bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triterpene hydrocarbon production engineered into a metabolically versatile host—Rhodobacter capsulatus
Authors: Khan Nymul E. , Nybo S. Eric , Chappell Joe , Curtis Wayne R.
Published: February 2015

Triterpene hydrocarbon biosynthesis of the ancient algae Botryococcus braunii was installed into Rhodobacter capsulatus to explore the production of C30 hydrocarbon in a host capable of diverse growth habits—utilizing carbohydrate, sunlight or hydrogen (with CO2 fixation) as alternative energy feedstocks. Engineering an enhanced MEP pathway was also used to augment triterpene accumulation. Despite dramatically different sources of carbon and reducing power, nearly the same level of botryococcene or squalene (∼5 mg oil/g‐dry‐weight [gDW]) was achieved in small‐scale aerobic heterotrophic, anaerobic photoheterotrophic, and aerobic chemoautotrophic growth conditions. A glucose fed‐batch bioreactor reached 40 mg botryococcene/L (∼12 mg/gDW), while autotrophic bioreactor performance with CO2, H2, and O2 reached 110 mg/L (16.7 mg/gDW) during batch and 60 mg/L (23 mg/gDW) during continuous operation at a dilution rate corresponding to about 10% of μmax. Batch and continuous autotrophic specific productivity was found to reach 0.5 and 0.32 mg triterpene/g DW/h, comparable to prior reports for terpene production driven by heterotrophic growth conditions. This demonstrates the feasibility of alternative feedstocks and trophic modes to provide comparable routes to biochemicals that do not rely on sugar. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 1523–1532. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HER2 as a target in invasive urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Bellmunt Joaquim , Werner Lillian , Bamias Aristotle , Fay André P. , Park Rachel S. , Riester Markus , Selvarajah Shamini , Barletta Justine A. , Berman David M. , de Muga Silvia , Salido Marta , Gallardo Enrique , Rojo Federico , Guancial Elizabeth A. , Bambury Richard , Mullane Stephanie A. , Choueiri Toni K. , Loda Massimo , Stack Edward , Rosenberg Jonathan
Published: February 2015

We evaluated primary tumors from two cohorts, Spain (N = 111) and Greece (N = 102), for patients who were treated with platinum‐based chemotherapy. Patients were tested for HER2 status (IHC score of 3+ or FISH ratio of ≥2.2) by immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), DNA copy number, mRNA expression, and mutation status in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC), and its impact on survival. ERBB2 mutation was determined by hotspot sequencing. mRNA expression was assessed using NanoString counting. Association of overall survival (OS) and HER2 status was assessed by a Cox regression model. NIH‐3T3 cells containing HER2 V777L were assessed for growth, invasion, and HER2 kinase activation. In all, 22% of Spanish and 4% of Greek cohorts had 3+ HER2 staining by IHC. FISH amplification was identified in 20% of Spanish and 4% of Greek cohorts. Kappa coefficient between FISH and IHC was 0.47. HER2 status was not associated with OS in univariate (Spanish P = 0.34; Greek P = 0.11) or multivariate (Spanish P = 0.49; Greek P = 0.12) analysis. HER2‐positive tumors expressed higher levels of HER2 mRNA than HER2‐negative tumors (P < 0.001). HER2 mutations (V777L and L755S) were identified in two (2%) patients. In vitro analysis of V777L results in transformation of NIH‐3T3 cells, leading to increased growth, invasion on soft agar, and HER2 kinase constitutive activation. In summary, HER2 overexpression or amplification in the primary tumor did not predict OS in patients with metastatic UC. HER2 positivity rates can differ between different populations. Further trials in genomically screened patients are needed to assess HER2‐targeted therapies in UC.
Consumer perceptions of bundles and time‐limited promotion deals: Do contracts matter?
Authors: McQuilken Lisa , Robertson Nichola , Polonsky Michael , Harrison Paul
Published: February 2015

Marketers use various types of deals to positively influence consumers' product evaluations. Across two experiments, we manipulated print advertisements to examine whether the commonly used deal content of both bundling and time‐limited promotions affect consumers' perceived confusion, risk and value. In study 1, the influence of this content was tested in the context of a 2‐year telecommunications (telco) contract. Here, consumers associated a three‐item bundle with greater perceived value than a single item, but perceived value was reduced and risk heightened when it was only available for a limited time. We speculate that this is because of the long‐term nature of the contract. Study 2 removed the contract restriction, examining the bundling of a video game console and game(s), again with a time‐limited promotion. However, in this context, we failed to locate any interaction effects. It appears that consumers further appraise the drawbacks of a long‐term telco contract when accompanied by a time‐limited promotion and may perceive the switching costs for study 1 three‐item telco bundle to be particularly risky. Our studies represent the first empirical investigation of the effect on consumers' perceptions of offering a bundle in conjunction with a time‐limited promotion. Testing these effects in contract and no contract conditions adds to the contribution of our studies by delineating a boundary condition. From a managerial perspective, our findings are thought‐provoking in respect to information integration, or how consumers process different deal content together. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MH4P6N12 (M=Mg, Ca): New Imidonitridophosphates with an Unprecedented Layered Network Structure Type
Authors: Marchuk Alexey , Celinski Vinicius R. , Schmedt auf der Günne Jörn , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: February 2015

