bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel method for the automatic sample preparation and analysis of 3‐MCPD‐, 2‐MCPD‐, and glycidylesters in edible oils and fats
Authors: Zwagerman Ralph , Overman Pierre
Published: October 2015

Currently, there are three official AOCS indirect methods for the detection and quantification of 2‐ and 3‐chloropropane‐1,2‐diol‐(2‐MCPDe/3‐MCPDe) and glycidyl esters (GE). The complete analysis for methods which allow separate detection and quantification of these three analytes is time consuming (>16 h) and because of extensive manual sample preparation, the chances for error are significant and well‐trained analysts are required for correct and reproducible results.

We developed a new automated indirect method for sample preparation and quantification of these three analytes in oils and fats based on the relatively fast AOCS Official Method Cd 29c‐13 (alkaline transesterification, differential method, no 2‐MCPDe quantification). The method is adapted to ensure separate glycidol detection and correction for possible overestimation due to conversion of 3‐MCPD to glycidol during alkaline transesterification using a carbon‐13 labeled internal standard. Furthermore, the total analysis time is reduced significantly to less than 5 h per series of four samples with minimal contact time. The exclusion of manual sample preparation reduces the need for dedicated well‐trained lab technicians and eliminates variance between technicians. This makes the automated method a suitable tool to integrate in operational Quality Control services without specialized lab technicians. The method has been validated against AOCS Official Method Cd 29b‐13 using different types of edible oils.

Practical application: The use of an autosampler for sample preparation simplifies the parallel analysis of MCPD and glycidyl esters to a method which can be applied in any quality control or research laboratory without the need for multiple specialized technicians while optimizing sample throughput. It minimizes analysis errors by removing the human factor during sample preparation and allows for far shorter analysis times, allowing much faster optimization of production processes and food safety quality control practices.

Correction of the glycidol overestimation caused by 3‐MCPD conversion to glycidol during alkaline transesterification during sample preparation using a 3‐MCPD‐13C3 ester as internal standard.
Ether Cleavage Re‐Investigated: Elucidating the Mechanism of BBr3‐Facilitated Demethylation of Aryl Methyl Ethers
Authors: Kosak Talon M. , Conrad Heidi A. , Korich Andrew L. , Lord Richard L.
Published: October 2015

One of the most well‐known, highly utilized reagents for ether cleavage is boron tribromide (BBr3), and this reagent is frequently employed in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio with ethers. Density functional theory calculations predict a new mechanistic pathway involving charged intermediates for ether cleavage in aryl methyl ethers. Moreover, these calculations predict that one equivalent of BBr3 can cleave up to three equivalents of anisole, producing triphenoxyborane [B(OPh)3] prior to hydrolysis. These predictions were validated by gas chromatography analysis of reactions where the BBr3:anisole ratio was varied. Not only do we confirm that sub‐stoichiometric equivalents may be used for ether demethylation, but the findings also support our newly proposed three cycle mechanism for cleavage of aryl methyl ethers.
Incidence and prognostic factors of chronic pain after isolated musculoskeletal extremity injury
Authors: Pierik J.G.J. , IJzerman M.J. , Gaakeer M.I. , Vollenbroek‐Hutten M.M.R. , van Vugt A.B. , Doggen C.J.M.
Published: October 2015

Background

Chronic pain in patients is usually related to an episode of pain following acute injury, emphasizing the need to prevent progression from acute to chronic pain. Multiple factors in the acute phase might be responsible for perpetuating the pain. The presentation of patients at the emergency department (ED) presents a prime opportunity to identify patients at high risk for chronic pain and to start appropriate treatment.

Methods

The PROTACT study is a prospective follow‐up study aiming to estimate the incidence and prognostic factors responsible for the development of chronic pain after musculoskeletal injury. Data including sociodemographic, pain, clinical, injury‐ or treatment‐related and psychological factors of 435 patients were collected from registries and questionnaires at ED visit, 6‐week, 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up.

Results

At 6 months post‐injury, 43.9% of the patients had some degree of pain (Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ≥1) and 10.1% had chronic pain (NRS ≥4). Patients aged over 40 years, in poor physical health, with pre‐injury chronic pain, pain catastrophizing, high urgency level and severe pain at discharge were found to be at high risk for chronic pain.

Conclusions

Two prognostic factors, severe pain at discharge and pain catastrophizing, are potentially modifiable. The implementation of a pain protocol in the ED and the use of cognitive–behavioural techniques involving reducing catastrophizing might be useful.
The effect of patient–practitioner communication on pain: a systematic review
Authors: Mistiaen P. , van Osch M. , van Vliet L. , Howick J. , Bishop F.L. , Di Blasi Z. , Bensing J. , van Dulmen S.
Published: October 2015

Background and objective

Communication between patients and health care practitioners is expected to benefit health outcomes. The objective of this review was to assess the effects of experimentally varied communication on clinical patients’ pain.

Databases and data treatment

We searched in July 2012, 11 databases supplemented with forward and backward searches for (quasi‐) randomized controlled trials in which face‐to‐face communication was manipulated. We updated in June 2015 using the four most relevant databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Central, Psychinfo, PubMed).

