compartments upon infusion of [3‐13C]lactate. For that, labeling incorporation into carbons of glutamate and glutamine was measured by 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 14.1 T and analyzed with a two‐compartment model of brain metabolism to estimate rates of mitochondrial oxidation, glial pyruvate carboxylation, and the glutamate–glutamine cycle as well as pyruvate fractional enrichments. Extracerebral lactate at supraphysiological levels contributes at least two‐fold more to replenish the neuronal than the glial pyruvate pools. The rates of mitochondrial oxidation in neurons and glia, pyruvate carboxylase, and glutamate–glutamine cycles were similar to those estimated by administration of 13C‐enriched glucose, the main fuel of brain energy metabolism. These results are in agreement with primary utilization of exogenous lactate in neurons rather than astrocytes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of Meadow Degradation on Soil Water Status and Pasture Management—A Case Study in Tibet
Authors: He Siyuan , Richards Keith
Published: December 2014

Alpine meadow dominated by Kobresia pygmaea forms both an important ecosystem and the main pasture resource on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, and its degradation is detrimental to ecosystem health and the pastoral economy. This paper reports research on the impacts of possible degradation on soil and biological properties related to water status, as water availability is fundamental to grass productivity. It also considers herders' perceptions towards, and adaptation to, the changing environment. The research was carried out in and around Kema village in Nagqu Prefecture, Northern Tibet. The biotic and abiotic properties of the K. pygmaea meadow are significantly different in patches with diverse soil and vegetation combinations, which include normal meadow, crusted meadow, and bare soil. Change of species composition, low species diversity, coarsening of soil, and lack of soil moisture and organic matter are found under bare soil after erosion of the turf layer. Low infiltration rates and reduced dew deposition are found under crusted meadow. Herders have witnessed some aspects of the deterioration of meadow quality and have noticed some climatic variations. However, they do not consistently link changing meadow quality to climate change and rarely have a clear idea of what overgrazing is, as although their mobility has been reduced, they may think that they are still using pastures periodically as in transhumance. Adapting current privatisation policies by considering herders' traditions and needs, and balancing scientific knowledge with local perception and knowledge, will help to guarantee long‐term benefits through sustainable use of the fragile alpine meadow resource. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of Ink‐Jet Printable Vinyl Ether‐Graphene UV‐Curable Formulations
Authors: Sangermano M. , Sturari M. , Chiappone A. , Roppolo I.
Published: December 2014

This work reports the formulation of vinyl ether containing functionalized graphene sheets in order to produce UV‐curable conductive inks. The best graphene‐surfactant ratio was found to give a stable dispersion of graphene into triethyleneglycol divinyl ether (DVE3) resin, avoiding the presence of large filler aggregates that could clog printing head during ink‐jet process. Propylene carbonate was used as solvent to adjust the viscosity of the formulation. The presence of graphene did not significantly hindered the UV‐curing process. Crosslinked nanocomposite materials show a decrease of resistivity of seven order of magnitude with respect to the pristine polymeric matrix.
Vitreous humor in the pathologic scope: Insights from proteomic approaches
Authors: Monteiro João P. , Santos Fátima M. , Rocha Ana S. , Castro‐de‐Sousa João P. , Queiroz João A. , Passarinha Luis A. , Tomaz Cândida T.
Published: December 2014

The vitreous humor (VH) is the largest component of the eye. It is a colorless, gelatinous, highly hydrated matrix that fills the posterior segment of the eye between the lens and retina in vertebrates. In VH, a diversity of proteins that can influence retinal physiology is present, including growth factors, hormones, proteins with transporter activity, and enzymes. More importantly, the protein composition of VH has been described as being altered in a number of disease states. Therefore, attempts aiming at establishing a map of VH proteins and detecting putative biomarkers for ocular illness or protein fluctuations with putative physiologic significance were conducted over the last two decades, using proteomic approaches. Proteomic strategies often involve gel‐based or LC techniques as sample fractioning approaches, subsequently coupled with MS procedures. This set of studies resulted in the proteomic characterization of a range of ocular disease samples, with particular incidence on diabetic retinopathy. However, practical therapeutic applications arising from these studies are scarce at the moment. A pertinent example of therapeutic targets arising from VH proteomics has emerged concerning vasoproliferative factors present in the vitreous, which should be involved in neovascularization and subsequent fibrovascular proliferation of the retina, in ocular disease context. Therefore, this review attempts to sum up the information acquired from the proteomic approaches to ocular disease conducted in VH samples, highlighting its clinical potential for disclosing ocular disease mechanisms and engendering pharmacological therapeutic treatments.
Prostatic angiogenic responses in late life: Antiangiogenic therapy influences and relation with the glandular microenvironment in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model
Authors: Montico Fabio , Kido Larissa Akemi , Hetzl Amanda Cia , Cagnon Valéria Helena Alves
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

