bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new rhodamine‐based fluorescent chemodosimeter for mercuric ions in water media
Authors: Quy Phan Tu , Hien Nguyen Khoa , Bao Nguyen Chi , Nhan Doan Thanh , Khanh Dang Van , Nhung Nguyen Thi Ai , Tung Truong Quy , Luyen Nguyen Dinh , Quang Duong Tuan
Published: July 2014

A new rhodamine–ethylenediamine–nitrothiourea conjugate (RT) was synthesized and its sensing property as a fluorescent chemodosimeter toward metal ions was explored in water media. Analytical results from absorption and fluorescence spectra revealed that the addition of Hg2+ ions to the aqueous solution of the chemodosimeter RT caused a distinct fluorescence OFF–ON response with a remarkable visual color change from colorless to pink; however, no clear spectral and color changes were observed from other metal ions including: Zn2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Ag+, Fe2+, Cr3+, Co3+, Ni2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+. The sensing results and the molecular structure suggested that a Hg2+‐induced a desulfurization reaction and cyclic guanylation of the thiourea moiety followed by ring‐opening of the rhodamine spirolactam in RT are responsible for a distinct fluorescence turn‐on signal, indicating that RT is a remarkably sensitive and selective chemodosimeter for Hg2+ ions in aqueous solution. Hg2+ within a concentration range from 0.1 to 25 μM can be determined using RT as a chemodosimeter and a detection limit of 0.04 μM is achieved. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of high throughput screening assays and pilot screen for inhibitors of metalloproteases meprin α and β
Authors: Madoux Franck , Tredup Claudia , Spicer Timothy P. , Scampavia Louis , Chase Peter S. , Hodder Peter S. , Fields Gregg B. , Becker‐Pauly Christoph , Minond Dmitriy
Published: July 2014

Zinc metalloproteinases meprin α and meprin β are implicated in a variety of diseases, such as fibrosis, inflammation and neurodegeneration, however, there are no selective small molecule inhibitors that would allow to study their role in these processes. To address this lack of molecular tools, we have developed high throughput screening assays to enable discovery of inhibitors of both meprin α and meprin β and screened a collection of well characterized pharmaceutical agents (library of pharmaceutically active compounds, n = 1,280 compounds). Two compounds (PPNDS, NF449) confirmed their activity and selectivity for meprin β. Kinetic studies revealed competitive (PPNDS) and mixed competitive/noncompetitive (NF449) inhibition mechanisms suggesting that binding occurs in meprin β active site. Both PPNDS and NF449 exhibited low nanomolar IC50 and Ki values making them the most potent and selective inhibitors of meprin β reported to the date. These results demonstrate the ability of meprin α and β assays to identify selective compounds and discard artifacts of primary screening. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 102: 396–406, 2014.
Effect of anion structures on cholinium ionic liquids pretreatment of rice straw and the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis
Authors: Hou Xue‐Dan , Xu Jie , Li Ning , Zong Min‐Hua
Published: July 2014

In this work, 28 cholinium ionic liquids (ILs), most of which are good solvents for dissolving lignin, were used for rice straw pretreatment to improve subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis. The anion exerted a significant effect on the pretreatment effectiveness of the IL as well as the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of rice straw residues. The presence of the basic group(s) in the anion significantly enhanced the IL pretreatment effectiveness, while the carboxyl, hydroxyl and aromatic groups had a negative impact on IL delignification. Except for amino acid‐based ILs, the delignification abilities of the ILs are linearly and positively correlated with the pKa values of the conjugate acids of the anions. Of the ILs tested, amino acid‐based ILs, especially basic amino acid‐based ILs, are the most effective pretreatment solvents. Satisfactory reducing sugar yields (81% for glucose and 26% for xylose) were obtained in the enzymatic hydrolysis of rice straw pretreated by cholinium argininate ([Ch][Arg]) under a pretty mild pretreatment severity (60°C, 6 h). The results presented in this work may be useful for rational design of novel and green ILs for delignification of lignocellulose. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 65–73. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A medium‐throughput analysis of signaling pathways involved in early stages of stem cell reprogramming
Authors: Fritz Ashley L. , Mao Sunnie R. , West Mary G. , Schaffer David V.
Published: July 2014

The induction of pluripotency from adult cells has enormous potential in regenerative medicine. While initial efforts to study mechanisms and improve efficiency of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming focused on the direct roles of transcriptional regulators, increasing evidence indicates that cellular signal transduction pathways can modulate this process. Here, we present a medium‐throughput system to study the effect of signaling pathways on the early stages of reprogramming. We generated a set of lentiviral vectors encoding 38 genes that upregulate or downregulate major signal transduction pathways and quantified each signaling factor's effect on reprogramming. This approach confirmed the role of several factors previously implicated in reprogramming, as well as identified several GTPases‐factors that to date have not been largely studied in reprogramming‐that improve or hinder iPSC reprogramming. In addition, this methodology is useful in determining new targets for enhancing pluripotency reprogramming, lineage reprogramming, and/or cell differentiation. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 209–219. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assembly and multiple gene expression of thermophilic enzymes in Escherichia coli for in vitro metabolic engineering
Authors: Ninh Pham Huynh , Honda Kohsuke , Sakai Takaaki , Okano Kenji , Ohtake Hisao
Published: July 2014