Results

Fifty‐one studies covering 5079 patients were included. The interventions were separated into three categories: cognitive care, emotional care, procedural preparation. In all but five studies the outcome concerned acute pain. We found that, in general, communication has a small effect on (acute) pain. The 19 cognitive care studies showed that a positive suggestion may reduce pain, whereas a negative suggestion may increase pain, but effects are small. The 14 emotional care studies showed no evidence of a direct effect on pain, although four studies showed a tendency for emotional care lowering patients’ pain. Some of the 23 procedural preparation interventions showed a weak to moderate effect on lowering pain.

Conclusions

Different types of communication have a significant but small effect on (acute) pain. Positive suggestions and informational preparation seem to lower patients’ pain. Communication interventions show a large variety in quality, complexity and methodological rigour; they often used multiple components and it remains unclear what the effective elements of communication are. Future research is warranted to identify the effective components.
Relationship between adaptation and cardiovascular response to tonic cold and heat pain Adaptability to tonic pain and cardiovascular responses
Authors: Devoize L. , Chalaye P. , Lafrenaye S. , Marchand S. , Dallel R.
Published: October 2015

Background

The mechanisms of adaptation to tonic pain are not elucidated. We hypothesized that the adaptability to tonic pain is related to the cardiovascular system.

Methods

Twenty‐six subjects received over two sessions in a random order: tonic cold (7 ± 0.2 °C) and heat pain (47.5 ± 0.5 °C) on the hand for 5 min. Pain intensity, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored.

Results

Pain experience during the heat (HIT) and cold (CIT) immersion tests exhibited different average time courses, being approximated with a linear and cubic function, respectively. In each test, two groups of participants could be identified based on the time course of their tonic thermal pain: one‐third of participants were pain adaptive and two‐thirds non adaptive. The adaptive group exhibited higher initial pain, lower last pain, and shorter latency to peak pain than the non‐adaptive one. Interestingly, some participants were adaptive to both pain stimuli, most were not. HIT as well as CIT produced a stable elevation of BP. However, BP was higher during CIT than HIT (p = 0.034). HR was also increased during CIT and HIT, but the two tests differed with respect to the time course of responses. Finally, the intensity and time course of pain rating to both HIT and CIT correlated with neither BP nor HR responses.

Conclusions

These results suggest that individual sensitivity and adaptability to tonic thermal pain is related to the intensity of initial pain rating and the latency to peak pain but not to cardiovascular responses.
Are individual levels of pain anxiety related to negative interpretation bias? An examination using an ambiguous word priming task
Authors: Vancleef L.M.G. , Hanssen M.M. , Peters M.L.
Published: October 2015

Background

Cognitive processes like attentional and interpretation biases have been suggested to play a vital role in the onset and exacerbation of chronic pain. Research consistently supports the occurrence of interpretation bias (IB) in pain patients and healthy individuals high in pain anxiety. Nevertheless, studies on the indirect assessment of IB or the relation between IB and responses to pain are limited. The present studies examined the association between indirect assessed IB and pain anxiety, while Study 2 additionally examined IB as a mediator in the relation between pain anxiety and pain responses.

Method

In Study 1 (N = 125) and Study 2 (N = 73), anxiety sensitivity, injury/illness sensitivity (IS) and pain catastrophizing were assessed with questionnaires. IB was indirectly derived from performance on an ambiguous word priming task. In Study 2, an experimental heat pain induction was used to assess pain responses (i.e. tolerance and subjective pain experience).

Results

Results showed a positive correlation between pain anxiety and IB, albeit that the strength of the observed associations differed between both studies. Furthermore, IB was inversely related to pain tolerance, and found to mediate the relation between IS and pain tolerance in Study 2.

Conclusions

Current findings underscore the importance of interpretational processes in the context of physical health threat. Furthermore, the ambiguous word priming task is proposed as a suitable paradigm for further research on the indirect assessment of IB. Nevertheless, further research is warranted to deepen our understanding of IB and its contribution to the experience of (chronic) pain.
BCOR internal tandem duplication and YWHAE–NUTM2B/E fusion are mutually exclusive events in clear cell sarcoma of the kidney
Authors: Karlsson Jenny , Valind Anders , Gisselsson David
Published: October 2015

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is the second most common pediatric renal tumor. Two recurrent genetic aberrations have been described in CCSK. One is a fusion of YWHAE and NUTM2B/E, the other is an internal tandem duplication (ITD) in the BCOR gene. Here it is shown that YWHAE–NUTM2B/E fusion and the BCOR ITD are mutually exclusive events and activated different downstream signaling systems. This has important diagnostic implications and opens up for further mechanistic studies of CCSK pathogenesis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Adaptive Association Test for Multiple Phenotypes with GWAS Summary Statistics
Authors: Kim Junghi , Bai Yun , Pan Wei
Published: October 2015

