bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Importance of Calcium in the Appearance of p32, a Boar Sperm Tyrosine Phosphoprotein, During In Vitro Capacitation
Authors: Dubé Charlotte , Tardif Steve , Leclerc Pierre , Bailey Janice L.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: After ejaculation, mammalian sperm must undergo a preparation period known as “capacitation” to become capable of fertilizing the oocyte. Although physiological capacitation occurs in the female genital tract, the process can be reproduced in vitro by incubation in appropriate media. However, the signaling events regulating capacitation are poorly understood, especially in boar sperm. Calcium is thought to be of fundamental importance in capacitation. Our laboratory recently identified a tyrosine‐phosphorylated protein of Mr 32 000 (“p32”) from boar sperm, and its appearance is closely related to capacitation. The objective of this study was to understand the mechanism regulating the appearance of our p32 tyrosine phosphoprotein. Since calcium has been linked to sperm capacitation and protein tyrosine phosphorylation in other species, we hypothesized that extracellular calcium is involved in the appearance of the p32. Sperm were incubated in either noncapacitating medium (NCM) or capacitating medium (CM) for various times. Proteins were extracted with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), separated by SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), and then immunoblotted with an antiphosphotyrosine antibody. To assess intracellular calcium levels, fresh sperm were loaded with the fluorescent calcium indicator indo‐1, and relative fluorescence was measured by flow cytometry. Analysis demonstrated that relative intracellular calcium levels increased during incubation in capacitating conditions but not in NCM, which coincides with the appearance of the p32. The p32 tyrosinephosphorylated protein appeared only in the presence of calcium, and the calcium ionophore Br‐A23187 accelerated its appearance. Consistent with our hypothesis, the appearance of the p32 was inhibited by extracellular calcium chelators (ethylene glycol‐bis(2‐aminoethylether)‐N,N,N′,N′,‐tetraacetic acid [EGTA], EDTA, and 1,2‐bis‐(2‐aminophenoxy)ethane‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraacetic acid potassium salt [BAPTA‐K+]), showing the importance of calcium in protein tyrosine phosphorylation related to capacitation in boar sperm.
Smooth Muscle Cell Behavior in the Ventral Prostate of Castrated Rats
Authors: Antonioli Eliane , Della‐Colleta Heloisa H. M. , Carvalho Hernandes F.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Smooth muscle cells (SMC) play roles in prostatic development and function. The cells also respond to tissue injury and hormonal variations, alternating between a fully differentiated and contractile phenotype and a dedifferentiated synthetic or secretory phenotype. However, the phenotypic changes in SMC after androgen deprivation have not yet been described. The ventral prostate of control and castrated rats was processed for routine histology, immunocytochemistry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The maintenance of SMC phenotype was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and by RT‐PCR. Stereological analyses were done to define the relative and absolute volume of the SMC. SMC were elongated and flattened against the epithelium. After castration, the cells shortened concomitantly with pleating of the cell surface, leading to a spinous aspect. SEM showed that the smooth surface of SMC became progressively folded. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated both smooth muscle myosin heavy chain and smooth muscle α‐actin in the prostatic SMC 21 days after castration, whereas RT‐PCR amplified the message for smoothelin. Stereological analysis showed an increase in the relative volume of SMC in relation to the whole gland and the stroma. A decrease in the absolute volume of SMC occurred only within the first 7 days after castration and remained unchanged thereafter. The prostatic SMC are affected by the absence of androgens and there is a critical transition point during the first week in which the total volume occupied by SMC diminished. The remaining SMC showed a marked phenotypical change. These findings indicate that ventral prostate SMC maintain their differentiated phenotype after castration. The alterations in SMC behavior correlate with general stromal modifications taking place after castration.
Zinc and Metallothionein Levels and Expression of Zinc Transporters in Androgen‐Independent Subline of LNCaP Cells
Authors: Iguchi Kazuhiro , Otsuka Takashi , Usui Shigeyuki , Ishii Kenichiro , Onishi Takehisa , Sugimura Yoshiki , Hirano Kazuyuki
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Zinc levels in the prostate have been reported to be associated with the development and progression of malignant prostate cells. To investigate the reason why the zinc content decreases during the progression of prostate cancer to an androgen‐independent state, we compared the expression levels of metallothionein and zinc transporters between androgen‐responsive LNCaP cells and its androgen‐independent subline, AIDL cells. AIDL cells showed lower zinc levels than LNCaP cells and comparable levels of androgen receptor expression to LNCaP cells, consistent with some clinical aspects of androgen‐independent prostatic cancer. AIDL cells exhibited a lower expression of zinc transporter 1 (ZnT1) and higher expression of ZnT3 than LNCaP cells. The content of metallothionein, which is a major zinc‐binding protein, was significantly lower in AIDL cells than in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, the expression of ZnT3 mRNA was decreased by incubating LNCaP cells in medium containing hormone‐stripped fetal calf serum and increased by addition of synthetic androgen R1881 to the medium, whereas the intracellular zinc levels were not affected under these conditions. These findings suggest that factors such as ZnT1 and metallothioneins other than ZnT3 are associated with the low intracellular zinc content in AIDL cells.
Apoptosis and Kinematics of Ejaculated Spermatozoa in Patients With Varicocele
Authors: Chen Chi‐Huang , Lee Shang‐Sen , Chen Da‐Chang , Chien Hsin‐Hsuan , Chen I‐Ching , Chu Yung‐Ning , Liu Jah‐Yao , Chen Wei‐Hwa , Wu Gwo‐Jang
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Increased DNA fragmentation is found in sperm from infertile men. Varicocele is an important cause of male infertility, even though it is present in 15% of men who father children. Semen analysis does not always identify infertility in these patients. Sperm motility is strongly correlated with male fertility potential. The goal of this study was to determine the correlation between apoptosis and kinematics in the ejaculated spermatozoa of patients affected by varicocele. Fresh semen samples were obtained from 30 patients with varicocele and 15 fertile controls. These samples were compared using computer‐assisted semen analysis and were assayed to determine the degree of sperm apoptosis. The apoptotic index (AI) was calculated by dividing the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase—mediated deoxyuridine‐5′‐triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) stained spermatozoa by the total number of Hoechst 33258‐stained sperm cells for 300 sperm. Five microscopic fields were analyzed to obtain 5 AIs for each individual. Results demonstrated no significant difference in semen quality and sperm motion characteristics; however, a significantly higher AI (23.05% ± 4.07%: mean difference ± SE, 95% CI, 15.06%–31.03%, P < .0001) was identified in the varicocele group than in the fertile controls. We concluded that sperm apoptosis does not seem to correlate with semen quality and sperm kinematics and that apoptosis is increased in ejaculated spermatozoa in patients with varicocele compared to normal fertile men.
Expression of the p63 and Notch Signaling Systems in Rat Testes During Postnatal Development: Comparison With Their Expression Levels in the Epididymis and Vas Deferens