Isotypic imidonitridophosphates MH4P6N12 (M=Mg, Ca) have been synthesized by high‐pressure/high‐temperature reactions at 8 GPa and 1000 °C starting from stoichiometric amounts of the respective alkaline‐earth metal nitrides, P3N5, and amorphous HPN2. Both compounds form colorless transparent platelet crystals. The crystal structures have been solved and refined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Rietveld refinement confirmed the accuracy of the structure determination. In order to quantify the amounts of H atoms in the respective compounds, quantitative solid‐state 1H NMR measurements were carried out. EDX spectroscopy confirmed the chemical compositions. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of NH groups in both structures. The crystal structures reveal an unprecedented layered tetrahedral arrangement, built up from all‐side vertex‐sharing PN4 tetrahedra with condensed dreier and sechser rings. The resulting layers are separated by metal atoms.
Control over Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer and Photoinduced Tautomerization: Influence of the Hydrogen‐Bond Geometry
Authors: Parada Giovanny A. , Markle Todd F. , Glover Starla D. , Hammarström Leif , Ott Sascha , Zietz Burkhard
Published: February 2015

The influence of H‐bond geometry on the dynamics of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and photoinduced tautomerization in a series of phenol‐quinoline compounds is investigated. Control over the proton donor–acceptor distance (dDA) and dihedral angle between the proton donor–acceptor subunits is achieved by introducing methylene backbone straps of increasing lengths to link the phenol and quinoline. We demonstrate that a long dDA correlates with a higher barrier for ESIPT, while a large dihedral angle opens highly efficient deactivation channels after ESIPT, preventing the formation of the fully relaxed tautomer photoproduct.
Coupling reaction between methanol dehydrogenation and maleic anhydride hydrogenation over zeolite‐supported copper catalysts
Authors: Gao Dezhi , Yin Hengbo , Feng Yonghai , Wang Aili
Published: February 2015

MCM‐41, Y, ZSM‐5, and β zeolite‐supported copper catalysts prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method were used for the coupling reaction between methanol dehydrogenation and maleic anhydride hydrogenation in a fixed bed reactor. The Cu/MCM‐41 catalyst with low acidity favoured methanol dehydrogenation to methyl formate and maleic anhydride hydrogenation to γ‐butyrolactone, while Cu/Y, Cu/ZSM‐5, and Cu/β catalysts with high acidities favoured methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether and the formation of dimethyl succinate. When the coupling reaction over the Cu/MCM‐41 catalyst was carried out at 240–300 °C, the selectivities of methyl formate and γ‐butyrolactone reached 88 % and 72 %, respectively. The coupling reaction over the Cu/MCM‐41 catalyst had good compensation for hydrogen and reaction heat.
Monitoring Ligand‐Mediated Growth and Aggregation of Metal Nanoparticles and Nanodendrites by In Situ Synchrotron Scattering Techniques
Authors: Ortiz Nancy , Hammons Joshua A. , Cheong Soshan , Skrabalak Sara E.
Published: February 2015

In situ synchrotron wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) and ultra‐small angle X‐ray scattering (USAXS) were used to study the growth of Pd nanodendrites and quasi‐spherical Pd nanoparticles. The metal–ligand environments of both the precursors and growing nanoparticles contribute to nanostructure formation. Specifically, the use of Pd(hfac)2 (hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate) as a precursor facilitated nanostructure formation more facilely compared to Pd(acac)2 (acac=acetylacetonate), as quantified by in situ WAXS. This enhanced rate is attributed to the better leaving group properties of the hfac− ligands, and this result demonstrates that fundamental principles from coordination chemistry can guide the selection of precursors in nanomaterial syntheses. This in situ approach also revealed concomitant nucleation, coalescence, and growth processes during the synthesis of monodisperse Pd nanoparticles. Significantly, this finding identifies self‐limited growth mediated by the local ligand environment of the particles as the central means of size distribution control and contradicts the typically cited mechanism (LaMer‐like growth) for such chemical systems. These observations highlight the importance of applying in situ approaches to study nanostructure formation as intertwined processes can be revealed.
Demonstration of pollinator‐mediated competition between two native Impatiens species, Impatiens noli‐tangere and I. textori (Balsaminaceae)
Authors: Tokuda Nanako , Hattori Mitsuru , Abe Kota , Shinohara Yoshinori , Nagano Yusuke , Itino Takao
Published: February 2015

Plant–plant interspecific competition via pollinators occurs when the flowering seasons of two or more plant species overlap and the pollinator fauna is shared. Negative sexual interactions between species (reproductive interference) through improper heterospecific pollen transfer have recently been reported between native and invasive species demonstrating pollination‐driven competition. We focused on two native Impatiens species (I. noli‐tangere and I. textori) found in Japan and examined whether pollinator‐mediated plant competition occurs between them. We demonstrate that I. noli‐tangere and I. textori share the same pollination niche (i.e., flowering season, pollinator fauna, and position of pollen on the pollinator's body). In addition, heterospecific pollen grains were deposited on most stigmas of both I. noli‐tangere and I. textori flowers that were situated within 2 m of flowers of the other species resulting in depressed fruit set. Further, by hand‐pollination experiments, we show that when as few as 10% of the pollen grains are heterospecific, fruit set is decreased to less than half in both species. These results show that intensive pollinator‐mediated competition occurs between I. noli‐tangere and I. textori. This study suggests that intensive pollinator‐mediated competition occurs in the wild even when interacting species are both native and not invasive.
A Practical Synthesis of Various 2‐Deoxy‐N‐glycosides by Using D‐Glucal
Authors: Meyerhoefer Terence J. , Kershaw Sonia , Caliendo Nadia , Eltayeb Sumeia , Hanawa‐Romero Emi , Bykovskaya Polina , Huang Victor , Marzabadi Cecilia H. , De Castro Michael
Published: February 2015