In vitro reconstitution of an artificial metabolic pathway is an emerging approach for the biocatalytic production of industrial chemicals. However, several enzymes have to be separately prepared (and purified) for the construction of an in vitro metabolic pathway, thereby limiting the practical applicability of this approach. In this study, genes encoding the nine thermophilic enzymes involved in a non‐ATP‐forming chimeric glycolytic pathway were assembled in an artificial operon and co‐expressed in a single recombinant Escherichia coli strain. Gene expression levels of the thermophilic enzymes were controlled by their sequential order in the artificial operon. The specific activities of the recombinant enzymes in the cell‐free extract of the multiple‐gene‐expression E. coli were 5.0–1,370 times higher than those in an enzyme cocktail prepared from a mixture of single‐gene‐expression strains, in each of which a single one of the nine thermophilic enzymes was overproduced. Heat treatment of a crude extract of the multiple‐gene‐expression cells led to the denaturation of indigenous proteins and one‐step preparation of an in vitro synthetic pathway comprising only a limited number of thermotolerant enzymes. Coupling this in vitro pathway with other thermophilic enzymes including the H2O‐forming NADH oxidase or the malate/lactate dehydrogenase facilitated one‐pot conversion of glucose to pyruvate or lactate, respectively. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 189–196. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of a soft‐sensor based on multi‐wavelength fluorescence spectroscopy and a dynamic metabolic model for monitoring mammalian cell cultures
Authors: Ohadi Kaveh , Legge Raymond L. , Budman Hector M.
Published: July 2014

A soft‐sensor based on an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) that combines data obtained using a fluorescence‐based soft‐sensor with a dynamic mechanistic model, was investigated as a tool for continuous monitoring of a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cultivation process. A standalone fluorescence based soft‐sensor, which uses a combination of an empirical multivariate statistical model and measured spectra, was designed for predicting key culture variables including viable and dead cells, recombinant protein, glucose, and ammonia concentrations. The standalone fluorescence sensor was then combined with a dynamic mechanistic model within an EKF framework, for improving the prediction accuracy and generating predictions in‐between sampling instances. The dynamic model used for the EKF framework was based on a structured metabolic flux analysis and mass balances. In order to calibrate the fluorescence‐based empirical model and the dynamic mechanistic model, cells were grown in batch mode with different initial glucose and glutamine concentrations. To mitigate the uncertainty associated with the model structure and parameters, non‐stationary disturbances were accounted for in the EKF by parameter‐adaptation. It was demonstrated that the implementation of the EKF along with the dynamic model could improve the accuracy of the fluorescence‐based predictions at the sampling instances. Additionally, it was shown that the major advantage of the EKF‐based soft‐sensor, compared to the standalone fluorescence‐based counterpart, was its capability to track the temporal evolution of key process variables between measurement instances obtained by the fluorescence‐based soft‐sensor. This is crucial for designing control strategies of CHO cell cultures with the aim of guaranteeing product quality. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 197–208. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel UPLC‐MS/MS method for sensitive quantitation of boldine in plasma, a potential anti‐inflammatory agent: application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats
Authors: Zeng Rong‐Jie , Li Yu , Chen Jian‐Zhong , Chou Gui‐Xin , Gao Yu , Shao Jing‐Wei , Jia Lee , Wu Sheng‐Dong , Wu Shui‐Sheng
Published: July 2014

Boldine is a potential anti‐inflammatory agent found in several different plants. Published bioanalytical methods using HPLC with ultraviolet and fluorescent detection lacked enough sensitivity and required tedious sample preparation procedures. Herein, we describe the development of a novel ultra‐high performance LC with MS/MS for determination of boldine in plasma. Boldine in plasma was recovered by liquid–liquid extraction using 1 mL of methyl tert‐butyl ether. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column at 45°C, with a gradient elution consisting of acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The detection was performed on an electrospray triple‐quadrupole MS/MS by positive ion multiple reaction monitoring mode. Good linearity (r2 > 0.9926) was achieved in a concentration range of 2.555–2555 ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 2.555 ng/mL for boldine. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions of the assay were 1.2–6.0 and 1.8–7.4% relative standard deviation with an accuracy of −6.0–8.0% relative error. This newly developed method was successfully applied to a single low‐dose pharmacokinetic study in rats and was demonstrated to be simpler and more sensitive than the published methods, allowing boldine quantification in reduced plasma volume. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HPV‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with TIMP3 and CADM1 promoter hypermethylation
Authors: van Kempen Pauline M. W. , van Bockel Liselotte , Braunius Weibel W. , Moelans Cathy B. , van Olst Marina , de Jong Rick , Stegeman Inge , van Diest Paul J. , Grolman Wilko , Willems Stefan M.
Published: July 2014