Authors: Hayashi Tetsuo , Yoshinaga Atsushi , Ohno Rena , Ishii Nobuyuki , Kamata Shigeyoshi , Yamada Takumi
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: The role of tubular structures that contribute to the passage of spermatozoa is not solely passive; these structures actively contribute to their own functions, although these tubules and ducts are contiguous and collaborate in the development of the male gamete along their lengths. The testis has the specific function to generate spermatozoa and spermatozoa undergo numerous changes as they pass through the epididymis. A member of the p53 family of genes, p63, is highly expressed in the basal layers of epithelial tissues and plays a key role in maintaining their cell populations, whereas Notch 1 and its ligand Jagged 2 have an important role in the differentiation of germ cells and Jagged 2 is up‐regulated by TAp63, one of the p63 isoforms, which transactivates p53 target genes and induces apoptosis. Although the presence of p63 in most epithelia is established, the role of p63 and its possible relationship with the Notch system in the seminiferous epithelium have not been examined. Therefore, we investigated the expression of p63, Jagged 2, and Notch 1 in the testis during postnatal development in comparison with their expression levels in the vaso‐epididymal epithelium. In the testis, the expression of TAp63 mRNA increased at day 14 after birth and the expressions of Jagged 2 and Notch 1 mRNA increased at day 16 after birth, suggesting that TAp63‐mediated Jagged 2 induction activates the Notch signaling system. On the other hand, the strong signal of ΔNp63 mRNA was already recognized in the vas deferens at day 0 after birth and advanced chronologically along the duct to the caput epididymis and p63 protein was expressed in basal cells in their epithelium, whereas the mRNAs of Jagged 2 and Notch 1 were maintained at a low level. Consequently, examination of our data raises the probability that TAp63 has an important role for maintenance of germ cell numbers, triggering or balancing the development, differentiation, and apoptosis of germ cells in the testis, which is completely different from the role of ΔNp63 in other epithelial tissues.
Electrophoretic Characterization of the Human Sperm—Specific Enolase at Different Stages of Maturation
Authors: Force Andre , Viallard Jean‐Louis , Saez Fabrice , Grizard Genevieve , Boucher Daniel
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: The presence of a sperm‐specific enolase isoform (ENO‐S) in human ejaculated spermatozoa was previously demonstrated. The objective of this study was to characterize this ENO‐S in spermatozoa at different steps of maturation. Sperm ENO‐S was characterized in testicular, epididymal, and ejaculated spermatozoa to determine whether any change occurred in the isoform patterns of this enzyme during epididymal maturation. In testicular sperm, ENO‐S was present under 2 main bands named S1 and S3. In epididymal sperm, S1 and S3 bands and a prominent additional S2 band, with the same electrophoretic properties as the S isoform of ejaculated sperm, were visualized. In the testicular extracts obtained from testes in which no spermatozoa were visualized by histologic analysis, none of the 3 ENO‐S bands was found. ENO‐S exists as different isoforms (electrophoretic variants) in the different stages of sperm maturation. Passage through the epididymis seems to play a major role in the maturational process of this sperm‐specific enolase.
Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone Antagonist (Cetrorelix) Therapy Fails to Protect Nonhuman Primates (Macaca arctoides) From Radiation‐Induced Spermatogenic Failure
Authors: Boekelheide Kim , Schoenfeld Heidi A. , Hall Susan J. , Weng Connie C. , Shetty Gunapala , Leith John , Harper James , Sigman Mark , Hess David L. , Meistrich Marvin L.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Treatment of men of reproductive age with radiation or alkylating agents often produces prolonged azoospermia. We previously demonstrated that suppression of testosterone (T) with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs restored spermatogenesis following atrophy induced by radiation or chemotherapy in rats. This study tested whether GnRH antagonist therapy could reverse radiation‐induced testicular injury in primates with a similar protocol. Adult male stump‐tailed macaques were given either 6.7 Gy radiation to the testis alone, 6.7 Gy radiation combined with GnRH‐antagonist treatment starting on the day of exposure, or daily injections of the GnRH antagonist Cetrorelix for 3 months alone and were monitored for 18 months. Cetrorelix alone produced a 20‐40‐week fully reversible suppression of serum T, but although spermatogenic recovery was incomplete, 40%‐90% of tubules contained differentiating germ cells. Following radiation alone, testis volumes were reduced to approximately 28% and sperm counts to less than 1% of pretreatment values. A biopsy at 18 months after radiation showed that only 3.0% of seminiferous tubule cross sections had germ cells. In irradiated animals that received GnRH antagonist, testis volumes were reduced to 18% of pretreatment volume, and at 18 months, only 1.9% of seminiferous tubule cross sections contained germ cells. Inhibin B values were reduced to 10% and 3% of pretreatment levels in the radiation‐only and the radiation plus GnRH antagonist groups, respectively. Species differences exist in the testicular response to radiation, GnRH antagonist therapy, or both, so that rescue protocols that were successful in rodents might not work in primates.
Gene Transfer to Mouse Testes by Electroporation and Its Influence on Spermatogenesis
Authors: Umemoto Yukihiro , Sasaki Shoichi , Kojima Yoshiyuki , Kubota Hiroki , Kaneko Tomoyoshi , Hayashi Yutaro , Kohri Kenjiro
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: We transferred the adventitious gene pCAGGS‐lacZ to mouse testes with the use of a square‐wave electroporator and investigated the efficiency of gene transfer (GT) and the influence of the procedure on testicular damage and spermatogenesis. Mice were divided into 5 groups: (1–2) injection of gene/phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) into the interstitial space followed by electroporation (EP), (3) EP alone, (4–5) injection of gene/PBS without EP. The presence of the lacZ gene was determined by X‐gal (5‐bromo‐4‐chloro‐3‐indolyl‐β‐d‐galactopyranoside) staining and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The influence of transfer on spermatogenesis was assessed by evaluating the seminiferous tubules according to the Johnsen score (JS). TdT‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed for the detection of apoptosis in the testes to evaluate the testicular damage caused by GT, and fertilization ability was assessed by mating male mice from each group with normal female mice at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after the procedure. LacZ expression was detected by X‐gal staining and PCR for 4 weeks after GT in group 1. But in group 4, LacZ expression was not detected for all times. In groups 1 through 3, the JSs decreased gradually until 4 weeks and recovered at 6 and 8 weeks after GT. The JSs were significantly decreased at 4 weeks for groups 1 through 3 compared with groups 4 and 5. In groups 1 through 3, apoptotic cells were significantly more numerous at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the procedure, and there were significant differences in their numbers between groups 1 through 3 and groups 4 and 5 until 4 weeks after the procedure. The number of offspring did not differ significantly between all groups. These results suggest that although spermatogenic damage caused by EP could present problems, GT by EP might be effective for transfecting germ cells or somatic cells and could be applicable for in vivo gene therapy for male infertility in the future.
On Replacing the Ethical Principle of Autonomy With an Ethical Principle of Accordance
Authors: Cottone R. Rocco
Published: December 2015