We study the problem of testing for single marker‐multiple phenotype associations based on genome‐wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics without access to individual‐level genotype and phenotype data. For most published GWASs, because obtaining summary data is substantially easier than accessing individual‐level phenotype and genotype data, while often multiple correlated traits have been collected, the problem studied here has become increasingly important. We propose a powerful adaptive test and compare its performance with some existing tests. We illustrate its applications to analyses of a meta‐analyzed GWAS dataset with three blood lipid traits and another with sex‐stratified anthropometric traits, and further demonstrate its potential power gain over some existing methods through realistic simulation studies. We start from the situation with only one set of (possibly meta‐analyzed) genome‐wide summary statistics, then extend the method to meta‐analysis of multiple sets of genome‐wide summary statistics, each from one GWAS. We expect the proposed test to be useful in practice as more powerful than or complementary to existing methods.
Course of cognitive impairment following attempted suicide in older adults
Authors: Gujral Swathi , Ogbagaber Semhar , Dombrovski Alexandre Y. , Butters Meryl A. , Karp Jordan F. , Szanto Katalin
Published: October 2015

Objective

Cognitive impairment has been associated with late‐life suicidal behavior. Without longitudinal data it is unclear whether these are transient features of a depressive state or stable impairments. We examined longitudinally the course of cognitive impairment in older adults with depression and a history of suicide attempt.

Methods

We investigated the persistence of cognitive impairment over time in 198 depressed older adults (age >60); 91 suicide attempters, 39 depressed individuals with suicidal ideation (ideators), and 68 non‐suicidal depressed adults assessed over a 2‐year period at four time points. We used linear mixed effects modeling to examine group differences in trajectories of cognitive decline over 2 years, using the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), and Executive Interview (EXIT).

Results

Over the 2‐year period, suicide attempters performed significantly worse than both suicide ideators and non‐suicidal depressed older adults on the MMSE (mean difference: from ideators: −0.88, p = 0.02; from non‐suicidal depressed: −1.52, p < 0.01), while on the EXIT and DRS, suicide attempters performed significantly worse than non‐suicidal depressed older adults (mean difference: in EXIT: −1.75, p = 0.01; in DRS: 3.04, p < 0.01; in MMSE: 1.15, p < 0.01). Cognitive impairment in suicide attempters partly resolved, as indicated by a group × time interaction on the DRS (p = 0.039), but not the EXIT (p = 0.58) or the MMSE (p = 0.08).

Conclusions

Cognitive impairment in late‐life suicidal behavior appears to involve both a stable and a state‐related component. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
White matter microstructural damage and depressive symptoms in patients with mild cognitive impairment and cerebral small vessel disease: the VMCI‐Tuscany Study
Authors: Pasi Marco , Poggesi Anna , Salvadori Emilia , Diciotti Stefano , Ciolli Laura , Del Bene Alessandra , Marini Sandro , Nannucci Serena , Pescini Francesca , Valenti Raffaella , Ginestroni Andrea , Toschi Nicola , Mascalchi Mario , Inzitari Domenico , Pantoni Leonardo
Published: October 2015

Background and purpose

Disruption of cortical‐subcortical circuits related to small vessel disease (SVD) may predispose to depression in the elderly. We aimed to determine the independent association between white matter (WM) microstructural damage, evaluated with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and depressive symptoms in a cohort of elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and SVD.

Methods

The vascular mild cognitive impairment (VMCI)‐Tuscany Study is an observational multicentric longitudinal study that enrolled patients with MCI and moderate to severe degrees of WM hyperintensities on MRI. Lacunar infarcts, cortical atrophy, medial temporal lobe atrophy, microbleeds, and DTI‐derived indices (mean diffusivity, MD and fractional anisotropy, FA) were evaluated on baseline MRI. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) (score 0–15) was used to assess depressive symptoms. An extensive neuropsychological battery, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale, and the Short Physical Performance Battery were used for cognitive, functional, and motor assessments, respectively.

Results

Seventy‐six patients (mean age: 75.1 ± 6.8 years) were included. Univariate analyses showed a significant association between GDS score and both DTI‐derived indices (MD: r = 0.307, p = 0.007; FA: r = −0.245; p = 0.033). The association remained significant after adjustment for age, WM hyperintensities severity, global cognitive, functional and motor performances, and antidepressant therapy (MD: r = 0.361, p = 0.002; FA: r = −0.277; p = 0.021).

Conclusions

These results outline the presence of an association between WM microstructural damage and depressive symptoms in MCI patients with SVD. This relationship does not seem to be mediated by disability, cognitive, and motor impairment, thus supporting the vascular depression hypothesis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation of instantaneous peak flows from maximum mean daily flows using the HBV hydrological model
Authors: Ding J. , Wallner M. , Müller H. , Haberlandt U.
Published: October 2015

The record length and quality of instantaneous peak flows (IPFs) have a great influence on flood design, but these high resolution flow data are not always available. The primary aim of this study is to compare different strategies to derive frequency distributions of IPFs using the Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV) hydrologic model. The model is operated on a daily and an hourly time step for 18 catchments in the Aller‐Leine basin, Germany. Subsequently, general extreme value (GEV) distributions are fitted to the simulated annual series of daily and hourly extreme flows. The resulting maximum mean daily flow (MDF) quantiles from daily simulations are transferred into IPF quantiles using a multiple regression model, which enables a direct comparison with the simulated hourly quantiles. As long climate records with a high temporal resolution are not available, the hourly simulations require a disaggregation of the daily rainfall. Additionally, two calibrations strategies are applied: (1) a calibration on flow statistics; (2) a calibration on hydrographs.