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) in a proportion of tumors. HPV‐positive OPSCC is considered a distinct molecular entity with a prognostic advantage compared to HPV‐negative cases. Silencing of cancer‐related genes by DNA promoter hypermethylation may play an important role in the development of OPSCC. Hence, we examined promoter methylation status in 24 common tumor suppressor genes in a group of 200 OPSCCs to determine differentially methylated genes in HPV‐positive versus HPV‐negative primary OPSCC. Methylation status was correlated with HPV status, clinical features, and patient survival using multivariate methods. Additionally, methylation status of 16 cervical squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) was compared with HPV‐positive OPSCC. Using methylation‐specific probe amplification, HPV‐positive OPSCC showed a significantly higher cumulative methylation index (CMI) compared to HPV‐negative OPSCC (P=0.008). For the genes CDH13, DAPK1, and RARB, both HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative OPSCC showed promoter hypermethylation in at least 20% of the tumors. HPV status was found to be an independent predictor of promoter hypermethylation of CADM1 (P < 0.001), CHFR (P = 0.027), and TIMP3 (P < 0.001). CADM1 and CHFR showed similar methylation patterns in OPSCC and cervical SCC, but TIMP3 showed no methylation in cervical SCC in contrast to OPSCC. Methylation status of neither individual gene nor CMI was associated with survival. These results suggest that HPV‐positive tumors are to a greater extent driven by promotor hypermethylation in these tumor suppressor genes. Especially CADM1 and TIMP3 are significantly more frequently hypermethylated in HPV‐positive OPSCC and CHFR in HPV‐negative tumors.
Using ecological momentary assessment to examine interpersonal and affective predictors of loss of control eating in adolescent girls
Authors: Ranzenhofer Lisa M. , Engel Scott G. , Crosby Ross D. , Anderson Micheline , Vannucci Anna , Cohen L. Adelyn , Cassidy Omni , Tanofsky‐Kraff Marian
Published: July 2014

Objective

Pediatric loss of control (LOC) eating is predictive of partial‐ and full‐syndrome binge eating disorder. The interpersonal model proposes that LOC eating is used to cope with negative mood states resulting from interpersonal distress, possibly on a momentary level. We therefore examined temporal associations between interpersonal problems, negative affect, and LOC eating among overweight adolescent girls using ecological momentary assessment (EMA).

Method

Thirty overweight and obese (≥85th body mass index (BMI) percentile; BMI: M = 36.13, SD = 7.49 kg/m2) adolescent females (Age: M = 14.92, SD = 1.54 y; 60.0% African American) who reported at least two LOC episodes in the past month completed self‐report momentary ratings of interpersonal problems, state affect, and LOC eating for 2 weeks. A series of 2‐level multilevel models with centering within subjects was conducted.

Results

Between‐ and within‐subjects interpersonal problems (p's < .05), but not between‐ (p = .12) or within‐ (p = .32) subjects negative affect predicted momentary LOC eating. At the between‐subjects level, interpersonal problems significantly predicted increases in negative affect (p < 001).

Discussion

Naturalistic data lend support to the predictive value of interpersonal problems for LOC eating among adolescents. Interventions targeting interpersonal factors on a momentary basis may be useful during this developmental stage. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2014; 47:748–757)
The relationship of leaf photosynthetic traits – Vcmax and Jmax – to leaf nitrogen, leaf phosphorus, and specific leaf area: a meta‐analysis and modeling study
Authors: Walker Anthony P. , Beckerman Andrew P. , Gu Lianhong , Kattge Jens , Cernusak Lucas A. , Domingues Tomas F. , Scales Joanna C. , Wohlfahrt Georg , Wullschleger Stan D. , Woodward F. Ian
Published: July 2014

Great uncertainty exists in the global exchange of carbon between the atmosphere and the terrestrial biosphere. An important source of this uncertainty lies in the dependency of photosynthesis on the maximum rate of carboxylation (Vcmax) and the maximum rate of electron transport (Jmax). Understanding and making accurate prediction of C fluxes thus requires accurate characterization of these rates and their relationship with plant nutrient status over large geographic scales. Plant nutrient status is indicated by the traits: leaf nitrogen (N), leaf phosphorus (P), and specific leaf area (SLA). Correlations between Vcmax and Jmax and leaf nitrogen (N) are typically derived from local to global scales, while correlations with leaf phosphorus (P) and specific leaf area (SLA) have typically been derived at a local scale. Thus, there is no global‐scale relationship between Vcmax and Jmax and P or SLA limiting the ability of global‐scale carbon flux models do not account for P or SLA. We gathered published data from 24 studies to reveal global relationships of Vcmax and Jmax with leaf N, P, and SLA. Vcmax was strongly related to leaf N, and increasing leaf P substantially increased the sensitivity of Vcmax to leaf N. Jmax was strongly related to Vcmax, and neither leaf N, P, or SLA had a substantial impact on the relationship. Although more data are needed to expand the applicability of the relationship, we show leaf P is a globally important determinant of photosynthetic rates. In a model of photosynthesis, we showed that at high leaf N (3 gm−2), increasing leaf P from 0.05 to 0.22 gm−2 nearly doubled assimilation rates. Finally, we show that plants may employ a conservative strategy of Jmax to Vcmax coordination that restricts photoinhibition when carboxylation is limiting at the expense of maximizing photosynthetic rates when light is limiting.
Mast cell activation: A complex interplay of positive and negative signaling pathways
Authors: Sibilano Riccardo , Frossi Barbara , Pucillo Carlo E.
Published: July 2014