The author defines and critiques the ethical principle of autonomy. As a concept, autonomy is most aligned with paradigms of counseling that focus on the individual as a psychological entity with moral agency. It is less consistent with frameworks that focus on relationships philosophically and in practice. Autonomy is paradoxical, because it is a consensually defined principle imposed on counseling practice while denying counselors a choice in its application. The author suggests accordance as an alternative ethical principle. Accordance is consistent with relational paradigms of practice and the other relationship‐focused ethical principles in counseling. Accordance fully contextualizes individual responsibility and choice.
Changes in RANKL and osteoprotegerin expression after chronic exposure to indoor air pollution as a result of cooking with biomass fuel
Authors: Saha Hirak , Mukherjee Bidisha , Bindhani Banani , Ray Manas Ranjan
Published: December 2015

The impact of indoor air pollution as a result of cooking with unprocessed biomass on membrane‐bound and serum receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa ligand 1 (RANKL), its soluble decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteoclast precursor CD14+CD16+ monocytes was investigated. Seventy‐four pre‐menopausal women from eastern India using biomass and 65 control women who cooked with cleaner liquefied petroleum gas were enrolled. PM10 and PM2.5 levels in their indoor air were measured with real‐time aerosol monitors. The levels of membrane‐bound RANKL on leukocytes and percentage CD14+CD16+ monocytes in the subjects' blood were assayed by flow cytometry. Soluble RANKL and OPG in serum were measured by ELISA. The results showed that PM10 and PM2.5 levels were significantly higher in the indoor air of biomass‐using households. Compared with the control women, the levels of CD4+ and CD19+ lymphocytes and circulating granulocytes with elevated levels of membrane‐bound RANKL were higher in biomass users. The serum levels of RANKL were increased by 41% whereas serum OPG was reduced by 22% among biomass users. The absolute number of CD14+CD16+ monocytes was significantly increased in biomass users than the control women. After controlling for potential confounders, PM10 and PM2.5 levels were found to be positively associated with leukocyte and serum RANKL and CD14+CD16+ monocyte levels, but negatively with serum OPG. From these results, we can conclude that chronic exposure to biomass smoke increased membrane‐bound and soluble RANKL and circulating osteoclast precursors but decreased OPG, suggesting an increased risk of bone resorption and consequent osteoporosis in biomass‐exposed women of a child‐bearing age. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microthrix pattern of Pseudogilquiniathomasi (Palm, 2000) (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) and a review of surface ultrastructure within the family Lacistorhynchidae Guiart, 1927
Authors: Haseli Mohammad , Azimi Soraya , Valinasab Tooraj
Published: December 2015