Aging is considered one of the main predisposing factors for the development of prostate malignancies. Angiogenesis is fundamental for tumor growth and its inhibition represents a promising therapeutic approach in cancer treatment. Thus, we sought to determine angiogenic responses and the effects of antiangiogenic therapy in the mouse prostate during late life, comparing these findings with the prostatic microenvironment in the Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) model.

METHODS

Male mice (52 week‐old FVB) were submitted to treatments with SU5416 (6 mg/kg; i.p.) and/or TNP‐470 (15 mg/kg; s.c.). Finasteride was administered (20 mg/kg; s.c.), alone or in association to both inhibitors. The dorsolateral prostate was collected for VEGF, HIF‐1α, FGF‐2 and endostatin immunohistochemical and Western Blotting analyses and for microvessel density (MVD) count.

RESULTS

Senescence led to increased MVD and VEGF, HIF‐1α and FGF‐2 protein levels in the prostatic microenvironment, similarly to what was observed in TRAMP mice prostate. The angiogenic process was impaired in all the treated groups, demonstrating significantly decreased MVD. Antiangiogenic and/or finasteride treatments resulted in decreased VEGF and HIF‐1α levels, especially following TNP‐470 administration, either alone or associated to SU5416. The combination of these agents resulted in increased endostatin levels, regardless of the presence of finasteride.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostatic angiogenesis stimulation during senescence favored the development of neoplastic lesions, considering the pro‐angiogenic microenvironment as a common aspect also observed during cancer progression in TRAMP mice. The combined antiangiogenic therapy was more efficient, leading to enhanced imbalance towards angiogenic inhibition in the organ. Finally, finasteride administration might secondarily upregulate the expression of pro‐angiogenic factors, pointing to the harmful effects of this therapy. Prostate 75: 484–499, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structures of citrate synthase and malate dehydrogenase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Ferraris Davide M. , Spallek Ralf , Oehlmann Wulf , Singh Mahavir , Rizzi Menico
Published: December 2014

The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is a central metabolic pathway of all aerobic organisms and is responsible for the synthesis of many important precursors and molecules. TCA cycle plays a key role in the metabolism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is involved in the adaptation process of the bacteria to the host immune response. We present here the first crystal structures of M. tuberculosis malate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase, two consecutive enzymes of the TCA, at 2.6 Å and 1.5 Å resolution, respectively. General analogies and local differences with the previously reported homologous protein structures are described. Proteins 2015; 83:389–394. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural, chemical and electrical properties of ALD‐grown HfxAl1–xOy thin films for MIM capacitors
Authors: Chernikova A. G. , Markeev A. M. , Lebedinskii Yu. Yu. , Kozodaev M. G. , Zablotskiy A. V.
Published: December 2014

In this paper atomic‐layer deposition (ALD) HfxAl1–xOy thin films with a wide range of metal components concentrations (x = 0.2−0.8) for metal–insulator–metal (MIM) capacitors were investigated with emphasis on the chemical properties and phase composition. It was shown by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) that all films are amorphous. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the same energy position with respect to the valence‐band maximum of Al2p and Hf4f lines and a continuous shift of O1s and O‐KLL lines toward the higher binding energy (0.45 and 2.2 eV, respectively) with increase of Al content. Both the shape and position of O1s and O‐KLL lines indicated the inability to deconvolute it on sublines related to the binary oxides. The calculated modified Auger parameter indicated the change of the ionicity of the bonding in HfxAl1–xOy films with change of the composition. Thus, it was proposed that HfxAl1–xOy films in all the studied composition range represent amorphous solid solutions. The continuous change of energy bandgap measured by reflected electron energy loss spectroscopy (REELS) from ∼6.5 eV for Al2O3 to ∼5.4 eV for HfO2 and XRD data do not contradict this assumption. Correlation between structural properties of HfxAl1–xOy films and electrical properties of MIM capacitors based on them was also shown, that is, continuous change in capacitance density (from 3.1 to 7.4fF/µm2), leakage current density and quadratic voltage coefficient of capacitance with composition change was observed.
Structural and optical properties of MBE‐grown asymmetric cubic GaN/AlxGa1–xN double quantum wells
Authors: Wecker T. , Hörich F. , Feneberg M. , Goldhahn R. , Reuter D. , As D. J.
Published: December 2014