Mast cells regulate the immunological responses causing allergy and autoimmunity, and contribute to the tumor microenvironment through generation and secretion of a broad array of preformed, granule‐stored and de novo synthesized bioactive compounds. The release and production of mast cell mediators is the result of a coordinated signaling machinery, followed by the FcεRI and FcγR antigen ligation. In this review, we present the latest understanding of FcεRI and FcγR signaling, required for the canonical mast cell activation during allergic responses and anaphylaxis. We then describe the cooperation between the signaling of FcR and other recently characterized membrane‐bound receptors (i.e., IL‐33R and thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor) and their role in the chronic settings, where mast cell activation is crucial for the development and the sustainment of chronic diseases, such as asthma or airway inflammation. Finally, we report how the FcR activation could be used as a therapeutic approach to treat allergic and atopic diseases by mast cell inactivation. Understanding the magnitude and the complexity of mast cell signaling is necessary to identify the mechanisms underlying the potential effector and regulatory roles of mast cells in the biology and pathology of those disease settings in which mast cells are activated.
Temporary immersion systems in plant biotechnology
Authors: Georgiev Vasil , Schumann Anika , Pavlov Atanas , Bley Thomas
Published: July 2014

Plant tissue and organ cultures in vitro usually face technological challenges. When submerged cultivation of plant cells in a controlled environment is desired, the characteristic growth morphology and physiology of differentiated organ cultures present a problem in process scale‐up. Temporary immersion systems (TIS) were developed several decades ago. These systems are providing the most natural environment for in vitro culture of plant shoots and seedlings. Over the past few years, TIS have been recognized as a perspective technology for plant micropropagation, production of plant‐derived secondary metabolites, expression of foreign proteins, and potential solutions in phytoremediation. Nowadays, several TIS, operating on similar or divergent technological principles, have been developed and successfully applied in the cultivation of various plant in vitro systems, including somatic embryos and transformed root cultures. In this article, the operational principle and technological design of the most popular TIS are reviewed. In addition, recent examples of the application of temporary immersion technology for in vitro cultivation of plant tissue and organ cultures at laboratory and pilot scales are discussed. Finally, future prospects and challenges to the industrial realization of that fast‐developing technique are outlined.
Bacterial cellulose as carrier for immobilization of laccase: Optimization and characterization
Authors: Frazão Cláudio J. R. , Silva Nuno H. C. , Freire Carmen S. R. , Silvestre Armando J. D. , Xavier Ana M. R. B. , Tavares Ana P. M.
Published: July 2014

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has attracted attention as a new functional material due to its excellent mechanical strength, tridimensional nanostructure, high purity, and increased water absorption, compared to plant cellulose. In this work, commercial laccase was immobilized on BC and the influence of enzyme concentration, contact time, and pH was optimized toward the recovery activity of immobilized laccase. This optimization was carried out using a 33 experimental design and response surface methodology. Enzyme concentration played a critical role in laccase immobilization. Under optimized conditions (0.15 μL L−1 of enzyme concentration, 4.8 h of contact time, pH 5.4), the predicted and experimental response were equal to 47.88 and 49.30%, respectively. The thermal stability of the immobilized laccase was found to increase notably at 60 and 70°C presenting stabilization factor equal to 1.79 and 2.11, respectively. The immobilized laccase showed high operational stability, since it retained 86% of its initial activity after seven consecutive biocatalytic cycles of reaction with 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid). Kinetic studies showed that the values of Michaelis–Menten constant and maximum reaction rate decreased upon immobilization (9.9‐ and 1.6‐fold, respectively). Globally, the use of immobilized laccase on BC offers an interesting tool for industrial biocatalytic applications.
3D‐printed individual labware in biosciences by rapid prototyping: A proof of principle
Authors: Lücking Tim H. , Sambale Franziska , Beutel Sascha , Scheper Thomas
Published: July 2014

The fabrication of individual labware is a sophisticated task that requires dedicated machines and skills. Three‐dimensional (3D) printing has the great potential to simplify this procedure drastically. In the near future, scientists will design labware digitally and then print them three dimensionally directly in the laboratory. With the available rapid prototyping printer systems, it is possible to achieve this. The materials accessible meet the needs of biotechnological laboratories that include biocompatibility and withstanding sterilization conditions. This will lead to a completely new approach of adapting the labware to the experiment or even tailor‐made it to the organism it is being used for, not adapting the experiment to a certain standard labware. Thus, it will encourage the creativity of scientists and enrich the future laboratory work. We present different examples illustrating the potential and possibilities of using 3D printing for individualizing labware. This includes a well plate with different baffle geometries, shake flask cap with built‐in luer connections, and filter holder for an in‐house developed membrane reactor system.
3D‐printed individual labware in biosciences by rapid prototyping: In vitro biocompatibility and applications for eukaryotic cell cultures
Authors: Lücking Tim H. , Sambale Franziska , Schnaars Birte , Bulnes‐Abundis David , Beutel Sascha , Scheper Thomas
Published: July 2014