The microthrix pattern of larvae of Pseudogilquinia thomasi (Palm, 2000) is described for the first time using scanning electron microscopy. The surface ultrastructure of this species consists of three main forms of microtriches: papilliform filitriches, acicular filitriches and quadridigitate to octadigitate palmate spinitriches. The bothria are covered with palmate spinitriches interspersed on some parts with papilliform filitriches. Palmate spinitriches with papilliform, acicular and capilliform filitriches adorn the pars vaginalis and at the anterior part of the pars bulbosa, there is a transition zone in which the palmate spinitriches are replaced by papilliform to acicular filitriches towards the end of the scolex. ANOVA tests with Duncan's post hoc analyses revealed that there are significant differences in the length of spinitriches and their prongs, whether on the surfaces of the bothria or on the surfaces of the scolex peduncle. Callitetrarhynchus gracilis Pintner, 1931 is the second lacistorhynchid species for which surfaces of the segments were examined and the occurrence of large structures called scutes are reported for the first time from this species. There were also significant differences in the base length as well as height of the scutes in different parts of the strobila. In addition to describing the surface ultrastructures of the two lacistorhynchid species, all the available information on the microtriches within the family Lacistorhynchidae is reviewed herein and generic diagnoses related to microtriches are amended. J. Morphol. 277:394–404, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 on a novel lung cancer spine metastasis model in rodents
Authors: Sonn Kevin A. , Kannan Abhishek S. , Bellary Sharath S. , Yun Chawon , Hashmi Sohaib Z. , Nelson John T. , Ghodasra Jason H. , Nickoli Michael S. , Parimi Vamsi , Ghosh Anjan , Shawen Nicholas , Ashtekar Amruta , Stock Stuart R. , Hsu Erin L. , Hsu Wellington K.
Published: December 2015

Lung cancer is the second most prevalent cancer. Spinal metastases are found in 30–90% of patients with death attributed to cancer. Due to bony destruction caused by metastases, surgical intervention is often required to restore spinal alignment and stability. While some research suggests that BMP‐2 may possess tumorigenic effects, other studies show possible inhibition of cancer growth. Thirty‐six athymic rats underwent intraosseous injection of lung adenocarcinoma cells into the L5 vertebral body. Cells were pre‐treated with vehicle control (Group A) or rhBMP‐2 (Group B) prior to implantation. At 4 weeks post‐implantation, in vivo bioluminescent imaging (BLI) was performed to confirm presence of tumor and quantify signal. Plain radiographs and microComputed Tomography (microCT) were employed to establish and quantitate osteolysis. Histological analysis characterized pathologic changes in the vertebral body. At 4 weeks post‐implantation, BLI showed focal signal in the L5 vertebral body in 93% of Group A animals and 89% of Group B animals. Average tumor burden by BLI radiance was 7.43 × 103 p/s/cm2/sr (Group A) and 1.11 × 104 p/s/cm2/sr (Group B). Radiographs and microCT demonstrated osteolysis in 100% of animals showing focal BLI signal. MicroCT demonstrated significant bone loss in both groups compared to age‐matched controls but no difference between study groups. Histological analysis confirmed tumor invasion in the L5 vertebral body. These findings provide a reliable in vivo model to study isolated spinal metastases from lung cancer. Statement of Clinical Significance: The data support the notion that exposure to rhBMP‐2 does not promote the growth of A549 lung cancer spine lesions. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1274–1281, 2016.
Zinc deficiency alters soybean susceptibility to pathogens and pests
Authors: Helfenstein Julian , Pawlowski Michelle L. , Hill Curtis B. , Stewart Jessica , Lagos‐Kutz Doris , Bowen Charles Roger , Frossard Emmanuel , Hartman Glen L.
Published: December 2015