We herein report the synthesis of 2‐deoxy‐2‐iodo‐glycosylamides, glycosylurea, N‐glycosylbenzotriazole, and N‐glycosyl imidazole by addition reaction of trimethylsilyl amides, imidazoles, and benzotriazoles to D‐glucal in the presence of N‐iodosuccinimide and propionitrile at 0 °C. Two diastereomers were isolated ― the α‐mannose and β‐gluco isomers. Reduction and substitution reaction of the iodine at position C‐2 led to formation of various 2‐deoxy‐N‐glycosides and 2‐hydroxy‐β‐D‐glucopyranosylamide. The newly generated compounds were screened for their inhibitory activity against various enzymes that included Nav1.7 sodium ion voltage‐gated channel in HEK293 cells and the results are discussed.
Stepwise Information-Filtering Tool (SIFT): A method for using risk assessment metadata in a nontraditional way
Authors: Beasley Amy , Belanger Scott E. , Otter Ryan R.
Published: February 2015

Tools exist to evaluate large ecotoxicity databases for risk assessment purposes, but these tools are less useful for alternative analytical purposes. In the present study, the authors developed the Stepwise Information-Filtering Tool (SIFT), a strategic method to select relevant, reliable data from a large ecotoxicity database; demonstrated utility in a case study of chronic toxicity data for statistical endpoint comparison purposes; and evaluated SIFT by comparison with 2 existing data evaluation methods. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1436–1442. © 2015 SETAC
Single nucleotide polymorphism array profiling identifies distinct chromosomal aberration patterns across colorectal adenomas and carcinomas
Authors: Zarzour Peter , Boelen Lies , Luciani Fabio , Beck Dominik , Sakthianandeswaren Anuratha , Mouradov Dmitri , Sieber Oliver M. , Hawkins Nicholas J. , Hesson Luke B. , Ward Robyn L. , Wong Jason W. H.
Published: February 2015

The progression of benign colorectal adenomas into cancer is associated with the accumulation of chromosomal aberrations. Even though patterns and frequencies of chromosomal aberrations have been well established in colorectal carcinomas, corresponding patterns of aberrations in adenomas are less well documented. The aim of this study was to profile chromosomal aberrations across colorectal adenomas and carcinomas to provide a better insight into key changes during tumor initiation and progression. Single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis was performed on 216 colorectal tumor/normal matched pairs, comprising 60 adenomas and 156 carcinomas. While many chromosomal aberrations were specific to carcinomas, those with the highest frequency in carcinomas (amplification of chromosome 7, 13q, and 20q; deletion of 17p and chromosome 18; LOH of 1p, chromosome 4, 5q, 8p, 17p, chromosome 18, and 20p) were also identified in adenomas. Hierarchical clustering using chromosomal aberrations revealed three distinct subtypes. Interestingly, these subtypes were only partially dependent on tumor staging. A cluster of colorectal cancer patients with frequent chromosomal deletions had the least favorable prognosis, and a number of adenomas (n = 9) were also present in the cluster suggesting that, at least in some tumors, the chromosomal aberration pattern is determined at a very early stage of tumor formation. Finally, analysis of LOH events revealed that copy‐neutral/gain LOH (CN/G‐LOH) is frequent (>10%) in carcinomas at 5q, 11q, 15q, 17p, chromosome 18, 20p, and 22q. Deletion of the corresponding region is sometimes present in adenomas, suggesting that LOH at these loci may play an important role in tumor initiation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel Bayes Factors That Capture Expert Uncertainty in Prior Density Specification in Genetic Association Studies
Authors: Spencer Amy V. , Cox Angela , Lin Wei‐Yu , Easton Douglas F. , Michailidou Kyriaki , Walters Kevin
Published: February 2015

Bayes factors (BFs) are becoming increasingly important tools in genetic association studies, partly because they provide a natural framework for including prior information. The Wakefield BF (WBF) approximation is easy to calculate and assumes a normal prior on the log odds ratio (logOR) with a mean of zero. However, the prior variance (W) must be specified. Because of the potentially high sensitivity of the WBF to the choice of W, we propose several new BF approximations with , but allow W to take a probability distribution rather than a fixed value. We provide several prior distributions for W which lead to BFs that can be calculated easily in freely available software packages. These priors allow a wide range of densities for W and provide considerable flexibility. We examine some properties of the priors and BFs and show how to determine the most appropriate prior based on elicited quantiles of the prior odds ratio (OR). We show by simulation that our novel BFs have superior true‐positive rates at low false‐positive rates compared to those from both P‐value and WBF analyses across a range of sample sizes and ORs. We give an example of utilizing our BFs to fine‐map the CASP8 region using genotype data on approximately 46,000 breast cancer case and 43,000 healthy control samples from the Collaborative Oncological Gene‐environment Study (COGS) Consortium, and compare the single‐nucleotide polymorphism ranks to those obtained using WBFs and P‐values from univariate logistic regression.
Cigarette Taxes and Older Adult Smoking: Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: MacLean Johanna Catherine , Kessler Asia Sikora , Kenkel Donald S.
Published: February 2015