The non‐resonant carrier transfer in asymmetric double quantum wells is studied. Asymmetric cubic GaN/AlxGa1−xN double quantum wells with Al content of x = 0.26 ± 0.03 were grown on 3C‐SiC (001) substrate by radio‐frequency plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The barrier thickness d between a wide quantum well having 2.5 nm thickness and a narrow quantum well with width of 0.7 nm was varied from 1 to 15 nm. Furthermore, high resolution X‐ray diffraction reciprocal space maps around the (113) direction provided the Al content and revealed a partially strain in the AlxGa1−xN barriers and QWs. The coupling between the QWs was studied by interband photoluminescence spectroscopy at low temperatures. Four clearly distinguishable emission bands at 3.27 eV, 3.37 eV, 3.60 eV, and 3.74 eV are observed and could be assigned to the different layers. With decreasing barrier thickness d the photoluminescence intensity from the narrow QW is strongly reduced, indicating wave function redistribution from the narrow QW to the wide QW. The emission energies for the QWs are in good agreement with theoretical calculations using a Schrödinger–Poisson solver based on an effective mass model (nextnano3). The PL intensity ratio of the narrow QW to the wide QW for varied barrier thicknesses was calculated by exploiting rate equations, revealing a good agreement between theory and experiment.
An efficient single unit T‐box/T−1‐box implementation for 128‐bit AES on FPGA
Authors: Kundi Dur‐e‐Shahwar , Aziz Arshad , Kazmi Majida
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we present an area efficient Block RAM (BRAM)‐based single unit design of T‐box/T−1‐box on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for combined Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption and decryption. Conventional FPGA designs for T‐box module not only utilize several BRAMs for 16 bytes parallel look‐up operations but also because of asymmetric nature of AES, use separate hardware for T−1‐box unit in decryption process. Alternatively in iterative architecture, BRAM in dual‐port mode configuration takes eight clock cycles to access 16 look‐up operations from a T‐box because of its synchronous nature. Thus, resulting in an unoptimized solution not only in term of FPGA resources but also results in high latency for iterative architecture. Our proposed design uses single symmetric T‐box/T−1‐box table with same set of single resource‐shared hardware for both the encryptor and decryptor and at the same time performs eight look‐up operations from single BRAM in one clock cycle using efficient BRAM switching technique instead of using multirated clocking. Our complete 128‐bit symmetric T‐box/T−1‐box design fits into just 2 BRAMs and 136 Slices. It occupies lowest area reported to date with 50% power saving and highest Throughput Per Slice (TPS) of 10.77. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HPGCD Outperforms HPBCD as a Potential Treatment for Niemann-Pick Disease Type C During Disease Modeling with iPS Cells
Authors: Soga Minami , Ishitsuka Yoichi , Hamasaki Makoto , Yoneda Kaori , Furuya Hirokazu , Matsuo Muneaki , Ihn Hironobu , Fusaki Noemi , Nakamura Kimitoshi , Nakagata Naomi , Endo Fumio , Irie Tetsumi , Era Takumi
Published: December 2014

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a lysosomal storage disease characterized by abnormal accumulation of free cholesterol and glycolipids. Here, we established induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from NPC patients. Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) and neural progenitors derived from the iPSC lines accumulated cholesterol and displayed impaired autophagy and ATP production. A molecular signature related to lipid metabolism was also impaired in the NPC-iPSC-derived HLCs. These findings indicate that iPSC-derived cells can phenocopy human NPC. We also newly found that 2-hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HPGCD) could reduce the cholesterol accumulation and restore the functional and molecular abnormalities in the NPC patient-derived cells, and do so more effectively than 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin treatment. In addition, NPC model mice showed an improved liver status and prolonged survival with HPGCDs. Thus, iPSC lines derived from patient cells are powerful tools to study cellular models of NPC, and HPGCD is a potential new drug candidate for future treatment of this disease. Stem Cells  2015;33:1075–1088