The results show that: (1) the multiple regression model is capable of predicting IPFs with the simulated MDFs; (2) both daily simulations with post‐correction of flows and hourly simulations with pre‐processing of precipitation enable a reasonable estimation of IPFs; (3) the best results are achieved using disaggregated rainfall for hourly modelling with calibration on flow statistics; and (4) if the IPF observations are not sufficient for model calibration on flow statistics, the transfer of MDFs via multiple regressions is a good alternative for estimating IPFs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal Smoke Exposure Predicts Hyperactive/Impulsive but Not Inattentive ADHD Symptoms in Adolescent and Young Adult Girls
Authors: Gard Arianna M. , Owens Elizabeth B. , Hinshaw Stephen P.
Published: October 2015

We examined the longitudinal associations between prenatal tobacco smoke exposure (PSE) and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom domains in adolescence and young adulthood. A sample of girls with ADHD combined presentation (N = 93), ADHD predominantly inattentive presentation (N = 47), and matched comparisons (N = 88) was assessed prospectively. Symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI), inattention (IA), and oppositionality (oppositional defiant disorder) were measured via multiple informants 5 (M age = 14 years; retention rate = 92%) and 10 years (M age = 20 years; retention rate = 95%) following childhood ascertainment. PSE was captured via maternal self‐report. We used linear regressions to examine the prediction from PSE to both HI and IA in adolescence and early adulthood after stringent control of relevant confounding variables. PSE significantly predicted HI during adolescence and young adulthood across multiple informants but did not predict IA at either wave. Symptoms of HI may have partial etiological independence from IA symptoms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Novel Quinoline‐substituted 1,4‐dihydropyridine Derivatives via Hantzsch Reaction in Aqueous Medium: Potential Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Shiri Morteza , Nejatinezhad‐Arani Atefeh , Faghihi Zeinab
Published: October 2015

The synthesis of a novel series of substituted 1,4‐dihydropyridines was achieved in aqueous media by base‐catalyzed three‐component Hantzsch reaction of 2‐chloroquinoline‐3‐carbaldehydes, ammonium acetate, and alkyl acteoacetate in good to high yields. Important advantages of this method are easy access to a library of novel quinoline and quinolone derivatives, green reaction conditions with water as solvent, and ease of purification.
Soil nitrogen dynamics after slurry injection in field trials: Evaluation of a soil sampling strategy
Authors: Westerschulte Matthias , Federolf Carl‐Philipp , Pralle Herbert , Trautz Dieter , Broll Gabriele , Olfs Hans‐Werner
Published: October 2015

Slurry injection below maize seeds is a rather new application technique developed to improve the nitrogen use efficiency of liquid organic manure. To enable the characterization of the spatial and temporal soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) dynamics after slurry injection, the present study aims to develop an appropriate soil sampling strategy. Three consecutive experiments were conducted. The first testing of the soil sampling approach was conducted in an existing field trial where the slurry was injected down to a depth of 12 cm (upper rim) below the soil surface. The soil profile (75 cm wide) centered below the maize row was sampled grid‐like to a depth of 90 cm. Around the injection zone, soil monoliths (SM) were sampled using a purpose‐built soil shovel. Below the SMs and in the interrow space (15 and 30 cm distance to the row) a standardized auger procedure was performed. The second experiment aimed at improving the sampling strategy with a focus on sample homogenization quality and necessary sample sizes per pooled sample. Furthermore, the risk of a carryover of slurry components along the soil core due to drilling an auger through a slurry band was analyzed. In the third experiment this improved sampling strategy was validated. Results from the first testing of the sampling procedure showed that the strategy is suitable, although some problems occurred (especially the high spread in values among the replications causing high coefficients of variation (CV) of mostly 40–60%). The improvement trial revealed that due to the high gradient of SMN concentration in the direct range of the injection zone an intensive homogenization of these samples is required. Suitable sample sizes (twelve auger samples and six soil monolith samples per pooled sample) have to be collected to obtain reliable SMN values. Drilling an auger through a slurry band to sample subjacent soil layers has to be avoided. Following this enhanced sampling strategy, in the final validation trial the spread in values were considerably reduced and resulted in CV values of mostly < 20%. The developed sampling strategy enables the characterization of the spatial and temporal SMN dynamics when slurry has been band‐injected below a maize row. The method can be transferred to other row crops and different slurry injection spacing.
Effect of HCO $ _3^ - $ on rice growth and iron uptake under flood irrigation and drip irrigation with plastic film mulch
Authors: Zhang Xinjiang , Zhang Shujie , Zhao Honghua , Zhu Qichao , Bai Ruxiao , Yang Yuzhen , Wang Mei , Wang Juan , Wei Changzhou
Published: October 2015