In this study, we use the Health and Retirement Study to test whether older adult smokers, defined as those 50 years and older, respond to cigarette tax increases. Our preferred specifications show that older adult smokers respond modestly to tax increases: a $1.00 (131.6%) tax increase leads to a 3.8–5.2% reduction in cigarettes smoked per day (implied tax elasticity = −0.03 to −0.04). We identify heterogeneity in tax elasticity across demographic groups as defined by sex, race/ethnicity, education, and marital status and by smoking intensity and level of addictive stock. These findings have implications for public health policy implementation in an aging population. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hippocampal long‐term potentiation that is elicited by perforant path stimulation or that occurs in conjunction with spatial learning is tightly controlled by beta‐adrenoreceptors and the locus coeruleus
Authors: Hansen Niels , Manahan‐Vaughan Denise
Published: February 2015

The noradrenergic system, driven by locus coeruleus (LC) activation, plays a key role in the regulating and directing of changes in hippocampal synaptic efficacy. The LC releases noradrenaline in response to novel experience and LC activation leads to an enhancement of hippocampus‐based learning, and facilitates synaptic plasticity in the form of long‐term depression (LTD) and long‐term potentiation (LTP) that occur in association with spatial learning. The predominant receptor for mediating these effects is the β‐adrenoreceptor. Interestingly, the dependency of synaptic plasticity on this receptor is different in the hippocampal subfields whereby in the CA1 in vivo, LTP, but not LTD requires β‐adrenoreceptor activation, whereas in the mossy fiber synapse LTP and LTD do not depend on this receptor. By contrast, synaptic plasticity that is facilitated by spatial learning is highly dependent on β‐adrenoreceptor activation in both hippocampal subfields. Here, we explored whether LTP induced by perforant‐path (pp) stimulation in vivo or that is facilitated by spatial learning depends on β‐adrenoreceptors. We found that under both LTP conditions, antagonising the receptors disabled the persistence of LTP. β‐adrenoreceptor‐antagonism also prevented spatial learning. Strikingly, activation of the LC before high‐frequency stimulation (HFS) of the pp prevented short‐term potentiation but not LTP, and LC stimulation after pp‐HFS‐induced depotentiation of LTP. This depotentiation was prevented by β‐adrenoreceptor‐antagonism. These data suggest that β‐adrenoreceptor‐activation, resulting from noradrenaline release from the LC during enhanced arousal and learning, comprises a mechanism whereby the duration and degree of LTP is regulated and fine tuned. This may serve to optimize the creation of a spatial memory engram by means of LTP and LTD. This process can be expected to support the special role of the dentate gyrus as a crucial subregional locus for detecting and processing novelty within the hippocampus. © 2015 The Authors Hippocampus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cultural variation in implicit independence: An extension of Kitayama et al. ()
Authors: Park Jiyoung , Uchida Yukiko , Kitayama Shinobu
Published: February 2015

Previous research shows that European Americans are consistently more independent (or less interdependent) than Japanese when implicit indices are used to assess independence (vs. interdependence). The present work extended this evidence by including a novel implicit association test (IAT), as an index of implicit attitude towards independence and interdependence. Consistent with the previous findings, as compared to Japanese, Americans were significantly higher in multiple indices of implicit independence (vs. interdependence) including personal (vs. social) self‐definition, experience of disengaging (vs. engaging) emotions and personal (vs. social) form of happiness. Furthermore, as compared to Japanese, Americans had a significantly more positive implicit attitude towards independence assessed with the IAT. As also observed in the previous research, explicit measures showed inconsistent cross‐cultural patterns. Lastly, we observed little statistical within‐culture coherence among the implicit measures of independence (vs. interdependence), consistent with a view that the implicit indices capture alternative ways for individuals to achieve the cultural mandate of independence or interdependence.
Distribution and biomarkers of carbon‐14‐labeled fullerene C60 ([14C(U)]C60) in female rats and mice for up to 30 days after intravenous exposure
Authors: Sumner Susan C. J. , Snyder Rodney W. , Wingard Christopher , Mortensen Ninell P. , Holland Nathan A. , Shannahan Jonathan H. , Dhungana Suraj , Pathmasiri Wimal , Han Li , Lewin Anita H. , Fennell Timothy R.
Published: February 2015

A comprehensive distribution study was conducted in female rats and mice exposed to a suspension of uniformly carbon‐14‐labeled C60 ([14C(U)]C60). Rodents were administered [14C(U)]C60 (~0.9 mg kg−1 body weight) or 5% polyvinylpyrrolidone‐saline vehicle alone via a single tail vein injection. Tissues were collected at 1 h and 1, 7, 14 and 30 days after administration. A separate group of rodents received five daily injections of suspensions of either [14C(U)]C60 or vehicle with tissue collection 14 days post exposure. Radioactivity was detected in over 20 tissues at all time points. The highest concentration of radioactivity in rodents at each time point was in liver, lungs and spleen. Elimination of [14C(U)]C60 was < 2% in urine and feces at any 24 h time points. [14C(U)]C60 and [14C(U)]C60‐retinol were detected in liver of rats and together accounted for ~99% and ~56% of the total recovered at 1 and 30 days postexposure, respectively. The blood radioactivity at 1 h after [14C(U)]C60 exposure was fourfold higher in rats than in mice; blood radioactivity was still in circulation at 30 days post [14C(U)]C60 exposure in both species (<1%). Levels of oxidative stress markers increased by 5 days after exposure and remained elevated, while levels of inflammation markers initially increased and then returned to control values. The level of cardiovascular marker von Willebrand factor, increased in rats, but remained at control levels in mice. This study demonstrates that [14C(U)]C60 is retained in female rodents with little elimination by 30 days after i.v. exposure, and leads to systemic oxidative stress. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phenotypic and genetic characterization of rhizobia isolated from Hedysarum flexuosum in Northwest region of Morocco
Authors: Ezzakkioui Fatima , El Mourabit Nourdin , Chahboune Rajaa , Castellano‐Hinojosa Antonio , Bedmar Eulogio J. , Barrijal Said
Published: February 2015