Inadequate plant nutrition and biotic stress are key threats to current and future crop yields. Zinc (Zn) deficiency and toxicity in major crop plants have been documented, but there is limited information on how pathogen and pest damage may be affected by differing plant Zn levels. In our study, we used soybean plants as a host, a soybean pest, and three soybean pathogens to determine whether plant Zn levels change pest and disease assessments. Two soybean cultivars were grown in sand culture with a soluble nutrient solution that ranged from Zn‐deficient to toxic. Detached leaves from these plants were either inoculated with Aphis glycines, the soybean aphid, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines, a bacterium that causes bacterial pustule, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the necrotrophic fungus responsible for stem rot, or Phakopsora pachyrhizi, a biotrophic obligate pathogen that causes soybean rust. There were significant (P < 5%) effects on aphid colonization, positive counts for bacterial pustule, S. sclerotiorum leaf area affected, and numbers of rust lesions associated with the Zn treatments. Plants grown with the physiologically optimal levels of Zn (2 µM) had less (P < 5%) soybean aphids cm−2 leaflet than plants grown without Zn, at 0.1× Zn (0.2 µM), or at 100× Zn fertilization (200 µM). Plants grown with the normal fertilization of Zn or 100× Zn had fewer (P < 5%) positive counts for bacterial pustule and less lesion area affected by S. sclerotiorum than plants grown without Zn or fertilized with 0.1× Zn. For soybean rust, plants grown with the physiologically optimal fertilization of Zn or 100× Zn had higher (P < 5%) lesions cm−2 on leaflets from plants grown without Zn or fertilized with 0.1× Zn. These results indicate different Zn nutrition levels in soybean significantly affected aphid and disease development.
p‐Coumaric acid and its conjugates: dietary sources, pharmacokinetic properties and biological activities
Authors: Pei Kehan , Ou Juanying , Huang Junqing , Ou Shiyi
Published: December 2015

p‐Coumaric acid (4‐hydroxycinnamic acid) is a phenolic acid that has low toxicity in mice (LD50 = 2850 mg kg−1 body weight), serves as a precursor of other phenolic compounds, and exists either in free or conjugated form in plants. Conjugates of p‐coumaric acid have been extensively studied in recent years due to their bioactivities. In this review, the occurrence, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of p‐coumaric acid and its conjugates with mono‐, oligo‐ and polysaccharides, alkyl alcohols, organic acids, amine and lignin are discussed. Their biological activities, including antioxidant, anti‐cancer, antimicrobial, antivirus, anti‐inflammatory, antiplatelet aggregation, anxiolytic, antipyretic, analgesic, and anti‐arthritis activities, and their mitigatory effects against diabetes, obesity, hyperlipaemia and gout are compared. Cumulative evidence from multiple studies indicates that conjugation of p‐coumaric acid greatly strengthens its biological activities; however, the high biological activity but low absorption of its conjugates remains a puzzle. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of supplementing crop substrate with defatted pistachio meal on Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus production
Authors: Pardo‐Giménez Arturo , Catalán Luis , Carrasco Jaime , Álvarez‐Ortí Manuel , Zied Diego , Pardo José
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUND

This work assesses the agronomic performance of defatted pistachio meal, after oil extraction, as a nutritional substrate supplement when growing the mushroom species Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach and Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. Materials were applied at different doses at spawning. Along with non‐supplemented substrates, commercial nutritional supplements were used as controls. Proximate analysis of mushrooms is also considered.

RESULTS

For the cultivation of champignon, defatted pistachio meal has provided larger mushrooms (unitary weight and cap diameter) with firmer texture and greater content in dry weight and protein, without significant alterations in quantitative parameters. For Pleurotus ostreatus, the supplement led to significant yield increase, even providing up to 34.4% of increment compared to non‐supplementation with meal, reaching a biological efficiency of 129.9 kg dt−1, when applied to the 15 g kg−1 compost dose. Supplementation has also been conducted to increase dry weight, protein and fibre within carpophores and to decrease the energy value. Defatted pistachio meal has similar or better results compared to the commercial supplements used as reference.

CONCLUSIONS

Compost supplementation with defatted pistachio meal in A. bisporus concerns mainly the quantitative parameters (size, texture, dry weight and protein). Based on the results obtained, this technique has greater potential of development for P. ostreatus commercial crops, basically due to expected increases in production, with a direct impact on benefits and crop profitability. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Redox‐ and pH‐Responsive Nanogels Based on Thiolated Poly(aspartic acid)
Authors: Krisch Enikő , Messager Léa , Gyarmati Benjámin , Ravaine Valérie , Szilágyi András
Published: December 2015

Nanogels loaded with fluorescent dextran as a model drug are synthesized by the oxidation induced cross‐linking of water soluble redox responsive thiolated poly(amino acid) in miniemulsion without the introduction of any cross‐linker molecule. Two types of high energy methods, namely, ultrasonication and high pressure homogenization (HPH), are compared. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy measurements confirm that spherical nanogels in 100–150 nm diameter range are prepared successfully by HPH method. Size and surface charge of the nanogels can easily be controlled by environmental pH. The release of encapsulated drug is triggered by the degradation of nanogels in reducing environment due to the cleavage of disulphide bonds.