There has been a partial shift away from conventional flood irrigation (FI) practices for rice (Oryza stativaL.) production in water‐scarce northern China. Drip irrigation with plastic film mulch (DI‐PFM) can maintain high rice yields with significant water savings. However, rice seedlings often develop chlorosis when grown with DI‐PFM on calcareous soil. Bicarbonate is a concern with regard to chlorosis in calcareous soil. The objective of this simulation experiment was to determine the effect of irrigation method and irrigation water HCO$ _3^ - $concentration on (1) soil pH and DTPA‐Fe concentration, (2) chlorophyll, total Fe, and active Fe concentrations of rice leaves, and (3) rice root and shoot biomass. The experiment consisted of four treatments: FI with water containing either 2 or 10 mM HCO$ _3^ - $(referred to as FI‐2 and FI‐10, respectively) and DI‐PFM with water containing 2 or 10 mM HCO$ _3^ - $(referred to as DI‐2 and DI‐10, respectively). The results show that the HCO$ _3^ - $concentrations of the soil solution were greater under FI than under DI‐PFM, because more irrigation water was applied in the FI system. Soil pH increased as the HCO$ _3^ - $concentration of the irrigation water increased. The increase in soil pH was greater in DI‐PFM than in FI. Soil DTPA‐Fe concentration, leaf SPAD values, leaf total Fe concentration, leaf active Fe concentration, shoot biomass, and root biomass decreased as the HCO$ _3^ - $concentration of the irrigation water increased. The decreases were less under DI‐PFM than under FI. Overall, the results indicate that rice plants are more sensitive to the HCO$ _3^ - $concentration of irrigation water under FI than under DI‐PFM.
Comparative study of a‐IGZO TFTs with direct current and radio frequency sputtered channel layers
Authors: Deng Wei , Xiao Xiang , He Xin , Lee Chia‐Yu , Zhang Shengdong
Published: October 2015

In this work, a comparative study of electrical properties and gate‐bias stress stability between direct current (DC)‐sputtered and radio frequency (RF)‐sputtered amorphous indium–gallium–zinc oxide thin film transistors (a‐IGZO TFTs) is conducted. The RF‐sputtered a‐IGZO TFTs show higher field‐effect mobility and steeper sub‐threshold slope. The DC‐sputtered ones show a better uniformity of threshold voltage, enhanced stability under both positive bias stress and negative bias illumination stress. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of the a‐IGZO films reveals that the concentration of oxygen vacancies and electron density in the RF‐sputtered a‐IGZO film is higher than that in the DC‐sputtered one, which probably accounts for the differences of electrical properties between the RF‐sputtered and DC‐sputtered a‐IGZO TFTs.
Evaluation of fatigue life of steel using steel grain size
Authors: Owsiński R. , Kamiński S. , Szymaniec M. , Niesłony A. , Łagoda T.
Published: October 2015

The insightful discussion of the relationship between the construction of metallographic and fatigue life and proposition of mathematical relationships describing this relationship was conducted in the paper. This paper presents a method for estimating the fatigue life, based on the construction of the microstructural material taking into account the grain size and the participation of ferrite and pearlite phase.
Allelic variants of the Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene in a South African study group
Authors: Logan Murray , Van der Merwe Maria‐Teresa , Dodgen Tyren M. , Myburgh Renier , Eloff Arinda , Alessandrini Marco , Pepper Michael S.
Published: October 2015

Obesity is a global epidemic that results in significant morbidity and mortality. Mutations in the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene, which codes for a G‐protein‐coupled receptor responsible for postprandial satiety signaling, have been associated with monogenic obesity. The prevalence of obesity is on the increase in South Africa, and it is hypothesized that mutations in MC4R are a contributing factor. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective assessment of the relationship between allelic variants of MC4R and BMI in a South African study cohort. DNA was isolated from a demographically representative cohort of 297 individuals and the entire MC4R gene sequenced by Sanger sequencing. Eight previously reported MC4R variants were identified in 42 of the 297 (14.1%) study participants. The most frequently observed MC4R alleles were V103I (4.0%), I170V (1.5%), and I198I (1.2%), while the remaining five variants together constituted 1.18%. Five compound heterozygotes were also detected. Although MC4R variants were rare, the majority of variation was observed in individuals of Black African ancestry. No statistically significant associations with BMI were reported. Given that lifestyle interventions have limited success in decreasing obesity, there is an urgent need to perform large‐scale population studies to further elucidate the molecular underpinnings of this disease.
Hydrogen‐Bonded Macrocyclic Supramolecular Systems in Solution and on Surfaces
Authors: Mayoral María J. , Bilbao Nerea , González‐Rodríguez David
Published: October 2015

Cyclization into closed assemblies is the most recurrent approach to realize the noncovalent synthesis of discrete, well‐defined nanostructures. This review article particularly focuses on the noncovalent synthesis of monocyclic hydrogen‐bonded systems that are self‐assembled from a single molecule with two binding‐sites. Taking advantage of intramolecular binding events, which are favored with respect to intermolecular binding in solution, can afford quantitative amounts of a given supramolecular species under thermodynamic control. The size of the assembly depends on geometric issues such as the monomer structure and the directionality of the binding interaction, whereas the fidelity achieved relies largely on structural preorganization, low degrees of conformational flexibility, and templating effects. Here, we discuss several examples described in the literature in which cycles of different sizes, from dimers to hexamers, are studied by diverse solution or surface characterization techniques.
Can a single dose response predict the effect of montelukast on exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction?
Authors: Kersten Elin T.G. , Akkerman‐Nijland Anne M. , Driessen Jean M.M. , Diamant Zuzana , Thio Bernard J.
Published: October 2015

Rationale

Exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) can be prevented by a single dose of montelukast (MLK). The effect is variable, similar to the variable responsiveness observed after daily treatment with MLK. We hypothesized that the effect of a single MLK‐dose (5 or 10 mg) on EIB could predict the clinical effectiveness of longer term once daily treatment.