Seventy bacterial strains were isolated from root nodules of the legume Hedysarum flexuosum grown wild in soils from Northwest Morocco. Repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP)‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clustered the strains into 30 REP‐PCR groups. The nearly complete sequence of the 16S rRNA gene from a representative strain of each REP‐PCR pattern showed that 17 strains were closely related to members of the genus Rhizobium of the family Rhizobiaceae of the Alphaproteobacteria. Pairwise alignments between globally aligned sequences of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that the strains from H. flexuosum had 99.75–100% identity with Rhizobium sullae type strain IS123T. The phenotypic characteristics analyzed allowed description of a wide physiological diversity among the isolates, where the carbohydrate assimilation test was the most discriminating. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of a representative strains from the remaining 13 REP‐PCR groups showed they belong to a wide variety of phylogenetic groups being closely related to species of genera Stenotrophomonas, Serratia, Massilia, Acinetobacter, Achromobacter, and Pseudomonas from the Beta‐ and Gammaproteobacteria. The R. sullae strains identified in this study produced effective symbiosis with their original host plant. None of the other bacterial strains could form nodules on H. flexuosum.
Separation and concentration of sulfonylurea herbicides in milk by ionic‐liquid‐based foam flotation solid‐phase extraction
Authors: Zhang Liyuan , Cao Bocheng , Yao Di , Yu Runzhong , Yu Changqing , Zhang Hanqi , Yu Aimin
Published: February 2015

The ultrasound‐assisted ionic liquid foam flotation solid‐phase extraction of sulfonylurea herbicides in milk was developed and validated. The proteins and lipids were isolated from the sample matrix by adding salt and adjusting the pH value. The target analytes eluted from the solid‐phase extraction cartridge were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Some experimental parameters, including the pH value of sample solution, amount of NaCl, ionic liquid type, extraction time, flow rate of carrier gas, flotation time, and solid‐phase extraction cartridge type were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the limits of detection for metsulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, chlorimuron‐ethyl, and nicosulfuron were 1.3, 0.6, 0.7, and 1.1 μg/L, respectively. When the present method was applied to the analysis of milk samples the recoveries of the analytes ranged from 84.3 to 105.2% and relative standard deviations were >5.7%.
Quercetin and isorhamnetin aglycones are the main metabolites of dietary quercetin in cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Wiczkowski Wiesław , Skipor Janina , Misztal Tomasz , Szawara‐Nowak Dorota , Topolska Joanna , Piskula Mariusz K.
Published: February 2015

Scope

Reports on the protective effect of certain foods on brain functions are numerous; however, the permeability of the brain barriers by food components is still hardly recognised. There have been in vitro studies aimed at demonstrating this possibility, but not much is known about this phenomenon in in vivo systems. The objective of the study was to determine the metabolites of dietary quercetin (Q) in urine, blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after intra‐rumen administration of Q rich onion dry skin in an animal model.

Methods and results

Eleven sheep had permanently implanted cannulas in the third ventricle of the brain as the means for CSF collection. The animals were administered Q at the dose of 10 mg/kg bwt. For 12 h the concentration of Q metabolites was measured in urine, blood plasma, and CSF. It was demonstrated that while in blood plasma Q and isorhamnetin mono‐glucuronides or mono‐sulphates were the main metabolites (80%), in CSF their aglycones were the dominating ones (88%).

Conclusion

Q and IR aglycones are the main Q metabolites present in CSF after dietary Q intake. Their passive transport through blood–CSF barrier or a de‐conjugating mechanism within that barrier may be involved.
Deoxynivalenol inhibits the expression by goblet cells of intestinal mucins through a PKR and MAP kinase dependent repression of the resistin‐like molecule β
Authors: Pinton Philippe , Graziani Fabien , Pujol Ange , Nicoletti Cendrine , Paris Océane , Ernouf Pauline , Di Pasquale Eric , Perrier Josette , Oswald Isabelle P. , Maresca Marc
Published: February 2015

Scope

The food‐associated mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is known to affect intestinal functions. However, its effect on intestinal mucus is poorly characterized.