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Constitutive and numerical framework for modeling joints and faults in rock
Authors: Schreyer Howard , Sulsky Deborah
Published: December 2015

A three‐dimensional constitutive model for joints is described that incorporates nonlinear elasticity based on volumetric elastic strain, and plasticity for both compaction and shear with emphasis on compaction. The formulation is general in the sense that alternative specific functional forms and evolution equations can be easily incorporated. A corresponding numerical structure based on finite elements is provided so that a joint width can vary from a fraction of an element size to a width that occupies several elements. The latter case is particularly appropriate for modeling a fault, which is considered simply to be a joint with large width. For small joint widths, the requisite equilibrium and kinematic requirements within an element are satisfied numerically. The result is that if the constitutive equation for either the joint or the rock is changed, the numerical framework remains unchanged. A unique aspect of the general formulation is the capability to handle either pre‐existing gaps or the formation of gaps. Representative stress–strain plots are given to illustrate both the features of the model and the effects of changes in values of material parameters. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrated process for preparing porous, surface functionalized polyetherimide microparticles
Authors: Basu Sayantani , Heuchel Matthias , Weigel Thomas , Kratz Karl , Lendlein Andreas
Published: December 2015

Highly porous polyetherimide (PEI) microparticles achieved by a spraying/coagulation process are candidate absorber materials for apheresis applications. Hydrophobic PEI surfaces tend to be rapidly coated with proteins when in contact with blood. Therefore, a hydrophilic modification of such particles is required. In this study, we explored the formation of porous, surface functionalized PEI microparticles by low molecular weight polyethyleneimine (Pei) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) in an integrated process combining chemical modification and particle formation. The integrated process resulted in smaller microparticles with diameters of 70 to 80 µm compared to the chemical two‐step process. All particles exhibited similar bulk densities, ranging from 0.09 to 0.015 g cm−3, and average pore sizes around 180–250 nm. A successful modification of the particles' surface by both processing approaches could be confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements and microwetting experiments, where hydrophilic advancing contact angles of 57° to 64° were determined. Integrated particle processing further resulted in changes of the bulk properties, i.e. molecular weight, thermal decomposition behavior or glass transition temperature. Hydrophilic modified PEI microparticles have been successfully prepared by different approaches. In a next step their absorption capacity for uremic toxins will be investigated with regard to a potential application in blood detoxification. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Catalytic performance of methacrylate‐based poly‐4‐(dialkylamino)‐pyridines: activity prediction via NMR shifts
Authors: Mennenga Thiemo , Menzel Jan‐Philipp , Ritter Helmut
Published: December 2015

The synthesis of the 4‐(dialkylamino)pyridine derivative 3‐(4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)piperazin‐1‐yl)propyl methacrylate and its copolymerization with n‐butyl methacrylate are presented. The catalytic activity was evaluated in the acylation of tert‐butanol with acetic anhydride yielding tert‐butyl acetate. It is observed that the activity of polymer‐attached 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine analogues correlates remarkably well with the chemical shift of the β‐pyridyl protons. Differences in catalytic efficiency result from distinct electronic densities of the pyridine ring, while embedding the catalytically active moiety into a polymeric structure has nearly no deleterious effect on the performance. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantitative generation of cation radicals and dications using aromatic oxidants: effect of added electrolyte on the redox potentials of aromatic electron donors
Authors: Talipov Marat R. , Boddeda Anitha , Hossain Mohammad M. , Rathore Rajendra
Published: December 2015

Redox titrations using robust aromatic oxidants allow for a quantitative analysis of redox and optical properties of organic electron donors in their oxidized states. Unlike spectroelectrochemistry, redox titrations can be performed without added electrolyte in relatively nonpolar solvents, affording quick access to the redox and optical properties of a given electron donor without the need of a complex electrochemical setup. However, the redox potentials obtained by the two methods are not the same. To establish the direction and magnitude of this discrepancy, we have performed a systematic case study using a set of tetraarylethylene donors and a tetrasubstituted hydroquinone ether cation radical (THEO+•) as a stable aromatic oxidant. We show that redox potentials (especially second and higher oxidation potentials) measured by electrochemical methods are systematically lower compared with the redox potentials obtained by redox titrations in the absence of electrolyte, because of the enhanced stabilization of dications and polycations by electrolyte. We have also uncovered that the smaller cation radicals (e.g., a para‐hydroquinone or ortho‐hydroquinone ether cation radicals) are much more effectively stabilized when compared with the cation radicals in which charge is delocalized over larger area (e.g., tetraarylethylene cation radicals) in the presence of electrolyte because of increased ionic strength of the solution. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitization of K562 Leukemia Cells to Doxorubicin by the Viscum album Extract
Authors: Srdic‐Rajic Tatjana , Tisma‐Miletic Nevena , Cavic Milena , Kanjer Ksenija , Savikin Katarina , Galun Danijel , Konic‐Ristic Aleksandra , Zoranovic Tamara
Published: December 2015

Toxicity of conventional chemotherapeutics highlights the requirement for complementary or alternative medicines that would reduce side effects and improve their anticancer effectiveness. European mistletoe (Viscum album) has long been used as a complementary and alternative medicine supporting cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate synergistic antitumor action of V. album extract and doxorubicin during co‐treatment of chemoresistant chronic myelogenic leukemia K562 cells. Combined treatment of leukemia cells led to inhibitory synergism at sub‐apoptotic doxorubicin concentrations and multifold reduction of cytotoxic effects in healthy control cells. Prolonged co‐treatment was associated with reduced G2/M accumulation and increased expression of early and late apoptotic markers. Our data indicate that V. album extract increases antileukemic effectiveness of doxorubicin against resistant K562 cells by preventing G2/M arrest and inducing apoptosis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interpolation for molecular dynamics simulations: from ions in gas phase to proteins in solution
Authors: Rhee Young Min , Park Jae Woo
Published: December 2015