Methods

This was a prospective, open‐label study. Twenty‐four asthmatic adolescents (12–17 years) suboptimally controlled by low‐dose inhaled corticosteroids, with ≥10% post‐exercise fall in FEV1, were included. They performed an exercise test at baseline, 20 hr after a single MLK‐dose and 40–44 hr after the last dose of 4 weeks once daily treatment. The correlations between the effect of a single dose and 4 weeks treatment on area under the curve (AUC) and maximum % fall in FEV1 were calculated.

Results

AUC0–20 min decreased significantly after a single MLK‐dose (P = 0.001, CI: 64.9–218.2), but not after 4 weeks of treatment (P = 0.080, CI: −12.2 to 200.4). There was a moderate correlation between the effect of a single MLK‐dose and 4 weeks treatment on AUC0–20 min, r = 0.49 (P = 0.011), and maximum % fall in FEV1, r = 0.40 (P = 0.035).

Conclusion

The protection provided by a single MLK‐dose against EIB only modestly predicts the effect of regular treatment against EIB in adolescent asthmatics on low‐dose inhaled corticosteroids. If used on a daily base, MLK offered clinically significant protection against EIB in two thirds of adolescents suboptimally controlled by low‐dose ICS. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:470–477. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pharmacological implications of the Ca2+/cAMP signaling interaction: from risk for antihypertensive therapy to potential beneficial for neurological and psychiatric disorders
Authors: Caricati‐Neto Afonso , García Antonio G. , Bergantin Leandro Bueno
Published: October 2015

In this review, we discussed pharmacological implications of the Ca2+/cAMP signaling interaction in the antihypertensive and neurological/psychiatric disorders therapies. Since 1975, several clinical studies have reported that acute and chronic administration of L‐type voltage‐activated Ca2+ channels (VACCs) blockers, such as nifedipine, produces reduction in peripheral vascular resistance and arterial pressure associated with an increase in plasma noradrenaline levels and heart rate, typical of sympathetic hyperactivity. Despite this sympathetic hyperactivity has been initially attributed to adjust reflex of arterial pressure, the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this apparent sympathomimetic effect of the L‐type VACCs blockers remained unclear for decades. In addition, experimental studies using isolated tissues richly innervated by sympathetic nerves (to exclude the influence of adjusting reflex) showed that neurogenic responses were completely inhibited by L‐type VACCs blockers in concentrations above 1 μmol/L, but paradoxically potentiated in concentrations below 1 μmol/L. During almost four decades, these enigmatic phenomena remained unclear. In 2013, we discovered that this paradoxical increase in sympathetic activity produced by L‐type VACCs blocker is due to interaction of the Ca2+/cAMP signaling pathways. Then, the pharmacological manipulation of the Ca2+/cAMP interaction produced by combination of the L‐type VACCs blockers used in the antihypertensive therapy, and cAMP accumulating compounds used in the antidepressive therapy, could represent a potential cardiovascular risk for hypertensive patients due to increase in sympathetic hyperactivity. In contrast, this pharmacological manipulation could be a new therapeutic strategy for increasing neurotransmission in psychiatric disorders, and producing neuroprotection in the neurodegenerative diseases.
Microparticle of drug and nanoparticle: a biosynthetic route
Authors: Sarkar Sounik , Dasgupta Anjan Kr.
Published: October 2015

Microparticles (MPs) have great potentiality in material science‐ based applications. Their use in biology is however limited to clinics and has rarely been exploited in the pharmaceutical context. Unlike nanoparticles (NPs), they are amenable to routine detection by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Though MPs can constitute a wide variety of materials, including ceramics, glass, polymers, and metals and can be synthesized by chemical process but wet processes for the preparation of microparticles have rarely been attemped. In this paper, a thrombotic route is shown to successfully generate biocompatible MP of a model anticancer drug (doxorubicin hydrochloride). Synthesis of MPs from platelets and drug loading in to these MPs was confirmed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) was treated with these drug‐loaded MPs to investigate whether the loaded MPs have the capacity to deliver drug to the cancer cells. In addition, Magnetic force microscopy was used to detect the preparation of MPs loaded with magnetic NPs. The efficiency of the drug‐loaded MPs in inducing cytotoxicity in cancer cell line, shown to be significantly higher than the free drug itself. The drug‐loaded MP is shown to have a much higher cytotoxic propensity than the free drug applied at comparable doses. The thrombotic approach can also be applied to synthesize MP containing NPs which in turn can lead to generate a wide variety of new biocompatible materials.
Predictability of the thermally driven laboratory rotating annulus
Authors: Young R. M. B. , Read P. L.
Published: October 2015