Methods and results

We analyzed the effects of DON on human goblet cells (HT29‐16E cells) and porcine intestinal explants. Results showed that subtoxic doses of DON (as low as 1 μM) decreased mucin (MUC) production. qPCR analysis demonstrated that this inhibition was due to a specific decrease in the level of mRNA encoding for the intestinal membrane‐associated (MUC1) and the secreted MUCs (MUC2, MUC3). Mechanistic studies demonstrated that DON effect relied on the activation of the protein kinase R and the mitogen‐activated protein kinase p38 ultimately leading to the inhibition of the expression of resistin‐like molecule beta, a known positive regulator of MUC expression.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results show that at low doses found in food and feed, DON is able to affect the expression and production of MUCs by human and animal goblet cells. Due to the important role of MUCs in the barrier function and in the interaction of commensal bacteria with the host, such effect could explain the observed modifications in the microbial diversity and the increased susceptibility to enteric infection following exposure to DON.
EMG spectral differences among the quadriceps femoris during the stretch reflex
Authors: Beck Travis W. , Simmons Jordon L. , Defreitas Jason M.
Published: February 2015

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the electromyographic (EMG) spectral characteristics of the quadriceps femoris muscles during tendon tap stretch reflexes. Methods: Sixteen healthy subjects (mean ± SD age = 21.2 ± 2.8 years) performed tendon tap reflexes of the leg extensors as surface EMG signals were detected from the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus medialis (VM) muscles of the dominant thigh. All EMG signals were processed with a wavelet analysis, and the resulting spectra were decomposed with nonparametric spectral decomposition. Results: The results showed that the spectra for the VL had significantly more high‐frequency power than those for the RF and VM, with similar spectral shapes for the RF and VM. Conclusions: These findings could be due to differences in the width of the innervation zone, or the fiber type composition of the muscles, although the latter seems to be more likely. Muscle Nerve 52: 826–831, 2015
Efficient approximation of random fields for numerical applications
Authors: Harbrecht Helmut , Peters Michael , Siebenmorgen Markus
Published: February 2015

This article is dedicated to the rapid computation of separable expansions for the approximation of random fields. We consider approaches based on techniques from the approximation of non‐local operators on the one hand and based on the pivoted Cholesky decomposition on the other hand. Especially, we provide ana posteriorierror estimate for the pivoted Cholesky decomposition in terms of the trace. Numerical examples are provided to validate and quantify the presented methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combining native MS approaches to decipher archaeal box H/ACA ribonucleoprotein particle structure and activity
Authors: Saliou Jean‐Michel , Manival Xavier , Tillault Anne‐Sophie , Atmanene Cédric , Bobo Claude , Branlant Christiane , Van Dorsselaer Alain , Charpentier Bruno , Cianférani Sarah
Published: February 2015

Site‐specific isomerization of uridines into pseudouridines in RNAs is catalyzed either by stand‐alone enzymes or by box H/ACA ribonucleoprotein particles (sno/sRNPs). The archaeal box H/ACA sRNPs are five‐component complexes that consist of a guide RNA and the aCBF5, aNOP10, L7Ae, and aGAR1 proteins. In this study, we performed pairwise incubations of individual constituents of archaeal box H/ACA sRNPs and analyzed their interactions by native MS to build a 2D‐connectivity map of direct binders. We describe the use of native MS in combination with ion mobility‐MS to monitor the in vitro assembly of the active H/ACA sRNP particle. Real‐time native MS was used to monitor how box H/ACA particle functions in multiple‐turnover conditions. Native MS also unambiguously revealed that a substrate RNA containing 5‐fluorouridine (f5U) was hydrolyzed into 5‐fluoro‐6‐hydroxy‐pseudouridine (f5ho6Ψ). In terms of enzymatic mechanism, box H/ACA sRNP was shown to catalyze the pseudouridylation of a first RNA substrate, then to release the RNA product (S22f5ho6ψ) from the RNP enzyme and reload a new substrate RNA molecule. Altogether, our native MS‐based approaches provide relevant new information about the potential assembly process and catalytic mechanism of box H/ACA RNPs.
Comparative proteomics of a tor inducible Aspergillus fumigatus mutant reveals involvement of the Tor kinase in iron regulation
Authors: Baldin Clara , Valiante Vito , Krüger Thomas , Schafferer Lukas , Haas Hubertus , Kniemeyer Olaf , Brakhage Axel A.
Published: February 2015

The Tor (target of rapamycin) kinase is one of the major regulatory nodes in eukaryotes. Here, we analyzed the Tor kinase in Aspergillus fumigatus, which is the most important airborne fungal pathogen of humans. Because deletion of the single tor gene was apparently lethal, we generated a conditional lethal tor mutant by replacing the endogenous tor gene by the inducible xylp–tor gene cassette. By both 2DE and gel‐free LC‐MS/MS, we found that Tor controls a variety of proteins involved in nutrient sensing, stress response, cell cycle progression, protein biosynthesis and degradation, but also processes in mitochondria, such as respiration and ornithine metabolism, which is required for siderophore formation. qRT‐PCR analyses indicated that mRNA levels of ornithine biosynthesis genes were increased under iron limitation. When tor was repressed, iron regulation was lost. In a deletion mutant of the iron regulator HapX also carrying the xylp–tor cassette, the regulation upon iron deprivation was similar to that of the single tor inducible mutant strain. In line, hapX expression was significantly reduced when tor was repressed. Thus, Tor acts either upstream of HapX or independently of HapX as a repressor of the ornithine biosynthesis genes and thereby regulates the production of siderophores.
Synthesis of high thermal stability polybenzoxazoles via ortho‐imide‐functional benzoxazine monomers
Authors: Zhang Kan , Liu Jia , Ohashi Seishi , Liu Xiaoyun , Han Zhewen , Ishida Hatsuo
Published: February 2015