Three‐dimensional (3D) printing techniques are continuously evolving, thus their application fields are also growing very fast. The applications discussed here highlight the use of rapid prototyping in a dedicated biotechnology laboratory environment. The combination of improving prototypes using fused deposition modeling printers and producing useable parts with selective laser sintering printers enables a cost‐ and time‐efficient use of such techniques. Biocompatible materials for 3D printing are already available and the printed parts can directly be used in the laboratory. To demonstrate this, we tested 3D printing materials for their in vitro biocompatibility. To exemplify the versatility of the 3D printing process applied to a biotechnology laboratory, a normal well plate design was modified in silico to include different baffle geometries. This plate was subsequently 3D printed and used for cultivation. In the near future, this design and print possibility will revolutionize the industry. Advanced printers will be available for laboratories and can be used for creating individual labware or standard disposables on demand. These applications have the potential to change the way research is done and change the management of stock‐keeping, leading to more flexibility and promoting creativity of the scientists.
Utility and application of SEM in delineating cause–effect relationship between ambient pollutant and fetal birth outcome
Authors: Mbah A. K. , Paothong A. , Wilson R. E. , Salihu H. M.
Published: July 2014

The US Environmental Protection Agency has set air quality standards for six criteria pollutants based on threshold levels that could be hazardous to human health. Interest in the potential impact of prenatal exposure to these pollutants has increased; however, validity of modeling approaches has hindered research in this area. To address the methodological concerns of the previous studies, we introduce the utility of modeling exposure–outcome relationships in maternal and child health environmental research using the structural equation modeling framework. The dataset for this study comprised all live births in Hillsborough County, FL, covering the period from 1998 to 2007 inclusive. Vital records data were linked to the hospital discharge and vital statistic birth data for analysis. Additionally, local air pollution data were utilized. Out of 104,967 births, 8813 (rate = 8.4%) were born with low birth weight (LBW), 6757 infants were preterm birth (PTB) (rate = 6.4%), and 9575 (rate = 9.1%) were born small for gestational age (SGA). Our structural equation modeling approach indicated the following: (1) five of the six criteria pollutants had a positive contribution to the latent variable and (2) all the outcome variables (SGA, LBW, and PTB) had a positive relationship with the latent variable, thereby, suggesting an association between higher pollutant values and adverse birth outcomes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Calcium signaling in cilia and ciliary-mediated intracellular calcium signaling: Are they independent or coordinated molecular events?
Authors: Masyuk Anatoliy I. , Gradilone Sergio A. , LaRusso Nicholas F.
Published: July 2014

Primary cilia are solitary, non-motile extensions of the centriole found on nearly all nucleated eukaryotic cells between cell divisions. Only ˜200-300 nm in diameter and a few micrometers long, they are separated from the cytoplasm by the ciliary neck and basal body. Often called sensory cilia, they are thought to receive chemical and mechanical stimuli and initiate specific cellular signal transduction pathways. When activated by a ligand, hedgehog pathway proteins, such as GLI2 and smoothened (SMO), translocate from the cell into the cilium. Mutations in primary ciliary proteins are associated with severe developmental defects. The ionic conditions, permeability of the primary cilia membrane, and effectiveness of the diffusion barriers between the cilia and cell body are unknown. Here we show that cilia are a unique calcium compartment regulated by a heteromeric TRP channel, PKD1L1-PKD2L1, in mice and humans. In contrast to the hypothesis that polycystin (PKD) channels initiate changes in ciliary calcium that are conducted into the cytoplasm, we show that changes in ciliary calcium concentration occur without substantially altering global cytoplasmic calcium. PKD1L1-PKD2L1 acts as a ciliary calcium channel controlling ciliary calcium concentration and thereby modifying SMO-activated GLI2 translocation and GLI1 expression.

A primary cilium is a solitary, slender, non-motile protuberance of structured microtubules (9+0) enclosed by plasma membrane. Housing components of the cell division apparatus between cell divisions, primary cilia also serve as specialized compartments for calcium signaling and hedgehog signaling pathways. Specialized sensory cilia such as retinal photoreceptors and olfactory cilia use diverse ion channels. An ion current has been measured from primary cilia of kidney cells, but the responsible genes have not been identified. The polycystin proteins (PC and PKD), identified in linkage studies of polycystic kidney disease, are candidate channels divided into two structural classes 11-transmembrane proteins (PKD1, PKD1L1 and PKD1L2) remarkable for a large extracellular amino terminus of putative cell adhesion domains and a G-protein-coupled receptor proteolytic site, and the 6-transmembrane channel proteins (PKD2, PKD2L1 and PKD2L2; TRPPs). Evidence indicates that the PKD1 proteins associate with the PKD2 proteins via coiled-coil domains. Here we use a transgenic mouse in which only cilia express a fluorophore and use it to record directly from primary cilia, and demonstrate that PKD1L1 and PKD2L1 form ion channels at high densities in several cell types. In conjunction with an accompanying manuscript, we show that the PKD1L1-PKD2L1 heteromeric channel establishes the cilia as a unique calcium compartment within cells that modulates established hedgehog pathways.
Stream response to precipitation variability: a spectral view based on analysis and modelling of hydrological cycle components
Authors: Markovic D. , Koch M.
Published: July 2014