The interpolation technique has shown many promises for simulating chemical dynamics with quantum chemical accuracy at molecular mechanics speed. This is achieved by constructing analytic potential energy surfaces with quantum chemical information at multiple conformational points, without assuming any functional form for the potentials. Here, we briefly review the course the method was developed over the past few decades, with a special focus on the activities in Korea. We also describe its strengths and weaknesses toward describing condensed phase chemical dynamics with the present implementations. Perspectives for future developments toward increasing applicability are discussed as concluding remarks. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
p‐Nitrobenzazide as a reagent for the identification of phenols
Authors: Sah Peter P. T. , Chiao Shou‐Hsün
Published: December 2015

Thirty‐three crystalline p‐nitrophenyl‐urethanes with distinctive physical properties were obtained by the condensation of p‐nitrobenzazide with various types of phenols in boiling ligroin solution. In general, 20 to 50 mg of the reagent is sufficient to produce enough crystalline urethane for a correct melting point determination and a microscopic examination of the crystal form. p‐Nitrobenzazide, therefore, can be used in place of p‐nitrophenyl isocyanate in qualitative organic analysis.
The Raman spectra of acetaldehyde and paraldehyde
Authors: Gerding H. , Rijnders G. W. A.
Published: December 2015

The Raman spectra of liquid paraldehyde at 15° and 59° have been investigated. No perceptible influence of the temperature on the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been found. Good agreement in the major parts exists with the determinations of the Raman spectrum at ordinary temperature by Kahovec‐Kohlrausch and Wood.

The Raman spectrum of liquid acetaldehyde is given also and compared with the latest results of Kohlrausch‐Köppl. In general the agreement is good.
m‐Nitrobenzazide as a reagent for the identification of phenols
Authors: Sah Peter P. T. , Woo Tsu‐Fen
Published: December 2015

m‐Nitrobenzazide, in boiling ligroin solution, decomposes to gaseous nitrogen and m‐nitrophenyl isocyanate, which, in the presence of phenols, reacts to form m‐nitrophenyl‐urethanes, with physical properties suitable for the purpose of identification. In this paper, thirty‐three m‐nitrophenyl‐urethanes from various phenols are described.
Investigation of an iterative matrix method for the inversion of ARXPS data
Authors: Paynter R. W. , Peykov D.
Published: December 2015

Mathematical simulations were used to evaluate an iterative, regularized matrix approach to the recovery of composition depth profiles from ARXPS data containing 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9% noise. The iterative inversion was intended to remove unphysical negative concentration values from the depth profile and to provide some degree of profile sharpening at layer interfaces. It was found that while this procedure worked effectively on data containing just 1% noise, its efficacy diminished as the level of noise increased. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surgical Management of Chronic Wounds in a Buruli Ulcer Endemic Area in Central Africa
Authors: Guifo Marc Leroy , Essiene Agnes , Ngo Nsoga Marie , Farikou Ibrahima , Handy Eone Daniel , NjihTabah Ernest
Published: December 2015

Background

Chronic wounds, especially Buruli ulcers (BU) are emerging public health threat in West and Central Africa. Akonolinga in Cameroon is one of the four health districts affected by BU. Since 2002, Médécins Sans Frontières has established a specialized wound carecenter to actively diagnose and provide treatment of chronic wounds that is accessible and affordable for all patients. Our objectives were to report the surgical activities in Akonolinga, to provide description of the types of chronic wounds and elements of anticipation of treatment needs in a public health perspective.

Method

We carried out a retrospective cohort and descriptive study from January 2012 to June 2014 (30 months) on a series of consecutive patients with chronic wounds, managed surgically in Akonolinga, Centre Region, Cameroon. Among BU patients only those with necessity of surgery were included and the others followed only their 8 weeks medical treatment with antibiotics.

Results

A total of 148 patients were recorded. 101 cases of BU and related disability and 47 cases of non‐Buruli chronic wounds. Patients had a mean age of 34 years. Most of the procedures used were debridement 40 %, skin graft 29 %, stripping 5 %, plastic procedures 7 %, and amputation 4 %. The mean number of procedures was 2 for each patient in this series.

Conclusion

Chronic wounds occur worldwide and may be caused by specific health conditions. Medical and paramedical education should provide both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to help health care personnel to face this problem in their communities.
On the attractor for the semi-dissipative Boussinesq equations
Authors: Biswas Animikh , Foias Ciprian , Larios Adam
Published: December 2015

In this article, we study the long time behavior of solutions of a variant of the Boussinesq system in which the equation for the velocity is parabolic while the equation for the temperature is hyperbolic. We prove that the system has a global attractor which retains some of the properties of the global attractors for the 2D and 3D Navier–Stokes equations. Moreover, this attractor contains infinitely many invariant manifolds in which several universal properties of the Batchelor, Kraichnan, Leith theory of turbulence are potentially present.