We report our work for preparing cross‐linked polyimide via a series of imide functional benzoxazine resins as precursors. The structures of synthesized monomers have been confirmed by 1H NMR and FT‐IR. Among this class of benzoxazine monomers, the ortho‐imide functional benzoxazine resins show useful features both in the synthesis of benzoxazine monomers and the properties of the corresponding thermosets. For the cross‐linked polyimides based on ortho‐imide functional benzoxazine, an additional route is adopted to form a more thermally stable cross‐linked polybenzoxazole with the release of carbon dioxide. The ortho‐imide functional benzoxazine resins show the possibility to form high performance and even super high performance thermosets with low cost and easy processability. The thermal properties are evaluated by DSC and TGA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1330–1338
An efficient perturbed parameter scheme in the Lorenz system for quantifying model uncertainty
Authors: Chen Gino , Kirtman Ben P. , Iskandarani Mohamed
Published: February 2015

In the present proof‐of‐concept investigation, a new reliable and efficient perturbed parameter scheme is shown to be comparable to an additive stochastic parametrization scheme in resolving systematic model error. The experiments are conducted using two Lorenz 63 (L63) models coupled to mimic the ocean–atmosphere system, and the atmospheric L63 is further coupled to a spatially resolved convective‐scale Lorenz 96 (L96). The entire system is treated as the ‘truth’, and is simulated using a ‘forecast model’ where L96 is treated as a subgrid‐scale process and parametrized using one of three schemes: (i) deterministic, (ii) additive stochastic parametrization, and (iii) perturbed parameter. Perfect initial conditions are applied to investigate uncertainties caused by model errors. The systematic biases are significantly reduced in the perturbed parameter scheme when ‘informative’ perturbations are applied. An informative perturbation is the difference between the true tendency and the deterministically parametrized tendency. Moreover, the proposed scheme uses a stochastic spectral method, Polynomial Chaos Expansion (PCE), to build a low‐cost surrogate model of the perturbed forecast model. The PCE surrogate is an analytic function of the perturbation which effectively produces unbiased forecast statistics at large ensemble size, without the need to integrate the actual perturbed forecast model.
Rethinking ESL Service Courses for International Graduate Students
Authors: Min Young‐Kyung
Published: February 2015

Drawing on data from a writing program in English as a second language (ESL) at a large university in the midwestern United States, this article addresses the significant gap in programmatic and pedagogical responses for graduate writing support by probing the notion ofESLservice courses that approach graduate writing courses as being essentially the same as undergraduate writing courses. It looks into the teaching of writing and writing instructor training inTESOLby tracing the complex phenomenon by which first‐year students in a master's in teaching English as a second language (MATESL) program—both native and nonnative speakers who do not have any experience of teaching let alone writing—become instructors ofESLgraduate writing courses in which many doctoral students are enrolled. It raises questions aboutESLpractitioners’ assumptions about the transfer of writing skills across disciplines and genres and examines the implications of English for academic purposes pedagogy for graduate students’ writing practices. This article aims to prompt critical reflection on, and ultimately innovation in, writing programs designed for international graduate students while contributing to the development of a meta‐disciplinary awareness of the study ofESLwriting inTESOL.
Modification of an abdominal diagnosis teaching simulator to reproduce patterns of resistance to pressure
Authors: Yakubo Shuji , Ueda Yukiko , Muroga Kazuhiro , Tanekura Naomichi , Okudaira Tomoyuki , Sasanuma Toshifumi , Adachi Hideki , Ishino Shogo , Nakayama Takashi , Yamanaka Kazufumi , Namiki Takao
Published: February 2015

Aim

Within the Kampo medical system, there exists a system specific to Japan of abdominal diagnosis called abdominal palpation, or Fukushin, which is used to obtain a holistic picture, called an abdominal pattern, of the physical indications in the abdominal area. In order to educate students in this system, we have devised and continued to develop a Fukushin simulator, incorporating various improvements as appropriate. The present study describes some recent additions to the model with the aim of increasing its applicability across a broad range of abdominal patterns.

Methods

The simulator is modeled on the abdomen of a healthy adult man, from which we took a mold using flexible silicon resin. To increase the resistance in some areas, we used urethane foam mixed with silicon rubber or attached parts consisting of silicon rubber; to reduce the resistance to pressure in other areas, we used urethane foam in small quantities.

Results

By such adjustments, we were able to reproduce patterns seen frequently in abdominal palpation, that is, stuffiness and rigidity below the heart, rectus muscle tension, fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, and lower abdominal fullness, each marked by localized increases in resistance to touch; and lower abdominal numbness, marked by a localized reduction in resistance to touch.