Hydrological processes commonly exhibit long‐term persistence, also known as the ‘Hurst phenomenon’. Here, we examine long‐term precipitation and streamflow time series from the Elbe River Basin to quantify differences in the spectral properties and in the Hurst parameter estimates () of the individual hydrological cycle components. Precipitation‐runoff modelling is performed for the Elbe River sub‐catchment Striegis using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). For 38 daily 50 years long streamflow time series from the Elbe River Basin, baseflow separation and spectral analysis is performed. The results show a spectral shift towards low‐frequency scales (>2 years) from precipitation to baseflow, with a parallel increase of from 0.52 (precipitation) to 0.65 (baseflow). The SWAT model is able to reproduce both, the main low‐frequency mode (≈7 yr.) and the (0.62) of the observed Striegis River flow time series. The baseflow appears to be the main component which shapes the low‐frequency response and of streamflow in the Elbe River Basin to the input precipitation. This conclusion is further confirmed through PMWIN‐MODFLOW groundwater modelling of a hypothetic phreatic stream‐connected aquifer system that consists of various soils (sand, loamy sand and silt). A power shift towards lower frequencies and an increase of for the hydraulic heads is obtained, as the aquifer's lateral dimensions increase and its hydraulic conductivity decreases. The average of the groundwater heads is 0.80, 0.90 and 1.0 for sand, loamy sand and silt aquifers, respectively. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mesenteric masses: Approach to differential diagnosis at MRI with histopathologic correlation
Authors: Ezhapilli Sajeev R. , Moreno Courtney Coursey , Small William C. , Hanley Krisztina , Kitajima Hiroumi D. , Mittal Pardeep K.
Published: July 2014

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an outstanding tool for the identification and characterization of mesenteric masses. Mesenteric masses may be solid or cystic. Most solid mesenteric masses are neoplastic, with sclerosing mesenteritis a notable exception. Entirely cystic mesenteric masses are typically benign. The excellent soft‐tissue contrast afforded by MRI aids in narrowing the differential diagnosis of mesenteric masses. Accurately characterizing both solid and cystic mesenteric masses is important, as management ranges from active surveillance to medical management to surgical resection, depending on the tissue composition of the mass. An MRI‐based approach to the differential diagnosis of mesenteric masses is presented. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:753–769. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation and tribological properties of surface‐modified ZnS nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Libo , Gao Yupeng , Li Zhengyang , Zhou Aiguo , Li Ping
Published: July 2014

Surface‐modified ZnS nanoparticles have been fabricated, and the morphologies and crystalline structures of the powder have been characterised by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transformation infrared spectrum. The tribological properties of the surface‐modified ZnS (SM‐ZnS) nanoparticles as an additive in PEG400 were evaluated with a four‐ball tester. It was found that the as‐prepared SM‐ZnS nanoparticles had a very narrow size distribution, with the average diameter about 5–10 nm. The SM‐ZnS nanoparticles as the additive led to an obvious improvement in the anti‐wear and friction‐reduction properties of the synthetic PEG400. Analysis indicated that a boundary film was formed during the friction process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extract of Irish potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) decreases body weight gain and adiposity and improves glucose control in the mouse model of diet‐induced obesity
Authors: Kubow Stan , Hobson Luc , Iskandar Michèle M. , Sabally Kebba , Donnelly Danielle J. , Agellon Luis B.
Published: July 2014

Both sexes of mice were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks without and with polyphenolic‐rich potato extracts (PRPE) of cultivars Onaway and Russet Burbank. PRPE attenuated weight gain in male and female mice by as much as 63.2%, which was associated mostly with a reduction in adiposity. Mice receiving PRPE showed enhanced capacity for blood glucose clearance. Sex differences regarding the impact of HFD and PRPE on plasma levels of insulin, ghrelin, leptin, gastric inhibitory peptide, and resistin were noted. PRPE may serve as part of a preventative dietary strategy against the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
New maximum entropy methods for modeling lifetime distributions
Authors: Asadi Majid , Ebrahimi Nader , Soofi Ehsan S. , Zarezadeh Somayeh
Published: July 2014

This article introduces two new maximum entropy (ME) methods for modeling the distribution of time to an event. One method is within the classical ME framework and provides characterizations of change point models such as the piecewise exponential distribution. The second method uses the entropy of the equilibrium distribution (ED) for the objective function and provides new characterizations of the exponential, Weibull, Pareto, and uniform distributions. With the same moment constraints, the classical ME and the maximum ED entropy algorithms generate different models for the interarrival time. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 61: 427–434, 2014
Inert fluorinated gas MRI: a new pulmonary imaging modality
Authors: Couch Marcus J. , Ball Iain K. , Li Tao , Fox Matthew S. , Ouriadov Alexei V. , Biman Birubi , Albert Mitchell S.
Published: July 2014