We investigate the predictability of the thermally driven rotating annulus, a laboratory experiment used to study the dynamics of planetary atmospheres under controlled and reproducible conditions. Our approach is to apply the same principles used to predict the atmosphere in operational weather forecasting. We build a forecasting system for the annulus using the analysis correction method for data assimilation, the breeding method for ensemble generation, and the Met Office/Oxford Rotating Annulus Laboratory Simulation as the forecast model. The system forecasts the annulus in steady (2S), amplitude vacillating (3AV), and structurally vacillating (3SV) flow regimes, verifying the forecasts against laboratory data. The results show that a range of flow regimes from this experiment can be accurately predicted. Forecasts in the steady wave flow regime perform well, and are predictable until the end of the available data. Forecasts in the amplitude and structural vacillation flow regimes lose quality and skill by a combination of wave drift and wavenumber transition. Amplitude vacillation is predictable up to several hundred seconds ahead, and structural vacillation is predictable for a few hundred seconds. The wavenumber transitions are partly explained by hysteresis in the rotating annulus experiment and model.
Formation of protective deposits by anti‐erosive toothpastes—A microscopic study on enamel with artificial defects
Authors: Bradna Pavel , Vrbova Radka , Fialova Vlasta , Housova Devana , Gojisova Eva
Published: October 2015

This study investigated formation of protective deposits on the enamel surface after application of several anti‐erosive toothpastes with different active ingredients. NaF‐containing Sensodyne Pronamel, SnCl2/F‐based Elmex Erosion Protection and calcium phosphate‐based BioRepair Plus Sensitivity Control, SensiShield and Enamel Care toothpastes with claimed anti‐erosive properties were tested. Artificial saliva and Elmex Erosion Protection mouth rinse served as control groups. The toothpastes were applied 30 times by a toothbrush for 2 min per day, mouth rinse for 30 s on polished enamel of thirty five human molars (n = 5) with series of five rhomboid‐shaped indents of various length prepared by a Knoop indentor. After 15 and 30 applications, the shape of the indents and surface morphology was characterised using light and scanning electron microscopy. At the end of treatment, the samples were exposed to 0.2 wt. % citric acid (pH 3.30) to test resistance of the treated enamel to erosion. Pronounced differences were observed between protective properties of the toothpastes. While Sensodyne Pronamel and BioRepair Plus Sensitivity Control did not produce any protective deposits, Enamel Care formed a compact layer of deposits which protected the enamel surface against erosion. With Elmex Erosion Protection and SensiShield fractured indent edges and scratches on the treated enamel suggested that their abrasive properties prevailed over ability of active ingredients to form deposits. These results revealed that toothpastes with strong potential to form acid‐resistant deposits on the enamel surface and of low abrasivity should be used for effective prevention of enamel erosion. SCANNING 38:380–388, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Physiology of Penile Erection—A Brief History of the Scientific Understanding up till the Eighties of the 20th Century
Authors: van Driel Mels F.
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Understanding the physiology of penile erection is important for all who work in the field of sexual medicine.

Aim

The aim of this study was to highlight and analyze historical aspects of the scientific understanding of penile erection.

Methods

(i) Review of the chapters on the physiology of erection out of the author's collection of books dealing with male sexual functioning published in the German, French, Dutch, and English language in between 1780 and 1940. (ii) Review of the topic “physiology of penile erection” of relevant chapters of Classical writings on erectile dysfunction. An annotated collection of original texts from three millennia, including the study of all relevant references mentioned in these books.

Main Outcome Measure

The main outcome measure used for the study was the scientific understanding of the physiology of penile erection.

Results

In Antiquity, Galen considered penile erection as the result the accumulation of air. His ideas so dominated medieval medicine that nearly everyone then alive was a Galenist. The beginning of the Renaissance shows meaningful examples of experimental scientific work on the penis. Da Vinci correctly concluded that erections were caused by blood, and in the 18th century, Von Haller from Switzerland was the first who explained that erections were under the control of the nervous system. In the 19th century, a mindset that emphasized on experimentation determined a new direction, namely experimental physiology. Animal studies clarified that stimulation of the nervi erigentes-induced small muscle relaxation in the corpora cavernosa. Nearly all were published in the German language. That may be one of the reasons that the existence of the concept of smooth muscle relaxation remained controversial until the first World Congress on Impotence in 1984 in Paris.