Conclusion

It is expected that the simulator will make an important contribution not only to medical education but also to the standardization of abdominal diagnosis.
Language Detectives
Authors: Green Jennifer D.
Published: February 2015

Understanding, reading, and writing using academic language has increasingly become a focus in our schools. One of the salient features of academic vocabulary is morphological complexity. Many words are considered derivationally morphologically complex, meaning they have roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Affixes can be challenging for students as they attempt to uncover the meanings of new words. This article reviews the characteristics and challenges with derivational suffixes to increase teachers’ understanding, and offers several strategies to engage students in their understanding of suffixes. These strategies are not meant to be isolated lessons but rather ways to incorporate language awareness across content and throughout the school year
Routine use of Locking Shaft Screws is not Necessary in Volar Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: Lutsky Kevin , Hoffler C. Edward , Kim Nayoung , Matzon Jonas L.
Published: February 2015

Hypothesis

Volar locking plate fixation is a common treatment method for distal radius fractures. Recently, implants have been designed with an option to use locking screws in the shaft portion of the plate. While there is a high incidence of low bone mineral density in patients who sustain fragility fractures of the distal radius, the need for locking shaft screws is not well defined. Our hypothesis is that the routine use of locking screws in the shaft portion of volar plates is not required to maintain reduction or to prevent hardware failure.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed in all patients over age 50 years who underwent volar plate fixation using an implant with non-locking shaft screws for a distal radius fracture during a 2-year period. Patients were permitted to perform early range of motion exercises. Radiographs were examined and measurements were obtained to assess maintenance of reduction and incidence of hardware failure. Patients were followed at least until fracture healing. Patients were excluded from analysis if locking shaft screws were utilized or if follow-up was inadequate.

Results

Forty-one patients met the inclusion criteria. The average age was 62 years (range 50–79). There were 12 men and 29 women. The implant used incorporated 3.5-mm shaft screws in 26 patients and 2.4-mm shaft screws in 15 patients. All patients healed within acceptable radiographic parameters (mean volar tilt=4.9°, mean radial inclination=21.7°, mean radial height=11.6 mm). There were not any instances of hardware failure.

Discussion

Distal radius fractures frequently occur in patients with low bone mineral density. Non-locking, bicortically placed shaft screws provide adequate stability to allow for early range of motion without loss of reduction or hardware failure. The routine use of locking screws in the shaft portion of volar plates does not appear justified.
Cancer care in Jordan
Authors: Abdel-Razeq Hikmat , Attiga Fadwa , Mansour Asem
Published: February 2015

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Jordan after cardiovascular diseases. Due to increase in life expectancy and prolonged exposure to risk factors, cancer mortality and morbidity are expected to increase as the young population ages. This increase will constitute a challenging burden on healthcare systems in Jordan and many other neighboring countries. Planning is key to managing the expected rise in the demand for cancer care, and this will require public health initiatives to guarantee access to quality cancer care.

Over the past decade, cancer care in Jordan has witnessed remarkable improvement through access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. In this review, we address the history of cancer care in Jordan, including cancer statistics, infrastructure, workforce as well as cancer care outcomes. We also discuss many of the challenges that we face and offer suggestions for the improvement of cancer management in Jordan and the region.
The Creator-Determining Problem and Conjunctive Creationism about Fictional Characters
Authors: XU MIN
Published: February 2015

According to standard Creationism about fictional characters, each fictional character is created by its single author independently, or created by its co-authors cooperatively, or created by its independent authors independently. I argue that standard Creationism faces the Creator-Determining Problem. I propose a non-standard form of Creationism, i.e., Conjunctive Creationism, according to which each fictional character is conjunctively created. I argue that Conjunctive Creationism does not face the Creator-Determining Problem. By responding to four potential worries, I provide a further defense. My conclusion is that Conjunctive Creationism is a more promising form of Creationism.
Potential anti-obesogenic properties of non-digestible carbohydrates: specific focus on resistant dextrin
Authors: Hobden Mark R. , Guérin-Deremaux Laetitia , Rowland Ian , Gibson Glenn R. , Kennedy Orla B.
Published: February 2015

Alterations in the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota appear to contribute to the development of obesity and associated metabolic diseases. However, the extent of this relationship remains unknown. Modulating the gut microbiota with non-digestible carbohydrates (NDC) may exert anti-obesogenic effects through various metabolic pathways including changes to appetite regulation, glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation. The NDC vary in physicochemical structure and this may govern their physical properties and fermentation by specific gut bacterial populations. Much research in this area has focused on established prebiotics, especially fructans (i.e. inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides); however, there is increasing interest in the metabolic effects of other NDC, such as resistant dextrin. Data presented in this review provide evidence from mechanistic and intervention studies that certain fermentable NDC, including resistant dextrin, are able to modulate the gut microbiota and may alter metabolic process associated with obesity, including appetite regulation, energy and lipid metabolism and inflammation. To confirm these effects and elucidate the responsible mechanisms, further well-controlled human intervention studies are required to investigate the impact of NDC on the composition and function of the gut microbiota and at the same time determine concomitant effects on host metabolism and physiology.
A Reliability Generalization Study for a Multidimensional Loneliness	Scale
Authors: Maes Marlies , Van den Noortgate Wim , Goossens Luc
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Research on the average reliability and factors that affect the reliability of loneliness scales has been restricted to unidimensional measures. A reliability generalization (RG) study was conducted for a multidimensional loneness measure, that is, the Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for Children and Adolescents (LACA). Multilevel meta-analyses were performed on 79 studies that comprised 92 samples (for a total of 41,076 participants). Average reliability (Cronbach’s alpha) across samples was good (i.e., .80 or above) for all four subscales. Studies with higher sampling quality yielded slightly higher alphas for one of the subscales (i.e., Parent-related loneliness). For adolescents, as compared to children, alphas were somewhat lower for three of the four subscales and higher for the Affinity for aloneness subscale. Suggestions for future research are outlined. From a reliability perspective, the LACA is a good option for researchers who want to use a multidimensional loneliness measure with children and adolescents.