Fluorine‐19 (19F) MRI of the lungs using inhaled inert fluorinated gases can potentially provide high quality images of the lungs that are similar in quality to those from hyperpolarized (HP) noble gas MRI. Inert fluorinated gases have the advantages of being nontoxic, abundant, and inexpensive compared with HP gases. Due to the high gyromagnetic ratio of 19F, there is sufficient thermally polarized signal for imaging, and averaging within a single breath‐hold is possible due to short longitudinal relaxation times. Therefore, the gases do not need to be hyperpolarized prior to their use in MRI. This eliminates the need for an expensive polarizer and expensive isotopes. Inert fluorinated gas MRI of the lungs has been previously demonstrated in animals, and more recently in healthy volunteers and patients with lung diseases. The ongoing improvements in image quality demonstrate the potential of 19F MRI for visualizing the distribution of ventilation in human lungs and detecting functional biomarkers. In this brief review, the development of inert fluorinated gas MRI, current progress, and future prospects are discussed. The current state of HP noble gas MRI is also briefly discussed in order to provide context to the development of this new imaging modality. Overall, this may be a viable clinical imaging modality that can provide useful information for the diagnosis and management of chronic respiratory diseases. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Boveri at 100: the life and times of Theodor Boveri
Authors: Dietel Manfred
Published: July 2014

This perspective focuses on the life and personality of TH Boveri, who was one of the leading creative and visionary scientists of the second half of the nineteenth century. Born in Bamberg in 1862, he made his scientific career in Munich and Würzburg, where he produced his prolific and important research, including seminal papers on cytogenetics. Of particular note is his work on chromosomal structures and function, including a theory of meiosis, a field almost new at that time. From these studies he created a theoretical model on oncogenesis, Zur Frage der Entstehung maligner Tumoren, which was originally published in 1914. Boveri's personality was characterized by an active and sometimes turbulent temperament, which nevertheless was controlled by scientific objectivity and doubts about his own abilities, at least with regard to his research. These characteristics made him an outstanding scientist who contributed new knowledge to the world of biology and pathology. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Investigation on the thermal and crystallization behavior of high density polyethylene/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends and their composites
Authors: Ponnamma Deepalekshmi , George Josephine , Thomas Martin George , Chan Chin Han , Valić Srećko , Mozetič Miran , Cvelbar Uroš , Thomas Sabu
Published: July 2014

The properties of a blend containing a crystallizable component depend largely on the extent of crystallinity and the crystallization behavior of that component in presence of the other. Here, the semi crystalline high density polyethylene (HDPE) is blended with the amorphous elastomer, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (nitrile rubber or NBR) and we focus mainly on the crystallinity of HDPE/NBR immiscible blends and its variation in the presence of compatibilizer and filler. The effect of blend ratio, compatibilizer concentration, dynamic vulcanization, and filler incorporation were carefully evaluated from the crystallinity measurements using differential scanning calorimeter and the basic aim of this work lies in tuning these conditions. This study allows the elucidation of the influence of crosslink density in regulating the crystallinity of thermoplastic elastomer blends. The scanning electron micrographs provide blend morphology from which the reduced domain size and the influence of NBR particles as heterogeneous nuclei for crystallization are evidenced especially at 5% compatibilizer concentration. The crystallinity of blends was observed to be high at 30 phr carbon black filler addition. Finally, the thermal stability of blends and their composites are also addressed and correlated with the crystallization effect. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1203–1210, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Exosome‐mediated extracellular release of polyadenylate‐binding protein 1 in human metastatic duodenal cancer cells
Authors: Ohshima Keiichi , Kanto Kaori , Hatakeyama Keiichi , Ide Tomomi , Wakabayashi‐Nakao Kanako , Watanabe Yuko , Sakura Naoki , Terashima Masanori , Yamaguchi Ken , Mochizuki Tohru
Published: July 2014

Exosomes are small vesicles secreted from cells that transport their embedded molecules through bidirectional exocytosis‐ and endocytosis‐like pathways. Expression patterns of exosomal molecules such as proteins and RNAs can be indicative of cell type since their signature is thought to be unique among cells. Using human primary (AZ‐521) and metastatic (AZ‐P7a) duodenal cancer cell lines, we conducted a comparative exosomal proteome analysis to identify proteins with metastatic marker potential. As determined by LC‐MS/MS and Western blot analyses, polyadenylate‐binding protein 1 (PABP1) was found to be predominantly abundant in AZ‐P7a exosomes. The amount of exosomal PABP1 in AZ‐P7a cells increased by treating the cells with inhibitors for the classical ER/Golgi secretory pathway (brefeldin A and monensin) and the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway (MG‐132 and PYR‐41). Treatment of AZ‐P7a cells with the neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor GW4869, which suppresses exosome release, not only reduced the amount of exosomal PABP1 but also produced PABP1‐immunoreactive products cleaved via a proteolysis‐like process. Taken together, these results suggest that AZ‐P7a cells do not tolerate intracellular PABP1 accumulation and are thus exported into the extracellular milieu by the exosome‐mediated pathway. In addition, PABP1 has a potential use as a biomarker for metastatic duodenal cancer.
Label‐free profiling of skeletal muscle using high‐definition mass spectrometry
Authors: Burniston Jatin G. , Connolly Joanne , Kainulainen Heikki , Britton Steven L. , Koch Lauren G.
Published: July 2014