Dans cet article nous étudions le comportment en temps long infini des solutions d'un système du Boussinesq partiellement dissipatif, dont une est parabolique et l'autre est hyperbolique. Dans ce but, nous introduisons un attracteur universel qui retient plusieurs proprietés des attracteurs universels des équations de Navier–Stokes en dimension deux ou trois, et qui contient une infinité de varietés invariantes dans lesquelles plusieurs proprietés universelles de la théorie de la turbulence bidimensionnelle de Batchelor, Kraichnan et Leith, sont potentiellement présentes.
The positive effect of assortment size on purchase likelihood: The moderating influence of decision order
Authors: Gao Leilei , Simonson Itamar
Published: December 2015

The effect of assortment size on purchase decisions is an ongoing subject of debate, in light of conflicting findings (Scheibehenne, Greifeneder, & Todd, 2010). The authors show that a key determinant of the effect is the order in which “whether to buy” and “which option to choose” decisions are made. Increasing assortment size has a more positive effect on the likelihood of consumers to make a purchase when the initial decision emphasis is on whether to make a purchase from a given set of options, as opposed to first identifying the best available option in the set. This prediction is based on the proposition that decision order determines how likely consumers are to make trade‐offs between the perceived costs and benefits associated with a large product assortment, and that the benefits are given relatively greater weight when consumers decide first “whether to buy” (rather than “which option to choose”). Two incentive‐compatible studies, using a systematic manipulation of assortment size and decision order, support the prediction.
Relationship Between Botulinum Toxin, Spasticity, and Pain: a Survey of Patient Perception
Authors: Shaikh Adil , Phadke Chetan P , Ismail Farooq , Boulias Chris
Published: December 2015

Objective: To assess the prevalence of pain in adults with spasticity and to assess the association between the subjective experience of pain and spasticity.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: outpatient spasticity management clinic of a rehabilitation centre.Patients: Patients with upper motor neuron lesions and spasticity (n=131) were recruited.Methods:We assessed pain intensity and location, relationship between spasticity and pain perception, and perception of pain relief from botulinum toxin type-A (BoNTA) injections. Main outcome measures: Pain perception rated on a 10-point numerical rating scale and pain quality.Results:65% of the patients with spasticity reported presence of pain and 60% described it as an aching pain. More patients reported pain with movement (34%) compared to rest (21%). There was a statistically poor correlation between the severity of pain and spasticity (r=0.16; p>0.05). Most patients (80%) believed that their pain was related to spasticity and 62% reported that BoNTA injections decreased their pain.Conclusions:The high incidence of pain noted within our sample suggests that physicians may have to consider pain management as part of spasticity treatment. Participants reported that their pain was related to their spasticity, and that it decreased after BoNTA treatment. Further study is needed to explore the relationships between objective measures of spasticity and pain.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Traditional and Mobile Public Health Communications With Health Care Providers
Authors: Baseman Janet , Revere Debra , Painter Ian , Oberle Mark , Duchin Jeffrey , Thiede Hanne , Nett Randall , MacEachern Dorothy , Stergachis Andy
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Health care providers play an essential role in public health emergency preparedness and response. We conducted a 4-year randomized controlled trial to systematically compare the effectiveness of traditional and mobile communication strategies for sending time-sensitive public health messages to providers.

Methods

Subjects (N=848) included providers who might be leveraged to assist with emergency preparedness and response activities, such as physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, and veterinarians. Providers were randomly assigned to a group that received time-sensitive quarterly messages via e-mail, fax, or cell phone text messaging (SMS) or to a no-message control group. Follow-up phone interviews elicited information about message receipt, topic recall, and perceived credibility and trustworthiness of message and source.

Results

Our main outcome measures were awareness and recall of message content, which was compared across delivery methods. Per-protocol analysis revealed that e-mail messages were recalled at a higher rate than were messaged delivered by fax or SMS, whereas the as-treated analysis found that e-mail and fax groups had similar recall rates and both had higher recall rates than the SMS group.

Conclusions

This is the first study to systematically evaluate the relative effectiveness of public health message delivery systems. Our findings provide guidance to improve public health agency communications with providers before, during, and after a public health emergency. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:98–107)
REPRESENTATIONS OF IDEALS IN POLISH GROUPS AND IN BANACH SPACES
Authors: BORODULIN–NADZIEJA PIOTR , FARKAS BARNABÁS , PLEBANEK GRZEGORZ
Published: December 2015

We investigate ideals of the form {A⊆ω: Σn∈Axnis unconditionally convergent} where (xn)n∈ωis a sequence in a Polish group or in a Banach space. If an ideal onωcan be seen in this form for some sequence inX, then we say that it is representable inX.

After numerous examples we show the following theorems: (1) An ideal is representable in a Polish Abelian group iff it is an analytic P-ideal. (2) An ideal is representable in a Banach space iff it is a nonpathological analytic P-ideal.

We focus on the family of ideals representable inc0. We characterize this property via the defining sequence of measures. We prove that the trace of the null ideal, Farah’s ideal, and Tsirelson ideals are not representable inc0, and that a tallFσP-ideal is representable inc0iff it is a summable ideal. Also, we provide an example of a peculiar ideal which is representable inℓ1but not in ℝ.

Finally, we summarize some open problems of this topic.