Conclusions

As the Renaissance's innovative research defined neural and vascular physiologic phenomena responsible for penile erection. The concepts from animal experimentations in Europe in the 19th century significantly contributed to the current understanding of penile erection.
Self‐assembly of Natural and Unnatural Nucleobases at Surfaces and Interfaces
Authors: Ciesielski Artur , El Garah Mohamed , Masiero Stefano , Samorì Paolo
Published: October 2015

The self‐assembly of small organic molecules interacting via non‐covalent forces is a viable approach towards the construction of highly ordered nanostructured materials. Among various molecular components, natural and unnatural nucleobases can undergo non‐covalent self‐association to form supramolecular architectures with ad hoc structural motifs. Such structures, when decorated with appropriate electrically/optically active units, can be used as scaffolds to locate such units in pre‐determined positions in 2D on a surface, thereby paving the way towards a wide range of applications, e.g., in optoelectronics. This review discusses some of the basic concepts of the supramolecular engineering of natural and unnatural nucleobases and derivatives thereof as well as self‐assembly processes on conductive solid substrates, as investigated by scanning tunnelling microscopy in ultra‐high vacuum and at the solid/liquid interface. By unravelling the structure and dynamics of these self‐assembled architectures with a sub‐nanometer resolution, a greater control over the formation of increasingly sophisticated functional systems is achieved. The ability to understand and predict how nucleobases interact, both among themselves as well as with other molecules, is extremely important, since it provides access to ever more complex DNA‐ and RNA‐based nanostructures and nanomaterials as key components in nanomechanical devices.
Investigations on the suitability of rice bran oil and corn oil as alternative insulating liquids for transformers
Authors: Kumar S. Senthil , Iruthayarajan M. Willjuice , Bakrutheen M.
Published: October 2015

Increasing power demand forces the development of the high‐rated power transformers. In a transformer, petroleum‐based mineral oil is used as insulation currently. Transformer oil (TO) produces environmental and health issues because it is nonbiodegradable. The availability of petroleum products is decreasing in the present century. So it encourages researchers to find potential replacements for them. In this work, two natural ester oils (rice bran oil and corn oil) were taken up for investigation to find their suitability for use in transformers. Aging analysis was performed on the TO and natural esters. For this, properties like breakdown voltage, flash point, fire point, viscosity, acidity, resistivity, and loss factor of the natural esters were considered. From the investigations, it was evident that rice bran and corn oil have the ability to be used as alternatives for TO. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Dithiothreitol enhanced arsenic‐trioxide‐induced cell apoptosis in cultured oral cancer cells via mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Tsai Chia‐Wen , Yang Mei‐Due , Hsia Te‐Chun , Chang Wen‐Shin , Hsu Chin‐Mu , Hsieh Yi‐Hsien , Chung Jing‐Gung , Bau Da‐Tian
Published: October 2015

Arsenic is naturally occurring toxic metalloid and drinking As2O3 containing water are recognized to be related to increased risk of neurotoxicity, liver injury, blackfoot disease, hypertension, and cancer. On the contrary, As2O3 has been an ancient drug used in traditional Chinese medicine with substantial anticancer activities, especially in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia as well as chronic wound healing. However, the cytotoxicity and detail mechanisms of As2O3 action in solid cancer cells, such as oral cancer cells, are largely unknown. In this study, we have primarily cultured four pairs of tumor and nontumor cells from the oral cancer patients and treated the cells with As2O3 alone or combined with dithiothreitol (DTT). The results showed that 0.5 μM As2O3 plus 20 μM DTT caused a significant cell death of oral cancer cells but not the nontumor cells. Also As2O3 plus DTT upregulated Bax and Bak, downregulated Bcl‐2 and p53, caused a loss of mitochondria membrane potential in oral cancer cells. On the other way, As2O3 also triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress and increased the levels of glucose‐regulated protein 78, calpain 1 and 2. Our results suggest that DTT could synergistically enhance the effects of As2O3 on killing oral cancer cells while nontoxic to the nontumor cells. The combination is promising for clinical practice in oral cancer therapy and worth further investigations. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 17–27, 2017.
Adjustment of wind farm power output through flexible turbine operation using wind farm control
Authors: Hur Sung‐ho , Leithead William E.
Published: October 2015

When the installed capacity of wind power becomes high, the power generated by wind farms can no longer simply be that dictated by the wind speed. With sufficiently high penetration, it will be necessary for wind farms to provide assistance with supply‐demand matching. The work presented here introduces a wind farm controller that regulates the power generated by the wind farm to match the grid requirements by causing the power generated by each turbine to be adjusted. Further, benefits include fast response to reach the wind farm power demanded, flexibility, little fluctuation in the wind farm power output and provision of synthetic inertia. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Religiosity Dimensions on Physical Health across Non-elderly Black and White American Panels
Authors: Oates Gary L.
Published: October 2015

This investigation—based on a three-wave national panel of Black and White Americans aged 64 or younger at wave one—gauges variation across races in the indirect, moderating, and direct effects of public and subjective religiosity on a latent physical health outcome comprising chronic illnesses, subjective health, and functional limitations. The multi-population LISREL model specifically addresses the mechanisms through which religiosity is typically presumed to indirectly foster health: enhancement of social support and self-appraisals, and suppression of stress-exposure and unhealthy habits. The extent to which religiosity buffers or exacerbates the impact of specific stressors is also examined. The impact of religiosity on health appears to hinge on race and religiosity dimension: Public religiosity indirectly enhances Blacks’ health slightly, and apparently buffers any negative impact of financial strain on their health. Public religiosity does not influence Whites’ health; and subjective religiosity does not influence health in either race. The models control for multiple socio-demographic factors.