We report automated and time‐efficient (2 h per sample) profiling of muscle using ultra‐performance LC coupled directly with high‐definition MS (HDMSE). Soluble proteins extracted from rat gastrocnemius (n = 10) were digested with trypsin and analyzed in duplicate using a 90 min RPLC gradient. Protein identification and label‐free quantitation were performed from HDMSE spectra analyzed using Progenesis QI for Proteomics software. In total 1514 proteins were identified. Of these, 811 had at least three unique peptides and were subsequently used to assess the dynamic range and precision of LC‐HDMSE label‐free profiling. Proteins analyzed by LC‐HDMSE encompass the entire complement of glycolytic, β‐oxidation, and tricarboxylic acid enzymes. In addition, numerous components of the electron transport chain and protein kinases involved in skeletal muscle regulation were detected. The dynamic range of protein abundances spanned four orders of magnitude. The correlation between technical replicates of the ten biological samples was R2 = 0.9961 ± 0.0036 (95% CI = 0.9940 – 0.9992) and the technical CV averaged 7.3 ± 6.7% (95% CI = 6.87 – 7.79%). This represents the most sophisticated label‐free profiling of skeletal muscle to date.
Effects of GnRH antagonist on endometrial protein profiles in the window of implantation
Authors: Meng Yan , Guo Yueshuai , Qian Yi , Guo Xuejiang , Gao Li , Sha Jiahao , Cui Yugui , Chian Ri‐Cheng , Liu Jiayin
Published: July 2014

GnRH antagonists can suppress luteinizing hormone and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), with less initial stimulatory effect and lower risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The effects of GnRH antagonists on embryonic implantation remain controversial. To evaluate the effects of GnRH antagonists, endometrial tissues were biopsied from 12 women with intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment, in which four subjects undergoing controlled ovulation stimulation with rFSH and GnRH antagonist, four subjects with a GnRH agonist long protocol, and four natural cycle controls. After iTRAQ quantification analysis, 24 proteins showed differential expression between natural cycle and agonist treatment group and 39 proteins between natural cycle and antagonist treatment group. A total of seven proteins demonstrated differential expression only in antagonist treatment group. Bioinformatic analysis implied these proteins can function in cell processes including angiogenesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration, and immune response. Furthermore, GnRH antagonist suppressed the function of GNAS and ANPEP, which were important for endometrial functions. Immunohistochemical staining showed that ANPEP was mainly localized in the human endometrial stroma, while ACO2, CDC5L, and GNAS were mainly localized in the glands. This study could provide insights into the effect of GnRH antagonists on the endometrium, and help optimize the embryo implantation and improve the success rate for GnRH antagonist protocol.
Structural and functional analysis show that the Escherichia coli uncharacterized protein YjcS is likely an alkylsulfatase
Authors: Liang Yajing , Gao Zengqiang , Dong Yuhui , Liu Quansheng
Published: July 2014

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is a widely used anionic surfactant in industry and research settings, and is known to have a detrimental effect to the environment. The pathway of SDS degradation by bacteria is initiated by an alkylsulfatase and the oxidized product, 1‐dodecanoic acid, subsequently enters into the β‐oxidation pathway and is used as a carbon source. In this work, we solved the crystal structure of Escherichia coli uncharacterized protein YjcS and identified that it belongs to the Type III alkylsulfatase with a signal peptide (residues 1–29) at the N terminus. YjcS hydrolyzed SDS and the double mutant D184N‐H185A located in the conserved HXHXDH catalytic motif abolished this activity.
A Comparison of MCUSUM‐based and MEWMA‐based Spatiotemporal Surveillance Under Non‐homogeneous Populations
Authors: Han Sung Won , Zhong Hua
Published: July 2014

Motivated by the application in health‐care surveillance under non‐homogeneous populations, this paper compares the performance of multivariate exponentially weighted moving average (MEWMA)‐based methods with that of multivariate cumulative sum (MCUSUM)‐based methods for spatiotemporal chronic disease surveillance. We perform the comprehensive simulation studies of the MEWMA‐based methods for the selection of weight parameters. Under temporally or spatially non‐homogeneous population trends, we compare the MEWMA methods with the MCUSUM methods, which are specific forms of the spatiotemporal scan statistics if the baseline rate is known. The performance of the MCUSUM methods has extreme variations depending on whether the change occurs on a small population or a large population. When the change occurs in the time period or within the spatial region with a small population, the weighted likelihood ratio‐based MCUSUM has better detection speed, but worse identification of detection clusters than the likelihood ratio‐based MCUSUM. On the other hand, when the change occurs in the time period or within the region with a large population, the weighted likelihood ratio‐based MCUSUM has worse detection speed, but better identification than the likelihood ratio‐based MCUSUM. Unlike the MCUSUM methods, the MEWMA‐based methods show relatively stable and robust performance in terms of detection speed, and they show better identification than the MCUSUM‐based methods under most cases. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Competition network structure and product market entry
Authors: Skilton Paul F. , Bernardes Ednilson
Published: July 2014

This study proposes and tests a theory of the effects of competition network structure on product market entry. Competition networks are defined as the patterns of interdependence between rivals that emerge from direct competition. Studying networks based on competitive interdependence allows us to extend social network theory to new territory and to enhance our understanding of product market entry. We propose that the size, interconnectedness and diversity of competition networks influence subsequent product market entry in a systemic way. We test our hypotheses in a unique dataset drawn from the aircraft modification industry. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.